JP2013061607A - Print charge estimation device, printer, print charge estimation system, print instruction device, print charge estimation method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print charge estimation device that can accurately estimate a charge required for print processing including an electricity charge.SOLUTION: A print charge estimation unit 200 includes: a used amount estimation unit 2011 that estimates a used amount of a consumable supply and a power used amount; an estimate calculation unit 2012 for calculating estimation of a charge required for print processing on the basis of the estimated used amount of a consumable supply and consumable supply cost information, and the estimated power used amount and electricity charge information; and a display control unit 2013a that makes a display unit 204 display the calculated estimation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing fee estimation apparatus that estimates a cost required for a printing process.

In recent years, there has been a demand for a reduction in environmental load in printing apparatuses. Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, the input means for inputting the CO ₂ conversion value of the electric power company for each year, the target setting means for setting the reduction target for power consumption, and the CO input for the reduction target for power consumption are input. A printing apparatus is disclosed that includes a calculation unit that calculates a CO ₂ emission amount based on the _two- converted value and a storage unit that stores a reduction value of the CO ₂ emission amount according to the calculation result. As a result, the CO ₂ emission conversion coefficient, which fluctuates from year to year and from each electric power company, can be changed to the optimum value for each printing device with a CO ₂ emission right connected to the network. CO ₂ emissions can be determined.

  On the other hand, there is an apparatus that estimates the cost of printing processing in a printing apparatus. For example, in Patent Document 2, a predicted value of the consumption amount of consumables for print processing according to a user order is calculated, and the cost for print processing based on the predicted value is obtained as an estimated result. A system for providing to a client terminal is disclosed. Accordingly, in a printing system that performs printing upon receiving an order from the user, it is possible to provide the user with an estimate of the printing cost of the entire printing, possible print settings, a charge for the settings, and the like.

JP 2010-52414 A (published March 11, 2010) JP 2010-61205 A (published March 18, 2010)

  Here, in order to present more detailed printing costs, it is also necessary to estimate the electricity charge required for the printing process. In addition, since the electricity charge varies depending on the printing conditions, it is possible to encourage the requester of the estimate to be aware of the environment, that is, to change the printing conditions, by presenting the electricity charge required for the printing process in advance. Therefore, estimating the electricity charge required for the printing process is also desired from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can estimate a fee required for a printing process accurately including an electricity fee, a printing fee estimation device, a printing device, a printing fee estimation system, and a printing instruction. An object is to provide an apparatus, a printing fee estimation method, a program, and a recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention provides consumables cost information that is information on costs related to consumables used in the printing apparatus, and electricity that is information on charges according to the amount of power used. Usage of the consumable when the image data is printed under the printing conditions in the printing device based on the storage means for storing the charge information, the input image data and the printing conditions of the image data A usage amount estimation unit that estimates the amount and the power usage amount, the estimated usage amount of the consumables and the consumables cost information stored in the storage unit, and the estimated power usage amount and the storage An estimate calculation unit that calculates an estimate of the charge required for the printing process based on the electricity charge information stored in the means, and an output control unit that causes the output means to output the calculated estimate of the charge The It is characterized by a door.

  According to the above configuration, the consumption amount and power consumption amount of consumables are estimated based on the image data and the printing conditions of the image data, the consumable consumption amount and consumables cost information estimated, and the estimated Based on the power consumption and the electricity charge information, an estimate of the charge necessary for the printing process is calculated and output to the output means.

  Examples of consumables used in the printing apparatus include a developer and paper. If there are a plurality of types of consumables, naturally, the storage means stores consumables cost information, which is information on the costs related to the consumables, for each type of consumables. The printing conditions include, for example, the number of copies, color printing or monochrome printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, N-up printing for printing N pages on one side, reduction or enlargement, density, and the like. The consumption amount and power consumption amount of consumables vary depending on printing conditions. It also changes depending on the printing rate of the image data.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration of the present invention, the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumable item can be accurately determined by estimating the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumable item based on the image data and the printing condition of the image data. Can be guessed. Based on the consumables cost information, which is information on the estimated usage of the consumables and the cost related to the consumables, and the electricity bill information, which is information on the estimated power usage and the charge according to the power usage, By calculating the estimate of the fee required for the printing process, it is possible to accurately estimate the fee required for the printing process. By causing the output unit to output the calculated fee estimate, it is possible to present the estimate to the client who has requested the estimate of the fee required for the printing process. Here, the output unit may be, for example, a display unit (display device) or a printing unit (printing device). If it is a display means, an estimate can be displayed. Further, if the estimate is printed by the printing means, it can be provided to the client as a printed matter.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a printing instruction apparatus that can accurately estimate an electric charge according to the amount of power used, in addition to a charge according to the amount of consumption of consumables, for a charge necessary for the printing process.

  In addition to the above configuration, the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention has a greenhouse gas emission right assigned to at least one of the consumables and the products accompanying the consumables, and the storage unit includes: Storing emission right acquisition cost information, which is information of the cost required to acquire the greenhouse gas emission right, and the estimate calculation unit further includes the estimated consumption amount of the consumables and the emission right acquisition cost. Based on the information, an estimate of a fee required for the printing process may be calculated.

  According to the above-described configuration, the emission is information on the estimated consumption of the consumables and the cost required for obtaining the greenhouse gas emission right granted to at least one of the consumables and the products accompanying the consumables. Based on the right acquisition cost information, an estimate of the fee required for the printing process is calculated.

  The cost required to obtain greenhouse gas emission rights is also included in the fee required for printing, so that the greenhouse gas required for the use of consumables or products attached to consumables. The cost of the occurrence can be borne by the requester of the estimate. Therefore, even a client with a low awareness of the environment can raise awareness of the environment. As a result, it can be used to fund development of renewable energy, and contribute to the prevention of global warming.

  In addition to renewable energy development funds, the cost of greenhouse gas emission credits includes renewable energy (natural energy) technology development, installation and maintenance of buildings and facilities, operation of renewable energy, transmission network The cost may be used for maintenance (including the development of power grids with other countries beyond national and regional boundaries), technical assistance, and various other taxes.

  According to the above configuration, the energy saving mode is accepted when the greenhouse gas emission right is given to the consumables used in the printing apparatus, or when the consumables are recycled products. If consumables are granted greenhouse gas emission rights, they can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction projects. Even when the consumables are recycled products, it is possible to suppress the generation of greenhouse gases accompanying disposal and thus contribute to the prevention of global warming. As described above, when an article that can reduce the generation of greenhouse gases is used as a consumable used in the printing apparatus, an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving can be set, and the environmental load can be further reduced.

  In the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the consumable and the product accompanying the consumable are a developer and a developer container that is detachable from the printing apparatus, and the consumable The cost information may be information on the cost of the developer container that contains the developer.

  According to the above configuration, the fee required for the printing process with the printing device using the developer container to which the greenhouse gas emission right is granted, including the cost required to acquire the greenhouse gas emission right, Can be estimated.

  In the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the output control unit estimates the fee required for the printing process, uses the estimated amount of the consumable used, and the estimated power. The items may be divided according to the amount used and output to the output means.

  According to the above configuration, the estimate of the fee required for the printing process is output separately for the consumable usage amount and the estimated power usage amount. Accordingly, it is possible to make the requester of the estimate clearly grasp the amount of power used for the current printing process. Therefore, it is possible to raise awareness of the environment for the requester of the estimate.

  Further, in the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, an estimation of a fee required for the printing process may be displayed on a display unit used as the output unit.

  According to the above configuration, by displaying the estimate on the display unit, the trouble of printing the estimate can be omitted, and generation of greenhouse gases required for printing the estimate can be suppressed. This display means may be provided in the printing fee estimation apparatus, or may be provided in an information processing apparatus possessed by a requester who has requested an estimate. When the estimate of the fee required for the printing process is displayed on the display means provided in the information processing apparatus possessed by the client, the client can check at a time convenient for the client, which is convenient. In addition, it is possible to prompt the client who has confirmed the estimate to change the printing conditions so as to refrain from the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumables.

