User and device localization using probabilistic device log trilateration

Abstract

A system and method of localizing elements (shared devices and/or their users) in a device infrastructure, such as a printing network, are provided. The method includes mapping a structure in which the elements of a device infrastructure are located, the elements comprising shared devices and users of the shared devices. Probable locations of fewer than all of the elements in the structure are mapped, with at least some of the elements being initially assigned to an unknown location. Usage logs for a plurality of the shared devices are acquired. The acquired usage log for each device includes a user identifier for each of a set of uses of the device, each of the uses being initiated from a respective location within the mapped structure by one of the users. Based on the acquired usage logs and the input probable locations of some of the elements, locations of at least some of the elements initially assigned to an unknown location are predicted. The prediction is based a model which infers that for each of a plurality of the users, a usage of at least some of the shared devices by the user is a function of respective distances between the user and each of those devices.