Automatic call to selected remote operators in response to predetermined machine conditions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
1 is a schematic elevational view depicting various operating components and subsystems of a typical machine incorporating the present invention; FIG.
2 is a schematic illustrating the control boards for control of the machine shown in FIG.
1; FIG.
3 is an exploded view of the touch monitor screen depicted in FIG.
2; FIG.
4 is an exploded view of the touch monitor screen depicted in FIG.
2 illustrating operator selection of automatic call conditions in accordance with the present invention; FIG.
5 illustrates one method of machine/remote station in accordance with the present invention.
FIG.
6 is a flow chart illustrating automatic remote notification in accordance with the present invention; and FIG.
7 is a flow chart illustrating machine status determination for remote notification in accordance with the present invention.
While the present invention will hereinafter be described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment.
On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a general understanding of the features of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings.
In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to identify identical elements.
FIG.
1 shows one example of the overall construction of a color copying machine to which this invention is applied.
A typical color copying machine to which this invention is applied is formed with the base machine 30, composed of a platen glass plate 31, which carries the original sheet thereon, an image input terminal (IIT) 32, an electrical control system container 33, the image output terminal (IOT) 34, and a paper tray 35, and a user interface (U/I) 36 and also, as optional items, of an editing pad 61, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 62, a sorter 63, and a film projector (F/P) 64