U.S. patent application number 12/342340 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for method and system for information handling system consumables automated ordering.
Invention is credited to David Rock, JR., William Wilson.
Application Number | 20090106125 12/342340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29780436 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090106125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rock, JR.; David ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
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.
Inventors: |
Rock, JR.; David; (Round
Rock, TX) ; Wilson; William; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMILTON & TERRILE, LLP
P.O. BOX 203518
AUSTIN
TX
78720
US
|
Family ID: |
29780436 |
Appl. No.: |
12/342340 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10314038 |
Dec 6, 2002 |
7475026 |
|
|
12342340 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 ;
705/1.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0633 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 10/087 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 ;
705/1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. An information handling system comprising: one or more
consumable-using devices; a consumable usage tracking module
interfaced with the consumable-using devices and operable to track
consumable usage by the consumable-using devices; and a consumable
auto-order module interfaced with the consumable usage tracking
module and operable to automatically order consumables if
consumable usage reaches a predetermined value by sending a tag
number to a distal server through a network.
2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the
consumable-using devices comprise a printer and the consumable
comprises printer ink.
3. The information handling system of claim 2 wherein the
consumable further comprises printer paper.
4. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the
consumable-using device comprises a disk drive and the consumable
comprises compact disks.
5. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising a
messaging system interfaced with the consumable auto-order module,
the messaging system operable to present a message on the
information handling system when consumable automatic orders
occur.
6. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the
consumable auto-order module is populated with consumable order
information at manufacture of the information handling system.
7. The information handling system of claim 6 wherein the
consumable order information comprises consumable preferences input
by the purchaser of the information handling system.
8-16. (canceled)
17. A method for manufacturing an information handling system, the
method comprising: accepting an order for an information handling
system from a purchaser through the Internet, the information
handling system having one or more consumable-using devices;
presenting the purchaser with consumable preferences to select, the
consumable preferences associated with the automatic ordering of
consumables for the consumable-using devices; and loading a module
on the ordered information handling system for automatic ordering
of consumables according to the selected consumable
preferences.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the consumable preferences
comprise account information for charging ordered consumables, the
method further comprising: storing the account information at the
information handling system manufacturer; associating the account
information with an information handling system service tag; and
providing the service tag to the module for use in communicating
consumable orders to the manufacturer.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the consumable-using device
comprises a printer and the module is operable to order printer
ink.
20. The method of 17 wherein the consumable-using device comprises
a disk storage drive and the module is operable to order storage
disks.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the consumable-using device
comprises a printer and the module is operable to order paper.
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 is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0005] Information handling systems often operate with incorporated
and peripheral devices that use consumable items. For instance,
printers print information from information handling systems on
consumable paper by using consumable ink. As another example,
storage disk drives store information on consumable storage disks,
such as floppy and compact disks. Information handling system users
typically must replenish consumable item inventories as the
consumable items are used by information handling system devices.
For instance, information handling system users typically make
periodic purchases of consumable items such as printer ink, paper
and storage disks. 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.
[0006] 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. For instance,
an inkjet printer may use one of several types of ink jet
cartridges depending on the printer model and the frequency of
different types of print jobs, such as color versus black and white
printing. If the user fails to purchase extra ink jet cartridges,
then the printer becomes essentially useless once the installed
cartridges are depleted. Even if the user remembers to purchase
additional ink jet cartridges before the on-hand inventory is
depleted, the user must find a source to purchase the proper model
of ink jet cartridge. For an information handling system user, this
means one or more trips to one or more different stores to restock
consumable inventories as the inventories are depleted. Failure to
purchase consumables in a timely manner or failure to purchase
correct consumables may render an information handling system
functionally unusable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore a need has arisen for a method and system which
automatically orders information handling system consumables before
the inventory for the consumables is depleted.
