Patent Application
20150178022
The present invention relates to asset management. More particularly, it relates to optimizing load density in a managed asset environment, such as an imaging environment having a plurality of imaging devices.
Asset management generally helps organizations manage their assets more effectively to achieve optimum possible performance. For example, many business organizations are taking managed print services (MPSs) from printer manufacturers and/or MPS providers to help manage their growing fleet of equipment and output devices such as copiers, printers, multi-function devices, and any other imaging device. This way, the MPS provider is responsible for maintaining and servicing the imaging devices, and for providing optimized solutions to meet customer needs.
One known practice for MPS is to manually survey/inspect a site location and provide optimized options for installation and distribution of imaging devices in the site location. In some cases, floor plans are received from the customer and proposed number and locations of imaging devices are supplied using the floor plan. Typically, the type, number, and distribution of the imaging devices is determined by the number of expected users in particular regions of the site location, imaging needs of the users, topography, and accessibility constraints, among others. Once approved, imaging devices are installed in the site location.
The initial installation may provide an “ideal” imaging environment for the organizational structure at the time of installation where load density is relatively optimized and balanced. However, reorganizational changes in business organizations are not uncommon. In most cases, these changes result to relocation, removal, or addition of personnel which often leads to changes in user density for a given imaging region if imaging devices remain in their respective installation points. In other cases, imaging devices are relocated, swapped out for different other imaging devices, upgraded, or discontinued due to changes in needs of particular users or structural modifications in the site. With any combination of these changes, optimization of the load density in the imaging environment may be compromised and become unbalanced as some imaging devices may become overloaded with jobs while others may become underutilized. Excessive use of an imaging device gradually impairs components and shortens the useful life of the imaging device. Meanwhile, customers have vested interest in maximizing imaging device use, which in turn means that underutilization of an imaging device is generally a waste of investment.
Common practice to overcome this unbalanced/unoptimized state is to re-inspect the site and provide new options for installation and imaging device deployment by manual means. This typically requires MPS providers to receive notifications regarding the changes for them to be able to dispatch service personnel to accomplish the task. However, business organizations often tend to neglect or overlook the effects of modifying the imaging environment and, as a result, often fail to provide notifications and/or request for re-optimizations. Further, a major impediment to immediate correction is the time it takes to manually perform the re-inspection which is a relatively long process. This introduces hidden cost of time wasted when the imaging environment is awaiting re-optimization.
What is needed is an application that can be readily used to inspect and/or examine load density in an imaging environment and perform optimization when necessary. What is also needed is a tool to allow users to easily obtain an optimized map and implement immediate corrective actions to curb the undesirable effects of changes in the imaging environment. Additional benefits and alternatives are also sought when devising solutions.
The above-mentioned and other problems become solved by methods for optimizing load density in a managed asset environment, such as in an imaging environment. In a representative embodiment, an environment includes a plurality of electronic devices, such as imaging devices, in a plurality of regions that subdivide the environment. Using an optimization application hosted by a computing device, usage information associated with electronic devices per region is generated. Based on the usage information, a determination is made whether load density per region exceeds a value of a predetermined metric. Upon determining that load density of at least one region exceeds the value, the application provides an indication to adjust a number of electronic devices in one or more of the regions to cause the load density of the at least one region to be less than the value and thereby substantially balance the load density between the plurality of regions. In an example aspect, the indication is provided as an optimized map reflecting changes and/or adjustments in electronic devices and their locations in the environment.
Other example embodiments contemplate augmenting the number of electronic devices in the at least one region by adding a new electronic device in the at least one region. The new electronic device can either be a relocatable underloaded electronic device in the environment or a fresh electronic device. The new electronic device is positioned proximate an overloaded electronic device in the at least one region in order to allow altering of its load to be below a predetermined threshold. Relocatable underloaded electronic devices that are not relocated become subjects for removal from the environment to do away with redundancy and/or underutilization of assets.
Further example embodiments note techniques for allowing users to manually adjust location of an added electronic device. The application displays on a map an initial location of the electronic device. Users adjust the initial location to a desired location on the map using an input device or a hand gesture on a display surface displaying the map to note a desired location.
These and other embodiments are set forth in the description below. Their advantages and features will become readily apparent to skilled artisans. The claims set forth particular limitations.
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like details. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the features of the invention, methods are described for optimizing load density in an imaging environment.
With reference to
Imaging devices 15 in the imaging environment 10 and a computing device 30 are connected to a network 35 through associated interface devices, such as network interface cards (NICs). Although shown as a desktop computer, computing device 30 can be any other computing device including a laptop computer, a mobile device, etc. Network 35 implements any of a number of network topologies and includes a variety of software systems and hardware components such as routers, access points, switches, servers, etc. Electronic communication between devices connected to network 35 operates using wired or wireless connections, such as for example, using Ethernet UTP or fiber optic cables, or a wireless networking standard, such as IEEE 802.XX.
Computing device 30 makes available an optimization application 40 that users can utilize to determine a condition of the imaging environment 10 and implement corrections thereto for optimization, as needed. In particular, the optimization application 40 retrieves usage information associated with imaging devices 15, analyzes print load density in the imaging environment 10, and provides adjustment solutions to improve print load balance among imaging devices in the imaging environment 10. Solutions include arrangement modifications and/or device headcount adjustments including augmentation and reduction to address overloading and underutilization problems, as will be described in greater detail below.
With reference to
Map 45 is subdivided into predetermined regions 55. Regions 55 are manually determined by service personnel to conform with the topography of floor plan 50 and/or localization of users in the environment 10. As such, although shown as having rectangular shapes, regions can have other shapes, whether regular or irregular, depending on floor plan topography. The floor plan 50 is calibrated with the regions 55 so that each imaging device 15 falls into one of the regions 55.
In general operation, the optimization application 40 analyzes the imaging environment 10 such as by determining print load density per region 55. Using a predetermined metric, it then determines whether print load density of at least one region 55 has exceeded a particular value. Thereafter, it provides indications via a display to adjust the number of imaging devices in the imaging environment 10 by adding, removing, and/or relocating imaging devices in the regions 55 to improve load balancing between regions. In an example aspect, these indications are provided using floor plan 50. Service personnel, technicians, and/or users themselves may then execute the adjustments to complete the optimization by following imaging device arrangements shown on the map. The optimization can be utilized as needed, such as in a regular manner or when organizational changes occur, to ensure that the imaging environment is in an optimized state.
With reference to
Once obtained, each imaging device is classified as one of “overloaded”, “underloaded”, and “normal” according to their associated page count information at 110. More particularly, an overloaded imaging device is classified as one having a print load that has exceeded a predetermined percentage of its expected monthly volume, such as greater than 90%. On the other hand, an underloaded imaging device exhibits a print load that is below a predetermined threshold, such as below 25% of its monthly volume. Meanwhile, a normal imaging device is characterized by a print load falling between the threshold limits defined for overloaded and underloaded imaging devices. As will be appreciated, threshold values described herein are for purposes of illustration and thus should not be considered limiting.
At 115, underloaded imaging devices for each region are tagged/categorized according to their movability within the environment 10. Categories include: (a) “not movable,” (b) “movable within its respective region,” or (c) “movable within and removable from its region.” These categories are generally used in future determinations on which underloaded imaging device to move from one location to another, or to discontinue use of, to achieve an optimized environment.
For a given region of interest, an underloaded imaging device is identified at 130. If the underloaded imaging device is determined to be the only imaging device in the region at 132, then such underloaded imaging device is tagged as “not movable” at 134. As an example, consider the imaging environment 10 depicted in
Upon a negative determination at 132, a determination is made at 136 whether the underloaded imaging device has a union with other imaging device(s) in the region. In this example, union is established between imaging devices if their coverage areas overlap with each other, such as shown by imaging devices in regions 55B and 55D of
However, if a union is determined to exist at 136, an analysis is performed on whether removing the underloaded imaging device from the union will cause the other imaging device(s) in the union to become overloaded at 140. If such is the case, then the underloaded imaging device is tagged as “not movable” at 134 so that load balance in the region/union will not be compromised. If not, the device is tagged as being movable within the region and further removable therefrom at 142. For example, in region 55B of
The foregoing described process of categorizing/tagging an underloaded imaging device is performed in an iterative fashion to account for each underloaded imaging device in the imaging environment 10. Once all underloaded imaging devices are accounted for at 115 (
At 160, an overloaded imaging device is identified for a given region of interest. At 162, if it is determined that the overloaded imaging device is not the only imaging device in the region, then the application checks an availability of an underloaded imaging device that is movable within the same region at 164. If there is one available, then the application adjusts the location of the underloaded imaging device to a more proximate location relative to the overloaded imaging device at 166, such as at a point on the floor plan 50 where the underloaded imaging device's coverage area overlaps with that of the overloaded imaging device. In instances where there are more than one available underloaded imaging device in the region, the device with the least minimal load can be selected. Alternatively, the closest one can be selected. As will be appreciated, other bases for selection can be used.
