Abstract: A method of determining the configuration of a plurality of resources in an image processing apparatus by running turn around tests to determine the interconnection of the resources and comparing the interconnection to a reference interconnection indicator stored in memory. The difference of interconnections between the reference indicator and the determined interconnections is then displayed to an operator for confirmation. An indication of the new configuration, if confirmed, is then loaded into memory and the machine is set up based upon the new configuration.

Abstract: An operator controlled interactive communication device having a display for receiving or displaying messages internally generated and received from external sources. A communication transmission interface which is selectively connected to a telephone handset connector, a computer connector and a modem to allow multiple modes of communication between an operator at a customer site and a vendor site. The communication device is reprogrammable from a remote location or through the computer connector.

Abstract: A method for remotely diagnosing copy quality defects. The image scanner on a system reprographics machine, or other digital copier, is used to scan a document that has a copy quality defect. Information about the problem, which may include the scanned image itself as well as machine related parameters resident in non-volatile memory, is then transmitted to a host computer that can diagnose the problem. The diagnosis and instructions for correcting the defect are thereupon given either to a service representative or transmitted back to the user, who can then correct the problem. In some instances, the problem can be fixed remotely by adjusting non-volatile memory values using the Remote Interactive Communications (RIC) network or other similar communications network between the host computer and the defective system reprographic machine.