| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner environment monitoring system that has a simple, inexpensive configuration and is capable of surely urging, at an appropriate timing, a user to replace at least a waste toner box. SOLUTION: The toner environment monitoring system relates to toner used in an image forming process. This system includes: a first detecting means for detecting an amount of toner remaining in a toner cartridge, using at least a first threshold value as a reference; a second detecting means for detecting attachment or detachment of the waste toner box to or from the image forming apparatus; an alarming means for providing first warning indicating the time to replace the waste toner box; and a control means that controls the drive of the alarming means so that when the first detecting means detects that the amount of remaining toner has decreased below a first threshold, alarming with the first warning is started and when the second detecting means detects the replacement of the waste toner box, alarming with the first warning ends. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
