18475477. CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS simplified abstract (BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA)
Contents
- 1 CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Unanswered Questions
- 1.11 Original Abstract Submitted
CONSUMABLE CONSUMING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMING BILLING CONTROL PROCESS
Organization Name
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Inventor(s)
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.
