IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately detecting a near-empty state of a toner, even when process speed is switched. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus determines whether the toner of the inside of a developing device 24 is in a near-empty state, on the basis of information corresponding to the process speed in printing processing in performing the printing processing. The image forming apparatus determines whether the toner at positions providing photoelectric sensors 60, 60 is in a near-empty state, on the basis of whether voltage values of detection signals from the photoelectric sensors 60, 60 are less than prescribed threshold voltages. In addition, the image forming apparatus confirms that the toner is in the near-empty state, when the toner at the positions providing the photoelectric sensors 60, 60 continues the near-empty state for predetermined time or more, in response to the process speed and the kind of the developing device 24. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT