Method and System for Information Handling System Consumables Automated Ordering

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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system consumables, and more particularly to a method and system for automated ordering of information handling system consumables.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Another example of an important technical advantage of the present invention is that consumables are automatically ordered based on a purchased information handling system configuration without sending personal account payment information over public networks. For instance, upon purchase of an information handling system, the purchaser inputs consumable order preferences that determine the type of consumables ordered and the account information for payment of the consumables. Once the information handling system is delivered to the purchaser, a module installed during manufacture of the information handling system orders consumables by reference to a service tag number, thus limiting the need for sending of payment information for the ordered consumables.

is that consumables are automatically ordered based on a purchased information handling system configuration without sending personal account payment information over public networks. For instance, upon purchase of an information handling system, the purchaser inputs consumable order preferences that determine the type of consumables ordered and the account information for payment of the consumables. Once the information handling system is delivered to the purchaser, a module installed during manufacture of the information handling system orders consumables by reference to a service tag number, thus limiting the need for sending of payment information for the ordered consumables.

Problems solved by technology

If a user fails to purchase consumable items before the user's inventory is depleted, the information handling system typically loses the functionality associated with the consumable item until the user replenishes the consumable item inventory.

One difficulty with the use of information handling systems is that a number of various consumables are typically used by different devices so that an information handling system user has difficulty tracking consumable inventory and maintaining sufficient inventory to avoid depletion of a given consumable.

If the user fails to purchase extra ink jet cartridges, then the printer becomes essentially useless once the installed cartridges are depleted.

Failure to purchase consumables in a timely manner or failure to purchase correct consumables may render an information handling system functionally unusable.

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