JP2008058580A - Image forming apparatus, monitoring device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus whose improved reliability can be attained and in which running costs to be borne by the apparatus user can reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance path 110 with a lower side conveyance section and an upper side conveyance section partitioned by a partitioning plate 107; a sheet-like elastic body 104; a cardboard detecting sensor 105; an ordinary paper detecting sensor 106; and a control part 123. The conveying direction of a transfer paper fed by paper feed rollers 101 to 103 on the conveyance path 110 is branched by the sheet-like elastic body 104 into the lower side conveyance section or the upper side conveying section corresponding to the types of the paper sheets. When the cardboard is detected by the cardboard detecting sensor 105, the cardboard control is performed by the control part 123, and when the ordinary paper is detected by the ordinary paper detecting sensor 106, the ordinary control is performed by the control part 123. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a monitoring apparatus, a control method, and a program having a function of detecting the type of paper.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles perform image formation by transferring an image onto a transfer sheet based on image data read from a document or image data supplied from others. There are various types of transfer paper used in the image forming apparatus, such as thick paper and plain paper, depending on applications. Further, the control conditions in the image forming apparatus are different for each transfer sheet.

  Furthermore, it is known that depending on the transfer paper used in the image forming apparatus, the service life of components and the like mounted on the image forming apparatus may change within a certain range. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, the user sets the conditions of the transfer paper to be used from the operation unit, so that the control unit determines the type of transfer paper and performs optimal control. In addition, there is also an apparatus that employs a mechanism that automatically detects the physical properties of the transfer paper as a numerical value directly or mechanically by a detection means and automatically performs optimum control.

Various technologies have been proposed as prior arts related to the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).
JP-A-1994-110354 JP 2003-31890 A JP1993-313517A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, when the user sets the conditions of the transfer paper used in the image forming apparatus, the load (labor) on the user increases, and it is difficult to eliminate setting mistakes and forgetting to set. . Further, when the physical properties of the transfer paper are detected directly or numerically by the detection means, problems such as an increase in the size of the detection means and an increase in the cost of the image forming apparatus also occur.

  Furthermore, when the life of a part mounted on the image forming apparatus changes within a certain range depending on the type of transfer paper used in the image forming apparatus, an appropriate service life (part replacement time) of the part is predicted. I can't. Therefore, if parts are replaced before the end of the service life, or if the parts are used after the service life has been reached, extra costs will be incurred to the user, and paper jams and image defects may occur. Also induce problems such as.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a monitoring apparatus, a control method, and a program capable of improving the reliability of the image forming apparatus and reducing the lifetime cost borne by the user of the image forming apparatus. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by conveying a sheet to an image forming unit, and has a divided conveyance section divided into a plurality of sheets. The conveyance path for conveying the sheet to one of the plurality of divided conveyance sections and conveying it to the image forming unit, and the conveyance direction of the sheet fed to the conveyance path, and the type of the sheet among the plurality of divided conveyance sections Branching means for branching into divided transport sections corresponding to the above, a detecting means for detecting paper passing through the split transport section branched by the branching means, and image formation control according to the type of paper detected by the detecting means And a control means for executing.

  According to the present invention, since image formation control is performed according to the type of paper, it is possible to solve problems such as an erroneous setting for the paper to be used, an increase in the physical property detection means of the paper, and an increase in cost. As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus and reduce the lifetime cost borne by the user of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, before describing the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the transfer sheet detects the type of transfer sheet when the transfer sheet is fed to the image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. An outline of the detection method will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a transfer paper detection method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus feeds a transfer sheet S set in a sheet feeding cassette 100 to an image forming unit (see FIGS. 2 and 3) through a conveyance path 110, and transfers and fixes an image on the transfer sheet. Image formation is performed by this process. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is configured as a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions (copying function, printer function, FAX function, scanner function, network function).

  In the conveyance path 110, a sheet-like elastic body 104 that contacts the transfer paper S and a dividing plate 107 that divides a predetermined section in the conveyance path 110 into a lower conveyance section and an upper conveyance section are disposed. A thick paper detection sensor 105 that detects thick paper is disposed in the lower conveyance section of the conveyance path 110, and a plain paper detection sensor 106 that detects plain paper or the like is disposed in the upper conveyance section of the conveyance path 110. Yes. The thick paper detection sensor 105 and the plain paper detection sensor 106 are arranged so as to be movable between the operating position and the retracted position. When the transfer paper S comes into contact with the transfer paper S, the thick paper detecting sensor 105 and the plain paper detecting sensor 106 move to the retracted position. Is detected.

