JP2006268536A - Device allocating apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device allocating apparatus, method and program capable of easily and appropriately distributing resources to a user. <P>SOLUTION: A device management unit 12 manages a device index resulting from quantifying information on a device, a request management unit 13 manages a request index resulting from quantifying a requests of the user, and an allocation processing unit 14 calculates a numerical index from the difference between the device index managed by the device management unit 12 and the request index managed by the request management unit 13 and allocates the device to the user based on a result of the calculation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device assignment apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly, to a device assignment apparatus, method, and program for assigning a device connected to a network to a user.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of networks, opportunities to use devices such as printers, scanners, and multifunction machines via the network have increased.

  Further, in an organization such as a company, each member often uses one or more personal computers or the like, and in such an organization, the number of devices connected to the network is large.

  As described above, when a plurality of devices are connected to the network, the determination of the arrangement location of the devices and the determination of how to allocate the resources of the devices to the users become problems. Device resources include those that can be shared, such as printers and scanners, as well as confidential boxes that are storage areas that are used exclusively by users.

  Currently, the device placement location and resource allocation are based on the experience and intuition of the administrator.

  As described above, the determination of device location and resource allocation is often performed by an administrator based on experience and intuition, resulting in the following problems.

1. Not all resources owned by the system (organization) are necessarily utilized to the maximum (devices vary in operation rate and are not efficient from the TCO perspective).
2. When personnel move, it takes a lot of time to allocate new resources.
3. Since the resource allocation is fixed, if there are other active devices available but the device assigned to you is not turned on (including power saving), turn it on. It is not efficient because it needs to be used (by canceling the power saving mode).
4). If you run out of resources, you should consider an expansion plan, but there is little information on which to base it.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device allocation apparatus, method, and program that can easily and appropriately allocate resources to users.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 is a device allocation unit that allocates a device that can be used via a network to a user, a device management unit that manages a device index obtained by quantifying device information; A numerical index is calculated from a request management unit that manages a request index obtained by quantifying user requests, a difference between a device index managed by the device management unit and a request index managed by the request management unit, and the calculation result Allocating means for allocating the device to the user based on the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the device index and the request index are vector data.

  The invention of claim 3 further comprises an operation state acquisition unit for acquiring an operation state of the device according to the invention of claim 1, wherein the allocating unit is based on the operation state of the device acquired by the operation state acquisition unit. When it is determined that a device previously assigned to a user is in a non-operating state, a device in an operating state is newly assigned.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the assigning unit is a numerical index calculated based on a device index corresponding to a device in an operating state among the device indexes managed by the device management unit. If the device does not satisfy a preset criterion, a device in the operating state is newly allocated.

  The invention of claim 5 is a device allocation method for allocating a device that can be used via a network to a user, managing a device index obtained by quantifying device information by a device management unit, and a request management unit. And a request index obtained by quantifying the user's request, and an allocation unit calculates a numerical index from a difference between the device index managed by the device management unit and the request index managed by the request management unit, and the calculation result The device is assigned to the user based on the above.

  The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 5, the device index and the request index are vector data.

  The invention of claim 7 is the invention of claim 5, wherein the operating state acquisition means acquires the operating state of the device, and the device assigned to the user in advance is in a non-operating state from the acquired operating state of the device. When it is determined that there is a device, a device in an operating state is newly allocated.

  In the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, a numerical index calculated based on a device index corresponding to a device in an operating state is preset in the device index managed by the device management means. When the standard is not satisfied, a device in an operating state is newly assigned.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device allocation program for allocating a device that can be used via a network to a user, device management means for managing a device index obtained by quantifying device information, and a user request A numerical index is calculated from a difference between a request index managed by the request management unit, a device index managed by the device management unit, and a request index managed by the request management unit, and the calculation result is based on the calculation result. A computer is made to function as an assigning means for assigning a device to the user.

  The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 9, the device index and the request index are vector data.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 9, wherein the computer is further caused to function as an operating state acquisition unit that acquires an operating state of the device, and the allocating unit is configured to store the device acquired by the operating state acquisition unit. When it is determined from the operating state that a device previously assigned to the user is in a non-operating state, a device in the operating state is newly assigned.

  The invention of claim 12 is the numerical index calculated based on the device index corresponding to the device in the operating state among the device indexes managed by the device management unit. If the device does not satisfy a preset criterion, a device in the operating state is newly allocated.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and appropriately assign devices to users and allocate resources to users.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a device allocation apparatus and method and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a device allocation apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the device allocation apparatus 1 includes an input unit 11, a device management unit 12, a request management unit 13, an allocation processing unit 14, and an output unit 15. Specifically, the device allocation apparatus 1 is realized by causing a general-purpose computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like to execute a program. However, it can also be configured as dedicated hardware.

  The input unit 11 receives an instruction or information input from an operator (device manager or user). The device management unit 12 manages information quantified using the function, performance, and the like of each device to be managed as an index. The request management unit 13 manages information quantified using a request item for a user's device as an index. The allocation processing unit 14 allocates devices based on information managed by the device management unit 12 and information managed by the request management unit 13. The output unit 15 outputs the processing result by the allocation processing unit 14.

  Here, information managed by the device management unit 12 and information managed by the request management unit 13 will be described.

  The information managed by the device management unit 12 serves as an index of the function and performance of the device. For example, it quantifies the printing speed, the printing cost per sheet, the image quality, the arrangement location, etc. “P1: printing speed, p2: cost,..., Pk: image quality”, and the capability of the entire device is represented by one vector D (p1, p2,... Pk). In this vector D, indices other than the printing function such as the capacity of the confidential box and the data retention period in the confidential box can be included as indices of the function and performance of the device.

  Similarly, the information managed by the request management unit 13 serves as a request index for the user's device. For example, the request management unit 13 quantifies a print speed request, a budget, an image quality request, a user location, and the like. Each element is "q1: speed request, q2: budget, ..., qk: image quality request", and the entire user's request is represented by one vector U (q1, q2, ... qk) . This vector U can also include indices other than the printing function. Note that the element of the vector U does not necessarily correspond to the vector D.

  The assignment processing unit 14 also includes vectors D1,. . . , Dm and vectors U1,. . . , Un, a device is allocated by selecting an optimal combination of the two. The combination of both vectors is selected using the evaluation formula G (), and the vector Dx and the vector Uy that minimize the value of G (Dx, Uy) are selected as the optimal combination. The evaluation formula G () represents the difference between the two vectors, and is most simply an equation for calculating the difference between the vector Dx and the vector Uy. However, an equation that weights the vector elements is used. Also good.

  Next, the operation of the device assignment apparatus 1 will be described. Here, three cases of initial device introduction, personnel movement, and device addition will be described.

  At the initial introduction of the device, all vectors Dx (D1 to Dm) and all vectors Uy (U1 to Un) are evaluated for all combinations (Dx, Uy) of both vectors using the evaluation formula G (). And the combination that minimizes the sum based on the vector Uy is selected from the calculated evaluation values G (Dx, Uy). The sum based on the vector Uy is a sum calculated so that the vectors Uy (U1 to Un) do not overlap. For example, G (D1, U1), G (D1, U2), G (D5 , U3)... The reason for calculating the sum in this way is that one device is allocated to one user, but one device can be shared by a plurality of users. Note that a limit may be set on the number of people who can use one device.

  These processes are performed by the allocation processing unit 14 of the device allocation apparatus 1. Here, an operation example of the allocation processing unit 14 at the time of initial device introduction will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the assignment processing unit 14 at the time of initial device introduction.

  When the processing is started, the allocation processing unit 14 first acquires a vector Dx (D1 to Dm) that is a device index from the device management unit 12 (step 101), and then uses the request index from the request management unit 13. A certain vector Uy (U1 to Un) is acquired (step 102). Then, the allocation processing unit 14 initializes the value of the processing variable i to 1 (step 103), and initializes the value of the variable j to 1 (step 104).

