| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a judging method for toner near end without bringing on a detection error of toner near end even in an area of high picture element or when the initial value of the toner sticking quantity is lowered. SOLUTION: In the device, in a case where a state with lower value than a threshold value for toner near end is continued for five times in succession in step 1, the inclination in the toner sticking quantity is inclined to be decreasing in step 2 and the total picture element area for the last 5 pieces is higher than the threshold value for the picture element in step 4, the inclination in the sticking quantity for 4 more pieces of paper is seen in step 6 and judgment is made. When a rising inclination is seen here, judgement of 'toner remaining' is made and the detection error in the conventional judging method can be evaded. |
