Patents by Inventor Kuniharu Namba

Kuniharu Namba has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for serial communications between a host apparatus and optional equipment having unique identification values
    Patent number: 6823400
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing serial communication between a host apparatus and a plurality of peripheral devices, such as an optional sheet bank, using an I2C bus. The host apparatus includes a processor connected to the I2C bus. A respective logic circuit is provided in each of the plurality of peripheral devices. The logic circuits are configured to be serially-connectable and communicable with the host apparatus through the I2C bus and to output a unique logic value based on a number of the peripheral devices serially connected to the host apparatus. Further, the host apparatus assigns an identification to each of the plurality of peripheral devices using the unique logic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Namba
  • Method and apparatus for effectively performing serial communications between a host apparatus and option equipment
    Publication number: 20010029554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing serial communication between a host apparatus and a plurality of peripheral devices, such as an optional sheet bank, using an I2C bus. The host apparatus includes a processor connected to the I2C bus. A respective logic circuit is provided in each of the plurality of peripheral devices. The logic circuits are configured to be serially-connectable and communicable with the host apparatus through the I2C bus and to output a unique logic value based on a number of the peripheral devices serially connected to the host apparatus. Further, the host apparatus assigns an identification to each of the plurality of peripheral devices using the unique logic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Namba