| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for automatically ordering replacement of consumable components of a system. <P>SOLUTION: A parameter for a part of the system is monitored (304). The parameter is compared to one replacement criterion (306). When a comparison of the parameter to the replacement criterion indicates that a replacement part should be ordered, a user notification is automatically generated (308-NO and 310). A replacement part order is automatically communicated to a replacement part order center (320) in correspondence to a user input (314-YES) or an automatic system control (308-YES). The monitored parameter can be operating time, an output level, an input level, an operating temperature, a number of on-off cycles, an oxidation level, a corrosion level, a decomposition level, or a material elasticity level. The order can be transmitted to the replacement part order center through a computer network, a cable television network, a wireless link, or a dial-up telephone line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
