IE85267B1 - Method and system for information handling system consumables automated ordering - Google Patents
Method and system for information handling system consumables automated orderingInfo
- Publication number
- IE85267B1 IE85267B1 IE2003/0904A IE20030904A IE85267B1 IE 85267 B1 IE85267 B1 IE 85267B1 IE 2003/0904 A IE2003/0904 A IE 2003/0904A IE 20030904 A IE20030904 A IE 20030904A IE 85267 B1 IE85267 B1 IE 85267B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- consumable
- handling system
- information handling
- information
- consumables
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002596 correlated Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0633—Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
Abstract
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 preference 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 updated through a secure Internet connection with the manufacturer or other secure established connection
Description
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM
CONSUMABLES AUTOMATED ORDERING
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
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.
Description of the Related Art
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.
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,
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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.
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 ink jet 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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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ensures that ordered consumables match the consumables used by information handling
system consumable-using devices.
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
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.
Figure 1 depicts a block diagram of an automatic consumable ordering system for
information handling system consumables; and
Figure 2 depicts a flow diagram of a process for automated ordering of consumables
used by an information handling system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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.
Referring now to Figure 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.
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.
Orders for consumables are received by an information handling system order engine
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.
Referring now to Figure 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.
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.
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 reflcct 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.
Claims (17)
1. An information handling system comprising: one or more consumable-using devices; consumable request information with consumable preferences of the user; 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 request module interfaced with the consumable usage tracking module and operable to automatically request consumables if consumable usage reaches a predetermined value by sending a service tag number to a distal server through a network, wherein the service tag number uniquely identifies the information handling system.
2. The information handling system of Claim 1, wherein the consumable-using devices comprise a printer and the consumable comprises printer ink. ‘V
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 any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a messaging system interfaced with the consumable auto request module, the messaging system operable to present a message on the information handling system when consumable automatic requests occur.
6. The information handling system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consumable auto request module is populated with consumable request information at manufacture of the information handling system.
7. The information handling system of Claim 6, wherein the consumable request information comprises consumable preferences input by the user of the information handling system.
8. A method for automatic requesting of consumables used by an information handling system, the method comprising: inputting of consumable request preferences of an information handling system user at the time of manufacture of the information handling system; manufacturing the information handling system with a consumable order module that incorporates the user consumable preferences; tracking consumable usage associated with the information handling system; determining that a consumable request preference is reached with the consumable order module; and requesting consumables according to the consumable request preference with a message sent from the information handling system to the information handling system manufacturer, the message including a service tag which uniquely identifies the information handling system.
9. The method of Claim 8 wherein inputting consumable order preferences further comprises: inputting account information to charge for ordered consumables; associating the account information with a service tag of the information handling system; storing the account information and associated service tag by the manufacturer of the information handling system; and configuring the consumable order module to communicate consumable requests to the manufacturer with the service tag.
10. The method of Claim 9 further comprising: accepting consumable requests at the manufacturer of the information handling system, the consumable requests having the service tag; and determining account information to charge for the consumable request by associating the service tag with the account information.
1 1. The method of Claim 9, further comprising: determining that the account information is obsolete; and directing the information handling system to contact the manufacturer to update the account information through a secure Internet connection.
12. The method of any one of Claims 8 to 11, further comprising: updating the tracking of consumable usage with the ordered consumables.
13. The method of any one of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the consumables comprise printer ink.
14. The method of any one of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the consumables comprise printer paper.
15. The method of any one of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the consumables comprise storage media.
16. The method of any one of Claims 8 to 12, further comprising: presenting a user of the information handling system with the consumable preferences; accepting updates of the consumable preferences through the information handling system; and tracking the updated consumable preferences with the consumable order module.
17. A method for manufacturing an information handling system according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
USUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA06/12/20021 | |||
US10/314,038 US7475026B2 (en) | 2002-12-06 | 2002-12-06 | Method for information handling system consumables automated ordering |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20030904A1 IE20030904A1 (en) | 2004-06-16 |
IE85267B1 true IE85267B1 (en) | 2009-06-24 |
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