Abstract:
A method for ordering one or more consumables for a device includes selecting one or more of the consumables used in the device to order using the device and submitting the order for the selected consumables using the device to one or more suppliers. A device for ordering one or more consumables for the device includes an ordering system in the device and a communication system in the device. The ordering system providing a menu of one or more of the consumables to select to place an order. The communication system submits the order for the selected consumables when completed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to systems and methods for ordering supplies and, more particularly, to a method and system for a ordering at least one consumable for a device using the device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     With devices, such as printers, copy machines, or facsimile machines, consumables, such as dry ink, a feed roll cartridge, a fuser module, a fuser web, or staples, will eventually run low or run out. When this occurs, an individual typically will either call a supply center and place an order, fill out and send an order form to the supply center, or travel to the supply center to place the order for the needed consumables. The order for the consumables is then filled and returned by or to the individual for use in the device as needed.  
         [0003]     Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks to this process for supply or resupplying the device with consumables. For example, the process is very time consuming because typically an individual will have to travel to several different stores to check whether the stores even carry the particular consumable and if they do at what price and in what quantities. Additionally, with this process there is a chance that the operator may purchase the wrong type of consumable or consumables for the device. Further, the original manufacturer and original retailer have no influence on the operator&#39;s selection of a supplier or suppliers for the consumable or consumables. As a result, these sales may end up going to a competitor of the original manufacturer of the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes displaying with a device a status of consumables and information about ordering at least one of the consumables when at least one condition occurs. The device monitors for an input indicating that an order for the consumable has been placed. The device submits the order for the consumable to a supplier if the monitored input indicates an order should be placed.  
         [0005]     A system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a display system, a monitoring system, and an ordering system. The display system with the device displays a status of the consumable and information about ordering the consumable when at least one condition occurs. The monitoring system with the device monitors for an input indicating that an order for the consumable has been placed. The ordering system with the device that submits the order for the consumable to a supplier if the monitored input indicates an order should be placed.  
         [0006]     A method for ordering at least one consumable for a device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes submitting an order for the at least one consumable for the device and processing the order for the consumable. The processing includes retrieving information about the device that placed the order. A distribution of at least a portion of a payment for the order is determined based on the retrieved information.  
         [0007]     A system for ordering at least one consumable for a device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes an ordering system, a processing system, and a payment distribution system. The ordering system submits an order for the at least one consumable for the device. The order processing system processes the order for the consumable, wherein the order processing system retrieves information about the device that placed the order. The payment distribution system determines a distribution of at least a portion of a payment for the order based on the retrieved information.  
         [0008]     The present invention makes the process of ordering or reordering consumables for a device fast, easy, and convenient. The customer is able to save time by being able to reorder consumables directly from the device. This time savings increases the customer&#39;s productivity by minimizing the interruption to the customer&#39;s work day.  
         [0009]     In addition to simplifying the order or reordering process, the present invention also helps direct the business for the sale of the consumables back to the original retailer or another retailer. This can result in a substantial increase in revenues for the original retailer from the sales of these consumables over the life of the device.  
         [0010]     While simplifying the ordering process, the present invention also helps to maintain or preserve the business relationship between the original retailer of the device and the manufacturer of the device or another supplier who has filled the order for the consumable by redirecting a portion of the payment for the sale of consumable back to the original retailer. As a result, even though the original retailer did not make the sale for the consumable, the original retailer shares in the profits of the sale. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a device for ordering at least one consumable for the device using the device in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a method for ordering at least one consumable for the device using the device in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a screen shot illustrating an example of a status report for consumables for the device; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot illustrating an example of a confirmation report for an order for consumables for the device.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     A system  10  for ordering at least one consumable  17  for a printing device  11  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . One embodiment of the system  10  includes a printing device  11 , an operator system  12 , and a supplier processing system  26 . One embodiment of the method includes displaying a status of and information about ordering at least one consumable  17 , monitoring for an input indicating that an order for the displayed consumable  17  has been placed, and submitting the order for the consumable  17  to a supplier if the monitored input indicates an order should be placed. Another embodiment of the method includes redirecting a portion of the payment for the sale of consumable back to the original retailer. The present invention makes the process of ordering at least one consumable  17  for a device fast, easy, and convenient while maintaining business relationships.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in this particular embodiment, the printing device  11  is a printer, although the printing device  11  could be a variety of different types of machines, apparatuses, or systems, such as a copy machine or a facsimile machine. Additionally, in this particular embodiment, one consumable  17 , such as dry ink, a feed roll cartridge, a fuser module, a fuser web, or staples, is shown, although the printing device  11  can have more then one consumable  17 .  
         [0017]     The printing device  11  includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor  14 , a memory  16 , an indicator or indication system  18 , and a communication system  24  which are coupled together by a bus system or other link  25 , respectively, although the printing device  11  may comprise other components, other numbers of the components, and other combinations of the components. The processor  14  may execute one or more programs of stored instructions for at least a portion of the method for ordering at least one consumable  17  for the printing device  11  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as described herein and illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this particular embodiment, those programmed instructions are stored in memory  16 , although some or all of those programmed instructions could be stored and retrieved from and also executed at other locations, such as in a operator system  12  coupled to printing device  11 . A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and/or written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and/or writing system that is coupled to the processor  14 , can be used for memory  16 .  
         [0018]     The indication system  18  provides an indication of the status of the consumable  17 , such as whether the consumable  17  is due for replacement, running low, or has run out. A variety of different types of indication systems can be used depending on the particular application.  
         [0019]     The communications system  24  is used by the printing device  11  to operatively couple and communicate to other systems and devices, such as the operator system  12  via communications network  27  or the supplier processing system  26  via a communications network  28 . A variety of different types of communications networks, such as a hard wired communication network system, a wireless communications network system, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or a WAN, and a variety of different types of communication protocols can be used for communications networks  27  and  28 .  
         [0020]     In this particular embodiment, the operator system  12  is a computer processing system at an operator&#39;s desk which interacts with the printing device  11 , although the system  12  could be a variety of different types of machines, apparatuses, or systems at other locations or could be incorporated within printing device  11 .  
         [0021]     The operator system  12  includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor  15 , a communication system  19 , a display or graphical user interface  20 , a memory  21 , and a user input device  22 , which are coupled together by a bus system or other link  23 , respectively, although the operator system  12  may comprise other components, other numbers of the components, and other combinations of the components. The processor  15  may execute one or more programs of stored instructions for at least a portion of the method for ordering at least one consumable  17  for the printing device  11  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as described herein and illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this particular embodiment, those programmed instructions are stored in memory  21 , although some or all of those programmed instructions could be stored and retrieved from and also executed at other locations, such as in a printing device  11  coupled to operator system  12 . A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and/or written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and/or writing system that is coupled to the processor  14 , can be used for memory  16 .  
         [0022]     The communications system  19  is used by the operator system  12  to operatively couple and communicate to other systems and devices, such as the printing device  11  via communications network  27 . Again, a variety of different types of communications networks, such as a hard wired communication network system, a wireless communications network system, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, or a WAN, and a variety of different types of communication protocols can be used for communications network  27 .  
         [0023]     The graphical user interface or display  20  provides a display of the information to the operator, such as information about status of each consumable  17  as shown in  FIG. 3  obtained from the indication system  18  in printing device  11  or information confirming an order for a consumable  17 . A variety of different types of displays can be used such, such as a cathode ray tube display device.  
         [0024]     The user input device  22  enables an operator to generate and transmit signals or commands to the CPU  15 , such as information about what consumable  17  to check the status of or what consumable  17  to order, or to other systems, such as to printing device  11  or supplier system  26 . A variety of different types of user input devices can be used, such as a keyboard, computer mouse, touch pad, or touch screen.  
         [0025]     In this particular embodiment, the supplier processing system  26  is a computer processing system at the original manufacturer of the printing device  12 , although the system  26  could be a variety of different types of machines, apparatuses, or systems at other locations, such as a computer processing system at the a retailer of the printing device  11  or a computer processing system at a supplier of consumable  17 .  
         [0026]     The supplier processing system  26  includes a central processing unit (CPU) or processor  30 , a memory  32 , and a communication system  34  which are coupled together by a bus system or other link  36 , respectively, although the supplier processing system  26  may comprise other components, other numbers of the components, and other combinations of the components. The processor  30  may executes one or more programs of stored instructions for at least a part of the method ordering at least one consumable  17  for the printing device  11  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as described herein, such as processing the received order for the consumable  17  or consumables. In this particular embodiment, those programmed instructions are stored in memory, although some or all of those programmed instructions could be stored and retrieved from and also executed at other locations, such as in a printing device  11  coupled to supplier system  26 . A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and/or written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and/or writing system that is coupled to the processor  30 , can be used for memory  32 . The communications system  34  is used by the supplier processing system  26  to operatively couple and communicate to other systems and devices, such as the printing device  11 , the operator system  12 , or other suppliers via the communications networks  27  and  28  in this example.  
         [0027]     A method for ordering at least one consumable  17  for the printing device  11  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . In step  40 , the method for ordering at least one consumable  17  starts.  
         [0028]     In step  42 , a determination is made on whether the registration information, such as the name and address of the customer, the name and address of the retailer where the printing device  11  was purchased, and the type of printing device  11  purchased, was submitted by the purchaser of the printing device  11  and entered into a database, such as memory  32 . Typically, when a consumer purchases a printing device  11  at a retailer, the customer will be asked to complete and submit a registration form, although the information can be obtained from the customer at other times and in other manners. If registration information has been submitted, then the Yes branch is taken to step  46 . If registration information has not submitted, then the No branch is taken to step  44 .  
         [0029]     In step  44 , the registration information for the printing device  11  is submitted by the operator of the printing device  11  via operator system  12 . This information can be submitted in a variety of different manners. For example, if registration information has not been completed or has been partially completed, when printing device  11  is turned on operator system  11  coupled to the printing device  12  may be prompted on the display  20  to enter the registration information using user input device  22 . In this particular embodiment, this submitted registration information is transmitted via communications network  28  for storage in memory  32  in supplier system  26  for the manufacturer of the printing device  11 , although the information can be stored at other locations.  
         [0030]     In step  46 , an operator at operator system  12  using user input device  22  can submit a request for the status of the consumable  17  and any other consumables in printing device  11  and/or other information, such as information about ordering the consumable  17  or consumables. This request is transmitted to the printing device  11  via communications network  27 . The printing device  11  obtains this request and determines the status of the consumable  17  using the indication system  18 . This status information and/or any other requested information, such as the ordering information, is transmitted back to the operator system  12 . In this particular embodiment, the status information about the consumable  17  and the information for placing an order for the consumable  17  is displayed on graphical user interface  20 .  
         [0031]     In step  48 , an operator at operator system  12  using user input device  22  will place an order for at least one consumable  17 . The order may also contain other information, such as the name and address of the customer, the name and address of the retailer where the printing device  11  was purchased, and the type of printing device  11  purchased. An example of a completed order sheet for consumables, such as consumable  17 , on the graphical user interface  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0032]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  50  processor  15  can generate a confirmation of the placed order which is displayed on the graphical user interface  20 . An example of such a confirmation on the graphical user interface  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0033]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  52  the confirmed the order is transmitted or submitted to supplier system  26  via communications networks  27  and  28 , although other techniques for submitting the order using other communication channels can be used.  
         [0034]     In step  54 , the order is received and is processed by the supplier processing system  26  which in this particular example is the original manufacturer of the printing device  11 . The order may be filled by the supplier processing system  26  or may transmitted to another supplier or suppliers to complete some or all of the order. Supplier processing system  26  may also generate and transmit a confirmation that the order has been received to the operator system  12  or to another location, such as a designated e-mail address for the operator who placed the order or to printing device  11 .  
         [0035]     In step  54 , the order may also be processed by supplier processing system  26  to determine the identity of the retailer where the printing device  11  was originally purchased. If information about the identity of the retailer of printing device  11  is not provided, the supplier processing system may interrogate the operator system  12  and/or the printing device  11  which placed the order for this information.  
         [0036]     In step  56 , the supplier processing system may use this information to allocate and/or distribute at least a portion of the payment made to the supplier processing system  26  for the purchase of consumable  17  to the original retailer of the printing device  11  or to another party as desired for the particular application. This distribution of a portion of the profit helps to maintain or preserve the business relationship between the original retailer of the printing device  11  and the manufacturer of the printing device  11  or another supplier who has filled the order for the consumable. As a result, even though the original retailer did not make the sale for the consumable, the original retailer shares in the profits of the sale.  
         [0037]     In step  58 , the consumable  17  or consumables are supplied or delivered to the operator who placed the order. In step  60 , the method ends.  
         [0038]     Accordingly, the present invention allows a customer to order supplies for a printing device  11 , such as a network-connected printer or other multifunction device, directly through the graphic user interface  20  of the printing device  11 . This makes the ordering or reordering process for a consumable  17  or consumables  12  fast, easy and convenient. The ease of use also makes it less likely that a customer will run out of a consumable  17  or consumables. Further, since the device is already programmed with the particular types of consumables used by the printing device  11 , it is less likely that there will be an error when the order is filled. With prior ordering techniques, there is a greater chance for an error because the operator has to determine what the appropriate replacement is for the order. The present invention will also help to direct sales to a particular target or targets, such as to the original retailer, which should result in additional sales of consumables for that retailer over the life of the printing device  11 .  
         [0039]     Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefor, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.