  Next, the allocation processing unit 14 calculates an evaluation value G (Di, Uj) using the evaluation formula G () (step 105), and increments the value of the variable j by 1 (step 106). The processing in step 105 and the processing in step 106 are repeated until the value of variable j exceeds n (NO in step 107). When the value of variable j exceeds n (YES in step 107), allocation processing unit 14 increments the value of variable i by 1 (step 108). The processing from step 104 to step 108 is repeated until the value of the variable i exceeds m (NO in step 109).

  When the value of the variable i exceeds m (YES in Step 109), the allocation processing unit 14 selects a combination in the calculated evaluation value G (Dx, Uy) that minimizes the sum based on the vector Uy. Select (step 110), and the process ends.

  Here, the processing for sequentially calculating the evaluation value G (Dx, Uy) using the variable i and the variable j has been described, but the evaluation value G (Dx, Uy) is calculated by another calculation method. It is also possible to operate the allocation processing unit 14.

  Further, at the time of movement of personnel, all vectors Dx (D1 to Dm) and a vector Ua indicating a request index corresponding to the moved user are evaluated for all combinations (Dx, Ua) of both vectors. An evaluation value is calculated by G (), and a combination of vectors that minimizes the calculated evaluation value G (Dx, Ua), that is, a device closest to the user's request is selected.

  These processes are performed by the allocation processing unit 14 of the device allocation apparatus 1. Here, an operation example of the allocation processing unit 14 at the time of movement of personnel will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the assignment processing unit 14 when a person moves.

  When the allocation processing unit 14 starts processing, the allocation processing unit 14 first acquires a vector Dx (D1 to Dm) that is an index of the device from the device management unit 12 (step 121), and then the user moved from the request management unit 13 A vector Ua that is an index of the request corresponding to is obtained (step 122). Then, the allocation processing unit 14 initializes the value of the processing variable i to 1 (step 123).

  Next, the allocation processing unit 14 calculates an evaluation value G (Di, Ua) using the evaluation formula G () (step 124), and increments the value of the variable i by 1 (step 125). The processing in step 124 and the processing in step 125 are repeated until the value of variable i exceeds m (NO in step 126).

  When the value of the variable i exceeds m (YES in step 126), the allocation processing unit 14 determines a set of the vector Dx and the vector Ua that is the minimum value among the calculated evaluation values G (Dx, Ua). Select (step 127), and the process ends.

  Here, the process of calculating the evaluation value G (Dx, Ua) sequentially using the variable i has been described, but the allocation process so as to calculate the evaluation value G (Dx, Ua) by another calculation method. It is also possible to operate the unit 14. Also, it is not always necessary to target all vectors Dx, such as excluding device indices that can be clearly determined to be unsuitable for use from the relationship between the new location of the moved user and the location of the device.

  In addition, when adding devices, all combinations (Db, Uy) of both vectors are evaluated by the evaluation formula G () for the vector Db as an index of the device to be added and all the vectors Uy (U1 to Un). A value is calculated, and a vector combination that minimizes the calculated evaluation value G (Db, Uy) is selected.

  These processes are performed by the allocation processing unit 14 of the device allocation apparatus 1. Here, an operation example of the allocation processing unit 14 at the time of adding a device will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the allocation processing unit 14 when adding a device.

  When the allocation processing unit 14 starts processing, the allocation processing unit 14 first acquires a vector Db, which is an index of a device to be added newly input from the input unit 11 to the device management unit 12, from the device management unit 12 (step 141). Subsequently, a vector Uy (U1 to Un), which is a request index, is acquired from the request management unit 13 (step 142). Then, the allocation processing unit 14 initializes the value of the processing variable j to 1 (step 143).

  Next, the allocation processing unit 14 calculates an evaluation value G (Db, Uy) using the evaluation formula G () (step 144), and increments the value of the variable j by 1 (step 145). The processing in step 144 and the processing in step 145 are repeated until the value of variable j exceeds n (NO in step 146).

