Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storage case, a developer conveyance portion, a developer detecting portion, a time measuring portion, and a driving control portion. The storage case stores developer that is supplied to a developing device, and conveys the developer by driving a first conveyance member. The developer conveyance portion conveys, by driving a second conveyance member, the developer supplied from the storage case. The developer detecting portion is provided in the developing device and detects the developer supplied from the developer conveyance portion. The time measuring portion measures a required time between a time when the first conveyance member starts to be driven and a time when the developer detecting portion detects the developer. The driving control portion sets a driving time of the second conveyance member based on the required time measured by the time measuring portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container, an agitator, a toner supply, a toner sensor, and a controller. The developer container contains a two-component developer that includes toner and carrier. The agitator stirs the two-component developer. The toner supply replenishes the developer container with additional toner. The toner sensor detects a toner density of the two-component developer in the developer container. The controller calibrates the toner sensor using the two-component developer. The controller compares a first detection value indicating a toner density at a first time with a second detection value indicating a toner density at a second time after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the first time. The controller issues a notification regarding a suitability of calibration based on a comparison result of the first detection value and the second detection value.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a collecting unit that, when a predetermined transmission condition is established after a start of an operation of the information processing apparatus, collects information related to an operational environment of the information processing apparatus, and a transmitting unit that transmits the collected information to an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a sensor, a control information obtaining unit, and a control unit. The developing device forms an image on an image carrier using a developer. The sensor generates a signal indicating a measurement value related to the developer. The control information obtaining unit obtains, as control information of the developing device, one or more pieces of the control information pre-associated with the measurement value, from a recording medium associated with the developer. The control unit selects the control information associated with the measurement value indicated by the signal, from the one or more pieces of control information obtained from the recording medium. The control unit controls an operation of the developing device based on the selected control information.

Abstract: A logging module for identifying a suspected tampering condition of an access-controlled container, the logging module comprising: data collection means configured to collect data from said access-controlled container; and communication means for communicatively connecting the logging module across a network to a database storing a use history associated with said access-controlled container; wherein the logging module is configured to compare the collected data to the corresponding use history associated with said access-controlled container stored in the database to identify a suspected tampering condition of said access-controlled container, wherein the use history comprises data associated with the weight and/or volume of content of the access-controlled container.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a sensor to detect a toner concentration, and a processor to control a rendering of image-forming data to form an image on an image forming medium, according to a level of toner concentration saving that is adjusted based on the detected toner concentration.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a collecting unit that, when a predetermined transmission condition is established after a start of an operation of the information processing apparatus, collects information related to an operational environment of the information processing apparatus, and a transmitting unit that transmits the collected information to an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network.

Abstract: A development frame body includes a concave portion, which is projected in a direction along an upward direction of a gravitational direction, and which is located at a downstream side of a communication port and an upstream side of a replenishing port, the concave portion and the replenishing port overlap with each other in an axis direction of a shaft portion when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction, a relationship R1?L is satisfied, when a free length of the sheet portion is L and a distance from a rotation center of the shaft portion to an inner wall face is R1, and slit portions are formed in a free end of the sheet portion so that a section of the free end of the sheet portion can enter the concave portion when an agitation member is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting replacement of a consumable to be used for image formation is provided. The replacement detection mechanism, in response to detecting replacement of the consumable is needed, counter data including a number of printed sheets using the consumable is initialized, without initialization of learning data for determining a remaining use period from a use amount in a predetermined period of the consumable.

Abstract: A remaining toner amount detecting apparatus includes two electrodes; a remaining toner amount detector configured to detect a remaining toner amount in a toner container based on a capacitance between the two electrodes; a storage configured to store a first capacitance value between the two electrodes preliminarily detected in a non-disposed state in which the toner container is not disposed between the two electrodes; and an abnormality detector configured to detect an abnormality of the remaining toner amount detecting apparatus based on the first capacitance value stored in the storage and a second capacitance value between the two electrodes that is detected in the non-disposed state.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a controller controls a toner container so that toner in the toner container is supplied to a developing section according to replenishment amount information stored in storage. The developing section includes a developer container that contains toner supplied from the toner container, and a sensor that detects a concentration of the toner in the developer container. The controller changes a replenishment amount indicated in the replenishment amount information based on a predicted toner concentration value in the developer container after the toner is supplied to the developer container under control of the toner container, and a detected toner concentration value detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a technology relating to an image forming apparatus configured to calculate a toner usage amount per day. The image forming apparatus stores the calculated toner usage amount per day in a list when a toner usage history is permitted to be stored, and avoids storing the calculated toner usage amount per day in the list when the usage history is inhibited from being stored. When the toner usage history is permitted to be stored, the image forming apparatus extracts a feature amount indicating a toner consumption tendency exhibited by a user based on the toner usage amount per day corresponding to a predetermined period stored in the list, and avoids extracting the feature amount when the toner usage history is inhibited from being stored.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure unit, a development unit, a toner supply motor, and a processor. The exposure unit exposes the photosensitive drum based on image data. The development unit forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum with toner supplied from a toner cartridge. The toner supply motor supplies the toner to the development unit from the toner cartridge. The processor detects toner emptiness when a toner supply ratio calculated based on an integrated value of a pixel count value of the image data and an integrated value of a driving time of the toner supply motor is less than a preset threshold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an image forming unit including: an image carrier; a charger; a latent image forming unit; a developing roller; and a regulating member. The charger charges the image carrier. The latent image forming unit forms a latent image on the image carrier. The developing roller is arranged to face the image carrier and develops the latent image with a developer including a carrier and a toner. The regulating member regulates a layer thickness of the developer of a surface of the developing roller. The regulating member extends in a direction approaching the developing roller. A magnetic force exerted by the developing roller at a tip end of the regulating member in an extending direction is 55 mT or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that forms a toner image on a sheet; a supply device provided with a cartridge for accommodating toner and supplying the toner in the cartridge to the developing device; a sensor that acquires a physical quantity relating to an amount of toner in the developing device; a timer that counts time; and a controller that drives the supply device until a condition that the acquired physical quantity indicates that the amount of toner is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is satisfied when a condition that the physical quantity indicates that the amount of toner becomes small is satisfied, counts time during which the supply device is being driven with the timer, and determines that the amount of toner in the cartridge becomes smaller than a predetermined amount if the counted time is longer than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a developing device including a developing roller and a coupling rotatable both in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a coupler engageable with the coupling, a motor configured to drive the coupler, the motor configured to cause the coupler to be a first state in which the coupling rotates in the second direction and a second state in which the coupling rotates in the first direction, and a controller configured to transfer, to the motor, an instruction for changing the coupler to the second state, in a case where the controller judges that the remaining toner amount in a developing chamber of the developing device is smaller than or equal to the first predetermined value.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a controller circuit configured to determine a feed-time-period, calculate a variation-value for each variation-calculation-span, detect that a successive-occurrence-number reaches a successive-occurrence-reference-number, determine a number-of-fed-media-at-wear-detected-time, divide the number-of-fed-media-at-wear-detected-time by a number-of-total-operation-days to calculate an average-number-of-fed-media-per-day, and divide an allowed-number-of-media-to-be-fed-after-wear-detection by the average-number-of-fed-media-per-day to calculate a predicted-number-of-days, the allowed-number-of-media-to-be-fed-after-wear-detection being a number of feedable media from the point at which the successive-occurrence-number reaches the successive-occurrence-reference-number to a point at which a part is replaced, the predicted-number-of-days being a number of days in which the allowed-number-of-media-to-be-fed-after-wear-detection is to be consumed starting from a day on which

