Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same

US6999689B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 2004
Grant dateFeb 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0119
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Provided are an image forming apparatus and method of controlling same in which when toner replenishment from a toner accommodating unit has been performed satisfactorily, a no-toner indication can be cancelled without taking more time than necessary, and in which the status of the toner accommodating unit can be reported to the user earlier even if a toner accommodating unit that has no toner or that has malfunctioned has been installed. Whether a toner accommodating unit (5) has toner is determined based upon a detection signal from a toner density sensor (46) that detects the toner density of a developer in a developing unit (4). If it is determined that there is no toner in the toner accommodating unit (5) and the toner accommodating unit (5) is replaced, this is detected and a toner density restoration sequence for restoring the density of toner in the developing unit (4) is executed. The toner density restoration sequence is controlled based upon a predetermined target value relating to toner density restoration and a toner density restoration decision value (V1) that is different from said predetermined target value.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.