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, an electric power consumption processing system, a carbon dioxide emission processing program and an electric power consumption processing program capable of rejecting the restriction of a function.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus executes the notification of the restriction on the function of the job (S161) when an emission ratio as a ratio of an actual total value to an upper limit value of a total value of emission of carbon dioxide in one month emitted by execution of the job exceeds a specific value, and executes the restriction on the notification (S162) when acceptance of the restriction on the notification is instructed (YES in S165), and includes the emission of the job to be notified in the current total value for one month. When the user gives an instruction not to accept the restriction in the notice (YES in S163), the restriction in the notice is not executed (S168), and the discharge amount of the job to be notified is included in the aggregate value for the next one month (S167).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

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, in the conventional carbon dioxide emission processing system, there is a problem that the function limitation cannot be rejected.

[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 reject function restrictions. [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 by a job executed by a job execution unit that executes the job, and the emission processing unit performs a notice of restriction on the function of the job executed by the job execution unit when the emission ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of the emission for a specific period, exceeds a specific value, and when the user instructs the emission processing unit to accept the restriction in the notice, the emission processing unit performs the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a first period, which is the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notice was executed, and when the user instructs the emission processing unit not to accept the restriction in the notice, the emission processing unit does not perform the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a second period, which is the specific period next to the first period.

[0007] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention is executed when the emission ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a specific period, exceeds a specific value.If a user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notification of the function restriction of a job, the system will not execute the restriction in the notification and will include the carbon dioxide emission of the job that is the subject of the notification in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notification was executed, so that the function restriction can be rejected.

[0008] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, the emission amount processing unit may display the emission ratio.

[0009] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention displays the emission ratio as the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by jobs executed by the job execution unit during a specific period, thereby allowing the user to recognize the actual situation relative to the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions during a specific period.

[0010] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, the emission processing unit may display, before the user is instructed not to accept the restrictions in the notice, that if the user instructs not to accept the restrictions in the notice, the emission processing unit will not implement the restrictions in the notice and will include the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period.

[0011] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention displays the details of the operation that will be performed if the user instructs not to accept the function restrictions in the notice of function restrictions on the job before the user instructs not to accept the function restrictions in the notice of function restrictions on the job, thereby improving convenience.

[0012] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, when a user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notice, the emission processing unit may, when the number of times it not implements the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period is equal to or greater than a specific number, reduce the upper limit value for the second period compared to when a user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period is less than the specific number.

[0013] With this configuration, when a user instructs not to accept a function restriction in a notice of a job's function restriction, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention reduces the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the specific period following the specific period in which the job in question is executed when the number of times the notification of the restriction and the inclusion of the emission amount of the job in question in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job in question is executed is a specific number or more, compared to when a user instructs not to accept a function restriction in a notice of a job's function restriction and the inclusion of the emission amount of the job in question in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job in question is executed is less than a specific number, thereby improving the possibility of improving user awareness of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0014] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, the emission processing unit may, when the aggregated value for the first period exceeds the upper limit value for the first period, reduce the upper limit value for the second period compared to when the aggregated value for the first period does not exceed the upper limit value for the first period.

[0015] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a first period exceeds the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period, reduces the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for a second period following the first period compared to when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period does not exceed the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period, thereby improving the possibility of improving user awareness of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0016] In the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention, the emission processing unit may, when the aggregated value for the first period falls below the upper limit value for the first period, increase the upper limit value for the second period compared to when the aggregated value for the first period is not below the upper limit value for the first period.

[0017] With this configuration, the carbon dioxide emission processing system of the present invention increases the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for a second period following the first period when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for a first period falls below the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for the first period compared to when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for the first period is not below the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for the first period, thereby improving convenience.

[0018] The power consumption processing system of the present invention includes a consumption processing unit that performs processing related to the power consumption consumed by a job executed by a job executing unit that executes the job, and the consumption processing unit executes a notice of restriction on the function of the job executed by the job executing unit when the consumption ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period, exceeds a specific value, and when the user instructs the consumption processing unit to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit executes the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a first period, which is the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notice was executed, and when the user instructs the user not to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit does not execute the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a second period, which is the specific period next to the first period.

[0019] With this configuration, the power consumption processing system of the present invention is executed when the consumption ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of power consumption for a specific period, exceeds a specific value.If a user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notification of the function restriction of a job, the system will not execute the restriction in the notification and will include the power consumption of the job that is the subject of the notification in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notification was executed, so that the function restriction can be rejected.

[0020] The carbon dioxide emission processing program of the present invention causes a computer to realize 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 the emission processing unit executes a notice of restriction on the function of the job executed by the job execution unit when the emission ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of the emission for a specific period, exceeds a specific value, and the emission processing unit executes the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a first period, which is the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notice was executed, when the user is instructed to not accept the restriction in the notice, and the emission processing unit does not execute the restriction in the notice and includes the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a second period, which is the specific period following the first period, when the user is instructed not to accept the restriction in the notice.

[0021] With this configuration, a computer executing the carbon dioxide emission processing program of the present invention is executed when the emission ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emission for a specific period, exceeds a specific value.If a user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notification of the function restriction of a job, the computer will not execute the restriction in the notification and will include the carbon dioxide emission of the job that is the subject of the notification in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notification was executed, so that the function restriction can be rejected.

[0022] The power consumption processing program of the present invention causes a computer to realize a consumption processing unit that performs processing related to the power consumption consumed by a job executed by a job executing unit that executes the job, and the consumption processing unit executes a notice of restriction on the function of the job executed by the job executing unit when the consumption ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period, exceeds a specific value, and when the user instructs the consumption processing unit to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit executes the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a first period, which is the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notice was executed, and when the user instructs the user not to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit does not execute the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregated value for a second period, which is the specific period next to the first period.

[0023] With this configuration, a computer executing the power consumption processing program of the present invention is executed when the consumption ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of power consumption for a specific period, exceeds a specific value.If a user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notification of the function restriction of a job, the computer will not execute the restriction in the notification and will include the power consumption of the job that is the subject of the notification in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job that is the subject of the notification was executed, so that the function restriction can be rejected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The carbon dioxide emission amount processing system, power consumption processing system, carbon dioxide emission amount processing program, and power consumption processing program of the present invention can be denied function restrictions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [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 emission upper limit value information shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of carbon dioxide emission history information shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of first upper limit value decrement information shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of second upper limit value decrement information shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a discharge upper limit value is set. [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] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a printing condition setting screen in a case where no discharge upper limit value is stored in the discharge upper limit value information shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when the discharge ratio is 80% or less. [Figure 11] 9 is a flowchart of an example of the over 80% process shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a notice screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 11 when the discharge rate exceeds 80%. FIG. [Figure 13] 9A is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when monochrome printing, 2-in-1 printing, and double-sided printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. (b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when non-consolidated printing and single-sided printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. [Figure 14] 9A is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when color printing and single-sided printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. (b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when color printing and printing without aggregation are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen shown in FIG. 9 when the discharge ratio is over 80%. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a print job is executed. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when updating the current discharge amount upper limit value. [Figure 18] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 configured as a power consumption processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The storage unit 17 can store emission amount upper limit information 17b indicating the upper limit of the monthly total of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "emission amount upper limit").

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the emission upper limit information 17b.

[0033] The emission amount upper limit information 17b shown in FIG. 2 includes a default value for the emission amount upper limit (hereinafter referred to as the "default emission amount upper limit") and an emission amount upper limit that is actually used (hereinafter referred to as the "current emission amount upper limit").

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 17 can store carbon dioxide emission history information 17c that indicates the history of carbon dioxide emission.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the carbon dioxide emission history information 17c.

[0036] The carbon dioxide emission history information 17c shown in Fig. 3 indicates, for each job, the date and time when the job was executed, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the job execution, and the month for which the carbon dioxide emission amount is tallied (hereinafter referred to as the "tallying month"). The carbon dioxide emission history information 17c shown in Fig. 3 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0037] 1, storage unit 17 can store carbon dioxide emission estimation model 17d 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.

[0038] The storage unit 17 can store a tally month flag 17e that indicates whether or not the tally month is the current month.

[0039] The storage unit 17 can store limit refusal count information 17f indicating the number of times a user has refused to accept the function restrictions of a print job (hereinafter referred to as the "limit refusal count"). The limit refusal count indicated in the limit refusal count information 17f is 0 by default.

[0040] The storage unit 17 can store first upper limit value decrement information 17g that indicates the amount by which the current discharge amount upper limit value is to be decremented in accordance with the amount by which the current discharge amount upper limit value is exceeded.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first upper limit decrement information 17g.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the first upper limit value decrease amount information 17g is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the amount by which the current emission upper limit value is exceeded and the amount by which the current emission upper limit value is decreased.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 17 can store second upper limit value decrement information 17h that indicates the amount by which the current emission upper limit value is to be decremented in accordance with the number of restriction refusals.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the second upper limit decrement information 17h.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the second upper limit value decrement information 17h is information indicating the correspondence relationship between the number of restriction refusals and the amount by which the current emission upper limit value is decremented.

[0046] 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 18. The CPU of control unit 18 executes programs stored in storage unit 17 or the ROM of control unit 18.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 17d.

[0049] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0050] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when the discharge upper limit value is set will be described.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a discharge upper limit value is set.

[0052] The user can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11 to start processing for setting the discharge amount upper limit value.

[0053] When instructed to start processing for setting the emission amount upper limit, the emission amount processing unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0054] 6, the emission amount processing unit 18b displays a screen for setting an emission amount upper limit value (hereinafter referred to as an "upper limit value setting screen") on the display unit 12 (S101). Therefore, the user can specify an emission amount upper limit value on the upper limit value setting screen via the operation unit 11.

[0055] When the process of S101 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines whether or not an emission amount upper limit value has been specified on the upper limit value setting screen until it determines that an emission amount upper limit value has been specified on the upper limit value setting screen (S102).

[0056] When the emission processing unit 18b determines in S102 that an emission upper limit value has been specified on the upper limit value setting screen, it sets the emission upper limit value specified on the upper limit value setting screen as the default emission upper limit value and the current emission upper limit value in the emission upper limit value information 17b (S103), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 6.

[0057] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a print job will be described.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a print job.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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") (S121).

[0061] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the emission amount processing unit 18b turns off the counting month flag 17e (S141).

[0063] When the process of S141 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines whether or not a discharge amount upper limit value is stored in the discharge amount upper limit value information 17b (S142).

[0064] If the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines in S142 that no discharge amount upper limit value is stored in the discharge amount upper limit value information 17b, it displays on the display unit 12 a printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, FIG. 9) that does not restrict the functions of the print job (S143).

[0065] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when no discharge upper limit value is stored in the discharge upper limit value information 17b.

[0066] 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.

[0067] On the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S143, 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 S143, 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 S143, 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.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, when the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S142 that an emission amount upper limit value is stored in the emission amount upper limit value information 17b, it calculates the aggregate value of the carbon dioxide emission amount by the image forming device 10 for this month based on the information included in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17c (S144).

[0069] When the processing of S144 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b divides the aggregated value calculated in S144 by the current emission amount upper limit value indicated in the emission amount upper limit value information 17b to calculate the ratio of this month's aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming device 10 to the current emission amount upper limit value (hereinafter referred to as the "emission amount ratio") (S145).

[0070] When the process of S145 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines the discharge ratio calculated in S145 (S146).

[0071] If the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines in S146 that the discharge amount ratio calculated in S145 is 80% or less, it displays on the display unit 12 the printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, FIG. 10) that includes the current discharge amount ratio and does not restrict the functions of the print job (S147).

[0072] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when the discharge ratio is 80% or less.

[0073] The configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Fig. 10 is the same as the configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Fig. 9, except for the configuration described below. The printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Fig. 10 includes text 35 indicating the emission ratio calculated in S145, i.e., the current emission ratio.

[0074] On the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S147, 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 S147, 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 S147, 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.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, when the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S146 that the emission amount ratio calculated in S145 is greater than 80%, it executes processing for when the emission amount ratio is greater than 80% (hereinafter referred to as "greater than 80% processing") (S148).

[0076] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of the over 80% process shown in FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11, the discharge amount processing unit 18b displays on the display unit 12 a notice screen 40 (see, for example, FIG. 12) including details of the restrictions on the functions of the print job when the discharge ratio exceeds 80% (S161).

[0078] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the notice screen 40 when the discharge ratio exceeds 80%.

[0079] The notification screen 40 shown in Figure 12 includes text 41 indicating the current emission ratio, text 42 indicating the functional limitations of the print job relative to the current emission ratio, i.e., the content of the functional limitations of the print job when the emission ratio is over 80%, text 43 indicating that if the functional limitations of the print job are not accepted, the carbon dioxide emissions from the execution of the current print job will be carried over to next month's calculation, i.e., the content of the operation when the user instructs not to accept the functional limitations of the print job, a YES button 44 for the user to instruct the user to accept the functional limitations of the print job relative to the current emission ratio, and a NO button 45 for the user to instruct the user not to accept the functional limitations of the print job relative to the current emission ratio.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 11, when the process of S161 ends, the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines whether or not the YES button 44 has been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161 (S162).

[0081] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S162 that the YES button 44 has not been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161, it determines whether the NO button 45 has been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161 (S163).

[0082] If the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines in S163 that the NO button 45 has not been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161, it executes the process of S162.

[0083] When the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines in S162 that the YES button 44 has been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161, it terminates the display of the notice screen 40 displayed in S161 on the display unit 12 (S164).

[0084] When the processing of S164 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b displays on the display unit 12 a printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, Figures 13 and 14) that includes the current discharge amount ratio and limits color printing, printing without aggregation, or single-sided printing as a function of the print job (S165).

[0085] Fig. 13(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 when the discharge ratio is over 80%. Fig. 13(b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when non-consolidated printing and single-sided printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. Fig. 14(a) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when color printing and single-sided printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%. Fig. 14(b) is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when color printing and non-consolidated printing are set when the discharge ratio is over 80%.

[0086] The configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figures 13 and 14 is the same as the configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 10, except for the configuration described below. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 13(b), radio button 31a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 14(a), radio button 32a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in Figure 14(b), radio button 33a is grayed out and cannot be selected. In other words, the printing condition setting screens 30 shown in Figures 13 and 14 limit the combinations of color printing, non-multiplexed printing, and single-sided printing.

[0087] 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 S165. If the combination of non-multiplication printing and single-sided printing is specified on the printing condition setting screen 30 displayed in S165, the user can set only monochrome printing as the print color condition, as shown in FIG. 13(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 S165, the user can set only 2-in-1 printing or 4-in-1 printing as the print side condition, as shown in FIG. 14(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 S165, the user can set only double-sided printing as the printing side condition, as shown in Figure 14(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.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11, when the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S163 that the NO button 45 has been pressed on the notice screen 40 displayed in S161, it terminates the display of the notice screen 40 displayed in S161 on the display unit 12 (S166).

[0089] When the process of S166 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b sets the counting month flag 17e (S167).

[0090] When the processing of S167 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b displays on the display unit 12 the printing condition setting screen 30 (see, for example, FIG. 15) that includes the current discharge amount ratio and does not restrict the functions of the print job (S168).

[0091] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the printing condition setting screen 30 when the discharge ratio is over 80%.

[0092] The configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the configuration of the printing condition setting screen 30 shown in FIG.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 11, when the process of S165 or S168 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b completes the over-80% process shown in FIG.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 8, when the process of S143, S147, or S148 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b ends the printing condition setting screen display process shown in FIG.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing condition setting screen display process in S121 is completed, the job execution unit 18a determines whether the print execution button 34 has been pressed on the printing condition setting screen 30 (S122) until it determines that the print execution button 34 has been pressed on the printing condition setting screen 30.

[0096] When the job executing unit 18a determines in S122 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 (S123).

[0097] When the process of S123 is completed, the job executing unit 18a executes the print job under the conditions set on the print condition setting screen 30 (S124). Note that the image printed in the print job may be, for example, an image read from an original 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.

[0098] When the process of S124 is completed, the job executing unit 18a ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0099] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a print job is executed will be described.

[0100] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a print job is executed.

[0101] When the job executing unit 18a executes a print job (hereinafter referred to as a "target print job"), the discharge amount processing unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 16, the emission amount processing unit 18b uses the conditions of the target print job and the carbon dioxide emission amount estimation model 17d to estimate the carbon dioxide emission amount in the image forming apparatus 10 due to the execution of the target print job (S181).

[0103] When the process of S181 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines whether the counting month flag 17e is set (S182).

[0104] If the emission processing unit 18b determines in S182 that the aggregation month flag 17e is not set, it records the carbon dioxide emission history relating to the carbon dioxide emission amount estimated in S181 in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17c, assuming that the aggregation month is the current month (S183), and terminates the operation shown in Figure 16.

[0105] If the emission processing unit 18b determines in S182 that the counting month flag 17e is set, it records the carbon dioxide emission history related to the carbon dioxide emission amount estimated in S181 in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17c, assuming that the counting month is the next month (S184).

[0106] When the process of S184 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b increments the limited refusal count indicated in the limited refusal count information 17f by one (S185), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0107] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the current discharge upper limit value will be described.

[0108] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when updating the current discharge amount upper limit value.

[0109] The emission amount processing unit 18b executes the operation shown in FIG. 17 when the month changes on the calendar.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 17, the emission amount processing unit 18b calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emission by the image forming apparatus 10 for the previous month based on the information included in the carbon dioxide emission history information 17c (S201).

[0111] When the processing of S201 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b calculates the amount exceeding the current emission amount upper limit value by subtracting the current emission amount upper limit value indicated in the emission amount upper limit value information 17b from the aggregated value calculated in S201 (S202).

[0112] When the processing of S202 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines the amount by which to reduce the current emission amount upper limit value based on the amount calculated in S202 that exceeds the current emission amount upper limit value and the first upper limit value reduction amount information 17g (S203).

[0113] When the processing of S203 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b determines the amount by which to reduce the current emission upper limit value based on the number of restriction refusals indicated in the restriction refusal number information 17f and the second upper limit value reduction amount information 17h (S204).

[0114] When the process of S204 is completed, the discharge amount processing unit 18b determines whether the amount calculated in S202 that exceeds the current discharge amount upper limit is a negative value (S205).

[0115] If emission processing unit 18b determines in S205 that the amount calculated in S202 that exceeds the current emission upper limit is not a negative value, emission processing unit 18b updates the current emission upper limit indicated in emission upper limit information 17b by an amount obtained by subtracting the amount by which to reduce the current emission upper limit determined in S203 and the amount by which to reduce the current emission upper limit determined in S204 from the default emission upper limit indicated in emission upper limit information 17b (S206). For example, if the default emission upper limit indicated in emission upper limit information 17b is 500, the amount by which to reduce the current emission upper limit determined in S203 is 50, and the amount by which to reduce the current emission upper limit determined in S204 is 100, emission processing unit 18b writes 350, which is 500 minus 50 and 100, as the current emission upper limit in emission upper limit information 17b in S206.

[0116] If the emission amount processing unit 18b determines in S205 that the amount calculated in S202 by which the current emission amount upper limit value is exceeded is a negative value, it identifies the absolute value of the amount calculated in S202 by which the current emission amount upper limit value is exceeded, i.e., the amount by which the current emission amount upper limit value is exceeded, as the amount by which the current emission amount upper limit value is increased (S207).

[0117] When the processing of S207 is completed, emission processing unit 18b updates the current emission upper limit value indicated in emission upper limit value information 17b by subtracting the amounts by which to decrease the current emission upper limit value determined in S203 and the amounts by which to decrease the current emission upper limit value determined in S204 from the same value as the default emission upper limit value indicated in emission upper limit value information 17b, and adding the amount by which to increase the current emission upper limit value determined in S207 (S208). For example, if the default emission upper limit value indicated in emission upper limit value information 17b is 500, the amount by which to decrease the current emission upper limit value determined in S203 is 50, the amount by which to decrease the current emission upper limit value determined in S204 is 0, and the amount by which to increase the current emission upper limit value determined in S207 is 85, emission processing unit 18b subtracts 50 and 0 from 500 and adds 85 to obtain 535, and writes this value to emission upper limit value information 17b as the current emission upper limit value in S208.

[0118] When the process of S206 or S208 is completed, the emission amount processing unit 18b updates the limited refusal count indicated in the limited refusal count information 17f to 0 (S209), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

[0119] As described above, when the emission ratio, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit value of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month, exceeds a specific value, in the notification of the function restriction of a job, if the user instructs not to accept the function restriction (YES in S163), the image forming device 10 will not implement the restriction in the notification (S168) and will include the carbon dioxide emissions of the job that is the subject of the notification in the aggregated value for the month following the month in which the job that is the subject of the notification was executed (YES in S167, S182 and S184), so that the function restriction can be rejected.

[0120] The image forming device 10 displays the emission ratio as the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit of the aggregated value of the carbon dioxide emissions emitted by the execution of print jobs by the job execution unit 18a in one month (S147, S161, S165 and S168), thereby allowing the user to recognize the actual situation with respect to the upper limit of the aggregated value of the carbon dioxide emissions in one month.

[0121] The image forming device 10 displays the discharge ratio and, if the discharge ratio exceeds 80%, restricts the functions of the print job executed by the job execution unit 18a (S161 and S165), thereby improving the likelihood that the user will recognize in advance that the functions of the print job will be restricted based on the discharge ratio.

[0122] When the emission ratio exceeds 80%, the image forming apparatus 10 restricts the function of the print job executed by the job executing unit 18a (S165), thereby improving the possibility of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0123] The image forming device 10 displays (S161) the details of the operation to be performed when the user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notice of the function restriction of the job before the user instructs not to accept the function restriction in the notice of the function restriction of the job, thereby improving convenience.

[0124] When a user instructs not to accept a function restriction in a notice of a job function restriction, if the number of times that the notification of the restriction is not carried out and the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice are included in the aggregate value for the month following the month in which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed is equal to or greater than a specific number, image forming device 10 reduces the upper limit of the aggregate value of carbon dioxide emissions for the month following the month in which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed (S204, S206, S208) compared to when the number of times that the notification of the restriction is not carried out and the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice are included in the aggregate value for the month following the month in which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed is less than a specific number, thereby improving the possibility of improving user awareness of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0125] When the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month as the first period exceeds the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period, the image forming device 10 reduces the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month as the second period following the first period compared to when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period does not exceed the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period (S201 to S203, S206, S208), thereby improving the possibility of improving user awareness of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

[0126] When the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month as the first period falls below the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period (YES in S205), the image forming device 10 increases the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for one month as the second period following the first period (S207 and S208) compared to when the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period is not below the upper limit of the aggregated value of carbon dioxide emissions for the first period, thereby improving convenience.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 configured as a power consumption processing system.

[0130] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 18 includes a power consumption processing program 17i for executing processing related to the amount of power consumed by the image forming apparatus 10, upper consumption limit information 17j indicating the upper limit of the monthly aggregate value of power consumption by the image forming apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "upper consumption limit"), power consumption history information 17k indicating the history of power consumption, a power consumption estimation model 17l as a machine learning model in which the conditions for executing a print job are explanatory variables and the amount of power consumed by the execution of this print job is a target variable, and an actually used upper consumption limit (hereinafter referred to as the "current upper consumption limit") 18 is similar to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that first upper limit value decrease amount information 17m indicating the amount by which the current consumption upper limit value is to be decreased depending on the amount by which the current consumption upper limit value exceeds the limit value (referred to as "current consumption upper limit value" in FIG. 18), and second upper limit value decrease amount information 17n indicating the amount by which the current consumption upper limit value is to be decreased depending on the number of restriction refusals are provided in place of the carbon dioxide emission amount processing program 17a (see FIG. 1), emission upper limit value information 17b (see FIG. 1), carbon dioxide emission history information 17c (see FIG. 1), carbon dioxide emission estimation model 17d (see FIG. 1), first upper limit value decrease amount information 17g (see FIG. 1), and second upper limit value decrease amount information 17h (see FIG. 1). The control unit 18 shown in FIG. 18 executes the power consumption processing program 17i, thereby realizing a consumption amount processing unit 18c that executes processing related to the amount of power consumed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0131] The difference between the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 and the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 18 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. 18 executes processing related to power consumption. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 18 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. 18 notifies the user of a job function restriction notice that is executed when the consumption rate, which is the ratio of the actual aggregated value to the upper limit of the aggregated value of power consumption for one month, exceeds a specific value. If the user instructs not to accept the function restriction, the image forming apparatus 10 notifies the user of the job function restriction notice and includes the power consumption of the job in the notice in the aggregated value for the specific period following the specific period in which the job in the notice was executed. This allows the function restriction to be rejected.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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]

[0135] 10 Image forming equipment (carbon dioxide emission processing system, power consumption processing system, computer) 17a Carbon Emissions Processing Program 17i 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 emission processing unit executes a notice of limiting the function of the job executed by the job execution unit when an emission ratio, which is a ratio of an actual aggregated value of the emission amount for a specific period to an upper limit value of the aggregated value of the emission amount, exceeds a specific value; when the user instructs to accept the restriction in the notice, the emission processing unit executes the restriction in the notice and calculates the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice into the aggregate value for a first period as the specific period during which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed; The carbon dioxide emission processing system is characterized in that, when a user instructs not to accept the restrictions in the notice, the emission processing unit does not implement the restrictions in the notice and includes the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period, which is the specific period following the first period.

2. The carbon dioxide emission processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the emission processing unit displays the emission ratio.

3. The carbon dioxide emission processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that, if the user instructs not to accept the restrictions in the notice, the emission processing unit displays, before the user instructs not to accept the restrictions in the notice, that it will not implement the restrictions in the notice and will include the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period.

4. The carbon dioxide emission processing system of claim 1, characterized in that when the user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notification, the emission processing unit reduces the upper limit value for the second period when the number of times the restriction in the notification is not implemented and the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notification is included in the aggregate value for the second period is a specific number or more, compared to when the number of times the user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notification is not implemented and the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notification is included in the aggregate value for the second period is less than the specific number.

5. The carbon dioxide emission processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the aggregated value for the first period exceeds the upper limit value for the first period, the emission processing unit reduces the upper limit value for the second period compared to when the aggregated value for the first period does not exceed the upper limit value for the first period.

6. The carbon dioxide emission processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the aggregated value for the first period falls below the upper limit value for the first period, the emission processing unit increases the upper limit value for the second period compared to when the aggregated value for the first period is not below the upper limit value for the first period.

7. 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, the consumption processing unit executes a notice of limiting the function of the job executed by the job executing unit when a consumption ratio, which is a ratio of an actual aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period to an upper limit of the aggregated value of the consumption, exceeds a specific value; the consumption amount processing unit, when instructed by a user to accept the restriction in the notice, executes the restriction in the notice and calculates the consumption amount of the job that is the subject of the notice into the aggregate value for a first period as the specific period during which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed; The power consumption processing system is characterized in that, when a user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit does not implement the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period, which is the specific period following the first period.

8. 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 emission processing unit executes a notice of limiting the function of the job executed by the job execution unit when an emission ratio, which is a ratio of an actual aggregated value of the emission amount for a specific period to an upper limit value of the aggregated value of the emission amount, exceeds a specific value; when the user instructs to accept the restriction in the notice, the emission processing unit executes the restriction in the notice and calculates the emission amount of the job that is the subject of the notice into the aggregate value for a first period as the specific period during which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed; A carbon dioxide emission processing program characterized in that, when a user instructs not to accept the restrictions in the notice, the emission processing unit does not implement the restrictions in the notice and includes the emissions of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period, which is the specific period following the first period.

9. 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, the consumption processing unit executes a notice of limiting the function of the job executed by the job executing unit when a consumption ratio, which is a ratio of an actual aggregated value of the consumption for a specific period to an upper limit of the aggregated value of the consumption, exceeds a specific value; the consumption amount processing unit, when instructed by a user to accept the restriction in the notice, executes the restriction in the notice and calculates the consumption amount of the job that is the subject of the notice into the aggregate value for a first period as the specific period during which the job that is the subject of the notice is executed; The power consumption processing program is characterized in that, when a user instructs not to accept the restriction in the notice, the consumption processing unit does not implement the restriction in the notice and includes the consumption of the job that is the subject of the notice in the aggregate value for the second period, which is the specific period following the first period.

Images