Image forming device and inference method

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming device and an inference method. The image forming device of the embodiment has a printer unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The printer unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer, and has a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer. The storage unit stores correction information related to the correction of the developer supply amount and the remaining amount of the developer. The control unit obtains driving information related to the driving of the driving component. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit meets a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the control unit obtains the correction information based on the remaining amount of the developer, and infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not meet the predetermined condition, the control unit infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and an estimation method. Background Art

[0002] An image forming device estimates the remaining amount of toner contained in a toner cartridge. Various techniques have been developed for estimating the remaining amount of toner. For example, a technique for calculating the remaining amount of toner based on the rotation time of a toner supply motor is used. However, this technique sometimes causes a deviation in the estimation of the remaining amount of toner as the remaining amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge decreases. Summary of the invention

[0003] The image forming device involved in the embodiment comprises: a printer unit, which forms an image on a sheet by using a developer, and has a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer; a storage unit, which stores correction information related to correcting the supply amount of the developer and the remaining amount of the developer; and a control unit, which obtains driving information related to the driving of the driving component, when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit meets a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the control unit obtains the correction information according to the remaining amount of the developer, and infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information, and when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not meet the predetermined condition, the control unit infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information.

[0004] The inference method involved in the embodiment is performed by an image forming device, wherein the image forming device comprises: a printer unit, which forms an image on a sheet by using a developer, and has a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer; and a storage unit, which stores correction information related to correcting the supply amount of the developer and the remaining amount of the developer. The inference method has a control step of obtaining driving information related to the driving of the driving component. In the control step, when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit meets a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the correction information is obtained according to the remaining amount of the developer, and the remaining amount of the developer is inferred based on the driving information and the correction information. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not meet the predetermined condition, the remaining amount of the developer is inferred based on the driving information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 It is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0007] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming unit according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a specific example of the count value correction table according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the cumulative driving time of the toner replenishing motor and the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a first specific example of the flow of processing for estimating the remaining toner amount according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing a second specific example of the flow of the process of estimating the remaining toner amount according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The image forming device of the embodiment has a printer unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The printer unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer, and has a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer. The storage unit stores correction information related to the correction of the supply amount of the developer and the remaining amount of the developer. The control unit obtains driving information related to the driving of the driving component. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit meets a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the control unit obtains the correction information based on the remaining amount of the developer, and infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not meet the predetermined condition, the control unit infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information.

[0013] Figure 1 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral and includes a display 11 , a control panel 12 , a printer unit 13 , a sheet storage unit 16 , and an image reading unit 20 .

[0014] The printer unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as a toner. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. The sheet may be any material as long as the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on the surface of the sheet.

[0015] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display 11, a control panel 12, a printer unit 13, a sheet storage unit 16, a paper discharge unit 17, an image reading unit 20, a conveying roller 31, a registration roller 32, a communication unit 41, a storage device 42, and a processor 43. The functional units of the image forming apparatus 100 are connected via a system bus 50 so as to be able to perform data communication.

[0016] The display 11 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display 11 displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0017] The control panel 12 has a plurality of buttons. The control panel 12 receives user operations. The control panel 12 outputs a signal corresponding to the user operations to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the display 11 and the control panel 12 may be configured as an integrated touch panel.

[0018] The printer section 13 includes an image forming section 14 and a fixing section 15. The printer section 13 forms an image on a sheet based on image information generated by the image reading section 20 or image information received via a communication path. The printer section 13 forms an image by, for example, the following processing. The image forming section 14 of the printer section 13 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum based on the image information. The image forming section 14 of the printer section 13 forms a visible image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. A specific example of a developer is a toner. The transfer section (not shown) of the printer section 13 transfers the visible image to the sheet. The fixing section 15 of the printer section 13 fixes the visible image on the sheet by heating and pressurizing the sheet. In addition, the sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation section 16 or a sheet inserted manually. In the following, the developer is described as a toner.

[0019] Figure 31 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the image forming unit 14 of the embodiment. The image forming unit 14 of the embodiment forms an image using four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image forming unit 14 includes: a processing unit 141, a secondary transfer roller 142 and a secondary transfer opposing roller 143, an intermediate transfer belt 144, a toner cartridge 145, and a toner replenishing motor 146. The image forming unit 14 includes a processing unit 141, a toner cartridge 145, and a toner replenishing motor 146 for each color. In the image forming unit 14, the above-mentioned functional units corresponding to the four colors are distinguished by Y, M, C, and K. Y represents yellow. M represents magenta. C represents cyan. K represents black. For example, 141-Y represents the processing unit 141 for yellow. In the following, when it is not distinguished which processing unit, toner cartridge, and toner replenishing motor are referred to, the processing unit 141, toner cartridge 145, and toner replenishing motor 146 are simply referred to for explanation.

