SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF DOCUMENT PROCESSING DEVICES
A system and method for servicing of devices includes a processor, associated memory and a user interface including a display. A display generator generates images on the display. The memory stores device data for each of a plurality of serviceable devices. Device data for each device includes a unique device identifier and associated device status data. The display generator is displays an image including a device data list on the display. The user interface receives filter data from an associated user and the processor generates a subset of the device data in accordance with received filter data. The processor generates a label corresponding to the subset and stores the label in the memory. The processor further receives a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface, and the display generator generates a labeled display image including the label responsive to a received device inquiry.
This application relates generally to monitoring and servicing of devices. The application relates more specifically to a system and method to facilitate efficient and organized administration or maintenance of multifunction peripherals.
BACKGROUNDDocument 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). MFPs are used in connection with example embodiments disclosed in detail below, but it is to be appreciated that any suitable document processing device can be used.
Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequently shared among users via a data network. Users may send document processing jobs, such as a print request, to one or more networked devices. In a typical shared device setting, one or more workstations are connected via a network. When a user wants to print a document, an electronic copy of that document is sent to a document processing device via the network. The user may select a particular device when several are available. Companies may have several or many MFPs available for employee use. The devices maybe distributed on one or more floors or at one or more locations. Jobs may be routed to other available MFPs for processing.
MFPs require periodic maintenance for reasons including device failure or depletion of supplies such as paper, toner, ink or staples. While some maintenance procedures are straightforward, many are complex and require the services of a trained technician. When devices are distributed among different locations, monitoring or maintenance can require significant resources, and having a dedicated technician may not be justifiable or cost effective.
Companies may outsource device maintenance to a service company. Service technicians can be notified by the company when maintenance is required. More recently, devices are networked and include an ability to send a message, such as an e-mail, to a technician charge with maintaining a device when service is required. Service may be due to things such as device failure, but may also include regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. Such intervals may be based on time passage, or may be based on machine usage, such as number of copies made. Many devices include counters or other gauges which may communicate status information via an associated network.
It is highly desirable for service technicians to be as efficient as possible. Device outages can lead to lost productivity. Increased efficiency allows for more responsive servicing, and maximizes technician utilization.
SUMMARYIn accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a system and method for servicing of devices includes a processor, associated memory and a user interface including a display. A display generator generates images on the display. The memory stores device data for each of a plurality of serviceable devices. Device data for each device includes a unique device identifier and associated device status data. The display generator is displays an image comprised of a device data list on the display. The user interface receives filter data from an associated user and the processor generates a subset of the device data in accordance with received filter data. The processor generates a label corresponding to the subset and stores the label in the memory. The processor further receives a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface, and the display generator generates a labeled display image including the label responsive to a received device inquiry.
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.
Turning first to
In the example of
An identifier is associated with each device and its device data. Any suitable identifier may be used, including device serial number or a supplied device name. Thus, device data may be received and viewed associatively with the device identifier to be available to a technician. Device identifier data may also include a name of the location where the device is installed, such as a company name, or a geographic location of the device. The location may be preset, or determined via any suitable geolocation or premises location system.
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 218, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 220. 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), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. NIC 214 and wireless network interface 218 suitably provide for connection to an associated network 220.
Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units 250. 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 units 250. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Turning now to
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a storage interface 316 for reading or writing to a data storage system 318, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a network interface controller (NIC) 330, which provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection via physical network interface 334, or to any suitable wireless data connection via wireless network interface 338. 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), telephone line, or the like.
Processor 304 is also in data communication with a user input/output (I/O) interface 340 which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as display 344, Bluetooth interface 350, or near-field communication interface 360, as well as keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like. It will be understood that functional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.
Referring now to
If creation of a new filter is not selected, the process proceeds to block 430 where the device list is displayed, and the process ends at block 434. If creation of a new filter is selected at block 426, the new filter is obtained and stored with a new label at block 438. In a configuration, a filter can be based upon location, device type, service date, and so forth. In a configuration, the label can be checked against existing label, either from the same user or labels from other users. Labels can be harmonized and checked relative to associated data content. Labels can be required to use a standardized company labeling notation. Labeling can include device information such as location, device type, service date, and so forth. A new filter list is displayed at block 442, suitably with the newly created filter listed first as the most recently used filter as identified by its corresponding label. The process then proceeds to block 446 where the filter list is stored. The process then proceeds to block 450 where the filter associated with the label is applied to the device list. The process then suitably returns to block 426 to proceed as described above.
If prior labels were determined to have been used at block 422, the label history is retrieved and displayed at block 454. In a configuration, labels used by other users can be retrieved. In a configuration, the retrieved labels can be checked against other labels, for example to determine if one or more labels are duplicative. Labels can be harmonized, for example duplicative labels from the same user, or different users, can be reduced to a single label, for example a label using a standard company labeling notation. Labels can be check against similarly named labels, or analyzed relative to associated data content. A determination is made as to whether a prior label has been selected at block 458. If a prior label has been selected, the process returns to block 450 to proceed as described above. If a prior label has not been selected, the process returns to block 426 for processing as previously described.
Turning next 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.
Claims
1. A system comprising: the memory configured to store a device data for each of a plurality of serviceable devices, the device data for each device including a unique device identifier and associated device status data;
- a processor and associated memory,
- a user interface including a display; and
- a display generator configured to generate an image on the display, the display generator configured to display an image comprised of a device list of serviceable devices on the display,
- wherein the user interface is configured to receive filter data from an associated user,
- wherein the processor is configured to generate a subset of the device list in accordance with filter data supplied by the user,
- wherein the processor is further configured to associate a label with the subset,
- wherein the processor is further configured to store the label in the memory associatively with the subset,
- wherein the processor is further configured to receive a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface,
- wherein the display generator is further configured to generate, responsive to a received device inquiry, a label display image including the label,
- wherein the processor is further configured to receive a user label selection form the label display image from the user via the user interface, and
- wherein the display generator is further configured to generate an image corresponding to the subset on the display in accordance with a selection of the label by the user.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising, wherein the user interface is further configured to receive additional filter data from the associated user,
- wherein the processor is further configured to generate at least a second subset of the device list in accordance with additional filter data received,
- wherein the processor is further configured to associate at least one added label with the second subset,
- wherein the processor is further configured to store the at least one added label in the memory,
- wherein the processor is further configured to receive a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface, and
- wherein the display is further configured to generate an updated label display image including the at least one added label.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the user interface is further configured to receive a label selection from the associated user via the user interface, and
- wherein the display is further configured to generate a display of a subset of device list corresponding to a selected label.
4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:
- a network interface configured to receive at least a portion of the device status data from each of a plurality of networked, serviceable devices, and
- wherein the processor is further configured to store device received status data in the memory.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the network interface is further configured to receive device data from associated cloud storage.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the network interface is further configured to receive the service data including configuration data corresponding to a current configuration of at least one networked multifunction peripheral.
7 The system of claim 5 wherein the network interface is further configured to receive the service data including to an error condition associated with at least one networked multifunction peripheral.
8. A method comprising:
- receiving, into a portable computer including a display, processor and associated memory, device data for each of a plurality of serviceable devices, the device data including a unique device identifier and associated device status data for each serviceable device;
- generating image data corresponding to retrieved device data;
- displaying an image comprised of a device list of serviceable devices on the display in accordance with generated image data;
- receiving filter data from an associated user via the user interface;
- generating a subset of the device data in accordance with received filter data;
- associating a label with the subset;
- storing data corresponding to the label in the memory;
- receiving a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface; and
- generating a label display image including the label responsive to a received device inquiry; p1 receiving a user label selection from the label display image; and p1 generating an image corresponding to the subset on the display in accordance with a user label selection.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
- receiving additional filter data from the associated user;
- generating at least a second subset of the device data in accordance with additional filter data received;
- associating at least one added label with the second subset;
- storing the at least one added label in the memory;
- receiving a device inquiry from the associated user via the user interface; and
- generating an updated label display image including the at least one added label.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
- receiving a label selection from the associated user via the user interface; and
- displaying of a subset of device data corresponding to a selected label.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:
- receiving at least a portion of the device status data from each of a plurality of networked, serviceable devices; and
- storing store received status data in the memory.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving device data from associated cloud storage.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising receiving the service data including configuration data corresponding to a current configuration of at least one networked multifunction peripheral.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving the service data including to an error condition associated with at least one networked multifunction peripheral.
15. A system comprising:
- a processor and associated memory, the memory configured to store a plurality of data records associated with a corresponding plurality of multifunction peripherals, and the memory configured to store label data for a plurality of labels, each label being stored associatively with corresponding filter data;
- a network interface configured to interface with an associated data network; and
- a touchscreen display interface, the display interface configured to generate a list of the on the display interface, the display interface configured to generate a label list, and the display interface configured to receive selection data corresponding to a selected label from the label list,
- wherein the processor is configured to order the label list in accordance with received selection data, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a filtered device list by application of filter data associated with a label specified by the selection data, and wherein the display interface is further configured to generate an image corresponding to a filtered device list.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the network interface is further configured to receive device status data corresponding to a state of each of the plurality of multifunction peripherals, and wherein the display interface is further configured to generate the list of the data records including the device data.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the display interface is further configured to receive device query data, and wherein the network interface is further configured to receive the plurality of data records in accordance with received device query data.
18. The system of claim 16 wherein the network interface is further configured to receive data records from associated cloud storage.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the network interface is further configured to communicate the label and filter data with the cloud storage.
20. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to selectively reapply filter data to generate an updated filtered device list.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 20, 2016
Publication Date: Oct 26, 2017
Inventor: Marianne L. Kodimer (Huntington Beach, CA)
Application Number: 15/134,088