US 11,816,366 B2
Method for specifying image forming apparatus in which newly shipped cartridge is to be mounted
Takashi Suzuki, Nagoya (JP)
Assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed by BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Nagoya (JP)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/532,623.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-197570 (JP), filed on Nov. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0171577 A1, Jun. 2, 2022
Int. Cl. G06F 3/12 (2006.01); G06Q 10/083 (2023.01)
CPC G06F 3/1203 (2013.01) [G06F 3/1225 (2013.01); G06F 3/1231 (2013.01); G06F 3/1285 (2013.01); G06F 3/1293 (2013.01); G06Q 10/083 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for specifying a specified image forming apparatus in which a newly shipped cartridge is to be mounted from a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the plurality of image forming apparatuses being enrolled in a service agreement, the method comprising:
determining, by using a first information processing device, whether a cartridge mounted in the specified image forming apparatus needs replacing, the cartridge being capable of being used in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
attaching a label to the newly shipped cartridge capable of being used in each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses or to a packing box packing the newly shipped cartridge, the label indicating specific information for the specified image forming apparatus that is associated with identification information of the specified image forming apparatus in which the determining determines that the cartridge needs replacing, the specific information for the specified image forming apparatus being retrieved from a database in which identification information identifying the each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is associated with specific information for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the specific information for the each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses including location information specifying a location of the each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses from among a plurality of locations of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the specific information for the specified image forming apparatus including location information specifying a location of the specified image forming apparatus;
in a case where a new image forming apparatus is enrolled in the service agreement, determining, by the first information processing device, whether the specific information set for the new image forming apparatus matches the specific information specifying another image forming apparatus registered in the database, the another image forming apparatus being different from the new image forming apparatus; and
in a case where the specific information for the new image forming apparatus does not match the specific information for the another image forming apparatus registered in the database, recording, in the database, the specific information for the new image forming apparatus in association with the identification information which identifies the new image forming apparatus from the plurality of image forming apparatuses.