Methods and systems for imaging device concurrent account use with remote authorization

• US 20060080185A1
• 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 7,738,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• 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 allowing a plurality of concurrent users to use a single imaging device account.

Claims

1. A method for enabling use of an imaging device account by multiple concurrent users, said method comprising:

a) receiving a user account identification (ID) at an imaging device (IDev) for an imaging device account;

b) receiving job configuration data at said IDev;

c) calculating job charges using said job configuration data;

d) processing said job charges with an accounting application remote to said IDev to verify that accounting restrictions for said account will allow said job to be executed based on said job charges;

e) receiving authorization from said remote accounting application to execute said job when said job charges meet accounting restrictions and after said job charges have been applied to said account.

2. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising automatically modifying said job configuration to meet accounting restrictions when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions, recalculating said job charges based on said modified job configuration and wherein said applying said job charges comprises applying said recalculated job charges.

3. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising prompting a user to modify said job configuration when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions, receiving a modified job configuration that meets accounting restrictions, recalculating job charges based on said modified job configuration and wherein said applying comprises applying said recalculated job charges.

4. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising determining whether said job was completed successfully and adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any unsuccessful job completion.

5. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising determining whether said job charges are accurate based on data obtained after commencement of job execution and adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any inaccuracy in the initial calculation of said job charges.

6. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising an initial step of determining whether a concurrent user limit will be exceeded by the addition of another user and denying any further account access or authorization when said limit will be exceeded.

7. A method for enabling use of an imaging device account by multiple concurrent users, said method comprising:

a) receiving a user account identification (ID) at an imaging device for an imaging device account;

b) receiving job configuration data at said imaging device;

c) sending at least one of said account identification and said job configuration data to a remote computing device (RCD);

d) calculating job charges at said RCD using said job configuration data;

e) accessing a remote accounting application to verify that accounting restrictions for said account will allow said job to be executed based on said job charges;

f) applying said job charges to said account prior to execution of said job when said job charges meet said accounting restrictions; and

g) authorizing said imaging device to execute said job after said job charges have been applied to said account when said job charges meet said accounting restrictions.

8. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said sending is at least partially accomplished with an XML/SOAP message.

9. A method as described in claim 7 wherein said accessing is at least partially accomplished with an XML/SOAP message.

10. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising:

a) automatically modifying said job configuration to meet accounting restrictions when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions;

b) recalculating said job charges based on said modified job configuration;

c) applying said recalculated job charges to said account prior to authorizing said job; and

d) authorizing said modified job.

11. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising:

a) prompting a user to modify said job configuration when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions;

b) receiving a modified job configuration that meets accounting restrictions;

c) recalculating job charges based on said modified job configuration;

d) applying said recalculated job charges to said account prior to authorization of said modified job; and

e) authorizing said modified job.

12. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising determining whether said job was completed successfully and adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any unsuccessful job completion.

13. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising determining whether said job charges are accurate based on data obtained after commencement of job execution and adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any inaccuracy in the initial calculation of said job charges.

14. A method as described in claim 7 further comprising an initial step of determining whether a concurrent user limit will be exceeded by the addition of another user and denying any further account access or authorization when said limit will be exceeded.

15. A system for enabling use of an imaging device account by multiple concurrent users, said system comprising:

a) a user interface (UI) receiver on an imaging device (IDev) for receiving a user account identification (ID) for an imaging device account;

b) a data receiver for receiving job configuration data at said IDev;

c) a calculator for calculating job charges using said job configuration data;

d) a remote accounting processor for determining whether accounting restrictions for said account will allow said job to be executed based on said job charges;

e) an account manager for applying job charges to an account when said job charges meet accounting restrictions; and

f) an authorizer for authorizing execution of said job when said job charges meet accounting restrictions and after said job charges have been applied to said account.

16. A system as described in claim 15 further comprising:

a) a job modifier for automatically modifying said job configuration to meet accounting restrictions when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions;

b) a recalculator for recalculating said job charges based on said modified job configuration; and

c) a modified account manager for applying said recalculated job charges to said account before execution of said job.

17. A system as described in claim 15 wherein said UI receiver is configured for prompting a user to modify said job configuration when said job charges do not meet accounting restrictions and for receiving a modified job configuration that meets accounting restrictions and wherein said calculator is also configured for recalculating job charges based on said modified job configuration and wherein said account manager is further configured for applying said recalculated job charges to said account prior to executing said job.

18. A system as described in claim 15 further comprising a job analyzer for determining whether said job was completed successfully and wherein said account manager is further configured for adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any unsuccessful job completion.

19. A system as described in claim 15 further comprising an accuracy analyzer for determining whether said job charges are accurate based on data obtained after commencement of job execution and wherein said account manager is configured for adjusting said job charges applied to said account to account for any inaccuracy in the initial calculation of said job charges.

20. A system as described in claim 15 further comprising a concurrent user limiter for determining whether a concurrent user limit will be exceeded by the addition of another user and for denying any further account access or authorization when said limit will be exceeded.