Image forming apparatus and system

Abstract

To provide an image forming device and an image forming device diagnostic system which enable accuracy of fault diagnosis and life prediction to be improved without inhibiting other processing in the image forming device.SOLUTION: An image forming device diagnostic system comprises a configuration in which an image forming device 100, a diagnostic server 101 and a PC 102 are connected to each other in such a manner that diagnostic servers can communicate with each other by using a communication network 110. The image forming device 100 comprises: a main body portion which mechanically performs image formation processing; a mechanical control portion which performs mechanical control on the main body portion to cause it to perform image formation processing; and a controller control portion which instructs the mechanical control portion to perform the image formation processing. The mechanical control portion includes first communication means for bi-directional communication between the controller control portion and the first communication means, and second communication means which transmits diagnostic data acquired from the main body portion to the diagnostic server 101 via the communication network 110 without via the controller control portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a stem, and more particularly to a technique for improving the acquisition frequency of diagnostic data in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the image forming apparatus. bi shi

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a system for remotely performing failure diagnosis and life prediction of an image forming apparatus using a diagnostic server. The image forming apparatus includes a mechanical control unit that performs mechanical control for executing an image forming process, and a controller control unit that receives a job from a user and causes the mechanical control unit to execute it. The controller control unit transmits sensor data acquired by referring to the outputs of various sensors by the mechanical control unit to the diagnostic server. Using this sensor data, the diagnostic server performs failure diagnosis and life prediction.

[0003] The communication path for transmitting sensor data from the mechanical control unit to the controller control unit is also used for operation instructions and modes from the controller control unit to the mechanical control unit. In recent years, such applications require real-time performance, so delays in operation instructions and modes from the controller control unit to the mechanical control unit cannot be tolerated. However, if the transmission amount of sensor data becomes too large, there is a risk that communication such as operation instructions and modes will be delayed.

[0004] For example, when 200 bytes of data are transmitted and received between the controller control unit and the mechanical control unit every time one image is formed, if a user of the image forming apparatus prints 1,000 sheets a day, 200 kilobytes of data are transmitted and received per day. Also, when printing 3,000 sheets a day, the amount of data transmitted and received per day also becomes 600 kilobytes, which is three times as much.

[0005] Also, such data is not evenly distributed and transmitted / received over 24 hours a day, but often concentrated in a specific time period, during which the communication load between the controller control unit and the mechatronics control unit must inevitably increase.

[0006] Therefore, if sensor data is frequently transmitted using the communication path for transmitting and receiving image formation data, there is a risk that the communication may be delayed for image formation processing depending on the time period, and as a result, the image formation process itself may be delayed or the image quality may deteriorate.

[0007] Regarding such problems, for example, if the mechatronics control unit calculates the average value, maximum value, and minimum value of the sensor data and transmits only the average value, etc. to the controller control unit, the transmission amount of the sensor data can be suppressed. Therefore, other communication for other purposes can be smoothly performed without delay.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, if the number of samples of sensor data used to obtain the average value is increased, there is a risk that the sample values at the time of sudden changes will be buried in the normal sample values and become difficult to distinguish. Also, since the maximum and minimum values are obtained for a certain period of length, although the data values at the time of sudden changes in sensor data can be transmitted to the diagnostic server, sufficient information cannot be conveyed about when the change occurred and how many times it occurred. Therefore, when using the average value or the like, there are inevitably limitations in improving the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server.

[0010] However, if all server data is to be transmitted to the diagnostic server, there is a risk of interfering with other communications such as operation instructions and modes during image formation as described above. Furthermore, regarding the controller control unit, the processing load for receiving all sensor data from the mechatronics control unit and transmitting it to the diagnostic server may become excessive, and there is also a risk that other processes will be delayed.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing other processes from being inhibited due to a load being applied to the other control unit along with data transmission by one control unit in the image forming apparatus. and Syst mu wo The object is to provide.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing on a recording sheet, and includes a mechatronics control unit that controls the image forming processing, a controller control unit that instructs the mechatronics control unit to execute the image forming processing based on a print job received through a communication network, and various sensors that detect the state inside the image forming apparatus. The mechatronics control unit includes: first communication means for communicating bidirectionally with the controller control unit for instructions or information related to the execution of the image forming processing during the execution of the image forming processing; and second communication means for transmitting sensor data representing the state detected by the sensors during the execution of the image forming processing, or processed data obtained by processing the sensor data, to a server without passing through the controller control unit during the execution of the image forming processing. , the controller control unit includes a third communication means for performing communication to receive a print job involving the image forming process from another device via the communication network, the server is connected to the communication network, and the second communication means transmits the sensor data or the processed data to the server via the communication network It is characterized by this.

[0015] Also , qian The second communication means may transmit the sensor data or the processed data to the server via a device connected to the communication network. The second of the device also via, the sensor data, or the processed data to the server.

[0016] Also, the The second device may be a personal computer or a portable communication device. Further, the The second device is a server device connected to both the communication network and an in-house communication network different from the communication network, and the second communication means may transmit the sensor data or the processed data to the server via the in-house communication network and the server device.

[0017] Also, determination means for determining the necessity of transmission by the second communication means, and prohibition means for prohibiting transmission by the second communication means when the determination result by the determination means is negative are provided. sensor data, or processed data of the transmission sensor data, or processed data when the determination result by the determination means is negative, the second communication means prohibits the transmission of may also be .

[0018] Also, the sensor data, or processed data may include the sensor data obtained from any of the sensors without compression, or data volume of may include the sensor data obtained from any of the sensors in a compressed state. Also, the The processed data is may include the sensor data and the data obtained by compressing the sensor data. Identification data for identifying which sensor data has been compressed may be attached to the sensor data and the compressed data. data volume of processed data data volume of data volume of

[0019] Also, it is provided with reception means for receiving an instruction on whether to compress the sensor data. When the reception means receives an instruction to compress the sensor data, the data volume of includes the sensor data in a compressed state. When the reception means receives an instruction not to compress the sensor data, the sensor data, or processed data may include the sensor data without compression. data volume of data volume of data volume of data volume of

[0020] Also , qian compression means for compressing the sensor data, and association means for attaching identification data for associating the sensor data with the compressed data obtained by compressing the sensor data to the sensor data and the compressed data. The mechatronics control unit uses the first communication means to transmit the compressed data to the data volume of data volume of server via the controller control unit, and may transmit the sensor data to the ji sa server using the second communication means. , qian ji sa

[0021] Also, The compressed data is at least one of the average value, maximum value, and minimum value of a predetermined number of sensor data may be . ​​​​​​​​​​​

[0022] Also, The sensor is a sensor for detecting a recording sheet conveyed in the image forming apparatus it may be.

[0023] Also , dian a photoreceptor for forming a toner image by a sub - photo method is provided, and the sensor is a surface state sensor for detecting the surface state of the photoreceptor it may be.

[0024] Also , hua a rotating member used for image formation, and a drive motor for rotationally driving the rotating member, is provided, and the sensor is a torque sensor for detecting the torque of the drive motor it may be.

[0025] Also , ta image formation in tandem mode device and an intermediate transfer belt for transporting the once - transferred toner image to the secondary transfer position , is provided, and the sensor is an adhesion amount sensor for detecting the adhesion amount of toner carried by the intermediate transfer belt it may be.

[0026] Also , tuo transfer means for electrostatically transferring the toner image to a recording sheet is provided, and the sensor is a voltage detection sensor for detecting the transfer voltage for electrostatic transfer it may be.

[0027] Also, a system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, and a server that receives sensor data from the image forming apparatus or data obtained by processing the sensor data and performs analysis, and is characterized by including these 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] In this way, since the mechatronics control unit transmits diagnostic data to the diagnostic server without passing through the controller control unit, it is possible to improve the frequency of transmitting diagnostic data to the diagnostic server without increasing the communication load with the controller control unit and the processing load of the communication data of the controller control unit. Therefore, the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life diagnosis at the diagnostic server can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [[Figure 1]]It is a diagram showing the main configuration of an image forming apparatus diagnosis system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [[Figure 2]] It is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100. [[Figure 3]] It is a diagram for explaining the conveyance path of the recording sheet in the image forming apparatus 100. [[Figure 4]] It is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201. [[Figure 5]] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the surface state sensor 431 and its arrangement in the image forming unit. [[Figure 6]] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the toner cartridge 601 and the sub hopper 603. [[Figure 7]] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechanical control unit 200. [[Figure 8]] It is a table exemplifying the reception date and time and the value of the paper arrival time T. [[Figure 9]] It is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 according to a second embodiment. [[Figure 10]] It is a diagram showing the main system configuration of the image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 according to a third embodiment. [[Figure 11]] It is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 according to a third embodiment. [[Figure 12]] It is a diagram showing the main system configuration of the image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 according to a fourth embodiment. [[Figure 13]] It is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 according to a fourth embodiment. [[Figure 14]] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechanical control unit 200 according to a fifth embodiment. [[Figure 15]] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechanical control unit 200 according to a sixth embodiment. [[Figure 16]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the average value, and (b) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnosis server 101. [[Figure 17]] (a) is a table exemplifying the counted sheet number, paper arrival time T, and average value when slippage of the recording sheet occurs, and (b) is a table exemplifying the counted sheet number, paper arrival time T, and average value when no slippage of the recording sheet occurs. [[Figure 18]] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechacon control unit 200 according to the seventh embodiment. [[Figure 19]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the average value, (b) is a table exemplifying the diagnostic data, and (c) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101. [[Figure 20]] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechacon control unit 200 according to the eighth embodiment. [[Figure 21]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the average value, (b) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the average value transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, and (c) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101. [[Figure 22]] It is a diagram showing the main system configuration of the image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to the ninth embodiment. [[Figure 23]] (a) is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechacon control unit 200 according to the ninth embodiment, and (b) is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the communication load between the mechacon control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201. [[Figure 24]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the average value, (b) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T which is the diagnostic data transmitted to the diagnostic server, (c) is a table exemplifying the average value which is the diagnostic data transmitted to the diagnostic server, and (d) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101. [[Figure 25]] (a) is a table exemplifying the transmission data from the diagnostic server 101 to the diagnostic parent server 2201, and (b) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic parent server. [[Figure 26]]It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechatronics control unit 200 according to the 10th embodiment. [[Figure 27]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the maximum value, (b) is a table exemplifying the maximum value which is diagnostic data to be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101, and (c) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101. [[Figure 28]] (a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T and the minimum value, (b) is a table exemplifying the minimum value which is diagnostic data to be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101, and (c) is a table exemplifying the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus diagnosis system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [1] First Embodiment An image forming apparatus diagnosis system according to the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus Diagnosis System First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus diagnosis system will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 is obtained by connecting a plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, a diagnostic server and an image forming apparatus management server (hereinafter, simply referred to as "diagnostic server") 101, and a personal computer (PC) 102 via a communication network 110. The communication network 110 may be a LAN (Local Area Network), or may be composed of both a LAN and the Internet.

[0033] The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called tandem type color multifunction peripheral (MFP), which is equipped with various sensors, and transmits the detection values (sensor data) of these sensors to the diagnostic server 101 via the communication network 110. The diagnostic server 101 accumulates the received sensor data and performs failure diagnosis to identify the failure location of the image forming apparatus 100 and life prediction for each component. By analyzing the sensor data and feeding back the analysis results to the algorithms for failure diagnosis and life prediction, the diagnostic system and prediction accuracy can be improved. This analysis may be automatically performed by the diagnostic server 101 or by a person. The PC 102 transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 100 to execute image forming processing. (1-2) Configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 210, a main body unit 220, and a paper feeding unit 230, and also includes a mechanical control unit 200 and a controller control unit 201 for controlling the operations thereof. Note that the main body unit 220 and the paper feeding unit 230 together are referred to as an image forming unit. When the image reading unit 210 reads a document in a sheet-through manner, it uses an automatic document feeder (ADF) 212 to send out the documents one by one from the stack of documents placed on the document table tray 211, reads them, and generates image data. The read documents are discharged onto the paper discharge tray 213.

[0035] The controller control unit 201 receives a print job from the personal computer 102 via the communication network 110 and instructs the mechanical control unit 200 to execute the print job. The controller control unit 201 can also use the image data generated by the image reading unit 210 to instruct the mechanical control unit 200 to supply a recording sheet to the paper feeding unit 230 and execute image forming processing on the main body unit 220.

[0036] When the mechanical control unit 200 receives an instruction from the controller control unit 201, it controls the main body unit 220 and the paper feeding unit 230 to execute image forming processing. The mechanical control unit 200 also acquires detection values (sensor data) of various sensors provided in the main body unit 220 and the paper feeding unit 230 and transmits them to the diagnostic server 101. In this case, the sensor data is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 without passing through the controller control unit 201.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the case where the main body unit 220 is a so-called tandem type color printer will be described as an example, but it may be a color printer of another type or a monochrome printer.

[0038] When the main body unit 220 executes image forming processing, the paper feeding unit 230 supplies a recording sheet specified by a print job or the operation panel 202 by the user of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the paper feeding unit 230 includes two paper feeding trays for accommodating a bundle of recording sheets, but it may be one stage or three or more stages.

[0039] The main body unit 220 is provided with a toner cartridge door cover 222 and a front cover 223. When the toner cartridge door cover 222 is opened, the toner cartridges of YMCK colors can be attached and detached. When the front cover 223 is opened, access to the power switch can be obtained. As will be described later, sensors for detecting the open / closed state of the covers are respectively disposed on the toner cartridge door cover 222 and the front cover 223. (1-3) Configuration of the controller control unit 201 Next, the configuration of the controller control unit 201 will be described.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the controller control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 411, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 412, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 413, etc. When the CPU 411 is reset, it reads a boot program from the ROM 413 and starts up, and uses the RAM 413 as a working storage area to execute an OS (Operating System) and application programs read from an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 414.

[0041] The LAN interface 418 executes processing for the controller control unit 201 to communicate with the PC 102 and other devices via the communication network 110. The image memory 416 is a storage device that stores image data generated by the image reading unit 210 and image data received from devices such as the PC 102. The mechatronics control unit 200 can read the image data stored in the image memory 416.

[0042] The DIP (Digital Image Processing) unit 415 performs image processing on the image data stored in the image memory 416. The image processing is, for example, bitmap expansion processing for converting image data in a format other than the bitmap format into bitmap format image data. The UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) 417 communicates with the mechatronics control unit 200 by serial communication to instruct the execution of image forming processing or to acquire information such as paper jams and door openings and closings from the mechatronics control unit 200.

[0043] By executing an application program, the controller control unit 201 can receive a print job from the PC 102, store the print data related to the print job in the image memory 416, and perform image processing on the print data by the DIP unit 415 or perform image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 210.

[0044] Further, the controller control unit 201 controls the operation panel 202 to present information to the user of the image forming apparatus 100 and receive the operation input of the user. (1-4) Configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 Next, the configuration of the mechanical control unit 200 will be described.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the mechanical control unit 200 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, etc. When the CPU 401 is reset, it reads a boot program from the ROM 403 and starts up, and uses the RAM 403 as a working storage area to execute the control program read from the ROM 402. The CPU 401 obtains the current time by referring to the timer 404. Also, as described above, image data can be read from the image memory 416 of the controller control unit 201. The UART 405 performs serial communication with the controller control unit 201.

[0046] The CPU 401 is provided with a LAN interface 400, and by connecting to the communication network 110 using the LAN interface 400, it transmits diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 via the communication network 110. The diagnostic data includes both sensor data which is the output values of various sensors and data generated using the sensor data. By having such a configuration, the mechanical control unit 200 can transmit diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 without going through the controller control unit 201. (1-5) Detection process of the paper arrival time T As an example of the diagnostic data, the process of detecting the paper arrival time T will be described.

[0047] The paper arrival time T is the time required for the recording sheet to reach a predetermined destination position from a predetermined starting position on the sheet conveyance path during image formation.

[0048] For example, when performing image forming processing on a recording sheet housed in the first-stage paper feed tray, as shown in FIG. 3, the topmost recording sheet in the stack of recording sheets housed in the first-stage paper feed tray is fed out using the first-stage pickup roller 301a, and the topmost recording sheet is supplied to the conveyance path using the first-stage paper feed roller 302a while preventing double feeding of the lower recording sheets using the first-stage leveling roller 303a.

[0049] When the first-stage paper feed sensor 331a detects the leading edge of the recording sheet supplied by the first-stage paper feed roller 302a, it switches the output signal from off to on. As a result, the mechatronics control unit 200 detects the timing T1a at which the first-stage paper feed sensor 331a detects the recording sheet.

[0050] Thereafter, the recording sheet is guided to the detection position of the timing sensor 333 by a conveyance guide (not shown). When the timing sensor 333 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet, it switches the output signal from off to on. As a result, when the mechatronics control unit 200 detects the timing T2b at which the timing sensor 333 detects the recording sheet, it calculates the paper arrival time T from the timing T1a to the timing T2b and transmits this calculated value to the diagnostic server 101 as sensor data.

