| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic system image forming apparatus capable of decreasing the printing cost on one page without consuming toner more than necessary due to toner refresh by accurately estimating the degree of toner deterioration. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: an image carrier; optical writing means for forming a latent image by optical writing corresponding to image information onto the image carrier; a developing device for supplying toner to the latent image and developing this image, thereby rendering it visible; and transfer means for transferring the toner image on the image carrier. The image forming apparatus compares a first operation value based on a pixel count value corresponding to the image information and a toner consumption reference value. If the first operation value is lower than the toner consumption reference value, a consumption pattern is formed in a non-print area on the image carrier or other image carrier bearing the toner image. In the image forming apparatus, the toner consumption reference value is altered according to a second operation value based on a detection value of an amount of adhesion of transfer residual toner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT |
