Patent ID: 7010502
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A consumable item system, comprising: a consumable item apparatus configured to store a variety of consumable items for an image forming apparatus at the image forming apparatus; a consumable item supplying section configured to supply a variety of consumable items for the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus upon request, said consumable item supplying section being connected to the consumable item apparatus via a communication circuit; at least a first sensor configured to detect that a corresponding consumable item in the image forming apparatus needs replenishment; at least a second sensor configured to detect one of a type and a size of the corresponding consumable item needing replenishment in the image forming apparatus; a consumable item replenishment signal generating device configured to generate a signal indicating said first sensor has detected the corresponding consumable item needs replenishment; a detector configured to detect the signal generated by the generating device; a counter configured to count a duration of a time period that said detector detects said signal, said duration of the time period being adjustably set at the image forming apparatus by a user input; a consumable item order data transmitting device configured to transmit order data indicating a request for the corresponding consumable item that needs to be replenished to the consumable item supplying section via the communication circuit, when the signal is detected continuously by the detecting device for more than the duration of the time period set at the image forming apparatus by the user input; and a delivery data transmitting device included in the consumable item supplying section and configured to transmit delivery data of the corresponding consumable item from the consumable item supplying section to the image forming apparatus such that a delivery status of the corresponding consumable item to be replenished can be confirmed.