Patent ID: 7620334
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device configured to develop an electrostatic image on an image carrier with developer; a developer container attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus and configured to store developer to be supplied to the developing device; a developer supply unit configured to transport the developer from the developer container to the developing device; a developer detector configured to detect an amount of developer in the developer supply unit; a supply controller configured to control the developer supply unit based on a detection result obtained from the developer detector; a disabling device configured to disable image formation based on the detection result obtained from the developer detector; a container replacement detector configured to detect a replacement of the developer container; and a canceling device configured to cancel, after the disabling device disables the image formation, the disabled image formation when the container replacement detector detects a completion of the replacement of the developer container, regardless of the detection result obtained from the developer detector, wherein the developer detector determines whether developer is present at a first predetermined position in the developer supply unit, and the supply controller controls the developer supply unit, when an absence of developer has been detected at the first predetermined position, such that developer is supplied from the developer container to the developer supply unit, wherein the developer detector determines whether, in the developer supply unit, developer is present at a second predetermined position downstream of the first predetermined position in a developer transporting direction, and the disabling device disables the image formation when the developer detector determines that developer is not present at the second predetermined position continuously for more than a predetermined time period.