Erasing Apparatus with Barcode Sorting for Confidential Sheet Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional erasing apparatuses lack effective security management for sheets with important or confidential images, leading to unsafe disposal of such sheets during the erasing process.
Innovation Solution
An erasing apparatus equipped with a scanner, erasing unit, and multiple sheet discharge trays, which uses machine-readable marks like bar codes to identify and sort sheets requiring security management, ensuring safe and effective disposal of sensitive images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the erasing apparatus executes erasing processing to all sheets in the same manner, then the erasing processing is simple and efficient, but sheets with important or confidential images cannot be securely managed
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner reads bar codes on sheets before erasing processing to identify sheets requiring security management. This preliminary identification action allows the system to differentiate between ordinary sheets and confidential sheets before the erasing process begins, enabling secure management while maintaining efficient processing for ordinary sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments sheets into different categories based on bar code identification: ordinary sheets that can be erased and reused, and confidential sheets requiring security management. This segmentation allows the erasing apparatus to apply different processing strategies to different sheet types, improving both efficiency and security
2Reliability
If the erasing apparatus adds scanning and sorting functions to identify confidential sheets, then security management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner is designed to serve multiple functions: it reads bar codes for sheet identification, determines whether sheets require security management, and provides information for sorting decisions. By making the scanner multi-functional, the system achieves improved security management without adding separate dedicated devices for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting function is merged with the existing sheet discharge mechanism. The control unit integrates bar code reading results with the sheet discharge control to direct sheets to appropriate trays. This merging avoids adding a separate sorting device and utilizes the existing structural components for dual purposes
3Ease of operation
If the erasing apparatus discharges all sheets to the same tray, then the discharge process is simple, but sheets requiring security management cannot be separately handled
Solution Approach 1:
Different discharge trays are provided with different functions: one tray for ordinary erased sheets and another tray for sheets requiring security management. This local differentiation of discharge destinations allows the system to maintain simple operation for ordinary sheets while providing secure handling for confidential sheets through targeted discharge to specialized trays
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus safely and effectively sorts and manages sheets with important or confidential images by using attribute data from bar codes, preventing unauthorized erasure and ensuring secure disposal.
Implementation Method 1
a scanner 13, which scans the sheet S, to output image data of the sheet S
Implementation Method 2
heats the sheet while pressurizing the sheet, to perform erasing processing of the image
Implementation Method 3
The decolorable coloring material is coloring material which is decolored by being heated at a prescribed temperature
Implementation Method 4
heats the sheet while pressurizing the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an erasing apparatus has a scanner, an erasing unit, a plurality of sheet discharge trays, and a processor. The processor acquires, from image data of a sheet outputted by the scanner, attribute data of the sheet. The processor controls execution propriety of erasing processing by the erasing unit, and sorting processing to discharge the sheet to the plurality of sheet discharge trays, based on the attribute data.