Carbon dioxide emission processing system, electric power consumption processing system, carbon dioxide emission processing program, and electric power consumption processing program

Abstract

To provide a carbon dioxide emission processing system, a power consumption processing system, a carbon dioxide emission processing program, and a power consumption processing program capable of limiting functions for each group of users.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an emission amount processing unit that executes processing related to an emission amount of carbon dioxide emitted by execution of a job by a job execution unit that executes the job, when the job is executed by the job executing unit in accordance with the instruction of the users, the emission amount processing unit executes the restriction of the function of the job executed by the job executing unit (S162) when the actual aggregate value of the group to which the users belong exceeds the upper limit value of the group (YES in S164).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide emission processing system and a carbon dioxide emission processing program that perform processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the execution of a job, and a power consumption processing system and a power consumption processing program that perform processing related to the amount of power consumed by the execution of a job. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known conventional carbon dioxide emission amount processing system is an image forming apparatus that limits its functions based on the amount of carbon dioxide emission converted based on set printing conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] However, conventional carbon dioxide emission processing systems have a problem in that they are unable to restrict functions for each user group.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide emission amount processing system, a power consumption amount processing system, a carbon dioxide emission amount processing program, and a power consumption amount processing program that can restrict functions for each user group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention includes an emission processing unit that performs processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of a job being executed by a job execution unit that executes the job, and an upper limit value for the aggregated value of the emission amount for a specific period is set for each group to which a user belongs, and when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the emission processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job execution unit if the actual aggregated value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

[0007] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention sets an upper limit for the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a specific period for each group to which a user belongs, and when a job is executed in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit, the system restricts the job's functions, thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0008] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the emission processing unit does not need to implement the restriction if the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs does not exceed the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

[0009] With this configuration, when a job is executed in accordance with a user's instructions, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention does not restrict the job's functions if the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs does not exceed the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs, thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0010] The power consumption processing system of the present invention includes a consumption processing unit that performs processing related to the amount of power consumed by a job executed by a job executing unit that executes the job, and an upper limit value for the aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period is set for each group to which a user belongs, and when the job is executed by the job executing unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the consumption processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job executing unit if the actual aggregated value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

[0011] With this configuration, the power consumption processing system of the present invention sets an upper limit for the aggregated value of power consumption for a specific period for each group to which a user belongs, and when a job is executed in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit, the system restricts the job's functions, thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0012] The carbon dioxide emission processing program of the present invention causes a computer to implement an emission processing unit that performs processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emission emitted when a job is executed by a job execution unit that executes the job, and an upper limit value for the aggregated value of the emission amount for a specific period is set for each group to which a user belongs, and when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the emission processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job execution unit if the actual aggregated value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

[0013] With this configuration, a computer executing the carbon dioxide emission processing program of the present invention sets an upper limit for the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a specific period for each group to which a user belongs, and when a job is executed in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit, the computer restricts the job's functions, thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0014] The power consumption processing program of the present invention causes a computer to implement a consumption processing unit that performs processing related to the amount of power consumed by a job executed by a job executing unit that executes the job, and an upper limit value for the aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period is set for each group to which a user belongs, and when the job is executed by the job executing unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the consumption processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job executing unit if the actual aggregated value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

[0015] With this configuration, a computer executing the power consumption processing program of the present invention sets an upper limit for the aggregated value of power consumption for a specific period for each group to which a user belongs, and when a job is executed in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit, the computer restricts the job's functions, thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The carbon dioxide emission amount processing system, power consumption amount processing system, carbon dioxide emission amount processing program, and power consumption amount processing program of the present invention can restrict functions for each user group. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of group management information shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of carbon dioxide emission history information shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when editing a user. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when executing a print job. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen displayed in the printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG. 8 when the functions of a print job are not restricted. [Figure 10] 9A is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen when monochrome printing, 2-in-1 printing, and double-sided printing are set, which is displayed in the printing condition setting screen display process shown in Fig. 8. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen when printing without aggregation and single-sided printing are set, which is displayed in the printing condition setting screen display process shown in Fig. 8. [Figure 11] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen when color printing and single-sided printing are set, which is displayed in the printing condition setting screen display process shown in Fig. 8. (b) is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen when color printing and printing without aggregation are set, which is displayed in the printing condition setting screen display process shown in Fig. 8. [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention when configured as a power consumption processing system; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] First, a configuration of an image forming apparatus as a carbon dioxide emission amount processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 10 is a computer that includes an operation unit 11, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 12, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a printer 13, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 14, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 15, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a fax communication unit 16, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a memory unit 17, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 18 that controls image forming apparatus 10 as a whole.

