JP4474678B2 - Image forming apparatus, toner amount calculating method and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner amount calculation method for calculating the remaining amount of toner in a toner container or the amount of toner used.

For example, Patent Document 1 integrates the number of black dots included in page dot data to be printed from the replacement of the toner cartridge to the present, and based on the ratio of the integrated value to the total number of dots that can be printed with one toner cartridge. Disclosed is a toner usage status display device for calculating a toner usage rate. Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming apparatus that calculates the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle from the toner filling amount of the toner bottle, the replenishment capability of the powder pump for toner replenishment, and the replenishment integration time.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-105009 JP 2002-341039 A

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of accurately calculating the remaining amount of toner or the amount of toner used.

[Image forming apparatus]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner supplied from a toner container, the toner forming apparatus transporting toner from the toner container. First calculation means for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use in which the transport operation has been performed, and the toner supplied from the toner container The input information of the image formed by using the toner based on the integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels and the data amount of the image formed by the image forming means for forming the image using the toner Second calculation means for calculating a predicted value of the usage amount of the first and second calculation means until the predicted value calculated by the first calculation means reaches the first reference value. Applying the predicted value calculated by the step and, after reaching the first reference value, applying the predicted value calculated by the second calculating means to calculate the toner usage amount Means.

Preferably, the toner amount calculating means uses the toner based on the first reference value and the predicted value calculated by the second calculating means when the first reference value is reached. Calculate the amount.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner supplied from a toner container, wherein the toner is transported by the toner transport apparatus that transports toner from the toner container. based on at least one of the number of integrations and integrated time from the beginning, a first calculation means for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner, the image formed using the toner supplied from the toner container As the input information , the toner usage amount is predicted based on the integrated value from the beginning of the use of at least one of the number of pixels and the data amount of the image formed by the image forming unit that forms an image using toner. And when the toner usage calculated by the first calculation means reaches the first reference value, the second reference means calculates the second reference value from the first reference value to the second value. And a control means for causing the calculation of the amount of toner corresponding to a period up to reference value to said second calculation means.

Preferably, the first reference value corresponds to a state where there is more toner in the toner container than the second reference value .

Preferably, the control unit further includes output means for outputting toner information indicating the amount of toner used based on the amount of toner used calculated by the first calculating unit or the second calculating unit. The means outputs the toner information based on the toner usage amount calculated by the first calculation means until the toner usage amount calculated by the first calculation means reaches a first reference value. After the first reference value is reached, toner information based on the toner usage calculated by the second calculation unit is output to the output unit.

  Preferably, the output unit changes a toner information output method when the remaining amount or amount of toner calculated by the first calculation unit reaches a first reference value.

  Preferably, the second reference value corresponds to a timing at which information prompting the user to replace the toner container should be provided.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image using toner supplied from a toner container, wherein the toner is transported by the toner transport apparatus that transports toner from the toner container. based on at least one of the number of integrations and integrated time from the beginning, a first calculation means for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner, the image formed using the toner supplied from the toner container As the input information , the toner usage amount is predicted based on the integrated value from the beginning of the use of at least one of the number of pixels and the data amount of the image formed by the image forming unit that forms an image using toner. Until the predicted value calculated by the first calculation means reaches the first reference value, is calculated by the first calculation means. Apply the Hakachi, the first after reaching the reference value has a correction means for correcting at calculation result of the previous period calculation result by the first calculation means a second calculating means.

Preferably, the correcting means uses the toner calculated by the second calculating means for a period after the toner usage calculated by the first calculating means reaches a predetermined start reference value. Based on the difference between the amount and the starting reference value, a correction coefficient for correcting the calculation result by the first calculation means is calculated.

Detecting means for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or less than a predetermined end reference value; and the correction coefficient calculating means is configured to detect the toner calculated by the first calculating means. The amount of toner calculated by the second calculation means for the period from when the usage amount reaches a predetermined start reference value to when the detection means detects that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the end reference value. The correction coefficient is calculated based on the difference between the usage amount and the value obtained by subtracting the end reference value from the start reference value.

  Preferably, the image forming unit further includes an image forming unit that forms a toner image using the toner supplied from the toner container, and the detection unit is configured to store the amount of toner held by the image forming unit or the image forming unit. Based on the toner image formed by the means, it is detected whether the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value.

Preferably, the correction calculated by the correction coefficient calculating means is based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner is transported by the toner transport device that transports toner from the toner container. It further has a correction control means for instructing whether to apply the coefficient.

Preferably, the toner container includes a toner cartridge that is detachably provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus.
At least one of the accumulated number of times and accumulated time from the beginning of use when at least the toner conveying device arranged in the toner container and transported by the toner conveying device for conveying toner from the toner container, or supplied from the toner container As the input information of the image formed using the toner, the integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels and the data amount of the image formed by the image forming means for forming the image using the toner is used. Storage means for storing.

[Toner amount calculation method]
A toner amount calculation method according to the present invention is a toner amount calculation method for calculating a toner usage amount, and includes a cumulative number of times from the beginning of use when a toner conveying device that conveys toner from a toner container is used. Based on at least one of the integration times, a predicted value of toner usage is calculated, and formed as an input information of an image formed using the toner by an image forming unit that forms an image using the toner. The estimated value of the toner usage amount is calculated based on the integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels or the data amount of the image to be used , and the transport operation is performed by the toner transport device that transports the toner. until the prediction value calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and integration time from reaching a predetermined reference value, toner for conveying the toner Applying the predictive value transport operation by the transport device is calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and integration time from beginning use was made, after reaching a predetermined reference value, the image to be formed As input information, a predicted value calculated based on an integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels or the amount of data of an image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image using toner is applied. The amount of toner used is calculated.

[program]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for calculating a toner amount including at least one of an integration count and an integration time from the beginning of use when a toner conveying device that conveys toner from a toner container is used. Based on the step of calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used and the input information of the image formed using the toner, the number of pixels or data of the image formed by the image forming means that forms the image using the toner A step of calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on an accumulated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the amounts, a number of times of accumulation from the beginning of use in which a toner conveying device that conveys toner is transported, and until the predicted value calculated based on at least one of the accumulated time reaches a predetermined reference value, the toner Applying the predictive value calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and integration time from initial use of the transport operation by the toner conveying device is made to transmit, after reaching the predetermined reference value is formed As the input information of the image, a predicted value calculated based on the integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels or the data amount of the image formed by the image forming unit that forms an image using toner is used. And a step of calculating a toner usage amount is executed by the computer of the toner amount calculation device.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, good color calibration can be performed.

[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
First, the printer apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tandem type printer device (image forming apparatus) 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer device 10 includes a toner supply control unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an intermediate transfer device 16, a paper tray 17, a paper transport path 18, a fixing device 19, and an image processing device 20. In addition to a printer function for printing image data received from a personal computer (not shown), the printer device 10 functions as a full-color copying machine using an image reading device (not shown) and a function as a facsimile. It may be a multi-function machine having both. In the present embodiment, the tandem printer device 10 provided with a plurality of image forming units 13 (including the photosensitive drum 152) is described as a specific example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The printer device may be provided with only one photosensitive drum 152.

  First, the outline of the printer apparatus 10 will be described. In the upper part of the printer apparatus 10, a plurality of image forming units 13 are arranged corresponding to colors constituting a color image. In this example, the first image forming unit 13Y, the second image forming unit 13M, and the third image forming corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The unit 13C and the fourth image forming unit 13K are horizontally arranged along the intermediate transfer device 16 with a certain interval. The intermediate transfer device 16 rotates an intermediate transfer belt 160 as an intermediate transfer member in the direction of an arrow A in the figure, and these four image forming units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K The toner images are sequentially formed and transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 160 at a timing at which the plurality of toner images are superimposed on each other. The order of the colors of the image forming units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K is not limited to the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). ), Yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).

  The sheet conveyance path 18 is disposed below the intermediate transfer device 16. The recording paper 32 supplied from the paper tray 17 is transported on the paper transporting path 18, and the toner images of each color transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 160 are collectively transferred (secondary transfer). The transferred toner image is fixed by the fixing device 19 and discharged to the outside.

Next, each configuration of the printer device 10 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first image forming unit 13Y, the second image forming unit 13M, the third image forming unit 13C, and the fourth image forming unit 13K are arranged in parallel at a certain interval in the horizontal direction. The configuration is substantially the same except that the colors of the formed images are different. Accordingly, the first image forming unit 13Y will be described below. The configuration of each image forming unit 13 is distinguished by attaching Y, M, C, or K.
The image forming unit 13Y includes a toner supply device 130Y that supplies toner to the developing device 156, an optical scanning device 140Y that scans laser light in accordance with input image data, and a laser beam that is scanned by the optical scanning device 140Y. And an image forming apparatus 150Y on which an electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The toner supply device 130Y includes a toner container 132Y provided detachably with respect to the printer apparatus main body, a toner transport motor 134Y provided inside the toner container 132Y, and a toner empty provided in the toner container 132Y. The inspection sensor 136Y and a toner conveying device 138Y disposed in the printer apparatus main body are configured. Toner container 132Y contains toner. The toner conveyance motor 134Y rotates in accordance with the control from the toner supply control unit 12. The toner conveying device 138Y is constituted by, for example, an auger or the like, and conveys toner from the toner container 132Y to the developing device 156Y by obtaining the rotational force of the toner conveying motor 134Y. The toner empty detection sensor 136Y determines whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132Y is equal to or less than a reference value. For example, if the toner empty detection sensor 132 determines that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the reference value, the toner empty detection sensor 132 outputs an empty signal to forcibly stop the operation of the printer apparatus 10.

  The optical scanning device 140Y modulates the semiconductor laser according to yellow (Y) image data and emits laser light LB (Y) according to the image data. The laser beam LB (Y) emitted from the semiconductor laser 142Y is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 152Y of the image forming apparatus 150Y.

  The image forming apparatus 150Y includes a photosensitive drum 152Y as an image carrier that rotates at a predetermined rotation speed in the direction of arrow A, and primary charging as a charging unit that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 152Y. Scorotron 154Y, a developing device 156Y for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 154Y, a toner concentration sensor 157Y for detecting the toner concentration in the developing device 156Y, and a cleaning device 158Y. ing. The photosensitive drum 152Y is uniformly charged by the scorotron 154Y, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser beam LB (Y) irradiated by the optical scanning device 140Y. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 152Y is developed with yellow (Y) toner by the developing unit 156Y and transferred to the intermediate transfer device 16. Residual toner, paper dust, and the like adhering to the photosensitive drum 152Y after the toner image transfer process are removed by the cleaning device 158Y. The toner density sensor 157Y detects the toner density in the developing device 156Y (for example, the composition ratio of toner in the developer composed of toner and carrier) and outputs it to the toner supply control unit 12. The toner supply controller 12 controls the toner supply by rotating the toner conveyance motor 134Y according to the toner concentration input from the toner concentration sensor 157Y.

  The other image forming units 13M, 13C, and 13K also form magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images in the same manner as described above, and intermediately transfer the formed toner images of the respective colors. Transfer to device 16.

The intermediate transfer device 16 is wound around the drive roll 164, the first idle roll 165, the steering roll 166, the second idle roll 167, the backup roll 168, and the third idle roll 169 with a constant tension. An intermediate transfer belt 160 is provided, and the drive roll 164 is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), whereby the intermediate transfer belt 160 is circulated and driven at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A. The intermediate transfer belt 160 is formed into an endless belt shape by, for example, forming a flexible synthetic resin film such as polyimide in a band shape and connecting both ends of the synthetic resin film formed in the band shape by welding or the like. It is a thing.
Further, the intermediate transfer device 16 has a first primary transfer roll 162Y, a second primary transfer roll 162M, a third primary transfer roll 162C, and a first primary transfer roll 162Y at positions facing the image forming units 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13K, respectively. 4 primary transfer rolls 162K, and the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 152Y, 152M, 152C, and 152K are multiplex-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 160 by the primary transfer rolls 162. The residual toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 160 is removed by a cleaning blade or a brush of a belt cleaning device provided downstream of the secondary transfer position.
Further, an image density sensor 163 that detects the density of the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 160 is disposed at a position facing the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 160 where the toner image is formed. The toner conveyance control unit 12 may control toner conveyance according to the density of the toner image input from the image density sensor 163. Note that both the toner density sensor 157 and the image density sensor 163 are not indispensable, and at least one of the sensors may be provided.

In the paper transport path 18, a paper feed roller 181 that takes out the recording paper 32 from the paper tray 17, a pair of paper transport rollers 182, and a registration roll 183 that transports the recording paper 32 to a secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing, Is disposed.
In addition, a secondary transfer roll 185 that is in pressure contact with the backup roll 168 is disposed at the secondary transfer position on the paper transport path 18, and each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16 is Secondary transfer is performed on the recording paper 32 by the pressing force and electrostatic force of the secondary transfer roll 185. The recording paper 32 onto which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 19 by the two conveying belts 186.
The fixing device 19 melts and fixes the toner to the recording paper 32 by performing heat treatment and pressure treatment on the recording paper 32 to which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred.

[Background and outline]
Next, the background of the present invention and the outline of the present invention will be described.
The method of predicting the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 as a continuous value includes information relating to the amount of toner supply (for example, the time for performing the toner replenishment operation, the number of times the toner replenishment operation has been performed, the amount of toner replenishment Etc.).
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the toner replenishment time and the actual toner usage. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the amount of toner used that is actually consumed by the developing device 156, and the two-dot chain line indicates a position where the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 becomes zero. The vertical axis indicates the cumulative time that the toner conveying device 138 is driven, that is, the integrated value of the toner replenishment time.
As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated value of toner replenishment time (one-dot chain line) deviates from the ideal value (solid line) when the remaining amount of toner decreases (for example, around 10%). This is because when the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 decreases, the toner supply capability (that is, the amount of toner transport per operation) of the toner transport device 138 decreases.
In addition, there is a method for predicting the remaining amount of toner based on information relating to an image to be formed (for example, the number of printed dots, the number of pixels of image data, the number of images). However, the amount of toner used per dot or per image varies depending on machine differences, environment, usage conditions, and the like, so that sufficient prediction accuracy cannot be ensured.

  In view of this, the printer apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment uses the toner remaining amount prediction process based on the information related to the toner supply amount and the toner remaining amount prediction process based on the information related to the image to be formed. The prediction accuracy of (that is, the amount of toner used) is improved. More specifically, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 is sufficient, the printer device 10 according to the present embodiment predicts the remaining amount of toner based on information on the amount of toner supplied, and When the remaining amount of toner is low (for example, 10% or less), the remaining amount of toner is predicted based on information about the image to be formed.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between toner replenishment time and toner usage for a plurality of printers 10. Also in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the actual toner usage, and the two-dot chain line indicates the position where the remaining amount of toner becomes zero. The vertical axis represents the integrated value of toner replenishment time.
As shown in FIG. 3, the toner replenishment time integrated value (one-dot chain line) of the printer apparatus 10 </ b> A behaves differently from the toner replenishment time integrated value (broken line) of the printer apparatus 10 </ b> B. This is because there is a machine difference in the toner conveyance capability due to the lot difference of the toner conveyance motor 134, the assembly variation, or the variation of the toner contained in the toner container 132.

  In view of this, the printer apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs a toner remaining amount prediction process based on information related to the amount of supplied toner and a toner remaining amount prediction process based on information related to an image to be formed in parallel. The parameters used in the prediction process are corrected by comparing the prediction results.

[Embodiment]
Next, the embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically. In the following description, a specific example is a mode in which the toner amount prediction process and the prediction result are displayed on the client terminal 2 (computer terminal connected to the printer apparatus 10).
FIG. 4 illustrates the hardware configuration of the client terminal 2 to which the toner amount calculation method according to the present invention is applied.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the client terminal 2 includes a control device 20 including a CPU 202 and a memory 204, a recording device 24 such as an HDD / CD device, a user interface including an LCD display device or a CRT display device, and a keyboard / touch panel. A device (UI device) 26 and a communication device 28 are included.
The client terminal 2 is connected to the printer apparatus 10 using a wired or wireless communication line, and requests printing of an image.

[Toner amount calculation program]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a toner amount calculation program 5 which is executed by the control device 20 (FIG. 4) and realizes the toner amount calculation method according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the toner amount calculation program 5 includes a replenishment time integration unit 500, a pixel integration unit 510, a null signal acquisition unit 520, a first prediction unit 530, a second prediction unit 540, a prediction control unit 550, a correction amount. A calculation unit 560, a toner amount calculation unit 570, and a remaining amount output unit 580 are included.
The toner amount calculation program 5 is supplied to the control device 20 via, for example, the recording medium 240 (FIG. 4), loaded into the memory 204, and executed.

