Method and system of remote diagnostic, control and information collection using a dynamic linked library of multiple formats and multiple protocols with restriction on protocol

• US 20060031538A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Fong, Tetsuro Motoyama
• Original Assignee: Avery Fong, Tetsuro Motoyama
• Inventors: Motoyama, Tetsuro, Fong, Avery
• Granted Patent: US 8,204,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/022 Multivendor or multi-standard integration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0226 Mapping or translating multiple network management protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for (1) collecting information from a remote application unit and/or (2) diagnosing or controlling the remote application unit. By utilizing a shareable computer code device (e.g., a dynamic linked library), a new application can utilize tested, proven code without having to reproduce existing functionality. Moreover, by supporting multiple data formats and/or multiple communication protocols, a computer code device increases the likelihood that a supported format and/or protocol will be either receivable or understandable by a receiver.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A computer-implemented method of reporting event data of an apparatus to a remote computer, comprising:

obtaining the event data of the apparatus by monitoring events associated with the apparatus, the monitoring occurring independently of communications from the remote computer;

generating a message that includes the obtained event data of the apparatus, wherein the generating step is performed periodically or in response to predetermined events; and

sending the message to the remote computer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined events include at least one of passage of a predetermined time interval and occurrence of a predetermined number of events associated with the apparatus.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the obtaining step comprises receiving the event data from the apparatus.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the message comprises an electronic mail message.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the sending step comprises:

transmitting the electronic mail message using an Internet email protocol.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

selecting at least one of a format and a communication protocol for sending the message.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the generating step comprises:

generating the message including a unique identifier that corresponds to the apparatus.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is one of an image handling device and a household appliance.

27. A system for reporting event data of an apparatus to a remote computer, comprising:

means for obtaining the event data of the apparatus by monitoring events associated with the apparatus, the monitoring occurring independently of communications from the remote computer;

means for generating a message that includes the obtained event data of the apparatus, wherein the means for generating generates the message periodically or in response to predetermined events; and

means for sending the message to the remote computer.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for generating generates the message in response to the predetermined events, which include at least one of passage of a predetermined time interval and occurrence of a predetermined number of events associated with the apparatus.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for obtaining comprises means for receiving the event data from the apparatus.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for generating the message includes means for generating an electronic mail message.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the means for sending comprises:

means for transmitting the electronic mail message using an Internet email protocol.

32. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for selecting at least one of a format and a communication protocol for sending the message.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for generating comprises:

means for generating the message including a unique identifier that corresponds to the apparatus.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for obtaining the event data includes means for obtaining the event data of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is one of an image handling device and a household appliance.

42. The computer program product of claim 33, wherein the apparatus is one of an image handling device and a household appliance.

35. A computer program product having a computer readable medium for reporting event data of an apparatus to a remote computer, comprising:

instructions for obtaining the event data of the apparatus by monitoring events associated with the apparatus, the monitoring occurring independently of communications from the remote computer;

instructions for generating a message that includes the obtained event data of the apparatus, wherein the instructions for generating generate the message periodically or in response to predetermined events; and

instructions for sending the message to the remote computer.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the predetermined events include at least one of passage of a predetermined time interval and occurrence of a predetermined number of events associated with the apparatus.

37. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the instructions for obtaining comprise instructions for receiving the event data from the apparatus.

38. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the message comprises an electronic mail message.

39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the instructions for sending comprise:

instructions for transmitting the electronic mail message using an Internet email protocol.

40. The computer program product of claim 35, further comprising:

instructions for selecting at least one of a format and a communication protocol for sending the message.

41. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the instructions for generating comprise:

instructions for generating the message including a unique identifier that corresponds to the apparatus.