Patent ID: 8086117

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a latent image carrier configured to carry a latent image; a developing device configured to develop the latent image with developer; a developer containing section included in the developing device and configured to contain and stir the developer; a developer containing bottle attached to the image forming apparatus and configured to store developer; a developer replenishing device included in the developing device and configured to replenish the developer from the developer containing bottle to the developer containing section based on a replenishment instruction of an operator through an inputting device; a replenishment detection device configured to detect if the developer containing section stores the developer; and a controller configured to switch from a developer replenishment prohibition mode to a developer replenishment permission mode when the replenishment detection device detects that the developer containing section does not store a prescribed amount of the developer, and switch from the developer replenishment permission mode to the developer replenishment prohibition mode when a prescribed operation other than replenishment of the developer is executed upon completion of replenishment of the developer from the developer containing bottle to the developer containing section, said developer replenishment prohibition mode prohibiting the developer replenishment device from replenishing the developer to the developer containing section, and said developer replenishment permission mode permitting the developer replenishment device to replenish the developer to the developer containing section, wherein said controller invalidates the replenishment instruction in the developer replenishment prohibition mode and validates the replenishment instruction in the developer replenishment permission mode.