Image formation system and image formation job generating program

Abstract

To provide an image formation system that can improve convenience for reducing carbon dioxide emission amount, and an image formation job generating program.SOLUTION: An image formation device displays a color / monochrome setting screen which simultaneously displays a plurality of set value candidates for color / monochrome that is a setting item of a copy job (S191), determines an estimated value of a carbon dioxide emission amount when executing the copy job with a designated candidate of the set value before execution of the copy job (S194), and a difference between an estimated value when a value other than the set value indicated in set content information for color / monochrome is designated and an estimated value when the set value indicated in the set content information for color / monochrome is designated is associated with a candidate other than the set value indicated in the set content information for color / monochrome and is displayed on the color / monochrome setting screen (S196).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A known conventional image forming system is an image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that, when setting values ​​for multiple setting items of an image formation job are specified and an instruction is given to start executing the image formation job, calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when executing the image formation job with each of the setting value candidates, and if there is a candidate whose estimated value is smaller than the estimated value when the image formation job is executed with the currently specified setting values, displays a screen showing the difference between the estimated value when the image formation job is executed with the candidate and the estimated value when the image formation job is executed with the currently specified setting values, and invites the user to change to this candidate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-167577 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, a screen is displayed each time encouraging the user to change to a candidate with a smaller estimated value than the estimated value that would be obtained if the image forming job were executed with the currently actually specified setting value, which is problematic in terms of usability.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an image forming job generation program that can improve the convenience of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming system of the present invention is characterized in that it displays a setting screen which simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image forming job, calculates an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed before executing the image forming job, and displays specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the emissions when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed on the setting screen in association with this candidate.

[0007] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention displays a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image forming job, and displays specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed on the setting screen in association with the candidate, so that when a setting value is specified by a user on the setting screen, the specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image forming job for which the setting value candidate is specified is able to be used as a reference by the user. Therefore, the image forming system of the present invention can improve the convenience for suppressing carbon dioxide emission, since it is not necessary to display a screen encouraging the user to change the setting value separately from the setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image forming job.

[0008] The image forming system of the present invention may display the setting screen before an instruction to start execution of the image forming job is given.

[0009] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention displays a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image forming job before an instruction to start execution of the image forming job is given, so there is no need to display a screen encouraging the user to change the setting values ​​after an instruction to start execution of the image forming job is given. Therefore, the image forming system of the present invention can improve convenience in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0010] In the image forming system of the present invention, the setting screen may simultaneously display three or more candidates for the specific setting item, and at least a portion of the specific information displayed on the setting screen may indicate the difference between estimated values ​​of the emission amount when the image forming job is executed in which each of the candidates displayed on the setting screen is specified.

[0011] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention simultaneously displays three or more setting value candidates for a specific setting item on the setting screen, and indicates the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job is executed in which all of the setting value candidates displayed on the setting screen are specified, by at least a part of the specific information displayed on the setting screen, so that when a user specifies one of the many setting value candidates for a specific setting item, the user can refer to the specific information corresponding to the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job in which the setting value candidate is specified is executed. Therefore, the image forming system of the present invention can improve the convenience of suppressing carbon dioxide emission.

[0012] In the image forming system of the present invention, the specific information may be the difference between an estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed and an estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the setting screen.

[0013] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention displays the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job with a set value candidate currently specified on the setting screen as specific information corresponding to the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job with a set value candidate specified is executed, so that the user can easily recognize the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job with a set value candidate currently specified on the setting screen. Therefore, the image forming system of the present invention can improve the convenience of reducing carbon dioxide emission.

[0014] The image forming system of the present invention calculates an estimated value of the emissions using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a formula for estimating the emissions, and the settings of the image forming job, and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming system executes the image forming job, and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model may have multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of settings of the image forming job.

[0015] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is an equation obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimated value of power consumption when an image formation job is executed, and the image formation job settings to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when an image formation job is executed.This does not confuse the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions can be improved.

[0016] The image formation job generation program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to perform the following operations: displaying a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image formation job; determining an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when the image formation job for which the candidate is specified is executed before executing the image formation job; and displaying specific information corresponding to the estimated value of emissions when the image formation job for which the candidate is specified is executed on the setting screen in association with the candidate.