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section, a controller, and storage. The storage stores therein a coverage rate of a past image specified by a past print job. The controller includes a determining section and a first calculating section. When a new print job is received, the determining section determines whether or not to perform a running-in operation by comparing a coverage rate of a new image specified by the new print job to the coverage rate of the past image stored in the storage. The first calculating section calculates an amount of toner to be supplied from a developing section to a photosensitive drum based on the coverage rate of the new image. The running-in operation is to supply the toner in the amount calculated by the first calculating section from the developing section to the photosensitive drum before the new image is formed on a sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge, a developer, and a processor. The toner cartridge includes an accommodation container accommodating toner and a memory storing a first toner residual amount display threshold value. The developer performs development by the toner supplied from the toner cartridge. The processor calculates a second toner residual amount display threshold value based on a toner supply index, indicating an amount of the toner supplied to the developer from at least one toner cartridge used before a toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the first toner residual amount display threshold value. The processor outputs notification relating to a toner residual amount when a toner supply index indicating an amount of toner supplied to the developer from the toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus exceeds the second toner residual amount display threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, storage, a first calculation section, a comparing section, and an executing section. The developing section develops an electrostatic latent image with toner. The storage stores coverage rates. The first calculation section calculates a first coverage rate and a second coverage rate. The comparing section compares the first coverage rate with the second coverage rate. The first coverage rate includes one or more coverage rates stored earlier in the storage than the second coverage rate. The second coverage rate includes coverage rates of a specified number of latest images individually formed on a specified number of sheets. A running-in operation is driving the developing section. The executing section executes the running-in operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image holding unit that holds an image that is formed of a developer, the image being intended to be transferred onto a medium, and an image that is not intended to be transferred onto a medium, a transfer unit that transfers the image that is intended to be transferred onto a medium onto a medium, and a forming unit that forms, upon receiving a print instruction to form the image that is intended to be transferred onto a medium onto the image holding unit, the image that is not intended to be transferred onto a medium at a position on the image holding unit where the image that is intended to be transferred onto a medium is to be formed.

Abstract: A developer storage level detecting device includes: a main body having a transporting path through which a developer is transported; a developer transporting unit that is disposed to rotate in the transporting path and has a transporting section provided spirally around a rotating shaft; a swingable member that comes in contact with a surface of the developer being transported in the transporting path and swings while following at least a level of the surface of the developer stored; and a detecting unit that detects a swing state of the swingable member, wherein the transporting unit has a non-transporting section without the transporting section, and the swingable member is disposed to swing in the non-transporting section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an image carrier, a developing device, a toner container, a container cover, a driver, a lock mechanism and a lock restricting portion. The lock mechanism is switched to a locking state for locking the container cover in a closed state and an unlocking state for causing the container cover to transition from the closed state to the open state. The lock restricting portion obstructs a state change of the lock mechanism from the unlocking state to the locking state if the container cover is not attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a supply unit and a control unit. The supply unit supplies a recording agent to a storage unit from a recording agent cartridge. The control unit is configured to at least one of (i) estimate a discharged amount of the recording agent discharged from the recording agent cartridge to form an image based on (a) a running amount of the supply unit used to form the image and (b) an additive characteristic of the additive added to the recording agent or (ii) estimate a supply amount to be discharged from the recording agent cartridge by the supply unit to form the image based on (a) the running amount of the supply unit necessary to form the image and (b) the additive characteristic of the additive added to the recording agent, and cause the supply unit to run based on the supply amount.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a developer supplying roller, provided in contact with the developing roller; a driving force receiving portion provided at a shaft end of the supplying roller; a first driving force transmitting portion; a second driving force transmitting portion; flexible sheets provided adjacent to an engaging portion between the first portion and the second portion to intermittently contact the second portion with rotation of the second portion, wherein a rotational direction of the roller is opposite to that of the roller, and a peripheral speed of the roller is larger than that of the roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a notification portion configured to notify replenishment information for prompting replenishing a developing container with developer in a case where an index is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value. The index is set such that the index increases in accordance with rotation of the developer bearing member and decreases in accordance with replenishment of the developing container with the developer. An amount of increase of the index per predetermined amount of rotation of the developer bearing member is larger in a case where an amount of the developer in the developing container is smaller. An amount of decrease of the index according to the replenishment of the developing container with the developer is larger in a case where an amount of replenished developer is larger.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sensor, and a controller. The image forming unit is configured to form a toner image on an image carrier based on image data and transfer the toner image on the image carrier onto a sheet. The sensor is positioned to measure an amount of toner on the image carrier before or after transfer of the toner image onto the sheet. The controller is configured to determine a remaining amount of toner that is discarded or wasted based on the measured amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; a developing device; a developer storage; a supplier configured to supply developer; an optical sensor; and a controller configured to execute: a developing process of developing an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a usage-amount obtaining process of obtaining a usage amount of the developer; a supplying process of supplying the developer to the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a detecting process of detecting, by the optical sensor, an amount of the developer in the developing device every time when the obtained usage amount becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold larger than the first threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to execute the detecting process in a period different from a period in which the developing process is being executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, storage, a first calculation section, a comparing section, and an executing section. The developing section contains toner and develops an electrostatic latent image with the toner. The storage stores coverage rates. The first calculation section calculates a first coverage rate and a second coverage rate. The comparing section compares the first coverage rate with the second coverage rate. The executing section executes a running-in operation based on a result of comparison by the comparing section. The first coverage rate includes one or more coverage rates stored earlier in the storage than the second coverage rate. The second coverage rate includes coverage rates of a specified number of latest images individually formed on the specified number of sheets. The running-in operation is driving the developing section.

