Patent ID: 8332332
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for managing prepaid usage of at least one document processing device configured to allow customer initiated operation based on available print units applied to the device, the method comprising: storing account information in a data store for a plurality of accounts, the individual accounts being associated with a corresponding customer, the account information for individual accounts comprising: upon a request from a customer of a specified account via a portal, using a computer processor, adding credits to the specified account at a current rate and adding a number corresponding to a paid amount of new credits to the available credits value for the specified account if customer payment is verified; upon a request from the customer of the specified account via the portal, using the computer processor, applying print units to a specified document processing device associated with the specified account by converting a number of credits currently available to the specified account into a number of print units according to the specified document processing device and the current pricing information for the specified account at the time of the request; and upon a request from a customer of a specified account via a portal, converting a number of print units previously applied to a first specified document processing device associated with the specified account into a number of account credits available to the specified account according to the specified document processing device and the current pricing information for the specified account at the time of the request.