Abstract: A method for processing data of a parameter counter for an image forming process includes providing a cumulative data structure for storing at least one record for recording for a predetermined accrual period a cumulative total for a parameter counter for an image forming process, providing data of a parameter counter for a time period, determining whether or not the time period corresponds to a predetermined accrual period for which an existing cumulative total is recorded in the cumulative data structure, and updating the cumulative data structure based on the data of the parameter counter.

Abstract: A method for processing data of a parameter counter for an image forming process includes providing a cumulative data structure for storing at least one record for recording for a predetermined accrual period a cumulative total for a parameter counter for an image forming process, providing data of a parameter counter for a time period, determining whether or not the time period corresponds to a predetermined accrual period for which an existing cumulative total is recorded in the cumulative data structure, and updating the cumulative data structure based on the data of the parameter counter.

Abstract: A method of accessing data in a database management system includes in a first storage structure, storing one or more datasets for each of plural devices, each dataset comprising unordered timestamped data elements indicating statuses of a particular device related condition at different points in time, in a second storage structure, storing and mapping between: device identifiers identifying the devices, condition identifiers identifying the device related conditions, and timestamps identifying when two temporally consecutive data elements of a given dataset indicate different statuses, receiving a new data element indicating a status of one particular device related conditions, storing the new data element in the first storage structure, determining whether or not the status indicated by the new data element is different from the status indicated by a temporally preceding data element stored in first storage structure, and updating the timestamps if the determination is positive.

Abstract: A database management system includes a first data storage structure for storing timestamped counter data entries for each of devices in an unordered manner and such that each counter data entry is assigned a uniquely identifiable storage address; a second data storage structure for storing and mapping between: address data identifying the storage addresses of counter data entries, excluding those which are null or empty, timestamps corresponding to the counter data entries, and device identifiers identifying the devices to which the counter data entries correspond; and data access means for, in response to receiving a request for data in respect of a specified time period and at least one of the devices, using the second data storage structure to identify, for the or each specified device, the storage addresses of the temporally first and last counter data entries falling within the specified time period and not null or empty.

Abstract: A database management system includes a first data storage structure for storing timestamped counter data entries for each of devices in an unordered manner and such that each counter data entry is assigned a uniquely identifiable storage address; a second data storage structure for storing and mapping between: address data identifying the storage addresses of counter data entries, excluding those which are null or empty, timestamps corresponding to the counter data entries, and device identifiers identifying the devices to which the counter data entries correspond; and data access means for, in response to receiving a request for data in respect of a specified time period and at least one of the devices, using the second data storage structure to identify, for the or each specified device, the storage addresses of the temporally first and last counter data entries falling within the specified time period and not null or empty.

Abstract: A method of accessing data in a database management system includes in a first storage structure, storing one or more datasets for each of plural devices, each dataset comprising unordered timestamped data elements indicating statuses of a particular device related condition at different points in time, in a second storage structure, storing and mapping between: device identifiers identifying the devices, condition identifiers identifying the device related conditions, and timestamps identifying when two temporally consecutive data elements of a given dataset indicate different statuses, receiving a new data element indicating a status of one particular device related conditions, storing the new data element in the first storage structure, determining whether or not the status indicated by the new data element is different from the status indicated by a temporally preceding data element stored in first storage structure, and updating the timestamps if the determination is positive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a server system for supplying differing amounts of data into a database, wherein the system comprises the database and a data tracker device, wherein the data tracker receives data sent by a plurality of functional entities, preferably office machines and in particular devices with a printer, wherein the data tracker device is prepared to transmit data asynchronously to an intermediate buffer storage device with a queue structure, the intermediate buffer storage device storing the data sequentially and transmitting the data sequentially to the database to be stored.