| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an abnormal image from being generated by reducing a remaining amount detection error with the lapse of time occurring when toner remaining amount judgment processing is performed with software. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a control section which calculates the consumption of toner used for developing an electrostatic latent image and performs toner end discrimination processing. In the control section, a pixel counter for counting the number of written pixels is connected to the input side and a toner end warning section is connected to the output side. In addition, the control section calculates the consumption of toner subject to an image part based on the number of pixels from the pixel counter and the consumption of surface staining toner in the background part of a latent image carrier by using a correction factor changed on the basis of the lapse of time of the toner, that is, the amount of toner consumed in the image and background parts of the latent image carrier, to discriminate a toner remaining amount and operate the toner end warning section according to the result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
