US 7,454,476 B2 · Remote maintenance and servicing of a network peripheral device over the world wide web

Abstract

A network peripheral device connected to a network via a router obtains remote servicing instructions over the network. Initially, a first packet sent from a remote service organization is received by a network peripheral device via the network, the first packet including a request for servicing information from the network peripheral device. Next a second packet is sent automatically upon receipt of the first packet from the network peripheral device to the remote service organization via the network, the second packet including the requested peripheral servicing information. Thereafter, a third packet sent from the remote service organization to the network peripheral device via the network is received by the network peripheral device, the third packet including an instruction to execute a peripheral servicing function. Finally, the peripheral servicing function is executed by the network peripheral device automatically in response to the third packet.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for controlling a peripheral device from an external apparatus having a web browser over a network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting, from the external apparatus to the peripheral device, a request for a web page usable by a user to instruct the peripheral device to execute a function for maintenance or diagnosis of the peripheral device, wherein the function for maintenance or diagnosis is executable by the peripheral device;
transmitting, from the peripheral device to the external apparatus, data causing the web browser to display the web page on which the user is able to select the function executable by the peripheral device for maintenance or diagnosis of the peripheral device;
transmitting, from the external apparatus to the peripheral device, an instruction to execute the function for maintenance or diagnosis selected by the user on the web page;
and
in response to the instruction, causing the peripheral device to execute the function for maintenance or diagnosis at the peripheral devices,
wherein the transmitted data comprises a plurality of files described by a predetermined language, and wherein the plurality of files includes a file which causes the web browser to display status of the peripheral device and includes a file which causes the web browser to display the web page on which the user is able to select the function for maintenance or diagnosis.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote maintenance and servicing of a network peripheral device over the world wide web

Life of this patent

Remote maintenance and servicing of a network peripheral device over the world wide web

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18