Patent ID: 6025925
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: G06F,G06K

Abstract:
A method for communicating printer-related information to a host computer, said method comprising:(a) transmitting a print job from said computer to a printer via a communications channel;(b) said printer receiving, processing, and printing said print job;(c) during the processing and printing of said print job by said printer, said printer gathering a statistics portion of printer accounting information related to processing parameters and usage parameters of said printer pertaining to only that said print job, said statistics portion not including any printer identifier information nor print job identifier information, said statistics portion not including any printer status messages, said statistics portion originating at said printer;(d) upon completion of the processing and printing of said print job, said printer preparing said statistics portion into a format for communicating over said communications channel, then automatically transmitting, from said printer to said computer via said communications channel, said statistics portion; and(e) said computer receiving and storing said statistics portion into a memory device and translating said statics portion into a format usable by a database program.