Dynamic Image Retention Period Control for Document Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image processing devices retain log images with a constant retention period, leading to inefficient data management as images with low leakage risk are stored for too long, while those with high leakage risk are deleted prematurely due to data capacity shortages, depending on the distribution destination.

Innovation Solution

An information processing program that dynamically adjusts the retention period of images based on their distribution destination, allowing for earlier deletion of images with low leakage risk and longer retention for those with high risk, while also varying the frequency and interval of deletion determinations based on remaining storage capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a constant retention period is applied to all images regardless of distribution destination, then the system is simple to operate, but images with low leakage risk are stored for too long while images with high leakage risk are deleted prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of retention period managementVSAvoiddata security and storage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating retention periods based on distribution destination risk levels. Instead of a uniform retention policy, the system assigns different retention durations to different distribution destinations (e.g., internal departments vs. external companies), making the retention characteristic locally adapted to each destination's security risk profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts retention periods based on the distribution destination associated with each image. When storage capacity becomes insufficient, the system selectively extends or reduces retention periods according to the risk level of each distribution destination, making the retention policy flexible and adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If images are retained for a fixed period, then the storage management is straightforward, but storage capacity becomes insufficient when many high-risk images need to be retained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of storage managementVSAvoidstorage capacity availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the retention period parameter dynamically based on storage capacity status and distribution destination risk levels. When storage capacity is sufficient, standard retention periods apply. When capacity becomes insufficient, the system adjusts retention periods for images associated with different distribution destinations, prioritizing retention of high-risk images while allowing earlier deletion of low-risk images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the retention period is extended for all images to prevent leakage, then data security is improved, but the data capacity of the retention unit is consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidretention unit data capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different retention durations to images based on their distribution destination risk levels. Images associated with high-risk distribution destinations (external companies) are retained for longer periods, while images associated with low-risk destinations (internal departments) are retained for shorter periods, optimizing both security and storage capacity utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3106976B1Information processing program and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP3106976B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3106976B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3106976B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

An information processing program causing a computer to execute a process, the process including: receiving input of a distribution destination for a document; retaining an image in a retention unit in correspondence with information on the distribution destination received by the receiving and information on a retention start time point, the image representing the document; acquiring information on an image retention period corresponding to the distribution destination; and deleting the image retained in the retention unit from the retention unit after the image retention period acquired by the acquiring for the corresponding distribution destination has elapsed since the corresponding retention start time point.