| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of more accurately detecting the remaining amount of toner in a toner container. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus, having a development unit 4 which performs development, by using a developer containing toner and a carrier, the toner container 46 which contains toner to be supplied, a toner supply means 47, a toner density detecting means 42 for detecting the toner density of the developer in the development unit 4, and an image density detecting means 15 of detecting the density of a developed reference toner image T has a toner remaining amount detection mode, including a 1st step of driving the toner supply means 47 and also detecting the toner density of the developer in the development unit 4 by the toner density detecting means 42 and a 2nd step of forming the reference toner image T, after the 1st step and detecting its density by the image density detecting means 15, and in the 2nd step, it is decided whether the 1st step is to be performed again or that the toner remaining amount detection mode is to be finished, according to the detection result of the density of the reference toner image T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI |
