JP3706707B2 - Image forming apparatus management method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Field of the Invention]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus management method and apparatus having a jam diagnosis prediction function using a host computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a management apparatus for a copying apparatus that manages a plurality of copying apparatuses (image forming apparatuses) via a public line from a host computer on the management base side, jam information generated in the copying apparatus is stored as it is in a storage device of the host computer. The management site side operator has a function of referring to jam information regarding each copying apparatus as necessary.
[0003]
However, in such a copying apparatus management apparatus, the operator on the management base side must always monitor the jam occurrence status, and more operators are required as the number of copying apparatuses to be managed increases. In addition, when the number of jams increases rapidly, the timing of dispatching service personnel depends on only the operator's judgment, so the quality of service is not constant.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a copying apparatus management apparatus, the operator on the management base side must always monitor the jam occurrence status, and more operators are required as the number of copying apparatuses to be managed increases. In addition, there is a problem that the quality of service is not constant because the timing of dispatching a service person when jams rapidly increase depends only on the judgment of the operator.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to perform jam diagnosis and current risk level based on jam information sent from an image forming apparatus. The number of operators at the management site can be reduced, and even when the number of image forming apparatuses increases, quick service can be provided to users without degrading service quality It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus management method and apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Administration method of the image forming apparatus of the present invention in order to achieve the above object, a jam detecting step of detecting a jam of the image forming apparatus that performs image formation control, recording the number of times of detecting the recording frequency of the image forming apparatus a detecting step, the jamming information storing step of storing the value of the jam code and the latest recording frequency representing the generated type jam in the jam generation timing, a recording frequency on the basis of the data stored by the jamming information storing step the obtaining a first calculation step of obtaining a cumulative jam curve showing the correspondence between the cumulative jam count, the filtering processing result performs predetermined filtering process on the basis of the accumulated jam curve obtained by the first computation step The current risk level is determined from the contents of the filter processing result obtained in step 2 and the second step. A risk judgment step of, the risk and a risk output step of outputting to said current risk determination by the determining step, using the length and the number of times of recording the parameters are different plurality of filters Thus, the present danger level can be detected according to the occurrence cycle of the jam.
[0008]
The management method of an image forming apparatus of the present invention to achieve the above Symbol purpose, the recording times and cumulative jam obtained based on the jam information includes the number of times of recording during the occurrence of the jam from the image forming apparatus A calculation step of calculating a filter output by performing a filter process using a plurality of filters having different lengths using the number of recording times as a parameter with respect to a cumulative jam curve indicating a correspondence with the number of times, and a filter obtained in the calculation step characterized Rukoto that have a risk estimation step of estimating a current degree of risk based on the output.
[0014]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus management apparatus according to the present invention detects a jam occurrence detecting means for detecting the occurrence of a jam in an image forming apparatus that performs image formation control, and detects the number of recordings of the image forming apparatus. Recording based on the number of recording times detection means, jam information storage means for storing the jam code indicating the type of the jam that occurred at the time of the occurrence of the jam, and the latest recording count value, and data stored by the jam information storage means A first computing means for obtaining a cumulative jam curve indicating the correspondence between the number of times and the cumulative jam count; and a predetermined filtering process based on the cumulative jam curve obtained by the first computing means, Second computing means to be obtained; risk level judging means for judging the current risk level from the content of the filter processing result obtained by the second computing means; And a risk output means for outputting the current degree of risk is determined by Kendo determining means, by using the length and the number of times of recording the parameters are different plurality of filters, depending on the generation period of the jamming The present risk level can be detected.
[0016]
In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus management apparatus according to the present invention includes the number of times of recording and the number of accumulated jams determined based on jam information including the number of times of recording when a jam occurs from the image forming apparatus . The cumulative jam curve indicating the correspondence is subjected to filter processing using a plurality of filters of different lengths with the number of times of recording as a parameter, and a filter output is calculated , and the filter output obtained by the calculation means based on and having a risk estimation means for estimating a current risk.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying system having a copying machine management apparatus which is an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. A copying apparatus (copying unit) 101 for communication is a communication control apparatus, and is connected to the copying apparatus 100 to transmit and receive data. Reference numeral 102 denotes a public line as a communication line, and reference numeral 103 denotes a modem, which enables digital data transmission / reception through the public line 102. A host computer 104 stores and calculates data obtained from the copying apparatus 100.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric circuit of the copying apparatus 100. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the entire copying apparatus 100. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 201 is used as a working area for the CPU 200 and a storage area for control data. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a control program. Reference numerals 203 and 204 denote first and second I / Os for performing sensor check and motor driving. Reference numeral 205 denotes a third I / O for communicating with the communication control apparatus 101.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the copying apparatus 100. In the figure, 300 is a real-time monitor for managing a plurality of tasks simultaneously. Reference numeral 301 denotes a paper transport task, which is a task for controlling from paper supply to paper discharge for a single paper (copy paper). A sequence control task 302 is a task for managing the entire copying apparatus 100. A communication task 303 is a task for communicating with the communication control apparatus 101.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a paper transport unit provided inside the copying apparatus 100. In FIG. 4, 400 is a copy sheet to be transported, 401 is a drive motor, and the transport roller is driven to rotate to copy. The paper 400 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow. Reference numerals 402 and 403 denote first and second sensors for detecting the position of the copy sheet 400.
[0029]
Next, the jam detection processing operation of the copying apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a jam detection processing routine of the copying apparatus 100. The jam detection processing routine shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 200 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202.
[0030]
When transporting the copy sheet 400, first, the drive motor 401 is turned on in step S501. Next, a first timer for monitoring the first sensor 402 is started in step S502, and a second timer for monitoring the second sensor 403 is started in the next step S503. Thereafter, in step S504, it is determined whether or not the first sensor 402 has been turned on (the copy sheet 400 has been detected) within the time specified by the first timer. If the first sensor 402 is turned on within the time specified by the first timer, it is determined in step S505 whether or not the first timer has expired. If the first timer does not expire, the process returns to step S504. If the first timer expires in step S505, it is determined that the jam has occurred and the process jumps to a jam processing routine.
[0031]
If the first sensor 402 does not turn on within the time specified by the first timer in step S504, the second sensor 403 turns off (OFF) within the time specified by the second timer in step S506. It is determined whether or not. If the second sensor 403 is turned off within the time specified by the second timer, it is determined in step S507 whether the second timer has timed out. If the second timer does not time out, the process returns to step S506, and it is again determined whether or not the second sensor 403 is turned off within the time specified by the second timer. If the second timer is up in step S507, it is determined that the jam has occurred, and the process jumps to the jam processing routine. If the second sensor 403 is not turned off within the time specified by the second timer in step S506, the processing operation is terminated after the drive motor 401 is turned off in step S508.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a jam code. As shown in FIG. 6, the jam code is composed of a factor 601 and a sensor number 602, and the jam factor (delay or delay) is detected for the sensor number 602 detected as a jam. Retention) 601 is shown.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the communication control apparatus 101, in which 700 is a CPU (central processing unit) that controls the entire communication control apparatus 101, and 701 is a first RAM (random access memory). ) Is a working area necessary for the CPU 700 to operate. Reference numeral 702 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores a program for instructing the operation of the CPU 700. Reference numeral 703 denotes a first serial interface (I / O) for communication with a modem 706 described later. Reference numeral 704 denotes a second RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing jam information and various copy number counter values, and is backed up by a battery. Reference numeral 705 denotes a second serial interface (I / O) for communicating with the copying apparatus 100. Reference numeral 706 denotes a modem which enables digital data transmission / reception through the public line 102. A timer IC (integrated circuit) 707 manages time.
[0034]
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 708 denotes an example of a communication command between the copying apparatus 100 and the communication control apparatus 101. ID represents the type of command, length represents the data length, and sum is a bit for detecting a communication error. The communication command of the example shown here is transmitted from the copying apparatus 100 to the communication control apparatus 101 when a count pulse (ID = 01) and a jam (ID = 02) at the time of paper discharge occur on the copying control apparatus 101 side. Data. On the communication control device 101 side, the number of copies (number of copies) can be determined by counting the count pulse (ID = 01) at the time of paper discharge. In the case of jam (ID = 02), the type of jam can be determined by the jam code. .
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the communication control apparatus 101. In the figure, 800 is a real-time monitor for managing a plurality of tasks simultaneously. A status monitoring task 801 constantly monitors the status of the copying apparatus 100. A modem control task 802 controls the modem 706 to enable transmission / reception. Reference numeral 803 denotes a transmission task for transmitting data to the host computer 104.
[0036]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the state monitoring task 801 of the communication control apparatus 101. The state monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the CPU 700 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 702.
[0037]
First, in step S901, it is determined whether or not a jam has occurred in the copying apparatus 100. If a jam occurs, the counter value at that time is acquired in step S902, and the current time is acquired in the next step S903. In step S904, the counter value and the current time acquired in steps S902 and S903 are recorded in the jam recording table. Thereafter, in step S905, it is determined whether or not the number of jams recorded in the jam recording table has reached a specified value. If the number of jams recorded in the jam record table reaches a specified value, the transmission task 803 is activated in step S906, the host computer 104 is called, and the data recorded in the jam record table is recorded. After transmitting the contents, the process returns to step S901. If the number of jams recorded in the jam recording table does not reach the specified value in step S905, the process returns to step S901.
[0038]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents recorded in the jam recording table. As shown in FIG. 10, “jam code, counter value, date, time” is recorded as one record every time a jam occurs. Yes.
[0039]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the transmission task 803 of the communication control apparatus 101. The data transmission processing routine shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the CPU 700 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 702.
[0040]
In the case of transmitting data, the transmission task 803 is activated, and first calls the host computer 104 in step S1101. In step S1102, it is determined whether or not the connection has been normally made. If the connection is successful, a password check is performed in step S1103, and it is determined in next step S1104 whether the check is OK (Check OK). If the check is OK, the contents recorded in the jam recording table are transmitted to the host computer 104 in step S1105. After completion of this data transmission, the line disconnection process is performed in step S1106, and then this processing operation is terminated. If the check is not OK in step S1104, the process skips step S1105 and proceeds to step S1106 to perform line disconnection processing. Then, the processing operation ends.
[0041]
On the other hand, if the connection is not normally made in step S1102, after adding 1 to the retry counter in step S1107, it is determined in step S1108 whether the number of retries is 5 or less. If the number of retries is 5 or less, after waiting (waiting) for a predetermined time in step S1109, the process returns to step S1101. If it is determined in step S1108 that the number of retries is not 5 or less, this processing operation ends without performing any processing.
[0042]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 104, in which 1200 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire host computer 104. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1201 stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 1200 to perform data processing. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a hard disk (Hard Disk) that stores received data. All jam data is stored here. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a keyboard (Key Board) for the operator to give various instructions. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a display device (CRT Display) for the host computer 104 to output information. 1205 is a serial port for transmitting / receiving data to / from the modem 103.
[0043]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the host computer 104. The processing routine shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the CPU 1200 in accordance with a control program stored in the RAM 1201.
[0044]
Normally, the host computer 104 waits for an incoming signal from the modem 103, and first determines in step S1301 whether there is an incoming signal from the modem 103. If there is an incoming signal from the modem 103, a password check is performed in step S1302, and it is determined in step S1303 whether the check is OK (Check OK). If the check is OK, jam data is received in step S1304. After completion of the data reception, line disconnection processing is performed in step S1305, and jam data is stored in the hard disk 1202 in the next step S1306.
[0045]
After the jam data storage is completed, a diagnosis based on the jam data is performed in step S1307, and in a next step S1308, it is determined whether or not the diagnosis result based on the jam data in step S130 has reached a warning level. If the warning level has been reached, warning information is displayed on the display device 1204 in step S1309 to notify the operator, and the process returns to step S1301. In step S1308, the process returns to step S1301 even when the diagnosis result based on the jam data does not reach the warning level. On the other hand, if the check is not OK in step S1303, line disconnection processing is performed in step S1310, and the process returns to step S1301.
[0046]
Next, the jam diagnosis processing method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1401, jam data from Assist obtained by the present system is stored in the hard disk 1202, which is a storage device. The jam data at this time is composed of four data of date, time, jam code and counter value in a format as shown in FIG. 15, and is stored in the hard disk 1202 for each model.
[0047]
Next, in step S1402, based on the jam data input in step S1401, an accumulated jam curve having a counter value on the horizontal axis and the cumulative number of jams on the vertical axis as shown in FIG. Create every time. In step S1403, the cumulative jam curve created in step S1402 is filtered using an FIR filter (finite impulse filter) in order to extract and emphasize a specific component of data. FIG. 17 shows the state of processing of the circle when the length of the FIR filter is 5000 sheets. In the figure, if the filter output value for the past 5,000 sheets with respect to point A is A ′ point, the A ′ point is calculated by the following equation (1).
[0048]
D1 * R1 + D2 * R2 + ... + Di * Ri + ... + Dn * Rn (1)
D1 is the cumulative number of jams at each point when the filter length is divided into n-1 equal parts, and R1 is the filter output value at each point.
[0049]
A point A ′ is calculated by 100 every right along the cumulative jam curve while calculating A ′ point, and a filter output graph is created with the horizontal axis representing the counter value and the vertical axis representing the filter output value.
[0050]
In step S1404, the filter output graph obtained in step S1403 is subjected to fuzzy processing to calculate the individual risk. This is shown in FIG. In the figure, in order to obtain the individual risk, a membership function is created with the horizontal axis representing the filter value and the vertical axis representing the risk. In this case, the safety value is 0, the danger value is 1, and the degree of danger can be expressed between 0 and 1. An arithmetic process is performed on the filter output graph using this membership function, and an individual risk graph is calculated with the horizontal axis representing the counter value and the vertical axis representing the risk. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the filter value for the counter value Cx is Fx, and the risk is Sx.
[0051]
Next, in step S1405, as shown in FIG. 19, each individual risk level is weighted and subjected to arithmetic processing to calculate one risk level graph. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the weight is calculated by the following equation (2).
[0052]
Sx = 0.2Sx1 + 0.3Sx2 + 0.3Sx3 + 0.2Sx4 (2)
However, the coefficients (0.2, 0.3, 0.3, 0.2) in the above equation (2) are provisional values, and it is actually necessary to obtain appropriate values based on the operation data.
[0053]
Next, in step S1406, the risk level is determined using the risk level graph shown in FIG. 20 obtained in step S1405. Here, the type of alarm is set to three types of red, yellow, and blue, and determination is performed using each membership function. This is shown in FIG. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the degree of danger and the vertical axis represents the degree of match for each alarm. FIG. 21 shows that when the current risk level is St, the yellow level is Yt and the red level is Rt. If the degree of risk St exceeds a preset “user visit” level, a “user visit” message is output. In step S1407, the risk determination result in step S1406 is displayed on the display device 1204. Then, the processing operation is terminated.
[0054]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a storage medium used in a copying system having the copying apparatus management apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the storage medium for storing the control program for controlling the copying machine management apparatus having the jam diagnosis / prediction function using the host computer includes at least a “jam occurrence detection module” and “copying operation”. “Number of times detection module”, “Jam information storage module”, “First calculation module”, “Second calculation module”, “Danger level determination module”, “Danger level output module”, “Management module”, “Communication control” It is only necessary to store the program codes of the modules “module”, “first communication module”, and “second communication module”.
[0055]
Here, the “jam occurrence detection module” is a program module for detecting a jam occurrence in the copying apparatus 100 that performs copy control. The “copying operation number detection module” is a program module for detecting the number of copying operations of the copying apparatus 100. The “jam information storage module” is a program module for storing a jam code indicating the type of jam that has occurred and the latest value of the number of copying operations. The “first arithmetic module” is a program module for obtaining an accumulated jam curve based on data stored by the jam information storage module. The “second arithmetic module” is a program module for performing FIR filter (finite impulse filter) processing based on the cumulative jam curve obtained by the first arithmetic module and obtaining the FIR filter processing result. The “risk level determination module” is a program module for determining the current risk level from the contents of the FIR filter processing result obtained by the second calculation module. The “risk level output module” is a program module for outputting the risk level determined by the risk level determination module.
The “management module” is a program module for managing a plurality of copying apparatuses 100 by the host computer 104. The “communication control module” is a program module for monitoring the state of the copying apparatus 100 and transmitting data to the host computer 104. The “first communication module” is a program module for communicating between the communication control apparatus 101 and the copying apparatus 100 for executing the communication control module. The “second communication module” is a program module for communicating between the communication control apparatus 101 for executing the communication control apparatus 101 and the host computer 104.
