Consumable replacement by mobile input/output bins

• US 6,744,362 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Carlson, Gerard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US10/057,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/679, 340/612, 340/613, 340/988, 235/384
• US Class Current: 340/500
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 1/30 with means for replenishing the pile during continuous separation of articles therefrom B65H1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/4225 in or on special supports
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/312 Trolley, cart, i.e. support movable on the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2555/30 Multi-axis
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 31/30 Arrangements for removing completed piles bands, chains, or like moving receivers B65H31/28

Abstract

This invention relates to self-propelled, mobile input/output bins (MIOB). Such structures of the type, generally, allow the MIOB to replenish the consumable handling device. For example, the MIOB can be used to replenish the paper in a printer and/or printing device.

Claims

1. A method for consumable replacement, comprising the steps of:

detecting an undesirable consumable replacement condition at a consumable handling device;

interacting between said consumable handling device and a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

replacing a consumable at said consumable handling device through the use of said bin.

2. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

notifying a data center of said undesirable consumable replacement condition.

3. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

scanning/monitoring said consumable handling device to detect said undesirable consumable replacement condition.

4. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

5. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printing device.

6. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin so that said bin alleviates said undesirable consumable replacement condition.

7. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said consumable replacement condition.

8. The method, as in claim 1, wherein said interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly interacting between said consumable handling device and said bin.

9. A method for passive consumable replacement, comprising the steps of:

detecting an undesirable consumable replacement condition at a consumable handling device;

contacting a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin; and

sending said bin to said consumable handling device in order to replace a consumable at said consumable handling device.

10. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

11. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printing device.

12. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin so that said bin alleviates said undesirable consumable replacement condition.

13. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said consumable replacement condition.

14. The method, as in claim 9, wherein said interacting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said bin.

15. A method for actively alleviating an undesirable consumable condition, comprising the steps of:

scanning/monitoring a consumable handling device by a self-propelled, mobile input/output bin;

detecting an undesirable consumable condition at said consumable handling device by said bin; and

alleviating said undesirable condition through the use of said bin.

16. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printer.

17. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said consumable handling device is further comprised of:

a printing device.

18. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said method is further comprised of the step of:

outfitting said bin so that said bin alleviates said undesirable condition.

19. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said detecting step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly detecting said condition.

20. The method, as in claim 15, wherein said scanning/monitoring step is further comprised of the step of:

wirelessly contacting said consumable handling device.