Patent Application
20200133653
This application relates generally to generating an optimized listing of firmware or software options for multifunction peripherals. The application is more particularly directed to monitoring software installation histories, usage trends, user experiences and operational successes or failures to generate selectable list of software options most likely desired and most likely to function well.
Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used.
Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequently shared or monitored by users or technicians via a data network.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
In accordance with an example embodiment, a system for machine learning generation of a customized and optimized list of candidate software for use on devices such as MFPs includes a processor and associated memory. A network interface communicates data with a plurality of multifunction peripherals. Inventory data corresponding to an inventory of software associated with each of a plurality of multifunction peripherals is received, along with software installation data corresponding to software installed each device. Device operation data corresponding to document processing operations completed on each multifunction peripheral is also received. The processor generates software installation recommendations specific to each multifunction peripheral in accordance with inventory data, software installation data and device operation data received from each of the plurality of multifunction peripherals.
It is advantageous to monitor groups of devices, such as MFPs, in one device. One example of a management system is device management via a cloud portal. Devices connect to and report information to the cloud portal. An example of this is Toshiba's E-Bridge Cloud Connect. In addition to device monitoring, a cloud portal can oversee installation of device software, such application programs (apps) and firmware. A cloud portal is suitably provided with a software repository where software modules, such as firmware or applications, can be uploaded for use later by devices installations. In the case of firmware, this is suitably done by an administrator who uploads firmware and applications and publishes them for use by users.
There can be quite a few options and versions for software. A cloud portal could have hundreds of selections for available firmware or applications. This can be daunting, particularly when presented to someone who is less tech savvy.
As detailed in the example embodiments herein, a system is disclosed that can dynamically recommend a published app, firmware or firmware policy depending on the device and how the device is frequently used. Such recommendation is made in accordance with usage data, meter data from the device, and software installation data, including when software installed. Recommendations may also take into account how the device is being used, and how the device functions while running under identified software. Information gleaned from multiple MFPs can be used to augment successful suggestion of software that is best suited for a particular device's usage, which has features trending from other device usage, or which has demonstrate frequent use or fewer problems among the devices.
Example embodiments disclosed herein make use of device metrics, firmware and application information, and user usage through machine learning in order to recommend a firmware or application policy. Machine learning can determine optimal firmware or applications for a given device by looking up information for the firmware or application and checking trending device data. The most desirable items are suitably recommended to a user.
When the user selects a device in order to install firmware or an application, the system suitably looks up all installable applications and firmware to the selected device in order to narrow down candidates. Look up is also suitably made to determine what was previously recommended for the device or for similar devices, which may need to be done alone if there is no information for a particular device. Previously recommended firmware or applications are suitably weighted for increased desirability. However, if that firmware or application has since been removed, or if the device trending metrics reveal more print errors and failures, then weighting is suitably made for decrease desirability.
The system suitably looks up device metric trends for all other devices that have a given firmware or application installed. The more successful print jobs they have, the more desirable the firmware. If there were printing errors, then make the firmware less desirable.
For applications, or for firmware with unique features, the system suitably checks how often a feature may be used. If it is used often and has few errors, then the system suitably increases the desirability weighting. If there are several errors in its usage, then the system suitably decreases the desirability weighting. A look up of device metric trends for a selected device is suitably made, and a check is made whether the description within the firmware or application contains any matches for frequent operations. Examples include color printing, copying, black-and-white printing, stapling or hole punching. If so, then weighting can be adjusted toward an increased desirability.
Stability of all previous devices that has a given firmware or application installed is suitably checked. If a device has been less stable since installation, then a weighting can be adjusted toward a decreased desirability.
These operations provide for an evaluation of an overall desirability of each firmware or application and show the user the firmware or applications which may be most desirable. Recommendations can further be based on software popularity, such as may be indicated by an associated number of downloads.
Device trending metrics and usage data facilitates dynamic recommendations of new firmware or applications that are most suitable for the device and avoids downtime that may result with researching the new firmware or applications and their suitability for the device. This can further ensure that the firmware or applications selected will not impair device functionality.
Cloud server 116 stores software modules that are usable by MFPs, including MFP firmware, operating systems, middleware, policies and applications. MFPs are highly configurable devices and can include optional or alternative hardware or software. Examples of hardware options may include integrated hole punchers or staplers. Examples of software options include Toshiba Tec's OCR app which allows a scanned document to be edited, increasing post-scan utility. There may also be a relationship with hardware, firmware and applications, such as addition of a stapler device may require different firmware or an application to support its functionality.
When an administrator wishes to customize or configure an MFP, they can be faced with a daunting array of choices. They may be unaware of which choices are available for a particular MFP, unaware of potential problems associated with available selections, unaware as to which selections may be of greatest utility for the way their device is being used, or unaware of what is trending with other users which may be of added benefit for their device. This leads to less efficient device usage, wasted user time, and failure to implement valuable or desirable device features. In example embodiments disclosed herein, machine learning is applied to an array of inputs to determine, for each particular MFP, what software is available for it. Available software is suggested for use based on factors including the setup and usage of the particular MFP, as well as setups, usage, usage trends and monitored statuses of other networked MFPs.
Turning now to
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading or writing to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 218. Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Apple Lightning, telephone line, or the like. Processor 202 is also in data communication with user interface 219 for interfacing with displays, keyboards, touchscreens, mice, trackballs and the like.
Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units. In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244 and fax hardware 246 which together comprise MFP functional hardware 250. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Turning now to
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
