Copying Machine Data Storage Management for Sort-Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional copying machines face a reduction in the number of printed sheets per unit time when the storage capacity is exceeded, requiring the use of an external processing device, which can lead to increased transmission times due to varying communication speeds between the machine and the external device.
Innovation Solution
A copying machine with a scanner, original table, conveyor, storage, printer, communication unit, and controller that manages image data storage, transmission, and printing processes to optimize data handling and reduce the impact of communication speed variations by compressing data and releasing storage areas strategically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If image data is transmitted to an external processing device when storage capacity is exceeded, then the copying machine can handle larger image data, but the transmission time increases due to varying communication speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing image data in the internal storage device during the scanning process before transmission is needed. The controller monitors storage capacity in advance and prepares to transfer data to external storage proactively when the threshold is approached, rather than waiting for storage to be completely full. This preliminary preparation reduces the impact of communication speed variations on the overall printing timeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into internal storage device and external storage device, allowing the system to divide image data management between two storage locations. The controller intelligently segments the workflow by keeping recently scanned or frequently accessed data in internal storage while transferring less frequently accessed data to external storage, enabling parallel operations and reducing transmission bottlenecks.
2Quantity of substance
If image data is stored in external processing device, then storage capacity is increased, but the number of printed sheets per unit time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by enabling parallel operations: while the printer is printing images from internal storage, the controller simultaneously transfers additional image data from internal storage to external storage. This overlapping of transmission and printing operations ensures that the printing process is never idle waiting for data, maintaining continuous productivity while expanding effective storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data transfer operations during idle periods or in parallel with printing operations. By proactively transferring image data to external storage before it is absolutely necessary, the system prepares additional data in advance, ensuring that when internal storage becomes full, the printing operation can continue uninterrupted using pre-transferred data from external storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A copying machine is configured to execute a first scanning process to scan an image on an original sheet and generate image data, which is stored in a storage of the copying machine and an external processing device, a printing process to print the image of the original sheet, a second scanning process to release an image data storing area of the storage, and store the image data in the storage and the external processing device, a transmission process to release the image data storing area of the storage, and transmit the image data from the external processing device to the storage, and a detection process to detect whether a free capacity of the storage becomes less than a particular value.