Remote control system, method and storage medium for image forming apparatus

• US 20020026541A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Takahashi, Shuichi, Suzuki, Koubun
• Application Number:
  US09/941,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20020026541A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00113 Plurality of apparatus configured in groups each with its own host
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561

Abstract

A center system included in a remote control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of apparatuses including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by way of a telecommunication network interconnected to the apparatuses. On receiving the information concerning pre-maintenance from any one of the apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus, copying machine and others, which are divided into a predetermined number of groups, the center system instructs to collect the information related to the pre-maintenance from all of the plurality of apparatuses included in the same groups. Alternatively, the center system may also instruct to accumulate the received information into a temporal reception data base, and to retrieve the information related to that received from all other apparatuses in the same groups from the temporal reception data base.

Claims

1. A remote control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a central control system comprising at least a computer unit configured to receive information from said plurality of apparatuses and remotely control said plurality of apparatuses based on said information; and

an information collection unit configured to collect, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled.

2. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an information processing unit configured to process said information which is acquired from said plurality of apparatuses and is collected by said information collection unit; and

an information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit;

3. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an information setting unit configured to set in advance said information, for which said collection process by said information collection unit is allowed.

4. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said information collected, from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by said information collection unit is related to pre-maintenance.

5. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein said information collected, from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by said information collection unit is related to expendable supplies and material.

6. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a group setting unit configured to set a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

7. The remote control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an information alteration and addition unit configured to perform alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing unit.

8. The remote control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an information destination setting unit configured to set a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission unit.

9. The remote control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an information outputting unit configured to output said information processed by said information processing unit through at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet, or audible voice.

10. The remote control system according to claim 2, further comprising:

an information transmitting unit configured to transmit said information processed by said information processing unit, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

11. A remote control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a central control system comprising at least a computer unit configured to receive information from said plurality of apparatuses and remotely control said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

information accumulation unit configured to accumulate information, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled; and

information retrieval unit configured to retrieve, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

12. The remote control system according to claim 11, further comprising:

information processing unit configured to process said information which is acquired from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by said information retrieval unit; and

information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit.

13. The remote control system according to claim 11, further comprising:

information setting unit configured to set in advance said information, for which said retrieval process by said information retrieval unit is allowed.

14. The remote control system according to claim 11, wherein said information which is acquired from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by said information retrieval unit is related to pre-maintenance.

15. The remote control system according to claim 11, wherein said information accumulated, from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by said information accumulation unit is related to expendable supplies and material.

16. The remote control system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a group setting unit configured to set a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

17. The remote control system according to claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of communication adapters connected to said plurality of image forming apparatuses for communicating with said central control system,

wherein said group setting unit divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to said communication adapters.

18. The remote control system according to claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of communication adapters connected to said plurality of image forming apparatuses for communicating with said central control system,

wherein said group setting unit divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to a predetermined number of said respective communication adapters.

19. The remote control system according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of image forming apparatuses are interconnected by way of communication networks incorporating a network control unit, and

wherein said group setting unit divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to an IP address in said network system.

20. The remote control system according to claim 16,

wherein said plurality of image forming apparatuses are interconnected by way of communication networks incorporating a network control unit, and

wherein said group setting unit divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to a predetermined number of IP addresses in said network system.

21. The remote control system according to claim 12, further comprising:

information alteration and addition unit configured to perform alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing unit.

22. The remote control system according to claim 12, further comprising:

information destination unit configured to set a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission unit.

23. The remote control system according to claim 12, further comprising:

information outputting unit configured to output said information processed by said information processing unit through at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet or audible voice.

24. The remote control system according to claim 12, further comprising:

information transmitting unit configured to transmit said information processed by said information processing unit, in case where a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

providing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

28. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet or audible voice.

29. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

25. A remote control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a central control system comprising at least a computer unit configured to receive information from said plurality of apparatuses and for remotely controlling said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

an information collection unit configured to collect, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other then the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

a first information processing unit configured to process said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

a first information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit;

an information accumulation unit configured to accumulate information, in case when said information is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

an information retrieval unit configured to retrieve, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

a second information processing unit configured to process said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses and retrieved by said information retrieval unit;

a second information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to the terminal units so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit; and

an information decision unit configured to determine whether or not an execution command is send to any one of processing steps, said information collection unit, said first information processing unit, said first information transmission unit, said information retrieval unit, said second information processing unit, and said second information transmission unit.

26. A method for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising the step of:

receiving information relayed to a central control system from said plurality of apparatuses;

controlling remotely said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

collecting information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

processing received and collected information by information processing means;

transmissively connecting to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses; and

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means.

30. A method for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

receiving information relayed to a central control system from said plurality of apparatuses; and

controlling remotely said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

accumulating information in a memory unit, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

retrieving related information from said memory unit, based on said information presently received, from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted;

processing received and retrieved information;

transmissively connecting to the terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses; and

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet or audible voice.

33. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

35. The central control system according to claim 34, further comprising:

an information processing unit configured to process said information which is acquired from said plurality of apparatuses and is collected by said information collection unit; and

an information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit;

36. The central control system according to claim 34, further comprising:

an information setting unit configured to set in advance said information, for which said collection process by said information collection unit is allowed.

37. The central control system according to claim 34, further comprising:

a group setting unit configured to set a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

38. The central control system according to claim 35, further comprising:

an information alteration and addition unit configured to perform alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing unit.

39. The central control system according to claim 35, further comprising:

an information destination setting unit configured to set a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission unit.

40. The central control system according to claim 35, further comprising:

an information outputting unit configured to output said information processed by said information processing unit through at least one of, image formation on a display device, recording data on a paper sheet or audible voice.

41. The central control system according to claim 35, further comprising:

an information transmitting unit configured to transmit said information processed by said information processing unit, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

42. The central control system according to claim 35, further comprising:

an information outputting unit configured to output said information processed by said information processing unit through at least one of, image formation on a display device, recording data on a paper sheet or audible voice.

34. A central control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control system being included in a remote control system, comprising:

an information collection unit configured to collect, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled.

43. A central control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central system being included in a remote control system, comprising:

an information accumulation unit configured to accumulate information, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled; and

an information retrieval unit configured to retrieve, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

44. The central control system according to claim 43, further comprising:

an information processing unit configured to process said information which is acquired from said plurality of apparatuses and is retrieved by said information retrieval unit; and

an information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing unit;

45. The central control system according to claim 43, further comprising:

an information setting unit configured to set in advance said information, for which said retrieval process by said information retrieval unit is allowed.

46. The central control system according to claim 43, further comprising:

a group setting unit configured to set a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

47. The central control system according to claim 44, further comprising:

an information alteration and addition unit configured to perform alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing unit.

48. The central control system according to claim 44, further comprising:

an information destination setting unit configured to set a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission unit.

49. The central control system according to claim 44, further comprising:

an information transmitting unit configured to transmit said information processed by said information processing unit, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

50. A central control system configured to control a plurality of apparatuses divided in a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control system being included in a remote control system, comprising:

an information collection unit configured to collect, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

a first information processing unit configured to process said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

a first information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmit said information processed by said information processing unit;

an information accumulation unit configured to accumulate information, in case when said information is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

an information retrieval unit configured to retrieve, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

a second information processing unit configured to process said information from any one of said plurality of apparatuses and retrieved by said information retrieval unit;

a second information transmission unit configured to transmissively connect to the terminal units so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmit said information processed by said information processing unit; and

a decision unit configured to determine whether or not an execution command is sent to any one of said information collection means, said first information processing means, said first information transmission means, said information retrieval means, said second information processing means, and said second information transmission means.

51. A computer accessible recording medium, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a central control system included in a remote control system to perform a method step for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided in a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control system being included in a remote control system, said step comprising:

collecting by an information collection unit said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material by information collection means from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

52. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 51, further comprising the steps of:

processing by information processing means said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being collected by said information collection means;

transmissively connecting to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, by an information transmission means; and

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means.

53. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 51, further comprising the step of:

setting in advance said information, for which said collection process by said information collection means is allowed.

54. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 51, further comprising the step of:

setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups

59. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 52, further comprising the step of:

performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

60. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 52, further comprising the step of:

setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

61. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 52, further comprising the step of:

outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet or audible voice.

62. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 52, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

55. A computer accessible recording medium, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a central control system included in a remote control system to perform method steps for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided in a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control system being included in a remote control system, said steps comprising:

accumulating said information, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled; and

retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

56. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

processing by information processing means said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by information retrieval means;

transmissively connecting to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, by information transmission means; and

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means.

57. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 55, further comprising the step of:

setting in advance said information, for which said retrieval process by said information retrieval means is allowed.

58. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 55, further comprising the step of:

setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

63. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 56, further comprising the step of:

performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

64. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 56, further comprising the step of:

setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

65. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 56, further comprising the step of:

outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, recording data on a paper sheet, or audible voice.

66. The computer accessible recording medium according to claim 56, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

69. The remote control means according to claim 68, further comprising:

information processing means for processing said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being collected by said information collection means; and

information transmission means for transmissively connecting to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means;

70. The remote control means according to claim 68, further comprising:

means for setting in advance said information, for which said collection process by said information collection means is allowed.

71. The remote control means according to claim 68, wherein said information collected, from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by said information collection means is related to pre-maintenance.

72. The remote control means according to claim 68, wherein said information collected, from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by said information collection means is related to expendable supplies and material.

73. The remote control means according to claim 68, further comprising:

group setting means for setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

74. The remote control means according to claim 69, further comprising:

means for performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

75. The remote control means according to claim 69, further comprising:

means for setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

76. The remote control means according to claim 69, further comprising:

means for outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet, or audible voice.

77. The remote control means according to claim 69, further comprising:

means for transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

79. The remote control means according to claim 78, further comprising:

information processing means for processing said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by said information retrieval means; and

information transmission means for transmissively connect to terminal means provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means.

80. The remote control means according to claim 78, further comprising:

means for setting in advance said information, for which said retrieval process by said information retrieval means is allowed.

81. The remote control means according to claim 78, wherein said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by said information retrieval means is related to pre-maintenance.

82. The remote control means according to claim 78, wherein said information acquired from all of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled by said information accumulation means is related to expendable supplies and material.

83. The remote control means according to claim 78, further comprising:

group setting means for setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

84. The remote control means according to claim 83, further comprising:

a plurality of communication adapters means connected to said plurality of image forming apparatuses for communicating with said central control means,

wherein said group setting means divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to said communication adapters means.

85. The remote control means according to claim 83, further comprising:

a plurality of communication adapters means connected to said plurality of image forming apparatuses for communicating with said central control means,

wherein said group setting means divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to a predetermined number of said respective communication adapters means.

86. The remote control means according to claim 83, wherein said plurality of image forming apparatuses are interconnected by way of communication network means incorporating network control means, and

wherein said group setting means divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to an IP address in said communication network means.

87. The remote control means according to claim 83,

wherein said plurality of image forming apparatuses are interconnected by way of communication network means incorporating network control means, and

wherein said group setting means divides said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a number of groups each assigned to a predetermined number of IP addresses in said communication network means.

88. The remote control means according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

89. The remote control means according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

90. The remote control means according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, data recording on a paper sheet or audible voice.

91. The remote control means according to claim 79, further comprising:

means for transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case where a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal units.

67. A computer accessible recording medium, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a central control system included in a remote control system to perform method steps for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control system from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control system being included in a remote control system, said steps comprising:

collecting, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, by information collecting means;

processing said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses by first information processing means;

transmissively connecting to respective terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said first information processing means;

accumulating information, in the case where said information is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled, said information being transmitted by first information transmitting means;

retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses, said information being retrieved by information retrieving means;

processing said information by second information processing means, said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses and retrieved by said information retrieval means;

transmissively connecting to terminal units provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses, and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said second information transmission means; and

determining whether any one said information collection means, said first information processing means, said first information transmission means, said information retrieval means, said second information processing means, and said second information transmission means, is allowed.

