Toner quantity measuring device, method of measuring toner quantity and image forming apparatus
US7292797B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/556
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner quantity measuring device, a method of measuring toner quantity and an image forming apparatus are provided that can accurately measure the toner quantity in an environmentally friendly manner, without having to make contact with a toner carrier and within a shortened period of time. The toner quantity measuring device is designed to measure the quantity of the toner T on a developing roller 510 which carries coloring agent-containing toner T in the form of a thin layer. The toner quantity measuring device is provided with a chromaticity detector 3 for detecting average chromaticity of the light which is irradiated from a light source 2 onto the developing roller 510 and then reflected by the developing roller 510, and a calculator 4 for calculating the toner quantity based on the average chromaticity detected by the chromaticity detector 3.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.