View source for 18475477. CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS simplified abstract (BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA)

=CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS=


==Organization Name==

[[:Category:BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA|BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA]]


[[Category:BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA]]

==Inventor(s)==

[[:Category:Taichiro Kimoto of Nagoya (JP)|Taichiro Kimoto of Nagoya (JP)]][[Category:Taichiro Kimoto of Nagoya (JP)]]

==CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS - A simplified explanation of the abstract==


This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18475477 titled 'CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS

==Simplified Explanation==

The patent application describes a consumable consuming device that can switch between states where an agreement for delivery of a consumable is in effect or not. The device includes a controller that determines the remaining life of the consumable, performs operations while consuming the consumable, and controls billing processes based on the remaining life of the consumable.

* The device includes a consumable holder and a controller.
* The controller can switch between states with or without an agreement for delivery of the consumable.
* It determines the remaining life of the consumable when no agreement is in effect.
* The controller performs operations while consuming the consumable in the second state.
* Billing processes are controlled based on the remaining life of the consumable.

== Potential Applications ==
This technology could be applied in:
* Automated vending machines
* Subscription-based consumable services

== Problems Solved ==
This technology solves:
* Efficient management of consumables
* Accurate billing based on consumable usage

== Benefits ==
The benefits of this technology include:
* Cost-effective consumable management
* Automated billing processes

== Potential Commercial Applications ==
The potential commercial applications of this technology include:
* Smart home devices
* Industrial machinery

== Possible Prior Art ==
One possible prior art for this technology could be:
* Automated billing systems for utilities

== Unanswered Questions ==

=== How does the controller determine the remaining life of the consumable? ===
The abstract does not provide details on the specific method used by the controller to determine the remaining life of the consumable.

=== What types of consumables can be used with this device? ===
The abstract does not specify the range of consumables that can be used with this device.


==Original Abstract Submitted==

A consumable consuming device includes a consumable holder and a controller. The controller is switchable between a first state in which no agreement for delivery of a consumable is in effect and a second state in which an agreement for delivery of the consumable is in effect. The controller is configured to perform: a first determination process to determine a first remaining life that is a remaining life of the consumable provided to the consumable holder during a time when no agreement for delivery of the consumable is in effect; a consumption process to perform a prescribed operation while consuming the consumable in the second state; and a billing control process to perform a billing-related process after the first remaining life decreases to a predetermined quantity through execution of the consumption process but does not perform the billing-related process until the first remaining life decreases to the predetermined quantity.



[[Category:G07F17/26]]
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