Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can provide guidance according to the amount of image forming material to be collected for disposal within the apparatus. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a collection unit, a full-capacity detection unit, a display unit, and a processor. The image forming unit forms an image using toner. The collection unit collects the waste toner generated by the image forming process by the image forming unit into a storage unit. The full-capacity detection unit detects when the storage unit is full. The display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full. The processor adjusts the display timing to indicate that the storage unit is nearly full on the display unit so that the storage unit becomes full after a predetermined period of time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses have a recovery unit that recovers image forming materials that have become unnecessary inside the apparatus. For example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus removes toner remaining on a photoreceptor or a transfer body by a cleaning mechanism. The image forming apparatus includes a waste toner recovery unit that recovers the toner removed by the cleaning mechanism as waste toner and stores it in a waste toner box.

[0003] When the waste toner box becomes full, the image forming apparatus stops operating. Therefore, the image forming apparatus detects that the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box has reached a predetermined amount close to full as near full. When a conventional image forming apparatus detects near full, it performs a display (near full display) to notify that the waste toner box is close to full for the user or service technician to prepare for replacing the waste toner box.

[0004] However, the period from when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box reaches the predetermined amount regarded as near full until it becomes full varies greatly depending on usage conditions and usage environment. Therefore, in a conventional image forming apparatus, the near full display may not be performed at an appropriate time. For example, if the waste toner box becomes full shortly after the near full display, the period for preparing the waste toner box may be too short. If the replacement waste toner box is not prepared when the waste toner box becomes full, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot immediately replace the waste toner box. Also, if the period from when the near full display is performed until the waste toner box becomes full is too long, the replacement waste toner box may be prepared too early. If the replacement waste toner box is prepared too early, there is a problem that the replacement waste toner box has to be stored for a long time at the location where the image forming apparatus is operated. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-115354 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can provide guidance according to the amount of image forming material to be collected for disposal within the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a collection unit, a full-capacity detection unit, a display unit, and a processor. The image forming unit forms an image using toner. The collection unit collects the waste toner generated by the image forming process by the image forming unit into a storage unit. The full-capacity detection unit detects when the storage unit is full. The display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full. The processor adjusts the timing of the display unit indicating that the storage unit is nearly full so that the storage unit becomes full after a predetermined period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement of the waste toner collection unit in an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the drive mechanism in the waste toner collection section of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of the main components in the waste toner recovery section of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows another example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows another example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of operation of a notification process for notifying the status of the waste toner collection unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of operation of a notification process for notifying the status of the waste toner collection unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of a notification process for notifying the status of the waste toner collection unit in an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of a notification process for notifying the status of the waste toner collection unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the scale of the various parts in the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments may have been appropriately changed. Also, for illustrative purposes, some components may be omitted from the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system (image forming system) including multiple image forming apparatuses 100 according to the embodiment. The printing system including the image forming apparatuses 100 further comprises multiple user terminals 200, a server device 300, and a service technician terminal 400.

[0011] Each image forming apparatus 100 is located in the workplace. Each image forming apparatus 100 has the function of forming an image using image forming material and collecting the unwanted image forming material. Each image forming apparatus 100 is also connected to an internal (specific area) network 500 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). This connection may be wired or wireless. Each image forming apparatus 100 is connected to, for example, a user terminal 200 located in the workplace via the internal network 500.

[0012] Furthermore, the internal network 500 is connected to image forming apparatus 100 and user terminals 200 within a specific area. The internal network 500 is also connected to external networks 600, such as the internet, via communication control devices such as servers and routers that restrict unauthorized access. The server device 300 and the service technician terminal 400 are connected to the external network 600. In the printing system configured as shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the server device 300 via the internal network 500 and the external network 600 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0013] The user terminal 200 is an information processing device that instructs printing on any image forming device 100. The user terminal 200 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a digital camera. Note that the user terminal 200 may be communicably connected to the image forming device 100 via an external network 600 and an internal network 500. That is, the user terminal 200 may be outside the workplace where the image forming device 100 is placed. The user terminal 200 may be directly connected to the image forming device 100 without going through the external network 600 and the internal network 500. That is, the user terminal 200 may be locally connected to the image forming device 100. Even when the user terminal 200 is locally connected to the image forming device 100, it may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0014] The server device 300 is an information processing device for performing maintenance management of the image forming device 100. The server device 300 is, for example, operated by a management company that undertakes the maintenance management of the image forming device 100 directly or entrusted to a service provider. The server device 300 periodically or as needed acquires (collects) information such as maintenance information of each image forming device 100. The maintenance information includes information indicating the usage status of the image forming device 100. For example, the maintenance information includes information indicating the number of sheets passed through during printing (printing count), elapsed time, driving distance of the photosensitive drum, driving time, size and type of the printed paper, etc., and information indicating the state of each part. The server device 300 may acquire notification data such as an alert transmitted from the image forming device 100.

[0015] The server device 300 determines the necessity of inspection or repair (maintenance) of each image forming device 100 based on the acquired data. When there is an image forming device 100 that requires maintenance, the server device 300 transmits information identifying the image forming device 100 that requires maintenance to the service technician terminal 400. When the service technician terminal 400 is notified of an image forming device 100 that requires maintenance, the service technician can perform maintenance on the image forming device 100 according to the notified content.

[0016] The server device 300 is composed of a computer having a processor, a memory, a communication interface (I / F), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU. The processor executes various processes by executing a program stored in the memory. The communication interface is an interface for communicating with each device via the network 600. The memory is composed of storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and nonvolatile memory.

[0017] For example, the server device 300 stores information such as maintenance information acquired from each image forming device 100 in the memory. The processor of the server device 300 determines the necessity of maintenance for each image forming device based on the information acquired from each image forming device 100. Also, the processor of the server device 300 may provide information regarding the usage status and usage environment of other image forming devices 100 in response to a request from a specific image forming device 100. For example, the processor of the server device 300 may provide information regarding the usage status and usage environment of other image forming devices 100 connected to the same in-house network 500 in response to a request from a specific image forming device 100.

[0018] The service technician terminal 400 is an information processing device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal carried by a service technician performing maintenance on the image forming apparatus 100. Although only one service technician terminal 400 is shown in Figure 1, the printing system may include multiple service technician terminals 400. The service technician terminal 400 may be equipped with a location detection function and transmit the location detected by the location detection function to the server device 300 as the service technician's location information. The server device 300 can also assign an appropriate service technician to the image forming apparatus 100 that requires maintenance based on information such as the location information of each service technician and the availability of each service technician.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. In the configuration example shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 is a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having functions such as a copier, printer, scanner, and facsimile. Hereinafter, the digital multifunction peripheral as the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is equipped with an image forming unit that forms an image using toner as an image forming material by an electrophotographic method.

[0020] In the configuration example shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper feed tray 101, a manual feed tray 102, a transport unit 103, a toner cartridge 104, an image forming unit 105, a transfer belt 107, a transfer roller 108, a fuser unit 109, a waste toner collection unit 110, a paper output tray 112, a duplex unit 113, a scanner 114, a document feeder 115, and a control panel 116.

[0021] The image forming unit 105 prints an image using an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 105 uses toner to form an image to be printed on an image forming medium P or the like. The image forming medium P is, for example, a sheet of paper. The scanner 114 reads an image from the original document on which the image has been formed. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 makes a copy of the image from the original document by printing the image read from the original document by the scanner 114 onto the image forming medium P using the image forming unit 105.

[0022] The paper feed tray 101 holds the image forming medium P used for printing. The manual feed tray 102 is a platform for manually feeding the image forming medium P. The transport unit 103 transports the image forming medium P located in the paper feed tray 101 or the manual feed tray 102. The transport unit 103 is composed of various rollers. Each roller constituting the transport unit 103 is rotated by a motor whose drive is controlled by a control signal. For example, the paper feed roller of the transport unit 103 rotates due to the action of the motor, thereby transporting the image forming medium P contained in the paper feed tray 101 out of the paper feed tray 101.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 100 has toner cartridges 104 that store toner for supply to the image forming unit 105. In the configuration example shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 has four toner cartridges 104, namely four toner cartridges 1041, 1042, 1043, and 1044. For example, toner cartridges 1041, 1042, 1043, and 1044 each store toner corresponding to each of the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black)) colors.

[0024] However, the toner colors stored in toner cartridge 104 are not limited to the CMYK colors; other colors may also be used. Furthermore, the toner stored in toner cartridge 104 may be a special type of toner. For example, toner cartridge 104 may store a decolorizable toner that becomes invisible when heated to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 comprises multiple image forming units 105. In the example shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 100 comprises four image forming units 105: image forming unit 1051, image forming unit 1052, image forming unit 1053, and image forming unit 1054. Each of the image forming units 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054 receives toner corresponding to each of the CMYK colors and forms an image.

[0026] Each image forming unit 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054 is equipped with a developer, a charger, a photoreceptor drum, and a cleaner, respectively. The surface of the photoreceptor drum is uniformly charged by the charger. After the surface of the photoreceptor drum is charged by the charger, an electrostatic latent image is formed when light from the exposure device is applied. The developer develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum using toner supplied from the toner cartridge 104. This forms a toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum. The image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum is transferred (primary transfer) onto the transfer belt 107.

[0027] Furthermore, in each image forming unit 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054, the surface of the photoreceptor drum after the toner image has been transferred to the transfer belt 107 is cleaned by a cleaner. The cleaner in each image forming unit 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054 removes any toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum.

[0028] The waste toner collection unit 110 collects waste toner generated within the image forming apparatus 100. The waste toner collection unit 110 collects excess toner generated in each image forming unit 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054 as waste toner. For example, the waste toner collection unit 110 collects toner removed from the photoreceptor drum by a cleaner in each image forming unit 1051, 1052, 1053, and 1054 as waste toner.

[0029] The exposure unit 106 is also called an LSU (laser scanning unit). The exposure unit 106 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum of each image forming unit 105 using laser light controlled according to the image data. The exposure unit 106 consists, for example, of a housing, laser unit, polygon mirror, polygon motor, mirror, and lens. The exposure unit 106 also includes a temperature sensor 1061. The housing supports the laser unit, polygon mirror, polygon motor, mirror, lens, and temperature sensor 1061, etc. The housing is made of, for example, resin.

[0030] The exposure apparatus 106, as an example, includes a laser unit corresponding to each of the CMYK colors. Each color laser unit emits laser light. Each laser unit controls the emission of laser light according to a control signal corresponding to the image data. In addition, each laser unit modulates the laser light according to a control signal corresponding to the image data.

[0031] The exposure apparatus 106 also includes a polygon mirror, a polygon motor, and a mirror. The polygon mirror reflects the laser light emitted from each laser unit. The polygon mirror rotates using the polygon motor to polarize and scan each laser beam. The polygon motor is the motor that rotates the polygon mirror. The mirror and lens are optical elements for manipulating the laser light. The mirror is positioned so that its position or angle relative to the housing can be adjusted.

[0032] Furthermore, the exposure apparatus 106 is equipped with a temperature sensor 1061. The temperature sensor 1061 detects the temperature inside the exposure apparatus 106. For example, the temperature sensor 1061 is installed inside the housing of the exposure apparatus 106 described above. The temperature sensor 1061 outputs the measured temperature. The temperature sensor 1061 is, for example, a thermistor.

[0033] The transfer belt 107 is, for example, an endless belt supported by rollers. The transfer belt 107 is configured such that one rotation is of a predetermined length. The transfer belt 107 rotates due to the action of the rollers. As the transfer belt 107 rotates, images are transferred (primary transfer) by the transfer rollers (primary transfer rollers) of each image forming unit 1051 to 1054. The transfer belt 107 transports the images (toner images) transferred from each image forming unit 1051 to 1054 to the position of the transfer roller 108 (secondary transfer position).

[0034] The transfer roller 108 comprises two rollers facing each other. The transfer roller 108 transfers (secondary transfer) the toner image formed on the transfer belt 107 onto the image forming medium P that passes between the transfer rollers 108. The position where the transfer rollers 108 face each other becomes the secondary transfer position where the image is transferred from the transfer belt 107 to the image forming medium P.

[0035] The toner sensor 117 detects toner adhering to the transfer belt 107. For example, the toner sensor 117 detects toner in the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 107 as a pattern for alignment control and image quality maintenance control. The toner sensor 117 detects the toner image on the transfer belt 107 between the transfer position of the image forming unit 1054 (primary transfer position) and the position where the toner image on the transfer belt 107 corresponds to the transfer roller 108 (secondary transfer position). For example, the toner sensor 117 is positioned between the primary transfer position of the image forming unit 1054 and the secondary transfer position by the transfer roller 108, facing the transfer belt 107.

[0036] The belt cleaner 111 cleans the surface of the transfer belt 107 by removing any toner remaining on the transfer belt 107. The belt cleaner 111 cleans the transfer belt 107 from the secondary transfer position to the transfer position (primary transfer position) of the image forming unit 1051.

[0037] For example, the belt cleaner 111 removes toner remaining on the transfer belt 107 without moving to the image forming medium P at the secondary transfer position where the transfer roller 108 is positioned. The belt cleaner 111 also removes toner that has been transferred to the transfer belt 107 for alignment, image quality maintenance control, etc., which are not transferred to the image forming medium P at the secondary transfer position. The toner removed from the transfer belt 107 by the belt cleaner 111 is collected as waste toner by the waste toner collection unit 110.

[0038] The fixing unit 109 heats and pressurizes the image forming medium P onto which the toner image has been transferred. This fixes the toner image transferred onto the image forming medium P as an image. The fixing unit 109 comprises a heating unit 1091 and a pressure roller 1092 facing each other. The heating section 1091 is, for example, a roller equipped with a heat source for heating the image forming medium P. The heat source is, for example, a heater. The roller heated by the heat source heats the image forming medium P. The pressure roller 1092 pressurizes the image forming medium P as it passes between the pressure roller 1092 and the heating section 1091.

[0039] Furthermore, the heating unit 1091 may also include an endless belt suspended from multiple rollers. For example, the heating unit 1091 includes a plate-shaped heat source, an endless belt, a belt conveying roller, a tension roller, and a press roller. The endless belt is, for example, a film-like material. The belt conveying roller drives the endless belt. The tension roller applies tension to the endless belt. The press roller has an elastic layer formed on its surface. The plate-shaped heat source contacts the inside of the endless belt on the heating side and is pressed in the direction of the press roller, forming a fixed nip of a predetermined width between it and the press roller. Because the plate-shaped heat source heats while forming a nip region, the responsiveness when energized is higher than that of the halogen lamp heating method.

[0040] The endless belt, for example, has a 50um thick SUS (steel use stainless) base material or a 70um thick heat-resistant polyimide resin with a 200um thick silicone rubber layer formed on the outside, and the outermost layer is covered with a surface protection layer such as PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane). The press roller, for example, has a φ10mm iron rod surface with a 5mm thick silicone sponge layer formed on the surface, and the outermost layer is covered with a surface protection layer such as PFA. The plate-shaped heat source, for example, has a glaze layer and a heat-resistant layer laminated on a ceramic substrate. Furthermore, an aluminum heat sink is bonded to the plate-shaped heat source to dissipate excess heat on the opposite side and prevent the substrate from warping. The heat-resistant layer is formed from a known material such as TaSiO2 and is divided into predetermined lengths and numbers in the main scanning direction.

[0041] The output tray 112 is a platform from which the printed image forming medium P is ejected. The duplex unit 113 prepares the image forming medium P for printing on the reverse side. For example, the duplex unit 113 reverses the front and back sides of the image forming medium P by switching it back using rollers or the like.

[0042] The scanner 114 reads an image from the original document. The scanner 114 is an image reading device for reading an image from the original document. The scanner 114 is an optical reduction type image reading device equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor. Alternatively, the scanner 114 may be a contact image sensor (CIS (contact image sensor)) type image reading device equipped with an image sensor such as a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor.

[0043] The document feeder 115 is also called, for example, an ADF (auto document feeder). The document feeder 115 transports documents placed on a document tray one after another. The transported documents are scanned by the scanner 114. The document feeder 115 may also be equipped with a scanner for scanning the back side of the document.

[0044] The control panel 116 has a display unit 1161 and an operation unit 1162. The display unit 1161 is composed of a display device that displays information. The operation unit 1162 is composed of input devices such as a touch panel and operation buttons for the user to input operation instructions. For example, the control panel 116 includes a display device with a touch panel, an indicator such as an LED, and operation buttons. The display device with a touch panel in the control panel 116 is a display screen such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display on which a touch panel composed of a touch sensor is stacked.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the control system in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. In the configuration example shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 100, which functions as a digital multifunction device, has a system controller 120 that controls the entire apparatus. The system controller 120 comprehensively controls the scanner 114, the control panel 116, and the printer 130.

[0046] The system controller 120 includes a processor 121, ROM (read-only memory) 122, RAM (random-access memory) 123, auxiliary storage device 124, communication interface 125, and RTC (real-time clock) 126. The processor 121 of the system controller 120 is connected to the scanner 114, control panel 116, and printer 130.

[0047] The processor 121 corresponds to the central part of the computer that performs calculations and control necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Based on programs such as system software, application software, or firmware stored in the ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124, the processor 121 controls each part to realize various functions of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0048] The processor 121 may be, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), MPU (microprocessing unit), SoC (system on a chip), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), PLD (programmable logic device), or FPGA (field-programmable gate array). Alternatively, the processor 121 may be a combination of several of these.

[0049] ROM122 corresponds to the main memory of the computer, with processor 121 at its core. ROM122 is a non-volatile memory used exclusively for reading data. ROM122 stores the program described above. Furthermore, ROM122 stores data or various settings used by processor 121 in performing various processes.

[0050] RAM123 corresponds to the main memory of a computer centered around processor 121. RAM123 is memory used for reading and writing data. RAM123 is used as a so-called work area, where data temporarily used by processor 121 during various processes is stored.

[0051] The auxiliary storage device (memory) 124 corresponds to the auxiliary storage device (data memory) of a computer centered on the processor 121. The auxiliary storage device 124 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive).

[0052] The auxiliary storage device 124 may store programs. The auxiliary storage device 124 also stores data used by the processor 121 in performing various operations, data generated by the processor 121's processing, or various setting values. For example, the auxiliary storage device 124 serves as memory for storing default setting values ​​used in operations described later, correction values ​​and thresholds set according to usage, and various variables.

[0053] The image forming apparatus 100 may also be equipped with an interface into which a storage medium such as a memory card or a USB (universal serial bus) memory can be inserted, either in place of the auxiliary storage device 124 or in addition to the auxiliary storage device 124.

[0054] The program stored in ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124 includes a program for executing the processing described later. As an example, the image forming apparatus 100 is transferred to an administrator or the like with the program stored in ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124. The image forming apparatus 100 may also be transferred to an administrator or the like with the program not stored in ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124.

[0055] Furthermore, the program for executing the processes described later may be written to the ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124 by an administrator or service technician. The program can be transferred, for example, by recording it on a removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by downloading it via a network.

[0056] The communication interface 125 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 100 to communicate via a network or the like. The communication interface 125 is connected to a terminal device operated by the user. The RTC126 counts elapsed time, days, and other data. The RTC126 consists of a clock or a circuit with a built-in clock function.

[0057] The scanner 114 reads the image of the document. The scanner 114 operates under the control of the processor 121 of the system controller 120. For example, the scanner 114 reads the image of the document placed on the document glass in response to a scan instruction from the processor 121, and supplies the scanned image to the system controller 120. The scanner 114 is also connected to the document feeder 115. The scanner 114 sets the document reading position to a predetermined position and instructs the document feeder 115 to transport the document. The scanner 114 reads the image of the document being transported by the document feeder 115, and supplies the scanned image to the system controller 120.

[0058] The display unit 1161 and the operation unit 1162 of the control panel 116 are connected to the system controller 120. The display content of the display unit 1161 is controlled by the processor 121 of the system controller 120. For example, the processor 121 displays various operation instructions and warnings on the display unit 1161. In this embodiment, the processor 121 displays on the display unit 1161 that the amount of waste toner collected in the waste toner collection unit 110 (described later) is full, or nearly full.

[0059] Furthermore, the operation unit 1162 supplies information indicating the content of the input instruction to the processor 121 of the system controller 120. For example, the processor 121 displays various operation icons on a display device with a touch panel, acquires information indicating the touch position detected by the touch panel acting as the operation unit 1162, and recognizes the input operation instruction.

[0060] Next, an example of the control system configuration for the printer 130 that prints an image onto the image forming medium P in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. The printer 130 is connected to the system controller 120. In addition to the transport unit 103, toner cartridge 104, image forming unit 105, exposure unit 106, transfer belt 107, transfer roller 108, fuser unit 109, and waste toner collection unit 110 described above, the printer 130 also has a printer processor 131. Each part of the printer 130 is connected to the processor 121 of the system controller 120.

[0061] The printer processor 131 performs calculations and control processes necessary for the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 in order to realize the printing function. The printer processor 131 is connected to the system controller processor 121. Based on instructions from the processor 121 and various programs, the printer processor 131 performs calculations and control processes necessary for the printing operation. The printer processor 131 can be configured as, for example, a CPU, MPU, SoC, DSP, GPU, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. Furthermore, the various programs executed by the printer processor 131 may be stored in a storage unit such as ROM 122 or auxiliary storage device 124, or in a storage unit provided in the printer 130.

[0062] The printer processor 131 executes the printing process of printing an image onto paper by controlling various parts of the printer 130 in response to instructions from the processor 121. The printer processor 131 also collects information indicating the operation results from various parts of the printer 130 and supplies the collected information to the processor 121. For example, the printer processor 131 supplies information obtained from various sensors in the printer 130 to the processor 121.

[0063] As described above, the waste toner collection unit 110 collects waste toner generated by the printer 130 within the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The waste toner collection unit 110 includes a waste toner box 1101 (see Figures 5 to 9) as a storage unit for the waste toner. The waste toner collection unit 110 can store a predetermined allowable amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101. In the configuration example shown in Figure 3, the waste toner collection unit 110 has a full-capacity detection unit 1106 (see Figures 7 and 8) and a waste toner quantity detection unit 1107 (see Figures 9 and 20). The full-capacity detection unit 1106 and the waste toner quantity detection unit 1107 are connected to the processor 121 and the printer processor 131.

[0064] The full-capacity detection unit 1106 detects when the amount of waste toner collected by the waste toner collection unit 110 and stored in the waste toner box 1101 has reached the permissible amount (full). The waste toner amount detection unit (toner amount sensor) 1107 detects when the amount of waste toner collected by the waste toner collection unit 110 in the waste toner box 1101 reaches a predetermined amount. For example, the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 may function as a near-full detection unit that detects when the amount of waste toner collected in the waste toner box 1101 reaches a predetermined amount that is just before it becomes full.

[0065] Furthermore, the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 may also function as a full-fill detection unit that detects when the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101 reaches its maximum. However, the waste toner collection unit 110 may not be provided with the waste toner amount detection unit 1107, and the processor 121 or printer processor 131 may calculate (predict) the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101.

[0066] Next, an example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 shows an example of the arrangement of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. The waste toner collection unit 110 is located in a position that allows for the collection of waste toner generated within the image forming apparatus 100. The waste toner collection unit 110 is positioned in the image forming apparatus 100 in close proximity to the sources of waste toner, such as the image forming unit 105 and the belt cleaner 111.

[0067] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the waste toner collection unit 110 is located inside the front cover of the housing of the image forming apparatus 100. The waste toner collection unit 110 is configured so that the waste toner box 1101 can be replaced when the front cover of the image forming apparatus 100 is open. The image forming apparatus 100 also has a structure that prevents the front cover from closing if the waste toner box 1101 is not installed in the waste toner collection unit 110.

[0068] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the waste toner collection unit 110 includes a waste toner box 1101 as a storage unit for waste toner. The waste toner box 1101 is formed as a housing for the waste toner collection unit 110. The waste toner box 1101 stores waste toner generated in each image forming unit 105 and waste toner removed from the transfer belt 107 by the belt cleaner 111.

