Warranty entitlement of image-forming device consumable item
US10295946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 21, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0697
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A first computer program generates a code encoding a date when the code was generated, an at least substantially unique identifier of a consumable item for an image-forming device, and usage information regarding the consumable item. The at least substantially unique identifier and the usage information are retrieved from a memory of the consumable item. Upon a user returning the consumable item for warranty purposes, a second computer program decodes the code to obtain the date, the at least substantially unique identifier, and the usage information. The second computer program determines whether to entitle the consumable item for warranty purposes based on the date, the at least substantially unique identifier, and the usage information. The second computer program outputs whether the consumable item should be entitled for warranty purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.