Information processing system and program

Abstract

To provide an information-processing system and a program for adjusting a traffic to an amount corresponding to the state of equipment to be monitored when the equipment to be monitored transmits date showing a state to a server.SOLUTION: The information processing system 10 includes a control unit 40 and a control unit 90, and the control unit 40 and the control unit 90 cause the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored to transmit data indicating a state of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored to the cloud server 22, and based on the data indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmitted to the cloud server 22, A state of an image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored is determined, and an information amount of data indicating a state to be transmitted to a cloud server 22 is set to the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored on the basis of the determined state of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cloud collaboration system that is connected to another cloud collaboration system, and the cloud service list includes a first cloud service that is connected to the cloud collaboration system without going through the other cloud collaboration system, and a second cloud service that is connected to the other cloud collaboration system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-084819 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to adjust the amount of communication when a monitored device transmits data indicating its status to a server, to an amount according to the status of the monitored device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing system of a first aspect includes a processor, which performs the following operations: causes a monitored device to send data indicating the status of the monitored device to a server; determines the status of the monitored device based on the data indicating the status sent to the server; and causes the monitored device to set the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be sent to the server based on the determined status of the monitored device.

[0006] In a second aspect of the information processing system, in the information processing system described in the first aspect, the processor increases the amount of data indicating the status to be sent when it detects signs of a failure in the monitored device.

[0007] An information processing system of a third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, wherein the processor sets an amount of information of the data indicating the status to be transmitted in accordance with the degree of the sign of the failure.

[0008] An information processing system of a fourth aspect is an information processing system described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the processor reduces the amount of data indicating the status to be sent when it does not detect any signs of a failure in the monitored device.

[0009] An information processing system of a fifth aspect is an information processing system described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the processor does not set the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be transmitted when the number of data indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0010] An information processing system of a sixth aspect is an information processing system according to the fifth aspect, wherein when the number of data pieces indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor inputs the data pieces indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device to an artificial intelligence, and determines the status of the monitored device based on the judgment result output from the artificial intelligence.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the program causes a processor to perform the following operations: cause a monitored device to send data indicating the status of the monitored device to a server; determine the status of the monitored device based on the data indicating the status sent to the server; and cause the monitored device to set the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be sent to the server based on the determined status of the monitored device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the information processing system of this aspect, the amount of communication when the monitored device transmits data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount according to the status of the monitored device.

[0013] According to the information processing system of this aspect, the accuracy of determining a crisis state when there is a sign of a failure is increased compared to when the setting of the amount of information to be transmitted is always constant.

[0014] According to the information processing system of this aspect, compared to when the amount of information in the data is two-staged, the amount of communication when the monitored device sends data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount that corresponds to the status of the monitored device.

[0015] According to the information processing system of this aspect, the amount of communication can be reduced when there is no sign of a failure, compared to when the setting of the amount of information to be transmitted is always constant.

[0016] According to the information processing system of this aspect, even when the amount of data is small, it is easy to ensure the amount of data necessary to determine the state of the monitored device.

[0017] According to the information processing system of this aspect, the accuracy of determining the status of the monitored equipment is less likely to decrease even when the amount of data is small, compared to when the determination is made without using the results output from the artificial intelligence.

[0018] According to the program of this aspect, the amount of communication when the monitored device transmits data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount according to the status of the monitored device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a failure detection server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which a failure detection server according to the first embodiment communicates with an image forming apparatus and changes the frequency with which the image forming apparatus transmits information. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment communicates with a failure detection server and transmits information about the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which a failure detection server according to the second embodiment communicates with an image forming apparatus and changes information to be transmitted by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment communicates with a failure detection server and transmits information about the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] 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.

[0021] [First embodiment] <Information Processing System 10> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that a plurality of image forming apparatuses 32, each installed at a plurality of bases 30, a fault detection server 18, and a cloud server 22 are connected via the Internet 12. In the following description, all image forming apparatuses 32 are the same apparatus and will not be distinguished unless otherwise specified. In the following description, a description of an image forming apparatus 32 may refer to a single apparatus or any one of a plurality of apparatuses.

[0022] (Image forming device 32) The image forming device 32 is a so-called multifunction device having multiple functions, such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile functions, and is connected to one another via a network within the base 30. The image forming device 32 is an example of a "monitored device" in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming device 32 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device 32 includes a control unit 40, an input / output unit 50, an image forming unit 52, an image reading unit 54, and a communication unit 56. These components are connected to one another via an input / output interface (I / O) 45.

[0023] The control unit 40 is a device that controls each part of the image forming apparatus 32. The control unit 40 has the functions of a computer, and includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory), and a ROM 43 (Read Only Memory), as shown in Fig. 2. The CPU 41, RAM 42, and ROM 43 are interconnected by a control bus 44.