[0069] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the drive mechanism in the waste toner collection unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of the main part of the waste toner collection unit 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the waste toner collection unit 110 includes a waste toner box 1101, a paddle 1102, a paddle drive gear 1103, a drive transmission gear 1104, a paddle motor 1105, and a rotation sensor 1106.

[0070] The paddle 1102 is equipped with a screw (a spiral-shaped vane) arranged in a continuous or divided manner in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The paddle 1102 conveys the waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 while agitating it, following the direction of rotation of the screw caused by the rotation of the rotating shaft. By agitating the waste toner contained in the waste toner box 1101 due to the rotation of the rotating shaft, the paddle 1102 ensures that the height of the waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 becomes uniform. In addition to agitating, the paddle 1102 also has the function of conveying the waste toner within the waste toner box 1101. Due to this function, the paddle 1102 compacts the waste toner as it accumulates in the waste toner box 1101.

[0071] In the configuration example shown in Figures 7 and 8, the paddle 1102 is provided with a paddle drive gear 1103 on its rotating shaft. The paddle drive gear 1103 is positioned to mesh with a drive transmission gear 1104. The drive transmission gear 1104 has a movable gear portion 11041. The movable gear portion 11041 is connected to the paddle motor 1105. As a result, the rotation of the paddle motor 1105 is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the paddle 1102 via the drive transmission gear 1104 and the paddle drive gear 1103. In other words, the paddle 1102 rotates due to the driving force transmitted from the paddle motor 1105 to the paddle drive gear 1103 via the drive transmission gear 1104.

[0072] Furthermore, the movable part 11041 of the drive transmission gear 1104 is provided to be movable (slidable) in a predetermined axial direction. The movable part 11041 slides as the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 increases and the driving torque increases. When a predetermined allowable amount of waste toner accumulates in the waste toner box 1101, the movable part 11041 slides in a predetermined axial direction due to the load from the accumulated waste toner (increase in the density of waste toner) and separates from the paddle motor 1105.

[0073] When the movable part 11041 of the drive transmission gear 1104 moves to a predetermined position, the movable part 11041 and the rotating shaft of the paddle motor 1105 are configured to disengage and separate. When the movable part 11041 and the paddle motor 1105 separate, the rotation of the paddle motor 1105 is not transmitted to the rotating shaft of the paddle 1102, so the paddle 1102 stops rotating. The waste toner collection unit 110 is configured to separate the movable part 11041 and the paddle motor 1105 when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 becomes full (a predetermined amount to be considered full, the capacity of the waste toner box 1101). In this case, the waste toner box 1101 can be detected as full by detecting that the movable part 11041 and the paddle motor 1105 have separated.

[0074] In the configuration examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the full-fill detection unit 1106 is a rotation sensor. The rotation sensor 1106, acting as the full-fill detection unit, detects the rotation of the paddle 1102. When the waste toner box 1101 is full, the movable part 11041 and the paddle motor 1105 separate, causing the paddle 1102 to stop rotating. When the movable part 11041 and the paddle motor 1105 separate and the paddle 1102 stops rotating, the rotation sensor 1106 detects that the paddle 1102 is not rotating (rotation abnormality detected / rotation undetectable).

[0075] Therefore, the rotation sensor 1106 detecting the non-rotation of the paddle 1102 will be interpreted as detecting that the waste toner box 1101 is full. In other words, in the configuration examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the rotation sensor 1106 acts as a full-fill detection unit that detects when the waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 is full (that the waste toner has reached its capacity). Furthermore, since the rotation sensor 1106 detects whether the rotation of the paddle motor 1105 is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the paddle 1102, it can also detect incorrect installation of the waste toner box 1101, etc.

[0076] Figure 9 is an external view showing another example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the waste toner collection unit 110 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Figures 9 and 10 show an example configuration in which a sensor, which functions as a waste toner quantity detection unit 1107, is provided in the waste toner collection unit 110. The waste toner quantity detection unit 1107 is composed of a sensor that optically detects when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box has reached a predetermined amount (for example, a predetermined amount that is judged as near full, or an allowable amount that is judged as full).

[0077] For example, the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 may be a sensor (near-full sensor) that detects when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 reaches a predetermined amount that is determined to be near-full. Alternatively, the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 may include a sensor (full sensor) that detects when the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 reaches a predetermined amount (allowable amount) that is determined to be full. In this case, the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 acting as a full sensor may function as a full detection unit 1106.

[0078] Furthermore, Figures 7 and 8 show an example in which a waste toner quantity detection unit 1107, which acts as a near-full sensor to detect when the waste toner box 1101 has reached a near-full state, is placed in the waste toner collection unit 110. In the example shown in Figures 7 and 8, the near-full sensor 1107, which acts as a waste toner quantity detection unit, detects whether the height of the waste toner accumulated in the waste toner box 1101 has reached a predetermined height corresponding to a predetermined amount that is determined to be a near-full state. In this case, the waste toner quantity detection unit (near-full sensor) 1107 detects that the waste toner box 1101 has reached a near-full state by detecting that the height of the waste toner contained in the waste toner box 1101 has reached a predetermined height.

[0079] Next, a display process will be described for displaying (notifying) the status (amount of waste toner) of the waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101 by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 displays "near full" (close to full) and "full" as indicators of the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101. The image forming apparatus 100 adjusts the display timing (timing of displaying "near full") when the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101 reaches a predetermined amount that is considered "near full".

[0080] The image forming apparatus 100 prompts the user to print when the waste toner box 1101 is full. To ensure smooth (efficient) replacement of the full waste toner box 1101, the image forming apparatus 100 adjusts to display "near full" a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 10 days) before it becomes full. Depending on the actual usage, the time it takes for the waste toner box 1101 to reach near full and then become full varies. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment controls the system to display "near full" a predetermined period before the waste toner box 1101 is predicted to become full based on the actual usage.

[0081] The following describes a first example of operation as an example of a display process that shows the status of the waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101 by the image forming apparatus 100. Figures 11 and 12 are flowcharts illustrating a first example of the operation of a display process in which the image forming apparatus 100 displays the status of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101. The first operational example shown in Figures 11 and 12 is an operational example of an image forming apparatus 100 equipped with a waste toner amount detection unit 1107 that functions as a near-full sensor in the waste toner collection unit 110. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first operational example shown in Figures 11 and 12 has a function to detect, using the waste toner amount detection unit 1107, when the amount of waste toner contained in the waste toner box 1101 has reached a predetermined amount that constitutes a near-full state.

[0082] First, as a first example of operation, we will describe the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 when the number of times the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced is 0. Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of operation by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced 0 times. For example, when an image forming apparatus 100 starts operation at a new installation location, the number of replacements for the waste toner box 1101 is reset. If the number of replacements for the waste toner box 1101 is 0, the image forming apparatus 100 performs the process shown in Figure 11 as a first example of operation until the first replacement of the waste toner box 1101 (initial replacement).

[0083] If the number of times the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced is 0, the image forming apparatus 100 stores information (n=1) in the auxiliary storage device 124 indicating that it is the first display process for waste toner. In this state, the processor 121 of the image forming apparatus 100 monitors whether the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 has reached near full based on the detection result of the waste toner amount detection unit 1107, which acts as a near-full sensor, during operation such as printing (ACT10).

[0084] For example, the processor 121 determines whether the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 has detected that the amount of waste toner stored in the waste toner box 1101 has reached a near-full amount. If the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 does not detect a near-full amount (ACT10, NO), the processor 121 continues to monitor whether the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 has reached a near-full amount based on its detection result.

[0085] When the processor 121 detects that the waste toner amount detection unit 1107 has reached near-full (ACT10, YES), it sets a correction value for the near-full display (ACT11). The near-full display is a process that displays on the display unit 1161 that the waste toner box is nearly full (near-full state). The correction value for the near-full display is set so that the timing of the near-full display occurs after a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 10 days later) when the waste toner box 1101 becomes full.

[0086] In this embodiment, the correction value for the near-full display used to control the nth near-full display (when the waste toner box has been replaced n-1 times) is denoted as Tn. The correction value Tn for the near-full display is a value that indicates the display timing from the time a near-full is detected until the near-full display is actually performed. The correction value Tn for the near-full display is set in accordance with a value that indicates the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100, which is counted from the time a near-full is detected.