  When the value of the variable j exceeds n (YES in step 146), the allocation processing unit 14 determines a set of the vector Db and the vector Uy that is the minimum value among the calculated evaluation values G (Db, Uy). Select (step 147), and the process ends.

  Here, the process of sequentially calculating the evaluation value G (Db, Uy) using the variable j has been described. However, the allocation process is performed so as to calculate the evaluation value G (Db, Uy) by another calculation method. It is also possible to operate the unit 14. It is not always necessary to target all the vectors Uy, such as excluding the index of the user request that can be determined to be unsuitable for use of the additional device.

  By the way, the device may be turned off or may be in a power saving state, and is not always in a state where it can be operated immediately. In such a case, there are cases where it is more efficient to use another device in the operating state than to a device that has been assigned in advance. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case where device allocation is performed dynamically will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the device assignment apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the device allocation apparatus 2 includes an input unit 21, a device management unit 22, a request management unit 23, an allocation processing unit 24, an output unit 25, and a device state acquisition unit 26. Specifically, the device allocation apparatus 2 is realized by causing a general-purpose computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like to execute a program, but may be configured as dedicated hardware. Further, when the device allocation apparatus 2 is configured by a program, the program can be configured to be called from the device driver and operate.

  The input unit 21 receives an instruction or information input from the operator. The device management unit 22 manages information quantified using the function, performance, and the like of each device to be managed as an index. The request management unit 23 manages information quantified using a request item for a user's device as an index. The allocation processing unit 24 performs device allocation based on information managed by the device management unit 22 and information managed by the request management unit 23. The output unit 25 outputs the processing result by the allocation processing unit 24. The device state acquisition unit 26 acquires a state such as an energization state or a power saving state of each device.

  The input unit 21, the device management unit 22, the request management unit 23, the allocation processing unit 24, and the output unit 25 are respectively the input unit 11, the device management unit 12, the request management unit 13, and the allocation process described in the first embodiment. The information managed by the device management unit 22 and the information managed by the request management unit 23 are also managed by the information managed by the device management unit 12 and the request management unit 13, respectively. It is similar to information. However, in the second embodiment, dynamic information can be added to the information managed by the request management unit 23 via the input unit 21. For example, when the device is a printer, the desired number of prints is added to the information managed by the request management unit 23.

  Here, the operation of the device allocation apparatus 2 will be described. The operation of the device allocation apparatus 2 is basically the same as the operation of the device allocation apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, but an alternative device when the previously allocated device is in a power saving state or the like. The operation of the device allocating apparatus 1 is different from the operation of the device allocating apparatus 1 in that the process of allocating the device or the process of canceling the power saving state of the previously allocated device without allocating an alternative device.

  Here, the operation of the device allocation apparatus 2 will be described based on the operation of the allocation processing unit 24. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the allocation processing unit 24.

  Upon receiving a user request, the allocation processing unit 24 starts processing, and first acquires an operating state of a device previously allocated to the user from the device state acquisition unit 26 (step 201).

  As a result, if the pre-assigned device is in the power saving state (YES in step 202), a vector Dx (D1 to Dm) that is an index of the device is acquired from the device management unit 22 (step 203). Subsequently, a vector Ua that is an index of a request corresponding to the corresponding user is acquired from the request management unit 23 (step 204). Then, the allocation processing unit 24 initializes the value of the processing variable i to 1 (step 205).

  Next, if the device corresponding to the vector Di is an active device (YES in step 206), the allocation processing unit 24 calculates an evaluation value G (Di, Ua) using the evaluation formula G (). (Step 207), the value of the variable i is incremented by 1 (Step 208). The processing in steps 206 to 208 is repeated until the value of the variable i exceeds m (NO in step 209).

  When the value of the variable i exceeds m (YES in step 209), the allocation processing unit 24, when all of the calculated evaluation values G (Dx, Ua) exceed a preset upper limit value ( If YES in step 210, it is determined that it is more efficient to use the pre-assigned device even if the power saving state is canceled, and the pre-assigned device is selected (step 211), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if at least a part of the calculated evaluation value G (Dx, Ua) does not exceed the preset upper limit value (NO in step 210), the allocation processing unit 24 calculates the calculated evaluation value G (Dx, Ua). A set of the vector Dx and the vector Ua having the minimum value is selected from Ua) (step 212), and the process is terminated.

  If the pre-assigned device is in the operating state (NO in step 202), the assignment processing unit 24 selects the pre-assigned device (step 211) and ends the process.

  Here, the process of calculating the evaluation value G (Dx, Ua) sequentially using the variable i has been described, but the allocation process so as to calculate the evaluation value G (Dx, Ua) by another calculation method. It is also possible to operate the unit 24.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the device allocation apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the allocation process part 14 at the time of the initial introduction of a device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the allocation process part 14 at the time of movement of a staff. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the allocation process part 14 at the time of expansion of a device. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the device allocation apparatus in Example 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of an allocation processing unit 24.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device allocation apparatus 2 Device allocation apparatus 11 Input part 12 Device management part 13 Request management part 14 Assignment processing part 15 Output part 21 Input part 22 Device management part 23 Request management part 24 Assignment processing part 25 Output part 26 Device state acquisition part

Claims (12)

In a device allocation apparatus that allocates a device that can be used via a network to a user,
A device management means for managing device indices quantifying device information;
A request management means for managing a request index quantifying user requests;
Allocating means for calculating a numerical index from a difference between a device index managed by the device management means and a request index managed by the request management means, and allocating the device to the user based on the calculation result. A device allocation apparatus characterized by the above.   The device allocation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device index and the request index are vector data. It further comprises an operating state acquisition means for acquiring the operating state of the device,
The allocating unit newly allocates a device in an operating state when it is determined from a device operating state acquired by the operating state acquiring unit that a device previously allocated to a user is in a non-operating state. The device allocation apparatus according to claim 1.   The allocating unit is in an operating state when a numerical index calculated based on a device index corresponding to a device in the operating state among the device indexes managed by the device managing unit does not satisfy a preset criterion. 4. The device allocation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a device is newly allocated. A device allocation method for allocating devices that can be used via a network to users,
The device management means manages the device index obtained by quantifying the device information, the request management means manages the request index obtained by quantifying the user request, and the allocation means manages the device index managed by the device management means and the device index A device allocation method characterized in that a numerical index is calculated from a difference from a request index managed by a request management means, and the device is allocated to the user based on the calculation result.   6. The device allocation method according to claim 5, wherein the device index and the request index are vector data.   The operating status acquisition unit acquires the operating status of the device, and when it is determined from the operating status of the acquired device that the device previously assigned to the user is in the non-operating status, the device in the operating status is newly allocated. The device allocation method according to claim 5.   Of the device indices managed by the device management means, when a numerical index calculated based on a device index corresponding to a device in the operating state does not satisfy a preset criterion, a device in the operating state is newly allocated. The device allocation method according to claim 7. A device allocation program for allocating devices that can be used via a network to users,
A device management means for managing device indices quantifying device information;
A request management means for managing a request index quantifying user requests;
A numerical index is calculated from a difference between a device index managed by the device management unit and a request index managed by the request management unit, and the computer is caused to function as an allocation unit that allocates the device to the user based on the calculation result. The device allocation program characterized by the above-mentioned.   The device allocation program according to claim 9, wherein the device index and the request index are vector data. Further causing the computer to function as an operating state acquisition means for acquiring the operating state of the device,
The allocating unit newly allocates a device in an operating state when it is determined from a device operating state acquired by the operating state acquiring unit that a device previously allocated to a user is in a non-operating state. The device allocation program according to claim 9.   The allocating unit is in an operating state when a numerical index calculated based on a device index corresponding to a device in the operating state among the device indexes managed by the device managing unit does not satisfy a preset criterion. 12. The device assignment program according to claim 11, wherein a device is newly assigned.

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