Image forming device and estimation method

Abstract

An image forming device and an estimation method. The image forming device of the embodiment includes a printing unit and a control unit. The printing unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer and includes a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer. The control unit obtains driving information related to the continuous driving of the driving component, obtains correction information related to the correction of the amount of developer used based on the driving information, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments generally relate to an image forming apparatus and an estimating method. Background Art

[0002] There is an image forming device that estimates the remaining amount of toner contained in a toner cartridge. Various techniques have been studied for estimating the remaining amount of toner. For example, there is a technique for estimating the remaining amount of toner based on the rotation time of a toner supply motor, etc. However, in this technique, if the continuous rotation time of the toner supply motor becomes longer, the deviation between the actual remaining amount of toner and the estimated result may become larger. Summary of the invention

[0003] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a printing unit and a control unit. The printing unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer and includes a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer. The control unit acquires driving information related to the continuous driving of the driving component, acquires correction information related to the correction of the amount of the developer used based on the driving information, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information.

[0004] The estimation method of the embodiment is an estimation method performed by an image forming device, wherein the image forming device forms an image on a sheet by using a developer and has a prescribed driving component related to the replenishment of the developer, and the estimation method has the following control steps: the image forming device obtains driving information related to the continuous driving of the driving component, obtains correction information related to the correction of the usage amount of the developer based on the driving information, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction 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 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the toner usage amount correction table according to the embodiment.

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

[0010] Figure 6This is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the toner drop amount and the motor continuous drive time of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing a specific example of the flow of processing for estimating the remaining toner amount according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the toner usage amount correction table according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[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 printing unit 13 , a sheet storage unit 16 , and an image reading unit 20 .

[0014] The printing 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 anything as long as the image forming apparatus 100 can form an image on its surface.

[0015] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display 11, a control panel 12, a printing 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 enable 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 printing section 13 includes an image forming section 14 and a fixing section 15. The printing 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 line. The printing section 13 forms an image by, for example, the following processing. The image forming section 14 of the printing section 13 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum based on the image information. The image forming section 14 of the printing section 13 forms a visible image by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. A specific example of a developer is a colorant. The transfer section (not shown) of the printing section 13 transfers the visible image to the sheet. The fixing section 15 of the printing section 13 fixes the visible image to the sheet by heating and pressurizing the sheet. It should be noted that the sheet on which the image is formed can be either a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating section 16 or a sheet inserted manually. In the following, the developer is described as a colorant.

[0019] Figure 3 : 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 in four colors, namely yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The image forming unit 14 includes: a process unit 141, a secondary transfer roller 142 and a secondary transfer opposing roller 143, an intermediate transfer belt 144, a toner box 145, and a toner replenishing motor 146. The image forming unit 14 includes a process unit 141, a toner box 145, and a toner replenishing motor 146 for each of the various colors. 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 process unit 141 for yellow. In the following description, when any of the process unit, the toner cartridge, and the toner replenishing motor are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the process unit 141 , the toner cartridge 145 , and the toner replenishing motor 146 .

[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 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 the 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 forming a target image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401. The exposure device 1403 is, for example, a laser irradiation device. The developing device 1404 supplies colorant to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1401. The developing device 1404 develops the electrostatic latent image with the colorant. The photosensitive body cleaner 1405 removes the residual colorant on the photosensitive drum 1401. The removed colorant is collected in a waste colorant box (not shown). The removed colorant 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 sheet being conveyed. 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 convey the sheet to which the toner image is transferred.

[0024] The image forming unit 14 includes a toner box 145 filled with toners of various colors in each of the process units 141. The image forming unit 14 includes toner boxes 145 of four colors, namely, Y, M, C, and K. The toner boxes 145 are filled with toners corresponding to the various colors. In the image forming unit 14, for example, 145-Y represents a yellow toner box. Inside the toner box 145, a toner conveying member that rotates and conveys the toner is provided in order to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port. The toner conveying member is, for example, a freely rotatable member having a threaded blade around a rotating shaft. The toner supply motor 146 rotates the toner conveying member according to a rotation instruction from the processor 43. The toner conveying member rotates by the rotation of the toner supply motor 146. The toner conveying member falls to the developing device 1404 toward the toner discharge port of the toner box through a pipe due to the rotation of the toner conveying member. Toner is replenished in the developing device 1404. The toner replenishing motor 146 is one form of a driving component. The driving component is a component related to the replenishment of the 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 forming images in the printing 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 printing section 13 by the rotation of the paper supply roller 162. It should be noted that the conveying path of the conveyed sheets is indicated by the conveying path 30.

