Patent ID: 7701595
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A method of automated cost determination for a print job using a printer controller, said method comprising: a.) determining a future toner cast using a toner cost coefficient (TCC) based on historical toner consumption comprising: i) determining a volume-weighted toner cost constant per job mass value (gimK) determined by dividing a total actual toner weight used over a desired time period by a total calculated toner mass usage value (jtcTotal) using historical toner consumption stored values; ii) determining the toner cost coefficient (TCC) by multiplying the volume-weighted toner cost constant per job mass value (gimK) by a historical toner cost per weight stored value from historical stored values; and iii) determining the future toner cost for the job by multiplying the TCC by a toner mass consumption (JTU) value such that total toner cost =[JTU* TCC]; b) determining a future press usage cost using a press wear coefficient (PWC) based on historical operator replaceable component (ORC) stored values; c.) rasterizing the print job to determine a future surface count to be printed for the print job; d.) determining a substrate cost based on the surface count and a substrate cost coefficient (SCC) based on historical substrate costs; and e.) determining a total job cost by adding the future toner cost to the substrate cost and the future press usage cost using a single-action selection component that in response to performance of only a single action, sends a request to the printer controller to select from stored data including one or more of SCC, TCC, and PWC, the request including an identifier so that the printer controller can access the stored data to complete the determination of the total job cost.