Information processing device, simulation system, and program

Abstract

To improve a degree of reproduction for a failure occurring in another information processing device compared to a case of reproduction at an information processing device alone out of an environment where another information processing device is installed.SOLUTION: A simulation system includes an actual composite machine 10 installed in a user environment 2, a virtual device 40 of the composite machine 10 formed on a cloud, and a service system 100 installed at a support foothold 6 for supporting a user. The virtual device 40 includes an environment setting unit 42 that, when accepting an analysis request for a failure including equipment information and various log information from the composite machine 10, causes the composite machine 110 to construct an operation environment identical to that of the composite machine 10 by transmitting the acquired equipment information, and a simulation execution control unit 44 that refers to the acquired log information, and performs simulation execution control while controlling an operation of the composite machine 110 and a server 120 or a wireless router 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a simulation system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, a technology for providing a cloud service by linking a multifunction device as a physical machine and a virtual device on the cloud corresponding to the multifunction device has been known. A user can use services such as image processing provided by the multifunction device by accessing the virtual device on the cloud without directly accessing the multifunction device.

[0003] By the way, a multifunction device as a physical machine may have some problems. Also, there may be cases where the expected performance cannot be exhibited. In this case, it may be attempted to improve the operating environment by analyzing the state of the multifunction device. However, due to reasons such as operation, it may be difficult for the multifunction device to reproduce the operating environment when a problem occurs.

[0004] Therefore, a technology has been proposed to reproduce a problem that occurred on a physical machine on a virtual device so that the problems on the physical machine can be improved (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] There may be a case where another information processing apparatus in which a problem has occurred is reproduced by an information processing apparatus installed outside the environment in which the other information processing apparatus is installed without using it for reproducing the occurred problem.

[0007] However, even if a malfunction occurs in an information processing device, it may not be possible to reproduce the same malfunction that occurs in the other information processing device by using a standalone information processing device outside of the installation environment of the other information processing device.

[0008] The present invention aims to improve the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions that occur in other information processing devices compared to reproducing them on an external information processing device alone in an environment where other information processing devices are installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The information processing device according to the present invention is an information processing device that reproduces malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices outside the environment in which such devices are installed, and comprises a processor, wherein when a malfunction occurs in the other information processing device, the processor acquires device status information used for analyzing the malfunction from the other information processing device, and, by referring to the acquired device status information, constructs an operating environment equivalent to that of the other information processing device in a system outside the environment in which the other information processing device is installed. death , By transmitting the acquired device status information to the system, the information processing device installed in the system is configured as an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device. If the system cannot configure an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device, the part that cannot be configured is configured within the information processing device to reproduce the malfunction. The malfunction is then reproduced by linking the reproduction environment configured within the information processing device with the reproduction environment in the system. It is characterized by the following.

[0012] Furthermore, the processor is characterized by referencing acquired device status information to estimate malfunctions occurring in the other information processing device, and controlling the operation of the system to reproduce the estimated malfunctions.

[0013] Furthermore, the processor is characterized in that, if the estimated malfunction is caused by the other information processing device coordinating with other devices, it controls the operation of a device equivalent to the other device installed in the system.

[0014] Furthermore, it is characterized by being a device that is formed on the cloud.

[0015] The simulation system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the information processing device described above and an information processing device for reproducing malfunctions installed in a system outside the environment in which the other information processing device is installed.

[0016] The program according to the present invention provides a computer that reproduces malfunctions occurring in other computers outside the environment in which those other computers are installed, and includes a function to acquire device status information used for malfunction analysis from the other computer when a malfunction occurs in the other computer, and a function to construct an operating environment equivalent to that of the other computer on a system outside the environment in which the other computer is installed, by referring to the acquired device status information. A function to transmit acquired device status information to the system, thereby causing the information processing device installed within the system to be constructed as an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device; a function to construct a reproducible malfunction within the information processing device for the parts that cannot be constructed if the system cannot construct an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device; a function to reproduce the malfunction by linking the reproduction environment constructed internally with the reproduction environment in the system. To make it happen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 1, the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices can be improved compared to reproducing them on an external information processing device alone in an environment where other information processing devices are installed.

[0018] Furthermore The malfunction can be reproduced using an information processing device equivalent to that of other information processing devices.

[0019] Furthermore Even if it's not possible to create an environment to reproduce the bug on the system side alone, it's possible to create such an environment.

[0020] Claim 2 According to the invention described, malfunctions can be efficiently reproduced.

[0021] Claim 3 According to the invention described herein, it is possible to reproduce the coordinated operation between other information processing devices and other devices.

[0022] Claim 4According to the invention described in [reference], when it is difficult to construct an environment equivalent to other information processing devices on the cloud, the reproducibility of defects can be improved by using an external system.

[0023] Claim <000009--According to the invention described in [reference], the reproducibility of defects occurring in other information processing devices can be improved as compared with the case of reproducing with a single external information processing device outside the environment where other information processing devices are installed.

[0024] Claim 6 According to the invention described in [reference], the reproducibility of defects occurring in other information processing devices can be improved as compared with the case of reproducing with a single external information processing device outside the environment where other information processing devices are installed.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is an overall configuration diagram of the simulation system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a block configuration diagram of the simulation system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is a sequence diagram at the time of simulation execution in Embodiment 1.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0027] Embodiment 1. Note: The "[reference]" in the translation is a placeholder for the original text that might be a reference number or some other identifier which is not fully provided in the given text. It should be replaced with the actual relevant content in a complete translation task.Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the simulation system in this embodiment. Figure 1 shows a multifunction printer 10 installed in the user environment 2, a multifunction printer 40 formed on the cloud 4, and a service system 100 installed at the support base 6. The multifunction printers 10 and 40 and the service system 100 are connected to a network 8 such as the Internet. At least the multifunction printers 10 and 40, and the multifunction printer 40 and the service system 100 can communicate with each other via the network 8.

[0028] User Environment 2 is the user environment for a user who uses the actual multifunction printer 10. While various other devices may be installed in User Environment 2, these are omitted from Figure 1 and will be explicitly shown when necessary. Since the multifunction printer 10 is a physical device installed in User Environment 2, it may also be referred to as "User Device 10" in the following explanation.

[0029] The multifunction printer 10 is a form of image forming apparatus equipped with various functions such as printing, copying, and scanning, and is a device with a built-in computer. The multifunction printer 10 includes a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, a hard disk drive (HDD) 14 as a storage means for storing image data and private mailboxes, an operation panel 15 as a user interface, a network interface (IF) 16 for connecting to the network 8, a print engine 17, a scanner 18, and various sensors 19. The various sensors 19 include measurement means for collecting sensor data indicating the conditions inside the device and the surrounding environment, such as volume, temperature, humidity, device angle, and paper transport. In addition to the above device configuration, the multifunction printer 10 in this embodiment also includes an access point 20 that performs wireless communication with wireless communication devices in the user environment 2 using the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication method, and a finisher 21 as an example of optional equipment (hereinafter also referred to as "accessory equipment") attached to the main device configuration of the multifunction printer 10. Of course, other accessory equipment may also be connected. These components 11 to 21 are connected to the internal bus 22. The multifunction device 10 in this embodiment is not characterized by its hardware configuration.

[0030] The multifunction printer 40 is a form of a virtual image forming apparatus realized by one or more computers, and is an information processing device according to the present invention that has the function of reproducing malfunctions that occur in the multifunction printer 10 outside of the user environment 2 where the multifunction printer 10 is installed. Since the multifunction printer 40 is a multifunction printer virtually formed on the cloud 4, it may also be referred to as the "virtual device 40" in the following description. Although omitted in Figure 1, the multifunction printer 40 virtually has the same hardware configuration as the multifunction printer 10.

[0031] In order for the user's physical device 10 and the virtual device 40 to provide the user with equivalent services, data is synchronized between the two. "Data synchronization" basically means mutually holding the same data. In addition, some of the software present in the virtual device 40 (called a "subset") may also be present in the multifunction printer 10. Thus, the term "data synchronization" is not strictly interpreted as meaning that the data held by each is completely identical. In this embodiment, "data synchronization" refers to the state in which the multifunction printers 10 and 40 cooperate to enable each to provide the services they should be providing using the data.

[0032] Furthermore, "data" includes applications, data used by those applications, and various settings for the multifunction printers 10 and 40. In other words, in this embodiment, "data" is a general term for electronic data that the multifunction printers 10 and 40 refer to in order to operate. Note that if the data is an application, it will be necessary to synchronize it due to version upgrades or the addition of new functions.

[0033] Support base 6 is a facility for supporting users of the multifunction printer 10. The service system 100 is a computer system physically built at support base 6 and is built outside the user environment 2 where the multifunction printer 10 is installed. The service system 100 is configured by connecting the multifunction printer 110, server 120, wireless router 130, and gateway (GW) 140 to a LAN (Local Area Network) 150.

[0034] The multifunction printer 110 is an information processing device for reproducing malfunctions, located in the external service system 100 of the user environment 2, and is used to support users. Since the multifunction printer 110 is a physical device installed at the support base 6, it may also be referred to as the "support physical device 110" in the following description.

[0035] The multifunction printer 110 is a form of image forming apparatus equipped with various functions such as printing, copying, and scanning, and is a device with a built-in computer. The multifunction printer 110 includes a CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, a hard disk drive (HDD) 114 as a storage means for storing image data and private mailboxes, an operation panel 115 as a user interface, a network interface (IF) 116 for connecting to the network 8, a print engine 117, a scanner 118, and an access point 119. When there are multiple user environments 2, it is difficult to configure the hardware of the multifunction printer 110 to be compatible with all of the multifunction printers 10 installed in the multiple user environments 2. Since the multifunction printer 110 is a multifunction printer for user support, although it is equipped with the main components, it is not necessarily connected to the same auxiliary equipment as the multifunction printer 10 used by the user. In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, no auxiliary equipment is connected to the internal bus 160 of the multifunction printer 110.

[0036] Server 120 and wireless router 130 operate in conjunction with the multifunction printer 110 during simulation execution. Gateway 140 is a network connection means for connecting network 8.

[0037] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the simulation system in this embodiment. Figure 2 shows the functional blocks of the user device 10, virtual device 40, and support device 110 shown in Figure 1. Note that components not used in the description of this embodiment, including basic functions such as copying and scanning that are present in the multifunction devices 10, 40, and 110, are omitted from the figure.

[0038] The user's actual device 10 includes an execution unit 31, a malfunction detection unit 32, an analysis request unit 33, and a storage unit 34. The execution unit 31 operates the user's actual device 10 by executing various programs. Log information is generated and stored for predetermined events that occur during the operation of the user's actual device 10. For example, if a system error occurs, log information is recorded in the system log, and if a communication error occurs, log information is recorded in the communication log. The malfunction detection unit 32 constantly analyzes various log information while the user's actual device 10 is running to determine whether predetermined malfunction conditions are met. In other words, the malfunction detection unit 32 detects malfunctions that occur in the user's actual device 10. If the malfunction detected by the malfunction detection unit 32 matches predetermined analysis request conditions, the analysis request unit 33 requests the virtual device 40 to perform an analysis of the malfunction that occurred in the user's actual device 10, i.e., to perform a simulation.

[0039] The storage unit 34 stores various log information and device information as information necessary for executing the simulation described later, i.e., device status information used for troubleshooting. For example, the various log information includes system logs, job execution logs, and communication logs of the user's actual device 10, as well as sensor data collected by various sensors 19, and other actual data showing the situation and state when the user's actual device 10 was operating. The device information is information that is pre-configured and registered in the storage unit 34, and includes information dependent on the user's actual device 10, such as device configuration information, performance specification information, and system configuration information.

[0040] Each component 31-33 in the user device 10 is realized through the coordinated operation of the computer installed in the user device 10 and the program running on the CPU 11 installed in the computer. The storage unit 34 is realized by the HDD 14 installed in the user device 10. Alternatively, RAM 13 or external storage means may be used via a network.