[0008] A further need exists for a method and system which orders
consumables from a single source with reduced risk of ordering of
incorrect consumables and reduced risk of improper disclosure of
payment information for the consumables.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a method and
system are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages
and problems associated with previous methods and systems for
purchasing information handling system consumables. A module
installed on an information handling system automatically orders
consumables at predetermined inventory levels for consumable-using
devices associated with the information handling system.
[0010] More specifically, when a purchaser orders an information
handling system from a manufacturer, a consumable preference set-up
module accepts purchaser preferences for ordering consumables used
by devices of the information handling system. The purchaser
preferences are incorporated in a consumable auto-order module of
the manufactured information handling system along with a service
tag number that identifies the purchased information handling
system. The information handling system is shipped to the purchaser
and consumable usage of consumable-using devices is tracked by a
consumable-usage tracking module. Once consumable usage depletes
consumable inventory below a predetermined level for consumables
identified by the purchaser's consumable preferences, the
consumable auto-order module sends an order for additional
consumables to the manufacturer with the information handling
system service tag number. A consumable order module at the
manufacturer associates the service tag number with an account
number and arranges to send the ordered consumables to an account
address associated with the service tag number. The consumable
auto-order module then updates the consumable inventory for the
ordered consumables and tracks consumable use for the updated
inventory level.
[0011] The present invention provides a number of important
technical advantages. One example of an important technical
advantage is that consumables are ordered automatically for an
information handling system without a need for intervention by a
user. Consumable usage is automatically tracked and monitored for a
predetermined inventory level so that additional consumables are
ordered and delivered before depletion of an on-hand inventory.
Automatic ordering of consumables ensures that the information
handling system user will receive replenishments of consumables
before losing system functionality without having to track
consumable usage or inventory. Further, automated tracking of
consumable usage ensures that ordered consumables match the
consumables used by information handling system consumable-using
devices.
[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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention may be better understood, and its
numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those
skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The
use of the same reference number throughout the several figures
designates a like or similar element.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an automatic consumable
ordering system for information handling system consumables;
and
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a process for automated
ordering of consumables used by an information handling system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Automated ordering of information handling system
consumables improves usability by ensuring that consumables are
re-stocked without user intervention before a lack of a consumable
makes an information handling system function or device unusable.
The present invention provides effective automatic tracking and
ordering of consumables by including consumable ordering
preferences during manufacture of an information handling system.
For purposes of this application, an information handling system
may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities
operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive,
retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,
record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,
intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other
purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a
personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable
device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and
price. The information handling system may include random access
memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM,
and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of
the information handling system may include one or more disk
drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external
devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as
a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling
system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit
communications between the various hardware components.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram depicts an
automatic consumable ordering system 10 for consumables used by an
information handling system 12. Information handling system 12 is
manufactured with one or more consumable-using devices 14. For
instance, in one embodiment, consumable-using device 14 is an ink
jet printer that uses consumable ink jet cartridges and ink jet
paper, such as for printing color pictures. Alternatively,
consumable-using device 14 is a laser printer that uses consumable
laser printer toner cartridges and drums and regular printing
paper. In another embodiment, consumable-using device 14 is a disk
storage device that stores information on consumable media, such as
disks used by CD-ROM, CD-RW or DVD compact disks drives, floppy
disks or storage tapes for ZIP drives.
[0018] A consumable auto-order module 16 is loaded on information
handling system 12 automatically places orders for consumables used
by consumable-using device 14. Consumable auto-order module 16
compares desired levels of consumable inventory established from
consumable preferences with actual levels of consumable inventory
determined by a consumable usage tracking module 18. When a
consumable inventory level reaches a predetermined level,
consumable auto-order module 16 places an order for that consumable
through a consumable message 20. For instance, for a printer
consumable-using device 14, consumable auto-order module 16 sets an
order threshold for ink and places an order for additional ink
based on ink levels measured by the printer. When consumable usage
tracking module 18 detects an ink level of the order threshold,
consumable auto-order module 16 sends a message to the manufacturer
of the information handling system with consumable message system
20 through a network 22, such as the Internet, to order additional
printer ink. The message sent by consumer message system 20
identifies the desired consumable and ordering source with a
service tag number so that account information, such as a credit
card account number, is not sent through insecure communications. A
service tag number is typically an alphanumeric identification
number that is assigned by the manufacturer.
