U.S. patent application number 09/992108 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-22 for value based image quality.
Invention is credited to Butikofer, Chet, Schaefer, Cori.
Application Number | 20030095809 09/992108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25537912 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030095809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butikofer, Chet ; et
al. |
May 22, 2003 |
Value based image quality
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to facilitate allowing a user to vary the
quality of an output image in exchange for a variable cost. Each
quality has an associated cost. By allowing the user to select a
value relationship of a quality and its associated cost, the user
is provided with an opportunity to receive an output image that
provides the most value to the user.
Inventors: |
Butikofer, Chet; (Meridian,
ID) ; Schaefer, Cori; (San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
25537912 |
Appl. No.: |
09/992108 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/26 20130101;
G06Q 30/0283 20130101; H04N 1/2369 20130101; G03G 21/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04N 1/2353 20130101; G06K 15/002 20130101;
H04N 1/0097 20130101; H04N 1/2338 20130101; G06K 15/02 20130101;
H04N 1/34 20130101; H04N 1/2307 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/79 |
International
Class: |
G03G 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of generating an output image, comprising: generating a
set of one or more value relationships associated with producing
the output image, wherein each value relationship comprises a cost
to a user to receive the output image having a corresponding
quality; and generating the output image in response to a user
selection of one of the value relationships, wherein the output
image has the quality associated with the selected value
relationship.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the output
image in response to the user selection of one of the value
relationships only after receiving a payment from the user for the
cost associated with the selected value relationship.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a set of one or more
value relationships comprises an interactive process of the user
building a value relationship.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating an
indication of a cost owed by the user for generating the output
image.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating an indication of a
cost owed by the user further comprises providing the indication on
the output image as either a human-readable or a computer-readable
indicia.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a cost
owed by the user for generating the output image based at least in
part on an actual usage of consumables used to generate the output
image.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the user;
and providing a default value relationship to the user based on
past behaviors of the user.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the past behavior of the user is
selected from the group consisting of a most-recently selected
quality, a most-commonly selected quality, a highest selected
quality, a lowest selected quality and user-designated default
quality.
9. An imaging device, comprising: a formatter for rendering image
data into a printable image; a print engine for producing an output
image from the printable image; and a processor; wherein the
processor is adapted to generate a first cost to a user of the
imaging device to receive the output image having a first quality
and to generate a second cost to the user of the imaging device to
receive the output image having a second quality; wherein the
processor is adapted to direct the formatter and the print engine,
as necessary, to generate the output image in accordance with the
first quality if the user selects either the first quality or the
first cost; and wherein the processor is adapted to direct the
formatter and the print engine, as necessary, to generate the
output image in accordance with the second quality if the user
selects either the second quality or the second cost.
10. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein directing the formatter
comprises changing a resolution level and wherein directing the
print engine comprises changing at least one item selected from the
group consisting of an output rate, a consumable usage rate, a
print media type, a color type and a finish.
11. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the processor is further
adapted to generate the first cost and the second cost in response
to interactive changes by the user to selections of quality items
making up each quality of the output image.
12. The imaging device of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the
processor is further adapted to generate a third cost to the user
of the imaging device to receive the output image having a third
quality; and wherein the processor is further adapted to direct the
formatter and the print engine, as necessary, to generate the
output image in accordance with the third quality if the user
selects either the third quality or the third cost.
13. The imaging device of claim 9, further comprising: an image
generator for generating the image data.
14. An imaging system, comprising: an imaging device for generating
an output image in response to image data; a processor adapted to
generate a set of one or more value relationships associated with
producing the output image, wherein each value relationship
comprises a cost to a user to receive an output image having a
corresponding quality; and a user interface for communicating the
set of value relationships to the user and for accepting a
selection of one of the value relationships by the user; wherein
the processor is further adapted to direct the imaging device to
generate the output image having the quality associated with the
value relationship selected by the user.
15. The imaging system of claim 14, further comprising: an image
generator for generating the image data.
16. The imaging system of claim 14, further comprising: a
computer-readable file containing information; wherein the
processor is further adapted to generate the image data from the
information contained in the computer-readable file.
17. The imaging system of claim 14, wherein the imaging device is
selected from the group consisting of a copier, a printer and a
multi-function device.
18. The imaging system of claim 14, wherein each quality comprises
at least one item selected from the group consisting of a
resolution level, a color type, a media type, an output speed, a
finish and a consumable usage level.
19. The imaging system of claim 14, wherein cost is generated in
response to at least one item selected from the group consisting of
an expected consumable usage, an expected media usage and an
expected mechanical wear of the imaging device.
20. The imaging system of claim 14, wherein the processor is
adapted to direct the imaging device to generate the output image
having the quality associated with the selected value relationship
using at least one method selected from the group consisting of
providing image data to the imaging device that corresponds to the
quality associated with the selected value relationship, providing
direction to the imaging device to render the image data in
accordance with the quality associated with the selected value
relationship and providing direction to the imaging device to
produce the output image in accordance with the quality associated
with the selected value relationship.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to imaging devices,
and in particular to methods and apparatus to facilitate variable
image quality output based on a value to a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Coin-operated or other pay devices are available to produce
images. These devices may produce an image from an original
supplied by a user, e.g., self-service copiers found in most public
libraries or self-service photo printers found in many photographic
outlets. Alternatively, these devices may produce an image
generated by or through the apparatus itself, e.g., customized
greeting-card kiosks found in shopping malls or other retail
outlets. Payment may be supplied to the device in the form of
coins, currency, credit or debit card, tokens or other forms of
payment. Alternatively, the device may provide some indication of
the cost to the user for payment elsewhere. Using a customized
greeting card as an example, an imaging device can print a barcode
or other indicia on the card itself indicative of a price to be
paid by the user. As another example, the imaging device may be
activated only through the use of a tally device. A tally device
typically counts the number of images produced by the user. When
the tally device is returned to an administrator of the imaging
device, the user is charged for the tallied image count.
[0003] Typically, a user is charged based on the imaging device
being chosen for use. The user, if presented with a choice, can
choose between imaging devices based on a desired quality of the
output image. For example, a copy center may have color copiers and
black & white copiers available for use. The cost to use a
color copier is generally higher than the cost to use a black &
white copier. If a user wants a color copy, they will have to
choose and pay for the use of a color copier. Likewise, if a user
wants a black & white copy, they will most likely choose and
pay for the use of a black & white copier due to its lower
cost. However, the user generally pays the color copier price to
use a color copier regardless of whether they are making a copy of
a black & white original or a color original.
[0004] For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated
below that will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading and understanding the present specification, there is a
need in the art for alternative methods and apparatus providing a
user with flexibility regarding cost and quality of an image
output.
SUMMARY
[0005] Methods and apparatus are described herein to facilitate
allowing a user to vary the quality of an output image in exchange
for a variable cost. Each quality has an associated cost. By
allowing the user to select a value relationship of a quality and
its associated cost, the user is provided with an opportunity to
receive an output image that provides the most value to the
user.
[0006] For one embodiment, the invention provides a method of
generating an output image. The method includes generating a set of
one or more value relationships associated with producing the
output image. Each value relationship includes a cost to a user to
receive the output image having a corresponding quality. The method
further includes generating the output image in response to a user
selection of one of the value relationships. The output image has
the quality associated with the selected value relationship.
[0007] For another embodiment, the invention provides an imaging
device. The imaging device includes a formatter for rendering image
data into a printable image, a print engine for producing an output
image from the printable image, and a processor. The processor is
adapted to generate a first cost to a user of the imaging device to
receive the output image having a first quality and to generate a
second cost to the user of the imaging device to receive the output
image having a second quality. The processor is adapted to direct
the formatter and the print engine, as necessary, to generate the
output image in accordance with the first quality if the user
selects either the first quality or the first cost and the
processor is adapted to direct the formatter and the print engine,
as necessary, to generate the output image in accordance with the
second quality if the user selects either the second quality or the
second cost.
[0008] For yet another embodiment, the invention provides an
imaging system. The system includes an imaging device for
generating an output image in response to image data. The system
further includes a processor adapted to generate a set of one or
more value relationships associated with producing the output
image, wherein each value relationship comprises a cost to a user
to receive an output image having a corresponding quality. The
system still further includes a user interface for communicating
the set of value relationships to the user and for accepting a
selection of one of the value relationships by the user. The
processor is further adapted to direct the imaging device to
generate the output image having the quality associated with the
value relationship selected by the user.
[0009] Further embodiments of the invention include apparatus and
methods of varying scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an imaging device in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an imaging system in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of generating an output
image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detailed description of the present
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process,
electrical or mechanical changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention. The following detailed
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and
the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended
claims and equivalents thereof.