Abstract: Let V1 be a potential difference between a photosensitive member charged by a charging member to which a second charging voltage is applied in a preparation process and a developing member to which a developing voltage is applied. Let V2 be a potential difference between the photosensitive member charged by the charging member to which a first charging voltage is applied in an image forming process and the developing member. Given this definition, a relation of |V1|<|V2| is satisfied.

Abstract: A remaining toner amount detecting apparatus detects a remaining toner amount in a toner bottle. The remaining toner amount detecting apparatus includes at least one pair of electrodes that are configured to face each other with the toner bottle interposed between the electrodes; a first estimator configured to estimate the remaining toner amount based on a capacitance between the electrodes of the at least one pair of electrodes; a second estimator configured to estimate the remaining toner amount by counting a number of pixels in a printed image; and an estimation selector configured to use either one of the first estimator or the second estimator to output the remaining toner amount, based on a temperature or a humidity inside an apparatus in which the toner bottle is mounted.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer unit that includes a driving member related to the supply of the developer, a storage unit that stores correction information regarding the correction of a supplied amount of the developer and a remaining amount of the developer, and a control unit. The control unit acquires driving information regarding the driving of the driving member. The control unit acquires the correction information in accordance with the remaining amount of the developer and estimates the remaining amount of developer based on the driving information and the correction information when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit satisfies a predetermined condition regarding the remaining amount, and estimates the remaining amount of the developer based on the driving information when the remaining amount of the developer stored in the storage unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A system and method for determining print cartridge authenticity in a printer includes an electrostatic process unit with a photoconductive drum configured to selectively generate a toner pattern from an associated toner cartridge based at least in part on electronic data associated with the toner cartridge. A transfer belt receives the toner pattern from the photoconductive drum and a sensor sensing the toner pattern on the transfer belt. A processor compares the toner pattern with a sensed toner pattern and generates an error condition when the toner pattern does not substantially match the sensed toner pattern. The toner includes an infrared reflective additive or an ultraviolet fluorescing additive and the sensor is configured to sense in the infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. The processor is configured to generate an error condition when the additive is not sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A replenishment system includes a rotator, a path, and an accumulator. The rotator is disposed above a transport path along which a developer is transported and below a replenishment path for toner. The rotator rotates about an axis extending in a transport direction of the transport path while holding the developer. The path is provided downstream of the replenishment path in a rotation direction of the rotator, along a part of an outer circumference of the rotator. The path allows the toner from the replenishment path to move therealong in the rotation direction to the transport path. The accumulator is provided in an area including the path and extending from the path outward in a radial direction of the rotator. The accumulator accumulates the developer shifted upward from the transport path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a photoconductor; an exposing device configured to expose the photoconductor and form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a developing device including a developing roller configured to form a developer image on the photoconductor; a transfer device configured to transfer the developer image to a sheet; a developer storage storing developer; a supplier configured to supply the developer from the developer storage to the developing device; a sheet feeder configured to convey the sheet toward the transfer device; a sheet sensor configured to detect the sheet conveyed toward the transfer device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to start a supplying process of supplying, by the supplier, the developer to the developing device before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the sheet sensor has detected the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member, a rotatable developer accommodating container dismountably mounted in the image forming apparatus and configured to accommodate a developer, and a mounting portion including a receiving portion for receiving the developer discharged from the container and configured to mount the container. A cover is configured to open and close the mounting portion, and a rotation detecting portion is configured to detect rotation of the container mounted at the mounting portion. In addition, a display portion displays information, and a controller controls the display portion so that information on the rotation of the container is displayed at the display portion in a case that when the cover is open, with the rotation detecting portion detecting a predetermined amount of the rotation of the container.

Abstract: In one example, method includes displaying an estimate of the number of pages that can be printed from a total amount of printing fluid including a printing fluid supply and a printing fluid reserve. The estimate is decremented in amounts of a first interval, in response to a first sensor signal indicating that the printing fluid supply is not empty. The estimate is decremented in amounts of a second interval that is smaller than the first interval, in response to a second sensor signal indicating that the printing fluid supply is empty.

Abstract: A developer container includes: an accommodating portion which has a first frame and a second frame and is configured to accommodate a developer; and a conductive sheet. The second frame has a joining surface for joining the second frame to the conductive sheet, the first frame and the second frame share an uneven fitting portion where the first frame and the second frame fit with each other in a direction of intersecting the joining surface, the uneven fitting portion has a contact face where the first frame and the second frame are being in contact with each other, a gap is formed by the first frame, the second frame and the conductive sheet, and the contact face is a face facing the gap and being disposed in a direction along the joining surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes developer accommodating containers, mounting portions for the respective containers, a switching portion, and a manually operable cover. In a stand-by state after exchange of one of the developer accommodating containers is prompted, the switching portion switches a state of the container from a non-accessible state to an accessible state with opening of the cover. In a case that a jam occurrence signal is ON after the exchange of the developer accommodating container mounted in the mounting portion is prompted, the switching portion maintains the non-accessible state without switching from the non-accessible state to the accessible state at the time of the opening of the cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge, a developer, and a processor. The toner cartridge includes an accommodation container accommodating toner and a memory storing a first toner residual amount display threshold value. The developer performs development by the toner supplied from the toner cartridge. The processor calculates a second toner residual amount display threshold value based on a toner supply index, indicating an amount of the toner supplied to the developer from at least one toner cartridge used before a toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus, and the first toner residual amount display threshold value. The processor outputs notification relating to a toner residual amount when a toner supply index indicating an amount of toner supplied to the developer from the toner cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus exceeds the second toner residual amount display threshold value.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer unit and a control unit. The printer unit forms an image on a sheet using a developer, and includes a predetermined driving member related to supply of the developer. The control unit acquires driving information regarding continuous driving of the driving member, acquires correction information regarding on correction of an amount of the developer used in accordance with the driving information, and estimates a remaining amount of the developer on the basis of the driving information and the correction information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device that forms a toner image on a sheet; a supply device provided with a cartridge for accommodating toner and supplying the toner in the cartridge to the developing device; a sensor that acquires a physical quantity relating to an amount of toner in the developing device; a timer that counts time; and a controller that drives the supply device until a condition that the acquired physical quantity indicates that the amount of toner is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is satisfied when a condition that the physical quantity indicates that the amount of toner becomes small is satisfied, counts time during which the supply device is being driven with the timer, and determines that the amount of toner in the cartridge becomes smaller than a predetermined amount if the counted time is longer than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Provided is a locking mechanism in which when the urging force of an urging member is larger than the magnetic force of a magnet in the non-excited state, a plunger can be held at a first position, and when the urging force of the urging member is smaller than the magnetic force of the magnet in the non-excited state, the plunger can be held at a second position.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system at least one physical memory device to store ink estimation logic and one or more processors coupled with the at least one physical memory device, to execute the ink estimation logic to generate first estimated ink usage data for each of one or more color planes based one or more gray level histograms and one or more halftone designs, detect a change to a tone curve of one or more of the color planes, modify the gray level histograms and generate second estimated ink usage data for each of the color planes based on the modified gray level histograms, wherein each gray level histogram corresponds to one of the one or more color planes and each halftone design corresponds to one of the one or more color planes.

