System uses internet electronic mail for requesting status of a monitored device from a monitoring device

• US 6,889,263 B2
• Filed: 10/30/1996
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• 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:
  US08/738,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20030110222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,107 Days
• Field of Search: 395/828, 395/182.02, 395/114, 370/395, 370/409, 370/252, 370/384, 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 between a monitored device and a monitoring device, comprising the steps of:

determining information to be transmitted by the monitoring device to the monitored device, the monitored device being selected from the group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine, the information including a request for a status of the monitored device determined using sensors within the monitored device; and

transmitting the information through electronic mail from the monitoring device to the monitored device using an Internet e-mail protocol.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the information through an Internet electronic mail message over the Internet from the monitoring device to the monitored device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of transmitting the information from the monitoring device comprises:

transmitting the information to the monitored device which is a business office device.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of transmitting the information to the monitoring device comprises:

transmitting the information to one of a copier and a printer.

5. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the transmitted information by the monitored device; and

transmitting, through the Internet, an Internet electronic mail message from the monitored device to the monitoring device containing status information of the monitored device, in response to the transmitted information from the monitoring device.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the information from the monitoring device to a plurality of monitored devices including the monitored device.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet 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 transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the Internet electronic mail message.

9. A method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAW”

).

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

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

11. A method according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting said electronic mail as an Internet electronic mail message through a firewall of a network which includes the monitored device.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting said Internet electronic mail message which includes an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting said Internet electronic mail message which includes a description of an encoding type of the Internet electronic mail message.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the monitored device is a printer.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the monitored device is a copier.

18. A method for communicating between a machine and a monitoring device, comprising the steps of:

determining status information using at least one of a mechanical and electrical sensor; and

transmitting an electronic mail message using an Internet e-mail protocol from the machine to the monitoring device containing the status information, the machine being selected from the group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting the information using an Internet electronic mail message through the Internet from the machine to the monitoring device.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

analyzing the status information by the machine,

wherein the status information is transmitted in the Internet electronic mail message from the machine when the status information is analyzed and determined to be within a standard operating range.

21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

determining status information which is outside of normal operating parameters exists in the machine using at least one of the mechanical and electrical sensor; and

transmitting a connection-mode message from the machine to the monitoring device containing the status information which is outside of the normal operating parameters.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the step of transmitting from the machine to the monitoring device comprises:

transmitting, through the Internet, the Internet electronic mail message from the machine which is a device selected from the group consisting of a copier and a printer, to the monitoring device.

23. A method according to claim 19, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message through a Local Area Network (“

LAN”

).

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

25. A method according to claim 19, wherein the transmitting step comprises:

transmitting the Internet electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

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

transmitting the electronic mail message without using a telephone line.

27. A method according to claim 18, wherein:

the machine is a printer.

28. A method according to claim 18, wherein:

the machine is a copier.

29. A system for communicating between a monitored device and a monitoring device, comprising:

means for determining information to be transmitted by the monitoring device to the monitored device, the monitored device, being selected from the group consisting of a printer, a facsimile server, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine, the information including a request for a status of the monitored device determined using sensors within the monitored device; and

a transmitter of the monitoring device which transmits the information through electronic mail from the monitoring device to the monitored device using an Internet e-mail protocol.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a device configured to transmit the electronic mail message and information, using the Internet, as Internet electronic mail from the monitoring device to the monitored device.

31. A system according to claim 30, wherein the monitored device is a business office device.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein the business office device is one of a copier.

33. A system according to claim 30, wherein the monitored device further comprises:

a receiver which receives the transmitted information; and

a transmitter which transmits, through the Internet, an Internet electronic mail message from the monitored device to the monitoring device containing status information of the monitored device, in response to the transmitted information from the monitoring device.

34. A system according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter of the monitoring device comprises:

a transmitter which transmits the information from the monitoring device to a plurality of monitored devices including the monitored device.

35. A system according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a device configured to transmit said Internet electronic mail message to include an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

36. A system according to claim 35, wherein the transmitter further comprises:

a device configured to transmit said Internet electronic mail message to include a description of an encoding type of the Internet electronic mail message.

37. A system according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a device configured to transmit said Internet electronic mail message through a firewall of a network which includes the monitored device.

38. A system according to claim 37, wherein the transmitter further comprises:

a device configured to transmit said Internet electronic mail message to include an identifier followed by an “

@”

symbol followed by a domain name.

39. A system according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter further comprises:

a device configured to transmit said Internet electronic mail message to include a description of an encoding type of the Internet electronic mail message.

40. A system according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

LAN”

).

41. A system according to claim 40, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

42. A system according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

43. A system according to claim 29, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

44. A method according to claim 29, wherein:

the monitored device is a printer.

45. A method according to claim 29, wherein:

the monitored device is a copier.

46. A system for communicating between a machine and a monitoring device, comprising:

sensors within the machine which sense status information to be transmitted to the monitoring device, the machine being selected from the group consisting of a printer, a scanner, a copier, a metering system, and a vending machine; and

a transmitter of the machine which transmits the status information using an electronic mail message from the machine to the monitoring device using an Internet e-mail protocol.

47. A system according to claim 46, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a device configured to transmit the information and electronic mail message, using the Internet, as an Internet electronic mail message from the monitoring device to the monitored device.

48. A system according to claim 47, further comprising:

means for analyzing the status information by the machine,

wherein the status information is transmitted using the transmitter of the machine when the status information is analyzed and determined to be within a standard operating range.

49. A system according to claim 48, further comprising:

means for determining status information which is outside of normal operating parameters exists in the machine using said sensors; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a connection-mode message from the machine to the monitoring device containing the status information which is outside of the normal operating parameters.

50. A system according to claim 47, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

LAN”

).

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

52. A system according to claim 47, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

53. A system according to claim 46, wherein the transmitter comprises:

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

54. A method according to claim 46, wherein:

the machine is a printer.

55. A method according to claim 46, wherein:

the machine is a copier.