JP6230412B2 - Information processing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that calculates and analyzes an environmental load amount when using an image forming apparatus to which a power meter is connected, and a control method therefor.

In recent years, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, the amount of power consumed when using devices such as printers and multifunction devices (hereinafter referred to as multifunction devices or devices), and the amount of paper used are reduced. There is a need to reduce it. Specifically, it is required to reduce CO ₂ emission, power consumption, and paper usage during device use by performing double-sided printing and aggregate printing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to a reduction simulation, such as how much environmental load can be reduced if double-sided printing and aggregate printing are performed for printing and copying performed by a device. In addition, it is required to measure power consumption actually used by a device by connecting or mounting a power meter, and to convert the transition of power consumption into data.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, the operating time is specified from the transition of the power value of a plurality of jobs for a device to which the power consumption can be measured and the power meter is connected, and the power consumption state transition data is output, A technique for obtaining the amount of electric power is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-053544 JP 2010-72870 A

  In the system of Patent Document 1, in order to calculate power consumption, reference power data for each device type is stored in the system in advance as a fixed value, and a simulation for reducing environmental load is performed using the reference power data. doing. However, the power consumption of the device varies depending on the installation environment of the device, such as the temperature of the installation location. For this reason, it is desirable that the reference data is dynamically generated for each device based on the actually measured power consumption, not a fixed value.

  Further, in the system described in Patent Document 2, the transition of the actual power consumption value is obtained from the image forming apparatus to which the power meter is connected. However, the environmental load reduction simulation using the actual use of the device is performed. Is not considered at all.

  According to the present invention, the power consumption when the setting of job information of an image forming apparatus is changed to a different setting by using parameters (actual value information) suitable for the installation environment and operating conditions of the image forming apparatus to which the power meter is connected. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that performs a reduction simulation of the above.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires predetermined information including job information, status information, and power consumption information from an image forming apparatus including a power meter. Calculating actual value information of the power consumption amount of the image forming apparatus from the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition unit, storing the actual value information, and the image formation using the job information An analysis means for performing a simulation for reducing power consumption of the apparatus; and a display means for displaying a result of the simulation for reducing power consumption by the analysis means, wherein the analysis means changes a job setting included in the job information. When performing the power consumption reduction simulation, the reduction simulation is performed using either the measured value information or the fixed value information prepared in advance. Shon have rows, the measured value information, if the job in the event of the image forming apparatus of the status information is determined to have ended, characterized in that it is calculated from the actual power consumption amount of the job.

  According to the invention, the power consumption when the setting of each job from the image forming apparatus is changed to a different setting by using the measured value information suitable for the installation environment and operating conditions of the image forming apparatus to which the power meter is connected. Can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the environmental load analysis system structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a host computer. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of a host computer. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of an analysis server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a job history information table, a job history print page information table, a job history paper information table, and a job history power consumption information table. Is a diagram illustrating the power consumption table and paper CO ₂ emissions table. It is a figure which shows a device information table, a device state power consumption table, and a device event table. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a state of a multifunction peripheral and power consumption. It is a figure which shows the reduction print setting restriction table for every application classification, and the reduction print setting restriction table for every management code. It is a figure which shows a device status power consumption information and a job log power consumption information calculation processing procedure. It is a figure which shows a device status power consumption information and a job log power consumption information calculation processing procedure. Procedure of CO ₂ emissions computed processing; FIG. It is a diagram showing a detailed processing procedure of a job sheet CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detailed processing procedure of a page number and sheet number calculation process after changing print settings. It is a figure which shows the detailed process sequence of the page number calculation process by aggregate print setting change. It is a figure which shows the detailed process sequence of the page number calculation process by aggregate print setting change. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detailed processing procedure of a sheet number / duplex sheet number calculation process by changing a duplex printing setting. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job history print page information table after calculating the number of pages by changing the aggregation setting and a job history information table after changing to the reduced print setting. It is a figure which shows a total result table. Power consumption of the job is a diagram showing a detailed processing procedure of the CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing. Power consumption is a diagram showing the CO ₂ emissions calculation result display screen. It is a figure which shows the screen which performs the threshold value setting of the power consumption amount table storage at the time of 1 page printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the environmental load analysis system will be described with reference to FIG. The environmental load analysis system includes a host computer (information processing apparatus) 101, multifunction peripherals (image forming apparatuses) 102 and 103, and an analysis server (analysis means) 104. The host computer 101, the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103, and the analysis server 104 are connected to each other via a network 105 of a known communication technology so that they can communicate with each other.

  The host computer 101 generates image data by a user input or the like, and issues a print instruction or the like. The MFPs 102 and 103 are devices that receive print data received via the network 105 and print on actual paper using a known print technology such as electrophotographic technology or inkjet technology. Further, the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 may further have a function of reading a paper document through a scanner, performing copying, or converting the image data into image data and transmitting the data by Email or the like. For example, the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 may have only a printer function without a scanner function. Furthermore, the MFPs 102 and 103 are configured to be able to transmit power consumption information during operation to the analysis server 104. The analysis server 104 performs power consumption analysis of the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103.

  In this embodiment, the analysis server 104 is provided separately from the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103, but a module having the same function may be provided inside the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103. In this case, the network communication performed between the analysis server 104 and the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 can be considered as data exchange via a system bus or the like.

  Next, the internal configuration of the host computer 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The host computer 101 includes a CPU 201 that executes software stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk 211 that is a large-scale storage device. The CPU 201 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 204. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBDC) 205 controls instruction input from a keyboard 209 provided in the host computer 101. A display controller (DISPC) 206 controls the display of a display module (DISPLAY) 210 constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display. A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls the hard disk (HD) 211. A network interface card (NIC) 208 exchanges data bidirectionally with other nodes via the network 105.

  Next, the functional configuration of the host computer 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The host computer 101 includes a print application 301, a printer driver 302, a print job control unit 303, a Web browser 304, and an HTTP communication unit 305. The print application 301 issues a print instruction by transmitting a drawing command or the like to the printer driver 302. The printer driver 302 converts the drawing command received from the print application 301 into print data that can be interpreted by the multifunction peripheral, that is, PDL (Page Description Language). Furthermore, when device authentication is set, the printer driver 302 displays a user authentication dialog and requests the user to input a user name and password in order to use the multifunction device. The printer driver 302 transmits the input user name and password to the print destination multifunction peripheral via the network 105 to make an authentication request. In the MFP, the authentication processing unit 612 (to be described later) collates the user name and password, and returns a success or failure of authentication. The printer driver 302 cancels printing when authentication fails, and creates a print job by adding the input user name to the print job as job owner information when authentication is successful. Further, when the device authentication is not set, the printer driver 302 creates a print job by adding the user name logged in to the host computer 101 to the print job as job owner information.

  Next, the printer driver 302 refers to the set management code input presence / absence setting in a setting unit (not shown), and when the management code input is set to be present, displays the management code input screen. The management code may be a code that can arbitrarily specify the purpose of printing. When the user inputs a management code, the management code is added to the job.

  Then, the printer driver 302 transmits the created print job data to the print job transmission unit 303. A print job transmission unit 303 transmits the print job received from the printer driver 302 to the multifunction peripheral. The web browser 304 interprets the HTML data, draws a screen on the display module 210, accepts a user operation from a keyboard or the like, and transmits a request to the HTTP communication unit 305. The HTTP communication unit 305 receives a communication request from a Web browser and communicates with the image processing apparatus or the like via the NIC 208 using the HTTP or HTTPS protocol to request a Web page, receive Web page data, and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the analysis server 104 will be described. Since the internal configuration of the analysis server 104 is the same as that of the host computer 101, the description thereof is omitted. The functional configuration of the analysis server 104 will be described with reference to FIG. The analysis server 104 includes an interface unit 401, an analysis processing unit 402, a job history collection unit 403, and a device information management unit 404. The interface unit 401 communicates with the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 via the NIC 208 and the network 105. The analysis processing unit 402 performs power consumption analysis processing of the multifunction peripheral based on the job history, power supply state history, and power consumption information. A job history collection unit 403 collects and stores job histories from the MFPs 102 and 103 via the interface unit 401. A device information management unit (device information acquisition unit) 504 acquires information such as capability information and setting information from the MFPs 102 and 103 via the interface unit 401 and stores the acquired information.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the internal configuration of the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 will be described. The MFPs 102 and 103 have the hardware configuration shown in FIG. The CPU 501 executes software stored in the ROM 502 or the hard disk 511 that is a large-scale storage device, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 304. The RAM 503 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 501. A panel controller (Panel C) 505 controls an instruction input from the operation panel 509 provided in the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103. A display controller (DISPC) 506 controls the display of a display module (DISPLAY) 310 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. A disk controller (DKC) 507 controls a hard disk (HD) 511 that is a mass storage device. A network interface card (NIC) 508 exchanges data with other nodes via the network 105. A scanner controller (SCCANC) 512 controls the optical scanner 513 provided in the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 to read a paper document. A printer controller (PRNC) 514 controls a printer 515 provided in the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103, and prints on an actual sheet using a known printing technique such as an electrophotographic technique or an inkjet technique. The power control controller (PWC) 516 is in a state where it can acquire the measured value of the power consumption measured by the power measurement unit 517 and notify the power consumption information according to the request.

  Next, the functional configuration of the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103 will be described with reference to FIG. The MFPs 102 and 103 have the functional configuration shown in FIG. The interface unit 601 is connected to the network 105, receives a print job from the host computer 101, and notifies the analysis server 104 of the power state and power consumption information when the state changes. The interface unit (job history transmission unit) 601 receives a job history acquisition request from the analysis server 104 and transmits a job history. The print data storage unit 602 temporarily stores print job data in the RAM 503 or the hard disk (HD) 511.

  The UI control unit 610 controls the operation panel 509 via the panel controller (PanelC) 505, and accepts a login request, a copy instruction, a scan transmission instruction, and the like of the user to the MFPs 102 and 103. When the UI control unit 610 receives a login request from a user, the UI control unit 610 sends authentication information such as a user name and a password to the authentication processing unit 612 to make an authentication request. Furthermore, the UI control unit 610 receives an authentication ID when the authentication processing unit 612 succeeds in authentication. Next, referring to the management code input presence / absence setting set in a setting unit (not shown), if the management code input is set to be present, the UI control unit 610 displays a management code input screen. When the user inputs the management code, the management code is held. Thereafter, the UI control unit 610 holds the user name, the authentication ID, and the management code until a logout request is received. When a user is instructed to issue a job such as copying, the user name is sent to the job management unit 603 along with the job issuance request. The authentication ID and the management code are transmitted. When a logout operation is performed from the operation panel, logout processing is performed. Furthermore, the UI control unit 610 has “timeout time” as the operation setting information, and performs logout processing when the time operation set in “timeout time” is not performed on the operation panel. The value can also be referred to from an external module (for example, analysis server, etc.) In the logout process, the UI control unit 610 notifies the authentication processing unit 612 of the logout together with the user name, the authentication ID, and logout factor information. Discard information and authentication ID.

  A job management unit 603 analyzes a print job, acquires output attribute information such as a user name, a management code, the number of copies, and color printing, and manages the job information together with the job start time. When a job (for example, a print job) is issued from the operation panel, from the UI control unit 610, when a job from the Web browser is issued, from the remote UI control unit 611, output attribute information, user name, etc. Receive.

  The print data development unit 604 acquires print data from the print data storage unit 602 according to the job information stored in the job management unit 603, performs image generation processing, and generates image data. A scanner control unit 605 controls the scanner controller 512, scans a paper document, and creates created image data. The image storage unit 606 temporarily stores the image data generated by the print data development unit 604 and the scanner control unit 605 in the RAM 503 and the hard disk (HD) 511. A printer control unit 607 controls the printer engine to print the image data stored in the image storage unit 606. The printer engine 608 is a printer device that actually prints image data stored in the image storage unit 606 on a medium such as printing paper using a known printing technique such as an electrophotographic technique or an inkjet technique.

  A job history management unit 609 manages job history information. When the job is completed, the job management unit 603 transmits job information to be managed as job history information to the job history management unit 609, and the job history management unit 609 stores the job information. The job history management unit 609 transmits job history information to the analysis server 104 in response to a request from the analysis server 104.

  The remote UI control unit 611 functions as an HTTP or HTTPS server and accepts a request from the Web browser 304 operating on the host computer 101. When the remote UI control unit 611 receives a request from the Web browser, the remote UI control unit 611 acquires authentication information from the session information, and inquires of the authentication processing unit 612 whether access is possible. The remote UI control unit 611 transmits the requested HTML data to the Web browser when access is permitted, and transmits HTML data for displaying a login form screen to the Web browser when access is not permitted. When the remote UI control unit 611 receives input data to the login form from the Web browser 304, the remote UI control unit 611 issues an authentication request to the authentication processing unit 612, and transmits the requested HTML data to the Web browser when the authentication is successful.

  The authentication processing unit 612 performs authentication processing and management of the multifunction peripherals 102 and 103. The authentication processing unit 612 performs user authentication based on a login name, a password, and the like input by the user to the login form of the operation panel 509 or the Web browser 304. Also, the authentication processing unit 612 receives an authentication request from the printer driver 402, collates the user name and password, and issues an authentication ID when the authentication is successful, along with the success or failure of the authentication, the operation panel 509 or the Web browser Reply to 304. The authentication processing unit 612 holds an authentication information table and performs user authentication by comparing it with a user name and password registered in the table. Note that user authentication may be performed by communicating with an authentication server (not shown) and using an authentication information table held on the authentication server side. The power control unit 614 controls the power supply of each function unit and measures the power consumption of each function unit. Then, the power state management unit 613 notifies the power consumption amount information when the state changes.

  Next, the job history information table 4031, the job history print page information table 4032, the job history paper information table 4033, and the job history power consumption information table 4034 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the job history information table 4031 will be described with reference to FIG. The job history ID 701 is an ID for uniquely identifying the job history within the system. The MFP ID 702 is an ID for identifying the MFP. For example, it is conceivable to use a MAC address or an IP address. Examples of the job type 703 include printing that is printing from the host computer 101, copying, scanning, faxing, and box printing for printing a document stored in the multifunction peripheral.

  In the double-sided number 706, the number of double-sided printed sheets by the corresponding job is recorded. When a four-page job is printed on both sides, two pages are printed on one sheet, for a total of two sheets. At this time, the number of both sides is counted as two. Instead of the double-sided sheet count 706, it is possible to record whether or not the job is printed with the double-sided setting. When the number of double-sided sheets is one or more, it can be determined that double-sided printing has been performed.

  The aggregation setting 707 records the aggregation print setting of the corresponding job. When the aggregation setting 707 is “2 in 1”, it indicates that 2 pages of the document are consolidated and printed on 1 page of paper. It is also possible to record the total number of printed sheets. As the number of copies 708, the number of copies of the corresponding job is recorded. A document name 709 is a document name set for the job by the print application 301 of the job. The print application type can be determined to some extent by this document name. The management code 710 is a code added by the user to the corresponding job, and specifies the purpose of printing. The management code may be specified on a management code specification dialog displayed after a print instruction from the print application 301 (not shown) or on the authentication screen in the UI control unit 610.

  Next, the job history print page information table 4032 will be described with reference to FIG. Detailed information regarding the print page of the job history information stored in the job history information table 4031 is recorded in the job history print page information table.

  First, the job history ID 721 is an ID for uniquely identifying the job history in the system, and is associated with the job history having the same ID in the job history ID 701. For example, the column 711 and the column 731 are associated because the job history ID (701, 721) is 1000. The job history print page information in the column 731 indicates detailed information about pages printed in the job indicated in the column 711.

  The color type 722 indicates that printing is performed in any of color, black and white, or clear (printing that is transparent and has a glossy effect). Although not shown, attributes indicating various printing methods such as single color, two color, and silver can be set. The page size 723 records the size of the print page. It is also possible to specify a predetermined paper size such as A4 or B5, or height × width. As the page number 724, the number of pages printed with the color type 722 and the page size 723 by the corresponding job is recorded. When printing in which a plurality of color types and page sizes are mixed in one job, it is recorded in a plurality of lines. For example, a column 735, a column 736, and a column 737 are detailed information regarding the job with the job history ID 1003. In this job, 15 pages in total, 5 pages (column 735) in monochrome / A4, 5 pages (column 736) in color / A4, and 5 pages (column 737) in monochrome / A3 are printed.

  Next, the job history sheet information table 4033 will be described with reference to FIG. The job history sheet information table 4033 records detailed information regarding the number of print sheets in the job history information stored in the job history information table 4031. The job history ID 741 is an ID for uniquely identifying the job history in the system, and is associated with a job history having the same ID in the job history ID 701 as in the case of 721. The paper type 742 indicates the type of paper (plain paper, recycled paper, etc.) used for printing. In the paper size 743, the size of the paper used for printing is recorded. It is also possible to specify a predetermined paper size such as A4 or B5, or height × width. As the number of sheets 744, the number of sheets printed with the sheet type 742 and the sheet size 743 by the corresponding job is recorded. When printing in which a plurality of paper types and paper sizes are mixed is performed in one job, recording is performed on a plurality of lines. For example, column 754, column 755, and column 756 are detailed information related to the job of job history ID 1003. In this job, 6 sheets of recycled paper / A4 (column 754) and 4 sheets of plain paper / A4 (column 755). This shows that a total of 15 sheets of 5 sheets (row 756) have been used for recycled paper A3.

  Next, the job history sheet power consumption information table 4034 will be described with reference to FIG. The job history paper power consumption information table 4034 records information about the power consumption corresponding to the job history information stored in the job history information table 4031. The job history ID 761 is an ID for uniquely identifying the job history in the system, and is associated with a job history having the same ID in the job history ID 701 as in the case of 721. The power consumption amount 762 indicates the power consumption amount of the related job. The power consumption information is acquired from the power supply state management unit 613 in FIG. 6 via the interface unit 601. The exclusion flag 763 is a flag indicating whether or not to exclude when calculating a one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021 (actual value) described later. A method for calculating the power consumption and a method for setting the exclusion flag will be described later with reference to FIG.

  According to the information shown in FIG. 7, for example, the job history 711 is executed by the multi-function peripheral A at a copy job that started at 2009/09 / 25_14: 25: 30 and ended at 2009/09 / 25_14: 40: 30. Is shown. Further, in this job, 10 pages are printed with color A4 and 10 sheets are used with plain paper A4. Furthermore, this indicates that the power consumption of this job was 1.5 kW. For example, the job history information table 4031, the job history print page information table 4032, the job history paper information table 4033, and the job history power consumption information table 4034 are created for each job type without being limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. There may be.

  Next, a table managed by the analysis processing unit 402 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the one-page printing power consumption table 4021 will be described with reference to FIG. In the one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021 shown in FIG. 8A, the power consumption amount consumed when printing one page is stored for each MFP, and is stored in the analysis processing unit 402.

  The table shown in FIG. 8A includes fixed value information (802 to 817) and measured value information (818 to 833). The power consumption (reference power data) is stored for each device type in order to calculate the power consumption based on the actual usage. In the present embodiment, the fixed value information (802 to 817) is information prepared in advance, and is used as a complementary value when the actual measurement value information (818 to 833) value is not stored. Since the actual measurement value of the one-page printing power consumption table 4021 is calculated based on the job history, the value is not stored while there is no job history for calculation. Specific processing will be described later. In addition, the actual measurement value is not stored for the multi-function peripheral having no power source measurement unit.

  A multifunction machine ID 801 is an ID for identifying a multifunction machine. A job type 841 indicates a job type such as print or copy. The color type 842 indicates whether printing is color printing or monochrome printing. A page size 843 indicates a print page size. Here, the paper size is classified into two, Large and Small, but a specific paper size such as A4 or B5 size may be designated. In this embodiment, a size larger than B4 is classified as Large, and a size smaller than B4 is classified as Small.

  A double-sided 1044 indicates whether printing is double-sided printing or single-sided printing. For example, the fixed value information 802 indicates a fixed value of power consumed when printing one page when the job type is print color printing, page size large, and single-sided printing. Is 2 Wh. Further, for example, the actual measurement value information 818 indicates an actual measurement value of power consumed when printing one page when the job type is print color printing, page size large, and single-sided printing. The actual measured electric energy is 1.9 Wh. As an example in which the actual measurement value is not stored, the power consumption 856 of the multi-function peripheral B is blank when the job type is print color printing, page size large, and duplex printing 819.

Next, the paper CO ₂ emission amount table 4022 will be described with reference to FIG. A paper CO ₂ emission table 4022 shown in FIG. 8B stores CO ₂ emission when one sheet is used, and is stored in the analysis processing unit 402. Specifically, specification and CO ₂ emissions during production of the paper, environmental load caused by the tree is cut down CO ₂ emissions considering (such as terms and emissions of CO ₂ amount of wood absorbs) Is done.

The paper size 861 indicates the size of a paper such as A4, and the paper type 862 indicates the type of paper such as plain paper, recycled paper, thick paper, and coated paper. The CO ₂ emission amount 1103 indicates the CO ₂ emission amount when one sheet designated by the sheet size 861 and the sheet type 862 is used. As a unit, g (gram) or oz (ounce) can be used. In this embodiment, g is adopted. For example, column 871 indicates that 5 g of CO ₂ is discharged when one sheet of plain paper / A4 is used.

  Next, job history collection processing will be described. The job history collection unit 403 of the analysis server 104 communicates with the MFPs 102 and 103 via the interface unit 401 and collects the job history managed by the job history management unit 609. The acquired job history is stored in the job history collection unit 403 in a format equivalent to or expanded from the tables shown in FIGS. Further, when collecting job history information from a plurality of multifunction devices, the identifier of the multifunction device may be added to the column.

  First, a table managed by the device information management unit 404 will be described with reference to FIG. The device information table 4041 shown in FIG. 9A is held in the device information management unit 404 of the analysis server 104 (see FIG. 4). The device information table 4041 stores various setting information and capability information of the multifunction peripheral. The MFP ID 901 is information for identifying the MFP, and indicates which MFP is associated with the corresponding row.

  An attribute 902 is a paper size small / monochrome printing speed (pages / minute), and indicates a printing speed of a monochrome page having a small paper size of the multi-function peripheral. The large paper size / monochrome printing speed 903 indicates the printing speed (pages / minute) of the large paper size / monochrome page of the multifunction peripheral. A small paper size / color printing speed 904 indicates a printing speed (pages / minute) of a small paper size / color page of the multifunction peripheral. The large paper size / color printing speed 905 indicates the large paper size / color page printing speed (pages / minute) of the multifunction peripheral.

For example, column 911 is information of the multifunction device A, and the printing speed of the multifunction device A is as follows.
・ Small paper size ・ B & W printing speed is 60 pages / minute ・ High paper size ・ Black and white printing speed is 30 pages / minute ・ Small paper size ・ Color printing speed is 60 pages / minute ・ High paper size ・ Color printing speed is 30 pages / Min These pieces of information are acquired from the multi-function peripheral via the network by the device information management unit 404 using, for example, the SNMP protocol.

  Next, the device state power consumption table 4042 will be described with reference to FIG. The device state power consumption table 4042 is held in the device information management unit 404 of the analysis server 104 (see FIG. 4). The device state power consumption table 4042 stores power consumption in each operation mode of the multifunction peripheral. The analysis server 104 has reference power consumption information (fixed value) for each MFP model as basic information in advance, and holds these values in 922 to 926. Reference numerals 927 to 931 store reference power consumption information (actual measurement values) actually measured by the power supply control unit 614. Specifically, the MFP ID 921 is information for identifying the MFP, and indicates which MFP is associated with the corresponding row. The normal modes 922 and 927 indicate power consumption when the multifunction peripheral is in the normal mode (standby), that is, when the job is not executed and is not shifted to the power saving mode.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the state of the multifunction peripheral and the power consumption, and the normal modes 922 and 927 correspond to the power consumption per unit time 1001 in FIG. The power saving modes 923 and 928 indicate the power consumption when the MFP is in the power saving mode, and correspond to the power consumption per unit time 1005 in FIG.

  Power OFFs 924 and 929 indicate basic power consumption when the MFP is turned off, and correspond to the power consumption per unit time 1006 in FIG. In-job processing 925 and 930 indicate basic power consumption when the multifunction peripheral is in job processing, and correspond to the power consumption per 1004 unit time in FIG. In this embodiment, this value is the same value as the power consumption per unit time in the normal mode.

  Job start times 926 and 931 indicate the power consumption required when the MFP starts the job, and correspond to the power consumption per unit time 1001 in FIG. This is in consideration of the situation where the amount of power consumption at the start of the job becomes large. In the present embodiment, this value is added to the first page of the print page. A method for calculating the value will be described later with reference to FIG. The power consumption during job processing varies depending on the number of pages (1003 in FIG. 10), basic power consumption during job processing (1004 in FIG. 10), and power consumption at the start of the job (1002 in FIG. 10). The value obtained by adding.

  Next, the device event table 4043 will be described with reference to FIG. The device event table 4043 is held in the device information management unit 404 of the analysis server 104 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the device event table 4043 is held for each multi-function peripheral. However, a single table may be configured to manage events of a plurality of multi-function peripherals. These pieces of information may be acquired from the multi-function peripheral via a network using the SNMP protocol, for example, or an event may be received from the multi-function peripheral by DSLP.

  More specifically, the event ID 951 is information for identifying an event received from the multifunction peripheral. The status 952 stores the status information of the multifunction peripheral. The time 953 stores the time when the corresponding multifunction device event occurred. For example, a column 956 indicates that the MFP of 2009/09/25 07:58:40 is stored as the event ID 1 that has shifted to the normal mode (standby state). The job history ID 954 stores a job history ID. The job history ID is received when the status received from the MFP is a job start or job end. For example, column 959 indicates that the start of a copy job with job history ID 1000 is stored as event ID 4. The power consumption amount 955 stores a difference in power consumption amount from the previous event. For example, in the column 960, the power consumption amount from the copy start to the copy end of the job history ID 1000 is stored as 1.5 Wh.

  Next, a table managed by the analysis processing unit 402 will be described with reference to FIG. First, an example of a reduced print setting restriction table for each application type is shown with reference to FIG. An application 1101 indicates the type of print application. An extension 1102 is an extension of a file handled by the printing application, and is used at the end of the document name of the job. Therefore, it is used to determine the type of print application that printed the job.

  A change to both sides 1103 designates whether or not change to both sides is permitted as a reduced print setting in the case of printing from the printing application of the corresponding line. ○ indicates permission, × indicates disapproval. An aggregate print setting change 1104 specifies whether a change to 2 in 1 or 4 in 1 is permitted as a reduced print setting in the case of printing from the print application of the corresponding line. ○ indicates permission, × indicates disapproval, and “up to 2 in 1” indicates that change to 2 in 1 is permitted but change to 4 in 1 is not permitted.

  For example, in the row 1112, the extension 1102 is DOC or DOCX, and the print application of the job in which these extensions appear at the end of the document name 709 is “word processor” of the application 1101. In the case of printing from an application classified as “word processor”, a change to double-sided printing is permitted as a reduced print setting, but the aggregate print setting and designation are up to 2 in 1.

  As described above, by making it possible to specify the range of reduced print settings according to the type of print application, not all jobs can be converted to double-sided, 2-in-1, etc., and the range changes depending on the type of document. Can respond.

  Next, an example of a reduced print setting restriction table for each management code is shown with reference to FIG. The management code 1121 indicates a management code specified for the job. Change to both sides 1122 specifies whether or not change to both sides is permitted as a reduced print setting in the case of a job for which the management code of the corresponding line is specified. ○ indicates permission, × indicates disapproval. An aggregate print setting change 1123 designates whether or not a change to 2 in 1 or 4 in 1 is permitted as a reduced print setting in the case of a job for which the management code of the corresponding line is designated. ○ indicates permission, × indicates disapproval, and “up to 2 in 1” indicates that change to 2 in 1 is permitted but change to 4 in 1 is not permitted.

  For example, the management code 1121 indicates that double-sided printing is permitted as a reduced print setting for a job for which B2 is specified, but change of the aggregate print setting is not permitted. As described above, by making it possible to specify the reduced print setting range according to the management code, not all jobs can be converted to double-sided, 2-in-1, etc., and the range changes depending on the printing purpose. Also good.

  Next, device state power consumption information calculation processing in the device information management unit 404 of the analysis server 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process of updating the device state power consumption table 4042 and the job history power consumption information table 4034 from information (predetermined information) accumulated in the device event table 4043.

  First, in step S1201, the device event table 4043 is referred to and an unprocessed event is acquired. The analysis server 104 records the event ID for which the device state power consumption information calculation processing has been completed, and acquires subsequent event IDs when the device state power consumption information calculation processing is executed next time.

  Next, for each acquired event, information on status 952 is acquired in step S1202. In step S1203, it is determined whether the status is “job start”. If it is determined that the status is “job start” (YES), the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, the job history ID 953 of the corresponding event is acquired, and the content of the next event is acquired. Then, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the status is not “job start” (NO), the process proceeds to step S1206.

  In step S1206, it is determined whether the status is “job end”. If it is determined that the status is “Job End” (YES), the process proceeds to step S1207. On the other hand, if it is determined that the status is not “Job End” (NO), the job has not been performed, so a non-job The process proceeds to step S1212 as an event process for.

  In step S1207, the job history ID 954 of the event is acquired. In step S1208, the actual power consumption value of the job history is calculated and stored in the job history power consumption information table 4034. For example, in the event table 960, it is stored in 771 of the job history power consumption information table 4034, assuming that the power consumption amount of the job history ID 1000 is 1.5 kWh.

  In a succeeding step S1209, it is determined whether or not there is a job being simultaneously executed. If there is a job being simultaneously executed (YES), an exclusion flag 763 of the job history power consumption information table is set in step S1210. Note that in the multi-function peripheral, a plurality of jobs can be processed in parallel, and in this embodiment, the power consumption corresponding to the jobs processed in parallel is regarded as including an error. A job for which an exclusion flag is set is not used for table calculation for reduction simulation described below.

  Here, for example, in the event table 961, after the job history ID 1002 starts copying and before the copying ends (964), another job history ID 1004 starts printing, and the jobs are processed in parallel. Therefore, an exclusion flag is set for job history IDs 1002 and 1004 in the job history power consumption information table 4034.

  On the other hand, if there is no job being executed simultaneously (NO), the process proceeds to step S1211, and in step S1211, the job history print page information table 4032 is referenced to determine whether the job has a plurality of job history print page information. judge. If there is a plurality of print page information (YES), the process proceeds to step S1210, and an exclusion flag is set. This is to avoid an error caused by distributing the power consumption with a plurality of pieces of print page information when performing the power consumption calculation in the unit power consumption calculation process described later in FIG. After setting the exclusion flag in step S1210, the process ends. On the other hand, when there is no plural print page information (NO), the process is terminated.

  Next, in steps S1212 and S1213, processing related to the status at the time of non-job execution is performed. In step S1212, the previous event is referred to, and the elapsed time from the previous event is calculated. This value is the elapsed time of the status notified in the previous event. For example, the event table 957 shifts to sleep at 2009/09/25 07:59:10. The immediately preceding event 956 is 2009/09/25 07:58:40. The elapsed time of 30 seconds is the waiting time.

  In step S1213, the power consumption amount per unit time of the corresponding event is calculated and stored in the corresponding status portion of 927 to 931 of the device state power consumption table 4042. For example, the waiting time in the event table 957 is stored in 944 indicating the normal mode 927 of the multifunction peripheral A. After storing, the process ends.

  When the device state power consumption table 4042 is stored, values are updated while taking into account past data. In this embodiment, although not shown, a plurality of power consumption amounts per unit time calculated in the past are accumulated, and an average value including the power consumption amount of the newly calculated event is calculated and stored in the table. Stored.

  Next, unit power consumption calculation processing in the analysis processing unit of the analysis server 104 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process of updating the one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021 from the device state power consumption table 4042 and the job history power consumption information table 4034.

  First, in step S1300, a job history that has not been subjected to unit power consumption calculation processing is acquired from the job history collection unit 403. The analysis server 104 records the job history ID for which the unit power consumption calculation processing has been completed, and acquires the subsequent job history when the unit power consumption calculation processing is executed next time. When the job history ID is designated, the job history collection unit 403 returns job history information after the job history ID designated from the various tables. The various tables include a job history information table 4031, a job history print page information table 4032, a job history paper information table 4033, and a job history power consumption information table 4034.

  In step S1302, it is determined whether an exclusion flag is set for the corresponding job ID in the job history power consumption information table 4034. If an exclusion flag is set for the corresponding job ID in the job history power consumption information table 4034 (YES), the process is terminated and the next job history ID is referred to. On the other hand, if the exclusion flag is not set (NO), the process proceeds to step S1303, and the job history print page information table 4032 and the job history power consumption information table 4034 are referred to. Then, the latest job history without an exclusion flag among the past jobs having the same print page information is detected as a reference job.

  In step S1304, it is determined whether a corresponding job has been detected. If the corresponding job is detected (YES), the process proceeds to step S1305 to extract the corresponding job. On the other hand, if the corresponding job is not detected (NO), this process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the next job history ID. For example, in the job history 1005, a past job history ID 1000 having an A4 color job and print page information is detected as a reference job. In subsequent steps S1306 to S1312, actual unit power consumption calculation processing is performed.

Here, a specific method of unit power consumption calculation will be described. After extracting the corresponding job in step S1305, first, in step S1306, the job history power consumption information table 4034 is referenced to calculate the power consumption amount difference between the two jobs.
Power consumption difference (D)
= | [Power consumption of the job]-[Power consumption of the reference job] |

Next, in step S1307, the power consumption for printing one page is obtained. As described with reference to FIG. 10, the power consumption during job processing includes the power consumption amount (1003) that varies depending on the number of pages, the basic power consumption during job processing (1004), and the power consumption required when starting a job (1002). The value obtained by adding. Therefore, the power consumption difference (D) is the power consumption amount of the difference in the number of printed pages of both jobs, and the power consumption amount at the time of printing one page can be obtained from the following equation.
Power consumption when printing one page (E)
= Power consumption difference (D) / | [Number of printed pages of corresponding job] − [Number of printed pages of reference job] |

In step S1308, the elapsed time (T) of the job is calculated from information in the job history information table 4031.
Elapsed time (T) of the job = [End time 705 of the job] − [Start time 704 of the job]
In step S1309, it is determined whether there is an actual measurement value. The reference power consumption information (B) in the normal mode is referred to from the device state power consumption table 4042, and when there is an actual measurement value (YES), the process proceeds to step S1310, and the actual measurement value is acquired. On the other hand, when the actual measurement value does not exist (NO), the process proceeds to step S1311 to acquire a fixed value.

Next, in step S1312, the basic power consumption (1004) during the job processing and the power consumption (1002) required when starting the job are obtained.
Basic power consumption during job processing (1004)
= Normal mode reference power consumption information (B) x elapsed time (T)
Power consumption at job start (1002)
= [Power consumption of the job]-[Basic power consumption during processing of the job (1004)]-1 page printing power consumption (E) x [Number of pages of the job]

  In step S1313, the calculation result in step S1312 is stored in the corresponding print page information of the one-page printing power consumption (actual value) in the one-page printing power consumption table 4021. Also, the calculation result of the power consumption (1002) required at the start of the job is stored in 931 of the device state power consumption table. Then, the process ends.

  When storing the one-page printing power consumption table 4021 and the device power consumption table, the values are updated in consideration of past data. In the present embodiment, although not shown, a plurality of power consumption amounts per unit time calculated in the past are accumulated, and an average value including the newly calculated power consumption amount is calculated and stored in a table.

The CO ₂ emission calculation processing in the analysis processing unit of the analysis server 104 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 14 is a flowchart relating to the overall processing procedure of the power consumption / CO ₂ emission calculation process and the reduction simulation process.

First, in step S1400, a job history that has not been subjected to CO ₂ emission calculation processing is acquired from the job history collection unit 403. The analysis server 104 records the job history ID for which the CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing has been completed, and acquires the subsequent job history when the CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing is executed next time. When a job history ID is designated, the job history collection unit 403 returns job history information after the job history ID designated from the job history information table 4031, job history print page information table 4032, and job history paper information table 4033.

