Methods and systems for configuration-based imaging device accounting

• US 20060078345A1
• 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 7,519,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/79
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/02 Counting the number of copies; Billing
• 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

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 for a job at an imaging device (IDev);

b) sending said job configuration data to a remote computing device (RCD);

c) deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data at said RCD;

d) calculating a job cost using said detailed job parameters at said RCD;

e) accessing account data comprising accounting restrictions with said RCD;

f) determining whether accounting restrictions will allow said job to be executed based on said job cost; and

g) authorizing said job to be executed when said job complies with accounting restrictions.

2. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising automatically modifying said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

3. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising prompting a user to modify said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending is at least partially accomplished with an XML/SOAP message.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said authorizing is at least partially accomplished with an XML/SOAP message.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said accessing is at least partially accomplished with an XML/SOAP message.

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

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

13. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said account data is accessed on a remote device.

14. A system for imaging device accounting, said system comprising:

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

b) a transmitter for sending said job configuration data to a remote computing device (RCD);

c) a deriving processor for deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data at said RCD;

d) a calculator for calculating a job charge using said detailed job parameters at said RCD;

e) an accounting application for determining whether accounting restrictions will allow said job to be executed based on said job charge; and

f) an authorizer for authorizing said job to be executed when said job complies with accounting restrictions.

15. A system as described in claim 14 wherein said transmitter uses an XML/SOAP method call to accomplish said sending.

16. A system as described in claim 14 wherein said authorizer uses an XML/SOAP method call to accomplish said authorizing.

17. A system as described in claim 14 further comprising a modifier for automatically modifying said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

18. A system as described in claim 14 further comprising a prompter for prompting a user to modify said job when said job does not comply with accounting restrictions.

19. A system as described in claim 14 further comprising a measurer for measuring a detailed job parameter.

20. A system as described in claim 14 wherein said accounting application is remote to said RCD.