[0022] The storage unit 17 can store a carbon dioxide emission amount processing program 17a for executing processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming apparatus 10. The carbon dioxide emission amount processing 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.

[0023] The storage unit 17 can store group management information 17b that manages groups that use the image forming device 10. The group managed by the group management information 17b may be, for example, a company or a department within a company.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the group management information 17b.

[0025] 2, group management information 17b includes, for each group, a group ID as identification information for the group, and an upper limit value for the monthly aggregate value of carbon dioxide emissions by image forming device 10 when used by the group (hereinafter referred to as "group upper limit value"). Group management information 17b shown in FIG. 2 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 17 can store user management information 17c that manages users who belong to a group.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 17c.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the user management information 17c includes, for each user, the group ID of the group to which the user belongs, a user ID as identification information for the user, the user's password, the user's role, and a monthly limit on carbon dioxide emissions assigned to the user (hereinafter referred to as "user-specific emission limit"). Some information is omitted from the user management information 17c shown in Fig. 3.

[0029] As roles, for example, there are general users who are general users, and administrators who manage general users.

[0030] The user-specific emission limit may differ for each role, for example, 5 kg-CO2 for general users and 10 kg-CO2 for administrators.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 17 can store carbon dioxide emission history information 17d that indicates the history of carbon dioxide emission.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d.

[0033] The carbon dioxide emission history information 17d shown in Fig. 4 indicates, for each job, the date and time the job was executed, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the execution of the job, the user who executed the job, and the group to which the user who executed the job belongs. In the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d shown in Fig. 4, the user who executed the job is represented by the user ID of the user who executed the job. In the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d shown in Fig. 4, the group to which the user who executed the job belongs is represented by the group ID of the group to which the user who executed the job belongs. The carbon dioxide emission history information 17d shown in Fig. 4 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0034] 1, storage unit 17 can store carbon dioxide emission estimation model 17e as a machine learning model in which the conditions for executing a print job are explanatory variables and the amount of carbon dioxide emission due to the execution of this print job is a target variable. The conditions for executing a print job include, for example, a print color condition, i.e., whether it is color printing or monochrome printing, a combined printing condition, i.e., whether it is non-combined printing, 2-in-1 printing, or 4-in-1 printing, and a print side condition, i.e., whether it is single-sided printing or double-sided printing.

[0035] Control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 18. The CPU of control unit 18 executes programs stored in storage unit 17 or the ROM of control unit 18.

[0036] The control unit 18 executes the carbon dioxide emission amount processing program 17a to realize a job execution unit 18a that executes a job and an emission amount processing unit 18b that executes processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming device 10.

[0037] The emission amount processing unit 18b can estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emission in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of a print job, for example, by using the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model 17e.

[0038] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0039] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a user logs in will be described.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a user logs in.

[0041] The user can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to display a login screen via the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10. When instructed to display the login screen, the discharge amount processing unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0042] 5, the emission amount processing unit 18b displays a login screen on the display unit 12 (S101). Therefore, the user can input the user ID and password of the user via the operation unit 11 into the login screen displayed on the display unit 12.

[0043] When the process of S101 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines whether or not a user ID and a password have been entered on the login screen until it determines that a user ID and a password have been entered on the login screen (S102).

[0044] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S102 that a user ID and password have been entered on the login screen, it performs authentication based on the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen (S103). Specifically, if the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen is included in the user management information 17c, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines that the authentication has been successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user ID and password entered on the login screen is not included in the user management information 17c, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines that the authentication has failed.

[0045] After the process of S103 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines whether the authentication executed in S103 is successful (S104).

[0046] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S104 that the authentication has been successful, it displays on the display unit 12 that the user has been permitted to log in (S105), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0047] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S104 that the authentication has failed, it displays on the display unit 12 that the user's login is not permitted (S106), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0048] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when editing a user will be described.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when editing a user.

