Method and system for diagnosis and control of machines using connection and connectionless modes of communication

• US 20050256953A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tetsuro Motoyama
• Original Assignee: Tetsuro Motoyama
• Inventors: Motoyama, Tetsuro
• Granted Patent: US 7,120,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5079 for maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/065 related to network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/029 Firewall traversal, e.g. tunnelling or, creating pinholes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00007 : relating to particular apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00029 : Diagnosis, i.e. identifying a problem by comparison with a normal state
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 : remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 : Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 : with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 : with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33323 : transmission mode only, e.g. speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/44 : Secrecy systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 : Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 : Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33342 : of transmission mode

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring, controlling and diagnosing operation of a machine such as a business office machine including a facsimile machine, a copier, and a printer. When the speed of communication between the remote device and machine is not urgent, a connectionless mode of communication may be used. The form of connectionless communication is an electronic mail message transmitted over the Internet. However, when a condition needs urgent action, a direct connection is used for communication such as communication via a telephone or ISDN line. The information obtained from the machine is stored in one or more data bases within a company and information of the machine is shared between a service department, engineering and design department, manufacturing department, and marketing department. As communication over the Internet via electronic mail is not secure, the connectionless-mode messages transmitted using Internet electronic mail are encrypted.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring an office machine communicatively coupled to a network, comprising:

transmitting status information of the office machine over the Internet;

receiving the status information at a monitoring device, wherein the status information passes through a firewall associated with the monitoring device prior to being received by the monitoring device; and

storing the status information in a database associated with the monitoring device, wherein the status information is stored in association with an identifier that uniquely identifies the office machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the office machine is a printer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the office machine is a digital copier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the office machine is a facsimile machine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting status information of the office machine as an electronic mail message over the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a serial number of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing model information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing attachment information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a collection date in association with the status information, wherein the collection date indicates a date that the status information was received at the monitoring device.

10. A system for monitoring an office machine communicatively coupled to a network, comprising:

means for transmitting status information of the office machine over the Internet;

means for receiving the status information at a monitoring device, wherein the status information passes through a firewall associated with the monitoring device prior to being received by the monitoring device; and

means for storing the status information in a database associated with the monitoring device, wherein the status information is stored in association with an identifier that uniquely identifies the office machine.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the office machine is a printer.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the office machine is a digital copier.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the office machine is a facsimile machine.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for transmitting comprises:

means for transmitting status information of the office machine as an electronic mail message over the Internet.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for storing a serial number of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for storing model information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for storing attachment information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for storing a collection date in association with the status information, wherein the collection date indicates a date that the status information was received at the monitoring device.

19. A computer program product having a computer usable medium for monitoring an office machine communicatively coupled to a network, comprising:

instructions for transmitting status information of the office machine over the Internet;

instructions for receiving the status information at a monitoring device, wherein the status information passes through a firewall associated with the monitoring device prior to being received by the monitoring device; and

instructions for storing the status information in a database associated with the monitoring device, wherein the status information is stored in association with an identifier that uniquely identifies the office machine.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the office machine is a printer.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the office machine is a digital copier.

22. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the office machine is a facsimile machine.

23. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the instructions for transmitting comprise:

instructions for transmitting status information of the office machine as an electronic mail message over the Internet.

24. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising:

instructions for storing a serial number of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

25. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising:

instructions for storing model information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

26. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising:

instructions for storing attachment information of the office machine in the database in association with the status information.

27. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising:

instructions for storing a collection date in association with the status information, wherein the collection date indicates a date that the status information was received at the monitoring device.