Patent ID: 8285160
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image on an image carrier with use of developers of a plurality of different developing colors, comprising: a plurality of developing devices respectively housing the developers of different colors; and a control section for controlling operation of the developing devices based on inputted image data, wherein the control section includes a concentration ratio recognition section for recognizing a concentration ratio of the respective colors for image data of every sheet from the image data, and controls so as to spare at least one color developer among the developers in response to the concentration ratio of respective colors recognized by the concentration ratio recognition section, wherein the control section identifies a highest concentration from the concentration ratio of respective colors recognized by the concentration ratio recognition section, and controls operation of the developing devices so that the developers of at least one other color is not used when it has been recognized that a ratio of the relative concentration to the specified highest concentration is below a predetermined value.