Subsequently, the processing from step S1402 to step S1412 is performed for each acquired unprocessed job history. In step S1402, the actual value power consumption of the job is acquired from the job history power consumption information table 4034. Further, the CO ₂ emission amount is calculated from the acquired power consumption amount. Although not shown, the analysis processing unit 402 holds the CO ₂ emission basic unit (kg / Wh), and calculates the CO ₂ emission amount of the job from the following equation using this value as a coefficient.
Job CO ₂ emissions = Job energy consumption x CO ₂ emissions basic unit

Then, in step S1403, in the CO ₂ emission calculation process by using the paper of the job, the consumption of the actual result of calculating the CO ₂ emission by the paper used for executing the job based on the job history information. Calculate the amount of power. Details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, in order to calculate how many print pages, the number of sheets, the amount of power consumption, and the amount of CO ₂ emission can be reduced by changing the print settings, steps S1405 to S1410 described later are performed for each reduced print setting. Repeat. Reduction print settings include 2 in 1 printing, 4 in 1 printing, duplex printing, duplex and 2 in 1 printing, duplex and 4 in 1 printing, and the like.

  In step S1405, the reduction value calculation target flag is initialized with FALSE. The reduction value calculation target flag is a flag indicating whether or not reduction can be performed in the corresponding reduction print setting. When the flag is FALSE, it indicates that the number of printed pages and the number of printed sheets cannot be reduced with the corresponding reduced print setting. In the case of TRUE, it indicates that reduction is possible. In step S1406, the number of pages and the number of sheets after changing the print settings are calculated. The details are shown in FIG.

In step S1407, it is determined whether the reduction value calculation target flag is TRUE. If the reduction value calculation target flag is TRUE (YES), the process proceeds to step S1408. If the reduction value calculation target flag is not TRUE (NO), the process proceeds to step S1410. In step S1408, the power consumption and the CO ₂ emission amount are calculated based on the number of printed pages obtained in step S1406. The details are shown in FIG. In step S1409, the amount of CO ₂ emission due to the use of paper after changing the print setting (hereinafter abbreviated as “after change”) is calculated by the following equation.
[CO ₂ emissions due to changed paper use] = [CO ₂ emissions due to actual use of paper] × [number of papers after change 2004] / [total number of papers of actual results]

  From this equation, the paper type number ratio of the actual job history is applied to the changed paper type number ratio. When a job with mixed paper types is changed to aggregate printing or duplex printing, it is unknown which page is printed on which paper. For example, when a page printed on one sheet of plain paper and one sheet of recycled paper in single-sided printing is changed to double-sided printing, the calculation is performed so that 0.5 sheets of plain paper and 0.5 sheets of recycled paper are printed. When the repeated processing for each reduced print setting is completed in steps S1405 to S1410, the calculation result is added to the aggregation table in step S1412.

  Here, an example of the tabulation result table is shown in FIG. The aggregation result table is stored in the analysis processing unit 402. A multi-function machine ID 2001 is information for identifying a multi-function machine, and indicates which multi-function machine the corresponding line is a set value.

  The totaling month 2002 indicates when the corresponding row is the totaling result. A row can be uniquely identified by the combination of the MFP ID 2001 and the total month 2002. In this embodiment, the aggregation is performed every month, but the aggregation period may be designated by the user.

Line 2003 to line 2010 indicates the number of pages and CO2 emissions performance, row Since May line 2018 indicates the number of pages and CO ₂ emissions when reducing print setting is 2in1 printing. Similarly, lines 2019 to 2026 indicate 4-in-1 printing, lines 2027 to 234 indicate double-sided printing, lines 2035 to 2042 indicate double-sided and 2-in1 printing, and lines 2043 to 2050 indicate double-sided and 4-in-1 printing. The number of pages and CO ₂ emission amount are shown.

  A row 2003, a row 2011, a row 2019, a row 2027, a row 2035, and a row 2043 indicate the total number of pages in the case of the actual result and each reduction print setting. Similarly, a row 2004, a row 2012, a row 2020, a row 2028, a row 2036, and a row 2044 indicate the number of pages printed by 2 in 1 out of the total number of pages in the case of actual results and each reduction print setting. Line 2005, line 2013, line 2021, line 2029, line 2037, and line 2045 indicate the number of pages printed in 4in1 out of the total number of pages in the case of actual results and each reduction print setting. A line 2006, a line 2014, a line 2022, a line 2030, a line 2038, and a line 2046 indicate the number of pages printed on both sides out of the total number of pages in the case of the actual result and each reduction print setting.

Also, row 2007, row 2015, row 2023, row 2031, row 2039, and row 2047 indicate the total number of sheets in the case of actual results and each reduction print setting. A row 2008, a row 2016, a row 2024, a row 2032, a row 2040, and a row 2048 indicate the actual power consumption and the amount of power consumption for each reduction print setting. In this embodiment, Wh is used as the unit. Row 2009, row 2017, row 2025, row 2033, row 2041, and row 2049 indicate the CO ₂ emission amount due to the power consumption in the case of the actual result and each reduction print setting. The unit may be kg (kilogram), lb (pound), or the like. In this embodiment, kg (kilogram) is used. Further, a line 2010, a line 2018, a line 2026, a line 2034, a line 2042, and a line 2050 indicate the CO ₂ emission amount due to the use of paper in the case of the actual results and the respective reduced print settings. The unit may be kg (kilogram), lb (pound), or the like. In this embodiment, kg (kilogram) is used.

Returning to FIG. 14, in step S1412, the number of pages, the number of sheets, the power consumption amount, and the CO ₂ emission amount calculated in steps S1402 to S1410 in the case of the actual print and the reduced print settings are displayed. It is updated by adding to each value in the row of the counting month. Here, the corresponding MFP is a line in which the MFP ID 702 of the job history and the MFP ID 2001 match, and the corresponding aggregation month is the year and month of the end time 705 of the job history is the aggregation month 2002. It is a matching line. In the present embodiment, the end time 705 is used. However, for example, the line may coincide with the year / month portion of the start time 704.

Specifically, in the job history indicated by row 711 of the job history information table 4031, the MFP ID is MFP A, the end time 705 is 2009/9/25 14:40, and the year / month portion is , 2009/9. A line 2052 in which the MFP ID 2001 is the MFP A and the total month 2002 is 2009/9 is the same as this. When the processing for each acquired unprocessed job history is finished, the CO ₂ calculation processing is finished.

Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a CO ₂ emission amount calculation process by using paper for a job will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart regarding the CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing by using the paper of the job, and shows details of step S1403. First, in step S1501, the variable “paper CO ₂ emission amount” is initialized to zero. Subsequently, step S1503 and step S1504 are repeatedly performed for each job history sheet information of the job history to be calculated. For example, when the job history with the job history ID 1003 is a calculation target, the processing is repeatedly performed for the rows 754, 755, and 756 whose job history ID 741 is 1003.

In step S1503, the CO ₂ emission amount corresponding to the paper type 742 and paper size 743 of the corresponding job history paper information is acquired from the table. For example, in the case of the job history paper information in the row 754, the paper type 742 is recycled paper and the paper size 743 is A4. The CO ₂ emission amount corresponding to this is row 872 of the paper CO ₂ emission amount table 4022, and the CO ₂ emission amount is 6 g. In step S1504, a value obtained by the following equation is added to the variable “paper CO ₂ emission amount”.
CO ₂ emissions number of sheets × appropriate paper size and sheet type

For example, in the case of the job history paper information in the row 754, the number of paper sheets 744 is 6, and the CO ₂ emission amount of the relevant paper size and paper type is 6. Therefore, 6 × 6 = 36 is set as a variable: “paper CO ₂ emission. Add to quantity. When the repetitive process ends, the paper CO ₂ emission amount calculation process for the job ends.

Next, the processing for calculating the number of pages and the number of sheets after changing the print settings will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart relating to the procedure for calculating the number of pages and the number of sheets after changing the print settings, and shows details of step S1406 in the CO ₂ calculation process of FIG. First, in step S1601, job history print page information of a job history to be calculated is acquired. A line where the MFP ID 701 and the MFP ID 721 of the job history to be calculated matches is acquired from the job history print page information table.

  In step S1602, the page number 724 of each line of the job history print page information acquired in step S1601 is divided by the number 708 of job history copies. In step S1603, the result of the division in step S1602 is divided by the number of copies to determine whether there is any job history print page information that leaves a remainder. If there is no remaining job history print page information (YES), it is determined as normal and the process proceeds to step S1604. If there is job history print page information with a remainder (NO), it is determined as abnormal and the process is terminated. Here, if there is a remainder, it is expected that the job was interrupted or started in the middle, and the processing is not performed because it is not preferable for the calculation processing.

  In step S1604, the job history print page information is grouped for each page size 723. Specifically, in the case of a job history having a job history ID of 1003, grouping is performed so that rows 735 and 736 with a page size 723 of A4 form one group, and row 737 with an A3 form one group.

  In step S1605, a page number calculation process is performed by changing the aggregate print setting. The details are shown in FIG. In step S1606, the number of sheets / duplex number calculation process is performed by changing the duplex printing setting. The details are shown in FIG. In step S1607, the number of pages 1905 after changing to the reduced print setting 1905, the number of pages in 1in 1906, the number of pages 1907 in 4in1, the number of sheets, the number of copies on both sides are multiplied by 708, and the number of pages after changing to the reduced print setting for the entire job. Find the number of sheets and the number of sheets on both sides. Then, the process ends.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a page number calculation process by changing the aggregate print setting will be described. FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts relating to the procedure for calculating the number of pages by changing the aggregate print setting, and shows details of step S1605 in the process for calculating the number of pages and the number of sheets after changing the print setting in FIG.

  First, in step S1700, it is determined whether or not the job history aggregation setting 707, which is a result aggregation setting, is smaller than the reduction print setting aggregation setting (specified in step S1304). If the result aggregation setting is smaller (YES), the process proceeds to step S1701. On the other hand, if the result aggregation setting is larger (NO), the process proceeds to step S1718.

  In step S1701, it is determined whether there is a restriction on the aggregate print setting. If there is no restriction (NO), the process proceeds to step S1702, and if there is a restriction (YES), the process proceeds to step S1718. The restriction on the aggregate print setting is performed as follows. The document name 709 of the corresponding job history is acquired, and the change 1104 of the aggregate print setting of the line whose last extension of the document name is included in the extension 1102 of the reduced print setting restriction table for each application type is acquired. The change of the aggregate print setting is compared with the reduced print setting to determine whether there is a restriction. If it is within the limits, it is determined that there is no limit in the application type.

  Subsequently, the management code 710 of the corresponding job history is acquired, and the aggregate print setting change 1123 of the line that matches the management code 1121 of the reduced print setting restriction table for each management code is acquired. The change of the aggregate print setting is compared with the reduced print setting to determine whether there is a restriction. If it is within the limit, it is determined that there is no limit in the management code. If there is no restriction in the application type and no restriction in the management code, it is determined that there is no restriction.

  In step S1702, the variable “reduction value calculation target flag” is initialized to TRUE. In step S1703, the job history print page information grouped in step S1604 is set for each page size. The grouped job history print page information is repeatedly processed for each group of the same page size. When the process is finished, the page number calculation process by changing the aggregate print setting is finished.

  In the following, the number of pages after the change to the reduced print setting is stored and managed in the print page information table (FIG. 20A) when the aggregation setting is changed. Here, the job history ID 1901 corresponds to the job history ID 721. Further, the reduced print setting 1902 is designated in step S1304. A color type 1903 indicates the color type of the print page after the reduction print setting is changed. A page size 1904 is the page size of the print page after the reduction print setting is changed, and is specified in step S1703.

  Lines 1905, 1906, and 1907 indicate the number of pages of color type 1903 and page size 1904, the number of 2 in 1 pages, and the number of 4 in 1 pages when changing to the job history reduction print setting 1902 specified by the job history ID 1901.

  For example, a line 1911 indicates print page information when the job history reduction print setting for which the job history ID specified by the job history ID 1901 is 1000 is 2in1. The print page information indicates that the color type 1903 is color, the page size 1904 is A4 and the page number 1905 is 5 pages, of which the 2 in 1 page number 1906 is 5 pages and the 4 in 1 page number 1907 is 0 pages. .

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S1704, it is determined whether or not job history print page information whose color type 722 is color is included in the group of job history print page information. If the job history print page information is included (YES), the process proceeds to step S1705. If the job history print page information is not included (NO), the process proceeds to step S1706. For example, for a group having a job history ID 1003 and a page size of A4, since the color type of the row 736 is color, it is determined that the A4 group includes a color.

In step S1705, the following is added as print page information when the page aggregation setting is changed.
Page size after change 1904 = Page size of page size group Color type after change 1903 = Color Page number after change 1905 = (Total number of pages 724 in page size group) / (Aggregation setting after change / Results aggregation setting) ) (Round up after the decimal point)

As another aspect of step S1705, when there is print page information with the color type “monochrome”, the print page information when the following page aggregation setting is changed is added.
Changed page size 1904 = Page size group page size Changed color type 1903 = Black and white Changed page number 1905 = (Color type = Black and white page number 724) / (Changed aggregation setting / results aggregation setting) (Rounded down)

Furthermore, print page information when the following page aggregation setting is changed is added.
Changed page size 1904 = Page size group page size Changed color type 1903 = Color Changed page number 1905 = (Color type = Color page number 724) + ((Color type = Black and white page number 724) / (Remainder of changed aggregate setting / actual aggregate setting) / (Consolidated setting after actual change / actual aggregate setting) (rounded up)
By doing so, it is possible to calculate black and white pages as much as possible by collectively printing black and white pages as much as possible, and the rest as color pages and consolidated printing.

On the other hand, in step S1706, the following is added as print page information when the page aggregation setting is changed.
Page size after change 1904 = Page size of page size group Color type after change 1903 = Monochrome Number of pages after change 1905 = (Total number of pages 724 in page size group) / (Aggregation setting after change / Actual aggregation setting) ) (Round up after the decimal point)

  If color pages are included in the same page size by the processing from step S1704 to step S1706, all the pages are changed to color pages after the aggregation setting is changed. When the same page size is all black and white, the aggregation setting change calculation is performed for all black and white pages as they are. Also, the total number of pages with the same page size is divided by the value obtained by dividing the consolidated setting of the reduced print setting by the aggregated setting of the actual job log, and the number of pages after the change is obtained by rounding up the number after the decimal point. When the actual result is 2 in 1 and the reduced print setting is 4 in 1, the total number of pages is divided by 4 ÷ 2 = 2. In this way, changing a 2 in 1 job to 4 in 1 and changing a 1 in 1 job to 2 in 1 can be handled in the same way.

Next, in step S1707 in FIG. 18, the integrated setting after the change to the reduced print setting is determined. If it is 2 in 1, the process proceeds to step S1708. If it is 4 in 1, the process proceeds to step S1709. In step S1708, the number of pages printed in 2in1 after changing the aggregation setting is obtained by the following equation.
Number of 2-in-1 pages after changing the aggregation setting 1906
= (Number of actual black and white pages + number of actual color pages) / 2 (rounded down)

  Next, in step S1715, a remainder of (the number of actual black and white pages + the number of actual color pages) / 2 is determined. If the remainder is 1, the process proceeds to step S1716. On the other hand, if the remainder is 0, the process is terminated. Next, in step S1716, determination is made regarding the aggregate setting of job results, and if it is 2 in 1, the process proceeds to step S1717, and if it is 1 in 1, the process ends. In step S1717, the 2-in-1 print page after changing the aggregation setting is set to 1, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S1709, the number of pages printed in 4in1 after changing the aggregation setting is obtained by the following equation.
Number of 4-in-1 pages after the aggregation setting is changed 1907
= (Number of actual black and white pages + number of actual color pages) / 4 (rounded down)

Next, in step S1710, the remaining number of pages after the aggregation setting change is obtained by the following equation.
Number of pages of aggregation setting after aggregation setting change = (Number of actual monochrome pages + Actual color pages) / 4 remainder

  Next, in step S1711, the number of remaining pages after the change of the aggregation setting is determined. If the remainder is 1 or less, the process proceeds to step S1714, and the processing of the corresponding page size group is ended. If the remainder is 2, the process proceeds to step S1712, and if the remainder is 3, the process proceeds to step S1713. In step S1712, the 2-in-1 print page count 1906 after changing the aggregation setting is set as one page, and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S1713, one page is added to the number of 4in1 pages 1907 after the change of the aggregation setting, and the process ends.

  Returning to FIG. 17, if the result aggregation setting is larger in step S1700 (NO), and if the aggregation print setting is restricted in step S1701 (YES), the process proceeds to step S1718. In step S1718 and step S1719, since the number of corresponding job pages does not change in the reduction print setting aggregation setting, the page number information after the change is set to match the actual result. First, in step S1718, the actual print page information is set in the print page number information after the change of the aggregation setting. The color type 722 is copied to the color type 1903, the page size 723 is copied to the page size 1904, and the page number 724 is copied to the page number 1905. In step S1719, the total number of pages 724 in the actual printed page information table is set in the changed 2 in 1 page count 1906 or 4 in 1 page count 1907 that matches the actual aggregation setting 707, and the process ends.

  Next, FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the sheet number / duplex sheet number calculation process by changing the duplex printing setting, and shows details of step S1606 in the page number and sheet number calculation process after the print setting change in FIG. .

  First, in step S1800, it is determined whether the duplex number 706 of the job history is 0 and whether the reduced print setting includes double-sided printing. If the double-sided number is 0 and double-sided printing is included (YES), the process proceeds to step S1801, and if not (NO), the process proceeds to step S1803. In this determination, it is determined whether the double-sided setting is a reason for reduction.

  Next, in step S1801, it is determined whether or not there is a restriction on duplex printing setting. If there is no restriction (NO), the process proceeds to step S1802, and if there is a restriction (YES), the process proceeds to step S1803. The restriction on the duplex printing setting is performed as follows. First, the document name 709 of the corresponding job history is acquired, and a change 1103 to double-sided printing of a line whose last extension of the document name is included in the extension 1102 of the reduced print setting restriction table for each application type is acquired. Then, the change to double-sided printing 1103 is compared with the reduced print setting, and it is determined whether there is a restriction. If it is within the limit, it is determined that there is no limit in the application type. Next, the management code 710 of the corresponding job history is acquired, and a change 1122 to double-sided printing of a line that matches the management code 1121 of the reduced print setting restriction table for each management code is acquired. The change to duplex printing and the reduced print setting are compared, and it is determined whether there is a restriction. If it is within the limit, it is determined that there is no limit in the management code. When there is no restriction in the application type and no restriction in the management code, it is determined that there is no restriction.

