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Information broker for printing system

  • US 5,956,698 A
  • Filed: 07/31/1997
  • Issued: 09/21/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a printing system for producing copies or prints in which billing is developed for a customer of the printing system for the produced copies or prints on a basis of a first set of information accumulated and stored in an accounting subsystem, and in which billing is developed normally on the basis of a first billing plan, the printing system including an input/output station communicating with the accounting subsystem by way of a network, a method for causing a second set of information to be generated for transmission to a location selected by the customer or the printing system upon the occurrence of a selected event related to the printing system, comprising:

  • a) electronically receiving a subset of the first set of information at the accounting subsystem;

    b) in response to said electronic receiving of (a), electronically updating the first set of information;

    c) analyzing the updated first set of information to determine if the selected event related to the printing system has occurred;

    d) when the selected event related to the printing system has occurred, transmitting automatically the second set of information to the selected location; and

    e) wherein said analysis of said c) indicates that the customer may access a second billing plan on the basis of further usage, and wherein said d) includes providing the second set of information with a subset of information notifying the customer of an opportunity to access the second billing plan on the basis of further usage.

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