[0051] To describe in detail the processing of the mechatronics control unit 200 in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when feeding a recording sheet (S701: YES), the mechatronics control unit 200 starts driving the paper feed motor 321 corresponding to the paper feed tray that houses the specified paper type (S702), and refers to the timer 404 to obtain the current time as the drive start time T0 (S703).

[0052] After that, referring to the timer 404, the current time T1 is obtained (S704). If the elapsed time from the drive start time (T1 - T0) is greater than a predetermined threshold #1 (S705: YES), it is considered that a paper jam has occurred without the leading edge of the recording sheet reaching the paper feed sensor 331. Therefore, the controller control unit 201 is notified of the occurrence of the paper jam (S711).

[0053] When notified of the occurrence of a paper jam, the controller control unit 201 displays this fact on the operation panel 202 to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 100. The mechatronics control unit 200 may also notify the diagnostic server 101 of the occurrence of the paper jam.

[0054] Before the elapsed time from the drive start time (T1 - T0) becomes greater than the predetermined threshold #1 (S705: NO), if the paper feed sensor 331 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet (S706: YES), the process proceeds to the next step while holding the current time (the time when the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the paper feed sensor 331) T1.

[0055] That is, referring to the timer 404, the current time T2 is obtained (S707). The elapsed time (T2 - T1) since the leading edge of the recording sheet was detected by the paper feed sensor 331 is calculated. If the elapsed time (T2 - T1) is greater than a predetermined threshold #2 (S708: YES), it is considered that a paper jam has occurred without the leading edge of the recording sheet fed from the first-stage paper feed tray reaching the timing sensor 333, or without the leading edge of the recording sheet fed from the second-stage paper feed tray reaching the second-stage vertical conveyance sensor 332. Therefore, the controller control unit 201 is notified of the occurrence of the paper jam (S711).

[0056] Also in this case, similar to the above case (S706: YES), the controller control unit 201 notified of the occurrence of the paper jam displays this fact on the operation panel 202 to notify the user of the image forming apparatus 100. The mechatronics control unit 200 may also notify the diagnostic server 101 of the occurrence of the paper jam.

[0057] Before the elapsed time (T2 - T1) since the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the paper feed sensor 331 becomes greater than a predetermined threshold #2 (S708: NO), if the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the timing sensor 333 or the second-stage vertical conveyance sensor 332 (S709: YES), the arrival time T of the paper is calculated by subtracting the time T1 from the current time (the time when the leading edge of the recording sheet is detected by the timing sensor 333 or the second-stage vertical conveyance sensor 332) T2, and the arrival time T of the paper is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (S710).

[0058] After that, the process proceeds to step S701, and the above process is repeated.

[0059] When the pickup roller 301, the paper feed roller 302, or the delivery roller 303 deteriorates or paper dust adheres to these rollers, slippage occurs between these rollers and the recording sheet, and the arrival time T of the paper is extended. When notifying the diagnostic server 110 of this arrival time T of the paper, conventionally, in order to suppress the communication load between the mechanical control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201, for example, every time the arrival time T of the paper is calculated 50 times, the average value of the arrival times T of the paper for 50 times is obtained and transmitted to the diagnostic server 101.

[0060] Therefore, when the frequency of slippage between the roller and the recording sheet is low, even if the arrival time T of the paper is extended due to slippage, its average value does not fluctuate much, so the diagnostic server 101 cannot detect deterioration of the roller etc.

[0061] Also, for example, when the maximum value of the arrival times T of the paper for 50 times is obtained and transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 every time the arrival time T of the paper is calculated 50 times, although the communication load can be suppressed in the same way as when transmitting the average value for 50 times, there is also a problem that if slippage occurs for the first time out of 50 times, the detection of roller deterioration by the diagnostic server will be delayed.

[0062] Also, in order to optimize the replacement frequency of the deteriorated roller, if one wants to wait until the occurrence frequency of slippage reaches a certain level or more, it is inappropriate to notify only the maximum value because the occurrence frequency of slippage cannot be grasped.

[0063] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, without going through the controller control unit 201, the paper arrival time T is directly notified from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101. Therefore, every time the paper arrival time T is calculated, the notification can be made without increasing the communication load between the mechatronics control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201.

[0064] Therefore, if the individual paper arrival times T for each image forming apparatus 100 are notified to the diagnostic server, the maximum value of the paper arrival time T will not be buried due to excessive averaging, and the occurrence timing and occurrence frequency will not become unclear as in the case of notifying only the maximum value. Thus, the diagnostic server 101 can surely and immediately detect the slippage of the recording sheet and take corresponding measures.

[0065] For example, in the table shown in FIG. 8, the paper arrival time T of the image forming apparatus #1 is 270 milliseconds at 10:00:03 on May 10, 2018, while it remains at approximately 250 milliseconds at other timings. For example, if the paper arrival time T becomes 270 milliseconds only once and is 250 milliseconds for the other 49 times, the average value for 50 times is (270 + 250×49) / 50 = 251 milliseconds.

[0066] When the threshold value of the paper arrival time T for detecting the slippage of the recording sheet is 260 milliseconds, since 251 milliseconds is smaller than the threshold value, the diagnostic server 101 cannot detect the slippage of the recording sheet. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, without calculating the average value, all the paper arrival times T are notified to the diagnostic server 101, and since 270 milliseconds, which is the paper arrival time T at 10:00:03 on May 10, 2018, is larger than the threshold value, the diagnostic server 101 can detect the slippage of the recording sheet.

[0067] Also, for example, when the paper arrival time T at 10:00:03 on May 10, 2018 reaches 270 milliseconds and exceeds the threshold value, if the diagnostic server 101 causes the image forming apparatus 100 to stop the image forming process, it is possible to prevent paper jams from occurring due to the slippage of the recording sheet in the subsequent image forming process. As in the prior art, for example, if the maximum value of the paper arrival time T is determined for 50 times and then notified to the diagnostic server 101, it is not possible to surely prevent paper jams caused by the slippage of the recording sheet.

[0068] Then, without going through the controller control unit 201, the paper arrival time T is directly notified from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101, so that the communication load between the mechatronics control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201 can be suppressed, and the image forming process can be smoothly executed.

[0069] Note that the mechatronics control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201 may communicate for the image forming process using a shared memory instead of UART.

[0070] Note that the mechatronics control unit 200 and the diagnostic server 101 may communicate using an LTE (Long Term Evolution) line instead of communication via a LAN interface.

[0071] Also, the mechatronics control unit 200 may transmit a plurality of paper arrival times T together within a range where the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server 101 permits. When it is impossible to notify the paper arrival time T due to a failure or maintenance of the diagnostic server 101 itself, the mechatronics control unit 200 holds the paper arrival time T until notification becomes possible, and when notification becomes possible, the held paper arrival times T may be notified to the diagnostic server 101 together. (1-6) Examples of Other Diagnostic Data As other diagnostic data, the following diagnostic data can be exemplified. (1-6-1) Cumulative Rotation Number of the Photoconductor Drum 311 The mechanical control unit 200 may transmit the cumulative rotation speed of the photoreceptor drum 311 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data.

[0072] The photoreceptor drum 311 has a structure in which a photoreceptor layer that forms an electrostatic latent image by charging and exposure is covered with a protective layer. When the protective layer wears out, the photoreceptor layer provided under the protective layer wears out, resulting in uneven charging, uneven exposure, and uneven development, which may cause a deterioration in the image quality of the toner image.

[0073] Since the wear state of the protective layer and the photoreceptor layer correlates with the cumulative rotation speed of the photoreceptor drum 311, if the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the cumulative rotation speed of the photoreceptor drum 311 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can estimate the wear state of the photoreceptor drum 311 from the received cumulative rotation speed and predict its lifespan.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus 100, in which the photoreceptor drums 311Y, 311M, 311C, and 311K of each of the YMCK colors shown in FIG. 3 are collectively referred to as the photoreceptor drum 311.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, when forming an image, the image forming apparatus 100 rotates the photoreceptor drum 311 in the direction of arrow D while the charging device 501 uniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 311, and the exposure device 502 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 311 with laser light L modulated according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 503 supplies the toner of the corresponding color to visualize the electrostatic latent image as a toner image, and the primary transfer roller 504 electrostatically transfers the toner image onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 310 (primary transfer).

[0076] The mechanical control unit 200 counts the cumulative rotation speed for each of the photoreceptor drums 311 of the YMCK colors, and each time the photoreceptor drum 311 rotates by a predetermined number of rotations, it transmits the cumulative rotation speed of the photoreceptor drum 311 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data.

[0077] The mechanical control unit 200 uses the LAN interface 400 to transmit the cumulative rotation number to the diagnostic server 101 for each photosensitive drum 311 of YMCK colors without going through the controller control unit 201. Therefore, without increasing the communication volume with the controller control unit 201, the transmission frequency of the cumulative rotation number can be increased, and the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server 101 can be improved.

[0078] In addition, if a predetermined toner patch is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 311 and the amount of regular reflected light in the toner patch is detected using the above-described surface state sensor 431, the amount of toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 311 can be detected. The amount of toner adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 311 can vary according to the state of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 311. Therefore, if the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the amount of regular reflected light in the toner patch to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can also predict the life of the photosensitive drum 311. (1-6-2) Supply voltage of the fixing heater The mechanical control unit 200 may transmit the supply voltage value of the fixing heater to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data.

[0079] The image forming apparatus 100 supplies high-voltage power to a fixing heater (not shown) for heating the fixing roller 312, and this supply voltage varies according to the deterioration of the fixing heater over time. Therefore, if the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the supply voltage value to the fixing heater to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server can perform failure diagnosis and life prediction of the fixing heater. (1-6-3) Rotation amount of the cartridge motor The mechanical control unit 200 may transmit the rotation amount of the cartridge motor to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6, the developer accommodated in the toner cartridge 601 is conveyed in the direction of arrow E by driving the cartridge motor 437 to rotate the spiral spring 602, and falls into the sub-hopper 603. The cartridge motor 437 is, for example, a stepping motor, and the amount of developer to be dropped into the sub-hopper 603 is adjusted by controlling the rotation amount of the spiral spring 602. The developer that has fallen into the sub-hopper 603 is conveyed to the developing device 503 by the sub-hopper motor 438 rotating a paddle (not shown). A piezo sensor 432 is disposed in the sub-hopper 603 to detect the amount of developer in the sub-hopper 603.

[0081] When the mechatronics control unit 200 detects that the toner cartridge door cover 222 has been opened or closed by referring to the output signal of the toner cartridge door cover sensor 435, it refers to the output signal of the toner cartridge (TC) set sensor 434. When it detects from the output signal of the toner cartridge (TC) set sensor 434 that the toner cartridge 601 has been installed, the mechatronics control unit 200 drives the cartridge motor 437 to start supplying the developer.

[0082] When the cover to be opened and closed to access the toner cartridge 601 is the front cover 223, the mechatronics control unit 200 can perform similar processing by referring to the output signal of the front cover sensor 436 that detects the open / closed state of the front cover 223.

[0083] In addition, the developing device 503 is adapted to store the developer therein, and a TCR (Toner Carrier Ratio) sensor 433 is incorporated therein to detect the toner concentration of the stored developer. As the TCR sensor 433, for example, a permeability sensor can be used. That is, by paying attention to the fact that the toner and the carrier constituting the developer have different permeabilities, the toner concentration can be specified by detecting the permeability of the developer.

[0084] Even when the mechanical control unit 200 determines that the toner density in the developing device 503 has decreased by referring to the output signal of the TCR sensor 433, the cartridge motor 437 is driven to supply developer from the toner cartridge 601 to the developing device 503.

[0085] Therefore, if the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the rotation amount of the cartridge motor 327 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can know the remaining toner amount in the toner cartridge 601 using the diagnostic data, and thus can predict the life of the toner cartridge 601. (1-6-4) Surface condition of the photosensitive drum 311 If the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the surface condition of the photosensitive drum 311 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can predict the life of the lubricant supply member 505 that supplies lubricant to the surface of the photosensitive drum 311.

[0086] The cleaning device 507 shown in FIG. 5 scrapes off and discards the toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 310 after primary transfer using the cleaning blade 507a. During this cleaning, if the friction between the photosensitive drum 311 and the cleaning blade 507a is too large, the cleaning blade 507a will be curled by the frictional force and it will be difficult to scrape off the remaining toner.

[0087] Therefore, in order to reduce the frictional force, a lubricant is applied to the photosensitive drum 311 using the lubricant supply member 505. However, if the lubricant supply member 505 is consumed due to aging deterioration, the amount of lubricant applied will decrease, and there is a risk that the frictional force between the photosensitive drum 311 and the cleaning blade 507a cannot be sufficiently reduced.

[0088] The surface condition sensor 431 is a specular reflection type surface condition sensor disposed to face the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 311 between the developing device 503 and the primary transfer roller in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 311. The surface condition sensor 431 includes a light emitting element 431a composed of a light emitting diode (LED: Light Emitting Diode) and a light receiving element 431b composed of a phototransistor. The light emitting element 431a irradiates laser light onto the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 311 at an incident angle of 45°, and the light receiving element 431b receives the specularly reflected light from the photoreceptor drum 311, that is, the reflected light with a reflection angle of 45°.

[0089] When an appropriate amount of lubricant exists on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 311, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 311 is in a cloudy state and exhibits diffuse reflectivity. However, as the amount of lubricant on the photoreceptor surface decreases, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 311 becomes closer to a mirror surface, and the component of specularly reflected light increases in the reflected light of the photoreceptor drum 311.

[0090] Therefore, the amount of specularly reflected light received by the light receiving element 431b varies in proportion to the amount of lubricant on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 311. The output signal of the surface condition sensor 431, in other words, the output signal of the light receiving element 431b, is input to the mechanical control unit 200. When the mechanical control unit 200 refers to the output signal of the surface condition sensor 431, generates diagnostic data, and transmits it to the diagnostic server 101, the diagnostic server 101 can predict the remaining life of the lubricant supply member 505 with reference to the diagnostic data. (1-6-5) Other sheet arrival time T Examples of the sheet arrival time T include the following in addition to the sheet arrival time T described above.

[0091] For example, when performing image forming processing on a recording sheet stored in the second paper feed tray, the topmost recording sheet of the stack of recording sheets stored in the second paper feed tray is fed out using the second pickup roller 301b, and while preventing double feeding of the lower recording sheets using the second separating roller 303b, the topmost recording sheet is supplied to the conveyance path using the second paper feed roller 302b.

[0092] When the second paper feed sensor 331b detects the leading edge of the recording sheet supplied by the second paper feed roller 302b, it switches the output signal from off to on. As a result, the mechatronics control unit 200 detects the timing T1b at which the second paper feed sensor 331b detects the recording sheet.

[0093] Thereafter, the recording sheet is guided by a conveyance guide (not shown) to the detection position of the second vertical conveyance sensor 332. When the second vertical conveyance timing sensor 332 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet, it switches the output signal from off to on. As a result, when the mechatronics control unit 200 detects the timing T2b at which the second vertical conveyance sensor 332 detects the recording sheet, it calculates the second paper arrival time T from timing T1b to timing T2b, and transmits this calculated value to the diagnostic server 101 as sensor data.

[0094] Note that the first pickup roller 301a, the first paper feed roller 302a, and the first separating roller 302a are rotationally driven by the first paper feed motor 321a, and the second pickup roller 301b, the second paper feed roller 302b, and the second separating roller 302b are rotationally driven by the second paper feed motor 321b. The mechatronics control unit 200 performs drive control of the first paper feed motor 321a and the second paper feed motor 321b.

[0095] The image forming apparatus 100 can supply a recording sheet from a multi-hand feed tray in addition to the first-stage paper feed tray and the second-stage paper feed tray. For the recording sheet set in the multi-hand feed unit, the multi-hand feed roller 305 rotated by the multi-hand feed motor 323 is used to supply the recording sheets one by one from the topmost recording sheet.

[0096] The recording sheet supplied as described above is further conveyed as follows and an image is formed thereon.

[0097] The timing motor 324 stops the rotation of the timing roller 306 prior to the arrival of the recording sheet, and starts the rotational drive of the timing roller 306 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the timing sensor 332 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet. In this way, the recording sheet is conveyed with the leading edge thereof abutted against the conveyance nip of the timing roller 306 during rotation stop to form a loop, so that the skew of the recording sheet can be corrected. Further, by controlling the timing at which the rotation of the timing roller 306 is started, the toner image can be transferred to an appropriate position on the recording sheet.

[0098] The image forming unit 341 includes photosensitive drums 311Y, 311M, 311C, and 311K for forming toner images of respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and uses a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device (not shown) to sequentially form toner images of YMCK respective colors on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 311Y, 311M, 311C, and 311K.

