Printing apparatus and electronic apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing device and electronic equipment. A contribution is made to the goal 13 of sustainable development goals (SDGs). A printing apparatus includes a storage container that stores a liquid to be used in a printing process and performs the printing process, the printing apparatus including: an acquisition unit that acquires reuse information relating to a history of reuse of the storage container; a generation unit that generates contribution information relating to the amount of contribution to the environment in accordance with the use of the regeneration storage container, on the basis of the reuse information, when the regeneration storage container is a regeneration product having a storage container in the printing apparatus; and a device control unit that causes the display device to display the amount of contribution on the basis of the contribution information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a method of collecting a container that contains a liquid such as ink used when a printing device performs a printing process and reusing the collected container.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-039708

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, even if the container provided in the printing device is a recycled container, i.e., a recycled container, the user of the printing device may not know that the recycled container is being used in the printing device. Therefore, in the conventional technology, there is a case where the user of the printing device is not sufficiently encouraged to reuse the container, and there is room for improvement with respect to SDGs, i.e., Goal 13 "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts" among the 17 sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2015.

[0005] It should be noted that the above technical problem is not limited to the reuse of a container used in a printing device, but is also applicable to the entire scenario of the reuse of specific components in an electronic device having replaceable specific components. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention relates to a printing device, characterized in that it has a storage container for storing liquid used in a printing process and performs the printing process, and the printing device has: an acquisition unit, which acquires reuse information related to the reuse history of the storage container; a generation unit, when the printing device has a recycled product of the storage container, that is, a recycled storage container, the generation unit generates contribution information related to the contribution amount to the environment with the use of the recycled storage container based on the reuse information; and a device control unit, based on the contribution information, causes a display device to display the contribution amount.

[0007] In addition, the electronic device involved in the present invention is characterized in that it has a replaceable specific component and performs specific processing, and the electronic device has: an acquisition unit, which acquires reuse information related to the reuse history of the specific component; a generation unit, when the electronic device has a recycled product of the specific component, that is, a recycled specific component, the generation unit generates contribution information related to the contribution to the environment with the use of the recycled specific component based on the reuse information; and a device control unit, based on the contribution information, causes a display device to display the contribution amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management system Sys according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the cartridge 7.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the user card 8.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the collection box 3.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 1 .

[0013] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 5 .

[0014] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 6.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printing device 5 when executing the contribution information presentation process.

[0016] Description of Reference Numerals

[0017] 1: Management server; 3: Recycling box; 5: Printing device; 6: Terminal device; 7: Box; 8: User card; 9: Recycling plant; 51: Control device; 52: Storage device; 53: Communication device; 63: Display device; 64: Speaker; 70: Storage device; 80: Storage device; 511: Box information acquisition unit; 512: Server information acquisition unit; 513: Contribution information generation unit; 514: Notification device control unit; 515: Printing control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following is a description of the method for implementing the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in each figure, the size and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual one. In addition, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferred limitations are added, but as long as there is no special description in the following description to limit the meaning of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these methods.

[0019] A. Implementation Method

[0020] In the present embodiment, the description will be expanded by taking as an example a management system Sys for managing a cartridge 7 that stores ink used by the printing device 5 .

[0021] 1. Composition of the management system

[0022] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 7 , an example of the structure of the management system Sys involved in this embodiment is described.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management system Sys.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the management system Sys includes a management server 1, one or more recycling boxes 3, one or more printing devices 5, one or more terminal devices 6 corresponding to the one or more printing devices 5, and a recycling plant 9. The management system Sys manages the box 7 containing the ink used by the printing device 5.

[0025] The management server 1 is a server device for managing the management system Sys.

[0026] The cartridge 7 is a container that stores ink used by the printing device 5 and is attachable to the printing device 5 .

[0027] In the present embodiment, ink is an example of “liquid”, and the cartridge 7 is an example of a “storage container”.

[0028] The collection box 3 is a device for collecting the used cartridge 7 from the user UP of the printing device 5. Here, the used cartridge 7 is, for example, a cartridge 7 in which the remaining amount of ink contained inside is small or a cartridge 7 after the ink contained inside is deteriorated. That is, in this embodiment, even if the ink remains inside the cartridge 7, the collection box 3 can collect the cartridge 7.

[0029] In this embodiment, the collection box 3 is installed in a commercial facility FS. The commercial facility FS refers to a commercial facility such as a home appliance store that sells printing devices 5 or a shopping center that sells various products, a public facility such as a community center, or a medical facility such as a hospital.

