Patent Application
20050108032
The present invention relates to printers or multi-function machines that include a printing function. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus to account for hard copy cost.
Some entities require the application of strict cost accounting measures before the costs associated with a printing device can be charged back to the entity. The entity could be a user, or a cost center. For example, before a government contractor can bill back all the expenses associated with a printer, the contractor has to ensure that a printer and all the consumables are used to support a government contract. As a result, hard copy cost accounting, to date, has been generally accomplished in one of two ways. A first method of cost accounting is to charge by the use of a specific device. Each device keeps track of the type of media, the size of the media, and the number of sheets of media used. The device also tracks if the page was color or monochrome, and if the printing was done on one side (simplex) or two sides (duplex). The costs of the printing device can be billed back as long as the printer supports a single contract for the entity.
Many times, a business may support more than one contract for an entity requiring cost accounting for copies. If the printing device is shared and used to support more than one contract for the entity, the costs associated with the printer may not be chargeable to the entity. In other words, going back to the example, a contractor may support the same governmental body under several different contracts. In this case, the contractor is unable to bill back the use of the shared printing device, such as copier, since the contractor can not ensure that the printing device and all the consumables it used supported a single government contract. In this case, the printer cannot be audited since there is more than one source of costs associated with the printer.
A second method of accounting is to track charges using an external device to determine who initiated the job, and to determine the purpose. Determination of the purpose generally involves the user inputting billing codes on a separate tracking device. The separate tracking device does not have any way of tracking the type of media or other aspects of the copy. The separate tracking device only counts the number of copies made at the printing device. A “click” charge is made for each copy made. The “click” charge is typically a settled upon amount that supposedly estimates the cost of the consumables and the cost of wear and tear on the printing device. For example, in making monochromic copies, the cost per page or cost per “click” may be $0.05/page while for a color copy the cost per page or cost per “click” may be $2.00. There is no way to do an actual cost accounting. This method is a very rough estimate and really is not detailed enough to be a strict cost accounting.
Still a third method used by some other machines, namely some print servers, includes parsing the print job requests as they are routed through the server and sent to various printing devices. This method has additional problems. In other words, a print server attempts to read and parse the print job requests and to determine certain aspects of the print job. This method has some major problems. Amongst the problems is that the parser in the print server is not always successful in parsing a print job. Even if the print job is successfully parsed, there is no feedback to the print server that the print job was completed. A print job can be sent to a particular printing device, but it may be cancelled. There is no way to assure an entity for whom work is being done that the print job was done, much less that the costs of the printing device were actually incurred.
The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, a more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the figures and:
The following description and the drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practice it. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The scope of the invention encompasses the full ambit of the claims and all available equivalents. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
In the various embodiments described herein, the functions described are implemented in software, hardware, firmware or a combination of the above. Software, firmware and hardware are different ways to implement logic or programming of a set of computer searchable instructions. In one embodiment, the computer readable instructions are stored on computer readable media such as memory or other type of storage devices. The term “computer readable instructions” is also used to represent carrier waves on which the executable set of instructions are transmitted. Further, such functions correspond to modules, which are software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. Multiple functions are performed in one or more modules as desired, and the embodiments described are merely examples.
The controller 230 controls many aspects of the imaging apparatus 110. A memory 240 is attached to the controller 242. The command source 270 is also attached to the controller 242. The controller 242 is communicatively coupled to the command source 270. The command source 270 can be a variety of information sources such as a personal computer, work station, or server, to name a few, that provide image information to the controller 242 by way of a data link 274. The data link 274 may be any one of a variety of data links such as an electrical link, radio frequency link, or an infrared link. The data link transfers information between the command source 270 and the imaging apparatus 110. The command source 270 can also include commands for copying files, printing from memory 240 such as a hard drive that is integral to the device, or printing a faxed file sent via phone line, or similar commands. The imaging apparatus 110 includes the entire schematic arrangement shown in
The controller 242 controls the transfer of information between the command source 270 and a plurality of printheads 230, 231, 232 and 233 in the print zone 128 of the imaging apparatus. The controller 242, in some embodiments of the invention, can monitor pigment type and pigment color in a plurality of reservoirs 220, 221, 222, and 223. The memory 240 also contains information as to the levels of pigment within the various reservoirs 220, 221, 222, 223. In some embodiments, a fluid level sensor 2201, 2211, 2221, and 2231 is located to monitor the level of each of the various reservoirs 220, 221, 222, 223, respectively. The fluid level determined by the fluid level sensor 2201, 2211, 2221, and 2231 is placed into memory 240. Electrical contacts associated with each of the reservoirs 220, 221, 222, 223 receive signals over conductive paths represented by the line 250. It should be noted that only four printheads are shown in the schematic of
Various parameters can be stored in the storage device or memory 240, including an actual count of pigment drops emitted from a particular printhead 230, 231, 232, 233, when the printheads are inkjets. Data is associated with a pigment reservoir or container 220, 221, 222, 223, as well as the pigment type and color, the container size, the age of the pigment, the printer model or identification number, and cartridge usage information. In other embodiments, a print command includes an indication of the paper type and information can be obtained from the print command regarding the type of print media being used. For example, in embodiments of printers where multiple paper trays are available, the type of print media must be designated as relating to a particular tray. In other embodiments, the resolution setting indicates that high-quality photo type print media is being used. The parameters listed above are just examples of the listings of parameters storable within the memory 240.
The controller 242 also controls other aspects of the imagining apparatus 110. For example, the controller 242 controls the source of the media used for a print job. An imaging apparatus, in some embodiments, is outfitted with a plurality of input media tray. A print command includes an indication of the paper type to be used for a print job. The controller 242, and specifically stored in memory 240, is the various types of papers and their association with various print trays. Therefore, in fulfilling a print command, the controller designates the print tray having the appropriate type of media or paper required by the print job. The costs of the various media can also be stored within memory 240 so that the cost associated with a print job can be determined from information in the print job, or information regarding the paper tray used for a print job and the associated cost with the media used. In addition, the memory can hold an amortized cost as well as the number of pages that can be printed over the time of amortization. Therefore an amortized cost related to the costs of wear and tear on the printing device per sheet of media can be determined by the controller 242 using information stored in the memory 240 as well as a count of the number of pages associated with a print job.
The controller 242 can be either a microprocessor, a computer system, or a dedicated controller. Many times the controller 242 is associated with an information handling system that is any device that stores, manipulates or handles information such as data. An imaging apparatus 110 is described in
The controller 242 represents a central processing unit of any type of architecture, such as a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing), RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word), or a hybrid architecture, although any appropriate processor may be used. The controller 242 executes instructions and includes that portion of the electronic device 301 that controls the operation of the entire electronic device. The controller 242 typically includes a control unit 337 that organizes data and program storage in memory and transfers data and other information between the various parts of the electronic device 301. The controller 242 receives input data from the input device 340 and the network 310, reads and stores code and data in the storage device 240, and presents data to an output device 345 and/or the network 310.
Although the electronic device 300 is shown to contain only a single controller or processor 242 and a single bus 350, the present invention applies equally to electronic devices that may have multiple processors and multiple buses with some or all performing different functions in different ways.
The memory or storage device 240 represents one or more mechanisms for storing data. For example, the storage device 240 may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and/or other machine-readable media. In other embodiments, any appropriate type of storage device may be used. Although only one storage device 240 is shown, multiple storage devices and multiple types of storage devices may be present, and in various embodiments some or all of the product codes, the control unit 337, and the products may be stored on the same or on different storage devices. Further, although the electronic device 100 is drawn to contain the storage device 240, it may be distributed across other electronic devices, for example on computers attached to the network 310.
The control unit 337 includes instructions capable of being executed on the controller or processor 242 to carry out the functions of the present invention.
The input device 340 may be a keyboard, mouse or other pointing device, trackball, touchpad, touchscreen, keypad, microphone, voice recognition device, data recorder, data recognition device or any other appropriate mechanism for the user to input data to the electronic device 300. Although one input device 340 is shown, in another embodiment any number (including none) and type of input devices may be present.
The output device 345 is that part of the electronic device 300 that communicates output to the user. The output device 345 may be a cathode-ray tube (CRT) based video display. But, in other embodiments the output device 345 may be replaced with a liquid crystal display (LCD) based or gas, plasma-based, flat-panel display. In another embodiment, the output device 345 may be a speaker. In still other embodiments, any appropriate output device may be used. Although one output device 345 is shown, in other embodiments, any number (including none) of output devices of different types or of the same type may be present.
The bus 350 may represent one or more busses, e.g., PCI, ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), X-Bus, EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture), or any other appropriate bus and/or bridge (also called a bus controller).
The electronic device 300 may be implemented using any suitable hardware and/or software, such as a personal computer. Portable computers, laptop or notebook computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), pocket computers, telephones, pagers, appliances, and mainframe computers are examples of other possible configurations of the electronic device 301. The hardware and software depicted in
The network 310 may be any suitable network and may support any appropriate protocol suitable for communication between the electronic device 300 and other electronic devices. In an embodiment, the network 310 may support wireless communications. In another embodiment, the network 310 may support hard-wired communications, such as a telephone line or cable. In another embodiment, the network 310 may support the Ethernet IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3x specification. In another embodiment, the network 310 may be the Internet and may support IP (Internet Protocol). In another embodiment, the network 310 may be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). In another embodiment, the network 310 may be a hotspot service provider network. In another embodiment, the network 310 may be an intranet. In another embodiment, the network 310 may be a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network. In another embodiment, the network 310 may be any appropriate cellular data network or cell-based radio network technology. In another embodiment, the network 310 may be a wireless network. In still another embodiment, the network 310 may be any suitable network or combination of networks. Although one network 310 is shown, in other embodiments any number of networks (of the same or different types) may be present.
Aspects of an embodiment pertain to specific apparatus and method elements implementable on a computer or other electronic device. In another embodiment, the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with an electronic device. The programs defining the functions of this embodiment may be delivered to an electronic device via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, but are not limited to:
The imaging apparatus 110, and the electronic apparatus 300 associated with the imaging apparatus (as described in
In some embodiments, the storage device 240 stores the cost of the pigment as a cost per dot of pigment. When the printer is a laser toner printer or other toner-based printer, the cost per dot of pigment varies with the density of the dots to be printed. The processor or controller 242 records the number of dots per page and multiplies the number of dots on a particular page by the cost per dot to determine the cost of pigment per page. The cost per dot of pigment varies as a function of the density of dots on a page varies. The storage device 240 stores the varying cost per dot and related dot densities per page. The storage device 240 also stores amortized costs associated with each sheet of media. The processor or controller 242 adds the amortized cost per sheet of media to the cost of the sheets of media and the cost of the pigment. Allocating the cost of the print job to an entity includes storing a billing code in the data storage system that is associated with an entity. The processor 242 reads a billing code associated with the print job and allocates the cost of the print job to the entity associated with the billing code. The billing code is embedded as part of the driver data stream associated with the print job. When a user requests a print job, a window opens on the user interface and asks the user to enter billing information. This billing information becomes a billing code in a field associated with the print job.
Identifying an entity to which the costs will be allocated includes entering a billing code associated with the entity. A billing code can be associated with the entity and with a print job. The cost of amortization of the printing device can also be added to the cost of the media and the cost of the pigment.
A computer program product for use with a computer associated with a printing device, the computer program product includes a computer usable medium 1000 having a set of instructions 1010 for causing the computer to determine the number of dots in a first pane of a page of a print job, and multiply the number of dots in the first pane by an average pigment cost per dot to determine the cost of a pigment associated with the first pane of a page. The instructions further cause the computer to record a type of media actually used, and calculate a cost of the pigment used of the media. The instructions further cause the computer to amortize the cost of the printing device on a per media sheet basis and add the amortized cost to the cost of the pigment and the cost of the media. In some embodiments, the instructions further cause the computer to determine the number of dots in a second pane of a page of a print job, and multiply the number of dots in the second pane by an average pigment cost per dot to determine the cost of a printer associated with the second pane of a page, record a type of media actually used, and calculate a cost of the pigment used on a cost of the media.
In the previous detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference was made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Different instances of the word “embodiment” as used within this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but they may. The previous detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
In the previous description, numerous specific details were set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
It is emphasized that the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) requiring an Abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
In the foregoing Description of Embodiments of the Invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Description of Embodiments of the Invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.
