Patent Application
20140316877
Users of print services and devices consistently find it desirable to reduce the cost of printing. For an office print device, cost is a significant issue for customers and is known to cause lower printer page volume. For example, high printing costs may encourage companies to establish policies discouraging personal printing. There also may be pressure to reduce work related output. These costs, as well as environmental, social, and technological influences, are causing print volumes to shrink. However, printed material can add true value even over newer technologies. This includes printing for advertisements, information distribution, and simplifying work related tasks. For example, hard copies of review and presentation materials are portable and allow for easy note taking.
To promote print device usage it is desirable to reduce barriers to printing and help customers control costs.
In an embodiment, a method and system for promoting usage of a print device during non-peak time periods is disclosed. A print device promotion system includes at least one print device, a processor in communication with the at least one print device and a computer readable storage medium. The storage medium is configured to store program instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to receive data corresponding to measurements of usage of a print device over a plurality of baseline time periods; identify at least one non-peak time period, each non-peak time period being one of the baseline time periods during which the measurement of usage is below a lower threshold level; select a promotion for the print device, wherein the promotion represents a reduced price for a consumable item that is used by the print device, the promotion comprising a time window and one or more target usage criteria; generate a message with the selected promotion; receive data corresponding to measurements of usage of the print device over a plurality of additional time periods, wherein at least one of the additional time periods corresponds to the time window of the promotion; determine whether the usage during the time window satisfied the one or more target usage criteria; and offer the consumer the consumable item at the reduced price.
Optionally, the system may receive an acceptance to the offering via consumer input of a response to the promotion at the print device. Alternatively, the promotional system may output the message with the selected promotion at the print device.
Optionally, embodiments of the disclosed promotional system may identify at least one peak time period that has at least one of the baseline time periods during which the measurement of usage is above an upper threshold level. At least one of the additional time periods for which data was received is determined to correspond to at least one of the peak time periods. The promotional system also determines whether the usage during any additional time period that corresponds to a peak time period dropped below the upper threshold level. In embodiments, the promotion system performs the offering only if the usage during each additional time period that corresponds to a peak time period did not drop below the upper threshold level. In some embodiments the promotional system identifies a first variable, a second variable, and a third variable. Each variable corresponds to a usage measurement during a plurality of time intervals, and the time intervals for each variable are unique to the variable. Upon identifying a condition that the measurement of usage during the measurement period for one of the variables is below the lower threshold level, the promotional system reduces the lower threshold. Alternatively, upon identifying a condition that the measurements of usage during the measurement period for one of the variables is above the upper threshold level, the promotional system increases the lower threshold level.
In some embodiments, the promotional system compiles the data corresponding to measurements of usage during the plurality of baseline time periods into a usage history and forecasts at least one future time period where usage is expected to be below the lower threshold level based on the usage history. The time window is set by the promotional system to correspond to the at least one future time period.
Optionally, before selecting the promotion, a baseline revenue is generated for the print device based on the data corresponding to measurements of usage during the plurality of baseline time periods. In these optional embodiments, the promotional system performs the offering only if the baseline revenue is below a lower threshold revenue level. Alternatively, after performing the offering, the promotional system generates a promotional revenue for the print device based on the measurements of usage during the time window. If the promotional revenue is greater than the baseline revenue, the number of non-peak time periods is increased by adjusting the lower threshold level or the upper threshold level. The system may also discontinue the adjusting if the number of identified non-peak time periods reaches a predetermined maximum.
In some embodiments, the system establishes a plurality of categories of usage, with each category corresponding to a type of print job. A subset of the plurality of categories are established as qualifying print jobs and only qualifying print jobs are counted in the measurements of usage during the plurality of additional time periods.
In an embodiment, a method includes a promotion system receiving data corresponding to measurements of usage of a print device over a plurality of baseline time periods and identifying at least one non-peak time period, each non-peak time period being one of the baseline time periods during which the measurement of usage is below a lower threshold level. The method continues with the system selecting a promotion for the print device, wherein the promotion represents a reduced price for a consumable item that is used by the print device, the promotion comprising a time window and one or more target usage criteria. The system generates a message with the selected promotion. The system receives data corresponding to measurements of usage of the print device over a plurality of additional time periods, wherein at least one of the additional time periods corresponds to the time window of the promotion. The system determines whether the usage during the time window satisfied the one or more target usage criteria and offers the consumer the consumable item at the reduced price.
In an embodiment, another method of promoting usage of a print device during non-peak time period includes a promotion system receiving data corresponding to measurements of usage of a print device over a plurality of baseline time periods and identifying at least one non-peak time period, each non-peak time period being one of the time periods during which the measurement of usage is below a lower threshold level. The system selects selecting a promotion for the print device, wherein the promotion represents a reduced price for a function of the print device, the promotion comprising a time window and one or more target usage criteria. A message is generated by the system with the selected promotion. The system receives data corresponding to measurements of usage of the print device over a plurality of additional time periods, wherein at least one of the additional time periods corresponds to the time window of the promotion, and at least one of the additional time periods corresponds to a non-promotional time period. A payment amount due is determined by the system for usage during the plurality of additional time periods by the system applying a standard price to the usage that occurred during each non-promotional time period, and applying the promotional price to the usage that occurred during the time window of the promotion. The system generates a statement of the payment amount due.
This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.
As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this document is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this document are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”
A “computing device” or a “processor” refers to a computer or other machine that performs one or more operations according to one or more programming instructions. An example of a computing device or processor is described in reference to
A “print device” refers to a device capable of performing one or more print-related functions. For example, a print device may include a printer, a scanner, a copy machine, a multifunction device, a collator, a binder, a cutter or other similar equipment. A “multifunction device” is a device that is capable of performing two or more distinct print-related functions. For example, a multifunction device may have print and scan capabilities.
A “print job” refers to a job that can be processed by a print device. For example, a print job may include one or more operations that are performed on a document that is printed, scanned or otherwise processed by a print device.
A “peak time period” is a time period where usage of one or more print devices (i.e. the print job volume) is at or above an upper threshold. A “non-peak time period” is a time period where usage of the print device or devices is at or below a lower threshold. Each threshold may be an absolute value. Alternatively, it may be determined as a fraction or percentage of a measured value. For example, a non-peak period may be any period where print job value is less than 20% of the maximum valuing during any time period, or less than 50% of the average volume over a group of time periods. The scenarios described in this document are not limited in this regard.
This document describes an apparatus and method of offering promotions and printing incentives that result in printing related revenue advantages. Algorithms are used to track usage by time period, identify low and/or no use (i.e., non-peak) time periods and enable incentives by offering effectively low and/or no cost printing during appropriate timeframes within those non-peak periods.
Referring to
Also connected to network 101 is a networking device 110. Networking device 110 may be any device capable of forwarding, routing, or otherwise transmitting packets and/or messages through network 101. Network device may also include or be connected to a print server that allows other terminals connected to network 101 (not shown in
Network device 110 is also capable of connecting to a communications network 112 such as the Internet. Through the Internet 112, a user 120 may connect to the network device 110 to send print jobs to the print devices from personal computer 114, smart phone 116, and/or mobile device 118. With suitable software, any device capable of connecting to the internet is suitable for sending print jobs to the print devices 102, 104, 106, 108. Note that in
Referring now to
In addition, the respective time periods described in
The usage pattern may be developed by analyzing usage during multiple time periods and averaging across different period lengths. For example, a scenario may include measuring usage each hour, each day, and each week or month. Certain hours, days, or weeks may have a higher or lower usage depending on a number of factors. For example, usage may be higher on Mondays and lower on Fridays due to employee patterns. A week that includes a holiday, such as Memorial Day, may have lower usage compared to a full work week. In another example, a month may have substantially more or less usage depending on the number of work days in the calendar month (e.g., February may have a lower usage than October).
In another scenario, the time periods described in
Referring now to
The method 300 begins when the promotion system receives data corresponding to measurements of usage of a print device over a set of baseline time periods 302. The measurements of usage may be a simple count of print jobs received and processed by the print device. Alternatively, the usage measurement may be an estimation or measurement of the amount of consumables utilized during the time period (e.g., a percentage fill of an ink cartridge times the number of pages printed); total usage time; a number of users; a page count of pages printed, scanned, or otherwise processed; or other measurements.
Also using the measurements of usage, peak and non-peak time periods are identified 304. Non-peak time periods are those periods that include a measured usage below a lower threshold. Peak time periods are those periods that include measured usage above an upper threshold. As previously described, the thresholds may be specific numbers, or they may be dynamically determined based on the measurements of usage. As described in greater detail below in reference to
The objective of a promotion system is to increase usage during non-peak times. This is accomplished by selecting a promotion for the print device that includes a time window and/or a page count and a promotional usage or price discount 306. The time window is a time period during which the promotion is active. Alternatively, a promotion may be provided as a page count that the user may draw down at a promotional rate. The promotion system selects a time window according to an algorithm. This selection algorithm may be a simple time based algorithm that selects the time periods that record the least use. For example, the promotion system may recognize and forecast usage patterns and time period opportunities based on a long term and/or short term use history. In some scenarios, this analysis may yield specific known low usage times such as at night, at lunch, on the weekend, or on holidays. In other scenarios, the identified low usage time periods can be selected at random or can be customer selected dates and times. In further scenarios, the promotion system may select the time window based on a promotion or other advertising campaign.
The selection algorithm may include more complex selection techniques as well. In some scenarios, the selection of the promotion may be based on business intelligence gathered from usage profiles. For example, a print device may track the quantity and type of print jobs by time frame as part of a usage profile data system. Such a usage profile data system may be configured to identify time periods or usage patterns where reduced cost incentives can be offered to increase print device revenue. In one scenario, promotions could be offered on the basis of low usage or low total numbers of connected users. For example, if a printer detects low usage, the algorithm may offer an aggressive promotion timed during higher usage times. Alternatively, aggressive promotion may be timed during lower usage times to encourage use during non-peak times. When users connect to the print device and begin to take advantage of the promotional rates, the promotion system may start to slowly decrease the amount and/or change the timing of the promotions. Other scenarios may take advantage of other currently existing systems, such as systems that monitor use to control printer time outs (i.e. powering down during low or no usage to conserve power and powering up during high usage times to speed up printing). This scenario is described more fully below in reference to
After a promotion has been selected, a message or other notification is generated to alert customers about the selected promotion 308. Notification of promotions and applicable time periods may be delivered to the customer through a number of different methods, any or all of which might be utilized without limitation. Specific incentives or earned promotions offering low/no cost print periods can vary over time and/or by product. The specific promotions can also be specific to the customer or user site activity. Examples of types of promotions may include a reduced price per print job or per page processed by the device to which the promotion applies, a reduced price for an order of consumables if the data shows that customer's usage during a non-peak period satisfies an eligibility criterion (such as increased by a threshold eligibility amount), and/or other promotions.
Notification may be accomplished through any appropriate medium, such as by using the Internet and connecting directly to the print device, or through a pre-designed software interface which allows the printer to accept promotion codes. In some scenarios, notification of promotions may be accomplished through the printer driver or other device, computer, or web based software. For example, a promotions schedule and/or reminders could be displayed real time and/or show up at the time the user makes a print. Alternatively, the customer may log into the device to see the promotion and/or the current and potentially future, promotion schedules. In other scenarios, the notification could be communicated direction to the customers through a unicast/broadcast medium. For example, the notification may be communicated through an e-mail for user “subscribers”, either over the Web through custom software or sent by the print device. Alternatively, the notification may be communicated through a mobile phone text message, using the Web or the printer itself. The promotions can be offered to customers via a text message to their phone, tablet computer, or any other device, again based on those that wish to subscribe to this service. In some scenarios the notification may be communicated through a personal phone call. Promotions may be offered to select customers and/or user subscribers where a personal relationship is important.
Still other scenarios communicate the through the front panel of the print device or other product notification device. For example, the front panel may display a message that communicates the next “free/reduced” cost schedule. The print device could also supply a physical, visual, or audible signal or alert. For example, an LED on the printer may blink when the printing is in promotion mode or the front panel may display a specific message or graphic to communicate to the customers that a promotion is being offered. An audible signal, such as a melody, beep, or even voice annunciation could be used. In other scenarios, the promotion can also be sent from the print device or promotion system to the individual users as a flashing icon or dialog box on a screen of properly set-up and connected personal computers, mobile phones, and the like.
After the message is generated and sent to the customer, the promotion system receives an indication that the customer accepts the selected promotion 310. This indication may be a return message, such as to an email or text message. Alternatively, the indication can be in the form of a promotional code, provided in the generated message, that the customer must input into the promotion system. In one scenario, the promotion code is input into a printer driver dialog, i.e. when the customer sends a print job to a print device. For example, a printer driver dialog or screen may present a button or input box for the promotion. This system may be similar to that provided in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,474,433, titled “Print Driver Based Marketing System and Method,” issued Jan. 6, 2006, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference. Alternatively, acceptance may be indicated through a message or other indication from a user at a personal computer, smart phone, or tablet computer. Acceptance can also be indicated via direct input into the control panel of the print device itself.
After the promotion is selected, notification is sent, and the customer accepts the promotion, the promotion system receives data corresponding to measurements of usage of the print device over a number of additional time periods, including the time window of the promotion 312. The measurement of usage during the additional time periods, after the promotion has been put into effect, generate important information concerning the efficacy of the promotions offered. The promotion system can compile the usage data during the baseline time periods into a usage history 314. This usage history, with may take the form a usage profile described above, can be used to forecast future time periods where usage will be below a lower threshold 316. These forecast non-peak time periods can be used to select a promotion and/or the time window. This information is fed back into the promotion system to evaluate the promotions and to perform billing procedures including the promotions.
It may be beneficial for promotion system administrators to require that peak usage does not go down so that it is no longer a peak time period. In other words, the promotion may only be offered if the usage during peak periods remains above the upper threshold. The promotion system then checks the usage during the additional time periods to ensure that usage during peak periods does not go below the upper threshold 318. In some scenarios the promotion system may determine whether an average usage remains above the threshold. Alternatively, the promotion system may determine whether a percentage of the peak periods remain above the threshold. For example, the promotional system may check that usage during at least some percentage of the peak periods does not dip below the threshold. One of skill in the art will recognize that any suitable metric may be used to fit customer needs. If the usage remains above the threshold, the promotion is offered to the customer. If the usage drops below the threshold, the promotion may be withdrawn, not offered, or not applied 332.
The billing procedure used may be based on the revenue base for the print device. Therefore, the promotion system determines the revenue base used for that customer 320. As mentioned above, there may be at least two general revenue bases for printing. One is charging a customer on a per-unit (e.g. per page) basis. In this scenario, a per-unit price is applied during each non-promotional time period 322. During non-promotional periods, the printing cost is set according to a standard rate agreed upon by the customer. For example, a standard rate of $0.01 per page may be applied. Alternatively, any of multiple rates may be applied according to the type of print job that is sent to the print device. For example, the rate of $0.01 per page may apply to black and white printing while a different rate of $0.025 per page may apply to color printing. During promotion time periods, a promotional per unit price is applied to print jobs occurring with the time window of the promotion 324. For example, a promotional rate of $0.02 per page is applied to usage during the promotional time window. Alternatively, usage could be entirely free during the promotional time window. As explained in greater detail below in reference to
A second basis for generating revenue from printing is replenishment and replacement of consumables. Since this revenue model depends on high usage and the consequent high turnover of consumables, such as ink and toner cartridges, a promotion that increases print device usage can increase revenue even though the consumables may be offered with a promotional discount. Therefore, one scenario makes a determination of whether the usage is above a target usage level 328. If the usage is above the target usage level, a promotion is applied 330. For example, if a target usage level is met, a percentage discount is applied to the customers account to be applied to the next consumables order. The customer may take advantage of a number of promotional periods between consumables orders and with a sufficient amount of usage, as substantial discount on consumables may be applied. If the usage is not above the target usage level, the promotion is not applied 332.
Referring to
Regardless of the revenue base, the promotion system selects and applies promotions as described above in reference to
If the promotional revenue is greater than the baseline revenue, the promotion is effective to raise overall revenue. Further upward adjustments to the incentive provided by the promotion may be effective to maximize or optimize revenue generated by the print device. It is important to note that too many promotions will serve to decrease revenue while too few promotions will not effectively incentivize more general printing. Therefore, the promotion system will check the current incentive to see if revenue has been maximized 412. If a maximum incentive (i.e. maximum revenue) is reached, the promotion system holds the incentive constant 414. If the revenue is not maximized, the incentive is increased 416. After the incentive is increased, it is fed back into the promotion system and a new promotion based on the adjusted incentive is selected and applied.
Referring now to
Method 500 begins with identifying a number of variables 502. As discussed above, each variable corresponds to a usage measurement during different time frames or intervals. The time intervals for each variable may be unique to that variable.
Usage of the print device is measured for a plurality of measurement periods 504. These measurement periods may be similar to the baseline and/or additional time periods discussed above, or may be smaller time periods within the baseline and/or additional time periods. For each measurement period, the promotion system determines if print device usage was above or below a threshold 506. The thresholds may be dynamically adjusted based on usage measurements and/or promotion effectiveness. For example, based on the usage measurements, the threshold for one or more of the time intervals may be increased or decreased. The amount of the change may vary by variable. For example, since the first variable responds to hourly changes in usage, its threshold may be changed more than other variables which measure over longer time frames. In any case, if the usage is above the threshold, the threshold may be increased 508. If the usage is below the threshold, the threshold may be decreased 510. Alternatively, if usage increases during a time interval after a promotion is introduced, the system may reduce the upper threshold or increase the lower threshold to encourage more promotional activity.
After the usage has been measured across all the measurement periods (i.e. across the baseline and/or additional time periods described above), the promotion system determines the values of the variables during the baseline and/or additional time periods 512. As described above, the measurement periods may or may not be similar to the baseline time periods. Additionally the measurement periods may be different for each variable. The baseline time periods, however are set length and are the basis for determining peak and non-peak time periods. The promotional system then determines whether the variables are above or below a threshold for each of the baseline and/or additional time periods 514. This may be done through a weighted algorithm or other suitable method. If the variables are above a threshold, the time period is a peak time period 516. If they are not above a threshold it is a non-peak time period 518.
Referring now to
A controller 720 provides an interface between with one or more optional tangible, computer-readable memory devices 725 and the system bus 700. These memory devices 725 may include, for example, an external or internal DVD or CD ROM drive, a hard drive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like. As indicated previously, these various drives and controllers are optional devices. Additionally, the memory devices 725 may be configured to include individual files for storing any software modules or instructions, auxiliary data, common files for storing groups of results or auxiliary, or one or more databases for storing the result information, auxiliary data, and related information as discussed above.
Program instructions, software or interactive modules for performing any of the methods and systems as discussed above may be stored in the ROM 710 and/or the RAM 715. Optionally, the program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk, flash memory, a memory card, a USB drive, an optical disc storage medium, such as a Blu-ray™ disc, and/or other recording medium.
An optional display interface 740 may permit information from the bus 700 to be displayed on the display 745 in audio, visual, graphic or alphanumeric format. The information may include information related to a current job ticket and associated tasks. Communication with external devices may occur using various communication ports 750. A communication port 750 may be attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or an local area network.
The hardware may also include an interface 755 which allows for receipt of data from input devices such as a keyboard 760 or other input device 765 such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, a pointing device, a video input device and/or an audio input device.
Some or all of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