[0017] With this configuration, the computer executing the image formation job generation program of the present invention displays a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image formation job, and displays specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image formation job for which the candidate is specified is executed on the setting screen in association with the candidate, so that when a setting value is specified by a user on the setting screen, the specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image formation job for which the setting value candidate is specified is executed can be used as a reference by the user. Therefore, the computer executing the image formation job generation program of the present invention does not need to display a screen encouraging the user to change the setting value separately from the setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates for setting values ​​for specific setting items of an image formation job, thereby improving convenience for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The image forming system and the image forming job generation program of the present invention can improve the convenience for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [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. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of setting content information shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3]2 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model generation system for generating a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model used by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by the image forming device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a copy job is executed. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 6 is a flowchart of a copy setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color / monochrome setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart of a color / monochrome setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 10] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium type setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart of a recording medium type setting screen display process shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium type setting screen different from the example shown in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a recording medium type setting screen different from the examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] (First embodiment) First, a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 serving as an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is a computer that includes an operation unit 11 which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 12 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 13 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 14 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 15 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a fax communication unit 16 which is a fax device that communicates by fax with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a memory unit 17 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 18 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 10.

[0024] The storage unit 17 can store an image forming program 17a for executing an image forming job 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.

[0025] The storage unit 17 is capable of storing setting content information 17b indicating the current setting content of a job.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the setting content information 17b.

[0027] 2 includes, as setting items, color / monochrome, which indicates whether color printing or monochrome printing is to be performed, and recording medium type, which indicates the type of recording medium on which an image is to be printed. Either color printing or monochrome printing can be set as the setting value for color / monochrome. For example, either plain paper, thick paper, or thin paper can be set as the setting value for recording medium type.

[0028] 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 18. The CPU of the control unit 18 executes programs stored in the storage unit 17 or the ROM of the control unit 18.

[0029] The control unit 18 executes the image forming program 17a to realize a job generating unit 18a that generates an image forming job and a job executing unit 18b that executes the image forming job. Therefore, the image forming program 17a constitutes the image forming job generating program of the present invention.

[0030] The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for the job generating unit 18a to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 when the image forming apparatus 10 executes one job, is given by the following formula.

number

[0031] Carbon dioxide emission estimation models are prepared for each type of job.

[0032] In the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, the formula in parentheses on the right side is a multiple regression formula (hereinafter referred to as the "power consumption estimation model") for obtaining an estimated value of the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes one job.

[0033] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, n is an integer of 2 or more.

[0034] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the explanatory variable x n may exist according to the type of settings of the target job, for example.

[0035] x n For example, a value according to the number of prints indicating the number of recording media on which images are printed in the target job may be adopted as the print count.

[0036] x n For example, an explanatory variable according to the recording medium size indicating the size of the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium size may be determined according to the recording medium size, for example, 5 for A4 size, 2 for A5 size, etc. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium size may be a numerical value proportional to the area of ​​the recording medium size, for example.

[0037] x nFor example, a value according to the recording medium type indicating the type of recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be determined according to the recording medium type, for example, 3 for thick paper, 2 for plain paper, and 1 for thin paper. The value of the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be a numerical value proportional to the thickness of the recording medium type, for example. The explanatory variable according to the recording medium type may be provided for each recording medium type. When the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for each recording medium type may be, for example, 1 when the target recording medium type is specified in the job settings, and 0 when the target recording medium type is not specified in the job settings. For example, when the explanatory variable according to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for cardboard may be 1 when cardboard is specified as the recording medium type in the job settings, and 0 when cardboard is not specified as the recording medium type in the job settings.

[0038] x n For example, a double-sided / single-sided explanatory variable indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is to be performed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the double-sided / single-sided explanatory variable may be, for example, 1 when double-sided printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when single-sided printing is specified in the job settings.

[0039] x nFor example, a variable according to color / monochrome indicating whether color printing or monochrome printing is performed in the target job may be adopted as the explanatory variable. The value of the explanatory variable according to color / monochrome may be, for example, 1 when color is specified in the job settings, and 0 when monochrome is specified in the job settings. The explanatory variable according to color / monochrome may be provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing. When explanatory variables according to color / monochrome are provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the explanatory variable for color printing may be, for example, 1 when color printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when monochrome printing is not specified in the job settings. Similarly, when explanatory variables according to color / monochrome are provided separately for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the explanatory variable for monochrome printing may be, for example, 1 when monochrome printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 when color printing is not specified in the job settings.

[0040] x n For example, a value according to aggregation indicating the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium may be adopted as the explanatory variable according to aggregation. The value of the explanatory variable according to aggregation may be, for example, 8 when "no aggregation" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 1 is specified in the job settings, 4 when "2in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 2 is specified in the job settings, 2 when "4in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 4 is specified in the job settings, and 1 when "8in1" indicating that the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium is 8 is specified in the job settings.

[0041] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium is supplied, for example, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is supplied, x n As the position of the recording medium, a position corresponding to the position of a medium supply unit to which a recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job is supplied may be adopted.

[0042] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium is discharged, for example, the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is discharged, x n As the printing position, a position corresponding to the position of a medium discharge unit to which a recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job is discharged may be adopted.

[0043] In the case where the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of performing post-processing such as sorting, stapling, punching, folding, etc. on the recording medium on which the image is printed, n As the post-processing time, a post-processing time may be adopted that corresponds to the type of post-processing to be performed on the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job.

[0044] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the constant term b indicates the total amount of power basically required for the target job. For example, the power basically required for the target job can be the power to raise and maintain the temperature of the fixing roller in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 to a specific temperature before printing, the power to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the fixing roller in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 before printing, and the power to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the polygon mirror in printer 13 of image forming apparatus 10 before printing.

[0045] Next, a configuration of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generating system for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Next, a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by image forming device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0050] 4, the worker collects a large amount of data for generating a power consumption estimation model (S101). Specifically, the worker accumulates data in the electronic device 50 for each job setting, the data correlating the power consumption measured by the power meter 40 when the image forming device 30 executes a job with the settings of the job executed by the image forming device 30.

[0051] When the step of S101 is completed, the worker generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101 (S102). Specifically, the worker instructs the electronic device 50 to generate a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S101. The generation of the power consumption estimation model in S102 may be performed by machine learning.

[0052] When the step of S102 is completed, the worker generates a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S102 (S103). Specifically, the worker instructs the electronic device 50 to generate a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S102. Therefore, the electronic device 50 generates a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model by multiplying the power consumption estimation model generated in S102 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient.

[0053] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generated by the method shown in FIG.

[0054] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0055] In the following, a copy job will be described as an example of the type of image forming job, but the same applies to jobs other than a copy job.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a copy job.

[0057] 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") 60 (see FIG. 6) via the operation unit 11. When the display of the copy setting screen is instructed via the operation unit 11, the job execution unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the job generating unit 18a executes a copy setting screen display process to display the copy setting screen 60 on the display unit 12 (S131).

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the copy setting screen 60. As shown in FIG.

[0060] A copy setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 includes a color / monochrome setting button 61 for setting color / monochrome, and a recording medium type setting button 62 for setting the recording medium type.

[0061] The color / monochrome setting button 61 has a current setting display area 61a in which the current color / monochrome setting content is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the current setting display area 61a displays "Color", which indicates color printing.

[0062] The recording medium type setting button 62 includes a current setting display area 62a in which the current setting of the recording medium type is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 6, "plain paper" is displayed in the current setting display area 62a.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the copy setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, the job generating unit 18a displays a copy setting screen 60 on the display unit 12 (S161).

[0065] When the process of S161 ends, the job generating unit 18a displays the setting contents indicated in the setting content information 17b for color / monochrome in the current setting display area 61a of the color / monochrome setting button 61 (S162).

[0066] When the processing of S162 is completed, the job generation unit 18a displays the setting contents indicated in the setting content information 17b for the recording medium type in the current setting display area 62a of the recording medium type setting button 62 (S163), and terminates the copy setting screen display processing shown in FIG. 7.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, when the copy setting screen display process of S131 ends, the job generating unit 18a determines whether or not the color / monochrome setting button 61 has been pressed (S132).

[0068] When the job generating unit 18a determines in S132 that the color / monochrome setting button 61 has been pressed, it executes a color / monochrome setting screen display process to display a setting screen for color / monochrome (hereinafter referred to as the "color / monochrome setting screen") 70 (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 12 (S133).

[0069] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the color / monochrome setting screen 70. As shown in FIG.

[0070] The color / monochrome setting screen 70 shown in Fig. 8 includes a current setting display area 71 in which the current color / monochrome setting contents are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 8, "Color" indicating color printing is displayed in the current setting display area 71.

[0071] The color / monochrome setting screen 70 includes a color setting button 72 for setting color printing, and a monochrome setting button 73 for setting monochrome printing. That is, the color / monochrome setting screen 70 simultaneously displays color printing and monochrome printing as candidates for the setting value for color / monochrome.

[0072] Of the color setting button 72 and monochrome setting button 73, the one that corresponds to the current color / monochrome setting content is grayed out and cannot be operated. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the color setting button 72 is grayed out and cannot be operated.

[0073] The color setting button 72 includes an emission amount-related information display area 72a in which information regarding the amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. That is, the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 72a is displayed on the color / monochrome setting screen 70 in association with "color" indicating "color printing", which is a setting value candidate for color / monochrome. When the current setting content of color / monochrome is not color printing, the emission amount-related information display area 72a displays the difference between the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with color printing specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with color printing specified is executed with the setting value currently specified on the color / monochrome setting screen 70, as specific information corresponding to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with color printing specified is executed.

[0074] The monochrome setting button 73 includes an emission amount-related information display area 73a, which is an area where information about the amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. That is, the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 73a is displayed on the color / monochrome setting screen 70 in association with "monochrome" indicating "monochrome printing", which is a setting value candidate for color / monochrome. When the current setting content of color / monochrome is not monochrome printing, the emission amount-related information display area 73a displays the difference between the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with monochrome printing specified is executed and the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with monochrome printing specified is executed with the setting value currently specified on the color / monochrome setting screen 70. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the emission amount-related information display area 73a displays "-3g", which indicates the difference between the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with monochrome printing specified is executed and the setting value currently specified on the color / monochrome setting screen 70, i.e., the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with color printing.

[0075] The information displayed in the emission-related information display area 72a and the information displayed in the emission-related information display area 73a are information showing the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emissions when executing all of the setting value candidates displayed on the color / monochrome setting screen 70, i.e., copy jobs for which color printing and monochrome printing are specified.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the color / monochrome setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, the job generating unit 18a displays the color / monochrome setting screen 70 on the copy setting screen 60 (S191).

[0078] When the process of S191 ends, the job generating unit 18a displays the setting contents indicated in the setting content information 17b for color / monochrome in the current setting display area 71 (S192).

[0079] When the process of S192 ends, the job generating unit 18a grays out only the color setting button 72 and monochrome setting button 73 that correspond to the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for color / monochrome (S193).

[0080] When the process of S193 is completed, the job generating unit 18a uses the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job, the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b for the setting items other than color / monochrome among the settings of the copy job, and the candidates of the setting values ​​that can be specified for color / monochrome, i.e., "color printing" and "monochrome printing", to obtain an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image forming device 10 executes the copy job for which the candidate is specified, for each candidate of the setting value that can be specified for color / monochrome (S194). That is, the job generating unit 18a obtains an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b are specified for the setting items of the copy job other than color / monochrome among the setting items of the copy job and "color printing" is specified for color / monochrome, and an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b are specified for the setting items of the copy job other than color / monochrome among the setting items of the copy job and "monochrome printing" is specified for color / monochrome among the setting items of the copy job.

[0081] When the process of S194 is completed, the job generating unit 18a calculates the difference between the estimated value obtained in S194 when a value other than the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b is specified for color / monochrome and the estimated value when the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b is specified for color / monochrome (S195). For example, when the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for color / monochrome is "color printing", the job generating unit 18a calculates the difference between the estimated value obtained in S194 when "monochrome printing" is specified for color / monochrome and the estimated value when "color printing" is specified for color / monochrome.

[0082] When the processing of S195 is completed, the job generating unit 18a displays the difference calculated in S195 in the emission amount related information display area of ​​the corresponding button of the color setting button 72 and the monochrome setting button 73 for values ​​other than the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b for color / monochrome (S196).

[0083] When the process of S196 ends, the job generating unit 18a ends the color / monochrome setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 5, when the color / monochrome setting screen display process of S133 ends, the job generating unit 18a determines whether or not either the color setting button 72 or the monochrome setting button 73 has been pressed (S134).

[0085] When the job generation unit 18a determines in S134 that either the color setting button 72 or the monochrome setting button 73 has been pressed, it rewrites the setting value for color / monochrome in the setting content information 17b to the value corresponding to the button that was pressed, either the color setting button 72 or the monochrome setting button 73 (S135).

[0086] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S134 that neither the color setting button 72 nor the monochrome setting button 73 has been pressed, it determines whether or not a cancellation instruction has been given via the operation unit 11 (S136).

[0087] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S136 that a cancellation instruction has not been given via the operation unit 11, it executes the process of S134.

[0088] When the process of S135 ends or when it is determined in S136 that a cancellation instruction has been given via the operation unit 11, the job generating unit 18a ends the display of the color / monochrome setting screen 70 (S137) and executes the process of S131.

[0089] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S132 that the color / monochrome setting button 61 has not been pressed, it determines whether or not the recording medium type setting button 62 has been pressed (S138).

[0090] When the job generating unit 18a determines in S138 that the recording medium type setting button 62 has been pressed, it executes a recording medium type setting screen display process to display a setting screen for the recording medium type (hereinafter referred to as the "recording medium type setting screen") 80 (see Figure 10) on the display unit 12 (S139).

[0091] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the recording medium type setting screen 80. As shown in FIG.

[0092] The recording medium type setting screen 80 shown in Fig. 10 includes a current setting display area 81, which is an area where the current setting of the recording medium type is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 10, "plain paper" is displayed in the current setting display area 81.

[0093] The recording medium type setting screen 80 includes a plain paper setting button 82 for setting plain paper, a thick paper setting button 83 for setting thick paper, and a thin paper setting button 84 for setting thin paper. That is, the recording medium type setting screen 80 simultaneously displays plain paper, thick paper, and thin paper as candidates for the setting value for the recording medium type.

[0094] Among the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, and the thin paper setting button 84, the one that corresponds to the current setting of the recording medium type is grayed out and cannot be operated. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the plain paper setting button 82 is grayed out and cannot be operated.

[0095] The plain paper setting button 82 includes an emission amount-related information display area 82a, which is an area where information about the amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. That is, the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 82a is displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 in association with "plain paper", which is a candidate for the setting value for the recording medium type. When the current setting of the recording medium type is not plain paper, the emission amount-related information display area 82a displays the difference between the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job specifying plain paper is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job specifying plain paper is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80, as specific information corresponding to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job specifying plain paper is executed.

[0096] The thick paper setting button 83 includes an emission amount-related information display area 83a, which is an area where information on the amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. That is, the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 83a is displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 in association with "thick paper", which is a candidate for the setting value for the recording medium type. When the current setting of the recording medium type is not thick paper, the emission amount-related information display area 83a displays the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thick paper is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80, as specific information corresponding to the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thick paper is executed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the emission amount-related information display area 83a displays "+3g", which indicates the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thick paper is executed and the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80, i.e., the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with plain paper.

[0097] The thin paper setting button 84 includes an emission-related information display area 84a, which is an area where information about the amount of carbon dioxide emission is displayed. That is, the information displayed in the emission-related information display area 84a is displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 in association with "thin paper", which is a candidate for the setting value for the recording medium type. When the current setting of the recording medium type is not thin paper, the emission-related information display area 84a displays the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thin paper specified is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thin paper specified is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the emission-related information display area 84a displays "-3g", which indicates the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with thin paper specified is executed and the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80, i.e., the amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with plain paper is executed.

[0098] The information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 82a, the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 83a, and the information displayed in the emission amount-related information display area 84a are information that indicates the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emissions when executing a copy job for which all setting value candidates displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 are specified, i.e., “plain paper,” “thick paper,” and “thin paper.”

[0099] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the recording medium type setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 11, the job generating unit 18a displays the recording medium type setting screen 80 on the copy setting screen 60 (S221).

[0101] When the process of S221 ends, the job generating unit 18a displays the setting contents indicated in the setting contents information 17b for the recording medium type in the current setting display area 81 (S222).

[0102] When the processing of S222 is completed, the job generating unit 18a grays out only the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, and the thin paper setting button 84 that correspond to the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for the recording medium type (S223).

