Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that can improve resistance to alteration of the details of control for an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: Nodes of a block chain network of an image forming system each comprise a smart contract that manages execution of processing according to an execution rule when information on an image forming apparatus 60 to be connected to a node 30 is notified. The same execution rule is set to the smart contract of each node. The smart contract of the node 30 notifies all the other nodes of event information notified from the image forming apparatus 60. The smart contract of each node generates R / W data on the basis of the notified event information and the execution rule. When all the pieces of R / W data generated by the nodes are the same as each other, the smart contract of the node 30 executes specific control according to the execution rule for the image forming apparatus 60 (S272).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that executes specific control over an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an image forming device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that uses a blockchain to create a printed document whose identity can be verified as the original, and that controls so that if a failed printout occurs due to a printing error, the information is not registered in the blockchain. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-121077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the control contents in the image forming apparatus may have been tampered with.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of improving the resistance to tampering of the control contents for the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming system of the present invention comprises a distributed network having a plurality of nodes, each of which has a performance management unit that manages the performance of processing in accordance with a rule when information of an image forming device connected to any of the plurality of nodes is notified, and the performance management unit of each of the plurality of nodes is set with the same rule, and the performance management unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected notifies all of the other nodes of the information of the image forming device notified from the image forming device when the information of the image forming device is notified from the image forming device, and the performance management unit of each of the plurality of nodes generates data based on the notified information of the image forming device and the rule when the data generated by the performance management unit of each of the plurality of nodes is all identical,

[0007] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention executes specific control on the image forming device in accordance with the rule when the data generated by each performance management unit of multiple nodes based on the information of the image forming device and the rule is all identical, i.e., when the rule is unlikely to have been tampered with, thereby improving the resistance to tampering of the control content for the image forming device.

[0008] In the image forming system of the present invention, at least one node other than the node to which the image forming device is connected may be able to access the rules set in the performance management section of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

[0009] In the image forming system of the present invention, the rules set in the performance management unit of the node to which the computer is connected are identical to the rules set in the performance management unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected. Therefore, the rules set in the performance management unit of the node to which the computer is connected can be accessed from the computer, allowing the user of the computer to recognize the rules set in the performance management unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected.

[0010] In the image forming system of the present invention, each of the multiple nodes is equipped with an information storage unit that stores information regarding the image forming device and a distributed ledger that accumulates the data, the data being a log of reading and writing to the information storage unit, and at least one of the nodes other than the node to which the image forming device is connected may be able to access the information stored in the information storage unit of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

[0011] In the image forming system of the present invention, the information stored in the information storage unit of the node to which the computer is connected is the same as the information stored in the information storage unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected. Therefore, the information stored in the information storage unit of the node to which the computer is connected can be accessed from the computer, allowing the user of the computer to recognize the information stored in the information storage unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected.

[0012] In the image forming system of the present invention, each of the multiple nodes is equipped with an information storage unit that stores information regarding the image forming device and a distributed ledger that accumulates the data, the data being a log of reading and writing to the information storage unit, and at least one of the nodes other than the node to which the image forming device is connected may be able to access the data accumulated in the distributed ledger of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

[0013] In the image forming system of the present invention, the data stored in the distributed ledger of the node to which the computer is connected is identical to the data stored in the distributed ledger of the node to which the image forming device is connected. Therefore, the data stored in the distributed ledger of the node to which the computer is connected can be accessed from the computer, allowing the user of the computer to recognize the data stored in the distributed ledger of the node to which the image forming device is connected.

[0014] The image forming system of the present invention includes the image forming device, and the image forming device may notify the node to which the image forming device is connected of information based on an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when executing an image forming job as information about the image forming device.

[0015] With this configuration, in the image forming system of the present invention, the image forming device notifies the node to which the image forming device is connected of information based on an estimated value of carbon dioxide emission when executing an image formation job as information about the image forming device, so that specific control can be executed on the image forming device in accordance with the information based on the estimated value of carbon dioxide emission.

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

[0017] 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 settings of the image formation job to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when an image formation job is executed.The model has multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of image formation job settings, and uses the image formation job settings to obtain an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions.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. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The image forming system of the present invention can improve the resistance to tampering of the control contents for the image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the node shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of R / W data shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a part of the execution rules described in the execution rule program shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when it is an MFP. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of device information shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 7 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model generating system for generating a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model used by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 10]7 is a flowchart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by the image forming device shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 11] 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6 when an image forming job is executed. [Figure 12] 8 is a diagram showing an example of device information different from the example shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 13] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 when the image forming apparatus executes a job. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of “matching success” shown in FIG. [Figure 15] 14 is a flowchart of the R / W data generation process shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram showing an example of device information different from the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. FIG. [Figure 17] 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database, different from the example shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 when information stored in a node is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

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

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

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 10 includes a blockchain network 20, which is a distributed network including nodes 30, 40, and 50, an image forming device 60 connected to node 30, a computer 70 connected to node 40, and a computer 80 connected to node 50.

[0024] The nodes 30, 40, and 50 may be realized by separate computers or may be realized by the same computer. The nodes 30, 40, and 50 are arranged on a cloud.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 60 is configured by, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer. The image forming apparatus 60 is arranged on, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) of a user of the image forming apparatus 60.

[0026] The computer 70 is configured, for example, by a PC (Personal Computer). The computer 70 is arranged, for example, on a LAN in which the image forming apparatus 60 is arranged. The computer 70 is used, for example, by a member of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department of a company that uses the image forming apparatus 60, or an IT (Information Technology) manager of the company that uses the image forming apparatus 60.

[0027] The computer 80 is, for example, a PC. The computer 70 is arranged on a network separate from the LAN on which the image forming apparatus 60 is arranged. The computer 80 is used, for example, by a person belonging to a sales company of the image forming apparatus 60 or a person belonging to a third-party verification organization that verifies the carbon dioxide emissions of companies that use the image forming apparatus 60.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a node 30.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, node 30 includes a database 31 as an information storage unit that stores information about the image forming device included in image forming system 10 (see Figure 1), a blockchain 32 which is a distributed ledger that accumulates R / W data as a log of reading and writing to database 31 as transaction data, and a smart contract 33 as a performance management unit that manages the performance of processing in accordance with rules when information about the image forming device included in image forming system 10 is notified.

[0030] The blockchain 32 is capable of storing a plurality of R / W data including the R / W data 32a.

[0031] The smart contract 33 is set with a program (hereinafter referred to as an "execution rule program") 33a that describes the rules (hereinafter referred to as "execution rules") of processing to be executed when information on an image forming device included in the image forming system 10 is notified. The execution rules may be set, for example, by a person belonging to the CSR department of a company that uses an image forming device included in the image forming system 10.

[0032] The configurations of node 40 (see FIG. 1) and node 50 (see FIG. 1) are similar to that of node 30, and therefore detailed description will be omitted. The fulfillment rule program set in the smart contract of node 40 and the fulfillment rule program set in the smart contract of node 50 are the same as the fulfillment rule program 33a.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database 31. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The information shown in FIG. 3 includes, for each image forming device, a device ID as identification information for the image forming device, a limit value (Limitation) for the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by the image forming device, an accumulated value (Accumulation) for the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by the image forming device, a status (Status) indicating whether the image forming device is permitted to execute a job, and a condition (Condition) indicating whether the Accumulation is equal to or less than the Limitation.

[0035] The Status value can be "Allow Any Job", which indicates that execution of a job by the image forming apparatus is permitted, or "Stop Any Job", which indicates that execution of a job by the image forming apparatus is not permitted.

[0036] The value of Condition includes "Co2 under the limit," which indicates that Accumulation is equal to or less than the Limit, and "Co2 over the limit," which indicates that Accumulation is not equal to or less than the Limit.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the R / W data 32a.

[0038] The R / W data 32a shown in FIG. 4 includes read data 32b indicating information read from the database 31 and write data 32c indicating information to be written to the database 31.

[0039] The configuration of the R / W data other than the R / W data 32a is similar to the configuration of the R / W data 32a, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a part of the execution rules described in the execution rule program 33a.

[0041] The fulfillment rule shown in Figure 5 indicates that when the Accumulation of the image forming device with Device ID "xxxxxxxx" exceeds the Limitation of the image forming device with Device ID "xxxxxxxx", the image forming device with Device ID "xxxxxxxx" will be put into sleep mode, the Status of the image forming device with Device ID "xxxxxxxx" will be changed to "Stop Any Job", and the Condition of the image forming device with Device ID "xxxxxxxx" will be changed to "Co2 over the limit".

[0042] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image forming device 60 in the case of an MFP.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 60 is a computer that includes an operation unit 61 which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 62 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 63 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 64 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 65 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 66 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 67 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 68 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 60.

[0044] The storage unit 67 can store an image forming program 67a for executing an image forming job such as a copy job, a print job, etc. The image forming program 67a may be installed in the image forming device 60 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming device 60, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 60 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 60 from a network.

[0045] The storage unit 67 stores device information 67b indicating various types of information about the image forming apparatus 60.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the device information 67b.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, device information 67b includes the device ID of image forming device 60, a limit value (Limitation) of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by image forming device 60, an accumulated value (Accumulation) of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by image forming device 60, a status (Status) indicating whether image forming device 60 is permitted to execute a job, and a condition (Condition) indicating whether Accumulation is equal to or less than the Limitation.

[0048] 6 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 68. The CPU of the control unit 68 executes programs stored in the storage unit 67 or the ROM of the control unit 68.

[0049] The control unit 68 realizes a job execution unit 68a that executes an image formation job and a status notification unit 68b that notifies the status of the image forming device 60 by executing the image formation program 67a.

[0050] The job execution unit 68a operates according to the contents of Status in the device information 67b. For example, if the contents of Status in the device information 67b indicate that execution of a job by the image forming apparatus 60 is permitted, the job execution unit 68a executes the job instructed to be executed by the user when the execution of the job is instructed by the user. For example, if the contents of Status in the device information 67b indicate that execution of a job by the image forming apparatus 60 is not permitted, the job execution unit 68a does not execute the job instructed to be executed by the user when the execution of the job is instructed by the user.

[0051] The status notification unit 68b notifies the content of the Condition in the device information 67b by displaying it on the display unit 62, or notifies a specific destination via the communication unit 65. The status notification unit 68b may notify the content of the Condition in the device information 67b in response to an instruction from a user via the operation unit 61 or the communication unit 65. When the content of the Condition in the device information 67b indicates that the Accumulation is not equal to or less than the Limitation, the status notification unit 68b may notify an alert by displaying it on the display unit 62, or notify a specific destination via the communication unit 65.

[0052] The carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model, which is a mathematical formula used by the job execution unit 68a to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60 when the image forming apparatus 60 executes one job, is given by the following formula.

number

[0053] Carbon dioxide emission estimation models are prepared for each type of job.

[0054] 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") that obtains an estimated value of power consumption when image forming apparatus 60 executes one job.

[0055] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, n is an integer of 2 or more.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] In the case where the number of motors to convey the recording medium differs 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 60 executes a job differs 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.

[0064] In the case where the number of motors for conveying the recording medium differs 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 60 executes a job differs depending on the position of the medium discharge unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job 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.

[0065] In the case where the image forming apparatus 60 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.

[0066] 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 for raising and maintaining the temperature of the fixing roller in the printer 63 of the image forming apparatus 60 to a specific temperature before printing, the power for stabilizing the rotation of the motor for rotating the fixing roller in the printer 63 of the image forming apparatus 60 before printing, and the power for stabilizing the rotation of the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 63 of the image forming apparatus 60 before printing.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the computer 70.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, computer 70 includes an operation unit 71 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 72 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 73 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without going through a network, a memory unit 74 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 75 which controls computer 70 as a whole.

[0069] The storage unit 74 can store an information display program 74a for displaying information stored in the node 40 (see FIG. 1). The information display program 74a may be installed in the computer 70 during the manufacturing stage of the computer 70, or may be additionally installed in the computer 70 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the computer 70 from a network.

[0070] The control unit 75 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 75. The CPU of the control unit 75 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 74 or the ROM of the control unit 75.

[0071] The control unit 75 realizes an information display unit 75a that displays information stored in the node 40 by executing the information display program 74a.

[0072] The configuration of the computer 80 (see FIG. 1) is similar to that of the computer 70, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] Next, a configuration of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generating system for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0074] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 100 for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus 60. As shown in FIG.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 9, the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 100 includes an image forming device 110 that is the same model as the image forming device 60, a power meter 120 that measures the power consumption of the image forming device 110, and an electronic device 130, such as a smartphone or tablet, that stores the power consumption measured by the power meter 120.

[0076] Next, a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model will be described.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model for use by image forming device 60. As shown in FIG.

[0078] 10, the worker collects a large amount of data for generating a power consumption estimation model (S201). Specifically, the worker accumulates data in electronic device 130 for each job setting, which associates the power consumption measured by power meter 120 when image forming apparatus 110 executes a job with the settings of the job executed by image forming apparatus 110.

[0079] 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 130 to generate a power consumption estimation model by multiple regression analysis using the data collected in S201. Therefore, the electronic device 130 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.

[0080] 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 130 to generate a carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model using the power consumption estimation model generated in S202. Therefore, the electronic device 130 generates the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model by multiplying the power consumption estimation model generated in S202 by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient.

[0081] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generated by the method shown in FIG.

[0082] Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be described.

[0083] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 60 when executing an image forming job will be described.

[0084] A user of the image forming apparatus 60 can input instructions for setting an image formation job and instructions for executing the image formation job to the image forming apparatus 60 via the operation unit 61. In addition, a user of the image forming apparatus 60 can input instructions for setting an image formation job and instructions for executing the image formation job to the image forming apparatus 60 via the communication unit 65 from an external computer (not shown).

[0085] When an instruction to set an image formation job is input, the job execution unit 68a of the image forming apparatus 60 changes the settings of the image formation job in accordance with the input instruction. When an instruction to execute an image formation job is input, the job execution unit 68a executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0086] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 60 when executing an image forming job.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 11, when an instruction to execute an image forming job is input, the job executing section 68a executes the image forming job in accordance with the input instruction (S231).

[0088] When the processing of S231 is completed, the job execution unit 68a uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model corresponding to the type of image formation job executed in S231 and the settings of the image formation job executed in S231 to determine an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission when the image formation job executed in S231 is executed by the image forming device 60 (S232).

[0089] When the process of S232 ends, the job executing unit 68a updates the value of the accumulation value in the device information 67b by adding the estimated value obtained in S232 to the value of the accumulation value in the device information 67b (S233).

[0090] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the device information 67b that is different from the example shown in FIG.

[0091] For example, if the estimated value obtained in S232 is 20 [t-CO2] and the device information 67b before the processing of S233 is in the state shown in FIG. 7, the device information 67b after the processing of S233 will be in the state shown in FIG.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 11, when the processing of S233 is completed, the job execution unit 68a notifies the node 30 of information on the image forming device 60 (hereinafter referred to as "event information"), including the value of the device ID in the device information 67b and the value of the accumulation in the device information 67b (S234), and terminates the operation shown in FIG. 11.

[0093] Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 when the image forming apparatus 60 executes a job will be described.

[0094] 13 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system 10 when the image forming apparatus 60 executes a job. FIG 14 is a sequence diagram of "matching success" shown in FIG 13.

[0095] 13 and 14, the job execution unit 68a of the image forming apparatus 60 notifies the node 30 of event information (S261). The process of S261 is the same as the process of S234 (see FIG. 11).

[0096] When the process of S261 is completed, the smart contract 33 of the node 30 executes a R / W data generation process for generating R / W data based on the event information notified in S261 (S262).

[0097] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the R / W data generation process.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 15, the smart contract 33 reads out information associated with the value of the Device ID included in the event information notified in S261 from the database 31 of the node 30 (S291).

[0099] When the processing of S291 is completed, the smart contract 33 generates read data based on the information read in S291 (S292).

[0100] When the processing of S292 is completed, the smart contract 33 generates write data having the same contents as the read data generated in S292 (S293).

[0101] When the processing of S293 is completed, the smart contract 33 replaces the Accumulation value in the Write data generated in S293 with the Accumulation value included in the event information notified in S261 (S294).

[0102] When the process of S294 ends, the smart contract 33 applies the fulfillment rules described in the fulfillment rule program 33a to change the respective values ​​of Status and Condition in the Write data as necessary (S295). For example, when the fulfillment rules described in the fulfillment rule program 33a are as shown in Fig. 5 and the Accumulation value in the Write data exceeds the Limitation value in the Write data, the smart contract 33 changes the Status value in the Write data to "Stop Any Job" and the Condition value in the Write data to "Co2 over the limit".

[0103] When the processing of S295 is completed, the smart contract 33 generates R / W data based on the Read data generated in S292 and the Write data generated in S293 after the processing of S295 is completed (S296), and terminates the R / W data generation processing shown in Figure 15.

[0104] When the database 31 is as shown in FIG. 3 and the fulfillment rules written in the fulfillment rule program 33a are as shown in FIG. 5, if the Device ID and Accumulation values ​​included in the event information notified in S261 are "xxxxxxxx" and "510 [t-CO2]", the R / W data generated in S296 will be, for example, identical to the R / W data 32a shown in FIG. 4.

[0105] 13 and 14, when the processing of S261 is completed, the smart contract 33 of the node 30 notifies all other nodes in the blockchain network 20 of the event information notified in S261. That is, the smart contract 33 notifies the nodes 40 and 50 of the event information notified in S261 (S263, S264).

[0106] When the process of S263 is completed, the smart contract of node 40 executes a R / W data generation process for generating R / W data based on the event information notified in S263 (S265). In the R / W data generation process in S265, the information stored in the database of node 40 and the fulfillment rules described in the fulfillment rule program set in the smart contract of node 40 are used. The R / W data generation process in S265 is similar to the R / W data generation process in S262. Therefore, the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S265 and the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S262 will have the same contents unless some malfunction occurs.

[0107] When the process of S265 is completed, the smart contract of node 40 notifies node 30 of the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S265 (S266).

[0108] When the process of S264 ends, the smart contract of node 50 executes a R / W data generation process for generating R / W data based on the event information notified in S264 (S267). In the R / W data generation process in S267, the information stored in the database of node 50 and the fulfillment rules described in the fulfillment rule program set in the smart contract of node 50 are used. The R / W data generation process in S267 is similar to the R / W data generation process in S262. Therefore, the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S267 and the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S262 will have the same contents unless some malfunction occurs.

[0109] When the process of S267 is completed, the smart contract of node 50 notifies node 30 of the R / W data generated by the R / W data generation process in S267 (S268).

[0110] When the R / W data generation process in S262 is completed, the R / W data is notified in S266 from node 40 which notified the event information in S263, and the R / W data is notified in S268 from node 50 which notified the event information in S264, the smart contract 33 of node 30 determines whether the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262, the R / W data notified in S266, and the R / W data notified in S268 are all identical (S269).

[0111] When the smart contract 33 determines in S269 that at least one of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262, the R / W data notified in S266, and the R / W data notified in S268 is different, it notifies the nodes 40 and 50 of the failure of the R / W data matching (S270, S271), and then ends the operations shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 without updating the database 31 and the block chain 32 of the node 30. When the smart contract of the node 40 receives the notification in S270, it ends the operations shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 without updating the database and the block chain of the node 40. Similarly, when the smart contract of the node 50 receives the notification in S271, it ends the operations shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 without updating the database and the block chain of the node 50.

[0112] When the smart contract 33 determines in S269 that the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262, the R / W data notified in S266, and the R / W data notified in S268 are all identical, it executes specific control on the image forming device 60 in accordance with the fulfillment rules described in the fulfillment rule program 33a (S272).

[0113] For example, the smart contract 33 may instruct the image forming apparatus 60 in S272 to update the value of Status in the device information 67b with the value of Status in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262. When the job execution unit 68a of the image forming apparatus 60 is instructed by the smart contract 33 to update the value of Status in the device information 67b, the job execution unit 68a updates the value of Status in the device information 67b as instructed.

[0114] Also, for example, the smart contract 33 may instruct the image forming apparatus 60 in S272 to update the value of Condition in the device information 67b with the value of Condition in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262. When the job execution unit 68a of the image forming apparatus 60 is instructed by the smart contract 33 to update the value of Condition in the device information 67b, it updates the value of Condition in the device information 67b as instructed.

[0115] 5, when the Accumulation value in the Write data exceeds the Limitation value in the Write data, the smart contract 33 instructs the image forming device 60 to transition to a sleep state in S272. When the job execution unit 68a of the image forming device 60 is instructed by the smart contract 33 to transition to a sleep state, the job execution unit 68a transitions to the sleep state as instructed.

[0116] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the device information 67b that is different from the examples shown in FIG. 7 and FIG.

[0117] If the device information 67b is as shown in FIG. 12 before the processing of S272 is executed, and the R / W data generated in S296 is the R / W data 32a shown in FIG. 4, the device information 67b will be, for example, as shown in FIG. 16 after the processing of S272 is executed.

[0118] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the processing of S272 is completed, the smart contract 33 updates the database 31 with the contents indicated in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation processing in S262 (S273).

[0119] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in database 31 that is different from the example shown in FIG.

[0120] If the database 31 is as shown in FIG. 3 before the processing of S273 is executed, and the R / W data generated in S296 is the R / W data 32a shown in FIG. 4, the database 31 will become, for example, as shown in FIG. 17 after the processing of S273 is executed.

[0121] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the processing of S273 is completed, the smart contract 33 adds the R / W data generated in S296 to the blockchain 32 (S274).

[0122] When the process of S272 ends, the smart contract 33 notifies the nodes 40 and 50 of the completion of control over the image forming device 60 (S275, S276).

[0123] When the smart contract of node 40 receives the notification in S275, it updates the database of node 40 with the contents indicated in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S265 (S277). Therefore, the information stored in the database of node 40 after the process of S277 is executed is the same as the information stored in the database 31 after the process of S273 is executed.

[0124] When the process of S277 is completed, the smart contract of node 40 adds the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S265 to the blockchain of node 40 (S278). Therefore, the information stored in the blockchain of node 40 after the process of S278 is executed becomes the same as the information stored in the blockchain 32 after the process of S274 is executed.

[0125] When the smart contract of node 50 receives the notification in S276, it updates the database of node 50 with the contents indicated in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S267 (S279). Therefore, the information stored in the database of node 40 after the process of S279 is executed becomes the same as the information stored in the database 31 after the process of S273 is executed.

[0126] When the process of S279 is completed, the smart contract of node 50 adds the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S267 to the blockchain of node 50 (S280). Therefore, the information stored in the blockchain of node 50 after the process of S280 is executed becomes the same as the information stored in the blockchain 32 after the process of S274 is executed.

[0127] Next, the operation of the computer 70 when the computer 70 displays information stored in the node 40 will be described.

[0128] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image forming system 10 when information stored in the node 40 is displayed.

[0129] A user of the computer 70 can input an instruction to display information stored in the node 40 to the computer 70 via an operation unit 71 .

[0130] When an instruction to display information stored in the node 40 is input, the information display unit 75a of the computer 70 requests information corresponding to the input instruction from the node 40, as shown in FIG. 18 (S321).

[0131] When the smart contract of node 40 receives the request in S321, it reads the information requested in S321 from at least one of the database, the blockchain, and the smart contract of node 40 (S322).

[0132] When the processing of S322 is completed, the smart contract of node 40 transmits the information read in S322 to the computer 70 (S323).

[0133] When the information display unit 75a of the computer 70 receives the information transmitted from the node 40 in S323, it displays the received information on the display unit 72 (S324).

[0134] Therefore, the user of the computer 70 can check the contents stored in the database of the node 40 by the information displayed on the display unit 72, check the contents stored in the blockchain of the node 40 by the information displayed on the display unit 72, and check the execution rules set in the smart contract of the node 40 by the information displayed on the display unit 72. For example, the user of the computer 70 can grasp the current state of the image forming device 60 by checking the contents stored in the database of the node 40. In addition, the user of the computer 70 can grasp the change history of the state of the image forming device 60 by checking the contents stored in the blockchain of the node 40.

[0135] The operation of computer 80 when displaying information stored in node 50 is similar to the operation of computer 70 when displaying information stored in node 40, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0136] As described above, when the R / W data generated by each smart contract of multiple nodes based on the event information as information about the image forming device 60 and the fulfillment rules is all identical, i.e., when the fulfillment rules are unlikely to have been tampered with, the image forming system 10 executes specific control on the image forming device 60 in accordance with the fulfillment rules (S272), thereby improving the tamper-resistance of the control content for the image forming device 60.

[0137] The identity of the R / W data stored in the blockchain of the node to which the computer is connected and the R / W data stored in the blockchain 32 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected is maintained by the mechanism of the blockchain. Since the R / W data stored in the blockchain of the node to which the computer is connected and the R / W data stored in the blockchain 32 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected are identical in the image forming system 10, the R / W data stored in the blockchain of the node to which the computer is connected is accessed from the computer (S321 to S324), so that the user of the computer can recognize the R / W data stored in the blockchain 32 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected.

[0138] The R / W data stored in the blockchain of the node to which the computer is connected and the R / W data stored in the blockchain 32 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected are kept identical by the mechanism of the blockchain. The R / W data stored in the blockchain of each node is a log of reading and writing to the database of each node. Therefore, the identity of the information stored in the database of the node to which the computer is connected and the information stored in the database 31 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected is kept. In the image forming system 10, the information stored in the database of the node to which the computer is connected and the information stored in the database 31 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected are the same, so that the information stored in the database of the node to which the computer is connected is accessed from the computer (S321 to S324), and the user of the computer can recognize the information stored in the database 31 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected.

[0139] The execution rule program set in the smart contract of each node may have a change history stored in the blockchain of each node, similar to the information stored in the database of each node. When the change history of the execution rule program set in the smart contract of each node is stored in the blockchain of each node, the execution rule set in the smart contract of the node to which the computer is connected and the execution rule set in the smart contract 33 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected are kept identical. In the image forming system 10, the execution rule set in the smart contract of the node to which the computer is connected is the same as the execution rule set in the smart contract 33 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected, so that the execution rule set in the smart contract of the node to which the computer is connected is accessed from the computer (S321 to S324), thereby allowing the user of the computer to recognize the execution rule set in the smart contract 33 of the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected.

[0140] In the image forming system 10, the image forming device 60 notifies the node 30 to which the image forming device 60 is connected as event information based on the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission when executing an image formation job (S234), and therefore specific control can be executed on the image forming device 60 in accordance with the information based on the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emission (S272).

[0141] The image forming system 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 emissions when an image formation job is executed (S232).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.

[0142] In the image forming system 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.

[0143] In this embodiment, the job execution unit 68a updates the Accumulation value by adding the estimated value obtained in S232 to the Accumulation value (S233), and notifies the node 30 of the Accumulation value updated in S233 (S234). However, the job execution unit 68a may notify the node 30 of the estimated value obtained in S232 in S261. When the estimated value is notified from the image forming device 60 in S261, the smart contract 33 of the node 30 may generate the Accumulation value in the Write data of the R / W data in S262 by adding the estimated value notified from the image forming device 60 to the Accumulation value stored in the database 31. Then, the smart contract 33 may instruct the image forming device 60 in S272 to update the Accumulation value in the device information 67b with the Accumulation value in the Write data of the R / W data generated in the R / W data generation process in S262.

[0144] In this embodiment, the image forming system 10 estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60 using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model. However, the image forming system 10 may estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60 by a method other than the carbon dioxide emission estimation model described in this embodiment. Furthermore, if the image forming system 10 has a function for actually measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60, the image forming system 10 may employ the actual measured value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60 instead of the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 60.

[0145] In recent years, an increasing number of companies are setting targets for reducing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and working to reduce greenhouse gases. There is also a system in which the excess or surplus of greenhouse gas reduction targets is converted into credits and traded. The scope of the system in which the excess or surplus of greenhouse gas reduction targets is converted into credits and traded includes carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the power consumption of image forming devices in an office environment. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the power consumption of image forming devices in an office environment, the excess may be calculated using an index called a standard emission (Limitation). For example, an operation may be required in which an alert is detected before the standard emission is exceeded and the use of the image forming device is stopped when the emission is exceeded. Regarding this operation, for example, the image forming system 10 in the present embodiment can stop the use of the image forming device 60 when the accumulation exceeds the limitation. In addition, since a third-party verification is generally required for the certification of the standard emission (Limitation) and the actual emission (Accumulation), the human cost of presenting evidence in the third-party verification may be a problem. Regarding this issue, for example, the image forming system 10 in this embodiment allows the limitations and accumulations stored in the database of the node 50 to be accessed from a computer 80 used by a person belonging to a third-party verification organization, and the resistance of this information to tampering is also maintained by the blockchain, thereby reducing the human costs involved in presenting evidence.

