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US 7,063,399 B2Granted
Imaging apparatus and method for facilitating printing
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorThomas Jon Eade
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for facilitating printing includes the steps of providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance; receiving back from the consumer the first printer after a substantial portion of the imaging substance has been used; and exchanging the first printer with an exchange printer.
Claims7
A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
- providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
- providing in said first printer a secured compartment containing said reservoir to restrict access to said reservoir;
- configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
- receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used;
- and
- exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer.
3 more elements
A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
- providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
- providing in said first printer a secured compartment containing a printing mechanism and said reservoir, said secured compartment restricting access to said printing mechanism and said reservoir;
- configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
- receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used;
- and
- exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer.
3 more elements
A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
- providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
- configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
- receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used;
- and
- exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer,
- wherein said first printer is an ink jet printer including a printing mechanism, said method further comprising the step of configuring said ink jet printer to restrict access to said printing mechanism and said reservoir.
3 more elements
A method for facilitating imaging, comprising the steps of:
- providing to a consumer a first recyclable imaging apparatus having a secured compartment containing a reservoir containing an initial amount of imaging substance, said secured compartment restricting access to said reservoir, said initial amount of imaging substance including a licensed amount of imaging substance and a surplus amount of imaging substance;
- and
- receiving from said consumer a request for license renewal, wherein upon a grant of said request for license renewal said surplus amount of imaging substance is available for use in said first recyclable imaging apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.