[0087] In ACT11, since the number of replacements for the waste toner box 1101 is 0, a correction value (near-full display correction value) T1 is set to control the first near-full display. For example, the near-full display correction value T1 set in ACT11 may be a default setting value stored in the auxiliary storage device 124 or ROM 122. In this case, the processor 121 sets the default setting value stored in the auxiliary storage device 124 or ROM 122 as the near-full display correction value T1 in ACT11.

[0088] Furthermore, the processor 121 counts a value (t1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time the waste toner amount detection unit (near-full sensor) 1107 detects that it has reached near-full (ACT12). The usage status value (count value) t1 can be any value that is counted depending on the usage status, and is a value that corresponds to the correction value T1 for near-full display. For example, the usage status count value t1 may be a value related to the image forming process, such as the number of prints, or it may be elapsed time (it may be the number of days elapsed). If the correction value T1 for near-full display is set to correspond to the number of prints, the processor 121 counts the number of prints as the usage status count value t1 since it reached near-full.

[0089] The processor 121 counts the usage since reaching near-full and determines whether the count value t1 has become equal to or greater than the correction value T1 for near-full display (ACT13). If the processor 121 determines that the count value t1 has become equal to or greater than the correction value T1 for near-full display (ACT13, YES), the display unit 1161 displays that the waste toner box 1101 is nearly full (near-full) (ACT14).

[0090] When the processor 121 displays "Near Full" on the display unit 1161, it counts a value (p1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time "Near Full" is displayed until it becomes full (ACT 15). That is, the processor 121 counts the value p1 indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time "Near Full" is displayed on the display unit 1161 until the waste toner box 1101 is full. This usage status value (count value) p1 can be any value that is counted from the time "Near Full" is displayed until it becomes full. For example, the count value p1 can be a value related to the image forming process, such as the number of prints, or it can be the elapsed time from the time "Near Full" is displayed until it becomes full.

[0091] Furthermore, the processor 121 continuously stores a value (count value) p1 indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 in memory such as the auxiliary storage device 124, counting until the waste toner box 1101 is full. As a result, when the waste toner box 1101 is full, the auxiliary storage device 124 stores a count value pn indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" until it is full.

[0092] Furthermore, after displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161, the processor 121 monitors whether the waste toner box is full or not based on the detection result of the full detection unit 1106 (ACT16). If the processor 121 does not detect that the waste toner box 1101 has reached full capacity (ACT16, NO), it continues to count the usage value p1. However, if the waste toner box 1101 is replaced between the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" and the detection of full capacity, the processor 121 proceeds to ACT20 and executes the recovery process described later.

[0093] If the processor 121 detects that the waste toner box 1101 has become full (ACT16, YES), it displays information on the display unit 1161 indicating that the waste toner box 1101 is full (or a notification to replace the waste toner box) (ACT17). Furthermore, the processor 121 displays "full" on the display unit 1161 and enters a stopped state (printing is not possible) (ACT18). In this state, the processor 121 waits for the waste toner box 1101 to be replaced.

[0094] If the waste toner box 1101 is replaced (ACT19, YES), the processor 121 performs a recovery process (ACT20) to enable printing. During the recovery process, the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 is properly installed. Once the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced successfully, it resets the waste toner box replacement count to 1 and resets various count values.

[0095] Next, we will describe a first example of the display processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced at least once. Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of operation by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced at least once. When the image forming apparatus 100 returns to operation after replacing the waste toner box 1101, the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements. When the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements, it updates information n indicating the number of waste toner-related display processes corresponding to the replacement count. For example, when the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements to 1, it stores information (n=2) in the auxiliary storage device 124 indicating that a second waste toner-related display process will be performed.

[0096] When the image forming apparatus 100 is restored after replacing the waste toner box 1101, the processor 121 monitors whether the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 has reached near full (ACT30). The processor 121 also monitors whether the waste toner amount detection unit 1107, which acts as a near-full sensor, has detected that the amount of waste toner contained in the waste toner box 1101 has reached a predetermined amount that is considered near full (ACT30, NO). If the processor 121 does not detect that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 has reached near full (ACT30, NO), it continues to monitor whether it has reached near full.

[0097] When the processor 121 detects that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 has reached near full (ACT30, YES), it calculates a correction value Tn for the near-full display to perform the nth near-full display (ACT31). The correction value Tn for the near-full display is adjusted so that the timing of the nth near-full display occurs after a predetermined period (for example, 1 week to 10 days) when the waste toner box 1101 is full. The processor 121 calculates the correction value Tn for the near-full display based on a count value pn-1 (or pn-1 to p1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100. The processor 121 stores (sets) the correction value Tn for the near-full display calculated based on the count value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 in memory such as the auxiliary storage device 124.

[0098] For example, the processor 121 calculates the correction value Tn for near-full display by adjusting (correcting) the correction value Tn-1 for the previous near-full display based on the count value pn-1 (or pn-1 to p1) that indicates the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100, which was counted between the previous near-full display and full display.

[0099] As a specific example, the processor 121 calculates the correction value Tn for near-full display using the formula Tn = Tn - 1 + k. Here, k is an adjustment value relative to the previous near-full display correction value Tn - 1 used to calculate the near-full display correction value Tn. The adjustment value k is set based on the count value pn-1 (or pn-1 to p1) which indicates the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 counted from near-full display to full.

[0100] For example, if the count value indicating usage is the number of prints, the correction value Tn for near-full display is calculated by adjusting (correcting) the previous near-full display correction value Tn-1 with the number of prints as the count value pn-1. Also, if the count value indicating usage is the elapsed time, the correction value Tn for near-full display is calculated by adjusting (correcting) the previous near-full display correction value Tn-1 with the elapsed time as the count value pn-1.

[0101] Alternatively, the processor 121 may calculate the correction value Tn for near-full display by adjusting the default setting correction value T1 with the count value pn-1 (or pn-1 to p1), rather than using the previous near-full display correction value Tn-1.

[0102] When the processor 121 detects that the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 has reached near full, it counts a value (tn) that indicates the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the detection of reaching near full (ACT32). This count value tn corresponds to the correction value Tn for near full display. For example, if the correction value Tn for near full display is set to correspond to the number of prints, the processor 121 counts the number of prints as the value tn that indicates the usage status since reaching near full.

[0103] The processor 121 counts the usage since reaching near full and determines whether the count value tn has become equal to or greater than the correction value Tn for near full display (ACT33). If the processor 121 determines that the count value tn has become equal to or greater than the correction value Tn for near full display (ACT33, YES), the display unit 1161 displays that the waste toner box 1101 is near full (almost full) (ACT34).

[0104] When the processor 121 displays "Near Full" on the display unit 1161, it counts a value (pn) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display of "Near Full" (ACT35). That is, the processor 121 counts the value pn indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display unit 1161 displayed "Near Full" until the waste toner box 1101 is full. This usage status value (count value) pn is the value used to set the adjustment value k described above. The count value pn may be, for example, a value related to image formation such as the number of prints, or it may be elapsed time.

[0105] Furthermore, the processor 121 continuously stores a value (count value) pn indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100, which is counted until the waste toner box 1101 is full, in memory such as the auxiliary storage device 124. As a result, when the waste toner box 1101 is full, the auxiliary storage device 124 stores the count value pn indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" until it is full.

[0106] Furthermore, after displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161, the processor 121 monitors whether the waste toner box is full or not based on the detection result of the full detection unit 1106 (ACT36). The processor 121 continues counting the usage value pn unless it detects that the waste toner box 1101 has reached full capacity (ACT36, NO). However, if the waste toner box 1101 is replaced between the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" and the detection of full capacity, the processor 121 proceeds to ACT40 and executes the recovery process described later.

[0107] If the processor 121 detects that the waste toner box 1101 has become full (ACT36, YES), it displays information on the display unit 1161 indicating that the waste toner box 1101 is full (or a notification to replace the waste toner box) (ACT37). Furthermore, the processor 121 displays "full" on the display unit 1161 and enters a stopped state (printing is not possible) (ACT38). In this state, the processor 121 waits for the waste toner box 1101 to be replaced.

[0108] If the waste toner box 1101 is replaced (ACT39, YES), the processor 121 performs a recovery process (ACT40) to enable printing. During the recovery process, the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 is properly installed. Once the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced successfully, it sets the waste toner box replacement count to n and resets various count values.

[0109] As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first example of operation acquires a value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus, which represents the usage status from past near-full displays to full capacity. The image forming apparatus calculates a correction value for near-full displays based on the value indicating past usage status. The image forming apparatus controls the display timing from the detection of near-full to the display of near-full using the correction value for near-full displays.

[0110] As a result, according to the first operational example, the image forming apparatus can display on its display unit that the waste toner box is nearly full at an appropriate timing adjusted according to the actual usage conditions. In other words, the image forming apparatus according to the first operational example can display a near-full indication at a timing when the waste toner box will be full after a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 10 days) according to the actual usage conditions. As a result, the user or service technician can replace the waste toner box immediately when it is full and can prepare for replacement of the waste toner box without waste.

[0111] As a modification of the first example of operation described above, the image forming apparatus 100 may acquire information corresponding to count values ​​pn-1 to p1 indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus from an external device and calculate (adjust) a correction value for near-full display. That is, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the modification of the first example of operation calculates a correction value for near-full display based on information acquired from an external device as part of the processing of ACT31.

[0112] The information corresponding to the count values ​​pn-1 to p1, which indicate the usage status of the image forming apparatus obtained from an external device, is, for example, a value indicating the usage status of another image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the external device can be any device that communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via an interface such as the communication interface 125 provided by the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the external device may be another image forming apparatus 100 connected to the company network 500, or it may be a server device 300.

[0113] For example, multiple image forming machines connected to the company network 500 are often assumed to be operating under similar conditions. In such an environment, each image forming machine 100 can calculate a correction value for near-full display based on usage indicators obtained from other image forming machines 100. In this case as well, the image forming machine can control the display timing of the near-full display according to the usage conditions of other image forming machines operating under similar conditions, and can perform the near-full display at the appropriate timing.

[0114] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may directly obtain values ​​indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses from those apparatuses. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 sets up other image forming apparatuses that are assumed to be in a similar environment (for example, other image forming apparatuses connected to the same company network 500). The image forming apparatus 100 obtains values ​​indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses by communicating with the other image forming apparatuses that are set to be in a similar environment.

[0115] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may also obtain values ​​from the server device 300 indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 configures its printing system to obtain values ​​from the server device 300 indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses in a similar environment. For example, the server device 300 collects values ​​indicating usage status from each image forming apparatus connected to each company network 500. In response to a request from a specific image forming apparatus, the server device 300 provides values ​​indicating usage status obtained from other image forming apparatuses in a similar environment (for example, other image forming apparatuses connected to the same company network). This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to obtain values ​​indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses in a similar environment from the server device 300.

[0116] Next, a second example of operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment as a display processing for waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 will be described. Figures 13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating a second example of the display processing related to waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 by the image forming apparatus 100. The second example of operation shown in Figures 13 and 14 is an example of operation in which the image forming apparatus 100 calculates a predicted value for the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 and controls the near-full display based on the calculated predicted value for the amount of waste toner. The second example of operation shown in Figures 13 and 14 is assumed to be a display process related to waste toner by the image forming apparatus 100, which does not have a waste toner amount detection unit 1107.

[0117] First, as a second example of operation, we will describe the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 when the number of times the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced is 0. Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of operation by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced 0 times. The processor 121 of the image forming apparatus 100 stores information (n=1) in the auxiliary storage device 124 indicating that it is the first display process for the waste toner if the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements is 0. In this case, the processor 121 sets a threshold (near-full threshold) S1 for adjusting the display timing for the first near-full display (ACT51).

[0118] Here, the near-full threshold is set to the amount of waste toner that is estimated to fill the waste toner box 1101 after a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 10 days). In other words, the near-full threshold is set so that the box becomes full after a predetermined period following the predicted amount of waste toner, calculated from values ​​indicating various usage conditions, reaches the near-full threshold. If the number of times the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced is 0 (in the case of the first display process for the near-full indicator), the processor 121 sets the near-full threshold S1 as a default setting value that has been stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device 124 or ROM 122.

[0119] Furthermore, the processor 121 acquires (collects) various values ​​(t1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the start of operation in order to predict the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 (ACT52). However, the image forming apparatus 100 assumes that the waste toner box 1101 is empty at the start of operation.

[0120] In the second example of operation, the value t1 indicating usage status includes various values ​​(parameters) for calculating a predicted amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101. That is, the processor 121 acquires (collects) various values ​​t1 for calculating a predicted amount of waste toner contained in the waste toner box 1101. For example, the value t1 indicating usage status includes values ​​such as print rate, number of prints, number of times the photoconductor drum is started and stopped, and estimated toner consumption due to non-printing operations such as alignment control. The predicted amount of waste toner is calculated from the various values ​​t1 described above using a predetermined calculation formula.

[0121] The processor 121 collects various values ​​t1 indicating usage status and calculates a predicted value (W) of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 based on the collected values ​​t1 (ACT53). For example, the processor 121 uses a predetermined calculation formula to calculate the predicted value W of waste toner from various values ​​indicating usage status (estimated toner consumption due to non-printing operations such as print density, number of prints, number of times the photoconductor drum is started and stopped, and alignment control).

[0122] The formula used to calculate the predicted amount of waste toner (the formula for calculating the amount of waste toner) only needs to be one that can calculate the predicted amount of waste toner using information obtained from the image forming apparatus 100 during operation. For example, the formula for calculating the amount of waste toner is set for each model and specification of the image forming apparatus 100 and designed using coefficients set from experimentally obtained data.

[0123] The processor 121 calculates a predicted value W for the amount of waste toner and then determines whether the predicted value W is equal to or greater than the near-full threshold S1 (ACT54). If the predicted waste toner volume W of the processor 121 exceeds the near-full threshold S1 (ACT54, YES), the display unit 1161 displays that the waste toner box 1101 is nearly full (near-full) (ACT55).

[0124] When the processor 121 displays "Near Full" on the display unit 1161, it acquires (collects) a value (y1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display of "Near Full" (ACT56). The processor 121 continues to collect the value (y1) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display of "Near Full" until the waste toner box 1101 is full. The value y1 indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 may include values ​​such as print density, number of prints, number of starts and stops of the photoreceptor drum, and estimated toner consumption due to non-printing operations such as alignment control, similar to the usage status value t1 described above.

[0125] Furthermore, the processor 121 also counts the elapsed time (d1) since displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161 using the RTC 126 (ACT 57). That is, the processor 121 counts the elapsed time since displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161 until the waste toner box 1101 is full.

[0126] Furthermore, the processor 121 continuously stores a value y1 indicating the usage status and an elapsed time d1 in an auxiliary storage device 124 or the like. As a result, when the waste toner box 1101 becomes full, the y1 and d1 stored in the auxiliary storage device 124 become count values ​​indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the first display of near-full until the waste toner box 1101 becomes full.

[0127] After displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161, the processor 121 determines whether or not the waste toner box 1101 is full (ACT58). The processor 121 determines whether or not the waste toner box 1101 is full by monitoring the detection result of the full detection unit 1106.

[0128] If the processor 121 does not detect that the waste toner box 1101 has reached full capacity (ACT58, NO), it continues to collect the usage value y1 and count the elapsed time (d1). However, if the waste toner box 1101 is replaced between the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" and the detection of full capacity, the processor 121 proceeds to ACT62 and performs the recovery process.

[0129] If the processor 121 detects that the waste toner box 1101 has become full (ACT58, YES), it displays information on the display unit 1161 indicating that the waste toner box 1101 is full (or a message prompting the replacement of the waste toner box) (ACT59). Furthermore, the processor 121 displays on the display unit 1161 that the waste toner box 1101 is full and also stops (cannot execute) the printing operation (ACT60). In this state, the processor 121 waits for the waste toner box 1101 to be replaced.

[0130] If the waste toner box 1101 is replaced (ACT61, YES), the processor 121 performs a recovery process (ACT62) to enable printing. During the recovery process, the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 is properly installed. Once the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced successfully, it resets the waste toner box replacement count to 1 and resets various count values.