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

[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 be formed into an image on a sheet by the printing 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 the conveying. The registration roller 32 rotates according to the rotation instruction from the processor 43. The registration roller 32 conveys the sheet by rotating the horizontal sheet.

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

[0030] The storage device 42 is formed by using a storage device such as a magnetic disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage device 42 stores data required when the image forming device 100 operates. The storage device 42 stores data used by each functional unit of the image forming device 100, such as the remaining amount of toner. The storage device 42 can also store digital data generated by the image reading unit 20. The storage device 42 can also store data of an image formed in the image forming device 100.

[0031] The storage device 42 stores, for example, a toner usage correction table. The toner usage correction table is a correction value for the toner usage according to the continuous driving time of the toner replenishing motor 146. Figure 4: is a diagram showing a specific example of a toner usage correction table of an embodiment. The toner usage correction table has values ​​of continuous drive time and correction value. The continuous drive time is the time during which the toner supply motor 146 is continuously driven. The correction value is a value used to correct the toner usage. The continuous drive time is stored in correspondence with the correction value. The toner usage is calculated based on the continuous drive time of the toner supply motor 146 and the correction value corresponding to the continuous drive time. It should be noted that the values ​​of the toner usage correction table are not limited to Figure 4 The toner usage correction table may have different values ​​depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 100 and the user's usage status. The continuous driving time is a form of driving information. The driving information is information related to the continuous driving of the driving component. The correction value is a form of correction information. The correction information is information related to the usage of the developer.

[0032] return Figure 2 , the image forming apparatus 100 is further described. The storage device 42 stores a remaining amount threshold value related to the remaining amount of the toner. If the remaining amount of the toner is lower than the remaining amount threshold value, it is determined that the remaining amount of the toner is nearly empty. Nearly empty means that the toner contained in the toner box is reduced. The remaining amount threshold value may be 10% or 20%. The remaining amount threshold value may also be a predetermined value.

[0033] 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) etc. The processor 43 loads a software program stored in the storage device 42 into a memory such as a RAM and executes the software program to perform processing.

[0034] The processor 43 detects, for example, that the toner contained in the toner box is nearly empty. The processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of the toner based on the amount of toner used. The processor 43 detects whether the toner box is nearly empty based on the estimated remaining amount of the toner. For example, the processor 43 calculates the amount of toner used based on the driving time of the toner replenishing motor 146. Therefore, the remaining amount of the toner and the toner replenishing motor 146 have a certain relationship.

[0035] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the remaining amount of toner and the accumulated motor driving time according to the embodiment. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the cumulative driving time of the toner supply motor 146 is 0, the remaining amount of toner is 100%. The processor 43 reduces the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge according to the increase in the cumulative driving time of the toner supply motor 146. When the remaining amount of toner is lower than the remaining amount threshold value stored in the storage device 42, the processor 43 determines that the toner is nearly empty.

[0036] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the amount of toner drop and the motor continuous drive time in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 There is an area 60. Area 60 is the difference between the assumed drop amount corresponding to the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 and the actual toner drop amount. The assumed drop amount is indicated by a dotted line. The actual toner drop amount is indicated by a solid line. Figure 6 When the continuous driving time of the toner supply motor 146 is less than 800ms, the continuous driving time of the toner supply motor 146 and the amount of toner falling have a linear relationship. In addition, when the continuous driving time is less than 800ms, the assumed falling amount is consistent with the actual amount of toner falling. If the continuous driving time of the toner supply motor 146 is longer than 800ms, the amount of toner falling decreases. The amount of toner falling decreases due to the decompression in the toner box caused by the falling of the toner. Therefore, if the continuous driving time is longer than 800ms, the actual amount of toner falling is less than the assumed falling amount. In addition, Figure 6 , the case where the amount of toner falling is reduced when the continuous driving time is longer than 800ms is described, but it is not limited to 800ms. The continuous driving time during which the amount of toner falling is reduced may be longer than 800ms or shorter than 800ms. The continuous driving time during which the amount of toner falling is reduced refers to the time during which the relationship between the driving time of the toner supply motor 146 and the amount of toner falling is not linear. The continuous driving time during which the amount of toner falling is reduced is one form of a threshold value.

[0037] When the image forming apparatus 100 is used in such a manner that the toner replenishment time is 800 ms or less, the estimation of the remaining toner amount is less likely to be biased. Using the image forming apparatus 100 in such a manner that the toner replenishment time is 800 ms or less means, for example, printing with a low print rate. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used in such a manner that the toner replenishment time is longer than 800 ms, the estimation of the remaining toner amount may be biased. Using the image forming apparatus 100 in such a manner that the toner replenishment time is longer than 800 ms means, for example, printing with a high print rate.

[0038] When the processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of toner in a linear relationship regardless of the length of the continuous driving time, the processor 43 may estimate that the remaining amount of toner is less than the actual remaining amount of toner. For example, the more the toner is used in a manner that the time for replenishing the toner is longer than 800 ms, the more the processor 43 estimates that the remaining amount of toner is less than the actual remaining amount of toner. Therefore, the processor 43 determines that the toner cartridge is nearly empty even if the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is greater than the remaining amount threshold. When the toner cartridge is replaced at the timing when it is determined to be nearly empty, the toner remaining in the toner cartridge is wasted.

[0039] Therefore, the processor 43 calculates the amount of toner used based on the continuous driving time of the toner replenishing motor 146 and the toner usage correction table stored in the storage device 42. For example, the case where the toner replenishing motor 146 is driven continuously for 600 ms is described. In this case, the processor 43 obtains a correction value corresponding to the continuous driving time of 600 ms from the toner usage correction table stored in the storage device 42. The correction value corresponding to the continuous driving time of 600 ms is 100. The processor 43 multiplies the correction value, 100, divided by 100 by the continuous driving time of 600 ms, and the processor 43 counts the value obtained by the multiplication, 600, as the amount of toner used. The processor 43 can estimate the remaining amount of toner by subtracting the calculated amount of toner used from the current remaining amount of toner. In addition, the processor 43 can also estimate the latest remaining amount of toner by adding the current amount of toner used to the calculated amount of toner used.

[0040] Next, the case where the toner supply motor 146 is driven continuously for 1000 ms is described. In this case, the processor 43 obtains a correction value corresponding to a continuous drive time of 1000 ms from the toner usage correction table stored in the storage device 42. The correction value corresponding to a continuous drive time of 1000 ms is 96. The processor 43 divides the correction value 96 by 100 and multiplies the value obtained by the continuous drive time of 1000 ms. The processor 43 calculates the value obtained by the multiplication, i.e., 960, as the toner usage. The processor 43 can estimate the remaining toner amount by subtracting the calculated toner usage amount from the current toner remaining amount. The processor 43 can also estimate the latest remaining toner amount by adding the current toner usage amount to the calculated toner usage amount.

[0041] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the processing flow of estimating the remaining amount of toner in the embodiment. The processor 43 drives the toner supply motor 146 to perform the toner supply operation. The processor 43 detects that the toner cartridge is empty because the toner concentration does not increase even after the toner supply operation is performed. The processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of toner until the toner cartridge is empty based on the driving time of the toner supply motor 146. It should be noted that Figure 7 In the description, the toner cartridge is not empty. The remaining toner amount estimation process is performed at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be, for example, the timing when the image forming process ends. The predetermined timing may also be, for example, the timing when the image is formed on the sheet.

[0042] The processor 43 acquires the toner concentration in the developing device 1404 (ACT 101). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the toner concentration from an ATS (Automatic Toner Sensor) (not shown) provided in the developing device 1404. The ATS is a sensor that detects the toner concentration.

[0043] The processor 43 determines whether the acquired concentration is less than a concentration threshold value related to the concentration (ACT102). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the concentration threshold value related to the concentration from the storage device 42. The processor 43 compares the concentration threshold value related to the concentration with the acquired concentration. When the acquired concentration is above the concentration threshold value (ACT102: "No"), the processor 43 ends the processing. In this case, the processor 43 uses the last estimated remaining amount of colorant as the latest remaining amount of colorant. The processor 43 can record the remaining amount of colorant in the storage device 42.

