Imaging apparatus and method for facilitating printing
View Patent ↗A method for facilitating printing includes the steps of providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance; receiving back from the consumer the first printer after a substantial portion of the imaging substance has been used; and exchanging the first printer with an exchange printer.
1. A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
providing in said first printer a secured compartment containing said reservoir to restrict access to said reservoir;
configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used; and
exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer.
2. A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
providing in said first printer a secured compartment containing a printing mechanism and said reservoir, said secured compartment restricting access to said printing mechanism and said reservoir;
configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used; and
exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of communicating print data to said printing mechanism in said secured compartment.
4. A method for facilitating printing, comprising the steps of:
providing to a consumer a first printer containing a fixed amount of imaging substance, wherein said imaging substance is contained in a reservoir;
configuring said first printer to restrict access to said reservoir to authorized personnel;
receiving back from said consumer said first printer after a substantial portion of said imaging substance has been used; and
exchanging said first printer with an exchange printer,
wherein said first printer is an ink jet printer including a printing mechanism, said method further comprising the step of configuring said ink jet printer to restrict access to said printing mechanism and said reservoir.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of communicating print data to said printing mechanism in a secured compartment containing said printing mechanism and said reservoir.
6. A method for facilitating imaging, comprising the steps of:
providing to a consumer a first recyclable imaging apparatus having a secured compartment containing a reservoir containing an initial amount of imaging substance, said secured compartment restricting access to said reservoir, said initial amount of imaging substance including a licensed amount of imaging substance and a surplus amount of imaging substance; and
receiving from said consumer a request for license renewal, wherein upon a grant of said request for license renewal said surplus amount of imaging substance is available for use in said first recyclable imaging apparatus.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:
receiving from said consumer said first recyclable imaging apparatus after a substantial portion of said surplus amount of imaging substance has been used; and
exchanging said first recyclable imaging apparatus with a second recyclable imaging apparatus.