JP5735878B2 - Printing instruction apparatus, printing apparatus, printing system, printing instruction method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction apparatus capable of setting print conditions corresponding to each function of a printing apparatus.

  In recent years, there is a demand for a reduction in environmental load in printing apparatuses. Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, the layout of a document is adjusted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with an input target instruction for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or single-sided printing setting is set to duplex printing. A print processing control device is disclosed that changes to the above or adjusts the printing speed reduction rate. This makes it possible to easily adjust the print settings according to the greenhouse gas emission reduction target without registering fixed print settings in advance.

  Patent Document 2 also discloses a longer timeout time until the transition from the standby mode to the power saving mode during the daytime, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a waiting time for returning from the power saving mode and ensuring convenience. A printing system is described that takes a short time and quickly transitions to power saving mode after printing. As a result, the day can be divided into a plurality of time zones, and different timeout periods can be set for each. Therefore, it is possible to provide a user with high convenience by setting a long timeout time in a time zone in which the printing apparatus is frequently used (for example, in the daytime) and performing printing without warming up. In addition, the time-out period is set to be short during times when the printing apparatus is not frequently used (for example, at night), and the energy saving effect can be improved by shifting to the power saving mode in a short time after the printing process is completed. .

JP 2011-96158 A JP 2004-358859 A

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 is effective in that print settings are adjusted according to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. However, the state of the image after adjustment cannot be confirmed. Therefore, if the toner concentration is set according to the greenhouse gas emission reduction target, the user may print out with a concentration that is not expected by the user, and may print again. In such a case, it cannot contribute to energy saving.

  The technique described in Patent Document 2 is effective for the energy saving effect of the printing apparatus in that the timeout time is changed day and night. However, if there are few daytime print jobs, the energy saving effect cannot be obtained if the timeout time is long, and if there are many print jobs at night, the power saving mode is switched from the power saving mode to the standby mode many times. Energy saving effect may not be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, can contribute to resource-saving printing, and can be used to check the state of a print image and adjust the density that contributes to resource saving, a print instruction apparatus, It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, a printing instruction method, a program, and a recording medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a print instruction apparatus according to the present invention includes a display control unit that displays a print setting screen on which a print condition can be set according to each function of the printing apparatus, and an instruction from a user. A print instructing device for giving an instruction to execute a printing process under a printing condition set for the printing apparatus, wherein the display control unit is configured to perform a printing process in the printing apparatus. The energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving is displayed as selectable mode, and when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is default is displayed. The developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is displayed so as to be able to be reduced from the default together with the preview image to be displayed, and the reception unit reduces the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus. When receiving an input, to reflect the developer consumption, which is the reduced redisplays the preview image, it is characterized in that.

  According to the above configuration, when receiving an instruction input for selecting an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of printing processing in the printing apparatus, a preview image showing a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is default At the same time, the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is displayed so as to be reduced from the default. When an instruction input for reducing the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is received, the preview image is displayed again by reflecting the reduced developer consumption amount.

  Thus, since the instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode can be received, it is possible to contribute to power saving, energy saving, and the like of the printing apparatus. Further, the user can set the consumption amount of the developer of the printing apparatus to be reduced from the default while confirming the preview image. That is, the density can be set so that the consumption of the developer can be suppressed within the range desired by the user.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a print instruction apparatus that can contribute to resource-saving printing and that allows the user to check the state of a print image and to adjust the density that contributes to resource saving.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention includes information indicating that a consumable used for the printing apparatus has a greenhouse gas emission right, and the consumable is a recycled product. A consumable information acquisition unit that acquires consumable information including at least one of the information indicating that the consumable information is acquired by the consumable information acquisition unit; It may be possible to accept an instruction input to be selected.

  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 addition to the above configuration, the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention includes information indicating that the printing apparatus is granted a greenhouse gas emission right, and information indicating that the printing apparatus is a recycled product. A printing device information acquisition unit that acquires printing device information including at least one of the printing device information, and when the printing device information acquisition unit acquires the printing device information, the reception unit inputs an instruction to select the energy saving mode. It may be acceptable.

  According to the above configuration, the energy saving mode is accepted when a greenhouse gas emission right is given to the printing apparatus or when the printing apparatus is a recycled product. If you have a greenhouse gas emission right, you can contribute to a greenhouse gas reduction project. Even when it is a recycled product, it can contribute to the prevention of global warming by suppressing the generation of greenhouse gases associated with disposal. In this way, when the printing apparatus can reduce the generation of greenhouse gases, an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving can be set, and the environmental load can be further reduced.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the display control unit can display at least one of image density, image dot density, and image contrast as adjustment of the developer consumption amount. May be.

  According to the above configuration, the developer consumption can be adjusted by adjusting at least one of the image density, the image dot density, and the image contrast. By adjusting the image density, the image dot density, and the image contrast so as to reduce the developer consumption, the developer consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention includes an electricity bill information obtaining unit that obtains electricity bill information indicating an electricity bill (power bill) according to a time zone, and the electricity bill based on the obtained electricity bill information. A printing time determination unit that determines a cheap time zone as a printing time, and may instruct the printing apparatus to execute a printing process at the determined printing time.

  According to the above configuration, based on the electricity bill information indicating the electricity bill according to the acquired time zone, the time zone with the lowest electricity bill is determined as the printing time, and the printing apparatus is instructed to execute the printing process at this printing time. To do. The printing apparatus that has received the instruction executes the printing process during the printing time, which is a time zone with a low electricity charge, so that the electricity charge for printing can be reduced. In addition, when the time point instructed from the print instructing device is not a time zone where the electricity bill is cheap, the print processing is reserved, so that the printing frequency can be distributed and the efficiency of the print processing is improved. For example, this is particularly effective when the printing apparatus is used by a plurality of users.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the display control unit displays the printing time determined by the printing time determining unit. You may display on a display means.

  According to the above configuration, when the energy saving mode is selected, the printing time which is a time zone with a low electricity charge is displayed.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the display control unit displays the electric power of the printing time determined by the printing time determining unit. The charge may be displayed on the display means.

  According to the above configuration, when the energy saving mode is selected, the electricity charge for the printing time determined by the printing time determination unit is displayed. Therefore, the user can confirm the electricity bill in the energy saving mode. In this way, energy saving awareness can be raised for the user.

  In addition to the above configuration, the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention may be connected to the printing apparatus via a network.

  According to the above configuration, the print instruction apparatus can instruct the print apparatus via the network to set print conditions or execute print processing. Therefore, by setting an information processing apparatus such as a portable terminal or a personal computer connected to the printing apparatus via a network as the printing apparatus of the present invention, setting of printing conditions and printing can be performed on the printing apparatus without selecting a place. An instruction to execute the process can be given.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the consumable item includes storage means for storing at least the consumable item information, and the consumable item information acquiring unit stores the consumable item information stored in the storage unit. Consumable information may be acquired.

  According to the above configuration, at least one of the information indicating that the consumables are granted a greenhouse gas emission right and the information indicating that the consumables are recycled are stored in the consumables storage means. When this information is acquired (read), the energy saving mode can be selected.

  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). In addition, information indicating whether or not a genuine consumable item can be stored in this storage means, and if it can be detected by the printing apparatus, a failure of the printing apparatus due to a non-genuine consumable item can be prevented. In addition, it is currently unthinkable for a manufacturer / seller of an irregular consumable to apply for a greenhouse gas emission right for an irregular consumable. Therefore, whether or not the product is a genuine product can be determined based on whether or not information indicating that a greenhouse gas emission right is granted.

  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-described problem, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that executes a printing process in accordance with a printing condition set by any one of the above-described printing instruction apparatuses.

  According to the above configuration, the printing process can be executed according to the printing conditions set by the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, that is, the printing process can be executed by accepting the energy saving mode. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can contribute to resource-saving printing.

  In addition to the above configuration, when the printing apparatus according to the present invention receives a plurality of print jobs designated to be printed in the energy saving mode, the control unit continues the received plurality of print jobs. May be printed.

  According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to shorten the operation time of the printing apparatus by continuously performing the printing process, thereby further saving power and contributing to energy saving.

  In addition to the above configuration, when the printing apparatus according to the present invention receives a plurality of print jobs designated to be printed in the energy saving mode, the control unit receives the plurality of received print jobs. You may print in order.

  According to the above configuration, print processing is performed in the order in which print jobs are received, so that it is not necessary to perform complicated print control such as interrupt printing or interlace printing. As a result, the load on the control unit of the printing apparatus can be reduced, which in turn can contribute to power saving and energy saving.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing system of the present invention includes any one of the above-described printing instruction devices and any one of the above-described printing devices.

  Since the printing system includes the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention and the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the user can check the state of the print image and perform density adjustment that contributes to resource saving. The energy saving mode can be accepted to execute a printing process that contributes to resource saving.

  In order to solve the above problems, the print instruction method according to the present invention displays a print setting screen capable of setting print conditions according to each function of the printing apparatus on the display unit, accepts an instruction input from the user, In a print instruction method executed using a print instruction apparatus that gives an instruction to execute a print process under a print condition set for the printing apparatus, resource saving as a mode at the time of print processing in the printing apparatus The printing apparatus includes a step of displaying selectable energy saving modes that can contribute, a step of receiving an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, and a preview image that indicates a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is a default. A step of displaying the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus so that the developer consumption amount can be reduced from the default, and a step of receiving an instruction input for reducing the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus; It is characterized in that it comprises a step of re-displaying the preview image by reflecting the reduced developer consumption.

  According to the above method, the same effects as those of the above-described print instruction apparatus according to the present invention can be achieved, and contribution can be made to resource-saving printing. In addition, it is possible for the user to confirm the state of the print image and to perform density adjustment that contributes to resource saving.

  The print instruction apparatus of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a print instruction program for realizing the print instruction apparatus by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit in the print instruction apparatus. And a computer-readable recording medium on which the print instruction program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  According to these configurations, the same operation effect as that of the print instruction apparatus can be realized by causing the computer to read and execute the print instruction program.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a printing program for causing the computer to realize the printing apparatus by causing the computer to operate as the control unit in the printing apparatus, and its A computer-readable recording medium on which a printing program is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to realize the same operation effect as the printing apparatus by causing the computer to read and execute the printing program.

