Estimation system for carbon dioxide discharge amount and estimation program for carbon dioxide discharge amount

Abstract

To provide an estimation system for carbon dioxide discharge amount and an estimation program for carbon dioxide discharge amount which can improve the accuracy of an estimated value of a carbon dioxide discharge amount by means of an image formation apparatus.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus obtains (S132) an estimated value of a carbon dioxide discharge amount in the case that the image formation apparatus executes a copy job by using an estimation model for a carbon dioxide discharge amount, being a mathematical expression w estimating the discharge amount, and copy job setting, where the estimation model for a carbon dioxide discharge amount is a mathematical expression made from multiplying a double regression equation for obtaining a power consumption in the case that the image formation apparatus executes the copy job by a carbon dioxide discharge coefficient, and where an explanatory variable is characterized by being located in a plurality according to kinds of setting copy job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system and a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program for estimating an amount of carbon dioxide emission caused by an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a carbon dioxide emission estimation system (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is known that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emission by an image forming apparatus by multiplying a reference amount of power consumption, which is obtained in advance by measuring the power consumption, by a print mode coefficient corresponding to a print mode indicating whether printing is performed in color or black and white, and further multiplying the coefficient by a layout coefficient corresponding to a layout indicating the number of pages printed on one sheet of paper, to obtain the power consumption when the image forming apparatus executes one job, and multiplying the obtained power consumption by the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit of power consumption. In Patent Document 1, the reference amount of power is, for example, the amount of power consumed when printing one A4-sized page in black and white. The print mode coefficient is set to "1" for a print mode in which printing is performed in black and white, and a value greater than "1" is set for a print mode in which printing is performed in color. The layout coefficient is "1" for "none," a layout in which one page of a document is printed on one side of a sheet of paper, "0.5" for "2in1," a layout in which two pages of a document are printed on one side of a sheet of paper, "0.25" for "4in1," a layout in which four pages of a document are printed on one side of a sheet of paper, and "0.125" for "8in1," a layout in which eight pages of a document are printed on one side of a sheet of paper.

[0003] In addition, a carbon dioxide emission estimation system is known that calculates the power consumption when an image forming device executes one job by multiplying the power consumption specified for each operating unit, which is determined by the print settings, by the number of operations of those operating units, which is determined by the number of pages / sides printed, and then multiplies the calculated power consumption by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient for electricity to calculate an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-021414 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-058749 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system has a problem in that the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount from the image forming apparatus is low.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system and a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program that can improve the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The carbon dioxide emission estimation system of the present invention calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming device executes a job using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the emission amount, and the job settings, and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming device executes the job, and is characterized in that there are multiple explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model depending on the type of job settings.

[0008] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission estimation system of the present invention is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimate of the power consumption when an image forming device executes a job, and uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model in which multiple explanatory variables exist depending on the type of job settings, and the job settings to obtain an estimate of the carbon dioxide emission amount when an image forming device executes a job.Therefore, the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device is not confused, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device can be improved.

[0009] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation system of the present invention, the multiple regression equation may include a constant term indicating a total amount of power basically required for the job.

[0010] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission estimation system of the present invention has a multiple regression equation that calculates an estimate of the power consumption when an image forming device executes a job, which includes a constant term indicating the total amount of power basically required for the job, so that it is possible to calculate an estimate of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device while taking into account the influence of the power basically required for the job, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimate of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device.

[0011] The carbon dioxide emission estimation program of the present invention causes a computer to perform operations to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming device executes a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the emission amount, and the settings of the job, and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for obtaining an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming device executes the job, and is characterized in that there are multiple explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model depending on the type of the job settings.

[0012] With this configuration, a computer executing the carbon dioxide emission estimation program of the present invention uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is an equation obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimate of power consumption when an image forming device executes a job, and the job settings to obtain an estimate of carbon dioxide emissions when an image forming device executes a job, and which has multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of job settings.This prevents the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device from being confused, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device can be improved. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system and the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program of the present invention can improve the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus as a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of job history information shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model generation system for generating a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model used by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by the image forming device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a copy job is executed. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the case where the total amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention, different from the example shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] First, a configuration of an image forming apparatus as a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is a computer that includes an operation unit 11 which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 12 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 13 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 14 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 15 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a fax communication unit 16 which is a fax device that communicates by fax with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a memory unit 17 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 18 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 10.

[0019] The storage unit 17 can store a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program 17a for estimating the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10. The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program 17a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 10 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 10, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from a network.

[0020] The storage unit 17 is capable of storing job history information 17b that stores the history of jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the job history information 17b.

[0022] 2, the history stored in the job history information 17b includes the job execution time, the job type (e.g., copy job, print job, etc.), and the job settings for each job. The history stored in the job history information 17b includes all information necessary for estimating the carbon dioxide emission amount using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model described below.

[0023] 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 18. The CPU of the control unit 18 executes programs stored in the storage unit 17 or the ROM of the control unit 18.

[0024] The control unit 18 realizes a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 by executing the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation program 17a.

[0025] The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, which is a mathematical formula used by the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission when the image forming apparatus 10 executes one job, is the following formula.

number

[0026] Carbon dioxide emission estimation models are prepared for each type of job.

[0027] In the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, the formula in parentheses on the right side is a multiple regression formula (hereinafter referred to as the "power consumption estimation model") for obtaining an estimated value of the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes one job.

[0028] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, n is an integer of 2 or more.

[0029] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the explanatory variable x n may exist according to the type of settings of the target job, for example.

[0030] x n For example, a number corresponding to the number of prints indicating the number of recording media on which images are printed in the target job may be adopted as the number of prints. For example, the number of prints in a copy job may be the number of copies set when copying by placing one original on a contact glass. Also, the number of prints in a copy job may be the product of the number of originals read and the number of copies set when copying by placing multiple originals on a DP (automatic document feeder) and the image forming apparatus has a preview printing function that reads all the originals in advance and executes various settings from a preview display screen to execute copying.

[0031] x n For example, an explanatory variable according to the recording medium size indicating the size of the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium size may be determined according to the recording medium size, for example, 5 for A4 size, 2 for A5 size, etc. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium size may be a numerical value proportional to the area of ​​the recording medium size, for example.

[0032] x nFor example, a value according to the recording medium type indicating the type of recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be determined according to the recording medium type, for example, 3 for thick paper, 2 for plain paper, and 1 for thin paper. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be a numerical value proportional to the thickness of the recording medium type, for example. The explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be provided for each recording medium type. When the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for each recording medium type may be, for example, 1 when the target recording medium type is specified in the job settings, and 0 when the target recording medium type is not specified in the job settings. For example, when the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for cardboard may be 1 when cardboard is specified as the recording medium type in the job settings, and 0 when cardboard is not specified as the recording medium type in the job settings.

[0033] x n For example, a double-sided / single-sided explanatory variable indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is to be performed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the double-sided / single-sided explanatory variable may be, for example, 1 when double-sided printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when single-sided printing is specified in the job settings.

[0034] x nFor example, a variable corresponding to color / monochrome indicating whether color printing or monochrome printing is performed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to color / monochrome may be, for example, 1 when color is specified in the job settings, and 0 when monochrome is specified in the job settings. The explanatory variable corresponding to color / monochrome may be provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing. When explanatory variables corresponding to color / monochrome are provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the explanatory variable for color printing may be, for example, 1 when color printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when color printing is not specified in the job settings. Similarly, when explanatory variables corresponding to color / monochrome are provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the explanatory variable for monochrome printing may be, for example, 1 when monochrome printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when monochrome printing is not specified in the job settings.

[0035] x n For example, a value according to aggregation indicating the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium may be adopted as the explanatory variable according to aggregation. The value of the explanatory variable according to aggregation may be, for example, 8 when "no aggregation" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 1 is specified in the job settings, 4 when "2in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 2 is specified in the job settings, 2 when "4in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 4 is specified in the job settings, and 1 when "8in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 8 is specified in the job settings.