[0044] When the acquired concentration is less than the concentration threshold value (ACT102: "Yes"), the processor 43 outputs a rotation instruction to the colorant supply motor 146 (ACT103). Specifically, the processor 43 determines the driving time of the colorant supply motor 146. The processor 43 can determine the driving time of the colorant supply motor 146 based on the driving time corresponding to the concentration, for example. In this case, the storage device 42 pre-stores the driving time corresponding to the concentration. In addition, the processor 43 can determine a predetermined driving time as the driving time of the colorant supply motor 146. In these cases, the processor 43 outputs the rotation instruction and the driving time to the colorant supply motor 146. In addition, the processor 43 can drive the toner supply motor 146 until the acquired concentration becomes above the threshold value. In this case, the processor 43 outputs the rotation instruction to the toner supply motor 146. When the acquired concentration is above the concentration threshold value, the processor 43 outputs a stop instruction to the toner supply motor 146. The processor 43 measures the driving time of the toner supply motor 146. Alternatively, the processor 43 may use the difference between the time when the rotation instruction is output and the time when the stop instruction is output as the driving time of the toner replenishing motor 146 .

[0045] The toner supply motor 146 is driven according to the received rotation instruction (ACT 104). Specifically, the toner supply motor 146 is driven according to the rotation instruction from the processor 43. For example, when the drive time is received from the processor 43, the toner supply motor 146 is driven based on the received drive time. For example, when the drive time is not received from the processor 43, the toner supply motor 146 is driven until the stop instruction is received from the processor 43.

[0046] The processor 43 obtains the continuous drive time (ACT 105). Specifically, when the processor 43 outputs the rotation instruction and the drive time to the toner supply motor 146, the processor 43 obtains the output drive time as the continuous drive time. On the other hand, when the processor 43 does not output the drive time to the toner supply motor 146, the processor 43 obtains the measured drive time of the toner supply motor 146 as the continuous drive time correction information.

[0047] The processor 43 acquires the correction value (ACT 106). Specifically, the processor 43 acquires the toner usage correction table stored in the storage device 42. The processor 43 acquires the correction value corresponding to the acquired continuous driving time.

[0048] The processor 43 calculates the toner usage based on the continuous driving time and the correction value (ACT 107). Specifically, the processor 43 calculates the ratio associated with the reduction in the amount of toner drop by dividing the correction value by 100. The processor 43 calculates the toner usage by multiplying the continuous driving time by the calculated ratio. For example, the processor 43 calculates the toner usage based on the following formula.

[0049] Continuous driving time × correction value ÷ 100 = toner usage

[0050] The processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of the toner (ACT 108). Specifically, the processor 43 obtains the remaining amount of the toner from the storage device 42. The processor 43 subtracts the calculated amount of toner used from the remaining amount of the toner. The processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of the toner after the subtraction as the latest remaining amount of the toner. The processor 43 records the estimated remaining amount of the toner in the storage device 42.

[0051] In the image forming apparatus 100 configured in this way, the processor 43 obtains the continuous driving time of the toner supply motor 146 and the correction value corresponding to the continuous driving time. The processor 43 estimates the remaining amount of toner based on the continuous driving time and the correction value. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can make the estimated value of the remaining amount of toner closer to the actual amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge. Therefore, the maintenance personnel of the image forming apparatus 100 can reduce the residual toner in the toner cartridge accompanying the replacement of the toner cartridge. In addition, the maintenance personnel of the image forming apparatus 100 can supply the toner cartridge to the user of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state closer to empty, which can reduce the service cost.