  In step S1802, a variable: reduction value calculation target flag is set to TRUE. In step S1803, it is determined whether the variable: reduction value calculation target flag is TRUE. If it is TRUE (YES), the process proceeds to step S1805. If it is not TRUE (NO), the process ends. With this determination, the reduction calculation is performed when the double-sided setting is not the reason for reduction and when the page number is calculated in the page number calculation process by changing the aggregation setting.

  Here, the number of sheets and the number of duplex pages after the change to the reduced print setting are stored in the job history information table after the change to the reduced print setting shown in FIG. The job history ID 1941 in the job history information table corresponds to the job history ID 721. The reduced print setting 1942 is designated in step S1304. The double-sided sheet number 1943 and the sheet number 1944 indicate the double-sided sheet number and the sheet number for each reduction print setting of each job history.

  Referring back to FIG. 19, the processing in steps S1805 to S1810 is grouped for each page size with reference to the job history print page information FIG. 20A created by the page number calculation processing by the aggregation setting change, and the page size group Repeat the process every time.

In step S1805, it is determined whether or not the number of double-sided sheets 706 recorded as a record in the target job history is 1 or more, or whether the reduced print setting includes double-sided printing. If the number of double-sided sheets is 1 or more or double-sided printing is included (YES), the process proceeds to step S1806. If not (NO), the process proceeds to step S1808. Next, in step S1806, the number of both sides of the corresponding page size group after changing to the reduced print setting is obtained by the following equation.
Number of double-sided pages after change = (total number of pages in the corresponding page size group 1905) / 2 (rounded down)

In step S1807, the number of sheets for each paper size after changing to the reduced print setting is obtained by the following equation.
Number of double-sided pages after change = (total number of pages 1905 of the corresponding page size group) / 2 (rounded up after the decimal point)

  On the other hand, in step S1808, the double-sided sheet number after the change to the reduced print setting is set to zero. In step S1809, the total number of pages 1905 of the corresponding page size group is set as the number of sheets for each paper size after the change to the reduced print setting. After step S1807 or step S1809, the calculated value is set or added to the job history information table 4031 after the change to the reduced print setting in step S1810. When the process for the job history is the first time, a row is added to the table, the job history ID 1941 and the reduced print setting 1942 are set, and the calculated duplex number of sheets and the number of sheets are set to 1943 and 1944. From the second time onward, the value is added to the number of double-sided sheets 1943 and the number of sheets 1944 of the corresponding line. Then, the process ends.

Next, FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining processing for calculating power consumption and CO ₂ emission of a job, and shows details of step S1408 in the flowchart of FIG. The job power consumption and CO ₂ emission calculation processing calculates the power consumption after reduction of each reduced print setting and the CO ₂ emission due to power consumption.

  First, in step S2101, the variables: “power consumption for all single sides (A)” and “power consumption for all double sides (B)” are initialized to zero. Here, “all-sided power consumption (A)” is the power consumption when it is assumed that all pages of the job are printed on one side. Further, “power consumption when both sides are all (B)” is the power consumption when assuming that all pages of the job are printed on both sides.

In step S2102, the number of double-sided pages of the job is calculated. In the present embodiment, the double-sided page number is calculated by the following formula by applying the double-sided sheet number 2003 after the print setting change obtained in step S1406.
Number of double-sided pages = number of double-sided pages x 2

In step S2103, the number of single-sided pages is calculated using the following equation.
Number of single-sided pages = total number of pages−number of double-sided pages Here, the value obtained in step S2102 is used as the number of double-sided pages. As the total number of pages, the sum of the number of pages 1905 of all the job history print page information as a result calculated in step S1406 is used.

  Next, for steps S2105 to S2109, the process is repeatedly performed for each job history ID job history print page information of the corresponding job. Specifically, the process is repeatedly performed for each job history print page information calculated in step S1406.

  In steps S2105 to S2107, the analysis processing unit 402 refers to the one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021 shown in FIG. Then, the corresponding job history, the page size 1904 of the job history print page information obtained in step S1406, and the single-sided and double-sided power consumption during single-page printing corresponding to the color type 1903 are acquired.

  In step S2105, it is determined whether there is an actual measurement value of the corresponding item. If there is an actual measurement value (YES), the actual measurement value stored in the actual measurement value information 818 to 833 is acquired in Step 2106. On the other hand, if there is no actual measurement value (NO), the fixed value information 802 to 817 is obtained in Step S2107. Get the fixed value stored in. For example, in FIG. 20, in the case of the job history print page information row 1911 of the job with the job history ID of 1000, the job type is copy and the page size is A4, so that Small and the color type are color. In FIG. 8, the power consumption during printing of one page corresponding to this is actually measured value information 828, and the MFP ID of the job history 1000 is MFP A. Get 6Wh. Similarly, the power consumption during one-page printing on both sides is actually measured value information 829, and 1.7 Wh in line 855 is acquired.

Next, in step S2108, the value calculated from the following equation is added to the power consumption amount (A) for all one side.
Power consumption when printing one page on one side x number of pages

Next, in step S2109, the value calculated from the following equation is added to the power consumption (B) for both sides.
Power consumption during one-page printing for both sides × number of pages In both step S2108 and step S2109, the number of pages in the above formula is the number of pages 1905 of the job history print page information calculated in step S1406.

In step S2111, the power consumption of the job is calculated using the following equation.
Job power consumption = (Power consumption for all single-sided pages (A) x Number of pages on one side + Power consumption for all double-sided pages (B) x Number of double-sided pages) / Total number of pages This is the same as the total number of pages in S2103.

In step S2112, power consumption correction processing is performed by shortening the job processing time. First, the power consumption information of the corresponding device is acquired from the device state power consumption table 4042. Specifically, if measured values can be acquired for “power consumption during job processing”, “power consumption in normal mode”, and “power consumption in power saving mode”, the measured values (927, 928, 930) are obtained. ) To get. On the other hand, if the actual measurement value is not stored, a fixed value (922, 923, 925) is acquired. Then, the actual job processing time is obtained from the job start time 704 and end time 705 by the following formula.
Actual job processing time = job end time-job start time

Then, the job processing time to be shortened is calculated by the following formula.
Shortened job processing time = (actual paper size large / black and white pages-reduced paper size large / number of black and white pages) / paper size large / monochrome printing speed 903
+ (Actual paper size small / number of black and white pages minus paper size small / number of black and white pages after reduction) / paper size small / monochrome printing speed 902
+ (Achieved large paper size / number of color pages-reduced paper size / number of color pages) / large paper size / color printing speed 905
+ (Actual paper size small / number of color pages-paper size small after reduction / number of color pages) / paper size small / color printing speed 904

  For this calculation, each printing speed information (902 to 905) of the line in which the corresponding device and the MFP ID 901 match is acquired from the device information table 4041. The number of each page is acquired from the job history print page information table or the job history print page information table after calculating the page number by changing the aggregate setting. In addition, the paper size large / small classification is calculated by classifying, for example, B4 size or larger as large and smaller than B4 size as small.

Then, the power consumption amount obtained by the following formula is added to the power consumption of the job.
(Actual job processing time-shortened job processing time) x power consumption during job processing Considering the fact that the number of printed pages is reduced and the job processing time is shortened by the above, the power consumption is reduced. can do.

In step S2113, the CO ₂ emission amount of the job is calculated from the power consumption amount of the job. Although not shown, the analysis processing unit 402 holds the CO ₂ emission basic unit (kg / Wh), and calculates the CO ₂ emission amount of the job from the following formula using this value as a coefficient.
Job CO ₂ emissions = Job energy consumption x CO ₂ emissions basic unit

When the calculation is completed, the power consumption amount and CO ₂ emission amount calculation processing of the job is ended. When the above processing is completed, the paper count / double-side count calculation processing by changing the duplex printing setting is terminated, and the processing returns to the processing in FIG.

Next, FIG. 23 shows an example of a power consumption and CO ₂ emission calculation result display screen. The web browser 304 of the host computer 101 accesses the interface unit 401 of the analysis server 102 and transmits a total result display data acquisition request. When the interface unit 401 receives the request, the interface unit 401 obtains the total result (analysis result) from the analysis processing unit 402 and creates display data in a format that can be displayed on the Web browser 304 such as HTML. The interface unit 401 transmits the created display data such as HTML to the web browser 304. The web browser 304 interprets the received display data and displays the total result on the display 210.

FIG. 23A shows, on the same screen, the content of the comparison result of the CO ₂ emission amount for each multifunction device displayed on the display by the Web browser 304. A total item such as CO ₂ emission amount, power consumption, and number of printed pages can be selected from the drop-down list of the total item 2221. A reduction print setting can be selected from “2 in 1”, “4 in 1”, “double-sided”, “double-sided, 2 in 1”, and “double-sided, 4 in 1” in the drop-down list of the reduced print setting 2222.

