System and Method for Device Management using a Social Network

• US 20150281393A1
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sng, Swee Huat, Sojian, Lena, Shih, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 9,894,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34

Abstract

A method is provided for managing a social network of devices. The method provides a non-transitory memory, a network interface, and a social network application. Network-connected local devices create user accounts in the social network and populate a user profile listing device characteristics. Some examples of device characteristics include model and serial number. A central server is then able to access the user profiles in the social network, and cross-reference user profiles to a first device characteristic. The central server sends queries via the social network to selected local devices matching the first device characteristic and receives responses to the queries via the social network from the selected local devices. Further, the central server may maintain a database, stored in a central non-transitory memory, of queries and responses cross-referenced to the local devices. A system is also provided for managing devices using a social networking application.

Claims

1. A method for managing a social network of devices, the method comprising:

providing a non-transitory memory, a network interface, and a social network enabled as a software application with a sequence of processor instructions stored in the memory;

at least two local devices, network-connected with the memory, creating user accounts in the social network;

in response to creating the user accounts, each local device populating a user profile listing device characteristics;

a central server accessing the user profiles in the social network;

the central server cross-referencing user profiles to a first device characteristic;

the central server sending queries via the social network to selected local devices matching the first device characteristic; and

,

the central server receiving responses to the queries via the social network from the selected local devices.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

the central server maintaining a database, stored in a central non-transitory memory, of queries and responses cross-referenced to the local devices.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein providing the social network includes providing the social network with a bulletin board;

the method further comprising;

the local devices automatically sending unsolicited data via the social network for posting on the social network bulletin board; and

,

wherein maintaining the database includes the central server accessing the social network bulletin board and adding the unsolicited data to the database.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving responses to the queries includes the local devices automatically sending responses to the queries, without human interaction with the devices.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein populating the user profile listing device characteristics includes the social network differentiating the local devices into a plurality of device groups based upon device characteristics;

and,

wherein the central server cross-referencing user profiles to the first device characteristic includes the central server cross-referencing the first device characteristic to a first device group.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the central server sending queries via the social network to selected local devices includes a user interface (UI) of a first local device having a user account receiving a message via the social network for presentation.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a first local device having a user account receiving instructions via the social network, for functions to be performed.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a first local device UI presenting a message in a natural human language, requesting user assistance in performing the functions.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

in response to the first local device being unable to perform functions sent in the instructions, the first local device performing an action selected from a group consisting of;

sending the instructions via the social network, for a second local device having a user account in the social network, to perform the functions; and

,

posting the instruction on a social network bulletin board.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the local devices creating user accounts includes the local devices automatically registering with the social network to establish user accounts.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein populating the user profile with device characteristics includes adding characteristics selected from a group consisting of model, serial number, manufacturer, user-created name, location, owner, group memberships, status, functions, network address, inventory of consumable resources, and combinations of the above-listed characteristics.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the social network includes providing the social network with a bulletin board;

the method further comprising;

a UI, associated with a first local device having a user account, accepting a command, formatted in a natural human language, for functions to be performed; and

,

a second local device having a user account performing the functions in response to a scenario selected from a group consisting of;

the first local device posting the task on the social network bulletin board, and the second local device accessing the social network bulletin board;

the first local device accessing a social network database of local devices cross-referenced to device characteristics, determining that the second local device is capable of performing the functions, and sending instructions via the social network to second local device for the functions to be performed; and

,

the first local device posting the instructions on the social network bulletin board, the central server accessing the posted instructions and then accessing the social network database of local devices cross-referenced to device characteristics,

determining that the second local device is capable of performing the functions, and sending the instructions via the social network to second local device.

13. A social network device management system comprising:

a central server comprising;

a processor;

a non-transitory memory;

a network interface;

a social network, enabled as a software application with a sequence of processor instructions stored in the memory, with at least two user accounts associated with local devices that are network-connected, where each user account includes a user profile listing device characteristics; and

,

wherein the central server accesses the user profiles in the social network, cross-references the user profiles to a first device characteristic, sends queries via the social network to selected local devices matching the first device characteristic, and receives responses to the queries via the social network from the selected local devices.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a database, stored in a central non-transitory memory, of queries and responses cross-referenced to the local devices.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the social network application includes a bulletin board module, the bulletin board module receiving unsolicited data from a local device having a user account for posting;

and,

wherein the central server accesses the bulletin board module and adds the unsolicited data to the database.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the social network application differentiates local device characteristics in the user profiles into a plurality of device groups based upon device characteristics;

and,

wherein the central server cross-references the first device characteristic to a first device group.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a plurality of local devices having user accounts, where at least one local device has a user interface (UI) to receive messages sent via the social network application.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the central server sends instructions via the social network application, for functions to be performed by a first local device having a user account in the social network application.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

the first local device;

a second local device having a user account;

wherein the first local device receives instructions via the social network application for functions to be performed, and in response being unable to perform functions sent in the instructions, performs an action selected from a group consisting of;

sending the instructions via the social network application, for the second local device to perform the functions; and

,

posting the instruction on a bulletin board module of the social network application.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein social network application user profiles are populated with device characteristics selected from a group consisting of model, serial number, manufacturer, user-created name, location, owner, group memberships, status, functions, network address, inventory of consumable resources, and combinations of the above-listed characteristics.

21. The system of claim 13 wherein the social network application includes a bulletin board module;

the system further comprising;

a UI, associated with a first local device having a user account, accepting a command, formatted in a natural human language, for functions to be performed; and

,

a second local device having a user account performing the functions in response to a scenario selected from a group consisting of;

the first local device posting the instructions with the bulletin board module, and the second local device accessing the bulletin board module;

the first local device accessing a social network database of local devices cross-referenced to device characteristics, determining that the second local device is capable of performing the functions, and sending instructions to second local device via the social network application for the functions to be performed; and

,

the first local device posting the instructions with the bulletin board module, the central server accessing the posted instruction and then accessing the database of local devices cross-referenced to device characteristics, determining that the second local device is capable of performing the functions, and sending the instructions via the social network application to second local device.

22. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a first local device having a user account receiving instructions via the social network application for functions to be performed; and

,

a first local device UI presenting a message in a natural human language, requesting user assistance in performing the functions.

23. A multifunctional peripheral (MFP) management system comprising:

a central server comprising;

a processor;

a non-transitory memory;

a network interface;

a social network, enabled as a software application with a sequence of processor instructions stored in the memory, with at least two user accounts associated with MFPs that are network-connected, where each user account includes a user profile listing device characteristics; and

,

wherein the central server accesses the user profiles in the social network, cross-references the user profiles to a first device characteristic, sends queries via the social network to selected MFPs matching the first device characteristic, and receives responses to the queries via the social network from the selected MFPs.