[0052] <Modification>

[0053] In the above embodiment, the processor 43 calculates the toner usage by multiplying the continuous driving time by the correction value. However, the processor 43 may also use other methods to calculate the toner usage. For example, the processor 43 may calculate the toner usage based on other toner usage correction tables. Figure 8 : is a diagram showing a second specific example of a toner usage correction table of an embodiment. The second specific example of the toner usage correction table has values ​​for a continuous drive time, a correction object time, and a correction value. Since the continuous drive time and the correction value are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, the description is omitted. The correction object time is the drive time of the toner replenishment motor 146 corrected by the correction value. The correction object time is a value obtained by subtracting the continuous drive time (hereinafter referred to as "drop reduction time") during which the toner drop amount is reduced from the continuous drive time. It should be noted that the lower limit value of the correction object time is 0. The processor 43 corrects the toner usage for the continuous drive time exceeding the drop reduction time based on the correction value. The following is explained with the drop reduction time being 800ms. First, when the continuous drive time is less than 800ms, the correction object time is 0ms. However, when the continuous drive time is longer than 800ms, the processor 43 corrects the time exceeding 800ms. Specifically, the processor 43 calculates the ratio related to the reduction in the toner drop amount by dividing the correction value by 100. The processor 43 calculates the toner usage by multiplying the drop reduction time, the correction target time, and the calculated ratio. For example, the processor 43 calculates the toner usage based on the following formula.

[0054] Drop reduction time (800ms) + correction target time × correction value ÷ 100 = toner usage

[0055] Next, the case where the continuous driving time is 1000 ms is described. In this case, the processor 43 acquires 200 ms as the correction target time and 96 as the correction value from the toner usage correction table. The processor 43 calculates the toner usage based on the acquired correction target time, correction value, and continuous driving time.

[0056] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the processor 43 calculates the toner usage based on the continuous driving time of the toner supply motor 146. However, the processor 43 may also use other methods to calculate the toner usage. For example, the processor 43 may also calculate the toner usage based on the continuous rotation speed of the toner supply motor 146 instead of the continuous driving time. In this case, the storage device 42 stores a toner usage correction table corresponding to the continuous rotation speed and the correction value.

[0057] Each correction value of the toner usage correction table can be arbitrarily changed via the control panel 12 or the communication unit 41. For example, a maintenance person of the image forming device 100 can confirm the usage status of the image forming device 100 via the network. The maintenance person can determine the best correction value based on the driving of the toner replenishing motor 146, the count of the toner replenishing motor 146, and the status of image formation. The best correction value is a way to change the information. The best correction value refers to a value that is closer to the amount of toner reduction in the box and the calculated amount of toner usage. In this case, the maintenance person operates an external device such as a service center set at a remote location to input the best correction value. The communication unit 41 of the image forming device 100 obtains the best correction value input to the external device. The processor 43 records the obtained correction value in the toner usage correction table. In addition, the maintenance person can also set the best correction value for the image forming device 100 by operating the control panel 12.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 calculates the toner usage, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the toner usage may be calculated based on an external device. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the continuous driving time to the external device.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 estimates the remaining toner amount, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the remaining toner amount may be estimated based on an external device. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the toner usage amount to the external device.

[0060] 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 printing section that forms an image on a sheet using a developer and includes a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer; and a control unit that acquires driving information related to continuous driving of the driving member, acquires correction information related to correction of the amount of developer used based on the driving information, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information, The control unit acquires correction information in which the increase in the amount of developer used is smaller than when the drive information is less than the threshold value when the drive information is greater than the threshold value, The driving information is the continuous driving time of the driving component.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit calculates the usage amount of the developer by multiplying the drive information by the correction information on which a predetermined operation related to a ratio has been performed, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the usage amount of the developer.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit subtracts a value obtained by subtracting information calculated based on the threshold value from the driving information and multiplies the correction information that has performed a prescribed operation related to the ratio, calculates the usage amount of the developer based on the value obtained by the multiplication and the information calculated based on the threshold value, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the usage amount of the developer.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The driving component is a developer supply motor, and the driving information is a continuous rotation speed of the driving component.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit acquires modification information for modifying correction information corresponding to the drive information, and modifies the correction information based on the modification information.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: A control panel is also provided for accepting input of the change information. The control section changes the correction information based on the input change information.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: further comprising a communication unit for acquiring the modification information from an external device, The control section changes the correction information based on the acquired change information.

8. An estimation method, which is an estimation method performed by an image forming device, wherein: The image forming device forms an image on a sheet using a developer and includes a predetermined driving component related to the supply of the developer. The estimation method comprises the following control steps: the image forming apparatus acquires driving information related to the continuous driving of the driving component, acquires correction information related to the correction of the usage amount of the developer based on the driving information, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information and the correction information. In the control step, When the driving information is greater than a threshold value, correction information is obtained in which the increase in the amount of developer used is smaller than when the driving information is less than the threshold value, The driving information is the continuous driving time of the driving component.

Images