[0099] The toner images of each color of YMCK are electrostatically transferred by a primary transfer roller (not shown) from the outer peripheral surfaces of the photoreceptor drums 311Y, 311M, 311C, and 311K to overlap each other on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 310 to form a color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt 310 is looped around a driving roller 308 and a driven roller 309, and the main motor 325 rotationally drives the driving roller 308 to rotate and travel in the direction of arrow A.

[0100] A secondary transfer roller 307 is pressed against the driving roller 308 with the intermediate transfer belt 310 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip. As the intermediate transfer belt 310 conveys the color toner image, when the timing roller 306 conveys the recording sheet to the secondary transfer nip, the color toner image is electrostatically transferred to the recording sheet at the secondary transfer nip.

[0101] The recording sheet on which the color toner image has been electrostatically transferred is thermally fixed with the color toner image by a fixing roller 312 and then further conveyed by a pre-ejection roller 313. A paper ejection sensor 334 is disposed downstream of the pre-ejection roller 313 in the sheet conveyance direction to detect the leading edge of the recording sheet. According to the detection timing of the leading edge of the recording sheet by this paper ejection sensor 334, the inversion path switching solenoid 337 switches the direction of the switching claw 314.

[0102] Thereby, the conveyance path of the recording sheet is switched to either a paper ejection path 341 or a paper inversion path 342. In particular, when performing double-sided printing over a plurality of pages, in order to alternately guide the recording sheet printed on only one side to the paper inversion path 342 or guide the recording sheet printed on both sides to the paper ejection path 341, the paper ejection sensor 334 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet, and the direction of the switching claw 314 is switched.

[0103] The recording sheet guided to the paper discharge path 341 is discharged outside the apparatus by the paper discharge motor 327 rotationally driving the paper discharge roller 315. On the other hand, the recording sheet guided to the paper reversal path 342 is drawn further into the paper reversal path 342 by the reversal motor 327 rotationally driving the reversal roller 316 in the direction of arrow B, and then the reversal motor 327 rotates in the reverse direction and rotationally drives the reversal roller 316 in the direction of arrow C, and is sent out toward the ADU (Automatic Duplex Unit) conveyance roller 317.

[0104] The recording sheet is conveyed along the paper reversal path 342 by the ADU conveyance rollers 317, 318, 319, and 320 until the leading edge of the sheet hits the timing roller 306.

[0105] Note that the ADU conveyance rollers 317, 318 are rotationally driven by the ADU conveyance motor 329, and the ADU conveyance rollers 319, 320 are rotationally driven by the ADU conveyance motor 330. Also, the ADU conveyance sensors 335, 336 monitor the timing of detecting the leading edge of the recording sheet, and thus can detect paper jams on the paper reversal path 342.

[0106] The recording sheet that has entered the secondary transfer nip via the paper reversal path 342 has a color toner image electrostatically transferred onto its back surface, and after the color toner image is thermally fixed by the fixing roller 312, it is guided to the paper discharge path 341 by the switching claw 314 and discharged outside the apparatus.

[0107] In the image forming apparatus 100 having such a configuration, the mechanical control unit 200 refers to the output signals of the paper sensors 331 such as the first-stage paper feed sensor 331a, the second-stage paper feed sensor 331b, the second-stage vertical conveyance sensor 332, the timing sensor 333, the paper discharge sensor 334, and the ADU conveyance sensors 335, 336, and detects the timing at which the leading edge or trailing edge of the recording sheet reaches the detection positions of the paper sensors.

[0108] As a result, conveyance motors 321 such as the first-stage paper feed motor 321a, the second-stage paper feed motor 321b, the second-stage longitudinal conveyance motor 322, the multi-hand feed paper motor 323, the timing motor 324, the main motor 325, the fixing motor 326, the paper discharge motor 327, the reversing motor 328, the ADU conveyance motor 329, 330, etc. and the reversing path switching solenoid 337 are driven and controlled.

[0109] Also, due to the delay in the above-mentioned arrival timing, the mechatronics control unit 200 detects the occurrence of paper jams.

[0110] Further, if the mechatronics control unit 200 calculates the paper arrival time T that indicates the above-mentioned arrival timing and transmits it to the diagnostic server, the diagnostic server can refer to the received paper arrival time T to determine deterioration such as wear in the timing roller 306, the secondary transfer roller 307, the fixing roller 312, the pre-paper discharge roller 313, the paper discharge roller 315, the reversing roller 316, the ADU conveyance rollers 317, 318, 319, and 320, and contamination such as the adhesion of paper dust, and perform failure diagnosis and life prediction. (1-6-6) Torque values of conveyance motors 321, etc. The mechatronics control unit 200 may calculate the torque value of each motor by referring to the drive current of the conveyance motors 321, etc., and transmit it to the diagnostic server as diagnostic data.

[0111] The torque of the conveyance motors 321, etc. varies according to the wear state of the conveyance rollers 301 such as the first-stage pickup roller 301a, the first-stage paper feed roller 302a, the first-stage leveling roller 303a, the second-stage pickup roller 301b, the second-stage paper feed roller 302b, the second-stage leveling roller 303b, the second-stage conveyance roller 304, the multi-hand feed paper roller 305, the timing roller 306, the secondary transfer roller 307, the fixing roller 312, the pre-paper discharge roller 313, the paper discharge roller 315, the reversing roller 316, the ADU conveyance rollers 317, 318, 319, and 320.

[0112] Therefore, if the mechatronics control unit 200 transmits the torque values of the conveyance motor 321 etc. to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can predict the lifespan of the conveyance roller 301 etc. [2] Second Embodiment The image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the mechatronics control unit 200 transmits diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 via the PC 102.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 9, the mechatronics control unit 200 according to the present embodiment includes a UART 900 instead of the LAN interface 400 shown in FIG. 4, and is communicably connected to the PC 102 using the UART 900. The PC 102 is communicably connected to the diagnostic server 101 via the communication network 110.

[0114] When the mechatronics control unit 200 transmits sensor data etc. acquired with reference to sensors as diagnostic data to the PC 102 using the UART 900, the PC 102 transmits the diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 via the communication network 110.

[0115] Even in this case, similar to the first embodiment, diagnostic data can be transmitted from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 without passing through the controller control unit 201. [3] Third Embodiment The image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the mechatronics control unit 200 transmits diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 using wireless communication.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a tablet terminal 1001 and a wireless LAN router 1002 in addition to the configuration of the image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 according to the first embodiment. The tablet terminal 1001 wirelessly communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard and wirelessly communicates with the wireless LAN router 1002 according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard, thereby mutually communicating with the diagnosis server 101 via the communication network 110.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 11, the mechatronics control unit 200 according to the present embodiment includes a Bluetooth interface 1100 instead of the LAN interface 400 shown in FIG. 4, and is connected to be wirelessly communicable with the tablet terminal 1001 using the Bluetooth interface 1100.

[0118] When the mechatronics control unit 200 transmits diagnosis data to the tablet terminal 1001 using the Bluetooth interface 1100, the tablet terminal 1001 transmits the received diagnosis data to the diagnosis server 101.

[0119] Even in this case, similar to the first embodiment, diagnosis data can be transmitted from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnosis server 101 without passing through the controller control unit 201. Therefore, a large amount of diagnosis data can be transmitted to the diagnosis server 101 at a high frequency without interfering with the instruction of the image forming process from the controller control unit 201 to the mechatronics control unit 200, so that the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction can be improved.

[0120] Note that the tablet terminal 1001 may be used as an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 100 instead of the operation panel 202 shown in FIG. 2. [4] Fourth Embodiment In the image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to this embodiment, the mechanical control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 connected to a LAN installed in an office or the like transmits diagnostic data to a diagnostic server 101 installed outside the office and connected to the Internet.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 12, in the image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100, the PC 102, and the in-house server 1201 are connected to the LAN 1202, and the LAN 1202 is connected to the Internet 1204 via the router 1203. Among the devices connected to the LAN 1202, only the in-house server 1201 is permitted to connect to the Internet, and other devices, that is, the image forming apparatus 100 and the PC 102 cannot connect to the Internet 1204 without going through the in-house server 1201.

[0122] The diagnostic server 101 is connected to the Internet 1204. The diagnostic server 101 may be a so-called cloud server.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 13, the mechanical control unit 200 includes a LAN interface 1300, and uses the LAN interface 1300 to transmit diagnostic data to the in-house server 1201 via the LAN 1202, and the in-house server 1201 that has received this may transmit the diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101 via the Internet 1204.

