| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forecasting time that an image forming apparatus is likely to continue image formation and capable of transmitting information about the life forecast of each component with constant timing, and to provide an image forming method and a cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: After image forming process, a degree to which developer 4 in a developer storage 5 has been used is detected. Information about the obtained detection of the degree is compared with the life forecast threshold of the developer 4. If it is determined through the comparison that the information about the detection has exceeded the life forecast threshold, a forecast lamp 19 is turned on to transmit information about the life forecast. At this time, the image forming apparatus detects a degree to which the developer 4 has been used during a period A. Based on the obtained information about the degree to which the developer 4 has been used during the period A, the apparatus controls the timing of the transmission of the informing about the life forecast of the developer 4 so that time for each component to reach the end of its life after the transmission of the information about the life forecast is constant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
