Abstract:
A system and method for monitoring document processing device operations, gauging corresponding cost, including monetary or environmental cost, and facilitating review of actual and projected costs associated with usage levels. The system receives usage data corresponding to metered use of an associated networked document processing device by each of a plurality of users. Memory associated with the processor stores received usage data and stores relationship data corresponding to a relationship between usage data and data corresponding to an associated environmental impact. The processor applies relationship data to usage data to compute environmental impact data representative of an environmental impact corresponding to the usage data. The display then generates an image corresponding to the environmental impact data. An administrator is enabled to view historic or projected costs and manage quotas accordingly.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This application relates generally to addressing environmental impact relative to resources used by office devices. The application has particular application in monitoring of consumable resources in networked document processing devices, along with related control of device operation parameters. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). MFPs are used in connection with example embodiments disclosed in detail below, but it is to be appreciated that any suitable document processing device can be used. Given the expense of purchasing and maintaining MFPs, including the costs of consumables, devices are frequently shared among users in a networking environment. Common networks include local-area networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (LANs). Wide-area networks may span multiple regions, such as with the Internet. 
         [0003]    Offices may choose to allocate expenses associated with document processing device operations in accordance with use. Such allocation helps eliminate unnecessary costs, or pushes costs to those who use the devices most. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a processing system includes an input to receive usage data corresponding to metered use of an associated networked document processing device by each of a plurality of users. Memory associated with the processor stores received usage data and stores relationship data corresponding to a relationship between usage data and data corresponding to an associated environmental impact. The processor applies relationship data to usage data to compute environmental impact data representative of an environmental impact corresponding to the usage data. The display then generates an image corresponding to the environmental impact data. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another example embodiment, quota data is stored in the memory for each of the plurality of users, wherein the quota data corresponds to document processing device user limits. The processor compares usage data to quota data for each of the plurality of users and selectively suspends document processing device operations for users in accordance with a comparison of the usage data and the quota data. 
         [0006]    In accordance with another example embodiment, the processor calculates a projected environmental impact corresponding to projected use of the networked document processing device, and a corresponding display is generated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of an overview of a document processing quota management system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example embodiment of a hardware platform for a document processing device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of a hardware platform for document processing quota management; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a user interface for input of quota data; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of an output illustrating job counter output over time; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of an output showing impact relating to quota adjustment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a second example embodiment of an output showing impact relating to quota adjustment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of an example embodiment of quota management. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Cost control has been a goal relative to use of document processing devices. More recently, there is an increasing awareness of resource limitations and the impact of mankind and his activities on the environment. Accordingly, understanding of resource usage and its associated environmental impact is beneficial in connection with a document processing environment. 
         [0017]    In a basic system, control of resource usage is suitably accomplished by imposing usage quotas. A user, or group of users, may be, for example, limited to a certain number of pages per month of printing or copying. Quotas are set over any suitable duration, such as quarters, semesters, years, etc. Document processing operations not only take a toll on the useful life of a device, but they require power consumption, processor utilization, consumption of paper or other tangible rendering medium, and consumption of ink, toner or the like. 
         [0018]    Quotas may be set on number of copies or printouts, as noted above. Quotas may also be set on any suitable, measurable quantity, such as ink usage, toner usage, numbers of color pages, numbers of black-and-white pages, and the like. In a typical quota-based environment, a user or group of users may be precluded from certain device activities until a current period has passed once the allotted level has been attained. 
         [0019]    Numeric quota levels do not necessarily reflect a dynamic effect on cost, savings or environmental impact. In example embodiments detailed herein, information is isolated for resource usage for document processing devices relative to measures of environmental impact. Such data is suitably empirical, or suitably calculated from any statistical formula or suitable mathematical model. There are readily available sources of data for the impact of MFP consumables on the environment. By way of example, The Environmental Paper Network has published a “Paper Calculator” at http://c.environmentalpaper.org which correlates paper consumption to environmental impact. 
         [0020]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a document processing quota management system  100 . A data network, illustrated by data service cloud  110 , is comprised of any suitable network, such as those noted above. A data storage system  112  is suitably associated with the data service cloud  110 , and suitably stores data associated with consumable usage, user quotas, environmental impact relationship data, and any other data storage needs. One or more document processing devices, such as MFPs  120 ,  122  and  124  are also in data communication with data service cloud  110 . Document processing devices are suitably distributed on one or more premises in one or more geographic areas. Also in data communication with data service cloud  110  are one or more administrators  140  interacting with any suitable data processing device. As will be detailed below, the administrators  140  are provided with information relative to quota values, usage values and environmental impact values, including historic, current and projected. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is an example of a digital processing system  200  suitably comprised within an MFP, such as MFP  120 . Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  202 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  204 , and random access memory (RAM)  206 , via a data bus  212 . 
         [0022]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a storage interface  208  for reading or writing to a storage  216 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0023]    Processor  202  is also in data communication with a network interface  210  which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC)  214 , which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface  218 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), telephone line, or the like. NIC  214  and wireless network interface  218  suitably provide for connection to an associated network  220 . 
         [0024]    Processor  202  can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus  212  is a document processor interface suitable for data communication with MFP functional units. In the illustrate example, these units include copy hardware  224 , scan hardware  226 , print hardware  228  and fax hardware  230  which together comprise MFP functional hardware  232 . It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is an example of a digital processing system  300  suitably comprised within data service cloud  110  of  FIG. 1 . Included are one or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor  304 . Each processor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM  308 , and random access memory (RAM)  310 , via a data bus  312 . 
         [0026]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a storage interface  314  for reading or writing to a data storage system  112 , suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0027]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC)  330 , which provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection via physical network interface  238 , or to any suitable wireless data connection via wireless network interface  334 . Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), telephone line, or the like. 
         [0028]    Processor  304  is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface  340  which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as display  344 , as well as keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform. 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a user interface  400  for quota management. This details example interaction between an administrator and any suitable document processing quota enforcement system. Name field  402  is suitably provided for entry of an identifier, such as administrator name, user group name, network name, device name, or the like. In the example embodiment, user group  406  includes a listing of identifiers of users affected by quota management. Quota period field  410  suitably allows the administrator to set a time period during which a particular quota number will be monitored and enforced, and after which another quota period may recommence. 
         [0030]    As detailed above, an MFP may include functionality for printing, copying, scanning or faxing. In the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 , suitable print quotas  420  may include color print quotas  420   a,  grayscale print quotas  420   b  and black-and-white print quotas  420   c.  It will be appreciated that such types of printing may result in different costs, such as environmental impact costs, such as use of more ink or toner, different ink or toner colors, or special paper stocks to accommodate them. Analogous costing may be associated with copy quotas  430 , suitably including color copy quotas  430   a,  grayscale copy quotas  430   b  and black-and-white copy quotas  430   c.    
         [0031]    Quotas are also suitably set for use of scanning resources. Scanning quotas  440  suitable include color scanning quotas  440   a,  grayscale scanning quotas  440   b  and black-and-white scanning quotas  440   c.  Faxing quotas  450  suitably include sending or transmitting quotas  450   a  and receiving quotas  450   b.  By way of further example, received faxes may consume more resources given the use of paper and additional electricity, as well as wear and tear on the device itself. 
         [0032]    Any or all of the quota values are suitably selected or input by an administrator in the corresponding fields. In the example embodiment, input quota information is suitably saved and added by selection of button  460 , or save and replaced by selection of button  470 , after which selection they quotas are implemented relative to monitoring and enforcement. 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an example embodiment of an output of document processing job activity summary  500 . The example display output includes graphs of historic job information, including color jobs  510 , grayscale jobs  520 , black-and-white jobs  530  and twin color jobs  540 . Environmental impact associated with the resource consumption with the usage levels is suitably determined and displayed at resource summary area  550 . In the example, the total environmental impact for actual devise usage is suitably determined and displayed at  550   a,  and informational or suggestive information relative to resource allocation and impact is suitably displayed at  550   b  and  550   c.  The display suitably comprises data indicative of cost of actual or projected consumable usage. 
