| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more accurately supply developer to a developing device, with respect to the conventional process. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an estimation means which estimates the amount of consumption of developer when an image is formed, on the basis of the print proportion of an image to be formed; and an integrating means which integrates the amounts of consumption estimated for each image. The apparatus also includes a determination means which determines whether the integrated amount of consumption has exceeded a threshold, each time developer is supplied; and a supply means, which when the integrated amount of consumption exceeds the threshold, supplies a fixed quantity of developer, corresponding to the threshold value, to a development container. In particular, the apparatus includes an estimation means which estimates the degree of deterioration of the developer, stored in the developing container, and an adjusting means which adjusts the threshold, according to the degree of deterioration of the developer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
