Electronic devices, carbon dioxide emission estimation programs, and carbon dioxide emission estimation methods

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from electronic devices. [Solution] The electronic device comprises a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when the electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation, which is used to estimate the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job, by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple variables depending on the type of job settings or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model expresses the frequency of use or periodicity based on these time features.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to electronic devices, and to a carbon dioxide emission estimation system and carbon dioxide emission estimation program for estimating carbon dioxide emissions from electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a carbon dioxide emission estimation system (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is known that calculates the power consumption when an image forming apparatus performs one job by multiplying a reference power amount, which is determined by measuring power consumption in advance, by a print mode coefficient corresponding to the print mode, which indicates whether printing is done in color or black and white, and further by a layout coefficient corresponding to the layout, which indicates the number of pages printed on one sheet of paper, and then calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions by an image forming apparatus by multiplying the calculated power consumption by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption. In Patent Document 1, the reference power amount is, for example, the amount of power consumed when printing black and white on one A4 size page. The print mode coefficient is set to "1" for the print mode when printing in black and white, and to a value greater than "1" for the print mode when printing in color. The layout factor is "1" for the "none" layout, which prints one page of a document on one side of a sheet of paper; "0.5" for the "2in1" layout, which prints two pages of a document on one side of a sheet of paper; "0.25" for the "4in1" layout, which prints four pages of a document on one side of a sheet of paper; and "0.125" for the "8in1" layout, which prints eight pages of a document on one side of a sheet of paper.

[0003] Furthermore, a carbon dioxide emission estimation system is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that calculates the power consumption when an image forming apparatus performs one job by multiplying the power consumption specified for each operating unit, which is determined by the print settings, by the number of operations of those operating units, which is determined by the number of sheets / faces to be printed, and then calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus by multiplying the calculated power consumption by the carbon dioxide emission coefficient due to electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-021414 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-058749 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, conventional carbon dioxide emission estimation systems have the problem of low accuracy in the estimation of carbon dioxide emissions using image forming equipment.

[0006] In light of the circumstances described above, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an electronic device, a carbon dioxide emission estimation system, and a carbon dioxide emission estimation program that can improve the accuracy of estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from electronic devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electronic device relating to one form of this disclosure is The system comprises a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when an electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple, depending on the type of job setting or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model uses these time features to represent the frequency or period of use.

[0008] A carbon dioxide emissions estimation program relating to one form of this disclosure is: Control circuits for electronic devices, A carbon dioxide emission estimation program operates as a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit that calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when the electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple, depending on the type of job setting or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model uses these time features to represent the frequency or period of use.

[0009] A carbon dioxide emission estimation method relating to one form of this disclosure is: By having the control circuit of an electronic device run a carbon dioxide emissions estimation program, A method for estimating carbon dioxide emissions when the electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings, wherein the estimated carbon dioxide emissions are obtained using the estimated carbon dioxide emissions model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings, The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, there are a plurality of explanatory variables according to the type of the job setting or the state of the electronic device, and they are time feature quantities of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model expresses the usage frequency or cycle by the time feature quantity.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the accuracy of the estimated value of the carbon dioxide emission by the electronic device can be improved.

[0011] Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus as a carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of job history information shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of an example of a carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system for generating the carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart of a method for generating the carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when executing a copy job. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions. [Figure 7] It is a block diagram of an example different from the example shown in FIG. 1 of the carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, the electronic device will be described as an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, but other electronic devices may also be used.

[0014] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus as a carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 is a computer comprising: an operation unit 11 which is an operation device such as buttons into which various operations are input; a display unit 12 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) which displays various information; a printer 13 which is a printing device which prints images onto a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 14 which is a reading device which reads images from an original document; a communication unit 15 which is a communication device which communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly by wired or wireless connection without going through a network; a fax communication unit 16 which is a fax device which communicates faxes with an external facsimile device (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a storage unit 17 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) which stores various information; and a control unit 18 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 10.

[0017] The memory unit 17 can store a carbon dioxide emission estimation program 17a for estimating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming apparatus 10. The carbon dioxide emission estimation program 17a may, for example, be installed in the image forming apparatus 10 during the manufacturing stage, or it may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or it may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 10 from a network.

