Device management apparatus, device management system, and device management method
First Claim
1. A device management apparatus connected to a plurality of devices and a plurality of information processing apparatuses using the devices, through a network, the device management apparatus comprising:
- circuitry configured toobtain usage amount information about usage amounts from the plurality of devices,calculate unit usage amounts that are usage amounts of the plurality of devices per unit period, using the usage amount information about the plurality of devices,select, based on a set flag, an analysis method from a plurality of analysis methods, the plurality of analysis methods being based on an operation of the plurality of devices,analyze, using the selected analysis method, use of the plurality of devices using the unit usage amounts of the plurality of devices,change allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses to the plurality of devices based on an analysis result, in order to equalize use of the plurality of devices, andnotify an information processing apparatus for which an allocated device has been changed, of usage information required to use a newly allocated device,wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a first analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a second analysis method, and wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a third analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processes apparatuses based on the first analysis method and the second analysis method.
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Abstract
A device management apparatus is connected to a plurality of devices and a plurality of information processing apparatuses using the devices, through a network. The device management apparatus includes: an obtaining unit that obtains usage amount information about usage amounts from the devices; a calculation unit that calculates unit usage amounts that are usage amounts of the respective devices per unit period, using the usage amount information about the respective devices; an analysis unit that analyzes use of the devices using the unit usage amounts of the respective devices; a change unit that changes allocation of the information processing apparatuses to the devices based on an analysis result in order to equalize use of the devices; and a notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus for which an allocated device has been changed, of usage information required to use the device.
25 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device management apparatus connected to a plurality of devices and a plurality of information processing apparatuses using the devices, through a network, the device management apparatus comprising:
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circuitry configured to obtain usage amount information about usage amounts from the plurality of devices, calculate unit usage amounts that are usage amounts of the plurality of devices per unit period, using the usage amount information about the plurality of devices, select, based on a set flag, an analysis method from a plurality of analysis methods, the plurality of analysis methods being based on an operation of the plurality of devices, analyze, using the selected analysis method, use of the plurality of devices using the unit usage amounts of the plurality of devices, change allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses to the plurality of devices based on an analysis result, in order to equalize use of the plurality of devices, and notify an information processing apparatus for which an allocated device has been changed, of usage information required to use a newly allocated device, wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a first analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a second analysis method, and wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a third analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processes apparatuses based on the first analysis method and the second analysis method. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19)
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13. A device management system comprising:
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a plurality of devices; a plurality of information processing apparatuses using the plurality of devices; and a device management apparatus connected to the plurality of devices and the plurality of information processing apparatuses through a network, wherein the device management apparatus includes circuitry configured to obtain usage amount information about usage amounts from the plurality of devices, calculate unit usage amounts that are usage amounts of the plurality of devices per unit period, using the usage amount information about the plurality of devices, select, based on a set flag, an analysis method from a plurality of analysis methods, the plurality of analysis methods being based on an operation of the plurality of devices, analyze, using the selected analysis method, use of the plurality of devices using the unit usage amounts of the plurality of devices, change allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses to the plurality of devices based on an analysis result, in order to equalize use of the plurality of devices, and notify an information processing apparatus for which an allocated device has been changed, of usage information required to use a newly allocated device, wherein each of the plurality of information processing apparatuses includes usage setting circuitry that configures a setting for use of a newly allocated device based on the notified usage information, and wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a first analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a second analysis method, and wherein an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a third analysis method is different from an allocation of the plurality of information processes apparatuses based on the first analysis method and the second analysis method. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device management method performed in a device management system, the device management method comprising:
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obtaining usage amount information about usage amounts from a plurality of devices; calculating unit usage amounts that are usage amounts of the plurality of devices per unit period, using the usage amount information about the plurality of devices; selecting, based on a set flag, an analysis method from a plurality of analysis methods, the plurality of analysis methods being based on an operation of the plurality of devices, analyzing, using the selected analysis method, use of the plurality of devices using the unit usage amounts of the plurality of devices; changing allocation of plurality of information processing apparatuses to the plurality of devices based on an analysis result, in order to equalize use of the plurality of devices; notifying an information processing apparatus for which an allocated device has been changed, of usage information required to use a newly allocated device; and configuring a setting for use of the newly allocated device based on the notified usage information, an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a first analysis method being different from an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a second analysis method, and an allocation of the plurality of information processing apparatuses based on a third analysis method being different from an allocation of the plurality of information processes apparatuses based on the first analysis method and the second analysis method.
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Specification