Patent ID: 7773240
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: G03G,G06Q

Abstract:
1. An image forming device comprising: an image engine configured to utilize a consumable to form hard images; an interface adapted to communicate with a network comprising a plurality of network devices external of the image forming device; memory configured to store network identifiers of the network devices; processing circuitry coupled with the image engine and configured to forward a search request, at a desired interval, to the interface for communication to the network, to receive information regarding the consumable from the plurality of network devices via the interface responsive to the search request, to generate a message including information received from at least one of the network devices, and to control communication of the message; and wherein the processing circuitry of the image forming device is configured to, using the network identifiers, address the search request for communication to the network devices and to thereafter forward the search request to the interface for communication to the network devices.