Abstract: An office machine monitoring device (31) includes an interface unit (32) that couples to a main logic board (50) and a front panel display circuit (52) of an office machine (30). The interface unit (32) intercepts data exchanged between the main logic board (50) and the front panel display circuit (52). The interface unit (32) provides the intercepted data to a microcontroller unit (34) for processing. The microcontroller unit (34) processes the intercepted data and provides a wireless message to a transceiver unit (36). The transceiver unit (36) transmits the wireless message to a supervisory transceiver base unit (28) to allow for remote monitoring and control of the office machine (30).

Abstract: A copying machine (10) includes copying circuitry (14) controlled by a copier processor (12). The copier processor (12) gathers and generates status information for the copying machine (10) and this status information is transmitted to a remote processor by a wireless transceiver (18). A transceiver processor (16) may be used to analyze the status information and control operation of the wireless transceiver (18). The wireless transceiver (18) may also receive information and corrective action in response to the transmitted status information for use by the copier processor (12) in controlling operation of the copying circuitry (14). A monitoring network can be formed using a plurality of copying machines (10) that send status information to a base processor (22) through a base transceiver (24). The base processor (22) can initiate appropriate action in response to received status information.