Patent ID: 8160969

Claim:
A system for ordering pre-purchased consumables comprising: a peripheral device capable of printing that utilizes at least one consumable; an entitlement system established between a user of said peripheral device and a supplier of at least one pre-purchased consumable, wherein said supplier maintains a number of said at least one pre-purchased consumable for subsequent delivery to said user on an as-needed basis; said peripheral device automatically communicating with said supplier to request delivery of said at least one pre-purchased consumable pursuant to said entitlement system when said consumable utilized by said peripheral device is at a low state; said entitlement system reducing said number of said pre-purchased consumables yet to be delivered by said supplier when said supplier performs said requested delivery of said at least one pre-purchased consumable to said user pursuant to said entitlement system; and said peripheral device notifying said user of said device when said number of said pre-purchased consumables maintained by said supplier falls below a predetermined threshold value, wherein said at least one pre-purchased consumable is purchased prior to notification that said consumable is at said low state.