In the toner amount calculation program 5, the replenishment time integration unit 500 acquires the toner replenishment time (information on the toner supply amount) from the toner supply control unit 12 (FIG. 1) of the printer device 10, and the acquired toner replenishment time. And the integrated value is output to the first prediction unit 530.
The pixel integration unit 510 acquires the number of pixels of the formed image (information about the formed image) from the printer device 10 (FIG. 1), integrates the acquired number of pixels, and obtains the integrated value as a second value. It outputs with respect to the prediction part 540.
The empty signal acquisition unit 520 acquires an empty signal (a signal indicating that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the reference value) of the toner container 132 from the toner empty detection sensor 136 (FIG. 1) of the printer device 10 and has acquired it. The empty signal is output to the correction amount calculation unit 560.

  The first prediction unit 530 predicts the toner usage amount based on the integrated value of the replenishment time input from the replenishment time integration unit 500, and outputs the predicted value to the prediction control unit 550 as a first predicted value. To do. Specifically, the first predicting unit 530 uses the first conversion parameter that associates the replenishment time integrated value and the toner usage amount (toner remaining amount) with each other, and calculates the toner usage amount from the replenishment time integrated value to the first. Calculated as a predicted value. Further, the first prediction unit 530 outputs the first prediction value to the toner amount calculation unit 530 in accordance with the control from the prediction control unit 550.

  The second prediction unit 540 predicts the toner usage based on the integrated value of the number of pixels input from the pixel integration unit 510 and outputs the prediction value to the prediction control unit 550 as a second prediction value. . Specifically, the second predicting unit 540 uses the second conversion parameter that associates the pixel number integrated value and the toner usage amount (toner remaining amount) with each other, and calculates the toner usage amount from the pixel number integrated value to the second Calculated as a predicted value. Further, the second prediction unit 530 outputs the second predicted value to the toner amount calculation unit 570 in accordance with the control from the prediction control unit 550.

  The prediction control unit 550 selects a prediction value to be applied from the first prediction value and the second prediction value according to the first prediction value input from the first prediction unit 530. Specifically, in the prediction control unit 550, the first predicted value reaches a predetermined switching reference value (for example, approximately 90% of the toner stored in the toner container 132 (that is, approximately 10% of the remaining amount of toner)). In the period until the first predicted value is output to the toner amount calculation unit 570 to apply the first predicted value, and the period after the first predicted value reaches the predetermined switching reference value, In order to apply the second predicted value, the toner amount calculation unit 570 outputs the second predicted value. The switching reference value is set based on the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the state where the toner supply capability of the toner conveying device 138 (FIG. 1) is stable. For example, the toner is stably conveyed by the toner conveying device 138. It corresponds to the lowest remaining toner amount.

  The correction amount calculation unit 560 corrects the first predicted value and the second predicted value based on the first predicted value and the second predicted value when the empty signal is input from the empty signal acquisition unit 520. . Specifically, the correction amount calculation unit 560 is an integrated value of the number of pixels input to the second prediction unit 540 for a period from when the first predicted value reaches the start reference value until the empty signal is input. Is compared with the integration reference value of the number of pixels assumed for this period, and the switching reference value is corrected according to the difference between the actual integration value and the integration reference value. The value and the assumed pixel number integration reference value are made to match. In the present embodiment, the case where the start reference value corresponds to the switching reference value will be described as a specific example. In addition, a case where the correction amount calculation unit 560 according to the present embodiment corrects the switching reference value (first reference value) will be described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this. May be corrected.

  The toner amount calculation unit 570 is based on the first prediction value input from the first prediction unit 530 and the second prediction value input from the second prediction unit 540, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132. And the calculated remaining toner amount is output to the remaining amount output unit 580. Specifically, the toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner by applying the first predicted value until the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value. Further, after the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value, the toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner by applying the second predicted value using the value of the switching reference value as an initial value. .

  The remaining amount output unit 580 outputs information indicating the remaining amount of toner input from the toner amount calculation unit 570 to the user. The remaining amount output unit 580 of this example controls the UI device 26 (FIG. 4) and displays the remaining amount of toner calculated by the toner amount calculation unit 570 by a graph or a numerical value. The remaining amount output unit 580 may output the remaining amount of toner (such as the replacement timing of the toner container 132) to the outside by a warning sound or light emission corresponding to the remaining amount of toner.

[Toner amount calculation operation]
Next, the overall operation of the toner amount calculation process will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation (S10) of the toner amount calculation process by the client terminal 2 (toner amount calculation program 5).
As shown in FIG. 6, in step 100 (S100), the user instructs the UI device 26 (FIG. 4) to print image data.
In response to a user instruction, the client terminal 2 transmits image data to the printer device 10 and instructs image data printing processing.
The printer device 10 starts an image printing process based on the image data input from the client terminal 2.

In step 105 (S105), the printer device 10 transmits the number of pixels of the printed image to the client terminal 2.
The pixel integration unit 510 in the client terminal 2 adds the number of pixels transmitted from the printer device 10 to the integration value integrated for each toner container 132 and outputs the added value to the second prediction unit 540.

In step 110 (S110), the toner density sensor 157 or the image density sensor 163 in the printer 10 detects the toner density or the density of the toner image.
In step 115 (S115), if the toner density or the density of the toner image is higher than the density reference, the printer device 10 proceeds to the process of S130, and if it is equal to or lower than the density standard, the printer apparatus 10 proceeds to the process of S120. To do.

In step 120 (S120), the toner supply control unit 12 in the printer apparatus 10 rotates the toner transport motor 134 for a predetermined time to cause the toner transport apparatus 138 to transport the toner.
In step 125 (S125), the toner supply control unit 12 transmits to the client terminal 2 the time during which the toner conveyance amount motor 134 is rotated (that is, the toner replenishment time).
The replenishment time accumulation unit 500 of the client terminal 2 adds the toner replenishment time transmitted from the toner supply control unit 12 to the accumulated value accumulated for each toner container 132 and outputs the sum to the first prediction unit 530. To do.

  In step 130 (S130), the prediction control unit 550 determines whether or not the integrated value of the replenishment time input to the first prediction unit 530 has reached the switching reference value (first reference value). The toner amount calculation program 5 proceeds to the process of S145 when the toner replenishment time integrated value has reached the switching reference value, and proceeds to the process of S135 when it has not reached the switching reference value.

In step 135 (S135), the first prediction unit 530 outputs the toner usage amount predicted value calculated based on the replenishment time integrated value to the toner amount calculation unit 570 as the first predicted value. The toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner in each toner container 132 based on the first predicted value input from the first prediction unit 530, and outputs the calculated remaining toner amount to the remaining amount output unit 580. Output.
In step 140 (S140), the remaining amount output unit 580 displays the remaining amount of toner input from the toner amount calculation unit 570 on the UI device 26 (FIG. 1) as a bar graph expressed in the normal size.

In step 145 (S145), the second prediction unit 540 calculates an integrated value of the number of pixels from when the first reference value reaches this switching reference value.
In step 150 (S150), the second prediction unit 540 calculates a predicted value of toner usage corresponding to the calculated pixel integrated value, and uses the calculated predicted value as a second predicted value, the toner amount calculation unit 570. Output for. The toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner in each toner container 132 based on the second predicted value input from the second prediction unit 540 using the switching reference value as an initial value, and calculates the calculated toner remaining amount. The amount is output to the remaining amount output unit 580.
Expressing the toner remaining amount calculation method with a specific formula,
Toner remaining amount (%) = {(Ratio of remaining toner amount corresponding to switching reference value (0.1)) * [1- (Pixel number integrated value up to now) / (Empty from state where switching reference value is reached) Expected number of pixels until the detection signal is output)]} * 100
It becomes.
However, if the (total number of pixels up to now) becomes larger than (the estimated number of pixels from the state in which the switching reference value is reached to the state in which the blanking signal is output), the remaining amount of toner becomes a negative value. In this case, the toner amount calculation unit 570 outputs the remaining amount of toner as 0%.

  In step 155 (S155), the remaining amount output unit 580 displays the remaining amount of toner input from the toner amount calculation unit 570 on the UI device 26 as a partially enlarged bar graph.

  In step 160 (S160), the printer apparatus 10 determines whether or not all requested printing processes have been completed. If completed, the process is terminated. Otherwise, the process returns to S105, and the next process is performed. Print the image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a graph of the remaining amount of toner displayed by the remaining amount output unit 580. FIG. 7A illustrates a state before the first predicted value (replenishment time integrated value) reaches the switching reference value. FIG. 7B illustrates a graph of the remaining amount of toner after the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value.
As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the remaining amount output unit 580 displays, on the UI device 26, a bar graph expressing the ratio of the remaining amount of toner to the total amount of toner initially stored in the toner container 132 as a percentage. . As illustrated in the figure, when the first predicted value does not reach the switching reference value, the remaining amount output unit 580 displays a rough numerical scale (in this example, “10% ”And“ 50% ”).
As illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value (in this example, the remaining toner amount is 10%), the remaining amount output unit 580 sets the switching reference value to this switching reference value. An area smaller than the corresponding scale (in this example, a section of 0% to 10%) is enlarged and displayed. Further, in this case, the remaining amount output unit 580 displays a finer numerical scale (in this example, “2%” and “5%”) than the case where the first predicted value does not reach the switching reference value. Display on a quantity graph.

[Reference value correction operation]
Next, the overall operation of the reference value (switching reference value) correction process will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the reference value correction processing operation (S20) by the client terminal 2 (toner amount calculation program 5).
As shown in FIG. 8, in step 200 (S200), each toner blank detection sensor 136 of the printer 10 detects whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 is equal to or less than the blank detection reference value. When it is equal to or smaller than the inspection reference value, an empty signal is transmitted to the client terminal 2.
When an empty signal is input from the toner empty detection sensor 136, the empty signal acquisition unit 520 of the client terminal 2 outputs the input empty signal to the correction amount calculation unit 560.
The toner amount calculation program 5 proceeds to the processing of S210 when an empty signal is input to the correction amount calculation unit 560, and ends the process when an empty signal is not input.

In step 210 (S210), the correction amount calculation unit 560 determines whether or not the replenishment time integration value (T) integrated by the replenishment time integration unit 500 is within a predetermined range. When the replenishment time integrated value (T) is within a predetermined range (within an appropriate range), the toner amount calculation program 5 proceeds to the process of S220, and the replenishment time integrated value (T) is outside the predetermined range (appropriate) If it is out of range, the process is terminated.
The predetermined range is, for example, a range of the replenishment time integrated value in which it can be determined that the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 132 is equal to or less than the blank inspection reference value. Thus, the toner amount calculation program 5 prevents the switching reference value from being corrected based on an abnormal state (for example, a state where the rotation speed of the toner transport motor 134 is abnormal).

In step 220 (S220), the correction amount calculation unit 560 is empty after the first reference value reaches the switching reference value (start reference value) based on the integrated value of the number of pixels integrated by the pixel integrating unit 510. The pixel number integrated value (P) during the period until the detection signal is input is calculated. Then, the correction amount calculation unit 560 calculates a difference between the calculated actual pixel number integrated value (P) and the estimated reference number of pixel numbers.
In step 230 (S230), the correction amount calculation unit 560 multiplies the calculated difference (difference between the measured pixel count integrated value and the integrated reference value) by the replenishment time corresponding to the pixel count, and further The correction amount of the switching reference value (first reference value) is determined by multiplying the correction relaxation coefficient (a number greater than 0 and less than 1). The reason for multiplying the correction relaxation coefficient in this way is to prevent the switching reference value from fluctuating greatly by gently reflecting the correction result.
The correction amount calculation unit 560 may prevent the switching reference value from fluctuating greatly by performing a limit process on the correction amount instead of multiplying the correction relaxation coefficient.

In step 240 (S240), the correction amount calculation unit 560 reflects the determined correction amount in the switching reference value.
In step 250 (S250), the correction amount calculation unit 560 determines whether or not the switching reference value in which the correction is reflected is within a predetermined range. When the corrected switching reference value is within an appropriate range, the correction amount calculation unit 560 finalizes this correction, and when the corrected switching reference value is outside the appropriate range, invalidates the correction. To do.

As described above, the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment uses the toner container based on the information on the toner supply amount by the toner conveyance device 138 during the period when the toner conveyance capability by the toner conveyance device 138 is stable. The remaining amount of toner 132 is calculated, and before the conveyance capability of the toner conveyance device 138 becomes unstable, the process is switched to a prediction process for the remaining amount of toner based on information (number of pixels) regarding the image to be formed. Thereby, the client terminal 2 can realize high prediction accuracy not only in a state where the remaining amount of toner is large but also in a state where the remaining amount of toner is low.
Further, the client terminal 2 in the present embodiment corrects the switching reference value (first reference value) based on the difference between the actually measured pixel number integrated value and the assumed pixel number integrated reference value. Thereby, the client terminal 2 can reduce the prediction error of the remaining amount of toner due to the machine difference.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the toner replenishment time is described as a specific example of the information related to the toner supply amount. However, the number of toner supply operations or the toner supply amount may be applied. In this embodiment, the number of pixels has been described as a specific example of information about an image to be formed. However, an image area ratio, the number of images, an exposure lighting time of an optical scanning device, or the like may be applied.

[Modification]
Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.
In the above embodiment, the correction amount of the switching reference value is determined based on the number of pixels from when the first predicted value (that is, the replenishment time integrated value) reaches the switching reference value to when the empty signal is output. Therefore, when the toner container 132 is replaced before the empty signal is output, the correction amount of the switching reference value cannot be determined. Therefore, the toner amount calculation program 5 in the first modified example predicts the number of pixels until the empty signal is output based on the remaining amount of toner calculated until the toner container 132 is replaced. The correction amount of the switching reference value is determined using the predicted number of pixels.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (S22) of the reference value correction process in the first modification. Of the processes shown in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are assigned to the processes that are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 9, in step 260 (S260), when the toner container 132 is replaced, the printer apparatus 10 determines whether or not the toner container 132 is mounted in a new state. The determination result is transmitted to the client terminal 2.
When the correction amount calculation unit 560 of the client terminal 2 acquires the determination result, when the toner container 132 is mounted in a new state, the correction amount calculation unit 560 proceeds to the process of S270 and performs the correction process of the switching reference value. Continuing, when the toner container 132 is a used product (used) or the like, the reference value correction process (S22) is terminated without performing the correction process for the switching reference value.

In step 270 (S270), the correction amount calculation unit 560 determines that at least one of the remaining amount of toner calculated by the toner amount calculation unit 570 before the toner container 132 is replaced matches the correction amount of the switching reference value. Is determined (whether it is less than the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the switching reference value). When at least one of the remaining toner amounts calculated by the toner amount calculating unit 570 is less than the remaining toner amount corresponding to the switching reference value, the toner amount calculating program 5 proceeds to the process of S210 and calculates the remaining toner amount. When all the amounts are larger than the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the switching reference value, the reference value correction process (S22) is terminated.
In step 210 (S210), the correction amount calculation unit 560 determines whether or not the replenishment time integration value (T) integrated by the replenishment time integration unit 500 is within a predetermined range. When the replenishment time integrated value (T) is within the predetermined range (within the appropriate range), the toner amount calculation program 5 proceeds to the processing of S280, and the replenishment time integrated value (T) is outside the predetermined range (appropriate) If it is out of range, the process is terminated.

In step 280 (S280), the correction amount calculation unit 560 displays the minimum remaining toner amount (that is, the latest toner amount calculated by the toner amount calculation unit 570 until the toner container 132 is replaced). The number of pixels (P1) that can be printed with the remaining amount of toner is calculated based on the remaining amount of toner.
In step 290 (S290), the correction amount calculation unit 560 integrates the calculated number of pixels (P1) and the time from when the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value until the toner container 132 is replaced. The difference between the integrated number of pixels (P) and the integrated reference value of the number of pixels (the total number of pixels assumed to be printable after the switching reference value) is calculated.

  In S230, the correction amount calculation unit 560 multiplies the calculated difference by the replenishment time corresponding to the number of pixels and the correction relaxation coefficient (a number greater than 0 and less than 1) to obtain a switching reference value (first number). (1 reference value) correction amount is determined.

  As described above, the toner calculation program 5 in the first modification example predicts the number of pixels that can be printed with the remaining amount of toner based on the remaining amount of toner calculated until the toner container 132 is replaced. The correction amount of the switching reference value can be determined based on the number of pixels thus obtained and the number of pixels accumulated until the toner container 132 is replaced.

Next, a second modification will be described.
In the above embodiment, the pixel from the prediction process based on the replenishment time is based on when the first predicted value (the integrated value of the replenishment time) reaches a predetermined switching reference value (in the above example, the remaining toner amount is 10%). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switching reference value (first reference value) is used as the second reference value corresponding to the remaining amount of toner for which the near empty notification is performed. You may change to
Therefore, the toner amount calculation program 5 according to the second modification includes a prediction process based on the replenishment time based on a second reference value (hereinafter referred to as a near empty reference value) corresponding to the remaining toner amount for which the near empty notification is performed. And switching between prediction processing based on the number of pixels. Here, the near empty notification is a notification of a message that prompts the user of the printer device 10 to replace the toner container 132, for example, by displaying a message on the UI, lighting a warning lamp, or outputting a warning sound. It is a notification. The timing at which the near empty notification is made is set before the timing at which the empty signal is output by the toner empty detection sensor 136 in consideration of the time required until the toner container 132 is actually replaced.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation (S30) of the toner amount calculation process in the second modification.
As shown in FIG. 10, in step 300 (S300), the user instructs the UI device 26 (FIG. 4) to print image data.
In response to a user instruction, the client terminal 2 transmits image data to the printer device 10 and instructs image data printing processing.
The printer device 10 starts an image printing process based on the image data input from the client terminal 2.

In step 305 (S305), the printer apparatus 10 transmits the number of pixels of the printed image to the client terminal 2.
The pixel integration unit 510 in the client terminal 2 adds the number of pixels transmitted from the printer device 10 to the integration value integrated for each toner container 132 and outputs the added value to the second prediction unit 540.

In step 310 (S310), the toner density sensor 157 or the image density sensor 163 in the printer apparatus 10 detects the toner density or the density of the toner image.
In step 315 (S315), if the toner density or the density of the toner image is higher than the density reference, the printer apparatus 10 proceeds to the process of S330, and if it is equal to or less than the density standard, the printer apparatus 10 proceeds to the process of S320. To do.

In step 320 (S320), the toner supply control unit 12 in the printer apparatus 10 rotates the toner transport motor 134 for a predetermined time to cause the toner transport apparatus 138 to transport the toner.
In step 325 (S325), the toner supply control unit 12 transmits the time during which the toner conveyance amount motor 134 is rotated (that is, the toner replenishment time) to the client terminal 2.
The replenishment time accumulation unit 500 of the client terminal 2 adds the toner replenishment time transmitted from the toner supply control unit 12 to the accumulated value accumulated for each toner container 132 and outputs the sum to the first prediction unit 530. To do.

  In step 330 (S330), the prediction control unit 550 determines whether or not the integrated value of the replenishment time input to the first prediction unit 530 has reached the near empty reference value (second reference value). The toner amount calculation program 5 proceeds to the process of S345 when the toner replenishment time integrated value has reached the near empty reference value, and proceeds to the process of S335 when it has not reached the near empty reference value.

In step 335 (S335), the first prediction unit 530 outputs the toner usage amount predicted value calculated based on the replenishment time integrated value to the toner amount calculation unit 570 as a first predicted value. The toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner in each toner container 132 based on the first predicted value input from the first prediction unit 530, and outputs the calculated remaining toner amount to the remaining amount output unit 580. Output.
In Step 340 (S340), the remaining amount output unit 580 displays the remaining amount of toner input from the toner amount calculation unit 570 on the UI device 26 (FIG. 1) as a normal bar graph.

In step 345 (S345), the second prediction unit 540 calculates an integrated value of the number of pixels from when the first reference value reaches the near empty reference value.
In step 350 (S350), the second prediction unit 540 calculates a predicted value of toner usage corresponding to the calculated pixel integrated value, and uses the calculated predicted value as the second predicted value, the toner amount calculation unit 570. Output for. The toner amount calculation unit 570 calculates the remaining amount of toner in each toner container 132 based on the second predicted value input from the second prediction unit 540, with the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the near empty reference value as an initial value. Then, the calculated remaining toner amount is output to the remaining amount output unit 580.

  In step 355 (S355), the remaining amount output unit 580 displays a bar graph indicating the remaining amount of toner input from the toner amount calculating unit 570 and a message for urging replacement of the toner container 132 on the UI device 26.

  In step 360 (S360), the printer apparatus 10 determines whether or not all requested printing processes have been completed. If completed, the process is terminated. Otherwise, the process returns to S105. Print the image.

  Thus, the toner amount calculation program 5 in the second modification can switch between the prediction process based on the replenishment time and the prediction process based on the number of pixels based on the near empty reference value. The toner amount calculation program 5 may correct the near empty reference value (second reference value) by applying the reference value correction process (S22) shown in FIG.

The toner container 132 is provided with a memory for storing at least one of information on the toner supply amount (integrated value of replenishment time) and information on the image to be formed (integrated value of the number of pixels). You may comprise so that these information may be read from memory. Accordingly, even when the used toner container 132 is mounted on the printer apparatus main body, the calculation of the remaining amount of toner and the correction of the reference value (first reference value or second reference value) are accurately performed. Can do.
In the above-described embodiment, the toner amount prediction process and the prediction result are displayed on the client terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the toner amount prediction process and the prediction result are displayed on the image forming apparatus. Form may be sufficient.
Further, in the above embodiment, the toner empty detection sensor 132 performs toner empty detection and near empty detection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the toner concentration is reduced by the toner concentration sensor 157 or the image concentration by the image density sensor. It may be a form that performs sky detection and near empty detection.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tandem type printer apparatus (image forming apparatus) 10. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between toner replenishment time and actual toner usage. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between toner replenishment time and toner usage for a plurality of printer devices. The hardware configuration of the client terminal 2 to which the toner amount calculation method according to the present invention is applied is exemplified. It is a figure which shows the structure of the toner amount calculation program 5 which is performed by the control apparatus 20 (FIG. 4) and implement | achieves the toner amount calculation method concerning this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation (S10) of toner amount calculation processing by the client terminal 2 (toner amount calculation program 5). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a graph of the remaining amount of toner displayed by the remaining amount output unit 580, where (A) is a graph of the remaining amount of toner before the first predicted value (replenishment time integrated value) reaches the switching reference value. (B) illustrates a graph of the remaining amount of toner after the first predicted value reaches the switching reference value. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement (S20) of the reference value correction process by the client terminal 2 (toner amount calculation program 5). It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement (S22) of the reference value correction process in a 1st modification. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (S30) of toner amount calculation processing in a second modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer apparatus 13 ... Image forming unit 16 ... Intermediate transfer apparatus 17 ... Paper tray 18 ... Paper conveyance path 19 ... Fixing device 5 ... Toner amount calculation program 500 ... Replenishment time integration unit 510 ... Pixel integration unit 520 ... Empty signal acquisition unit 530 ... First prediction unit 540 ... Second prediction unit 550 ... Prediction control unit 560 ... Correction amount calculation Unit 570... Toner amount calculation unit 580.

Claims (16)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image using toner supplied from a toner container,
A first calculation for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys toner from the toner container is used. Means,
Initial input of at least one of the number of pixels and the amount of data of an image formed by image forming means for forming an image using toner as input information of an image formed using toner supplied from the toner container Second calculating means for calculating a predicted value of the toner usage based on the integrated value from ;
Until the predicted value calculated by the first calculating means reaches the first reference value, the predicted value calculated by the first calculating means is applied, and after reaching the first reference value, Applying a predicted value calculated by the second calculating means, a toner amount calculating means for calculating a toner usage amount;
An image forming apparatus. The toner amount calculating unit calculates a toner usage amount based on the first reference value and the predicted value calculated by the second calculating unit when the first reference value is reached. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image using toner supplied from a toner container,
A first calculation for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys toner from the toner container is used. Means,
Wherein as the input information of the image formed using the toner supplied from the toner container, the at least one of the number of pixels or data amount of an image formed by an image forming means for forming an image by using a toner used initially Second calculating means for calculating a predicted value of the toner usage based on the integrated value from ;
When the toner usage calculated by the first calculation means reaches the first reference value, the calculation of the toner usage corresponding to the period from the first reference value to the second reference value is performed. Control means for causing the second calculation means to perform:
An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first reference value corresponds to a state in which the toner in the toner container is more than the second reference value. An output unit configured to output toner information indicating a toner usage amount based on the toner usage amount calculated by the first calculation unit or the second calculation unit;
In addition,
The control means stores the toner information based on the toner usage calculated by the first calculation means until the toner usage calculated by the first calculation means reaches a first reference value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the output unit outputs the toner information based on the toner usage calculated by the second calculation unit after the first reference value is reached. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output unit changes a toner information output method when the toner usage amount calculated by the first calculation unit reaches a first reference value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the second reference value corresponds to a timing at which information prompting a user to replace the toner container is to be provided. An image forming apparatus for forming an image using toner supplied from a toner container,
A first calculation for calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys toner from the toner container is used. Means,
Wherein as the input information of the image formed using the toner supplied from the toner container, the at least one of the number of pixels or data amount of an image formed by an image forming means for forming an image by using a toner used initially Second calculating means for calculating a predicted value of the toner usage based on the integrated value from ;
Until the predicted value calculated by the first calculating means reaches the first reference value, the predicted value calculated by the first calculating means is applied, and after reaching the first reference value, Correcting means for correcting the calculation result by the first calculation means with the calculation result by the second calculation means in the previous period;
An image forming apparatus. The correction means includes a toner usage amount calculated by the second calculation means for a period after the toner usage amount calculated by the first calculation means reaches a predetermined start reference value, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a correction coefficient for correcting a calculation result by the first calculation unit is calculated based on a difference from a start reference value. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or less than a predetermined end reference value;
Further comprising
The correction coefficient calculating means detects from the detection means that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the end reference value from when the toner usage calculated by the first calculation means reaches a predetermined start reference value. The correction coefficient is calculated based on a difference between a toner usage amount calculated by the second calculation means and a value obtained by subtracting an end reference value from the start reference value for a period until the start time. The image forming apparatus according to 9 . Image forming means for forming a toner image using toner supplied from the toner container;
Further comprising
The detecting means determines whether the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or less than a predetermined reference value based on a toner amount held by the image forming means or a toner image formed by the image forming means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , which detects whether or not. The correction coefficient calculated by the correction coefficient calculation means is applied based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys the toner from the toner container is used. Correction control means for instructing whether or not
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising: The toner container, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising a toner cartridge which is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. At least one of the accumulated number of times and accumulated time from the beginning of use when at least the toner conveying device arranged in the toner container and transported by the toner conveying device for conveying toner from the toner container, or supplied from the toner container As the input information of the image formed using the toner, the integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels and the data amount of the image formed by the image forming means for forming the image using the toner is used. Storage means for storing,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a. A toner amount calculation method for calculating the amount of toner used,
Based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys toner from the toner container is used, a predicted value of toner usage is calculated,
As input information of an image formed using toner , based on an integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels and the amount of data of an image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image using toner. , Calculate the predicted value of toner usage,
Until predictions conveying operation by the toner conveying device is calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and integrated time from the beginning it using has been made for conveying the toner reaches a predetermined reference value, conveying the toner A predicted value calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device performs the conveying operation is applied and formed after reaching a predetermined reference value As the image input information, a predicted value calculated based on an integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels or the amount of data of an image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image using toner is applied. A toner amount calculating method for calculating a toner usage amount. In a toner amount calculation device including a computer,
Calculating a predicted value of the amount of toner used based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device that conveys toner from the toner container is used;
As input information of an image formed using toner , based on an integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels and the amount of data of an image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image using toner. Calculating a predicted value of toner usage;
Until predictions conveying operation by the toner conveying device is calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and integrated time from the beginning it using has been made for conveying the toner reaches a predetermined reference value, conveying the toner A predicted value calculated based on at least one of the number of integrations and the integration time from the beginning of use when the toner conveying device performs the conveying operation is applied and formed after reaching a predetermined reference value As the image input information, a predicted value calculated based on an integrated value from the beginning of use of at least one of the number of pixels or the amount of data of an image formed by an image forming unit that forms an image using toner is applied. Calculating the amount of toner used,
For causing the computer of the toner amount calculation apparatus to execute the program.

Images