Patent ID: 9069506
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for managing distributed devices, the method comprising: receiving usage data of each of a plurality of distributed devices, wherein the usage data include at least a total print count over a first period of time of the respective distributed device; determining, based on the usage data, respective current usage rates of each of the distributed devices; calculating, from the current usage rates, respective anticipated print counts of each of the distributed devices expected at a first predetermined time; determining, based at least on the anticipated print counts, that at least one of the distributed devices is a high-usage device; determining, based at least on the anticipated print counts, that at least one of the distributed devices is a low-usage device; calculating respective first differences between the anticipated print counts of each of the at least one of the distributed devices determined to be the high-usage device and a target print count; calculating respective second differences between the anticipated print counts of each of the at least one of the distributed devices determined to be the low-usage device and the target print count; determining, based on the calculated first differences and the calculated second differences, one or more pairs of the at least one of the distributed devices determined to be the high-usage device and the at least one of the distributed devices determined to be the low-usage device to relocate so that the anticipated print count of the each of the distributed devices stays within a predetermined range of a target print count; and indicating the one or more pairs to relocate.