Image formation system and image formation program

Abstract

To provide an image formation system and an image formation program, which can suppress an amount of emitted carbon dioxide and can improve a possibility of starting the execution of an image formation job when receiving the instruction of the execution of the image formation job by a user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus determines an estimated value of an amount of emitted carbon dioxide when executing an image formation job according to the setting of the image formation job received by a spin box or the like before the execution of the image formation job (S323), determines an estimated value of a cumulative value of the amount of emitted carbon dioxide by adding an up-to-date estimated value of the amount of emitted carbon dioxide to an up-to-date cumulative value of the amount of emitted carbon dioxide before the execution of the image formation job (S324), and prohibits an operation for a start button receiving the instruction of the execution of the image formation job by a user when the estimated value of the cumulative value of the amount of emitted carbon dioxide exceeds an upper limit value of the amount emitted (NO in S325) (S326).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming program for executing an image forming job. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known conventional image forming system is an image forming apparatus that limits the print conditions that can be set when the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions for a predetermined period exceeds a specific value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-164486 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, when printing conditions are set by a user, printing begins if the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a specified period is below a specific value, but printing does not begin if the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a specified period exceeds the specific value, which can cause great dissatisfaction for users who were hoping printing would begin.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an image forming system and an image forming program that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve the possibility of starting execution of an image forming job when an instruction to execute an image forming job is received from a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming system of the present invention is characterized in that an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when an image forming job is executed is calculated before the image forming job is executed, in accordance with the settings instructed by a user and accepted by a setting acceptance unit that accepts settings for the image forming job, an estimated value of the cumulative value of the emissions is calculated before the image forming job is executed by adding the latest estimated value of the emissions to the latest cumulative value, and operation by the user on an execution instruction acceptance unit that accepts instructions to execute the image forming job is prohibited if the estimated value of the cumulative value exceeds a specific value.

[0007] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention prohibits operations on the execution instruction receiving unit, which receives instructions from a user to execute an image forming job, if the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds a specific value, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the possibility of starting execution of an image forming job when an instruction to execute an image forming job is received from a user.

[0008] The image forming system of the present invention is characterized in that it calculates an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when an image forming job is executed in accordance with the settings of the image forming job before the execution of the image forming job, calculates an estimated value of the cumulative value of the emissions before the execution of the image forming job by adding the latest estimated value of the emissions to the latest cumulative value, and when an instruction to execute the image forming job is given, if the estimated value of the cumulative value when executing the entire amount of the image forming job exceeds a specific value and the estimated value of the cumulative value when executing a specific amount of the image forming job does not exceed the specific value, then executes the specific amount of the image forming job.

[0009] With this configuration, when an instruction to execute an image formation job is received, the image formation system of the present invention executes a specific amount of the image formation job if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the entire amount of the image formation job exceeds a specific value, and if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing a specific amount of the image formation job does not exceed a specific value, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the likelihood of starting execution of the image formation job when an instruction to execute the image formation job is received from a user.

[0010] In the image forming system of the present invention, the specific amount may be a maximum amount at which the estimated value of the cumulative value does not exceed the specific value.

[0011] With this configuration, when an image formation job is instructed to be executed, the image formation system of the present invention executes the maximum amount of the image formation job for which the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions does not exceed the specific value, if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the entire image formation job exceeds a specific value, thereby making it possible to produce the image formation output expected by the user as much as possible while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0012] The image forming system of the present invention executes a specific notification when the estimated value of the cumulative value exceeds the specific value, and the specific notification is capable of accepting an instruction to change the specific value, and when an instruction to change the specific value is accepted in the specific notification, the image forming system may change the specific value in accordance with the instruction accepted in the specific notification.

[0013] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention executes a specific notification when the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds a specific value, and when an instruction to change the specific value is received in the specific notification, changes the specific value in accordance with the instruction received in the specific notification, thereby making it possible to produce the image formation output expected by the user as much as possible while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0014] The image forming system of the present invention executes a specific notification when the estimated value of the cumulative value exceeds the specific value, and the specific notification is capable of accepting an instruction to allow the execution of the image forming job that caused the execution of the specific notification, and when an instruction to allow the execution of the image forming job is accepted in the specific notification, the image forming system may allow the execution of the image forming job in accordance with the instruction accepted in the specific notification.

[0015] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention executes a specific notification when the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds a specific value, and when an instruction to allow the execution of an image forming job is accepted in the specific notification, the system allows the execution of the image forming job in accordance with the instruction accepted in the specific notification, thereby making it possible to produce as many image forming outputs as possible that are expected by the user while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0016] The image forming system of the present invention uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emission amount, and the settings to determine an estimated value of the emission amount, and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for determining an estimated value of the power consumption when the image forming system executes the image forming job, and there may be multiple explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model depending on the type of the settings.

[0017] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimated value of power consumption when an image forming job is executed, and the image forming job settings to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job is executed.This does not confuse the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission can be improved.

[0018] The image forming program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to perform the following operations before executing an image forming job: an operation of calculating an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing an image forming job, in accordance with the settings specified by a user and accepted by a setting acceptance unit that accepts settings for the image forming job; an operation of calculating an estimated value of the cumulative value of the emissions before executing the image forming job by adding the latest estimated value of the emissions to the latest cumulative value; and an operation of prohibiting a user from operating an execution instruction acceptance unit that accepts instructions to execute the image forming job if the estimated value of the cumulative value exceeds a specific value.

[0019] With this configuration, a computer executing the image formation program of the present invention prohibits operations on the execution instruction receiving section that receives instructions from a user to execute an image formation job if the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds a specific value, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the likelihood of starting execution of an image formation job when an instruction to execute an image formation job is received from a user.

[0020] The image forming program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to realize the following operations: an operation of calculating an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when an image forming job is executed in accordance with the settings of the image forming job before the execution of the image forming job; an operation of calculating an estimated value of the cumulative value of the emissions before the execution of the image forming job by adding the latest estimated value of the emissions to the latest accumulated value; and an operation of executing a specific amount of the image forming job when an instruction to execute the image forming job is given, if the estimated value of the cumulative value when executing the entire amount of the image forming job exceeds a specific value, but the estimated value of the cumulative value when executing a specific amount of the image forming job does not exceed the specific value.

[0021] With this configuration, when a computer executing the image formation program of the present invention is instructed to execute an image formation job, if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the entire image formation job exceeds a specific value, and if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing a specific amount of the image formation job does not exceed a specific value, the computer executes a specific amount of the image formation job, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the likelihood of starting execution of the image formation job when an instruction to execute the image formation job is received from a user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The image forming system and image forming program of the present invention can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve the likelihood of starting execution of an image forming job when an instruction to execute an image forming job is received from a user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus as an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of operation setting information shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 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. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when upper limit value information is updated. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when updating cumulative value information. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when updating operation setting information. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation setting editing screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a part of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a copy job is executed. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of an operation subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart of an operation subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 12 is a flowchart of the operation subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 12 is a flowchart of the operation subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1 in a state where operation of the start button is prohibited. [Figure 15] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a first upper limit exceeded notification screen displayed by a computer that has received a first upper limit exceeded notification in the operations shown in FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. [Figure 16] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1 when operation on the start button is not prohibited. [Figure 17]14 is a diagram showing an example of a second upper limit exceeded notification screen displayed by a computer that has received a second upper limit exceeded notification in the operations shown in FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. [Figure 18] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job execution disabled dialog box displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. [Figure 19] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job execution permission dialog displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. [Figure 20] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job execution denial dialogue displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. [Figure 21] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change suggestion dialog displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. [Figure 22] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1 with an explanation displayed in a sub-message area. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 as an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, 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 via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a fax communication unit 16, which is a fax device that communicates 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 that controls image forming apparatus 10 as a whole.

[0028] The storage unit 17 can store an image forming program 17a for executing image forming jobs such as a copy job, a print job, etc. The image forming 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.

[0029] The memory unit 17 is capable of storing upper limit value information 17b indicating the upper limit value of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "emission amount upper limit value"), and cumulative value information 17c indicating the cumulative value of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "emission amount cumulative value").

[0030] The storage unit 17 can store operation setting information 17d that indicates the operation settings of the image forming apparatus 10 when the estimated value of the discharge cumulative value exceeds the discharge upper limit value.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operation setting information 17d.

[0032] The operation setting information 17d shown in Figure 2 includes operation prohibition necessity information indicating whether it is necessary to prohibit operation of the start button described below, which serves as an execution instruction receiving unit that receives instructions from a user to execute an image formation job, when the estimated value of the cumulative emission value exceeds the emission upper limit value; impossibility notification necessity information indicating whether it is necessary to notify that the image formation job cannot be executed when the start button is operated when the estimated value of the cumulative emission value exceeds the emission upper limit value; partial execution necessity information indicating whether it is necessary to execute a portion of the image formation job within the range in which the cumulative emission value does not exceed the emission upper limit value when the estimated value of the cumulative emission value when the entire image formation job is executed exceeds the emission upper limit value; and setting proposal necessity information indicating whether it is necessary to propose settings for the image formation job so that the estimated cumulative emission value does not exceed the emission upper limit value when the estimated value of the cumulative emission value when the image formation job is executed with settings specified by the user exceeds the emission upper limit value.

[0033] 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 work area for the CPU of control unit 18. The CPU of control unit 18 executes programs stored in storage unit 17 or the ROM of control unit 18.

[0034] By executing the image forming program 17a, the control unit 18 realizes a job execution unit 18a that executes an image forming job and an information update unit 18b that updates the contents of the upper limit value information 17b, the cumulative value information 17c, and the operation setting information 17d.

[0035] The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, which is a mathematical formula used by the job execution unit 18a to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 executes one image formation job, is as follows.

number

[0036] A carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model is prepared for each type of image forming job.

[0037] In the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, the carbon dioxide emission coefficient may change depending on the time when the image forming job is executed.

[0038] In the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, the formula in the parentheses on the right side is a multiple regression formula (hereinafter referred to as the "power consumption estimation model") that obtains an estimated value of power consumption when image forming apparatus 10 executes one image formation job.

[0039] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, n is an integer of 2 or greater.

[0040] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the explanatory variable x n may exist depending on the type of settings for the target image forming job, for example.

[0041] x n For example, a value corresponding to the number of prints indicating the number of recording media on which images are printed in the target image forming job may be adopted as the print number.

[0042] x n For example, an explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium size indicating the size of the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target image forming job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding 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 corresponding to the recording medium size may be a numerical value proportional to the area of ​​the recording medium size, for example.

[0043] x n For example, a variable corresponding to the recording medium type indicating the type of recording medium on which an image is printed in the target image forming job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be determined according to the recording medium type, such as 3 for thick paper, 2 for plain paper, and 1 for thin paper. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be a numerical value proportional to the thickness of the recording medium type. An explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be provided for each recording medium type. When an explanatory variable corresponding 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 image forming job settings and 0 when the target recording medium type is not specified in the image forming job settings. For example, when an explanatory variable corresponding 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 image forming job settings and 0 when cardboard is not specified as the recording medium type in the image forming job settings.

[0044] 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 image forming job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the double-sided / single-sided explanatory variable may be 1 when double-sided printing is specified in the image forming job settings, and 0 when single-sided printing is specified in the image forming job settings.

[0045] x nFor example, an explanatory variable corresponding to color / monochrome indicating whether color printing or monochrome printing is to be performed in the target image formation 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 image formation job settings, and 0 when monochrome is specified in the image formation job settings. Separate explanatory variables corresponding to color / monochrome may be provided for color printing and monochrome printing. When separate explanatory variables corresponding to color / monochrome are provided 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 image formation job settings, and 0 when color printing is not specified in the image formation job settings. Similarly, when separate explanatory variables corresponding to color / monochrome are provided 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 image formation job settings, and 0 when monochrome printing is not specified in the image formation job settings.

[0046] x n For example, a value corresponding to aggregation indicating the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium may be adopted as the explanatory variable corresponding to aggregation. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding 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 one is specified in the image formation job settings, 4 when "2 in 1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is two is specified in the image formation job settings, 2 when "4 in 1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is four is specified in the image formation job settings, and 1 when "8 in 1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is eight is specified in the image formation job settings.

[0047] In the case where the number of motors to be driven for conveying the recording medium differs depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium is supplied, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes an image forming job differs depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is supplied in the target image forming job, x n As the printing position, a position corresponding to the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target image forming job is supplied may be adopted.

[0048] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium differs depending on the position of the medium discharge unit where the recording medium is discharged, for example, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes an image forming job differs depending on the position of the medium discharge unit where the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target image forming job is discharged, x n As the printing position, a position corresponding to the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target image forming job is discharged may be adopted.