To illustrate the adjustment, consider
If no available underloaded imaging device in the region is determined at 164, the application looks for an available underloaded imaging device in other regions at 176. It is further noted that the same procedure at 176 is performed if, at 162, the overloaded imaging device is determined to be the only imaging device in its region. More particularly, the application finds available underloaded imaging devices tagged as being removable from their respective regions as determined in prior steps (142 in
If there is no available underloaded imaging device determined at 178, then the application adds a new/fresh imaging device proximate the overloaded imaging device at 184. For example, in
The foregoing process is performed iteratively to account for each overloaded imaging device in the imaging environment 10. For overlapping overloaded imaging devices such as shown in
After all overloaded imaging devices are accounted for, each remaining underloaded imaging device that was previously identified as being removable from its respective region (142 in
Meanwhile, relative locations of imaging devices classified as having normal loads are maintained. In other example embodiments, a normally loaded imaging device can be identified with a “nearly overloaded” status if it is characterized by a print load that is within a predetermined range relatively close to the threshold limit defined for overloaded imaging devices. This way, the possibility of an imaging device becoming overloaded may be determined in advance and preemptive measures can be taken.
Thereafter, at 200, the application generates an optimized map as output indicating the adjustments including relocation, addition, and/or reduction of imaging devices. In
Appreciating that a determined new location may not be a suitable location at which to position an imaging device, such as due to the location corresponding to a wall, post, an immovable structure, or an uncrowded area, for instance, other example embodiments contemplate allowing users to manually select the new location. In particular, instead of automatically assigning a new location for an imaging device in a transfer zone, the application displays floor plan 50 showing a transfer zone associated within an overloaded imaging device and a suggested new location therein. The user then determines whether the suggested new location is properly applicable or not. If not, the user can adjust the imaging device location to a more proper location on floor plan 50 elsewhere in the transfer zone. In one example, users can do this by using an input device, such as a mouse, and applying an action such as a click, double-click, drag-and-drop, etc. to note a desired location. In other examples, users can apply a hand gesture on the display surface displaying floor plan 50 such as a tap, double-tap, swipe, drag-and-drop, or any other form recognizable by the application. In
In other embodiments, users can be provided with different options to choose from, such as options corresponding to aforementioned actions (1), (2), and/or (3). In addition or in the alternative, users can be provided with a selection of all available underloaded imaging devices and allowed to select which one to transfer. The application can repeatedly present all possible options until the user selects one. Once an option for a particular overloaded imaging device is confirmed, the process will proceed with the next overloaded imaging device and repeat required process steps until all overloaded imaging devices are accounted for. It is further noted that once an underloaded imaging device has been confirmed by the user for transfer near an overloaded imaging device, it can be tagged as “unavailable” for transfer and thus can no longer be used as a candidate for transfer when analyzing subsequent overloaded imaging devices.
The application of the present invention also goes beyond use of page count information for optimization. For example, optimization may further take into account print job features such as simplex/duplex, print quality, color output (monochrome or colored), print job content (e.g., text, graphic, or photo), etc., or other usage information associated with other functions of an imaging device, such as scanning, e-mailing, faxing, etc. Additionally, although example embodiments have been described using imaging devices, it will be appreciated that the methods described herein are further applicable in optimizing a variety of computing system or managed asset environments employing different types of electronic devices, apparatuses, or equipment.
The foregoing illustrates various aspects of the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.
