JP2016210103A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that can predict lifetime of solid state drive by which a service man can be prevented from visiting a set position of the image forming device in order just to exchange the solid state drive mounted on the image forming device.SOLUTION: A memorizing portion 503 memorizes numerical information at timing when input for performing periodic maintenance is performed to an operating portion 400, which has a first tendency which increases after starting to use a solid state drive 12 and can be used to determine lifetime of the solid state drive 12. A predicting portion 504, when the input for the current periodic maintenance is performed to the operating portion 400, predicts the numerical information at the timing when the input for the next periodic maintenance is performed to the operating portion 400, using the numerical information memorized in the memorizing portion 503.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a solid state drive (SSD).

  The solid state drive is a drive device that uses a flash memory as a storage medium, and has a function that replaces a hard disk drive (HDD). An increasing number of notebook computers are equipped with solid-state drives instead of HDDs.

  The image forming apparatus includes a flash memory and an HDD as a storage device. The flash memory stores programs, device setting information, and the like. The HDD temporarily stores print data and the like, and stores FAX and scan data. Due to the increase in capacity of solid state drives, the number of image forming apparatuses equipped with solid state drives instead of HDDs is increasing.

  Since the solid state drive is a flash memory, the number of data and program writes is limited, and the solid state drive has a lifetime from this point. When the solid state drive reaches the end of its life, a device (for example, a notebook personal computer or an image forming device) in which the solid state drive is mounted cannot be used. Various techniques have been developed to predict the life of a solid state drive so that the solid state drive can be replaced before it reaches the end of its life.

  For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for predicting and notifying the life of a solid-state drive based on the number of times data is written to the solid-state drive and the amount of write data.

JP 2009-230660 A

  As a result of the life prediction of the solid state drive, when the solid state drive is near the end of its life, it is necessary to replace the solid state drive. In the case of a laptop computer, the user brings the laptop computer to a store that accepts replacement of the solid state drive and requests replacement.

  On the other hand, in the case of an image forming apparatus, it is necessary for a service person to visit a place where the image forming apparatus is installed. Even if the life of a solid-state drive can be predicted, it is not an efficient service for a service person to visit the site only for the purpose of replacing the solid-state drive.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of predicting the life of a solid state drive that can prevent a serviceman from visiting a place where the image forming apparatus is installed for the purpose of only replacing a solid state drive mounted on the image forming apparatus. The purpose is to provide.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object is an image forming apparatus provided with a solid state drive, and includes an operation unit that receives an input for performing periodic maintenance of the image forming apparatus, and the use of the solid state drive. An input for performing the periodic maintenance on the operation unit with respect to numerical information that has one of a first tendency increasing since the start or a second tendency decreasing and that can be used for determining the life of the solid state drive The storage unit stores the numerical information at the time when the operation is performed, and when the operation unit is input to perform the periodic maintenance this time, the operation is performed using the numerical information stored in the storage unit. A predicting unit that predicts the numerical information when the next periodic maintenance is input to the unit, and the predicting unit includes the operation unit. Of the numerical information at the time when the periodic maintenance is input to the unit, the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times is used to input the current periodic maintenance to the operation unit. A determination unit that determines a difference between the latest numerical information that is the numerical information at the time when the operation unit is input and the predicted numerical information that is the numerical information when the operation unit is input to perform the next periodic maintenance. When the numerical information has the first tendency, the predicted numerical information is calculated by adding the difference determined by the determination unit to the latest numerical information, and the numerical information is the second tendency. A calculating unit that calculates the predicted numerical value information by subtracting the difference determined by the determining unit from the latest numerical value information.

  The numerical information that can be used to determine the lifetime of the solid state drive has one of a first trend that increases or a second trend that decreases after the start of use of the solid state drive. In the case where the solid state drive is, for example, a NAND flash memory, the numerical information having the first tendency is, for example, the number of erasures performed on the NAND flash memory. Since the NAND flash memory deteriorates when information (data or program) is repeatedly erased, the number of times of erasure is a measure of the life of the NAND flash memory.

  The numerical information having the second tendency is, for example, the number of remaining replacement blocks. The NAND flash memory has a function of assigning a substitute block without using a block having a cell that cannot correctly store information as a defective block. If there are no replacement blocks, the NAND flash memory has a lifetime.

  For the purpose of exchanging toner and checking various rollers, a service person regularly visits the place where the image forming apparatus is installed to maintain the image forming apparatus. This is called regular maintenance.

  The determination unit uses the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times (for example, the maximum value of the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times) among the numerical information at the time when the operation unit is input to perform regular maintenance each time. The latest numerical information (that is, the numerical information at the time when the input for performing the current periodic maintenance is performed) and the predicted numerical information (that is, the numerical information at the time when the input for performing the next periodic maintenance is performed) are performed. Determine the difference.

  When the numerical information has the first tendency, the calculation unit calculates the predicted numerical information by adding the difference determined by the determination unit to the latest numerical information, and when the numerical information has the second tendency, Predicted numerical information is calculated by subtracting the difference determined by the determining unit from the numerical information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the life of the solid state drive is predicted at the timing of the next periodic maintenance using the timing of the current periodic maintenance, the service person can In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not to replace the solid state drive. Therefore, an image forming apparatus capable of predicting the life of a solid state drive that can prevent a serviceman from visiting the installation place of the image forming apparatus only for the purpose of replacing the solid state drive mounted on the image forming apparatus. it can.

  In the above configuration, the solid state drive includes a NAND flash memory, and the storage unit stores the number of erasures included in the smart information included in the NAND flash memory as the numerical information.

  Smart (SMART: Self-Monitoring & Analysis Reporting Technology) information is a standard function for the purpose of early detection of failure and prediction of failure of NAND flash memory. In the case of a NAND flash memory, the number of erasures is an element for determining the lifetime. For example, in the case of a multi-level cell (MLC) type, the number of times of erasing 3000 times is regarded as an indication of the lifetime of the NAND flash memory. For this reason, the smart information includes the number of erasures. According to this configuration, the number of erasures included in the smart information is used as numerical information, so there is no need to provide a new configuration for calculating the numerical information.

  In the above configuration, the predicted numerical value calculated by the calculation unit is a determination unit that determines whether or not the erase number limit value that is a measure of the life of the solid-state drive is exceeded, a display unit, When the determination unit determines that the predicted numerical value information calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the limit value, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a screen that prompts replacement of the solid state drive. Prepare.

  According to this configuration, when the predicted numerical information calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the limit on the number of times of erasure, which is an indication of the life of the solid state drive, a screen prompting replacement of the solid state drive is displayed on the display unit. Is done. As a result, it is possible to notify the service person that the solid state drive should be replaced.

  The said structure WHEREIN: The said determination part determines the maximum value of the difference of the said numerical information of adjacent times as a difference of the said newest numerical information and the said prediction numerical information.

  The determining unit determines the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information using the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times. The numerical information at the time of the first periodic maintenance and the second periodic maintenance are determined. Difference between numerical information at the time point, numerical information at the time of the second periodic maintenance and numerical information at the time of the third periodic maintenance, ..., N-1th periodic maintenance (previous Difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information by using the difference between the numerical information at the time of periodic maintenance) and the numerical information at the time of the Nth periodic maintenance (current periodic maintenance) (latest numerical information) Is to decide. That is, the determination unit determines the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information in consideration of the past usage record of the solid state drive. According to this configuration, the determination unit determines the maximum value among the differences between the numerical information as the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information.

  In the above configuration, the image processing apparatus further includes a mode control unit that switches between a normal mode in which the image forming apparatus can operate and a maintenance mode in which the image forming apparatus is maintained, and the operation unit is configured to perform the regular maintenance or the temporary operation in the maintenance mode. When the maintenance is input, the storage unit does not store the numerical information when the temporary maintenance is input when the operation unit is input to perform the temporary maintenance, and the prediction unit Does not predict the numerical information when the operation unit is input to perform the temporary maintenance.

  When a problem occurs in the image forming apparatus between the regular maintenance and the regular maintenance, a service person visits a place where the image forming apparatus is installed to maintain the image forming apparatus. This is called temporary maintenance. Since the predicted numerical information is calculated using the numerical information at the time of the regular maintenance, the predicted numerical information cannot be correctly calculated if the numerical information at the time of the temporary maintenance is used for calculating the predicted numerical information. According to this configuration, numerical information at the time of temporary maintenance can be excluded.

  According to the present invention, for the purpose of only replacing the solid state drive mounted on the image forming apparatus, it is possible to prevent the serviceman from visiting the installation place of the image forming apparatus and to predict the life of the solid state drive. A forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the screen which accelerates | stimulates selection of regular maintenance or temporary maintenance. It is a table | surface explaining an example of the numerical information (erasing number) memorize | stored in the memory | storage part, and the information relevant to this. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to life prediction of a solid state drive in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 will be described by taking a digital multifunction machine having functions of a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile as an example. The image forming apparatus 1 may be an apparatus having a function of printing an image, and is not limited to a digital multifunction peripheral. For example, the printer may be the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 100, a document reading unit 200, a document feeding unit 300, an operation unit 400, a control unit 500, and a communication unit 600.

  When a single document is placed on the document placement unit provided in the document feed unit 300, the document feed unit 300 sends the document to the document reading unit 200, and a plurality of documents are placed on the document placement unit. When an original is placed, a plurality of originals are continuously sent to the original reading unit 200.

  The document reading unit 200 reads a document placed on a document table or a document fed from the document feeding unit 300 and outputs image data of the document.

  The printing unit 100 executes a print job. A print job is an image indicated by data indicating data (for example, image data output from the document reading unit 200, print data transmitted from a terminal device such as a PC, or image data received by facsimile). Is a job for generating a printed matter on which is printed.

  The operation unit 400 includes an operation key unit 401 and a display unit 403. The display unit 403 has a touch panel function, and displays a screen including soft keys. The user operates the soft key while viewing the screen to make settings necessary for executing functions such as copying.

  The operation key unit 401 is provided with operation keys including hard keys. The operation key is, for example, a function switching key for switching between a start key, a numeric keypad, a reset key, a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 500 includes a CPU 10, a flash memory 11, a solid state drive 12, and a RAM 13. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the control unit 500. The CPU 10 executes control necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 1 on the above-described components (for example, the printing unit 100) of the image forming apparatus 1. The flash memory 11 stores a program necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1, device setting information, and the like. The solid state drive 12 temporarily stores print data and the like, and stores FAX and scan data. The RAM 13 is used for developing a program stored in the flash memory and for developing image data so that the CPU processes image data.

  The control unit 500 includes a mode control unit 501, a display control unit 502, a storage unit 503, a prediction unit 504, and a determination unit 505 as functional blocks. These blocks will be described later.

  The communication unit 600 includes a facsimile communication unit 601 and a network I / F unit 603. The facsimile communication unit 601 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile and a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates / demodulates a signal for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 601 is connected to the telephone line 605.

  A network I / F unit 603 is connected to the LAN 607. A network I / F unit 603 is a communication interface circuit for executing communication with a terminal device such as a PC connected to the LAN 607.

  The mode control unit 501 performs control to switch between the normal operation mode and the maintenance mode. The normal operation mode is a mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 is in a state in which normal operation is possible. In the normal operation mode, the printing unit 100, the document reading unit 200, and the document feeding unit 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 operate, the operation unit 400 waits for a key operation, and the communication unit 600 transmits a print job from the outside. Or waiting.

  The maintenance mode is a mode when the service person maintains the image forming apparatus 1. When a predetermined password is input to the operation unit 400, the mode control unit 501 switches to the maintenance mode.

  The display control unit 502 controls the display unit 403 to display various screens. The various screens include an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 1 and a maintenance screen for maintaining the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the display control unit 502 is switched to the maintenance mode, the display unit 403 displays a screen 15 for prompting selection of regular maintenance or temporary maintenance as shown in FIG. 3 as an initial screen of the maintenance screen.

  For the purpose of exchanging toner and checking various rollers, a service person visits the installation site of the image forming apparatus 1 regularly (for example, once every several months) to maintain the image forming apparatus 1. This is called regular maintenance. The regular maintenance interval is shorter than the life of the solid state drive 12.

  When a problem occurs in the image forming apparatus 1 between the regular maintenance and the regular maintenance, a service person visits the place where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed to maintain the image forming apparatus 1. This is called temporary maintenance.

  When the service person operates the screen 15 shown in FIG. 3 and inputs to select the regular maintenance (that is, when the service person inputs to the operation unit 400 to perform regular maintenance), the control unit 500 performs the input. The numerical information at the time of being stored is stored in the storage unit 503.

  The flash memory 11 or the solid state drive 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 has the function of the storage unit 503.

  The numerical information has one of a first tendency increasing or a second tendency decreasing after the use of the solid state drive 12 is started, and is a numerical value that can be used for determining the life of the solid state drive 12. . In the present embodiment, a NAND flash memory will be described as an example of the solid state drive 12.

  When the solid-state drive 12 is a NAND flash memory, the numerical information having the first tendency is, for example, the number of times of erasure performed on the NAND flash memory. Since the NAND flash memory deteriorates when information (data or program) is repeatedly erased, the number of times of erasure is a measure of the life of the NAND flash memory.

  When the solid state drive 12 is a NAND flash memory, the numerical information having the second tendency is, for example, the number of remaining alternative blocks. The NAND flash memory has a function of assigning a substitute block without using a block having a cell that cannot correctly store information as a defective block. If there are no replacement blocks, the NAND flash memory has a lifetime.

  In the present embodiment, the number of erasures will be described as an example of numerical information. The number of times of erasure is included in smart (SMART: Self-Monitoring & Analysis Reporting Technology) information included in the NAND flash memory. Smart information is a standard function for the purpose of early detection of failure and prediction of failure of NAND flash memory. For example, in the case of a multi-level cell (MLC) type, the number of times of erasing 3000 times is regarded as an indication of the lifetime of the NAND flash memory. For this reason, the smart information includes the number of erasures.

  FIG. 4 is a table for explaining an example of numerical information (number of erasures) stored in the storage unit 503 and information related thereto. The storage unit 503 stores numerical information at the time when the operation unit 400 is input to perform periodic maintenance for each of the first periodical maintenance to the Nth periodical maintenance. The numerical information is a cumulative value. The Nth periodic maintenance means this periodic maintenance. Therefore, N-1 regular maintenance means the previous regular maintenance. Further, the storage unit 503 stores a difference between numerical information of adjacent times.

  The prediction unit 504 uses the numerical information shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 503 when the input for performing the current periodic maintenance (Nth periodic maintenance) is input to the operation unit 400. The number of erasures at the time when an input for the next periodic maintenance (N + 1th periodic maintenance) is made is predicted. The prediction unit 504 includes a determination unit 506 and a calculation unit 507.

  The determination unit 506 uses the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times shown in FIG. 4 among the numerical information at the time when the operation unit 400 is input to perform periodic maintenance each time, and determines the current time to the operation unit 400. The latest numerical information (numerical information in the Nth periodic maintenance) that is the numerical information at the time when the input for performing the periodic maintenance is performed, and the numerical value when the input for performing the next periodic maintenance is performed on the operation unit 400 The difference between the predicted numerical information, which is information, is determined.

  The determination unit 506 determines the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information by using the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times. The numerical information at the time of the first periodic maintenance and the second periodic maintenance. The difference between the numerical information at the point of time, the difference between the numerical information at the time of the second periodic maintenance and the numerical information at the time of the third periodic maintenance, ..., the N-1th periodic maintenance (previous Between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information by using the difference between the numerical information at the time of periodic maintenance) and the numerical information (latest numerical information) at the time of the Nth periodic maintenance (current periodic maintenance) Is to determine the difference. That is, the determination unit 506 determines the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information in consideration of the past usage record of the solid state drive 12.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the determining unit 506 determines the maximum value of the numerical information as the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information among the numerical information illustrated in FIG. Note that the determination unit 506 may determine the average value of the difference between these numerical information as the difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information.

  The calculation unit 507 calculates predicted numerical value information by adding the difference determined by the determination unit 506 to the latest numerical value information.

  When the numerical information has the second tendency, the calculating unit 507 calculates the predicted numerical information by subtracting the difference determined by the determining unit 506 from the latest numerical information. For example, when the latest numerical information is 10 (the number of remaining replacement blocks when the current periodic maintenance is input is 10) and the difference determined by the determination unit 506 is 2, the predicted numerical information is 8. .

  The determination unit 505 determines whether or not the predicted numerical value information calculated by the calculation unit 507 exceeds the limit value of the number of times of erasing (for example, 3000 times) that is a guide for the life of the solid state drive 12. When the determination unit 505 determines that the predicted numerical value information calculated by the calculation unit 507 exceeds the limit value, the display control unit 502 causes the display unit 403 to display a screen that prompts replacement of the solid state drive 12.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an operation relating to the life prediction of the solid state drive 12 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining this operation. The service person operates the screen 15 shown in FIG. 3 displayed on the display unit 403 to input regular maintenance (step S1).

  As a result, the control unit 500 obtains numerical information (number of erasures) included in the smart information stored in the solid-state drive 12, and this is obtained at the time of the Nth periodic maintenance (current periodic maintenance). Is stored in the storage unit 503 as numerical information (step S2). The numerical information is a cumulative value. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 503 stores numerical information at the time of the 1st periodic maintenance to the Nth periodic maintenance.

  The determination unit 506 determines the difference between the numerical information at the time of the Nth periodic maintenance (current periodic maintenance) (latest numerical information) and the numerical information at the time of the N-1th periodic maintenance (previous periodic maintenance). Is calculated (step S3), and the result is stored in the storage unit 503.

  The determination unit 506 determines the maximum value from the numerical information differences shown in FIG. 4 (step S4). Here, 350 is determined as the maximum value.

  The calculation unit 507 calculates predicted numerical information by adding the maximum value determined in step S4 to the latest numerical information (numerical information at the time of the Nth periodic maintenance) (step S5).

  The determination unit 505 determines whether or not the predicted numerical value information calculated in step S5 exceeds a limit value (for example, 3000 times) that is a guide for the lifetime of the solid state drive 12 (step S6).

  When the determination unit 505 determines that the predicted numerical value information does not exceed the limit value (No in step S6), the life prediction of the solid state drive 12 ends at the time of the current periodic maintenance.

  When the determination unit 505 determines that the predicted numerical value information exceeds the limit value (Yes in step S6), the display control unit 502 displays a screen (not shown) that prompts the display unit 403 to replace the solid state drive 12. It is displayed (step S7). As a result, the life prediction of the solid state drive 12 is completed at the time of this regular maintenance.

  In step S1, when the operation unit 400 is not input to perform regular maintenance but to perform temporary maintenance (FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 1 does not perform steps S2 to S7. Accordingly, the storage unit 503 does not store numerical information at the time when an input for performing temporary maintenance is performed, and the prediction unit 504 does not predict numerical information (does not calculate predicted numerical information).

  Since the predicted numerical information is calculated using the numerical information at the time of the regular maintenance, the predicted numerical information cannot be correctly calculated if the numerical information at the time of the temporary maintenance is used for calculating the predicted numerical information. Therefore, numerical information at the time of temporary maintenance is excluded.

  The main effects of this embodiment will be described. As described in step S3 and step S4, the determination unit 506 determines the maximum value of the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times among the numerical information at the time when the operation unit 400 is input to perform regular maintenance each time. Using the latest numerical information (that is, the numerical information at the time when the input for performing the current periodic maintenance is performed) and the predicted numerical information (that is, the numerical information at the time when the input for performing the next periodic maintenance is performed) Determine the difference.

  As described in step S <b> 5, the calculation unit 507 calculates the predicted numerical information by adding the difference determined by the determination unit 506 to the latest numerical information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the serviceman predicts the lifetime of the solid-state drive 12 at the next periodic maintenance timing using the current periodic maintenance timing. At this time, it can be determined whether or not the solid-state drive 12 is to be replaced. Therefore, for the purpose of only replacing the solid state drive 12 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent a serviceman from visiting the place where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, and to predict the life of the solid state drive 12. The forming apparatus 1 can be realized.

  Further, as described in step S2, the control unit 500 obtains numerical information (number of erasures) included in the smart information stored in the solid state drive 12, and uses this as Nth periodic maintenance ( It is stored in the storage unit 503 as numerical information at the time of (current maintenance). As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of erasures included in the smart information is used as the numerical information, so that it is not necessary to provide a new configuration for calculating the numerical information.

  Further, as described in step S6 and step S7, when the predicted numerical value information calculated by the calculation unit 507 exceeds the limit value of the number of times of erasure that is a standard of the life of the solid state drive 12, the solid state drive 12 Is displayed on the display unit 403. As a result, it is possible to notify the service person that the solid state drive 12 should be replaced.

  Instead of step S6 and step S7, the display control unit 502 may cause the display unit 403 to display a screen (not shown) showing the predicted numerical value information and the limit value.

  As described in step S <b> 1, selecting periodic maintenance from among periodic maintenance and temporary maintenance included in the screen 15 illustrated in FIG. 3 has been described as an input for performing periodic maintenance. Instead of this, inputting the personal identification number for regular maintenance by operating the operation unit 400 may be an input for performing regular maintenance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 12 Solid state drive 400 Operation part 501 Mode control part 502 Display control part 503 Storage part 504 Prediction part 505 Determination part 506 Determination part 507 Calculation part

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus including a solid state drive,
An operation unit that is input to perform periodic maintenance of the image forming apparatus;
The numerical value information that has one of a first tendency increasing or a second tendency decreasing after the use of the solid state drive is started and can be used for determining the life of the solid state drive. A storage unit for storing the numerical information at the time when an input for performing the periodic maintenance is performed,
When the operation unit is input to perform the current periodic maintenance, the numerical information stored in the storage unit is used to input the operation unit to perform the next periodic maintenance. A prediction unit for predicting the numerical information,
The prediction unit
An input for performing the current periodic maintenance on the operation unit using the difference between the numerical information of adjacent times among the numerical information at the time when the operation unit is input to perform the regular maintenance each time. Determination to determine a difference between the latest numerical information that is the numerical information at the time when the operation is performed and the predicted numerical information that is the numerical information when the operation unit is input to perform the next periodic maintenance. And
When the numerical information has the first tendency, the predicted numerical information is calculated by adding the difference determined by the determination unit to the latest numerical information, and the numerical information indicates the second tendency. And a calculating unit that calculates the predicted numerical value information by subtracting the difference determined by the determining unit from the latest numerical value information. The solid state drive includes a NAND flash memory,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the number of erasures included in the smart information included in the NAND flash memory as the numerical information. A determination unit that determines whether or not the predicted numerical information calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a limit value of the number of times of erasure that is a measure of the life of the solid state drive;
A display unit;
When the determination unit determines that the predicted numerical information calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the limit value, a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a screen that prompts replacement of the solid state drive; An image forming apparatus according to claim 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a maximum value of a difference between the numerical information of adjacent times as a difference between the latest numerical information and the predicted numerical information. . A mode control unit that switches between a normal mode in which the image forming apparatus can operate and a maintenance mode for maintaining the image forming apparatus;
When the operation unit is in the maintenance mode, an input for performing the periodic maintenance or temporary maintenance is performed,
The storage unit does not store the numerical information at the time when the temporary maintenance is input when the operation unit is input to perform the temporary maintenance,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the prediction unit does not predict the numerical information when an input for performing the temporary maintenance is input to the operation unit.

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