Patent ID: 7421217
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: G03G,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus which forms an image using toner inside the apparatus, comprising: a data processor which performs predetermined data processing of multi-level halftone input image data corresponding to toner colors and generates multi-level halftone output image data; an image forming unit which forms an image which corresponds to the output image data; and a toner consumption amount calculator which calculates a toner consumption amount which is consumed for image formation based on the input image data, wherein the data processor performs the data processing so as to establish a predetermined correlation between the input image data and the output image data, and based on a preliminary identified relationship between a tone level and an image density within the image forming unit, scales a tone level of the output image data so that the tone level will be equal to or lower than a saturation-initiating tone level at which an image density increase in response to a tone level increases starts saturating.