Patent ID: 8150277
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of toner cartridges for containing toners for replenishment on a color-by-color basis; a plurality of intermediate hoppers to which the respective toners contained in the plurality of toner cartridges are to be supplied; a plurality of developing devices to which the respective toners supplied to the respective intermediate hoppers are to be supplied; toner amount detection sections for detecting amounts of the toners contained in the plurality of toner cartridges, respectively; and a control section for exercising control in such a manner that, when at least one of detected amounts of the toners contained in a first one of the plurality of toner cartridges by the toner amount detection sections is less than a specified amount, then a specified amount of toner is supplied from another toner cartridge different from the first toner cartridge to the intermediate hopper corresponding to the another toner cartridge.