  In addition to the above configuration, the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention may include an electricity fee information acquisition unit that acquires the electricity fee information from the outside and stores the information in the storage unit.

  According to the said structure, an electricity bill information acquisition part acquires electricity bill information from the outside, and memorize | stores it in a memory | storage means. Therefore, the electricity bill information stored in the storage unit can be constantly updated to the latest information. Therefore, a more accurate estimate can be calculated.

  Further, in the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the consumable item or the product accompanying the consumable item includes a consumable item storage unit that stores the consumable item cost information, A consumable item cost information acquisition unit may be provided that acquires the consumable item cost information from the consumable item storage unit and stores it in the storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the consumable item cost information is stored in the consumable item storage means provided in the consumable item or the product accompanying the consumable item, the consumable item cost information acquisition unit acquires this consumable item cost information. Can be stored in the storage means of the printing fee estimation apparatus. Here, the consumable storage means may be, for example, any of an IC chip (wireless IC tag or contact type CRUM), a barcode, or a QR code (registered trademark). Further, the emission right acquisition cost information is stored in the storage unit, and the emission right acquisition cost information is acquired by the consumables cost information acquisition unit and stored in the storage unit of the printing fee estimation apparatus. May be.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described printing fee estimation apparatuses. Since the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, the printing apparatus according to the present invention has the same effects as the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention described above. That is, the printing apparatus can accurately estimate the electric charge according to the amount of power used, in addition to the charge according to the consumption amount of the consumables, for the charge necessary for the printing process in the own apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing fee estimation system according to the present invention estimates a printing fee in which a printing device and a printing instruction device capable of setting printing conditions according to each function of the printing device are connected to a network. In the system, the print instruction device includes a communication control unit that controls a communication unit to transmit image data, a print condition of the image data, and a request for quotation to the printing device. When receiving the image data, the printing condition of the image data, and the quotation request from the instruction device, as a response to the received quotation request, based on the image data received by the usage amount estimation unit and the printing condition of the image data, Estimate the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumables, and calculate an estimate of the fee required for the print processing of the image data received by the estimate calculation unit. The output control unit causes the communication unit used as the output unit to transmit an estimate of the fee required for the calculated printing process, and the print instruction device performs the printing process transmitted by the printing device. A display control unit is provided that receives an estimate of a necessary fee and displays it on a display means.

  Since the system includes a printing apparatus including the printing estimation apparatus according to the present invention and a print instruction apparatus capable of setting printing conditions for the printing apparatus, the fee required for the printing process in the printing apparatus In addition to the charge according to the consumption amount of consumables, it is possible to accurately estimate the electricity charge according to the power consumption.

  A printing instruction apparatus used in the printing fee estimation system according to the present invention also falls within the scope of the present invention. The printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention can set printing conditions corresponding to the functions of the printing apparatus provided with the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the communication control unit controls the communication unit to set the printing conditions set for the printing apparatus connected to the printing instruction apparatus via a network. Then, an instruction for executing the printing process of the image data may be transmitted.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to instruct the printing apparatus from the printing instruction apparatus via the network to execute the image data printing process under the set printing conditions. Therefore, by causing an information processing apparatus such as a portable terminal or a personal computer connected to the printing apparatus via a network to function as the printing instruction apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus can execute a printing process without selecting a location. Can give instructions.

  In addition to the above configuration, the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention may include the display unit.

  According to the above configuration, an information processing apparatus such as a portable terminal or a personal computer provided with display means can function as the printing apparatus of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the printing fee estimation method according to the present invention is based on the image data and the printing conditions of the image data. A usage amount estimation step for estimating a consumption amount and a power consumption amount of the consumables used in the printing apparatus; consumables cost information which is information on the estimated usage amount of the consumables and costs related to the consumables; and An estimated calculation step of calculating an estimate of a charge necessary for the printing process based on the estimated power usage and an electricity charge information that is a charge according to the power consumption; and the calculated charge And an output control step for causing the output means to output the estimate.

  According to the above method, the same effect as the above-described printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention can be obtained. Regarding the fee required for the printing process, in addition to the fee according to the consumption amount of the consumables, the electricity fee according to the power consumption amount Can be estimated accurately.

  The printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the printing fee estimation apparatus is realized by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit in the printing fee estimation apparatus. A printing fee estimation program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the printing fee estimation program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  According to these configurations, the same operation and effect as the printing fee estimation apparatus can be realized by causing the computer to read and execute the printing fee estimation program.

  In the printing fee estimation apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, consumables cost information that is information on expenses related to consumables used in the printing apparatus, and electric charge information that is information on charges according to power consumption, Storage means, and the consumption amount and power of the consumable when the image data is printed under the printing conditions in the printing device based on the input image data and the printing conditions of the image data. A usage amount estimation unit for estimating the usage amount, the estimated usage amount of the consumable item and the stored consumable item cost information, the estimated power usage amount and the stored electric fee information, And an output control unit that outputs an estimate of the calculated fee to an output unit.

  Examples of consumables used in the printing apparatus include a developer and paper. If there are a plurality of types of consumables, naturally, the storage means stores consumables cost information, which is information on the costs related to the consumables, for each type of consumables. The printing conditions include, for example, the number of copies, color printing or monochrome printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, N-up printing for printing N pages on one side, reduction or enlargement, density, and the like. The consumption amount and power consumption amount of consumables vary depending on printing conditions. It also changes depending on the printing rate of the image data.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration of the present invention, the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumable item can be accurately determined by estimating the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumable item based on the image data and the printing condition of the image data. Can be guessed. Based on the consumables cost information, which is information on the estimated usage of the consumables and the cost related to the consumables, and the electricity bill information, which is information on the estimated power usage and the charge according to the power usage, By calculating the estimate of the fee required for the printing process, it is possible to accurately estimate the fee required for the printing process. By causing the output unit to output the calculated fee estimate, it is possible to present the estimate to the client who has requested the estimate of the fee required for the printing process. Here, the output unit may be, for example, a display unit (display device) or a printing unit (printing device). If it is a display means, an estimate can be displayed. Further, if the estimate is printed by the printing means, it can be provided to the client as a printed matter.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a printing instruction apparatus that can accurately estimate an electric charge according to the amount of power used, in addition to a charge according to the amount of consumption of consumables, for a charge necessary for the printing process.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the connection form of the said printing apparatus and an external device. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel of the said printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the estimation screen displayed on the display part of the said printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process in which the said printing apparatus estimates the charge required for printing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of schematic structure of the said printing apparatus. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of a toner cartridge, where FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packing material for a toner cartridge. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the printing instruction | indication apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which displays a main screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen that displays a color adjustment screen for adjusting toner consumption. It is a figure which shows an example of the estimate screen displayed on the display part of the said printing instruction | indication apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing for requesting a quote from the print instruction apparatus to the printing apparatus and issuing a print instruction.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Functional configuration of printing device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is a digital color multifunction peripheral (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral or Multi Function Printer) that has a plurality of functions such as a print function, a copy function, a scan function, a FAX transmission / reception function, and an image transmission function. Suppose there is. Note that the image transmission function includes a function (scan to e-mail) for transmitting image data read and generated by the scan function by e-mail, and a function for storing in the usb memory (scan to usb). Note that the printing apparatus 100 does not have to have all of the above functions, and may have at least a printing function. Moreover, you may have functions other than the above.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 201 that controls the entire printing apparatus 100 and a storage unit 202 that stores a program executed by the control unit 201.

  The control unit 201 is connected to the operation panel 50, the data communication unit 206, the document conveying device 29, the document reading unit 90, the image processing unit 208, the image forming unit 209, and the fixing unit 210, and controls the entire printing apparatus 100. . The control unit 201 is connected to the control unit 211 that controls the peripheral device 220 and controls the peripheral device 220. The peripheral device 220 is a device that sorts or staples the printed matter output from the image forming unit 20, for example.

  The control unit 201 includes a printing fee estimation unit (a printing fee estimation device) 200 that estimates a fee required for the printing process. As described above, in this embodiment, the printing fee estimation unit 200 will be described as a part of the configuration or function of the printing apparatus 100. However, the printing fee estimation unit 200 may be provided as a device different from the printing device 100. In this case, the printing fee estimation unit 200 may be provided as a single device different from the printing device 100, or may be provided as part of the configuration of an information processing device different from the printing device 100. May be. Details of the printing fee estimation unit 200 will be described later.

  The data communication unit 206 includes a LAN terminal 206a, which is an interface for communicating with a communication protocol, and a serial interface terminal 206b for serial communication. The data communication unit 206 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 206a or the serial interface terminal 206b in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 201. When a cable for connecting to a network is connected to the LAN terminal 206a, the data communication unit 206 communicates with an external device connected via the LAN terminal 206a. The serial interface terminal 206b can be connected to a memory card incorporating a flash memory, and the printing apparatus 100 can read information from the memory card.

  A document reading unit 90 reflects a light source that irradiates light to a document placed on a document placing table 92 shown in FIG. 6 to be described later or a document transported to a document reading position by the document transport device 29 and the document. A photoelectric conversion element that receives the received light, and scans a document image according to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 208.

  The image processing unit 208 performs various data processing such as shading correction on the image data input from the document reading unit 90, and then outputs the data to the image forming unit 209. A sheet feeding unit (not shown) conveys sheets stored in a sheet feeding cassette 81 and a manual sheet feeding cassette 82 described later to the image forming unit 209.

  The image forming unit 209 corresponds to image forming stations P1 to P4 in FIG. 6 described later, and forms an image on a sheet conveyed by a sheet feeding unit (not shown) based on the image data after data processing.

  In the image forming unit 209, a toner cartridge 98 is detachably installed as will be described later. The image forming unit 209 is provided with a detection unit 209a that detects the presence / absence of the toner cartridge itself and the remaining amount of toner. The detection unit 209a may be configured using, for example, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor. Further, the detection unit 209a is configured to be communicable with a storage unit 150 of a toner cartridge 98, which will be described later, and can read toner cartridge information that is information about the toner cartridge from the storage unit 150 of the toner cartridge 98. Yes. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge information includes the cost of the toner cartridge that contains the toner, that is, the purchase cost of the toner cartridge, and information on the cost required to obtain the carbon offset credit given to the toner cartridge 98. It is.

  The fixing unit 210 corresponds to the fixing unit 7 of FIG. 6 to be described later, and melts the toner image formed on the paper by the image forming unit 209 and fixes it on the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 210 is discharged as a printed matter. This printed matter may be sorted or stapled by the peripheral device 220.

  The operation panel 50 includes a display unit 204 and an operation unit 205. The display unit 204 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic ELD, a display such as electronic paper using electrophoresis, a plasma display, a plasma tube array display, or a display using an electron-emitting device. The display unit 51 displays a screen including an instruction menu such as a setting screen for the user and information regarding the acquired image data.

  The operation unit 205 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The plurality of keys provided in the operation unit 205 are hard keys provided with switches. Note that the operation unit 205 may include a touch panel as a part of the key, or may be configured by the touch panel itself. When the operation unit 205 includes a touch panel, or when the operation unit 205 includes a touch panel, the touch panel is provided on the display unit 204. Note that gesture input using a finger wearable wearable interface may be used. It is assumed that the operation panel 50 of this embodiment includes a touch panel. An example of the operation panel 50 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 100 is connected to a network 102 and can communicate with external devices (for example, mobile terminals 110 </ b> A, 110 </ b> B, 110 </ b> C) connected to the network 102. Note that the mobile terminal 110A and the mobile phone 110C may be tablet-type mobile terminal devices or mobile terminal devices such as smartphones. The network 102 is a narrow-area network, and the connection form may be wired or wireless.

  The network 102 is connected to a network 104, which is a wide area network, via a gateway, and the printing apparatus 100 includes external devices (for example, a management server apparatus 101 that manages the printing apparatus 100 and power) connected to the network 104. It is possible to communicate with the server device 105 of the company, the mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, the mobile phone 110C, and the like. The network 102 and the network 104 may be a LAN and the Internet, for example. Of course, the network 102 and the network 104 are, for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, and a mobile unit. Communication networks, satellite communication networks, etc. can be used. Further, the transmission medium constituting the network 104 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. Communication may be performed using the satellite communication infrastructure 103.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is connected to an external device in a narrow area via the network 102 and is connected to an external device in a wide area via the network 104, but the connection form is not limited thereto.

  The management server apparatus 101 that manages the printing apparatus 100 includes, for example, a leasing company that leases the printing apparatus 100, a dealer that sells the printing apparatus 100, a manufacturer of the printing apparatus 100, a manufacturer of consumables, and a cloud provider (cloud computing). An information processing apparatus such as a dedicated provider providing a service).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the printing fee estimation unit 200 of the printing apparatus 100 includes a usage amount estimation unit 2011, an estimation calculation unit 2012, and an output control unit 2013.

  In addition, the storage unit 202 stores consumables cost information, which is information on costs related to consumables used in the printing apparatus 100, and electric charge information, which is information on charges according to the amount of power used. In this embodiment, toner and paper will be described as examples of consumables used in the printing apparatus 100. Further, the consumable item may be a cleaning blade, a photosensitive drum 3, a fixing unit 7, and the like provided in the cleaner unit 4 to be described later. When there are a plurality of types of consumables, the storage unit 202 stores consumables cost information for each type of consumables. Further, the storage unit 202 also stores information on the cost required to acquire the carbon offset credit of the toner cartridge 98.

  The consumable item cost information is, for example, information on the cost of the toner cartridge containing the toner, that is, the purchase cost of the toner cartridge when the consumable item is toner. When the consumable item is a sheet, the consumable item cost information is information on the sheet cost. When the consumable item is toner and the purchase cost of the toner cartridge differs for each color, consumable item cost information for each color may be stored in the storage unit 202. Further, when the consumable is a paper and the cost varies depending on the size and quality, consumable cost information may be stored in the storage unit 202 for each size and quality.

  The electricity rate information is information on a rate according to the amount of power used, and is, for example, the unit price of electricity (for example, yen / kW · hour).

  Based on the input image data and the printing conditions of the image data, the usage amount estimation unit 2011 uses the consumption amount and power usage of the consumable when the printing apparatus 100 prints the image data under the printing conditions. Guess each amount. The consumption amount of consumables is, for example, the consumption amount of toner, the number of sheets used, and the like.

  Here, the input image data may be any data as long as it is image data to be printed input to the printing apparatus 100. For example, the image data may be image data obtained by reading and forming a document by the document reading unit 90 of the printing apparatus 100. Alternatively, it may be image data received by the printing apparatus 100 from an external device via the LAN terminal 206a of the data communication unit 206. Alternatively, it may be image data read from a memory card connected to the serial interface terminal 206b of the data communication unit 206.

  The printing conditions include, for example, the number of copies, the number of copies, color printing or monochrome printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, N-up printing for printing N pages on one side, reduction or enlargement, and image density. The printing conditions may be input from the operation unit 205, or may be received by the printing apparatus 100 from an external information processing apparatus via a network.

  The consumption amount and power consumption amount of consumables vary depending on printing conditions. It also changes depending on the printing rate of the image data. Accordingly, the usage amount estimation unit 2011 accurately estimates the usage amount and power usage amount of the consumable by estimating the usage amount and power usage amount of the consumable based on the image data and the printing conditions of the image data. Can be guessed. The amount of toner used is estimated by using a table in which the printing conditions related to toner such as image density and printing rate are associated with the amount of toner used in the storage unit 202. Alternatively, a relational expression in which the toner usage amount is calculated by setting printing conditions may be used, and the relational expression may be used for estimation.

  The amount of paper used (number of sheets) is estimated from the number of printed sheets. The usage amount of the cleaning blade is estimated as follows. If the replacement of the cleaning blade is performed 10,000 times (printing on 10,000 sheets of paper), if the current number of printed sheets is 50, 50 ÷ 10000 can be estimated as the current usage. The power consumption is estimated by calculating the operation time of the printing apparatus 100 from the number of printed sheets and multiplying it with the power consumption during operation of the printing apparatus 100. Thus, the consumption amount of consumables and the power consumption amount are estimated. These are merely examples.

  Based on the estimated consumption amount and stored consumable cost information, and the estimated power usage amount and stored electricity charge information, the estimate calculation unit 2012 calculates the charge necessary for the printing process. Calculate an estimate.

  The charge for the power required for the printing process is calculated from the product of the estimated power consumption and the unit price of power, which is the electricity charge information. The toner charge required for the printing process is calculated from the product of the estimated amount of toner used and the value obtained by dividing the purchase cost of the toner cartridge by the amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge at the time of purchase. The sheet fee required for the printing process is calculated from the product of the estimated number of sheets and the unit price of the sheet. Also, the cleaning blade fee required for the printing process is calculated from the product of the amount of use of the cleaning blade and the purchase cost of the cleaning blade.

  For cleaning blades, photoconductors, fixing devices, and the like other than toner and paper, the fees required for the printing process may be calculated together as maintenance parts.

  Further, the estimate calculation unit 2012 estimates the cost of the carbon offset credit necessary for the printing process from the estimated toner usage amount and the cost information required for obtaining the carbon offset credit of the toner cartridge 98. calculate.

  The cost of the carbon offset credit required for the printing process is a value obtained by calculating the estimated amount of toner used and the cost required for obtaining the carbon offset credit of the toner cartridge 98 by the amount of toner accommodated in the toner cartridge at the time of purchase. And the product of

  Further, the estimate calculation unit 2012 may calculate an option fee, a work fee, and the like. The option fee is a cost for performing optional processing in addition to normal printing processing. For example, if a desired option can be input from the operation unit 205, and the charge for the option is stored in the storage unit 202, the estimate calculation unit 2012 calculates it. The work fee is a fee when the printing apparatus 100 is installed in a print shop and an operation performed by a worker of the print shop occurs. For example, work that is estimated to occur can be input from the operation unit 205, and when the charge for the work is stored in the storage unit 202, the estimate calculation unit 2012 calculates the work fee. When there is a print shop or a convenience store where the printing apparatus 100 is installed and the estimate requester directly prints, there is no work fee. These are merely examples.

  The output control unit 2013 causes the output unit to output the calculated fee estimate. The output means may be the display unit 204, the image forming unit 209, or the data communication unit 206. The output control unit 2013 includes a display control unit 2013a and a print control unit 2013b.

  The display control unit 2013 a is a block that controls the display unit 204. When the printing fee estimation unit 200 receives an instruction to display a printing fee estimate, the usage amount estimation unit 2011 estimates the consumption amount and power usage amount of the consumable as described above, and the estimation calculation unit 2012 estimates the estimation. Then, the display control unit 2013a causes the display unit 204 to display the calculated fee estimate. For example, a command button for displaying a print fee estimate is provided on the operation panel 50, and when this button is pressed (selected), the print fee estimate unit 200 issues an instruction to display the print fee estimate. It only needs to be accepted.

  Specifically, the display control unit 2013a generates an estimate screen and displays an estimate screen 600 as shown in FIG.

  Here, in the estimate screen 600 of FIG. 4, items are divided according to the consumption amount of consumables and the estimated power consumption amount. Accordingly, it is possible to make the requester of the estimate clearly grasp the amount of power used for the current printing process. Therefore, it is possible to raise awareness of the environment for the requester of the estimate. In addition, the cost required for acquiring the offset credit of the toner cartridge 98 is also included in the charge required for the printing process, so that the greenhouse effect required for the use of the consumables to which the greenhouse gas is given or the products accompanying the consumables is used. Costs for gas generation can be borne by the requester of the estimate. Therefore, even a client with a low awareness of the environment can raise awareness of the environment. As a result, it can be used to fund development of renewable energy, and contribute to the prevention of global warming.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 2013 a also displays an estimate print button 601, a save button 602, and a setting screen button 603 when displaying the estimate screen 600.

  The estimate print button 601 is associated with a command for instructing to print the estimate screen 600. When the estimate print button 601 is pressed (selected), the print control unit 2013b executes printing of the estimate screen 600.

  The save button 602 corresponds to a command that causes the storage unit 202 to store the estimate screen 600, the image data to be printed, and the printing conditions in association with each other. When the save button 602 is pressed, the output control unit 2013 stores the estimation screen 600 in the storage unit 202 in association with image data and print conditions for printing.

  A setting screen button 603 corresponds to a command for displaying a print setting screen. When the setting screen button 603 is pressed, the print setting screen is displayed without saving the estimate screen 600.

  The print control unit 2013 b is a block that controls the image forming unit 209. When the printing fee estimation unit 200 receives an instruction to print a printing fee estimate, the usage amount estimation unit 2011 estimates the consumption amount and power usage amount of the consumable as described above, and the estimation calculation unit 2012 estimates the estimation. The print control unit 2013b prints the fee estimate calculated by the image forming unit 209. At this time, only the printing of the quote may be executed without displaying the quote on the display unit 204. For example, a command button for printing a print fee estimate is provided on the operation panel 50, and when this button is pressed (selected), the print fee estimate unit 200 issues an instruction to print the print fee estimate. It only needs to be accepted. If printing is performed, it can be provided as a printed matter to the requester of the estimate.

  As described above, the printing fee estimation unit 200 of the printing apparatus 100 can accurately estimate the electricity fee according to the power consumption in addition to the fee according to the consumption amount of the consumables for the fee required for the printing process. it can.

  Further, the printing fee estimation unit 200 includes a data acquisition unit 2014 and a communication control unit 2015. The data acquisition unit 2014 is a block that acquires consumables cost information, electricity rate information, and emission right acquisition cost information and stores them in the storage unit 202. The communication control unit 2015 is a block that controls the data communication unit 206 that performs communication with an external device.

  The above consumables cost information, electricity cost information, and emission right acquisition cost information may be stored in advance in the storage unit 202, or may be input by the user of the printing apparatus 100 from the operation unit 205 and stored in the storage unit 202. May be. Alternatively, the data acquisition unit 2014 may acquire and store the data in the storage unit 202 as follows.

  When the consumable is toner, the data acquisition unit 2014 controls the detection unit 209 a and acquires information on the purchase cost of the toner cartridge 98 from the storage unit 150 of the toner cartridge 98. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the storage unit 150 of the toner cartridge 98 stores cost information (emission right acquisition cost information) required for acquiring the carbon offset credit of the toner cartridge 98, the data acquisition unit 2014 Also get this information.

  When the consumable is a paper, the data acquisition unit 2014 connects to a device storing consumable information such as a recommended paper manufacturer or a paper purchaser via the data communication unit 206. And get.

  The electricity bill information is acquired by the data acquisition unit 2014 connected to the server device 105 of the electric company via the data communication unit 206. Further, even if the server device that manages the printing apparatus 100 and the sales company of the printing apparatus 100 are configured in advance so as to cooperate with the power company and provided by the power company in response to an acquisition request from the data acquisition unit 2014. Good. Alternatively, when the electricity charge setting is changed from the server device 105 of the power company, it may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 as update information.

  Further, databases of consumables cost information, electricity charge information, and emission right acquisition cost information, which are updated as needed, exist inside or outside the printing apparatus 100, respectively, and even if the data acquisition unit 2014 acquires them from these databases. Good.

  By acquiring consumables cost information, electricity charge information, and emission right acquisition cost information by the data acquisition unit 2014, the consumables cost information, electricity charge information, and emission right acquisition cost information stored in the storage unit 202 are obtained. It can always be updated to the latest information. Therefore, a more accurate estimate can be calculated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow when the printing apparatus 100 is instructed to estimate a fee required for the printing process from the operation panel 50 of the printing apparatus 100.

  First, a print setting screen for setting printing conditions is displayed on the display unit 240 (S1), and setting of printing conditions is accepted (S2). Setting of printing conditions is performed from the operation panel 50. Here, for printing conditions that have not been set, default values are accepted as setting values. Next, it is determined whether an instruction to display an estimate of the printing fee has been received (S3). For example, an instruction button for instructing display of a printing fee estimate is displayed on the display unit 240, and the user (operator of the printing apparatus 100) selects this instruction button, whereby the printing device 100 estimates the printing fee. An instruction to display is received. When an instruction to display a print fee estimate is received (YES in S3), the original is read by the original reading unit 90 (S4), and image data is formed.

  Then, the consumption amount and power consumption amount of the consumable when the image data is printed by the printing apparatus 100 under the set printing conditions are estimated (S5). Next, based on the estimated consumption amount of consumables and the consumables cost information stored in the storage unit 202, and the estimated power usage amount and the electricity charge information stored in the storage unit 202, the printing process is performed. An estimate of the fee required for the calculation is calculated (S6). Then, an estimate screen is generated based on the calculated fee estimate (S7), and the estimate screen is displayed on the display unit 204 (S8).

  It is then determined whether an estimate print instruction has been accepted (S9). If a print instruction is accepted (YES in S9), the image forming unit 209 is controlled to print an estimate screen (S10). Then, the print setting screen is displayed on the display unit 240 (S12), and the series of processes is terminated. If a print instruction has not been accepted (NO in S9), it is determined whether a setting screen display has been accepted (S11). When the display of the setting screen is accepted (YES in S11), the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 240 (S12), and the process ends. If the display of the setting screen is not accepted (NO in S11), the process is terminated as it is.

  If an instruction to display an estimate of the printing fee has not been accepted in S3, it is determined whether a printing instruction has been accepted (S13). When a print instruction is accepted (YES in S13), the original is read by the original reading unit 90 (S14), and image data is formed. Then, printing of the image data is executed (S15), a print setting screen is displayed (S12), and the process ends. If the print instruction is not accepted (NO in S13), the print setting screen is displayed (S12) and the process is terminated.

  In this embodiment, the case where the printing fee estimation unit (printing fee estimation device) 200 is applied to the printing device 100 having the operation panel 50 has been described. However, the device includes a display unit 204 that can display a message or the like. If so, the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, but may be an inkjet recording apparatus or other apparatuses such as home appliances and consumer devices (electronic devices related to video, sound, communication, etc.) Devices, devices, or terminals that are intended for use by general consumers or households, or products / standards developed / designed on the premise thereof, or commercial equipment (corporations (corporations) It can also be applied to products developed on the premise of applications other than ordinary households, such as schools, government offices, etc.).

(Structure of printing device)
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a schematic structure of the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 20 and a document reading unit 30. The image forming unit 20 includes four image forming stations P1 to P4. Each of the four image forming stations P1 to P4 includes a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charging device 5, and a cleaner unit 4, and has basically the same configuration. However, each of the image forming stations P1 to P4 has identification information, and the control unit 201 described later can distinguish the image forming stations P1 to P4 individually. By including the four image forming stations P1 to P4, the printing apparatus 100 can form an image using four colors of toner (developer).

  The charging device 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential, and a contact type charger such as a roller type or a brush type as well as a non-contact type may be used. is there.

  The exposure unit 8 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data by exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 3 according to the input image data. The exposure unit 8 can be configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser emitting portion, a reflection mirror, and the like, or an EL or LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photoconductive drums 3 by using toner to make them visible. Each of the four developing devices 2 contains one of four types of toners of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). An electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive drum 3 is formed for each color component included in the image data, and is developed by each developing device 2. Above each developing device 2, a toner cartridge 98 containing a replenishment toner of a corresponding color is arranged. In the printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, two toner cartridges (K1, K2) of black toner that are frequently used for printing are accommodated, and when the toner cartridge of K1 runs out of toner, it is switched to the toner cartridge of K2. It is configured. With this configuration, printing interruption is avoided. Each developing device 2 is appropriately supplied with supply toner from a corresponding toner cartridge 98 through a supply path (not shown). The toner cartridge 98 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. ing. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to the four image forming stations P1 to P4.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are driven to rotate by stretching the intermediate transfer belt 61. Each intermediate transfer roller 64 provides a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided in contact with each photosensitive drum 3. The toner image of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 3 has a function of forming a multi-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 61. . The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using, for example, a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  Transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is performed by an intermediate transfer roller 64 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 61. In this embodiment, a roller shape is used as the transfer electrode, but a brush or the like can also be used.

  As described above, the electrostatic images visualized according to the hues on the photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. As described above, the laminated image information is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 disposed at a contact position between the sheet and the intermediate transfer belt 61 described later by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the transfer roller 10 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the sheet is applied to the transfer roller 10 (the polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)). (+) High voltage). Furthermore, in order to obtain the above nip constantly, the transfer roller 10 uses either the transfer roller 10 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 as a hard material (metal or the like) and the other as a soft material such as an elastic roller (an elastic rubber roller). Or a foaming resin roller or the like).

  Further, as described above, the toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 61 due to contact with the photosensitive drum 3 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the sheet by the transfer roller 10 is used in the next step. In order to cause a color mixture of toner, the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is configured to remove and collect the toner. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is provided with a cleaning blade that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61, for example, as a cleaning member. The intermediate transfer belt 61 that is in contact with the cleaning blade is supported by the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63 from the back side. Has been.

  The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing sheets used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 8 in the printing apparatus 100. In addition, paper used for image formation can be placed in the manual paper feed cassette 82. A paper discharge tray 91 provided at the top of the printing apparatus 100 is a tray for collecting printed sheets face down.

  Further, the printing apparatus 100 is provided with a substantially vertical paper conveyance path S for sending the paper in the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. It has been. In the vicinity of the paper transport path S from the paper feed cassette 81 or the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, a registration roller 13, a transfer roller 10, and a fixing unit. 7 etc. are arranged.

  The transport rollers 12 a to 12 d are small rollers for promoting and assisting the transport of paper, and a plurality of transport rollers 12 a to 12 d are provided along the paper transport path S. The pickup roller 11 a is provided near the end of the paper feed cassette 81, picks up paper one by one from the paper feed cassette 81, and supplies it to the paper transport path S. Similarly, the pickup roller 11 b is provided near the end of the manual paper feed cassette 82, picks up paper one by one from the manual paper feed cassette 82, and supplies it to the paper transport path S.

  The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path S. The sheet has a function of conveying the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 is aligned with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The fixing unit 7 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, and the heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 are configured to rotate with a sheet interposed therebetween. The heat roller 71 is set to have a predetermined fixing temperature by the control unit 201 (see FIG. 1) based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown). By pressing, the multi-color toner image transferred onto the paper is melted, mixed, and pressed to be thermally fixed to the paper. Further, an external fixing belt 73 for fixing the heat roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  Next, the paper transport path S will be described in detail. As described above, the printing apparatus 100 is provided with the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 for storing paper in advance. Pickup rollers 11a and 11b are arranged to feed paper from the paper feed cassettes 81 and 82, and guide the paper one by one to the paper transport path S.

  The paper conveyed from each of the paper feed cassettes 81 and 82 is conveyed to the registration roller 13 by the conveyance roller 12a in the paper conveyance path S, and the transfer roller is aligned with the timing of aligning the leading edge of the paper and the leading edge of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 61. 10 and image information is written on the paper. Thereafter, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 7 so that the unfixed toner on the sheet is melted and fixed by heat, and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 91 through the transport roller 12b disposed thereafter.

The paper transport path S is used when a single-sided printing request is made on the paper. On the other hand, when a double-sided printing request is made, the single-sided printing is finished as described above, and the rear end of the paper that has passed through the fixing unit 7. Is gripped by the final transport roller 12b, the transport roller 12b rotates reversely to guide the paper to the transport rollers 12c and 12d. Then, after printing is performed on the back side of the sheet through the registration roller 13, the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 91.

  The document reading unit 30 mainly includes a document reading unit 90, a document placing table 92, and a document conveying device 29. The document sheet placed on the document table 92 is scanned by the document reading unit 90. A plurality of document sheets placed on the placement table of the document conveying device 29 are sequentially conveyed to the upper part of the document reading unit 90, and an image of the document is read.

(Toner cartridge)
7A and 7B are diagrams showing the toner cartridge 98. FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing an overview of the toner cartridge 98, and FIG. 7B is a front view of the toner cartridge 98. 7A and 7B, the toner cartridge 98 includes a toner cartridge main body 141 and a storage unit 150 provided on the front side thereof. The toner cartridge main body 141 contains one of four types of toner. The toner accommodated in the toner cartridge main body 141 is supplied to the corresponding developing device 2 from the supply port 143 of the toner cartridge main body 141.

  The storage unit 150 includes a terminal 153 and positioning bosses 151a and 151b. The storage unit 150 is fixed by screws 155a and 155b at the mounting position of the toner cartridge main body 142. The storage unit 150 is connected to a connector provided in the image forming unit 20 by setting the toner cartridge 98 at the set position of the toner cartridge 98 in the image forming unit 20. Although not particularly illustrated, the connector has a terminal and a positioning hole, and the positioning bosses 151a and 151b formed in the storage unit 150 are inserted into the positioning hole, whereby the storage unit 150 and the connector are connected. And are aligned. Since the storage unit 150 and the connector are connected, the terminal 153 of the storage unit 150 and the terminal of the connector come into contact with each other, so that the storage unit 150 and the printing apparatus 100 are electrically connected.

In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 98 is given a carbon offset credit (greenhouse gas emission right). With carbon offset, members of society such as citizens, NPO / NGOs, local governments, and governments recognize their own greenhouse gas (including CO ₂ ) emissions and make efforts to reduce them independently. By purchasing the greenhouse gas emission reduction / absorption amount (hereinafter referred to as “credit”) realized in other locations, we will make up for all or part of the emission of the part that is difficult to reduce. (Hereinafter referred to as “offset”). For example, projects that achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction / absorption (hereinafter referred to as “offset projects”) are implemented by greenhouse gas absorption projects, such as Brazil afforestation projects (mangrove afforestation), ocean absorption projects, Soil absorption business, carbon sequestration method such as underground sequestration method and ocean sequestration method, or renewable energy business (including hydropower generation (including the use of agricultural water and sabo dams), wind power generation (including offshore wind power generation), Such as ocean current power generation, geothermal power generation, solar power generation, solar thermal power generation, tidal power generation, vibration power generation, biomass power generation).

  Since the carbon offset credit is given to the toner cartridge 98, it can contribute to the greenhouse gas reduction business. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 98 is a recycled product. Because it is a remanufactured product, it can suppress the generation of greenhouse gases due to disposal and thus contribute to the prevention of global warming.

  The storage unit 150 stores toner cartridge information including at least information on the cost of the toner cartridge 98 containing the toner and information on the cost required to obtain the carbon offset credit given to the toner cartridge 98. Note that although the storage unit 150 is a contact-type nonvolatile memory here, the present invention is not limited to this. The storage unit 150 may be a non-contact type using radio such as an IC chip, a barcode, and a QR code (registered trademark).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a carbon offset mark (registered trademark) 162 indicating that a carbon offset is applied to the toner cartridge 98 may be attached to the packing material 160 of the toner cartridge 98. Furthermore, a carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) 161 may be attached. The carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) 161 indicates a conversion value obtained by converting the greenhouse gas emitted in the entire life cycle (from raw material procurement to disposal / recycling) of products and services into the amount of carbon dioxide. As a result, it is possible for a user with high environmental awareness to easily recognize that the manufacturer of the toner cartridge 98 is actively working to reduce greenhouse gases. The carbon offset mark (registered trademark) 162 and the carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) may be attached to the toner cartridge 98 itself.

Furthermore, in addition to the carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) 161, a description 163 of the carbon footprint mark (registered trademark) may be added. As a result, it is possible to easily recognize that the user is a consumables manufacturer who is working on reducing greenhouse gases, and to give a sense of security to users who are particularly environmentally conscious. In addition, for users with low environmental awareness, the importance of reducing greenhouse gases can be noticed and promoted, thereby contributing to the prevention of global warming. Note that the greenhouse gases include six types of CO ₂ , CH ₄ , N ₂ O, HFC _S , PFC _S, and SF ₆ targeted by the Kyoto Protocol.

The CO ₂ emission amount is calculated by the following general formula using an LCA (life cycle assessment) method.
General formula: CO ₂ emissions = Σ (activity amount x CO ₂ emissions intensity)
i represents the amount of activity (process) from the above-mentioned raw material procurement to disposal / recycling. The unit of the CO ₂ emission amount is represented by a unit representing weight such as (kg), (g), and (t). The life cycle stage and the amount of activity can be handled as in the following (1) to (5).
(1) The amount of activity at the raw material procurement stage is the amount of material used.
(2) The amount of activity at the production stage is assembly weight and power consumption during production.
(3) The amount of activity at the distribution stage is the transportation amount (the product of the transportation distance, loading ratio, and truck loading).
(4) The amount of activity in the usage / maintenance stage is the amount of power consumed during use.
(5) The amount of activity at the disposal / recycling stage is landfill weight and recycled weight.

When the toner cartridge 98 is a recycled product, the toner cartridge 98 is basically cleaned, filled with toner, and attached with a cap. Therefore, the above (1) and (2) can be greatly reduced as compared with a new toner cartridge. Therefore, the CO ₂ emission equivalent value in the life cycle can be reduced, and by using a large amount of recycled products for multiple users, it can be applied to the greenhouse gas reduction frame and brought closer to the greenhouse gas reduction target. It becomes possible. Note that a part of the toner cartridge 98 may be a recycled product, or the whole may be a recycled product.

In the above description, the toner cartridge 98 has been described. However, when the other consumables used in the printing apparatus 100 are recycled products, it is also effective to reduce the CO ₂ emission conversion value in the life cycle. . Further, even when the printing apparatus 100 itself is a recycled product, of course, it is effective in reducing the CO ₂ emission conversion value in the life cycle.

(Printing instruction device)
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to request (instruct) an estimate of a fee required for print processing from a print instruction apparatus 110 connected to the printing apparatus 100 via a network. FIG. 2 is an example of a system (printing fee estimation system 1) that requests an estimate of a fee required for the printing process. In the printing fee estimation system 1, the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110 are connected via the network 102 or the network 104, and can communicate with each other.

  The print instruction apparatus 110 is an apparatus that controls the printing apparatus 100. The print instruction apparatus 110 can set printing conditions corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus 100, and instructs the printing apparatus 100 to execute print processing of image data to be printed under the set printing conditions. give. The printing apparatus 100 is configured to accept various instructions from the print instruction apparatus 110. Further, the printing apparatus 100 is configured to execute a printing process of image data to be printed in accordance with the printing conditions set by the printing instruction apparatus 110.

  In this embodiment, an information processing apparatus such as a PC, a portable terminal, or a cellular phone in which a printer driver that gives various instructions to the printing apparatus 100 is installed functions as the printing instruction apparatus 110. Therefore, the printer driver also falls within the scope of the present invention. Here, a method of acquiring a printer driver by an information processing apparatus such as a PC, a mobile terminal, or a mobile phone will be described. The mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the mobile phone 110C are connected to the server device of the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 100 via the network 104, and the printer driver is downloaded from the server apparatus and installed. Instead of the manufacturer's server device, for example, there is a dedicated information processing device having a printer driver, which may be downloaded from there. The installation from the server device is an example. For example, the installation may be performed from a dedicated optical disk or a USB memory.

  The mobile terminal 110 </ b> A, the PC 110 </ b> B, and the mobile phone 110 </ b> C that have acquired the printer driver function as the print instruction device 110. Of course, the information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the printing apparatus 100 other than the portable terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the cellular phone 110C and having the printer driver installed functions as the print instruction apparatus 110.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the print instruction apparatus 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a display unit 113, an operation unit 114, and a communication unit 121.

  The display unit 113 is a block that displays various information on characters and images. The display unit 113 uses a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), a display such as electronic paper using electrophoresis, a plasma display (PDP), a plasma tube array display (PTAD), and an electron-emitting device. Display (FED, SED) and the like.

  The operation unit 114 is a block for the user to input various instructions to the print instruction apparatus 110. An instruction input from the operation unit 114 by the user is received by the receiving unit 115 of the control unit 111. A touch panel or the like in which the operation unit 114 and the display unit 113 are integrated may be provided. Further, the operation unit 114 may be configured to perform input using a numeric keypad, input using a keyboard or a mouse. Moreover, it may be configured to perform gesture input using a finger-wearable wearable interface.

  In this embodiment, the print instruction apparatus 110 includes the display unit 113 and the operation unit 114, but the print instruction apparatus 110 may be configured separately from the display unit 113 and the operation unit 114. For example, when the print instruction apparatus 110 is a mobile phone, a portable terminal, or a notebook PC, the print instruction apparatus 110 includes a display unit 113 and an operation unit 114. For example, the print instruction apparatus 110 is a desktop type. In the case of a PC, it is configured separately.

  The control unit 111 is a block that comprehensively controls each block in the print instruction apparatus 110. In addition, the control unit 111 includes a reception unit 115 that receives an instruction input from a user, a display control unit 116 that controls display on the display unit 113, and a communication control unit 117 that controls a communication unit 121 that performs communication with the outside. Prepare.

  The display control unit 116 displays on the display unit 113 a print setting screen for setting printing conditions corresponding to each function of the printing apparatus 100 printing apparatus. In the case of the mobile terminal 110 </ b> A, the PC 110 </ b> B, and the mobile phone 110 </ b> C, the print setting screen is displayed when the user activates the printer driver using the operation unit 114.

  An example of the print setting screen is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the print setting screen 400 displays a plurality of tabs in a selectable manner. In the print setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 10, the main tab 411 is selected and the main screen 410 is displayed. The main screen 410 is a screen for setting printing conditions such as the number of copies, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, and N-up printing for printing N pages on one side. The printing conditions are not limited to these.

  The print setting screen 400 includes an OK button 421, a cancel button 423, and a close button 425. The OK button 421 is associated with a command for effectively setting various conditions set on the screen to be displayed in the print setting screen 400. When the user selects the OK button 421, the reception unit 115 receives the selection of the OK button 421, and after the printing conditions designated by the user are set to be valid on the print setting screen 400, the print setting screen 400 is displayed. finish.

  The cancel button 423 and the close button 425 are associated with commands for invalidating various conditions set on the display target screen in the print setting screen 400. When the user selects the cancel button 423 or the close button 425 and the accepting unit 115 accepts it, the display of the print setting screen 400 ends after the print conditions designated by the user on the print setting screen 400 are set to invalid. To do.

  When the color tab 417 is selected on the print setting screen 400, as shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 116 adjusts the toner consumption amount in the printing apparatus 100 together with the preview image 604 indicating the print state. A color adjustment screen 611 including a toner consumption adjustment area 605 and a print estimate display button 607 for displaying an estimate of a charge necessary for the printing process is displayed.

  In the toner consumption adjustment area 605, a button for adjusting the toner consumption in the printing apparatus 100 is displayed. In the example of the toner consumption adjustment area 605 shown in FIG. 11, the image density, the image dot density, and the image contrast are displayed so as to be adjusted. In the example of FIG. 11, the toner consumption amount (image density, image dot density, and image contrast) is set so that it can be selected in five stages from a minimum value (Low) to a maximum value (High).

  In the toner consumption adjustment area 605, the color tone, color, brightness, character size, or font may be displayed in an adjustable manner. These are merely examples, and the toner consumption amount adjustment area 605 may display a screen that allows the setting of the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 to be changed. The toner consumption is also included in the printing conditions. If the user does not adjust (set) the toner consumption amount in the toner consumption adjustment region 605, the toner consumption amount is set to a default.

  The preview image 604 may be an image that the print instruction apparatus 110 has in advance, or may be an image instructed to be printed this time (an image transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 together with print conditions). Further, the toner consumption amount adjusted in the toner consumption amount adjustment area 605 may be reflected and displayed.

  The print estimate display button 607 is associated with a command that transmits an estimate request to the printing apparatus 100 and displays estimate data received from the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, when the user adjusts the toner consumption amount in the toner consumption adjustment area 605 and presses the print estimate display button, the communication is performed so that the image data to be printed, the set printing conditions, and the estimation request are transmitted to the printing apparatus 100. The communication control unit 117 controls the unit 121.

  When the printing apparatus 100 receives image data, printing conditions, and a request for quotation from the print instruction apparatus 110, the printing apparatus 100 performs the following processing as a response to the request for quotation. The usage amount estimation unit 2011 estimates the usage amount and power usage amount of consumables based on the received image data and the printing conditions of the image data. Next, the estimate calculation unit 2012 calculates an estimate of a fee necessary for the printing process of the received image data. Then, the output control unit 2013 causes the data communication unit 206 to transmit the calculated fee estimate required for the printing process to the print instruction apparatus 100.

  When receiving the estimate data of the fee required for the printing process from the printing apparatus 100, the display control unit 116 generates an estimate screen and displays the estimate screen 600 as shown in FIG. When the print instruction apparatus 110 receives data of the estimate screen 600 as a response to the estimate request from the printing apparatus 100, the display control unit 116 displays the received estimate screen 600 on the display unit 113.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when displaying the estimate screen 600, the display control unit 116 also displays a print instruction button 608, a save button 609, and a print condition setting screen button 610.

  The print instruction button 608 is associated with a command that instructs the printing apparatus 100 to print image data to be printed (image data for which an estimate has been calculated). For example, if the user confirms the estimate screen 600 and is satisfied with the charge necessary for printing, the user can instruct printing of image data to be printed by pressing (selecting) the print instruction button 608. When the print button 608 is pressed (selected), the communication control unit 117 controls the communication unit 121 to transmit print target image data and print conditions together with a print instruction. Here, when the estimate request is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100, the image data to be printed and the printing conditions are already transmitted. Therefore, when the printing apparatus 100 stores the image data to be printed and the printing conditions in association with each other and an identifier for identifying the data is shared between the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110, When the print button 608 is pressed, a print instruction and an identifier may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 100.

  Note that the print button 608 may correspond to a command that causes the estimate screen 600 to be printed.

  The print condition setting screen button 610 corresponds to a command for displaying the print setting screen 400. For example, when the user wants to reduce the printing fee by checking the estimate screen 600 or to reduce the amount of consumables used, the user presses the print condition setting screen button 610 and prints on the print setting screen 400. The condition is changed and the print estimate display button 607 is pressed again. Then, an estimate request is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 together with the changed printing conditions and image data, and the estimate data received from the printing apparatus 100 is displayed.

  A save button 609 corresponds to a command that causes the storage unit 112 to store the estimate screen 600, the image data to be printed, and the print conditions in association with each other. If the user wants to save the estimate screen 600, the image data to be printed, and the printing conditions without printing the image data to be printed, the user can save it in the storage unit 112 by pressing the save button 609. it can.

  The communication unit 121 is a block that functions as a communication unit for the print instruction apparatus 110 to transmit / receive data to / from other apparatuses via the network 102 or the network 104. An instruction to execute the printing process under the printing conditions set on the print setting screen 400 (printing conditions received by the printing instruction apparatus 110 from the user) is transmitted from the communication unit 121 to the printing apparatus 100 together with the image data.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing in which the print instruction apparatus 110 requests the printing apparatus 100 for an estimate and issues a print instruction.

  First, when the print instruction apparatus 110 is activated, the print setting screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 113 (S21). Next, setting of printing conditions is accepted (S22). The printing conditions can be set by the user of the printing instruction apparatus 110 from the operation unit 114 and received by the receiving unit 115. Here, for printing conditions that have not been set, default values are accepted as setting values. Next, it is determined whether an instruction to display a print fee estimate has been received (S23). In S23, it is confirmed whether the print estimate display button 607 has been pressed (selected) by the user. When an instruction to display an estimate of the printing fee is received (YES in S23), the image data to be printed, the set printing conditions, and an estimate request are transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 (S24). If an instruction to display an estimate of the printing fee is not accepted (NO in S23), the process proceeds to S28.

  When the printing apparatus 100 receives the image data to be printed, the set printing conditions, and the estimate request from the print instruction apparatus 110, the above-described processing of S5 and S6 is executed and calculated as a response to the estimate request. Assume that fee estimation data necessary for the printing process is returned to the print instruction apparatus 110.

  When an estimate of the fee required for the printing process is received from the printing apparatus 100 (S25), an estimate screen is generated (S26), and the estimate screen is displayed on the display unit 113 (S27). When the printing apparatus 100 executes the above-described processes of S5 to S7 and the print instruction apparatus 110 receives the estimate screen data as a response to the estimate request, the process of S26 is skipped and the process of S27 is performed. Processing is performed.

  Then, it is determined whether a print instruction for image data to be printed has been received (S28). If a print instruction has been accepted (YES in S28), a print instruction for image data to be printed is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 (S29), and the process ends. If a print instruction has not been accepted (NO in S28), it is determined whether a change in printing conditions has been accepted (S30). If a change in printing conditions is accepted (YES in S30), the process returns to S23 and is repeated. If the change of the printing condition is not accepted (NO in S30), the process is terminated.

  As described above, the print instruction apparatus 110 can display an estimate of the fee required for the printing process and can issue a print instruction, which is convenient for the user (quotation requester).

  In this embodiment, the print instruction apparatus 110 requests the print apparatus 100 for an estimate, and the print apparatus 100 calculates an estimate. However, the print instruction apparatus 110 calculates an estimate. May be. That is, the printing instruction apparatus 110 may include the printing fee estimation unit 200. In this case, the print instruction apparatus 110 may acquire the consumables cost information and the electricity charge information from the printing apparatus 100 or another database. The acquisition of the consumables cost information and the electricity charge information may be performed when the printing instruction apparatus 110 or the printing apparatus 100 is activated or whenever the printing conditions are set on the print setting screen 400.

(Program / Storage medium)
Each block of the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110 of the present embodiment, in particular, the control unit 201 and the control unit 111 may be configured by hardware logic, or realized by software using a CPU as follows. Also good.

  That is, the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110 are a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM ( random access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is to record the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110, which are software for realizing the functions described above, in a computer-readable manner This can also be achieved by supplying the recording medium to the printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110, and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The printing apparatus 100 and the print instruction apparatus 110 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is applicable to a printing fee estimation apparatus that estimates a fee required for a printing process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing fee estimation system 100 Printing apparatus 101 Management server apparatus 105 Server apparatus 102 Network 103 Satellite communication infrastructure 104 Network 110 Printing instruction apparatus 110A Portable terminal 110B PC
110C mobile phone 111 control unit 112 storage unit (storage means)
113 Display section (display means)
114 Operation unit 115 Reception unit 116 Display control unit 117 Communication control unit 121 Communication unit (communication means)
150 storage unit (consumables storage means)
200 Printing fee estimation section (Printing fee estimation device)
201 Control Unit 202 Storage Unit 204 Display Unit (Display Unit)
205 Operation unit 206 Data communication unit (printing device communication means)
209 Image forming unit 209a Detection unit 400 Print setting screen 600 Estimate screen 601 Estimate print button 608 Print button 2011 Usage amount estimation unit 2012 Estimate calculation unit 2013 Output control unit 2013a Display control unit 2013b Print control unit 2014 Data acquisition unit (electricity charge information Acquisition Department, Consumables Cost Information Acquisition Department)
2015 communication control unit (printer communication control unit)

Claims (15)

Storage means for storing consumables cost information, which is information on costs related to consumables used in the printing apparatus, and electricity bill information, which is information on charges according to power consumption,
Based on the input image data and the printing condition of the image data, the usage amount of the consumables and the power consumption amount when the image data is printed under the printing condition by the printing device are used. A quantity estimation part;
Based on the estimated consumption amount of the consumables and the stored consumables cost information, and the estimated power usage amount and the stored electricity bill information, the charge necessary for the printing process is calculated. An estimate calculator for calculating an estimate;
An output control unit for causing the output means to output the calculated fee estimate;
A printing fee estimation apparatus comprising: A greenhouse gas emission right is granted to at least one of the consumables and the products accompanying the consumables,
The storage means stores emission right acquisition cost information, which is information on the cost required for acquisition of the greenhouse gas emission right,
The estimate calculation unit further calculates an estimate of a fee required for the printing process based on the estimated usage amount of the consumable and the emission right acquisition cost information. The printing fee estimation device described.   The consumable item and a product accompanying the consumable item are a developer and a developer container that can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus, and the consumable item cost information includes the cost of the developer container that contains the developer. The printing fee estimation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is information on a printing fee.   The output control unit is configured to output an estimate of a fee required for the printing process by dividing the items by the estimated consumption amount of the consumables and the estimated power consumption amount and outputting to the output unit. The printing fee estimation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The printing fee estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit displays an estimation of a fee required for the printing process on a display unit used as the output unit. 6. .   The printing charge estimation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electricity charge information acquisition unit that acquires the electricity charge information from outside and stores the electricity charge information in the storage unit. The consumable or the product accompanying the consumable includes a consumable storage means for storing the consumable cost information,
The printing fee estimate according to claim 1, further comprising a consumable item cost information acquisition unit that acquires the consumable item cost information from the consumable item storage unit and stores the consumable item cost information in the storage unit. apparatus.   A printing apparatus comprising the printing fee estimation apparatus according to claim 1. A printing fee estimation system in which the printing apparatus according to claim 8 and a printing instruction apparatus capable of setting printing conditions according to each function of the printing apparatus are connected to a network.
The print instruction apparatus includes a communication control unit that controls communication means so as to transmit image data, a printing condition of the image data, and a request for quotation to the printing apparatus,
In the printing apparatus, when receiving the image data, the printing condition of the image data, and the estimate request from the print instruction apparatus, the image data received by the usage amount estimation unit and the image as a response to the received estimate request Based on the data printing conditions, the consumption amount of the consumables and the power consumption amount are estimated respectively, the estimate calculation unit calculates the estimate of the fee required for the print processing of the image data, the output control unit, An estimate of the fee required for the calculated printing process is transmitted to a communication unit used as the output unit,
The printing instruction apparatus further comprises a display control unit that receives an estimate of a fee necessary for the printing process transmitted from the printing device and displays the estimate on a display unit.   A printing instruction apparatus used in the printing fee estimation system according to claim 9.   The communication control unit controls the communication unit to transmit an instruction to execute a printing process of image data under a set printing condition to the printing apparatus connected to the printing instruction apparatus via a network. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 10.   The printing instruction apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising the display unit. Based on the image data and the printing conditions of the image data, the consumption amount and the power consumption amount of the consumables used in the printing device when the printing device prints the image data under the printing condition are estimated. A usage estimation step;
Consumables cost information that is information on the estimated usage of the consumables and costs related to the consumables, and electric charge information that is information on the estimated power usage and charges according to the power usage, An estimate calculation step for calculating an estimate of the fee required for the printing process based on
An output control step of causing the output means to output the calculated fee estimate;
A printing fee estimation method characterized by including:   A program for estimating a printing fee estimation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the program is for causing a computer to function as each unit.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the printing fee estimation program of Claim 14.

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