The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 23, 2008
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2003
Christopher a Adkins, Lexington, KY (US);
Douglas L. Robertson, Lexington, KY (US);
David C. Stevenson, Lexington, KY (US);
Barry B. Stout, Lexington, KY (US);
Christopher A Adkins, Lexington, KY (US);
Douglas L. Robertson, Lexington, KY (US);
David C. Stevenson, Lexington, KY (US);
Barry B. Stout, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US);
Abstract
A method for providing a virtual replenishing of a supply item with an imaging substance includes the steps communicating to a database a first serial number associated with a first supply item; comparing the first serial number with a plurality of serial numbers stored in the database; receiving from the database one of a first data indicating non-correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers and a second data indicating correspondence between the first serial number with one of the plurality of serial numbers, wherein the second data includes a verification key; and if the verification key corresponds to the first key stored in the memory associated with the first supply item, then performing the step of allocating at least a portion of a surplus amount of the imaging substance contained in the first supply item for use.