Interactive multimedia for remote diagnostics and maintenance of a multifunctional peripheral

• US 7,149,936 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Baker, Michael Douglas, Thomas, John Calvin, Deshpande, Sachin Govind
• Primary Examiner(s): Baderman, Scott
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOHN, JOSHUA A
• Application Number:
  US10/261,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20040064762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 714/27, 714/30, 714/37, 714/40, 714/44, 714/46, 714/57
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0733 in a data processing system embedded in an image processing device, e.g. printer, facsimile, scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0748 in a remote unit communicating with a single-box computer node experiencing an error/fault remote testing G06F11/2294
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test

Abstract

An interactive multimedia system for remote diagnostics of, maintenance of, and assistance pertaining to a multifunction peripheral preferably includes a multifunction peripheral, a remote service endpoint, and a network system over which the multifunction peripheral communicates with the remote service endpoint. An audio/visual capture device and a display are preferably communicatively associated with the multifunction peripheral communication entity. The remote service endpoint provides assistance based on the audio/video data over the display in such exemplary forms as text, images, multimedia presentation, audio presentations, video presentations, or live interactive communications. The present invention is also directed to a method performed by a multifunction peripheral that provides interactive multimedia for remote diagnostics of, maintenance of, and assistance regarding a multifunction peripheral.

Claims

1. A method performed by a peripheral that provides interactive multimedia for remote diagnostics and maintenance of said peripheral, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting said peripheral with a remote service endpoint to provide communication therebetween;

exchanging capabilities between said peripheral and said remote service endpoint, wherein said capabilities comprise one or more codec capabilities, wherein the one or more codecs are adapted to perform at least one of the following;

encode image data, and decode image data;

exchanging real time image data, wherein said real time image data comprises real time image data of inner workings of said peripheral, between said peripheral and said remote service endpoint, wherein the step of exchanging real time image data further comprises transmitting, by said peripheral, real time image data of said peripheral to said remote service endpoint, wherein said real time image data of said peripheral are captured in real time by a capture device communicatively associated with said peripheral;

diagnosing said peripheral based on said transmitted real time image data to produce a diagnosis; and

receiving information based on said diagnosis at said peripheral.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of servicing said peripheral.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of servicing said peripheral further comprises the steps of:

monitoring said peripheral at said remote service endpoint;

receiving instructional multimedia at said peripheral; and

repeating said steps of monitoring said peripheral and receiving instructional multimedia until said peripheral is serviced.

4. The method of claim 1 farther comprising the step of displaying said received information based on said diagnosis on a display associated with said peripheral.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the peripheral is a multifunction peripheral.

6. An interactive multimedia system for remote diagnostics of, maintenance of, and assistance pertaining to a printer, said interactive multimedia system comprising:

the printer having a printer communication entity, wherein the printer communication entity comprises one or more codecs adapted to perform at least one of the following;

encode image data and decode image data;

a remote service endpoint having a remote service endpoint communication entity, wherein the remote service endpoint communication entity comprises one or more codecs adapted to perform at least one of the following;

encode image data, and decode image data;

a network system over which said printer communication entity communicates with said remote service endpoint communication entity;

a capture device adapted to capture real time image data of inner workings of said printer, said capture device communicatively associated with said printer communication entity;

a display communicatively associated with said printer communication entity; and

said remote service endpoint providing assistance based on said real time image data.

7. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising an error sensor/generator for sensing a printer error and providing a printer error signal to said printer communication entity.

8. The interactive multimedia system of claim 7 wherein said printer error is at least one error selected from the following:

a simple maintenance problem;

an everyday problem associated with basic maintenance and servicing;

technical problems;

installation of initial hardware and software; and

field upgrades of hardware and software.

9. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising a user interface through which users may indirectly communicate with said remote service endpoint.

10. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising a user interface through which users may indirectly communicate with said remote service endpoint through said printer and said network system.

11. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising a user interface through which users may indirectly communicate with said remote service endpoint through a user terminal and said network system.

12. The interactive multimedia system of claim 11, said user terminal incorporating at least one module selected from the following:

a peripheral communication entity;

an audio/visual capture device;

a display;

an error sensor/generator; and

a user interface.

13. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising a user terminal interconnectable with said printer, said user terminal being an intermediary between said printer and said network system.

14. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 further comprising audio projectors for playing audio.

15. The interactive multimedia system of claim 6 wherein said display is adapted to display real-time instructional multimedia information.

16. The method of claim 6 wherein the printer is a multifunction peripheral.

17. A printer, said printer device comprising:

a network interface adapted to be operatively coupled to a network to communicate with a remote service endpoint;

a capture device adapted to be directed to capture real time image data of at least some inner workings of said printer device;

a communication entity comprising a video codec, said communication entity coupled to said capture device and to said network interface, wherein said video codec is adapted to perform at least one of the following;

encode image data and decode image data; and

a printer function module.

18. The device of claim 17 further comprising a display adapted to present data received via said communication entity.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the communication entity is adapted to support an H.323 standard.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the device is a multifunction peripheral.

21. The device of claim 17 wherein said capture device is communicatively associated with said device via a USB port.

22. An interactive multimedia system for remote diagnostics of a peripheral, said interactive multimedia system comprising:

a peripheral comprising a communication entity, a capture device, and a presentation device, wherein said communication entity comprises an audio codec and a video codec, said capture device adapted to capture at least one of the following;

audio data and visual data; and

said presentation device adapted to present information received from at least one of the following;

a remote service endpoint and a terminal;

said remote service endpoint comprising a communication entity, a capture device, and a presentation device, wherein said communication entity comprises an audio codec and a video codec, said capture device adapted to capture at least one of the following;

audio data and visual data; and

said presentation device adapted to present information received from at least one of the following;

said peripheral and said terminal;

said terminal comprising a communication entity, a capture device, and a presentation device, wherein said communication entity comprises an audio codec and a video codec, said capture device adapted to capture at least one of the following;

audio data and visual data; and

said presentation device adapted to present information received from at least one of the following;

said peripheral and said remote service endpoint; and

a network system over which said peripheral, said service endpoint, and said user terminal communicate with each other;

wherein the peripheral, remote service endpoint, and the terminal are each adapted to communicate with each other in real-time interactive multimedia via each of their said communication entity.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the communication entity is adapted to support an H.323 standard.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the peripheral is a printer.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein said peripheral is a multifunction peripheral.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein said peripheral further comprises a user interface via which communication is provided with said remote service endpoint.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein said terminal further comprises a user interface via which communication is provided with said remote service endpoint.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein said remote service endpoint further comprises a user interface via which communication is provided with said peripheral.

29. The system of claim 22 wherein said peripheral further comprises at least one error sensor/generator.

30. The system of claim 22 wherein said terminal further comprises a user interface adapted to be in functional communication with said peripheral.

31. A method performed by a printer that provides interactive data for remote diagnostics and maintenance of said printer, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting said printer with a remote service endpoint to provide communication therebetween;

exchanging capabilities between said printer and said remote service endpoint, wherein said capabilities comprise one or more codec capabilities adapted to perform at least one of the following;

encode image data and decode image data; and

exchanging real time image data between said printer and said remote service endpoint based on said capabilities, wherein the step of exchanging real time image data farther comprises transmitting by said printer real time image data of inner workings of said printer.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the peripheral is a printer.