[0020] The process unit 141 forms a toner image on an endless intermediate transfer belt 144. The process unit 141 includes a photosensitive drum 1401, a charger 1402, an exposure device 1403, a developing device 1404, a photosensitive body cleaner 1405, and a primary transfer roller 1406. The process unit 141 has the same configuration for the four colors of Y, M, C, and K.

[0021] The photosensitive drum 1401 generates an electrostatic latent image on its surface. The photosensitive drum 1401 is an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1401 is, for example, a cylindrical drum. The photosensitive drum 1401 has a photosensitive material on its outer peripheral surface. The photosensitive drum 1401 has the property of discharging static electricity to a portion irradiated with light.

[0022] The charger 1402 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401 with static electricity. The charger 1402 is, for example, a needle electrode. The exposure device 1403 forms an electrostatic latent image of an image of a forming object on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401. The exposure device 1403 is, for example, a laser irradiation device. The developing device 1404 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401. The developing device 1404 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner. The photosensitive body cleaner 1405 removes the residual toner of the photosensitive drum 1401. The removed toner is collected in a waste toner tank (not shown). The removed toner is discarded. The primary transfer roller 1406 transfers the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401 to the intermediate transfer belt 144.

[0023] The secondary transfer roller 142 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 144 to the sheet. The secondary transfer opposing roller 143 is provided at a position opposed to the secondary transfer roller 142. The secondary transfer opposing roller 143 and the secondary transfer roller 142 sandwich the transported sheet. The toner image is transferred to the sheet sandwiched by the secondary transfer roller 142 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 143. The secondary transfer roller 142 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 143 rotate to transport the sheet to which the toner image is transferred.

[0024] The image forming unit 14 includes a toner cartridge 145 filled with toners of various colors in each processing unit 141. The image forming unit 14 includes toner cartridges 145 of four colors, Y, M, C, and K. The toner cartridges 145 are filled with toners corresponding to the respective colors. In the image forming unit 14, for example, 145-Y represents a yellow toner cartridge. In order to transport the toner toward the toner discharge port, a toner transport component that transports the toner by rotation is provided inside the toner cartridge 145. The toner transport component is, for example, a component that has spiral blades and is rotatable around a rotation axis. The toner supply motor 146 rotates the toner transport component according to a driving instruction from the processor 43. The toner transport component rotates due to the rotation of the toner supply motor 146. Due to the rotation of the toner supply component, the toner moves toward the toner discharge port of the toner cartridge and falls to the developing device 1404 through the tube. Toner is supplied to the developing device 1404. The toner supply motor 146 is a form of a driving component. The driving component is a component related to the supply of developer.

[0025] return Figure 2 , the image forming apparatus 100 is further described. The sheet storage section 16 includes a paper supply cassette 161 and a paper supply roller 162. The paper supply cassette 161 of the sheet storage section 16 stores sheets used for image formation in the printer section 13. The paper supply roller 162 rotates according to a rotation instruction from the processor 43. The sheets stored in the paper supply cassette 161 are conveyed to the printer section 13 by the rotation of the paper supply roller 162. In addition, the conveying path 30 indicates a conveying path of the conveyed sheets.

[0026] The paper discharge unit 17 includes a paper discharge tray 171 . Sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 are placed on the paper discharge tray 171 . For example, sheets conveyed from the sheet storage unit 16 through the conveyance path 30 are discharged to the paper discharge tray 171 .

[0027] The image reading unit 20 reads the image information of the reading object as light and dark. The image reading unit 20 records the read image information. The recorded image information can be sent to other information processing devices via a network. The recorded image information can also be formed into an image on a sheet by the printer unit 13.

[0028] The conveying roller 31 rotates according to the rotation instruction from the processor 43. The conveying roller 31 conveys the sheet by rotating. The registration roller 32 horizontalizes the sheet tilted during conveyance. The registration roller 32 rotates according to the rotation instruction from the processor 43. The registration roller 32 conveys the horizontalized sheet by rotating.

[0029] The communication unit 41 is configured by a communication interface. The communication unit 41 communicates with an external device (eg, a management server) via a network using a predetermined protocol.

[0030] The storage device 42 is constructed using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage device 42 pre-stores data required for the image forming device 100 to operate. The storage device 42 stores, for example, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge housed in the image forming device 100. The remaining amount of toner is the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge. For example, the remaining amount of toner is expressed between 0% and 100% based on the cumulative count value and the upper limit count value described later. In the remaining amount of toner, for example, the amount when the toner cartridge is not used is expressed as 100%. In the remaining amount of toner, for example, the amount when the toner is completely used up is expressed as 0%. The remaining amount of toner is expressed, for example, by the following formula (1).

[0031] Remaining amount of toner (%) = (1-(accumulated count value / upper limit count value)) × 100 (1)

[0032] The upper limit count value indicates the upper limit value of the cumulative count value. When the cumulative count value reaches the upper limit, the remaining amount of toner is 0%. The count value indicates the value obtained by counting the amount corresponding to the drive of the toner supply motor 146. For example, the count value can also be calculated by dividing the drive time of the toner supply motor 146 by the unit time. For example, the count value is counted once each time the drive time of the toner supply motor 146 passes the unit time. The upper limit count value can also be predetermined according to the capacity of the toner cartridge. The storage device 42 stores the upper limit count value in advance. In the embodiment, the description is made with the unit time being one second. The unit time is not limited to one second. The unit time can also be greater than or less than one second. The unit time can also be predetermined as an arbitrary time.

[0033] The cumulative count value is a cumulative value of count values ​​counted from the time a new toner cartridge is installed to the current time. The storage device 42 stores, for example, the cumulative count value of the toner cartridge stored in the image forming apparatus 100. The cumulative count value is expressed by, for example, the following formula (2).

[0034] Cumulative count value = previous cumulative count value + count value…(2)

[0035] The last cumulative count value is the cumulative value of the count values ​​counted from the installation of a new toner cartridge to the last toner replenishment. The storage device 42 stores the cumulative count value. As shown in the following formula (3), the count value is calculated by dividing the driving time (seconds) of the toner replenishment motor 146 by the unit time and then multiplying it by the correction value.

[0036] Count value = driving time (seconds) ÷ unit time (seconds) × correction value…(3)

[0037] The driving time is a specific example of the driving information. The driving information is information related to the driving of the driving component.

[0038] The storage device 42 stores, for example, a remaining amount threshold value. The remaining amount threshold value is a threshold value related to the remaining amount of toner. The remaining amount threshold value is expressed as a percentage. The remaining amount threshold value may also be stored as a predetermined value. The remaining amount threshold value may also be stored as a different value for the image forming device 100 or each toner cartridge. The remaining amount threshold value is used to determine whether the remaining amount of toner is close to exhaustion. Close to exhaustion means that the remaining amount of toner is close to exhaustion (zero). The storage device 42 stores, for example, a count value correction table. The count value correction table is a table that stores correction values ​​for correcting count values ​​according to the remaining amount of toner. The storage device 42 is a specific example of a storage unit.

[0039] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a specific example of the count value correction table according to the embodiment. Figure 4 The count value correction table has the following correction value: the count value calculated based on the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 is corrected according to the remaining amount of toner. The count value correction table has a correction record. The correction record has information related to the correction of the count value. The correction record has each value of the interval, the remaining amount of toner (%) and the correction value. The interval is information that identifies in which interval the remaining amount of toner of the image forming device 100 is included. The remaining amount of toner (%) represents the range of the remaining amount of toner of the image forming device 100 contained in the interval. When the correction value used when calculating the count value of the remaining amount of toner in the interval of 10% to 100% is "1", the correction value represents the correction value of each interval corresponding to the remaining amount of toner. In each interval of the correction record, the count value represents the value of the amount of toner supplied when the toner supply motor 146 is driven for a predetermined time. That is, the count value is calculated by dividing the driving time (seconds) by the unit time and then multiplying it by the correction value. In addition, each value in the count value correction table is not limited to Figure 4 The count value correction table may have different values ​​depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 100 or the usage status of the user. The correction record is a specific example of the correction information.

[0040] exist Figure 4In the example shown, the correction record at the top level of the count value correction table is as follows: the interval value is "first interval", the value of the remaining toner amount (%) is "100% to 10% or more", and the value of the correction value is "1". Therefore, according to the record at the top level of the count value correction table, when the remaining toner amount is "100% to 10% or more", the remaining toner amount is included in the "first interval". If the toner supply motor 146 is driven for 20 seconds, the count value becomes "20" because the correction value is "1". For example, if the count value required to reduce the remaining toner amount of the image forming device 100 by 1% is 20, when the remaining toner amount is in the first interval, the toner supply motor 146 only needs to be driven for 20 seconds. Similarly, when the remaining toner amount is in the second interval, the remaining toner amount can be reduced by 1% by driving the toner supply motor 146 for 40 seconds (=20 counts / correction value). In addition, Figure 4 The count value correction table shown is only a specific example. Figure 4 The count value correction table is constructed in different ways.

[0041] return Figure 2 , the image forming apparatus 100 is further described. The processor 43 controls the operation of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The processor 43 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. The processor 43 loads the software program stored in the storage device 42 into a memory such as a RAM, and performs processing by executing the software program. Next, a part of the control performed by the processor 43 is described.

[0042] The processor 43 detects the exhaustion of the remaining amount of toner provided in the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the processor 43 determines whether the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted based on an automatic toner sensor (not shown) provided in the developing device 1404. In this case, the processor 43 outputs a drive instruction to the toner replenishing motor 146. The toner replenishing motor 146 drives for a predetermined time based on the drive instruction. When toner remains in the toner cartridge, the toner is replenished to the developing device 1404 according to the driving of the toner replenishing motor 146. When the toner concentration of the developing device 1404 no longer increases, the processor 43 determines that the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted.

[0043] In addition, the processor 43 determines whether the toner contained in the toner cartridge is nearly exhausted. The processor 43 may determine whether the toner is nearly exhausted based on, for example, the remaining amount of toner stored in the storage device 42. For example, when the remaining amount of toner is less than the remaining amount threshold, the processor 43 determines that the toner is nearly exhausted.

[0044] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the cumulative driving time of the toner supply motor 146 and the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment. Figure 5 In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the cumulative driving time (seconds) of the toner supply motor 146. The vertical axis represents the remaining amount (%) of toner in the toner cartridge. The initial value of the cumulative driving time (seconds) of the toner supply motor 146 is 0 (seconds). The initial value of the remaining amount (%) of toner is 100 (%). Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , as the cumulative driving time (seconds) of the toner supply motor 146 increases, the remaining toner amount (%) decreases. If the remaining toner amount is lower than the remaining amount threshold, the processor 43 determines that the toner cartridge is nearly exhausted.

[0045] Conventionally, if the remaining amount of toner decreases, the amount of toner replenishment decreases as the toner replenishment motor 146 is driven. Figure 5 As shown, the accumulated driving time of the toner supply motor 146 at the time when the automatic toner sensor detects the exhaustion of the remaining amount of toner becomes longer than 2000 seconds. Figure 5 The area 60 included in represents an example of the remaining toner amount from when the toner is judged to be nearly exhausted to when the toner is judged to be exhausted and the cumulative driving time of the toner supply motor 146. Thus, when the remaining toner amount is nearly exhausted, the toner supply amount is smaller than when the remaining toner amount is not nearly exhausted.

[0046] Therefore, the processor 43 estimates a value close to the actual remaining toner amount by correcting the count value relative to the driving time of the toner replenishing motor 146. In addition, by performing a larger correction as the remaining toner amount decreases, the processor 43 can estimate an appropriate remaining toner amount corresponding to a decrease in the remaining toner amount.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a first specific example of the process flow for estimating the remaining amount of toner according to the embodiment. The process for estimating the remaining amount of toner is performed at a predetermined timing after replenishing the toner. The predetermined timing may be, for example, the timing at which the image forming process ends. The predetermined timing may be, for example, the timing at which the image is formed on the sheet.

[0048] The processor 43 determines whether the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted (ACT101). Specifically, the processor 43 checks for exhaustion based on an automatic toner sensor (not shown) provided in the developing device 1404. First, the processor 43 outputs a driving instruction to drive the toner replenishing motor 146 for a predetermined time. The toner replenishing motor 146 is driven for a predetermined time based on the driving instruction. In the case where toner remains in the toner cartridge, toner is replenished to the developing device 1404 according to the drive of the toner replenishing motor 146. If toner is replenished, the automatic toner sensor detects an increase in the toner concentration inside the developing device 1404. In the case where the toner concentration of the developing device 1404 no longer increases, the processor 43 determines that the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted. In the case where the toner concentration of the developing device 1404 increases, the processor 43 determines that the toner in the toner cartridge is not exhausted. Furthermore, the processor 43 calculates a count value of the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 driven according to the driving instruction, and adds the count value to the cumulative count value stored in the storage device 42. The processor 43 records the added cumulative count value in the storage device 42.