[0049] If the image forming apparatus 10 has a function for performing post-processing such as sorting, stapling, punching, and folding on the recording medium on which the image is printed, then n As the setting, a setting corresponding to the type of post-processing to be performed on the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target image forming job may be adopted.

[0050] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the constant term b indicates the total amount of power basically required for the target image formation job. Examples of the power basically required for the target image formation job include the power required to raise and maintain the temperature of the fuser roller in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 to a specific temperature before printing, the power required to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the fuser roller in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 before printing, and the power required to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the polygon mirror in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 before printing.

[0051] Next, the configuration of a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model generation system for generating a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model will be described.

[0052] 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 (see FIG. 1).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 includes an image forming device 30 that is the same model as the image forming device 10, 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.

[0054] Next, a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by image forming device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0056] 4, the worker collects a large amount of data for generating a power consumption estimation model (S201). Specifically, the worker stores data in the electronic device 50 for each setting of an image formation job, the data correlating the power consumption measured by the power meter 40 when the image forming apparatus 30 executes an image formation job with the settings of the image formation job executed by the image forming apparatus 30.

[0057] When the step of S201 is completed, the worker generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S201 (S202). Specifically, the worker instructs the electronic device 50 to generate a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S201. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S201. The generation of the power consumption estimation model in S202 may be performed by machine learning.

[0058] When the step of S202 is completed, the worker generates a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S202 (S203). 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 S202. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model by multiplying the power consumption estimation model generated in S202 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient.

[0059] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generated by the method shown in FIG. 4 can be installed in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0060] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0061] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the upper limit information 17b will be described.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the upper limit information 17b.

[0063] The administrator of the image forming apparatus 10 can input an instruction to edit the upper limit value information 17b to the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11. When an instruction to edit the upper limit value information 17b is input via the operation unit 11, the information update unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0064] 5, the information update unit 18b displays a screen for editing the upper limit value information 17b (hereinafter referred to as the "upper limit value editing screen") on the display unit 12 (S231). On the upper limit value editing screen, the administrator can specify the emission upper limit value and instruct the upper limit value information 17b to be updated.

[0065] When the processing of S231 is completed, the information update unit 18b determines whether or not an instruction to update the upper limit information 17b has been given on the upper limit editing screen until it determines that an instruction to update the upper limit information 17b has been given on the upper limit editing screen (S232).

[0066] When the information update unit 18b determines in S232 that an instruction to update the upper limit value information 17b has been given on the upper limit value editing screen, it writes the emission upper limit value that was specified on the upper limit value editing screen at the time the instruction to update the upper limit value information 17b was given on the upper limit value editing screen into the upper limit value information 17b (S233), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 5.

[0067] In the above, an instruction to edit upper limit value information 17b is input to image forming apparatus 10 via operation unit 11. However, image forming apparatus 10 can perform operations similar to those described above even if an instruction to edit upper limit value information 17b is input via communication unit 15 from a computer (not shown), such as a PC (Personal Computer). When an instruction to edit upper limit value information 17b is input from a computer via communication unit 15, image forming apparatus 10 may transmit, for example, web page data to this computer via communication unit 15, for displaying a screen similar to the upper limit value editing screen on this computer.

[0068] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the cumulative value information 17c will be described.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the cumulative value information 17c.

[0070] When the image forming apparatus 10 is started up, the information updating unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0071] 6, the information update unit 18b determines whether the current time has reached a specific time (S261) until it determines that the current time has reached a specific time. Here, the specific time is a regular time, such as the first day of every month.

[0072] When the information update unit 18b determines in S261 that the current time has reached a specific time, it writes zero into the cumulative value information 17c (S262) and executes the process of S261.

[0073] By the operation shown in FIG. 6, the cumulative value information 17c is updated to zero periodically, for example, once a month.

[0074] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the operation setting information 17d will be described.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the operation setting information 17d.

[0076] The administrator of the image forming apparatus 10 can input an instruction to edit the operation setting information 17d to the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11. When an instruction to edit the operation setting information 17d is input via the operation unit 11, the information update unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the information update unit 18b displays a screen for editing the operation setting information 17d (hereinafter referred to as "operation setting editing screen") 100 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 12 (S291).

[0078] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation setting edit screen 100. As shown in FIG.

[0079] The operation setting editing screen 100 shown in FIG. 8 includes a radio button 101 for prohibiting operation of the start button when the estimated cumulative discharge value exceeds the discharge upper limit; a radio button 102 for instructing that when the start button is operated when the estimated cumulative discharge value exceeds the discharge upper limit, a notification indicating that the image formation job cannot be executed; a radio button 103 for instructing that when the estimated cumulative discharge value when the entire image formation job is executed exceeds the discharge upper limit, a part of the image formation job is executed within a range in which the accumulated discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit; a check box 104 for instructing to propose image formation job settings in which the estimated cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit when the estimated cumulative discharge value when the image formation job is executed with settings specified by the user exceeds the discharge upper limit; and an update button 105 for instructing to update the operation setting information 17d. Only one of the radio buttons 101 to 103 is always selected. The check box 104 can be checked only when the radio button 102 or the radio button 103 is selected.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, when the process of S291 ends, the information update unit 18b determines whether the update button 105 has been pressed or not until it determines that the update button 105 has been pressed (S292).

[0081] When the information update unit 18b determines in S292 that the update button 105 has been pressed, it updates the operation setting information 17d in accordance with the content specified on the operation setting editing screen 100 at the time the update button 105 was pressed (S293). For example, if the radio button 101 is selected at the time the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Necessary" in the operation prohibition necessity information in the operation setting information 17d, and if the radio button 101 is not selected at the time the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Not Required" in the operation prohibition necessity information in the operation setting information 17d. Furthermore, if the radio button 102 is selected at the time the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Necessary" in the non-prohibition notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d, and if the radio button 102 is not selected at the time the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Not Required" in the non-prohibition notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d. Furthermore, if the radio button 103 is selected when the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Necessary" in the partial execution necessity information in the operation setting information 17d, and if the radio button 103 is not selected when the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Not Required" in the partial execution necessity information in the operation setting information 17d. Furthermore, if the check box 104 is checked when the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Necessary" in the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d, and if the check box 104 is not checked when the update button 105 is pressed, the information update unit 18b writes "Not Required" in the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d.

[0082] When the process of S293 is completed, the information update unit 18b ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0083] In the above description, an instruction to edit the operation setting information 17d is input to the image forming device 10 via the operation unit 11. However, the image forming device 10 can perform operations similar to those described above even if an instruction to edit the operation setting information 17d is input from a computer (not shown), such as a PC, via the communication unit 15. When an instruction to edit the operation setting information 17d is input from a computer via the communication unit 15, the image forming device 10 may transmit, for example, data of a web page to the computer via the communication unit 15 in order to display a screen similar to the operation setting editing screen 100 on the computer.

[0084] In the following, a copy job will be described as an example of the type of image forming job, but the same applies to image forming jobs other than a copy job.

[0085] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a copy job will be described.

[0086] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of part of the operation of image forming apparatus 10 when executing a copy job. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the operation following the operation shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the operation following the operation shown in Fig. 10. Figs. 12 and 13 are each a flowchart of the operation following the operation shown in Fig. 11.

[0087] A user of the image forming apparatus 10 can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to display a copy setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the "copy setting screen") via the operation unit 11. When the display of the copy setting screen is instructed via the operation unit 11, the job executing unit 18a executes the operations shown in FIGS. 9 to 13.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the operation prohibition necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary" (S321).

[0089] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S321 that the operation prohibition necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," it displays the copy setting screen 110 (see FIG. 14) on the display unit 12 in a state in which operation of the start button 117 (see FIG. 14) serving as the execution instruction receiving unit is prohibited (S322).

[0090] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the copy setting screen 110 in a state where operation of the start button 117 is prohibited.

[0091] The copy setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 14 includes a spin box 111 for specifying the number of copies, a drop-down list 112 for specifying the recording medium size, a drop-down list 113 for specifying the recording medium type, a drop-down list 114 for specifying double-sided / single-sided, a drop-down list 115 for specifying color / monochrome, a drop-down list 116 for specifying aggregation, which indicates the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium, and a start button 117 for receiving instructions from the user to execute a copy job.

[0092] A user can change copy job settings by operating at least one of spin box 111, drop-down list 112, drop-down list 113, drop-down list 114, drop-down list 115, and drop-down list 116 via operation unit 11. That is, spin box 111, drop-down list 112, drop-down list 113, drop-down list 114, drop-down list 115, and drop-down list 116 constitute a setting acceptance unit that accepts copy job settings specified by the user.

[0093] In the copy setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 14, the start button 117 is grayed out and cannot be operated by the user.

[0094] As shown in Figures 9 to 13, when the processing of S322 is completed, the job execution unit 18a uses the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job and the current settings for the copy job on the copy setting screen 110 to calculate an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission amount when the image forming device 10 executes the copy job with the current settings on the copy setting screen 110 (S323).

[0095] When the process of S323 is completed, the job executing unit 18a adds the estimated value calculated in S323, i.e., the latest estimated value of carbon dioxide emission, to the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c, i.e., the latest accumulated emission amount, to calculate an estimated value of the accumulated emission amount when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a copy job with the current settings on the copy setting screen 110 (S324). For example, if the estimated value calculated in S323 is 100 g and the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c is 5 kg, the job executing unit 18a calculates 5.1 kg as the estimated value of the accumulated emission amount in S324. For example, if the estimated value calculated in S323 is 100 g and the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c is 9.95 kg, the job executing unit 18a calculates 10.05 kg as the estimated value of the accumulated emission amount in S324.

[0096] When the process of S324 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324 is equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (S325). For example, if the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324 is 5.1 kg and the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b is 10 kg, the job executing unit 18a determines in S325 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324 is equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. For example, if the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324 is 10.05 kg and the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b is 10 kg, the job executing unit 18a determines in S325 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324 is not equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b.

[0097] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S325 that the estimated cumulative discharge amount value calculated in S324 is not equal to or less than the discharge amount upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, it sets the start button 117 on the copy setting screen 110 to a state in which operation by the user is prohibited (S326), as shown in FIG. 14.

[0098] When the process of S326 ends, the job executing unit 18a executes a first exceeding upper limit notification, for example by email, to notify that the estimated value of the cumulative emission amount exceeds the emission upper limit when operation of the start button 117 is prohibited (S327). The destination of the notification executed in S327 may be, for example, the email address of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 10. The destination of the notification executed in S327 may be, for example, a setting in advance in the image forming apparatus 10. A computer such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet that receives the notification executed in S327 displays a first exceeding upper limit notification screen (hereinafter referred to as the "first exceeding upper limit notification screen") 120 (see FIG. 15).

[0099] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the over-first upper limit notification screen 120. As shown in FIG.

[0100] The first upper limit exceeding notification screen 120 shown in Figure 15 includes a radio button 121 for accepting a change to the discharge upper limit value, an area 121a indicating the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, a spin box 121b for specifying a new discharge upper limit value, a radio button 122 for indicating that execution of a copy job with the current settings on the copy setting screen 110 is not permitted, and an execute button 123 for executing the process selected using the radio buttons 121 to 122.

[0101] Only one of the radio buttons 121 and 122 is selected at any one time.

[0102] The minimum value and the initial value of the upper limit of discharge amount shown in the spin box 121b are estimated values ​​of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S324.

[0103] If radio button 121 is selected at the time that execute button 123 is pressed, the computer that displays first upper limit value exceeding notification screen 120 transmits to image forming device 10 the new discharge upper limit value that was specified by spin box 121b at the time that execute button 123 was pressed.

[0104] The computer that displays the over-first upper limit notification screen 120 does not need to send anything to the image forming apparatus 10 if the radio button 122 is selected at the time the execute button 123 is pressed.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S327 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether or not a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S328).

[0106] If it is determined in S328 that a new emission upper limit value has been received, the information updating unit 18b writes the received new emission upper limit value into the upper limit value information 17b (S329).

[0107] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S328 that a new discharge amount upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether the copy job settings have been changed on the copy setting screen 110 (S330).

[0108] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S330 that the copy job settings have not been changed on the copy setting screen 110, it executes the process of S328.

[0109] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S330 that the copy job settings have been changed on the copy setting screen 110, it executes the process of S323.

[0110] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S325 that the estimated cumulative discharge amount value calculated in S324 is equal to or less than the discharge amount upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, or when the processing of S329 is completed, the job execution unit 18a sets the start button 117 on the copy setting screen 110 to a state in which user operation is not prohibited (S331), as shown in FIG. 16.

[0111] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the copy setting screen 110 in a state where operation of the start button 117 is not prohibited.

[0112] The copy setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 16 differs from the copy setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 14 only in that the start button 117 is not grayed out and can be operated by the user.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S331 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the settings of the copy job have been changed on the copy setting screen 110 (S332).