[0056]
The host computer 104 executes the jam information storage module, the first calculation module, the second calculation module, the risk determination module, and the risk output module.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the onset bright As described above in detail, the jamming information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, jams diagnosis and prediction of the current risk can row Ukoto, reducing the number of management base side of the operator In addition, even when the number of image forming apparatuses increases, it is possible to provide a quick service to the user without degrading the service quality .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying system having a copying machine management apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a copying apparatus in the system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the copying apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a copy sheet conveyance unit of the copy apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a jam detection processing routine of the copying apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a jam code in the copying apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a communication control device in the system.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the communication control apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a status monitoring task of the communication control apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a view showing the contents of a jam recording table in the communication control apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a communication task of the communication control apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a host computer in the system.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of processing in the host computer.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of jam diagnosis processing in the host computer.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of jam data in the system.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a cumulative jam curve in the system.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state of filter processing in the system.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of individual risk calculation processing in the system.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process of weighting individual risks in the system.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a risk graph in the system.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing how risk is determined in the same system.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a program code of each module stored in the storage medium of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Copy apparatus 101 Communication control apparatus 102 Public line 103 Modem 104 Host computer 200 CPU
201 RAM
202 ROM
203 First I / O
204 Second I / O
205 3rd I / O
300 Real-time monitor 301 Copy paper transport task 302 Sequence control task 303 Communication task 400 Copy paper 401 Motor 402 First sensor 403 Second sensor 700 CPU
701: first RAM
702 ROM
703 First I / O
704 Second RAM
705 Second I / O
706 Modem 800 Real-time monitor 801 Status monitoring task 802 Modem control task 803 Transmission task 1200 CPU
1201 RAM
1202 Hard disk 1203 Keyboard 1204 Display 1205 Serial port

Claims (12)

A jam occurrence detection step for detecting the occurrence of a jam in an image forming apparatus that performs image formation control;
A recording count detection step for detecting the recording count of the image forming apparatus;
A jam information storing step for storing a jam code indicating the type of the jam that has occurred at the time of jam occurrence and a value of the latest recording count;
A first calculation step for obtaining a cumulative jam curve indicating a correspondence between the number of times of recording and the cumulative number of jams based on the data stored in the jam information storing step;
A second calculation step of performing a predetermined filter process based on the cumulative jam curve determined in the first calculation step and obtaining the filter process result;
A risk determination step of determining the current risk level from the content of the filter processing result obtained in the second calculation step;
A risk output step for outputting the current risk determined in the risk determination step, and using a plurality of filters having different lengths with the number of recordings as a parameter, The management method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the current risk level can be detected accordingly. The length varies with the number of times of recording as a parameter with respect to the cumulative jam curve showing the correspondence between the number of times of recording and the cumulative number of jams obtained based on the jam information including the number of times of recording when the jam occurs from the image forming apparatus. a calculating step of calculating a filter output to filter which had use a plurality of filters,
A management method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a risk level estimation step for estimating a current risk level based on the filter output obtained in the calculation step. A weighting step of weighting each calculation result by a plurality of filters having different lengths;
The image forming apparatus management method according to claim 2, wherein the risk level estimation step estimates the current risk level based on a weighting calculation result obtained by the weighting step.   4. The image forming apparatus management method according to claim 2, wherein the filter corresponds to a counter value indicating the number of times of recording in the image forming apparatus.   5. The image forming apparatus management method according to claim 2, wherein the risk level estimation step includes a calculation step of performing calculation according to a membership function, and performing estimation according to fuzzy theory. 6. The notification step according to claim 2, further comprising: a notification step of notifying a determination result of whether or not a user visit of a service person is necessary based on comparing the current risk level with a threshold value for user visit. Management method of image forming apparatus. A jam occurrence detection means for detecting the occurrence of a jam in an image forming apparatus that performs image formation control;
A recording frequency detecting means for detecting the recording frequency of the image forming apparatus;
A jam information storage means for storing a jam code indicating the type of the jam that has occurred at the time of the jam occurrence and a value of the latest recording count;
First computing means for obtaining a cumulative jam curve indicating a correspondence between the number of times of recording and the cumulative number of jams based on the data stored by the jam information storage means;
Second computing means for performing a predetermined filter processing based on the cumulative jam curve obtained by the first computing means and obtaining the filter processing result;
A risk determination means for determining the current risk level from the content of the filter processing result obtained by the second calculation means;
Risk level output means for outputting the current risk level determined by the risk level determination means,
A management apparatus for an image forming apparatus, wherein the current risk level can be detected in accordance with a jam generation cycle by using a plurality of filters having different lengths with the number of recordings as a parameter . With respect to the cumulative jam curve indicating the correspondence between the number of times of recording and the cumulative number of jams obtained based on the jam information including the number of times of recording when the jam is generated from the image forming apparatus, the length is different using the number of times of recording as a parameter. Arithmetic means for performing filter processing using a plurality of filters and calculating a filter output;
A management device for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a risk level estimation unit configured to estimate a current risk level based on a filter output obtained by the calculation unit. Weighting means for weighting each calculation result by a plurality of filters having different lengths;
9. The management apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the risk level estimation unit estimates the current risk level based on a calculation result of weighting by the weighting unit. The image forming apparatus management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the filter corresponds to a counter value indicating a recording count in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the risk degree estimation unit includes an operation unit that performs an operation according to a membership function, and performs an estimation according to fuzzy theory.   12. The notification unit according to claim 8, further comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a determination result of whether or not a user visit of a service person is necessary based on comparing the current risk level with a threshold value of a user visit. 13. Management device for image forming apparatus.

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