Method and system for monitoring a stock of consumable material

(19)

(11)

EP 1 918 786 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	02.09.2009 Bulletin 2009/36

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	07.05.2008 Bulletin 2008/19

(21)	Application number: 07119039.1

(22)	Date of filing: 23.10.2007

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

G03G 15/00^(2006.01)

G03G 21/02^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR MK RS

(30)

Priority:

03.11.2006 EP 06123438

(71)	Applicant: Océ-Technologies B.V.
	5914 CC Venlo (NL)

(72)	Inventors:
	Mullender, Matthijs F. 5912 SC, Venlo (NL) Meijer, Joost 5921 HC, Venlo (NL)

(74)	Representative: van Meeteren, Arend Anthonie
	Océ-Technologies B.V. Corporate Patents Postbus 101 5900 MA Venlo 5900 MA Venlo (NL)

(54)	Method and system for monitoring a stock of consumable material

(57) The invention relates to a method for monitoring a stock of consumable material in a system comprising an image forming apparatus having means for identifying a consumable material item inserted therein, a stock monitoring module, means for deriving usage data relating to consumable material in the stock and memory means. The method comprises the steps of identifying a consumable material item inserted in the image forming apparatus, sending the identity of said item to the stock monitoring module, creating a distinct entry for said item in the memory means upon reception for the first time by the stock monitoring module of the identity of said item and deriving usage data relating to said item. The invention further relates to a system for monitoring a stock of consumable material.

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