Method and system for printer suggested upgrades
First Claim
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1. A method of suggesting printer upgrades based upon actual usage, comprising:
- conveying a print job to a printer said printer including at least one functional characteristic, said print job requiring the utilization of said at least one functional characteristic;
assigning a numerical value to the degree of utilization of said at least one functional characteristic;
maintaining said numerical value in a memory of said printer;
accessing information on a selection of upgrades;
comparing said information to said numerical value to select a preferred upgrade;
suggesting said preferred upgrade to a user of said printer.
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Abstract
System and methods for printer suggested upgrades using fuzzy logic analysis. A printer tracks printer usage relative to the features of the printer and the type of print jobs performed. Using a fuzzy logic protocol, the printer then selects among possible upgrades to select an appropriate upgrade based upon the tracked usage. A message is then generated sent to a network administrator, or other user, suggesting the selected upgrade.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of suggesting printer upgrades based upon actual usage, comprising:
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conveying a print job to a printer said printer including at least one functional characteristic, said print job requiring the utilization of said at least one functional characteristic;
assigning a numerical value to the degree of utilization of said at least one functional characteristic;
maintaining said numerical value in a memory of said printer;
accessing information on a selection of upgrades;
comparing said information to said numerical value to select a preferred upgrade;
suggesting said preferred upgrade to a user of said printer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of tracking printer use to suggest appropriate upgrades, comprising:
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tracking usage of functional characteristics of a printer in a computer memory;
assigning fuzzy value scores to said usage of each of said functional characteristics;
accessing information on a selection of upgrades for maintenance of said printer, said information containing individual selection scores for each of said upgrades;
comparing said fuzzy value scores to said selection scores to select a preferred upgrade;
suggesting said preferred upgrade to a user of said printer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for providing user responsive printer maintenance, comprising:
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a printer including a memory;
a usage record stored within said memory, said usage record including a history of a utilization of functional characteristics of said printer;
a selection database stored within said memory, said selection database containing information on a number of upgrades for improving the functions of said printer;
a microprocessor located within said printer, said microprocessor capable of following a set of instructions to select a preferred upgrade by analyzing said usage record using a fuzzy logic protocol and comparing said analysis to said selection database. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification