Program and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a program and an information processing system that estimate a position of an information device operated by a user at an installation location of the information device.SOLUTION: A program causes a CPU 91 to estimate a position of an MFP 18 based on position information PI output by a portable device 36 carried by a user UR who operates the MFP 18 at a time point at which the user UR operates the MFP 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a plurality of client terminals and a receiving service system that receives data from the plurality of client terminals, the receiving service system having a first receiving means that receives data that is subject to predetermined processing, and a second receiving means that receives data that is not subject to the predetermined processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-144763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a program and an information processing system that estimate the location of an information device operated by a user at the location where the information device is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The program of the first aspect causes a computer to estimate the location of an information device based on location information output by a mobile device carried by a user at the time the user operated the information device.

[0006] The program of the second aspect is a program described in the first aspect, which identifies the time when a specific user operated the information device based on operation history data of the information device, which has an operation history associated with information of unspecified users and the time of operation, obtains movement history data associated with location information and time information for the mobile device carried by the specific user, and uses the location information associated with the time information corresponding to the time when the specific user operated the information device to estimate the location of the information device.

[0007] A third aspect of the program is the program according to the second aspect, wherein the program acquires a plurality of pieces of location information from a plurality of operation histories, and estimates the location of the information device based on the plurality of pieces of location information.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the program is the program according to the third aspect, wherein the program estimates the position of the information device based on a median value in each direction obtained from the plurality of pieces of position information.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the program is the program according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the program estimates the position of the information device based on a predetermined number of operation histories in order from the most recent operation history among the plurality of operation histories.

[0010] A sixth aspect of the program is the program according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the operation history data is acquired from an operation history recording section connected to a network.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the program is the program according to the sixth aspect, wherein when a connection with the information device is established via a network, the program executes estimating the location information.

[0012] The program of an eighth aspect is the program according to the first aspect, wherein when it is determined that the user has operated the information device, the program executes estimating the location information.

[0013] An information processing system of a ninth aspect includes a processor, and the processor estimates the location of the information device based on location information output by a mobile device carried by a user at the time the user operated the information device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the program of the first aspect, it is possible to estimate the location of an information device operated by a user at the installation location of the information device.

[0015] According to the program of the second aspect, the program of the first aspect can estimate the location of an information device operated by a user at the installation location of the information device.

[0016] According to the program of the third aspect, it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of the second aspect estimates the position of the information device based on a single piece of position information.

[0017] According to the program of the fourth aspect, it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of the third aspect estimates the position of the information device based on the average value of multiple pieces of position information.

[0018] According to the program of the fifth aspect, it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the position of the information device is estimated using all operation history in the program of the third or fourth aspect.

[0019] According to the program of the sixth aspect, in the program of any one of the second to fifth aspects, it is possible to estimate the position of an information device connected via a network.

[0020] According to the program of the seventh aspect, when an information device is added to the network, the program of the seventh aspect can estimate the location information of the information device.

[0021] According to the program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to suppress deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of the first aspect acquires position information based on movement history data.

[0022] According to the information processing system of the ninth aspect, it is possible to estimate the location of an information device that is operated by a user at the installation location of the information device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cloud server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a procedure for associating a specific facility with an information device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and are diagrams illustrating examples of the locations of the specific facility and the information device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating MFP operation history data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating movement history data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating usage history data of a specific facility according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for estimating the position of a user operating an information device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a location information list of an information device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a procedure for estimating the position of an information device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0025] In the following description and drawings, a symbol indicated by adding a single alphabetic character to a number indicates that the symbol indicated by the same number alone is equivalent to a corresponding configuration. For example, "18A" and "18B" in FIG. 1 indicate that they are equivalent to the configuration indicated by "18." For this reason, a configuration indicated by adding a single alphabetic character may be named with a "first," "second," etc., to distinguish it from equivalent configurations. In other words, there may be multiple configurations corresponding to a symbol indicated by adding a single alphabetic character, not just those shown in the drawings.

[0026] In the following description, the term "user" refers to any person who uses the information output system or the information processing system according to this embodiment in some way, without being limited to a specific person. [Embodiment] <composition> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 12 according to this embodiment. In the information processing system 12, a cloud server 14 is connected to various information devices via the Internet 16. More specifically, the information processing system 12 collects location information PI of a user UR who owns a mobile device 36. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 12 is also connected to a usage history recording unit 24, an operation history recording unit 28, and a movement history recording unit 26 via the Internet 16. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the locations of specific facilities and information devices according to this embodiment.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of cloud server 14 in this embodiment. Note that cloud server 14 basically has the same configuration as a general computer.

