| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more accurately detect an actual amount of toner consumption. <P>SOLUTION: An amount of toner remaining in a toner supply container 26 is detected by a remaining toner amount detection sensor 27. The number of dots of image data is counted by a first dot counter 32a. Only when the sensor 27 detects insufficiency of remaining toner and a count obtained by the counter 32a reaches a specific value, data on the insufficiency of toner in the toner supply container 26 is transmitted to a host computer 3. Thus, erroneous detection by the remaining toner amount detection sensor 27 can be prevented, and unnecessary transmission from a copying machine 1 to the host computer 3, resulting from the erroneous detection, is prevented. Accordingly, not only data communication that is unnecessary is prevented from being charged, but also cost needed for dispatch of a service man can be reduced to a low level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI |
