Patent ID: 7417753

Claim:
A copier system comprising: a copier capable of being monitored by a personal computer from a remote location, the copier comprising a control computer controlling the performance of the copier, and a control panel configured to receive data from the control computer; a chip corresponding to the copier, the chip providing an interface for connecting the copier with the personal computer by a bi-directional network, said bi-directional network being capable of connecting the personal computer to a plurality of devices; the interface comprising: a microprocessor; a memory storing special information and being capable of retaining the special information if power to the copier is removed; a circuit for converting a first parallel data stream from the microprocessor into a first serial data stream and for converting a second serial data stream from the personal computer into a second parallel data stream which the microprocessor processes; and a driver circuit capable of transmitting the first serial data stream over the bi-directional network, wherein: the special information identifies the copier and enables recognition of the copier by a database manager operating on the personal computer; and the control computer is configured to: receive a copier control command from the personal computer; and transmit via the chip to the personal computer a copier status information in response to a request for status information received from the personal computer.