[0028] The cloud server 14 includes a CPU 91 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 93 (Read Only Memory), a RAM 92 (Random Access Memory), a communication unit 94, and the like.

[0029] The CPU 91 is a device that controls the overall operation of the cloud server 14, and is an example of a "processor" in this embodiment. The ROM 93 stores various control programs, various parameters, etc. in advance. The RAM 92 is used as a work area when the CPU 91 executes various programs. The communication unit 94 is connected to the Internet 16 (see FIG. 1 ), and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the Internet 16, such as the movement history recording unit 26, operation history recording unit 28, usage history recording unit 24, and MFP 18. The various units of the cloud server 14 are connected to one another by a bus (not shown).

[0030] In cloud server 14, CPU 91 accesses ROM 93 and RAM 92 and executes processing in accordance with the contents of a program. Also, cloud server 14 controls the sending and receiving of communication data via communication unit 94 using CPU 91. Note that cloud server 14 may be connected to Internet 16 in any manner as long as it is capable of communicating with MFP 18.

[0031] MFP 18 has a function of accepting a print job via Internet 16 and forming an image on a document, and a function of reading the image from the document as image data and transmitting it to cloud server 14. In the following description, MFP 18 may have any configuration as long as it is connectable to cloud server 14 via Internet 16, and it does not matter whether MFP 18 is a homogeneous device or a heterogeneous device.

[0032] 3, the interior of building 30 is partitioned by walls into a first office room 33A, a second office room 33B, a first conference room 32A, a second conference room 32B, and an executive room 34. A plurality of MFPs 18 are also disposed at a distance from one another. For example, a user UR who uses first conference room 32A prints a document on first MFP 18A, and then enters first conference room 32A with the printed matter PT in hand, as shown by footprints FP.

[0033] The operation history recording unit 28 records the usage history of each MFP 18 used by a person. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation history recording unit 28 records MFP operation history data 48 for each MFP 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the MFP operation history data 48 records, for example, a "user" indicating the user UR who used the MFP 18, a "printing date and time" indicating the date and time the MFP 18 was used, and a "file name" which is an example of identification information for the printed data. Note that the "printing date and time" indicating the date and time the MFP 18 was used is an example of a "time of use" in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a new record 49 is added to the MFP operation history data 48 each time the MFP 18 is used. In other words, each record 49 is an example of an "operation history" in this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the movement history recording unit 26 records location information PI of a user UR who moves while carrying a mobile device 36. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the movement history recording unit 26 records the location information PI of the mobile device 36 as movement history data 50. As an example, the movement history data 50 records the coordinates of "latitude," "longitude," and "altitude," which are the location information PI of the mobile device 36, and the "time" that is the time when the location information PI was acquired. In other words, the "time" in the movement history data 50 is an example of "time information" in this embodiment. In other words, the location information PI and time information are associated with each other in the movement history data.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the usage history recording unit 24 records the date and time of use by a person who used the conference room 32. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the usage history recording unit 24 records the usage history for each conference room 32 as usage history data 54. The usage history data 54 records, as an example, the "user" who used the conference room 32 and the date and time the conference room 32 was used. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the usage history data 54 records a record 49 that is added each time the conference room 32 is used. Note that the method for recording the usage history data 54 is not particularly limited as long as the usage history data 54 records the time when the user UR was in the conference room 32. As an example, the usage history data 54 records the date and time when the electronic lock of the conference room 32 was unlocked when the user UR used the conference room 32. In other words, the electronic lock creates the usage history data 54 of the user UR's use of the conference room 32.

[0036] <Method for estimating MFP installation location> Next, a method in which the CPU 91 of the cloud server 14 in this embodiment estimates the installation location of the MFP 18 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 9, the cloud server 14 in this embodiment executes a procedure for acquiring location information that can be estimated as location information of the MFP, and a procedure for estimating the installation location of the MFP from multiple pieces of location information.

[0037] (Procedure for acquiring location information that can be estimated as MFP location information) Fig. 7 shows, as processing executed by the CPU 91 according to this embodiment, a procedure for acquiring location information that can be estimated as the location information of the MFP based on the MFP operation history data 48 of the MFP 18 and the movement history data 50 of the user UR. Fig. 8 also shows that the location information PI of the MFP 18 estimated based on the movement history data 50 is recorded as an MFP location information list 52. As shown in Fig. 8, the MFP location information list 52 for the MFP 18 records the location information PI estimated as the actual location of each MFP 18. The MFP location information list 52 for the MFP 18 is also recorded for each MFP 18. Here, as an example, the process of generating the record enclosed in a bold frame in Fig. 8 (record No. 257) will be described.

[0038] First, in step S102, CPU 91 acquires the job history of MFP 18. More specifically, CPU 91 acquires MFP operation history data 48 of any of MFPs 18 shown in FIG. 4 from operation history recording unit 28. Here, as an example, as shown in FIG. 4, CPU 91 acquires first MFP operation history data 48A, which is the operation history of first MFP 18A. Then, CPU 91 proceeds to step S104.

[0039] Next, in step S104, the CPU 91 extracts record 49 included in the job history of the MFP 18 acquired in step S102, and acquires the user name and usage date and time included in the record 49. Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the CPU 91 extracts record 49 surrounded by a bold frame from among the records 49 included in the MFP operation history data 48, and acquires that the user name is "User A" and the print date and time is "2024-02-13 20:27:23". The CPU 91 then proceeds to step S106.

[0040] Next, in step S106, the CPU 91 acquires the movement history of the user UR acquired in step S104 from the movement history recording unit 26. More specifically, the CPU 91 acquires the movement history data 50 corresponding to the user UR name acquired in step S104 from the movement history recording unit 26. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 91 acquires the movement history data 50 of "user A" from the movement history recording unit 26. Then, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S108.

[0041] Next, in step S108, the CPU 91 acquires location information PI immediately before the date and time of use from the acquired movement history data 50. More specifically, the CPU 91 acquires, from the records 49 included in the movement history data 50, the record 49 for the time immediately before the date and time of use acquired in step S104. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 91 extracts, from the movement history data 50, the record 49 surrounded by a bold frame, which includes the value "2024-02-13 20:23:45", which is immediately before the time acquired in step S104. The CPU 91 also acquires, as location information PI, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the location of user A in the record 49. The CPU 91 then proceeds to step S110.

[0042] Next, in step S110, the CPU 91 adds the acquired location information PI of the user UR to the MFP location information list 52 as shown in Fig. 8. More specifically, the CPU 91 adds the location, longitude, and altitude acquired in step S108 to the MFP location information list 52. Here, as shown in Fig. 8, the CPU 91 adds the location information PI of the user A acquired in step S108 as the record surrounded by a thick frame in the MFP location information list 52 of the first MFP 18A selected in step S102.

[0043] In the above-described procedure, CPU 91 acquires position information PI that can be estimated as position information PI of MFP 18, and creates MFP position information list 52 of MFP 18. Note that created MFP position information list 52 is recorded in ROM 93 of cloud server 14, for example.

[0044] Note that the procedure for acquiring location information that can be estimated as the location information of the MFP in this description is not performed just once, but is performed as many times as the number of records included in MFP operation history data 48. Also, the procedure for acquiring location information that can be estimated as the location information of the MFP in this description is not performed just once, but is performed for each MFP 18 whose operation history recording unit 28 includes MFP operation history data 48.

[0045] (Procedure for estimating the installation location of an MFP from multiple pieces of location information) 9 shows a procedure for estimating the installation location of an MFP from multiple pieces of location information as processing executed by CPU 91 according to this embodiment. Note that the following description will be given by showing an example in which the processing is executed in a state in which multiple records are recorded in MFP location information list 52.

[0046] First, in step S202, the CPU 91 acquires the MFP position information list 52 of the MFP 18. More specifically, the CPU 91 acquires the MFP position information list 52 of the MFP 18, which was recorded in step S110, from the ROM 93. Then, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S204.

[0047] Next, in step S204, CPU 91 extracts a predetermined number of records from MFP position information list 52 of MFP 18. More specifically, CPU 91 extracts multiple records with newer recording dates and times (records with larger No. values) from MFP position information list 52. Then, CPU 91 proceeds to step S206.

[0048] Next, in step S206, the CPU 91 calculates the median value of latitude from the records extracted in step S204. More specifically, the CPU 91 acquires the latitude for each record extracted in step S204, and calculates the median value when the acquired latitude values ​​are arranged in order. For example, if records No. 255 to No. 259 in FIG. 8 are extracted, the value "35° 41' 19.49" N" of No. 258 in FIG. 8 is calculated. Then, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S208.

[0049] Next, in step S208, the CPU 91 calculates the median value of the longitudes from the records extracted in step S204. More specifically, the CPU 91 acquires the longitude for each record extracted in step S204, and calculates the median value when the acquired longitude values ​​are sorted in order. For example, if records No. 255 to No. 259 in FIG. 8 are extracted, the value "139°42'16.33"E" for No. 259 in FIG. 8 is calculated. Then, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S210.

[0050] Next, in step S210, the CPU 91 calculates the median value of the altitude from the records extracted in step S204. More specifically, the CPU 91 obtains the altitude for each record extracted in step S204, and calculates the median value when the obtained altitude values ​​are sorted in order. For example, if records No. 255 to No. 259 in FIG. 8 are extracted, the value "15.41 m" for No. 257 in FIG. 8 is calculated. The CPU 91 then proceeds to step S212.

[0051] Next, in step S212, the CPU 91 estimates the latitude, longitude, and altitude calculated in steps S206 to S210 as the position of the MFP 18. More specifically, the CPU 91 estimates the position indicated by "35°41'19.50"N," "139°42'16.33"E," and "15.41 m," calculated in the respective procedures described above, as the installation position of the first MFP 18A.

[0052] In this way, the CPU 91 estimates the installation position of the MFP 18 from the plurality of pieces of position information PI. That is, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the first MFP 18A based on the median value in each direction (latitude, longitude, altitude) obtained from the plurality of pieces of position information PI.

[0053] In the above procedure, an example has been described in which the CPU 91 estimates the installation position of the first MFP 18A, but the CPU 91 similarly estimates the installation positions of the other MFPs 18. In addition, the estimated installation positions of the MFPs 18 are recorded in the ROM 93 of the cloud server 14, for example.

[0054] In the above procedure, the installation location of MFP 18 has been described as an example of an information device, but the object from which the position information PI is acquired is not limited to an MFP. That is, the position information PI of conference room 32 may also be estimated in a similar manner based on the usage history data 54 of conference room 32 shown in FIG. 6 and the movement history data 50 shown in FIG. 5. In other words, in conference room 32 shown in FIG. 3, the device that creates the usage history data 54 of conference room 32 (the electronic lock in the example described above) is also an example of an information device in this embodiment. The object from which the position information PI is acquired may also be a conference room. That is, the object from which the position information PI is acquired is not limited to an information device.

[0055] The timing at which the CPU 91 executes the above-described method for estimating the installation location of the MFP 18 is not particularly limited, but an example is when the method is executed periodically. In this case, it is assumed that the CPU 91 executes the estimation of the installation location of the MFP 18 at the same time on the same date every month.

[0056] According to the information output system 10 and the information processing system 12 described above in this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained.

[0057] (Action and effect) The program according to this embodiment causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on the position information PI output by the portable device 36 of the user UR who operated the MFP 18. Therefore, according to the program according to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate the position of the MFP 18 operated by the user UR at the installation location of the MFP 18.

[0058] Furthermore, the program according to this aspect causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on the position information PI output by the portable device 36 of the user UR who operated the MFP 18. Therefore, the program according to this aspect can estimate the position of even an MFP 18 that does not have a function for acquiring position information PI such as GPS.

[0059] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on the position information PI acquired from the movement history data 50 of the user UR who operated the MFP 18. Therefore, according to the program according to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate the position of the MFP 18 operated by the user UR at the installation location of the MFP 18.

[0060] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on the position information PI acquired from a plurality of records 49. Therefore, according to the program according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce deviation in the estimated position of the MFP 18 compared to when the position of the MFP 18 is estimated based on one piece of position information PI.

[0061] Furthermore, the program according to this aspect causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on the median value in each direction obtained from the plurality of pieces of position information PI. Therefore, according to the program according to this aspect, it is possible to reduce deviation in the estimated position of the MFP 18 compared to when the position of the MFP 18 is estimated based on the average value of the plurality of pieces of position information PI.

[0062] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment causes the CPU 91 to estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on a predetermined number of records 49, starting with the most recent record 49, among the plurality of records 49. Therefore, even if the position of the MFP 18 is changed, it becomes easier to estimate the position based on the position information PI of the MFP 18 after the change. Therefore, according to the program according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce deviation in the estimated position of the MFP 18 compared to when the position of the MFP 18 is estimated using all of the records 49.

[0063] Furthermore, the program according to this aspect causes the CPU 91 to acquire the MFP operation history data 48 from the operation history recording unit 28 connected to the Internet 16. Therefore, the program according to this aspect makes it possible to estimate the position of the MFP 18 connected via the Internet 16.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the program of this embodiment, when a connection is established between the MFP 18 and the Internet 16, the location information PI of the MFP 18 is acquired. Therefore, according to the program of this embodiment, when the MFP 18 is added to the Internet 16, the location information PI of the MFP 18 can be estimated.

[0065] Furthermore, the information processing system 12 according to this embodiment estimates the position of the MFP 18 based on the position information PI output by the portable device 36. Therefore, the information processing system 12 according to this embodiment can estimate the position of the MFP 18 operated by the user UR at the installation location of the MFP 18.

[0066] First Variation In the above description, the CPU 91 periodically estimates the installation location of the MFP 18. However, the operation of the CPU 91 in this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 91 may estimate the installation location of the MFP 18 when it is determined that the MFP 18 has been added to the network.

[0067] More specifically, for example, when it is determined that a connection to the network has been established for a new MFP 18, the CPU 91 estimates the installation location of the MFP 18. As another example, it is assumed that the CPU 91 estimates the installation location of the MFP 18 when it is determined that a connection to the network has been established again after the MFP 18 has been disconnected from the network once.

[0068] According to the program of this modified example, by executing the program at these times, the CPU 91 can estimate the location information of the MFP 18 even when, for example, an MFP 18 is added to the network or the installation location of the MFP 18 is changed.

[0069] <Second Variation> Furthermore, in the above description, the installation location of MFP 18 is estimated based on MFP operation history data 48, but the operation of CPU 91 in this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when CPU 91 determines that user UR operated MFP 18 to execute a print job, CPU 91 may determine the installation location of MFP 18 based on location information PI of portable device 36 carried by the user who operated MFP 18.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the program of this modification, the location information PI is acquired when it is determined that the user has operated the information device. Therefore, according to the program of this aspect, it is possible to reduce deviation in the estimated location of the information device compared to when the location information PI is acquired based on the movement history data 50.

[0071] In this modified example, it is preferable to execute this process when the location information PI of the user UR operating the MFP 18 has changed between the time before and the time when the print job was executed. If the location information PI has not changed between the time before and the time when the print job was executed, this may mean that the user UR did not have the portable device 36 with them when they used the MFP 18.

[0072] Other Modifications In the above description, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the MFP 18 as an example of an information device, but the operation of the program according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. If information similar to the operation history in the above description is recorded, the information device may include, in addition to the MFP 18, devices that mainly handle electronic data, such as personal computers and tablet terminals, as well as home appliances such as microwave ovens and refrigerators.

[0073] In the above description, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the MFP 18 based on multiple records, but the operation of the program according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 91 may estimate the position of the MFP 18 in the same manner as described above even when there is only one record.

[0074] In the above description, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the MFP 18 by combining the median values ​​in each of the latitude, longitude, and altitude directions, but the operation of the program according to this embodiment is not limited to this. The CPU 91 only needs to estimate the coordinate values ​​for at least the latitude and longitude, and does not need to estimate the position for the altitude.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above description, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the MFP 18 by combining the median values ​​in each direction of a plurality of records, but the operation of the program according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, when it is determined that the position of the MFP 18 is unlikely to shift based on the coordinate values ​​in each direction, the CPU 91 may estimate the position of the MFP 18 by calculating other statistical values ​​(for example, average values) instead of combining the median values.

[0076] In the above description, the CPU 91 estimates the position of the MFP 18 based on a predetermined number of records in order from the most recent record, but the operation of the program according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 91 may estimate the position of the MFP 18 based on all records included in the MFP operation history data 48.

[0077] In the above description, the CPU 91 acquires the MFP operation history data 48 from the operation history recording unit 28 connected to the Internet, but the operation of the program according to this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 91 may acquire the MFP operation history data 48 from a job history recording unit (not shown) that the MFP 18 has, based on the job history executed by the MFP 18.

[0078] In these modified examples, the same functions and effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0079] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0080] Further preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0081] (((1))) estimating the location of the information device based on location information output from a mobile device carried by the user at the time the user operated the information device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0082] (((2))) Identifying a time when a specific user operated the information device based on operation history data of the information device having an operation history in which information of unspecified users and operation times are associated; Acquire movement history data associated with location information and time information for the mobile device carried by the specific user; the location information associated with the time information corresponding to the time when the specific user operated the information device is used to estimate the location of the information device; The program described in (((1))).

[0083] (((3))) acquiring a plurality of pieces of location information from a plurality of operation histories, and estimating the location of the information device based on the plurality of pieces of location information; The program according to (((2))).

[0084] (((4))) estimating the position of the information device based on a median value in each direction obtained from the plurality of pieces of position information; The program according to (((3))).

[0085] (((5))) estimating the location of the information device based on a predetermined number of operation histories in descending order of the most recent operation histories from among the plurality of operation histories; The program according to (((3))) or (((4))).

[0086] (((6))) acquiring the operation history data from an operation history recording unit connected to a network; A program according to any one of (((2))) to (((5))).

[0087] (((7))) When a connection with the information device is established via a network, the location information is estimated. The program according to (((6))).

[0088] (((8))) When it is determined that the user has operated the information device, the location information is estimated. The program described in (((1))).

[0089] (((9))) a processor; The processor: estimating the location of the information device based on location information output from a mobile device carried by the user at the time the user operated the information device; Information processing system.

[0090] According to the program (((1))), it is possible to estimate the location of an information device that a user operates at the location where the information device is installed. According to the program pertaining to (((2))), the program pertaining to (((1))) can estimate the location of an information device operated by a user at the installation location of the information device. According to the program of (((3))), it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of an information device compared to when the program of (((2))) estimates the position of an information device based on one piece of position information. According to the program of (((4))), it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of (((3))) estimates the position of the information device based on the average value of multiple pieces of position information. According to the program of (((5))), it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of (((3))) or (((4))) estimates the position of the information device using all operation history. According to the program according to (((6))), the location of an information device connected via a network can be estimated in the program according to any one of (((2))) to (((5))). According to the program pertaining to (((7))), when an information device is added to the network, the program pertaining to (((7))) can estimate the location information of the information device. According to the program of (((8))), it is possible to reduce deviations in the estimated position of the information device compared to when the program of (((1))) obtains position information based on movement history data. According to the information processing system of (((9))), it is possible to estimate the location of an information device that a user operates at the installation location of the information device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 Information Output System 12 Information processing system (an example of an information processing system) 14 Cloud Server 16 Internet (an example of a network) 18 MFP (an example of information equipment) 24 Usage history recording section 26 Movement history recording section 28 Operation history recording section 30 Buildings 32 Conference Rooms 33 Room 34 Executive Room 36 Mobile devices 48 MFP operation history data (example of operation history data) 49 records (example of operation history) 50 Movement history data (Example of movement history data) 52 MFP location information list (example of multiple location information) 54 Usage history data 91 CPU (an example of a processor) 92 RAM 93 ROM 94 Communications Department

Claims

1. estimating the location of the information device based on location information output from a mobile device carried by the user at the time the user operated the information device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

2. Identifying a time when a specific user operated the information device based on operation history data of the information device having an operation history in which information of unspecified users and operation times are associated; Acquire movement history data associated with location information and time information for the mobile device carried by the specific user; the location information associated with the time information corresponding to the time when the specific user operated the information device is used to estimate the location of the information device; The program according to claim 1 .

3. acquiring a plurality of pieces of location information from a plurality of operation histories, and estimating the location of the information device based on the plurality of pieces of location information; The program according to claim 2 .

4. estimating the position of the information device based on a median value in each direction obtained from the plurality of pieces of position information; The program according to claim 3 .

5. estimating the location of the information device based on a predetermined number of operation histories in descending order of the most recent operation histories from among the plurality of operation histories; The program according to claim 3 .

6. acquiring the operation history data from an operation history recording unit connected to a network; The program according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. When a connection with the information device is established via a network, the location information is estimated. The program according to claim 6.

8. When it is determined that the user has operated the information device, the location information is estimated. The program according to claim 1 .

9. a processor; The processor: estimating the location of the information device based on location information output from a mobile device carried by the user at the time the user operated the information device; Information processing system.

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