  The transfer paper S set in the paper feed cassette 100 is fed to the conveyance path 110 one by one by the paper feed rollers 101, 102, and 103. The transfer sheet S fed to the transport path 110 is brought into contact with the sheet-like elastic body 104 and then transported in either the lower transport section or the upper transport section divided by the dividing plate 107. That is, the transfer sheet S passes through the lower conveyance section where the thick paper detection sensor 105 is disposed or the upper conveyance section where the plain paper detection sensor 106 is disposed. The transfer sheet S that has passed through either the lower transport section or the upper transport section is transported to the image forming unit by the transport rollers 108 and 109.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  2, the image forming apparatus includes a document processing unit 128, a reader unit 127, a printer unit 120, an output paper processing unit 126, and an operation unit 125, and is connected to a network server (data server) 129 so as to be communicable. Yes. The printer unit 120 includes a paper feeding unit 121, a transfer paper detection unit 122, a control unit 123, and an image forming unit 124. The network server 129 monitors the usage status of the image forming apparatus.

  The transfer paper detection described with reference to FIG. 1 is performed by the paper feeding unit 121 and the transfer paper detection unit 122. The paper feed unit 121 corresponds to the paper feed cassette 100, paper feed rollers 101, 102, and 103, and a paper feed roller drive mechanism (not shown). The transfer paper detection unit 122 is a thick paper detection sensor 105 and a plain paper detection sensor 106. It corresponds to. The transfer paper detection unit 122 detects the transfer paper sent from the paper supply unit 121 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 123. When recognizing the detection signal, the control unit 123 sets the control condition in the image forming unit 124 to appropriate control (thick paper control, normal control) according to the type of transfer paper. The image forming unit 124 forms an image on the transfer paper, and discharges the transfer paper on which image formation has been completed to the outside of the apparatus.

  The operation unit 125, the document processing unit 128, the reader unit 127, and the output paper processing unit 126 may be used to form an image on the transfer paper or to perform appropriate transfer paper output. The operation unit 125 is used for setting the type of transfer paper to be used, the number of copies / prints, single-sided recording / double-sided recording, and the like. The document processing unit 128 performs document processing such as feeding / discharging of a document to be copied. The reader unit 127 reads an image of a document. The output paper processing unit 126 performs post-processing (sorting processing, stapling processing, etc.) when discharging the transfer paper on which image formation has been completed to the outside of the apparatus. In addition, the control unit 123 executes processing shown in flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 7 described later based on the program.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming unit 124 of the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 3, a laser beam exposure unit 136 exposes the surface of a photosensitive drum (not shown). The primary charging unit 137 charges the photosensitive drum. The developing unit 138 develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with a developer. The drum cleaning unit 139 removes the developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The high voltage power supply circuit unit 140 supplies a high voltage necessary for image formation such as a charging voltage of the photosensitive drum. The drive circuit unit 141 drives drive mechanisms (motors) necessary for image formation.

  The image forming unit 124 changes the control conditions of the high-voltage power supply circuit unit 140 and the drive circuit unit 141 according to the type of transfer paper (thick paper, plain paper, etc.) detected by the transfer paper detection unit 122, and performs optimal image formation. Do. The registration unit 130 corrects the position of the transfer paper fed by the paper feeding unit 121. Thereafter, the transfer unit 131 transfers the image onto the transfer paper, the separation unit 132 separates the transfer paper, the fixing unit 133 fixes the transfer paper image, and the paper discharge unit 134 discharges the transfer paper. The image forming operation ends.

  When image formation (double-sided recording) is performed on both sides of the transfer paper in the image forming apparatus, the transfer paper on which image formation (single-sided recording) is performed on one side is conveyed to the registration unit 130 by the double-sided recording conveyance unit 135 and then the transfer paper. An image is formed on the other side of the image. Further, in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to select cassette sheet feeding from the sheet feeding cassette 100 described above or multi-manual sheet feeding from a manual sheet feeding port (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 100 passes through the paper feed rollers 101, 102, and 103, and the leading edge of the transfer paper collides with the sheet-like elastic body 104 arranged on the most upstream side in the conveyance path 110. . When the transfer paper collides with the sheet-like elastic body 104, the force for pressing the sheet-like elastic body 104 differs depending on the type of the transfer paper, specifically, the physical properties of the transfer paper such as thick paper or plain paper.

