Method and system for remote diagnostic, control and information collection based on various communication modes for sending messages to users

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention generally relates to the use of network messages for communicating information to an end user regarding the usage of a network resource. The invention is more particularly related to the processing performed within a computer in order to process and forward the appropriate information from the network resource to the end user. The invention is further related to a method and system for sending an electronic mail message to an end user regarding the end user's usage of the network resource. Still further, the invention is related to the transmission of a warning message to an end user, for example, when a number of pages printed by the end user on a network printer is close to a predetermined limit.

#2. Discussion of the Background

#A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 illustrates three networked business office machines connected to a network of computers and data bases through the Internet;

#FIG. 2 illustrates the components of a digital copier/printer;

#Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a figure showing various machines and computers for monitoring, diagnosing and controlling the operation of the machines. In FIG. 1, there is a first network 16, such as a Local Area Network (“LAN”) connected to computer workstations 17, 18, 20 and 22. The workstations can be any type of computers including IBM Personal Computer compatible devices, Unix based computers, or Apple Macintoshes. Also connected to the network 16 are a digital copier/printer 24, a facsimile machine 28, and a printer 32. The devices 24, 28 and 32 are referred to as machines or monitored devices and other types of devices may be used as the machines or monitored devices, including any of the devices discussed below. Also, a facsimile server (not illustrated) may be connected to the network 16 and have a telephone, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), wireless, or cable connection. In addition to the digital copier/printer 24, facsimile machine 28, and printer 32 being connected to the network 16, these devices may also include conventional telephone and/or ISDN and/or cable connections 26, 30 and 34, respectively. As is explained below, the business office machines or business devices 24, 28 and 32 communicate with a remote monitoring, diagnosis and control station, also referred to as a monitoring device, through the Internet via the network 16 or by a direct telephone, ISDN, wireless or cable connection.

#In FIG. 1, the Internet is generally designated by 10. The Internet 10 includes a plurality of interconnected computers and routers designated by 12A-12I. The manner of communicating over the Internet is known through Request For Comments (“RFC”) documents obtained from www.ietf.org. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) related communication is described for example in the book “TCP/IP Illustrated,” Vol. 1, The Protocols, by Stevens, from Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference.

#In FIG. 1, a firewall 14 is connected between the Internet 10 and the network 16. A firewall is a device that allows only authorized computers to access a network or other computer via the Internet. Firewalls are known and commercially available devices and/or software, for example, include SunScreen from Sun Microsystems Inc. Similarly, a firewall 50 is connected between the Internet 10 and a network 52. Also, a firewall 40 is connected between the Internet 10 and a workstation 42.