Virtual Office Device Management via Avatar Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional device management tools lack a mechanism to properly notify the status of network devices installed in the real world to administrators in virtual spaces, such as virtual offices, limiting seamless integration and management across hybrid work environments.

Innovation Solution

A device management service system that includes a notifying unit to inform a device management avatar of notification events and an accepting unit to receive instructions from administrators via the avatar in the virtual office, enabling real-time status updates and management of network devices in both real and virtual environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If device management tools use conventional notification mechanisms, then administrators in real world can be notified of device status, but administrators in virtual space cannot receive proper notifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirtual space notification capabilityVSAvoiddevice status notification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the device management interface and notification system within the virtual space. The device management avatar replicates the functionality of conventional device management tools, allowing administrators to receive and interact with device status notifications in the virtual environment while maintaining synchronization with the real-world device state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The device management avatar serves as an intermediary between the physical device management system and the virtual space administrators. It translates and transmits device status information across the boundary between real and virtual environments, enabling seamless notification delivery to administrators regardless of their physical location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If administrators manage devices from virtual space, then hybrid work environment efficiency is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehybrid work efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device management avatar is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a notification receiver and an instruction transmitter. It can handle various device management tasks including status monitoring, alert generation, and command delivery, replacing multiple specialized components with a single universal interface that works across both real and virtual environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the device management interface with the virtual space environment by integrating the avatar directly into the virtual office system. This combination eliminates the need for separate management tools and interfaces, allowing administrators to manage devices seamlessly within their existing virtual workspace without requiring additional complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240236246A1Device management service system, controlling method of device management service system, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 CANON KK

AI summary

When a notification event occurs in an image processing apparatus installed in a real world, a device management tool/service notifies a content of the notification event to an administrator avatar of the image processing apparatus in a virtual office as a device management avatar, and accepts an instruction from the administrator avatar via the device management avatar in the virtual office.