JPH11167267A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve wastefulness in the case of exchanging a toner cartridge and to reduce the exchanging frequency of the cartridge by varying the contents of information on the detected result of toner residual quantity in accordance with the toner residual quantity at the time of exchanging the cartridge the last time. SOLUTION: An analog signal ATNR being the detected result of the toner residual quantity inside the toner cartridge 150 by a magnetic sensor 160 is transmitted to an A/D converter circuit 132 in a printer controller 130 and converted into a digital signal DTNR. A sequence control part 131 reads it and recognizes the toner residual quantity. A previous toner residual quantity storage part 136 stores the value TNZAN of the DTNR at the time of detaching the cartridge 150 the last time. A toner residual quantity threshold storage part 137 stores threshold voltage TNSRE to decide timing for displaying a message when the toner residual quantity is small. The control part 131 reads in the value TNZAN when the DTNR is equal to or under the TNSRE, compares the high level value and the middle level value of the toner residual quantity and informs a main controller 110 in accordance with the compared result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for forming an image by an electrophotographic method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a laser beam printer (LBP) has been widely used as an image processing apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium. For example, in a facsimile apparatus and the like, the configuration for performing image formation and output to a recording medium has been realized by LBP.

In this LBP, an electrostatic latent image of an image is formed on a photosensitive drum by an electrophotographic method, and the latent image is developed with a developer (toner) to form a visible image. After the image is transferred and fixed on the recording medium, the recording medium is output.

Usually, a predetermined amount of the toner in the LBP is previously filled in a container called a toner cartridge integrated with a photosensitive drum or the like. Then, as the image is formed, the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge decreases, and when the toner runs out, the toner cartridge is generally replaced.

In a facsimile machine, for example, an image transmitted from a remote place via a telephone line is recorded on a recording medium without the intervention of an operator. The recording state of the received image cannot be grasped. For example, even if the toner is reduced in the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side and the density of the recorded image is extremely low, the transmitting side does not notice the state. Therefore, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, the remaining amount of toner is automatically detected, and if it is determined that the density of the recorded image cannot be secured by decreasing the toner amount below a certain amount, the recording of the received image is suspended, and the operator is required to replace the toner cartridge. To avoid the above-described inconvenience.

Here, since the toner cartridge is replaced in a disposable manner, if a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner is incorporated in the toner cartridge, the sensor will be discarded at the time of replacement. It is uneconomical.

Therefore, in the conventional LBP, a magnetic sensor is generally used as a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge, but this magnetic sensor is provided not in the toner cartridge but in the toner cartridge. So that it contacts the outside of the
That is, when the toner cartridge is mounted, the magnetic sensor comes into contact with the outside of the toner cartridge, and the magnetic sensor converts the strength of the magnetic field, which varies according to the remaining amount of toner inside the toner cartridge, into a voltage. To detect the remaining amount of toner.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional LBP toner cartridge, generally, a toner stirring plate for replenishing the internal toner to the developing unit moves in conjunction with the photosensitive drum. Therefore, the amount of toner varies depending on the location inside the toner cartridge.
It is extremely difficult to accurately detect the amount of toner remaining in the entire interior by contacting a magnetic sensor from the outside. A method of increasing the accuracy of detecting the remaining amount of toner by bringing a plurality of magnetic sensors into contact with the toner cartridge is conceivable, but it is difficult to realize the method due to structural restrictions of the apparatus and cost problems.

As described above, the detection of the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge in the conventional LBP has low accuracy and is not accurate. Therefore, particularly in a facsimile apparatus or the like that records a received image unattended, the threshold value for detecting the remaining amount of toner should be set to be higher than the actual level of no toner, and the operator should be instructed to replace the toner cartridge as soon as possible. Thus, the recording density of the received image is ensured. Therefore, the replacement of the toner cartridge is not only uneconomical, but also the replacement frequency of the toner cartridge is increased, so that the burden on the operator is large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a method thereof that are variable according to the remaining amount of toner at the time of the last cartridge replacement.

[0011]

As one means for achieving the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, an image processing apparatus which develops an image formed on a photoreceptor by an electrophotographic process with a developer in a detachable container to form an image and outputs the image on a recording sheet. A remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of the developer in the container, a container detecting unit that detects an attached / detached state of the container, an informing unit that notifies an apparatus state and an operation instruction, and When the replacement of the container is confirmed based on the detection result, the replacement remaining amount holding unit that holds the output value of the remaining amount detection unit as the replacement remaining amount, and the output value of the remaining amount detection unit is a predetermined value. Control means for changing the notification content of the notification means in accordance with the remaining amount at the time of replacement when the value is equal to or less than the threshold value.

[0013] For example, the replacement remaining amount holding means may output the output value of the remaining amount detecting means at the time of the last time that the container has been attached or detached based on the result of detection by the container detecting means. It is characterized by being held as.

[0014] For example, the control means instructs replacement or rocking of the container as notification content of the notification means according to the replacement remaining amount.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. However, components such as communication functions not directly related to the description of the present embodiment are omitted. In the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a main controller 11 that controls the entire apparatus is provided.
0 and a printer controller 130 that controls the operation of the LBP unit that controls image formation in the apparatus. The main controller 110 issues various command signals to the printer controller 130 to issue an operation instruction. On the other hand, the printer controller 130 issues a status signal (STS) to notify the main controller 110 of the state of the LBP.

An LCD 120 is provided as a display device for transmitting various messages, such as device status, to the operator. The main controller 110 is connected to a signal line MESSAG.
A message is displayed on the LCD 120 via E. As messages relating to the present invention, there are a message 111 of 111, a message 2 of 112, a message 3 of 114, and a recording number counter 113 which is a counter for displaying numbers in the messages.
It is switched by 10. Each message described in this block diagram is stored in the ROM in the main controller 110.

Reference numeral 140 denotes a toner cartridge presence / absence detecting means for detecting whether or not the toner cartridge is mounted using a microswitch or the like. Reference numeral 150 denotes a toner cartridge, and a magnetic sensor 160 in contact with the outside of the toner cartridge.
Accordingly, the remaining amount of toner inside the toner cartridge 150 is detected. An analog signal ATNR output from the magnetic sensor 160 and representing the amount of remaining toner as a voltage is sent to an A / D conversion circuit 132 in the printer controller 130 and converted into a digital signal DTNR. By reading, the remaining amount of toner is recognized.

In the sequence control section 131, DT
Various controls are performed according to the magnitude of the NR value. Also,
Signal CA from toner cartridge presence / absence detection means 140
The presence or absence of the toner cartridge is read from RT. 13
Reference numeral 3 denotes a toner remaining high level value storage unit, and reference numeral 134 denotes a toner remaining medium level storage unit, which stores the voltage level of the signal DTNR. These are stored in a part of the ROM in the form of a soft table. Each storage unit 133, 1
34, a line connected to the sequence control unit 131;
HLEV and MLEV represent the respective voltage level values. In the present embodiment, HLEV is 3.0 V and MLEV is MLEV, respectively.
EV is set to 2.5V. The toner cartridge 150 of the present embodiment has a DTNR of 3.5 V when the toner is fully charged.

Reference numeral 136 denotes a previous toner remaining amount storage unit for storing the value of DTNR at the time of attaching / detaching the previous toner cartridge, and the stored value is TNZAN. 1
Reference numeral 37 denotes a remaining toner threshold storage unit which stores a remaining toner threshold voltage for determining a timing at which a message is displayed to an operator when the remaining toner is reduced. Let the stored value be TNSRE. In the present embodiment, the TNSRE is set to 2.0V.

The sequence control unit 131 determines that the DTNR is T
When the value falls below NSRE, the value of TNZAN is read and T
NZAN is sequentially compared with HLEV and MLEV, and the status to be notified to the main controller 110 is instructed to the status control unit 138 according to the comparison result. This indicating means is a 4-bit or 8-bit register S
This is performed by writing a predetermined value to TSCHG,
Here, the detailed description of STSCHG is omitted. The status control unit 138 has an 8-bit serial signal ST
The main controller 110 uses the LCD 120
Notify the message number to be displayed. Here, an example of a message number corresponding to an 8-bit status (STS) is shown in FIG. The first, second and third bits of the STS are not particularly used.

Next, the relationship between the change of the DTNR value and the message is shown in FIGS. First, FIG. 3 will be described. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the residual toner voltage (DTNR) is 3.5 V in the initial state. This is a state in which the toner cartridge 150 is set in a state where the toner is full (point a). As the number of recordings increases with the passage of time, the remaining amount of toner gradually decreases. In the present embodiment, it decreases linearly for convenience. Note that the TN stored in the previous toner remaining amount storage unit 136 at this time is
ZAN is the voltage 3.5 at point a. DTNR is 2.0V
When the temperature drops to the point (point b), it starts from the fully charged state and is 2.
Since the voltage has been reduced to 0 V, the remaining amount of toner is still sufficient, and the message to the operator is "Please remove and shake the cartridge". Therefore, the status control unit sets “6” to the sixth bit of the STS shown in FIG. Since the sixth bit of the STS is “1”, the main controller 110 transmits the message 1 held in the ROM to the LCD 1
Display at 20.

After instructing the operator to shake the cartridge, after a while, the operator removes and shakes the toner cartridge 150 and mounts the cartridge again, so that the remaining amount of toner detected by the magnetic sensor 160 increases. DTNR rises to a voltage value between 2.5 V and 3.0 V (point c). The attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 150 is determined by the
The signal CART from 0 causes the sequence control unit 131
Can be recognized. The DTNR at the time of the attachment / detachment of the cartridge (point c) is read, and the DTNR is stored as a new TNZAN in the previous toner remaining amount storage unit 136. Thereafter, when the number of recordings further increases and the DTNR again drops to 2.0 V (point d), the TNZAN is now between 2.5 V and 3.0 V. Recognizing that the cartridge has been shaken once, judging that it is no longer possible to secure a sufficient density for further recording, the sixth bit of the STS signal is set to "0", and the fifth bit is set to "1". ,
A message 2 "Replace the cartridge" is displayed on the LCD 120. In addition, 3.0V and 2.5V, which are the boundary voltages of the toner remaining high level value area and the toner remaining medium level value area in FIG. These are the HLEV and MLEV values stored in the level value storage unit 134.

Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG.
Up to the point, it is the same as FIG.
An example is shown in which the operator has replaced the toner cartridge 150 with a new toner cartridge even though the voltage has dropped to 0 V and the operator has instructed "shake the cartridge". That is, when the voltage at point c is again 3.5 V, the message at point d is not "Please replace" because the value of TNZAN is 3.5 V,
"Please shake". As a result, the remaining toner is not wasted.

Next, FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is also the same as FIG. 3 up to the point b, but “Please shake”
An example in which the toner cartridge 150 is simply detached and re-attached as it is is shown. In this case, the DTNR rises because the toner cartridge 150 is slightly moved, but does not reach 2.5V. Therefore, "shake again" to the operator
Message. TNZAN at this time was the same as the previous 3.
Since a value of 5 V is held, a message may be selected by referring to the value.

Further, in the case of FIG. 3, the operator shakes the toner cartridge 150 so that the DTNR becomes 2.5 V at the point c.
When it is between 3.0 V and 3.0 V, it is also possible to display a message indicating how many sheets can be recorded thereafter. In this case, when the sequence control unit 131 recognizes that the toner cartridge 150 is attached or detached, the sequence control unit 131 instructs the status control unit 138 to set the fourth bit of the STS signal to “1”, and the status control unit 138 outputs the fourth bit of the STS signal. "1" for bit
Is set, and the main controller 110 sends message 3
Is displayed on the LCD 120. The number of the remaining number of recordings in the message 3 is calculated by decrementing the recording number counter 113 each time the main controller 110 issues a print instruction to the printer controller 130 by a PRINT signal.
The LCD 120 is notified and displayed as a BER signal.

As described above, the transition of the message displayed on the LCD 120 in the process of decreasing the remaining amount of toner is as follows.
As shown in FIG. That is, [Display 1] is a display of the stamp-pay state, and the instruction message to the operator is not at this stage. Is the process from point a to point b in FIG. Is a process from point b to point c, and a process from point c to point d. Is a process of returning from point d to point a. 5 shows the process from point b to point c in FIG.
From the point b to the point c. Note that this is the case where the same cartridge is mounted again despite the message "Please replace" at point d in FIG. This is the case when the voltage of the DTNR after the lapse of the point d does not become 3.0 V or more.

Next, the details of the operation of the toner cartridge replacement message display processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

First, the operation of the printer controller 130 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S5101 (hereinafter, the step number is simply described as Snnnnn), the sixth, fifth, and fourth bits of the status signal STS indicating the type of message to be notified to the main controller are cleared. In step S5102, the process waits for the end of A / D conversion of the analog voltage ATNR indicating the remaining amount of toner output from the magnetic sensor 160.
Upon completion, the digital voltage DTN converted in S5103
R is compared with MLEV (2.5 V) stored in the toner remaining medium level value storage unit 134 in advance, and if the DTNR is equal to or larger than MLEV, the process proceeds to S5104. Normally, at the start of processing (when the power is turned on), the toner cartridge 150 that is fully filled with toner is mounted, so that the DTNR is 3.
S510 because there is 5V and it is larger than 2.5V of MLEV
Proceed to 4. Note that when the toner cartridge 150 with a small amount of remaining toner is mounted when the power is turned on,
It will be described later.

At S5104 and S5105, the A / D conversion is performed, and the remaining amount of toner due to recording is reduced, resulting in DTNR.
Is stored in the remaining toner threshold storage unit 137.
Loop until NSRE (2.0V) or less. During this time, no message relating to the toner cartridge is displayed on LCD 120.

In step S5105, the DTNR is set to TNSRE.
(2.0 V) or less, TNZAN is stored in the toner remaining high level value storage unit 133 in S5106.
Compare with LEV. TNZAN is 3.5V in the initial state
Therefore, the voltage becomes HLEV (3.0 V) or more, and S510
Proceed to 7. In step S5107, the sixth bit of the STS signal is set to “1”, and a message 1 (“shake the toner cartridge”) is sent to the main controller 110 as L.
Instruct to display on CD120. After that, S51
At 08, it is monitored whether the signal CART from the toner cartridge presence / absence detecting unit 140 becomes “0”. The CART signal becomes "0" when the toner cartridge is removed. By monitoring this signal, it can be determined whether the operator has removed the toner cartridge 150. After the CART signal becomes "0", it is monitored in step S5109 whether the toner cartridge 150 is mounted again. This is CAR
This is performed by monitoring whether the T signal becomes “1”.

If it is detected in step S5109 that the toner cartridge 150 has been mounted, the process waits for the end of A / D conversion in step S5110. In step S5111, the DTNR value at that time is set to ML.
It is determined whether or not the value is EV or more. If the operator shakes the toner cartridge as instructed, the value becomes MLEV or more, so the flow advances to S5112, where the sixth bit of the STS signal is cleared, and the value of the DTNR at that time is entered in TNZAN in S5113. In step S5114, the fourth bit of the STS signal is set to “1”, and the display on LCD 120 is changed to “**
To the main controller 110. On the other hand, in step S5111, the DTNR is
If it is less than EV, it is determined that the operator has reattached the toner cartridge 150 without shaking, and the LCD 12
While the display of "0" holds "Please shake" as it is, the process returns to S5108 to wait for the operator to detach and attach the toner cartridge 150.

After setting the STS signal in S5114,
Returning to S5104 and S5105 again, the DTNR becomes TNS
Wait until it becomes less than RE. When the DTNR becomes equal to or less than TNSRE, it is determined in S5106 whether or not TNZAN, which is the DTNR when the toner cartridge was previously attached / detached, is equal to or more than HLEV. At this time, TNZAN does not exceed HLEV because the value of DTNR when the operator shakes the toner cartridge in S5113 is entered. That is, S
The determination result in 5106 is N (No), and the flow advances to S5115. In S5115, the fifth bit of the STS signal is set to “1”, and the main controller 110 is instructed to switch the display on the LCD 120 to “Please replace the cartridge”.

Hereinafter, S5116, S5117, S511
After confirming the attachment / detachment of the toner cartridge 150 in step 8,
At 5119, the value of DTNR is compared with HLEV. If the toner cartridge 150 has been replaced with a new one,
Since TNR becomes equal to or higher than HLEV, the process proceeds to S5120, and
The fifth bit of the TS signal is cleared, and the DTNR is input to TNZAN for the next determination in S5121. S51
If the DTNR is less than the HLEV in step 19, the process returns to step S5116 because the toner cartridge 150 is not a new one (for example, when the operator has mounted the same cartridge). Wait for a new one.

Returning to step S5103, when the power is turned on, the toner cartridge 150 which has already run out of the remaining toner amount is used.
If, the DTNR is less than the MLEV, the flow advances to step S5115 to display "Replace the cartridge" on the LCD 120, and waits for an operator's action.

Next, the operation of the main controller 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S5201, the printer controller 1
Wait for STS reception from 30. Upon reception, it is determined in step S5202 whether the sixth bit of the STS is set to "1".
Message 1 "Remove the cartridge and shake it." If the sixth bit of the STS is not set to “1” in S5202, the process advances to S5204 to determine whether the fifth bit of the STS is set to “1”.
If it is “1”, the flow proceeds to S5205, and the message 2 “Please replace the cartridge” is displayed on the LCD 120. If the fifth bit of the STS is not set to “1” in S5204, it is determined in S5206 whether the fourth bit of the STS is set to “1”. If it is not set to "1", the flow advances to step S5214, where no message relating to the cartridge is displayed on the LCD 120 and the stamping state is maintained. This is L when the power is turned on.
This is the same as the display state of the CD 120, but is described in this flowchart in order to clearly indicate that in S5214.

If the fourth bit of the STS has been set in S5206, the flow advances to S5207, and the recording number counter 11
A predetermined number N is set in the PNUMBER indicating the number of sheets in 3. This N is 400 in the case of the toner cartridge 150 of the present embodiment (however, in the case of a standard image). Usually, this N is the toner cartridge 15
Since it differs depending on the capacity of 0, the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 160, and the like, it is determined by actually measuring in advance. Then, in step S5208, a message 3 "N more can be recorded" is displayed. Here, the composite display of the variable N and the fixed characters depends on the function of the LCD 120, but the description is omitted here.

Next, in step S5209, the process waits until PRINT, which is a print instruction (print instruction for one page) signal to the printer controller 130, becomes "1". In this embodiment, when PRINT = 1 and the printer controller 13
It is assumed that a print instruction to 0 is issued. PRINT = 1
, The number count value PNUMBER is set in S5210.
Is decremented. That is, every time one page is recorded, the remaining recordable number is reduced by one. And S521
In step S520, it is monitored whether or not the PNUMBER has become "0".
Return to step 9 and repeat. PNUMBE in S5211
When R = 0, the process proceeds to S5213, and the message 2
"Please replace the cartridge" is displayed on the LCD 120.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
When the remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, an instruction to the operator issued when
The switching is performed based on the toner remaining amount value detected at the time of attaching / detaching the previous toner cartridge. That is, if it is determined that the toner is still recordable, the operator is instructed to shake the cartridge, and if it is detected that the cartridge is once shaken by the operator, the next instruction is to replace the cartridge. Control to be instructed. As a result, it is possible to avoid wasteful replacement of the still usable toner cartridge, to effectively use the toner having a sufficient density of the recorded image, and to save the operator from replacing the cartridge.

Further, once the operator shakes the cartridge, the operator is notified of the number of remaining prints, so that the operator can grasp at a glance the necessary cartridge replacement timing, and the cartridge can be smoothly replaced. Therefore, further improvement in operability can be expected.

[0043]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, a message issued when the remaining amount of toner in a cartridge has become equal to or less than a predetermined value is determined based on the toner remaining amount value detected at the time of the previous cartridge attachment / detachment. By switching, it is possible to avoid wasteful replacement of a still usable toner cartridge, and to save the operator from replacing the cartridge.

Also, after the operator shakes the cartridge once, the operator is informed of how many more sheets can be recorded,
The cartridge can be smoothly replaced by the operator, and the operability is further improved.

[0051]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an LCD display according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in remaining toner voltage according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in remaining toner voltage according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in remaining toner voltage according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of status bit allocation in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a toner cartridge replacement message display process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a toner cartridge replacement message display process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Main controller 111 Message 1 112 Message 2 113 Recorded number counter 114 Message 3 120 LCD 130 Printer controller 131 Sequence control unit 132 A / D conversion circuit 133 Toner remaining high level value storage unit 134 Toner remaining medium level value storage unit 136 Previous toner remaining amount storage unit 137 Toner remaining amount threshold storage unit 138 Status control unit 140 Toner cartridge presence / absence detection unit 150 Toner cartridge 160 Magnetic sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G06F 15/00 320 G06F 15/00 320K

