Licensing method for use with an imaging device
US7589850B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q50/06
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A licensing method includes the steps of establishing a licensing vendor; providing an imaging device that uses an imaging media in forming printed images on print media, the imaging media including an initial supply amount of an imaging substance; associating a usage license with at least one of the imaging device and the imaging media, the usage license defining a first usage threshold at which a consumer is prompted to acquire a new license; and providing a license monitoring mechanism communicatively coupled with the imaging device, the license monitoring mechanism performing the steps of tracking an amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device; determining whether the amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device has reached a usage threshold; and upon reaching the usage threshold, then prompting the consumer to acquire the new license from the licensing vendor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.