Patent ID: 8036544
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed; a charging member adapted to charge a surface of said image bearing member, to which a charging voltage is applied; a developing member adapted to develop the latent image formed on said image bearing member with a developer; a developing voltage applying unit adapted to apply a plurality of different developing voltages to the developing member; a developer container adapted to contain the developer; a detector adapted to detect an amount of the developer in said developer container; and an output part adapted to output information about the amount of the developer in said developer container based on a value of the electrostatic capacity between said developing member and said detector in a state where a first developing voltage is applied to said developing member, wherein said developing voltage applying unit changes the developing voltage applied to said developing member from the first developing voltage to a second developing voltage higher than the first developing voltage in a state where the amount of the developer in said developer container is less than a predetermined amount, and wherein said output part corrects the detected value of the electrostatic capacity after the developing voltage is changed to the second developing voltage, and outputs the information about the amount of developer in said developer container based on the corrected value.