Methods and systems for local configuration-based imaging device accounting

• US 20060077427A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lovat, David J., Zhang, Hanzhong
• Granted Patent: US 8,115,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1219 with regard to consumables, e.g. ink, toner, paper
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1221 with regard to power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1273 Print job history, e.g. logging, accounting, tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00503 Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for configuration-based imaging device accounting wherein costs are calculated based on detailed job parameters derived from job configuration data.

Claims

1. A method for imaging device accounting, said method comprising:

a) receiving job configuration data at an imaging device;

b) deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data; and

c) calculating a job cost using said detailed job parameters.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said job configuration data is received from user input at an imaging device user interface (UI).

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said job configuration data is received from user input entered at another device and transmitted to said imaging device over a communication link.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said job configuration data is received from another device as a data structure via a SOAP method call.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said deriving detailed job parameters comprises calculation of a parameter that is not directly input by a user.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said deriving detailed job parameters comprises measurement of a parameter that is not directly input by a user.

7. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said measurement of a parameter that is not directly input by a user comprises measurement of consumable resources.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said detailed job parameters comprise a parameter selected from the set consisting of:

media type, media size, media quantity, quantity of impressions per page, pixel count data, image resolution, finishing operations, stapling requirements, punching requirements, collating requirements, color attributes, color depth, color quantity, ink consumption, toner consumption, contrast media consumption, monochrome attributes, grey-scale attributes, double-sided characteristics, single-sided characteristics, N-Up formatting, paper tray selection, scan destination, print destination, power consumption and job type.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said job cost is proportional to an aggregate cost of all materials and resources used for the imaging job.

10. A method for imaging device accounting, said method comprising:

a) receiving job configuration data for a job at an imaging device (IDev);

b) deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data;

c) calculating a job cost using said detailed job parameters;

d) sending said job cost data to a remote accounting application for job authorization; and

e) receiving a job authorization for said job when said job complies with accounting restrictions.

11. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising automatically modifying said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

12. A method as described in claim 10 further comprising prompting a user to modify said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

13. A method as described in claim 10 wherein said deriving detailed job parameters comprises calculation of a parameter that is not directly input by a user.

14. A method as described in claim 10 wherein said sending is accomplished via an XML/SOAP method call.

15. A method as described in claim 10 wherein said receiving a job authorization is accomplished via an XML/SOAP method call.

16. An apparatus for imaging device accounting, said apparatus comprising:

a) a user interface (UI) receiver for receiving job configuration data for a job at an imaging device (IDev);

b) a processor for deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data;

c) a calculator for calculating a job cost using said detailed job parameters;

d) a transmitter for sending said job cost data to a remote accounting application for job authorization; and

e) an authorization receiver for receiving a job authorization for said job when said job complies with accounting restrictions.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said transmitter uses an XML/SOAP method call to accomplish said sending.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said authorization receiver uses an XML/SOAP method call to accomplish said receiving.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 16 further comprising a modifier for automatically modifying said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 16 further comprising a prompter for prompting a user to modify said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.