Patent ID: 9020376
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image bearing member configured to have an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface thereof based on an image signal; a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member by using toner to thereby form a patch image; a detection unit configured to detect a density of the patch image; a predicting unit configured to calculate a toner charge amount from the density detected by the detection unit and predict a change in the toner charge amount based on a plurality of results of the calculation of the toner charge amount; a generation unit configured to form a gradation correction table for use in correcting a relationship between the image signal and the density based on the change in the toner charge amount, predicted by the predicting unit; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a value of change of temperature of the developing unit, wherein the predicting unit is configured to calculate the toner charge amount from the density detected by the detection unit and generate a rising prediction equation for the toner charge amount, wherein the generation unit is configured to generate the gradation correction table for use in correcting the relationship between the image signal and the density, using the rising prediction equation, and wherein when the value of change of temperature is not smaller than a predetermined value, the predicting unit is configured not to generate the rising prediction equation for the toner charge amount.