Patent Publication Number: US-2012036030-A1

Title: Method of licensing functionality after initial transaction

Description:
This application claims priority and benefit as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/348,223, filed Jan. 2, 2009, having the same title, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/562,031, filed Nov. 21, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/355,767, filed Jan. 31, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,627. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to imaging, and, more particularly, to a method of licensing functionality after an initial transaction. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Imaging apparatus, such as ink jet printers and/or copiers, electrophotographic printers and/or copiers, and multifunction devices, have long been available to customers. Such imaging apparatus require a supply item, such as an ink jet printhead cartridge, ink tank, or toner cartridge, that provides a source of imaging substance, such as ink or toner. Traditionally, a customer purchased an imaging apparatus or supply item through an initial transaction realizing that the functionality, i.e., features, associated with the imaging apparatus or supply item was fixed. For example, when the supply of ink of an ink jet printhead cartridge was depleted, the customer would simply obtain a new cartridge at a retail outlet. Likewise, if a customer required additional imaging functionality, e.g., additional printing modes, higher resolution or higher printing speed, beyond that of the customer&#39;s current imaging apparatus, the customer had no choice but to purchase a new imaging apparatus that included the additional functionality. 
     What is needed in the art is a method of licensing functionality after an initial transaction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method of licensing functionality after an initial transaction. 
     The invention, in one form thereof, includes the method steps of determining whether an initial licensed amount of an imaging substance in a supply item has been depleted, the supply item being subject to a usage license; informing a customer of the depletion of the imaging substance in the supply item; querying whether the customer would like to renew the supply item; and if the customer chooses to renew the supply item, the method further comprising the steps of the customer purchasing a new license to renew the supply item; and the customer receiving a new digital signature for the supply item. 
     In another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method of performing an e-commerce transaction through a communications link between an e-commerce server and a customer. The method includes the steps of initiating communications between the customer and the e-commerce server regarding a renewal of a supply item; the customer supplying to the e-commerce server predetermined information necessary to generate a digital signature for the supply item; the customer submitting a license fee to acquire a license to complete the renewal of the supply item; and the e-commerce server supplying the digital signature for the supply item. 
     In yet another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method for performing a commerce transaction involving a remanufacturer and a customer. The method includes the steps of the remanufacturer securing a capability to create digital signatures for supply items; submitting a supply item to the remanufacturer to receive a new digital signature; the customer submitting a fee to the remanufacturer; and the remanufacturer supplying a digital signature for the supply item. 
     In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method for licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item. The method includes the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item. 
     In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction including the steps of a customer purchasing a multi-pack of supply items and a license to use a first supply item of the supply items of the multi-pack; determining whether an imaging substance in the first supply item has been depleted; wherein if the first supply item is depleted, then performing the further steps of prompting the customer to install a second supply item from the multi-pack, and prompting the customer to acquire a new license for the second supply item. 
     In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. The method includes the steps of providing an e-commerce server for communicating with a customer; monitoring usage of a first supply item; determining whether the first supply item is near empty; notifying a manufacturer that the first supply item is near empty by initiating a communication with the e-commerce server; and the manufacturer responding to the notifying by sending a new supply item to the customer. 
     In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction, including the steps of providing a device with a predetermined range “A” to “N” of imaging features, wherein “A” represents minimum available features for the device and “N” represents maximum available features for the device; providing to a customer an available feature list for selection of desired features for the device; the customer making the selection of the desired features for the device and communicating the selection to a manufacturer of the device; and the manufacturer enabling the desired features selected for the device. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that licensing and/or feature selections are made to be convenient for the customer. 
     Another advantage is that, in some embodiments of the invention, the customer can customize the imaging apparatus and/or supply item to correspond to the customer&#39;s imaging needs or desires. 
     Yet another advantage is that, in some embodiments of the invention, the customer can upgrade the functionality of their current imaging apparatus and/or supply item without having to purchase a new imaging apparatus and/or supply item. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic depiction of a system used in association with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a flowchart of one method of the invention for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an e-commerce transaction involving a manufacturer and a customer which may occur when practicing the method of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a commerce transaction involving an authorized remanufacturer and a customer which may occur when practicing the method of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of another method that licenses functionality after an initial transaction. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of yet another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of still another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction which may be applied to either, or both, of an imaging apparatus and a supply item. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a diagrammatic depiction of a system  10  used in association with the present invention. System  10  includes an imaging apparatus  12 , a host  14  with a display  16 , an e-commerce server  18  and, optionally, a local server  22 . Imaging apparatus  12  communicates with host  14  via a communications link  24 . Also, in embodiments that include local server  22 , local server  22  communicates with each of imaging apparatus  12  and host  14  via communications link  24 , with the aid of the extension of communications link  24  depicted by a dashed line. E-commerce server  18  communicates with host  14  via a communications link  26 . 
     Imaging apparatus  12  may include, for example, a user interface  28 , an image recording unit  30 , a supply item  32  and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)  34 . The ASIC  34  communicates with image recording unit  30  via a communications link  38 . The ASIC  34  communicates with supply item  32  via a communications link  40 . Imaging apparatus  12  can be, for example, an ink jet printer and/or copier, or an electrophotographic printer and/or copier. 
     It is further contemplated that imaging apparatus  12  may be a stand-alone multifunction imaging device that is not attached to host  14 , e-commerce server  18 , or local server  22 . However, the stand-alone multifunction imaging device may facilitate the present invention as described herein with customer interaction, if any, via user interface  28 . The stand-alone multifunction imaging device includes connectivity and processing capability sufficient to implement the various methods of the invention. In some implementations, however, e-commerce server  18  may communicate directly with the stand-alone multifunction imaging device via a communication link  41 , such as for example, a telephone line connection. 
     In the context of the examples for imaging apparatus  12  given above, image recording unit  30  can be, for example, an ink jet printhead unit or an electrophotographic printing unit, and includes an imaging head  36  used for forming an image on a substrate  42 , such as a sheet of print media or a photoconductive member. For convenience, each type of substrate  42  may be referred to by the element number  42 , for example, print media  42 . 
     Supply item  32  can be, for example, an ink supply tank, an ink jet cartridge, a toner tank, or an electrophotographic process (EP) cartridge, each of which containing a supply of an imaging substance, such as for example ink or toner, that is consumed during an imaging process. Imaging apparatus  12  uses the imaging substance contained in supply item  32  to form an image on print media  42 . Print media  42  can be, for example, sheets of paper, fabric or transparencies. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that image recording unit  30  and supply item  32  may be formed as individual discrete units, or may be combined in an integral unit, these options being depicted by dashed line  46 . 
     Preferably, supply item  32  has mounted thereto a memory  44  for storing information relating to supply item  32 , such as for example, a supply item identification number, a value representing a digital signature (DS), a value representing an amount of usage of supply item  32 , and a value representing time. For example, thirty-two or more bits in memory  44  may be reserved for the supply item identification number, which may be set by the manufacturer; eighteen or more bits in memory  44  may be reserved for the supply item digital signature; eight or more bits may be used as a usage gauge to maintain a record of usage of supply item  32  with each bit representing a level of depletion of imaging substance from supply item  32 ; and seven or more time tracking bits may be used to represent time, such as for example, the amount of time since supply item  32  was first installed in imaging apparatus  12 . By attaching memory  44  to supply item  32 , in essence, information stored in memory  44  associated with supply item  32  can travel with supply item  32  from one imaging apparatus to another. 
     The digital signature for supply item  32  is generated by combining the identification number with a digital key using a predefined algorithm. The digital key is used for encryption and decryption of digital information. The digital key, digital signature and identification number, and optionally other information, are used to verify the authenticity of supply item  32 . The algorithm by which the digital signature is generated is not critical to the present invention, and many prior art methods may be adapted for use with the present invention. For example, it is contemplated that the digital signature could be created using a single secret key approach, or could be generated using a public key/private key approach. In a simple approach, for example, the digital signature could be generated by simply logically XORing the identification number with the digital key. 
     In implementations where supply item  32  is subject to a usage license, an initial supply amount of imaging substance contained in supply item  32  may be greater than the licensed amount of the imaging substance. For example, the initial supply amount of the imaging substance contained in supply item  32  can be, for example, at least two times greater than the original licensed amount. It is important to note, however, that while the initial amount of imaging substance supplied with imaging apparatus  12  and/or supply item  32  is more than sufficient to accommodate one or more license renewals, the customer has been required to pay only for the licensed amount at the time of the original purchase. 
     ASIC  34  includes an embedded processor and associated memory for executing program instructions to facilitate printing, and circuitry to facilitate communication with external devices, such as host  14  and e-commerce server  18 . In addition, ASIC  34  may include an encryption key module  47 , implemented as firmware or alternatively as hardware, for storing the digital key and an associated encryption/decryption algorithm, and in turn execute program steps associated with the encryption/decryption algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information using the digital key. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the encryption key module  47  may be located elsewhere, such as for example, on the silicon containing supply item memory  44 , at some other location in imaging apparatus  12 , located in an imaging driver  48  of host  14 , or located in local server  22 . The decision where to locate encryption key module  47  may be based on, for example, on the particular use of system  10 , whether a usage license travels with imaging apparatus  12  or with supply item  32 , a desire to provide heightened security against physical tampering, and/or, a desire to provide heightened security against unauthorized programming access, such as by hackers. 
     Host  14  may be, for example, a personal computer including a display device  16 , an input device (e.g., keyboard), a processor, input/output (I/O) interfaces, memory, such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and a mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, CD-ROM and/or DVD units. During operation, host  14  includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver  48  for imaging apparatus  12 . Imaging driver  48  is in communication with ASIC  34  of imaging apparatus  12  via communications link  24 . The imaging driver  48  serves to facilitate communications between imaging apparatus  12  and e-commerce server  18 . In addition, the imaging driver  48  serves in the traditional role of providing formatted print data to imaging apparatus  12 . 
     E-commerce server  18  may be operated by a manufacturer, such as by the manufacturer of imaging apparatus  12  and/or supply item  32 . E-commerce server  18  provides, and has access to, a database  50  for facilitating e-commerce transactions via the Internet or telephone line, and for storing information relating to the e-commerce transactions and information relating to the imaging apparatus and/or supply items associated with such e-commerce transactions. Thus, e-commerce server  18  may be used in communicating with a customer and/or a connected device, such as an imaging apparatus or a supply item. 
     In some methods of the invention, however, e-commerce server  18  may be used as a standard commerce server for facilitating traditional commerce transactions without necessarily resorting to Internet or phone line connections. 
     For some methods of the invention, database  50  includes capacity for storing the identification number for each imaging apparatus and/or each supply item to which the transaction(s) may be directed, as well as a set of digital keys, with each identification number having associated therewith at least one digital key. Further, e-commerce server  18  can generate a digital signature in the manner described above for a particular supply item, or for a particular imaging apparatus. 
     Communications link  24  may be established by a direct cable or a wireless connection, or by a network connection such as for example an Ethernet local area network (LAN). Communications links  38  and  40  may be established by using standard electrical cabling or bus structures, or by wireless connections. 
     Communications link  26  is preferably established by an Internet connection, or via a wide area network (WAN). Alternatively, however, communications link  26  graphically represents a communication by a customer who physically visits the premises of e-commerce server  18 , or a telephone link to e-commerce server  18 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  there is shown one method of the invention for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
     Step S 100  represents an initial transaction, wherein a customer has acquired supply item  32  with an initial amount of imaging substance. Supply item  32  could be, for example, an ink jet printhead cartridge with an initial amount of ink that was licensed for use with the ink jet printhead cartridge. 
     At step S 102 , it is determined whether the initial licensed amount of imaging substance has been depleted. Such a determination can be made based on a variety of factors, such as by counting the number of imaging pixels generated, the number of pages printed, or time of usage. Based on the usage criteria selected, individual bits of the usage gauge in memory  44  are set as the amount of usage increases beyond certain predetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supply item  32 , ASIC  34  may write information to the usage gauge in memory  44  when each threshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurement of the amount of imaging substance consumed from supply item  32 . For example, if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be set at approximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substance contained in supply item  32 . When the eighth bit is set, it is deemed that the imaging substance in supply item  32  has been depleted to a point where only a very limited amount of continued printing can be performed. 
     If, at step S 102 , the determination is NO, then the process remains in the monitoring loop of step S 102 . 
     If, at step S 102 , the determination is YES, then the process proceeds to step S 104 . 
     At step S 104 , ASIC  34  informs imaging driver  48  of the depletion of imaging substance in supply item  32 . In turn, imaging driver  48  causes a message to be displayed on display  16  that informs the customer that supply item  32  is depleted, or is close to being depleted, and queries whether the customer would like to renew the supply item. Display  16  may further display a list of possible supply item renewal options that are available to the customer, such as for example: self-renewal of the supply item, original manufacturer renewal of the supply item, or third party remanufacturer renewal of the supply item. 
     If, at step S 104 , the customer does not desire to renew supply item  32 , then at step S 106  a message is displayed on display  16  asking the customer to return the spent supply item  32  to the manufacturer for recycling or for environmentally friendly disposal. To facilitate such a return, the manufacturer may supply a prepaid shipping container to the customer at the time of the initial purchase of supply item  32 . 
     If, at step S 104 , the customer desires to renew the supply item, a determination is then made by the customer as to how the renewal of supply item  32  will take place. 
     At step S 108 , it is determined whether the customer wants to self-renew the supply item, such as for example, through the use of a refill kit available from a third party and the acquisition of a new license from the manufacturer. Alternatively, such self-renewal may require only a new license if supply item  32  originally included sufficient imaging substance to accommodate multiple licenses. 
     If, at step S 108 , the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S 110 . 
     At step S 110 , the customer contacts the manufacturer to purchase a license to allow the customer to self-renew the supply item. Upon purchase of the license, the manufacturer supplies to the customer a new digital signature (DS) to be stored in memory  44  of supply item  32  that will enable continued use of supply item  32 . 
     In one embodiment, the customer may contact the manufacturer via host  14  or user interface  28 , and e-commerce server  18 , to initiate the license purchase, and upon payment, will then receive a download of a valid, e.g., new, digital signature from e-commerce server  18 . The details of step S 110  are more fully described below with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     Other possibilities for providing the new digital signature to the customer include procurement via telephone or mail, wherein the digital signature code is supplied to the customer for manual installation, or procurement via an authorized outlet store. 
     At step S 112 , it is contemplated that the customer may want to purchase a lifetime license for unlimited renewals, or may choose to purchase a single renewal license. If a lifetime license is purchased for that particular supply item, then the customer is able to renew the cartridge as many times as practical, limited only by the lifetime of the supply item components. If, however, the customer chooses to purchase the single renewal license, then the process returns to step S 102 . 
     If, at step S 108 , the customer chooses not to self-renew supply item  32 , then the process proceeds to step S 114 , where it is determined whether the customer wants to renew supply item  32  via the supply item manufacturer. 
     If at step S 114  the determination is YES, then the process proceeds to step S 116  ( FIG. 2B ) for renewal via the manufacturer. 
     At step S 116 , the customer sends supply item  32  back to the manufacturer for renewal. Depending upon the renewal program, the renewal may be as simple as refilling supply item  32  with imaging substance and loading a new digital signature in memory  44  to make supply item  32  suitable for continued use. A more elaborate renewal, in the context of an ink jet printhead cartridge, for example, could include cleaning of the cartridge nozzle plate and a test of electrical components on supply item  32 . Further, the renewal may be in the form of a replacement for supply item  32 , so as to provide a suitable supply item to the customer as soon as possible. 
     At step S 118 , the manufacturer returns to the customer a suitable supply item  32 , which as mentioned above, could be either the renewed original supply item  32  or a replacement for supply item  32 . 
     The process then returns to step S 102  wherein the renewed supply item is reinstalled in imaging apparatus  12 , and monitoring of usage is reinitiated. 
     If, at step S 114 , the determination is NO, then the process proceeds to step S 120  ( FIG. 2B ) for renewal via an authorized third party remanufacturer. 
     At step S 120 , the customer pursues renewal of supply item  32  via a third party remanufacturer. As shown by the steps to the left of step S 120 , the remanufacturer is authorized by the manufacturer at steps S 150  and S 152  to perform license renewal of supply item  32 . 
     At step S 150 , the remanufacturer negotiates with the manufacturer to provide licensed renewals of a predetermined number X of supply items, such as supply item  32 . 
     At step S 152 , the manufacturer grants permission to the remanufacturer to generate X number of valid digital signatures that are available for use with the number X of supply items. Accordingly, at step S 120  the remanufacturer replenishes the imaging substance supply in supply item  32  and loads a new digital signature in supply item  32 . The details of step S 120  will be further described below with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     The process then returns to step S 102  wherein the renewed supply item is reinstalled in imaging apparatus  12 , and monitoring of usage is reinitiated. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flowchart of an e-commerce transaction involving the manufacturer and the customer which may occur, for example, at step S 110  described above with respect to  FIG. 2A . 
     At step S 200 , the manufacturer has established an e-commerce store utilizing e-commerce server  18  to handle the e-commerce transactions. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the customer may communicate with e-commerce server  18  via host  14  and communications link  26 , or directly from imaging apparatus  12  via user interface  28  and communications link  41 . E-commerce server  18  is configured to generate a digital signature that is needed to renew supply item  32 . 
     At step S 202 , communications are initiated between the customer and the manufacturer regarding the renewal of supply item  32 . The customer then supplies to the manufacturer the predetermined information necessary to generate the digital signature. At a minimum, the predetermined information will include the identification number assigned to the supply item prior to its initial use. Other information that may be included could be the type of printhead, e.g., monochrome or color, the model number of the supply item, the lot number of the supply item, and/or the identification number of imaging apparatus  12 . This predetermined information is compiled by ASIC  34  and then supplied to e-commerce server  18 . 
     Once e-commerce server verifies the apparent authenticity of the request, then at step S 204  e-commerce server  18  provides to the customer the payment options which may be available, e.g., through an existing account, credit card, debit card, etc., for paying for a license for the renewal of the supply item. The customer then submits the license fee to acquire a license to complete the renewal of the supply item. 
     At step S 206 , the manufacturer supplies via e-commerce server  18  the new digital signature for supply item  32 . The digital signature is then processed by imaging apparatus  12  and stored in memory  44  of supply item  32 . Associated with the digital signature in memory  44  is a new set of usage bits used in tracking usage of supply item  32 . ASIC  34  verifies that the digital signature is proper for supply item  32  via the digital key stored in encryption key module  47 . Once verified, supply item  32  is ready for continued use. If verification fails, the customer would be so advised via display  16  or user interface  28 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a flowchart of a commerce transaction involving an authorized remanufacturer (see steps  150  and  152  of  FIG. 2B ) and the customer which may occur, for example, at step S 120 , as described above with respect to  FIG. 2B . 
     At step S 300 , corresponding generally to steps S 150  and  152  described above, the capability to create digital signatures is provided by the manufacturer to the remanufacturer via a digital signature (DS) assignment device  52  (see  FIG. 1 ). DS assignment device  52  is capable of creating a predetermined number X of digital signatures, wherein the supply item is electrically coupled to DS assignment device  52  and a new digital signature would be generated. In exchange, the remanufacturer pays a license fee associated with the digital signatures. DS assignment device  52  includes a hardware circuit that is configured or programmed to create digital signatures in a manner essentially the same as that which occurs in e-commerce server  18 , as more fully described above, and then writes the digital signature into memory  44 . In particular, stored in DS assignment device  52  would be at least one digital key and a digital signature creation algorithm. For example, the digital signature would be created for supply item  32  by DS assignment device  52  using, at a minimum, the digital key and the identification number of supply item  32 . Once DS assignment device  52  has created the predetermined number X of digital signatures, DS assignment device  52  can be recharged by the manufacturer for creating additional digital signatures. 
     At step S 302  supply item  32 , including its identification number, is submitted to the remanufacturer to receive a new digital signature and, if necessary, for replenishment with imaging substance. The remanufacturer may receive supply item  32  directly from the customer, or alternatively, the remanufacturer may receive supply item  32  from a collection source. 
     At step S 304 , the customer then submits a fee, such as for example a license fee and/or a remanufacture fee, or other fee, to the remanufacturer. 
     At step S 306 , the remanufacturer supplies the new digital signature for supply item  32  by writing the digital signature to memory  44  of supply item  32  via DS assignment device  52 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method for licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a current supply item, such as supply item  32 . 
     At step S 350 , the customer obtains a supply item, such as supply item  32 . The customer may have obtained supply item  32 , for example, via a purchase, or a promotional sponsored by the supply item manufacturer. Supply item  32  may be obtained as an individual unit, or may be one of a plurality of supply items in a multi-pack. 
     At step S 352 , the customer is prompted to acquire a license for use of supply item  32 . The prompting may occur, for example, upon installation of supply item  32  in imaging apparatus  12 , via a message generated at display  16  or user interface  28 . The actual acquisition of the license may occur, for example, through an e-commerce transaction substantially as described above with respect to  FIG. 3  (steps S 202 -S 206 ), with the exception that in this case supply item  32  may be either new or renewed, but in any event, supply item  32  is in need of a license to enable use. In summary, the acquisition includes the steps of establishing a communications link between an e-commerce server and the customer; initiating communications between the customer and the e-commerce server; the customer supplying to the e-commerce server predetermined information necessary to generate a digital signature for supply item  32 ; the customer submitting a license fee to acquire the usage license for supply item  32 ; and the e-commerce server supplying the digital signature for supply item  32 . 
     At step S 354 , it is determined whether an additional supply item is to be installed. The additional supply item may be another supply item of the multi-pack, or may simply be another supply item separately obtained. It may be that the customer wants to install the additional supply item concurrently with supply item  32  in imaging apparatus  12 . Alternatively, the additional supply item may be installed in a different imaging apparatus from that of supply item  32 . 
     As a further alternative, it may be that the additional supply item is to replace supply item  32  if the licensed imaging substance in supply item  32  is depleted, wherein this determination may be made substantially as described above with respect to step S 102  of  FIG. 2A . This depletion determination may be made, for example, based on a counting of a number of imaging pixels generated, counting a number of pages printed, or determining a time of usage. 
     If, at step S 354 , the determination is NO, the process remains in the monitoring loop of step S 354 . 
     If, at step S 354 , the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S 356 . 
     At step S 356 , the customer is prompted to acquire an additional license for use of the additional supply item. Depending on the circumstances, as in the examples given in discussing step S 354  above, the additional license may be held concurrently with the license for supply item  32 , in the event that the license for supply item  32  has not expired due to depletion of the licensed amount of imaging substance in supply item  32 . Alternatively, the additional license may be a replacement for the license for supply item  32 , in the event that the license for supply item  32  has expired due to depletion of the licensed amount of imaging substance in supply item  32 . The prompting and acquisition of the additional license may be completed, for example, substantially as described above in step S 352 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
     At step S 400 , the customer purchases a multi-pack of supply items, along with a license to use one of the supply items. This approach provides a convenience to the customer of having a physical replacement for supply item  32  on hand, while only having the initial expense associated with one supply item. 
     At step S 402 , it is determined whether the imaging substance in the first supply item has been depleted. Such a determination can be made based on a variety of factors, such as by counting the number of imaging pixels generated, the number of pages printed, or time of usage. Based on the usage criteria selected, individual bits of the usage gauge in memory  44  are set as the amount of usage increases beyond certain predetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supply item  32 , ASIC  34  may write information to the usage gauge in memory  44  when each threshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurement of the amount of imaging substance consumed from supply item  32 . For example, if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be set at approximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substance contained in supply item  32 . When the eighth bit is set, it is deemed that the imaging substance in supply item  32  has been depleted to a point where only a very limited amount of continued printing can be performed. 
     If, at step S 402 , the determination is NO, then the process remains in the monitoring loop of step S 402 . 
     If, at step S 402 , it is determined that the first supply item is depleted, the process proceeds to step S 404 . 
     At step S 404 , the customer is prompted via host  14  or user interface  28  to install a new supply item from the multi-pack. 
     At step S 406 , the customer is prompted to acquire a license for the newly installed supply item, such as for example, through an e-commerce transaction substantially as described above with respect to  FIG. 3  (steps S 202 -S 206 ). 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. 
     At step S 500 , the usage of supply item  32  is monitored. Such monitoring can be performed based on a variety of factors, such as by counting the number of imaging pixels generated, the number of pages printed, or time of usage. Based on the usage criteria selected, individual bits of the usage gauge in memory  44  are set as the amount of usage increases beyond certain predetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supply item  32 , ASIC  34  may write information to the usage gauge in memory  44  when each threshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurement of the amount of imaging substance consumed from supply item  32 . For example, if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be set at approximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substance contained in supply item  32 , with the seventh bit representing the “near empty” condition. 
     At step S 502 , it is determined whether the supply item is near empty based on the status of the usage gauge in memory  44  of supply item  32 , which may be performed by ASIC  34 . In the example described above, when it is detected that the seventh bit is set, it is deemed that the imaging substance in supply item  32  has been depleted to a point where supply item  32  is near empty. 
     If, at step S 502 , the determination is NO, then the process remains in the monitoring loop of step S 502 . 
     When the determination at step S 502  is YES, the process proceeds to step S 504  wherein the manufacturer is notified that the customer has nearly exhausted the available imaging supply in supply item  32 . Such notification can occur automatically when ASIC  34  senses that the supply item is “near empty” by initiating communication with e-commerce server  18 . Communications with e-commerce server can be via host  14  and communications link  26 , or alternatively, via imaging apparatus  12  and communications link  41 . 
