Printing device management system

Abstract

To provide a printer management system that can meet a growing demand for environmental load reduction.SOLUTION: A printer management system calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printer through its service life based on the usage of first material constituting the printer, a first transport distance required for transporting the printer by first transport means, the type and usage of consumable items, the usage of second material forming the consumable items, a second transport distance required for transporting the consumable items by second transport means, the weight of the printer and consumable items, the power consumption of the printer, a first emission factor and a second emission factor that are factors indicating unit emissions of carbon dioxide and are associated with production and disposal of the first material, a third emission factor associated with production of the printer, a fourth emission factor associated with the transport by the first transport means, a fifth emission factor and a sixth emission factor associated with production and disposal of the second material, a seventh emission factor associated with production of the consumable items, an eighth emission factor associated with the transport by the second transport means, and a ninth emission factor associated with electric energy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device management system and a method for producing a carbon dioxide emission report.

Background Art

[0002] From the perspective of reducing environmental impact in recent years, there is a demand for products aimed at reducing the load on the global environment in printing devices such as copiers, fax machines, and printers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that takes into account the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from consumables from the perspective of reducing the environmental load.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] One embodiment of the method for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report according to the present invention is: A method for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report that reports the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions of a product, An acquisition step for obtaining first calculation information used to calculate the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions, A calculation step for calculating the lifetime emissions based on the acquired first calculation information, A production process for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report that includes the calculated lifetime emissions, including wherein the first calculation information includes the amount of the first material constituting the product, a first emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the first material, a second emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the disposal of the first material, the weight of the product, a third emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the product, a first transportation distance for transporting the product by a first transportation means, a fourth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the transportation by the first transportation means, the types of consumables used in the product, the amount of the consumables used in the product, the amount of the second material constituting the consumables, a fifth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the second material, a sixth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the disposal of the second material, the weight of the consumables, a seventh emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the consumables, a second transportation distance for transporting the consumables by a second transportation means, an eighth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the transportation by the second transportation means, the amount of power consumed by the product, a ninth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide per unit of power, and including

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing device management system 1. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the calculation information stored in the product information data server. [Figure 3]It is a diagram showing an example of calculation information stored in the base power information data server. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of calculation information stored in the transport information data server. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of calculation information stored in the unit information data server. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacture and disposal of a printing device. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacture and disposal of consumables used in a printing device. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by a printing device over its lifetime.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings used are for convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described below are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0009] 1. Configuration and Outline of Operation of the Printing Device Management System The configuration of the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing device management system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device management system 1 includes a processor 10, an input unit 20, an output unit 30, a report generation unit 40, a storage unit 50, a product information data server 60, a base power information data server 70, a transport information data server 80, and a unit information data server 90. And the printing device management system 1 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime.

[0010] The input unit 20 is an input interface for the user to input operation information to the printing device management system 1, and for example, has an operation panel equipped with one or more operation switches. The input unit 20 only needs to be able to input operation information associated with the user's operation to the processor 10, which will be described later, and for example, it may have a host computer that is provided to enable operation of the printing device management system 1, either in place of the aforementioned operation panel or in addition to the operation panel.

[0011] The processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime, according to the operation information input from the input unit 20.

[0012] Specifically, when the user inputs model information identifying a printing device to be used for calculating carbon dioxide emissions into the printing device management system 1 through an operation of the input unit 20, the processor 10 obtains calculation information from the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by the printing device corresponding to the input model information. In other words, the processor 10 obtains calculation information to be used to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the target printing device.

[0013] The processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device based on the acquired calculation information. Specifically, the processor 10 calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device throughout its lifecycle, including the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacturing and disposal of the printing device, and the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the use of the printing device, by dividing the calculation based on the state, conditions, and configuration of the printing device.

[0014] The processor 10 then stores the calculated carbon dioxide emission information in the storage unit 50. Here, the storage unit 50 only needs to be able to store the carbon dioxide emission information calculated by the processor 10 for at least a certain period of time, and can use primary storage devices such as registers or cache memory, or secondary storage devices such as hard disks.

[0015] The processor 10 calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device by summing up the carbon dioxide emissions calculated separately according to the user's request. Specifically, when the user requests the output of the total carbon dioxide emissions of the printing device over its lifetime by operating the input unit 20, the processor 10 extracts the information necessary to calculate the total carbon dioxide emissions of the printing device over its lifetime from the carbon dioxide emission information stored in the storage unit 50 and sums it up. In this way, the processor 10 calculates the total carbon dioxide emissions of the printing device over its lifetime. The processor 10 then outputs the calculated lifetime carbon dioxide emissions to the report generation unit 40.

[0016] The report generation unit 40 generates a carbon dioxide emission report that includes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device, based on the calculation results of carbon dioxide emissions input from the processor 10. The processor 10 then outputs the carbon dioxide emission report generated by the report generation unit 40 from the output unit 30. This provides the user with a carbon dioxide emission report that includes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device. In other words, the printing device management system 1 produces a carbon dioxide emission report that includes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the processor 10.

[0017] Furthermore, the output unit 30 notifies the user of the carbon dioxide emission report described above, and also notifies the user if there are any deficiencies in the calculation information obtained from the product information data server 60, the base power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90. The output unit 30 may be a display panel capable of displaying information such as the carbon dioxide emission report, or it may be a printer capable of printing information such as the carbon dioxide emission report.

[0018] In the printing device management system 1, the processor 10 may provide the calculated carbon dioxide emissions to the user via the output unit 30 without outputting them to the report generation unit 40. In this case, the carbon dioxide emissions report may be produced based on the carbon dioxide emissions provided by the user. In other words, the configuration for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report containing the carbon dioxide emissions calculated using the printing device management system 1 is not limited to the processor 10 and the report generation unit 40.

[0019] As described above, in this embodiment, the printing device management system 1, in response to a user's request, has a processor 10 that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device based on calculation information stored in the product information data server 60, the base power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90, and the output unit 30 outputs the calculation result of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device.

[0020] Therefore, when a user requests a calculation of the total carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the printing device, the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment, in response to the user's request, has the processor 10 calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime based on the calculation information stored in the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90, and the output unit 30 outputs the calculation result of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime from the processor 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the method for producing a carbon dioxide emission report that reports carbon dioxide emissions using the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment includes the steps of: the processor 10 obtaining calculation information to be used for calculating carbon dioxide emissions from the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90 in response to a user's request; the processor 10 calculating carbon dioxide emissions based on the obtained calculation information; and the user or the report generation unit 40 producing a carbon dioxide emission report that includes the emissions calculated by the processor 10.

[0022] Similarly, when a user requests the calculation of the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions of a printing device, the carbon dioxide emission report production method for producing a carbon dioxide emission report that reports the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions using the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment includes the steps of: the processor 10 obtaining calculation information to be used for calculating the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions from the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90; the processor 10 calculating the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions based on the obtained calculation information; and the production steps of the user or the report generation unit 40 producing a carbon dioxide emission report that includes the lifetime emissions calculated by the processor 10.

[0023] 2. Data Server Configuration In the printing device management system 1 configured as described above, a specific example of the calculation information used by the processor 10 when calculating carbon dioxide emissions will be explained. As mentioned above, in the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment, the calculation information used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions is divided and stored in four data servers provided by the printing device management system 1: product information data server 60, site power information data server 70, transportation information data server 80, and unit cost information data server 90. Therefore, an example of the data structure of the information stored in each of the product information data server 60, site power information data server 70, transportation information data server 80, and unit cost information data server 90 will be explained.

[0024] In the following description, the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment will be described as having four data servers: a product information data server 60, a site power information data server 70, a transportation information data server 80, and a unit cost information data server 90. However, the number of data servers that the printing device management system 1 has is not limited to four. Therefore, in the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment, the storage location where the calculation information used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions is stored is not limited to the four data servers: the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90. It may be any storage circuit such as a data server that is provided to communicate with the processor 10.

[0025] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the printing device used by the printing device management system 1 to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, and the consumables used in the printing device, may be collectively referred to as the "product."

[0026] 2.1 Product Information Data Server First, an example of the calculation information stored in the product information data server 60 will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the calculation information stored in the product information data server 60. The product information data server 60 stores various types of information about products, including printing devices and consumables used in printing devices.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the product information data server 60 has a product information database MDB built into it. The product information database MDB also stores multiple product codes MC.

[0028] A product code MC is a predetermined code used to identify a product, and it corresponds one-to-one with the product being identified. That is, if the product information database MDB stores information on v printers and information on w consumables, the product information database MDB stores v types of product code MCs corresponding to each of the v printers and w types of product code MCs corresponding to each of the w consumables. Such a product code MC only needs to be able to identify a product one-to-one, and a dedicated code may be used, or it may be a product model number or development code, etc.

[0029] Furthermore, the product information database MDB stores various product information, including material information MaI, product weight MW, product dimensions MS, power consumption MP, consumables information EI, estimated service life DL, production site PB, storage and sales site SB, actual production volume PVa, planned production volume PVp, and similar model codes MCs, all linked to the product code MC. In other words, the product information database MDB stores various information, including material information MaI, product weight MW, product dimensions MS, power consumption MP, consumables information EI, estimated service life DL, production site PB, storage and sales site SB, actual production volume PVa, planned production volume PVp, and similar model codes MCs, corresponding to the product identified by the product code MC.

[0030] Material information MaI contains information about the materials contained in the product identified by product code MC. Specifically, if the product identified by product code MC is composed of n types of materials, material information MaI includes material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n corresponding to each of the n types of materials, and material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n indicating the content of each of the n types of materials contained in the product. In this case, material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n and material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n are stored in the product information database MDB in a linked state. Hereinafter, in the following explanation, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n corresponding to each of the n types of materials contained in material information MaI, they may simply be referred to as material code Ma, and in that case, it may be explained as if material weight Maw is associated with material code Ma.

[0031] Product weight MW includes information indicating the weight of the product identified by product code MC, and product dimensions MS are the dimensions of the product identified by product code MC, including information such as the length, width, and depth of the product. In other words, the product information database MDB stores information indicating the structure of the product identified by product code MC.

[0032] Power consumption MP includes information about the amount of electricity consumed by the product identified by the product code MC. Specifically, power consumption MP is information about the amount of electricity consumed by the product identified by the product code MC. For example, if the product identified by the product code MC is a printing device, it may be information about the amount of electricity consumed when the printing device performs printing of a pattern specified in the international standard ISO / IEC 24712, or it may be information about the amount of electricity consumed when the printing device is not performing printing. Also, if the product identified by the product code MC is a printing device, power consumption MP is the cumulative amount of electricity when the printing device repeatedly performs a predetermined operating state. For example, it may be the TEC (Typical Electricity Consumption) value of the printing device.

[0033] The consumables information EI contains information about consumables used in the product identified by the product code MC. Specifically, if the product identified by the product code MC uses m types of consumables, the consumables information EI includes consumable codes Ec-1 to Ec-m corresponding to each of the m types of consumables. Consumable codes Ec-1 to Ec-m are codes for identifying consumables as products, and may also be product codes MC for identifying those consumables. In other words, consumable codes Ec-1 to Ec-m corresponding to each of the m types of consumables refer to product codes MC for identifying those consumables. Here, if the product identified by the product code MC is a printing device, the consumable codes Ec-1 to Ec-m may include consumables used in the printing device, such as corresponding inks, types of usable recording paper, maintenance boxes, etc., as well as products that are consumed with the use of the printing device, and products that are replaced due to malfunctions or deterioration of the printing device, such as the corresponding print head.

[0034] Furthermore, the consumable information EI includes consumable usage amounts Ecu-1 to Ecu-m, which indicate the amount of each consumable used when it is used in the product specified by the product code MC. In other words, the consumable information EI includes consumable usage amounts Ecu-1 to Ecu-m associated with each consumable code Ec-1 to Ec-m. Consumable usage amounts Ecu-1 to Ecu-m are information indicating the number of times a consumable can be used when it is used in the product specified by the product code MC. For example, if the consumable specified by the consumable code Ec-1 to Ec-m is an ink cartridge, it includes information such as the number of printable media when the ink cartridge is used in the printing device specified by the product code MC.

[0035] In the following explanation, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the consumable codes Ec-1 to Ec-m corresponding to each of the m types of consumables included in the consumable information EI, they may simply be referred to as consumable code Ec, and in such cases, it may be explained that the consumable code Ec is associated with the amount of consumable used, Ecu.

[0036] The estimated service life DL is information about the estimated lifespan of a product identified by the product code MC, and includes, for example, information based on the design expected lifespan calculated at the time of product design. Such estimated service life DL may include, for example, if the product identified by the product code MC is a printing device, design information for the period during which the printing device can operate normally, and the number of sheets of media on which the printing device can perform normal printing. In addition to this information, the estimated service life DL may also include various other information for estimating the lifespan of the product.

[0037] The Production Base PB includes information about production bases such as factories where the product identified by the Product Code MC is produced, and the Storage and Sales Base SB includes information about warehouses where the product identified by the Product Code MC is stored, and sales companies, retailers, etc., where the product identified by the Product Code MC is transferred to users. The Usage Base UB includes information about the usage locations where the product identified by the Product Code MC is used. Furthermore, the Production Base PB, Storage and Sales Base SB, and Usage Base UB are linked to a Regional RI to identify their specific locations. The Regional RI is information about the specific locations where the Production Base PB, Storage and Sales Base SB, and Usage Base UB are located, and may include information such as the name of the country or region, administrative division, etc., where the Production Base PB, Storage and Sales Base SB, and Usage Base UB are located, or it may be information about addresses that allow for the identification of the location of the Production Base PB, Storage and Sales Base SB, and Usage Base UB.

[0038] Actual production volume PVa includes information on the actual number of units of the product identified by product code MC that have been produced, while planned production volume PVp includes information on the expected number of units of the product identified by product code MC that will be produced in the future. Note that actual production volume PVa and planned production volume PVp may also refer to databases of manufacturers and customers of the product identified by product code MC.

[0039] Similar model codes MCs are information used to identify products similar to the product identified by the product code MC, and may be product code MCs of models similar to the product identified by the product code MC. Examples of similar products identified by such similar model codes MCs include predecessors to the product identified by the product code MC. These similar model codes MCs are used by the processor 10 to obtain supplementary information to fill in any deficiencies in the information stored in the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90 when the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions of the product identified by the product code MC.

[0040] In other words, the calculation information corresponding to the product identified by the product code MC includes similar model code MCs that indicate products related to the product identified by the product code MC, and if there is a deficiency in the calculation information corresponding to the product identified by the product code MC, the processor 10 supplements the deficiency with the calculation information corresponding to the product identified by the similar model code MCs and calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the product identified by the product code MC over its lifetime.

[0041] 2.2 Site Power Information Data Server Next, an example of the calculation information stored in the site power information data server 70 will be described. Figure 3 shows an example of the calculation information stored in the site power information data server 70. The site power information data server 70 records the unit power at each of the p production sites PB where products are produced. In the following explanation, the p production sites PB may be referred to as production sites PB-1 to PB-p.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the site power information data server 70 has a site power information database PDB built on it. The site power information database PDB stores production sites PB-1 to PB-p and the unit power quantities Puw-1 to Puw-p associated with each production site PB-1 to PB-p. Specifically, the site power information database PDB stores the unit power quantity Puw-1 for production site PB-1, and the unit power quantity Puw-p for production site PB-p, associated with production site PB-p. In the following explanation, it may be assumed that the unit power quantity Puw is associated with and stored for production site PB.

[0043] Here, the unit energy quantity Puw-1 stored in the site power information database PDB is the value obtained by dividing the total amount of energy used at production site PB-1 during a predetermined period by the total weight of products produced at production site PB-1 during that predetermined period. In other words, it corresponds to the amount of energy required per unit weight of a product when producing it at production site PB-1. Similarly, the unit energy quantity Puw-p stored in the site power information database PDB is the value obtained by dividing the total amount of energy used at production site PB-p during a predetermined period by the total weight of products produced at production site PB-p during that predetermined period. In other words, it corresponds to the amount of energy required per unit weight of a product when producing it at production site PB-p.

[0044] 2.3 Transportation Information Data Server Next, an example of the calculation information stored in the transportation information data server 80 will be described. Figure 4 shows an example of the calculation information stored in the transportation information data server 80. The transportation information data server 80 records the method of transportation and the distance when transporting products from each of the p production sites PB to any of the q storage and sales sites SB. In the following description, the q storage and sales sites SB may be referred to as storage and sales sites SB-1 to SB-q.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, a transportation information database TDB is constructed in the transportation information data server 80. Furthermore, the transportation information database TDB stores the production base PB-1 and the storage and sales bases SB-1 to SB-q in a linked manner. The storage and sales base SB-1 linked to production base PB-1 is associated with transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r, and each of the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r is associated with a corresponding distance D1 to Dr. Similarly, the storage and sales base SB-q linked to production base PB-1 is associated with transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r, and each of the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r is associated with... Corresponding distances D1 to Dr are linked. In other words, the transportation information database TDB stores the relationship between the method of transporting products used when transporting products from production site PB-1 to storage and sales sites SB-1 to SB-q and the distance of that transport method.

[0046] Specifically, the transportation information database TDB stores transportation information for transporting products from production site PB-1 to storage and sales site SB-1, including the transportation of products using transportation method TM-1 for a distance D1 and transportation of products using transportation method TM-r for a distance Dr.

[0047] Furthermore, the transportation information database TDB stores information linked to production base PB-p and storage / sales bases SB-1 to SB-q. Storage / sales base SB-1, linked to production base PB-p, is associated with transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r, and each of these transportation methods is associated with a corresponding distance D1 to Dr. Similarly, storage / sales base SB-q, linked to production base PB-p, is associated with transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r, and each of these transportation methods is associated with a corresponding distance D1 to Dr.

[0048] As described above, the transportation information database TDB stores the relationship between the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r used when transporting products from any of the production sites PB-1 to PB-p to storage and sales sites SB-1 to SB-q, and the distances D1 to Dr that correspond to the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r. Here, the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r may be classified by, for example, truck, ship, airplane, etc., and furthermore, in addition to the classification by truck, ship, airplane, etc., they may be classified in more detail by engine displacement, etc.

[0049] In the following explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish between transport methods TM-1 to TM-r, they may simply be referred to as transport method TM, and in such cases, it may be explained as if transport method TM is associated with distance D.

[0050] 2.4 Unit Cost Information Data Server Next, an example of calculation information stored in the unit cost information data server 90 will be described. Figure 5 shows an example of calculation information stored in the unit cost information data server 90. The unit cost information data server 90 stores predetermined coefficients for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted over the lifetime of a printing device and products including consumables used in the printing device.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the unit cost information data server 90 has the following databases: production unit cost database BpDB, waste unit cost database BdDB, processing unit cost database BmDB, power unit cost database BeDB, and transport unit cost database BtDB.

[0052] The production unit database BpDB stores production units Bup-1 to Bup-n, each associated with a material code from Ma-1 to Ma-n. Here, production unit Bup-1 associated with material code Ma-1 is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity of the material when producing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1, and production unit Bup-n associated with material code Ma-n is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity of the material when producing the material corresponding to material code Ma-n. Here, the coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity of the material when producing the material corresponding to material code Ma is sometimes referred to as production unit Bup.

[0053] The waste intensity database BdDB stores waste intensity values ​​Bud-1 to Bud-n, each associated with a material code from Ma-1 to Ma-n. Here, the waste intensity value Bud-1 associated with material code Ma-1 is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity when the material corresponding to material code Ma-1 is disposed of, and the waste intensity value Bud-n associated with material code Ma-n is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity when the material corresponding to material code Ma-n is disposed of. Here, the coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity when the material corresponding to material code Ma is disposed of is sometimes referred to as the waste intensity value Bud.

[0054] The processing unit database BmDB stores processing units Bum-1 to Bum-n, each associated with a material code from Ma-1 to Ma-n. Here, processing unit Bum-1 associated with material code Ma-1 is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity of the material when processing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1, and processing unit Bum-n associated with material code Ma-n is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity of the material when processing the material corresponding to material code Ma-n.

[0055] Here, the processing unit Bum-1 to Bum-n may be coefficients indicating the unit carbon dioxide emissions based on the processing method of the material corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n. In addition, when processing a material corresponding to material code Ma, the coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit quantity from that material may be referred to as the processing unit Bum.

[0056] The BeDB power intensity database stores power intensity units Bue-1 to Bue-t associated with each of the t regional RIs (Regional Identifiers), from RI-1 to RI-t. Here, power intensity unit Bue-1 associated with regional RI-1 is a coefficient that contributes to the power generation method used in regional RI-1 and defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power used in regional RI-1. Power intensity unit Bue-t associated with regional RI-t is a coefficient that contributes to the power generation method used in regional RI-t and defines the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power used in regional RI-t. Here, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of power used in regional RI is sometimes referred to as power intensity unit Bue.

[0057] The transport cost database BtDB stores transport cost units But-1 to But-r, each associated with a transport method TM-1 to TM-r. Here, the transport cost unit But-1 associated with transport method TM-1 is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit weight of a product when transporting the product using transport method TM-1, and the transport cost unit But-r associated with transport method TM-r is a coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit weight of a product when transporting the product using transport method TM-r. Here, the coefficient that defines the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit weight of a product when transporting the product using transport method TM is sometimes referred to as the transport cost unit But.

[0058] The coefficients used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions recorded in the unit cost information data server 90 as described above may be, for example, coefficients prescribed by a public institution belonging to the national or local government, or coefficients calculated based on the past performance and experience of the user of the printing device management system 1.

[0059] 3. Calculation of carbon dioxide emissions using a processor Next, the method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from a product executed by the processor 10 will be explained. As mentioned above, the processor 10 acquires calculation information stored in the product information data server 60, the site power information data server 70, the transportation information data server 80, and the unit cost information data server 90 in response to user requests input via the input unit 20. Then, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device based on the acquired calculation information. At this time, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that the printing device will emit throughout its life cycle, including carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacturing and disposal of the printing device, and carbon dioxide emissions generated during the use of the printing device, by dividing the calculation according to the state, operating conditions, configuration, etc. of the printing device. The calculated carbon dioxide emissions are then added together according to the user's request, and the processor provides the user with information including the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions that the printing device will emit throughout its life cycle.

[0060] 3.1 Carbon dioxide emissions generated from the manufacture and disposal of printing equipment First, an example of a method for calculating carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacture and disposal of a printing device, as performed by the processor 10, will be described. Figure 6 shows an example of a method for calculating carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacture and disposal of a printing device. As shown in Figure 6, in calculating the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacture and disposal of a printing device, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted at each of the four stages: the printing device material stage, the printing device manufacturing stage, the printing device transportation stage, and the printing device disposal stage.

[0061] First, let's explain how carbon dioxide emissions are calculated in the printing equipment material stage. The processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of materials contained in the printing equipment during the printing equipment material stage.

[0062] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, stored in the material information MaI of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC, and the corresponding material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also retrieves the production unit values ​​Bup-1 to Bup-n, corresponding to the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60, from the production unit value database BpDB of the unit value information data server 90.

[0063] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the production unit Bup-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. Based on this, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when producing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1.

[0064] Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n, and the production unit Bup-2 to Bup-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when producing each material corresponding to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n.

[0065] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the carbon dioxide emissions generated when producing each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, which is called the material emission amount Ep. This material emission amount Ep corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the production of the materials contained in the printing device. The processor 10 then stores the calculated material emission amount Ep in the storage unit 50.

[0066] Next, the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions in the printing equipment manufacturing stage will be explained. The processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions generated in the printing equipment manufacturing stage. At this time, the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions generated in the printing equipment manufacturing stage as follows: carbon dioxide emissions generated in the processing of materials corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n included in the printing equipment, and carbon dioxide emissions generated according to the amount of electricity used in the manufacturing of the printing equipment.

[0067] First, we will explain how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the processing of materials corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n included in the printing device. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs the product code MC, which identifies the printing device for which carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated, into the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, which are stored in the material information MaI of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC, and the material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n, which correspond to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also retrieves the processing unit costs Bum-1 to Bum-n, which correspond to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60, from the processing unit cost database BmDB of the unit cost information data server 90.

[0068] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the processing unit Bum-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when processing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1. Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n and the processing unit Bum-2 to Bum-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when processing the material corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n.

[0069] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the carbon dioxide emissions generated when processing each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, and defines this as the processing emission amount Em. This processing emission amount Em corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated when processing the materials contained in the printing device. The processor 10 then stores the calculated processing emission amount Em in the storage unit 50.

[0070] Next, the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions generated according to the electricity used in the manufacture of the printing equipment will be explained. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs the product code MC, which identifies the printing equipment for which carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated, into the processor 10, the processor 10 obtains the product weight MW and production site PB of the printing equipment corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also obtains the unit power amount Puw corresponding to the production site PB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the site power information database PDB of the site power information data server 70. Furthermore, the processor 10 obtains the power intensity unit Bue corresponding to the region RI associated with the production site PB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the power intensity unit database BeDB of the unit intensity information data server 90.

[0071] The processor 10 then calculates the manufacturing power emissions Ee as the product of the acquired product weight MW, the unit energy Puw, and the power consumption unit Bue. This manufacturing power emissions Ee corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the electricity used in the manufacture of the printing equipment. The processor 10 then stores the calculated manufacturing power emissions Ee in the storage unit 50.

[0072] Next, we will explain how to calculate carbon dioxide emissions during the printing equipment transport stage. Processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the transport of the printing equipment during the printing equipment transport stage.

[0073] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device for calculating carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the product weight MW, production base PB, and storage / sales base SB of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also retrieves the relationship between the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r and distances D1 to Dr, corresponding to the combination of production base PB and storage / sales base SB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60, from the transportation information database TDB of the transportation information data server 80. Furthermore, the processor 10 retrieves the transportation unit costs But-1 to But-r, corresponding to each of the transportation methods TM-1 to TM-r, from the transportation unit cost database BtDB of the unit cost information data server 90.

[0074] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the distance D1 corresponding to transportation method TM-1 and the transportation unit But-1 corresponding to transportation method TM-1 from the acquired distances D1 to Dr. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a unit weight of product is transported a distance D1 using transportation method TM-1. Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the distances D2 to Dr for each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r and the transportation unit But-2 to But-r corresponding to each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a unit mass of product is transported a distance D2 to Drr using each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r.

[0075] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting the product over distances D1 to Dr for each of the calculated transport methods TM-1 to TM-r. This calculation result corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting a unit mass of product from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB. The processor 10 then calculates the transport emission amount Et by multiplying the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting a unit mass of product from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB by the product weight MW of the printing device corresponding to product code MC. This transport emission amount Et corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting the printing device corresponding to product code MC from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB. The processor 10 then stores the calculated transport emission amount Et in the storage unit 50.

[0076] Next, we will explain how to calculate carbon dioxide emissions in the printing equipment disposal stage. In the printing equipment material stage, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when materials contained in the printing equipment are disposed of.

[0077] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, stored in the material information MaI of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC, and the corresponding material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also retrieves the waste unit values ​​Bud-1 to Bub-n, corresponding to the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60, from the waste unit value database BdDB of the unit value information data server 90.

[0078] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the waste unit Bud-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. Based on this, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when the material corresponding to material code Ma-1 is disposed of.

[0079] Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n, and the production unit Bup-2 to Bup-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be produced if the material corresponding to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n were discarded.

[0080] The processor 10 then calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n is disposed of, and defines this as the material emission amount Ep. This material emission amount Ep corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when materials contained in the printing device are disposed of. The processor 10 then stores the calculated material emission amount Ep in the storage unit 50.

[0081] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the material emissions Ep, processing emissions Em, manufacturing power emissions Ee, transportation emissions Et, and material emissions Ep, which are stored in the memory unit 50, as the printing equipment emissions Epe, and stores this sum in the memory unit 50. The printing equipment emissions Epe calculated by the processor 10 corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the manufacture and disposal of the printing equipment.

[0082] 3.2 Carbon dioxide emissions generated from the manufacture and disposal of consumables Next, an example of a method for calculating carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacturing and disposal of consumables used in a printing apparatus, as performed by the processor 10, will be described. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacturing and disposal of consumables used in a printing apparatus. As shown in Figure 7, when the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacturing and disposal of consumables used in a printing apparatus, it calculates the carbon dioxide emissions emitted at each of the four stages: the consumable material stage, the consumable manufacturing stage, the consumable transportation stage, and the consumable disposal stage. In this embodiment, the example shows a case where the consumables used in the printing apparatus are only those specified by the consumable code Ec-1, but the consumables used in the printing apparatus are not limited to one but may be multiple. If there are multiple consumables used in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus management system 1 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacturing and disposal of each of the multiple consumables by repeatedly performing the same calculation for each of the multiple consumables.

[0083] First, let's explain how carbon dioxide emissions are calculated in the consumable materials stage. In the consumable materials stage, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of materials contained in consumables used in the printing equipment.

[0084] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the consumable code Ec-1 of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. As a result, the processor 10 obtains the product code MC referenced by the consumable code Ec-1.

[0085] Then, when the processor 10 obtains the product code MC of the consumable referenced by the consumable code Ec-1, the processor 10 obtains from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n stored in the material information MaI of the consumable corresponding to the product code MC, and the material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n. The processor 10 also obtains the production unit values ​​Bup-1 to Bup-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the production unit value database BpDB of the unit value information data server 90.

[0086] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the production unit Bup-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. Based on this, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when producing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1.

[0087] Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n, and the production unit Bup-2 to Bup-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when producing each material corresponding to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n.

[0088] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the carbon dioxide emissions generated when producing each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n as the material emission amount Eup. This material emission amount Eup corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated when producing the materials contained in the consumables used in the printing machine. The processor 10 then stores the calculated material emission amount Eup in the storage unit 50.

[0089] Next, the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions in the consumables manufacturing stage will be explained. In the consumables manufacturing stage, the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the manufacture of consumables used in the printing equipment. At this time, the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the manufacture of consumables used in the printing equipment as follows: carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the processing of materials corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n contained in the consumables, and carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the electricity used in the manufacture of the consumables.

[0090] First, we will explain how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated during the processing of materials corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n included in the consumables used in the printing device. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs the product code MC, which identifies the printing device for which carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated, into the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the consumable code Ec-1 of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. Then, the processor 10 retrieves the product code MC referenced by the consumable code Ec-1.

[0091] When processor 10 obtains the product code MC of the consumable referenced by the consumable code Ec-1, processor 10 obtains from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60 the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n stored in the material information MaI of the consumable corresponding to the product code MC, and the material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n. Also, processor 10 obtains the processing unit costs Bum-1 to Bum-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n obtained from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60 from the processing unit cost database BmDB of unit cost information data server 90.

[0092] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the processing unit Bum-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when processing the material corresponding to material code Ma-1. Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n and the processing unit Bum-2 to Bum-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when processing the material corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-2 to Ma-n.

[0093] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the carbon dioxide emissions generated when processing each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, which is called the processing emission amount Eum. This processing emission amount Eum corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated when processing the materials contained in the consumables used in the printing machine. The processor 10 then stores the calculated processing emission amount Eum in the storage unit 50.

[0094] Next, we will explain how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated according to the electricity used to manufacture consumables used in the printing equipment. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs the product code MC, which identifies the printing equipment for which carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated, into the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the consumable code Ec-1 of the printing equipment corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. Then, the processor 10 retrieves the product code MC referenced by the consumable code Ec-1.

[0095] By obtaining the product code MC of the consumable referenced by the consumable code Ec-1, the processor 10 obtains the product weight MW and production site PB of the consumable corresponding to product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 also obtains the unit power amount Puw corresponding to the production site PB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the site power information database PDB of the site power information data server 70. Furthermore, the processor 10 obtains the power intensity unit Bue corresponding to the region RI associated with the production site PB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the power intensity unit database BeDB of the unit intensity information data server 90.

[0096] The processor 10 then calculates the manufacturing power emission Eue as the product of the acquired product weight MW, the unit energy Puw, and the power intensity Bue. This manufacturing power emission Eue corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the electricity used to manufacture the consumables used in the printing machine. The processor 10 then stores the calculated manufacturing power emission Eue in the storage unit 50.

[0097] Next, we will explain how to calculate carbon dioxide emissions in the consumables transport stage. In the consumables transport stage, the processor 10 calculates the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the transport of consumables used in the printing equipment.

[0098] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the consumable code Ec-1 of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. Then, the processor 10 retrieves the product code MC referenced by the consumable code Ec-1.

[0099] When processor 10 obtains the product code MC of the consumable referenced by the consumable code Ec-1, processor 10 obtains the product weight MW, production base PB, and storage / sales base SB of the consumable corresponding to product code MC from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60. Also, processor 10 obtains the relationship between the transportation method TM-1~TM-r and distance D1~Dr corresponding to the combination of production base PB and storage / sales base SB obtained from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60 from the transportation information database TDB of transportation information data server 80. Furthermore, processor 10 obtains the transportation unit cost But-1~But-r corresponding to each of the transportation methods TM-1~TM-r from the transportation unit cost database BtDB of unit cost information data server 90.

[0100] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the distance D1 corresponding to transportation method TM-1 and the transportation unit But-1 corresponding to transportation method TM-1 from the acquired distances D1 to Dr. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a unit weight of product is transported a distance D1 using transportation method TM-1. Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the distances D2 to Dr for each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r and the transportation unit But-2 to But-r corresponding to each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when a unit mass of product is transported a distance D2 to Drr using each of the transportation methods TM-2 to TM-r.

[0101] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting the product over distances D1 to Dr for each of the calculated transport methods TM-1 to TM-r. This calculation result corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting a unit mass of product from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB. The processor 10 then calculates the transport emission amount Eut as the product of the calculated amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting a unit mass of product from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB and the product weight MW of the consumable corresponding to product code MC. This transport emission amount Et corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when transporting the consumable corresponding to product code MC from the production site PB to the storage and sales site SB. The processor 10 then stores the calculated transport emission amount Eut in the storage unit 50.

[0102] Next, we will explain how to calculate carbon dioxide emissions in the consumables disposal stage. In the consumables material stage, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when materials contained in consumables used in the printing device are disposed of.

[0103] When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC, which identifies the printing device used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions, to the processor 10, the processor 10 retrieves the consumable code Ec-1 of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. Then, the processor 10 retrieves the product code MC referenced by the consumable code Ec-1.

[0104] When processor 10 obtains the product code MC of the consumable referenced by the consumable code Ec-1, processor 10 obtains the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n stored in the material information MaI of the consumable corresponding to the product code MC, and the material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60. In addition, processor 10 obtains the waste unit costs Bud-1 to Bub-n corresponding to each of the material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n obtained from the product information database MDB of product information data server 60, from the waste unit cost database BdDB of unit cost information data server 90.

[0105] Subsequently, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weight Maw-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 and the waste unit Bud-1 corresponding to material code Ma-1 from the acquired material weights Maw-1 to Maw-n. Based on this, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when the material corresponding to material code Ma-1 is disposed of.

[0106] Similarly, the processor 10 calculates the product of the material weights Maw-2 to Maw-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n, and the production unit Bup-2 to Bup-n, which correspond to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n. This allows the processor 10 to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that would be produced if the material corresponding to each material code Ma-2 to Ma-n were discarded.

[0107] The processor 10 then calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when disposing of each of the calculated material codes Ma-1 to Ma-n, which is called the material emission amount Eud. This material emission amount Eud corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated when disposing of materials contained in consumables used in the printing machine. The processor 10 then stores the calculated material emission amount Eup in the storage unit 50.

[0108] The processor 10 then calculates the sum of the material emissions Eup, processing emissions Eum, manufacturing power emissions Eue, transportation emissions Eut, and material emissions Eup, which are stored in the memory unit 50, as consumable emissions Eee, and stores this sum in the memory unit 50. The consumable emissions Eee calculated by the processor 10 corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the manufacture and disposal of consumables.

[0109] 3.3 Calculation of Lifetime Carbon Dioxide Emissions of Printing Equipment Next, an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing device over its lifetime, as performed by the processor 10, will be described. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing device over its lifetime. As shown in Figure 8, in calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing device over its lifetime, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime, in addition to the printing device emissions Epe, which represent the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in connection with the manufacture and disposal of the printing device, and the consumable emissions Eee, which represent the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in connection with the manufacture and disposal of consumables, as described above, as well as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted according to the amount of electricity consumed by the printing device over its lifetime and the amount of consumables used by the printing device over its lifetime.

[0110] Therefore, in explaining how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing machine over its lifetime, we will first explain specific examples of how to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted based on the amount of electricity consumed by the printing machine over its lifetime, and the amount of consumables used by the printing machine over its lifetime.

[0111] First, an example of a method for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted according to the power consumption of a printing device over its lifetime will be explained. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs a product code MC that identifies the printing device for which the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated to the processor 10, the processor 10 obtains the estimated service life DL, power consumption MP, and usage location UB of the printing device corresponding to the product code MC from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. At this time, the processor 10 obtains information from the estimated service life DL stored in the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 that is based on the design expected life calculated at the time of product design, for example, information on the expected service life period from the time the printing device is produced. The processor 10 also obtains the power intensity Bue corresponding to the regional RI associated with the usage location UB obtained from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60 from the power intensity database BeDB of the unit intensity information data server 90.

[0112] The processor 10 then calculates the power consumption emission Epw as the product of the acquired estimated lifespan DL, power consumption MP, and power intensity Bue. This power consumption emission Epw corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in proportion to the power consumption of the printing device over its lifetime. The processor 10 then stores the calculated power consumption emission Epw in the storage unit 50.

[0113] Next, we will explain how to calculate the amount of consumables consumed by a printing device over its lifetime. We will use the amount of consumables identified by consumable code Ec-1 as an example. When the user operates the input unit 20 and inputs product code MC, which identifies the printing device for which lifetime carbon dioxide emissions will be calculated, to the processor 10, the processor 10 obtains the estimated service life DL of the printing device corresponding to product code MC and the consumable usage amount Ecu-1 associated with consumable code Ec-1 from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. At this time, the processor 10 obtains information such as the number of media on which the printing process can be executed by the printing device as the estimated service life DL stored in the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60, and obtains information such as the number of media on which the printing device can print when the consumable is used by the printing device identified by product code MC as the consumable usage amount Ecu-1 associated with consumable code Ec-1 stored in the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60.

[0114] The processor 10 then calculates the consumable consumption Lq by dividing the acquired estimated lifespan DL by the consumable usage amount Ecu-1. This consumable consumption Lq corresponds to the total amount of consumables consumed by the printing device over its lifetime. The processor 10 then stores the calculated consumable consumption Lq in the storage unit 50.

[0115] The processor 10 then calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime based on the printing device emissions Epe, consumable emissions Eee, power consumption emissions Epw, and consumable consumption Lq stored in the memory unit 50.

[0116] Specifically, the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the consumables used by the printing device over its lifetime by calculating the product of the consumable discharge amount Eee and the consumable consumption amount Lq. The processor then calculates the lifetime emissions Eus by adding the power consumption discharge amount Epw to the product of the consumable discharge amount Eee and the consumable consumption amount Lq. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the period the printing device is in use is due to the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production and disposal of consumables used in the printing device, and the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the generation of electricity supplied to the printing device. In other words, the lifetime emissions Eus calculated by the processor 10 corresponds to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the period the printing device is in use over its lifetime. The processor 10 then stores the calculated lifetime emissions Eus in the storage unit 50.

[0117] Furthermore, the processor 10 calculates the lifetime product emissions Epd by adding the printer equipment emissions Epe to the calculated lifetime usage emissions Eus. Printer equipment emissions Epe corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the manufacture and disposal of the printer equipment. Therefore, the lifetime product emissions Epd calculated by the processor 10 corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions over the entire lifecycle of the printer equipment, including not only the carbon dioxide emissions during the usage period of the printer equipment, but also the manufacturing and disposal of the printer equipment. The processor 10 then stores the calculated lifetime product emissions Epd in the storage unit 50.

[0118] In other words, in the printing device management system 1, the processor 10 calculates the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime, which includes the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by consumables over its lifetime, called the product lifetime emissions Epd, and the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime, called the printing device emissions Epe, which does not include the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by consumables over its lifetime.

[0119] Furthermore, the processor 10 obtains the actual production volume PVa and the planned production volume Pvp corresponding to the product code MC of the printing equipment used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions from the product information database MDB of the product information data server 60. The processor 10 then calculates the actual total emissions Eac as the product of the lifetime product emissions Epd and the actual production volume PVa, calculates the estimated total emissions Epl as the product of the lifetime product emissions Epd and the planned production volume Pvp, and calculates the lifetime total emissions Eall as the product of the lifetime product emissions Epd and the actual production volume PVa plus the product of the lifetime product emissions Epd and the planned production volume Pvp.

[0120] In other words, the calculation information includes the actual production volume PVA and the planned production volume Pvp of the printing equipment, and the processor 10 calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the product group including the printing equipment over its lifetime, based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing equipment over its lifetime and at least one of the actual production volume PVA and the planned production volume Pvp.

[0121] As mentioned above, the actual production volume PVa includes information on the actual number of units of the product specified by product code MC that have been produced, and the planned production volume PVp includes information on the expected number of units of the product specified by product code MC that are expected to be produced in the future. In other words, the actual total emissions Eac corresponds to the actual value of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by the product group specified by product code MC, the expected total emissions Epl corresponds to the value of carbon dioxide emissions expected to be emitted from the product group specified by product code MC in the future, and the lifetime total emissions Eall corresponds to the value of carbon dioxide emissions to be emitted from the product group specified by product code MC over its lifetime. This allows users to understand the effects of the countermeasures in detail.

[0122] As described above, the printing apparatus management system 1 of this embodiment is a printing apparatus management system 1 that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing apparatus over its lifetime, comprising a processor 10 that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing apparatus over its lifetime based on calculation information, and an output unit 30 that outputs the calculation results of the processor 10, wherein the calculation information includes: material weight Maw indicating the amount of material used corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing apparatus; production unit Bup indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in conjunction with the production of the material corresponding to the material code Ma of the printing apparatus; waste unit Bud indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in conjunction with the disposal of the material corresponding to the material code Ma of the printing apparatus; product weight MW of the printing apparatus; processing unit Bum indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in conjunction with the production of the printing apparatus; power unit Bue; distance D for transporting the printing apparatus by transport method TM; transport unit But indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in conjunction with the transport of the printing apparatus by transport method TM; type of consumables corresponding to the consumable code Ec used in the printing apparatus; amount of consumables used Ecu corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the consumables in the printing apparatus; and consumables of the consumables in the printing apparatus This includes: material weight Maw, which indicates the amount of material used corresponding to material code Ma that constitutes the consumable corresponding to code Ec; production unit Bup, which indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of each material corresponding to material code Ma that constitutes the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment; waste unit Bud, which indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the disposal of each material corresponding to material code Ma that constitutes the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment; product weight MW of the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment; processing unit Bum, which indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment; power unit Bue; distance D of transporting the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment using transport method TM; transport unit But, which indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the transport of the consumable corresponding to consumable code Ec in the printing equipment using transport method TM; power consumption MP consumed by the printing equipment; and power unit Bue, which indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy.

[0123] 3.4 Production of carbon dioxide emission reports In the printing device management system 1 configured as described above, the information regarding carbon dioxide emissions from the printing device calculated by the processor 10 is stored in the storage unit 50. The processor 10 then appropriately extracts the information regarding carbon dioxide emissions from the printing device stored in the storage unit 50 in response to the user's operation of the input unit 20, and causes the report generation unit 40 to generate a carbon dioxide emission report corresponding to the extracted information. This allows the information requested by the user to be extracted as needed.

[0124] Here, one printing device corresponding to any of the product codes MC included in the product information database MDB is an example of the first printing device, multiple printing devices including the first printing device that correspond to any of the product codes MC included in the product information database MDB are an example of the first printing device group, similar model codes MCs linked to the product code MC that identifies a printing device corresponding to the first printing device are an example of related model information, and a printing device identified by similar model codes MCs linked to the product code MC that identifies a printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the second printing device.

[0125] Furthermore, the material code Ma associated with the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the first material, the material weight Maw associated with the material code Ma of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the amount of the first material used, the production unit Bup corresponding to the material code Ma of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the first emission factor, and the waste unit Bud corresponding to the material code Ma of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the second emission factor, and the printing device corresponding to the first printing device The product weight MW of the product code MC that identifies the location is an example of the weight of the first printing device, the processing unit Bum corresponding to the material code Ma of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the third emission factor, the transportation method TM for transporting the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the first means of transportation, the distance D associated with the transportation method TM for transporting the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the first transportation distance, and the transportation unit But, which indicates the unit emission of carbon dioxide in the transportation method TM for transporting the printing device corresponding to the first printing device, is an example of the fourth emission factor.

[0126] Furthermore, the consumables identified by the consumable code Ec associated with the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device are an example of consumables used in the printing device, the usage amount Ecu associated with the consumable code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the usage amount of consumables, the material corresponding to the material code Ma associated with the product code MC of the consumables referenced by the consumable code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the second material, the material weight Maw associated with the material code Ma of the product code MC of the consumables referenced by the consumable code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the usage amount of the second material, the production unit Bup corresponding to the material code Ma of the consumables referenced by the consumable code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the fifth emission factor, and the product code of the consumables referenced by the consumable code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the usage amount of the second material, and the production unit Bup corresponding to the material code Ma of the consumables referenced by the product code MC that identifies the consumables referenced by the consumable code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the fifth emission factor. The waste unit Bud corresponding to the material code Ma of MC is an example of the 6th emission factor; the product weight MW of the consumables referenced by the consumables code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the 1st printing device is an example of the weight of the consumables; the processing unit Bum corresponding to the material code Ma of the consumables referenced by the consumables code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the 1st printing device is an example of the 7th emission factor; the transport method TM for transporting the consumables referenced by the consumables code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the 1st printing device is an example of the 2nd transport method; the distance D associated with the transport method TM for transporting the consumables referenced by the consumables code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the 1st printing device is an example of the 2nd transport distance; and the transport unit But indicating the unit emission of carbon dioxide in the transport method TM for transporting the consumables referenced by the consumables code Ec of the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the 1st printing device is an example of the 8th emission factor.

