Method for providing printing services and printing control method for controlling a key to acquire additional authorized pages as needed
AssigneeHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
InventorsEdward John Van Liew, Joseph Alan Wolfman, Ray Lloyd Pickup, Ernest Dale Jenkins, John Anthony Underwood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vendor provides, and an operator obtains a method dedicated printer bundle. The printer bundle includes a printer having a key interface, an ink supply, and a key for association with the printer through the key interface. The key is provided with key data pertaining to an authorized page count. The printer operator is allowed to acquire additional authorized pages as needed. When the printer ink supply becomes depleted, the printer operator is provided with additional ink at no or insignificant cost.
Claims14
A method of providing printing services, comprising:
- initializing a printer having a key interface and an ink supply;
- obtaining a key for association with the printer through the key interface;
- loading the key with key data pertaining to an authorized page count;
- controlling the key to acquire additional authorized pages as needed;
- providing the printer with additional ink when the printer ink supply is depleted;
- and
- informing a printer operator that the additional ink is provided at no or insignificant cost.
A printing control method, comprising:
- obtaining a key for association with a printer having a key interface;
- loading the key with data pertaining to an authorized page count;
- controlling the key to acquire additional authorized pages as needed;
- linking the key with the printer through the key interface;
- controlling the printer to print a number of pages less than the authorized page count.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.