Automatic call to selected remote operators in response to predetermined machine conditions

In an image processing apparatus having image processing components for forming images on a medium, a controller for directing the operation of the image processing components including a machine monitoring element to sense predetermined machine conditions and an operator interface connected to the controller, the image processing apparatus adapted for communication with a plurality of remote stations, the method of automatic notification to a selected remote station in response to the machine conditions detected by the machine monitoring element comprising the steps of:

• selectively programming from the operator interface the conditions for notification to a given remote location,
• monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus relative to forming images on the medium,
• detecting a first machine condition,
• determining the first machine condition to be a condition to require notification to a first remote location,
• automatically initiating a notification to the first remote location,
• detecting a second machine condition,
• determining the second machine condition to be a condition to require notification to a second remote location, and
• automatically initiating a notification to the second remote location.

In an image processing apparatus having image processing components for forming images on a medium, a controller for directing the operation of the image processing components including a machine monitoring element to sense predetermined machine conditions, the image processing apparatus adapted for communication with a plurality of remote stations, the method of automatic notification to a selected remote station in response to the pre-determined machine conditions detected by the machine monitoring element comprising the steps of:

• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions from a first remote location,
• monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus,
• detecting a machine condition preset from the first remote location, and
• automatically initiating a notification to the first remote location and to a second remote location, one of the first and second remote locations being a portable location.

In an image processing apparatus having image processing components for forming images on a medium, a controller for directing the operation of the image processing components including a machine monitoring element to sense machine job completion and machine jam conditions, the image processing apparatus adapted for communication with a plurality of remote stations including an electronic pager and an electronic workstation with display screen, the method of automatic notification to the remote stations in response to machine job completion and machine jam conditions detected by the machine monitoring element comprising the steps of:

• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions from the electronic workstation,
• monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus,
• detecting machine job completion and machine jam conditions by the machine monitoring element, and
• automatically initiating a notification to the pager in response to the detecting of either machine job completion or machine jam conditions.

In an image processing machine having image processing components for forming images on a medium including a machine monitoring element to sense predetermined machine condition and a controller for directing the operation of the image processing components, the machine adapted for communication with a plurality of remote stations, a method of presetting the controller for automatic notification to a selected remote station in response to the pre-determined machine conditions detected by the machine monitoring element comprising the steps of:

• accessing an interface at one of the processing machine and remote stations, the interface including a plurality of pre-setting options,
• selecting a first pre-setting option at the interface,
• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions in response to said first pre-setting option,
• selecting a second pre-setting option at the interface,
• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions in response to said second pre-setting option,
• monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus,
• detecting one of the first and second pre-setting options, and
• responsive to the detecting automatically initiating a notification to one of the plurality of remote stations.

In an image processing machine having image processing components for forming images on a medium including a machine monitoring element to sense predetermined machine condition and a controller for directing the operation of the image processing components, the machine adapted for communication with a plurality of remote stations, a method of presetting the controller for automatic notification to a selected remote station in response to the pre-determined machine conditions detected by the machine monitoring element comprising the steps of:

• accessing an interface at one of the remote stations, the interface including a display with a plurality of pre-setting options,
• selecting a job status option at the interface,
• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions in response to said job status option,
• selecting a machine status option at the interface,
• pre-setting the predetermined machine conditions in response to the machine status option,
• monitoring the operation of the image processing apparatus,
• detecting one of the first and second options, and
• responsive to the detecting automatically initiating a notification to one of the plurality of remote stations for the job status option and initiating a notification to another of the plurality of remote stations for the machine status option.