[0146] In the present embodiment, the image forming system 10 notifies the node 30 to which the image forming apparatus 60 is connected of information based on an estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job is executed as event information (S234). However, in the image forming system 10, the image forming apparatus 60 may notify the node 30 to which the image forming apparatus 60 is connected of information other than the information based on the estimated value of the amount of carbon dioxide emission when an image forming job is executed as event information. For example, the image forming apparatus 60 may notify the node 30 to which the image forming apparatus 60 is connected of an estimated value of the power consumption when an image forming job is executed as event information, or may notify the node 30 of a security incident that has occurred in the image forming apparatus 60 as event information.

[0147] The specific control executed on the image forming device 60 according to the fulfillment rule may be other than the control contents described in the present embodiment. For example, the image forming system 10 may display a warning message on the display unit 62 of the image forming device 60 before the accumulation exceeds the limitation, may send a warning message to the image forming device 60 to a specific destination before the accumulation exceeds the limitation, or may change the image forming device 60 to a print-disabled state before the accumulation exceeds the limitation.

[0148] In this embodiment, the blockchain network 20 includes three nodes, ie, nodes 30, 40, and 50. However, the blockchain network 20 may include a number of nodes other than three, as long as the blockchain network 20 includes a plurality of nodes. For example, the blockchain network 20 may include only two nodes, or may include four or more nodes.

[0149] In the present embodiment, the image forming system 10 includes only the image forming apparatus 60 as the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming system 10 may include at least one image forming apparatus other than the image forming apparatus 60. The image forming apparatus included in the image forming system 10 is connected to a node different from the nodes to which other image forming apparatuses and a computer are connected.

[0150] In this embodiment, the image forming system 10 includes two computers, a computer 70 and a computer 80. However, the image forming system 10 may include at least one computer other than the computer 70 and the computer 80. The computer included in the image forming system 10 is connected to a node different from the nodes to which other image forming devices and computers are connected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 10. Image forming system 20 Blockchain Network (Decentralized Network) 30 nodes 31 Database (information storage unit) 32 Blockchain (Distributed Ledger) 32a R / W data (data) 33 Smart Contract (Execution Management Department) 33a Implementation rule program (program that describes rules) 40, 50 nodes 60 Image forming device 70, 80 Computers

Claims

1. A distributed network having a plurality of nodes, Each of the plurality of nodes includes a performance management unit that manages performance of a process according to a rule when information of an image forming apparatus connected to any one of the plurality of nodes is notified, The same rule is set in the performance management unit of each of the plurality of nodes, the performance management unit of the node to which the image forming apparatus is connected notifies all of the other nodes of the information of the image forming apparatus notified from the image forming apparatus when the information of the image forming apparatus is notified from the image forming apparatus; the performance management unit of each of the plurality of nodes generates data based on the notified information of the image forming device and the rule when the information of the image forming device is notified; An image forming system characterized in that the performance management unit of the node to which the image forming device is connected performs specific control on the image forming device in accordance with the rule when the data generated by the performance management units of each of the multiple nodes is all identical.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the nodes other than the node to which the image forming device is connected is capable of accessing the rules set in the performance management section of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

3. Each of the plurality of nodes an information storage unit that stores information regarding the image forming apparatus; A distributed ledger that stores the data; Equipped with the data is a log of reading and writing to the information storage unit, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the nodes other than the node to which the image forming apparatus is connected is capable of accessing information stored in the information storage unit of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

4. Each of the plurality of nodes an information storage unit that stores information regarding the image forming apparatus; A distributed ledger that stores the data; Equipped with the data is a log of reading and writing to the information storage unit, The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the nodes other than the node to which the image forming device is connected is capable of accessing the data stored in the distributed ledger of the node itself from a computer connected to the node itself.

5. The image forming apparatus includes: The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the image forming device notifies the node to which the image forming device is connected of information based on an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when executing an image forming job as information about the image forming device.

6. the image forming apparatus calculates an estimated value of the emission amount by 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 apparatus executes the image forming job, 6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the carbon dioxide emission estimation model includes a plurality of explanatory variables according to types of settings of the image forming job.

Images