Title: Method for supply ordering
Abstract: A method of automatic supply ordering system for electronically ordering a consumable part or replaceable part in a marking machine. The system provides electronic identification of a condition of a replaceable component and automatically electronically sends an offer to purchase a replacement part upon identification of a threshold condition.
Patent Number: 6,985,877 Issued on 01/10/2006 to Hayward, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Hayward; Ken (Brockport, NY);
Krolczyk; Marc J. (Rochester, NY);
Marchionda; Dawn M. (Marion, NY)
|
| Assignee:
|
Xerox Corporation (Stamford, CT)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
662284 |
| Filed:
|
September 14, 2000 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
705/27; 705/26; 399/12; 399/24 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
G06F 17/60 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
705/26,27
399/12,24
|
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Other References
M2 PRESSWIRE, Lexmark extends powerful printermangement capabilities to printers
from all major brands, Sep. 30, 1998. M2 Communications Ltd. World reporter.
IDOCs ; Linking the worlds of print and electronic media, PN102059-01 Sep. 11, 1998.
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Institute of Standards and Technology; May 19, 1994; 17 pages.
|
Primary Examiner: Fadok; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ryan; Andrew D.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/397,126,
filed Sep. 16, 1999, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of ordering a part of an apparatus comprising:
monitoring electronically a condition of a replaceable part in a first device,
the replaceable part having: a first condition upon installation; at least one
intermediate condition after use; and a third condition when a replacement part
is substantially necessary;
launching a communications link to access a URL address, the URL address defined
by a condition of the part;
automatically launching an electronic communication link to a URL address of
a computer, the URL address defined by a condition of the replaceable part;
electronically sending a signal to a second device, the signal automatically
electronically offering to purchase a replaceable part upon identification of at
least one of the first condition, second condition, and third condition in the
replaceable part; and
sending a digital electronic signature associated with the offering to purchase
the replaceable part.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising predicting a condition of the part
prior to the electronically sending the signal.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving electronically an acceptance
of the offer to purchase the replaceable part.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising installing the replaceable part prior
to occurrence of the third condition.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising delivering the replaceable part to
the first device when monitoring indicates the condition of the part is between
about the first condition and the third condition.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing information relating to
the signal to at least one of a user, a supplier, and a third party.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the information relates to at least one of:
(1) a present condition of the part; (2) a prediction of a future condition of
the part; (3) an inquiry; and (4) an offer to purchase.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
using a sensor and software system to perform monitoring and predicting of a
condition of the part.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first device is interactive.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
displaying a purchase order screen including data relating to the part automatically
filled out on the purchase order screen based on an identified condition; and
sending the data electronically to a supplier of the part after personal information
data is automatically entered by an application program into the purchase order screen.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
sending data to the supplier after a user enters data.
12. The method of claim 6 wherein the information further relates to at least
one of: (1) present supply of a consumable; (2) wear of a consumable; (3) usage
of the part; (4) rate of depletion of a consumable; (5) rate of wear of the consumable;
(6) predicted date of depletion of the consumable; (7) a predicted date of need
of a consumable; (8) delivery schedule of a consumable; and (9) statistical data
relating to a part.
13. A method of ordering a part of an apparatus comprising:
identifying electronically a condition in an apparatus;
automatically launching an electronic communications to initiate at least one
of an inquiry and an offer to purchase based on the condition to a URL address
of a computer associated with a condition of the part. the URL address defined
by a condition of the part;
displaying a purchase order screen including a part number automatically filled
out on the purchase order screen based on the identified condition;
sending an electronic purchase order for the part using the URL address of a
computer associated with the condition of the part; and
sending a digital electronic signature associated with the electronic purchase order.
14. A method of ordering a part for a marking device comprising:
sensing a condition of a part in a marking device, the marking device adapted
to predict a code indicative of a threshold of a consumable in the part;
automatically launching an electronic communication to a URL address of a computer
associated with a condition of the part, the URL address defined by a condition
of the replaceable part;
sending an electronic purchase offer for a replacement of the consumable part
using at least one of the URL address of the computer associated with a condition
of the part and a derivative of the URL address associated with the condition of
the part; and
sending a digital electronic signature associated with the electronic purchase offer.
15. The method of ordering a part of claim 14 wherein the consumable part is
functionally associated with a sensor and software system to sense and predict
a condition in the device and to electronically communicate information, the sensor
and software system including logic adapted to initiate a purchase order defined
by the condition.
16. A method of ordering a part of an imaging apparatus comprising:
identifying electronically a condition in a consumable part, the consumable part
having a first condition upon installation, at least one intermediate condition
after use, and a third condition when a replacement of the consumable part is substantially
necessary; and
using a software and sensor system associated with the apparatus to at least
one of: (a) electronically monitor the condition of the consumable part; (b) electronically
predicting the condition of the consumable part; and after least one of (a) and
(b); (c) automatically launch a communication to a URL address of a computer associated
with a condition of the consumable part upon at least one of an occurrence and
a prediction of at least one of the first condition, intermediate condition, and
third condition, the URL address defined by a condition of the part;
sending at least one of an inquiry and an offer to purchase a replacement of
the consumable part using at least one of the URL address of the computer associated
with a condition of the part and a derivative of the URL address associated with
the condition of the part; and
sending a digital electronic signature associated with at least one of the inquiry
and the offer to purchase.
17. The method of ordering a part of claim 16 further comprising receiving electronically
an acceptance of the offer to purchase.
18. The method of ordering a part of claim 16 wherein the communication further
relates to at least one of: (1) present supply of a consumable; (2) wear of a consumable;
(3) usage of the part; (4) rate of depletion of a consumable; (5) rate of wear
of the consumable; (6) predicted date of depletion of the consumable; (7) a predicted
date of need of a consumable; (8) delivery schedule of a consumable; and (9) statistical
data relating to a part.
19. The method of ordering a part of claim 1 wherein the electronically sending
of the signal to the second device is a wireless communication.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of intelligent ordering for replacement consumable
parts in imaging and marking apparatus. Reference is also made to co-pending continuation-in-part
application, Ser. No. 10/736,269, entitled, SUPPLY ORDERING APPARATUS, filed concurrently
herewith. The present application also relates to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/397,125,
filed Sep. 16, 1999. The above applications are incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many imaging machines including, for example, fax, copier, printer, scanner
device, xerographic device, electrostatographic device generally provide user assistance
that indicate one or more error conditions. For example, lights such as small LCD
(liquid crystal display) often indicate a variety of error conditions. Typically,
a user reads an error code from the LCD, looks up the error code in a machine's
user manual, and then calls the manufacturer's toll free help line for an explanation
of the code or instructions on what to do to fix the error condition.
FIG. 1 depicts a typical machine 10 connected to a known computer 30
over a bus 32. Machine 10 includes sensors 12 to detect conditions
(e.g., paper tray empty). Sensors 12 and machine state flags 14 (e.g.,
warm up or not ready) describe the state of the machine. Firmware 16 reads
the state of the machine and forms an error code number. A code handler 22
of user interface 20 receives the error code and causes it to be displayed
on status monitor 24.
Various monitoring systems and machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,016,409;
6,106,088; 6,045,206; 6,000,773; 5,901,286; 5,809,375; 5,802,420; 5,636,032; 5,572,292,
5,305,199; 5,283,613, 5,281,999; 5,016,171; 4,961,088; and 4,496,237.
All documents cited herein, including the foregoing, are incorporated herein
by reference in their entireties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for automatically ordering consumable
supplies for a marking apparatus.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a
method
of ordering a part for a xerographic apparatus comprising: monitoring electronically
a condition of a replaceable part in a first device, the replaceable part having:
a first condition upon installation; at least one intermediate condition after
use; and a third condition when a replacement part is substantially necessary;
and electronically sending a signal to a second device, the signal automatically
electronically offering to purchase a replaceable part upon identification of at
least one of the first condition, second condition, and third condition in the
replaceable part using an electronic signature.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided,
a method of ordering a part for an apparatus including: identifying electronically
a condition in an apparatus; and automatically launching an electronic communications
to initiate at least one of an inquiry and an offer to purchase to a supplier based
on the condition.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided,
a method of ordering a part for a marking device including: sensing a condition
at a consumable part in the marking device, the marking device adapted to at least
one of identify and predict a code indicative of a threshold of a consumable; and
launching an electronic communication to access a computer at an address defined
by the condition for ordering a replacement for the consumable part.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided,
a method of ordering a part for an imaging apparatus including: identifying electronically
a condition in a consumable part, the consumable part including at least one an
ink cartridge, toner cartridge, photoreceptor cartridge, paper, and printhead,
the consumable part having a first condition upon installation, at least one intermediate
condition after use, and a third condition when a replacement of the consumable
part is substantially necessary; and using a software and sensor system associated
with the apparatus for at least one of: (a) electronic monitoring of the condition
of the consumable part; (b) electronic predicting of the condition of the consumable
part; and after at least one of (a) and (b); (c) automatically launching an electronic
communications to initiate at least one of an inquiry and an offer to purchase
a replacement for the consumable part at an occurrence or prediction of at least
one of the first condition, intermediate condition, and third condition.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein
embodiments are shown and described, simply by way of illustration contemplated
of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification
in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly,
the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not
as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user interface of a known computer peripheral;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user support system according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a view of a "home" screen display of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a view of a "status window" of a screen display of an embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a registration process of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a user support information update process of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an online purchase order process of the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a system according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the principles and embodiments of the present invention will be described
in connection with marking apparatus such as electrostatographic and xerographic
reproduction machines, and their associated peripherals, it should be understood
that the present invention is not limited to that embodiment or to that application.
Therefore, it should be understood that the principles of the present invention
and embodiments extend to all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents thereof.
In FIG. 2, a computer
30 is connected to a modem
34 to convert
computer
binary information to analog telephone signals. Computer
30 may be a stand
alone device or may be incorporated in a marking device such as a machine or peripheral
10. In addition, the marking device user may be connected to the Internet
36. Computer
30 has an Internet browser installed and operating thereon
(i.e., a software module that runs on the computer to interface the user to the
Internet). Internet
36 access may be through an Internet Service Provider
(ISP). Typically, an ISP maintains a point of presence (POP) in the user's local
telephone system to give the user a local telephone number to call. In this case,
the modem
34 is a telephone modem, and under user control the browser causes
modem
34 to place a call to the POP. The POP is linked to the IPS's main
service center by trunk lines. The ISP's main service center has a bank of modems
(not shown) to reconvert the analog telephone signals into computer binary information,
and a computer (also not shown) to connect to the Internet backbone (a digital
or binary communications system, also not specifically shown). The Internet backbone
includes an Internet pier (i.e., terminal) where properly formatted digital signals
from the ISPs main service center are launched onto the Internet backbone. The
user, through his browser, may access any site on the Internet based on a URL.
Everything from the POP to the Internet backbone is covered by the representation
of Internet
36 in FIG. 2. Other communication systems and protocols may
also be used to link the system to a user, supplier, vendor, manufacturer, or third
party. For example, ISDN (integrated services digital network), DSL (digital subscriber
line), and cable telephone systems may be used.
In addition, a user may communicate with a server
40 that is connected
to the Internet through a modem
38. Modem
38 may be connected to
the Internet either directly or indirectly through an ISP. The server
40
may perform a variety of functions, for example, a manufacturer may use their server
40 for registration of a new peripheral or publishing information about
the peripheral.
A peripheral
10 (e.g.; fax, copier, printer and scanner device) may be
sold
to the user with installation software. The user may physically connect peripheral
10 to a computer
30, and then load and execute the installation software.
In addition, the installation software may be loaded on the computer using an application
program executed directly by the user to interact with the peripheral, and one
or more driver modules (e.g., a printer driver) may be executed by another application
program (e.g., a word processor).
In use, the installation software may execute a module that performs online registration.
The online registration system may use a registration server of the manufacturer
to provide the user with HTML formatted pages over the Internet for display on
the computer
30. These pages include fields to be filled out by the user.
For example, the fields may require the user's name, product name, model, and serial
number. Later purchased options (e.g. additional paper trays or a document handler)
may also be registered. The HTML formatted pages may also include a "send button"
to be "clicked on" by the user to send the filled out fields to the registration
server in order to complete the online registration.