[0030] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the user UP brings the used cartridge 7 into the collection box 3 to collect the used cartridge 7, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the used cartridge 7 may be collected by the user UP mailing the used cartridge 7 to the recycling plant 9.

[0031] The recycling factory 9 is a facility for recycling the used cartridges 7 collected from the users UP in the collection box 3 into recycled products. Specifically, the recycling factory 9 is a facility for manufacturing recycled products of the cartridges 7 by refilling the cleaned cartridges 7 with ink after cleaning the used cartridges 7. Hereinafter, the recycled products of the cartridges 7 are sometimes referred to as "recycled cartridges 7X".

[0032] It should be noted that the recycling factory 9 may also manufacture the recycled box 7X using the raw materials after decomposing the used box 7. In addition, the recycling factory 9 may also manufacture a commodity different from the recycled box 7X using the raw materials after decomposing the used box 7 as a recycled product.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the regeneration box 7X is an example of a “regeneration storage container”.

[0034] In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the printing device 5 is installed in a user facility FU. Here, the user facility FU is a facility where the user UP uses the printing device 5, such as the user UP's own home or the user UP's office.

[0035] That is, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the used cartridge 7 used in the printing device 5 provided in the user facility FU is collected through the cartridge collection path RT1 from the user facility FU to the collection box 3. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, it is assumed as an example that when the used cartridge 7 is collected through the cartridge collection path RT1, when the user UP puts the used cartridge 7 into the collection box 3, the user UP is authenticated by the user card 8 owned by the user UP.

[0036] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the used cartridge 7 collected through the cartridge collection path RT1 is recycled as a recycled cartridge 7X in the recycling factory 9 and then delivered through the cartridge delivery path RT2 from the recycling factory 9 to the user facility FU.

[0037] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the cartridge 7.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cartridge 7 includes a storage device 70 . In addition, the cartridge 7 is provided with an ink containing chamber (not shown) for containing ink.

[0039] The storage device 70 is, for example, an IC chip, and stores the cartridge model information DQ1 and the cartridge reuse information DQ2.

[0040] The cartridge model information DQ1 is information indicating the product model of the cartridge 7 .

[0041] The cartridge reuse information DQ2 indicates the reuse count AQ. Here, the reuse count AQ is the number of times the cartridge 7 is regenerated as a regenerated product. Specifically, the reuse count AQ is set to "0" when the cartridge 7 is a new product before recycling, and is set to a value greater than "1" when the cartridge 7 is a regenerated product after recycling.

[0042] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the user card 8.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the user card 8 includes a storage device 80. The storage device 80 is, for example, an IC chip, and the storage device 80 stores user identification information DU.

[0044] The user identification information DU is information indicating a user ID, and the user ID is used to uniquely identify each user from among a plurality of users who have the user card 8. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user who has the user card 8 is a user UP who uses the printing device 5. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. It is also possible that the user who has the user card 8 is a user UP who uses the printing device 5 and a user who uses the commercial facility FS. In addition, the user who has the user card 8 may also be a user who uses the box 7.

[0045] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the collection box 3.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the collection box 3 includes a box insertion port 30 , a box information reading device 31 , a user card information reading device 32 , a communication device 33 , and a control device 35 .

[0047] The cartridge insertion port 30 is an opening through which the user UP inserts the cartridge 7 into a cartridge storage space (not shown) provided inside the collection box 3 .

[0048] When the box 7 is put into the box inlet 30, the box information reading device 31 reads the box model information DQ1 and the box reuse information DQ2 stored in the storage device 70 provided in the box 7. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. It is sufficient that the box information reading device 31 reads at least the box model information DQ1 stored in the storage device 70 from the storage device 70 provided in the box 7 when the box 7 is put into the box inlet 30.

[0049] When the user UP touches the user card 8 to the user card information reading device 32 , the user card information reading device 32 reads the user identification information DU stored in the storage device 80 provided in the user card 8 .

[0050] The communication device 33 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the collection box 3 via a network NW such as a wired network or a wireless network.

[0051] The control device 35 includes a cartridge collection determination unit 36 ​​and a user card authentication unit 37 .

[0052] The box collection determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the object dropped into the box drop-in port 30 corresponds to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3 based on the reading result of the box information reading device 31. Specifically, the box collection determination unit 36 ​​determines whether the model indicated by the box model information DQ1 read by the box information reading device 31 is a model corresponding to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3.

[0053] Then, when the model indicated by the box model information DQ1 read by the box information reading device 31 is a model corresponding to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3, the box collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object put into the box drop-in port 30 corresponds to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3. In addition, when the model indicated by the box model information DQ1 read by the box information reading device 31 is not a model corresponding to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3, the box collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object put into the box drop-in port 30 does not correspond to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3. In addition, when the box information reading device 31 fails to read the box model information DQ1, the box collection determination unit 36 ​​determines that the object put into the box drop-in port 30 does not correspond to the box 7 that can be collected by the collection box 3.

[0054] It should be noted that, when the determination result of the box recovery determination unit 36 ​​is positive, that is, when the object put into the box drop-in port 30 is a box 7 that can be recovered by the recovery box 3, the recovery box 3 accommodates the box 7 in the box accommodating space in the recovery box 3. Then, the boxes 7 accommodated in the box accommodating space in the recovery box 3 are regularly collected and transferred to the recycling plant 9.

[0055] On the other hand, when the determination result of the box recovery determination unit 36 ​​is negative, that is, when the object dropped into the box drop-in port 30 does not correspond to the box 7 recoverable by the recovery box 3 , the recovery box 3 discharges the object to the outside of the recovery box 3 .

[0056] When the user card 8 touches the user card information reading device 32, the user card authentication unit 37 determines the user ID of the user UP who owns the user card 8 based on the user identification information DU stored in the storage device 80 of the user card 8. In addition, the user card authentication unit 37 notifies the management server 1 of the determined user ID through the network NW. The management server 1 manages the notified user ID.

[0057] Figure 5 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 1 .

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the management server 1 includes a control device 11 , a storage device 12 , and a communication device 13 .

[0059] The control device 11 is hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each unit of the management server 1 .

[0060] The communication device 13 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the management server 1 via the network NW.

[0061] The storage device 12 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area of ​​the control device 11 and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information. In the present embodiment, the storage device 12 stores carbon dioxide emission information DC and user history information DR.

[0062] The carbon dioxide emission information DC includes new product carbon dioxide emission information DC1 indicating new product carbon dioxide emission AC1 and recycled product carbon dioxide emission information DC2 indicating recycled product carbon dioxide emission AC2. Here, the new product carbon dioxide emission AC1 indicated by the new product carbon dioxide emission information DC1 refers to the emission of carbon dioxide generated during the life cycle of the new product of the cartridge 7, including the manufacture, circulation, use and disposal of the new product of the cartridge 7. In addition, the recycled product carbon dioxide emission AC2 indicated by the recycled product carbon dioxide emission information DC2 refers to the emission of carbon dioxide generated during the life cycle of the recycled cartridge 7X, including the manufacture, circulation, use and disposal of the recycled cartridge 7X.

[0063] The user history information DR indicates the cumulative number of recycled products AR. Here, the cumulative number of recycled products AR refers to the number of recycled boxes 7X used by the user UP so far. In this embodiment, the number of times the user UP purchases the recycled box 7X is set as the cumulative number of recycled products AR. Alternatively, the number of notifications of the user ID from the collection box 3 may be set as the cumulative number of recycled products AR.

[0064] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the management server 1 manages the collection status of the used cartridges 7 in the collection box 3 by communicating with the collection box 3 via the network NW. In addition, in this embodiment, the management server 1 manages the purchase status of the regeneration cartridge 7X by the user UP by communicating with the regeneration factory 9 via the network NW.

[0065] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 5 .

[0066] like Figure 6 As shown, the printing device 5 includes a control device 51 , a storage device 52 , a communication device 53 , and one or more cartridges 7 .

[0067] The cartridge 7 provided in the printing device 5 is a new cartridge 7 or a regenerated cartridge 7X. That is, among one or more cartridges 7 provided in the printing device 5, some or all may be regenerated cartridges 7X, all may be regenerated cartridges 7X, or all may be new cartridges 7.

[0068] The communication device 53 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the management server 1 via the network NW.

[0069] The storage device 52 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM that functions as a work area of ​​the control device 51 and a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM that stores various information. In the present embodiment, the storage device 52 stores box use history information DX, print history information DY, and the control program PG-P of the printing device 5.

[0070] The cartridge use history information DX indicates the number of used cartridges AX. Here, the number of used cartridges AX refers to the number of used cartridges 7X used in the printing apparatus 5 from the time the printing apparatus 5 was sold to the present time.

[0071] The printing history information DY includes energy-saving printing information DY1 indicating the number of energy-saving prints AY1 and total printing information DY2 indicating the total number of prints AY2. Here, the number of energy-saving prints AY1 indicated by the energy-saving printing information DY1 refers to, for example, the number of media on which images are formed by printing processing using ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X by the printing device 5 from the time the printing device 5 is sold to the present. In addition, the total number of prints AY2 indicated by the total printing information DY2 refers to, for example, the total value of the number of media on which images are formed by printing processing using ink contained in the cartridge 7 of a new product by the printing device 5 from the time the printing device 5 is sold to the present and the number of media on which images are formed by printing processing using ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X by the printing device 5 from the time the printing device 5 is sold to the present.

