| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner supply device designed so that before toner in a storage container is used up, the quantity of toner can be estimated without condition that the storage container is used for fresh toner. <P>SOLUTION: When a quantity of toner in a toner storage part reaches a predetermined level, the supply of toner from the toner storage container is stopped. After printing is carried out as it is for a set time, the toner is supplied to the storage part again, and then the time taken for the quantity of toner to reach a predetermined level is measured. This makes it possible to estimate a quantity of toner remaining in the toner storage container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