[0041] The virtual device 40 includes a request reception unit 41, an environment setting unit 42, a performance acquisition unit 43, a simulation execution control unit 44, a performance information storage unit 45, and an analysis information storage unit 46. The request reception unit 41 receives requests for fault analysis from the user's actual device 10. The environment setting unit 42 sets the operating environment of the user's actual device 10 in the virtual device 40 based on the information acquired by the request reception unit 41 when the analysis request is received. The performance acquisition unit 43 refers to the performance information storage unit 45 to verify whether any faults have occurred in the past in the operating environment currently being formed using the virtual device 40. The simulation execution control unit 44 works in conjunction with the service system 100 to control the execution of the simulation.

[0042] The simulation execution control unit 44 includes an information transmission unit 441, a simulation unit 442, an accessory device simulation unit 443, and an information collection unit 444. The information transmission unit 441 transmits device information acquired from the user's actual device 10 to the support actual device 110. The simulation unit 442 executes the simulation. The accessory device simulation unit 443 performs a simulation, particularly for accessory devices, when executing the simulation. The information collection unit 444 collects information collected during the execution of the simulation from the support actual device 110.

[0043] The performance information storage unit 45 stores performance information. The performance information stores information indicating the malfunction that occurred, the operating environment of the user's actual device 10 at the time the malfunction occurred, and countermeasure information including the countermeasures taken to prevent the malfunction from occurring.

[0044] The analysis information storage unit 46 stores the information collected by the information collection unit 444 from the support actual device 110 by running a simulation as analysis information of the malfunction.

[0045] Each component 41-44 in the virtual device 40 is realized through the coordinated operation of the computer installed in the virtual device 40 and the program running on the CPU installed in the computer. Furthermore, each storage unit 45,46 is realized by an HDD installed in the virtual device 40. Alternatively, RAM or external storage means may be used via a network.

[0046] The support real device 110 includes an information acquisition unit 1101, an environment setting unit 1102, an operation control unit 1103, and an information transmission unit 1104. The information acquisition unit 1101 acquires device information transmitted from the virtual device 40. The environment setting unit 1102 sets the support real device 110 to an operating environment equivalent to that of the user real device 10 based on the device information acquired by the information acquisition unit 1101. The operation control unit 1103 controls the operation of the support real device 110 according to instructions from the virtual device 40 when the simulation is executed. The information transmission unit 1104 transmits the information collected when the simulation is executed to the virtual device 40.

[0047] Each component 1101 to 1104 in the support device 110 is realized through the coordinated operation of the computer installed in the support device 110 and the program running on the CPU 111 installed in the computer.

[0048] Furthermore, the server 120 has an operation control unit 121 that controls the operation of the server 120 in accordance with instructions from the virtual device 40 during the execution of the simulation. The wireless router 130 has an operation control unit 131 that controls the operation of the wireless router 130 in accordance with instructions from the virtual device 40 during the execution of the simulation. The operation control unit 121 is realized through the coordinated operation of the computer installed in the server 120 and the program running on the CPU installed in the computer. The operation control unit 131 is realized through the coordinated operation of the computer installed in the wireless router 130 and the program running on the CPU installed in the computer.

[0049] Furthermore, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only via communication means, but also stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory stick. The program provided via communication means or recording medium is installed on the computer, and various processes are realized by the computer's CPU executing the program sequentially.

[0050] Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.

[0051] First, the user's actual device 10 is configured to enable simulation mode either manually by the user or automatically by the user's actual device 10 (step 101). The simulation mode will be explained later.

[0052] The user's physical device 10 collects various log information, including sensor data, and stores it in the storage unit 34 while it is in operation (step 102). The malfunction detection unit 32 detects a malfunction while the multifunction printer 10 is in operation, such as when any sensor data exceeds a predetermined threshold, and records the state of the user's physical device 10 at the time of detection in the log information. The analysis request unit 33 then requests the virtual device 40 to analyze the malfunction if the malfunction matches predetermined analysis request conditions (step 103). The analysis request conditions are the conditions that trigger the request for malfunction analysis from the virtual device 40, such as when the number of times a certain malfunction is detected by the malfunction detection unit 32 exceeds a predetermined upper limit within a predetermined period. The log information to be collected and the method of malfunction detection by the malfunction detection unit 32 can remain the same as before. The timing of the request for analysis from the virtual device 40 can also be arbitrarily set by setting the analysis request conditions.

[0053] When the analysis request unit 33 requests analysis from the virtual device 40, it transmits information necessary for running the simulation, such as equipment information stored in the memory unit 34, various log information collected at least from before the malfunction was detected until the analysis was requested, and information deployed in the system area of ​​RAM 13.

[0054] The request receiving unit 41 in the virtual device 40 receives various log information and other data transmitted along with the request when it receives a request for fault analysis from the user's actual device 10 (step 401). The virtual device 40 synchronizes data with the user's actual device 10 and provides services to the user in the same way as the user's actual device 10, but upon receiving an analysis request, it starts operating as a simulator of the user's actual device 10. To this end, the environment setting unit 42 constructs an operating environment equivalent to that of the user's actual device 10 in the virtual device 40 by expanding information obtained from the user's actual device 10, such as information from RAM 13, into RAM 113 (step 402).

[0055] Next, the performance acquisition unit 43 refers to the performance information storage unit 45 to verify whether any malfunctions have occurred in the past in the operating environment currently being formed using the virtual device 40 or in an operating environment similar to the one being formed. If performance information exists for a malfunction that occurred in that operating environment, the virtual device 40 acquires the relevant performance information from the performance information storage unit 45 without performing a simulation and obtains a method to avoid the malfunction from that performance information (step 403). This acquired avoidance method may be fed back to the user's actual device 10 to improve the operating environment on the user's actual device 10.

[0056] Now, let's explain the simulation mode.

[0057] The virtual device 40 works in conjunction with the service system 100 to execute the simulation. Since the virtual device 40 is in a data synchronization relationship with the user's actual device 10, from a security standpoint, it is considered to be an externally installed device that can acquire various log information from the user's actual device 10 without causing any problems. On the other hand, unlike the virtual device 40, the support base 6 is not necessarily trusted by the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user's actual device 10 is made to explicitly set whether to enable or disable the simulation mode. If the simulation mode is set to enabled, the virtual device 40 can work in conjunction with the service system 100 to execute the simulation that is a feature of this embodiment. If the simulation mode is set to disabled, the virtual device 40 executes the simulation independently without coordinating with the service system 100. Note that the simulation mode setting may also be set by the virtual device 40 on the user's actual device 10.

[0058] In this embodiment, the explanation assumes that the simulation mode is enabled, so the virtual device 40 will perform the simulation in cooperation with the service system 100. To this end, the information transmission unit 441 in the simulation execution control unit 44 transmits the device information acquired from the user's actual device 10 to the support actual device 110 (step 404).

[0059] The information acquisition unit 1101 in the support physical device 110 acquires device information transmitted from the virtual device 40 (step 601). Subsequently, the environment setting unit 1102 sets the operating environment of the support physical device 110 based on the acquired device information, thereby constructing an operating environment on the support physical device 110 that is equivalent to that of the user physical device 10 (step 602). As a result, mirroring of the user physical device 10 is realized by the support physical device 110, and the simulation unit 442 in the simulation execution control unit 44 in the virtual device 40 executes the simulation in cooperation with the support physical device 110 rather than the user physical device 10.

[0060] However, the support device 110 is not necessarily composed of hardware that is exactly the same as the user device 10. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, the user device 10 has a finisher 21 as an accessory, but the support device 110 does not have a finisher. In such cases, when the support device 110 of the service system 100 cannot be built as a device equivalent to the user device 10, the parts that cannot be built are constructed within the virtual device 40 in a way that makes the malfunction reproducible. That is, in this case, the accessory device simulation unit 443 starts the simulator that corresponds to the accessory device of the user device 10 (step 405), and reproduces the malfunction by linking the reproduction environment constructed within the virtual device 40 with the reproduction environment in the service system 100.

[0061] Then, the simulation unit 442 and the auxiliary device simulation unit 443 in the simulation execution control unit 44 refer to various log information acquired from the user's actual device 10 in order to collect information that is useful for analyzing the malfunction, and operate the support actual device 110 by changing the job transmission timing, print and scan specifications and sizes, etc. In this way, the simulation execution control unit 44 controls the execution of the simulation (step 406).

[0062] The operation control unit 1103 in the support physical device 110 controls the operation of the support physical device 110 in accordance with the execution control of the simulation in the virtual device 40. For example, the operation control unit 1103 operates the support physical device 110 by executing jobs or changing parameters according to data transmitted from the virtual device 40. The operation control unit 1103 then collects and stores various log information as a result of the operation of the support physical device 110 (step 603).

[0063] When the simulation is finished, the information transmission unit 1104 sends various log information collected during the simulation to the virtual device 40 (step 604).

[0064] In the virtual device 40, the information collection unit 444 in the simulation execution control unit 44 collects and stores information transmitted from the support real device 110 as a result of the simulation execution (step 407).

[0065] The information obtained from the simulation described above can be analyzed to pinpoint the cause of malfunctions and to help fix bugs in the program. Furthermore, before implementing the modified program on the user's actual device 10, the modified program may be run on the support device 110 to verify its functionality.

[0066] According to this embodiment, even if the user's actual device 10 is unavailable for simulation execution, the simulation can be performed by constructing an operating environment equivalent to that of the user's actual device 10 on another actual device, namely the support actual device 110 installed at the support base 6. In this embodiment, since the actual multifunction device 110 is used instead of the virtually formed multifunction device 40, it becomes easier to construct an operating environment closer to that of the actual multifunction device 10. As a result, the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions occurring on the user's actual device 10 can be improved by having the virtual device 40 cooperate with the support actual device 110, compared to performing the simulation with the virtual device 40 alone.

[0067] Embodiment 2. By the way, the above embodiment 1 assumes that the user device 10 operates independently. However, malfunctions may occur due to the user device 10 operating in conjunction with other devices. Therefore, this embodiment is designed to handle cases where malfunctions occur due to the user device 10 operating in conjunction with other devices.

[0068] The system configuration and block configuration in this embodiment may be the same as those in Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The operation sequence may also be the same as in Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 3. However, it differs from Embodiment 1 in that the target of the coordinated operation during simulation in the virtual device 40 is not limited to the supported real device 110. The operation in this embodiment will be described below using the sequence diagram shown in Figure 3. Note that the same processes as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted from explanation as appropriate.

[0069] In this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, the user's actual device 10 collects various log information, including sensor data, and stores it in the storage unit 34 while it is operating (step 102). The malfunction detection unit 32 also records the status of the user's actual device 10 at the time of detection in the log information when it detects a malfunction, such as any sensor data exceeding a predetermined threshold, while the multifunction printer 10 is operating. In this embodiment, for example, the log information may include events such as the user's actual device 10 experiencing a retry error during wired communication with a server (not shown), or the reception sensitivity of the access point 20 falling below a predetermined threshold while connected to a wireless communication device (not shown), such as a smartphone, via Wi-Fi. The analysis request unit 33 then requests the virtual device 40 to analyze the malfunction if the malfunction matches the predetermined analysis request conditions (step 103). The virtual device 40 controls the execution of the simulation by having the support actual device 110 build the operating environment for the user's actual device 10 (steps 401-405), as in Embodiment 1 (step 406).

[0070] However, in this embodiment, the simulation execution control unit 44 estimates the malfunction occurring in the user's actual device 10 by referring to various log information obtained from the user's actual device 10. For example, if a decrease in the reception sensitivity of the access point 20 is detected by analyzing the log information, the simulation execution control unit 44 estimates that the malfunction occurring in the user's actual device 10 is caused by wireless communication between the user's actual device 10 and the wireless communication device present in the user environment 2. In this case, the simulation execution control unit 44 in the virtual device 40 issues an instruction to the wireless router 130. The operation control unit 131 in the wireless router 130 changes the Wi-Fi signal strength according to the instruction from the virtual device 40. For example, it operates the wireless router 130 to weaken the signal strength. Alternatively, it may generate noise around the support actual device 110 by issuing an instruction to a wireless device (not shown) at the support base 6.

[0071] In this way, if the virtual device 40 determines that a malfunction, estimated by analyzing various log information, is caused by the user's actual device 10 cooperating with other devices in the user environment 2, it controls the operation of a device equivalent to the other devices installed at the support base 6. Following the above example, for instance, if a malfunction occurring in the user's actual device 10 is caused by cooperating with a wireless communication device such as a smartphone, the simulation execution control unit 44 controls the operation not only of the support actual device 110 but also of the wireless router 130, which has wireless communication capabilities equivalent to the wireless communication devices in the user environment 2.

[0072] Here, we have used the wireless router 130 as an example, but it is not necessary to limit it to the wireless router 130. For example, the simulation execution control unit 44 may also issue operational instructions to the server 120 for the purpose of simulation. The operation control unit 121 in the server 120 operates the server 120 in accordance with the instructions from the virtual device 40, and does not respond to transmission requests from the supporting real device 110.

[0073] Thus, in this embodiment, the simulation execution control unit 44 controls the execution of the simulation by controlling the operation of equipment located at the support base 6 that is equivalent to other equipment located in the user environment 2. Other processing may be the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0074] According to this embodiment, even if a malfunction occurs due to the user's actual device 10 operating in conjunction with other devices, that malfunction can be reproduced.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0076] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of each processor operation is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate.

[0077] (Note) (((1))) In an information processing device that reproduces malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices outside of the environment in which those other information processing devices are installed, Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, If a malfunction occurs in the other information processing device, device status information used for analyzing the malfunction is obtained from the other information processing device. By referring to the acquired device status information, an operating environment equivalent to that of the other information processing device is constructed on a system outside the environment in which the other information processing device is installed. An information processing device characterized by the following: (((2))) The information processing apparatus according to (((1))), characterized in that the processor transmits the acquired device status information to the system, thereby causing the information processing apparatus installed in the system to be constructed as an information processing apparatus equivalent to the other information processing apparatus. (((3))) The aforementioned processor, If the aforementioned system cannot construct an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device, the parts that cannot be constructed will be reproducibly constructed within the information processing device itself. The malfunction is reproduced by linking the reproduction environment built internally with the reproduction environment in the aforementioned system. The information processing apparatus according to (((2))), characterized in that (((4))) The aforementioned processor, By referring to the acquired device status information, a malfunction occurring in the other information processing device is estimated. Control the operation of the system to reproduce the estimated malfunction. The information processing apparatus according to (((1))), characterized in that (((5))) The information processing apparatus according to (((4))), characterized in that the processor controls the operation of a device equivalent to the other device installed in the system if the estimated malfunction is caused by the other information processing apparatus coordinating with other devices. (((6))) The information processing device according to (((1))), characterized in that it is a device formed on the cloud. (((7))) The information processing device described in (((1))) and An information processing device for reproducing malfunctions, installed in a system outside the environment where the aforementioned other information processing devices are installed, A simulation system characterized by having the following features. (((8))) A computer that reproduces a malfunction occurring on the other computer, outside of the environment in which the other computer is installed. If a malfunction occurs in the aforementioned other computer, a function is provided to acquire device status information from the aforementioned computer for use in analyzing the malfunction. A function that, by referring to acquired device status information, constructs an operating environment equivalent to that of the other computer on a system outside the environment in which the other computer is installed. A program to achieve this.

[0078] According to the invention described in (((1))), the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices can be improved compared to reproducing them on an external information processing device alone in an environment where other information processing devices are installed. According to the invention described in (((2))), the malfunction can be reproduced using an information processing device equivalent to that of other information processing devices. According to the invention described in (((3))), even if it is not possible to construct an environment that reproduces the malfunction on the system side alone, an environment that reproduces the malfunction can be constructed. According to the invention described in (((4))), the malfunction can be efficiently reproduced. According to the invention described in (((5))), it is possible to reproduce the coordinated operation between other information processing devices and other devices. According to the invention described in (((6))), when it is difficult to build an environment equivalent to that of other information processing devices on the cloud, the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions can be improved by using an external system. According to the invention described in (((7))), the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices can be improved compared to reproducing them on an external information processing device alone in an environment where other information processing devices are installed. According to the invention described in ((8)), the accuracy of reproducing malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices can be improved compared to reproducing them on an external information processing device alone in an environment where other information processing devices are installed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 2 User Environment, 4 Cloud, 6 Support Locations, 8 Network, 10 Multifunction Printer (User's Actual Device), 11,111 CPU, 12,112 ROM, 13,113 RAM, 14,114 Hard Disk Drive (HDD), 15,115 Operation Panel, 16,116 Network Interface (IF), 17,117 Print Engine, 18,118 Scanner, 19 Various Sensors, 20,119 Access Point, 21 Finisher, 22,160 Internal Bus, 31 Execution Unit, 32 Fault Detection Unit, 33 Analysis Request Unit, 34 Storage Unit, 40 Multifunction Printer (Virtual Device), 41 Request Acceptance Unit, 42,1102 Environment Setting Unit, 43 Performance Acquisition Unit, 44 Simulation Execution Control Unit, 45 Performance Information Storage Unit, 46 Analysis Information Storage Unit, 100 Service System, 110 Multifunction printer (supported actual device), 120 Server, 121, 131, 1103 Operation control unit, 130 Wireless router, 140 Gateway (GW), 441, 1104 Information transmission unit, 442 Simulation unit, 443 Attached equipment simulation unit, 444 Information collection unit, 1101 Information acquisition unit.

Claims

1. In an information processing device that reproduces malfunctions occurring in other information processing devices outside of the environment in which those other information processing devices are installed, Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, If a malfunction occurs in the other information processing device, device status information used for analyzing the malfunction is obtained from the other information processing device. By referring to the acquired device status information, an operating environment equivalent to that of the other information processing device is constructed on a system outside the environment in which the other information processing device is installed. By transmitting the acquired device status information to the system, the information processing device installed within the system is configured as an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing devices. If the aforementioned system cannot construct an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing device, the parts that cannot be constructed will be reproducibly constructed within the information processing device itself. The malfunction is reproduced by linking the reproduction environment built internally with the reproduction environment in the aforementioned system. An information processing device characterized by the following:

2. The aforementioned processor, By referring to the acquired device status information, a malfunction occurring in the other information processing device is estimated. Control the operation of the system to reproduce the estimated malfunction. The information processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the processor controls the operation of a device equivalent to the other device installed in the system if the estimated malfunction is caused by the other information processing apparatus coordinating with other devices.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a device formed on the cloud.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, An information processing device for reproducing malfunctions, installed in a system outside the environment where the aforementioned other information processing devices are installed, A simulation system characterized by having the following features.

6. A computer that reproduces a malfunction occurring on the other computer, outside of the environment in which the other computer is installed. If a malfunction occurs in the aforementioned other computer, a function is provided to acquire device status information from the aforementioned computer for use in analyzing the malfunction. A function that, by referring to acquired device status information, constructs an operating environment equivalent to that of the other computer on a system outside the environment in which the other computer is installed. A function that transmits acquired device status information to the system, thereby configuring an information processing device installed within the system as an information processing device equivalent to the other information processing devices. If the aforementioned system cannot construct an information processing device equivalent to the aforementioned other information processing device, a function shall be provided to construct within the information processing device such that the malfunction can be reproduced for the parts that cannot be constructed. A function that reproduces defects by linking a reproduction environment built internally with the reproduction environment in the aforementioned system. A program to achieve this.

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