Method and system for providing technical support relating to an imaging cartridge

1. A method for providing technical support to a customer relating to an imaging cartridge used in an imaging apparatus, comprising:

turning on said imaging apparatus;

receiving by a technical support center a request from said customer for assistance relating to said imaging cartridge;

executing diagnostic software associated with a type of said imaging apparatus based on said request to generate a diagnostic code pertaining to said imaging cartridge;

receiving said diagnostic code from said customer;

performing an analysis of said diagnostic code; and

determining an action to be taken based on said analysis of said diagnostic code.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said executing said diagnostic software is initiated by said customer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said executing said diagnostic software is initiated by said customer in response to a solicitation received from a technical support center.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said diagnostic software resides in one of a memory of said imaging apparatus and an imaging driver associated with said imaging apparatus.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said diagnostic software is accessed via a web page associated with said imaging apparatus.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said request from said customer is based on a perceived failure of said imaging cartridge by said customer.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining said action includes determining whether to replace said imaging cartridge.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said action is based on a warranty period.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said action includes providing an economic incentive to said customer to replace said imaging cartridge based on a rate of usage of said imaging cartridge.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said diagnostic code is based on diagnostics data stored in a memory associated with said imaging cartridge.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said diagnostics data includes a serial number of said imaging cartridge, and wherein said action is based on a manufacturing lot of said imaging cartridge.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said diagnostics data includes at least one of a time since said imaging cartridge was installed in any imaging apparatus, a colorant consumption value, a colorant decay characteristic of said imaging cartridge, a cartridge kind identifier, and a cartridge use identifier.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said analysis is performed by technical support software operated by a technical support center.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining whether said imaging cartridge is an invalid type of imaging cartridge for said imaging apparatus.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining whether said imaging cartridge was installed in a wrong position in said imaging apparatus.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining whether a colorant reservoir of said imaging cartridge is empty.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining whether a colorant is no longer usable.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining whether said imaging cartridge is under a warranty.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining if a colorant dispersal unit is not functioning properly.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein said analysis includes determining a usage rate of said imaging cartridge.