[0072] It should be noted that, in the following, the printing process using the ink contained in the regenerated cartridge 7X is sometimes referred to as "energy-saving printing process". In addition, in the following, the printing process using the ink contained in the cartridge 7 of the new product is sometimes referred to as "normal printing process".

[0073] The control device 51 is provided with a processor. The processor of the control device 51 is configured to include, for example, one or more CPUs. In the present embodiment, the processor of the control device 51 executes the control program PG-P stored in the storage device 52, and acts according to the control program PG-P, so that it can function as a box information acquisition unit 511, a server information acquisition unit 512, a contribution information generation unit 513, a notification device control unit 514, and a printing control unit 515. It should be noted that the processor of the control device 51 can also be configured to include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to one or more CPUs, or can also be configured to include hardware such as a GPU, a DSP, or an FPGA to replace part or all of one or more CPUs. In this case, part or all of the functions implemented by the processor of the control device 51 can also be implemented by hardware such as a DSP.

[0074] The cartridge information acquisition unit 511 acquires the cartridge reuse information DQ2 from the storage device 70 provided in the cartridge 7 provided in the printing apparatus 5 .

[0075] The server information acquisition unit 512 acquires the carbon dioxide emission amount information DC and the user history information DR from the management server 1 .

[0076] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the box information acquisition unit 511 and the server information acquisition unit 512 are examples of an "acquisition unit". However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. One of the box information acquisition unit 511 and the server information acquisition unit 512 may be an "acquisition unit". In addition, in the present embodiment, the box reuse information DQ2 and the user history information DR are examples of "reuse information". However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. One of the box reuse information DQ2 and the user history information DR may be "reuse information".

[0077] The contribution information generating section 513 generates contribution information DK based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2 acquired by the cartridge information acquiring section 511 , the carbon dioxide emission information DC and the user history information DR acquired by the server information acquiring section 512 , and the cartridge use history information DX and the printing history information DY stored in the storage device 52 .

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, the contribution information generation unit 513 is an example of a “generation unit”.

[0079] The contribution information DK includes the recycled product installation number information DK1 indicating the recycled product installation number AK1, the recycled product utilization number information DK2 indicating the recycled product utilization number AK2, the recycled product cumulative utilization number information DK3 indicating the recycled product cumulative utilization number AK3, the energy-saving printing number information DK4 indicating the energy-saving printing number AK4, the energy-saving printing cumulative number information DK5 indicating the energy-saving printing cumulative number AK5, the energy-saving printing ratio information DK6 indicating the energy-saving printing ratio AK6, the carbon dioxide reduction amount information DK7 indicating the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7, and the carbon dioxide cumulative reduction amount DK8 indicating the carbon dioxide cumulative reduction amount AK8. Hereinafter, the recycled product installation number AK1, the recycled product utilization number AK2, the recycled product cumulative utilization number AK3, the energy-saving printing number AK4, the energy-saving printing cumulative number AK5, the energy-saving printing ratio AK6, the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7, and the carbon dioxide cumulative reduction amount AK8 are referred to as the environmental contribution amount AK.

[0080] The recycled product installation number AK1 indicated by the recycled product installation number information DK1 refers to the number of recycled cartridges 7X provided in the printing device 5. The contribution information generation unit 513 generates the recycled product installation number information DK1 based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2 acquired by the cartridge information acquisition unit 511. Specifically, the contribution information generation unit 513 counts the number of cartridges 7 of which the number of reuse times AQ indicated by the cartridge reuse information DQ2 is "1" or more among one or more cartridges 7 provided in the printing device 5, and sets the counted result as the recycled product installation number AK1, thereby generating the recycled product installation number information DK1.

[0081] The recycled product utilization number AK2 indicated by the recycled product utilization number information DK2 refers to the number of recycled cartridges 7X used in the printing device 5 from the time the printing device 5 was sold to the present time. The contribution information generation unit 513 generates the recycled product utilization number information DK2 by setting the recycled product utilization number AX indicated by the cartridge utilization history information DX stored in the storage device 52 as the recycled product utilization number AK2. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, when a new cartridge 7 is installed in the printing device 5, the cartridge information acquisition unit 511 updates the cartridge utilization history information DX based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2 stored in the storage device 70 of the newly installed cartridge 7.

[0082] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the contribution information DK includes the recycled product utilization number information DK2, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the contribution information DK may also include the box utilization history information DX instead of the recycled product utilization number information DK2.

[0083] The recycled product cumulative utilization number AK3 represented by the recycled product cumulative utilization number information DK3 refers to the number of recycled cartridges 7X used by the user UP so far. The contribution information generation unit 513 generates the recycled product cumulative utilization number information DK3 by setting the recycled product cumulative utilization number AR represented by the user history information DR acquired by the server information acquisition unit 512 as the recycled product cumulative utilization number AK3.

[0084] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the contribution information DK includes the recycled product cumulative utilization number information DK3 for illustration, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the contribution information DK may also include user history information DR instead of the recycled product cumulative utilization number information DK3.

[0085] The energy-saving print count AK4 indicated by the energy-saving print count information DK4 refers to the number of media on which images have been formed by the printing device 5 performing energy-saving print processing using ink stored in the regeneration cartridge 7X from the time the printing device 5 was sold to the present time. The contribution information generation unit 513 generates the energy-saving print count information DK4 by setting the energy-saving print count AY1 indicated by the energy-saving print information DY1 stored in the storage device 52 to the energy-saving print count AK4. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, when the printing device 5 performs the energy-saving print processing, the print control unit 515 updates the energy-saving print information DY1 based on the execution result of the energy-saving print processing.

[0086] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the contribution information DK includes the energy-saving print count information DK4, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the contribution information DK may include the energy-saving print count information DY1 instead of the energy-saving print count information DK4.

[0087] The energy-saving printing cumulative number AK5 indicated by the energy-saving printing cumulative number information DK5 refers to the number of media on which images are formed by performing energy-saving printing processing using ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X in one or more printing devices 5 used by the user UP so far. The contribution information generation unit 513 calculates the energy-saving printing cumulative number AK5 based on the recycled product cumulative utilization number AR indicated by the user history information DR acquired by the server information acquisition unit 512 and the energy-saving printing number AY1 indicated by the energy-saving printing information DY1 stored in the storage device 52. Specifically, the contribution information generation unit 513 calculates the energy-saving printing cumulative number AK5 by adding the energy-saving printing number AY1 to the value obtained by subtracting "1" from the recycled product cumulative utilization number AR and the cumulative value of the standard printing number. Here, the standard printing number refers to the average value of the number of media on which images can be formed by energy-saving printing processing using one regeneration cartridge 7X.

[0088] The energy-saving printing ratio AK6 indicated by the energy-saving printing ratio information DK6 is the ratio of the number of media on which images are formed by energy-saving printing processing to the number of media on which images are formed by printing processing during the period from the sale of the printing device 5 to the present. The contribution information generating unit 513 calculates the energy-saving printing ratio AK6 based on the energy-saving printing information DY1 stored in the storage device 52 and the total printing information DY2 stored in the storage device 52. Specifically, the contribution information generating unit 513 calculates the energy-saving printing ratio AK6 by dividing the energy-saving printing number AY1 indicated by the energy-saving printing information DY1 by the total printing number AY2 indicated by the total printing information DY2.

[0089] The carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7 indicated by the carbon dioxide reduction amount information DK7 refers to the carbon dioxide emission amount reduced by the energy-saving printing process of the printing device 5 compared with the case where the printing device 5 performs normal printing process during the period from the sale of the printing device 5 to the present. The contribution information generation unit 513 calculates the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7 based on the new product carbon dioxide emission amount information DC1 and the recycled product carbon dioxide emission amount information DC2 acquired by the server information acquisition unit 512 and the energy-saving printing information DY1 stored in the storage device 52.

[0090] Specifically, the contribution information generating unit 513 first calculates the box unit reduction amount obtained by subtracting the recycled product carbon dioxide emission amount AC2 represented by the recycled product carbon dioxide emission amount information DC2 from the new product carbon dioxide emission amount AC1 represented by the new product carbon dioxide emission amount information DC1. Here, the box unit reduction amount refers to the carbon dioxide emission amount reduced when the printing device 5 uses one recycled cartridge 7X for energy-saving printing processing compared with the case where the printing device 5 uses one new product cartridge 7 for normal printing processing.

[0091] Furthermore, the contribution information generating unit 513 calculates the medium unit reduction amount by dividing the box unit reduction amount by the standard number of prints. Here, the medium unit reduction amount refers to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced when the printing device 5 performs energy-saving printing on one sheet of medium using the recycled box 7X, compared with the case where the printing device 5 performs normal printing on one sheet of medium using a new box 7.

[0092] Then, the contribution information generating unit 513 calculates the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7 by integrating the energy-saving printing number AY1 indicated by the energy-saving printing information DY1 and the medium unit reduction amount.

[0093] For example, the contribution information generating unit 513 may calculate the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7 by integrating the recycled product usage number AX and the cassette unit reduction amount indicated by the cassette usage history information DX.

[0094] The cumulative reduction amount of carbon dioxide AK8 indicated by the cumulative reduction amount of carbon dioxide information DK8 refers to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced by the user UP performing energy-saving printing processing in one or more printing devices 5 used so far, compared with the case of performing normal printing processing. The contribution information generation unit 513 calculates the cumulative reduction amount of carbon dioxide AK8 based on the user history information DR, the new product carbon dioxide emission information DC1 and the recycled product carbon dioxide emission information DC2 acquired by the server information acquisition unit 512, and the energy-saving printing information DY1 stored in the storage device 52. Specifically, the contribution information generation unit 513 calculates the cumulative reduction amount of carbon dioxide AK8 by adding the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the box unit reduction amount to the value obtained by subtracting "1" from the recycled product cumulative utilization number AR indicated by the user history information DR and the cumulative value obtained by accumulating the medium unit reduction amount to the energy-saving printing number AY1 indicated by the energy-saving printing information DY1.

[0095] The notification device control unit 514 controls the terminal device 6 to notify the environmental contribution amount AK represented by the contribution information DK generated by the contribution information generation unit 513 through the terminal device 6. Specifically, the notification device control unit 514 supplies the contribution information DK to the terminal device 6, so that the terminal device 6 notifies the environmental contribution amount AK. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the process of generating the contribution information DK in the control device 51 and notifying the environmental contribution amount AK represented by the generated contribution information DK through the terminal device 6 is referred to as the contribution information prompt process.

[0096] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the notification device control unit 514 is an example of a “device control unit”.

[0097] The print control unit 515 controls a print head (not shown) included in the printing device to execute a print process for forming an image on a medium.

[0098] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 6.

[0099] like Figure 7 As shown, the terminal device 6 includes a control device 61 , a communication device 62 , a display device 63 , and a speaker 64 .

[0100] The control device 61 is hardware such as a CPU that controls each unit of the terminal device 6 .

[0101] The communication device 62 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the terminal device 6 via the network NW.

[0102] The display device 63 is hardware for displaying an image based on the control of the control device 61 .

[0103] The speaker 64 is hardware for emitting sound based on the control of the control device 61 .

[0104] When the contribution information DK is supplied from the printing device 5, the control device 61 controls the display device 63 to display the environmental contribution amount AK, and controls the speaker 64 to read out the environmental contribution amount AK. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. When the contribution information DK is supplied from the printing device 5, the control device 61 only needs to control the display device 63 and the speaker 64 to perform one of displaying the environmental contribution amount AK on the display device 63 and reading out the environmental contribution amount AK through the speaker 64.

[0105] 2. Contribution information prompt processing

[0106] Refer to the following Figure 8 , an example of contribution information prompt processing is explained.

[0107] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 51 when the control device 51 performs contribution information presentation processing. The contribution information presentation processing is performed, for example, when the power of the printing device 5 is turned on or when the printing process executed by the printing device 5 ends.

[0108] like Figure 8 As shown, in the contribution information presenting process, the cartridge information acquiring unit 511 acquires the cartridge reuse information DQ2 from the cartridge 7 ( S101 ).

[0109] Next, the server information acquisition unit 512 acquires the carbon dioxide emission amount information DC from the management server 1 via the terminal device 6 ( S103 ).

[0110] In addition, the server information acquisition unit 512 acquires the user history information DR from the management server 1 via the terminal device 6 ( S105 ).

[0111] Furthermore, the control device 51 acquires the cassette use history information DX from the storage device 52 ( S107 ).

[0112] Furthermore, the control device 51 acquires the printing history information DY from the storage device 52 ( S109 ).

[0113] Next, the contribution information generating section 513 generates contribution information DK based on the cartridge reuse information DQ2 , the carbon dioxide emission information DC, the user history information DR, the cartridge use history information DX, and the printing history information DY acquired in steps S101 to S109 ( S111 ).

[0114] Then, the notification device control unit 514 controls the terminal device 6 to display the environmental contribution amount AK on the display device 63 provided in the terminal device 6, or reads out the environmental contribution amount AK through the speaker 64 provided in the terminal device 6 (S113), and ends the contribution information prompting processing.

[0115] 3. Summary of implementation methods

[0116] As described above, the printing device 5 involved in the present embodiment is characterized in that the printing device 5 includes a box 7 for containing ink used in the printing process and the printing device 5 performs the printing process, and the printing device 5 includes: a box information acquisition unit 511, which acquires box reuse information DQ2 related to the reuse history of the box 7; a contribution information generation unit 513, when the printing device 5 includes a recycled product of the box 7, that is, a recycled box 7X, the contribution information generation unit 513 generates contribution information DK related to the contribution to the environment with the use of the recycled box 7X, that is, the environmental contribution amount AK based on the box reuse information DQ2; and a notification device control unit 514, based on the contribution information DK, causes the display device 63 to display the environmental contribution amount AK.

[0117] As can be seen from this, according to the present embodiment, by displaying the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 to the user UP, an incentive for the user UP to reuse the box 7 is provided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 is not notified to the user UP, the user UP can be more strongly inspired to reuse the box 7. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 is not notified to the user UP, a greater contribution can be made to "strengthen education and publicity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning, and strengthen the capacity of people and institutions in this regard" as recorded in SDGs target 13.3.

[0118] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the contribution information generating unit 513 generates the contribution information DK based on the number of regeneration cartridges 7X installed in the printing device 5 in the past.

[0119] That is, according to the present embodiment, since the environmental contribution amount AK based on the number of recycled cartridges 7X used in the past in the printing device 5 is displayed to the user UP, an incentive is provided to the user UP to reuse more cartridges 7 in the future. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution amount AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, the user UP can be more strongly inspired to reuse more cartridges 7 in the future. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution amount AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, a greater contribution can be made to "strengthen education and publicity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning, and strengthen the capabilities of people and institutions in this regard" as stated in SDGs target 13.3.

[0120] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the contribution information generating unit 513 generates the contribution information DK based on the processing amount of the energy-saving printing process executed using the ink stored in the regeneration cartridge 7X.

[0121] That is, according to the present embodiment, since the environmental contribution amount AK based on the processing amount of the energy-saving printing process using the ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X is displayed to the user UP, an incentive is provided to the user UP to perform the energy-saving printing process using the ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution amount AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, the user UP can be more strongly inspired to perform the energy-saving printing process using the ink contained in the regeneration cartridge 7X. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution amount AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, a greater contribution can be made to "enhance education and publicity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning, and strengthen the capabilities of people and institutions in this regard" as stated in SDGs target 13.3.

[0122] In addition, in the present embodiment, the feature is that the notification device control unit 514 controls the speaker 64 based on the contribution information DK to notify the environment contribution amount AK.

[0123] That is, according to the present embodiment, the amount of environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 is notified to the user UP through the speaker 64. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the amount of environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 is not notified to the user UP, it is possible to more strongly inspire the user UP with physical disabilities and elderly users UP and other users with low vision to reuse the box 7. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the amount of environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the box 7 is not notified to the user UP, it is possible to make a greater contribution to the goal 10.2 of the SDGs, which states "to empower all people and promote their social, economic and political inclusion, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religious belief, economic status or any other distinction."

[0124] In the present embodiment, the contribution information DK includes information based on the emission amount of carbon dioxide during the life cycle of the regeneration cartridge 7x. In the present embodiment, the contribution information DK may also be information related to the emission amount of carbon dioxide during the life cycle of the regeneration cartridge 7X.

[0125] That is, according to the present embodiment, since the environmental contribution AK based on the emission of carbon dioxide in the life cycle of the regeneration cartridge 7X is displayed to the user UP, an incentive for the user UP to reuse the cartridge 7 is provided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, the user can be more strongly inspired to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, a greater contribution can be made to "enhance education and publicity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning, and strengthen the capabilities of people and institutions in this regard" as stated in SDGs target 13.3.

[0126] In addition, the present embodiment is characterized in that the cartridge 7 includes a storage device 70 storing the cartridge reuse information DQ2, and the cartridge information acquisition unit 511 acquires the cartridge reuse information DQ2 from the storage device 70 included in the cartridge 7 provided in the printing device 5. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the storage device 70 is an example of a "storage unit".

[0127] In addition, in the present embodiment, the contribution information DK indicates the amount of contribution to the environment when the regenerated cartridge 7X is used in the printing apparatus 5 , compared with the case where a new cartridge 7 is used in the printing apparatus 5 .

[0128] That is, according to the present embodiment, since the amount of contribution to the environment when the recycled cartridge 7X is used in the printing device 5 is shown to the user UP as compared to the case where a new cartridge 7 is used in the printing device 5, an incentive for the user UP to reuse the cartridge 7 is provided. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, the user can be more strongly inspired to reuse the cartridge 7. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a form in which the environmental contribution AK associated with the reuse of the cartridge 7 is not notified to the user UP, a greater contribution can be made to "strengthen education and publicity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning, and strengthen the capabilities of people and institutions in this regard" as stated in Target 13.3 of the SDGs.