[0127] Furthermore, the power consumption MP associated with the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the power consumption of the first printing device, and the power intensity Bue, which indicates the unit emission of carbon dioxide in the power consumption MP associated with the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device, is an example of the ninth emission factor.

[0128] Furthermore, information linked to the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the first printing device is an example of the first calculation information, and information linked to the product code MC that identifies the printing device corresponding to the second printing device is an example of the second calculation information.

[0129] Furthermore, the output unit 30 is an example of a notification unit, at least one of the actual production quantity PVa and the planned production quantity Pvp is an example of transfer quantity information, the lifetime product emissions Epd is an example of the first emissions, and the lifetime emissions in use Eus is an example of the second emissions.

[0130] Furthermore, the product information database MDB, which stores the product code MC, is an example of the first database; the production unit database BpDB, which stores the production unit Bup, and the waste unit database BdDB, which stores the waste unit Bud, are examples of the second databases; the processing unit database BmDB, which stores the processing unit Bum, the power unit database BeDB, which stores the power unit Bue, and the transport information database TDB are examples of the third databases; the transport unit database BtDB, which stores the transport unit But, is an example of the fourth database; and the power unit database BeDB, which stores the power unit Bue, is an example of the fifth database.

[0131] 4. Effects As described above, the printing apparatus management system 1 of this embodiment has a processor 10 that provides the following information: material weight Maw, which indicates the amount of material used corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing apparatus; production unit Bup, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in conjunction with the production of the material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing apparatus; waste unit Bud, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in conjunction with the disposal of the material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing apparatus; product weight MW of the printing apparatus; processing unit Bum, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in conjunction with the production of the printing apparatus; power unit Bue; distance D for transporting the printing apparatus by transport method TM; transport unit But, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in conjunction with the transport of the printing apparatus by transport method TM; type of consumables corresponding to the consumable code Ec used in the printing apparatus; amount of consumables used Ecu corresponding to the consumable code Ec in the printing apparatus; material weight Maw, which indicates the amount of material used corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the consumables corresponding to the consumable code Ec in the printing apparatus; and material code Based on calculation information including the production unit Bup, which shows the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of each material corresponding to code Ma; the waste unit Bud, which shows the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in the disposal of each material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the consumables corresponding to each consumable code Ec of the printing equipment; the product weight MW of the consumables corresponding to each consumable code Ec of the printing equipment, the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the printing equipment from production to use to disposal is

[0132] As a result, the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment can calculate in detail the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime, and can take appropriate measures to reduce the carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device over its lifetime. Consequently, by using the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to introduce printing devices with an even lower burden on the global environment to the market. Thus, it can meet the recent demand for reducing environmental impact.

[0133] Furthermore, in the production method of the carbon dioxide emission report using the printing device management system 1 of this embodiment, the processor 10 provides the following information: material weight Maw, which indicates the amount of material used corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing device as a product; production unit Bup, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the production of the material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing device as a product; waste unit Bud, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the disposal of the material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the printing device as a product; product weight MW of the printing device as a product; processing unit Bum, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the production of the printing device as a product; power unit Bue, which indicates the distance D over which the printing device as a product is transported by the transport method TM; transport unit But, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated in connection with the transport of the printing device by the transport method TM; the type of consumables corresponding to the consumable code Ec used in the printing device as a product; the amount of consumables used Ecu corresponding to the consumable code Ec in the printing device as a product; and the amount of material used corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the consumables corresponding to the consumable code Ec in the printing device as a product. The system obtains calculation information including the following: the material weight Maw, the production unit Bup indicating the carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of each material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the consumable corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the printing equipment as a product; the waste unit Bud indicating the unit carbon dioxide emissions generated in the disposal of each material corresponding to the material code Ma that constitutes the consumable corresponding to the consumable corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the printing equipment as a product; the product weight MW of the consumable corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the printing equipment as a product, the processing unit Bum indicating the unit carbon dioxide emissions generated in the production of the consumable corresponding to the consumable corresponding to the consumable corresponding to the consumable in the printing equipment as a product; the power unit Bue indicating the distance D of transporting the consumable corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the printing equipment as a product using transport method TM, and the transport unit But indicating the unit carbon dioxide emissions generated in the transport of the consumable corresponding to the consumable corresponding to the consumable code Ec of the printing equipment using transport method TM; the power consumption MP consumed by the printing equipment as a product; and the power unit Bue indicating the unit carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy.Based on the acquired computational information, processor 10 calculates the total carbon dioxide emissions throughout the lifecycle of the printing equipment, from production to use and disposal, and produces a carbon dioxide emissions report containing the calculated carbon dioxide emissions.

[0134] As a result, the carbon dioxide emission report production method of this embodiment can produce a carbon dioxide emission report that includes detailed information on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing device as a product throughout its lifecycle. Furthermore, based on the produced carbon dioxide emission report, efforts can be made to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing device as a product throughout its lifecycle. Consequently, by manufacturing products based on the reports produced by the carbon dioxide emission report production method of this embodiment, it is possible to introduce products to the market that further reduce the burden on the global environment. Thus, it is possible to meet the recent demand for reducing environmental impact.

[0135] Although embodiments and modified examples have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, the above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

[0136] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially identical to those described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same function, method, and result, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that produce the same effects or achieve the same purpose as those described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that add known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0137] The following conclusions can be drawn from the embodiments described above.

[0138] One aspect of a printing device management system is: A printing device management system for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a first printing device over its lifetime, A processor that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing apparatus over its lifetime based on first calculation information, An output unit that outputs the calculation result of the aforementioned processor, Equipped with, The first calculation information includes: The amount of the first material used to constitute the first printing apparatus, A first emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the first material, A second emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated by the disposal of the first material, The weight of the first printing apparatus and A third emission factor indicating the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the first printing apparatus, The first transport distance for transporting the first printing apparatus by the first transport means, A fourth emission factor indicating the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the first means of transport, The types of consumables used in the aforementioned first printing apparatus, The amount of consumables used in the first printing apparatus and The amount of the second material constituting the aforementioned consumables used, The fifth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the production of the second material, The sixth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated when the second material is disposed of, The weight of the aforementioned consumables and The seventh emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the aforementioned consumables, The second transport distance for transporting the aforementioned consumables by the second transport means, The eighth emission factor, which indicates the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the second means of transport, The amount of electricity consumed by the first printing device and The ninth emission factor, which shows the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, It includes.

[0139] According to this printing apparatus management system, the processor determines the amount of first material used to constitute the first printing apparatus, a first emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of the first material, a second emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the disposal of the first material, the weight of the first printing apparatus, a third emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of the first printing apparatus, a first transport distance for transporting the first printing apparatus by a first transport means, a fourth emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with transport by the first transport means, the type of consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of said consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of second material used to constitute the consumables, and the production of the second material. By calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a printing machine based on the following factors: the fifth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of the first use of the printing machine; the sixth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of the disposal of the second material; the seventh emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of the weight of the consumables and the production of the consumables; the eighth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of the second transport distance for transporting the consumables by the second transport method; and the ninth emission factor, which indicates the amount of electricity consumed by the first printing machine and the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of electricity, it is possible to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing machine from production to disposal, not just under the usage conditions of the printing machine. This makes it possible to calculate in detail the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing machine over its lifetime, and to take appropriate measures to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the printing machine over its lifetime, thereby introducing a printing machine to the market with an even lower burden on the global environment. Thus, it is possible to meet the recent demand for reducing environmental impact.

[0140] In one embodiment of the printing apparatus management system, The first calculation information includes related model information indicating a second printing device associated with the first printing device, If there are deficiencies in the first calculation information, the processor may compensate for the deficiencies with second calculation information used to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the second printing device over its lifetime, and calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing device over its lifetime.

[0141] This printing device management system allows for the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions from the printing device even if there are deficiencies in the initial calculation information acquired by the processor, thus improving convenience for users of the printing device management system.

