System uses internet electronic mail for communicating status of a monitored device to a monitoring device

• US 6,970,952 B2
• Filed: 10/30/1996
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): Luu, Le Hien
• Application Number:
  US08/738,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,317 Days
• Field of Search: 345/828, 345/182.02, 345/114, 370/395, 370/409, 370/252, 370/384, 370/401, 379/88.22, 710/15, 709/206, 709/224
• US Class Current: 710/15
• 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 for communicating, comprising:

receiving an electronic mail message from a monitoring device, the electronic mail message being communicated using an Internet email protocol;

analyzing the electronic mail message; and

performing an action by a business office device for at least one of monitoring, controlling, and diagnosing the business office device in response to the electronic mail message, after the electronic mail message is analyzed, the business office device being selected from a group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said step of receiving receives an Internet electronic mail message which has been transmitted over the Internet,

said step of analyzing analyzes the Internet electronic mail message, and

said step of performing comprises performing the action by the business office device, in response to the Internet electronic mail message, after the Internet electronic mail message is analyzed.

3. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein:

said step of performing an action comprises performing a mechanical action by the business office device.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:

transmitting an electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

5. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:

transmitting over the Internet an Internet electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein:

the steps of receiving and analyzing are performed by the business office device.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

9. A method according to claim 3, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

11. A method according to claim 3, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

12. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising the step of:

transmitting an electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

13. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising the step of:

transmitting over the Internet an Internet electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

14. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein:

the steps of receiving and analyzing are performed by the business office device.

15. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the analyzing step includes:

parsing the electronic mail message; and

determining an action which the electronic mail message requests to be taken.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the step of performing an action comprises:

transmitting a response message from the business office device to the monitoring device in response to the electronic mail message.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the received electronic mail message requests a value to be returned.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting, through Internet electronic mail, the response message which is an Internet electronic mail message.

19. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

21. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message through a firewall of a network which includes the business office device.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

24. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

).

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

26. A method according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the receiving step comprises:

receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the step of performing an action by a business office device performed by the business office device which is at least one of a printer, copier, facsimile machine, and scanner.

28. A system for communicating, comprising:

means for receiving an electronic mail message from a monitoring device, the electronic mail message being communicated using an Internet email protocol;

means for analyzing the electronic mail message; and

means for performing an action by a business office device for at least one of monitoring, controlling, and diagnosing the business office device, in response to the electronic mail message, after the electronic mail message is analyzed, the business office device being selected from a group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein:

said means for receiving receives an Internet electronic mail message which has been transmitted over the Internet,

said means for analyzing analyzes the Internet electronic mail message, and

said means for performing comprises means for performing the action by the business office device, in response to the Internet electronic mail message, after the Internet electronic mail message is analyzed.

30. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein:

said means for performing an action comprises means for performing a mechanical action by the business office device.

31. A system according to claim 30, further comprising:

means for transmitting an electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

32. A system according to claim 30, further comprising:

means for transmitting over the Internet an Internet electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

33. A system according to claim 30, wherein:

the means for receiving and means for analyzing are both part of the business office device.

34. A system according to claim 30, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

35. A system according to claim 34, wherein the means for receiving further comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

).

37. A system according to claim 36, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

38. A system according to claim 30, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

39. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, further comprising:

means for transmitting an electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

40. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, further comprising:

means for transmitting over the Internet an Internet electronic mail message which includes a response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the electronic mail message which has been received requests a value to be returned.

41. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein:

the means for receiving and means for analyzing are both part of the business office device.

42. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the means for analyzing includes:

means for parsing the electronic mail message; and

means for determining an action which the electronic mail message requests to be taken.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein the means for performing an action comprises:

means for transmitting a response message from the business office device to the monitoring device in response to the electronic mail message.

44. A system according to claim 43, wherein the means for transmitting comprises:

means for transmitting the response message which contains information of the business office device including information obtained from sensors, when the received electronic mail message requests a value to be returned.

45. A system according to claim 44, wherein the means for transmitting comprises:

means for transmitting, through Internet electronic mail, the response message which is an Internet electronic mail message.

46. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

47. A system according to claim 46, wherein the means for receiving further comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

48. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message through a firewall of a network which includes the business office device.

49. A system according to claim 48, wherein the means for receiving further comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the means for receiving further comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the e-mail message.

51. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

).

52. A system according to claim 51, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

53. A system according to one of claims 28 and 29, wherein the means for receiving comprises:

means for receiving the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

54. A system according to claim 28, wherein the means for performing an action by a business office device is performed by the business office device which is at least one of a printer, copier, facsimile machine, and scanner.