METHOD FOR REPLACEMENT TIME PREDICTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform determination of a replacement time prediction of a replaceable cartridge. SOLUTION: An event count denoting a consumption event is read from a memory in the replaceable cartridge. A current consumption status of the replaceable cartridge is determined based on an initial load and the event count of the replaceable cartridge (S230). An input parameter is received from an input device regarding a next pending process that involves a pending consumption increment of the replaceable cartridge (S255). A subsequent consumption status of the replaceable cartridge is determined corresponding to the current consumption status altered by the pending consumption increment (S260). The subsequent consumption status is compared to a replacement condition to decide whether a replacement condition is satisfied. An alarm indicator is signaled to an operator upon satisfaction of the replacement condition. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI