GENERATION OF RECOMMENDED MULTIFUNCTION PERIPHERAL FIRMWARE AND APPLICATIONS BASED ON GROUP MACHINE LEARNING

• US 20200133653A1
• Filed: 10/26/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: JOHNSON, Ryan S., ORMOND, Louis
• Application Number:
  US16/172,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20200133653A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90335 Query processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/62 Uninstallation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/77 Software metrics

Abstract

A system and method for 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.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a network interface configured for data communication with a plurality of multifunction peripherals; and

a processor and associated memory,

the processor configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, inventory data corresponding to an inventory of software associated therewith,

the processor further configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, software installation data corresponding to software installed thereon,

the processor further configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, device operation data corresponding to document processing operations completed thereon,

the processor further configured to determine, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals having commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

the processor further configured to determine, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

the processor further configured to determine acceptability of the commonly installed software on the one or more multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined device metrics, and

the processor further configured to generate software installation recommendations relative to the commonly installed software specific to each multifunction peripheral that does not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined acceptability.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of software modules associated with multifunction peripheral operation stored in the memory, and

wherein the processor is further configured to receive selection data corresponding to at least one software selection responsive to the software installation recommendations, and

wherein the processor is further configured to send a software module from the memory to a multifunction peripheral associated with a software selection.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the software modules include multifunction peripheral firmware and multifunctional peripheral operation software.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the inventory data includes data identifying currently installed software or firmware.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein software installation data includes temporal data relative to installed software.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein device operation data includes data relative to device status associated with running inventoried software.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the processor is further configured to generate the software installation recommendations in accordance with device operation data acquired over a duration determined from the temporal data.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the device operation data includes data associated with frequency of software use and success of software operation.

9. A method comprising:

receiving data from a plurality of multifunction peripherals via a network interface;

receiving, from each multifunction peripheral, inventory data corresponding to an inventory of software associated therewith;

receiving, from each multifunction peripheral, software installation data corresponding to software installed thereon;

receiving, from each multifunction peripheral, device operation data corresponding to document processing operations completed thereon;

determining, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals having commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

determining, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

determining acceptability of the commonly installed software on the one or more multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined device metrics, and

generating, via a processor and associated memory, software installation recommendations relative to the commonly installed software specific to each multifunction peripheral that does not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined acceptability.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

storing a plurality of software modules associated with multifunction peripheral operation in the memory;

receiving selection data corresponding to at least one software selection responsive to the software installation recommendations; and

sending a software module from the memory to a multifunction peripheral associated with a software selection.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the software modules include multifunction peripheral firmware and multifunctional peripheral operation software.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the inventory data includes data identifying currently installed software or firmware.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein software installation data includes temporal data relative to installed software.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein device operation data includes data relative to device status associated with running inventoried software.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising generating the software installation recommendations in accordance with device operation data acquired over a duration determined from the temporal data.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the device operation data includes data associated with frequency of software use and success of software operation.

17. A system comprising:

a network interface configured for data communication with a plurality of multifunction peripherals; and

a processor and associated memory,

the processor configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, inventory data corresponding to an inventory of software associated therewith wherein the inventory data includes data identifying currently installed software or firmware,

the processor further configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, software installation data corresponding timing of software installations thereon,

the processor further configured to receive, from each multifunction peripheral, device operation data corresponding to document processing operations completed thereon wherein the device operation data includes data associated with frequency of software use and success of software operation relative to the timing,

the processor further configured to determine, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals having commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

the processor further configured to determine, from device operation data, device metrics associated with device operation data for multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software as indicated by the software installation data,

the processor further configured to determine acceptability of the commonly installed software on the one or more multifunction peripherals that do not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined device metrics,

the processor further configured to generate software installation recommendations relative to the commonly installed software specific to each multifunction peripheral that does not have the commonly installed software in accordance with determined acceptability,

a plurality of software modules associated with multifunction peripheral operation stored in the memory wherein the software modules include multifunction peripheral firmware or multifunctional peripheral operation software,

the processor further configured to receive selection data corresponding to at least one software selection responsive to the software installation recommendations, and

the processor further configured to send a software module from the memory to a multifunction peripheral associated with a software selection.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the software installation data includes data associated with software removal.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the device operation data includes data representative of document processing errors.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the device operation data includes data relative to a use level of one or more multifunction peripheral operational features.