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for developing an image formed on a photoreceptor by an electrophotographic process with a developer in a detachable container to form an image, and outputting the image on a recording sheet, comprising: A remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of the developer in the container; a container detecting unit that detects an attached / detached state of the container; a notifying unit that notifies an apparatus state and an operation instruction; When the replacement of the container is confirmed by the detection result, the replacement remaining amount holding means for holding the output value of the remaining amount detecting means as the replacement remaining amount, and the output value of the remaining amount detecting means is a predetermined value. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that changes the notification content of the notification unit according to the remaining amount at the time of replacement when the threshold value is equal to or less than the threshold value. 2. The exchange remaining amount holding unit is configured to output an output value of the remaining amount detection unit when a detachment of the container is confirmed last time based on a detection result of the container detection unit, the exchange remaining amount. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus stores the image processing apparatus. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit instructs replacement or rocking of the container as notification content of the notification unit according to the remaining amount at the time of replacement. . 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: holding a first developer remaining amount.
Wherein the control means is configured to, if the output value of the remaining amount detecting means is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, if the remaining amount at the time of replacement is equal to or greater than the first developer remaining amount. The informing means instructs the container to swing, and if the remaining amount at the time of replacement is less than the first developer remaining amount, the informing means instructs replacement of the container. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second remaining amount holding unit that holds a second remaining amount of the developer that is lower than the first remaining amount of the developer. If the output value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and if the replacement remaining amount is equal to or greater than the first developer remaining amount, the notifying unit instructs the container to swing, and the replacement remaining amount 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if the remaining amount is less than the first developer remaining amount and the second developer remaining amount or more, the notification unit instructs replacement of the container. 6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the output value of the remaining amount detection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the remaining amount at the time of replacement is equal to or greater than the first remaining amount of developer. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the notification unit to continuously instruct the container to swing while the output value of the detection unit is less than the second remaining amount of the developer. apparatus. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit instructs the notifying unit to notify the number of recordable images according to an output value of the remaining amount detecting unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. The control unit, if the output value of the remaining amount detecting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and the replacement remaining amount is equal to or greater than the first developer remaining amount, the control unit notifies the notification. If the output value of the remaining amount detecting means becomes equal to or more than the second remaining amount of developer after instructing the container to swing, the number of recordable images according to the output value of the remaining amount detecting means. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an instruction is issued to notify the user. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit performs an LCD display. 10. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for developing an image formed on a photoreceptor by an electrophotographic process with a developer in a detachable container to form an image, and outputting the image on recording paper. A remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the developer in the container; a container detecting step of detecting a detached state of the container; a notifying step of notifying an apparatus state and an operation instruction; A replacement remaining amount holding step of holding the remaining amount of the developer detected in the remaining amount detecting step as a replacement remaining amount when the container is attached and detached; and a developer remaining amount detected in the remaining amount detecting step. An image processing method, comprising: when the amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, changing a notification content in the notification step according to the remaining amount at the time of replacement. 11. The image processing according to claim 10, wherein, in the changing step, replacement or rocking of the container is instructed as the notification content in the notification step according to the remaining amount at the time of replacement. Method. 12. In the changing step, when the remaining amount of the developer detected in the remaining amount detecting step is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the replacement remaining amount is equal to or larger than the first developer remaining amount. If so, instructing the container to swing in the informing step, and instructing replacement of the container in the informing step if the replacement remaining amount is less than the first developer remaining amount. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the changing step, the notifying unit is instructed to notify the number of recordable images according to an output value of the remaining amount detecting unit. The image processing method according to 1. 14. In the changing step, when the container is first detached and attached after the output value of the remaining amount detecting means has become equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the notifying step detects in the remaining amount detecting step. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein an instruction is issued to notify the number of recordable images according to the determined remaining amount of the developer. 15. A program code for image processing in an image processing apparatus for developing an image formed on a photoreceptor by an electrophotographic process with a developer in a detachable container to form an image and outputting the image on a recording sheet A code of a remaining amount detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the developer in the container, a code of a container detecting step of detecting an attached / detached state of the container, and an apparatus. A code for a notification step for notifying a state and an operation instruction, and a replacement remaining amount holding step of holding the remaining amount of the developer detected in the remaining amount detection step as a replacement remaining amount at the time of attaching / detaching the container last time. If the remaining amount of the developer detected in the remaining amount detecting step is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the content of the notification in the notifying step is changed according to the remaining amount at the time of replacement. A computer-readable memory, characterized in that it comprises a code step.