[0036] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium is supplied, for example, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is supplied, x n As the position of the recording medium, a position corresponding to the position of a medium supply unit to which a recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job is supplied may be adopted.

[0037] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium is discharged, for example, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is discharged, x n As the printing position, a position corresponding to the position of a medium discharge unit to which a recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job is discharged may be adopted.

[0038] In the case where the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of performing post-processing such as sorting, stapling, punching, folding, etc. on the recording medium on which the image is printed, n As the post-processing time, a post-processing time may be adopted that corresponds to the type of post-processing to be performed on the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job.

[0039] x n may exist depending on the state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed. For example, x n As a result, a state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed may be one that corresponds to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation modes of the image forming apparatus 10 include, for example, a normal mode and a quiet mode that is quieter than the normal mode. In the quiet mode, the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 13 is stopped every time execution of a job is completed in order to reduce noise, so the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 13 needs to be driven every time execution of a job is started. Therefore, the quiet mode consumes more power than the normal mode.

[0040] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the constant term b indicates the total amount of power basically required for the target job. For example, the power basically required for the target job can be the power to raise the temperature of the fixing roller in the printer 13 to a specific temperature before printing and maintain it, the power to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the fixing roller in the printer 13 before printing, and the power to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the polygon mirror in the printer 13 before printing.

[0041] Next, a configuration of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generating system for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 includes an image forming device 30 of the same model as the image forming device 10 (see FIG. 1), a power meter 40 that measures the power consumption of the image forming device 30, and an electronic device 50, such as a smartphone or tablet, that stores the power consumption measured by the power meter 40.

[0044] Next, a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by image forming device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0046] 4, the worker collects a large amount of data for generating a power consumption estimation model (S101). Specifically, the worker accumulates data in the electronic device 50 for each job setting, the data correlating the power consumption measured by the power meter 40 when the image forming device 30 executes a job with the settings of the job executed by the image forming device 30.

[0047] When the step of S101 is completed, the worker generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101 (S102). Specifically, the worker instructs the electronic device 50 to generate a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101. The generation of the power consumption estimation model in S102 may be performed by machine learning.

[0048] When the step of S102 is completed, the worker generates a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S102 (S103). Specifically, the worker instructs the electronic device 50 to generate a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S102. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model by multiplying the power consumption estimation model generated in S102 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient.

[0049] 3, it is possible to generate only a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the same model as the image forming device 30. Therefore, by changing the model of the image forming device in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20, it is possible to generate carbon dioxide emission estimation models for various models.

[0050] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generated by the method shown in FIG. 4 can be installed in an image forming apparatus of the same model as the image forming apparatus 30, such as the image forming apparatus 10.

[0051] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a job will be described.

[0052] In the following, a copy job will be described as an example of the type of job, but the same applies to jobs other than a copy job.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a copy job.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, when an instruction to display a copy job setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the “copy setting screen”) is given via the operation unit 11, the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays the copy setting screen on the display unit 12 (S131).

[0055] When the processing of S131 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a of the image forming apparatus 10 determines an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 for each of a plurality of patterns of copy job settings (hereinafter referred to as "copy settings") using the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job and the pattern of the copy settings (S132).

[0056] When the process of S132 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a displays, on the copy setting screen displayed in S131, the multiple copy setting patterns and the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming device 10 obtained in S132 for each of the multiple copy setting patterns (S133). Therefore, the user of the image forming device 10 can take into account the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming device 10 when specifying the copy setting by, for example, selecting an arbitrary pattern from the multiple copy setting patterns.

[0057] When the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 completes the processing of S133, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the execution of a copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11 until it determines that the execution of a copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11 (S134).

[0058] When the control unit 18 determines in S134 that execution of a copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11, the control unit 18 executes the copy job with the copy settings specified on the copy setting screen (S135).

[0059] When the process of S135 ends, the control unit 18 stores the history of the copy job executed in S135 in the job history information 17b (S136), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0060] 5, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a displays an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming apparatus 10 for each of a plurality of copy setting patterns. However, when a copy setting is specified on the copy setting screen, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a may obtain an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming apparatus 10 using the copy setting specified on the copy setting screen and a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model for the copy job, and display the obtained estimated value on the copy setting screen.