[0018] The memory unit 17 is capable of storing job history information 17b, which stores the history of jobs performed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0019] Figure 2 shows an example of job history information 17b.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the history stored in the job history information 17b includes the job execution time, the job type (such as a copy job or a print job), and the job settings for each job. The history stored in the job history information 17b contains all the information necessary for estimating carbon dioxide emissions using the carbon dioxide emission estimation model described later.

[0021] The control unit 18 shown in Figure 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) used as a workspace for the CPU of the control unit 18. The CPU of the control unit 18 executes programs stored in the storage unit 17 or the ROM of the control unit 18.

[0022] The control unit 18 implements a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a and a carbon dioxide emission estimation method that estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the image forming apparatus 10 by executing a carbon dioxide emission estimation program 17a.

[0023] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula used by the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when the image forming apparatus 10 performs one job, is as follows:

[0024] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is given by the following formula:

[0025]

number

[0026] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the formula in parentheses on the right-hand side is a multiple regression equation (hereinafter referred to as the "power consumption estimation model") that calculates the estimated power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 performs one job.

[0027] The carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating emissions, and the job settings.

[0028] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation, which estimates the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job, by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient.

[0029] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, there are multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of job setting (number of prints, number of copies, etc., which are related to the TEC (Total Electricity Consumption) value, the ratio of color printing, number of scans, etc., which are not related to the TEC value) or the state of the image forming apparatus 10 (light sleep, deep sleep, drum heater setting, etc.). These are time features representing the time taken for the job (printing, copying, etc.) or the duration of the state (light sleep, deep sleep, etc.), and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model expresses the frequency or period of use based on these time features. The multiple regression equation includes a constant term that represents the total power basically required for the job.

[0030] A logarithmic transformation is applied to each variable. Since a logarithmic transformation cannot be performed when the variable value is 0, a small positive real number is added to each variable, and the result is then logarithmic. The base of this logarithm is a positive real number other than 1. Furthermore, when calculating the actual power consumption, the output logarithmic power consumption is exponentially converted back to the original scale value.

[0031] According to this formula, even without a power meter, the daily power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 can be estimated from the setting values ​​and job execution information of the image forming apparatus 10, and carbon dioxide emissions can be estimated. This formula not only represents the daily count quantity and the sleep power value of the image forming apparatus 10, but also expresses the status within the day and the operating time for each type of job. In other words, the formula in this embodiment can express usage frequency and periodicity by introducing time features as explanatory variables.

[0032] In the carbon dioxide emission estimation model, n is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0033] In a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, the explanatory variable is x n For example, it may exist depending on the type of settings for the target job.

[0034] x n For 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] x nFor example, a variable corresponding to the recording medium type, which indicates the type of 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 type may be determined according to the recording medium type, for example, 3 for cardboard, 2 for plain paper, and 1 for thin paper. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may also be a numerical value proportional to the thickness of the recording medium type. An explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type may be provided for each recording medium type. If an 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 if the target recording medium type is specified in the job settings, and 0 if the target recording medium type is not specified in the job settings. For example, if an explanatory variable corresponding to the recording medium type is provided for each recording medium type, the value of the explanatory variable for cardboard may be 1 if cardboard is specified as the recording medium type in the job settings, and 0 if cardboard is not specified as the recording medium type in the job settings.

[0037] x n For example, a variable indicating whether double-sided or single-sided printing will be performed in the target job may be adopted. The value of the explanatory variable corresponding to double-sided / single-sided printing may be, for example, 1 if double-sided printing is specified in the job settings, and 0 if single-sided printing is specified in the job settings.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] When the number of motor drives for transporting the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit that supplies the recording medium, or when the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium supply unit that supplies the recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job, then x n as, something corresponding to the position of the medium supply unit that supplies the recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted.

[0041] When the number of motor drives for transporting the recording medium varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit that discharges the recording medium, or when the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 executes a job varies depending on the position of the medium discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job, then x n as, something corresponding to the position of the medium discharge unit that discharges the recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted.

[0042] When the image forming apparatus 10 has a function of performing post-processing such as sorting, stapling, punching, folding, etc. on the recording medium on which an image is printed, then x n as, something corresponding to the type of post-processing performed on the recording medium on which an image is printed in the target job may be adopted.

[0043] x n may exist depending on, for example, the state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed. For example, n as, something corresponding to the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 may be adopted as the state of the image forming apparatus 10 when the target job is executed. As the operation modes of the image forming apparatus 10, there are, for example, a normal mode and a silent mode that is quieter than the normal mode. In the silent mode, since the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 16 is stopped every time the execution of a job ends for the purpose of silencing, the motor for rotating the polygon mirror in the printer 16 needs to be driven every time the execution of a job starts. Therefore, the silent mode consumes more power than the normal mode.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Next, we will describe the configuration of the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system for generating carbon dioxide emission estimation models.

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

[0047] As shown in Figure 3, the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 includes an image forming apparatus 30 of the same model as the image forming apparatus 10 (see Figure 1), a power meter 40 for measuring the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 30, and an electronic device 50, such as a smartphone or tablet, for storing the power consumption measured by the power meter 40.

[0048] Next, we will explain how to generate a carbon dioxide emission estimation model.

[0049] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the method for generating a carbon dioxide emission estimation model used by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the operator collects a large amount of data to generate a power consumption estimation model (S101). Specifically, the operator stores data in the electronic device 50 for each job setting, relating the power consumption measured by the power meter 40 when the image forming apparatus 30 performs a job with the job settings performed by the image forming apparatus 30.

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

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

[0053] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20 shown in Figure 3 can generate carbon dioxide emission estimation models only for the same model as the image forming apparatus 30. Therefore, by changing the model of the image forming apparatus in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model generation system 20, it is possible to generate carbon dioxide emission estimation models for various models.

[0054] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model generated by the method shown in Figure 4 can be installed in an image forming apparatus of the same model as the image forming apparatus 30, such as the image forming apparatus 10.

[0055] Next, we will describe the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when a job is executed.

[0056] In the following explanation, copy jobs will be used as an example of job types. However, the same principles apply to jobs other than copy jobs.

[0057] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when executing a copy job.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, when the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 is instructed via the operation unit 11 to display the copy job setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the "copy setting screen"), it displays the copy setting screen on the display unit 12 (S131).

[0059] When the processing in S131 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a of the image forming apparatus 10 determines the estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming apparatus 10 for each of the multiple patterns of copy job settings (hereinafter referred to as "copy settings") using the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job and the copy setting patterns (S132).

[0060] When the processing in S132 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a displays the multiple copy setting patterns and the estimated carbon dioxide emission values ​​obtained in S132 for each of the multiple copy setting patterns on the copy setting screen displayed in S131 (S133). Therefore, when a user of the image forming apparatus 10 specifies a copy setting, for example by selecting an arbitrary pattern from multiple copy setting patterns, the estimated carbon dioxide emission values ​​of the image forming apparatus 10 can be taken into consideration.

[0061] When the processing in S133 is completed, the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the execution of the copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11 until it determines that the execution of the copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11 (S134).

[0062] If the control unit 18 determines in S134 that the execution of a copy job has been instructed via the operation unit 11, it executes the copy job with the copy settings specified on the copy settings screen (S135).

[0063] When the processing in S135 is completed, the control unit 18 saves the history of the copy jobs executed in S135 to the job history information 17b (S136), and then terminates the operation shown in Figure 5.

[0064] In the operation shown in Figure 5, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a displays the estimated carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 for each of the multiple copy setting patterns. However, when a copy setting is specified on the copy setting screen, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a may use the copy setting specified on the copy setting screen and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model for the copy job to obtain an estimated carbon dioxide emission from the image forming apparatus 10, and display the obtained estimated value on the copy setting screen.

[0065] Next, we will explain the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

[0066] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 when displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

[0067] The user of the image forming apparatus 10 can instruct the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11 to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10. When the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a of the image forming apparatus 10 is instructed to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10, it uses the job settings shown in the job history information 17b and the carbon dioxide emission estimation model corresponding to the job type shown in the job history information 17b to determine an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 for each job shown in the job history information 17b, as shown in Figure 6 (S161).

[0068] When the processing in S161 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a calculates the total estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 by summing up all the estimated values ​​obtained in S161 (S162).

[0069] When the processing in S162 is completed, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a displays the total estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10, calculated in S162, on the display unit 12 (S163). Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can recognize the total estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0070] In the operation shown in Figure 6, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a displays the total estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 for all past periods. However, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a may also display the total estimated amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 for a specific period, such as a period specified by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 via the operation unit 11.

[0071] As explained above, the image forming apparatus 10 uses a multiple regression equation to estimate the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job, multiplied by the carbon dioxide emission coefficient, and employs a carbon dioxide emission estimation model with multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of job setting, along with the job setting, to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job (S132 or S161). This prevents confusion of the influence of the image forming apparatus 10 on the estimated carbon dioxide emissions for each explanatory variable, and as a result, improves the accuracy of the estimated carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0072] The image forming apparatus 10 has a multiple regression equation for estimating the power consumption when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job, which includes a constant term representing the total power basically required for the job. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 by considering the impact of the power basically required for the job, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimate of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus 10 can be improved.

[0073] Even if the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 is not measured by a power meter, an estimated value of the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the image forming apparatus 10 can be determined using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model.

[0074] The recording medium on which images are printed by the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the carbon dioxide emissions already calculated during the manufacturing process of the recording medium itself. Similarly, the toner used for printing on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the carbon dioxide emissions already calculated during the manufacturing process of the toner itself. Therefore, the estimated carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job should not include the estimated carbon dioxide emissions for the amount of recording medium used and the amount of toner used. The carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a does not include the estimated carbon dioxide emissions for the amount of recording medium used and the amount of toner used in the estimated carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job, thereby improving the accuracy of the estimated carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a job.

[0075] In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a notifies the estimated carbon dioxide emission value from the image forming apparatus 10 by display. However, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a may also notify the estimated carbon dioxide emission value from the image forming apparatus 10 by a method other than display. For example, the carbon dioxide emission estimation unit 18a may notify the estimated carbon dioxide emission value from the image forming apparatus 10 by voice.

[0076] In the above, the carbon dioxide emission estimation system is composed solely of an image forming apparatus. However, the carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to this embodiment may be composed of an image forming apparatus and at least one computer other than the image forming apparatus. For example, the carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to this embodiment may have the configuration shown in Figure 7.

[0077] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a carbon dioxide emission estimation system according to this embodiment, which is a different example from the one shown in Figure 1.

[0078] The carbon dioxide emission estimation system 60 shown in Figure 7 comprises an image forming apparatus 70 and a computer 80. The image forming apparatus 70 and the computer 80 are connected to each other in a manner that allows them to communicate with one another. The computer 80 receives from the image forming apparatus 70 the type and settings of jobs that the image forming apparatus 70 is scheduled to perform or has performed, and based on the received job type and settings, it calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming apparatus 70, similar to the process in S132 or S161. The estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming apparatus 70, calculated by the computer 80, may be notified by either the image forming apparatus 70 or the computer 80.

[0079] According to Patent Document 1, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use are calculated and added to the carbon dioxide emissions from paper type, paper usage, and toner usage. However, since the carbon dioxide emissions from paper and toner are already calculated during their production and shipped, including their carbon dioxide emissions in the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions from the use of the image forming apparatus is not an accurate calculation of carbon dioxide emissions. The calculation of carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use also involves maintaining a reference power amount, which is calculated from the power consumption of one A4-size monochrome page, either measured by an internal module or by a built-in power meter, and then calculating the power consumption by multiplying it by a print mode coefficient (color) and a layout coefficient. The carbon dioxide emissions are then determined by multiplying the calculated power consumption by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption. Determining the reference power requires actual measurement and necessitates equipment for power measurement. Furthermore, it is difficult to accurately calculate power consumption using only two coefficients: a color coefficient and a layout coefficient.

[0080] According to Patent Document 2, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use are calculated and added to the carbon dioxide emissions from paper type, paper usage, and toner usage. However, since the carbon dioxide emissions from paper and toner are already calculated during their production and shipped, including their carbon dioxide emissions in the calculation for the use of the image forming apparatus is not an accurate calculation of carbon dioxide emissions. In calculating carbon dioxide emissions from electricity use, the operating parts of the mechanism are identified based on the print settings, and the number of operations of each operating part is determined by the number of pages / faces to be printed. The power consumption of the job is calculated by multiplying the power consumption determined for each mechanism by the number of operations and summing them up. The carbon dioxide emissions generated by electricity consumption are obtained by multiplying the calculated power consumption by the carbon dioxide emissions per unit power consumption. This requires determining the power consumption of each operating part and measuring it in advance. Furthermore, it cannot reflect factors that cannot be measured by the number of operations alone. For example, if the printing speed changes depending on the paper size and type, the power required to maintain the fixing temperature changes due to fluctuations in printing time, making it difficult to predict based solely on the number of operations.

[0081] In contrast, according to this embodiment, even without a power meter, the daily power consumption of the image forming apparatus 10 is estimated from the setting values ​​and job execution information of the image forming apparatus 10, and carbon dioxide emissions are estimated. This formula not only represents the daily count quantity and the sleep power value of the image forming apparatus 10, but also expresses the status within the day and the operating time for each type of job. In other words, the formula of this embodiment can express usage frequency and periodicity by introducing time features into the explanatory variables.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the settings of the image forming apparatus, counter values, job execution information, and logs of the image forming apparatus are acquired. Based on the acquired information, a regression model is created, and this model can estimate the power consumption used by the image forming apparatus in one day.

[0083] Carbon dioxide emissions can be calculated by multiplying the amount of electricity consumed by the carbon dioxide emission factor set by the Ministry of the Environment. Therefore, by estimating the amount of electricity consumed by an image forming machine, it is possible to derive the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from that.

[0084] Image forming machines are used to perform jobs such as copying and printing, and it is believed that the majority of power consumption is due to job execution. However, in reality, it is possible to estimate power consumption with high accuracy based on factors other than job execution, such as sleep conditions and certain heater-related settings.

[0085] In this embodiment, a multiple regression equation for estimating power consumption when an image forming apparatus performs a job is multiplied by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. This equation uses a carbon dioxide emission estimation model with multiple explanatory variables depending on the type of job setting, and the job setting to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions when the image forming apparatus performs a job. As a result, the influence of each explanatory variable on the estimated carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming apparatus is not confused, and the accuracy of the estimated carbon dioxide emissions by the image forming apparatus can be improved.

[0086] In this embodiment, the multiple regression equation used to estimate the power consumption when the image forming apparatus performs a job includes a constant term that represents the total power basically required for the job. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus by considering the influence of the power basically required for the job, and as a result, the accuracy of the estimate of carbon dioxide emissions from the image forming apparatus can be improved.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by multiplying job execution information and setting variables by a variable representing time, it becomes possible to consider job execution time and sleep time compared to conventional techniques, thus enabling more accurate estimation of carbon dioxide emissions. In particular, the ability to consider situations where the device itself consumes power but the job is not running (e.g., only the panel is being touched, or an error has occurred) is a significant advantage.

[0088] 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]

[0089] 10 Image forming apparatus 17a Carbon Dioxide Emissions Estimation Program

Claims

1. The system comprises a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions when an electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple, depending on the type of job setting or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model uses these time features to express the frequency or period of use. electronic equipment.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, The aforementioned multiple regression equation includes a constant term that represents the total power basically required for the job. electronic equipment.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, [Math 1] The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is the above formula. electronic equipment.

4. Control circuits for electronic devices, A carbon dioxide emission estimation program operates as a carbon dioxide emission estimation unit that calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when the electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple, depending on the type of job setting or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model uses these time features to express the frequency or period of use. Carbon dioxide emission estimation program.

5. By having the control circuit of an electronic device run a carbon dioxide emissions estimation program, A method for estimating carbon dioxide emissions when the electronic device performs a job, using a carbon dioxide emission estimation model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings, wherein the estimated carbon dioxide emissions are obtained using the estimated carbon dioxide emissions model, which is a mathematical formula for estimating the emissions, and the job settings, The carbon dioxide emission estimation model is a mathematical formula obtained by multiplying a multiple regression equation that estimates the power consumption when the electronic device performs the job by a carbon dioxide emission coefficient. The explanatory variables in the carbon dioxide emission estimation model are multiple, depending on the type of job setting or the state of the electronic device, and are time features of the time taken for the job or the duration of the state. The carbon dioxide emission estimation model uses these time features to express the frequency or period of use. Methods for estimating carbon dioxide emissions.

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