  In the present embodiment, there is provided a method for easily and automatically detecting the type of transfer paper (thick paper or plain paper) by using the pushing force at the leading edge of the transfer paper generated due to the difference in physical properties of the transfer paper. For this purpose, a predetermined section immediately after the sheet-like elastic body 104 in the transport path 110 is divided into an upper transport section and a lower transport section, a cardboard detection sensor 105 is provided in the lower transport section, and a normal section is provided in the upper transport section. A paper detection sensor 106 is provided. Here, in normal times, the sheet-like elastic body 104 is set to a position that closes the sheet passing port in the lower conveyance section.

  When the transfer sheet fed to the conveyance path 110 is a thick sheet, the sheet-like elastic body 104 is strongly pressed by the pushing force of the thick sheet, so that the sheet-like elastic body 104 passes the sheet in the lower conveyance section from the position of FIG. Bend to the position where the mouth (entrance) opens. Accordingly, the cardboard passes through the lower conveyance section of the conveyance path 110. When the transfer paper fed to the conveyance path 110 is plain paper, the sheet-like elastic body 104 is not pushed so strongly by the pushing force of the plain paper, so the sheet-like elastic body 104 is moved from the position of FIG. Slightly bend to the position to open the paper entry port (entrance). Accordingly, the plain paper passes through the upper conveyance section of the conveyance path 110.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image formation control based on transfer sheet detection of the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 4, the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the transfer paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 100 to the transport path 110 (step S401). If the transfer paper is fed, the next process is performed. Migrate to The transfer paper feed detection method is arbitrary, such as a method of detecting paper feed by a sensor that detects the rotational drive of the paper feed roller 101. Based on the output signal from the transfer paper detection unit 122 (the thick paper detection sensor 105, the plain paper detection sensor 106), the control unit 123 determines whether the thick paper detection sensor 105 is activated (step S402) or the plain paper detection sensor 106 is activated. Is determined (step S404).

  When the fed transfer paper is thick paper, the sheet-like elastic body 104 is strongly pressed by the transfer paper, and the transfer paper passes through the lower conveyance section of the conveyance path 110, so that the thick paper detection sensor 105 is activated ( YES in step S402). That is, the transfer paper (thick paper) is detected by the thick paper detection sensor 105. The control unit 123 recognizes the detection signal output from the thick paper detection sensor 105, sets the control condition of the image forming apparatus to thick paper control (image formation control suitable for thick paper) (step S403), and optimal image formation control. To realize.

  On the other hand, when the fed transfer paper is plain paper, the sheet-like elastic body 104 is not pushed too strongly by the transfer paper, and the transfer paper passes through the upper conveyance section of the conveyance path 110, so the plain paper detection sensor 106. Is activated (YES in step S404). That is, the transfer paper (plain paper) is detected by the plain paper detection sensor 106. The control unit 123 recognizes the detection signal output from the plain paper detection sensor 106, sets the control condition of the image forming apparatus to normal control (image formation control suitable for plain paper) (step S405), and sets the optimum image. Realize formation control.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, image formation control (thick paper control, normal control) according to the type of transfer paper is performed. It becomes possible to solve problems such as increase in size and cost. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus and reduce the lifetime cost borne by the user of the image forming apparatus.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment described above in that image formation control based on transfer sheet detection shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is performed. The other elements of the present embodiment are the same as the corresponding ones of the above-described first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3), and thus description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a connection example of the image forming apparatus, the network server, and the client according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, a plurality of image forming apparatuses (multifunction peripherals) 150, 151, 152, a plurality of clients (PCs) 154, 155, 156, and a network server (data server) 129 are connected via a network 157. The network 157 may be either wired or wireless. Each of the above devices effectively uses each other's information via the network 157. The network server 129 monitors the usage status of each image forming apparatus 150, 151, 152 (for example, the number of copies / number of prints for each type of transfer paper). Thereby, the optimum state of the image forming apparatus is maintained.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of information between the image forming apparatus, the network server, and other information devices.