[0103] When the processing of S223 is completed, the job generation unit 18a uses the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job, the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b for the setting items of the copy job other than the recording medium type, and the setting value candidates that can be specified for the recording medium type, i.e., "plain paper," "thick paper," and "thin paper," to calculate an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image forming device 10 executes a copy job for which a candidate is specified, for each setting value candidate that can be specified for the recording medium type (S224). That is, the job generation unit 18a calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b are specified for the setting items of the copy job other than the recording medium type and plain paper is specified for the recording medium type, an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b are specified for the setting items of the copy job other than the recording medium type and thick paper is specified for the recording medium type, and an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when the setting values ​​indicated in the setting content information 17b are specified for the setting items of the copy job other than the recording medium type and thin paper is specified for the recording medium type.

[0104] When the process of S224 is completed, the job generating unit 18a calculates the difference between the estimated value when a value other than the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b is specified for the recording medium type among the estimated values ​​obtained in S224 and the estimated value when the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b is specified for the recording medium type for each value other than the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for the recording medium type (S225). For example, when the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for the recording medium type is plain paper, the job generating unit 18a calculates the difference between the estimated value when thick paper is specified for the recording medium type among the estimated values ​​obtained in S224 and the estimated value when plain paper is specified for the recording medium type, and calculates the difference between the estimated value when thin paper is specified for the recording medium type among the estimated values ​​obtained in S224 and the estimated value when plain paper is specified for the recording medium type.

[0105] When the processing of S225 is completed, the job generation unit 18a displays the corresponding difference among the differences calculated in S225 for each value other than the setting value indicated in the setting content information 17b for the recording medium type in the emission amount related information display area of ​​the corresponding button among the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, and the thin paper setting button 84 (S226).

[0106] When the process of S226 ends, the job generating section 18a ends the recording medium type setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 5, when the recording medium type setting screen display process of S139 is completed, the job generating unit 18a determines whether any of the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, and the thin paper setting button 84 has been pressed (S140).

[0108] When the job generation unit 18a determines in S140 that any one of the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, or the thin paper setting button 84 has been pressed, it rewrites the setting value for the recording medium type in the setting content information 17b to the value corresponding to the button that was pressed among the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, or the thin paper setting button 84 (S141).

[0109] When the job generating unit 18a determines in S140 that none of the plain paper setting button 82, the thick paper setting button 83, and the thin paper setting button 84 has been pressed, it determines whether or not a cancellation command has been issued via the operation unit 11 (S142).

[0110] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S142 that a cancellation instruction has not been given via the operation unit 11, the job generating unit 18a executes the process of S140.

[0111] When the job generating unit 18a determines in S142 that the process of S141 has ended or that a cancellation instruction has been given via the operation unit 11, the job generating unit 18a ends the display of the recording medium type setting screen 80 (S143) and executes the process of S131.

[0112] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S138 that the recording medium type setting button 62 has not been pressed, it determines whether or not an instruction to start execution of a copy job has been given (S144). When the copy setting screen 60 is displayed on the display unit 12, the job generating unit 18a can accept an instruction to start execution of a copy job via the operation unit 11.

[0113] If the job generating unit 18a determines in S144 that the start of execution of the copy job has not been instructed, the job generating unit 18a executes the process of S132.

[0114] When the job execution unit 18b determines in S144 that an instruction to start execution of the copy job has been issued, the job execution unit 18b generates a copy job based on the setting contents in the setting contents information 17b at the time when the instruction to start execution of the copy job has been issued (S145).

[0115] When the process of S145 ends, the job executing unit 18b executes the copy job generated in S145 (S146), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0116] As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the color / monochrome setting screen 70 simultaneously displaying multiple candidates for the setting value for color / monochrome, which is a setting item of the copy job (S191), and displays specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the copy job for which the candidate is specified is executed in association with the candidate on the color / monochrome setting screen 70 (S196), so that when a setting value is specified by the user on the color / monochrome setting screen 70, the specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the copy job for which the candidate is specified is executed can be used as a reference by the user. Also, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the recording medium type setting screen 80 simultaneously displaying multiple candidates for the setting value for the recording medium type, which is a setting item of the copy job (S221), and displays specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the copy job for which the candidate is specified is executed in association with the candidate on the recording medium type setting screen 80 (S226), so that when a setting value is specified by the user on the recording medium type setting screen 80, the specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the copy job for which the candidate is specified is executed can be used as a reference by the user. Therefore, image forming device 10 does not need to display a screen encouraging the user to change the setting value in addition to color / monochrome setting screen 70, which simultaneously displays multiple setting value candidates for color / monochrome, which is a setting item for a copy job, and recording medium type setting screen 80, which simultaneously displays multiple setting value candidates for recording medium type, which is a setting item for a copy job, so that convenience in reducing carbon dioxide emissions can be improved.

