The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 14, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 27, 2004
Masahide Kinoshita, Shizuoka, JP;
Masao Uyama, Shizuoka, JP;
Kenichi Iida, Boise, ID (US);
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Provided are an image forming apparatus and method of controlling same in which when toner replenishment from a toner accommodating unit has been performed satisfactorily, a no-toner indication can be cancelled without taking more time than necessary, and in which the status of the toner accommodating unit can be reported to the user earlier even if a toner accommodating unit that has no toner or that has malfunctioned has been installed. Whether a toner accommodating unit () has toner is determined based upon a detection signal from a toner density sensor () that detects the toner density of a developer in a developing unit (). If it is determined that there is no toner in the toner accommodating unit () and the toner accommodating unit () is replaced, this is detected and a toner density restoration sequence for restoring the density of toner in the developing unit () is executed. The toner density restoration sequence is controlled based upon a predetermined target value relating to toner density restoration and a toner density restoration decision value (V) that is different from said predetermined target value.