  In FIG. 6, the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 150 performs image formation control based on transfer sheet detection shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 according to the detection result of the transfer sheet detection unit 122. In addition, the control unit 123 performs data communication with the data analysis unit 161 of the network server 129. The data analysis unit 161 of the network server 129 analyzes the data indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus 150, and outputs the analysis result to the numerical prediction unit 162.

  The numerical prediction unit 162 predicts the lifetime of various consumable parts (for example, a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller, and a fixing roller) used in the image forming apparatus. The data analysis unit 161 transmits the predicted results of the life of various consumable parts by the numerical prediction unit 162 to the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 150. In addition, the data analysis unit 161 transmits the usage status of the image forming apparatus and the predicted results of the lifetime of various consumable parts to other information devices 170 (such as the client in FIG. 5). The other image forming apparatuses 151 and 152 shown in FIG. 5 have the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 150, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating image formation control based on transfer sheet detection of the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 7, the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the transfer paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 100 to the conveyance path 110 (step S <b> 701). Migrate to The control unit 123 determines whether the thick paper detection sensor 105 is operated (step S702) or the plain paper detection sensor 106 is operated (step S711), and according to the operating states of the thick paper detection sensor 105 and the normal paper detection sensor 106. To move to the next process.

  Hereinafter, the control of the image forming apparatus 150 and the network server 129 when the thick paper is detected in the image forming apparatus 150 will be described, and the description of the control when the plain paper is detected will be omitted. As described above, the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 150 starts the thick paper control based on the detection of the thick paper by the transfer paper detection unit 122 (thick paper detection sensor 105). As another condition for realizing the optimal control of the image forming apparatus 150, it is necessary that the life of various consumable parts used in the image forming apparatus 150 be in an appropriate state.

  The data analysis unit 161 and the numerical value prediction unit 162 of the network server 129 predict the lifetime of various consumable parts of the image forming apparatus 150. Data indicating the usage status of various consumable parts used in the image forming apparatus 150 and data relating to various controls are transmitted from the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 150 to the network server 129.

  The data analysis unit 161 of the network server 129 analyzes the data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 150 and outputs the analysis result to the numerical prediction unit 162. The numerical predicting unit 162 predicts the lifetime of various consumable parts based on the analysis result. The data analysis unit 161 transmits the prediction result of the numerical prediction unit 162 to the image forming apparatus 150. In addition, the data analysis unit 161 transmits the prediction result of the numerical prediction unit 162 to another information device 170 as necessary.

  When the control unit 123 of the image forming apparatus 150 receives the predicted result of the life of various consumable parts from the network server 129 (step S703), the control unit 123 performs control based on the predicted result. The control unit 123 determines whether or not the lifetimes of the various consumable parts are within an appropriate range (step S704). The control unit 123 executes cardboard control when the life of various consumable parts is within the appropriate range (step S705). If the life of each consumable part is out of the proper range, is it possible to replace the consumable parts? It is determined whether or not (step S706).

  When the consumable parts can be replaced immediately, the control unit 123 displays a message indicating that it is time to replace the consumable parts on the operation unit 125, thereby allowing the maintenance staff to replace the consumable parts. (Step S707). On the other hand, if it is difficult to immediately replace the consumable part, the control unit 123 performs degeneration control (image formation control considering that the life of the consumable part is outside the proper range) (step S708).

  Further, the control unit 123 ensures the image formation quality by the best control until the replacement of the consumable parts, and displays a message for prompting the replacement of the consumable parts on the operation unit 125, so that the maintenance staff can perform the replacement of the consumable parts. Prompt (step S709). In this case, the status regarding replacement of consumable parts of the image forming apparatus 150 may be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 150 to another information device 170. Thereafter, the control unit 123 communicates with the network server 129 to notify the service department of the image forming apparatus regarding replacement of consumable parts (step S710). The control method for plain paper is the same as for thick paper.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the life of a consumable part is predicted by the network server based on the usage state of the consumable part used in the image forming apparatus, and appropriate control is performed according to the prediction result. Therefore, it is possible to ensure image formation quality. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus and reduce the lifetime cost borne by the user of the image forming apparatus.

[Other embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the sheet-like elastic body is used as the transfer paper branching means for branching the fed transfer paper in the conveyance path. However, the invention is not limited to this. A paper contact plate that contacts the paper fed to the transport path, and a contact pressure adjusting mechanism that adjusts the contact pressure of the paper contact plate to the paper so that the paper passes through a transport section corresponding to the type of paper. From these, transfer paper branching means may be configured. Alternatively, the transfer paper branching means includes an air volume generation mechanism that generates wind in the transport path and a wind speed adjustment mechanism that adjusts the wind speed in the transport path so that the paper passes through the transport section corresponding to the type of paper. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the type of paper is divided into thick paper and plain paper, and the conveyance path is divided into two parts: a lower transport section that passes thick paper and an upper transport section that passes plain paper. It is not limited to this. The paper types may be divided into three or more types including thick paper and plain paper, and the conveyance path may be divided into three or more divisions corresponding to the paper types.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the transfer paper detection method using the thick paper detection sensor and the plain paper detection sensor, the transfer paper is detected by moving from the operating position to the retracted position with the contact of the transfer paper. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The detection method is arbitrary, such as a detection method using optical characteristics for detecting the presence or absence of transfer paper by detecting a change in light emitted from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a device including a sheet transport mechanism, a device including a sheet transport mechanism, and a communication unit.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a transfer paper detection method of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image formation control based on detection of transfer paper of the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a connection of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, a network server, and a client. It is a block diagram which shows the flow of information with an image forming apparatus, a network server, and another information apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image formation control based on detection of transfer paper of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image formation control based on detection of transfer paper of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Paper feed cassette 101-103 Paper feed roller 104 Sheet-like elastic body (branching means)
105 Cardboard detection sensor (detection means)
106 Plain paper detection sensor (detection means)
107 Dividing plate 110 Conveying path 121 Paper feed unit 123 Control unit (control means, communication means)
124 Image forming unit 129 Network server (monitoring device)
150 Image forming apparatus 161 Data analysis unit (notification means)
162 Numerical prediction unit (prediction means)

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus for conveying a sheet to an image forming unit to form an image,
A conveyance path that has a plurality of divided conveyance sections and conveys the sheet to the image forming unit through any of the plurality of divided conveyance sections;
Branching means for branching the transport direction of the paper fed to the transport path to a split transport section corresponding to the type of paper among the plurality of split transport sections;
Detecting means for detecting paper passing through the divided transport section branched by the branching means;
Control means for executing image formation control in accordance with the type of paper detected by the detection means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A communication unit that communicates with a monitoring device that monitors the image forming apparatus;
When the communication means receives the life prediction of the parts used in the image forming apparatus transmitted from the monitoring device, the control means executes image formation control according to the life prediction and relates to parts replacement The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display is performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the branching unit is a sheet-like elastic body that operates so that the sheet passes through a divided conveyance section corresponding to the type of the sheet.   The branching unit includes a sheet contact plate that contacts the sheet fed to the transport path, and a contact pressure of the sheet contact plate against the sheet so that the sheet passes through a divided transport section corresponding to the sheet type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a contact pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure.   The branching unit includes an air volume generating unit that generates wind in the transport path, and a wind speed adjusting unit that adjusts the wind speed in the transport path so that the sheet passes through a divided transport section corresponding to the type of the sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The detection means is movably disposed between an operating position and a retracted position, and moves from the operating position to the retracted position when the sheet passes through the divided transport section of the transport path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and detects a sheet by detecting a change in light emitted from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type of paper indicates a difference in physical properties of paper including thick paper and plain paper. A monitoring device that monitors an image forming apparatus,
Predicting means for predicting the life of the parts based on the usage status of the parts used in the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus of the life expectancy of the component by the prediction means;
A monitoring device comprising: A plurality of divided conveyance sections, and a conveyance path for conveying the sheet to the image forming unit through one of the plurality of divided conveyance sections; and a conveyance direction of the sheet fed to the conveyance path. And a branching unit for branching to a divided transport section corresponding to the type of paper among the plurality of divided transport sections.
A detection step of detecting a sheet passing through the divided conveyance section branched by the branching unit;
A control step of executing image formation control according to the type of paper detected by the detection step;
A control method comprising: A monitoring device control method for monitoring an image forming apparatus,
A predicting step of predicting the lifetime of the component based on the usage status of the component used in the image forming apparatus transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
A notification step of notifying the image forming apparatus of a life expectancy of the component in the prediction step;
A control method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling the image forming apparatus according to claim 10.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of the monitoring apparatus of Claim 11.

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