68. A remote control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

central control means comprising at least computer means for receiving information from said plurality of apparatuses and for remotely controlling said plurality of apparatuses based on said information; and

information collection means for collecting, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control system from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled.

78. A remote control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

central control means comprising at least computer means for receiving information from said plurality of apparatuses and for remotely controlling said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

information accumulation means for accumulating information, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled; and

information retrieval means for retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

92. A remote control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, comprising:

central control means comprising at least computer means for receiving information from said plurality of apparatuses and for remotely controlling said plurality of apparatuses based on said information;

information collection means for collecting, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

first information processing means for processing said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

first information transmission means for transmissively connecting to terminal means provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means;

information accumulation means for accumulating information, in case when said information is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

information retrieval means for retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

second information processing means for processing said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses and retrieved by said information retrieval means;

second information transmission means for transmissively connecting to the terminal means so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means; and

means for determining whether or not an execution command is sent to any one of processing steps, said information collection means, said first information processing means, said first information transmission means, said information retrieval means, said second information processing means, and said second information transmission means.

93. A central control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control means from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control means being included in remote control means, comprising:

information collection means for collecting, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled.

94. The central control means according to claim 93, further comprising:

information processing means for processing said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being collected by said information collection means;

information transmission means for transmissively connecting to terminal means provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means;

95. The central control means according to claim 93, further comprising:

means for setting in advance said information, for which said collection process by said information collection means is allowed.

96. The central control means according to claim 93, further comprising:

group setting means for setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

97. The central control means according to claim 94, further comprising:

means for performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

98. The central control means according to claim 94, further comprising:

means for setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

99. The central control means according to claim 94, further comprising:

means for outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, recording data on a paper sheet or audible voice.

100. The central control means according to claim 94, further comprising:

means for transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal means.

101. The central control means according to claim 94, further comprising:

means for outputting said information processed by said information processing means through the means of at least one of, image formation on a display device, recording data on a paper sheet or audible voice.

102. A central control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided into a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control means from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control means being included in remote control means, comprising:

information accumulation means for accumulating information, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled; and

information retrieval means for retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

103. The central control means according to claim 102, further comprising:

information processing means for processing said information which is acquired by any means of being received from said plurality of apparatuses and being retrieved by said information retrieval means; and

information transmission means for transmissively connecting to terminal means provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmitting said information processed by said information processing means;

104. The central control means according to claim 102, further comprising:

means for setting in advance said information, for which said retrieval process by said information retrieval means is allowed.

105. The central control means according to claim 102, further comprising:

group setting means for setting a group in advance by dividing said plurality of image forming apparatuses into a predetermined number of groups.

106. The central control means according to claim 103, further comprising:

means for performing alteration and addition onto said information processed by said information processing means.

107. The central control means according to claim 103, further comprising:

means for setting a destination of information transmission performed by said information transmission means.

108. The central control means according to claim 103, further comprising:

means for transmitting said information processed by said information processing means, in case when a request for acquiring said processed information is received from any one of the terminal means.

109. A central control means for controlling a plurality of apparatuses divided in a predetermined number of groups, including at least an image forming apparatus, based on information received by said central control means from said plurality of apparatuses, said central control means being included in remote control means, comprising:

information collection means for collecting, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information related to pre-maintenance and to expendable supplies and material is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

first information processing means for processing said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

first information transmission means for transmissively connecting to terminal means provided by a plurality of service centers so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmit said information processed by said information processing means;

information accumulation means for accumulating information, in case when said information is received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses to be remotely controlled;

information retrieval means for retrieving, based on said information presently received, related information from all of said plurality of apparatuses included in all the groups other than the one from which said information is originally transmitted, in case when said information is received by said central control means from any one of said plurality of apparatuses;

second information processing means for processing said information received from any one of said plurality of apparatuses and retrieved by said information retrieval means;

second information transmission means for transmissively connecting to the terminal means so as to control said plurality of image forming apparatuses and subsequently transmit said information processed by said information processing means; and

means for determining whether or not an execution command is sent to any one of processing steps, said information collection means, said first information processing means, said first information transmission means, said information retrieval means, said second information processing means, and said second information transmission means.