[0024] The CPU 41 is a central processing unit that executes various programs including a program 46 such as an information synchronization program and controls various components. The ROM 43 stores various programs including the program 46 and various data. The RAM 42 serves as a working area and temporarily stores the program 46 or data.

[0025] In the control unit 40, the CPU 41 reads various programs including the program 46 from the ROM 43 and executes the program 46 using the RAM 42 as a work area. By executing the program 46, the CPU 41 realizes various functions for controlling each part of the image forming device 32.

[0026] The input / output unit 50 is a device that receives instructions from a person using the image forming device 32 and notifies the CPU 41 of the control unit 40 of the received instructions. The input / output unit 50 is also a device that presents information to a person using the image forming device 32 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 41. The input / output unit 50 may be, for example, a device that receives input and displays information, such as a touch panel.

[0027] The image forming unit 52 is a component that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper. The image forming unit 52 forms an image on the recording medium by, for example, an electrophotographic method that performs the steps of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fixing. Note that the image forming unit 52 may also form an image on the recording medium by another method such as an inkjet method.

[0028] The image reading unit 54 is a component (e.g., a scanner) that reads an image of a document. The image reading unit 54 optically reads the image of the document and converts it into a digital signal to generate image data. In this description, as an example, it is assumed that the document includes text.

[0029] The communication unit 56 is a component for communicating with other devices such as the cloud server 22 and the fault detection server 18. Specifically, the communication unit 56 communicates with other devices using communication means such as wired, wireless, the Internet 12, an intranet, and public lines such as telephone lines. Note that the communication means may also be communication means using sound, light, vibration, images, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, when an inquiry is made from the image forming device 32 to the cloud server 22 via the communication unit 56, the communication unit 56 is configured to be able to accept communication from the cloud server 22 as a response to the inquiry.

[0031] In the image forming device 32, for example, the image reading unit 54 reads an image of an original document and generates image data, thereby performing a scan process using the scan function. In addition, in the image forming device 32, for example, the image data generated by reading an image of an original document with the image reading unit 54 is transmitted to another device such as another multifunction peripheral, thereby performing a facsimile process using the facsimile function.

[0032] 3 shows the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 32 according to this embodiment, which functions when the CPU 41 of the image forming apparatus 32 executes the program 46. The image forming apparatus 32 according to this embodiment has, as its functional configuration, a fault detection service agent 84, a communication control unit 86, and an information management unit 88.

[0033] As will be described later, the fault detection service agent 84 is a functional component that functions to implement the fault detection service provided by the fault detection server 18. More specifically, the fault detection service agent 84 collects information about the image forming apparatus 32 itself (e.g., information about setting values ​​set in the image forming apparatus 32, the number of operations of the image forming apparatus 32, log information during image formation, etc.) as data related to fault detection (hereinafter referred to as "status data") for the fault detection service established on the fault detection server 18. The status data collected by the fault detection service agent 84 may include, for example, operation log data indicating the operation history of the image forming apparatus 32 and setting value log data indicating setting values ​​of items that can be set in the image forming apparatus 32. The status data may also include environmental log data indicating the status of the image forming apparatus 32 acquired by sensors provided in each processing unit of the image forming apparatus 32. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between operation log data, setting value log data, and environmental log data, they will all be referred to as "log data."

[0034] The operation log data may include, for example, the number of times the image forming device 32 has executed printing, the number of times it has executed scanning, the number of times it has communicated with other devices, etc. The setting value log data may include setting values ​​such as paper shape and color tone when the image forming device 32 executes a printing function, and setting values ​​such as resolution and color mode when it executes a scanning function. The environment log data may include measurement results such as the temperature and humidity of the image forming device 32, and the voltage and current of the power supply supplied to the image forming device 32.

[0035] Furthermore, the fault detection service agent 84 creates and provides status data when it receives a request from the communication control unit 86. Furthermore, when it receives a command from the information management unit 88, the fault detection service agent 84 collects log data to be included in the status data based on the command.

[0036] As will be described later, the communication control unit 86 is a functional component that functions to enable communication between the cloud server 22 and the image forming apparatus 32. More specifically, the communication control unit 86 provides the cloud server 22 with status data collected by the fault detection service agent 84. The communication control unit 86 also sets the time interval for requesting the fault detection service agent 84 to provide status data, based on a command received from the cloud server 22. The communication control unit 86 also provides the command received from the cloud server 22 to the information management unit 88.

[0037] Information management unit 88 is a functional configuration that manages information that image forming apparatus 32 transmits to cloud server 22. More specifically, information management unit 88 sets the type of log data that fault detection service agent 84 collects, based on a command received from cloud server 22.

[0038] (Cloud Server 22) Cloud server 22 includes a control unit 60, a communication unit 106, and a recording device 100. Note that the specific functions of communication unit 106 of cloud server 22 are similar to those of communication unit 56 of image forming device 32, except for performance (processing capacity).

[0039] The control unit 90 also has computer functions, and includes, for example, a CPU 91, a ROM 93, and a RAM 92. These components and the recording device 100 are interconnected by a control bus 94. The cloud server 22 executes the procedure described below by having the CPU 91 read a program 99 recorded in the ROM 93.

[0040] The control unit 90 is a device that controls each part of the cloud server 22, and has a CPU 91, a ROM 93, and a RAM 92. These components and the recording device 70 are connected to each other via a control bus 94. The ROM 93 of the cloud server 22 has a program 99. The cloud server 22 executes the procedure described below by having the CPU 91 read the program 99 recorded in the ROM 93. In this embodiment, the CPU 91 of the cloud server 22 is an example of a "processor" in the present disclosure.

[0041] 1, cloud server 22 stores data on image forming apparatuses 32 as physical devices connected via Internet 12 and corresponding digital shadows 32S as virtual devices. Cloud server 22 also executes the behavior of digital shadows 32S by having a CPU execute the stored programs. In the description of this embodiment, although not shown or distinguished, it is assumed that a digital shadow 32S is formed for each image forming apparatus 32.

[0042] (Digital Shadow 32S) The digital shadow 32S is a virtual device that holds the setting information of the image forming device 32 and reflects the status (for example, the number of printed sheets, the operating time, etc.), and is created based on the status of the image forming device 32 recorded as data in the ROM 43. For example, when the digital shadow 32S receives an inquiry from the fault detection server 18, it notifies the fault detection server 18 of the status of the image forming device 32 by replying with information about the model and functions of the image forming device 32 and information about the status that the digital shadow 32S has.

[0043] (Failure detection server 18) The failure detection server 18 according to this embodiment is a server that provides a failure detection service. As shown in Fig. 4, the failure detection server 18 includes a control unit 60, a communication unit 76, and a recording device 70. The specific functions of the communication unit 76 of the failure detection server 18 are similar to those of the communication unit 56 of the image forming device 32, except for performance (processing capacity).

[0044] The control unit 60 is a device that controls each unit of the failure detection server 18, and includes a CPU 61, a ROM 63, and a RAM 62. These components and the recording device 70 are interconnected by a control bus 64. The ROM 63 of the failure detection server 18 includes a program 66 and an artificial intelligence program 68. The CPU 61 reads the program 66 recorded in the ROM 63, causing the failure detection server 18 to execute the procedure described below. The CPU 61 reads the artificial intelligence program 68 recorded in the ROM 63, causing the failure detection server 18 to execute the procedure described below. In this embodiment, the CPU 61 of the failure detection server 18 is another example of a "processor" in the present disclosure.

[0045] The fault detection server 18 collects and analyzes information about the image forming device 32 itself by communicating with the cloud server 22. More specifically, by communicating with the digital shadow 32S included in the cloud server 22, it collects information about the image forming device 32 corresponding to the digital shadow 32S. Based on the results of the collection and analysis, the fault detection server 18 also determines whether a fault has occurred in the image forming device 32 or whether there are any signs of a fault occurring.

[0046] 1, the failure detection server 18 provides a failure detection service for each of the image forming devices 32 based on information about the image forming devices 32. In other words, the failure detection server 18 uses information about the multiple image forming devices 32.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 60 of the fault detection server 18 has an artificial intelligence (AI) functional configuration. This AI functions when the CPU 61 of the control unit 60 executes an AI program 68. Based on information collected from the multiple image forming devices 32 and information transmitted from any one of the image forming devices 32, this AI determines whether a fault has occurred in that image forming device 32 and whether there are any signs of a fault occurring.

[0048] More specifically, when detecting a fault in an image forming device 32 using artificial intelligence, the fault detection server 18 estimates the feature quantities of the image forming device 32 using information on other image forming devices 32 different from the image forming device 32 in question. Furthermore, the obtained feature quantities are compared with feature quantities in the event of a known fault to detect the fault. Therefore, when estimating the feature quantities, feature quantities are also estimated for functions and configurations that the image forming device 32 to be monitored does not have, and for configurations that other image forming devices 32 do not have.

[0049] The method by which the failure detection server 18 determines whether a failure has occurred or whether there is a sign of a failure by applying artificial intelligence is not particularly limited. For example, an estimation method using a neural network is conceivable.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 90 of the cloud server 22 according to this embodiment may determine whether a fault or a sign of a fault has occurred in the monitored image forming apparatus 32 without using artificial intelligence. When making a determination without using artificial intelligence, the determination is made based solely on information acquired from the monitored image forming apparatus 32. This prevents erroneous determination due to differences between the individual image forming apparatus 32 and other image forming apparatuses 32. Any determination method may be used in this case, but one example is to create a Shewhart control chart (JIS Z 9020-2:2023) and determine the shape of successive measurement results.

[0051] The specific procedure for switching between applying artificial intelligence and not applying artificial intelligence will be described later.

[0052] Here, in this embodiment, cloud server 22 changes the amount of data acquired from image forming apparatus 32 by CPU 91 executing program 66. More specifically, in this embodiment, cloud server 22 changes the frequency at which image forming apparatus 32 transmits status data. More specifically, cloud server 22 changes the number of times that image forming apparatus 32 transmits data to cloud server 22 per predetermined time period. The procedure by which cloud server 22 in this embodiment changes the frequency at which image forming apparatus 32 transmits status data will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0053] (Steps to change the frequency at which status data is sent) The control unit 90 of the cloud server 22 changes the frequency at which the image forming apparatus 32 transmits status data according to the procedure shown in Fig. 6. The procedure for changing the frequency at which the image forming apparatus 32 transmits status data shown in Fig. 6 may be started at any time. As an example, the control unit 90 starts the procedure for changing the frequency at which the image forming apparatus 32 transmits status data when the image forming apparatus 32 starts executing the fault detection service.

[0054] In the procedure shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 90 receives status data from the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored at any time during the procedure shown in FIG.

[0055] First, in step S102, the control unit 90 causes the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to start transmitting status data. More specifically, the control unit 90 sends a notification to the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to start transmitting status data. The control unit 90 also starts accepting status data from the monitored image forming apparatus 32. The control unit 90 then proceeds to step S104.

[0056] Next, in step S104, the control unit 90 checks the number of status data items recorded in the recording device 100 and determines whether the number of status data items is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the control unit 90 determines yes in step S104, it proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 determines no in step S104, it proceeds to step S114.

[0057] Next, in step S106, the control unit 90 calculates the possibility of a failure occurring in the monitored image forming apparatus 32 (a sign of a failure). More specifically, in step S106, the control unit 90 transmits status data of the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to the failure detection server 18, and causes the failure detection server 18 to calculate the possibility of a failure occurring. The control unit 90 also acquires the calculation result from the failure detection server 18. Note that, as described above, in step S106, any method may be used to calculate the possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32. As an example, the failure detection server 18 calculates the possibility of a failure occurring based on the number of jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 32. Then, after calculating the possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S108.

[0058] Next, in step S108, the control unit 90 sets the transmission frequency of the status data based on the calculated possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32 being monitored. More specifically, if the control unit 90 calculates in step S106 that there is a high possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 sets the transmission frequency of the status data to a high value in step S108. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 calculates in step S106 that there is a low possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 sets the transmission frequency of the status data to a low value in step S108. The control unit 90 then notifies the image forming apparatus 32 being monitored that it will transmit status data at the set frequency. The control unit 90 then proceeds to step S120.

[0059] Next, in step S120, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to continue the procedure for changing the frequency at which status data is transmitted. More specifically, if the procedure for changing the frequency at which status data is transmitted is to be continued, the control unit 90 makes a positive determination in step S120. If the control unit 90 makes a positive determination in step S120, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 makes a negative determination in step S120, the control unit 90 ends the procedure for changing the frequency at which status data is transmitted.

[0060] In step S114, the control unit 90 uses artificial intelligence to determine the state of the monitored image forming apparatus 32. As described above, in step S114, any method may be used to determine the state of the image forming apparatus 32. After determining the state of the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S120.

[0061] The predetermined threshold value in step S104 may be set arbitrarily. In other words, the threshold value is not limited to a specific value as long as it is possible to determine the state of image forming device 32 in step S106. For example, the threshold value may be 0, i.e., a positive determination is always made in step S104.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above-described procedure, if the control unit 90 determines that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus 32, it may notify the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored of this fact.

[0063] (Steps to change how often status data is sent) Next, the control unit 40 of the image forming device 32 executes the program 46 to change the frequency at which the status data is transmitted, in accordance with the procedure shown in Fig. 7. The procedure for changing the frequency at which the status data is transmitted, as shown in Fig. 7, may be started at any time. As an example, the control unit 40 starts the procedure for changing the frequency at which the status data is transmitted, simultaneously with the start of execution of the fault detection service of the image forming device 32.

[0064] First, in step S152, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a notification to change the transmission frequency has been received from the control unit 90. More specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the control unit 90 has issued a notification to change the transmission frequency of the status data by executing the procedure of step S108. If the control unit 40 makes a positive determination in step S152, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S154. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 makes a negative determination in step S152, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S156.

[0065] Next, in step S154, the control unit 40 changes the frequency of transmitting the status data. More specifically, when the control unit 90 executes the procedure of step S108 to notify that the transmission frequency will be reduced, the communication control unit 86 sets the frequency of transmitting the status data to be reduced. Also, when the control unit 90 executes the procedure of step S108 to notify that the transmission frequency will be increased, the communication control unit 86 sets the frequency of transmitting the status data to be increased. Then, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S156.

[0066] Next, in step S156, the control unit 40 creates status data. More specifically, the control unit 40 creates the status data based on a command from the information management unit 88 and a request from the communication control unit 86. The control unit 40 creates the status data based on the frequency set by the communication control unit 86, and if it is necessary to delay the transmission of the status data based on that frequency, the control unit 40 waits in step S156. In other words, creating the status data in step S156 includes waiting. The control unit 40 then proceeds to step S158.

[0067] Next, in step S158, the control unit 40 transmits the status data created in step S156 to the control unit 40. Then, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S160.

[0068] Next, in step S160, the control unit 40 determines whether or not to continue the procedure for changing the frequency at which the status data is transmitted. More specifically, if the procedure for changing the frequency at which the status data is transmitted is to be continued, the control unit 40 makes a positive determination in step S160. If the control unit 40 makes a positive determination in step S160, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S152. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 makes a negative determination in step S160, the control unit 40 ends the procedure for changing the frequency at which the status data is transmitted.

[0069] In the image forming device 32 of this embodiment, the frequency at which status data is transmitted is changed according to the procedure described above. In other words, the control unit 90 of this embodiment changes the frequency at which the monitored image forming device 32 transmits status data. The frequency at which the monitored image forming device 32 transmits status data to the fault detection server 18 is an example of the "amount of information in the data indicating the status" in this embodiment.

[0070] Next, the actions and effects of the cloud server 22, the failure detection server 18, and the image forming device 32 in this embodiment operating in the above-described procedure will be described.

[0071] (Action and effect) In the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment, the control unit 90 causes the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored to transmit status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to the cloud server 22. The control unit 90 determines the status of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored based on the status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmitted to the cloud server 22. The control unit 90 also causes the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored to set the transmission frequency of the status data to be transmitted to the cloud server 22 based on the status data transmitted to the cloud server 22. Therefore, the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment can adjust the amount of communication traffic when the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to the cloud server 22 to an amount corresponding to the status of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. In other words, the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment optimizes the amount of communication traffic when the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to the cloud server 22.

[0072] Furthermore, in the information processing system 10 according to this aspect, when the control unit 90 detects a possibility of a failure occurring in the monitored image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 increases the frequency of status data that the monitored image forming apparatus 32 subsequently transmits. Therefore, the information processing system 10 according to this aspect can more accurately determine a crisis state when a failure is likely to occur, compared to when the amount of information to be transmitted is always set to a constant amount.

[0073] Furthermore, in information processing system 10 according to this aspect, control unit 90 sets the frequency of the next status data transmission depending on the degree of possibility of a failure, as shown in step S118. Therefore, according to information processing system 10 according to this aspect, compared to when the status data transmission frequency is set to two levels, the amount of communication when image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to cloud server 22 can be adjusted to an amount depending on the status of image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in step S118, in the information processing system 10 according to this aspect, the control unit 90 reduces the frequency of the next transmission of status data when it has not detected the possibility of a failure occurring in the monitored image forming apparatus 32. Therefore, according to the information processing system 10 according to this aspect, the amount of communication can be reduced when there is no possibility of a failure occurring, compared to when the amount of information to be transmitted is always set to a constant amount.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in step S114, the information processing system 10 according to this aspect does not set the transmission frequency of the next status data to be transmitted when the number of status data pieces transmitted from the monitored image forming apparatus 32 is less than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the information processing system 10 according to this aspect makes it easy to ensure the number of status data pieces necessary to determine the status of the monitored image forming apparatus 32 even when the number of status data pieces is small.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in step S114, the information processing system 10 according to this aspect inputs the status data transmitted from the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to the artificial intelligence when the number of status data transmitted from the monitored image forming apparatus 32 is less than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 90 then determines the status of the monitored image forming apparatus 32 based on the determination result output from the artificial intelligence. Therefore, according to the information processing system 10 according to this aspect, the accuracy of determining the status of the monitored image forming apparatus 32 is less likely to decrease even when the number of status data is small, compared to when determination is made without using the result output from the artificial intelligence.

[0077] The program 66 according to this aspect also causes the control unit 90 to execute control of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored, to transmit status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to the cloud server 22. The control unit 90 also determines the status of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored, based on the status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmitted to the cloud server 22. The control unit 90 also executes control of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored, to set, for the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored, the frequency of transmission of the status data to the cloud server 22, based on the status data transmitted to the cloud server 22. Therefore, the program 66 according to this aspect can adjust the amount of communication when the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to the cloud server 22 to an amount corresponding to the status of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored.

[0078] Next, an information processing system 10 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Note that in this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0079] (composition) The configuration of the information processing system 10 in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, except for the operations defined by the program 46, as will be described later.

[0080] Also in this embodiment, the cloud server 22 changes the amount of information in the data acquired from the image forming apparatus 32 by the CPU 91 executing the program 96. More specifically, in this embodiment, the cloud server 22 changes the type of log data to be included in the status data of the image forming apparatus 32. Note that, in this embodiment, "changing the type of data" includes changing the number of types included in the data. That is, "increasing the type of data" refers to increasing the number of types of log data to be included in the status data. Similarly, "reducing the type of data" refers to decreasing the number of types of log data to be included in the status data. The procedure by which the cloud server 22 in this embodiment changes the type of log data to be included in the status data of the image forming apparatus 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0081] (Steps to change the type of log data included in the status data) The control unit 90 of the cloud server 22 causes the image forming apparatus 32 to change the type of log data to be included in the status data according to the procedure shown in Fig. 8. The procedure for changing the type of log data to be included in the status data shown in Fig. 8 may be started at any time. As an example, the control unit 90 starts the procedure for changing the type of log data to be included in the status data when the image forming apparatus 32 starts executing the fault detection service.

[0082] In the procedure shown in FIG. 8, the type of log data to be included in the status data at the start of the flow is not particularly limited.

[0083] First, in step S202, the control unit 90 causes the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to start transmitting status data. More specifically, the control unit 90 sends a notification to the monitored image forming apparatus 32 to start transmitting status data. The control unit also starts accepting status data from the monitored image forming apparatus 32. The control unit then proceeds to step S204.

[0084] Next, in step S204, the control unit 90 checks the number of status data items recorded in the recording device 100 and determines whether the number of status data items is greater than a predetermined threshold. If the control unit 90 determines yes in step S204, it proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 determines no in step S204, it proceeds to step S214.

[0085] Next, in step S206, the control unit 90 determines the status of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. More specifically, in step S106, the control unit 90 transmits status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored to the fault detection server 18, and causes the fault detection server 18 to calculate the possibility of a fault occurring. The control unit 90 also acquires the calculation result from the fault detection server 18. Note that, as described above, in step S206, any method may be used to calculate the possibility of a fault occurring in the image forming apparatus 32. Then, after the control unit 90 has calculated the possibility of a fault occurring in the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S208.

[0086] Next, in step S208, the control unit 90 determines whether or not there is a possibility that a failure will occur in the image forming apparatus 32 that is the calculated monitoring target. More specifically, if the control unit 90 determines in step S206 that there is a high possibility, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S212. In other words, if the control unit 90 detects the possibility of a failure occurring in step S206, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 determines in step S206 that the possibility of a failure occurring in the image forming apparatus 32 is low and that there is essentially no possibility of a failure occurring, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S210.

[0087] Then, when the control unit 90 proceeds to step S210, it reduces the types of log data to be included in the status data. More specifically, the control unit 90 sets, among the types of log data to be included in the status data, types of log data that are assumed to have a low contribution rate in detecting the possibility of a failure occurring, to not be included in the status data. Note that, in step S210, the types of log data to not be included in the status data are set appropriately. Thereafter, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S216.

[0088] On the other hand, when the control unit 90 proceeds to step S212, it increases the types of log data to be included in the status data. More specifically, the control unit 90 sets the types of log data to be included in the status data that are assumed to have a low contribution rate in detecting the possibility of a failure occurring, among the types of log data to be included in the status data. Note that in step S212, the types of log data to be included in the status data are set as appropriate. Thereafter, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S216.

[0089] Next, in step S216, the control unit 90 requests status data from the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. More specifically, in step S216, the control unit 90 requests status data from the image forming apparatus 32 regarding the result of changing the type of log data in step S210 or step S212. The control unit 90 proceeds to step S218.

[0090] Next, in step S218, control unit 90 receives status data from image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. The received status data is recorded in recording device 70 and is used the next time step S206 is executed. Control unit 90 then proceeds to step S220.

[0091] Next, in step S220, the control unit 90 determines whether or not to continue the procedure for changing the type of log data to be included in the status data. More specifically, if the procedure for changing the type of log data to be included in the status data is to be continued, the control unit 90 makes an affirmative determination in step S220. If the control unit 90 makes an affirmative determination in step S220, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the control unit 90 makes a negative determination in step S220, the control unit 90 ends the procedure for changing the type of log data to be included in the status data.

[0092] In step S214, the control unit 90 uses artificial intelligence to determine the state of the monitored image forming apparatus 32. As described above, in step S214, any method may be used to determine the state of the image forming apparatus 32. After determining the state of the image forming apparatus 32, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S216.

[0093] The predetermined threshold value in step S204 can be set arbitrarily, similar to step S104 in the first embodiment.

[0094] Furthermore, with regard to the number of types of log data to be included in the status data, the lower limit of the result of the reduction in step S210 and the upper limit of the result of the increase in step S212 are set appropriately. In this embodiment, if the number of types of log data has been reduced to the lower limit and the process has still proceeded to step S210, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S216 without changing the number of types of log data. Similarly, if the number of types of log data has been increased to the upper limit and the process has still proceeded to step S212, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S216 without changing the number of types of log data.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-described procedure, if the control unit 90 determines that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus 32, it may notify the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored of this fact.

[0096] (Steps to create state data) Next, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 32 executes the program 46 to create status data according to the procedure shown in Fig. 9. The procedure for creating the status data shown in Fig. 9 may be started at any time. As an example, the control unit 40 starts the procedure for creating the status data when the image forming apparatus 32 starts executing the fault detection service.

[0097] First, in step S252, the control unit 40 receives a request for status data from the control unit 60. Then, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S254.

[0098] Next, in step S254, the control unit 40 determines the type of log data to be included in the status data. More specifically, the information management unit 88 instructs the fault detection service agent 84 to collect the type of log data requested by the control unit 60 in step S216. The control unit 40 then proceeds to step S256.

[0099] Next, in step S256, control unit 40 creates status data. More specifically, fault detection service agent 84 creates status data including log data instructed by information management unit 88, based on a request from communication control unit 86. Control unit 40 then proceeds to step S258.

[0100] Next, in step S258, control unit 40 transmits the state data created in step S256 to cloud server 22. Then, control unit 40 proceeds to step S260.

[0101] Next, in step S260, the control unit 40 determines whether or not to continue the procedure for creating status data. More specifically, if the procedure for creating status data is to be continued, the control unit 40 makes an affirmative determination in step S260. If the control unit 40 makes an affirmative determination in step S260, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S252. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 makes a negative determination in step S260, the control unit 40 ends the procedure for creating status data.

[0102] In the image forming apparatus 32 of this embodiment, the type of log data to be included in the status data is changed in the procedure for creating the status data according to the above-described procedure. In other words, the control unit 60 in this embodiment changes the number of types of log data to be included in the status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. The number of types of log data to be included in the status data of the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored is an example of the "amount of information of data indicating the status" in this embodiment.

[0103] Next, the actions and effects of the cloud server 22, the failure detection server 18, and the image forming device 32 in this embodiment operating in the above-described procedure will be described.

[0104] (Action and effect) Information processing system 10 according to this aspect sets the number of types of log data included in the status data to be transmitted to cloud server 22 for image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored, based on the status data transmitted to cloud server 22. Therefore, information processing system 10 according to this aspect can adjust the amount of communication when image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to cloud server 22 to an amount according to the status of image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored. In other words, also in this embodiment, the amount of communication when image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored transmits status data to cloud server 22 is optimized.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the information processing system 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to obtain other actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0106] [Other embodiments] In the above description, the control unit 90 of the cloud server 22 acquires the status data as information added when communicating with the image forming apparatus 32. However, the method of acquiring the status data in the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, instead of the control unit 90 of the cloud server 22 acquiring the status data, the failure detection server 18 may acquire the status data directly from the image forming apparatus 32.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above description, as an example of frequency, the number of times that the image forming apparatus 32 transmits data to the cloud server 22 per predetermined time period is changed. The method of changing the frequency in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and for example, the interval at which data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 32 to the cloud server 22 may be changed in accordance with the number of times that the image forming apparatus 32 operates. In other words, the frequency of transmitting data in the present disclosure includes both the number of times that data is transmitted per predetermined time period and the number of times that data is transmitted per predetermined number of operations.

[0108] However, in this disclosure, "changing the amount of information" refers to changing the amount of information substantially contained in the data to be communicated. In other words, in this disclosure, "changing the amount of information" does not include encoding and decoding of data transmitted and received through communication between devices.

[0109] In the above description, the possibility of a failure occurring has been described as an example of the degree of a failure sign. In the present disclosure, the degree of a failure sign is not limited to this, and for example, the degree of loss to a user who uses image forming apparatus 32 due to the occurrence of a failure may also be an example of the degree of a failure sign.

[0110] In the above description, in the second embodiment, when the fault detection server 18 executes the procedure of step S216, the monitored image forming apparatus 32 creates status data. In the present disclosure, the procedures according to the first and second embodiments may be combined.

[0111] For example, the image forming apparatus 32 to be monitored may transmit status data to the failure detection server 18 according to a predetermined transmission frequency, even without receiving a notification from the failure detection server 18, as in the procedure according to the first embodiment. That is, the procedure according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 and the procedure according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be executed in parallel at the same time. In this case, the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., the aforementioned CPU41, CPU61, and CPU91) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0113] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0114] In the above embodiments, the processing performed by the CPU 61 after reading the software (program 66) may be performed by various processors other than a CPU. Examples of such processors include programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, and dedicated electrical circuits such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to perform specific processing. Furthermore, the processing may be performed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). The hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0115] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the processing program is described as being pre-stored (installed) in storage, but this is not limiting. The program may be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0116] 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.

[0117] Further preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0118] (((1))) a processor; the processor causes the monitored device to transmit data indicating a state of the monitored device to a server; determining a state of the monitored device based on data indicating the state of the monitored device transmitted to the server; causing the monitored device to set an amount of data indicating the status to be transmitted to the server based on the determined status of the monitored device; An information processing system that executes the above.

[0119] (((2))) the processor increases the amount of data indicating the status to be transmitted when a sign of a failure in the monitored device is detected; (((1)))'s information processing system.

[0120] (((3))) the processor sets the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be transmitted in accordance with the degree of the sign of the failure. (((2)))'s information processing system.

[0121] (((4))) the processor reduces the amount of data indicating the status to be transmitted when no sign of a failure of the monitored device is detected; An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0122] (((5))) the processor does not set an amount of information of the status data to be transmitted when the number of status data transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold value; An information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))).

[0123] (((6))) When the number of data items indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor inputs the data items indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device to an artificial intelligence, and determines the status of the monitored device based on the determination result output from the artificial intelligence. (((5)))'s information processing system.

[0124] (((7))) causing the monitored device to transmit data indicating the status of the monitored device to a server; determining a status of the monitored device based on the status data transmitted to the server; Based on the determined state of the monitored device, the monitored device sets an amount of data indicating the state to be transmitted to the server; A program that causes a processor to execute the program.

[0125] According to the information processing system of (((1))), the amount of communication when the monitored device transmits data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount according to the status of the monitored device. According to the information processing system of (((2))), the accuracy of determining a crisis state when there is a sign of a failure is increased compared to when the setting of the amount of information to be transmitted is always constant. According to the information processing system of (((3))), the amount of communication when the monitored device sends data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount that corresponds to the status of the monitored device, compared to when the amount of data is two-staged. According to the information processing system of (((4))), the amount of communication can be reduced when there is no sign of a failure, compared to when the setting of the amount of information to be transmitted is always constant. According to the information processing system of (((5))), even when the amount of data is small, it is easy to ensure the amount of data necessary to determine the state of the monitored device. According to the information processing system of (((6))), the accuracy of determining the status of the monitored device is less likely to decrease even when the number of data is small, compared to when the determination is made without using the results output from the artificial intelligence. According to the program of (((7))), the amount of communication when the monitored device transmits data indicating its status to the server can be adjusted to an amount according to the status of the monitored device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 10 Information Processing Systems 12. Internet 18 Failure detection server (example of a server) 22 Cloud Server 30 locations 32 Image forming equipment (example of monitored equipment) 40 Control Unit 41 CPU 42 RAM 43 ROM 44 control bus 45 Input / Output Interface 46 Programs 50 Input / output section 52 Image forming unit 54 Document reading unit 56 Communications Department 60 Control Unit 61 CPU (another example of a processor) 62 RAM 63 ROM 64 control bus 65 Input / Output Interface 66 Program (Example of a program) 68 Artificial Intelligence Program 70 Recording Device 76 Communications Department 84 Predictive Service Agent 86 Communication control section 88 Information Management Department 90 Control Unit 91 CPU (an example of a processor) 92 RAM 93 ROM 94 control bus 95 Input / Output Interface 96 Programs (Examples of Programs) 100 Recording device 106 Communications Department

Claims

1. a processor; the processor causes the monitored device to transmit data indicating a state of the monitored device to a server; determining a state of the monitored device based on data indicating the state of the monitored device transmitted to the server; causing the monitored device to set an amount of data indicating the status to be transmitted to the server based on the determined status of the monitored device; An information processing system that executes the above.

2. the processor increases the amount of data indicating the status to be transmitted when detecting a sign of a failure in the monitored device; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. the processor sets the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be transmitted in accordance with the degree of the sign of the failure. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. the processor reduces the amount of information of the data indicating the status to be transmitted when no sign of a failure of the monitored device is detected; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. the processor does not set an amount of information of the status data to be transmitted when the number of status data transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold value; The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the number of data items indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor inputs the data items indicating the status transmitted from the monitored device to an artificial intelligence, and determines the status of the monitored device based on the determination result output from the artificial intelligence. The information processing system according to claim 5 .

7. causing the monitored device to transmit data indicating the status of the monitored device to a server; determining a status of the monitored device based on the status data transmitted to the server; Based on the determined state of the monitored device, the monitored device sets an amount of data indicating the state to be transmitted to the server; A program that causes a processor to execute the program.

Images