Abstract: A method and system for incorporating additional indicia into a document generated by an off-the-shelf computer application without altering the source document or the application. A source document created by an application is sent to a printer driver for creation of a document image from the source document and delivery of the document image to a printer. Execution of the printer driver is interrupted, preferably after each individual page has been sent to the printer driver, and program flow is redirected to a sub-application. The sub-application is a program that monitors the stream of commands to the printer driver and takes actions based on a selected set of those commands to modify the image that is being prepared for printing. The exact nature of the modification would be dependent on the desired result for the sub-application but most likely it would be an operation that would render indicia onto the document image in addition to any that the application had already placed there.

Abstract: A method for controlling copy machine keystroke commands on a copy machine having operational keys thereon from a remote location by generating a copier control panel operation keystroke command from a remote location and transmitting a data pattern corresponding to the command to the copier control computer.

Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status comprising an interference in the copier to intercept and pass status information from the copier computer to an interface for capturing and communicating the status information to the remote location, communication means between the interface for capturing and communicating information and the remote location, and a computer at the remote location to process the information. The system utilizes a scanner to poll the copiers. The scanner, in cooperation with the central computer, can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.

Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of and initiating operational commands in one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status and controlling operation of the copy machine including an interface in the copier to monitor status information of the remote location from the copier computer and receive and input operational commands from the remote location into the copy machine and a communication link between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.

Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of and initiating operational commands in one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status and controlling operation of the copy machine comprising interface means in the copier to monitor status information of the remote location from the copier computer and receive and input operational commands from the remote location into the copy machine and communication means between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier.

Abstract: A system for automatically, remotely monitoring the operational status of one or more copy machines each having a copier computer therein for determining copier status comprising a data tap in the copier to monitor status information from the copier computer, a translator to adapt the status information from the copier computer into uniform information for transmission to the remote location, and a transmission link between the individual copiers and the remote location. The system utilizes a scanner to respectively monitor the copiers which can poll each of the copiers at a uniform rate or, when requested by the user at the central location, vary the poll rate of one or more of the copiers to poll the selected copier with increased regularity, slowing the polling rate of the other copiers, to provide a real-time monitoring of the selected copier. The system also provides for the operation of the copier from the remote location to allow the user at the remote location to operate the copier, i.e.