[0050] A user who can edit users for a group to which the user belongs, such as an administrator, can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to edit the users via the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 while logged in to the image forming apparatus 10. When instructed to edit the users, the discharge amount processing unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0051] 6, the emission amount processing unit 18b edits the user for the group to which the user belongs (hereinafter referred to as the "target group" in the explanation of the operation shown in FIG. 6) as instructed by the user (S121). Here, editing the user may include, for example, at least one of adding a new user to the target group, deleting at least one existing user from the target group, and changing the role of a user belonging to the target group.

[0052] When the process of S121 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b calculates a group-specific upper limit for the target group based on the number of users for each role who belong to the target group (S122). For example, the emission amount processing unit 18b may calculate, for each role of users who belong to the target group, the product of the user emission amount limit set for the role and the number of people in the target group for this role, and then calculate the sum of all the calculated products as the group-specific upper limit for the target group.

[0053] When the process of S122 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b writes the group-specific upper limit value calculated in S122 into the group management information 17b (S123), and the operation shown in FIG. 6 is completed.

[0054] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a print job will be described.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a print job.

[0056] When a user desires to execute a print job, the user can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 to start setting the conditions for executing the print job. When the user is instructed to start setting the conditions for executing the print job, the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge amount processing unit 18b executes a printing condition setting screen display process to display a screen for setting conditions for executing a print job (hereinafter referred to as a "printing condition setting screen") (S141).

[0058] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the emission amount processing unit 18b calculates the aggregate value of the carbon dioxide emission amount for this month by the image forming device 10 for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, based on the information included in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d (S161).

[0060] When the processing of S161 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines whether the aggregated value calculated in S161 exceeds the group upper limit value of the group to which the logged-in user belongs, as indicated in the group management information 17b (S162).

[0061] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S162 that the aggregated value calculated in S161 does not exceed the group-specific upper limit value of the group to which the logged-in user belongs, as indicated in the group management information 17b, it displays on the display unit 12 a printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, Figure 9) that does not restrict the functions of the print job (S163).

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when the functions of the print job are not restricted.

[0063] The print condition setting screen 30 shown in FIG. 9 includes a radio button 31a for setting color printing as the print color condition, a radio button 31b for setting monochrome printing as the print color condition, a radio button 32a for setting non-multiplex printing as the multiplex printing condition, a radio button 32b for setting 2-in-1 printing as the multiplex printing condition, a radio button 32c for setting 4-in-1 printing as the multiplex printing condition, a radio button 33a for setting single-sided printing as the print side condition, a radio button 33b for setting double-sided printing as the print side condition, and a print execution button 34 for receiving a command to execute printing. Only one of the radio buttons 31a and 31b is always selected. Only one of the radio buttons 32a, 32b, and 32c is always selected. Only one of the radio buttons 33a and 33b is always selected.

[0064] On the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S163, the user can set either color printing or monochrome printing as the printing color condition, without being limited by the settings of the print job execution conditions other than the print color condition.On the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S163, the user can set either non-multiplication printing, 2-in-1 printing, or 4-in-1 printing as the consolidation printing condition, without being limited by the settings of the print job execution conditions other than the consolidation printing condition.On the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S163, the user can set either single-sided printing or double-sided printing as the printing side condition, without being limited by the settings of the print job execution conditions other than the printing side condition.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, when the emission processing unit 18b determines in S162 that the aggregated value calculated in S161 exceeds the group upper limit value for the group to which the logged-in user belongs, as indicated in the group management information 17b, it displays the printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, FIGS. 10 and 11) on the display unit 12, with the functions of the print job restricted (S164).

[0066] Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when monochrome printing, 2-in-1 printing, and double-sided printing are set. Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when non-aggregated printing and single-sided printing are set. Fig. 11(a) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when color printing and single-sided printing are set. Fig. 11(b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when color printing and non-aggregated printing are set.

[0067] The configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figures 10 and 11 is the same as the configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 9, except for the configuration described below. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 10(b), radio button 31a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 11(a), radio button 32a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 11(b), radio button 33a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In other words, the printing condition setting screens 30 shown in Figures 10 and 11 limit the combinations of color printing, non-multiplexed printing, and single-sided printing.

[0068] The user cannot set a combination of color printing, non-multiplication printing, and single-sided printing as the print color condition on the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S164. If the combination of non-multiplication printing and single-sided printing is specified on the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S164, the user can set only monochrome printing as the print color condition, as shown in FIG. 10(b). If the combination of non-multiplication printing and single-sided printing is not specified, the user can set either color printing or monochrome printing as the print color condition. If the combination of color printing and single-sided printing is specified on the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S164, the user can set only 2-in-1 printing or 4-in-1 printing as the print side condition, as shown in FIG. 11(a). If the combination of color printing and single-sided printing is not specified, the user can set either non-multiplication printing, 2-in-1 printing, or 4-in-1 printing as the multiplication printing condition. If the combination of color printing and printing without aggregation is specified on the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S164, the user can set only double-sided printing as the printing side condition, as shown in Figure 11 (b), and if the combination of color printing and printing without aggregation is not specified, the user can set either single-sided printing or double-sided printing as the printing side condition.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, when the process of S143 or S144 ends, the discharge amount processing unit 18b ends the printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing condition setting screen display process of S141 is completed, the job execution unit 18a determines whether the print execution button 34 has been pressed on the printing condition setting screen 30 (S142) until it determines that the print execution button 34 has been pressed on the printing condition setting screen 30.

[0071] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S142 that the print execution button 34 has been pressed on the printing condition setting screen 30, it terminates the display of the printing condition setting screen 30 on the display unit 12 (S143).

[0072] When the process of S143 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the print job under the conditions that were set on the print condition setting screen 30 at the time when the print execution button 34 was pressed on the print condition setting screen 30 (S144). Note that the image printed in the print job may be, for example, an image read from a document by the scanner 14, an image stored in the storage unit 17, or an image acquired from outside the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication unit 15.

[0073] When the processing of S144 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b uses the conditions of the print job executed in S144 and the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model 17e to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the image forming device 10 due to the execution of this print job (S145).

[0074] When the process of S145 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b records the carbon dioxide emission history relating to the carbon dioxide emission amount estimated in S145 in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d (S146), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0075] As described above, the image forming device 10 sets an upper limit for the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month for each group to which the user belongs (S122-S123), and when a job is executed in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit (YES in S162), the image forming device 10 restricts the job's functions (S164), thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0076] The image forming apparatus 10 limits the function of the print job executed by the job executing unit 18a (S164), thereby improving the possibility of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0077] When a job is executed in accordance with a user's instruction, if the actual total value of the group to which the user belongs does not exceed the upper limit value of the group (NO in S162), the image forming device 10 does not restrict the job's functions (S163), thereby making it possible to restrict functions for each user group.

[0078] In the above, the emission amount processing unit 18b calculates the group-specific upper limit for this group based on the number of users belonging to each role in the group (S122). However, the emission amount processing unit 18b may calculate the group-specific upper limit using a calculation method other than this calculation method. For example, if the user-specific emission amount limit is constant regardless of role, the emission amount processing unit 18b may calculate the product of the number of users belonging to the group and the user-specific emission amount limit as the group-specific upper limit for this group.

[0079] In the above, the emission amount processing unit 18b uses a machine learning model to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of a print job. However, the emission amount processing unit 18b may estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of a print job by a method other than a method using a machine learning model. Furthermore, the emission amount processing unit 18b may measure, rather than estimate, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of a print job. For example, the emission amount processing unit 18b may measure the amount of power consumption in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of a print job and calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by multiplying the measured amount of power consumption by a specific coefficient.

[0080] The above has described a carbon dioxide emission amount processing system that executes processing related to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of a job being executed by the job executing unit 18a. Here, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of a job being executed by the job executing unit 18a is proportional to the amount of power consumed as a result of the job being executed by the job executing unit 18a. Therefore, the carbon dioxide emission amount processing system described above can also be configured as a power consumption processing system that executes processing related to the amount of power consumed as a result of a job being executed by the job executing unit 18a.

[0081] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 configured as a power consumption processing system.

