| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately estimate and display the timing of actual toner end by referring to operating experience data in addition to toner end detection. SOLUTION: The exchange of a cartridge for storing toner is detected by an attaching/detaching sensor which is one of detecting means (S1). Next, the information of cartridge exchange history (expressing period in which printing can be performed by toner possessed inside cartridge) is stored in the data storing part of a storage means (S2). An end sensor detects that the toner inside the cartridge is consumed and there is no residual toner (S3). An estimating means compares a stored value being the history information of the data storing part with the value of present condition information, detects the toner end and advances processing to next processing S5 when the value of present condition information exceeds the stored value, and advances processing to the processing S3 when the value of present condition information does not exceed the stored value (S4). The toner end is displayed on a control panel (S5). |
