Determining when a printer consumable needs to be re-filled involves printer responding to query from external device by sending response indicating whether consumable should be re-filled

摘要

The method involves the printer (104) responding to a query from an externally connected device (102) by sending a response to the device indicating whether the consumable (112) should be re-filled. If a first message is received via a network indicating that a document has been printed the query is sent to the printer. The consumable can be a toner cartridge. Independent claims are also included for the following: a computer for monitoring a printer and a program storage medium.