[0114] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S332 that the copy job settings have been changed on the copy setting screen 110, it executes the process of S323.

[0115] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S332 that the copy job settings have not been changed on the copy setting screen 110, it determines whether the start button 117 has been operated (S333).

[0116] If the job executing section 18a determines in S333 that the start button 117 has not been operated, it executes the process of S332.

[0117] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S333 that the start button 117 has been operated, it generates a copy job according to the copy job settings on the copy setting screen 110 at the time the start button 117 was operated (S334).

[0118] When the process of S334 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the copy job generated in S334 (S335).

[0119] When the process of S335 ends, the job executing unit 18a calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when the copy job is executed in S335 (S336). If the image forming apparatus 10 has a function for measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when the copy job is executed, the job executing unit 18a may calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emission measured by this function in S336. Alternatively, the job executing unit 18a may use a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job and the settings of the copy job executed in S335 to calculate an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when the copy job is executed in S335, and use the calculated estimated value as the amount of emission calculated in S336.

[0120] When the processing of S336 is completed, the information update unit 18b updates the cumulative emission value indicated in the cumulative value information 17c, i.e., the latest cumulative emission value, by adding the emission amount calculated in S336, i.e., the latest carbon dioxide emission amount, to the cumulative emission value indicated in the cumulative value information 17c, i.e., the latest cumulative emission value (S337).

[0121] When the process of S337 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S323.

[0122] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S321 that the operation prohibition necessity information in the operation setting information 17d is not marked as "necessary," i.e., that it is marked as "not required," the job execution unit 18a displays the copy setting screen 110 on the display unit 12 in a state where operation of the start button 117 is not prohibited, as shown in FIG. 16 (S351).

[0123] When the process of S351 ends, the job executing section 18a determines whether the start button 117 has been operated or not (S352) until it determines that the start button 117 has been operated.

[0124] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S352 that the start button 117 has been operated, it generates a copy job according to the copy job settings on the copy setting screen 110 at the time the start button 117 was operated (S353).

[0125] When the processing of S353 is completed, the job execution unit 18a uses the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job and the settings of the copy job generated in S353 to calculate an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the copy job generated in S353 is executed (S354).

[0126] When the process of S354 is completed, the job executing unit 18a calculates an estimated value of the accumulated emission amount when the copy job generated in S353 is executed by adding the estimated value calculated in S354, i.e., the latest estimated value of carbon dioxide emission, to the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c, i.e., the latest accumulated emission amount (S355). For example, if the estimated value calculated in S354 is 100 g and the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c is 5 kg, the job executing unit 18a calculates 5.1 kg as the estimated value of the accumulated emission amount in S355. For example, if the estimated value calculated in S354 is 100 g and the accumulated emission amount indicated in the accumulation value information 17c is 9.95 kg, the job executing unit 18a calculates 10.05 kg as the estimated value of the accumulated emission amount in S355.

[0127] When the process of S355 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (S356). For example, if the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is 5.1 kg and the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b is 10 kg, the job executing unit 18a determines in S356 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. For example, if the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is 10.05 kg and the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b is 10 kg, the job executing unit 18a determines in S356 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is not equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b.

[0128] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S356 that the estimated cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is equal to or less than the discharge upper limit indicated in the upper limit information 17b, it executes the copy job created in S353 (S357).

[0129] When the process of S357 ends, the job executing unit 18a calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when the most recently executed copy job was executed (S358). If the image forming apparatus 10 has a function for measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when a copy job is executed, the job executing unit 18a may calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emission measured by this function in S358. Alternatively, the job executing unit 18a may use a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for a copy job and the settings of the most recently executed copy job to calculate an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission generated when the most recently executed copy job was executed, and use the calculated estimated value as the amount of emission calculated in S358.

[0130] When the processing of S358 is completed, the information update unit 18b updates the cumulative emission value indicated in the cumulative value information 17c, i.e., the latest cumulative emission value, by adding the emission amount calculated in S358, i.e., the latest carbon dioxide emission amount, to the cumulative emission value indicated in the cumulative value information 17c, i.e., the latest cumulative emission value (S359).

[0131] When the process of S359 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S352.

[0132] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S356 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355 is not equal to or less than the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, the job executing unit 18a executes a second upper limit value exceeding notification, for example, by email, to notify the user that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount exceeds the discharge upper limit value when the start button 117 is operated (S360). The destination of the notification executed in S360 may be, for example, the email address of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 10. The destination of the notification executed in S360 may be, for example, a destination set in advance in the image forming apparatus 10. The second upper limit value exceeding notification includes identification information of the copy job generated in S353. A computer, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet, that receives the notification executed in S360 displays a second upper limit value exceeding notification screen (hereinafter referred to as the "second upper limit value exceeding notification screen") 130 (see FIG. 17).

[0133] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the over-second upper limit notification screen 130.

[0134] The second upper limit exceeding notification screen 130 shown in Figure 17 includes a radio button 131 for instructing that only the execution of the copy job generated in S353 is permitted, a radio button 132 for accepting a change to the discharge amount upper limit value, an area 132a indicating the discharge amount upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, a spin box 132b for specifying a new discharge amount upper limit value, a radio button 133 for instructing that the execution of the copy job with the current settings on the copy setting screen 110 is not permitted, and an execute button 134 for executing the process selected by radio buttons 131 to 133.

[0135] Only one of the radio buttons 131 to 133 is always selected.

[0136] The minimum and initial values ​​of the upper limit of discharge amount shown in the spin box 132b are estimated values ​​of the cumulative discharge amount calculated in S355.

[0137] When the computer that displays the second upper limit exceeded notification screen 130 is pressed, and radio button 131 is selected at the time that execute button 134 is pressed, the computer sends an instruction to image forming device 10 to allow the execution of the copy job identified by the identification information included in the second upper limit exceeded notification.

[0138] If the radio button 132 is selected at the time the execute button 134 is pressed, the computer that displays the second upper limit value exceeding notification screen 130 transmits to the image forming device 10 the new discharge upper limit value that was specified by the spin box 132b at the time the execute button 134 was pressed.

[0139] If radio button 133 is selected at the time that execute button 134 is pressed, the computer that displays second upper limit exceeding notification screen 130 sends an instruction to image forming device 10 not to allow the execution of the copy job identified by the identification information included in the second upper limit exceeding notification.

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S360 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the impossibility notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary" (S381).

[0141] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S381 that the impossibility notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," it starts displaying a dialog box (hereinafter referred to as the "job execution impossible dialog") 140 (see Figure 18) indicating that the copy job cannot be executed because the discharge amount upper limit value will be exceeded (S382).

[0142] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the job execution disabled dialog 140.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 18, the job execution disabled dialog box 140 is displayed on the copy setting screen 110.

[0144] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S382 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether or not an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S383).

[0145] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S383 that it has received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353, it ends the display of the job execution disabled dialog 140 that began to be displayed in S382 (S384).

[0146] When the process of S384 ends, the job execution unit 18a starts displaying a dialog box (hereinafter referred to as the "job execution permission dialog") 150 (see FIG. 19) indicating that execution of the copy job has been permitted by the administrator (S385). Note that the job execution unit 18a displays the job execution permission dialog 150 for only a specific time, such as three seconds.

[0147] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the job execution permission dialog 150. As shown in FIG.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 19, the job execution permission dialog 150 is displayed on the copy setting screen 110.

[0149] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, after the process of S385 ends, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S357.

[0150] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S383 that it has not received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S386).

[0151] If it is determined in S386 that a new emission upper limit value has been received, the information updating unit 18b writes the received new emission upper limit value into the upper limit value information 17b (S387).

[0152] When the process of S387 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S384.

[0153] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S386 that a new discharge amount upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether or not an instruction to not permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S388).

[0154] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S388 that it has received the instruction to not permit execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353, it ends the display of the job execution disallowance dialog 140 that began to be displayed in S382 (S389).

[0155] When the process of S389 is completed, the job execution unit 18a starts displaying a dialog box (hereinafter referred to as the "job execution denial dialog") 160 (see FIG. 20) indicating that execution of the copy job has not been permitted by the administrator (S390). Note that the job execution unit 18a displays the job execution denial dialog 160 for only a specific time, such as three seconds.

[0156] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the job execution denial dialog 160. As shown in FIG.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 20, the job execution denial dialogue 160 is displayed on the copy setting screen 110.

[0158] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, after the process of S390 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S352.

[0159] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S388 that it has not received an instruction not to permit execution of the copy job generated in the previous S353, it determines whether a specific time, such as 3 seconds, has elapsed since the job execution disallowance dialog 140 began to be displayed (S391).

[0160] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S391 that a specific time has not elapsed since the job execution impossible dialog 140 started to be displayed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S383.

[0161] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S391 that a specific time has elapsed since the job execution impossible dialog 140 started to be displayed, the job executing unit 18a ends the display of the job execution impossible dialog 140 (S392).

[0162] When the process of S392 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary" (S393).

[0163] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S393 that the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," it determines whether or not there are copy job settings in which the estimated value of the accumulated discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (S394). For example, if the aggregation setting in the copy job created in S353 is changed so that the estimated value of the accumulated discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, the job executing unit 18a determines that there are copy job settings in which the estimated value of the accumulated discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. Here, the job executing unit 18a obtains the estimated value of the accumulated discharge amount in the same manner as the processes in S354 to S355.

[0164] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S394 that a copy job setting exists in which the estimated cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, the job execution unit 18a starts displaying a dialog box (hereinafter referred to as the "setting change proposal dialog") 160 (see Figure 21) proposing a change to the copy job setting in which the estimated cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (S395).

[0165] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the setting change suggestion dialog 170. As shown in FIG.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 21, the setting change suggestion dialog 170 is displayed on the copy setting screen 110.

[0167] The setting change suggestion dialog 170 includes a YES button 161 for instructing to change to the proposed setting, and a NO button 162 for instructing not to change to the proposed setting.

[0168] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S395 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether or not an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S396).

[0169] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S396 that it has received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job created in the immediately preceding S353, it ends the display of the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S397).

[0170] When the process of S397 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S385.

[0171] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S396 that it has not received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S398).

[0172] If it is determined in S398 that a new emission upper limit value has been received, the information updating unit 18b writes the received new emission upper limit value into the upper limit value information 17b (S399).

[0173] When the process of S399 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S397.

[0174] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S398 that a new discharge amount upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether or not an instruction to not permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S400).

[0175] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S400 that it has received an instruction not to permit execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353, it ends the display of the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S401).

[0176] When the process of S401 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S390.

[0177] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S400 that it has not received an instruction not to permit execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353, it determines whether the YES button 161 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S402).

[0178] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S402 that the YES button 161 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, the job executing unit 18a terminates the display of the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S403).

[0179] When the processing of S403 is completed, the job execution unit 18a changes the settings of the copy job generated in S353 to the settings proposed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, thereby changing the copy job generated in S353 (S404).

[0180] When the process of S404 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S357.

[0181] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S402 that the YES button 161 has not been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, it determines whether the NO button 162 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S405).

[0182] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S405 that the NO button 162 has not been pressed in the setting change suggestion dialog 170, it executes the process of S396.

[0183] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S405 that the NO button 162 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, the job executing unit 18a terminates the display of the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S406).

[0184] When the process of S406 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S352.

[0185] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S393 that the setting suggestion information in the operation setting information 17d does not indicate "necessary," i.e., indicates "not required," or when it determines in S394 that the estimated cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b and no copy job settings exist, it determines whether or not an instruction to allow execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353 has been received (S407).

[0186] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S407 that it has received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job created in the immediately preceding S353, it executes the process of S385.

[0187] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S407 that it has not received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S408).

[0188] When it is determined in S408 that a new emission upper limit value has been received, the information updating unit 18b writes the received new emission upper limit value into the upper limit value information 17b (S409).

[0189] When the process of S409 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S385.

[0190] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S408 that a new discharge amount upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether or not an instruction to not permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S410).

[0191] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S410 that it has received an instruction not to permit execution of the copy job generated in the immediately preceding S353, it executes the process of S390.

[0192] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S410 that it has not received the instruction not to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether the start button 117 has been operated (S411).

[0193] If the job executing section 18a determines in S411 that the start button 117 has not been operated, it executes the process of S407.

[0194] If the job executing section 18a determines in S411 that the start button 117 has been operated, it executes the process of S353.

[0195] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S381 that the non-performance notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d does not indicate "necessary," that is, that it indicates "not necessary," it executes the processes of S421 to S424, which are the same as the processes of S393 to S396. Note that if the job executing unit 18a determines in S381 that the non-performance notification necessity information in the operation setting information 17d does not indicate "necessary," the partial execution necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary."

[0196] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S424 that it has received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job created in the immediately preceding S353, it executes the process of S397.

[0197] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S424 that it has not received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether or not a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S425).

[0198] If it is determined in S425 that a new emission amount upper limit value has been received, the information update unit 18b executes the process of S399.

[0199] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S425 that a new discharge amount upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether the YES button 161 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S426).

[0200] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S426 that the YES button 161 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, it executes the process of S403.

[0201] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S426 that the YES button 161 has not been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, it determines whether the NO button 162 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S427).

[0202] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S427 that the NO button 162 has not been pressed in the setting change suggestion dialog 170, it executes the process of S424.

[0203] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S427 that the NO button 162 has been pressed in the setting change proposal dialog 170, the job executing unit 18a terminates the display of the setting change proposal dialog 170 (S428).

[0204] The job executing unit 18a determines in S421 that the setting suggestion information in the operation setting information 17d does not indicate "necessary," i.e., indicates "unnecessary," or determines in S422 that the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b and no copy job settings exist, or, after the process of S428 is completed, determines whether or not a portion of the copy job generated in S353 can be executed (S429). Here, the job executing unit 18a determines that a portion of the copy job generated in S353 can be executed if the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount when the portion of the copy job generated in S353 is executed does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. Here, the job executing unit 18a can obtain the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount when the portion of the copy job generated in S353 is executed in the same manner as the processes of S354 to S355.

[0205] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S429 that it is not possible to execute a part of the copy job generated in S353, it executes the process of S352.

[0206] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S429 that it is possible to execute a portion of the copy job generated in S353, it displays an explanation that a portion of the copy job will be executed in the sub-message area 118 (see Figure 22) of the copy setting screen 110 (S430).

[0207] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of copy setting screen 110 in a state where an explanation is displayed in sub-message area 118. As shown in FIG.

[0208] The copy setting screen 110 shown in Fig. 22 includes a sub-message area 118, which is a message display area. In Fig. 22, the sub-message area 118 displays a message explaining that a portion of the copy job will be executed.

[0209] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 13, when the process of S430 ends, the job executing unit 18a starts executing the copy job generated in 353 (S431).

[0210] When the process of S431 ends, the job executing unit 18a determines whether or not an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353 has been received (S432).

[0211] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S432 that it has received an instruction to allow the execution of the copy job generated in the previous S353, it ends the display of the explanation that a portion of the copy job will be executed in the sub-message area 118 of the copy setting screen 110 (S433).

[0212] When the process of S433 ends, the job executing unit 18a starts displaying the job execution permission dialog 150 (see FIG. 19) (S434). Note that the job executing unit 18a displays the job execution permission dialog 150 for only a specific time, such as three seconds.

[0213] When the process of S434 is completed, the job executing unit 18a determines whether the execution of the copy job started in S431 has been completed (S435) until it determines that the execution of the copy job started in S431 has been completed.

[0214] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S435 that the copy job that was started in S431 has been completed, it executes the process of S358.

[0215] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S432 that it has not received an instruction to permit execution of the copy job generated immediately before in S353, it determines whether a new discharge amount upper limit value has been received (S436).

[0216] When it is determined in S436 that a new emission upper limit value has been received, the information updating unit 18b writes the received new emission upper limit value into the upper limit value information 17b (S437).

[0217] When the process of S437 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the process of S433.

[0218] If the job executing unit 18a determines in S436 that a new discharge upper limit value has not been received, it determines whether or not the execution of the maximum amount of the copy job generated in S353 whose accumulated discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b has been completed (S438). Here, the maximum amount of the copy job generated in S353 whose accumulated discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b is, for example, the maximum number of copies in the copy job generated in S353 whose accumulated discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b.

[0219] If the job execution unit 18a determines in S438 that the execution of the maximum amount of copy jobs generated in S353, in which the cumulative discharge amount does not exceed the discharge amount upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, has not been completed, the job execution unit 18a executes the process of S432.

[0220] When the job execution unit 18a determines in S438 that the execution of the maximum amount of the copy job generated in S353 has been completed, the cumulative discharge amount of which does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b, the job execution unit 18a ends the display of the explanation that a portion of the copy job will be executed in the sub-message area 118 of the copy setting screen 110 (S439), and executes the processing of S358.

[0221] As described above, the image forming device 10 prohibits (S326) operation of the start button 117, which accepts a user's instruction to execute an image forming job, when the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds the emission upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (NO in S325). This makes it possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improves the possibility of starting execution of an image forming job (S335) when a user's instruction to execute an image forming job is accepted (YES in S333).

[0222] When image forming device 10 is instructed to execute an image formation job (YES in S352), if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the entire image formation job exceeds the emission upper limit value indicated in upper limit value information 17b (NO in S356), and if the estimated cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions when executing a specific amount of the image formation job does not exceed the emission upper limit value indicated in upper limit value information 17b (YES in S429), it executes the specific amount of the image formation job (YES in S431 and S438).This allows for reduced carbon dioxide emissions and improves the likelihood of starting execution of the image formation job (S431) when a user instructs image formation job execution (YES in S352) to be received.

[0223] When the image forming device 10 is instructed to execute an image forming job (YES in S352), if the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the entire image forming job exceeds the emission upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (NO in S356), and if the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions when executing a specific amount of the image forming job does not exceed the emission upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (YES in S429), it executes the maximum amount of the image forming job for which the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions does not exceed the emission upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b (YES in S431 and S438), thereby making it possible to produce the image formation output expected by the user as much as possible while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0224] In the present embodiment, when the partial execution necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image formation job for the number of copies in the image formation job whose cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. However, when the partial execution necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," the image forming apparatus 10 may execute the image formation job for the number of copies in the image formation job whose cumulative discharge value does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b.

[0225] If the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds the emission upper limit indicated in upper limit information 17b (NO in S325 or NO in S356), image forming device 10 executes a first upper limit exceeding notification or a second upper limit exceeding notification (S327 or S360), and if an instruction to change the emission upper limit is accepted in the first upper limit exceeding notification or the second upper limit exceeding notification (YES in S328, YES in S386, YES in S398, YES in S408, YES in S425 or YES in S436), image forming device 10 changes the emission upper limit indicated in upper limit information 17b in accordance with the instruction accepted in the first upper limit exceeding notification or the second upper limit exceeding notification (S329, S387, S399, S409 or S437), thereby making it possible to produce the image formation output expected by the user as much as possible while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0226] When the estimated cumulative value of carbon dioxide emissions exceeds the emission upper limit indicated in upper limit information 17b (NO in S356), image forming device 10 executes a second upper limit exceeding notification (S360), and when an instruction to permit execution of an image formation job is accepted in the second upper limit exceeding notification (YES in S383, YES in S396, YES in S407, YES in S424 or YES in S432), image forming device 10 permits execution of an image formation job in accordance with the instruction accepted in the second upper limit exceeding notification (YES in S357 or S435), thereby making it possible to produce as many image formation outputs as the user expects while suppressing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0227] The image forming apparatus 10 calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when an image forming job is executed using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that calculates an estimated value of power consumption when an image forming job is executed, and the image forming job settings, and which has multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of image forming job settings (S323, S336, S354 and S358).This prevents the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions from being confused, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions can be improved.

[0228] In the image forming device 10, the multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of the power consumption when executing an image formation job includes a constant term b that indicates the total amount of power basically required for the image formation job, so that an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emissions can be calculated taking into account the influence of the power basically required for the image formation job.

[0229] In the present embodiment, when the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," the image forming apparatus 10 employs the aggregation setting as the setting for the image formation job in which the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. However, when the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," the image forming apparatus 10 may employ a setting other than the aggregation setting instead of or in addition to the aggregation setting as the setting for the image formation job in which the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b. For example, when the setting suggestion necessity information in the operation setting information 17d indicates "necessary," the image forming apparatus 10 may employ at least one of the following settings for the image formation job in which the estimated value of the cumulative discharge amount does not exceed the discharge upper limit value indicated in the upper limit value information 17b: a recording medium size setting, a double-sided / single-sided setting, a setting for changing the thickness of toner on the recording medium by changing the amount of exposure to toner during image formation, or a setting for changing the area of ​​toner adhesion on the recording medium.

[0230] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 uses a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10. However, the image forming apparatus 10 may estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 using a method other than the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model described in this embodiment.

[0231] The image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) in the example shown in FIG. 1, but may also be a dedicated printer.

[0232] (Second embodiment) The first embodiment describes an example in which the image forming system is configured solely by the image forming apparatus 10. However, the image forming system of the present invention may also be configured by the image forming apparatus and an auxiliary system configured by at least one computer, as shown in Fig. 23, for example.

[0233] FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an image forming system 500 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 23, the image forming system 500 includes an image forming apparatus 510 and an auxiliary system 520 that assists the functions of the image forming apparatus 510.

[0235] Image forming apparatus 510 is capable of realizing functions other than specific functions (hereinafter referred to as "specific functions") among the functions of image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment.

[0236] The auxiliary system 520 is configured with at least one computer, such as a PC. The auxiliary system 520 is capable of realizing a specific function. The computer that configures the auxiliary system 520 may be located on the same LAN as the image forming apparatus 510, or may be located on the cloud.

[0237] The image forming system 500 can achieve the same functions as the image forming apparatus 10 as a whole.

[0238] In the first embodiment, image forming apparatus 10 issues the first and second over-upper-limit notifications by email, for example. However, image forming system 500 may issue the first and second over-upper-limit notifications via a web page generated by auxiliary system 520. That is, image forming system 500 may implement the first and second over-upper-limit notification screens via a web page generated by auxiliary system 520. An administrator of image forming apparatus 510 can receive the first and second over-upper-limit notifications by accessing the web page generated by auxiliary system 520 from a computer such as a PC (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 10 Image forming devices (image forming systems, computers) 17a Image formation program 111 Spinbox (settings reception section) 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 Drop-down list (settings reception section) 117 Start button (execution instruction reception section) 500 Image forming system

Claims

1. calculating an estimated value of a carbon dioxide emission amount when an image forming job is executed, according to a setting instructed by a user and accepted by a setting acceptance unit that accepts the setting of the image forming job, before the execution of the image forming job; a latest estimated value of the discharge amount is calculated before the image forming job is executed by adding the latest estimated value of the discharge amount to the latest accumulated value; The image forming system further comprises: prohibiting a user from operating an execution instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute the image forming job when the estimated cumulative value exceeds a specific value.

2. determining an estimated value of an amount of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job is executed according to settings of the image forming job before the image forming job is executed; a latest estimated value of the discharge amount is calculated before the image forming job is executed by adding the latest estimated value of the discharge amount to the latest accumulated value; an image forming system characterized in that, when execution of the image forming job is instructed, an estimated value of the cumulative value when executing the entire amount of the image forming job exceeds a specific value, and when an estimated value of the cumulative value when executing a specific amount of the image forming job does not exceed the specific value, the specific amount of the image forming job is executed.

3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the specific amount is a maximum amount at which the estimated value of the cumulative value does not exceed the specific value.

4. performing a particular notification if the estimated cumulative value exceeds the particular value; The specific notification can receive an instruction to change the specific value, The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when an instruction to change the specific value is accepted in the specific notification, the image forming system changes the specific value in accordance with the instruction accepted in the specific notification.

5. performing a particular notification if the estimated cumulative value exceeds the particular value; The specific notification can receive an instruction to permit execution of the image forming job that is the cause of the specific notification, The image forming system according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that when an instruction to permit execution of the image forming job is accepted in the specific notification, the image forming system permits execution of the image forming job in accordance with the instruction accepted in the specific notification.

6. Using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the emission amount, and the setting, an estimated value of the emission amount is obtained; 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 system executes the image forming job, 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the carbon dioxide emission estimation model has a plurality of explanatory variables depending on the type of the setting.

7. An operation of obtaining an estimated value of a carbon dioxide emission amount when an image formation job is executed, according to a setting instructed by a user and accepted by a setting acceptance unit that accepts the setting of the image formation job, before the execution of the image formation job; an operation of determining an estimated cumulative value of the discharge amount before execution of the image forming job by adding the latest estimated value of the discharge amount to the latest cumulative value; an operation of prohibiting an operation on an execution instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute the image forming job by a user when the estimated value of the cumulative value exceeds a specific value; An image forming program characterized by causing a computer to realize the above.

8. An operation of obtaining an estimated value of a carbon dioxide emission amount when an image forming job is executed according to a setting of the image forming job before the execution of the image forming job; an operation of determining an estimated cumulative value of the discharge amount before execution of the image forming job by adding the latest estimated value of the discharge amount to the latest cumulative value; an operation of executing the specific amount of the image formation job when an instruction to execute the image formation job is given and when an estimated value of the cumulative value when executing the entire amount of the image formation job exceeds a specific value and an estimated value of the cumulative value when executing the specific amount of the image formation job does not exceed the specific value; An image forming program characterized by causing a computer to realize the above.

Images