[0082] The configuration of the image forming device 10 shown in Figure 12 is the same as the configuration of the image forming device 10 shown in Figure 1, except that it has a power consumption processing program 17f for performing processing related to the amount of power consumed by the image forming device 10, group management information 17g for managing groups that use the image forming device 10, user management information 17h for managing users belonging to the group, power consumption history information 17i that shows the history of power consumption, and a power consumption estimation model 17j as a machine learning model in which the conditions for executing a print job are the explanatory variables and the amount of power consumed by the execution of this print job is the target variable, instead of the carbon dioxide emission amount processing program 17a (see Figure 1), group management information 17b (see Figure 1), user management information 17c (see Figure 1), carbon dioxide emission history information 17d (see Figure 1), and carbon dioxide emission estimation model 17e (see Figure 1). The group management information 17g has a similar structure to the group management information 17b (see FIG. 2), which includes an upper limit on the monthly total of the amount of power consumed by the image forming device 10 when used by a group, instead of the upper limit on the monthly total of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device 10 when used by a group. The user management information 17h has a similar structure to the user management information 17c (see FIG. 3), which includes a monthly limit on the amount of power consumed by the user, instead of the monthly limit on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the user. The power consumption history information 17i has a similar structure to the carbon dioxide emission history information 17d (see FIG. 4), which includes the amount of power consumed by the execution of a job, instead of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions by the execution of a job. The control unit 18 shown in FIG. 12 executes a power consumption processing program 17f to implement a job execution unit 18a and a consumption processing unit 18c that executes processing related to the amount of power consumed by the image forming device 10.

[0083] The difference between the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 and the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 12 is that the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 executes processing related to carbon dioxide emissions, while the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 12 executes processing related to power consumption. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 12 can achieve the same effects as the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 12 sets an upper limit for the aggregated amount of power consumption for one month for each group to which a user belongs, and when a job is executed in accordance with a user's instruction, if the actual aggregated amount for the group exceeds the upper limit for the group to which the user belongs, the image forming apparatus 10 restricts the job functions, thereby restricting functions for each user group.

[0084] In the above, the aggregation period for the aggregated values ​​of carbon dioxide emissions or electricity consumption is one month. However, the aggregation period may be a period other than one month. For example, the aggregation period may be one week.

[0085] In the above description, a print job is used as the job, but the image forming apparatus 10 can also process jobs other than a print job in the same way as a print job.

[0086] In the above, the function restriction is a restriction on the combination of color printing, non-collecting printing, and single-sided printing. However, the function restriction may be a restriction other than the restriction on the combination of color printing, non-collecting printing, and single-sided printing.

[0087] In the above, the carbon dioxide emission amount processing system or the power consumption processing system is realized only by the image forming apparatus 10. However, the carbon dioxide emission amount processing system or the power consumption processing system may be realized by multiple computers including the image forming apparatus 10 that executes a job, or may be realized by at least one computer that does not include the image forming apparatus 10 that executes a job. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Image forming equipment (carbon dioxide emission processing system, power consumption processing system, computer) 17a Carbon Emissions Processing Program 17f Power consumption processing program 18a Job Execution Unit 18b Emissions processing section 18c Consumption processing section

Claims

1. an emission processing unit that executes a job by a job executing unit that executes the job and that executes a process related to an emission amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted as a result of the job being executed; The upper limit of the aggregate value of the emission amount for a specific period is set for each group to which the user belongs, The carbon dioxide emission processing system is characterized in that, when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, if the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group, the emission processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job execution unit.

2. The carbon dioxide emission processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the emission processing unit does not execute the restriction if the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs does not exceed the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

3. a consumption amount processing unit that executes a process related to the amount of power consumed by a job executed by a job executing unit, an upper limit of the aggregated value of the consumption amount in a specific period is set for each group to which the user belongs; and wherein, when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with instructions from the user, if the actual aggregated value for the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value for the group, the consumption processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job execution unit.

4. a job execution unit that executes a job causes a computer to implement an emission processing unit that executes a process related to an emission amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of the job being executed; The upper limit of the aggregate value of the emission amount for a specific period is set for each group to which the user belongs, A carbon dioxide emission processing program characterized in that, when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with the user's instructions, the emission processing unit restricts the function of the job executed by the job execution unit when the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

5. a job execution unit that executes a job causes a consumption amount processing unit to execute a process related to the amount of power consumed by the job execution unit, an upper limit of the aggregated value of the consumption amount in a specific period is set for each group to which the user belongs; and a power consumption processing unit configured to, when the job is executed by the job execution unit in accordance with instructions from the user, restrict the function of the job executed by the job execution unit if the actual aggregate value of the group to which the user belongs exceeds the upper limit value of the group to which the user belongs.

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