Abstract:
A method of monitoring the operational status of and initiating image processing device control commands on one or more image processing devices from a remote location, said image processing devices each having a control computer for controlling operation of the device, including representing one of said image processing devices at the remote location; posting operational status indications relating to the one of said image processing devices and/or device set-up parameters at said remote location; adjusting the device set-up parameters by generating an image processing device control command from the remote location; and transmitting said command to the image processing device control computer. This method includes the ability to adjust such things as contrast, enlargement/reduction, network configuration and passwords from the remote location.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/421,992, filed Oct. 19, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,383, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
   This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/421,992, filed Oct. 19, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,383, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/724,640, filed Oct. 1, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,284, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/478,357, filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,060, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/247,591, filed May 23, 1994, now abandoned, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/978,278, filed Nov. 18, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,286, which was a division of application Ser. No. 07/567,388, filed Aug. 14, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,772, which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/450,605, filed Dec. 13, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,875. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a system for remotely monitoring the status of a plurality of copiers from a central location. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Several methods for reporting copy machine status are known in the art. The simplest is a series of indicators arranged remotely as a “scoreboard” to show the status of each copier in a limited fashion. This approach, however, is only able to indicate gross failures and is not a practical monitoring system when there are a large number of copiers distributed over a large area or on multiple floors of a building. 
   A technique for remotely monitoring a number of copiers is the XEROX REMOTE INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS (RIC) system which interfaces with several different XEROX copiers (such as the 1090) and relays status information over telephone lines to a central service office. The RIC has been designed primarily to collect billing information. In addition, it also collects ongoing failure information that it locally analyzes for failure trends, i.e., a sudden increase in jams in the fuser section. If a failure trend is recognized, the RIC will report its failure analysis to the service office. The RIC adapter consists of a dedicated microprocessor controller that plugs into a special data port at the copier and an auto-dial modem for direct hookup to a telephone line. 
   The RIC system has the disadvantage in that it is designed to interface with only a limited subset of XEROX copiers. To accommodate for the different copier models of both like and different manufacturers, a translator described in Ser. No. 07/450,605, filed Dec. 13, 1989, which corresponds to the specific copier structure, is used to provide uniform interface between the copier and the central data collection point. The translator is a single device that is responsible for translating the incoming copier information into uniform signals to be read by the central data collection point as well as communicating with the remotely located scanner/multiplexer to accept and transfer information with the central data collection point. 
   There is the possibility that in this type of translator which is based on a single microprocessor can be overloaded and degrade system performance. An object of the present invention is to overcome this by using two separate microprocessor systems—one to translate the incoming copier information and one to communicate with the central data collection point. The main object of the present invention, however, is to provide a method of linking a plurality of copiers, through hardware and software, in such a way so as to provide continuous, automatic monitoring of copier status, in real time or quasi real time including error conditions, from a central location. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to monitor various types of copiers, i.e., static and dynamic, with a single system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A system for automatically monitoring the operational status of one or more copier machines from a remote location, each copier machine having a copier control computer for determining copier status, comprising means for monitoring status information from the copier control computer, a translator associated with each copier including a means to adapt status information from the specific copier machine into uniform status information for transmission to the remote location and means for transmitting information between the translator of each copier and the remote location. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner as encompassed by the claims forming a part hereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of the system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a static copier interface and passive data tap on the copier control data cable for use with the present system. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a dynamic copier interface and passive data tap on the copier control data cable for use with the present system. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of a static copier interface and passive data tap located on the copier control computer. 
       FIG. 5A  is a schematic top plan view of the copier control computer board including a control panel data cable connection. 
       FIG. 5B  is a side plan view of the original control panel data cable connnection. 
       FIG. 5C  is a side plan view of the control panel data cable connection including a passive data tap for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5D  is a side plan view of the Y-tap header used for parallel connection of the translator data cable with the control panel data cable. 
       FIG. 5E  is a front plan view of the Y-tap header used for parallel connection of the translator data cable with the control panel data cable. 
       FIG. 6   a  is an electrical schematic of a multiplexed display system. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a schematic diagram of multiplexed indicators and data tap scheme for use with the present system. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of a multiplexed data version translator for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of a multiplexed data version translator with the random access memory, timer and universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter intergrated into the central processing unit. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of a static copier with an active data tap and buffer node computer. 
       FIG. 10A  is a schematic top plan view of the copier control computer board including a copier control panel data cable connection with an active data tap. 
       FIG. 10B  is a side plan view of the original control panel data cable connection. 
       FIG. 10C  is a side plan view of the control panel data cable connection including an active data tap for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 10D  is a top plan view of the control panel data cable connection including an active data tap for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of a multiplexed data version active data tap component of the translator. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram of a buffer node computer component of the translator. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram of a copier receiving power via the buffer node computer. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of a buffer node computer with a copier power switching capability. 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a serial data transmission technique from a copier control computer to the control panel display. 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of a parallel data transmission technique from a copier control computer to the control panel display. 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic block diagram of a serial/parallel data version translator for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of a 12×48 FIFO memory for a parallel interface translator. 
       FIGS. 19A-E  together show a schematic diagram of a copier multiplexed keyboard with remote keystroke monitoring and remote keystroke operation capabilities. 
       FIG. 19F  is a multiplexed keyboard timing diagram. 
       FIGS. 20   a   1  and  a   2  are an overview menu selection chart for use with the central computer. 
       FIG. 20B  is an expanded view of the information available from the COPIER menu selection. 
       FIG. 20C  is an expanded view of the information available from the SERVICE menu selection. 
       FIG. 20D  is an expanded view of the information available from the ADMIN menu selection. 
       FIG. 20E  is an expanded view of the information available from the SYSTEM menu selection. 
       FIG. 21  is a screen dump of the real-time monitoring mode for a Xerox 1025 copier. 
       FIG. 22  is a screen dump of the on-line help facility for fault codes. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to the drawings, and particularly  FIG. 1 , the present copier monitoring system is capable of automatically monitoring, collecting and storing copier profiles, service records and diagnostics from a plurality of copier machines  2 , located at various locations, from a central location or data collection point  4 . To accommodate for the differences between various copier models of both like and different manufacturers, a translator  6  is used to provide a uniform interface between the copier and the central data collection point  4  for the copier status information. A translator  6  is a microcomputer with specialized hardware and software that is customized to the particular copier and serves as an addressable node in the network. The translator  6  is located at each copier site and communicates with the copier  2  through the use of a data tap  8  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 ) which monitors the status information transmitted from the copier control computer  10  to the copier status display  12  along a control panel data cable  18 . 
   The current copier status information is stored in and transmitted by the translator  6  along a communication means, shown as line  52  to a data collection computer  16  at the central location  4  in response to a poll from a scanner/multiplexer  14  at the central location  4 . At the central location  4  the data is processed and stored in a database in the data collection computer  16 . 
   The present system, therefore, links remote copiers to a central data collection point  4  through the use of, generally, a data tap  8  and translator  6  associated with the copier  2  on the customer premises and connected by communication means  52  to a scanner/multiplexer component  14  and status copier data collection component  16  at the central location  4 . 
   Generally, machine status monitoring in a copier is an output function, however, input functions such as operator key strokes from the control panel can be monitored. There are various input/output interfaces or copier control panels  12 , depending on the model and manufacturer of the copier. The output interfaces can generally be classified as “static” and “dynamic”. In addition to monitoring the output functions it is also desireable to provide remote input operation capabilities such that control panel keystrokes can be remotely generated. 
   The static type utilizes illuminating indicators, such as light emitting diodes (“LED&#39;s”), on a control panel  12  to indicate setup and operational status by either backlighting a transparency or as an indicator adjacent to a label. Using this method the copier control computer  10  directly controls the status indicators by turning them on or off as needed. In certain cases, fault conditions of the copier are indicated by error codes that can be, for example, displayed through the copy counter as a two digit code number. An example of this class of copier is the XEROX model 1025. 
   The dynamic output type utilizes not only illuminating indicators as before, but also some form of alphanumeric display device that can be altered to represent setup and status information in plain linguistic alphanumeric text. This display device could be a single or multiple line display utilizing technology such as a vacuum fluorescent, liquid crystal or light emitting diodes, or even CRT video displays. In these dynamic copiers the copier control computer  10  passes information over a control panel data cable  18  to the display device&#39;s controller which in turn converts the raw data into a formatted display image on the control panel  12 . This information stream may be in either a serial or parallel manner. An example of this class of copier is the XEROX model 1040. 
   In the case of the static display method it may be desirable only to monitor a portion of the status devices because not all of the status devices indicate fault conditions. There are also difficulties interfacing with the static display because of the variety of the characteristics of different status devices and circuit operating voltages that exist in the various models of different or like manufacturers. 
   Furthermore, the status indicators are usually time multiplexed to reduce power consumption and the overall number of connections between the copier control computer  10  and the control panel  12 . This precludes simple monitoring of a voltage drop across a status device and requires the latching of the data at the time that a status device may be switched on. 
   An example, of a multiplexed system can be seen in  FIG. 6   a . Twenty-four (24) LED&#39;s LED1-LED24, are organized into a three row by eight column matrix. As demonstrated in the multiplexer timing diagram in  FIG. 6   b , each row of eight LED&#39;s is selected through a common switching transistor, Q 9 -Q 11  respectively, by applying a drive pulse to the base, terminal two of the device. The individual LED&#39;s within a common row are selected in parallel by applying a drive signal to the base of the column driver transistor Q 1 -Q 8  respectively. In order to turn on LED 10, it is necessary to apply drive signals to Q 2  at the time Q 10  is driven [C 1 ×ROW 1 ] at time T2. Referring again to  FIG. 6   b , to capture the data column pattern for each row, it will be necessary that the C 0 -C 7  and ROW 0 -ROW 2  signals pass from the data tap  8  to the translator  6  for processing. 
   To extract the copier status information that is displayed on the control panel  12  a data tap  8  will be installed within the copier. The data tap  8  will be placed in line with the control panel data cable  18  either on the copier control computer board  10  as shown in  FIG. 4  or between the copier control computer  10  and the control panel  12  on the control panel data cable  18  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The main purpose of the data tap  8  is to provide a physical interface means to the translator  6  for a variety of copiers. The main purpose of the translator  6  is to transform the various signals of the various copier machines  2  into uniform signals to be read by the data collection computer  16  as well as to demultiplex the copier status information that is scanned from the copier control computer  10  and return this data to the central data collection point  4  when it is polled to do so. These functions are accomplished by either a single microcomputer based system or two separate microcomputer based systems depending on the configuration of the monitoring network. 
   When a monitoring network is relatively small in size or does not have a high demand to be polled in a real time fashion then a “passive” data tap  8  in conjunction with a single CPU based translator  6  will be used as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
   The data tap  8  is located inside of the copier  2  and must not violate any FCC regulation. As a result, the data tap  8  in its simplest form is a passive device that merely passes the status information that passes from the copier control computer  10  to the control panel  12  to the translator  6 , i.e., by a Y-tap header, Y-cable or buffer/driver device. A simple Y-tap for use with a Xerox 1025 copier, having its control panel data cable  18  connected to the copier control computer  10  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  through a 34-position pin header  19 , comprises an extended 34-position pin header  19  (3-MESP Series). The Y-tap header  17 , having a physical male electrical connection that is 90 degrees to the straight through, shown in  FIG. 5D and 5E , replaces the original control panel data cable  18  connection to the copier control computer board  10  and allows the translator data cable  20  to be connected in parallel with the control panel data cable  18 , see  FIG. 5C . 
   The single CPU based translator system for a static multiplexed data interface is displayed in  FIG. 7 and 8 . It is microprocessor based using standard off-the-shelf components as well as basic design techniques. A 6809 microprocessor chip is the central processing unit  22  (CPU) along with a programmable address decode  24  (16V8) used to select the support devices (i.e., RAM, ROM, etc.) that are address mapped to the CPU  22 . 
   The stored program for the CPU  22  can be found in the read only memory  26  (ROM, 27C64 or 27C256). The CPU stack information and temporary variables are located in random access memory  28  (RAM, 6264). 
   The single CPU based translator  6  is also comprised of nonvolatile random access memory  27  (NVRAM, MCM 2814), configuration selection switches  30 , a digital port  32  (8255), analog to digital interfaces  34  (LM339), a timer  36  (555) and a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter  38  (UART, 6850). If an 80C52 microcomprocessor chip is used as the central processing unit  22  the functions of the random access memory timer and the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter are incorporated in the one chip as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   The NVRAM  27  is read as with a conventional RAM but it retains the stored data if power is removed. This device is also known as an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and/or a Battery Backed RAM (BBRAM) which contains its own on-board battery and change-over circuitry. Special information patterns, such as identifying signatures are loaded into the NVRAM  27 . This can be done at manufacturing time or remotely through the data collection computer  16 . This information can then be used to remotely identify the copier within the network, e.g. as a header attached to the data returned to the central data collection point  4 . 
   This enables a network with many copiers to have fewer problems relating a specific copier to its database records. For, example, if a copier is moved from one location to another in the network, the signature identification would travel with it. As a result the copier still could be recognized by the data collection computer  16  database manager even though the copier is now at a different location in the network. A less obvious advantage to the identifying signature is the ability to identify a copier that has been stolen, stripped of all of its serial labels and then sold. Because this component is a seemingly permanent internal component there is a high probability that it would remain intact internal to the copier and would provide a means of identification. 
   The set of configuration selection switches  30  enables the translator  6  to take on different functional characteristics based on the setting of the switches  30 . The outputs of the switches  30  are read by the CPU  22  through a digital port. This device consists of three 8-bit parallel ports that are configured to allow the CPU  22  to read in the digital level signals from the digital port  32 . The states of the switches  30  are read in at power-up time by the CPU  22  to set up certain operating characteristics of the translator  6 . 
   Some examples of this would be to map stored error codes in ROM  26  to different data input line combinations for specific copiers. Switch settings into other inputs of the digital port  32  configure other operating parameters of the translator  6  for similar copiers. Minor differences between copiers that could be compensated for might include error messages unique to one or more specific copiers or the size of storage space allocated in RAM  28  for message lengths. 
   The CPU  22  receives the status data from the digital port  32 . However, the data that comes from the data tap  8  to the digital port  32  is multiplexed data and the information may not be at appropriate signal levels for the digital port  32  or may contain undesirable signal noise and, therefore, must be conditioned to digital levels through an analog to digital interface  34 . This interface  34  consists of a voltage comparator  40  such as a LM339 or like component, which has two inputs, the signal to be conditioned from the copier  2  and a threshold reference voltage (VREF) see  FIG. 7 . 
   The output of the comparator  40 , 0V for a logical “0” state of +5V for a logical “1” state, will reflect the differential relation of the voltage input from the copier  2  and VREF. That is, if the input is greater than the reference, the output will be 0V and vice versa. 
   Now that the input signal has been conditioned to the correct signal levels for the digital port  32 , the signal can be read by the CPU  22  through the lines of the digital port  32 . This information is then transferred to the RAM  28  for later evaluation, based on the characteristics from the configuration switches  30 . 
   The status information of the copier changes at a relatively slow pace compared to the computational speed of a microprocessor based system. Therefore, it is only necessary for the translator  6  to periodically evaluate the condition of the copier  2 . To accomplish this periodic acquisition technique, a method known as “interrupt driven” is used. 
   Normally, the CPU  22  is executing its program waiting in an idle loop. A signal into the interrupt request (IRQ) input of the CPU  22 , which causes the CPU  22  to execute an algorithm to input and store the data present from the eight row by eight column matrix, can be caused by a background timer  36  as shown in  FIG. 7  that produces a signal at some interval or by a wire  25  as shown in  FIG. 8  which connects the output port that represents ROW 1  of the matrix of the analog to digital interface  34  to the IRQ of the CPU  22  which triggers the CPU  22  when data is present. After the CPU  22  is activated, the row LED is enabled and the column LEDs are stable, the data is stored and the next row of data is displayed. Later the CPU  22  can further evaluate the information to determine what status conditions exist. 
   The algorithm for such a scan might conceptually look as follows after the background timer  36  has pulsed the IRQ input or the output port that represents ROW 1  of the matrix of the analog to digital interface  34  goes high (all signal references are from  FIG. 6 , multiplexer time diagram):
         1. The CPU  22  polls the digital port input mapped to ROW 1  and waits for it to be asserted at T1.   2. At that time it is known that the data on C 0 -C 7  is valid and they are stored in a known location in RAM  28 .   3. The CPU  22  now repeats steps 1 and 2, instead polling for ROW 2  through ROW 8  to be asserted at T2 through T8, respectively.   4. Once all of the information has been acquired, the stored images are shifted and compared against test tables that are stored in the ROM  26 . The outcome of the tests are stored in RAM  28  for later use.   5. The CPU  22  then returns to its wait loop for the next timer interrupt.       

   The CPU  22  may also receive an interrupt request signal from the UART  38 . The UART  38  enables the CPU  22  to communicate with the scanner/multiplexer  14 . The UART  38  performs the task of converting the serial data that is transmitted from the scanner  14  into 8-bit bytes that the CPU  22  can process. It also converts the 8-bit bytes of data from the CPU  22  into a serial stream to be sent back to the scanner  14  along line  52 . Furthermore, the transmit (TX) and receive (RX) signal lines are converted to/from standard RS-422 line drivers/receivers  50  for transmission of data over long distances with high immunity from external noise sources. Various transmission media, such as fiber optics, telephone lines, etc., are also possible. 
   When a service request command from the central data collection point  4  is received by the translator  6 , the CPU  22  executes an algorithm to retrieve the most recent condition evaluation in RAM  28 . The report could be as simple as an encoded token that represents the meaning of the most recent evaluation. This token would then be decoded into the status text string by the scanner  14  or the user computer  16 . Alternatively, the transmitted data could be the literal text string of the status message as it would be shown on the copier control panel  12 . 
   In a large monitoring network there is a chance that a single CPU based translator  6  can become overloaded and degrade system performance. To compensate for this the functions of the data tap  8  and translator  6  are embodied into two separate microcomputer systems, an “active” data tap  3  and buffer node computer  5  which communicate by fiber optic cables, shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   The “active” or “smart” data tap  3  is located within the copier  2 . It provides a physical interface to the copier  2  and has its own microcomputer to demultiplex the control panel information. The buffer node computer  5  is located outside the copier  2  and is responsible for communication between the smart data tap  3  and the central data collection point  4 . This division allows the smart data tap  3  to dedicate nearly all of its resources to monitoring the multiplexed data captured while the buffer node computer  5  can honor poll requests from the central data collection point  4 . Only when a poll is received from the buffer node computer  5  does the smart data tap  3  discontinue its data monitoring operation and up-load its data to the buffer node computer  5  for return to the central data collection point  4 . Together the smart data tap  3  and the buffer node computer  5  perform the same functions in the same manner as the single CPU translator  6 . 
   The smart data tap  3 , shown in  FIG. 11 , is microprocessor based using standard off-the-shelf components as well as basic design techniques. Its components are similar to those described earlier in single CPU based translator design. 
   The smart data tap  3  is comprised of a central processing unit (CPU)  29  that may have a random access memory (RAM), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) and a timer, either incorporated into the CPU 29  or as separate components (not shown), as well as a programmable address decoder  24  (74LS138), read only memory  26  (ROM, 27C256), nonvolatile random access memory  27  (MCM2814), digital port  32  (74LS573), analog to digital voltage equalizer  34  (4504) and fiber optic transmitter and receiver connectors  11  and  13  (HFBR-1510 and HFBR-2501 respectively). 
   The smart data tap  3  is installed directly onto the copier control computer board  10  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10C . The control panel data cable  18  is removed from its original position pinheader  19  of the copier control computer board  10 , shown in  FIG. 10B . In its place is inserted the smart data tap  3  by means of a mating header  15  that is part of the printed circuit board assembly. The rest of the smart tap microcomputer, shown in  FIG. 10D  consists of the actual computing elements packaged as surface mounted devices (SMD)  21 , the front panel connector  19  and the fiber optic transmitter  11  and receiver  13  pair. 
   The buffer node computer  5  as shown in  FIG. 12  is also microprocessor based using standard off the shelf components. It is comprised of a central processing unit  31  (CPU,80C52) that again may have random access memory (RAM), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) and a timer either incorporated into the chip or as separate components (not shown). Also included in the buffer node computer  5  are a programmable address decoder  37  (74LS138), read only memory  39  (ROM,27C256), a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter  33  (UART,8250), fiber optic transmit and receiver connectors  11  and  13  (HFBR-1510, HFBR-2501) and RS-422 line drivers/receivers  50  (3487, 3486). 
   The smart data tap  3  and buffer node computer  5  functionality is basically the same as described earlier in said single CPU based translator. The smart data tap CPU  29  continuously executes the stored instructions in ROM  26  to demultiplex the copier control information. This information is then stored in RAM until a poll is received from the buffer node computer  5 . The buffer node computer  5  sits idle waiting for a service request from the central data point  4 . When the buffer node computer  5  receives a poll from the central data point  4  the CPU  31  executes an algorithm to retrieve the copier status data from the smart data tap  3 . 
   When the smart data tap CPU  29  receives the poll on its receive port an algorithm is executed to retrieve the copier status data from RAM. The UART located in the CPU  29  converts the 8-bit bytes into serial data to be transmitted over the fiber optic cable  21 . When the data reaches the buffer node computer  5  the information is again converted back into 8 bit bytes by the UART  33 . When the data is ready to be passed onto the buffer node computer CPU  31  the UART  33  sends an interrupt request signal along line  35  to the CPU  31  to activate an algorithm to retrieve the data, convert the data to serial format and then pass this data to the scanner  14  through the RS-422 line drivers/receivers  50 . 
   Control panel operator keys are often multiplexed using techniques, shown in  FIG. 19 , that are similar to those employed with static display indicating devices as shown in  FIG. 6 . With respect to the translator  6 , operator keys can serve as both an status input means, showing the current status of any key(s) down, or as an output means that enables the system user to remotely “strike” a key(s) on the control panel. 
   The process is shown in  FIGS. 19A-E  (all of which together form a single schematic drawing). A keyboard S 1 -S 32 , is shown organized as a 4×8 matrix. The rows as strobed by signals ROW 1 *-ROW 4 * with the returning sense columns COL 0 -COL 7  pulled to a logical 1 by resistors R 1 -R 8 , respectively. The resultant column data is read via the copier control to obtain D 0 -D 7  through the buffer U 1  for each occurrence of a row scan signal when the COL READ EN* signal is asserted. An example of this operation is found in the multiplexed timing diagram of  FIG. 19F . When an operator presses a key, such as S 10  (copier start) at some time T1, and the keyboard matrix ROW 2 * is asserted at time T3 during a scan cycle, the COL 2  sense line will be driven to a logical 0. This corresponds to the data bit D 1  when the buffer U 1  is read. 
   Because the keyboard scanning operating may be too brief for the translator  6  to capture, a set of four 8-bit latches, U 6 -U 9  corresponding to each matrix row, are provided to automatically capture the column sense signals. As each row is strobed by ROW 1 *-ROW 4 *, the sense column data is clocked into its respective latch. In this way, the translator CPU  22  can read each row latch by asserting signals RD ROW  1  DATA*-RD ROW  4  DATA* asynchronous to the actual copier scanning operation to obtain a current image of the switch matrix. This image is then evaluated for copier specific information before being transmitted to the MAC computer  16 . In the timing diagram,  FIG. 19F , translator  6  reads an $FF (hexadecimal) from the latch U 8 , between T4 and T5, to obtain the image of switches S 17 -S 24 . The image indicates that no keys are currently pressed within row  3 . 
   In addition to reading the keyboard status, the translator  6  provides the system with the capability of remotely asserting the control panel keys exactly as if an operator were pressing the keys. A set of four 8-bit latches, U 2 -U 5  corresponding to each matrix row, are connected together in parallel across the column sense lines COL 0 -COL 7 . When a remote key access is desired, the MAC computer  16  transmits a code relating to a specific key over the communication line  52  to the desired translator  6 . The translator  6  decodes the command and writes the necessary data pattern into the selected latch. When the row select line is asserted that corresponds to the “programmed latch”, the output drivers of the latch are enabled. This drives the column sense lines to the logic level corresponding to the pattern that was written into the latch. The data is then read back by the copier control computer via the column sense buffer U 1 . 
   In the keyboard timing diagram  FIG. 19F , an example is shown for the assertion of switch S 10 . The translator CPU  22  writes a $FD into latch U 3 . When ROW 2 * is asserted, COL 1  will be driven to a logical 0 which corresponds to switch S 10  being pressed. The image that the copier control computer will receive on D 1  when U 1  is read will appear as if S 10  has been pressed by an operator. After a predetermined period of time, the latches U 2 -U 5  are cleared to remove the simulated keystroke. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the keyboard status monitoring and driving control circuitry is part of the smart tap logic. This is necessary because the circuitry would have to be copier specific in design. The smart tap  3  would receive commands from the MAC computer  16  via the buffer node computer  5 , and would return status information in like manner. 
   Another feature that can be added to the buffer node computer  5  outside of its communication function is the ability to remotely power-down one or more of the network copiers  2  to prevent unauthorized use. This is accomplished by having the copier  2  receive power via the buffer node computer  5 , placed in series between the copier  2  and wall outlet, instead of directly from a wall outlet as shown in  FIG. 13 . The buffer node computer  5  would receive power directly from a power cord  61 , while switching the power line  63  to the copier or even an auditron to prevent unauthorized use. 
   The probable switching technique, shown in  FIG. 14  would be to use a control line  65  from a digital port of the CPU  31  to drive the input of a solid state relay  67  (an optically isolated triac, such as a Cydrom D1D41). A copier enable/disable code would be issued by the data collection computer  16  at a preset time if desired, to shut down the copier  2 . Power could then be restored to the machine  2  the next morning in the same manner. 
   With regard to dynamic display systems, there are two types of data transmission methods usually used to pass control and text information to a control panel  12 . These types are classified as “serial” and “parallel”. 
   With serial transmission, shown in  FIG. 15 , information is passed from the copier control computer  10  to the display element  12   a  in a stream, bit-by-bit, at a specific data rate (bit rate). Each 8-bit byte is preceded by a start bit, i.e., S 1 , and terminated by a stop bit, i.e., S 2  to allow the receiving device to synchronize and recieve the incoming data. 
   In a parallel transmission system, shown in  FIG. 16 , information is passed from the copier control computer  10  to the receiving display element  12   a  synchronously as 8-bit bytes. Each byte is placed on the data bus and clocked into the receiving device via the strobe (ENABLE*). 
   In either case, the receiving display element  12   a  has some on-board intelligence (a dedicated function microcontroller) that processes the incoming data and formats it into the display output medium. This data can either be control commands or ASCII (text) characters. If it is a command, the display element  12   a  of the control panel  12  will interpret what actions are to be taken (such as initializing the display, positioning the cursor at a specific line or address, etc.). If the data is text, the visual representation of the character will appear at the current location of the display cursor. 
   The architecture for the translator  6  of the dynamic copier, shown in  FIG. 17 , is basically the same as for the static multiplexed data copier. The CPU  22 , ROM  26 , RAM  28 , configuration switches  30  and UART 1   38  functions remain the same. In addition, there are buffers  42 , a second universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART 2 )  38   b  and first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory  44 . However, there is no background timer. A two component version translator for the dynamic copier is also available (not shown). The buffer node computer  5  will be the same. Minor changes to the active data tap will be necessary to compensate for the different copiers. 
   The dynamic translator  6  has the capability to accept either serial or parallel data from the data tap  8 . Again, the CPU  22  can determine this from the configuration selection switches  30 . These switches  30  are programmed to select the operating mode that the translator  6  will operate in, similar in principle to the translator  6  for multiplexed data that was described earlier. For example, one switch could be used to select between serial and parallel operating mode, i.e., 1=serial and 0=parallel data operation, etc. 
   The switches  30  are connected to the digital port  32  inputs. At power-up time the CPU  22  reads the digital port  32  to determine the operating mode under which it should continue. 
   If the serial mode is selected, the incoming serial data from the data tap  8  first passes through a buffer  42 A to condition the signal to levels that are appropriate for the UART 2   38   b . During the intialization phase of the translator  6 , the UART 2   38   b  is internally configured by the CPU  22  with the necessary parameters to receive the incoming data. The serial data stream is then converted to parallel data for use by the CPU  22 . 
   After each byte is assembled, UART 2   38   b  interrupts the CPU  22  to inform it that it has another byte of data for it. After the CPU  22  has read the data in, it would be stored in RAM  28  for later evaluation. Determining the end of the data stream may be by inference, for example, if no additional characters are detected after a predetermined amount of time or if an end of transmission character is found. 
   In the parallel mode, the incoming parallel data from the data tap  8  is 8-bit wide bytes (D 0 -D 7  of  FIG. 16 ). The parallel bus also has control signals (REGISTER SELECT and READ/WRITE) and an enable signal that is asserted when the data and control signals are valid. All of this data initially passes through a buffer  42 B until the enable signal is asserted and then is automatically forwarded into a first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory  44 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the FIFO memory  44  is constructed as shown in  FIG. 18 . This particular memory arrangement is created from a composite of nine smaller 4×16 bit FIFO&#39;s (comprising  40105  devices) so connected in series/parallel as to form a wider and deeper 12×48 bit FIFO  44 . These devices receive parallel input from the copier  2  into the data inputs (D 0 -D 3 ) of devices U 1 , U 4  and U 7 . The data is clocked into this first bank by the ENABLE* clock from the copier  2 . From there the data ripples to the back of the FIFO  44  (U 3 , U 6  and U 9 ) in a “bucket brigade” fashion and is presented to the inputs of the digital port  32 . 
   As soon as the first 12-bit word has propagated to the back of the FIFO  44 , the DATA RDY signal is sent by the 3-input AND gate (U 11 A) and is made available to the digital port  32 . In this way the CPU  22  can poll the DATA RDY line to test for any data present in the FIFO  44 . When the signal is sent, the CPU  22  reads the digital port  32  to extract the data and then pulse the PB 5  line of the digital port  32  to cause the next word of the FIFO  44  to propagate up. The CPU  22  can also perform a master reset of the entire FIFO array by pulsing the FIFOCLR line, such as at T0. 
   As demonstrated in the FIFO memory timing diagram, the FIFO  44  fills with data as it is clocked in by ENABLE (T1, T2, T3 and T4) and is unloaded as it is clocked out by the CPU  22 . Note that between T1 and T2 the FIFO memory  44  can absorb 48 words of data independently of the CPU  22  and can output the data to the CPU  22  independent of the copier  2 . As with the serial interface method, the data is transferred to RAM  28  for buffering and evaluation. 
   The data stream that is passed by a dynamic copier  2  consists of discrete display commands and ASCII text characters. The translator  6  strips the control characters and sends the ASCII text stream to the central computer  16  for evaluation and formatting. There are several other approaches to evaluating such a data stream. For example, sending the data directly to the central computer  16 , unaltered, and letting the central computer  16  evaluate or reformat the data. Also, parsing the data looking for key words and making an inference that a problem exists from the key words can be achieved. Data can then be sent (by token or text stream) to the central computer  16  for evaluation or reformatting. 
   The translators  6  are polled by the scanner  14  to obtain the most recent status information. At the translator location there are RS422 transmitter/receivers  50  (3486) that are wired to the scanner  14  at the central location  4 . However, as stated above, the communication means for transmitting the status information from the translator  6  to the scanner  14  is not limited to hard wiring. 
   The scanner  14  is controlled by the data collection computer  16  and acts as a multiplex switcher which receives a message from the data collection computer  16  on which translator  6  to poll. The scanner  14  then makes cross connection to the appropriate translator  6  and passes the information to the data collection computer  16 . 
   The scanner/multiplexer  14  can be any one of a number of such devices and are well known in the art. One example is a six port auto switch manufactured by L TEX ELECTRONICS under the name SMART  6 . 
   Possibilities for the polling of the translators  6  include separate communication lines  52  for each translator  6 , having the scanner  14  send a request to each unit in sequential round-robin fashion (shown in  FIG. 1 ) or to daisy-chain the translators  6  together on a common line in a connected or unconnected ring wherein the scanner  14  would put the translator identifier of the unit being polled on the line  52 . 
   The overall remote monitoring of the network is controlled by the data collection computer  16 . The monitoring has two modes, quasi-real-time or real-time. Quasi-real-time monitoring is the normal mode of operation when the data collection computer  16  is polling each individual copier  2  without giving priority to a specific location. For example, if there are  25  copiers being polled at the rate of one/second, then the entire sampling base is updated in 25 seconds. Therefore, the status of any given copier  2  in the network will be current to within the past twenty-five seconds. 
   Real-time monitoring is accomplished in a special operating mode that causes the data collection computer  16  to focus in on a particular copier  2  and only poll the other copiers  2  as a background task and at a significantly lower rate. This allows the data collection computer  16  to sample the status of that particular copier  2  at a rate that will not appear to have any delay between the time an event occurs at the copier  2  and the time at which it is reported. 
   The data collection computer  16  can be an IBM compatible personal computer consisting of a monitor, keyboard, CPU, floppy drive, hard disk drive, and 640K of Random Access Memory running DOS 3.3. The data collection computer  16  assembles the status information into various display formats. Some of the user features are displayed in the Menu Selection Tree ( FIGS. 20   a   1  - 20   e ). These features enable a database of information on copiers by manufacturer, model, options, location, facilities, etc. to be built. The database would then be merged with the status information to present a current representation of status of all copiers  2  on the monitoring network. Copiers  2  with operational problems are easily identified and service requests made and tracked in like manner. 
   All of the stored information can also be utilized for a wide variety of report generation. It can also be used to predict potential or future machine failures. A rise in a certain type of fault could be detected and flagged as an upcoming failure. This type of window detection is similar to what the RIC system Xerox uses. However, the said system is a continuously on-line, real-time monitoring system. The present system could also alert a dispatch office automatically of pending or existing copier problems. 
   When the data collection computer  16  is operating in the real-time mode the user is able to view an actual representation of the copier control panel  12  on the CRT screen of the data collection computer  16 . 
     FIG. 21  is an actual screen dump of the monitoring mode for a Xerox 1025 copier. By having a copy of the control panel information, such a screen can be created and maintained for virtually any copier, whether or not the panel consists of a simple indicators (the static panel) or textual display characters (the dynamic panel). It then becomes a matter of processing the data against a map of the display layout of a given copier  2  to arrive at the end result. The screen of  FIG. 22  shows the current state of the ten major status indicators as well as the copier setup parameters, copy count and error codes, in the event of a copier fault. 
   The advantages gained by having a remote key operator or service personnel being able to view an actual representation of any copier  2  is extremely valuable. It allows an experienced person to view actual machine conditions first hand and also allows them to guide a less experienced individual at the remote machine site. An additional benefit of this real-time monitoring technique is that a person in a totally separate facility or town via a modem telephone link can view the actual status panel of a copier  2  to suggest possible solutions to a problem. If a copier fault occurs, a copier fault code is displayed on the control panel  12 . Through software this fault code can be converted by the data collection computer  16  into an on-line help facility to aid a key operater in correcting non-technical faults, as shown in  FIG. 22 . 
   EXAMPLE 
   An error status signal sent from the copier controller computer  10  to the control panel  12  is intercepted by the passive data tap  8 , comprising a Y-tap  17 . The data is transmitted to a translator  6  by means of a data translator cable  20 . The translator  6  has modular jacks which accept cooperating jacks on the translator data cable  20 . 
   The translator  6  being polled for information then transmits data readable by the multiplexer/scanner  14  and stores certain data. The translator  6  then transmits data to the scanner/multiplexer  14  at the central location along line  52  by the use of line drivers/receivers  50  (RS 422). Similarly, line  52  has modular jacks at each end which cooperate with jacks on both the translator and scanner/multiplexer  14 . 
   The scanner/multiplexer  14  is controlled by a program in the data collection computer  16  under DOS 3.3. As such, the scanner/multiplexer  14  is integrated into the data collection computer  16 . 
   A user interface comprising a personal computer, including a CRT, keyboard and CPU, to extract other information, is used to alert the user to the location and status of an error. 
   Variations of the present invention will make themselves apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, limited only by the appended claims.