JP2005249498A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (14)

An apparatus for measuring the amount of toner on a toner carrier for carrying a toner containing a colorant in a thin layer,
Chromaticity detection means for detecting an average chromaticity of light irradiated on the toner carrier from a light source and reflected on the toner carrier;
A toner amount measuring apparatus comprising: a calculating unit that calculates a toner amount based on an average chromaticity detected by the chromaticity detecting unit.   The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates a toner amount according to a color difference between an average chromaticity detected by the chromaticity detection unit and a set chromaticity.   The calculating means stores a set chromaticity, a program for calculating a toner amount, and a conversion table, and a plurality of the set chromaticity and the conversion table are set corresponding to the type of toner. The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the program selects a set chromaticity and a conversion table corresponding to a toner type and calculates a toner amount.   The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information on the type of toner includes information on the type of colorant contained in the toner.   5. The chromaticity detection unit includes a charge coupled device that receives light reflected by the toner carrying member, and detects chromaticity by calculating an output signal of the charge coupled device. The toner amount measuring apparatus according to any one of the above.   6. The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chromaticity detection unit detects chromaticity as a tristimulus value.   7. The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a white light source.   2. The toner carrier is rotatably arranged, and the chromaticity detection unit detects the average chromaticity while scanning a measurement range in a rotation axis direction of the toner carrier. The toner amount measuring device according to any one of Items 7 to 7.   9. The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is a developing roller.   The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is a photoconductor.   The toner amount measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner carrier is a transfer body.   A toner amount measuring method, comprising: measuring a toner amount on a toner carrier using the toner amount measuring device according to claim 1. A method for measuring the amount of toner on a toner carrier for carrying a toner containing a colorant in a thin layer,
Irradiate light onto the toner carrier from a light source,
An average chromaticity of the light reflected on the toner carrier is detected by a chromaticity detection means;
A toner amount measuring method, comprising: calculating a toner amount according to a color difference between an average chromaticity detected by the chromaticity detecting unit and a set chromaticity.   An image forming apparatus for recording an image formed by a series of image forming processes on a recording medium, comprising the toner amount measuring device according to claim 1.