WO2002059697A1

WO2002059697A1 - Method of, and system for, monitoring devices which operate in the field

Info

Publication number: WO2002059697A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2002/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Charles Rabey; Shane Christopher Willmot
Original assignee: Christopher Charles Rabey; Shane Christopher Willmot
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2002-08-01

Abstract

A system which monitors the operation of a device (12) such as a photocopier which operates in the field and includes electronics. Such devices require supplies and/or maintenance and/or are subject to billing based on usage. The system uses a signal representative of the parameter being monitored and compares it with a stored reference signal. Upon a predetermined relationship between the two signals being reached an output signal is sent to a monitoring computer (10) to institute a procedure involving maintenance and/or provision of supplies and/or billing.

Description

METHOD OF. AND A SYSTEM FOR. MONITORING DEVICES

WHICH OPERATE IN THE FIELD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a method of, and a system for, monitoring

devices which operate in the field.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Devices such as photocopiers and printers are sold or rented by

companies to clients who use them in premises remote from the offices of the company

which supplied them. Such devices use supplies such as toner and require regular

preventative maintenance to ensure that they operate efficiently. Information must also

be sent by the client to the supplying company for billing purposes. Ordering of supplies

and obtaining information for billing purposes is handled by communication between an

employee of the supplying company and an employee of the client by fax, telephone or

email.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a

method of monitoring and reporting on a parameter pertaining to a device which includes electronics and which operates in the field, the method comprising generating a signal representative of the parameter being monitored, storing a reference signal

pertaining to said parameter, comparing the generated signal with the reference signal,

and transmitting an output signal to a monitoring computer upon the generated signal

and the reference signal reaching a predetermined relationship with respect to one

another.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a

system comprising a device which includes electronics and which is operating in the

field, the device including means for generating a signal representative of the

parameter being monitored, means in which a reference signal pertaining to said

parameter is stored, means for comparing the generated signal and reference signal

and for producing an output signal when the generated signal and reference signal bear

a predetermined relationship to one another, a monitoring computer programmed to

react upon receipt by it of said output signal, and a communications link between said

device and said computer along which said output signal can be transmitted from the

device to the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the

same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the

accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system in accordance with the

present invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a device being monitored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , the system illustrated comprises a monitoring

computer 10 which is at the supplier's premises. The devices 12 are machines such as

photocopiers or printers which have counters for recording usage. In the event that no

counter is provided with the device 12, which is usually the situation where a fax

machine is concerned, there are invariably electronic means for detecting passage of

the paper through the machine. This electronic means generates a signal each time

the machine performs a cycle. This signal can be used, in accordance with the present

invention, in place of the counter signal which is produced each cycle by, for example,

photocopiers that have been leased to customers. Thus the device 12 can be any

machine from which a signal can be picked up and which indicates that the machine

has performed a cycle. For the purposes of the following description it will be assumed

that the devices 12 each include a counter. Each device 12 is fitted with a unit 14

which acts as an interface between the device 12 and the computer 10.

The devices 12 require supplies, generally toner, and also require periodic

preventative maintenance. Generally a charge is levied by the supplier based on the

customer's usage. This is to cover routine maintenance. As a consequence, information must be sent to the supplier from the customer.

Referring now to Figure 2, the unit 14 illustrated comprises a processor 16

to which an input signal is sent from the device 12 of which it forms a part. The signal

generated by the device 12 is conditioned by the signal conditioner 18 before reaching

the processor 16. The input signal is in the form of pulses which are generated by a

counter as the device 12 is used. The input signal is thus representative of operation

cycles (usage). For example, in a photocopier the signal represents the number of

copies made.

Power for the unit 14 can be tapped directly from the power supply of the

device 12.

The unit 14 is connected via a communications module 20, which will

usually be a modem, to a telephone line 22 (see Figure 1 ) which connects the unit 14 to

the monitoring computer 10.

The unit 14 further includes a display 24 which can comprise a light and/or

means for displaying an error code. In one form a warning light is used alone. In

another form there is an alphanumeric display and/or a warning light. The display is

used not only to indicate a malfunction but also to indicate tampering. A memory 26

has a calender stored therein and a memory 28 has details of the device 12 and of the customer stored therein.

A programming unit 30 such as a keypad or a laptop may be connected to

the unit 14 for enabling information to be inputted to the memory 28. To protect the

client and supplier an access code is needed to enable information to be inputted to, or

changed in, the memory 28. The access code can be, or can include, the serial

number of the device 12. If the unit 30 is a laptop or other type of computer, the system

can be such that information can also be downloaded from the memory 28 to the unit

30.

The number of pulses generated by the counter and which represents

usage is compared in the processor 16 with a reference signal indicative of a

predetermined number of copies. The reference signal is stored in the memory 28.

When the two signals indicate that the predetermined number of copies have been

made, an output signal is sent through the module 20 to the computer 10.

The output signal can be used to alert the supplier that maintenance is

due and/or to indicate that the quantity of toner remaining is small.

Another use is, at predetermined intervals, to cause a signal indicative of

usage to be sent to the computer 10 for billing purposes. The calender 26 stored in

memory 28 triggers this activity which will also include downloading to the computer 10 the signal representing usage since the last download.

Should a fault condition develop the processor 16 can be programmed to

transmit a fault condition signal along a line 32 to disable the device 12. The fault

condition signal can also be transmitted to the computer 10 which produces an

exception report alerting the supplier of a potential problem.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of monitoring and reporting on a parameter pertaining to a

device which includes electronics and which operates in the field, the method

comprising generating a signal representative of the parameter being monitored, storing

a reference signal pertaining to said parameter, comparing the generated signal with

the reference signal, and transmitting an output signal to a monitoring computer upon

the generated signal and the reference signal reaching a predetermined relationship

with respect to one another.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device includes a counter

which counts operating cycles, and the reference signal represents a number of cycles.

3. A system comprising a device which includes electronics and which is

operating in the field, the device including means for generating a signal representative

of the parameter being monitored, means in which a reference signal pertaining to said

device to the computer.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 and including means in which a calender

is stored whereby at predetermined time intervals a signal is transmitted along said link

to institute a billing procedure.

5. A method of monitoring and reporting substantially as hereinbefore

described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the

accompanying drawings.