     Alternatively, such notification can occur interactively, wherein ASIC  34  informs imaging driver  48  of the depletion of imaging substance in supply item  32 . In turn, imaging driver  48  causes a message to be displayed on display  16  that informs the customer that supply item  32  is near empty, and provides information on how to contact the manufacturer to receive a new supply item. For convenience, the contact may be made via host  14  and e-commerce server  18 . 
     At step S 506 , the manufacturer sends a new supply item to the customer. 
     Accompanying the new supply item can be a request asking the customer to return the spent supply item  32  to the manufacturer for recycling or for environmentally friendly disposal. To facilitate such a return, the manufacturer may supply a prepaid shipping container to the customer with the new supply item. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of another method for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction which may be applied to a device, such as for example imaging apparatus  12  and/or supply item  32 . The concept of this method is to provide to the customer the ability to customize imaging apparatus  12  and/or supply item  32  based on the customer&#39;s imaging needs, while only having to purchase the features that are needed or desired by the customer. 
     At step S 600 , the manufacturer makes available a device with a predetermined range “A” to “N” of imaging features. The variable “A” represents the minimum available features and the variable “N” represents the maximum available features. The available features may include, for example, a variety of ranges of imaging qualities and resolutions, e.g., 4800 dpi, 2400 dpi, etc.; imaging speeds; paper handling modes, e.g., simplex, duplex, dual tray; print modes, e.g., photo quality, ink saver, edge-to-edge imaging; networking options; job finishing options; auto media sensing; auto printhead alignment; and photo card reader availability, to name a few. For an all-in-one apparatus, such features may further include scan resolution; document scaling; image filtering, e.g., smoothing and sharpening; stand-alone copying; stand-alone faxing; and data compression support, to name a few. 
     In addition, as a further option, the purchase or licensing of certain imaging apparatus features may permit the use of lower cost supply items. 
     Further, the use of a particular supply item may require the inclusion of certain necessary combinations of features in an imaging apparatus. For example, the use of a photo cartridge as supply item  32  might require the purchase or licensing of the photo printing features in imaging apparatus  12 . 
     A minimum features configuration might only include, for example, monochrome printing at resolutions of 600 dpi or less, whereas the maximum feature configuration would include all features available for a particular imaging apparatus, supply item, or imaging apparatus/supply item combination. Each of the features, or combinations of features, will be provided to a customer as options available for purchase or license. 
     At step S 602 , an available feature list is provided to the customer for selection of desired features for a particular imaging apparatus and/or supply item. If the device is an imaging apparatus, the list may be resident, for example, in ASIC  34 , imaging driver  48  or e-commerce server  18 , or other suitable location. If the device is a supply item, then the list may be resident in memory  44 , or alternatively in ASIC  34 , imaging driver  48  or e-commerce server  18 . In either case, the list is retrieved for display on display  16  and/or user interface  28 . The list can be as simple as an electronic checklist of individual features, or may include a more comprehensive grouping of features which are known to work well together, and which may be selected as a group. Pricing for the individual features or groups of features would also be displayed. 
     As a marketing tool, a manufacturer may promote certain features as a group, or may also provide for free or at a reduced fee certain imaging features for a trial period, e.g., higher print speed, enhanced resolution imaging, etc., wherein after the trial period those features would no longer be available unless the customer desires to keep those features, and the customer submits the appropriate fee. 
     At step S 604 , the customer makes the desired selections by making appropriate entries at host  14  or user interface  28  using, for example, a web browser, which in turn then transmits the customer&#39;s desired selections, along with appropriate identification data, to e-commerce server  18  for processing. In addition, arrangement for payment of the appropriate fee for the selected features is made, e.g., credit card payment, or charges to a previously established revolving credit account. 
     At step S 606 , the desired features selected for the device are enabled. The enabling may occur, for example, via e-commerce server  18  which responds to the customer&#39;s selections with a digital signature that is associated with the device&#39;s identification number, and which includes the code needed to enable the selected features for use. 
     At this point, the particular imaging apparatus and/or supply item is ready for use. However, it may be that the customer&#39;s imaging needs or desires change from that represented by the features that were originally selected. If so, the process proceeds to step S 608 . 
     At step S 608 , it is determined whether the customer desires to change the previously selected features. If NO, the process ends. If YES, then the process returns to step S 602  at which time the feature list is again displayed on display  16  and/or user interface  28 . This gives the customer the ability to upgrade to a device, e.g., imaging apparatus and/or supply item, with more features, without having to purchase an entirely new device. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.