Patent ID: 7340482

Claim:
A method for storing a data record of a customer as an image, according to a storage request and for specifying a selectable retrieval image quality level comprising the steps of: presenting a first set of preview images based on a simulation procedure that models an action of data recording and retrieval steps, taking into consideration operating characteristics of a writer, media, and scanner, to the customer at a time of said storage request; (a) prompting said customer, at the time of said storage request, to specify a selected retrieval image quality level from the set, wherein said set comprises a first available retrieval image quality level and a second available retrieval image quality level, wherein said second available retrieval image quality level includes said first available retrieval image quality level; (b) storing said data record on analog media at a higher image quality level which includes said customer retrieval image quality level; and (c) pricing data record storage based on said selected retrieval image quality level.