Toner replenishing method, toner replenishing apparatus, and computer readable recording medium

A toner replenishing apparatus comprising:

• a concentration measurement section for measuring a concentration of toner in a housing portion in which is accommodated a dual-component developer composed of toner and a carrier;
• a consumption calculation section of determining an amount of toner consumption;
• a setting section for setting, based on the amount of toner consumption determined in the consumption calculation section, a variable reference concentration for replenishment of toner to the housing portion and variable replenishment extension time for continuing the replenishment of toner to the housing portion after the concentration of toner reaches the reference concentration;
• and
• a toner concentration adjustment section of starting the replenishment of toner to the housing portion when the concentration of toner measured in the concentration measurement section is found to be equal to or less than a predetermined replenishment starting concentration, and stopping the replenishment of toner to the housing portion at a time following a lapse of the replenishment extension time from a time at which the concentration of toner of less than the reference concentration reached the reference concentration.

A computer readable recording medium having a program stored thereon which allows a computer to effect:

• a consumption calculation function for determining an amount of toner consumption;
• a setting function for setting, based on the amount of toner consumption obtained, a variable reference concentration for a replenishment of toner to a housing portion in which is accommodated a dual-component developer composed of toner and carrier, and variable replenishment extension time for continuing the replenishment of toner to the housing portion after the concentration of toner reaches the reference concentration;
• and
• a toner concentration adjustment function for starting the replenishment of toner to the housing portion when the concentration of toner in the housing portion is found to be equal to or less than a replenishment starting concentration, and stopping the replenishment of toner to the housing portion at a time following a lapse of the replenishment extension time from a time at which the concentration of toner of less than the reference concentration reached the reference concentration.