Machine integrated semi-automated service credit for a metered device

• US 20080310875A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Rahman, Shahana, Guo, Xin, Nakada, Joyce, Beabes, Minette A., Tay, William, Fontanes, Mirelsa
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,720 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: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A metered device includes a printing system for generating billable and non-billable electrostatographic images. The device includes a billing meter configured to store usage data related to the generation of the electrostatographic images. A CPU or processing unit is configured to increment the billing meter for each billable and non-billable electrostatographic image generated by the printing system. A user interface configured for controlling the image capture device, enables interrogation of the CPU. The device further includes a service counter for storing usage data related to the generation of non-billable electrostatographic images. The service counter is configured for editing by the CPU through the user interface to credit the usage data stored on the billing meter. The device further includes a network interface for transmitting the usage data stored on the billing meter to a billing service and a memory for storing the usage data that is transmitted to the billing service.

Claims

1. A metered device comprising:

a printing system for generating billable and non-billable electrostatographic images;

a billing meter configured to store usage data related to the generation of the electrostatographic images;

a processing unit configured to increment the billing meter for each billable and non-billable electrostatographic image generated by the printing system;

a user interface for controlling the image capture device, the user interface being configured to enable interrogation of the processing unit;

a service counter for storing usage data related to the generation of non-billable electrostatographic images, wherein the service counter is configured for editing by the processing unit through the user interface to credit the usage data stored on the billing meter;

a network interface for transmitting the usage data stored on the billing meter to a billing service; and

a memory for storing the usage data that is transmitted to the billing service.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the service counter is accessed for editing through use of an authentication password.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the service counter is editable by a service technician.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metered device is an electrostatographic device configured to generate electrostatographic images.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the non-billable electrostatographic images are generated during servicing of the metered device by a service technician.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the non-billable electrostatographic images are generated as a result of a malfunctioning of the metered device.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the memory includes a software module operated by the processing unit for controlling the metered device.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the information stored in the billing meter is transmitted over a network to the billing service.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of entering an authentication password through the user interface to enable manipulation of the editable counter.

11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a network interface to transmit the usage data stored in the billing meter to the billing service.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the non-billable usage of the metered device includes at least one of usage during servicing of the metered device by a technician and usage due to a malfunction of the metered device.

8. A method for crediting a metered device for non-billable usage comprising:

generating billable and non-billable usage of the metered device;

incrementing a billing meter configured to store usage data related to both billable and non-billable usage of the metered device, wherein the billing meter includes an editable counter configured to store usage data related to the non-billable usage;

providing a user interface for allowing manipulation of the editable counter to credit the billing meter for the non-billable usage; and

transmitting the usage data stored in the billing meter to a billing service.

13. A system for crediting a metered device for a non-billable usage comprising:

a printing system for generating electrostatographic images;

a billing meter configured to store usage data related to the generation of the electrostatographic images;

a processing unit configured to increment the billing meter for each electrostatographic image generated by the printing system, wherein the processing unit is configured for interrogation by at least one of a customer and a service technician through a user interface for controlling the metered device;

a service counter for storing usage data related to the generation of non-billable electrostatographic images, the service counter being configured for editing by the processing unit through the user interface to credit the usage data stored on the billing meter, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive an authentication password for enabling editing of the service counter;

a network interface for transmitting the usage data stored on the billing meter to a billing service; and

a memory for storing the usage data that is transmitted to the billing service.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein metered device is an electrostatographic device configured to generate electrostatographic images.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the non-billable usage of the metered device includes at least one of usage during servicing of the metered device by a service technician and usage due to a malfunction of the metered device.