Abstract: A developer container according to an embodiment includes: a container having a space that contains a developer; an optical system includes a first optical member including first end face exposed to a containing space in the container and a second optical member including a second end face exposed to the containing space and being opposed to the first end face in a first direction, and on which the light is incident through the second end face; a shaft provided in the containing space to be rotatable about the first direction; a cleaning member provided to the shaft to be movable in the first direction to clean the first and second end faces by passing through a gap with a rotation of the shaft; and a guide member provided upstream of the optical system and that comes into contact with the cleaning member to guide the cleaning member to a gap.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer container, a developer carrier, first and second stirring/transporting members, a driving motor, first and second magnetic permeability sensors, and a control portion. The first magnetic permeability sensor is arranged in a first conveying chamber in the developer container, in a region other than a part facing a communication portion and senses the toner concentration in developer in the developer container. The second magnetic permeability sensor is arranged in a second conveying chamber in the developer container, in a region between a regulating portion and a downstream end of the developer carrier in the second direction. The control portion controls the supply amount of developer based on the output value of the first magnetic permeability sensor, and calculates the stable volume of developer in the developer container based on the difference between the output values of the first and second magnetic permeability sensors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller to control a driving device such that a rotational speed of a supplying and feeding screw when it is rotated a predetermined number of times to supply developer to a developing device in a predetermined amount during execution of a continuous image forming job on a plurality of first recording materials is a first rotational speed, and a rotational speed of the supplying and feeding screw when it is rotated the predetermined number of times to supply the developer in the predetermined amount during execution of a continuous image forming job on a plurality of second recording materials is a second rotational speed slower than the first rotational speed. The second recording materials have a length longer than the first recording materials with respect to a sub-scan direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an inner cover, an outer cover, a first pressing portion, and a restricting portion. The inner cover is opened and closed for a developer storage portion storing developer to be attached or detached. The outer cover is made of resin and provided on an outer side of the inner cover, and opened and closed in a same direction as the inner cover. The first pressing portion is provided on the outer cover and, when the outer cover is closed in a state where the inner cover is opened, comes into contact with and presses the inner cover in a closing direction. When the inner cover is closed, the restricting portion is engaged with the inner cover at a lock position located on an upstream side of a predetermined closing position of the inner cover in the closing direction, and restricts opening of the inner cover.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes lock mechanisms, a regulation processing portion, and a second release processing portion. The lock mechanisms correspond to attachment portions to each of which a developer storage portion is attached, and each regulate detachment of a developer storage portion attached to an attachment portion. When a first state where developer storage portions of a specific type are attached to all the attachment portions, has been detected, and there is a lock mechanism that is not regulating detachment, the regulation processing portion causes the lock mechanism to regulate detachment of the developer storage portion. When a second state where a developer storage portion of the specific type has not been attached to at least one attachment portion, has been detected, and all the lock mechanisms are regulating detachment, the second release processing portion causes all the lock mechanisms to release regulation of detachment.

Abstract: A base toner amount is determined without taking edge effect into account, and corresponds to a pixel value of image data for which gradation correction has not been performed. For the base toner amount, a first spatial filter process is performed corresponding to a laser profile of the exposure device. A second spatial filter process is performed for the base toner amount before or after the first spatial filter process and thereby an edge emphasis amount is determined corresponding to the edge effect. A limiter processing unit limits the edge emphasis amount to an uppermost value or less, and the uppermost value corresponds to the base toner amount after the first spatial filter process. A toner counter counts as a toner consumption amount a sum of the base toner amount after the first spatial filter process and the edge emphasis amount.