JPH10207319A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote the replenishment of recording agent such as toner and to prevent an image forming action from being suddenly stopped because the recording agent becomes insufficient by warning the insufficiency of the residual quantify of the recording agent when it is detected and lowering the density of a recording image. SOLUTION: By a CPU 54, it is displayed on a display panel being the warning display means of the operation panel of a copying machine that a toner cartridge is necessary to be exchanged for the new one because the residual quantity of the toner becomes insufficient when the residual quantity of the toner is detected by sensors for detecting toner residual quantity 55 and 56 arranged on the inside of the developing device 31 and the inside of the toner cartridge and the insufficiency of the residual quantity of the toner in the toner cartridge is detected. Besides, when the insufficiency of the residual quantity of the toner is detected, image recording density is controlled by the CPU 54 so that the recording density required when image information is recorded on a copying paper being as a recording medium is lowered. Thus, a user is visually informed of the residual quantity of the recording agent so to promote the replenishment of the recording agent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of automatically controlling the density of an image when the remaining amount of a recording material is insufficient.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers and facsimile machines, the number of image formations is counted by a coefficient means, and when the number of image formations reaches a predetermined value, toner of a developing device is stored. When the replacement time of the toner cartridge is displayed in advance, and when the number of formed images reaches the second predetermined value, the replacement of the toner cartridge is instructed.
Further, when the number of image formations reaches a third predetermined value, the control of stopping the image forming operation is performed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-6 / 1991.
It is common as represented by Japanese Patent No. 2049 and the like.

[0003]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-62049, the number of image formations is coefficientd by a coefficient means, and when the number of image formations reaches a second predetermined value, an instruction to replace the toner cartridge is issued. Since the warning display is performed, and then the number of image formations from the time the warning display is performed to the time when the toner is stopped until the image forming operation is stopped is set only to a constant value, the warning for instructing replacement of the toner cartridge is issued. When the number of image formations reaches a third predetermined value, it is not known how many copies have been made since the display was made and how much image formation is possible, and the image formation operation was suddenly stopped. If the toner cartridge cannot be replaced immediately, such as when the toner cartridge is out of stock, there is a problem that copying cannot be performed for a long period of time.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting a shortage of the remaining amount of a recording agent such as a toner. Not only warns the user, but also lowers the density of the recorded image, visually alerts the user to the lack of remaining recording material, prompts the user to replenish the recording material, and suddenly causes the image recording operation to run out due to the lack of recording material. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of preventing a situation of being stopped.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording image information on a recording medium using a recording agent, wherein the remaining amount of the recording agent is detected. A shortage of remaining amount detecting means, a warning display unit for displaying a warning of a shortage of remaining amount of the recording agent based on the detection result of the remaining amount of shortage detecting unit, And density control means for lowering the recording density when recording information. As the remaining amount detecting unit, for example, a unit that is provided inside the developing unit or in a recording agent storage unit that supplies the recording agent to the developing unit and detects that the remaining amount of the recording agent is insufficient is used. It is not limited to this,
Means for detecting from the integrated value of the recording material supply amount may be used. Means for detecting the remaining amount from the integrated value of the recording material supply amount include, for example, an integrated value of the number of printed sheets, a loaded value of the number of black dots of a printed image, or a toner dispense motor for supplying toner as a printing material. A device that detects the remaining amount of the recording agent from the loaded value of the rotation speed or the like may be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a density changing means for changing a recording density to be lowered by the density control means.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording apparatus for recording image information on a recording medium using a recording agent, comprising: a remaining amount insufficient detecting means for detecting an insufficient amount of the recording agent. Warning display means for displaying a warning that the remaining amount of the recording material is insufficient based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detection means,
Density processing means for processing information on the recording medium such that the density looks low based on the detection result of the remaining amount shortage detection means.

[0008] Still further, the invention described in claim 4 is:
4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the processing of the density processing unit.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected by the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the insufficient amount of the recording material, and a warning is displayed based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting device. Warning display means, and density control means for lowering the recording density when recording image information on a recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detecting means, so that the remaining amount of the recording material is provided. When a shortage of amount is detected by the remaining amount detection unit, a warning display of the remaining amount is performed by the warning display unit, and the recording density is controlled by the density control unit to reduce the remaining amount of the recording material. If a is detected, it warns that,
By lowering the density of the recorded image, it is possible to visually notify the user of the lack of the remaining amount of the recording agent, prompt the user to replenish the recording agent, and prevent a situation in which the image recording operation is suddenly stopped due to the lack of the recording agent. it can.

Further, in the invention according to the second aspect, since the density control means is provided with a density changing means for changing the recording density to be lowered, the density changing means gradually reduces the recording density which the density control means lowers. By performing control such that the recording density is gradually lowered, it is possible to visually appeal to the user that the remaining amount of the recording material is insufficient. , The time until the image recording operation is stopped due to the shortage can be extended.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, the remaining amount of the recording material is detected based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting device. A warning display means for displaying a warning and a density processing means for processing the information on the recording medium so that the density looks low based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detection means are provided, so that the user can record the information. The shortage of the remaining amount of the recording agent can be visually and certainly appealed, and the shortage of the remaining amount of the recording agent can be more accurately conveyed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an electrophotographic copying machine having an automatic document feeder as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the electrophotographic copying machine, and a scanner unit 3 for reading an image of an original 2 is provided at an upper end in the main body 1 of the electrophotographic copying machine.
And the scanner unit 3
The upper part of the document has a function as a document pressing member for pressing a document 2 placed on a first platen glass 19, which will be described later, and an automatic conveying device for conveying the document 2 onto the second platen glass 10 at a constant speed. An automatic document feeder 4 having a document feed function is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the copying machine main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic document feeder 4 has a document set tray 5 on which a plurality of documents 2 to be copied are set with the copy side facing up. Are picked up in order from the uppermost document 2 by a nudger roll 5 and sent to a feed roll 6 and a retard roll 7. At the rear end of the feed roll 6 and the retard roll 7, a document feed sensor 28 for detecting a feed state of the document 2 is disposed. And
The original 2 is separated one by one by the feed roll 6 and the retard roll 7, and the second original is moved by a plurality of takeaway rolls 9 provided along the conveyance path 8 formed in a substantially arc shape. Platen glass 10
It is transported to the upper reading position. The document 2 transported to the reading position on the second platen glass 10 is
While the document is transported at a constant speed by the document transport roll 11 disposed above the second platen glass 10,
The image is read by an image reading element 13 such as a CCD via the scanning optical system 12 of the scanner unit 3 stopped at the position shown in FIG. The scanning optical system 12 includes an illumination lamp 14 for illuminating the original 2,
A full-rate mirror 15 for reflecting the reflected light image of the original 2 illuminated by the light source, two half-rate mirrors 16 and 17 for reflecting the light image from the full-rate mirror 15 so as to be folded, and the half-rate mirrors 16 and 17 And an image forming lens 18 that forms an optical image of the document 2 reflected by the image reading device 13 in a reduced state on the image reading element 13.

When the scanner unit 3 reads the image of the original 2 moving on the second platen glass 10 at a constant speed, as shown in FIG. The image of the document 2 is read in a state where the scanning optical system 12 is stopped so that the image is located at a reading position immediately below the document 10. When the scanner unit 3 reads an image of the original 2 placed on the first platen glass 19, the illumination lamp 14, the full-rate mirror 15, and the half-rate mirrors 16 and 17 move the original 2 By scanning along the lower surface at a speed ratio of 1: 1/2, the image of the original 2 is read.

Thereafter, the original 2 read at the reading position on the second platen glass 10 is a tri-roll 2 where the original transport roll 11 and the three rolls are pressed against each other.
0, the transport path is switched by the transport path switching member 21, so that the discharge rollers 22 provide the document discharge tray 2 provided below the document set tray 5.
3 is discharged.

When the automatic document feeder 4 performs duplex copying of the document 2, the document 2 on which one-sided image is read is not discharged onto the document discharge tray 23 by the discharge rolls 22 as it is, By switching the transport path by the transport path switching member 21, the document 2 on which one-sided image is read is temporarily stored in the document temporary storage section 25 below the document discharge tray 23 by the transport roll 24, and the rear end of the document 2 is transported. While being held by the roll 24, the transport roll 24 is temporarily stopped. Next, the transport roll 24
, The original 2 is again conveyed to the conveyance path 8 via the conveyance path switching member 21 in a state where the original 2 is turned upside down, and the back side of the original 2 is conveyed to the reading position on the second platen glass 10. Are read by the image reading element 13 via the scanning optical system 12. Thereafter, the original 2 from which the images on the front and back surfaces have been read is switched by the transport path switching member 21 via the original transport roll 11 and the tri-roll 20, so that the transport roll 24 lowers the original set tray 23. The document is temporarily stored in the document temporary storage unit 25. The original 2 accommodated in the original temporary accommodation section 25 is rotated in the reverse direction while the rear end thereof is held between the transport rolls 24, so that the original 2 is turned upside down in a state where the original 2 is turned upside down. The document 2 is discharged onto the discharge tray 23 through the document 26 with the surface of the document 2 facing down.

At the upper end of the electrophotographic copying machine main body 1,
As described above, by placing the original 2 in a fixed state, the first platen glass 19 having a large area for reading an image of the original 2 and the original 2 are automatically conveyed at a constant speed. A second platen glass 10 having a small area for reading an image of the document 2 is arranged. Also, above the electrophotographic copying machine main body 1,
As described above, the automatic document feeder 4 having a function as a document pressing member is provided so as to be freely opened and closed.
The automatic document feeder 4 includes a first platen glass 1
A document pressing member 27 made of an elastic member that presses the document 2 is provided at a position corresponding to the upper part of the document 9.

In the above-described electrophotographic copying machine, as shown in FIG. 2, the image information of the document 2 is read by the scanner unit 3 and the automatic document feeder 4 configured as described above. The image information of the document 2 read by the scanner unit 3 is stored in a temporary storage device (not shown), and after being subjected to predetermined image processing as necessary, according to the image information subjected to the image processing. ROS29 (Ras
Image output is performed on the photosensitive drum 30 by ter Output Scanner to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is
After the toner image is developed by the developing device 31, the toner image is transferred onto the copy paper 33 by the transfer charger 32. The copy paper 33 is stored in a plurality of paper trays 34, 3 housed in a lower portion of the electrophotographic copying machine body 1.
After a sheet of a predetermined size is fed from 5, 36, and 37, and is detected by feed sensors 38, 39, 40, and 41, registration rollers in front of the photosensitive drum 30 are arranged by a plurality of transport rollers 42. 43, and is conveyed to the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 by the registration roll 43.

The copy paper 33 onto which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 30 is separated from the photosensitive drum 30 by a separation charger 44, and then conveyed to a fixing device 46 by a conveying belt 45, where the fixing device 46 At 46, the toner image is fixed on the copy paper 33 by heat and pressure,
Discharged onto a discharge tray 47 arranged outside the apparatus,
The image copying process ends.

The cleaning device 48 removes residual toner and paper dust from the surface of the photosensitive drum 30 after the toner image transfer process is completed, so that the surface is ready for the next copying process.

When performing double-sided copying with the above-described electrophotographic copying machine, the copy paper 33 having an image copied on one side is not discharged to the discharge tray 47 as it is, but the transport path is switched to the paper reversing path 49. Once, and copy paper 33
Is transported again to the image forming section below the photosensitive drum 30 through the transport path 50 in a state where the copy paper 33 is turned upside down. 47.

By the way, in the electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment, the remaining amount of recording material is detected based on the detection result of the remaining amount detecting device. Warning display means for warning display of shortage, density control means for lowering the recording density when recording image information on a recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection means,
Is provided.

That is, in the electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording density of the toner as the recording material of the developing device 31 is detected in the non-image portion on the photosensitive drum 30. Therefore, a test pattern 51 having a predetermined density is formed, and the image density of the test pattern 51 is detected by a density detection sensor 52. As the density detection sensor 52, for example, a test pattern 5 formed on the photosensitive drum 30 is used.
1, while irradiating light with the light emitting element 52a,
The reflected light from the test pattern 51 is used as the light receiving element 52b.
For detecting the density of the test pattern 51 formed on the photoreceptor drum 30 by receiving light from the photoconductor drum 30, a photodetector is used.

The output signal from the density detection sensor 52 is input to a density determination circuit 53 as shown in FIG.
The density determination circuit 53 detects whether the density of the test pattern 51 detected by the density detection sensor 52 is lower than a predetermined value. When the density determination circuit 53 determines that the density of the test pattern 51 is lower than the predetermined value, it outputs a signal to that effect to the CP as the density control means.
Output to U54. The CPU 54 includes a density determination circuit 5
3, when it is determined that the density of the test pattern 51 is lower than the predetermined value, a signal is output to replenish the developing device 31 with a predetermined amount of toner.
The toner dispensing motor for supplying toner provided in the developing device 31 is rotated for a predetermined time to supply a predetermined amount of toner into the developing device 31.

After executing the operation of replenishing the developing device 31 with a predetermined amount of toner, the CPU 54 forms a test pattern 51 having a predetermined density on the photosensitive drum 30 again. The image density is detected by the density detection sensor 52. The output signal from the density detection sensor 52 is input to the density determination circuit 53 as described above, and the density determination circuit 53 tests the test pattern 51 detected by the density detection sensor 52.
Is detected again whether or not the density is lower than the predetermined value. When the CPU 54 determines that the density of the test pattern 51 is lower than the predetermined value, the CPU 54 controls the dispense motor for replenishing the toner from the toner cartridge to the inside of the developing device with rotation for a predetermined time. The CPU 54 includes a toner remaining amount detection sensor 55 provided inside the developing device 31 and inside the toner cartridge.
When the remaining amount of toner is detected by 56 and it is detected that the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge is insufficient,
As shown in FIG. 4, a display panel 56 as a warning display means of the operation panel 55 of the copying machine displays a message that the toner cartridge needs to be replaced with a new one because the remaining amount of toner is insufficient. .

When the CPU 54 detects that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient, the CPU 54 sets the image recording density so as to lower the recording density when recording image information on the copy paper 33 as a recording medium. It is configured to also function as a density control unit for controlling the density.

In the above-described configuration, in the electrophotographic copying machine according to this embodiment, when the shortage of the remaining amount of the recording agent such as toner is detected as described below, as a matter of course, a warning is given. By lowering the density of the recorded image, the user is visually notified of the lack of the remaining amount of the recording agent, prompting the user to replenish the recording agent, and preventing a situation in which the image recording operation is suddenly stopped due to the shortage of the recording agent. It is possible.

That is, in the above-mentioned electrophotographic copying machine, first, in a so-called diagnosis mode or the like when a service engineer performs maintenance and inspection of an electrophotographic copying machine used by a user, or specification setting when assembling the copying machine. The following three items are stored in the memory connected to the CPU 54 according to steps 1 to 3 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

(1) The time during which the dispense motor of the developing device 31 is turned on at the time of copying in the normal control. (2) The execution or cancellation of the control to automatically reduce the density when a warning is issued when the remaining amount of toner is insufficient. (3) Degree of thinness when “Execution” is set in (2) above (that is, setting of a value minus from the value of (1))

In the above-described electrophotographic copying machine, as shown in FIG. 6, when the process of copying the image of the original 2 is repeated, the toner in the developing device 31 is gradually consumed, and the photosensitive drum 30 is discharged at a predetermined timing. The density of the test pattern formed on the surface decreases. Then, in a normal state, by turning on the dispensing motor for a predetermined time, a predetermined amount of toner is supplied from the toner cartridge to the inside of the developing device 31, and the density of the image formed on the photosensitive drum 30 becomes predetermined. It becomes the density of.

However, when the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge becomes insufficient, the dispense motor is turned on for a predetermined time, and the developing device 3
Even if the toner is supplied into the developing device 1, a predetermined amount of the toner cannot be supplied into the developing device 31.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the developing device 3
1 and the toner remaining amount detection sensors 55 and 56 provided inside the toner cartridge.
The control when the toner density in 1 is detected to be lower than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as toner warning) is performed as follows.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 54 determines whether or not a toner warning has occurred based on the outputs of the remaining toner detection sensors 55 and 56 (step 1). Controls the density with the values shown in FIG. 5 (step 9). on the other hand,
When the CPU 54 detects that a toner warning has occurred, the CPU 54 determines whether a mode for reducing the image recording density after the toner warning has occurred has been selected (step 2), and a mode for reducing the image recording density after the toner warning has occurred. If is not selected, as above,
The density is controlled by the values shown in FIG. 5 (step 9). When the mode for reducing the image recording density is selected after the toner warning has occurred, the CPU 54 controls the image recording density with the density obtained by subtracting the set value from the value in FIG. At the same time (step 3), it is displayed on the display 56 that the density is automatically controlled to be reduced (step 4).

Next, the CPU 54 determines whether a predetermined number of copies have been made since the toner warning occurred (step 5). Repeats the operations of step 3 and step 4. When the CPU 54 detects that a fixed number of copies have been made after the toner warning has occurred, the CPU 54 controls the image recording density at a density obtained by further subtracting the value of FIG. 5 from the value of step 3 (step 3). Step 6).

Further, after detecting that a predetermined number of copies have been made in step 5 above, the CPU 54 determines whether or not it has been detected that a further fixed number of copies have been made (step 7). If it is detected that a certain number of copies have been made, and if a certain number of copies have not been made, the operation of step 6 is repeated. And CPU
After detecting that a certain number of copies have been made in step 5, if it is detected that a certain number of copies have been made, the density obtained by further subtracting the value shown in FIG. The control of the image recording density is performed to the end (step 8).