[0124] Even in this way, it is possible to improve the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server 101 without increasing the communication load between the mechanical control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201. [5] Fifth Embodiment The image forming apparatus diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment has a LAN interface 400 mounted on the mechanical control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 as an optional configuration. The LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechanical control unit 200, and diagnostic data is transmitted from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 only when the user of the image forming apparatus 100 has made a contract to use the diagnostic service provided by the diagnostic server 101.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 14, when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on, the mechanical control unit 200 refers to the device configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 to check whether the LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechanical control unit 200 (S1401). The device configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is registered, for example, in the HDD 414 of the controller control unit 201 at the time of factory shipment or when the device configuration is changed, and is notified from the controller control unit 201 to the mechanical control unit 200 when the image forming apparatus 100 is powered on or the like. The mechanical control unit 200 may store the notified device configuration in the RAM 403 and read it from the RAM 403 when necessary.

[0126] If the LAN interface 400 is not mounted on the mechanical control unit 200 (S1402: NO), the transmission of diagnostic data from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 is prohibited (S1406).

[0127] If the LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechanical control unit 200 (S1402: YES), the mechanical control unit 200 refers to the contract content recorded in the ROM 402 to check whether a contract for the diagnostic service has been made (S1403). If no contract for the diagnostic service has been made (S1404: NO), the transmission of diagnostic data from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 is prohibited (S1406).

[0128] On the other hand, if a contract for the diagnostic service has been made (S1404: YES), the transmission of diagnostic data from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 is permitted (S1405).

[0129] In this way, even though the mechatronics control unit 200 does not need to send the diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101, it still sends it, which can prevent the processing load of the mechatronics control unit 200 and the diagnostic server 101 from increasing, or the load on the communication network 110 from increasing. In particular, when the number of image forming apparatuses 100 under the control of the diagnostic server 101 is large, it is effective for reducing the processing load of the diagnostic server 101. [6] Sixth Embodiment The mechatronics control unit 200 according to the present embodiment calculates the average value of the paper arrival time T within a range where the diagnostic server 101 can detect the slippage of the recording sheet, and sends it to the diagnostic server 101.

[0130] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechatronics control unit 200, showing the processing when the answer in step S709 in FIG. 7 is YES.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 15, after calculating the paper arrival time T (S1501), if the calculation of the paper arrival time T is the third calculation after the average value of the previous paper arrival time T has been sent to the diagnostic server 101 (S1502: YES), the mechatronics control unit 200 calculates the average value of the three paper arrival times T and sends the average value to the diagnostic server 101 (S1503). If the calculation is not the third calculation (S1502: NO), the paper arrival time T is stored for later calculation of the average value (S1504). After the processing of steps S1503 and S1504, the process proceeds to step S701 in FIG. 7, and the above-described processing is repeated.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 16(a), in the present embodiment, the average value of the three paper arrival times T when the measurement sheet count is from 1 to 3 is calculated, and only the average value is sent to the diagnostic server 101 without sending each individual paper arrival time T to the diagnostic server 101. Also, as shown in FIG. 16(b), for all of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 100, only the average value is sent to the diagnostic server 101.

[0133] For example, when an image forming apparatus 100 with an image forming speed of 60 sheets per minute transmits all the paper arrival times T to the diagnostic server 101, it will transmit the paper arrival time T every second. Further, when there are multiple image forming apparatuses 100, the same number of paper arrival times T as the number of the image forming apparatuses 100 will be transmitted every second, which will increase the load on the communication network 110.

[0134] On the other hand, if, instead of the paper arrival time T, its average value is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101, the number of transmissions of the diagnostic data can be reduced to one over the number of the paper arrival times T used for calculating the average value. In this sense, the data amount of the diagnostic data can be compressed.

[0135] Also, if the number of the paper arrival times T used for calculating the average value is reduced, the slippage of the recording sheet can be accurately detected. For example, as shown in Fig. 17(a), even when there is only one paper arrival time T when the slippage of the recording sheet occurs, if the number of the paper arrival times T for taking the average value is 3, as shown in Fig. 17(b), the average value will increase by 6.7 milliseconds compared with the average value of 261.3 milliseconds when the slippage of the recording sheet does not occur.

[0136] That is, if the number of the paper arrival times T for taking the average value is adopted such that the average value will surely be larger when the slippage of the recording sheet occurs than when it does not occur, by comparing the intermediate value between these two kinds of average values as a threshold value with the average value of the paper arrival time T, the slippage of the recording sheet, in other words, the deterioration of the paper feed roller 302 or the like can be accurately detected. [7] Seventh Embodiment In this embodiment, it is possible to select whether to transmit all sheet arrival times T from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 or to transmit only the average value of the sheet arrival times T. The format of the diagnostic data to be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (hereinafter referred to as the "diagnostic data format") is set, for example, using the operation panel 202, whether the diagnostic data format is "all data" that transmits all sheet arrival times T or "average value" that transmits only the average value of the sheet arrival times T. The set value of the diagnostic data format is stored, for example, in the HDD 414 of the controller control unit 201 and is notified from the controller control unit 201 to the mechatronics control unit 200 at the time of power-on or the like.

[0137] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechatronics control unit 200, and shows the processing when the answer is YES in step S709 of FIG. 7.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 18, after calculating the sheet arrival time T (S1801), when the format of the diagnostic data to be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 is "all data" (S1802: YES), the calculated sheet arrival time T is directly transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (S1803).

[0139] On the other hand, when the diagnostic data format is "average value", if the calculation of the sheet arrival time T in step S1801 is the third calculation after transmitting the average value of the previous sheet arrival time T to the diagnostic server 101 (S1804: YES), the average value of the three sheet arrival times T is calculated and the average value is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (S1805). If the calculation is not the third calculation (S1804: NO), the sheet arrival time T is stored for later calculation of the average value (S1806). After the processes of steps S1803 and S1806, the process proceeds to step S701 of FIG. 7, and the above-described processes are repeated.

[0140] As illustrated in FIG. 19(a), in this embodiment, when the diagnostic data format is "all data", only the sheet arrival time T is calculated and transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 each time.

[0141] When the diagnostic data format is "average value", the average value of the next three sheet arrival times T is calculated. As illustrated in FIG. 19(b), only the average value is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101, and the sheet arrival time T is not transmitted. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 19(c), the average value of the sheet arrival time T is sequentially stored in the diagnostic server 101.

[0142] In this way, by selecting the diagnostic data format according to the load of the communication network 110, the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the diagnostic server 101 of the diagnostic data, thereby preventing the communication network 110 from becoming overloaded.

[0143] Also, when the load of the communication network 110 is low or the communication capacity of the communication network 110 is sufficiently large, by selecting "all data" as the diagnostic data format, the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server 101 can be improved.

[0144] Regarding which diagnostic data format the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the diagnostic data in, information indicating the diagnostic data format may be attached to each piece of diagnostic data, or when setting the diagnostic data format in the image forming apparatus 100, the diagnostic data format may be notified to the diagnostic server 101 at the same time.

[0145] When the diagnostic data format is switched, there is a possibility that the sheet arrival time T and its average value are mixed in the diagnostic data stored in the diagnostic server 101. However, each time the diagnostic data is received, the diagnostic server 101 can determine whether the diagnostic data is the sheet arrival time T or its average value and store it, so that the two can be distinguished and handled separately when performing failure diagnosis and life prediction accuracy. [8] Eighth Embodiment In the image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to the present embodiment, the LAN interface 400 mounted on the mechatronics control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 has an optional configuration. When the LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechatronics control unit 200, the diagnostic data is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 using the LAN interface 400. When it is not mounted, the diagnostic data is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 via the controller control unit 201.

[0146] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechatronics control unit 200, and shows the processing when the answer is YES in step S709 of FIG. 7.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 20, after calculating the paper arrival time T (S2001), the mechatronics control unit 200 confirms the device configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 (S2002). When the LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechatronics control unit 200 (S2003: YES), the paper arrival time T is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 using the LAN interface 400 (S2004).

[0148] On the other hand, when the LAN interface 400 is not mounted on the mechatronics control unit 200 (S2003: NO), and after the processing of step S2004, finally, after transmitting the paper arrival time T or its average value to the diagnostic server 101, referring to the number of times the paper arrival time T has been calculated, if the number of times the paper arrival time T has been calculated has not reached a predetermined number of times, for example, the 100th time (S2005: NO), the calculated paper arrival time T is stored (S2008).

[0149] Note that the number of paper arrival times T used for calculating the average value may be a number other than 100 as long as it is within a range where the communication load between the mechatronics control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201 can be suppressed. Also, it is desirable that this number is within a range where the accuracy of failure diagnosis and life prediction by the diagnostic server 101 does not become too low.

[0150] When the number of times the paper arrival time T is calculated reaches the 100th time (S2005: YES), the average value of the paper arrival times T for 100 times is calculated (S2006). The mechatronics control unit 200 further transmits the average value to the controller control unit 201 using the UART405 (S2007). The controller control unit 201 transmits the average value received from the mechatronics control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101 as diagnostic data.

[0151] After the processes of steps S2007 and S2008, the process proceeds to step S701 in FIG. 7, and the above-described processes are repeated. When the LAN interface 400 is mounted on the mechatronics control unit 200 (S2003: YES), it is desirable to attach information for expressing the correspondence between the average value of the paper arrival time T and the paper arrival time T used for calculating the average value.

[0152] FIG. 21(a) is a table illustrating the paper arrival time T and its average value. As shown in FIG. 21(a), an ID for clearly indicating the correspondence is assigned to the paper arrival time T and its average value. When transmitting the diagnostic data to the diagnostic server 101, as shown in FIG. 21(b), by assigning an ID to both the paper arrival time T and the average value, the correspondence between the paper arrival time T and the average value is made explicit to the diagnostic server 101.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 21(c), similarly, an ID for associating the paper arrival time T and its average value is stored in the accumulated data of the diagnostic server 101. The analysis of the accumulated diagnostic data is performed not only for each sheet but also for the average value of 100 sheets. When analyzing the average value of 100 sheets, the associated paper arrival time T for each sheet can also be used, so that the accuracy of fault identification and life prediction as the average value of 100 sheets can be improved.

[0154] In addition, when the mechanical control unit 200 is not equipped with the LAN interface 400, it is impossible to transmit the paper arrival time T to be associated with the average value to the diagnostic server 101 in the first place. Therefore, it is not necessary to assign an ID to the average value transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 via the controller control unit 201.

[0155] Also, the diagnostic data to be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 may be provided with identification information for identifying to the diagnostic server 101 whether the diagnostic data is the paper arrival time T or its average value. Further, when the mechanical control unit 200 is equipped with the LAN interface 400 or, conversely, when the LAN interface 400 is removed, the diagnostic data may be identified by notifying the diagnostic server 101 to that effect.

[0156] In this way, the transmission frequency of the average value is 1 / 100 of the calculation frequency of the paper arrival time T and is low. Therefore, the communication load between the mechanical control unit 200 and the controller control unit 201 can be suppressed, delays in image formation processing and the like can be prevented, and the diagnostic server 101 can be made to perform failure diagnosis and life prediction. [9] Ninth Embodiment In the present embodiment, in addition to performing failure diagnosis and life prediction using the paper arrival time T by the diagnostic server 101, the diagnostic parent server analyzes the average value and the diagnostic result of the diagnostic server 101, and feeds back the analysis result from the diagnostic parent server to the diagnostic server 101, thereby updating the algorithms for failure diagnosis and life prediction and improving the diagnostic accuracy.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 22, the image forming apparatus diagnostic system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of in-house systems in which the image forming apparatus 100, the diagnostic server 101, and the PC 102 are connected to the LAN 2202. The LAN 2202 is connected to the Internet 2204 using the router 2203. A diagnostic parent server 2201 is connected to the Internet 2204, and each diagnostic server 101 communicates via the Internet 2204 and the like.

[0158] Figure 23(a) is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechanical control unit 200, showing the processing when the answer in step S709 of Figure 7 is YES.

[0159] As shown in Figure 23(a), the mechanical control unit 200 calculates the paper arrival time T (S2301). Figure 24(a) is a table exemplifying the paper arrival time T calculated by the mechanical control unit 200. After that, the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the paper arrival time T (S2302). Figure 24(b) exemplifies the paper arrival time T that the mechanical control unit 200 transmits to the diagnostic server 101.

[0160] In this case, as shown in Figure 23(b), the paper arrival time T is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 via the LAN 2202 using the LAN interface 400 of the mechanical control unit 200. The diagnostic server 101 accumulates the paper arrival time T as exemplified in Figure 24(d), performs fault diagnosis and life prediction using the accumulated paper arrival time T, and transmits the diagnostic result to the diagnostic parent server 2201 via the LAN 2202 and the Internet 2204.

[0161] Next, referring to the number of times the paper arrival time T has been calculated after finally transmitting the average value of the paper arrival time T to the diagnostic parent server 2201, if the number of times the paper arrival time T has been calculated has not reached a predetermined number of times, for example, the 100th time (S2303: NO), the calculated paper arrival time T is stored (S2306). When the number of times the paper arrival time T has been calculated reaches 100 times (S2303: YES), the average value of the paper arrival time T for 100 times is calculated (S2304).

[0162] Figure 24(a) exemplifies the average value of the paper arrival time T. The mechanical control unit 200 transmits the average value to the diagnostic parent server 2201 (S2305). Figure 24(c) exemplifies the average value that the mechanical control unit 200 transmits to the diagnostic parent server 2201.

[0163] In this case, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the mechanical control unit 200 transmits the average value to the controller control unit 201 using UART405. When the controller control unit 201 receives the average value using UART417, it transmits the average value to the diagnostic parent server 2201 via the LAN2202 and the Internet 2204 using the LAN interface 418. The diagnostic parent server 2201 accumulates the received average value.

[0164] Note that identification information indicating the correspondence among the paper arrival time T, the average value calculated using the paper arrival time T, and the diagnostic result using the paper arrival time T is assigned. When analyzing the average value received from the image forming apparatus 100, the diagnostic parent server 2201 refers to the identification information of the diagnostic result received from the diagnostic server 101 and refers to the diagnostic result corresponding to the average value. The analysis result by the diagnostic parent server 2201 is fed back to the fault diagnosis and life prediction algorithms by the diagnostic server 101 and is used to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

[0165] The diagnostic server 101 performs fault diagnosis and life prediction, for example, once a week at midnight, and transmits the diagnostic result to the diagnostic parent server 2201. FIG. 25(a) illustrates a life prediction result as the diagnostic result that the diagnostic server 101 transmits to the diagnostic parent server 2201. When the diagnostic parent server 2201 receives the diagnostic result from the diagnostic server 101, it sequentially accumulates and analyzes the received diagnostic result. FIG. 25(b) illustrates the data accumulated by the diagnostic parent server 2201.

[0166] As illustrated in FIG. 25(b), the diagnostic parent server 2201 sequentially accumulates the average value of the paper arrival time T received from the image forming apparatus 100 and the diagnostic result received from the diagnostic server. In this case, the average value and the diagnostic result are transmitted to the diagnostic parent server 2201 with an ID for clarifying their relationship with each other, a counted number count which is the number of times the paper arrival time T is calculated, and the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the image forming apparatus. The diagnostic parent server 2201 also accumulates these pieces of information attached to the average value and the diagnostic result.

[10] Tenth Embodiment In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the maximum value of the paper arrival time T to the diagnostic server 101.

[0167] FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mechacon control unit 200 according to the present embodiment, and shows the processing when the answer is YES in step S709 of FIG. 7.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 26, when the mechacon control unit 200 calculates the paper arrival time T (S2601), it compares the calculated paper arrival time T with the maximum value Tmax of the paper arrival time. If the newly calculated paper arrival time T is greater (S2602: YES), the newly calculated paper arrival time T is set as the maximum value Tmax of the paper arrival time (S2603).

[0169] If the newly calculated paper arrival time T is less than or equal to the maximum value Tmax (S2602: NO), and after the processing of step S2603, when the calculation of the paper arrival time T is the 10th calculation after the maximum value Tmax of the paper arrival time was last transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (S2504: YES), the maximum value Tmax of the paper arrival time is transmitted to the diagnostic server 101 (S2605), and the value of the maximum value Tmax is initialized to 0 (S2606).

[0170] If the calculation of the paper arrival time T is not the 10th calculation after the maximum value Tmax of the paper arrival time is last sent to the diagnostic server 101 (S2504: NO), and after the process of step S2606, the process proceeds to step S701 and the above-described process is repeated.

[0171] In the example of FIG. 27(a), the paper arrival time T for 10 recording sheets is calculated, and the maximum value is 262 milliseconds. Therefore, after the mechanical control unit 200 confirms the paper arrival time T of the 10th recording sheet, it sends the maximum value of 262 milliseconds to the diagnostic server 101. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 27(b), format information indicating that it is the maximum value of the paper arrival time T for every 10 recording sheets may be added.

[0172] In this way, the diagnostic server 101 can be made to distinguish between the case of sending the paper arrival time T of all the recording sheets and the case of sending only the maximum value, and perform fault diagnosis and life prediction. As shown in FIG. 27(c), the diagnostic server 101 accumulates the maximum value received from the mechanical control unit 200 and uses it for performing fault diagnosis and life prediction.

[0173] In this way, compared with the case of sending the average value from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101, sudden generated data can be directly sent to the diagnostic server 101. Also, because of the maximum value for every 10 sheets, the time lag from when the sudden data occurs until the maximum value is sent to the diagnostic server 101 can be minimized.

[0174] Note that the minimum value may be used instead of the maximum value, or both the maximum value and the minimum value may be sent from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101. In any case, similar to the case of sending the maximum value, the data volume of the diagnostic data can be compressed.

[0175] For example, when only the minimum value is to be transmitted, as shown in Fig. 28(a), first, for 10 recording sheets used for image formation in succession, the paper arrival times are calculated respectively, and the minimum value is determined. In the example of Fig. 28(a), the minimum value is 260 milliseconds.

[0176] When transmitting the minimum value from the mechanical control unit 200 to the diagnostic server 101, as shown in Fig. 28(b), in addition to the minimum value of 260 milliseconds, a value 1 is transmitted as format information. The format information takes the value 1 when transmitting the minimum value of the paper arrival time T for every 10 recording sheets, and takes the value 0 when transmitting the paper arrival times T of all recording sheets. In this way, the diagnostic server 101 can be made to perform appropriate fault diagnosis and life prediction according to the format of the diagnostic data.

[11] Modification Example As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modification examples can be implemented. (11-1) In the above embodiment, the case of mainly using the paper arrival time T as diagnostic data has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of this, or in addition to this, the following diagnostic data may be used.

[0177] For example, the photoreceptor current value may be used as diagnostic data. The photoreceptor current is the current that flows from the photoreceptor drum 311 to the ground when the potential decays due to exposing the charged photoreceptor drum 311. When the film thickness d of the photoreceptor drum becomes smaller, the capacitance C of the photoreceptor drum 311 increases accordingly, so the photoreceptor current increases.

[0178] Focusing on this point, if the mechatronics control unit 200 measures the photoreceptor current using the photoreceptor current monitor and transmits it to the diagnostic server 101, the diagnostic server 101 can estimate the film thickness of the photoreceptor, so that the life of the photoreceptor drum 311 can be predicted. When measuring the photoreceptor current, the photoreceptor current may be measured at a plurality of locations (for example, 10 points) on the surface of the photoreceptor, and all the obtained measurement values may be transmitted to the diagnostic server 101.

[0179] Also, as diagnostic data, the drive current value of the fixing motor 326 may be used. When the surface of the fixing roller 312 deteriorates, the torque for rotationally driving the fixing roller 312 increases, so that the drive current value of the fixing motor 326 increases. For this reason, the mechatronics control unit 200 may transmit the drive current value of the fixing motor 326 to the diagnostic server 101, and the diagnostic server 101 may perform a failure diagnosis and life prediction of the fixing roller 312.

[0180] Since the drive current value of the fixing motor 326 varies when the recording sheet is passed or the temperature of the fixing motor 312 fluctuates, it is desirable to measure 10 times under a predetermined condition (measurement mode) and transmit all 10 measurement values to the diagnostic server 101.

[0181] Also, during image stabilization processing or the like, the mechatronics control unit 200 forms a predetermined toner patch on the intermediate transfer belt 310, and measures the density of the toner patch at, for example, 10 points using an IDC (Image Density Control) sensor, and may transmit all 10 measurement values to the diagnostic server 101. By referring to the diagnostic data, the diagnostic server 101 can perform a failure diagnosis and life prediction of the intermediate transfer belt, the primary transfer roller, the photoreceptor drum, and the like.

[0182] Further, the mechanical control unit 200 may measure the secondary transfer voltage at, for example, 10 points under predetermined measurement conditions using a transfer voltage monitor, and transmit the voltage values at these 10 points to the diagnostic server 101. By referring to the secondary transfer voltage, the diagnostic server 101 can perform failure diagnosis and life prediction of the secondary transfer roller 307 and the intermediate transfer belt 310. (11-2) Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, the diagnostic server 101 and the diagnostic parent server may be a so-called computer or a cloud server. In any case, by applying the present invention, the effects described in the above embodiment can be obtained. (11-3) In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color multifunction machine has been described as an example. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a color multifunction machine of a type other than the tandem type or a monochrome multifunction machine. Further, even in a single function machine such as a printer device, a copying device, or a facsimile device, the same effects can be obtained by applying the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0183] The image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus diagnostic system according to the present invention are useful as an apparatus that improves the diagnostic accuracy of the image forming apparatus by improving the acquisition frequency of diagnostic data.

Explanation of Signs

[0184] 1…………Image forming apparatus diagnostic system 100……Image forming apparatus 101……Diagnostic server 200……Mechanical control unit 201……Controller control unit 400……LAN interface of the mechanical control unit 200 900……UART connected to the PC102 1001…Tablet terminal 1100…Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface of the mechanical control unit 200 1201… In-house server 2201… Diagnostic parent server

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing on a recording sheet, comprising: a mechatronics control unit that controls the image forming processing; a controller control unit that instructs the mechatronics control unit to execute the image forming processing based on a print job received through a communication network; various sensors that detect the state within the image forming apparatus, wherein the mechatronics control unit: during execution of the image forming processing, has a first communication means for communicating bidirectionally with the controller control unit instructions or information related to the execution of the image forming processing; during execution of the image forming processing, has a second communication means for transmitting sensor data representing the state detected by the sensor during execution of the image forming processing, or processed data obtained by processing the sensor data, to a server without passing through the controller control unit; wherein the controller control unit: has a third communication means for performing communication to receive a print job involving the image forming processing from another device via the communication network; the server is connected to the communication network; the second communication means transmits the sensor data or the processed data to the server via the communication network; An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The second communication means transmits the sensor data or the processed data to the server via a second device connected to the communication network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The second device is a personal computer. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The second device is a portable communication device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The second device is a server device connected to both the communication network and an in-house communication network different from the communication network, and the second communication means transmits the sensor data or the processed data to the server via the in-house communication network and the server device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. Determination means for determining whether it is necessary to transmit the sensor data or the processed data by the second communication means. A prohibiting means for prohibiting the transmission of sensor data or processed data by the second communication means when the determination result by the determination means is negative. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. **Claim 7** The sensor data or the processed data includes the sensor data obtained from any of the sensors without compressing the data amount of the sensor data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. **Claim 8** The processed data includes the sensor data obtained from any of the sensors in a state where the data amount of the sensor data is compressed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. **Claim 9** The processed data includes the sensor data and the data obtained by compressing the data amount of the sensor data, and Identification data for identifying which sensor data has been compressed is attached to the sensor data and the compressed data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that. **Claim 10** Comprising a receiving means for receiving an instruction on whether to compress the data amount of the sensor data, The sensor data or the processed data is When the receiving means receives an instruction to compress the data amount of the sensor data, it includes the sensor data in a state where the data amount of the sensor data is compressed, When the receiving means receives an instruction not to compress the data amount of the sensor data, it includes the sensor data without compressing the data amount of the sensor data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. **Claim 11** A compressing means for compressing the data amount of the sensor data, and An associating means for attaching identification data for associating the sensor data with the compressed data obtained by compressing the data amount of the sensor data to the sensor data and the compressed data, The mechanical control unit Transmits the compressed data to the server via the controller control unit using the first communication means, Transmits the sensor data to the server using the second communication means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. **Claim 12** The compressed data is at least one of the average value, the maximum value, and the minimum value of a predetermined number of sensor data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that. **Claim 13** The sensor is a sensor that detects a recording sheet conveyed inside the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

14. Comprising a photoreceptor for forming a toner image by an electrophotographic method, The sensor is a surface state sensor that detects the surface state of the photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

15. A rotating member used for image formation, And a drive motor that rotationally drives the rotating member, The sensor is a torque sensor that detects the torque of the drive motor. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

16. A tandem type image forming apparatus, Comprising an intermediate transfer belt that conveys the toner image transferred for the first time to the second transfer position, The sensor is an adhesion amount sensor that detects the adhesion amount of the toner carried by the intermediate transfer belt. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

17. Comprising transfer means for electrostatically transferring the toner image to a recording sheet, The sensor is a voltage detection sensor that detects the transfer voltage for the electrostatic transfer. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that.

18. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, And a server that receives sensor data from the image forming apparatus or data obtained by processing the sensor data and performs analysis. A system characterized by that.

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