US 2002/0171860 A1 · Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables

Abstract

Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables are described. According to one aspect, an image forming device includes: an image engine configured to utilize a consumable to form hard images; an interface adapted to communicate with a network comprising a plurality of network devices external of the image forming device; and processing circuitry coupled with the image engine and configured to forward a search request to the interface for communication to the network, to receive information regarding the consumable from the plurality of network devices via the interface responsive to the search request, to generate a message including information received from at least one of the network devices, and to control communication of the message.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An image forming device comprising:

an image engine configured to utilize a consumable to form hard images;
an interface adapted to communicate with a network comprising a plurality of network devices external of the image forming device;
and
processing circuitry coupled with the image engine and configured to forward a search request to the interface for communication to the network, to receive information regarding the consumable from the plurality of network devices via the interface responsive to the search request, to generate a message including information received from at least one of the network devices, and to control communication of the message.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables

Life of this patent

Image forming devices and methods of assisting with maintenance of image forming device consumables

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22