CONSUMABLE SERIAL NUMBER TRACKING IN A MANAGED SERVICES HOSTED ENVIRONMENT

• US 20100309506A1
• Filed: 06/09/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Reitz, Jeremy L., Tsongas, Jason, Mylott, Jeffrey E., Scrafford, Matthew, Meyer, Lawrence W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,294,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0863 provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/55 Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/553 Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1889 for auto-setting of process parameters, lifetime, usage
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00113 Plurality of apparatus configured in groups each with its own host
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0697 being an electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1823 Cartridges having electronically readable memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 Processing of the additional information

Abstract

A method stores serial numbers within memories of customer replaceable units that are used within printing devices. When one or more of the customer replaceable units are replaced, the method causes the printing devices to output to a computer the serial numbers of the customer replaceable units that are replaced. The method then analyzes the serial numbers using the computer to determine which specific customer replaceable unit was used within a specific printing device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

storing serial numbers within memories of customer replaceable units that are used within printing devices;

when one or more of said customer replaceable units are replaced, causing said printing devices to output said serial numbers of said customer replaceable units that are replaced to a computer; and

analyzing said serial numbers using said computer to determine which specific customer replaceable unit was used within a specific printing device.

2. The method according to claim 1, if a help desk event is outstanding for said specific printing device, further comprising closing said help desk event if said specific customer replaceable unit resolves said help desk event, using said computer.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining whether said specific customer replaceable unit was used within multiple printing devices, using said computer.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising measuring an amount of useful life remaining within customer replaceable units removed from said specific printing device;

and

determining an efficiency with which said specific printing device utilizes said customer replaceable units based on said amount of useful life remaining within said customer replaceable units removed from said specific printing device, using said computer.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining whether customer replaceable units are used with intended specific printing devices.

14. The system according to claim 1 said second computer measuring an amount of useful life remaining within customer replaceable units removed from said specific printing device and determining an efficiency with which said specific printing device utilizes said customer replaceable units based on said amount of useful life remaining within said customer replaceable units removed from said specific printing device.

6. A computer-implemented method comprising:

storing serial numbers within memories of toner cartridges that are used within printing devices;

when one or more of said toner cartridges are replaced, causing said printing devices to output said serial numbers of said toner cartridges that are replaced to a computer; and

analyzing said serial numbers using said computer to determine which specific toner cartridge was used within a specific printing device.

7. The method according to claim 6, if a help desk event is outstanding for said specific printing device, further comprising closing said help desk event if said specific toner cartridge resolves said help desk event, using said computer.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising determining whether said specific toner cartridge was used within multiple printing devices, using said computer.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising measuring an amount of toner within toner cartridges removed from said specific printing device;

and

determining an efficiency with which said specific printing device utilizes said toner cartridges based on said amount of useful life remaining within said toner cartridges removed from said specific printing device, using said computer.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising determining whether toner cartridges are used with intended specific printing devices.

11. A computerized system comprising:

a first computer that stores serial numbers within memories of customer replaceable units that are used within printing devices; and

a second computer that, when one or more of said customer replaceable units are replaced, receives output from a plurality of printing devices,

said output comprising said serial numbers of said customer replaceable units that are replaced, and

said second computer analyzing said serial numbers to determine which specific customer replaceable unit was used within a specific printing device.

12. The system according to claim 11, if a help desk event is outstanding for said specific printing device, said second computer closes said help desk event if said specific customer replaceable unit resolves said help desk event.

13. The system according to claim 11, said second computer determining whether said specific customer replaceable unit was used within multiple printing devices.

15. The system according to claim 11, said second computer determining whether customer replaceable units are used with intended specific printing devices.

16. A printing device comprising:

at least one printing engine comprising customer replaceable units;

at least one engine controller operatively connected to said printing engine;

at least one computer storage medium operatively connected to said engine controller; and

an input/output interface operatively connected to said engine controller,

at least one of said customer replaceable units comprising a memory unit,

each said memory unit within said customer replaceable units storing a corresponding serial number,

said engine controller reading said serial number from said memory unit and storing said serial number within said computer storage medium, and

said input/output interface providing serial numbers of said customer replaceable units to an external computer when one or more of said customer replaceable units needs replacement.

17. The printing device according to claim 16, said memory unit comprising non-volatile memory.

18. The printing device according to claim 16, each of said serial numbers being unique.

19. The printing device according to claim 16, said serial number being stored within said memory unit at a time of manufacturing said customer replaceable units.

20. The printing device according to claim 16, said customer replaceable units comprising toner cartridges, photoreceptor units, drums, rollers, and fusers.