As described above, in the electrophotographic copying machine according to the above-described embodiment, the toner remaining amount detecting sensors 55 and 56 as the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the insufficient remaining amount of the toner,
A display unit 56 of an operation panel 55 as a warning display unit for displaying a warning of insufficient toner remaining based on the detection results of the toner remaining amount detection sensors 55 and 56, and a detection result of the toner remaining amount detection sensors 55 and 56. The CPU 54 as density control means for lowering the recording density when recording image information on the copy paper 33 based on the remaining amount of toner.
5 and 56, a warning indicating that the remaining amount is insufficient is displayed on the display unit 56, and the recording density is determined by the CPU.
By controlling the amount to be lowered by the control unit 54, when a shortage of the remaining amount of toner is detected, it is possible to warn the user of this fact, and by lowering the density of the recorded image, the user is notified of the remaining amount of toner. It is possible to visually complain of the shortage and to prompt toner replenishment, thereby preventing a situation in which the image recording operation is suddenly stopped due to the toner shortage.

Further, in the electrophotographic copying machine according to the above-described embodiment, since the CPU 54 also has a function as a density changing means for changing the recording density to be lowered, the CPU 54 also serving as the density changing means is lowered. By performing the control to gradually lower the recording density, it is possible to visually appeal to the user that the remaining amount of the recording agent is insufficient, and to perform the control to gradually lower the recording density. Thus, the time until the image recording operation is stopped due to the shortage of the recording material can be lengthened.

In the electrophotographic copying machine according to the above-described embodiment, if it is desired to copy at a normal density even after the toner warning has occurred, the setting in step 2 in FIG. This is possible by setting the desired density using the adjustment keys.

In the above embodiment, the case where the electrophotographic copying machine is used as the image recording apparatus and the electrophotographic method is applied to the toner using the toner as the recording material has been described. The control is performed by controlling at least one of the developing bias of the device 31, the uniform charging potential of the charge corotron for charging the photosensitive drum 30, and the exposure light amount (including pulse width and intensity) of the ROS 29.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the electrophotographic copying machine is used as the image recording apparatus and the electrophotographic method is applied to the toner using the toner as the recording material has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink based on image information and other image recording apparatuses. For example, in the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, it is possible to lower the recording density when recording image information on a recording medium by controlling the amount of ink or the number of times of overprinting.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment 2 is an image recording apparatus for recording image information on a recording medium using a recording agent, and a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the recording agent, Warning display means for displaying a warning of insufficient remaining amount of the recording agent based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detecting means, and information on the recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detecting means, so that the density looks low. And a density processing means for performing the processing.

That is, in the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, especially in a printer or the like, the image density processing means does not lower the image density, but instead prints the image on the recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection means. For example, if the image data to be recorded is text information, a font type change function that changes Gothic font to Mincho font so that the density looks low is provided. By changing the attribute of the image data which makes the attribute of the image data thinner, processing is performed so that the density looks low. Further, in the case of bitmap image information, a density processing means for performing density processing such as area gradation so as to reduce the line of the image or lower the density of the solid portion is used.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0046]

The present invention has the above-described structure and operation. When the shortage of the remaining amount of the recording agent such as toner is detected, it is not only necessary to warn the user of the shortage, but also to obtain the density of the recorded image. Image recording device that visually informs the user of the lack of the remaining amount of the recording agent, prompts the user to replenish the recording agent, and prevents a situation in which the image recording operation is suddenly stopped due to the shortage of the recording agent. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an electrophotographic copying machine provided with an automatic document feeder as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic document feeder applied to an electrophotographic copying machine as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel of an electrophotographic copying machine as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electrophotographic copying machine as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electrophotographic copying machine as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

30 Photoconductor drum, 54 CPU, 55, 56 Toner remaining amount detection sensor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for recording image information on a recording medium using a recording agent, wherein the remaining amount of the recording agent is detected by a shortage detection unit, and a detection result of the shortage detection unit. Warning display means for displaying a warning that the remaining amount of the recording material is insufficient based on the density control means for reducing the recording density when recording image information on a recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection means, An image recording apparatus comprising: 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising density changing means for changing a recording density to be lowered by said density control means. 3. An image recording apparatus for recording image information on a recording medium by using a recording agent, wherein the remaining amount of the recording agent is detected by an insufficient remaining amount detecting means, and the detection result of the insufficient remaining amount detecting means is provided. Warning display means for warning and displaying the remaining amount of the recording material is insufficient based on the density information processing means for processing the information on the recording medium based on the detection result of the remaining amount insufficient detection means to make the density look low. An image recording apparatus, comprising: 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the processing of the density processing unit.