# US 2013/0155442 A1 · Remote management for multi-function devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155442 A1 - Document ID: US20130155442A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,352 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: Xerox Corporation - Inventors: KARTHIK KUPPUSWAMY; RAMESH NAGARAJAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155442A1 ## CPC - H04N 1/00344: {with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus (monitoring H04N1/00002)} - H04N 1/00307: {with a mobile telephone apparatus (constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00)} - H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract The present disclosure describe a remote management system for a multi-function device (MFD). The system employs a monitoring module, a cellular interface, and a control. The monitoring module monitors parameters of the multi-function device. The cellular interface provides cellular data connection between the MFD and an administrator or a service centre that is remotely located. In addition, cellular interface offers transfer of monitored information to a remote location, and further receive instructions from a remote location. Moreover, the control module executes the instructions received from the remote location from the remote location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A remote management system for a multi-function device, the system comprising: a monitoring module for monitoring one or more parameters of the multi-function device; a cellular interface providing cellular capability to the multi-function device, the cellular interface configured to: transfer monitored information to a remote location; and receive instructions from the remote location; and a control module configured to execute the instructions received through the cellular interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a processing module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface, and a threshold database storing preconfigured threshold values for one or more MFD parameters. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cellular interface includes a cellular card and a cellular port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an authorization module to authorize access to the MFD. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-function device is at least one of a printer, copier, or a scanner. ### Claim 7 A method for remotely supporting a multi-function device, the method comprising: receiving a notification from the multi-function device via a cellular network; determining any responsive action to be taken by the multi-function device; and communicating a predetermined code associated with the responsive action to the multi-function device via the cellular network. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the receiving step includes receiving the notification over at least one of: SMS; SMS; or video call. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined code includes a video demonstration corresponding to the responsive action. ### Claim 10 A method for maintaining a multi-function device, the method comprising: monitoring the multi-function device to identify faults; determining whether the fault requires external assistance; upon determining that external assistance is required, communicating the nature of the fault to a service provider using a cellular network; and receiving instructions from the service provider using a cellular network and implementing the instructions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the communicating step includes communicating the fault related details over a voice call, SMS, or MMS. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the instruction includes a video demonstration corresponding to a resolution for the fault. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the instruction includes an executable instruction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the service provider is a cellular network provider. ### Claim 15 A multi-function device comprising: a monitoring module for monitoring one or more parameters of the multi-function device; a cellular interface including a cellular card and a cellular port, the cellular interface adapted to provide cellular capabilities to the multi-function device; a control module configured to execute instructions received through the cellular interface; and a processing module adapted to provide data compatibility between the cellular interface, the control module, and the monitoring module, the processing module is configured to: send one or more monitored parameters to the cellular interface; receive instructions from the cellular interface; and transmit commands to the multi-function device for execution, based on the received commands. the control module to execute. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The multi-function device of claim 15 further comprising a user interface, and a threshold database storing preconfigured threshold values for one or more MFD parameters. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The multi-function device of claim 15, wherein the multi-function device is at least one of a printer, copier, or a scanner. ### Claim 18 A mobile system for providing connectivity between a mobile device, a multi-function device, and a service provider via a cellular network, the system comprising: a connectivity module installed in connection with the mobile device, the connectivity module configured to: communicate with the service provider via the cellular network; send instructions to the MFD via the cellular network, the instructions being provided in a predetermined format; and receive information from the MFD. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the connectivity module sends instructions to the MFD via at least one of: SMS; MMS; or video call. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the connectivity module receives information from the MFD through an SMS, MMS, or voice call. ### Claim 21 A system for providing maintenance service to a multi-function device via a cellular network, the system comprising: a voice communication channel for communicating with a user via a cellular network; a service communication module configured to: send instructions to the MFD via the cellular network; and receive information from the MFD via the cellular network.