  In the printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, the display control unit displays an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of printing processing in the printing apparatus, and the reception unit When an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode is received, the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is displayed so that the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus can be reduced from the default together with a preview image indicating a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is a default. Then, when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for reducing the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus, the preview image is displayed again by reflecting the reduced developer consumption amount.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to accept an instruction input for selecting an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of printing processing in the printing apparatus, which can contribute to power saving and energy saving of the printing apparatus. Further, the user can set the consumption amount of the developer of the printing apparatus to be reduced from the default while confirming the preview image. That is, the density can be set so that the consumption of the developer can be suppressed within the range desired by the user.

  As described above, it is possible to provide a print instruction apparatus that can contribute to resource-saving printing and that allows the user to check the state of a print image and to adjust the density that contributes to resource saving.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system including a printing control instruction device and a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the communication form of a printing instruction | indication apparatus and a printing apparatus, and an external device. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which is displaying the main screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which is displaying the initial screen of an energy saving mode setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which is displaying the redisplay screen of an energy saving mode setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen which is displaying the energy saving mode setting determination screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process of energy saving mode setting. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic structure of an MFP. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner cartridge. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packing material for a toner cartridge. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of recycling of consumables for reproduction | regeneration.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Printing system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the printing system 1, a printing apparatus 100 and a print instruction apparatus 110 are connected via a network 102 and can communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the network 102 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 102 is not limited to a LAN. In FIG. 1, for simplicity of explanation, one printing apparatus 100 and one printing instruction apparatus 110 are connected, but one printing apparatus 100 can be connected to a plurality of printing instruction apparatuses 110. In addition, one printing instruction apparatus 110 can be connected to a plurality of printing apparatuses 100.

  The print instruction apparatus 110 can set printing conditions according to each function of the printing apparatus 100, and gives an instruction to the printing apparatus 100 to execute print processing together with the image data under the set printing conditions. , An apparatus that controls the printing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, an information processing apparatus such as a PC, a mobile terminal, or a mobile phone installed with a printer driver that gives an instruction to execute print processing with the printing conditions set for the printing apparatus 100 is a print instruction apparatus. 110 functions. Therefore, the printer driver also falls within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, the print instruction apparatus 110 may be included in the printing apparatus 100 without being connected to the printing apparatus 100 via the network 102. In this case, mainly the control unit 201 of the printing apparatus 100 functions as the print instruction apparatus 110.

  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. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 110 </ b> A, the PC 110 </ b> B, and the mobile phone 110 </ b> C are connected to the server apparatus 101 of the manufacturer of the printing apparatus 100 via the network 104, download a printer driver from the server apparatus 101, install. Instead of the manufacturer's server device 101, 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 network 104 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 network, etc. Is available. 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 this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 100 and a print instruction apparatus 110 (including a mobile terminal 110A, a PC 110B, and a mobile phone 110C) are connected by a network 102, which is a narrow area network. As shown, the print instruction apparatus 110 (including the mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the mobile phone 110C) and the server apparatus 101 are connected by a network 104 that is a wide area network, but the connection form is not limited to these.
When downloading the printer driver, the user of the mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, or the mobile phone 110C designates a printer driver according to the type (type) of the printing device to be controlled. Is a printing apparatus that can support the setting of the energy saving mode (hereinafter referred to as an energy saving printing apparatus), a printer driver capable of setting the energy saving mode can be designated. The energy saving mode is a mode that can contribute to resource saving during printing processing in the printing apparatus. The object of resource saving may be, for example, toner (developer) or electric power (energy). It is assumed that which printing apparatus is an energy-saving printing apparatus is determined by the manufacturer of the printing apparatus. For example, a printing device manufactured using a recycled product or a printing device to which an offset credit is given may be an energy-saving printing device. In addition, the printing device using the consumables manufactured using the recycled products or the consumables to which the offset credit is given may be an energy saving printing device. Alternatively, the printing apparatus manufactured with the carbon dioxide emission amount in the manufacturing process being a predetermined value or less, or the printing apparatus with the power consumption during printing being a predetermined value or less may be an energy saving printing apparatus. These are merely examples.

In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is an energy-saving printing apparatus that is manufactured using a recycled product and that is given a carbon offset credit (greenhouse gas emission right). Here, the carbon offset is an effort by members of society such as citizens, NPO / NGOs, local governments, and governments to recognize their own greenhouse gas (including CO ₂ ) emissions and reduce them independently. In addition, by purchasing the greenhouse gas emission reduction / absorption amount (hereinafter referred to as “credits”) realized in other locations for the emissions that are difficult to reduce, all or one of the emissions This is to make up part (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, 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 printing apparatus 100, it can contribute to a greenhouse gas reduction business. In addition, since the printing apparatus 100 is a recycled product, it is possible to suppress the generation of greenhouse gases that accompanies disposal and thus contribute to the prevention of global warming.

  In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the mobile phone 110C download and install a printer driver capable of setting the energy saving mode. The mobile terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the mobile phone 110C that have acquired a printer driver capable of setting the energy saving mode function as the print instruction device 110. Of course, an information processing apparatus that is communicable with the printing apparatus 100 other than the portable terminal 110A, the PC 110B, and the cellular phone 110C and in which a printer driver capable of setting an energy saving mode is installed functions as the print instruction apparatus 110.

(Printing instruction device)
Returning to FIG. 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. The control unit 111 receives an instruction input from the operation unit 114 by the user. A touch panel or the like in which the operation unit 114 and the display unit 113 are integrated may be provided. Alternatively, gesture input using a finger-wearable wearable interface may be used.

  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 receives an instruction input from the user, a display unit 116 that controls display on the display unit 113, a consumable information acquisition unit 117, a printing apparatus information acquisition unit 118, and an electricity bill information acquisition. A unit 119 and a printing time determination unit 120.

  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. The display control unit 116 displays an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of the printing process in the printing apparatus 100 so that it can be selected on the print setting screen. When the operating system (OS) of the print instruction apparatus 110 receives a print instruction, a print initial screen for setting print conditions is displayed. Further, by selecting a property button in the print initial screen, print settings are displayed. A screen may be displayed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the print setting screen displayed so that the energy saving mode can be selected. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of tabs are displayed on the print setting screen 400 so as to be selectable. The plurality of tabs include at least an energy saving mode tab 417 for selecting an energy saving mode. In the print setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 3, the main tab 411 is selected and the main screen 410 is displayed. The main screen 410 is a screen for setting 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 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 accepting unit 115 accepts the selection of the OK button 421, and after the print conditions and purchase conditions specified by the user on the print setting screen 400 are set to be valid, the print setting screen 400 Display ends.

  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 energy saving mode tab 417 is selected on the print setting screen 400 and the receiving unit 115 receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the display control unit 116 prints the printing state when the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 is default. Is displayed so that the toner consumption amount in the printing apparatus 100 can be adjusted. FIG. 4 shows an example of a print setting screen 400 that displays a preview image indicating a printing state when the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 is the default, and displays the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 in an adjustable manner. In the print setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 4, the energy saving mode tab 417 is selected, and an initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the reception unit 115 is configured to receive an instruction input for selecting an energy saving mode when it is confirmed that at least one of the consumable information and the printing apparatus information is acquired by the printing instruction apparatus 110. Yes. In this embodiment, the consumable information is information indicating that an offset credit (greenhouse gas emission right) is given to the consumable used for the printing apparatus 100, and the consumable is a recycled product. This information includes at least one of the information indicating the above. The consumable information includes, for example, a manufacturing number for identifying an individual attached at the time of manufacturing the consumable, a credit number for identifying an offset credit given to the consumable, and when the consumable receives the offset authentication. It may be an offset authentication number for identifying an offset to be added. In the present embodiment, a toner cartridge is an example of a consumable used for the printing apparatus 100. In this case, the consumable information is information including at least one of information indicating that the offset credit is given to the toner cartridge and information indicating that the toner cartridge is a recycled product.

  The printing apparatus information is information including at least one of information indicating that an offset credit is given to the printing apparatus 100 and information indicating that the printing apparatus 100 is a recycled product. The printing apparatus information includes, for example, a manufacturing number for identifying an individual attached at the time of manufacturing the printing apparatus 100, a credit number for identifying an offset credit given to the printing apparatus 100, and a consumable that has received offset authentication. It may be an offset authentication number for identifying an offset that is sometimes attached.

  The consumable information is acquired by the consumable information acquisition unit 117 of the printing instruction apparatus 110 from the storage unit 202 of the printing apparatus 100 described later, and stored in the storage unit 112 of the printing instruction apparatus 110. Alternatively, the consumable information acquisition unit 117 may acquire consumable information from a server device that manages the printing apparatus 100 or the like. The printing apparatus information is acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 118 from the storage unit 202 of the printing apparatus 100 described later, and is stored in the storage unit 112. Alternatively, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 118 may acquire printing apparatus information from a server apparatus or the like that manages the printing apparatus 100. The consumables information acquisition unit 117 and the printing device information acquisition unit 118 may acquire the consumables information and the printing device information when the print instruction device 110 or the printing device 100 is activated, or on the print setting screen 400. It may be acquired every time print settings are made.

  If the reception unit 115 confirms acquisition of at least one of consumable information and printing device information (or storage in the storage unit 112), an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode is received. Therefore, when at least one of the consumable information and the printing apparatus information is acquired, the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen is displayed. If neither the consumable information nor the printing device information is acquired, the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen is not displayed. That is, in this case, the user cannot select the energy saving mode.

  The reception unit 115 receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode without confirming acquisition of at least one of the consumables information and the printing apparatus information, and the display control unit 116 displays the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen. It may be configured to display.

  The initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen displayed on the print setting screen 400 includes a preview image 601 and a toner consumption amount adjustment area 605 for adjusting the toner consumption amount in the printing apparatus 100. The initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen is a screen that is displayed first when the energy saving mode tab 417 is selected, and the preview image 601 displayed there is printed when the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 is default. Indicates the state. The preview image 601 may be an image showing a state in which an image that the print instruction apparatus 110 has in advance is printed with the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 as a default. Alternatively, it may be an image showing a state in which an image to be printed this time (an image transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 together with the printing conditions) is printed with the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 as a default.

  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 amount adjustment area 605 displayed on the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the image density, the image dot density, and the image contrast are displayed so as to be adjusted. In the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen, each button for adjusting the toner consumption (image density, image dot density, and image contrast) in the toner consumption adjustment area 605 has a default toner consumption of the printing apparatus 100. Is selected and displayed. In addition, the display is such that the toner consumption can be reduced (suppressed) compared to the default state. In the present embodiment, on the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen, the button is set to the maximum value (High) that can be selected. That is, here, the default state of toner consumption of the printing apparatus 100 is that the button is represented by the 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 adjustment area 605 may be displayed with a screen that can be set to reduce the toner consumption of the printing apparatus 100 as compared to the default case.

  When the receiving unit 115 receives an instruction input for adjusting the toner consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100, the display control unit 116 redisplays the preview image by reflecting the adjusted toner consumption amount. In the present embodiment, the user adjusts the toner consumption amount with a button for adjusting the toner consumption amount in the toner consumption amount adjustment area 605 via the operation unit 114 so that the desired toner consumption amount is obtained, and then displays on the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen. By selecting the next screen button 607, the accepting unit 115 accepts the adjustment of the toner consumption amount. When the next screen button 607 is selected without selecting the button for adjusting the toner consumption amount in the toner consumption adjustment area 605, the accepting unit 115 sets the toner consumption amount to the selected default value. Accept. The next screen button 607 is a button associated with a command for displaying the next screen (redisplay screen).

  When the user selects the next screen button 607, the display control unit 116 redisplays a preview image that reflects the adjusted toner consumption. FIG. 5 shows an example of the print setting screen 400 that displays the redisplay screen 600 of the energy saving mode setting screen on which the preview image is redisplayed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the toner consumption is set to be smaller than the default value. In the redisplay screen 600 of the energy saving mode setting screen shown in FIG. 5, the redisplayed preview image 651 reflects the adjusted toner consumption amount, so that the toner consumption amount is small and the image is displayed with a thin color. Yes.

  A confirmation button 608 is displayed on the redisplay screen 600 of the energy saving mode setting screen shown in FIG. When the confirm button 608 is selected, the currently set toner consumption amount is confirmed as the toner consumption amount at the time of printing. That is, the accepting unit 115 accepts the currently set toner consumption amount as the toner consumption amount at the time of printing.

  When the toner consumption amount is determined, the display control unit 116 displays a print determination screen for determining print settings. An example of the print decision screen 612 is shown in FIG. The print determination screen 612 shown in FIG. 6 includes a determination button 655, a previous screen button 656, a midway save button 657, a print cancel button 658, and an initial screen button 659. The determination button 655 is associated with a command for enabling printing with the adjusted toner consumption amount. When the user selects the determination button 655, the set printing conditions including the adjusted toner consumption amount are determined. Note that the set printing conditions may be sent to the printing apparatus 100 when the determination button 655 is selected, or may be as follows. After the determination button 655 is selected and the setting screen 400 is closed, the set printing conditions are transmitted when a printing instruction is issued on the printing initial screen displayed by the OS of the printing instruction apparatus 110. It may be like this.

  The previous screen button 656 is associated with a command for enabling the display of the previous screen, here, the redisplay screen 600. The midway save button 657 is associated with a command for saving and ending the print settings input up to now. The midway save button 657 is associated with a command for saving and ending the print settings input up to now. The print cancel button 658 is associated with a command for setting the print cancel to be valid. The initial screen button 659 is associated with a command for enabling the display of the initial screen, here the initial screen 611.

  In addition, on the initial screen 611 and the redisplay screen 600 of the energy saving mode setting screen, printing time zone information 602 indicating a printing time and power rate information 603 indicating an electricity rate (power rate) at the time of printing are displayed. The printing time zone information 602 is determined as follows. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the storage unit 202 of the printing apparatus 100 stores the electricity charge information indicating the electricity charge corresponding to the time zone, and the electricity charge information acquisition unit 119 of the print instruction apparatus 110 includes the printing apparatus. Electricity rate information is acquired from the storage unit 202 of 100 and stored in the storage unit 112 of the print instruction apparatus 110. However, for example, the electricity rate information acquisition unit 119 may acquire from the server device 105 of the power company via the network 104. A consumables sales company used in the printing apparatus 100 and a printing company 100 sales company are provided in advance by the power company in response to an acquisition request from the electricity rate information acquisition unit 119 in cooperation with the power company. It may be. Further, when the setting of the electricity bill is changed from the power company server device 105, it may be transmitted to the print instruction device 110 as update information.

  The printing time determination unit 111 reads the electricity rate information from the storage unit 112 and determines the time zone with the lowest price as the printing time zone. Then, the display control unit 116 creates printing time zone information 602 for notifying the user of the determined printing time zone. Also, power charge information 603 for notifying the user of the electricity charge for the determined printing time zone is created. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the printing time zone information 602 and the power charge information 603 are displayed on the initial screen 611 and the redisplay screen 600 of the energy saving mode setting screen.

  Further, when instructing the printing apparatus 100 to perform printing, the control unit 111 instructs the printing process to be executed in a time zone with a low electricity bill determined by the printing time determination unit 120. If the point in time is not a time when the printing fee is cheap, printing is reserved. The print instructing device 110 may be configured so that printing is performed only during a time zone where the electricity bill is cheap, and the printing device 100 itself grasps and prints the time when the electricity bill is cheap.

  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. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing in which the print instruction apparatus 110 receives the energy saving mode.

  First, the main screen 410 is displayed on the print setting screen 400 displayed on the display unit 113 (S1). It is assumed that at least one of consumable information and printing device information is acquired before displaying the main screen 410. The print setting screen 400 displays the energy saving mode so that it can be selected.

  Next, it is determined whether the energy saving mode has been accepted (S2). When the energy saving mode is accepted (YES in S2), power charge information is acquired (S3), and based on the power charge information, the time for printing is determined as the time when the electricity charge is low (S4). If the energy saving mode is not accepted (NO in S2), the setting of various printing conditions on the main screen may be accepted. Further, another setting screen may be selected from the main screen, and settings of various printing conditions may be received on the selected screen. The description of the processing flow in these cases is omitted.

  Then, the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen is displayed on the print setting screen 400. On the initial screen 611 of the energy saving mode setting screen, a preview image 601, a toner consumption amount adjustment area 605, printing time zone information 602, and power charge information 603 are displayed (S 5). A preview image 601 shows a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus 100 is default. In the toner consumption adjustment area, the toner consumption in the printing apparatus 100 is displayed so that the toner consumption can be reduced (suppressed) compared to the default state.

  Next, it is determined whether an adjustment for reducing the toner consumption is accepted (S6). When an adjustment for reducing the toner consumption is received (YES in S6), the preview image is updated and displayed (S7). If the adjustment for reducing the toner consumption is not accepted (NO in S6), the preview image is not updated. In the present embodiment, since the toner consumption is set to the maximum value in the default state, only the adjustment to be reduced is accepted.

  Next, it is confirmed whether an instruction for determining the toner consumption amount has been received (S8). When an instruction for determining the toner consumption amount is received (YES in S8), it is confirmed whether an instruction for determining print settings (set printing conditions) is received (S9). If the instruction for determining the toner consumption amount is not accepted (NO in S8), the preview display is continued until accepted. Alternatively, an instruction such as cancellation is accepted. When an instruction to determine print settings is received (YES in S9), the print settings are transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 (S10). Here, it is assumed that the set print conditions are transmitted when an instruction to determine print settings is received. However, after the print setting screen 400 is closed, the print initial display displayed on the OS of the print instruction apparatus 110 is performed. It may be performed by an instruction on the screen.

  If the print setting determination instruction is not accepted (NO in S9) and another process is accepted (S11), the accepted process is executed (S12). Other processing includes, for example, canceling printing, saving settings, and returning the displayed screen to the previous screen or initial screen.

  The transmitted printing conditions are received by the printing apparatus 100, and the printing apparatus 100 executes a printing process according to the printing conditions.

(Printer)
In this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 is a digital color multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, a FAX transmission / reception function, and an image transmission function. 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 be a multi-function peripheral, and may have at least a printing function and be configured to receive various instructions from the printing instruction apparatus 110. Since the printing apparatus 100 is an MFP in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 will be described as the MFP 100 below.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202 for storing a program executed by the control unit 201, and a control unit 211 for controlling the peripheral device 220.

  Control unit 201 is connected to input unit 205, data communication control unit 206, document reading unit 207, image processing unit 208, image forming unit 209, and fixing unit 210, and controls MFP 100 as a whole. The control unit 201 controls each block of the MFP 100 so as to execute print processing according to the print conditions set by the print instruction apparatus 110. That is, the MFP 100 receives the energy saving mode from the print instruction apparatus 110 and executes the printing process. Therefore, it can contribute to resource-saving printing. In addition, the control unit 201 includes a consumable information acquisition unit 2011 that acquires information about consumables used in the printing apparatus 100, and an electricity charge information acquisition unit 2012 that acquires information about electricity charges.

  The data communication control unit 206 includes a LAN terminal 206a that is an interface for communication using a communication protocol, and a serial interface terminal 206b for serial communication. The data communication control 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 the network 104 is connected to the LAN terminal 206a, the data communication control unit 206 communicates with the server apparatus 101 connected via the LAN terminal 206a (see FIG. 1).

  The document reading unit 207 corresponds to the document reading unit 30 in FIG. 8 described later, and includes a light source that irradiates light to a document that has been conveyed to a document reading position, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected by the document. The document image corresponding to the size of the document is scanned. 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 207, and then outputs the data to the image forming unit 209. A paper feed unit (not shown) conveys the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the image forming unit 209.

  The image forming unit 209 corresponds to the image forming unit 20 shown in FIG. 8 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. Then, the image forming unit 209 discharges the paper on which the image has been formed onto the paper discharge tray 91.

  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 related to the toner cartridge from the storage unit 150 of the toner cartridge 98. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge information includes at least one of information indicating that the toner cartridge 98 has an offset credit and information indicating that the toner cartridge 98 is a recycled product. The toner cartridge information includes, for example, a manufacturing number for identifying an individual attached at the time of manufacture, a credit number for identifying an offset credit, and an offset for receiving an offset authentication. It may be an offset authentication number.

  Under the control of the consumable information acquisition unit 2011 of the control unit 201, the detection unit 209a reads the toner cartridge information from the storage unit 150 of the toner cartridge 98, and the read toner information is stored in the storage unit 202. Is done.

  The fixing unit 210 (corresponding to the fixing unit 7 in FIG. 8) melts and fixes the toner image formed on the paper by the image forming unit 209 to the paper.

  The input unit 205 includes an operation panel 50. The operation panel 50 includes a display unit 51 and an operation unit 53. The display unit 51 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 53 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 53 are hard keys provided with switches. Note that the operation unit 53 may include a touch panel as a part of the key, or may be configured by the touch panel itself. When the operation unit 53 includes a touch panel, or when the operation unit 53 includes a touch panel, the touch panel is provided on the display unit 51. The operation unit 53 of this embodiment is assumed to include a touch panel. Note that gesture input using a finger wearable wearable interface may be used.

  The storage unit 202 stores the above-described printing apparatus information in the printing apparatus 100. The storage unit 202 stores the above toner cartridge information. In addition to the toner cartridge information, when the consumable information acquisition unit 2011 acquires the above consumable information for other consumables used in the printing apparatus 100, the consumable information is stored in the storage unit 202. Is done. Furthermore, the storage unit 202 stores electricity rate information that is data of electricity rates for each time zone. The electricity rate information acquisition unit 2012 acquires the electricity rate information by connecting to the server device 105 of the electrical company via the data communication control unit 206 and the network 104. Further, a sales company of consumables used in the printing apparatus 100 and a sales company of the printing apparatus 100 may cooperate with the power company in advance to provide the power company in response to an acquisition request from the electricity rate information acquisition unit 2012. It may be configured. 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.

  In MFP 100, when receiving a plurality of print jobs designated to be printed in the energy saving mode from print instruction apparatus 110, control unit 201 sets each block so that the plurality of received print jobs are continuously printed. Control. By continuously performing the printing process, it is possible to shorten the operation time of the MFP 100, and it is possible to further save power and contribute to energy saving. Further, it is not necessary to change the MFP 100 from the sleep mode to the standby (standby, ready) mode each time printing is performed, and power consumption due to the return of the MFP 100 can be suppressed. Here, when the printing time zone is instructed, the printing process is started when the time zone is reached. For example, if it is reserved to execute the printing process between 23:00 and 7 o'clock, at 23:00, the control unit 201 performs print output control for the sequentially stored print images.

  In MFP 100, when a plurality of print jobs designated to be subjected to print processing in the energy saving mode are received, control unit 201 controls each block so that the plurality of received print jobs are subjected to print processing in the order received. Since print processing is performed in the order in which print jobs are received, it is not necessary to perform complicated print control such as interrupt printing or interlaced printing. For this reason, the load on the control unit 201 of the printing apparatus can be reduced, which can contribute to power saving and energy saving.

  Further, MFP 100 performs continuous printing (a plurality of JOBs are also printed continuously) from the point of time when the electricity charge is low, and automatically turns off MFP 100 after the completion of the continuous printing. It may be. In this case, printing can be completed quickly in a time zone with a low electricity bill, and standby power consumption of MFP 100 can be suppressed even in a time zone with a low electricity bill.

  The MFP 100 includes a management server device such as a leasing company that leases the MFP 100, a dealer that sells the MFP 100, a manufacturer of the MFP 100, a manufacturer of consumables, a cloud provider (a dedicated business provider that provides a cloud computing service), and the network 104. And may be managed by the management server device.

  FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic structure of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the MFP 100 includes an image forming unit 20 and a document reading unit 30. The image forming unit 20 is configured to include 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 charger 5, and a cleaner unit 4, and has basically the same configuration. However, each image forming station P individually has identification information, and the control unit 201 described later can distinguish the image forming station P individually. By providing four image forming stations P, the MFP 100 can form an image using four colors of toner (developer).

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. A contact type charger such as a roller type or a brush type may be used in addition to a non-contact type. 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 photosensitive 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 unit 2, toner cartridges 98 containing corresponding color replenishment toners are respectively arranged. The MFP 100 of the present embodiment accommodates two black toner cartridges that are frequently used for printing, and is configured to switch to the B2 toner cartridge when the B1 toner cartridge runs out of toner. 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 paper used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 8 in the MFP 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 MFP 100 is a tray for collecting printed sheets face down.

  Further, the MFP 100 is provided with a substantially vertical sheet conveyance path S for sending the sheets of the sheet feeding cassette 81 and the manual sheet feeding cassette 82 to the sheet discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. Yes. 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 MFP 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 an automatic document feeder 29 and a scanning unit 90. The plurality of document sheets placed on the placing table of the automatic document feeder 29 are sequentially supplied to the upper part of the scanning unit 90, and the document is read.

(Toner cartridge)
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the toner cartridge 98. FIG. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing an overview of the toner cartridge 98, and FIG. 9B is a front view of the toner cartridge 98. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, 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. By connecting storage unit 150 and the connector, terminal 153 of storage unit 150 and the terminal of the connector come into contact with each other, so that storage unit 150 and MFP 100 are electrically connected.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the toner cartridge 98 is manufactured using a recycled product and is given a carbon offset credit (greenhouse gas emission right). Since the carbon offset credit is given to the toner cartridge 98, it can contribute to the greenhouse gas reduction business. Further, since the toner cartridge 98 is a recycled product, it is possible to 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 one of information indicating that the toner cartridge 98 has an offset credit and information indicating that the toner cartridge 98 is a recycled product. 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. 10, 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.

A product recycling loop is shown in FIG. 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. Here, the toner cartridge 98 has been described as a consumable used in the MFP 100. However, in the case where another consumable used in the MFP 100 is a recycled product, the CO ₂ emission conversion value in the life cycle is similarly calculated. It is effective in reducing. Further, when the MFP 100 itself is a recycled product, of course, it is effective to reduce the CO ₂ emission conversion value in the life cycle.

(Program / Storage medium)
In particular, the control unit 111 of the print instruction apparatus 110 of the present embodiment may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the print instruction apparatus 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that implements each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program. And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the print instruction apparatus 110, which is software that realizes the functions described above, is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying to 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 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. Further, 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 can be used for a print instruction apparatus capable of setting print conditions according to each function of a printing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printing apparatus 101, 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 Consumables Information Acquisition Unit 118 Printing Device Information Acquisition Unit 119 Electricity Price Information Acquisition Unit 120 Print Time Determination Unit 201 Control Unit 209 Image Forming Unit 209a Detection Unit 202 Storage Unit 400 Print Setting Screen 417 Energy saving mode tab 600 Energy saving mode setting screen redisplay screen 601 Preview image 602 Printing time zone information 603 Electricity charge information 605 Toner consumption adjustment area 611 Energy saving mode setting screen initial screen 651 Preview image redisplayed

Claims (13)

A display control unit that displays on a display unit a print setting screen capable of setting printing conditions according to each function of the printing apparatus, and a reception unit that receives an instruction input from a user, and is set in the printing apparatus In a print instruction apparatus that gives an instruction to execute a printing process under the specified printing conditions,
The display control unit displays an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of a printing process in the printing apparatus, and when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the printing control unit Along with a preview image indicating a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the apparatus is the default, the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is displayed so as to be able to be reduced below the default, and the reception unit displays the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus When the instruction input for reducing the image is received, the preview image is redisplayed to reflect the reduced developer consumption amount,
Acquire consumable information including at least one of information indicating that a consumable used in the printing apparatus has a greenhouse gas emission right and information indicating that the consumable is a recycled product. Consumables information acquisition unit
When the consumable information acquisition unit acquires the consumable information, the receiving unit can receive an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode. A display control unit that displays on a display unit a print setting screen capable of setting printing conditions according to each function of the printing apparatus, and a reception unit that receives an instruction input from a user, and is set in the printing apparatus In a print instruction apparatus that gives an instruction to execute a printing process under the specified printing conditions,
The display control unit displays an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of a printing process in the printing apparatus, and when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode, the printing control unit Along with a preview image indicating a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the apparatus is the default, the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is displayed so as to be able to be reduced below the default, and the reception unit displays the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus When the instruction input for reducing the image is received, the preview image is redisplayed to reflect the reduced developer consumption amount,
Printing device information acquisition for acquiring printing device information including at least one of information indicating that a greenhouse gas emission right is granted to the printing device and information indicating that the printing device is a recycled product Part
When the printing device information acquisition unit acquires the printing device information, the reception unit can receive an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode.   The print instruction according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays at least one of image density, image dot density, and image contrast so as to adjust the developer consumption amount. apparatus. An electricity rate information acquisition unit for acquiring electricity rate information indicating an electricity rate according to a time zone;
Based on the acquired electricity bill information, a printing time determination unit that determines a time zone with a low power usage fee as a printing time,
4. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction apparatus instructs the printing apparatus to execute a printing process at the determined printing time. 5.   The said display control part displays the printing time which the said printing time determination part determined on the said display means, if the said reception part receives the instruction | indication input which selects the said energy saving mode, The display means is characterized by the above-mentioned. Print instruction device.   5. The display control unit displays an electricity charge for a printing time determined by the printing time determining unit on the display unit when the receiving unit receives an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode. Or the printing instruction apparatus according to 5.   The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction apparatus is connected to the printing apparatus via a network. The consumable item includes storage means for storing at least the consumable item information,
The printing instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consumable information acquisition unit acquires the consumable information stored in the storage unit.   The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the display unit. A printing system comprising: the printing instruction apparatus according to claim 1; and a printing apparatus that executes a printing process according to a printing condition set by the printing instruction apparatus . Display a print setting screen that can set printing conditions according to each function of the printing device on the display means, accept input from the user, and execute print processing under the printing conditions set for the printing device In a print instruction method executed using a print instruction apparatus that gives an instruction to
A step of displaying selectably an energy saving mode that can contribute to resource saving as a mode at the time of printing processing in the printing apparatus;
A step of displaying the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus so that the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus can be reduced from the default, together with a preview image indicating a printing state when the developer consumption amount of the printing apparatus is a default;
Receiving an instruction input for reducing developer consumption of the printing apparatus;
Re-displaying the preview image to reflect the reduced developer consumption;
Acquire consumable information including at least one of information indicating that a consumable used in the printing apparatus has a greenhouse gas emission right and information indicating that the consumable is a recycled product. And a process of
And a step of accepting an instruction input for selecting the energy saving mode when the consumable information is acquired in the step of acquiring the consumable information.   A print instruction program for operating the print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction program causes a computer to function as each unit. A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing instruction program according to claim 12 is recorded.

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