Abstract: An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.

Abstract: A method for determining admittance to a negotiation comprises the steps of: defining admittance criteria from a superset of parameters; at least one potential negotiation participant making an admittance request to an admittance controller, which admittance request includes a set of information relating to the superset of parameters and forming a subset thereof; and the admittance controller determining whether the admittance request satisfies the admittance criteria.