Consumable serial number tracking in a managed services hosted environment

• US 8,294,934 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2009
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• 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., Scrafford, Matthew, Tsongas, Jason, Meyer, Lawrence W., Mylott, Jeffrey E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZONG, HELEN
• Application Number:
  US12/480,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20100309506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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;

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

ordering a replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit, using said computer;

determining whether said specific customer replaceable unit was used within multiple printing devices, using said computer; and

canceling multiple orders of said replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit based on said specific customer replaceable unit being used within multiple printing devices, using said computer.

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 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.

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

5. 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 each specific printing device;

ordering a replacement for said specific toner cartridge, using said computer;

determining whether said specific toner cartridge was used within multiple printing devices, using said computer; and

canceling multiple orders of said replacement for said specific toner cartridge based on said specific toner cartridge being used within multiple printing devices, using said computer.

6. The method according to claim 5, 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.

7. The method according to claim 5, 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.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising determining whether toner cartridges are used with intended specific printing devices.

9. 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 each specific printing device;

said second computer ordering a replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit;

said second computer determining whether said specific customer replaceable unit was used within multiple printing devices; and

said second computer canceling multiple orders of said replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit based on said specific customer replaceable unit being used within multiple printing devices.

10. The system according to claim 9, 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.

11. The system according to claim 9, 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.

12. The system according to claim 9, said second computer determining whether customer replaceable units are used with intended specific printing devices.

13. 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;

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

ordering a replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit, using said computer;

determining whether said specific customer replaceable unit was used within multiple printing devices, using said computer;

canceling multiple orders of said replacement for said specific customer replaceable unit based on said specific customer replaceable unit being used within multiple printing devices, using said computer; and

determining whether customer replaceable units are used with intended specific printing devices according to requirements of a service contract for said printing devices using said computer to detect improper leakage if said customer replaceable units.

14. The method according to claim 13, 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.

15. The method according to claim 13, 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.