[0019] Orders for consumables are received by an information
handling system order engine 24 operated directly or indirectly by
the information handling system manufacturer. A consumable order
module 26 looks up account information for received consumable
orders with a service tag account database 28 by finding the
account information associated with the service tag of a consumable
order message. Consumable order module 26 places an order for the
consumable to be shipped to the site of information handling system
12 by using the account information without any need for
intervention by the user or information handling system 12. The use
of the service tag to fill the consumable order makes the process
anonymous to anyone who intercepts a consumable order message since
no personal or payment information is transferred to accomplish the
sale. In the event that the user of information handling system 12
desires direct interaction with the consumable ordering process,
consumer auto-order module 16 directs communication with a
consumable preference set-up module through a secure interface,
such as a secure Internet interface with a browser of information
handling system 12. For instance, the user is able to update
account information through consumable preference set-up module 30
so that subsequent messages with the service tag will place
consumable orders according to the updated account information.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram depicts a process
for using consumable preference set-up module 30 to establish
consumable preferences when an information handling system is
ordered from a manufacturer. The process starts at step 32 with the
ordering of an information handling system from a manufacturer,
such as through a secure Internet interface. At step 34, during the
ordering of the information handling system, the purchaser inputs
consumable auto-order preferences so that an auto order module is
installed with the preferences during manufacture of the
information handling system. For instance, consumable preference
set-up module 30 determines the consumable-using devices purchased
with the information handling system and the type of consumable
goods the user may need. Consumable preference set-up module 30
then queries the purchaser to determine if auto-ordering of
consumables is desired for one or more of the consumable-using
devices. The account information for purchasing the consumables
with auto-orders may be copied from the purchase of the information
handling system or separately input by the purchaser. At step 36,
the information handling system is built to include a consumable
auto-order module populated with the initial consumable auto-order
preferences and is shipped to the purchaser. In an alternative
embodiment, consumable auto-order module 16 may query the user for
initial consumable order preferences during initial power-up by a
purchaser.
[0021] At step 38, consumable auto-order module 16 monitors
consumable usage to detect consumable inventory levels below an
order threshold. When a consumable order threshold is reached, at
step 40 an automatic order of the consumable is initiated by
sending a message to the manufacturer with the service tag of the
information handling system. In one embodiment, the initiation of a
consumable order occurs without customer intervention based on
automated tracking of consumable usage. In an alternative
embodiment, consumable orders are confirmed by the information
handling system user before the order is sent to allow the user to
alter the order or to order additional items. Alternatively, a
confirmatory e-mail may be sent to the information handling system
user after the order is automatically sent to and received by the
manufacturer.
[0022] At step 42, the auto-consumable order is processed by the
manufacturer to automatically purchase and send the identified
consumable to the information handling system location. For
instance, service tag information provided by a consumable
auto-order message is correlated with account information to
determine a credit card to charge for the order and an address to
which the order is to be sent. At step 44, the consumable order is
shipped to the account address associated with the service tag
number. At step 46, the consumable inventory amount is updated to
reflect shipped consumables. For instance, a message is sent to the
information handling system associated with the service tag number
indicating the shipment of the ordered consumables. Alternatively,
the information handling system user is presented with a display
query after the lapse of a shipment time to determine that the
consumable has arrived, or the consumable-using device is monitored
to detect the installation of additional consumables. Once the
consumable inventory is updated to reflect the addition of ordered
consumables, the process returns to step 38 to monitor consumable
usage.
[0023] Although the present invention has been described in detail,
it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *