Electronic device, power consumption calculation program, and power consumption calculation method

Abstract

To calculate power consumption more accurately. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a first calculation unit that calculates a first power consumption amount using a regression analysis method when executing a specific mode in which a job can be executed with multiple different types of settings; a second calculation unit that calculates a second power consumption amount using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the specific mode; and a power consumption calculation unit that calculates the sum of the first power consumption amount and the second power consumption amount as the power consumption amount.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electronic device, a program for calculating the power consumption of the electronic device, and a method for calculating the power consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent documents 1-2 calculate power consumption based on power consumption standards and operating time data for each operating mode of an image forming apparatus (MFP). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-170807 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-309684 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] This calculation method is simple, making it easy to implement and explain to users. However, because it calculates power consumption in copy / print mode using a fixed power consumption standard, it cannot calculate power consumption according to differences in color / monochrome printing, print density, or printing conditions such as double-sided printing, resulting in poor accuracy of the calculated power consumption.

[0005] In light of the circumstances described above, the purpose of this disclosure is to calculate power consumption more accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device relating to one form of this disclosure is A first calculation unit calculates a first power consumption amount using a regression analysis method when executing a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different types of settings, A second calculation unit that calculates a second amount of power consumption using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the aforementioned specific mode, A power consumption calculation unit calculates the total power consumption as the sum of the power consumption of the first and second components described above. It is equipped with.

[0007] The power consumption calculation program relating to one form of this disclosure is: Control circuits for electronic devices, A first calculation unit calculates a first power consumption amount using a regression analysis method when executing a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different types of settings, A second calculation unit that calculates a second amount of power consumption using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the aforementioned specific mode, A power consumption calculation unit calculates the total power consumption as the sum of the power consumption of the first and second power consumptions. To operate as such.

[0008] A method for calculating power consumption in one form of this disclosure is: The control circuit of the electronic device executes a power consumption calculation program, When running a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different configuration types, the first power consumption is calculated using a regression analysis method. When executing all modes other than the aforementioned specific mode, a second power consumption is calculated using a status integration method. The sum of the power consumption amounts for the first and second methods described above is calculated as the total power consumption. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, power consumption can be calculated more accurately.

[0010] The effects described herein are not necessarily limited to those described herein and may include any of the effects described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Shows the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Shows the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Shows the operation flow of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] Shows the residence time and power consumption standards of each mode in a specific example.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an electronic device will be described as an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, but other electronic devices may also be used.

[0013] 1. Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control circuit 100 that constitutes a computer. The control circuit 100 is composed of a CPU 11a (Central Processing Unit) which is a processor, a RAM 11b (Random Access Memory), a ROM 11c (Read Only Memory) which is a memory, and a dedicated hardware circuit, etc., and is in charge of the overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11a loads and executes an information processing program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b. The ROM 11c fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 11a. The ROM 11c is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0016] The control circuit 100 is connected to an image reading unit 12 (image scanner), an image processing unit 14 (including a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), an image memory 15, an image forming unit 16 (printer), a touch panel (front panel) 17 which is an operation unit equipped with a display unit 17a, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 18 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), a facsimile communication unit 19, and a network communication interface 13 (communication unit), etc. The control circuit 100 controls the operation of each of the connected units and transmits and receives signals or data between each unit. The operation unit of the touch panel 17 is a form of input device, and an audio input device including a microphone may be provided as an input device.

[0017] 2. Functional configuration of an image forming apparatus

[0018] Figure 2 shows the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0019] In the control circuit 100 of the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 11a operates as the first calculation unit 101, the second calculation unit 102, and the power consumption calculation unit 103 by loading the power saving program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executing it.

[0020] 3. Operation flow of the image forming apparatus

[0021] Figure 3 shows the operation flow of the image forming apparatus.

[0022] The first calculation unit 101 calculates a first power consumption using a regression analysis method when executing a specific mode (copy / print mode) in which a job can be executed with multiple different types of settings (step S1).

[0023] The second calculation unit 102 calculates the second power consumption using a status accumulation method when all modes other than a specific mode (copy / print mode) are executed (off mode, sleep mode, low power mode, ready mode) (step S2). The status accumulation method calculates the power consumption as the sum of the duration of each mode multiplied by the power consumption of that mode. Low power mode is the mode in which the display on the front panel 17 is off. Ready mode is the normal state in which a job can be accepted.

[0024] The power consumption calculation unit 103 calculates the total power consumption as the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption (step S3).

[0025] 4. Regression Analysis Methods

[0026] The regression analysis method uses a multiple regression equation to estimate the power consumption of an electronic device when it performs a job. y = a1x1 + a2x2 + ... + a n x n +b Using this, here, y is the amount of power consumed as the dependent variable, x n These are explanatory variables, and there are multiple of them depending on the type of job configuration. a n These are the partial regression coefficients, b is a constant term that represents the total power basically required for the job.

[0027] The multiple regression equation is a power consumption estimation model that calculates an estimated value of the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 performs one job. n is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0028] x nFor example, the number of copies may be determined based on the number of copies printed on the recording medium in the target job. For instance, in a copy job, if one original is placed on the contact glass for copying, the number of copies set may be treated as the number of copies printed. Alternatively, in a copy job, if multiple originals are placed in the DP (automatic document feeder) for copying, and the image forming apparatus has a preview printing function that reads all originals in advance and allows various settings to be made from the preview display screen before copying, the product of the number of originals read and the set number of copies may be treated as the number of copies printed.

[0029] x n For example, a variable corresponding to the size of the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job may be adopted. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium size may be determined according to the recording medium size, for example, 5 for A4 size and 2 for A5 size. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium size may also be a numerical value proportional to the area of ​​the recording medium size, for example.

[0030] x nFor example, those corresponding to the recording medium type indicating the type of recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be determined according to the recording medium type, for example, 3 for thick paper, 2 for plain paper, 1 for thin paper, etc. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may also be, for example, a numerical value proportional to the thickness of the recording medium type. The explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be provided for each recording medium type. When the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for each recording medium type may be, for example, 1 when the target recording medium type is specified in the job settings and 0 when the target recording medium type is not specified in the job settings. For example, when the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for thick paper may be 1 when thick paper is specified as the recording medium type in the job settings and 0 when thick paper is not specified as the recording medium type in the job settings.

[0031] x n For example, those corresponding to double-sided / single-sided indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is executed in the target job may be adopted. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to double-sided / single-sided may be, for example, 1 when double-sided is specified in the job settings and 0 when single-sided is specified in the job settings.

[0032] x nFor example, a color / monochrome explanatory variable may be used to indicate whether color printing or monochrome printing will be performed in the target job. The value of the color / monochrome explanatory variable may be, for example, 1 if color is specified in the job settings and 0 if monochrome is specified in the job settings. Separate color / monochrome explanatory variables may be provided for color printing and monochrome printing. If separate color / monochrome explanatory variables are provided for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the color printing explanatory variable may be, for example, 1 if color printing is specified in the job settings and 0 if color printing is not specified in the job settings. Similarly, if separate color / monochrome explanatory variables are provided for color printing and monochrome printing, the value of the monochrome printing explanatory variable may be, for example, 1 if monochrome printing is specified in the job settings and 0 if monochrome printing is not specified in the job settings.

[0033] x n For example, a variable corresponding to the aggregation that indicates the number of pages printed on one side of the recording medium may be adopted. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the aggregation may be, for example, 8 when "no aggregation" indicating that 1 page is printed on one side of the recording medium is specified in the job settings, 4 when "2in1" indicating that 2 pages are printed on one side of the recording medium is specified in the job settings, 2 when "4in1" indicating that 4 pages are printed on one side of the recording medium is specified in the job settings, and 1 when "8in1" indicating that 8 pages are printed on one side of the recording medium is specified in the job settings.

[0034] If the number of motors used to transport the recording medium differs depending on the location of the media supply unit to which the recording medium is supplied, or if the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a job differs depending on the location of the media supply unit to which the recording medium on which the image is printed is supplied, then x n For example, a configuration that corresponds to the position of the media supply unit that supplies the recording medium on which the image is printed in the target job may be adopted.

[0035] If the number of motors used to transport the recording medium differs depending on the position of the media discharge section from which the recording medium is ejected, or if the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a job differs depending on the position of the media discharge section from which the recording medium on which the image is printed is ejected in the target job, then x n For example, a configuration that corresponds to the position of the media output unit where the recording medium on which the image is printed is ejected in the target job may be adopted.

[0036] If the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a function to perform post-processing on a recording medium on which an image has been printed, such as sorting, stapling, punching, or folding, then x n In the target job, a method may be adopted that corresponds to the type of post-processing performed on the recording medium on which the image is printed.

[0037] x n For example, x may exist depending on the state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed. n The state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed may be determined according to the operating mode of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the operating modes of the image forming apparatus 10 include a normal mode and a silent mode which is quieter than the normal mode. In silent mode, the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 16 is stopped each time the job execution is completed in order to reduce noise, so the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 16 needs to be driven each time the job execution starts. Therefore, silent mode consumes more power than normal mode.

[0038] The constant term b represents the total power basically required for the job in question. The power basically required for the job in question may include, for example, the power required to raise and maintain the temperature of the fuser roller in the printer 16 to a specific temperature before printing, the power required to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the fuser roller in the printer 16 before printing, and the power required to stabilize the rotation of the motor that rotates the polygon mirror in the printer 16 before printing.

[0039] 5. Specific Examples

[0040] Figure 4 shows the dwell time and power consumption criteria for each mode in a specific example.

[0041] For example, the dwell time and power consumption criteria for each mode of the image forming apparatus 10 are as shown in Figure 4, and if the power consumption of the copy / print mode calculated by regression analysis is 400 W / h, the power consumption (607.8 W / h) is calculated as follows.

[0042] Power consumption (W / h) = Time spent in off mode (h) × Power consumption in off mode (W / h) + Time spent in sleep mode (h) × Power consumption in sleep mode (W / h) + Time spent in low power mode (h) × Power consumption in low power mode (W / h) + Time spent in ready mode (h) × Power consumption in ready mode (W / h) + Power consumption in copy / print mode calculated using regression analysis (W / h) = (0.1 × (480 ÷ 60)) + (0.5 × (840 ÷ 60)) + (120 × (30 ÷ 60)) + (140 × (60 ÷ 60)) + 400 = 607.8 W / h

[0043] 6. Conclusion

[0044] Patent documents 1-2 calculate power consumption based on power consumption standards and operating time data for each operating mode of an image forming apparatus (MFP). This status integration method is simple, making it easy to implement and explain to users. However, because it calculates power consumption in copy / print mode using a constant power consumption standard, it cannot calculate power consumption according to differences in color / monochrome printing, print density, double-sided printing, and other printing conditions, resulting in poor accuracy of the calculated power consumption.

[0045] On the other hand, regression analysis methods can estimate the power consumption of an image forming machine from its settings and job execution information. Therefore, the drawback of not being able to estimate power consumption is addressed by regression analysis methods. However, if there are situations where power consumption increases without printing, such as when the machine is left idle due to jams or errors, or when the sleep function is turned off, regression analysis methods have the drawback of having poor accuracy in calculating power consumption.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, a first power consumption is calculated using a regression analysis method when executing a specific mode (copy / print mode) in which jobs can be executed with multiple different settings. In addition, a second power consumption is calculated using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the specific mode (copy / print mode) (off mode, sleep mode, low power mode, ready mode). This realizes a hybrid method that compensates for the shortcomings of the status integration method and the regression analysis method, and allows for more accurate and precise calculation of power consumption.

[0047] Although various embodiments and modifications of this technology have been described above, this technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of this technology. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] Image forming apparatus 10 Control circuit 100 First calculation unit 101 Second calculation unit 102 Power consumption calculation unit 103

Claims

1. A first calculation unit calculates a first power consumption amount using a regression analysis method when executing a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different types of settings, A second calculation unit that calculates a second amount of power consumption using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the aforementioned specific mode, A power consumption calculation unit that calculates the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption as the power consumption amount. Equipped with electronic equipment.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The regression analysis method uses a multiple regression equation to estimate the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job. y=a １ x １ +a ２ x ２ +・・・+a ｎ x ｎ +b Using this, here, y is the amount of power consumed as the objective variable, x ｎ These are explanatory variables, and there are multiple of them depending on the type of job configuration. a ｎ These are the partial regression coefficients, b is a constant term and represents the total power basically required for the job. electronic equipment.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, The aforementioned status accumulation method calculates the sum of the duration of each mode multiplied by the total power consumption of that mode. electronic equipment.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, The aforementioned specific mode is copy / print mode. electronic equipment.

5. Control circuits for electronic devices, A first calculation unit calculates a first power consumption amount using a regression analysis method when executing a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different types of settings, A second calculation unit that calculates a second amount of power consumption using a status integration method when executing all modes other than the aforementioned specific mode, A power consumption calculation unit calculates the total power consumption as the sum of the first power consumption and the second power consumption. A power consumption calculation program that operates as such.

6. The control circuit of the electronic device executes a power consumption calculation program, When running a job in a specific mode that allows the job to be executed with multiple different configuration types, the first power consumption is calculated using a regression analysis method. When executing any mode other than the aforementioned specific mode, a second power consumption amount is calculated using a status integration method. The sum of the first and second power consumption amounts is calculated as the total power consumption. How to calculate power consumption.

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