Method for managing electronic apparatus, electronic apparatus, and management system for the same

• US 7,453,590 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2002
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yoshimoto, Tsutomu, Yoshiura, Syoichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia; Gabriel I
• Application Number:
  US10/052,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,497 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.14, 358/1.16, 358/1.13, 358/1.9, 702/182, 702/183, 702/184, 702/188
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002

Abstract

A digital image processing multifunction apparatus is provided with an apparatus-side communication controlling section to communicate with either of portable terminals. When receiving a demand of the apparatus management information of the electronic apparatus from either of portable terminals, the apparatus-side communication controlling section identifies the portable terminal on the basis of a terminal information controlling section and transmits the apparatus management information in accordance with the portable terminal from an information management table. Thus, even in case where it is difficult to install and manage the electronic apparatus under a network environment, it is possible to provide a management system for the electronic apparatus which can collect apparatus management information relating to electronic apparatus easily and efficiently by utilizing portable terminals such as portable telephones which currently most people subscribe for so as to take proper actions promptly, without introducing a network environment.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising apparatus-side communication controlling means for communicating with at least one portable terminal, the apparatus-side communication controlling means including:

inside-apparatus management information storage means for storing the apparatus management information of a main body of the electronic apparatus in plural levels,

identification information storage means for storing identification information to identify the portable terminal of a communicating party, and

apparatus-side controlling means for identifying the portable terminal in accordance with the identification information in the identification information storage means when a demand for the apparatus management information of the electronic apparatus from the portable terminal, and for transmitting the apparatus management information that includes apparatus-specific maintenance information of the associated electronic apparatus of the level in accordance with the portable terminal from the inside-apparatus management information storage means, wherein verification of the identification information of the portable terminal is carried out entirely in the electronic apparatus.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inside-apparatus management information storage means regularly stores maintenance management information.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inside-apparatus management information storage means stores the apparatus management information relating to consumable goods.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inside-apparatus management information storage means stores the apparatus management information relating to the latest operating condition.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is used to perform at least one of copying, printing, and facsimile.

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus management information is supplied to the portable terminal without input by a user.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inside-apparatus management information storage means stores the apparatus management information relating to consumable goods.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the inside-apparatus management information storage means stores the apparatus management information relating to the latest operating condition.

9. A management system, comprising:

at least one electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus including;

apparatus-side communication controlling means for communicating with at least one portable terminal, the apparatus- side communication controlling means including;

inside-apparatus management information storage means for storing the apparatus management information of a main body of the electronic apparatus in plural levels,

identification information storage means for storing identification information to identify the portable terminal of a communicating party,

apparatus-side controlling means for identifying the portable terminal in accordance with the identification information in the identification information storage means when a demand for the apparatus management information of the electronic apparatus from the portable terminal, and for transmitting the apparatus management information that includes apparatus-specific maintenance information of the associated electronic apparatus of the level in accordance with the portable terminal from the inside-apparatus management information storage means,

an apparatus management center where management of the plurality of electronic apparatuses is performed synthetically,

terminal-side communication controlling means, and

the portable terminal having a display section, the terminal-side communication controlling means, further including;

inherent information management means for storing identification information of the portable terminal, application means for storing application software relating to acquisition of apparatus management information of the electronic apparatus and transmission to the apparatus management center,

storage means for storing the apparatus management information transmitted from the electronic apparatuses,

communication means for communicating, and

terminal-side controlling means for, based on the application software stored in the application means, (a) communicating with the electronic apparatus so as to acquire the apparatus management information, (b) displaying the apparatus management information that has been acquired on a display section, (c) storing the apparatus management information thus acquired in the storage means, and (d) enabling to transmit the apparatus management information stored in the storage means to the apparatus management center.

10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electronic apparatus is used to perform at least one of copying, printing, and facsimile.

11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus management information is supplied to the portable terminal without input by a user.