Billing method for copy path images

A system for processing image data comprising:

• an input device for receiving a document containing image data, the image data comprising a plurality of pixels;
• at least one processing element for processing the pixels of the image data, each processing element comprising an input and an output;
• and
• an output device for outputting the document,
• wherein the at least one processing element is configured to:
• provide a billing structure comprising a plurality of original billing tiers defined by predetermined thresholds at which to bill image data;
• receive image data of a document comprising a plurality of pixels including color pixels;
• determine pixel classifications of the color pixels for each pixel classification in the image data in device independent space;
• determine counts of the color pixels for each determined pixel classification in the image data in device independent space;
• classify the image data as a whole into a category or class based on both of the determination of the pixel classifications and the determined counts;
• then, convert the plurality of pixels of the image data into a plurality of pixels in device dependent space before determining counts of pixels for marking;
• determine counts of color pixels in device dependent space for marking to output the image data;
• select one billing tier from the plurality of original billing tiers for which to bill the image data, and, then, after the selection of the one billing tier, adjust from the selected one billing tier to a different billing tier for which to bill the image data using at least both of the category or class of the image data that is determined in device independent space and the determined counts of color pixels for marking determined in device dependent space,
• wherein the determined pixel classification and counts are determined by applying a neutral pixel determination algorithm and/or a neutral page determination algorithm to the image data in device independent space.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, wherein the computer executable instructions, when executed by a computer, direct the computer to perform a method for processing image data, the method comprising:

• providing a billing structure comprising a plurality of original billing tiers defined by predetermined thresholds at which to bill image data;
• receiving image data of a document comprising a plurality of pixels including color pixels;
• determining pixel classifications of the color pixels for each pixel classification in the image data in device independent space;
• determining counts of the color pixels for each determined pixel classification in the image data in device independent space;
• classifying the image data as a whole into a category or class based on both of the determination of the pixel classifications and the determined counts;
• then
• converting the plurality of pixels of the image data into a plurality of pixels in device dependent space before determining counts of pixels for making the image data;
• determining counts of color pixels for marking in device dependent space to output the image data;
• selecting one billing tier from the plurality of original billing tiers for which to bill the image data, and, then, after the selection of the one billing tier,
• adjusting from the selected one billing tier to a different billing tier for which to bill the image data using at least both of the category or class of the image data that is determined in device independent space and the determined counts of color pixels for marking determined in device dependent space,
• wherein the determined pixel classification and counts are determined by applying a neutral pixel determination algorithm and/or a neutral page determination algorithm to the image data in device independent space.