초록 ▼

A machine comprises a processor and at least one other component. The processor determines if the other component needs service, and sends an electronic message addressed to a remote communication device accessible by a user of the machine. The service includes at least one of: repair, replacement

A machine comprises a processor and at least one other component. The processor determines if the other component needs service, and sends an electronic message addressed to a remote communication device accessible by a user of the machine. The service includes at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, and the electronic message indicates the need for the service and includes information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. The electronic message may include at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and an SMS message, and may be forwarded to a supplier to place an order for the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A machine comprising: a processor; and at least one other component, wherein the processor comprises: means for determining if the other component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, and means for

What is claimed is: 1. A machine comprising: a processor; and at least one other component, wherein the processor comprises: means for determining if the other component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, and means for sending an electronic message to a remote communication device selectable by and accessible by a user of the machine, wherein the electronic message indicates the need for the service and includes information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, the information including a name of a supplier of the other component, an address of the supplier and an address and account number of the user, and the information is contained in an order form for forwarding by the user to the supplier to effect said ordering of at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the order form is sent electronically from the user of the machine to a supplier of at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. 3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electronic message includes at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message. 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the other component includes at least one of: hardware for printing and a consumable component for printing. 5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the other component includes at least one of: hardware for electrostatographic printing and a consumable component for electrostatographic printing. 6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the information further includes at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the other component, an identification number of the supply or service and terms and conditions of the order. 7. A method of ordering components and repair services for a machine, the method comprising: monitoring a condition of at least one component in the machine; transmitting a signal indicative of the monitored condition to a processor in the machine; applying the signal within the processor to determine if the component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, sending an electronic message from the processor to a remote communication device selectable by and accessible by a user of the machine via a local area communications network, the electronic message indicating the need for the service and including information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, the information including an order form containing a name of a supplier of the other component, an address of the supplier and an address and account number of the user, the order form suitable for forwarding by the user to the supplier to effect said ordering; and forwarding the electronic message from the user of the machine to a supplier of at least one of the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component via a communication network connecting the remote communication device to the supplier. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the electronic message includes at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the component includes at least one of: hardware for printing and a consumable component for printing. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the component includes at least one of: hardware for electrostatographic printing and a consumable component for electrostatographic printing. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the order form further includes at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the component, an identification number of the supply or service and terms and conditions of the order. 12. A system comprising: a machine including: a processor, and at least one other component; a remote communication device associated with a user of the machine, said remote communication device selectable by and accessible by the user; and a communications network coupling the machine with the remote communication device, wherein the processor comprises: means for determining if the other component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, and means for sending the electronic message addressed to the remote communication device via the communications network, the electronic message indicating the need for the service and including information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, the information including a name of a supplier of the other component, an address of the supplier and an address and account number of the user, wherein the information is contained in an order form for forwarding by the user to the supplier to effect said ordering of at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the order form is sent electronically from the user of the machine to a supplier of at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic message includes at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message. 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the machine is an electrostatographic printing device. 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the information further includes at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the component, an identification number of the supply or service and terms and conditions of the order. 17. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer program code for ordering components and services for a machine, the storage medium including instructions for causing the machine to implement a method comprising: applying a signal indicative of a monitored condition of at least one component in the machine to determine if the component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, and sending an electronic message addressed to a remote communication device selectable by and accessible by a user of the machine, the electronic message indicating the need for the service and including information to facilitate ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the component, the information including a name of a supplier of the component, an address of the supplier and an address and account number of the user, wherein the information is contained in an order form for forwarding by the user of the machine to effect said ordering of at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component. 18. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the information further includes at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the component, an identification number of the supply or service and terms and conditions of the order. 19. A method of ordering components and repair services for a machine, the method comprising: monitoring a condition of at least one component in the machine; transmitting a signal indicative of the monitored condition to a processor in the machine; applying the signal within the processor to determine if the component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the component; preparing an electronic message including an order form suitable for use by the user of the machine in ordering at least one of said repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, the order form including a name of a supplier of the component, an address of the supplier, an address and account number of the user and at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the component, an identification number of the supply or service, and the terms and conditions of the order, the order form being suitable for forwarding by the user to the supplier to effect said ordering of at least one of said repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component; sending the electronic message from the processor to a remote communication device selectable by and accessible by a user of the machine via a local communications network, and forwarding the electronic message from the user of the machine to a supplier of at least one of the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component via a wide area communication network connecting the remote communication device to the supplier. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronic message includes at least one of: an e-mail message, a text message, an instant message, and a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the component includes at least one of: hardware for electrostatographic printing and a consumable component for electrostatographic printing. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the component includes at least one of: hardware for printing and a consumable component for printing. 23. A system comprising: a machine including: a processor, and at least one other component; a remote communication device associated with a user of the machine, said remote communication device selectable by and accessible by the user; and a local communications network coupling the machine with the remote communication device, wherein the processor comprises: means for determining if the other component needs service, the service including at least one of: repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, and means for sending an electronic message addressed to the remote communication device via the communications network, the electronic message indicating the need for the service and an order form suitable for use by the user of the machine in ordering at least one of: the repair, replacement and replenishment of the other component, the order form including the name of a supplier of the other component, an address of the supplier, an address and account number of the user and at least one of: a price of a supply or service of the other component, an identification number of the supply or service and up to date terms and conditions of the order, the order form suitable for forwarding by the user to the supplier to effect said ordering; the system further including means for sending the electronic message from the user of the machine to the supplier via a wide area communications network coupling the remote communications device and the supplier.