Remote maintenance and servicing of a network peripheral device over the world wide web

• US 20020165924A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kodimer, Marianne L., Danknick, Dan, Kim, Joohae, Mahajan, Rakesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,454,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/209
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0709 in a distributed system consisting of a plurality of standalone computer nodes, e.g. clusters, client-server systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0733 in a data processing system embedded in an image processing device, e.g. printer, facsimile, scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0253 using browsers or web-pages for accessing management information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A network peripheral device connected to a network via a router obtains remote servicing instructions over the network. Initially, a first packet sent from a remote service organization is received by a network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device. Next a second packet is sent automatically upon receipt of the first packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information. Thereafter, a third packet sent from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network is received by the network peripheral device, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function. Finally, the peripheral servicing function is executed by the network peripheral device automatically in response to the third packet.

Claims

1. A method for servicing a network peripheral device connected to a network via a router, the method comprising the steps of:

sending a first packet from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device;

receiving a second packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information; and

sending a third packet from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein when executed, the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of receiving a fourth packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and third packets includes a password to access the network peripheral device.

10. A method, usable by a network peripheral device connected to a network via a router, for obtaining remote servicing instructions, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first packet sent from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device;

sending, automatically upon receipt of the first packet, a second packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information;

receiving a third packet sent from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function; and

executing, automatically in response to the third packet, the peripheral servicing function.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of sending a fourth packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

17. A method according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

18. A method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of evaluating a password provided received from the remote service organization to determine whether to grant access to the network peripheral device.

20. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

21. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 20, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

22. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein when executed, the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

23. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 22, further comprising a second receiving step to receive a fourth packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

24. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

25. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

26. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

27. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said first and third packets includes a password to access the network peripheral device.

29. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

30. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 29, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

31. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

32. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 31, further comprising a second sending step to send a fourth packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

33. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

34. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

35. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

36. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 28, further comprising an evaluating step to evaluate a password received from the remote service organization to determine whether to grant access to the network peripheral device.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

40. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein when executed, the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the processor executes process stops stored in the memory to receive a fourth packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

42. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

43. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

44. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

45. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein at least one of said first and third packets includes a password to access the network peripheral device.

47. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the network peripheral device comprises a copier.

48. A network peripheral device according to claim 47, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises wire cleaning.

49. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the peripheral servicing function produces peripheral servicing function data.

50. A network peripheral device according to claim 49, wherein the processor executes process steps stored in the memory to send a fourth packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the fourth packet corresponding to the peripheral servicing function data.

51. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the second packet includes an HTML file.

52. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the peripheral servicing function data includes information concerning an operational problem of the network peripheral device.

53. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the peripheral servicing function comprises a diagnostic function.

54. A network peripheral device according to claim 46, wherein the processor evaluates a password received from the remote service organization to determine whether to grant access to the network peripheral device.

19. Computer-executable process steps stored in a computer-readable medium, the process steps to service a network peripheral device connected to a network via a router, the process steps comprising:

a first sending step to send a first packet from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device;

a receiving step to receive a second packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information; and

a second sending step to send a third packet from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function.

28. Computer-executable process steps stored in a computer-readable medium, the process steps for use by a network peripheral device connected to a network via a router to obtain remote servicing instructions, the computer-executable process steps comprising:

a first receiving step to receive a first packet sent from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device;

a first sending step to send, automatically upon receipt of the first packet, a second packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information;

a second receiving step to receive a third packet sent from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function; and

an executing step to execute, automatically in response to the third packet, the peripheral servicing function.

37. An apparatus for servicing a network peripheral device connected to a network via a router, the apparatus comprising:

a memory which stores data packets received from, and to be sent to, the network, and process steps for execution by a processor;

a network interface which interfaces to the network, over which data packets are transmitted to, and received from, the network; and

a processor which executes the process steps stored in the memory (1) to send a first packet from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device, (2) to receive a second packet sent from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information, and (3) to send a third packet from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function.

46. A network peripheral device connected to a network via a router, which obtains remote servicing instructions, the network peripheral comprising:

a memory which stores data packets received from, and to be sent to, the network, and process steps for execution by a processor;

a network interface which interfaces to the network, over which data packets are transmitted to, and received from, the network; and

a processor which executes the process steps stored in the memory (1) to receive a first packet sent from a remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device, (2) to send, automatically upon receipt of the first packet, a second packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information, (3) to receive a third packet sent from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function, and (4) to execute, automatically in response to the third packet, the peripheral servicing function.