Methods and apparatus for promoting use of consumable goods in imaging devices
First Claim
1. A method to promote the use of consumables in an imaging device, comprising:
- detecting consumption of a consumable; and
when the consumption of a predefined quantity of the consumable has been detected, rewarding a user of the imaging device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method to promote the use of consumables in an imaging device. The method includes detecting consumption of a consumable. When the consumption of a predefined quantity of the consumable has been detected, a user of the imaging device is rewarded. The reward can be retrieved from an Internet site, or retrieved from a local memory device. The method can also include basing the reward on the value of the consumable product consumed, as well as on the origin of the consumable product. The step of detecting the consumption of the consumable can include calculating an estimated consumption of the consumable, including the consumption of an image forming substance such as ink or toner. The step of detecting the consumption of the consumable can also include counting the consumption of the consumable, such as sheets of media.
83 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method to promote the use of consumables in an imaging device, comprising:
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detecting consumption of a consumable; and
when the consumption of a predefined quantity of the consumable has been detected, rewarding a user of the imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method to promote the use of a plurality of consumables in an imaging device, comprising:
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detecting consumption by the imaging device of individual quantities of the plurality of consumables;
when a predefined collective quantity of the individual quantities of consumables has been detected, rewarding a user of the imaging device with a reward defined by a value; and
basing the value of the reward on the individual quantities of each consumable that has been detected as being consumed by the imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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12. A method to promote the use of a consumable in a plurality of imaging devices, comprising:
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detecting consumption of individual quantities of the consumable by each of the imaging devices; and
when a predefined collective quantity of the individual quantities of consumable has been detected, generating a reward.
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17. Apparatus for providing the user of a imaging device, which is configured to consume a consumable, with a reward based on a consumption of the consumable by the imaging device, comprising:
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a consumable consumption detection device configured to detect quantities of the consumable that are consumed by the imaging device and to generate consumption signals in response thereto;
an electronic writeable memory device;
an electronic readable memory device configured to contain a user reward message;
a processor configured to receive the consumption signals and to store a consumption value in the electronic writeable memory device, the consumption value being a function of the received consumption signals, the processor further configured to read from the readable memory device the user reward message when the consumption value is at least equal to a predetermined reward value, and to visually display the reward message to the user.
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25. A computer-readable storage medium for use by a processor configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate a reward message in response to the consumption of a consumable by an imaging device, the medium holding computer executable instructions to:
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detect consumption of the consumable; and
when the consumption of a predefined quantity of the consumable has been detected, generate a reward message.
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33. A computer-readable storage medium for use by a processor configured to execute computer executable instructions to generate a reward message in response to the consumption of at least one consumable by an imaging device, the medium holding computer executable instructions to:
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receive consumption signals from a consumption detection device configured to detect quantities of at least one of the consumables which are consumed by the imaging device;
calculate a consumption value as a function of the received consumption signals and store the consumption value in a readable memory device;
determine when the consumption value is at least a predetermined reward value;
generate the reward message when the consumption value is at least the predetermined reward value and;
visually display the reward message. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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Specification