Patent Publication Number: US-2019196753-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, method of processing information, and storage medium

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-250838, filed on Dec. 27, 2017 in the Japan Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a method of processing information, and a storage medium. 
     Background Art 
     Image forming apparatuses that can automatically change print settings used for a printing operation are known. For example, a print system that can propose alternative condition settings that can reduce the number of printed sheets compared to normal condition settings set by a user is known. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus is devised. The information processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to acquire document information associated with a document, determine recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing based on the document information and a function of an execution device that prints image of the document on a medium, the reduction ratio of resource being calculated based on a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting, and display recommended information including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the resource on a display. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing information is devised. The method includes acquiring document information associated with a document, determining, based on the document information and a function of an execution device that prints the document on a medium, recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing by calculating a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting, and displaying recommended information including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the resource on a display. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to execute a method of processing information is devised. The method includes acquiring document information associated with a document, determining, based on the document information and a function of an execution device that prints the document on a medium, recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing by calculating a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting, and displaying recommended information including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the resource on a display. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the description and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a hardware block diagram of a multifunction peripherals (MFP); 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a functional block diagram of the MFP of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a home screen; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a schematic view of an initial screen; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a color information selection screen; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a color change selection screen; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document sheet amount selection screen; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document face selection screen: 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document direction setting screen; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example of data configuration of recommended setting management information; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of data configuration of resource reduction management information; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a recommended information screen; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example of a schematic view of another recommended information screen; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a graphical image indicating an effect of using recommended setting; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an example of a schematic view of another recommended information screen; and 
         FIG. 16  is an example of a flowchart illustrating the steps of processing information; 
     
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A description is now given of exemplary embodiments of the present inventions. It should be noted that although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or units, it should be understood that such elements, components, regions, layers and/or units are not limited thereby because such terms are relative, that is, used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or unit from another region, layer or unit. Thus, for example, a first element, component, ration, layer or unit discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or unit without departing from the teachings of the present inventions. 
     In addition, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present inventions. Thus, for example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a storage medium of storing a program in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of the information processing apparatus, such as a multifunction peripherals (MFP), but the information processing apparatus is not limited thereto. The MFP is an apparatus having at least two mechanisms selectable from a printing mechanism, a copying mechanism, a scanner mechanism, and a facsimile mechanism. In this description, it is assumed that the MFP includes at least the copying mechanism. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a hardware block diagram of MFP  100  of the embodiment. 
     The MFP  100  includes, for example, a main unit  10  and an operation unit  20 . 
     The main unit  10  is a device that can implement various mechanisms such as a copying mechanism, a scanner mechanism, a facsimile mechanism, a printing mechanism, and the like. In the embodiment, the main unit  10  includes, for example, at least the copying mechanism. In this description, the main unit  10  is also referred to as the main device. 
     The operation unit  20  receives an input operation performed by a user and displays various types of screens as display screens. In this description, the operation unit  20  is also referred to as the operation device. The operation unit  20  is installed with a unique operating system (OS) to be described later. When the operation unit  20  receives the input operation performed by the user, the operation unit  20  receives, for example, an instruction for operation and/or information associated with the user operation. 
     The main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  are communicatively connected with each other through a communication channel  19 . The communication channel  19  can use, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) standard, and can be any channel standard such as wired communication standard and/or wireless communication standard. Further, the communication channel  19  can be a network such as the Internet, a telephone line, or the like. 
     Further, the main unit  10  can perform various operations in accordance with the inputs received at the operation unit  20 . Further, the main unit  10  can communicate with an external device and can perform operations in accordance with instructions received from the external device. 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of a hardware configuration of the main unit  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the main unit  10  includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU)  11 , a read only memory (ROM)  12 , a random access memory (RAM)  13 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  14 , a communication interface (I/F)  15 , a connection interface (I/F)  16 , and an engine unit  17  connected with each other via a system bus  18 . 
     The CPU  11  controls operations of the main unit  10  in a coordinated manner. By executing one or more programs (hereinafter, program) stored in the ROM  12  and/or HDD  14  at the RAM  13  used as a work area, the CPU  11  controls the operations of the main unit  10  entirely and implements various mechanisms such as the copying mechanism, scanner mechanism, facsimile mechanism, printing mechanism, and the like described above. 
     The communication I/F  15  is an interface for connecting with a network  30 . The connection I/F  16  is an interface for communicating with the operation unit  20  via the communication channel  19 . 
     The engine unit  17  includes one or more hardware units that perform various processing for implementing various mechanisms, such as the copying mechanism, scanner mechanism, facsimile mechanism, printing mechanism, and the like, which are other than general-purpose information processing and communication processing, For example, the engine unit  17  includes, for example, a scanner for scanning an image of document, a plotter for printing an image from scanned image data and/or image data acquired from an external apparatus, and a facsimile machine for performing a facsimile communication. Further, a finisher for sorting printed media such as sheets, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding document sheets can be provided as options. 
     In this description, the engine unit  17  is an example of an execution device or unit, and the engine unit  17  includes, for example, at least the copying mechanism. Specifically, the copying mechanism is a mechanism for copying or printing document image on a medium or media, such as sheet. Hereinafter, the medium or media indicate one or more media used for copying or printing. 
     The medium is image formable materials, such as paper, resin sheet, or the like. In the embodiment, the medium may be referred to sheet (e.g., paper) as an example of the medium. Therefore, in this description, the medium may be simply referred to as “sheet” or “paper.” Hereinafter, the medium or media indicate one or more media used for copying or printing, and the terms of medium and media are interchangeably used in this description. 
     The document is a sheet medium (e.g., paper) to be copied. That is, in the embodiment, the document means a medium to be copied, but does not mean electronic data. Specifically, the document means a document sheet. The document to be copied may be also referred to as the original document. 
     In the embodiment, the engine unit  17  has one or more functions related to the copying mechanism. The function of the engine unit  17  means, for example, a function related to a method of printing document image on a medium or media. 
     Specifically, the function of the engine unit  17  includes at least one of a duplex printing function, an aggregation function, and a bookbinding function. 
     The duplex printing function is a function of printing a document image of document face on two faces (both faces) of a print medium, such as sheet. The document face of the document indicates a face to be copied on the print medium. 
     The aggregation function is a function of aggregating and printing a plurality of document faces on each print medium. The aggregation function includes, for example, a function of aggregating and printing a plurality number of document faces on one print medium (e.g., sheet) in accordance with an aggregation number of document faces of the document. 
     The bookbinding printing function is a function of sorting and printing the document faces of the document to create a two-folded book. Specifically, the bookbinding printing function is a function of arranging a plurality of document faces of the document on two faces of each print medium (e.g., sheet), printing the plurality of document faces on two faces of each print medium (e.g., sheet) while adjusting the arrangement order of the document faces printed on each print medium (e.g., sheet) so that document faces can be visually recognized in accordance with the reading order of the document faces of the document when the bookbinding is completed. 
     The bookbinding printing function can further include a plurality of functions. For example, the bookbinding printing function can include functions such as a mini-book printing function, a weekly magazine printing function, and the like. When the mini printing function is used, a plurality of document faces of the document is scanned, two document faces are aggregated and printed on one face of paper and another two document faces are aggregated and printed on another face of the same paper, and then a plurality of the printed paper is folded and then stacked so that the document faces printed on the paper can be visually recognized in accordance with the reading order of the document faces of the document. Further, when the weekly magazine printing function is used, a plurality of read document faces is scanned, two document faces are aggregated and printed on one face of paper and another two document faces are aggregated and printed on another face of the same paper, and then a plurality of printed paper is stacked and then folded so that the document faces printed on paper can be visually recognized in accordance with the reading order of the document faces. 
     Further, the bookbinding printing function can be combined with the aggregation function as an aggregate bookbinding printing function. The aggregate bookbinding printing function is a function of aggregating and printing a plurality of document faces for each printing page to be printed as a book. 
     In the embodiment, the engine unit  17  includes, for example, the weekly magazine printing function, and the aggregate bookbinding printing function as the bookbinding printing function. 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of an example of a hardware configuration of the operation unit  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the operation unit  20  includes, for example, a CPU  21 , a ROM  22 , a RAM  23 , a flash memory  24 , a communication I/F  29 , a connection I/F  26 , an operation panel  27 , and an external connection I/F  28  connected with each other via a system bus  2 . 
     The CPU  21  controls operations of the operation unit  20  in a coordinated manner. By executing one or more programs (hereinafter, program) stored in the ROM  22  and/or the flash memory  24  on the RAM  23  used as a work area, the CPU  21  controls operations of the operation unit  20  entirely and implements various functions, such as displaying of information (e.g., text, image) in accordance with an input received from a user. 
     The communication I/F  29  is an interface for connecting with the network  30 . The connection I/F  26  is an interface for communicating with the main unit  10  via the communication channel  19 . The external connection IT  28  is an interface connected to an external device, such as an integrated circuit (IC) card reader or the like. 
     The operation panel  27  is an example of a display. The operation panel  27  receives various inputs in accordance with a user operation and displays various information. For example, the operation panel  27  displays information corresponding to an input received from the user, various screens, and the like. 
     In the embodiment, the operation panel  27  is configured with a liquid crystal display (LCD) mounted with a touch panel function, but not limited thereto. For example, the operation panel  27  can be configured with an organic electro-luminescence (OEL) display device mounted with a touch panel mechanism. In addition to or alternatively, an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display mechanism such as a lamp can be provided. 
     In the embodiment, software installed on the main unit  10  and software installed on the operation unit  20  differ each other to maintain independence of the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20 . That is, the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  operate independently each other using different operating systems. For example, Linux (registered trademark) may be used as the software of the main unit  10  while Android (registered trademark) may be used as the software of the operation unit  20 . 
     In the MFP  100  of the embodiment, since the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  operate using different operating systems, communication between the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  is performed as communication between different apparatuses or devices rather than an internal communication processing in a single apparatus. The communication between the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  includes, for example, transmitting a command instruction contents, input by a user and received by the operation unit  20 , to the main unit  10 , and transmitting an event from the main unit  10  to the operation unit  20 . 
     For example, when the operation unit  20  transmits a command as the communication to the main unit  10 , the operation unit  20  can use the mechanism of the main unit  10 . Further, the event transmitted from the main unit  10  to the operation unit  20  includes, for example, an execution status of an operation performed at the main unit  10 , contents set at the main unit  10 , and the like. 
     In the embodiment, the MFP  100  includes the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  in one apparatus, but not limited thereto. For example, the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  can be separated into a plurality of apparatuses. That is, the main unit  10  and the operation unit  20  can be configured as different apparatuses, such as a main device and a tablet terminal device. 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of a functional configuration of the MFP  100 .  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a functional block diagram of the MFP  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the main unit  10  of the MFP  100  includes, for example, a print control unit  121 . The print control unit  121  controls the main unit  10  entirely. The print control unit  121  can be implemented by the CPU  11 , the ROM  12 , and the RAM  13 . 
     The print control unit  121  is installed with one or more application software programs in advance for providing various functions by operating hardware resources. In the following description, the application software programs may be simply referred to as an “application.” The application includes, for example, a copy application for providing the copying mechanism, a scanner application for providing the scanner mechanism, a facsimile application for providing the facsimile mechanism, a printer application for providing the printing mechanism, and the like. 
     In the embodiment, the print control unit  121  controls the engine unit  17  in accordance with execution instruction information received from the operation unit  20 . Further, when the print control unit  121  receives a request for inquiring the function of the engine unit  17  from the operation unit  20 , the print control unit  121  notifies the function information indicating the function of the engine unit  17  to the operation unit  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the operation unit  20  of the MFP  100  includes, for example, a processing unit  40 , an operation panel  27 , and a storage unit  25 . The processing unit  40 , the operation panel  27 , and the storage unit  25  connected with each other to communicate data and signals with each other. 
     The storage unit  25  stores various data. The storage unit  25  can be implemented, for example, by a magnetic, optical or electrically storable storage device such as an HDD, a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, an optical disk, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. Specifically, the storage unit  25  is implemented by, for example, the flash memory  24  and/or the ROM  22  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In the embodiment, the storage unit  25  stores, for example, recommended setting management information  25 A and resource reduction management information  25 B in advance as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The details of the recommended setting management information  25 A and the resource reduction management information  25 B will be described later. 
     The processing unit  40  controls the operation unit  20 . The processing unit  40  can be implemented by the CPU  21 , the ROM  22 , and the RAM  23  (see FIG. I). 
     The processing unit  40  includes, for example, an acquisition unit  40 A, a reception unit  40 B, a determination unit  40 C, and a display control unit  40 D as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The acquisition unit  40 A, the reception unit  40 B, the determination unit  40 C, and the display control unit  40 D can be implemented by one or more processors or circuitry. For example, each of the above described units can be implemented by executing one or more software programs using one or more processors, such as the CPU  21 . Further, each of the above described units can be implemented by a processor, such as dedicated integrated circuit (IC) that is a hardware resource. Further, each of the above described units can be implemented in combination with software and hardware. When a plurality of processors is used, each processor may implement one of the units or two or more units, 
     The acquisition unit  40 A acquires document information associated with document to be copied (target document). The document information is information indicating a state of the target document to be copied. Specifically, the document information includes, for example, document sheet number information indicating the number of document sheets to be copied, document face information indicating whether the document face of the document to be printed is one-face document or two-face document. The one-face document means that the target document to be printed has an image on one face of each document sheet alone while the two-face document means that the target document to be printed has an image on both faces (two faces, front and rear faces) of each document sheet. 
     Further, the document information can further include other information. For example, the document information can further include at least one of color information of document face of document, color change information of document face of document, and document direction or orientation information of document. 
     The color information indicates whether text and/or image on the document face of the document is color image or monochrome image (e.g., black and white). The color change information is information indicating whether allowing to change a color used for printing the document face of document. The document direction or orientation information is information indicating the direction or orientation of the document that is placed on a document placement portion at the main unit  10 . 
     In the embodiment, the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information from the operation panel  27  via the reception unit  40 B. The reception unit  40 B receives an input when a user performs an operation on the operation panel  27 . By operating the operation panel  27 , the user can input the document information. The reception unit  40 B receives the document information from the operation panel  27  and outputs the document information to the acquisition unit  40 A. With this processing, the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information. 
     Further, the acquisition unit  404  acquires the function information from the print control unit  121  of the main unit  10 . The acquisition unit  40 A transmits an inquiry request of the function of the engine unit  17  to the print control unit  121 . The print control unit  121 , which receives the inquiry request, notifies the function information indicating the function of the engine unit  17  to the processing unit  40 . Then, the acquisition unit  40 A of the processing unit  40  acquires the function information from the print control unit  121 . 
     In the embodiment, the function information indicating the function of the engine unit  17  includes, for example, at least one of functions such as a duplex printing function, an aggregation function, and a bookbinding printing function. 
     The display control unit  40 D controls displaying of various information and various screens on the operation panel  27 . 
     In the embodiment, the display control unit  40 D controls displaying of various screens, such as a home screen, a reception screen, and a recommended information screen displayable on the operation panel  27 . 
     The home screen is a basic screen that is firstly displayed after the power supply to the MFP  100  is turned on.  FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a home screen  50 . The home screen  50  displays, for example, a plurality of icons (e.g., button images) associated with a plurality of types of applications with one-to-one relationship. 
     For example, the home screen  50  displays the icons respectively associated with the copy application, the scanner application, the facsimile application, and the printer application. 
     In the embodiment, the processing unit  40  is installed with a resource reduction diagnosis application. The resource reduction diagnosis application is an application for proposing recommended setting, and assessing, estimating or diagnosing an effect of the recommended setting when copying of document is performed based on the recommended setting. The effect of using the recommended setting includes, for example, resource reduction effect, such as sheet reduction effect indicating a sheet reduction ratio when the recommended setting is used, colorant reduction effect indicating a reduction ratio of the number of used colorants when the recommended setting is used, print-fee reduction effect indicating a print-fee reduction ratio when the recommended setting is used. The program for implementing the resource reduction diagnosis application is an example of an information processing program. 
     The home screen  50  includes, for example, an icon  50 , or instructing an execution of the resource reduction diagnosis application. 
     The display control unit  40 D controls the operation panel  27  to display the home screen  50 . A user refers to the home screen  50  displayed on the operation panel  27  and operates the icon  50 A to instruct an execution of the resource reduction diagnosis application. Then, the reception unit  40 B receives the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application and the processing unit  40  executes the information processing program of the embodiment. Further, the processing unit  40  can he configured to execute the information processing program of the embodiment when an icon  50 B associated with the copy application in the home screen  50  is operated. 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application via the reception unit  40 B, the display control unit  40 D controls the operation panel  27  to display a reception screen. The reception screen is a display screen used for receiving an input of document information. 
       FIGS. 4 to 9  illustrate examples of schematic views of a reception screen  58 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a schematic view of an initial screen  51 . Hereinafter, the initial screen  51  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The initial screen  51  is a screen that is displayed at first when the resource reduction diagnosis application is activated for executing the diagnosis of resource reduction. The initial screen  51  includes, for example, an icon  51 A for instructing the execution of the resource reduction diagnosis application. When a user operates the icon  51 A on the operation panel  27  ( FIG. 4 ), the reception unit  40 B receives command information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application and outputs the command information to the display control unit  40 D. 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the command information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application, the display control unit  40 D displays a color information selection screen on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a color information selection screen  52 . Hereinafter, the color information selection screen  52  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The color information selection screen  52  is used as the reception screen  58  for receiving the color information of a document face of a document to be copied. The color information selection screen  52  includes, for example, an icon  52 C for receiving a selection of “color” or a selection of “monochrome,” an icon  52 A for receiving an execution instruction, and an icon  52 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     A user operates the icon  52 C on the operation panel  27  to input color information. Specifically, the user operates the icon  52 C associated with color information of the document face of the document to be copied to input the color information. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example case that information indicating “color” is input by selecting “color” in the icon  52 C. In response to a user operation of the icon  52 A, the reception unit  40 B receives the input color information and outputs the color information to the acquisition unit  40 A and the display control unit  40 D. Further, if the user operates the icon  52 B to instruct a return to the previous screen, the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  that was previously displayed on the operation panel  27 . 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the input color information, the display control unit  40 D displays a color change selection screen on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a color change selection screen  53 . Hereinafter, the color change selection screen  53  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The color change selection screen  53  is used as the reception screen  58  for receiving the color change information. The color change selection screen  53  includes, for example, an icon  53 C for receiving a selection of “color is not to be changed,” a selection of “monochrome” or a selection of “copy using two colors (reasonable),” an icon  53 A for receiving an execution instruction, and an icon  53 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     When a user operates the operation panel  27 , the user operates the icon  53 C in accordance with a request for changing color used for printing a document face of a document to be copied. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example case that color change information used for printing the document face of the document is changed to “monochrome” by selecting “monochrome.” In response to a user selection operation of the icon  53 A, the reception unit  40 B receives the color change information indicating either the color is not to be changed, the color is changed to the monochrome, or the color for copying is changed to two colors, and outputs the selected color change information to the acquisition unit  40 A and the display control unit  40 D. Further, if the user operates the icon  53 B to instruct a return to the previous screen, the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  that was previously displayed on the operation panel  27 . 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the input color change information, the display control unit  401 D displays a document sheet amount selection screen on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document sheet amount selection screen  54 . Hereinafter, the document sheet amount selection screen  54  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The document sheet amount selection screen  54  is used as the reception screen  58  for receiving the document sheet number information indicating the number of sheets of the document to be copied. The document sheet amount selection screen  54  includes, for example, a selection area.  54 C, an icon  54 A for receiving an execution instruction, and an icon  54 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     The selection area  54 C is a field for selecting the number of document sheets of document to be copied (document sheet number information). In the embodiment, the document sheet amount selection screen  54  includes the selection area  54 C for selecting the number of document sheets of document to be copied (document sheet number information). The selection area  54 C includes, for example, a plurality of selectable options, such as a selection column  54 C 1 , a selection column  54 C 2 , a selection column  54 C 3 , which differ in a sheet number range. The sheet number range can be set in accordance with the number of sheets suitable for the bookbinding printing. The sheet number range can be a pre-set range defining one or more ranges of sheet numbers. 
     In the embodiment, the selection area  54 C includes, for example, the selection column  54 C 2  for selecting a given sheet number range suitable for the bookbinding printing, the selection column  54 C 1  for selecting another sheet number range less than the given sheet number range, and the selection column  54 C 3  for selecting another sheet number range greater than the given sheet number range. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates one example that the given sheet number range suitable for the bookbinding printing is set “9 to 32 sheets,” another sheet number range less than the given sheet number range is set “8 sheets or less,” and another sheet number range greater than the given sheet number range is set “33 sheets or more.” It should be noted that the upper and lower values of the given sheet number range are merely examples, but not limited thereto indicated in  FIG. 7 . Further, the sheets number range can be set in two steps, four steps, and other steps. 
     The display control unit  40 D displays the selection area  54 C indicating the given sheet number range suitable for the bookbinding printing on the operation panel  27 , with which a user is not required to enter the number of sheets in consideration of the bookbinding printing. As a result, the input operation of document sheet number information can be simplified. 
     Further, the document sheet amount selection screen  54  can include an input field for directly inputting the document sheet number information indicating the number of sheets of document to be copied. 
     When a user operates the operation panel  27 , the user selects the any one of the selection column  54 C 1 , the selection column  54 C 2 , and the selection column  54 C 3 , each being associated with the sheet number range of document to be copied.  FIG. 7  illustrates an example case that the given sheet number range of “9 to 32 sheets” suitable for the bookbinding printing is selected. 
     Then, if the user operates the icon  54 A, the reception unit  40 B receives the input of the document sheet number information and outputs the document sheet number information to the acquisition unit  40 A and the display control unit  40 D, in the embodiment, the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document sheet number information indicating the sheet number range input via the selection area  54 C. 
     Further, if the user operates the icon  54 B to instruct a return to the previous screen, the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  that was previously displayed on the operation panel  27 . 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the input document sheet number information, the display control unit  40 D displays the document face selection screen on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document face selection screen  55 . Hereinafter, the document face selection screen  55  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The document face selection screen  55  is used as the reception screen  58  for receiving the document face information indicating whether a document face of a target document is one-face document or two-face document. The document face selection screen  55  includes, for example, an icon  55 C, an icon  55 A for receiving an execution instruction, and an icon  55 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     The icon  55 C is an icon image for selecting the document face information. In the embodiment, the icon  55 C is an icon image for selecting any one of “one face, two faces (left/right opening), and two faces (up/down opening). The “two faces (left/right opening)” means that the document face of the document to be copied is two faces, and the arrangement of the document faces in the document is “left and right opening.” The “left/right opening” means that the top and bottom of the front and back faces of the document are set in the same direction. Further, the “two faces (up/down opening)” means that the document face of the document to be copied is two faces, and the arrangement of the document faces in the document is “up and down.” The “up/down opening” means that the top and bottom of the front and back faces of the document are set in the opposite directions. 
     When a user operates the icon  55 C on the operation panel  27 , the document face information is input.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example case when “two faces (up/down opening)” is input. 
     Then, if the user operates the icon  55 A, the reception unit  40 B receives the input document face information and outputs the document face information to the acquisition unit  40 A and the display control unit  40 D. Further, if the user operates the icon  55 B to instruct a return to the previous screen, the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  that was previously displayed on the operation panel  27 . 
     When the display control unit  40 D receives the input document face information, the display control unit  40 D displays a document direction setting screen on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a document direction setting screen  56 . Hereinafter, the document direction setting screen  56  is described as one example of the reception screen  58 . The document direction setting screen  56  is used as the reception screen  58  for receiving the document direction information indicating a direction or orientation of the document to be placed on the document placement portion of the main unit  10 . The document direction setting screen  56  includes, for example, an icon  56 C, an icon  56 A for receiving an execution instruction, and an icon  56 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     The icon  56 C is an icon image for selecting the document direction or orientation of the document to be placed on the document placement portion of the main unit  10 . In the embodiment, the icon  56 C is an icon image for selecting “portrait” or “landscape” as the document direction or orientation of the document to be placed on the document placement portion of the main unit  10 . 
     When a user operates the icon  56 C on the operation panel  27 , the document direction information is input.  FIG. 9  illustrates an example case when the document direction of “landscape” is input as the document direction or orientation of the document. 
     Then, if the user operates the icon  56 A, the reception unit  40 B receives the input document direction information and outputs the document direction information to the acquisition unit  40 A and the display control unit  40 D. Further, if the user operates the icon  56 B to instruct a return to the previous screen, the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  that was previously displayed on the operation panel 
     As described above, when the display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  on the operation panel  27  and the reception unit  40 B receives the document information input by the user, the reception unit  40 B receives the document information. Then, the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information from the reception unit  40 B. In the embodiment, the acquisition unit  40 A acquires, for example, the document information including the document sheet number information, document face information, color information, color change information, and document direction information. Further, the acquisition unit  40 A may need to acquire the document information including at least the document sheet number information and the document face information, and further, the information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A is not limited to the above information. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the description is continued. Hereinafter, a description is given of the determination unit  40 C. Based on the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A and the function of the engine unit  17 , the determination unit  40 C computes and determines recommended setting for copying and the reduction ratio of used amount of sheet for copying (i.e., a sheet reduction ratio when the document is copied based on the recommended setting). 
     As disclosed in this description, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit or device) that prints the document on a medium or media, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing by calculating a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on settings (e.g., initial settings) included in the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting. When the resource is, for example, the number of sheets required for printing, the reduction ratio of resource is calculated as a sheet reduction ratio, but the resource required for printing is not limited thereto. For example, when the resource is a print fee required for printing, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines a print-fee reduction ratio to be described later. Further, the resource can be a printing time duration required for printing. The resource is not limited to examples described in this specification 
     In this description, the recommended setting includes one or more settings. For example, the recommended setting indicates one or more conditions settable for copying that is recommended by the processing unit  40  in view of the function of the engine unit  17 , such as the duplex printing function, aggregation function, bookbinding printing function. Specifically, the recommended setting includes, for example, any one of the functions of the engine unit  17  (e.g., duplex printing function, aggregation function, bookbinding printing function) and the aggregation number. That is, the recommended setting is information indicating which function of the engine unit  17  is selected from a plurality of functions of the engine unit  17 , and which aggregation number are used when a document is to be copied on media. 
     The reduction ratio of to-be-used sheet amount is calculated by dividing expected sheet amount used for copying a document on media based on the recommended setting (second expected sheet amount) with another expected sheet amount used for copying the same document on media based on the initial settings associated to the same document (first expected sheet amount). Hereinafter, the reduction ratio of to-be-used sheet amount may be referred to as the “sheet reduction ratio.” For example, the sheet reduction ratio can be calculated variously as below. 
       sheet reduction ratio=second expected sheet amount (recommended setting)/first expected sheet amount (initial setting) 
       sheet reduction ratio[first expected sheet amount (initial setting)−second expected sheet amount (recommended setting)]/first expected sheet amount (initial setting)
 
     For example, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting having the sheet reduction ratio that is equal to or greater than a first threshold based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17  acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A. The first threshold can be set in advance. The first threshold is, for example, 50%, 60%, 75%, and so forth, but not limited thereto. Further, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting having the highest sheet reduction ratio, in which the least number of sheets are used for copying. Further, the determination unit  40 C can appropriately change the first threshold in accordance with an instruction of a user performed on the operation panel  27 . Further, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine a number of recommended settings, which are arranged in an order from one recommended setting that can achieve the highest sheet reduction ratio. 
     Further, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 , the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting that can satisfy one or more conditions. For example, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting that can satisfy any one of a first condition that the sheet reduction ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold as above described, a second condition that the number of color materials used in the engine unit  17  for copying is a second threshold or less, a third condition that a level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet is equal to or greater than a third threshold, a combination of any two of the first, second and third conditions, and a combination of the first, second and third conditions. 
     The number of color materials indicates the number of types of color materials used in the engine unit  17 , in the embodiment, the number of types of color materials is simply referred to as the number of color materials. When the engine unit  17  is an electrophotographic image forming unit, the color material is toner while when the engine unit  17  is an inkjet image forming unit, the color material is ink. As the number of color materials used for copying is smaller and the color material is not a special color, the type of used color materials and cost of used color materials can be reduced. The determination unit  40 C can determine the second threshold set for the number of color materials in advance based on these considerations. Further, the second threshold can be changed as appropriate in accordance with an instruction of a user performed on the operation panel  27 . Further, an amount or volume of color materials used in the engine unit  17  can be also calculated and determined by the determination unit  40 C based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 . 
     The level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet becomes higher values as images and characters formed on media (e.g., printed sheets) is more easily visible or readable for the user, and the higher the sharpness of images and characters. The determination unit  40 C prepares a calculation formula for calculating the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet in advance. Further, the sharpness of images and characters formed on the printed sheet can be calculated by using known methods. For example, a combination of the function of the engine unit  17  and the aggregation number is prepared as a plurality of patterns by selecting the function of the engine unit  17  and the aggregation number, and then the determination unit  40 C calculates the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet when copying a document to sheets using each of various patterns of combining the function of the engine unit  17  and the aggregation number. Then, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting that can achieve the third threshold or more for the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet. The third threshold can be determined in advance. Further, the third threshold can be changed as appropriate in accordance with an instruction of a user performed on the operation panel  27   
     In the embodiment, the determination unit  40 C stores the recommended setting management information  25 A and the resource reduction management information  25 B in the storage unit  25  in advance. Then, the determination unit  40 C uses the recommended setting management information  25 A and the resource reduction management information  25 B to compute and determine the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of resource, such as the sheet reduction ratio. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example of data configuration of the recommended setting management information  25 A. The recommended setting management information  25 A specifies one or more recommended settings for the document face information and the document sheet number information in view of each function of the engine unit  17 . 
     The function of the engine unit  17  includes at least one of the duplex printing function, the aggregation function, and the bookbinding function as described above.  FIG. 10  illustrates an example case of a “bookbinding printing function support model” and a “bookbinding printing function unsupported model.” The bookbinding printing function support model indicates that the engine unit  17  has the duplex printing function, the aggregation function, and the bookbinding function. The bookbinding printing function unsupported model indicates that the engine unit  17  has the duplex printing function and the aggregation function but does not have the bookbinding printing function. 
     In the embodiment, it is assumed that one recommended setting is registered in the recommended setting management information  25 A for each of a plurality of combinations of the document face information and the document sheet number information in accordance with whether the engine unit  17  has the bookbinding printing function, in which the document face information includes one-face document and two-face document while the document sheet number information includes a plurality of sheet number ranges 
     Further, the recommended setting management information  25 A can register a plurality of recommended settings for a plurality of combinations of the document face information (one-face document, two-face document) and the document sheet number information (sheet number ranges) in accordance with whether the engine unit  17  has the bookbinding printing function in advance. Further, the recommended setting management information  25 A can register one or more recommended settings for a plurality of combinations of the functions included in the engine unit  17 , the document face information, and the document sheet number information in advance. 
     In  FIG. 10 , “weekly magazine printing+2-page aggregation” means an aggregate bookbinding printing function having an aggregation number of “2.” Further, in  FIG. 10 , “duplex printing+2-page aggregation” indicates the duplex printing function having an aggregation number of “2.” Further, in  FIG. 10 , “duplex printing+4-page aggregation” indicates the duplex printing function having an aggregation number of “4.” Further, in  FIG. 10 , “duplex printing” indicates the duplex printing function having an aggregation number of “1” (no aggregation). 
     It should be noted that the recommended settings in  FIG. 10  are examples, and the recommended settings corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17 , the document face information, and the document sheet number information is not limited to the settings of  FIG. 10 . 
     In the embodiment, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting by reading the recommended setting, corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17  indicated by the function information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, the document sheet number information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, and the document face information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, from the recommended setting management information  25 A. 
     Further, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 , the determination unit  40 C can specify a calculation formula for calculating the recommended setting that satisfies at least any one of the first condition that the sheet reduction ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the second condition that the number of color materials used in the engine unit  17  for copying is the second threshold or less, and the third condition that the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet is equal to or greater than the third threshold using known teaming methods. Then, the determination unit  40 C can calculate the recommended setting using the calculation formula. 
     Further, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting for copying based on the function selected by a user from the function of the engine unit  17 , and the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A. 
     In this description, the determination unit  40 C can acquire information indicating the function selected by the user from the operation panel  27  via the acquisition unit  40 A and the reception unit  40 B. For example, the determination unit  40 C receives information indicating whether to use the bookbinding printing function as the information of the function of the engine unit  17  selected by the user. In this case, the display control unit  40 D can display a selection screen for letting the user to select whether to use the bookbinding printing function of the engine unit  17  on the operation panel  27 . The timing when the selection screen is displayed can be any timing before the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting. 
     For example, the display control unit  40 D can be configured to display a button image used for setting whether to use the bookbinding printing function of the engine unit  17  within the initial screen  51  (see  FIG. 4 ). Then, if the user operates the button image, the display control unit  40 D displays a selection screen for letting the user to select whether to use the bookbinding printing function of the engine unit  17  on the operation panel  27 . Then, if the user operates the selection screen and selects whether to use the bookbinding printing function or not, the reception unit  40 B receives information indicating whether to use the bookbinding printing function or not and outputs the information to the acquisition unit  40 A. 
     Then, the determination unit  40 C receives the information indicating whether to use the bookbinding printing function as the information of the function selected by the user from the acquisition unit  40 A. 
     In this example case, it is assumed that the function of the engine unit  17  includes the bookbinding printing function and the information of the function selected by the user is a use of “bookbinding printing function.” In this example case, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting by reading the recommended setting corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17  (including the bookbinding printing function), specified by the function information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, the document sheet number information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, and the document face information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, from the recommended setting management information  25 A. 
     On the other hand, it can be assumed that the function of the engine unit  17  includes the bookbinding printing function, and the information of the function selected by the user is a no-use of “bookbinding printing function.” In this example case, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting by reading the recommended setting corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17  (excluding the bookbinding printing function), specified by the function information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, the document sheet number information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, and the document face information included in the document information acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, from the recommended setting management information  25 A. 
     Then, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the sheet reduction ratio by dividing the expected sheet amount used for copying a document on media based on the recommended setting with another expected sheet amount used for copying the same document on media based on the initial settings associated to the same document. 
     For example, the determination unit  40 C subtracts the number of sheets to be used for copying when the document is copied based on the recommended setting from the number of sheets to be used for copying when the document is copied based on the document sheet number information indicated in the document information to generate a subtraction result, and then divides the subtraction result with the number of sheets to be used for copying when the document is copied based on the document sheet number information indicated in the document information to compute and determine the sheet reduction ratio. 
     Further, the determination unit  40 C can calculate the sheet reduction ratio using the resource reduction management information  25 B.  FIG. 11  illustrates an example of data configuration of the resource reduction management information  25 B. The resource reduction management information  25 B specifies the sheet reduction ratio corresponding to the recommended setting associated with the document face information and the document sheet number information set for each function of the engine unit  17  included in the recommended setting management information  25 A (see  FIG. 10 ).  FIG. 11  illustrates an example case that the maximum sheet reduction ratio is specified. 
     In this example case, the determination unit  40 C reads the sheet reduction ratio, corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17 , the document sheet number information included in the document information, and the document face information included in the document information, acquired by the acquisition unit  40 A, from the resource reduction management information  25 B to compute and determine the sheet reduction ratio corresponding to the determined recommended setting ( FIG. 10 ). 
     Further, the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the print-fee reduction ratio as a ratio of a first print fee when the document is copied on media in accordance with the document information and a second print fee when a document is copied on media based on the determined recommended setting, in which the determination unit  40 C divides the second print fee when the document is copied on media based on the determined recommended setting with the first print fee when the document is copied on media in accordance with the document information to compute and determine the print-fee reduction ratio. The print-fee reduction ratio can be calculated variously as below 
       print-fee reduction ratio=second print fee (recommended setting)/first print fee (initial setting) 
       print-fee reduction ratio=[first print fee (initial setting)−second print fee (recommended setting)]/first print fee (initial setting)
 
     In this case, for example, the determination unit  40 C stores the print fee per sheet in the storage unit  25  in advance. Then, the determination unit  40 C multiplies the number of sheets specified by the document sheet number information included in the document information and the print fee per sheet to calculate a multiplication result as the first print fee. Further, the determination unit  40 C multiplies the number of sheets when the document is copied on media based on the determined recommended setting and the print fee per sheet to calculate a multiplication result as the second print fee. Then, the determination unit  40 C subtracts the second print fee from the first print fee to obtain a subtraction result, and then divides the subtraction result with the first print fee to compute and determine the print-fee reduction ratio. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the description is continued. The display control unit  40 D displays recommended information including the recommended setting and the sheet reduction ratio determined by the determination unit  40 C on the operation panel  27 . In the embodiment, the determination unit  40 C displays a recommended information screen including the recommended information on the operation panel  27 . 
       FIGS. 12 to 15  illustrate examples of schematic views of a recommended information screen  60 , 
     For example, the display control unit  40 D displays a recommended information screen  61  of  FIG. 12  on the operation panel  27 . Hereinafter, the recommended information screen  61  is described as one example of the recommended information screen  60 . The recommended information screen  61  includes, for example, recommended setting  64 , which is an example of information included in recommended information  62 . 
     The recommended setting  64  displays a change button  64 A used for changing each item included in the recommended setting  64 , such as function, aggregation, and color material. By operating the change button  64 A displayed on the operation panel  27 , a user can change the content of each item included in the recommended setting  64 , 
     Further, the recommended information screen  61  includes, for example, an icon  61 A for receiving an instruction to execute the recommended setting  64  displayed on the recommended information screen  61 , and an icon  61 B for receiving an instruction to return to the previous screen. 
     When the user operates the operation panel  27 , the user checks the recommended setting  64  or changes the content of each item in the recommended setting  64 , and then operates the icon  61 A. When the display control unit  40 D receives the execution instruction from the operation panel  27  via the reception unit  40 B, the display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information screen  60  including the sheet reduction ratio on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a recommended information screen  66  including a sheet reduction ratio  65 , which is an example of information included in the recommended information  62 . Hereinafter, the recommended information screen  66  is described as one example of the recommended information screen  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the display control unit  40 D can display a graphical image indicating the sheet reduction ratio  65  on the operation panel  27 . The graphical image indicates an effect when copying is performed based on the recommended setting  64  compared with when copying is performed based on the document information using visualized representation or image. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the graphical image can be a pie chart, a bar graph or the like, but not limited thereto. For example, the graphical image indicating the sheet reduction ratio  65  can be set as a graphical image  65 - 1  represented by a bar graph as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The graphical image  65 - 1  is an example of information included in the recommended information  62 . 
     By displaying the graphical image indicating the sheet reduction ratio  65  on the operation panel  27 , the display control unit  40 D can provide information indicating the sheet reduction ratio  65  in a form intuitively comprehensible to a user. After inputting the number of copies of the target document to be printed on the operation panel  27 , the user operates an icon  66 A indicating a copy execution on the operation panel  27 . Then, the reception unit  40 B outputs a copy execution information indicating that the target document is to be copied based on the input number of copies and the recommended setting  64  to the print control unit  121  of the main unit  10  via the acquisition unit  40 A. The copy execution information is one example of the execution information. The print control unit  121  controls the engine unit  17  in accordance with the received copy execution information to copy the document on one or more sheets based on the recommended setting  64  included in the copy execution information. 
     The display control unit  40 D can further display the recommended information  62  including the print-fee reduction ratio on the operation panel  27  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an example of a schematic view of a recommended information screen  67  including the sheet reduction ratio  65  and a print-fee reduction ratio  68 , which are examples of information included in the recommended information  62 . Hereinafter, the recommended information screen  67  is described as one example of the recommended information screen  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the display control unit  40 D can display the recommended information  62  including one graphical image indicating the sheet reduction ratio  65  and another graphical image indicating the print-fee reduction ratio  68  on the operation panel  27 . The display control unit  40 D can set the recommended setting  64  and the sheet reduction ratio  65  on the recommended information screen  60  to display the recommended setting  64  and the sheet reduction ratio  65  on the operation panel  27 . Further, the display control unit  40 D can set the recommended setting  64 , the sheet reduction ratio  65 , and the print-tee reduction ratio  68  on the recommended information screen  67  to display the recommended setting  64 , the sheet reduction ratio  65 , and the print-fee reduction ratio  68  on the operation panel  27 . 
     As above described, the display control unit  40 D can display the recommended information  62  including the recommended setting  64  and the sheet reduction ratio  65  on the operation panel  27 . 
     As above described, the recommended setting  64  indicates conditions for copying that is recommended by the processing unit  40  in view of the function included in the engine unit  17 , such as the duplex printing function, aggregation function, and bookbinding printing function. As described above, the recommended setting  64  includes the recommended setting associated with the sheet reduction ratio that is equal to or greater than the first threshold based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 . Further, the sheet reduction ratio  65  indicates a reduction ratio of sheet amount, which is defined as a ratio of the expected sheet amount when the document is copied on media based on the recommended setting  64  and another expected sheet amount when the document is copied on media based on the initial settings included in the document information. 
     Therefore, the display control unit  40 D can display the recommendation setting  64  corresponding to the function of the engine unit  17  and information indicating an effect of using the recommendation setting  64  on the operation panel  27 . 
     Further, as described above, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 , the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting  64  that satisfies at least any one of the first condition that the sheet reduction ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the second condition that the number of color materials used in the engine unit  17  for copying is the second threshold or less, and the third condition that the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet is equal to or greater than the third threshold. In this case, the display control unit  40 D can display the recommended setting  64  in line with the sheet reduction ratio, the number of color materials, and the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet and the information indicating the effect using the recommended setting  64  on the operation panel  27 . 
     Hereinafter, a description is given of an example of information processing performed at the MFP  100 . 
       FIG. 16  is an example of a flowchart illustrating the steps of processing information at the MFP  100  of the embodiment. 
     When the power supply to the MFP  100  is turned ON, the display control unit  40 D displays the home screen  50  ( FIG. 3 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 200 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether a selection of the resource reduction diagnosis application is received (step S 202 ). If the reception unit  40 B determines that the selection of the resource reduction diagnosis application is not received (step S 202 : NO), the MFP  100  performs normal processing and ends the sequence. The normal processing is a process for controlling the engine unit  17  to execute a mechanism corresponding to an icon instructed by a user, which is selected from the icons indicating various applications displayed on the home screen  50 . 
     On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the selection of the resource reduction diagnosis application is received (step S 202 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 204 . In step S 204 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the function information of the engine unit  17  from the print control unit  121  of the main unit  10  (step S 204 ). 
     Then, the display control unit  40 D displays the initial screen  51  ( FIG. 4 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 206 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application is received (step S 208 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 208  if the reception unit  40 B determines that the information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application is not yet received (step S 208 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application is received in step S 208  (step S 208 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 210 . Further, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the information indicating the execution instruction of the resource reduction diagnosis application is not received in step S 208  (step S 208 : NO), the sequence can be ended. 
     In step S 210 , the display control unit  40 D displays the color information selection screen  52  ( FIG. 5 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 210 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether the color information is received (step S 212 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 212  if the reception unit  409  determines that the color information is not yet received in step S 212  (step S 212 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the color information is received in step S 212  (step S 212 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 214 . Further, if the reception unit  409  determines that the color information is not received in step S 212  (step S 212 : NO), the sequence can be ended. 
     In step S 214 , the display control unit  40 D displays the color change selection screen  53  ( FIG. 6 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 214 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether the color change information received from the operation panel  27  indicates “color is to be changed” (step S 216 ). If the reception unit  40 B determines that the color change information is “color is not to be changed” (step S 216 : NO), the sequence proceeds to step S 224 . 
     In step S 224 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires “color” as the color information (step S 224 ). Then, the sequence proceeds to step S 226 , which will be described later. 
     On the other hand, if the reception unit  409  determines that the color change information received from the operation panel  27  is “color is to be changed” (step S 216 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 218 . 
     In step S 218 , the reception unit  40 B determines whether the color change information received from the operation panel  27  indicates “monochrome” or “copy using two colors” (step S 218 ). 
     If the reception unit  40 B determines that the color change information indicates “monochrome” in step S 218  (step S 218 : monochrome), the sequence proceeds to step S 220 . In step S 220 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires “monochrome” as the color information (step S 220 ), and then the sequence proceeds to step S 226 , which will be described later. 
     On the other hand, if the reception unit  409  determines that the color change information indicates “copy using two colors” in step S 218  (step S 218 : two colors), the sequence proceeds to step S 222 . In step S 222 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires “two colors” as the color information (step S 222 ), and then the sequence proceeds to step S 226 , which will be described later. 
     In steps S 212  to S 224 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the color information related to the document face of the document to be copied. 
     Then, in step S 226 , the display control unit  40 D displays the document sheet amount selection screen  54  ( FIG. 7 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 226 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether the document sheet number information (sheet amount information of the document) is received (step S 228 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 228  if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document sheet number information is not yet received (step S 228 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document sheet number information is received in step S 228  (step S 228 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 230 . Further, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document sheet number information is not received in step S 228  (step S 228 : NO), the sequence can be ended. 
     In step S 230 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document sheet number information of the document (sheet amount information of the document) received in step S 228  (step S 230 ). 
     Then, the display control unit  40 D displays tine document face selection screen  55  ( FIG. 8 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 232 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether the document face information is received (step S 234 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 234  if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document face information is not yet received (step S 234 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document face information is received in step S 234  (step S 234 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 236 . Further, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document face information is not received in step S 234  (step S 234 : NO), the sequence can be ended. 
     In step S 236 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document face information received in step S 234 . 
     Then, the display control unit  40 D displays the document direction setting screen  56  ( FIG. 9 ) on the operation panel  27  (step S 238 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether the document direction information is received (step S 240 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 240  if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document direction information is not yet received (step S 240 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document direction information is received in step S 240  (step S 240 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 242 . Further, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the document direction information is not received in step S 240  (step S 240 : NO), the sequence can be ended. 
     In step S 242 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document direction information received in step S 240  (step S 242 ). 
     In steps S 206  to S 242 , the acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information as above described. 
     Then, the determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommendation information  62  based on the function information of the engine unit  17  acquired in step S 204  and the document information acquired in steps S 206  to S 242  (step S 244 ). 
     Then, the display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information screen  60  ( FIGS. 12 to 15 ) including the recommended information  62  on the operation panel  27  (step S 246 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether a copy execution instruction is received from the operation panel  27  (step S 248 ). If the reception unit  40 B determines that the copy execution instruction is received in step S 248  (step S 248 : YES), the acquisition unit  40 A outputs the copy execution information for instructing an execution of copying the document on media based on the number of copies specified in the recommended setting  64  displayed on the recommended information screen  60 , to the print control unit  121  (step S 250 ). The print control unit  121  controls the engine unit  17  to perform copying the document on media based on the number of copies specified by the recommended setting  64  included in the received copy execution information. Then, the sequence is ended or terminated. 
     On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the copy execution instruction is not received in step S 248  (step S 248 : NO), the sequence proceeds to step S 252 . 
     In step S 252 , the display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information screen  60  ( FIGS. 12 to 15 ) including the recommended information  62 , calculated and determined in step S 244 , on the operation panel  27  (step S 252 ). 
     Then, the reception unit  40 B determines whether a change instruction of each item included in the recommendation information  62  is received (step S 254 ). The reception unit  40 B repeats step S 254  if the reception unit  40 B determines that the change instruction of each item included in the recommendation information  62  is not yet received (step S 254 : NO). On the other hand, if the reception unit  40 B determines that the change instruction of each item included in the recommendation information  62  is received in step S 254  (S 254 : YES), the sequence proceeds to step S 256 . 
     In step S 256 , the display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information screen  60  including the recommended information  62  changed in step S 254  on the operation panel  27  (step S 256 ). Then, the sequence returns to step S 248 . 
     As described above, the MFP  100  (information processing apparatus) includes the acquisition unit  40 A, the determination unit  40 C, and the display control unit  40 D. The acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information associated with the document. The determination unit  40 C computes and determines, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit) used for copying or printing the document on media, the recommended setting used for printing, and the reduction ratio of the used media amount when printing is performed based on the recommended setting. The display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information  62  including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the used media amount on the operation panel  27  (display unit). 
     As above described, the MFP  100  displays the recommended information  62  including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of resource, which are determined based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 , on the operation panel  27 . 
     Therefore, the MFP  100  (information processing apparatus) can provide the information including the recommended setting and the effect of using the recommended setting in accordance with the function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit) that executes the printing. 
     In the embodiment, a method of processing information can be devised. The method of processing information includes, for example, acquiring document information associated with a document, determining, based on the document information and a function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit) that prints the document on a medium, recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing by calculating a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting, and displaying recommended information  62  including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the resource on the operation panel  27  (display unit). 
     In the embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to execute a method of processing information is devised. The method of processing information includes, for example, acquiring document information associated with a document, determining, based on the document information and a function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit) that prints the document on a medium, recommended setting for printing and a reduction ratio of resource for printing by calculating a ratio of an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the acquired document information and an amount of the resource required for printing when the printing is performed based on the recommended setting, and displaying recommended information  62  including the recommended setting and the reduction ratio of the resource on the operation panel  27  (display unit). 
     The function of the engine unit  17  includes one or more functions related to printing a document on media, but not limited thereto. Further, the function of the engine unit  17  includes, for example, at least one of the duplex printing function for printing document faces of a document on two faces of each medium, the aggregation function for aggregating a plurality of document faces on one face of each medium, and the bookbinding printing function for sorting and printing document faces of a document on media to create a half fold book, but not limited thereto. 
     The document information includes, for example, the document sheet number information indicating the number of document sheets to be copied or printed, and the document face information indicating whether the document face of document to be copied or printed is the one-face document or two-face document, but not limited thereto. 
     The reception unit  40 B receives the information and instruction input by a user. The acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information from the reception unit  40 B. 
     The display control unit  40 D displays the reception screen  58  including the selection area  54 C including the plurality of selectable options corresponded to different sheet number ranges, which are set in accordance with the number of document sheets (document sheet number information) suitable for the bookbinding printing on the operation panel  27  (display unit). The acquisition unit  40 A acquires the document information including the document sheet number information indicating the sheet number range input via the selection area  54 C from the reception unit  40 B. 
     The determination unit  40 C computes and determines the recommended setting associated with the sheet reduction ratio that is equal to or greater than the first threshold based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17  (execution unit). 
     Further, based on the document information and the function of the engine unit  17 , the determination unit  40 C can compute and determine the recommended setting that satisfies at least any one of the first condition that the sheet reduction ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the second condition that the number of color materials used by the engine unit  17  (execution unit) for copying is the second threshold or less, and the third condition that the level of easiness of reading of the printed sheet is equal to or greater than the third threshold. 
     The determination unit  40 C further computes and determines the print-fee reduction ratio by dividing the second print fee when a document is copied on media based on the determined recommended setting with the first print fee when the document is copied on media in accordance with the document information of the target document. The display control unit  40 D displays the recommended information  62  including the recommended setting, the reduction ratio of resource, such as the sheet reduction ratio and/or the print-fee reduction ratio on the operation panel  27  (display unit). 
     The display control unit  40 D displays the graphical image indicating the reduction ratio of resource on the operation panel  27  (display unit). 
     One or more programs executable in the MFP  100  of the embodiment can be installed on the ROM or the like in advance and provided. Further, the programs executable in the MFP  100  of the embodiment may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc recordable (CD-R), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a secure digital (SD) memory card, or the like in a file of an installable format or an executable format. 
     Further, the programs executable in the MFP  100  of the embodiment can be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and downloaded via the network for providing the programs. Alternatively, the programs executable in the MFP  100  of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. 
     The programs executable in the MFP  100  of the embodiment can be used for implementing a module configuration including each of the above described units (e.g., acquisition unit  40 A, reception unit  40 B, determination unit  40 C, display control unit  40 D, print control unit  121 ), and when the CPU (e.g., processor) reads the programs from the ROM and executes the programs, each of the above described units is loaded on a main storage device and generated on the main storage device used in the actual hardware configuration. Further, for example, some or all of the above described functional units can be implemented using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. 
     Although the MFP  100  is exemplified as the information processing apparatus of the embodiment as above described, the above described embodiment can be applied any apparatus or system including a printing mechanism, other than the MFP  100 . 
     Typically, an execution unit for executing the printing operation may include different functions depending on configurations designed for image forming apparatuses. However, conventional techniques cannot provide the recommended setting in accordance with the function of the execution unit and information indicating an effect of using the recommended setting. 
     As to the above described embodiment, the information processing apparatus, the method of processing information, and the storage medium can provide the recommended setting in accordance with the function of the execution unit for executing the printing and the information indicating the effect of using the recommended setting, 
     Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patent specification can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above. 
     Each of the functions of the above-described embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), system on a chip (SOC), graphics processing unit (GPU), and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the recited functions.