System including device management service, control method and program for the system

Abstract

To solve such a problem that there is no method which properly notifies a device manager in a virtual space such as a virtual office system of a state of a network device such as an image processing device installed in the real world in a conventional device management technique.SOLUTION: A device management tool / service 132, when a notification event occurs in an image processing device 131 installed in the real world (S401), notifies an avatar of a manager of an image processing device 131 of the content of the notification event as a device management avatar 132a in the virtual office (S405), and receives an instruction from the management avatar in the virtual office via the device management avatar 132a (S406).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device management service that manages network devices, a control method for the device management service, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] XR (cross reality) is a general term for technologies that combine the real and virtual worlds, such as VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), to create a space that provides a simulated experience, and is attracting attention, with various standardization efforts underway. In recent years, virtual spaces and services that utilize this technology are called the metaverse, and they are being used not only for entertainment purposes such as games, but also in business situations such as virtual offices and VR conference rooms (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In a virtual office system, each worker wears an HMD (Head Mounted Display), and goes to work as an avatar in a virtual office through the HMD, and works in the same way as in the conventional real space. Not all work is completed in the virtual space, and work may be done in a hybrid of virtual and real spaces depending on the situation. For example, printing is done on an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) in the virtual space and the printed matter is received in the real space, or data scanned by an MFP in the real space is used in the virtual space. The MFP is installed in an office in the real world and is managed by device management tools / services. The device management tools / services manage not only MFPs, but also network devices including image processing devices in general, where users manage consumables and sales company service personnel repair them. Image processing devices include, for example, printers, multifunction peripherals, 3D printers, and security cameras.

[0004] In the customer environment, there exists an administrator (also called a "device administrator") who manages network devices such as image processing devices installed in the customer's real-world office. The above-mentioned device management tools / services have a mechanism for notifying the device administrator in the real world of the status of network devices installed in the real world. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-2387 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, conventional device management tool / service technologies did not have a mechanism for properly notifying device administrators in a virtual space, such as a virtual office system, of the status of network devices, such as image processing devices, installed in the real world.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a mechanism that enables device management of network devices installed in the real world from a virtual office. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a device management service that manages network devices installed in the real world, and cooperates with a provision system that provides a virtual office corresponding to a service that allows the functions of the network device to be operated from an avatar in the virtual office, and is characterized in having a notification means that, based on the occurrence of a notification event in the network device, notifies an administrator of the network device in the virtual office of the contents of the notification event as a device management avatar, and a receiving means that receives instructions regarding the notification event from the administrator in the virtual office via the device management avatar. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize device management of network devices installed in the real world from a virtual office, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator in managing the network devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device management system in a virtual space according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an apparatus constituting the device management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a client terminal and a virtual space management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of a device management tool / service according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process in which a device management tool / service of the embodiment notifies an event information generated in a device. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of an event notification image of a device management avatar from the viewpoint of a client terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a device management system in a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a virtual space management system 111, a client terminal 121, an image processing device 131, and a device management tool / service 132 are communicatively connected via networks 101 to 103. The networks 101 to 103 are so-called communication networks realized by, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM or frame relay line, a cable television line, a wireless line for data broadcasting, or the like. The networks 101 to 103 may be any network capable of transmitting and receiving data. In this embodiment, the network 101 is the Internet, and the networks 102 and 103 are the Internet or a wireless LAN (which may be a wired LAN or a combination of wired and wireless LAN) set in a general home or company network, or the like.

[0013] The client terminal 121 is, for example, dedicated hardware compatible with drawing virtual objects handled in XR (cross reality or extended reality) such as HMD (head mounted display) or smart glasses, or a mobile terminal with a built-in program execution environment such as a smartphone. The client terminal 121 also includes a camera for capturing images of the surroundings and a display for displaying virtual objects. The client terminal 121 recognizes the user's fingers through the camera and superimposes actions in the real space and actions in the virtual space to provide a simulated experience that combines the real world and the virtual world. If the client terminal 121 is not dedicated hardware such as a smartphone, the virtual object is drawn using an API provided by a web browser, an OS (operating system), or the like. In this embodiment, the client terminal 121 will be described as an HMD. There may be multiple client terminals 121.

[0014] The virtual space management system 111 is a system that provides a virtual office corresponding to a service for using the functions of the image processing device 131, which is a network device installed in the real world, through an avatar in a virtual space (virtual office) realized by the metaverse. The virtual space management system 111 is a system that manages virtual objects and user information in the virtual space, avatars that imitate each user, and their location information in each client terminal, and provides appropriate information to the user. In addition, the virtual space management system 111 controls the visualization of the avatar and the conversation with the avatar based on the user's authority information and role. The virtual space management system 111 receives a login / logout request from the client terminal 121 and performs login / logout processing. The virtual space management system 111 can be constructed by adopting a server computer or cloud computing technology. Hereinafter, a user operating in the virtual space is called an avatar. Although details will be described later, when an administrator of the image processing device 131 is performing work in the virtual space provided by the virtual space management system 111 via the client terminal 121, the administrator also exists as an avatar in the virtual space. In addition, as one of the characteristic configurations of this embodiment and described in detail later, the device management tool / service 132 is also avatarized in the virtual space provided by the virtual space management system 111 .

[0015] The functions of the virtual space management system 111 described in this embodiment may be realized by a single server or a single virtual server, or may be realized by multiple servers or multiple virtual servers. Alternatively, multiple virtual servers may be executed on a single server.

[0016] In this embodiment, the image processing device 131 is an MFP, and has an image processing function including at least one of printing and scanning. The image processing device 131 is connected to the virtual space management system 111 and a device management tool / service 132 via a network. The image processing device 131 can be used by an avatar even in the virtual space. Therefore, if an avatar issues a print instruction to the image processing device 131 in the virtual space, printing is also executed in the real space, and the user can receive the printed matter. Also, the image processing device 131 is monitored and managed by the device management tool / service 132 that the avatar can use even in the virtual space.

[0017] The image processing device 131 in this embodiment is an example of a service providing device that requires customer-managed consumables and repairs for service. The image processing device 131 includes printers, multifunction devices, 3D printers, and security cameras. The service providing device is a general term for a network device (device) that can provide a service in the real world according to instructions received via the virtual space management system 111 based on instructions from a user who becomes an avatar in the virtual space. Specifically, in the case of the image processing device 131, the image processing device 131 performs image processing on content based on an output instruction for the content in the virtual space, and outputs the content, thereby providing a service in the real world. When providing a service, the service providing device consumables are consumed.

[0018] The device management tool / service 132 is a device management service that manages the image processing device 131, which is a network device installed in the real world. The device management tool / service 132 acquires and manages status information such as counters, fault information, and remaining amounts of consumables of the image processing device 131 via the network. Furthermore, the device management tool / service 132 cooperates with the virtual space management system 111.

[0019] [Hardware configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the virtual space management system 111, the client terminal 121, the image processing device 131, and the device management tool / service 132 according to this embodiment.

[0020] 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202 controls the entire device. The CPU 202 executes application programs, an OS, and the like stored in a HDD 205, and controls temporary storage of information, files, and the like required for executing the programs in a RAM 203. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 210 performs the calculations required to render virtual objects and avatars in real time.

[0021] A ROM (Read Only Memory) 204 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various data such as basic I / O programs therein. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 is a temporary storage unit, and functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. for the CPU 202 and the GPU 210 . The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 205 is one of the external storage devices, functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores application programs such as a Web browser, programs for a group of service servers, an OS, related programs, etc. Note that the configuration may include other storage devices such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) instead of or in combination with the HDD. When the client terminal 121 is an HMD, for example, a small and lightweight device such as an eMMC is provided.

[0022] The display 206 is a display device that displays virtual objects and information necessary for operation. The display 206 may also be a device having a function of receiving operation instructions from a user, such as a touch panel. The virtual space management system 111 and the device management tool / service 132 do not necessarily need to be provided with the display 206. The image processing device 131 also has an operation unit, a printer unit, a scanner unit, etc., which are not shown, and the display 206 is provided in the operation unit.

[0023] The camera 207 may be an out-camera in the client terminal 121 that captures images of the surroundings, or an in-camera that mainly captures images of the user himself / herself. By analyzing images captured by the camera 207, particularly the out-camera, with an application program stored in the HDD 205, it is possible to synchronize the movements of the user's own fingers in the real space with the movements of the fingers of the user's own avatar in the virtual space. Furthermore, it becomes possible to virtually contact virtual objects or other avatars in the virtual space displayed on the display 206 with the synchronized fingers. Note that the virtual space management system 111, the image processing device 131, and the device management tool / service 132 may not be provided with the camera 207.

[0024] The interface 208 is an external device I / F that connects peripheral devices such as various external sensors. The camera 207 mentioned above recognizes the user's fingers in the real space, making it possible to operate virtual objects in the virtual space and touch other avatars, but the same functions can also be achieved by operating a dedicated controller connected to the interface 208. The system bus 201 controls the flow of data within the device. A NIC (Network Interface Card) 209 exchanges data with external devices via the NIC 209 and the networks 100 to 102.

[0025] The above computer configuration is an example, and is not limited to the configuration example in Fig. 2. For example, the storage destination of data and programs can be changed to ROM 204, RAM 203, HDD 205, etc. depending on the characteristics of the data and programs. In addition, the CPU 202 and GPU 210 execute processing based on the programs stored in HDD 205, thereby realizing processing in the software configuration shown in Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, or Fig. 3C.

[0026] [Software configuration] FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining a software configuration in which functions according to this embodiment are extracted from the functions of the virtual space management system 111 and the client terminal 121 of this embodiment.

[0027] First, the software configuration of the virtual space management system 111 will be described. The virtual space management system 111 includes, as user management functions, a user management unit 312 and a login processing unit 314. In addition, as basic functions for providing a virtual space, the virtual space management system 111 includes a virtual object management unit 316, a virtual object providing unit 318, a virtual space position information management unit 320, a virtual space position information receiving unit 322, and a virtual space position information providing unit 324. Each of these units corresponds to a function that is stored as a program in the HDD 205 or the like of the virtual space management system 111 and is realized by being executed by the CPU 202, GPU 210, or the like on the RAM 203, for example.

[0028] The user management unit 312 manages user information and login information. The login processing unit 314 accepts a login request from the client terminal 121, collates the request with the information in the user management unit 312, and returns the login processing result to the client terminal 121. Table 1 is an example of a user information management table managed by the user management unit 312. [Table 1]

[0029] In the user information management table of Table 1, the user ID is an ID that uniquely identifies a user. The password is a basic authentication password used when logging in with the user ID. The login processing unit 314 checks the combination of user ID and password included in the login request from the client terminal 121 against the user information management table such as Table 1, and if there is a match, returns the login result to each client terminal as successful. The login status indicates the login status of the user, with "on" indicating the logged in status and "off" indicating the logged out status. The login expiration date indicates the expiration date of the authentication status of the logged in user.

[0030] A role is an authority that an administrator assigns to a user, and is used by the virtual space management system 111 to control the operation of an avatar in a virtual space, such as whether or not a target user can use a certain service in the virtual space. The virtual space management system 111 controls the visualization of the avatar and conversation with the avatar based on the user's role. The object ID is an ID that links the user ID to 3D data that represents the user's avatar in the virtual space.

[0031] The virtual object management unit 316 manages virtual objects placed in the virtual space, 3D data of each user's avatar, and the like. The virtual object providing unit 318 provides the 3D data managed by the virtual object management unit 316 to the client terminal 121 .

[0032] The virtual space position information management unit 320 manages the position information of the virtual objects and avatars managed by the virtual object management unit 316 . Table 2 shows an example of the position information of each user (avatar) managed by the virtual space position information management unit 320. [Table 2] In the avatar position information management table of Table 2, the user ID is an ID that uniquely identifies a user, the space ID is an ID that uniquely identifies a virtual space, and the coordinates are information that indicates the current position of the avatar.

[0033] The virtual space position information receiving unit 322 has a function of receiving position information from the client terminal 121 periodically or when there is a change in the position of a virtual object or avatar in the virtual space due to an operation from the client terminal 121 . The virtual space position information providing unit 324 provides the client terminal 121 with position information of virtual objects and avatars in the virtual space managed by the virtual space position information management unit 320 .

[0034] Next, the software configuration of the client terminal 121 will be described. The client terminal 121 includes a display unit 352, a login unit 354, a local virtual object management unit 356, and a virtual object acquisition unit 358. Furthermore, the client terminal 121 includes a local virtual space position information management unit 360, a virtual space position information transmission unit 362, and a virtual space position information acquisition unit 364. Each of these units corresponds to a function that is stored as a program in the ROM 204 or eMMC 205 of the client terminal 121 and is executed by the CPU 202 on the RAM 203, for example.

[0035] The display unit 352 displays virtual objects and avatars in the virtual space via the display 206 of the client terminal 121 . The login unit 354 transmits to the login processing unit 314 of the virtual space management system 111 a finger image captured by the camera 207 of the client terminal 121 or a username and password input by an input device connected to the interface 208 of the client terminal 121. The authentication method for the virtual space management system 111 may be face authentication using a face image captured by the camera 207 of the client terminal 121, iris authentication using the iris, fingerprint authentication using a fingerprint sensor connected to the interface 208 of the client terminal 121, or the like.

[0036] The local virtual object management unit 356 manages information such as virtual objects and 3D data of avatars acquired from the virtual space management system 111 on the client terminal 121. The virtual object acquisition unit 358 acquires information such as 3D data of virtual objects and avatars from the virtual object provision unit 318 of the virtual space management system 111 , and stores the information in the local virtual object management unit 356 .

[0037] The local virtual space position information management unit 360 manages the position information of the avatar in the virtual space as shown in Table 2, obtained from the virtual space management system 111. The local virtual space position information management unit 360 also has a function of detecting the position of the avatar on the client terminal 121 that has changed due to an operation of the client terminal 121, and storing the position information in the local virtual space position information management unit 360 itself.

[0038] The virtual space position information transmitting unit 362 transmits the avatar's position information to the virtual space position information receiving unit 322 of the virtual space management system 111 when there is a change in the avatar's position information in the virtual space due to an operation on the client terminal 121 or periodically. The virtual space position information acquisition unit 364 periodically acquires avatar position information from the virtual space position information provision unit 324 of the virtual space management system 111 and stores it in the local virtual space position information management unit 360 .

[0039] By the above functions 352 to 364, the behavior and state of the avatar in the virtual space provided by the virtual space management system 111 can be reflected on the display 206 of the client terminal 121 in real time.

[0040] FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the image processing device 131 according to this embodiment. The image processing device 131 has a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, an image forming unit 303, a status detection unit 304, a device information management unit 305, an operation unit 306, and a status display control unit 307. Each of these units corresponds to a function that is stored as a program in the ROM 204 of the image processing device 131 and is realized by being executed by the CPU 202 on the RAM 203.

[0041] The communication unit 301 communicates with the device management tool / service 132. The device management tool / service 132 communicates with the communication unit 301 to obtain device information related to the image processing device 131 described above. The storage unit 302 exchanges information with the storage areas of the RAM 203, ROM 204, and HDD 205 of the image processing device 131. The storage unit 302 also stores the operation history of the image processing device 131, data indicating various abnormal states, and the like. The image forming unit 303 has a function of generating and outputting print data.

[0042] The status detection unit 304 monitors the status of the image processing device 131, detecting various conditions such as faults detected by sensors, the opening and closing status of covers, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "events"), their recovery status, and the remaining toner level, and notifies each control unit of the detected conditions.

[0043] A device information management unit 305 generates information to be sent to the device management tool / service 132 or obtained by the device management tool / service 132 from the information detected by the status detection unit 304 . The operation unit 306 is an interface that enables a customer user to give operational instructions to the image processing device 131, including print instructions. A status display control unit 307 controls the display of status information of the image processing device 131 on the status bar of the display 206 of the image processing device 131 .

[0044] FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the device management tool / service 132 according to this embodiment. The device management tool / service 132 exists as a device management avatar 132a in the virtual space provided by the virtual space management system 111. In the following description, a user interface (UI) of the device management tool / service 132 in the virtual space is referred to as a "device management avatar 132a." Therefore, each part of the device management tool / service 132 shown in Fig. 3C can be said to be a function of the device management avatar 132a in the virtual space.

[0045] The device management tool / service 132 includes a communication unit 331, a storage unit 332, an administrator information management unit 333, a status detection unit 334, a device information management unit 335, a communication I / F unit 336, an inventory information management unit 337, and a service technician information management unit 338. Each of these units corresponds to a function that is stored as a program in the HDD 205 or the like of the device management tool / service 132 and is realized by being executed by the CPU 202 or the like on the RAM 203, for example.

[0046] The communication unit 331 is used when communicating with the image processing device 131 and the virtual space management system 111, for example, to obtain device information of the image processing device 131 as described above. The storage unit 332 stores the acquired device information, the customer's administrator information, and the like. The administrator information management unit 333 manages information about the customer's administrator who performs maintenance work such as inventory management of consumables related to the image processing device 131 and contacting the vendor when a failure occurs. The administrator information managed by the administrator information management unit 333 is information as shown in the administrator information management table of Table 3. [Table 3]

[0047] The customer's administrator (device administrator) also exists as an avatar in the virtual space management system 111, and in the following description, the customer's administrator in the virtual space will be referred to as an "administrator avatar." When the device management avatar 132a comes into contact with the administrator avatar, the device management tool / service 132 queries the virtual space management system 111 for location information of the administrator avatar using the user ID. In response to this query, the virtual space management system 111 provides the device management tool / service 132 with the space ID and coordinates for the user ID as location information of the administrator avatar.

[0048] The status detection unit 334 detects a change in the status of the image processing device 131 and determines whether or not to acquire device information accordingly. In this embodiment, the detection of the status change is performed by the device management tool / service 132, but the image processing device 131 may notify the status change, and the device management tool / service 132 may acquire the device information accordingly.

[0049] The device information management unit 335 manages device information, such as subtracting the stock of consumables based on various types of device information acquired from the image processing device 131 and processing the information as necessary.

[0050] The communication I / F unit 336 is for the device management avatar 132a to have a voice conversation with another avatar. For example, the device management avatar 132a can notify an authorized administrator avatar of the state of the image processing device 131 via the communication I / F unit 336. Also, the authorized administrator avatar can provide and register various information by instructing the device management avatar 132a via the communication I / F unit 336. Note that the communication I / F unit 336 represents a UI in the real space where the device administrator can view device information and register other information.

[0051] The inventory information management unit 337 manages inventory information related to consumables of the image processing device 131, and performs inventory subtraction when the acquired device information indicates that a consumable is approaching the end of its life. In addition, when inventory is replenished in the real space, the inventory information management unit 337 accepts and processes an adjustment of the inventory quantity from the manager avatar.

[0052] The service technician information management unit 338 manages information on the person in charge at the sales company or dealer who performs maintenance of the image processing device 131, as in the service technician information management table shown in Table 4. This enables the device management tool / service 132 to contact the service technician to request repairs, etc. [Table 4]

[0053] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a process of providing a device management avatar 132a based on detection by the device management tool / service 132 of a change in the status of the image processing device 131 and on reception of an event by the device management tool / service 132. The process of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 202 or the like of the device management tool / service 132 reading a program stored in the HDD 205 or the like into the RAM 203 and executing it.

[0054] In S401, the device management tool / service 132 detects a change in the status of the image processing device 131 by the status detection unit 334. A change in status means a state such as a paper jam, a problem that requires the dispatch of a serviceman, a low or no remaining amount of a consumable, etc. When the device management tool / service 132 detects a change in the status of the image processing device 131 in S401, the process proceeds to S402.

[0055] In S402, the device management tool / service 132 checks the customer's administrator information managed in the administrator information management unit 333, and identifies the administrator. Specifically, when a status change is detected, the device management tool / service 132 checks (identifies) where the customer's administrator avatar is located in the virtual space (the virtual space in which the device management avatar 132a can be provided) based on the customer's administrator information. If the device management tool / service 132 is able to confirm that the administrator avatar is located in the virtual space (Yes in S403), the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S404.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the administrator avatar does not exist in the virtual space (No in S403), the device management tool / service 132 returns the process to S402. As a result, the device management tool / service 132 waits until the customer's administrator logs into the virtual space management system 111 and the administrator avatar appears in the virtual space. In this embodiment, the device management tool / service 132 waits, but if the administrator avatar does not appear in the virtual space even after a certain period of time has passed, the process may be terminated and a notification message may be left so that the customer's administrator can understand the event that has occurred in the image processing device 131 when he logs into the virtual space.

[0057] In S404, the device management tool / service 132 starts a private mode. The private mode is started by making a request to the virtual space management system 111, and is a mode in which a conversation between the device management avatar 132a and the administrator avatar cannot be heard by other avatars.

[0058] Next, in S405, the device management tool / service 132 notifies the administrator avatar in the virtual space of the status change detected in S401 above via the device management avatar 132a. In detail, the device management tool / service 132 provides the device management avatar 132a in the virtual space, and moves the device management avatar 132a to the location of the administrator avatar and makes it approach (contact) the location. At this time, the device management tool / service 132 transmits, for example, position information of the destination of the device management avatar 132a in the virtual space to the virtual space management system 111. Furthermore, the device management tool / service 132 controls so that the device management avatar 132a notifies the administrator avatar of the status change by a conversation between the device management avatar 132a and the administrator avatar. The manner of this notification will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0059] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an event notification image of a device management avatar from the viewpoint of a client terminal in this embodiment. This image corresponds to an image in which a device management avatar 132a notifies an administrator avatar of an occurrence of an error in the image processing device 131 when an administrator on the customer side wears the client terminal 121 and logs into the virtual space.

[0060] Screen 500 corresponds to an example of a screen displayed on display 206 of client terminal 121 when the administrator wears client terminal 121 and logs in to the virtual space. The example shown in Fig. 5 shows a state in which device management avatar 132a notifies the administrator avatar of a status change 501.

[0061] After sending the notification in S405, the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S406. In S406, the device management tool / service 132 checks via the device management avatar 132a whether there is an instruction from the administrator avatar regarding the status change that has occurred in the image processing device 131. If there is no instruction from the administrator avatar (No in S406), the device management avatar 132a advances the process to S412, ends the private mode, and ends the process of this flowchart.

[0062] On the other hand, if an instruction has been given from the administrator avatar (Yes in S406), the device management avatar 132a advances the process to S407. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a state is shown in which an instruction 502 for an event of a notification 501 is given from an administrator avatar to a device management avatar 132a.

[0063] In S407, the device management tool / service 132 checks whether the instruction from the administrator avatar is an instruction that can be handled. An example of an instruction that can be handled is an instruction to place an order for a consumable item that is out of stock in the image processing device 131. This can be handled by having the administrator avatar register in advance a threshold for placing an order for inventory, contact information for ordering, and the like in the device management tool / service 132. Another instruction that can be handled is an instruction to reboot (restart) the image processing device 131.

[0064] If the instruction from the administrator avatar is an instruction that can be handled (Yes in S407), the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S408. In S408, the device management tool / service 132 executes the instruction from the administrator avatar. For example, if the instruction is a request to order consumables, the device management tool / service 132 executes processing for ordering the consumables from an external service via the network. If the instruction is a request to reboot (restart) the image processing device 131, the device management tool / service 132 issues a reboot command (restart command) to the image processing device 131 via the network. Thereafter, the device management tool / service 132 ends the private mode (S412) and ends the processing of this flowchart. In the example shown in FIG. 5, an instruction 502 from an administrator avatar to the device management avatar 132a is shown to be executable, and a reply 503 indicating that the instruction has been accepted by the device management avatar 132a is shown.

[0065] If the instruction from the administrator avatar is not an instruction that can be handled (No in S407), the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S409. In S409, the device management tool / service 132 checks whether the instruction is one that can be handled by the administrator avatar (one that the administrator handles in real space). This check may be made by the device management tool / service 132 at its own discretion, or may be made by the device management tool / service 132 receiving an instruction from the administrator avatar indicating that the administrator will handle the instruction.

[0066] If it is confirmed that the above instruction is to be handled by the administrator avatar (the administrator handles it in real space) (Yes in S409), the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S410. In S410, the device management tool / service 132 notifies the administrator avatar of device information. For example, the removal of paper when a paper jam occurs is handled by the customer's administrator in real space, not in virtual space, so information required for that, such as the installation location, model, and serial number of the target device, is notified to the administrator avatar in S410. Thereafter, the device management tool / service 132 ends the private mode (S412) and ends the process of this flowchart.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the instruction is not handled by the administrator avatar (No in S409), the device management tool / service 132 advances the process to S411. In S411, the device management tool / service 132 contacts the service person in charge of the image processing device 131. That is, if the instruction is an on-site request to a maintenance service for the network device, the device management tool / service 132 executes a process for connecting to the maintenance service and makes the on-site request in response to the notification. Thereafter, the device management tool / service 132 ends the private mode (S412) and ends the process of this flowchart.

[0068] With the above process, the device manager on the customer side can be notified of abnormalities in the image processing device at the appropriate time from the device management avatar in the virtual space. In addition, the device manager can obtain information from the device management avatar and give instructions if the avatar can handle it. In other words, when using both a real-world office and a virtual office realized in the metaverse, it becomes possible to easily manage network devices, reducing the burden on the manager.

[0069] In this embodiment, a case has been described in which the device management avatar 132a and the administrator avatar use a private mode for their interactions, so that information is not shared with other avatars, but this may be set as an option. Alternatively, instead of using the private mode, when the device management avatar 132a comes into contact with an avatar with authority, the virtual space management system 111 may block both of them from being seen by other avatars.

[0070] In addition, in the case where only a designated serviceman can handle the problem in the image processing device 131 (No in S409), the designated serviceman having special authority may be invited to the scene as a serviceman avatar and may be able to instruct the serviceman to handle the problem, in addition to making a contact.

[0071] Furthermore, for a customer who has not introduced a device management tool / service, i.e., a device management avatar 132a, the image processing device 131 itself may be made into an avatar in the virtual space provided by the virtual space management system 111. In this case, the avatar of the image processing device 131 may convey its own status to the customer's administrator avatar or other avatars by facial expression, voice, speech bubble, or the like.

[0072] The configurations of the virtual space management system 111, the client terminal 121, the image processing device 131, the device management tool / service 132 (device management avatar 132a), and the software module configuration have been shown. Also, the notification process flow of the device management avatar 132a to the administrator avatar has been shown, but these are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0073] Furthermore, the network devices managed by the device management tool / service 132 are not limited to image processing devices, and can be applied to various network devices. For example, various devices operating in an office, a factory, etc. may be managed by the device management tool / service 132, and the device management avatar 132a may notify an avatar (administrator avatar) in the virtual space of the administrator who manages these devices of the status of these devices. Furthermore, the device management avatar 132a may receive instructions from the administrator avatar and execute processing etc. according to the instructions.

[0074] In each of the above embodiments, the device management tool / service 132 notifies the administrator of the network device of the contents of the notification event as the device management avatar 132a in the virtual office based on the occurrence of a notification event in the network device. This allows the avatarized device management tool / service 132 to provide information such as an abnormality that has occurred in the network device in a virtual space using AR or VR to the device administrator of the customer. In addition, the device management tool / service 132 accepts instructions regarding the notification event from the administrator in the virtual office via the device management avatar 132a. This allows the administrator to easily give instructions regarding the notified abnormality in the virtual space. This allows the administrator on the customer side to realize device management of the network device installed in the real world in the metaverse space (virtual office). As a result, when a real-world office and a virtual office realized in the metaverse are used in combination, the administrator can easily manage the network device and reduce the management load.

[0075] It goes without saying that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to those described above, and the data may have various configurations and contents depending on the application and purpose. Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be embodied, for example, as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of multiple devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device. Furthermore, any combination of the above embodiments is also included in the present invention.

[0076] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system made up of a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus made up of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes all configurations that combine the above-mentioned embodiments and their modifications.

[0077] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) A device management service for managing a network device installed in the real world, the device management service cooperating with a provision system for providing a virtual office corresponding to a service for utilizing functions of the network device through operation from an avatar in the virtual office, a notification means for notifying an administrator of the network device of the content of the notification event in the form of a device management avatar in the virtual office based on the occurrence of the notification event in the network device; a reception means for receiving an instruction for the notification event from the administrator in the virtual office via the device management avatar; A device management service comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The device management service according to claim 1, wherein the notification means brings the device management avatar close to an avatar of the administrator logged in to the virtual office in the virtual office to notify the administrator of the content of the notification event. (Configuration 3) The device management service described in configuration 2, wherein the notification means performs the notification through a conversation between the device management avatar and the administrator's avatar, and further, the conversation is performed in a mode that cannot be heard by other avatars in the virtual office. (Configuration 4) a setting means for setting the notification to be performed in the mode; The device management service according to configuration 3, wherein the notification means, when set by the setting means, conducts a conversation between the device management avatar and the administrator avatar in the mode. (Configuration 5) 5. The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising an identifying unit that identifies an administrator of a network device in which the notification event has occurred. (Configuration 6) The function of the network device is an image processing function including at least one of printing and scanning; 6. The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the notification event is a notification event regarding an abnormality related to the image processing function. (Configuration 7) The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising an ordering means for executing processing for ordering consumables from an external service via a network when the instruction is a request to order consumables. (Configuration 8) 7. The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising an issuing unit that issues a reboot command to the network device via a network when the instruction is a request to reboot the network device. (Configuration 9) 7. The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising a connection unit that, when the instruction is an on-site request to a maintenance service for a network device, executes a process for connecting to the maintenance service. (Configuration 10) The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising an invitation means for inviting an avatar of a serviceman corresponding to the maintenance service to the virtual office when the instruction is an on-site request for maintenance service of a network device. (Configuration 11) 10. The device management service according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the virtual office is provided in a metaverse. (Method 1) A device management service that manages a network device installed in the real world, the device management service being linked with a system that provides a virtual office corresponding to a service for using functions of the network device through operation from an avatar in the virtual office, the method comprising: a notification step of notifying an administrator of the network device of the content of the notification event as a device management avatar in the virtual office based on the occurrence of the notification event in the network device; a receiving step of receiving an instruction for the notification event from the administrator in the virtual office via the device management avatar; 13. A method for controlling a device management service, comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

Claims

1. A system including a device management service that cooperates with a provision system that provides a virtual space in which users can participate as avatars using terminals, a notification means for notifying the avatar of the content of an event in the virtual space, based on the occurrence of an event in a network device installed in the real world and operable by the avatar through the virtual space, as a device management avatar; a receiving means for receiving an instruction for the event from the device management avatar in the virtual space via the device management avatar by the device management service; A system comprising:

2. The system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the notification means brings the device management avatar close to an avatar corresponding to a user with administrator authority for the network device in the virtual space and notifies the user of the content of the event.

3. The system described in Claim 2, characterized in that the notification means identifies a user with administrator privileges for the network device on which the event occurred, and notifies the avatar of the content of the event in response to the identified user logging in to the virtual space with the avatar.

4. The function of the network device is an image processing function including at least one of printing and scanning, The system according to claim 1 , wherein the event is an event that notifies of an abnormality related to the image processing function.

5. A system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device management service further has an ordering means that performs processing for ordering consumables used in the network device in accordance with the instructions.

6. A system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device management service further has an issuing means for issuing a reboot command to the network device in accordance with the instruction.

7. A system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device management service further has an execution means for executing processing to request a response in the maintenance service for the network device in accordance with the instruction.

8. A control method in a system including a device management service that cooperates with a provision system that provides a virtual space in which a user can participate as an avatar using a terminal, comprising: a notification step in which the device management service notifies the avatar of the content of an event in the virtual space, based on the occurrence of an event in a network device installed in the real world and operable by the avatar via the virtual space; a receiving step in which the device management service receives an instruction regarding the event from the avatar in the virtual space via the device management avatar; The control method according to claim 1,

9. A computer, A device management service that cooperates with a provision system that provides a virtual space in which a user can participate as an avatar using a terminal, comprising: A program for functioning as a notification means for notifying an avatar in the virtual space of the content of an event based on the occurrence of an event in a network device installed in the real world that can be operated by the avatar via the virtual space, as a device management avatar, and as a reception means for receiving instructions regarding the event from the avatar in the virtual space via the device management avatar.

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