[0061] Next, the operation of image forming apparatus 10 when displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions will be described.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

[0063] A user of image forming apparatus 10 can instruct image forming apparatus 10 to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emission by image forming apparatus 10 via operation unit 11. When instructed to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emission by image forming apparatus 10, carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a of image forming apparatus 10 uses the job settings indicated in job history information 17b and a carbon dioxide emission estimation model according to the type of job indicated in job history information 17b to obtain an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by image forming apparatus 10 for each job indicated in job history information 17b (S161), as shown in Fig. 6.

[0064] When the process of S161 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a calculates the total amount of estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 by adding up all the estimated values ​​obtained in S161 (S162).

[0065] When the process of S162 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a displays the total amount of estimated carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 calculated in S162 on the display unit 12 (S163). Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can recognize the total amount of estimated carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0066] 6, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a displays the total amount of estimated carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 for all past periods. However, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a may display the total amount of estimated carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 for a specific period, such as a period specified by a user of the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11.

[0067] As described above, the image forming device 10 uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is an equation obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimate of the power consumption when the image forming device 10 executes a job, and the job settings to obtain an estimate of the carbon dioxide emission amount when the image forming device 10 executes a job (S132 or S161).This does not confuse the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device 10, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming device 10 can be improved.

[0068] Since the multiple regression equation for obtaining an estimated value of the power consumption when the image forming device 10 executes a job includes a constant term indicating the total amount of power basically required for the job, the image forming device 10 can obtain an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device 10 taking into account the influence of the power basically required for the job. As a result, the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device 10 can be improved.

[0069] The image forming apparatus 10 can obtain an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 using the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, even if the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 is not measured by a power meter.

[0070] The recording medium on which an image is printed by the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the carbon dioxide emission amount already converted at the time of manufacturing the recording medium itself. Similarly, the toner used for printing on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the carbon dioxide emission amount already converted at the time of manufacturing the toner itself. Therefore, the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job should not include the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount for the usage amount of the recording medium and the usage amount of the toner. Since the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a does not include the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount for the usage amount of the recording medium and the usage amount of the toner in the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a notifies the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 by display. However, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a may notify the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 by a method other than display. For example, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation unit 18a may notify the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 by voice.

[0072] In the above, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system is composed of only an image forming device. However, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system according to the present embodiment may be composed of an image forming device and at least one computer other than the image forming device. For example, the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation system according to the present embodiment may be configured as shown in FIG. 7.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to the present embodiment, which is different from the example shown in FIG.

[0074] The carbon dioxide emission estimation system 60 shown in Fig. 7 includes an image forming apparatus 70 and a computer 80. The image forming apparatus 70 and the computer 80 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The computer 80 receives from the image forming apparatus 70 the type and settings of a job that the image forming apparatus 70 is scheduled to execute or has executed, and calculates an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming apparatus 70 based on the received job type and settings, similar to the process of S132 or S161. The estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming apparatus 70 calculated by the computer 80 may be notified by either the image forming apparatus 70 or the computer 80. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Image forming equipment (carbon dioxide emission estimation system, computer) 17a Carbon dioxide emissions estimation program 60 Carbon dioxide emissions estimation system 70 Image forming device 80 Computers

Claims

1. determining an estimated value of an amount of carbon dioxide emission when the image forming apparatus executes a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the amount of emission, and a setting of the job; the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming apparatus executes the job, A carbon dioxide emission estimation system, characterized in that there are multiple explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model depending on the type of job settings.

2. 2. The carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple regression equation includes a constant term indicating a total amount of power basically required for the job.

3. A computer is caused to perform an operation of calculating an estimated value of a carbon dioxide emission amount when an image forming apparatus executes a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the emission amount, and a setting of the job; the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming apparatus executes the job, A carbon dioxide emission estimation program, characterized in that there are a plurality of explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model according to the type of job settings.

Images