Patent ID: 8639456

Claim:
A fluid consumption calculation device that calculates consumption of a fluid by a fluid discharge device, wherein the fluid discharge device discharges fluid with a bidirectionally moving fluid discharge unit, the fluid consumption calculation device comprising: an input unit that receives information related to an output object and a fluid discharge device operating condition, the operation condition comprising a time interval between fluid discharge device outputs; a discharge control unit coupled to the input unit that generates fluid discharge data based on the output object information and the fluid discharge device operating condition; an analysis unit coupled to the discharge unit that analyzes the discharge data to determine a fluid discharge unit roundtrip count for completing the output object; a calculation unit coupled to the analysis unit that uses information acquired from the analysis unit to calculate consumption of the fluid used to form the output object, the calculation unit further configured to recalculate consumption of the fluid based on changing fluid discharge device operating conditions; the fluid consumption calculation accounting for a cleaning and flushing count, the cleaning and flushing count being a function of the fluid discharge device, the fluid discharge unit roundtrip count for completing the output object, and time interval between outputs; and an output unit coupled to the calculation unit that generates and outputs output information using information acquired from the calculation unit, the output information including an expected output image representing a result expected when the output object is formed by the fluid discharge device.