Patents by Inventor Minoru Aoshima

Minoru Aoshima 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).

  • Patent number: 8275852
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The documents manager can provide consulting advise to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Ricoh Americas Corporation, Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Shogo Hyakutake, Minoru Aoshima
  • Patent number: 8059291
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7877458
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Ricoh Company Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7860267
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The document manager can also manage, e.g. create, receive, transmit, store, merge, watermark information for documents managed by the document manager. The document manager can request that a document be merged with a corresponding watermark information so that the document be printed with an embedded watermark. Alternatively, the document manager can merge the watermark information with the document and can transmit the merged document data to a printing entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7809157
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPS) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents, and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality ASPs. The document manager can also manage, e.g. create, receive, transmit, store, merge, watermark information for documents managed by the document manager. The document manager can request that a document be merged with a corresponding watermark information so that the document be printed with an embedded watermark. Alternatively, the document manager can merge the watermark information with the document and can transmit the merged document data to a printing entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7752277
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima
  • Patent number: 7734715
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7720758
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing bills issued from applications service providers (ASPs). The method on which the system and computer readable medium are based includes receiving an ASP service request from a remote user, forwarding the ASP service request to an ASP, receiving a service bill from the ASP, and incorporating the service bill into a unified bill and issuing the unified bill to the remote user. Calculating the ASP fee may include determining a discount offered by the ASP. The discount offered by the ASP may be determined on a customer by customer basis or based on a volume usage of a document management system providing access to the ASP for a plurality of users. The accuracy of the service bill from the ASP may be verified, and a discrepancy between a calculated fee and the billing amount may be determined, and negotiations undertaken with the ASP to resolve the discrepancy. Whether the user pays the bill issued may also be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitada, Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa
  • Patent number: 7673016
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing applications service provider (ASP) transactions between an ASP and an ASP user. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes receiving an ASP transaction request from the user via a communications network such as the Internet, selecting an ASP for processing the transaction request, and transmitting instructions for performing the transaction request, via the communications network, to the selected ASP. The ASP transaction request may be received by receiving a user identifier from the user or by receiving a document consultation request from the user. Selecting an ASP may include selecting a special service ASP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitada, Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa
  • Publication number: 20080215690
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima
  • Patent number: 7401125
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The document manager can provide consulting advice to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignees: Ricoh Corporation, Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Shogo Hyakutake, Minoru Aoshima
  • Patent number: 7340504
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for storing document information in an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to a user terminal through a network, such as the Internet. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes inputting the document information into the user terminal, inputting a previously created e-mail address into the user terminal, the e-mail address being confirmed by the ASP and corresponding to a storage location in the ASP, and sending the document information to the e-mail address via the network. The document information may be input into the user terminal either manually or automatically and a storage folder may be created for storing documents to the ASP. Where the user terminal is an Internet fax machine, the Internet fax machine can be set up to automatically send all document information received by the Internet fax machine to the ASP for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20070240029
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing applications service provider (ASP) transactions between an ASP and an ASP user. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes receiving an ASP transaction request from the user via a communications network such as the Internet, selecting an ASP for processing the transaction request, and transmitting instructions for performing the transaction request, via the communications network, to the selected ASP. The ASP transaction request may be received by receiving a user identifier from the user or by receiving a document consultation request from the user. Selecting an ASP may include selecting a special service ASP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroshi KITADA, Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa
  • Patent number: 7246158
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing applications service provider (ASP) transactions between an ASP and an ASP user. The method on which the system and computer program product are based includes receiving an ASP transaction request from the user via a communications network such as the Internet, selecting an ASP for processing the transaction request, and transmitting instructions for performing the transaction request, via the communications network, to the selected ASP. The ASP transaction request may be received by receiving a user identifier from the user or by receiving a document consultation request from the user. Selecting an ASP may include selecting a special service ASP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Americas Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitada, Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa
  • Publication number: 20070150534
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Shogo HYAKUTAKE, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Publication number: 20070133051
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes an image forming apparatus configured to display interactive menus so as to allow an operator of the image forming apparatus to interact with a document manager. The display interactive menus are downloaded from the document manager to the image forming apparatus based on a request by the operator. The document manager is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on operator inputs. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data. The system can provide basic and/or customized interactive menus displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Shogo HYAKUTAKE, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Publication number: 20070136260
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The document manager can provide consulting advice to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Yuki UCHIDA, Shogo Hyakutake, Minoru Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20070094358
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPs) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality of ASPs. The documents manager can provide consulting advise to the user regarding document managing, and can manage the documents stored on a user storage device, for example by transferring these documents to a ASP storage device after storage time periods associated with the documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Shogo Hyakutake, Minoru Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20070030999
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing documents. The system includes a document manager that is configured to search for application services providers (ASPS) over a network and based on a user input. The document manager can search documents within the ASPs, retrieve documents and URLs, store documents, and data, format documents, generate and issue unified bills from a plurality of bills from a plurality ASPs. The document manager can also manage, e.g. create, receive, transmit, store, merge, watermark information for documents managed by the document manager. The document manager can request that a document be merged with a corresponding watermark information so that the document be printed with an embedded watermark. Alternatively, the document manager can merge the watermark information with the document and can transmit the merged document data to a printing entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa, Hiroshi Kitada
  • Patent number: 7149784
    Abstract: A system, computer program product, and method for managing ASP documents includes requesting a transfer of an ASP document at an ASP user device connected to a remote document manager and a remote ASP via a network such as the Internet, establishing a predetermined time for effecting a transfer of the ASP document, and transferring the ASP document at a predetermined time via the network. According to one embodiment of the first aspect, the step of requesting a transfer may include sending a deferred transfer request to the remote document manager via the network when the ASP user device logs on to the remote document manager. In this regard, the user requests a transfer by inputting a deferred transfer option from a menu received from the remote document manager via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitada, Shogo Hyakutake, Hiroaki Ishizuka, Minoru Aoshima, Akio Kizawa