| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus achieving both a fully-filled state detection function and a light detection function, using a single sensor.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a light input part formed on the surface of the image forming apparatus, configured to input external light outside the apparatus into the apparatus; one light-receiving part disposed in the image forming apparatus and for detecting the light quantity; a laser irradiation part configured to emit the laser to the light-receiving part; a filler configured to detect the height of recording materials loaded to a discharge part; a light shielding part configured to shield the laser emitted to the light-receiving part, when the predetermined height is detected by the filler; and a control part which performs the fully-filled state detecting function of detecting that the discharge part is filled full with the loaded recording materials, by comparing the light quantity detected by the light receiving part before the laser irradiation with the light quantity detected by the light-receiving part after the laser irradiation, and which also performs the light detecting function of performing a predetermined control, according to the comparison result obtained by comparing the light quantity of the external light detected by the light-receiving part with a preset light detection threshold. |