[0142] In one embodiment of the printing apparatus management system, The system may also include a notification unit that notifies if there are any deficiencies in the first calculation information.

[0143] In one embodiment of the printing apparatus management system, The first calculation information includes the transfer quantity information of the first printing device, The processor may calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first group of printing devices, including the first printing device, over its lifetime, based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing device over its lifetime and the transfer quantity information.

[0144] This printing equipment management system allows for the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions from a single printing machine, as well as the carbon dioxide emissions from the entire group of printing equipment to which it belongs. This enables detailed calculation of the total carbon dioxide emissions from a printing machine and its associated group over its lifetime, and allows for appropriate measures to be taken to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from the printing machine and its associated group over its lifetime, thereby enabling the introduction of printing equipment to the market with an even lower environmental impact. Thus, it can meet the recent demands for reducing environmental impact.

[0145] In one embodiment of the printing apparatus management system, The processor may calculate a first emission amount, which includes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the consumables over the lifetime of the first printing apparatus, and a second emission amount, which does not include the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the consumables over the lifetime of the first printing apparatus.

[0146] This printing equipment management system allows for the acquisition of multiple calculation results based on the status of the printing equipment. This enables a more detailed calculation of the carbon dioxide emissions a printing equipment will produce over its lifetime, and allows for appropriate measures to be taken to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions over the printing equipment's lifetime, thereby enabling the introduction of printing equipment with an even lower environmental impact to the market. Thus, it can meet the recent demands for reducing environmental impact.

[0147] In one embodiment of the printing apparatus management system, This includes a first database, a second database, a third database, a fourth database, and a fifth database in which the first computation information is stored, The first database stores, among the first calculation information, the amount of the first material used, the weight of the first printing apparatus, the type of consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of the consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of the second material constituting the consumables used, the weight of the consumables, and the amount of electricity consumed by the first printing apparatus. The second database stores the first emission factor, the second emission factor, the fifth emission factor, and the sixth emission factor from the first calculation information. The third database stores the third emission factor, the seventh emission factor, the first transport distance, and the second transport distance from the first calculation information. The fourth database stores the fourth emission factor and the eighth emission factor from the first calculation information. The fifth database may store the ninth emission coefficient from the first calculation information.

[0148] One method of producing carbon dioxide emissions reports is: A method for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report that reports the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions of a product, An acquisition step for obtaining first calculation information used to calculate the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions, A calculation step for calculating the lifetime emissions based on the acquired first calculation information, A production process for producing a carbon dioxide emissions report that includes the calculated lifetime emissions, Includes, The first calculation information is, The amount of the first material constituting the aforementioned product used, A first emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the first material, A second emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated by the disposal of the first material, The weight of the aforementioned product and The third emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the aforementioned product, The first transport distance for transporting the aforementioned product by the first transport means, A fourth emission factor indicating the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the first means of transport, The types of consumables used in the aforementioned product, The amount of consumables used in the aforementioned product, The amount of the second material constituting the aforementioned consumables used, The fifth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide emitted in the production of the second material, The sixth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated when the second material is disposed of, The weight of the aforementioned consumables and The seventh emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the aforementioned consumables, The second transport distance for transporting the aforementioned consumables by the second transport means, The eighth emission factor, which indicates the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the second means of transport, The amount of electricity consumed by the aforementioned product, The ninth emission factor, which shows the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, It may include.

[0149] According to the production method of this carbon dioxide emissions report, the amount of the first material that makes up the product, the first emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the first material, the second emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the disposal of the first material, the weight of the product, the third emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the product, the first transport distance for transporting the product by the first means of transport, the fourth emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transport by the first means of transport, the type of consumables used in the product, the amount of the said consumables used in the product, the amount of the second material that makes up the consumables, and the carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the second material. By acquiring the following factors—the fifth emission factor showing the raw unit emission amount, the sixth emission factor showing the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated from the disposal of the second material, the seventh emission factor showing the weight of consumables and the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated from the production of consumables, the eighth emission factor showing the second transport distance for transporting consumables by the second means of transport and the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated from transport by the second means of transport, and the ninth emission factor showing the amount of electricity consumed by the product and the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide per unit of electricity—and producing a carbon dioxide emission report based on the acquired information, it is possible to produce a carbon dioxide emission report that includes production and disposal, not just the usage state of the product. Furthermore, by creating a product based on the produced carbon dioxide emission report, it is possible to calculate in detail the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the product over its lifetime, and to take appropriate measures to reduce the carbon dioxide emitted by the product over its lifetime, thereby introducing printing equipment to the market that further reduces the burden on the global environment. Thus, it is possible to meet the recent demand for reducing environmental impact. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1…Printing device management system, 10…Processor, 20…Input unit, 30…Output unit, 40…Report generation unit, 50…Storage unit, 60…Product information data server, 70…Site power information data server, 80…Transportation information data server, 90…Unit cost information data server, BdDB…Waste unit cost database, BeDB…Power unit cost database, BmDB…Processing unit cost database, BpDB…Production unit cost database, BtDB…Transportation unit cost database, MDB…Product information database, PDB…Site power information database, TDB…Transportation information database

Claims

1. A printing device management system for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a first printing device over its lifetime, A processor that calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing apparatus over its lifetime based on first calculation information, An output unit that outputs the calculation result of the aforementioned processor, Equipped with, The first calculation information includes: The amount of the first material used to constitute the first printing apparatus, A first emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the first material, A second emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated when the first material is disposed of, The weight of the first printing apparatus and A third emission factor indicating the unit emission of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the first printing apparatus, The first transport distance for transporting the first printing apparatus by the first transport means, A fourth emission factor indicating the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the first means of transport, The types of consumables used in the first printing apparatus, The amount of consumables used in the first printing apparatus and The amount of the second material constituting the aforementioned consumables used, A fifth emission factor indicating the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in the production of the second material, The sixth emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated when the second material is disposed of, The weight of the aforementioned consumables and The seventh emission factor, which indicates the unit amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with the production of the aforementioned consumables, The second transport distance over which the consumables are transported by the second transport means, The eighth emission factor, which indicates the unit emission amount of carbon dioxide generated in connection with transportation by the second means of transport, The amount of electricity consumed by the first printing device and The ninth emission factor, which shows the unit amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of electricity, Includes, A printing device management system characterized by the following:

2. The first calculation information includes related model information indicating a second printing device associated with the first printing device, If there is a deficiency in the first calculation information, the processor compensates for the deficiency with the second calculation information used to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the second printing device over its lifetime, and calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing device over its lifetime. The printing apparatus management system according to feature 1.

3. The system includes a notification unit that notifies if there is a deficiency in the first calculation information. The printing apparatus management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first calculation information includes the transfer quantity information of the first printing device, The processor calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first group of printing devices, including the first printing device, over its lifetime, based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing device over its lifetime and the transfer quantity information. A printing apparatus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The processor calculates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the first printing apparatus over its lifetime, which includes a first emission amount that includes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the consumables over its lifetime, and a second emission amount that does not include the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the consumables over its lifetime. A printing apparatus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. This includes a first database, a second database, a third database, a fourth database, and a fifth database in which the first computation information is stored, The first database stores, among the first calculation information, the amount of the first material used, the weight of the first printing apparatus, the type of consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of the consumables used in the first printing apparatus, the amount of the second material constituting the consumables used, the weight of the consumables, and the amount of electricity consumed by the first printing apparatus. The second database stores the first emission factor, the second emission factor, the fifth emission factor, and the sixth emission factor from the first calculation information. The third database stores the third emission coefficient, the seventh emission coefficient, the first transport distance, and the second transport distance from the first calculation information. The fourth database stores the fourth emission factor and the eighth emission factor from the first calculation information. The fifth database stores the ninth emission coefficient from the first calculation information. A printing apparatus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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