Turning now to FIG. 5, the installation process includes the computer
30
sensing an indicia (step S
11) of machine
10 including the consumable
components and reconfigurable parts. The machine
10 may include a variety
of model numbers, part numbers, dates of manufacture, serial numbers, and configuration
information. In addition, the indicia of machine
10 may include information
such as the geographic location of the owner or location of the machine
10.
Using the geographic information, the user may be routed to a particular sales
site based on the geographic region. For example, users may be routed to a specific
retailer, distributor, or company direct sales site depending on the location of
the user, U.S. or foreign, and regional location within a certain country.
Registering the machine
10 (step S
12) includes launching
a communications link to connect to a registration server. The registration page
is then displayed on the screen. The user fills out the information fields (e.g.,
the user name) and clicks on the send button. The completed registration page and
the indicia of the peripheral are sent to the registration server. This results
in information relating to precise configuration and date of the registered product
being stored on the registration server.
At the end of online registration process S
1, a file of additional information
directed to the registered machine
10 is downloaded from the server (S
13).
The downloaded information is dependent on the peripheral indicia. In this way,
the latest information on the registered machine
10 may be stored in the
computer
30 or the processor, software and logic system
16, and the
information is directed to the precise configuration and date of the registered
product. After the initial registration, user support information (e.g., frequently
asked questions) may be sent to the user as support information continues to evolve
throughout the product's life cycle.
The specific indicia sent during registration may be used to identify user support
information in the database most useful to the operation and maintenance of a machine
having a particular serial number or configuration. This permits a user to update
user support information at any time.
Conditions in the machine
10 may indicate a need to replace a consumable
item or part (e.g., paper, ink, toner, cartridge, printhead, drum). Using the sensed
indicia from registration, an automatic electronic customer direct supply ordering
mechanism can advantageously identify a replacement part or consumable item that
is needed and the proper part can then be automatically ordered and sent to the user.
For example, a particular condition may be determined or derived from sensors
12 and machine state
14 via firmware
16 as shown in FIG. 2.
The peripheral condition is sent by firmware
16 over bus
32 to an
application program running in the computer
30. Moreover, a particular condition
may be determined or derived from sensors
12 and consumable component
11
via processor, software and logic system
16 as shown and further described
with respect to FIG. 8. The applications program may indicate the particular condition
to the user, for example on a display screen.
FIG. 3 depicts an example of a display screen for a fax, copier, printer, scanner
device. Along the top line is the title of the application program, for example,
"WorkStation" or "Device". The next line is a drop down menu bar. The next line
includes information specific to the exemplary work station or device. The third
line, for example, includes an X indicator to indicate that a status condition
has occurred that should be reviewed, and a Status Inquiry box with "button" to
"click on" and get more information. On the left hand side of the display is a
vertical bar with six buttons that is referred to as a service panel. The remaining
portion of the screen is a context sensitive work area that is dependent on the
selected service. A software and user input solution automatically connects the
user to a part supplier, a consumable item, manufacturer, or a consumable item
vendor for efficiency, convenience, and timely ordering or inquiry.
The service panel may have any number of buttons. In one embodiment, six buttons
may be incorporated. For example, the first button may return the operator to the
home menu screen. The next button accesses a "desktop" directory used by the present
application. The next four buttons, in succession, access a scanner screen, a fax
screen, a copier screen, and a printer screen.
A variety of menu choices may be depicted in the context sensitive work area
of
the home screen. The first menu entry may access a screen to review or modify system
settings. The second menu entry accesses a screen to access online help services
and user support as described further herein. The third menu entry accesses a screen
to order supplies and/or upgrades from the manufacturer or a manufacturer approved
supplier. The fourth menu entry accesses a digital user manual with hyperlinked
information and help files. The fifth menu entry accesses a simplified guided tour
and interactive demonstration of the peripheral's operation. The system setting
screen provides for setting up various device settings that would otherwise need
hard buttons. Preferably, a link to maintenance and print driver setup screens
is provided.
FIG. 4 depicts the work area (i.e., status window) of the status screen. When
the status inquiry button is clicked from a screen, the status screen window appears.
The top of the status screen window includes two areas in the upper half: an icon
display of the machine and a condition sub-window with a "Show Me" button. The
icon shows the device in it's current state. If there is a problem (e.g. paper
jam) it will indicate an error state. Pressing the "Show Me" button will run an
animation of the icon showing how to clear the jam or correct a different problem.
The animation data would be streamed from local memory or from a website. The user
or machine condition can be used to determine which context sensitive help such
as text, video, or audio communication to use from the website. A condition, for
example, indicated by the X, explained as a "Magenta Ink Level Low", and two action
options are given. The first option is ordering another magenta ink cartridge using
the "Buy Now" button, and the second option is replacing the cartridge using the
"Show Me" button.
For example, the bottom of the status window may include three areas in the lower
half: a job status sub-window, an ink level sub-window with a "Buy Now" button,
and three miscellaneous buttons (system settings as a short cut to change settings,
maintenance button to access a diagnostics screen and a close button). The job
status sub-window shows three jobs as an example, showing the portion completed.
Preferably, some indicia of the job, such as a file name, is displayed under the
portion completed. Next to each job is a cancel button that enables the user to
optionally cancel the job.
It should be appreciated that the screens depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 are representative
screen embodiments, and are not meant to limit the invention defined by the claims.
When a user accesses the status window and clicks the "Show Me" button, the
application program may access replacement instruction information related to replacing
a customer replaceable unit, for example, the magenta ink cartridge. FIG. 6 depicts
this "Show Me" process as step S
2. In step S
21, the application program
senses the particular peripheral condition. The application program running in
computer
30 receives the peripheral condition over the bus
32 from
the firmware
16 (FIG. 2). In step S
22 (FIG. 6), the application program
checks to see if the information is already present in the memory of computer
30.
If the information is not present, the application program in step S
23 launches
an embedded or an external communications browser to access the manufacturer's
server or vendor's server at an address defined by the peripheral condition. For
example, the address might be:
- www.manufacturer.com/product/xxx, where "product" is the peripheral
indicia or something derivative therefrom, and "xxx" is the peripheral condition
(i.e., magenta ink level low), code, or something derivative therefrom.
The browser accesses a web page on the manufacturer's server that is identified
by "/product/xxx". In this way the information provided is not only specific to
the product configuration of the peripheral as it exist in the product's life cycle,
but is also specific to the particular condition sensed. Then, the server provides
the browser with additional information about the condition which is stored temporarily
in the computer's memory (step S
24, FIG. 6). The additional information
may be text, but preferably includes illustrations and even photographs. It may
include audio clips (e.g., using .wav format) and it may include video segments
using any of the available formats. A goal is to make it look to the user as if
a technician on the other side of the computer screen is showing the user how to
replace the magenta cartridge in the user's specific machine.
Audio and video clips require large storage areas. While it may be possible
to store in the computer's memory a complete audio and video clip for several conditions,
it is unlikely that all possible conditions will be economically storable in the
computer's memory, although improvements in technology may solve this problem.
However, a manufacturer's server, may be much larger and may include clips for
all possible conditions, for each configuration of each product line that is supported.
In step S
25, the additional information is retrieved from memory and in
step S
26 that information is displayed to the user. It should be appreciated
that the memory of the computer
30 may include an area that is to be used
to save the most frequently used "Show Me" files. For example, a memory area large
enough to store
10 average sized "Show Me" files may be reserved in the
computer's memory (e.g., a disk memory). A criteria for managing this memory area
is established to fill the memory area when there is sufficient space for a new
"Show Me" file, and to delete a past "Show Me" file to make room for a new "Show
Me" file when needed dependent on the age of the file and the product cycle.
The server help database for a product line with a greater number of installed
products will mature faster than for a product line with fewer number of installed
products. The user has available information about the date of manufacture of the
particular peripheral configuration that his own peripheral has, and this can be
used to determine the time elapsed since manufacture as a suggestion of how many
peripherals of this configuration have been sold. However, the manufacturer is
in possession of actual information on how peripheral of the particular configuration
have been sold, and thus how old a user help file needs to be to be consider stale.
A combination of user and manufacturer information may be used to set a "stale
threshold" for deleting a stale user help file. A second stale threshold may also
be used in step S
22. If the information stored in memory is available but
regarded stale by according to the second threshold, step S
22 may proceed
to steps S
23-S
26 anyway to download the latest update on the user
help information.
The user can click on a "maintenance" button. On doing so, a maintenance screen
appears, and the user can select and execute any of several self diagnostic routines.
The installation software installs a diagnostic module that is more or less and
executive that calls very specific sub-modules to test each part of the machine.
The specific diagnostic options depend on the specific configuration of the peripheral
and are downloaded from server
40 in the exact same manner as user help
information is downloaded. The present invention benefits from the use of the indicia
and condition to specify a URL address that exactly matches the user's peripheral
and condition. In this way, diagnostics may be performed quicker. Then, when a
failed part is isolated, the "Buy Now" button appears and a replacement part may
be ordered immediately or automatically as discussed below. The user may use the
"Show Me" button to see how to replace the part when the part arrives.
When a user clicks on the "Buy Now" button, either from FIG. 4 or from a maintenance
screen, the application program enters purchase order sequence S
3 (FIG.
7). In FIG. 7, when the buy now button is clicked, the application program has
already sensed the peripheral indicia S
31 (as in S
11, FIG. 5) and
the peripheral condition S
32 (as in S
21, FIG. 6). Then at S
33,
the application program launches a browser to access a purchase order page or screen
from the manufacturer's server
40 based on the peripheral indicia and the
detected peripheral condition. The purchase order screen is automatically partially
filled out at server
40 with the part number to be ordered based on the
peripheral indicia and condition. At S
34, the browser displays the screen
to the user. At S
35, the user selects such online purchasing options as
method of shipment, payment on account or by credit card, etc. For example, the
user may enter a credit card authorization and request overnight express shipment.
When the user has filled out the purchase order screen, at S
36 the browser
sends the purchase order to the manufacturer's server (
40, FIG. 2). Alternatively,
when the user has filled out the purchase order screen, at S
36 the application
launches an e-mail module to send the purchase order data to the manufacturer's
server (
40, FIG. 2). When the purchase order is received at server
40,
the order is confirmed on the user's browser screen or the order is confirmed by
a responsive e-mail.
Alternatively, the user personal information (e.g., name, address,
shipment method, etc.) may be automatically entered by the application's program.
For example, this information may be entered and saved in computer
30 during
online registration and modified, if necessary, using the modify settings screen.
Step S
35 automatically enters the user personal information (including account
or credit card numbers), and step S
36 is a screen with a single button to
confirm the desire to purchase. The user click on the buy now button, then clicks
on the confirm purchase order button (step S
36) and is e-mailed a purchase
or confirmation and receives the part the next day (depending on shipment instructions).
The condition may be used to indicate when a consumable has been exhausted (e.g.,
paper tray empty) or a consumable has reach a predetermined threshold (e.g., magenta
ink level low). Preferably, the condition indicates when the consumable has reached
a threshold in time to reorder before the consumable is completely exhausted.
In an alternative embodiment, the application module has a monitor module that
is called each time a job is sent to the printer to track how many pages have been
printed and/or how much ink has been expended in each color since the last time
the consumable has been replenished. The monitor module includes an "inventory
sub-module" to recorded each time the consumable has been replenished and to deduct
consumption of the consumable as the jobs are printed. The monitor module causes
an indication of a status condition to be displayed when the consumables are expected
to be below a threshold based on the inventory sub-module. The user can then navigate
through the screens to the status screen and order more of the consumable by clicking
the "Buy Now" button.
The server
40 may forward an order to a supplier local to the user's location
or the server
40 may process the order and ship directly to the user. Server
40 knows the address of the user from the purchase order. With pre-arranged
contracts with networks of office supply retailers and mail order houses, server
40 is kept aware of the level of inventory on hand at the retailer, and
can confirm availability before sending the shipment order to the retailer.
Furthermore, using "cookie technology" developed for browsers, the application
program examines the cookies for office supply retailers that the user has already
used for supplies (e.g., when the user buys supplies online from the retailer).
Such retailer can become a preferred distributor for the manufacturer's supplies.
If accounts are established with the retailers that carry the desired part, the
application program may inquire of the user at the time the user clicks on the
"Buy Now" button whether the user want to order from the preferred retailer on account.
Turning now to FIG. 8 is a system for automatic electronic ordering of a
consumable component
11 for a marking apparatus
8. Illustrated is
an example of a system including a marking apparatus
8 and a remote output
device
50 linked together by a communication system. The marking apparatus
8 may include an output device
21 such as a monitor or display, a
consumable component
11, a sensor
12, and a processor, software algorithm,
and logic system
16. The output device
21 may be used to communicate
with a user or a remote output device
50. Alternatively, communications
from the marking apparatus
8 may bypass the output device
21. Moreover,
the output device
21, sensor
12, and processor, software algorithms,
and logic system
16 may be located externally from the marking apparatus
8, for example, in an associated device or in a remote configuration which
communicates with the consumable component
11. The marking apparatus
8
or a remote output device
50 may regularly or intermittently interrogate
the consumable component
11 for information and then process and communicate
such information to another remote output device
50 or server
40.
The communication of information may operate via a hard wired connection or a wireless
system. The information may be in machine readable format or human readable format.
The marking apparatus
8 may include an Internet browser for communication.
A modem
34, Internet connection
36, or server
40 may be
used
to electronically communicate the information from the marking apparatus
8
to the remote output device
50 regarding the condition of the consumable
component
11 and automatically initiate an electronic order for a replacement
of the consumable component
11. The threshold conditions of the consumable
component
11 may include a measure, timing, or data such as: (1) supply;
(2) wear; (3) usage; (4) rate of depletion; (5) rate of wear; (5) predicted date
of depletion of supply; (5) predicted date of need of consumable component
11;
(
6) delivery schedule of consumable component; and (7) statistical data
for consumable component
11.
The marking apparatus
8 may electronically initiate a purchase offer,
electronically receive an acceptance of the purchase offer, and electronically
form a contract with a supplier for purchase of the replaceable part or consumable
component
11. The electronic transaction may include use of an electronic
signature using, for example, digital technology. The system may be used in copy,
printing, xerographic, electrostatographic, and marking apparatus. The consumable
part may include a ink, ink cartridge, toner, toner cartridge, paper, photoreceptor
cartridge, and printhead.
Moreover, the marking apparatus
8 device may communicate information
relating to the condition of the consumable component
11 to a second device,
supplier, user, or third party. The information may relate to:
- (1) a present condition of the consumable component 11; (2) a
prediction of a future condition of the consumable component 11; (3) an
inquiry relating to the consumable component 11; or (4) a purchase order
of the consumable component 11. The marking apparatus 8 may predict
a future condition of the consumable component 11 prior to sending a signal.
The marking apparatus 8 may be programmed to communicate an offer to purchase
a consumable component 11 and receive an acceptance of an offer to purchase
a consumable component 11 prior to occurrence of certain condition. The
consumable component 11 may be received by the user and installed in the
marking apparatus 8 between occurrence of certain conditions. The marking
apparatus 8 may request delivery of a consumable component 11 to
a specified location. The marking apparatus 8 may include identified indicia
relating to purchase information for the replaceable part such that the logic then
automatically initiates an offer to purchase the replaceable part. The indicia
may includes a method of shipment, shipping address, phone number, address, method
of payment, authorization code, and credit card account number.
The system advantageously automates ordering of consumable supplies and replaceable
parts for a marking apparatus
8, analog or digital. An order may be initiated
based on a condition code indicating that the consumable component
11 has
or will soon reach a predetermined threshold. Then, the system automatically sends
an offer to purchase the replacement. This system includes sensing or predicting
a condition in a marking apparatus, sending that condition to a computer or processor,
and launching a communications to a second device to electronically offer to purchase
the replacement part. The marking apparatus
8 may include all or part of
the features and functions as previously described for FIGS. 2-7.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with various embodiments,
it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will
be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications, and variations and their equivalents.
*