[0117] Image forming apparatus 10 displays (S191) color / monochrome setting screen 70, which simultaneously displays multiple candidates for the setting value for color / monochrome, which is a setting item of the copy job, before an instruction to start execution of the copy job is given (YES in S144), and displays (S221) recording medium type setting screen 80, which simultaneously displays multiple candidates for the setting value for recording medium type, which is a setting item of the copy job, before an instruction to start execution of the copy job is given (YES in S144), so there is no need to display a screen encouraging a change of the setting value after an instruction to start execution of the copy job is given. Therefore, image forming apparatus 10 can improve convenience for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0118] In the image forming apparatus 10, three candidates of the setting value for the recording medium type, namely, "plain paper", "thick paper" and "thin paper", are displayed simultaneously on the recording medium type setting screen 80 (S221), and the difference between the estimated values ​​of the carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with each of the setting value candidates displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 specified is displayed by the information displayed in the emission amount related information display area 82a, the information displayed in the emission amount related information display area 83a, and the information displayed in the emission amount related information display area 84a (S226). Therefore, when a candidate from among many candidates of the setting value for the recording medium type is specified by the user, the user can refer to specific information according to the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with the setting value candidate specified is executed, that is, the difference between the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with the setting value candidate specified is executed and the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can improve the convenience for suppressing the amount of carbon dioxide emission.

[0119] Image forming device 10 displays (S196) the difference between the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job for which a setting value candidate is specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job for which a setting value candidate is specified is executed, as specific information corresponding to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job for which a setting value candidate is specified is executed, thereby allowing the user to easily recognize the difference between the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job for which a setting value candidate is specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job for which a setting value candidate is specified is executed. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 displays (S226) the difference between the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed as specific information according to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with a set value candidate specified is executed and the

[0120] The image forming apparatus 10 indicates the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with all the setting value candidates displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 specified by the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with the setting value candidates specified is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80 (S226). However, the image forming apparatus 10 may indicate the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with all the setting value candidates displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 specified is executed by a method other than the difference between the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job with the setting value candidates specified is executed and the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80. Although the recording medium type setting screen 80 has been described, the same applies to the color / monochrome setting screen 70.

[0121] For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may display the difference between the estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emissions when a copy job is executed with all of the setting value candidates displayed on the recording medium type setting screen 80 specified as the estimated value calculated in S224 as shown in FIG. 12, or may display the difference as the ratio of the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when a copy job is executed with the setting values ​​currently specified on the recording medium type setting screen 80 to the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when a copy job is executed with the setting value candidates specified as shown in FIG. 13.

[0122] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the recording medium type setting screen 80 that is different from the example shown in FIG.

[0123] In the recording medium type setting screen 80 shown in FIG. 12, the emission amount related information display areas 82a, 83a, and 84a respectively display estimated values ​​of carbon dioxide emissions when a copy job is executed when the recording medium type is plain paper, thick paper, or thin paper.

[0124] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the recording medium type setting screen 80 that is different from the examples shown in FIGS.

[0125] 13, the emission amount related information display area 83a displays the current setting of the recording medium type, i.e., "130%" which indicates the ratio of the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is performed on thick paper to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is performed on plain paper. Also, the emission amount related information display area 84a displays the current setting of the recording medium type, i.e., "70%" which indicates the ratio of the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is performed on thin paper to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when a copy job is performed on plain paper.

[0126] The image forming apparatus 10 uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is an equation obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation that obtains an estimated value of power consumption when an image formation job is executed, and the image formation job settings to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when an image formation job is executed (S194 and S224).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.

[0127] In image forming apparatus 10, the multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when executing an image formation job includes a constant term b indicating the total amount of power basically required for the image formation job, so that an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions can be calculated taking into account the influence of the power basically required for the image formation job.

[0128] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 uses a carbon dioxide emission 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 estimation model described in this embodiment.

[0129] The image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) in the example shown in FIG. 1, but may be a dedicated printer.

[0130] The copy setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 allows the setting of color / monochrome and the recording medium type, but may allow other settings. For example, the copy setting screen 60 may allow the setting of the number of copies, the setting of the recording medium size, the setting of double-sided / single-sided, and the setting of aggregation. That is, the copy setting screen 60 may include a button for specifying the number of copies, a button for setting the recording medium size, a button for setting double-sided / single-sided, and a button for setting aggregation. When any of the button for setting the number of copies, the button for setting the recording medium size, the button for setting double-sided / single-sided, and the button for setting aggregation is pressed, the job generating unit 18a executes an operation similar to the operation when any of the color / monochrome setting button 61 and the recording medium type setting button 62 is pressed.

[0131] The number of setting value candidates on the color / monochrome setting screen 70 is 2. The number of setting value candidates on the recording medium type setting screen 80 is 3. However, the number of setting value candidates on the setting screens may be 4 or more.

[0132] (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 be configured by the image forming apparatus and an auxiliary system configured by at least one computer, for example, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0133] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an image forming system 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 14, the image forming system 300 includes an image forming apparatus 310 and an auxiliary system 320 that supports the functions of the image forming apparatus 310.

[0135] Image forming apparatus 310 can realize 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.

[0136] The auxiliary system 320 is configured with at least one computer such as a PC. The auxiliary system 320 is capable of realizing a specific function. The computer constituting the auxiliary system 320 may be placed on the same LAN as the image forming apparatus 310, or may be placed on the cloud.

[0137] The image forming system 300 can achieve the same functions as the image forming apparatus 10 as a whole.

[0138] (Third embodiment) In the first and second embodiments, an example is described in which the setting screen for an image formation job is displayed on the image forming apparatus. However, the setting screen for an image formation job may be displayed on a computer other than the image forming apparatus.

[0139] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an image forming system 400 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 15, an image forming system 400 includes an image forming apparatus 410 and a computer 420, such as a PC, that transmits a print job as an image forming job to the image forming apparatus 410.

[0141] A printer driver 421 serving as the image forming job generating program of the present invention is installed in a computer 420 .

[0142] By executing printer driver 421, computer 420 can execute operations similar to those shown in Fig. 5. That is, on the display unit of computer 420, a print setting screen similar to copy setting screen 60 shown in Fig. 6, a color / monochrome setting screen similar to color / monochrome setting screen 70 shown in Fig. 8, and a recording medium type setting screen similar to recording medium type setting screen 80 shown in Fig. 10 are displayed.

[0143] Similarly to the second embodiment, the image forming system 400 may include an auxiliary system that supports the functions of the image forming apparatus 410. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 10 Image forming devices (image forming systems, computers) 17a Image formation program (image formation job generation program) 70 Color / Monochrome setting screen (setting screen) 80 Recording medium type setting screen (setting screen) 300 Image forming system 400 Image forming system 420 Computer 421 Printer driver (image formation job generation program)

Claims

1. displaying a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates of setting values ​​for a specific setting item of an image formation job; calculating an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when the image forming job is executed with the candidate specified before the image forming job is executed; an image forming system, characterized in that specific information corresponding to an estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed is displayed on the setting screen in association with the candidate;

2. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen is displayed before an instruction to start execution of the image forming job is given.

3. the setting screen simultaneously displays three or more of the candidates for the specific setting item; The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the specific information displayed on the setting screen indicates a difference between estimated values ​​of the emission amount when the image forming job for which each of all of the candidates displayed on the setting screen is specified is executed.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific information is a difference between an estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job is executed with the specified candidate and an estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job is executed with the setting value currently specified on the setting screen.

5. determining an estimated value of the emission amount using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emission amount, and a setting of the image forming job; the carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a formula obtained by multiplying a carbon dioxide emission coefficient by a multiple regression equation for calculating an estimated value of power consumption when the image forming system executes the image forming job, 5. 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 setting of the image forming job.

6. An operation of displaying a setting screen that simultaneously displays multiple candidates of setting values ​​for a specific setting item of an image formation job; an operation of calculating an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed before the image forming job is executed; an operation of displaying, on the setting screen, specific information corresponding to the estimated value of the discharge amount when the image forming job for which the candidate is specified is executed, in association with the candidate; An image forming job generation program that causes a computer to execute the above steps.

Images