Method for information handling system consumables automated ordering

• US 7,475,026 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Wilson, William, Rock, Jr., David
• Primary Examiner(s): ZURITA, JAMES H
• Application Number:
  US10/314,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

An automated consumable ordering system and method obtains an information handling system purchaser'"'"'s preferences for ordering consumables used by devices of an information handling system ordered for manufacture and loads the consumable ordering preferences on a consumable ordering module of the information handling system during manufacture. Consumable usage by the information handling system is tracked to a predetermined level at which the module orders consumables automatically from the manufacturer. The order is placed with a message that uses a service tag number associated with the information handling system. The manufacturer determines account information for charging the order from the service tag. The module updates account information by directing the user of the information handling system to perform updates through a secure Internet connection with the manufacturer or other secure established connection.

Claims

1. A method for automatic ordering of consumables used by an information handling system, the method comprising:

inputting of consumable order preferences by an information handling system purchaser at the time of ordering the information handling system;

manufacturing the information handling system with a consumable order module that incorporates the purchaser consumable preferences;

shipping the information handling system from the manufacturer to the purchaser;

tracking consumable usage associated with the information handling system;

determining that a consumable order preference is reached with the consumable order module; and

ordering consumables according to the consumable order preference with a message sent from the information handling system to the information handling system manufacturer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein inputting consumable order preferences further comprises:

inputting account information to charge for ordered consumables;

associating the account information with a service tag of the information handling system;

storing the account information and associated service tag by the manufacturer of the information handling system; and

configuring the consumable order module to communicate consumable orders to the manufacturer with the service tag.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

accepting consumable orders at the manufacturer of the information handling system, the consumable orders having the service tag; and

determining account information to charge for the consumable order by associating the service tag with the account information.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

determining that the account information is obsolete; and

directing the information handling system to contact the manufacturer to update the account information through a secure internet connection.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

updating the tracking of consumable usage with the ordered consumables.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumables comprise printer ink.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumables comprise printer paper.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the consumables comprise storage media.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

presenting a user of the information handling system with the consumable preferences;

accepting updates of the consumable preferences through the information handling system; and

tracking the updated consumable preferences with the consumable order module.