US6401116B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device selecting trouble-information-providing management server and remote trouble management system including the device
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1999-01-25
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2019-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A remote trouble management system of the present invention is furnished with a plurality of devices connected to an intranet; and a plurality of management servers for managing the plurality of devices individually through the intranet or an internet connected the intranet, wherein each of the plurality of devices includes a trouble information notifying device for, when a trouble occurs therein, notifying the trouble to the plurality of management servers by sending trouble information through a request/response type protocol, in which a request receiver returns a response, upon receipt of a request, to a request sender. Accordingly, the information of the trouble occurring in the device can be sent to the management server in a reliable manner. On the other hand, information corresponding to the trouble information can be returned from the management server having received the trouble information in a reliable manner. Consequently, a trouble occurring in the device can be removed immediately and correctly.
Inventors
- 👤 Masafumi Okigami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/06; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0811; H04L69/00; H04L69/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A remote trouble management system comprising: a plurality of devices connected to an intranet; and a plurality of management servers for managing said plurality of devices individually through one of said intranet and an internet connected to said intranet, wherein each of said plurality of devices includes: trouble information detecting means for detecting a trouble occurring therein; management server selecting means for selecting one of said plurality of management servers in accordance with a type of the trouble, to which the trouble detected by said trouble information detecting means is notified; and trouble information notifying means for notifying the trouble to the management server selected by said management server selecting means by sending trouble information through a request/response type protocol, in which a request receiver returns a response, upon receipt of a request, to a request sender.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A remote trouble management system comprising: a plurality of devices connected to an intranet; and a plurality of management servers for managing said plurality of devices individually through one of said intranet and an internet connected to said intranet, wherein each of said plurality of devices includes: trouble information detecting means for detecting a trouble occurring therein; management server selecting means for selecting one of said plurality of management servers in accordance with a type of the trouble, to which the trouble detected by said trouble information detecting means is notified; and trouble information notifying means for notifying the trouble to the management server selected by said management server selecting means by sending trouble information through a request/response type protocol, in which a request receiver returns a response, upon receipt of a request, to a request sender.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 1 , wherein said request/response protocol is a protocol allowed to pass through a security system established on said intranet and said internet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 2 , wherein said protocol is an HTTP.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 1 , wherein each of said management servers includes management data handling means for generating management data for managing a device in trouble based on said trouble information sent therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 4 , wherein said management data handling means includes notify means for sending return information related to a support for the device in trouble, said return information being contained in said management data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 1 , wherein said management servers comprise a trouble management server for managing information on a trouble occurring in the device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The remote trouble management system of claim 1 , wherein said management servers comprise a parts management server for managing information on parts of the devices.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A device comprising: trouble information detecting means for detecting the trouble occurring therein; management server selecting means for selecting a management server in accordance with a type of the trouble, to which the trouble detected by said trouble information detecting means will be notified; and trouble information notifying means for notifying the trouble to the management server selected by said management server selecting means by sending trouble information through a request/response type protocol, in which a request receiver returns a response, upon receipt of a request, to a request sender.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
90 words
A device comprising: trouble information detecting means for detecting the trouble occurring therein; management server selecting means for selecting a management server in accordance with a type of the trouble, to which the trouble detected by said trouble information detecting means will be notified; and trouble information notifying means for notifying the trouble to the management server selected by said management server selecting means by sending trouble information through a request/response type protocol, in which a request receiver returns a response, upon receipt of a request, to a request sender.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein said device includes display means for displaying return information from the management server which has sent the trouble information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein said device includes display means for displaying return information sent from said management server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein, of all of the return information sent to the device, said display means displays the return information from a pre-registered management server alone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a printer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a copy machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a facsimile machine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the device is a multi-function machine, which has a combination of at least two different functions selected from various functions including printing, copying and facsimile functions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |