Methods and systems for remote configuration-based imaging device accounting

• US 7,532,835 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray; David M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ready; Bryan
• Application Number:
  US11/193,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20060078346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 399/79
• US Class Current: 399/79
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5091 for user-identification or authorisation
• 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

Aspects of the present invention relate to 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) taking control of an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI) with a remote computing device (RCD) application, wherein said RCD is remote to said IDev and said control is established through a user interface application programming interface (UI API), wherein said UI API allows input on said IDev UI to be intercepted and sent to said RCD application and said UI API allows UI display content sent from said RCD application to be displayed on said IDev UI;

b) sending UI display content from said RCD to said IDev for display on said IDev UI via said UI API;

c) receiving job configuration data, through said IDev UI and said UI API, at said remote computing device (RCD), for a job to be performed at said IDev;

d) receiving pixel data, at said RCD from said IDev, for said job to be performed at said IDev;

e) deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data and said pixel data at said RCD;

f) calculating a job charge using said detailed job parameters at said RCD;

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

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

i) sending a job authorization to said IDev UI when said job complies with said accounting restrictions.

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

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

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

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said sending is accomplished via an XML/SOAP message.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said receiving said job configuration data is accomplished via an XML/SOAP message.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said measurement of a parameter that is not directly input by a user comprises measurement of consumable resources.

10. 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, greyscale attributes, double sided characteristics, single-sided characteristics, N-Up formatting, paper tray selection, scan destination, print destination, power consumption and job type.

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

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

a) taking control of an imaging device (IDev) user interface (UI) with a remote computing device (RCD) application, wherein said RCD is remote to said IDev and said control is established through a user interface application programming interface (UI API), wherein said UI API allows input on said IDev UI to be intercepted and sent to said RCD application and said UI API allows UI display content sent from said RCD application to be displayed on said IDev UI;

b) sending UI display content from said RCD to said IDev for display on said IDev UI via said UI API;

c) receiving job configuration data, through said IDev UI and said UI API, at said remote computing device (RCD), for a job to be performed at said IDev;

d) receiving pixel data, at said RCD from said IDev, for said job to be performed at said IDev;

e) deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data and said pixel data at said RCD;

f) calculating a job charge using said detailed job parameters at said RCD;

g) sending said job charge data to a remote accounting application to determine whether said job charge meets accounting restrictions;

h) receiving an accounting job authorization from said remote accounting application when said job charge meets said accounting restrictions; and

i) sending a job execution authorization to said IDev when said job accounting authorization is received at said RCD.

13. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said receiving an accounting job authorization is accomplished via an XML/SOAP message.

14. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said sending a job execution authorization is accomplished via an XML/SOAP message.

15. A method as described in claim 12 wherein said receiving job configuration data is accomplished via an XML/SOAP message.

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

a) an imaging device remote control application (RCD application) for controlling a user interface (UI) of an imaging device (IDev) that is remote to said RCD application, wherein said RCD application communicates with a UI application programming interface (API) to provide UI display content to said IDev and to receive UI input from said IDev UI;

b) IDev UI display content for sending to said IDev UI via said RCD application;

c) a sender for sending said IDev UI content to said IDev UI API;

d) a configuration data receiver for receiving job configuration data, at said remote computing device (RCD) from said imaging device (IDev) UI, for a job to be performed at said IDev;

e) a pixel-data receiver for receiving pixel data, at said RCD from said IDev, for said job to be performed at said IDev;

f) a deriving processor for deriving detailed job parameters from said job configuration data and said pixel data at said RCD;

g) a calculator for calculating a job cost using said detailed job parameters at said RCD;

h) a communication link for accessing account data comprising accounting restrictions with said RCD;

i) an accounting processor for determining whether said accounting restrictions will allow said job to be executed based on said job cost; and

j) a sender for sending a job authorization to said IDev when said job complies with said accounting restrictions.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said RCD application receives job configuration data as an XML/SOAP message.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein said sender sends said job authorization as an XML/SOAP message.

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