  The application rate 2223 is a control for designating a reduced print setting application rate. The reduction print setting application rate is, for example, when the reduction print setting is “double-sided”, from the actual application rate = actual double-sided page number 2006 / page number 2003, the maximum application rate = double-sided page with reduced print setting It is possible to specify from the number 2030 / page number 2027. When the reduction print setting is double-sided in the total month of the multifunction device A, the reduction print setting application rate can be specified from the actual 10/100 = 10% to 20/100 = 20%.

  From the above, for example, even if the duplex setting is applied as much as possible to all printing, not all pages are printed on both sides. For jobs with an odd number of pages, double-sided printing is not possible with 100% double-sided printing because the last page is single-sided printing. Furthermore, the actual number of double-sided pages is not zero. In addition, there may be a case where it is absolutely necessary for business to use single-sided printing. After understanding the above, it is possible to calculate and display the extent to which the target can be achieved by applying the reduced print settings between the actual application rate and the maximum application rate, not all jobs. .

  Similarly, in the case of “2 in 1”, the actual application rate = actual 2 in 1 page number 2004 / page number 2003, and the maximum application rate = 2 in 1 page number 2012 / page number 2011 when the reduced print setting is 2 in 1 Calculate the applicability of the application rate.

  Further, in the case of “4 in 1”, half of the 2 in 1 pages are converted to 4 in 1 pages. Actual application rate = actual ((2 in 1 page number / 2) + 4 in 1 page number) / page number, maximum application rate = reduced print setting is 2 in 1 ((2 in 1 page number / 2) + 4 in 1 page number) / number of pages Calculate the applicable range of the application rate as

  When the reduction print setting is “double-sided, 2 in 1”, the actual application rate and maximum application rate for both sides and 2 in 1 are obtained as described above, and their powers are multiplied by the actual application rate and maximum Apply rate. The same calculation is performed for “both sides, 4 in 1”.

Depending on the contents selected in the total item 2221 and the reduced print setting 2222, the total result is acquired from the total result table (FIG. 21) and displayed. In the example of FIG. 23A, the CO ₂ emission amount is selected as the totaling item, and “both sides, 4 in 1” is selected as the reduction print setting. Therefore, CO ₂ emissions 2010 by CO ₂ emissions 2009 and the paper used by the power dissipation performance, reducing print setting "duplex, 4in1" CO ₂ emissions CO ₂ emissions 2049 and the paper used by the power dissipation Get 2050.

A set of the paper 2211, power consumption 2212, print setting (paper) 2213, and print setting (power consumption) 2214 represents the totalization result of the MFP A shown in the graph 2201. The sheet 2211 indicates the CO ₂ emission amount due to the actual use of the sheet, and displays the CO ₂ emission amount 2010 due to the use of the sheet of the multifunction machine A. The power consumption 2212 indicates the CO ₂ emission amount due to the actual power consumption, and displays the CO ₂ emission amount 2009 due to the power consumption of the multifunction device A. The print setting (paper) 2213 indicates the CO ₂ emission amount due to the use of the paper after the change to the reduced print setting, and displays the CO ₂ emission amount 2050 due to the use of the paper of the multifunction device A. The print setting (power consumption) 2214 indicates the CO ₂ emission amount due to the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting, and displays the CO ₂ emission amount 2049 due to the power consumption of the MFP A. Similarly, the graph 2202 displays the total result of the multifunction device B, and the graph 2203 displays the total result of the multifunction device C.

When the application rate 2223 is not the maximum application rate, the total result after the change to the reduced print setting is calculated by the following formula.
Value after change to reduced print setting at specified application rate = Actual value-(Result value-Value after change to reduced print setting) / ((Specified application rate / (Applicable rate of actual result-Maximum Application rate))

  When the reduction print setting is double-sided in the total month of the multi-function peripheral A, the reduction print setting application rate can be specified from between 10/100 = 10% and 20/100 = 20% of the actual results. Further, in the example of FIG. 23B, a state where the power consumption is selected in the total item 2221 is shown. For this reason, the actual power consumption 2008 and the power consumption 2048 whose reduction print setting is “both sides, 4 in 1” are acquired.

  A set of actual power consumption 2231 and power consumption (reduction print setting) 2232 represents the total result of the multi-function peripheral A shown in the graph 2201. The actual power consumption 2231 indicates the amount of power consumed by the actual job, and displays the power consumption 2008 of the multifunction device A. The power consumption (reduced print setting) 2232 indicates the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting “both sides, 4 in 1”, and displays the power consumption 2048 of the multifunction device A.

  Further, in FIG. 23C, a check box 2241 can select whether only the wattmeter-equipped device is applicable or whether the wattmeter-unequipped device is also displayed. In FIG. 23C, a graph 2204 of the multifunction device D which is a device not equipped with a wattmeter is displayed. By having this function, it is possible to check the reduction effect by changing the print settings from a bird's-eye view regardless of whether the power meter is installed or not. Further, by comparing and displaying only the devices that reflect the actual value by the power meter, it is also possible to display as a highly reliable simulation result by using the actual value.

  FIG. 23D illustrates an example in which power consumption amounts for reduced print setting options are displayed in parallel. For this reason, in addition to the actual power consumption 2008 from the tabulation result table of FIG. 21, the power consumption corresponding to each reduction setting is acquired and displayed. Reference numeral 2261 denotes the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting “2 in 1”, and displays the power consumption 2016 of the MFP A. Reference numeral 2262 denotes the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting “4 in 1”, and displays the power consumption 2024 of the MFP A. Reference numeral 2263 denotes the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting “double-sided”, and displays the power consumption 2032 of the multifunction device A. Reference numeral 2264 denotes the power consumption after the change to the reduced print setting “both sides, 2 in 1”, and displays the power consumption 2040 of the multifunction device A. This makes it possible to list which reduction settings are most efficient.

In this way, the actual value and the value after the change to the reduced print setting are displayed side by side so that they can be compared and displayed, and in the CO ₂ emission amount, the breakdown of the power consumption by the job and the power consumption by the paper is displayed separately. This makes it possible to grasp the situation in more detail. In addition, by enabling the aggregated items to be displayed by switching the CO ₂ emission amount, the number of pages, the number of pages, etc., it is possible to confirm the reduction effect when changing to reduced print settings from various viewpoints as well as one item. It becomes.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the unit power consumption calculation processing in the analysis processing unit of the analysis server 104 has been described. In step S1307, the average value is calculated including the power consumption per unit time calculated in the past and accumulated. In this case, if there is no data accumulated in the past, the value newly calculated in step S1306 is stored in the one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when storing in the one-page printing power consumption amount table 4021, the reliability of the stored value is improved by providing a threshold value so as to use average value data from a plurality of values. Is also possible.

  The analysis server 104 displays a user interface as shown in FIG. 24, and designates the minimum number of samples 2301 for the actual value calculation. In addition, a statistical method for removing abnormal values may be applied instead of calculation using an average value.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

Claims (9)

Acquisition means for acquiring predetermined information including job information, status information, and power consumption information from an image forming apparatus equipped with a power meter;
Storage means for calculating measured value information of the power consumption of the image forming apparatus from the predetermined information acquired by the acquiring means, and storing the measured value information;
Analysis means for performing a power consumption reduction simulation of the image forming apparatus using the job information;
Display means for displaying the result of the power consumption reduction simulation by the analyzing means;
With
The analysis unit uses the measured value information or the fixed value information prepared in advance when performing the power consumption reduction simulation when the setting of the job included in the job information is changed. the simulation have line,
The actual measurement value information is calculated from an actual power consumption amount of the job when it is determined from the status information that the job is completed in the event of the image forming apparatus. apparatus. The measured value information is consumed per unit time of the image forming apparatus from an elapsed time from an event immediately before the event when it is determined from the status information that a job is not performed in the event of the image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is calculated as an electric energy. 2. The acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a predetermined number of predetermined information, and the storage unit calculates the actual measurement value information from the predetermined number of predetermined information. The information processing apparatus described. The analysis means, when it is determined from the predetermined information that a plurality of jobs are simultaneously executed, performs the power consumption reduction simulation except for the simultaneously executed jobs. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3 . The analysis unit performs a power consumption reduction simulation using the fixed value information when the actual measurement value information is not stored in the storage unit when the power consumption reduction simulation is performed. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The display means, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that displaying the results of the reduction simulation of the actual measurement value information and the power consumption on the same screen. The analysis means performs a CO2 emission reduction simulation from the power consumption, and the display means displays a result of the reduction simulation of the power consumption or the CO2 emission according to a setting. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . Obtaining predetermined information including job information, status information, and power consumption information from an image forming apparatus equipped with a power meter;
A storage step of calculating actual measurement value information from the predetermined information acquired in the acquisition step and storing the actual measurement value information;
An analysis step of performing a power consumption reduction simulation using print settings of the image forming apparatus in the job information;
A display step for displaying a result of a simulation of reducing power consumption in the analysis step;
Have
In the analysis step, when the power consumption reduction simulation is performed, a reduction simulation is performed using either the measured value information or the fixed value information prepared in advance .
The actual measurement value information is calculated from an actual power consumption amount of the job when it is determined from the status information that the job is completed in the event of the image forming apparatus. Control method in the apparatus. A program for causing a computer to function as a means according to any one of claims 1-7.

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