[0049] When determining that the toner in the toner cartridge is exhausted (ACT 101 : YES), the processor 43 determines that the remaining toner amount is 0 (ACT 102 ). The processor 43 records the remaining toner amount in the storage device 42 .

[0050] When it is determined that the toner in the toner cartridge is not exhausted (ACT 101: No), the processor 43 acquires the cumulative count value (ACT 103). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the cumulative count value stored in the storage device 42. Next, the processor 43 acquires the remaining amount of toner (ACT 104). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the remaining amount of toner stored in the storage device 42.

[0051] The processor 43 determines whether the remaining amount of toner is close to being exhausted (ACT 105). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains a remaining amount threshold from the storage device 42. When the remaining amount of toner is less than the remaining amount threshold, the processor 43 determines that the remaining amount of toner is close to being exhausted. When the remaining amount of toner is above the remaining amount threshold, the processor 43 determines that the remaining amount of toner is not close to being exhausted.

[0052] When the remaining toner amount is not close to being exhausted (ACT 105: No), the processor 43 acquires information about the first interval (ACT 106). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the count value correction table from the storage device 42. The processor 43 acquires a correction record having a value of the first interval from the count value correction table (ACT 106).

[0053] When the remaining amount of toner is close to being exhausted (ACT105: Yes), the processor 43 obtains information corresponding to the remaining amount of toner (ACT107). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains the count value correction table from the storage device 42. The processor 43 obtains a correction record based on the value of the remaining amount of toner (%) of the count value correction table and the remaining amount of toner. For example, the processor 43 specifies a correction record containing a value of the remaining amount of toner within the range of the value of the remaining amount of toner (%) of the correction record. The processor 43 obtains the specified correction record. For example, when the remaining amount of toner is 7%, the processor 43 obtains a correction record having a value of the second interval.

[0054] The processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner (ACT108). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains a correction value from the correction record. The processor 43 divides the drive time by the unit time. The processor 43 calculates the count value by multiplying the value after the division operation by the correction value. In addition, when the correction value is 1, the processor 43 may also use the value obtained by dividing the drive time by the unit time as the count value. The processor 43 obtains the cumulative count value from the storage device 42 as the last cumulative count value. The processor 43 calculates the cumulative count value based on formula (2). Then, the processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner. The processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner, for example, based on formula (1). The processor 43 records the inferred remaining amount of toner and the cumulative count value to the storage device 42.

[0055] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner based on the cumulative count value. However, the method for inferring the remaining amount of toner is not limited to this. The processor 43 may also be configured to infer the remaining amount of toner using other methods. For example, the processor 43 may also be configured to infer the remaining amount of toner by subtracting the driving time from the remaining amount of toner divided by the replenishment time (seconds) of the correction record. This will be described in detail below.

[0056] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing a second specific example of the flow of the process of estimating the remaining toner amount according to the embodiment. ACTs 201 to 205 are the same as ACTs 101 to 105 , and thus their description is omitted.

[0057] When the remaining amount of toner is not close to being exhausted (ACT205: No), the process jumps to ACT207. When the remaining amount of toner is close to being exhausted (ACT205: Yes), the processor 43 obtains information corresponding to the remaining amount of toner (ACT206). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains the count value correction table from the storage device 42. The processor 43 obtains the correction record based on the remaining amount of toner (%) and the remaining amount of toner of the count value correction table. For example, the processor 43 specifies a correction record that includes the remaining amount of toner within the range of the remaining amount of toner (%). The processor 43 obtains the specified correction record.

[0058] The processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner (ACT 207). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains the correction value 2 from the correction record. The processor 43 divides the driving time by the correction value 2. The value obtained after the division operation becomes a value representing the count value. For example, the correction value 2 is 20 in the first interval, 40 in the second interval, 100 in the third interval, 200 in the fourth interval, and 400 in the fifth interval. The processor 43 infers the current remaining amount of toner by subtracting the value obtained after the division operation from the remaining amount of toner. The processor 43 records the inferred remaining amount of toner in the storage device 42.

[0059] In the image forming device 100 thus configured, the processor 43 obtains the driving time of the toner supply motor 146. The processor 43 obtains different correction values ​​according to the remaining amount of toner stored in the storage device 42. The processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner based on the driving time and the correction value. The image forming device 100 can make the inferred value of the remaining amount of toner closer to the actual remaining amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge by correcting the count value based on the driving time. Therefore, the maintenance personnel of the image forming device 100 can reduce the toner remaining in the toner cartridge as the toner cartridge is replaced. In addition, the user of the image forming device 100 can order the toner cartridge in a state closer to exhaustion, thereby reducing service costs. In addition, even when the toner cartridge is close to exhaustion, the image forming device 100 can suppress restrictions on image formation.

[0060] <Modification>

[0061] In the above embodiment, the processor 43 infers the remaining amount of toner based on the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 driven by supplying toner. However, the processor 43 may also use other methods to infer the remaining amount of toner. For example, the processor 43 may infer the remaining amount of toner based on the rotation speed of the toner supply motor 146 instead of the driving time. In this case, the count value correction table stores the same correction value as in the above embodiment. The rotation speed of the toner supply motor 146 is a specific example of the driving information.

[0062] The correction values ​​of the count value correction table can also be arbitrarily changed through the control panel 12 or the communication unit 41. For example, the maintenance personnel of the image forming device 100 can also confirm the usage status of the image forming device 100 through the network. The maintenance personnel can also determine the optimal correction value based on the cumulative driving time of the toner supply motor 146, the remaining amount of toner in the toner box, and the image formation status. The optimal correction value is a value that makes the actual reduction in the toner in the box closer to the calculated toner supply amount. In this case, the maintenance personnel inputs the optimal correction value by operating an external device set in a remote place such as a service center. The communication unit 41 of the image forming device 100 obtains the optimal correction value input to the external device. The processor 43 records the obtained correction value in the count value correction table. In addition, the maintenance personnel can also set the optimal correction value in the image forming device 100 by operating the control panel 12. The optimal correction value is a form of change information.

[0063] In the above two embodiments, the driving amount of the driving member refers to the driving time or the rotation speed of the toner replenishing motor 146 .

[0064] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 calculates the toner supply amount, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the toner supply amount may be calculated based on an external device. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 sends the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 to the external device.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 estimates the remaining amount of toner, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the remaining amount of toner may be estimated based on an external device. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 sends the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 to the external device.

[0066] Although several embodiments are described, these embodiments are only presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the purpose of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: A printer section that forms an image on a sheet using a developer and includes a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer; a storage unit storing correction information related to correction of the supply amount of the developer and the remaining amount of the developer; and The control unit acquires driving information related to the driving of the driving component, When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit satisfies a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the control unit acquires the correction information according to the remaining amount of the developer and infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the drive information and the correction information. When the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit infers the remaining amount of the developer based on the drive information. The predetermined condition is that the remaining amount of the developer is close to being exhausted, The correction information reduces the supply amount of the developer at a predetermined ratio corresponding to the remaining amount of the developer. The correction information reduces the replenishment amount of the developer at a greater rate as the remaining amount of the developer decreases.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The driving information is information on the driving amount of the driving member driven according to the supply of the developer. The control section calculates a cumulative supply amount of the developer based on the driving information, and estimates a remaining amount of the developer based on the cumulative supply amount.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The driving information is information on the driving amount of the driving member driven according to the supply of the developer. The control section estimates the remaining amount of the developer by subtracting the supplied amount of the developer obtained based on the driving information from the remaining amount of the developer.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The driving information is the driving time of the driving component.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The driving component is a developer supply motor, and the driving information is a rotation speed of the driving component.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in, The control unit acquires change information for changing the correction information, and records the correction information changed based on the change information in the storage unit.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, in, The image forming apparatus further includes a communication unit configured to receive the change information from an external device. The control unit changes the correction information based on the received change information.

8. An inference method, performed by an image forming device, The image forming apparatus comprises: a printer section that forms an image on a sheet using a developer and comprises a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer; and a storage section that stores correction information related to correction of the supply amount of the developer and the remaining amount of the developer. The inference method comprises a control step of acquiring driving information related to the driving of the driving component, In the control step, when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit satisfies a predetermined condition related to the remaining amount, the correction information is acquired according to the remaining amount of the developer, and the remaining amount of the developer is inferred based on the drive information and the correction information; when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the remaining amount of the developer is inferred based on the drive information, The predetermined condition is that the remaining amount of the developer is close to being exhausted, The correction information reduces the supply amount of the developer at a predetermined ratio corresponding to the remaining amount of the developer. The correction information reduces the replenishment amount of the developer at a greater rate as the remaining amount of the developer decreases.

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