Patents by Inventor Shigetoshi Hatanaka

Shigetoshi Hatanaka 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).

  • Consumable supply management system, consumable supply management method, and consumable supply management program
    Patent number: 8438082
    Abstract: A consumable supply management system, connected to an image forming apparatus storing an apparatus identification data and using a consumable supply, includes a system controller and a management information storage. The management information storage stores management information including the apparatus identification data and a delivery-completed flag. The system controller includes a remaining amount information recording unit, a search unit, a delivery instruction unit, and an information clearing unit. The remaining amount information recording unit stores the management information to the management information storage when notification of remaining amount of the consumable supply is received. The search unit searches management information. The delivery instruction unit determines to deliver or suspend a delivery of a spare consumable supply in view of information clearing status of the management information and status of the delivery-completed flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaichi Sawada, Shigetoshi Hatanaka
  • CONSUMABLE SUPPLY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONSUMABLE SUPPLY MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND CONSUMABLE SUPPLY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
    Publication number: 20100049636
    Abstract: A consumable supply management system, connected to an image forming apparatus storing an apparatus identification data and using a consumable supply, includes a system controller and a management information storage. The management information storage stores management information including the apparatus identification data and a delivery-completed flag. The system controller includes a remaining amount information recording unit, a search unit, a delivery instruction unit, and an information clearing unit. The remaining amount information recording unit stores the management information to the management information storage when notification of remaining amount of the consumable supply is received. The search unit searches management information. The delivery instruction unit determines to deliver or suspend a delivery of a spare consumable supply in view of information clearing status of the management information and status of the delivery-completed flag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Masaichi Sawada, Shigetoshi Hatanaka