[0129] B. Modification

[0130] The above methods can be modified in various ways. Specific modified forms are illustrated below. Two or more forms arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within the scope of no contradiction. It should be noted that, for the elements with the same effects and functions as those in the embodiments in the modified examples illustrated below, the reference numerals used in the above description are used to appropriately omit the detailed description of each.

[0131] Modification 1

[0132] In the above-mentioned embodiment, for the sake of convenience, the environmental contribution amount AK includes the number of recycled products installed AK1, the number of recycled products used AK2, the cumulative number of recycled products used AK3, the number of energy-saving prints AK4, the cumulative number of energy-saving prints AK5, the energy-saving print ratio AK6, the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7, and the carbon dioxide cumulative reduction amount AK8. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. The environmental contribution amount AK may also include a part of the number of recycled products installed AK1, the number of recycled products used AK2, the cumulative number of recycled products used AK3, the number of energy-saving prints AK4, the cumulative number of energy-saving prints AK5, the energy-saving print ratio AK6, the carbon dioxide reduction amount AK7, and the carbon dioxide cumulative reduction amount AK8.

[0133] Modification 2

[0134] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification 1, the terminal device 6 is provided with the display device 63 and the speaker 64, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the display device 63 may be provided in the printing device 5. In addition, the speaker 64 may be provided in the printing device 5.

[0135] Modification 3

[0136] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, the cartridge 7 provided in the printing device 5 is exemplified as the management object of the management system Sys, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. The management object of the management system Sys can be any specific component provided in the electronic device and capable of replacement. That is, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the printing device 5 is an example of an "electronic device", and the cartridge 7 is an example of a "specific component".

[0137] Here, for example, in addition to the cartridge 7 that contains ink as a consumable, the specific component may be a container for containing consumables used in the printing device 5, such as a toner bottle that contains toner as a consumable. In addition, the specific component may be, for example, a container for containing waste generated by the use of the printing device 5, such as a waste ink box that contains waste ink as waste and a waste toner box that contains waste toner as waste.

[0138] Furthermore, the specific component is not limited to the component related to the printing device 5. For example, the specific component may be a replaceable component provided in an electronic device, such as a lamp provided in a projector and a battery provided in a smartphone.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: A printing device is provided with a container for containing a liquid used in a printing process and performs the printing process, the printing device comprising: an acquisition unit, which acquires reuse information related to a history of reuse of the container; a generating unit, which generates, based on the reuse information, contribution information on the amount of contribution to the environment due to the use of the recycled storage container, when the printing device includes a recycled storage container which is a recycled product of the storage container; as well as The device control unit causes a display device to display the contribution amount based on the contribution information.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The generating unit generates the contribution information based on the number of regenerated storage containers that were previously installed in the printing device.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The generating unit generates the contribution information based on a processing amount of the printing process performed using the liquid contained in the regeneration containing container.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device control section controls a speaker based on the contribution information to notify the contribution amount.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contribution information includes information based on an amount of carbon dioxide emitted during a life cycle of the regeneration container.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage container includes a storage unit for storing the reuse information. The acquisition unit acquires the reuse information from a storage unit of the storage container provided in the printing device.

7. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The contribution information indicates an amount of contribution to the environment when the recycled storage container is used in the printing device, compared with a case where a new product of the storage container is used in the printing device.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device is provided with a specific component that can be replaced and performs a specific process, wherein: an acquisition unit that acquires reuse information related to the reuse history of the specific component; a generating unit, which generates, based on the reuse information, contribution information on the amount of contribution to the environment caused by the use of the recycled specific component, when the electronic device includes a recycled specific component which is a recycled product of the specific component; as well as The device control unit causes a display device to display the contribution amount based on the contribution information.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The generating unit generates the contribution information based on the number of reproduction specific components that were previously provided in the electronic device.

10. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The generating unit generates the contribution information based on the processing amount of the specific processing executed using the regeneration specific component.

11. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The device control section controls a speaker based on the contribution information to notify the contribution amount.

12. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The contribution information includes information on an amount of carbon dioxide emitted during a life cycle of the regenerated specific component.

13. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The specific component includes a storage unit for storing the reuse information. The acquisition unit acquires the reuse information from a storage unit of the specific component mounted on the electronic device.

14. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that: The contribution information indicates the amount of contribution to the environment when the recycled specific component is used in the electronic device, compared with a case where a new product of the specific component is used in the electronic device.

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