[0131] Next, a second example of operation as a display processing for waste toner by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced one or more times will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of operation by the image forming apparatus 100 when the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced at least once. When the image forming apparatus 100 returns to operation after replacing the waste toner box 1101, the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements. When the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements, it updates information n indicating the number of waste toner-related display processes corresponding to the replacement count. For example, when the processor 121 updates the number of waste toner box 1101 replacements to 1, it stores information (n=2) in the auxiliary storage device 124 indicating that a second waste toner-related display process will be performed.

[0132] When the processor 121 is restored after replacing the waste toner box 1101, it calculates a near-full threshold Sn to adjust the display timing for the nth near-full display (ACT51). The near-full threshold Sn is adjusted so that the amount of waste toner is estimated to be such that the waste toner box 1101 will be full after a predetermined period (for example, 1 week to 10 days). The processor 121 calculates the near-full threshold Sn based on values ​​yn-1 to y1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 to d1 that indicate the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100. Once the processor 121 has calculated the near-full threshold Sn, it saves (sets) the calculated near-full threshold Sn in memory such as the auxiliary storage device 124.

[0133] For example, processor 121 calculates the near-full threshold Sn by adjusting (correcting) the previous near-full threshold Sn-1 based on the usage values ​​yn-1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 from the previous near-full display until full capacity. Alternatively, if n > 2, processor 121 may also calculate the near-full threshold Sn by adjusting (correcting) the previous near-full threshold Sn-1 based on the usage values ​​yn-1 to y1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 to d1.

[0134] As a specific example, the processor 121 calculates the near-full threshold Sn using the formula Sn = Sn - 1 + k. Here, k is an adjustment value used to adjust (correct) the previous near-full threshold Sn-1 to calculate the near-full threshold Sn. The adjustment value k is set based on values ​​yn-1 to y1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 to d1 that indicate the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100, counted from near-full indication to full capacity.

[0135] Furthermore, the adjustment value k for calculating the near-full threshold may be set based on any one of the values ​​included in the elapsed time dn-1 to d1 or the usage status values ​​yn-1 to y1. For example, the processor 121 may calculate the near-full threshold Sn by adjusting the near-full threshold Sn-1 with the number of prints (image formations) included in the usage status value yn-1. Alternatively, the processor 121 may calculate the near-full threshold Sn-1 by adjusting the near-full threshold Sn-1 with the elapsed time dn-1.

[0136] The processor 121 may also calculate the near-full threshold Sn by adjusting the default setting value, the near-full threshold S1, based on the values ​​yn-1 to y and / or the elapsed time dn-1 to d1.

[0137] When the processor 121 is restored (operational) after the waste toner box is replaced, it acquires (collects) various values ​​(tn) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the restoration (ACT52). In the second example of operation, the value tn indicating the usage status includes various values ​​(parameters) for calculating a predicted value of the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101, as described above.

[0138] The processor 121 collects various values ​​tn indicating usage status and calculates a predicted value for the amount of waste toner in the waste toner box 1101 based on the collected values ​​t1 (ACT53). For example, the processor 121 calculates a predicted value W for the amount of waste toner from the various values ​​tn indicating usage status using the waste toner amount calculation formula described above.

[0139] The processor 121 calculates a predicted value W for the amount of waste toner, and then further corrects the calculated predicted value W (ACT83). The processor 121 calculates a predicted value (Wc) by correcting the predicted value W for the amount of waste toner based on values ​​yn-1 to y1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 to d1 that indicate the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0140] For example, the processor 121 calculates a correction amount L for the predicted waste toner amount W based on the value yn-1 and / or elapsed time dn-1, which indicate the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the last near-full display to full capacity. Once the processor 121 has calculated the correction amount L, it calculates the corrected predicted waste toner amount Wc using the formula Wc = W + L. Alternatively, if n > 2, the processor 121 may calculate the correction amount L based on the usage status values ​​yn-1 to y1 and / or elapsed time dn-1 to d1, and then calculate the corrected predicted waste toner amount Wc.

[0141] The processor 121 calculates the corrected predicted value Wc of waste toner and then determines whether the corrected predicted value Wc is equal to or greater than the near-full threshold Sn (ACT84). The image forming apparatus 100 may omit the process of correcting the predicted value W of waste toner in ACT83. If the correction of the waste toner amount in ACT83 is omitted, the processor 121 should determine in ACT84 whether the predicted value W of waste toner is equal to or greater than the near-full threshold Sn.

[0142] If the processor 121 determines that the predicted value Wc of the corrected waste toner amount is equal to or greater than the near-full threshold Sn (ACT84, YES), it displays on the display unit 1161 that the waste toner box 1101 is nearly full (near-full) (ACT85).

[0143] When the processor 121 displays "Near Full" on the display unit 1161, it acquires (collects) a value (yn) indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display of "Near Full" (ACT86). The processor 121 continues to collect the value yn indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 since the display of "Near Full" until the waste toner box 1101 is full.

[0144] Furthermore, the processor 121 uses the RTC 126 to count the elapsed time (dn) since the display unit 1161 displayed "near full" (ACT 87). That is, the processor 121 counts the elapsed time dn since the display unit 1161 displayed "near full" until the waste toner box 1101 is full.

[0145] Furthermore, the processor 121 continuously stores the usage value yn and elapsed time dn in the auxiliary storage device 124 or the like. As a result, when the waste toner box 1101 becomes full, the yn and dn stored in the auxiliary storage device 124 become count values ​​indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 100 from the time "near full" was displayed until the waste toner box 1101 became full.

[0146] Furthermore, after displaying "near full" on the display unit 1161, the processor 121 determines whether or not the waste toner box 1101 is full (ACT88). The processor 121 determines whether or not the waste toner box 1101 is full by monitoring the detection result of the full detection unit 1106.

[0147] If the processor 121 does not detect that the waste toner box 1101 has reached full capacity (ACT88, NO), it continues to collect the usage value yn and count the elapsed time dn. However, if the waste toner box 1101 is replaced between the time the display unit 1161 displays "near full" and the detection of full capacity, the processor 121 proceeds to ACT92 and performs the recovery process.

[0148] If the processor 121 detects that the waste toner box 1101 has become full (ACT88, YES), it displays information on the display unit 1161 indicating that the waste toner box 1101 is full (or a message prompting the replacement of the waste toner box) (ACT89). Furthermore, the processor 121 displays on the display unit 1161 that the waste toner box 1101 is full and also enters a state of operation stoppage (printing is not possible) (ACT90). In this state, the processor 121 waits for the waste toner box 1101 to be replaced.

[0149] If the waste toner box 1101 is replaced (ACT91, YES), the processor 121 performs a recovery process (ACT92) to enable printing. During the recovery process, the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 is properly installed. Once the processor 121 confirms that the waste toner box 1101 has been replaced successfully, it sets the waste toner box replacement count to n and resets various count values.

[0150] As described above, the image forming apparatus in the second example of operation acquires a value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus, which represents the usage status from past near-full indications to full capacity. The image forming apparatus calculates a near-full threshold based on the value indicating the usage status from past near-full indications to full capacity. The image forming apparatus displays a near-full indication when the predicted value of waste toner, calculated from various values ​​indicating the usage status after the waste toner box has been replaced, reaches the near-full threshold.

[0151] As a result, according to the second example of operation, the image forming apparatus can calculate a predicted value for the amount of waste toner and display a near-full warning at a timing adjusted according to the actual usage. In other words, even if the image forming apparatus does not have a near-full sensor, it can display a near-full warning at a timing that indicates the waste toner box will be full after a predetermined period (for example, 1 to 10 days). As a result, the user or service technician can replace the waste toner box immediately when it is full and prepare for replacement without waste.

[0152] As a variation of the second example of operation described above, the image forming apparatus 100 may calculate a near-full threshold by obtaining information corresponding to usage values ​​yn-1 to y1 and elapsed time dn-1 to d1 from an external device. The information corresponding to the usage values ​​yn-1 to y1 and elapsed time dn-1 to d1 of the image forming apparatus is, for example, a value indicating the usage status of another image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the external device can be any device that communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via its communication interface 125. For example, the external device may be another image forming apparatus 100 connected to the company network 500, or it may be a server device 300.

[0153] The image forming apparatus 100 according to the modified version of the second operating example calculates a near-full threshold based on information obtained from an external device (for example, a value indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses 100) as part of the ACT80 process. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the modified version of the second operating example may correct the predicted value of the waste toner amount based on information obtained from an external device (for example, a value indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses) as part of the ACT83 process.

[0154] As explained in the first example of operation described above, multiple image forming machines connected to the company network 500 are often assumed to be operating under similar conditions. In such an environment, each image forming machine 100 can calculate a near-full threshold based on usage indicators obtained from other image forming machines. In this case as well, the image forming machine 100 can adjust the display timing of the near-full display according to the usage conditions of other image forming machines operating under similar conditions.

[0155] For example, the image forming apparatus 100 directly obtains values ​​from other image forming apparatuses that are assumed to be in a similar environment, indicating their usage status. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 sets up other image forming apparatuses that are assumed to be in a similar environment (for example, other image forming apparatuses connected to the same company network 500). The image forming apparatus 100 can obtain values ​​indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses by communicating with the other image forming apparatuses that are set to be in a similar environment.

[0156] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 may also obtain values ​​from the server device 300 indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses. In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 constructs its printing system so that it can obtain values ​​from the server device 300 indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses assumed to be in a similar environment. For example, the server device 300 collects values ​​indicating the usage status from each image forming apparatus connected to each company network 500. In response to a request from a specific image forming apparatus, the server device 300 provides values ​​indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses (for example, other image forming apparatuses connected to the same company network) that are assumed to be in a similar environment to the specific image forming apparatus. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to obtain values ​​from the server device 300 indicating the usage status of other image forming apparatuses in a similar environment.

[0157] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0158] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following image forming apparatus can be implemented. [1] An image forming unit that forms an image using toner, A collection unit that collects waste toner generated by the image forming process by the image forming unit into a storage unit, A full-capacity detection unit that detects when the storage unit is full, A display unit that indicates that the storage compartment is nearly full, A processor that adjusts the display timing to indicate on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full so that the storage unit becomes full after a predetermined period of time, An image forming apparatus having [2] The image forming apparatus has a memory that stores a count value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus from the time the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. The processor adjusts the display timing based on the count value stored in the memory. [1] The image forming apparatus described above. [3] The storage unit has a near-full sensor that detects when the amount of waste toner stored in the storage unit reaches a predetermined amount that indicates a near-full state. The processor calculates a correction value for near-full display, based on the count value stored in the memory, which indicates the display timing from when the near-full sensor detects that the waste toner stored in the storage unit has reached a predetermined amount until the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full, and displays on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full at the display timing indicated by the correction value for near-full display. [2] The image forming apparatus described above. [4] The processor, after detecting that the waste toner stored in the storage compartment has reached a predetermined amount, counts a value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus. When this value reaches the correction value for the near-full display, the processor displays on the display that the storage compartment is nearly full. [3] The image forming apparatus described above. [5] The processor calculates the near-full display correction value by adding an adjustment value based on the count value stored in the memory to the previous near-full display correction value. [3] The image forming apparatus described above. [6] The count value is the number of images formed by the image forming unit from the time the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. [5] The image forming apparatus described above. [7] The count value is the elapsed time counted from when the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. [5] The image forming apparatus described above. [8] The processor calculates a near-full threshold to adjust based on the count value stored in the memory, and when the predicted amount of waste toner, calculated based on a value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus since the storage unit was replaced, reaches the near-full threshold, the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full. [2] The image forming apparatus described above. [9] The processor calculates the near-full threshold by adding an adjustment value based on the count value stored in the memory to the previous near-full threshold. [8] The image forming apparatus described above.

[10] The processor corrects the predicted amount of waste toner based on the count value stored in the memory, and when the corrected predicted amount of waste toner reaches the near-full threshold, it displays on the display that the storage unit is nearly full. [8] The image forming apparatus described above.

[11] The processor corrects the predicted waste toner amount by adding a correction value to the predicted waste toner amount, which is calculated based on the count value stored in the memory, to the predicted waste toner amount.

[10] The image forming apparatus described above.

[12] The count value includes the number of images formed by the image forming unit counted from the time the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. [8] The image forming apparatus described above.

[13] The count value is the elapsed time counted from when the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. [8] The image forming apparatus described above.

[14] Furthermore, it has an interface for communicating with external devices, The processor obtains information from the external device communicating via the interface that corresponds to a count value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus from the time the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full, and adjusts the display timing based on the information obtained from the external device. [1] The image forming apparatus described above.

[15] The aforementioned interface is a communication interface for communicating with other image forming apparatuses. The processor acquires, as information corresponding to the count value, a count value indicating the usage status in another image forming apparatus from the other image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described in

[14] .

[16] The aforementioned interface is a communication interface for communicating with the server device. The processor obtains, as information corresponding to the count value, a count value indicating the usage status in other image forming apparatuses from the server device. The image forming apparatus described in

[14] .

[17] The storage unit has a near-full sensor that detects when the amount of waste toner stored in the storage unit reaches a predetermined amount that indicates a near-full state. The processor calculates a correction value for near-full display, which indicates the display timing from when the near-full sensor detects that the waste toner stored in the storage unit has reached a predetermined amount until the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full, based on information obtained from the external device, and displays on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full at the display timing indicated by the correction value for near-full display. The image forming apparatus described in

[14] .

[18] The processor calculates the near-full display correction value by adding an adjustment value based on information obtained from the external device to the previous near-full display correction value. The image forming apparatus described in

[17] .

[19] The processor calculates a near-full threshold to be adjusted based on information obtained from the server device, and when the predicted amount of waste toner, calculated based on a value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus since the storage unit was replaced, reaches the near-full threshold, the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full. The image forming apparatus described in

[14] .

[20] The processor corrects the predicted amount of waste toner based on the count value stored in the memory, and when the corrected predicted amount of waste toner reaches the near-full threshold, it displays on the display that the storage unit is nearly full. The image forming apparatus described in

[14] . [Explanation of Symbols]

[0159] 100…Image forming apparatus 104 (1041, 1042, 1043, 1044)... Toner cartridge 105 (1051, 1052, 1053, 1054)...Image forming unit 106… Exposure equipment 107…Transfer belt 108…Transfer roller 109... Fixing section 110...Waste Toner Collection Department (Collection Department) 1101...Waste toner box (storage compartment) 1106... Full detection unit 1107...Waste toner level detection unit (near-full sensor) 114... Scanner 116... Control Panel 1161...Display section 1162...Operation unit 120... System Controller 121… Processor 124... Auxiliary storage device (memory) 125...Communication Interface 130... Printer.

Claims

1. An image forming unit that forms an image using toner, A collection unit that collects waste toner generated by the image forming process by the image forming unit into a storage unit, A full-capacity detection unit that detects when the storage unit is full, A display unit that indicates that the storage compartment is nearly full, A processor that adjusts the display timing to indicate on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full so that the storage unit becomes full after a predetermined period of time, An image forming apparatus having

2. The image forming apparatus has a memory that stores a count value indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus from the time the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full until the fullness detection unit detects that the storage unit is full. The processor adjusts the display timing based on the count value stored in the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The storage unit has a near-full sensor that detects when the amount of waste toner stored in the storage unit reaches a predetermined amount that indicates a near-full state. The processor calculates a correction value for near-full display, based on the count value stored in the memory, which indicates the display timing from when the near-full sensor detects that the waste toner stored in the storage unit has reached a predetermined amount until the display unit indicates that the storage unit is nearly full, and displays on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full at the display timing indicated by the correction value for near-full display. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The processor calculates a near-full threshold based on the count value stored in the memory, and when the predicted amount of waste toner, calculated based on the usage status of the image forming apparatus since the storage unit was replaced, reaches the near-full threshold, it displays on the display unit that the storage unit is nearly full. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The processor corrects the predicted amount of waste toner based on the count value stored in the memory, and when the corrected predicted amount of waste toner reaches the near-full threshold, it displays on the display that the storage unit is nearly full. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

Images