Virtual Replenishment of Imaging Substance via Serial Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face inconvenience in replenishing imaging substance supplies for imaging devices, such as ink or toner, as they often require purchasing new supplies or refilling, which involves delays and logistical challenges.

Innovation Solution

A method for virtual replenishment of imaging substance supplies, where a supply item contains both a licensed and surplus amount of the substance, with a unique serial number and key system allowing secure allocation of surplus amounts for continued use upon verification, enabling remote replenishment without physical acquisition of new supplies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If consumers purchase new supply items or refill spent ones, then the imaging device can continue operating, but the consumer experiences delays and logistical inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of replenishing imaging substanceVSAvoidtime required for purchasing and refilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The supply item is pre-loaded with both a licensed amount and a surplus amount of imaging substance before being provided to the consumer. This preliminary action ensures that when verification succeeds, the surplus is already available for immediate allocation, eliminating the need for consumers to purchase or refill supplies during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy of the replenishment process through verification. Instead of physically transferring imaging substance, the system verifies the supply item's identity and allocates the pre-stored surplus amount through digital verification, effectively copying the benefit of having additional supply without the physical logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Quantity of substance

If a supply item contains only a licensed amount of imaging substance, then the consumer pays for exactly what they receive, but the consumer must purchase additional supplies when depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of imaging substance available for useVSAvoidfrequency of purchasing new supplies

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The supplier pre-loads the supply item with a surplus amount of imaging substance in addition to the licensed amount. This preliminary preparation allows the system to allocate additional usage rights later through verification, effectively providing more substance than the initial licensed amount without requiring additional consumer purchases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the effective quantity parameter of imaging substance available from the initial licensed amount to a larger total amount by successfully verifying and allocating the surplus amount. This parameter change occurs through the verification process that unlocks the pre-stored surplus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the supply item includes verification security features, then the allocation of surplus imaging substance can be secure, but the supply item structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of surplus allocationVSAvoidcomplexity of supply item structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification security features are nested within the supply item structure. The memory element containing verification data is integrated into the supply item, and the verification process nests multiple checks (serial number verification, cryptographic verification, database validation) in a hierarchical manner, providing security while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7469107B2Method for providing imaging substance for use in an imaging device via a virtual replenishment

Publication Date: 2008.12.23 LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method for providing a virtual replenishing of a supply item with an imaging substance includes the steps communicating to a database a first serial number associated with a first supply item; comparing the first serial number with a plurality of serial numbers stored in the database; receiving from the database one of a first data indicating non-correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers and a second data indicating correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers, wherein the second data includes a verification key; and if the verification key corresponds to the first key stored in the memory associated with the first supply item, then performing the step of allocating at least a portion of a surplus amount of the imaging substance contained in the first supply item for use.