Facsimile remote diagnostic system

• US RE34,842 E
• Filed: 10/22/1992
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Corporation (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Inventors: Ejiri, Koichi, Lam, Lak M., Jeng, Tina, Roth, Rithy
• Primary Examiner(s): BRINICH, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US07/965,076
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 358/404, 358/406
• US Class Current: 356/406
• 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 1/0001 Transmission systems or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00029 Diagnosis, i.e. identifying a problem by comparison with a normal state
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0005 in service, i.e. during normal operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00061 using a remote apparatus H04N1/00066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00084 Recovery or repair, e.g. self-repair
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00416 Multi-level menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/912 Manufacturing or machine, e.g. agricultural machinery, machine tool

Abstract

A remote diagnostic system provides remote diagnostics for one or more facsimile apparatus. The system comprises facsimile, a communication control adapter and a personal computer (with expert knowledge). The system includes several kinds of data files which work under a window environment, together with communication software, to look up and rewrite the buffer memory in each facsimile.

Claims

1. A remote facsimile diagnostic system comprising one or more facsimile apparatus,

remote diagnostic means for remotely communicating with each of said facsimile apparatus including communication,

adapter means for controlling communications with said facsimile apparatus,

a telephone line connected between each of said facsimile apparatus and said remote diagnostic means, and

remote control means for providing remote diagnostics of each of said facsimile apparatus through said communication adapter means over said telephone line wherein said control means is a programmed personal computer, including means for storing programmed control instructions for providing diagnostics to said facsimile apparatus.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein each of said facsimile apparatus includes memory means for storing communication histories, bit switches for controlling functions and modes through said remote diagnostic means, and sensor status means.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein said remote control means includes means for retrieving the memory contents of each of said facsimile memory means.

4. A system as in claim 3 wherein said remote control means includes means for displaying the retrieved facsimile memory contents, including means for distinguishing the memory content values which are different from their respective default values.

5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said remote control means includes means for repairing a defective one of said facsimile apparatus, including means for writing new memory content values to the defective facsimile memory means.

6. A system as in claim 5 wherein said remote control means includes means for providing repair instructions to each of said facsimile apparatus. .Iadd.

7. A remote diagnostic system for image reproducing apparatuses comprising:

at least one image reproducing apparatus;

means for controlling communications with each of said image reproducing apparatus;

a transmission line connected between each of said image reproducing apparatus and said means for controlling communications;

remote diagnostic means for remotely communicating with each of said image reproducing apparatus through said means for controlling communication and over said transmission line, wherein said remote diagnostic means is a programmed computer, including means for storing control instructions for providing diagnostics to said image reproducing apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. A system as in claim 7 wherein each of said image reproducing apparatus includes memory means for storing use histories, bit switches for controlling functions and mode through said remote diagnostic means, and sensor status means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. A system as in claim 8 wherein said remote diagnostic means includes means for retrieving the memory contents of said memory means of each of said image reproducing apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A system as in claim 9 wherein said remote diagnostic means includes means for displaying the retrieved memory contents of said image reproducing apparatus, including means for distinguishing the memory content values which are different from their respective default values. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A system as in claim 10 wherein said remote diagnostic means includes means for repairing a defective one of said image reproducing apparatus, including means for writing new memory content values to said memory means of said defective image reproducing apparatus. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A system as in claim 7 wherein said remote diagnostic means includes means for providing repair instructions to each of said image reproducing apparatus. .Iaddend.