[0014] Imaging devices can typically produce an output image at a
variety of different quality levels. One common quality is output
resolution. For example, an imaging device may be capable of
generating an output image at resolution levels of 150 dots per
inch, 300 dots per inch and 600 dots per inch. While a higher
resolution level results in a crisper resulting image, it can also
come at a cost of slower device operation or, possibly, higher
consumption of marking materials, e.g., toner, ink, etc. Another
quality is media type. An imaging device may have multiple media
types available, e.g., standard and bond paper stocks, each with a
corresponding cost. Other examples of qualities include color type,
output speed, finish and consumable usage levels. As used herein,
quality includes one or more items descriptive of characteristics
of an output image or its manner of production. For example, in
producing an output image on a color laser printer, a black &
white output image on standard paper stock and produced with half
toner usage may be associated with a first quality while a color
output image on bond paper stock and produced with full toner usage
may be associated with a second quality. The output image having
the second quality would generally have a higher cost of production
versus that of an output image having the first quality.
[0015] Each quality can be expressed in a value relationship to a
user of the imaging device. This value relationship represents the
cost to the user for a corresponding quality of the output image.
By presenting two or more value relationships to the user, the user
is able to perform a cost/benefit analysis based on their own
criteria. The user may then choose to receive an output image
having the quality, and thus the value relationship, that gives the
user the highest benefit for their money.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an imaging device 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. The imaging device 100 accepts
image data on an input 102. The input 102 is some sort of
communication or I/O (input/output) port for receiving
communications from an external device (not shown), e.g., a
computer workstation or other processor-based device. Examples
include a parallel communication port, a serial communication port,
a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, an IR (infrared)
communication port and other such wired and wireless communication
ports. While discussed herein for receiving communications, the
communication ports used in most imaging devices are adapted for
bi-directional communications. Thus, the input 102 used for
receiving data from an external device would generally further be
capable of providing information, e.g., status information, from
the imaging device 100 to the external device.
[0017] The image data is used by the imaging device 100 to produce
the output image 140. The image data is typically created on the
external device in a form that is understandable by the imaging
device 100. For example, an image can be created or displayed in a
document, graphic or other application of a computer workstation.
If a user desires to receive a tangible copy of the image, they
generally issue a print command from the application they used to
generate or otherwise display the image. The data representing the
image in the application is then converted by a device driver into
a form understood by the imaging device associated with the device
driver. Typically, each imaging device brand and type has its own
device driver. The image data is generally in a page description
language (PDL) providing information to the imaging device 100
necessary to produce a tangible copy of the original image.
[0018] A formatter 110 of the imaging device 100 receives the image
data and converts or renders it into a printable image. At this
stage, the information is typically raster data. The print engine
112 takes this printable image and produces the tangible output
image 140 at an output 104. The print engine 112 represents the
mechanical aspects of the imaging device 100 used to produce the
tangible copy of the original image. As an alternative, or in
addition, to receiving image data from an external device, the
imaging device 100 may include an image generator 106, e.g., an
image scanner such as a copier bed or an image capture device such
as a digital camera.
[0019] The imaging device 100 further includes a user interface 114
for displaying messages, menus, status and other information to a
user of the imaging device 100. The user interface 114 further
includes an input device for receiving information from the user,
such as menu choices, information requests, data input and the
like. Some common examples include a liquid crystal display (LCD)
with a keypad, a touch screen or a monitor and keyboard. For one
embodiment, the user interface 114 is in communication with the
formatter 110 for receiving information from and providing
information to the formatter relating to rendering of the image
data. For another embodiment, the user interface 114 is in
communication with the print engine 112 for receiving information
from and providing information to the print engine 112 relating to
the production of the output image. Preferably, the user interface
114 is in communication with both the formatter 110 and the print
engine 112.
[0020] The imaging device 100 further includes a processor 116.
Although shown as integral to the formatter 110, the processor 116
may be independent of the formatter 110. The processor 116 is
adapted to perform methods in accordance with embodiments of the
invention in response to computer-readable instructions. These
computer-readable instructions are stored on a computer-usable
media and may be in the form of either software, firmware or
hardware. In a hardware solution, the instructions are hard coded
as part of a processor, e.g., an application-specific integrated
circuit (ASIC) chip. In a software or firmware solution, the
instructions are stored for retrieval by the processor. Some
additional examples of computer-usable media include static or
dynamic random access memory (SRAM or DRAM), read-only memory
(ROM), electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), magnetic
media and optical media, whether permanent or removable. For the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the imaging device 100 includes a
computer-usable media 118 in communication with the processor
116.
[0021] The processor 116 is adapted to generate costs to a user of
the imaging device 100 to receive an output image 140 having one or
more different qualities. Each quality, or each item making up the
quality, has an associated effect on the cost to produce the output
image 140. These costs relationships may be stored in the media 118
such that the processor 116 can be used to generate a cost to the
user to generate the output image 140. The resulting cost owed by
the user would typically be estimated to be in excess of an actual
cost of generating the output image 140, although it is not
necessary to do so.
[0022] The cost owed by the user of the imaging device 100 can be
based on an average cost per page. For example, it may be
established that an average page of an output image 140 contains y%
coverage and uses x units of a marking material for that coverage
level. Thus, the cost owed by the user to produce the output image
140 can assume average coverage and thus be based at least in part
on using x units of marking material per page. Alternatively, the
coverage of each page of the output image 140 can be estimated from
the image data such that the actual usage of marking material can
be estimated, with the cost being based at least in part on the
expected usage of marking material.
[0023] As an alternate to estimating marking material usage, the
actual usage may be measured. Currently, some toner and ink
cartridges are capable of measuring a level of the remaining
marking material. If such systems are refined to the point of
differentiating a level between a beginning of a print job and the
end of a print job, actual usage could be used to calculate a cost
owed by the user. Note, however, that actual usage determined after
completion of the job will delay the availability of the cost; an
estimated cost should still be provided to the user to establish
the value relationship even if the actual cost owed by the user is
determined after completion. Additional aspects that may be
considered post-completion include actual mechanical wear, such as
a number of rotations of a mechanism of the print engine 112 to
gauge the mechanical wear.
[0024] A variety of cost considerations can be used in the
calculation of the cost owed by the user. The cost can account for
wear and tear on the imaging device. For example, high print
coverage can be expected to reduce the expected life of the imaging
device between repair or maintenance. Different print media types
can also be expected to affect the life of the imaging device. Full
color images can be expected to be more expensive than black &
white images. Higher weight print media is generally more expensive
than lower weight print media. Different finishes may be available
that also affect cost. For example, a glossy or matte finish may be
applied to the output image 140 at an additional cost.
[0025] Once the costs are generated for the various qualities, the
value relationships may be displayed to the user via the user
interface 114. For one embodiment, the qualities used in generating
the value relationships are predetermined. As an example, the
imaging device 100 may display a cost for a black & white
output image 140 and a cost for a color output image 140, or a cost
for an output image 140 produced at full consumable usage rates and
a cost for an output image 140 produced at some reduced consumable
rate, or some other combination of two or more qualities. For
another embodiment, the qualities used in generating the value
relationships are chosen by the user. As an example, the user may
be presented with a list of options or capabilities of the imaging
device. The user can select from these options to define the
quality of the resulting output image 140. The value relationship
from this process can be determined after the user completes the
selection process. Alternatively, the value relationship can
reflect the cost as the user makes each choice, thus providing
concurrent feedback on the cost of their selections.
[0026] Whether the user is presented with a list of cost/quality
combinations or the user builds a cost/quality combination, the
user then selects a value relationship associated with the
resulting quality they would like to see in their output image 140.
In response to the user selection of a value relationship, the
processor 116 directs the formatter 110 and/or the print engine 112
to produce the output image 140 in accordance with the
corresponding quality. This direction may include changes to the
way the formatter 110 renders the image data, including resolution
level. Alternatively, or in addition, this direction may include
changes to the way the print engine 112 produces the output image
140 including output rate (e.g., pages per minute), consumable
usage rates, print media type, color type, finish and the like.
[0027] The direction of the processor 116 may further include
changes to the image data or printable image. For example, for
retail outlets, it may be desirable to mark the output image 140
with the cost owed by the user. Thus, the processor 116 may
generate an indication of the cost owed by the user and then alter
the image data or printable image to include this indication. The
indication of the cost can be a human-readable indicia, such as a
price or price code. Alternatively, the indication of the cost can
be a computer-readable indicia, such as a barcode. Such is common
in printing out customized greeting cards, where a barcode is
generally printed on the back of the card for scanning at the
checkout register.
[0028] As an alternative to providing an indication of the cost
owed by the user on the output image 140, the user interface 114
may include some mechanism to receive or record a cost owed by the
user. Some examples include coin-drop mechanisms and currency
feeders common on vending machines, credit and debit card readers
common on gasoline pumps, tally device ports for receiving and
updating a tally device used on many self-service copiers, and
other such mechanisms. As a further alternative, the processor 116
may store the cost owed by the user on the computer-usable media
118 for later communication to or retrieval by an administrator of
the imaging device 100. Other methods of receiving, recording,
displaying or otherwise indicating a cost owed by the user may also
be used with embodiments of the invention.
[0029] For one embodiment, the imaging device 100 generates the
output image 140 only after receiving payment by the user, e.g., by
cash, credit or debit. Alternatively, the imaging device 100 may
simply record, display or otherwise indicate the cost owed by the
user and permit generation of the output image 140 regardless of
whether payment is first received. For one embodiment, the
processor 116 is adapted to save user preferences or defaults on
the computer-usable media 118. This can be established by receiving
an indication of the user's identity through the user interface 114
and associating the user's identity with their behavior, such as a
most-recently selected quality, a most-commonly selected quality, a
highest selected quality, a lowest selected quality and a
user-designated default quality.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an imaging system 250 in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. The imaging system 250
includes an imaging device 200 for generating an output image 240
on an output 204. The imaging system 250 further includes a
processor 216. The processor 216 is adapted to direct the imaging
device 200 to generate the output image 240 having a quality
associated with a value relationship chosen by a user of the
imaging system 250.
[0031] The processor 216 directs the imaging device 200 in response
to computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-usable media
218 and in response to input received from the user via user
interface 214. The imaging system 250 may be self-contained, i.e.,
the image data used to render and produce the output image 240 may
be generated within the imaging system 250. For example, the
computer-usable media 218 may contain a database 220 or other
computer-readable file of information used by the processor 216 to
generate the image data for input to the imaging device 200. One
particular example would be a kiosk used to produce customized
newsprint, where the database 220 contains information
corresponding to the available news articles and where the
processor 216 generates the image data in response to a selection
by the user of all or some subset of the news articles contained in
the database 220. Alternatively, the database 220 or similar
information may be contained on some external device (not shown) in
communication with the processor 216 for use in generating the
image data.
[0032] As with the user interface 114 of FIG. 1, the user interface
214 may include mechanisms for receiving, recording, displaying or
otherwise indicating a cost owed by the user. Likewise, the imaging
system 250 may provide an indication on the output image 240 of the
cost owed by the user. Furthermore, the imaging system 250 may
include an image generator such as described with reference to FIG.
1.
[0033] The processor 216 can use a variety of methods to generate
the output image 240 having the desired quality. For one
embodiment, the processor 216 provides image data to the imaging
device 200 that corresponds to the quality associated with the
selected value relationship. For a further embodiment, the
processor 216 provides direction to the imaging device 200 to
render the image data in accordance with the quality associated
with the selected value relationship. For a still further
embodiment, the processor 216 provides direction to the imaging
device 200 to produce the output image in accordance with the
quality associated with the selected value relationship.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of generating an output
image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A set of
one or more value relationships are generated at box 362. These
value relationships include a cost to a user to receive an output
image having a corresponding quality. The cost may be based at
least in part on image data obtained at box 360, but may also be
based merely on average costs for an output image having the
corresponding quality. The set of value relationships may be based
on a set of predefined qualities or it may be based on the user
building a single value relationship through an interactive process
of selecting individual quality items. Furthermore, the set of
value relationships may have a default value relationship based on
identifying the user at box 370 and choosing the default value
relationship based on a past behavior of the identified user.
[0035] At box 364, the user selects one of the value relationships.
For one embodiment, selecting a value relationship includes
selecting one value relationship from a list of value
relationships. For another embodiment, selecting a value
relationship includes the user confirming a value relationship
built through the interactive process.
[0036] The output image is generated at box 366 to provide a
tangible form of the desired image having the quality associated
with the selected value relationship. The method may further
include generating an indication of the cost at box 368 for
incorporation on the output image generated at box 366. As an
alternative to providing the indication on the output image itself,
the indication may be provided as a separate image (e.g., a receipt
or invoice) generated contemporaneously with the output image.
[0037] The various embodiments facilitate providing a user of an
imaging device or system the opportunity to pay a reduced cost for
a reduced image quality. Imaging devices are generally capable of
producing output images having a variety of qualities. Each quality
has an associated cost. A user may be willing to accept a reduced
quality of an output image in exchange for a reduced cost owed by
the user.
CONCLUSION
[0038] Methods and apparatus have been described to facilitate
allowing a user to vary the quality of an output image in exchange
for a variable cost. Each quality has an associated cost. By
allowing the user to select a value relationship of a quality and
its associated cost, the user is provided with an opportunity to
receive an output image that provides the most value to the
user.
[0039] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the
same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.
Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is
intended to cover any such adaptations or variations of the
invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited
only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *