Image Forming Device Display Data Storage Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming devices face challenges in managing the lifecycle of scanned images due to resource limitations, leading to storage capacity shortages and security issues from accumulated unnecessary images, which undermines the utility of the platform and limits application functionality.

Innovation Solution

An image forming device with an image reading unit, image data storage, display data storage, and display unit, featuring a scan controlling unit, display data generating unit, display controlling unit, and deleting unit, which manages image data storage and display data independently from applications, ensuring secure and efficient storage and deletion of display images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the platform manages the lifecycle of scanned images, then storage capacity shortage is prevented, but the utility of the platform is undermined and application functions are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidapplication function

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides image data management into two separate storage units: image data storage unit (managed by platform) and display data storage unit (managed by application). This segmentation allows the platform to manage only the scanned image data while applications manage their own display data, preventing storage capacity shortage without limiting application functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the display data management function from the platform and assigns it to the applications. The display data storage unit is specifically designed to be inaccessible from the platform, allowing applications to independently manage their display data lifecycle, thereby maintaining platform utility while preventing storage capacity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the platform generates display images, then preview function is improved, but display image management becomes complex and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreview functionVSAvoiddisplay image management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the display image storage and management functions from the platform and assigns them to the applications. The display data storage unit is specifically designed to be inaccessible from the platform, allowing applications to independently manage their display data lifecycle, thereby maintaining platform utility while preventing storage capacity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a display data storage unit as an intermediary between the platform and applications for managing display data. This intermediary structure allows the platform to generate display images through the API while applications independently manage the storage and lifecycle of display data, simplifying the overall system architecture and enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If applications manage scanned images, then application flexibility is maintained, but storage capacity becomes insufficient and security issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication flexibilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides image data management into two separate storage units: image data storage unit (managed by platform) and display data storage unit (managed by application). This segmentation allows the platform to manage only the scanned image data while applications manage their own display data, preventing storage capacity shortage without limiting application functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a display data storage unit as an intermediary between the platform and applications for managing display data. This intermediary structure allows the platform to generate display images through the API while applications independently manage the storage and lifecycle of display data, simplifying the overall system architecture and enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9648182B2Image forming device, and method of managing data

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming device executes a plurality of applications, and includes a scan controlling unit configured to instruct an image reading unit to read image data, and store the image data in an image data storage unit according to a request from the application; a display data generating unit configured to generate a display data of the image data stored in the image data storage unit, and store the display data in a display image data storage unit according to the request from the application, the display image data storage unit being inaccessible from the application; a display controlling unit configured to display the display data in a display unit according to the request from the application; and a deleting unit configured to delete the display data from the display data storage unit in response to a termination notice of use of the display data from the application.