Remote monitoring system

• US 6,108,492 A
• Filed: 02/14/1997
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toshiba America Information Systems Incorporated (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
• Inventors: Miyachi, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Au, Amelia
• Assistant Examiner(s): AHMED, SAMIR ANWAR
• Application Number:
  US08/800,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 395/183.22, 395/184.01, 395/828, 399/8, 399/9, 340/505, 340/506, 340/511, 340/518, 340/521, 340/825.06, 340/825.08, 340/870.11, 364/474.11, 364/474.16, 364/474.17, 364/474.21, 376/216, 376/259
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/121 Facilitating exception or error detection and recovery, e.g. fault, media or consumables depleted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• 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 1/00013 Reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00015 Reproducing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00042 Monitoring, i.e. observation H04N1/00029 - H04N1/00039 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0005 in service, i.e. during normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00079 remotely
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0009 Storage
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A multifunction peripheral periodically stores its status information and a Host periodically receives this status information and stores it in a database in the Host. A technician may select some or all of the information to be provided to the technician on the occurrence of a number of trigger conditions. The technician may set the trigger conditions from any of the reportable status conditions. The Host automatically will connect to a remote monitoring computer designated by the technician and provide the selected information. The Host can also save the selected information to a removable storage medium.

Claims

1. A data processing system for printing print jobs originating from workstations on a computer network and for copying copy jobs, the data processing system comprising:

(a) a multifunction peripheral for printing the print jobs and copying the copy jobs, the multifunction peripheral comprising a paper tray, a display, a user input device, a first processor, a first data storage device for multifunction peripheral program storage, a second rewritable data storage device for short term storage and a third non-volatile rewritable data storage device, a first communications interface and a first clock for generating a first clock signal to the first processor, wherein the multifunction peripheral programs include instructions for causing the first processor to;

(i) determine an operating condition of plural predetermined aspects of the multifunction peripheral,

(ii) derive status information regarding the operating condition of the multifunction peripheral,

(iii) update the third non-volatile rewritable data storage device with the status information,

(iv) read the status information from the third data storage device and transmit the status information via the first communications interface; and

(b) a Host local to the multifunction peripheral for sending print jobs to the multifunction peripheral for printing, the Host comprising a second processor, a fourth rewritable non-volatile data storage device for storing Host programs and data and a fifth rewritable memory for short term storage, a second communications interface coupled to the communications interface of the multifunction peripheral by a communications channel, a third communications interface for communicating with a remote monitoring computer and a second clock for generating a second clock signal to the second processor, wherein the Host programs include an operating system and instructions for causing the second processor through the operating system to;

(i) allow a remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to select plural status conditions of the multifunction peripheral for the Host to monitor,

(ii) allow the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to designate a notification method for the Host to notify the remote monitoring computer of the selected status conditions,

(iii) allow the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to define in the Host plural trigger conditions to trigger notification by the Host of the selected status conditions to the remote monitoring computer,

(iv) periodically generate a signal to the first processor via the second communications interface, the communications channel and the first communications interface to request that the first processor provide the multifunction peripheral status information stored in the third data storage device,

(v) refresh a status information database in the fourth rewritable non-volatile data storage device from the status information received from the third data storage device in the multifunction peripheral, and

(vi) analyze the status information database to detect if any of the selected trigger conditions have been met, and if so, then initiate a notification of the remote monitoring computer through the third communications interface in the manner designated by the remote technician for providing the status information regarding the status conditions the remote technician selected for monitoring.

2. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, the Host further comprising a removable storage device and a removable storage medium, and if the Host is unable to connect with the remote monitoring computer, then the Host stores the status information regarding the status conditions the technician selected for monitoring on the removable storage medium.

3. The data processing system as set forth in claim 2, the removable storage medium comprising a floppy disk and the removable storage device comprising a floppy drive.

4. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third data storage device comprises an NVRAM.

5. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first data storage device further includes programs for causing the first processor to monitor the user input device, and upon a predefined entry in the user input device, to display the selected status information on the display.

6. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second processor sends the status information to the remote monitoring computer in ASCII format.

7. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second processor sends the status information to the remote monitoring computer in a database format.

8. The data processing system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the Host transmits the entire status information database to the remote monitoring computer.

9. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the third communications interface comprises a modem.

10. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first communications interface and second communications interface comprise SCSI interfaces.

11. The data processing system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the database includes a history of multifunction peripheral events.

12. A method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral, the multifunction peripheral for printing print jobs and copying copy jobs, the multifunction peripheral comprising a paper tray, a display, a user input device, a first processor, a first data storage device for multifunction peripheral program storage, a second rewritable data storage device for short term storage and a third non-volatile rewritable data storage device, a first communications interface and a first clock for generating a first clock signal to the first processor, a Host local to the multifunction peripheral for sending print jobs to the multifunction peripheral for printing, the Host comprising a second processor, a fourth rewritable non-volatile data storage device for storing Host programs and data and a fifth rewritable memory for short term storage, a second communications interface coupled to the communications interface of the multifunction peripheral by a communications channel, a third communications interface for communicating with a remote monitoring computer and a second clock for generating a second clock signal to the second processor, the Host programs including an operating system, the method comprising:

(a) in the multifunction peripheral, performing the steps of;

(i) determining an operating condition of plural predetermined aspects of the multifunction peripheral,

(ii) deriving status information regarding the operating condition of the multifunction peripheral,

(iii) updating the third non-volatile rewritable data storage device with the status information, and

(iv) reading the status information from the third data storage device and transmit the status information via the first communications interface; and

(b) in the Host, performing the steps of;

(i) allowing a technician to remotely select plural status conditions of the multifunction peripheral to monitor,

(ii) allowing the technician to remotely designate a notification method for the remote monitoring computer,

(iii) allowing the technician to remotely select plural trigger conditions to trigger notification of the remote monitoring computer,

(iv) periodically generating a signal to the first processor via the second communications interface, the communications channel and the first communications interface to request that first processor provide the multifunction peripheral status information stored in the third data storage device,

(v) refreshing a status information database in the fourth rewritable non-volatile data storage device from the status information received from the third data storage device in the multifunction peripheral, and

(vi) analyzing the status information database to detect if any of the trigger conditions have been met, and if so, then initiating a notification of the remote monitoring computer through the third communications interface for providing the status information regarding the status conditions the technician selected for monitoring.

13. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 12, the Host further comprising a removable storage device and a removable storage medium, the method further comprising, if the Host is unable to connect with the remote monitoring computer, then the Host storing the status information regarding the status conditions the technician selected for monitoring on the removable storage medium.

14. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 13, the removable storage medium comprising a floppy disk and the removable storage device comprising a floppy drive.

15. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 12, the method further comprising, in the multifunction peripheral, monitoring the user input device, and upon a predefined entry in the user input device, displaying the selected status information from the Host on the display.

16. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 12, further comprising, in the Host, sending the status information to the remote monitoring computer in ASCII format.

17. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 12, further comprising, in the Host, sending the status information to the remote monitoring computer in a database format.

18. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 17, wherein the Host transmits the entire status information database to the remote monitoring computer.

19. The method of notifying a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 12, further comprising, in the Host, storing in the database a history of multifunction peripheral events.

20. A Host for use with a multifunction peripheral, wherein the Host is local to the multifunctional peripheral, the Host for sending print jobs to the multifunction peripheral for printing and providing status information from the multifunction peripheral to a remote monitoring computer, the Host comprising:

(a) a processor;

(b) a first rewritable memory for short term storage;

(c) a first communications interface coupled to the multifunction peripheral;

(d) a second communications interface for communicating with the remote monitoring computer;

(e) a second rewritable non-volatile data storage device for storing Host programs and data, the Host programs including an operating system and instructions for causing the processor through the operating system to;

(i) allow a remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to select plural status conditions of the multifunction peripheral for the Host to monitor,

(ii) allow the remote technician use the remote monitoring computer to designate a notification method for the Host to notify the remote monitoring computer of the selected status conditions,

(iii) allow the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to define in the Host plural trigger conditions to trigger notification by the Host of the selected status conditions to the remote monitoring computer,

(iv) periodically generate a signal to the multifunction peripheral via the first communications interface to request that the multifunction peripheral provide the status information to the Host,

(v) refresh a status information database in the second rewritable non-volatile data storage device from the status information received from the multifunction peripheral, and

(vi) analyze the status information database to detect if any of the selected trigger conditions have been met, and if so, then initiate a notification of the remote monitoring computer through the third communications interface in the manner designated by the remote technician for providing the status information selected for monitoring by the remote technician.

21. The Host for use with a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 20, wherein the Host sends the status information to the remote monitoring computer in a database format.

22. The Host for use with a multifunction peripheral as set forth in claim 20, wherein the Host sends the status information to the remote monitoring computer in a database format.

23. A method of operating a Host local to a multifunction peripheral, to notify a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral connected to the Host, the multifunction peripheral for printing print jobs and copying copy jobs, the Host for sending print jobs to the multifunction peripheral for printing, the Host comprising a processor, a first rewritable non-volatile data storage device for storing Host programs and data and a second rewritable memory for short term storage, a first communications interface coupled to the multifunction peripheral, and a second communications interface for communicating with a remote monitoring computer, the Host programs including an operating system, the method comprising:

(a) allowing a remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to select in the Host plural status conditions of the multifunction peripheral to monitor;

(b) allowing the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to remotely designate in the Host a notification method for the remote monitoring computer;

(c) allowing the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to select in the Host plural trigger conditions to trigger notification of the remote monitoring computer;

(d) periodically requesting that the multifunction peripheral provide status information to the Host;

(e) refreshing a status information database in the first rewritable non-volatile data storage device from the status information received from the multifunction peripheral, and

(f) analyzing the status information database to detect if any of the trigger conditions selected by the remote technician have been met, and if so, then initiating a notification of the remote monitoring computer through the second communications interface and providing the status information selected by the remote technician.

24. The method of operating a Host to notify a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral connected to the Host as set forth in claim 23, further comprising, in the Host, sending the status information to the remote monitoring computer in a database format.

25. The method of operating a Host to notify a remote monitoring computer of the status of a multifunction peripheral connected to the Host as set forth in claim 23, further comprising, in the Host, sending the status information to the remote monitoring computer in ASCII format.

26. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a Host local to a multifunction peripheral to:

(a) allow a remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to select plural status conditions of the multifunction peripheral for the Host to monitor,

(b) allow the remote technician use the remote monitoring computer to designate a notification method for the Host to notify the remote monitoring computer of the selected status conditions,

(c) allow the remote technician to use the remote monitoring computer to define in the Host plural trigger conditions to trigger notification by the Host of the selected status conditions to the remote monitoring computer,

(d) periodically generate a signal to the multifunction peripheral via the first communications interface to request that the multifunction peripheral provide the status information to the Host,

(e) refresh a status information database in the second rewritable non-volatile data storage device from the status information received from the multifunction peripheral, and

(f) analyze the status information database to detect if any of the selected trigger conditions have been met, and if so, then initiate a notification of the remote monitoring computer through the third communications interface in the manner designated by the remote technician for providing the status information selected for monitoring by the remote technician.