Memory including a data structure used for identifying a communication protocol of a received communication

• US 6,330,628 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited, Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited, Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Inventors: Motoyama, Tetsuro
• Primary Examiner(s): AUVE, GLENN ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/880,683
• Time in Patent Office: 1,632 Days
• Field of Search: 710/105, 710/104, 710/11, 358/1.15, 358/1.14
• US Class Current: 710/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/12 Digital output to print unit , e.g. line printer, chain printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1209 resulting in adapted or bridged legacy communication protocols, e.g. emulation, protocol extension
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/128 Direct printing, e.g. sending document file, using memory stick, printing from a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

A method and system which allows a remote monitoring and diagnostic computer or system to communicate using different communication protocols which are stored within a data base. After a communication is received, it is analyzed to determine if there is a protocol identifier. If the protocol identifier exists, a data base is searched to determine the format of the header of the communication. Once the format of the header is determined, the header of the received communication is read to determine the information contained therein. This information is utilized to determine the actual format of the data which follows. If the protocol identifier does not exist, the received communication is examined to determine if it is in a format which matches one of a plurality of previously defined format. Critical fields are defined which must have certain values and if the received communication matches these critical values, the record in a communication protocol data base matching the critical values will be utilized in order to determine the protocol of the data which has been received in the communication. The machine to which the remote monitoring and diagnostic system is connected is a business office device such as a copier, printer, or facsimile machine, a digital camera, or another type of device.

Claims

1. A memory containing a data structure which stores information defining requirements for communications, comprising:

a data structure stored in said memory including;

a field for storing a first byte number of a byte of a received communication; and

a field for storing a value which must appear in said byte.

2. A memory according to claim 1, wherein:

said field for storing a value stores a range of values which includes said value.

3. A memory according to claim 1, wherein said data structure further includes:

a field for storing a bit number of a bit of a received communication; and

a field for storing a value which must appear in said bit.

4. A memory according to claim 1, wherein said data structure further comprises

a second field for storing a second byte number of another byte of a received communication, the second byte number being nonconsecutive with said first byte number;

and

a second field for storing a value which must appear at the second byte number.

5. A memory containing a data structure which stores information defining requirements for communication, said memory including a data base which includes a plurality of records, each record associated with a corresponding communication protocol, each record comprising:

a field for storing information of a communication protocol;

a field for storing a position in the received communication; and

a field for storing information which matches information in a received communication, is used to identify a protocol of the received communication, and corresponds to the field for storing a position in the received communication.

6. A memory according to claim 5, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a range of information.

7. A memory according to claim 5, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a byte value.

8. A memory according to claim 5, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a bit value.

9. A memory according to claim 5, wherein said communication is between a monitoring device and a monitored office device which is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine.

10. A memory containing a data structure which stores information defining requirements for communication, said memory for use by a device for determining a communication protocol, said device receiving a communication, determining if the communication which has been received corresponds to a communication protocol as defined in the memory, and parsing the received communication using a determined communication protocol, said memory including a data base which includes a plurality of records, each record associated with a corresponding communication protocol, each record comprising:

a field for storing information of a communication protocol; and

a field for storing information which matches information in a received communication used to identify a protocol of the received communication.

11. A memory according to claim 10, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a range of information.

12. A memory according to claim 10, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a byte value.

13. A memory according to claim 10, wherein the field for storing information which matches stores a bit value.

14. A memory according to claim 10, wherein said device receiving the communication is a monitoring device and the communication is transmitted from a monitored office device which is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine.

15. A memory containing a data structure which stores information defining requirements for communications, comprising:

a data structure stored in said memory including;

a field for storing an indication of a first position of a received communication; and

a field for storing a value which must appear in said first position.

16. A memory according to claim 15, wherein:

said field for storing a value stores a range of values which includes said value.

17. A memory according to claim 15, wherein said data structure further includes:

a field for storing a bit number of a bit of a received communication; and

a field for storing a value which must appear in said bit.

18. A memory according to claim 15, wherein said data structure further comprises

a second field for storing an indication of a second position of the received communication, the second position being nonconsecutive with said first position;

and

a second field for storing a value which must appear at the second position.

19. A memory according to claim 15, wherein said memory includes a data base which includes a plurality of records, one of said records including said data structure, each of said records associated with a communication protocol, and others of said records including a data structure having:

a field for storing an indication of a position of a received communication; and

a field for storing a value which must appear in the position of the received communication.

20. A memory according to claim 15, wherein said device receiving the communication is a monitoring device, the communication is transmitted from a monitored office device which is selected from the group consisting of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine, and said field for storing a value stores a value of a communication for at least one of a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine.