Patent ID: 7613802
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of obtaining status information of a monitored device by a monitoring device, comprising: querying the monitored device for an identity of a manufacturer of the monitored device; storing in a memory the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device, if the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device was obtained; querying the monitored device, using the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device, for an identity of a model of the monitored device, if the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device was obtained; storing in the memory the identity of the model of the monitored device, if the identity of the model of the monitored device was obtained; creating a software device object, in the monitoring device, corresponding to the monitored device according to information stored in the memory, wherein the software device object is an interface that enables the monitoring device to communicate with the monitored device; and obtaining the status information from the monitored device using the software device object, wherein the software device object sends an information request to the monitored device and receives information returned from the monitored device, wherein the monitored device is an image printing device and the status information is related to an operational condition in the image printing device including supplies, consumables, and a paper path, if the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device was obtained but the identity of the model of the monitored device was not obtained the creating step comprises creating a software device object that is common to all devices manufactured by the manufacturer of the monitored device or the creating step comprises creating a software device object that is common to at least one known model of the identified manufacturer of the monitored device, and if the identity of the manufacturer of the monitored device was not obtained and the identity of the model of the monitored device was not obtained, the creating step comprises creating a software device object that is common to all image printing devices or the creating step comprises creating a software device object that is common to at least one manufacturer of monitored devices.