| 摘要 |
A low cost image forming apparatus can be provided in which the amount of remaining toner of each color in each development apparatus can be detected by a single detection sensor device and at the same time whether the development apparatus is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus can be discerned by the detection sensor device. The image forming apparatus includes development apparatuses for each color for developing an electrostatic latent image and supply of the developer is controlled based on the detected amount of toner in each of the development apparatuses. The detection sensor device includes a light emitting member and a light receiving member which receives the light emitted from the light emitting member and output a detection signal in accordance with the intensity of received light. Each of the development apparatuses has a light path member or members and the light emitted from the light emitting member advances through the light path member or members in which the light is formed into a light different in pattern with respect to each development apparatus. Therefore, the development apparatus brought to the developing position can be discerned and the amount of toner in the development apparatus can be determined based on the detection signal, thereby supply of developer to the development apparatus is controlled.
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