Cumulative Data Structure for Image Forming Process Parameter Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data collection methods for image forming processes are inefficient, as they often result in large amounts of unreliable data due to non-responsive image forming apparatuses, leading to slow reporting and high storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and data collector that utilize a cumulative data structure to store and update parameter counter data in predetermined accrual periods, allowing for efficient consolidation and storage, even when polling is unreliable, by calculating differences between parameter counter values and storing data in a relational database management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is collected by polling image forming apparatuses, then data can be gathered from multiple devices, but the data collection becomes unreliable when apparatuses do not respond
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating accrual periods and preparing cumulative data structures before data collection. The data collector determines in advance which accrual periods exist and prepares the cumulative total structure, so that when data arrives (even if delayed or unreliable from polling), it can be quickly integrated without recalculation, thus improving both reliability and reporting speed
2Loss of information
If all parameter counter data is stored in the data collector database, then complete data is available for reporting, but storage requirements and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The data storage is segmented into two parts: cumulative totals stored in the data collector database and detailed parameter counter data retained at the image forming apparatuses. This segmentation allows the database to store only aggregated results (reducing storage and processing time) while still providing complete information for reporting by retrieving detailed data on-demand from the source apparatuses when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential aggregated information (cumulative totals for each accrual period) from the full parameter counter data and stores it in the data collector database. The detailed raw data remains at the source apparatuses, and only the extracted cumulative results are transferred and stored centrally, significantly reducing database size and processing requirements while maintaining reporting capability
3Reliability
If data is consolidated after storage in the database, then all raw data is preserved, but the amount of data to be processed for reporting increases
Solution Approach 1:
Data consolidation is performed as a preliminary action at the time of data collection and storage, not after. When parameter counter data is received from image forming apparatuses, the system immediately calculates the differences, determines the appropriate accrual periods, and consolidates the data into cumulative totals before storing in the database. This preliminary consolidation reduces the data volume stored and eliminates the need for subsequent consolidation processing, improving efficiency while maintaining data integrity through reversible calculations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing data of a parameter counter for an image forming process includes providing a cumulative data structure for storing at least one record for recording for a predetermined accrual period a cumulative total for a parameter counter for an image forming process, providing data of a parameter counter for a time period, determining whether or not the time period corresponds to a predetermined accrual period for which an existing cumulative total is recorded in the cumulative data structure, and updating the cumulative data structure based on the data of the parameter counter.