         [0034]    In a further example embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 5 , graphs  510 ,  520 ,  530  and  540  each include a user-controllable tool for projecting environmental impact of various quota settings, suitably viewed by dragging projected quota setting bars  510   a,    520   a,    530   a  and  540   a  to a position indicative of higher or lower quotas. A user suitably selects a bar  510   a,    520   a ,  530   a  or  540   a  with a pointing device and drags it upward or downward to indicate greater or lesser quotas. Contemporaneously with such dragging, environmental impact values are dynamically changed to show how such quota modification increases or decreases environmental impact. An administrator may note that grayscale rendering often provides an acceptable substitute to twin color rendering, but with significantly less environmental impact per unit. This can be particularly useful when administrators are tasked with maintaining overall environmental impact goals, such as dictated by management, governmental regulation or a desire to maintain a low environmental impact to obtain or sustain environmental certification levels. For example, a company may stand to benefit substantially with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Such certification can provide substantial branding and marketing value, and can lead to potential tax savings or other financial incentives. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of quota interaction  600  of an administrator with actual and potential quota values to dynamically gage environmental impact, including historic and prospective. A table  610  includes historic usage data superimposed with a slider bar  610   a,  analogous to those detailed above. In the illustrated example, the bar  610   a  is set at a quota level of 80 units. Environmental impact display area  650  suitably includes impact for actual device usage is suitably determined and displayed at  650   a,  and informational or suggestive information relative to resource allocation and impact is suitably displayed at  650   b  and  650   c.  In the illustration, the levels relating to the quota set at 80 are displayed at  650   a.  Dragging the bar  610   a  upward or downward results in prospective impact being displayed at  650   a  relative to an effect of higher quotas or lower quotas, respectively. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , illustrated is an example embodiment of quota interaction  700  of an administrator with actual and potential quota values to dynamically gage environmental impact, including historic and prospective. A table  710  includes historic usage data superimposed with a slider bar  710   a,  analogous to those detailed above. In the illustrated example, the bar  710   a  is set at a quota level of 40 units. Environmental impact display area  750  suitably includes impact for actual device usage is suitably determined and displayed at  750   a , and informational or suggestive information relative to resource allocation and impact is suitably displayed at  750   b  and  750   c.  In the illustration, the levels relating to the quota set at 40 are displayed at  750   a.  Dragging the bar  710   a  upward or downward results in prospective impact being displayed at  750   a  relative to an effect of higher quotas or lower quotas, respectively. 
         [0037]    Viewing  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  contemporaneously demonstrates an example embodiment of dynamic interaction with an administrator. Thus, an administrator is enabled to view, assess and control resource utilization by manipulation of document processing quotas. 
         [0038]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , illustrated is an example embodiment of a flowchart for quota administration  800 . The process suitably commences at block  810 , and proceeds to block  820  to secure an understanding of environmental impact quotas. Such quotas may include job quotas, or may alternatively be directed to resultant environmental impact. Data associated with quota administration  800  may be stored in and retrieved from any suitable memory storage, such as cloud storage  822 . Next, at block  824 , actual use data is obtained from one or more document processing devices, and this information is archived in cloud storage  822  at block  826 . A determination of associated environmental impact is suitably made and displayed at block  828 . Cumulative environmental impact values are suitably determined and displayed at block  830 . 
         [0039]    Next, at cumulative environmental values are compared with target values at  840 , and a determination is made as to whether target goals were exceeded at  842 . If so, suspension of device privileges for one or more users may be implemented at block  844 , with such suspension being maintained until it is determined at block  846  that a new quota period has commenced. If target quotas are determined not to be exceeded at block  842 , a determination is made at block  850  as to whether a new period is commenced. If so, usage values are reset at block  860 , which is also achieved when a determination is made that a new period has commenced at block  846 . Next a determination is made at block  870  as to whether quotas are to be revised. If so, progress is suitably returned to block  820  to set quotas. If not, progress is suitably returned to block  824  and updated use data is retrieved and displayed. 
         [0040]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.