Hybrid Memory Architecture for Cross-Device Image Data Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems face challenges in efficiently managing user identification and image data correlation across multiple image forming apparatuses, leading to user inconvenience in accessing and updating the correlation between user identification information and storage locations for image data.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system that includes plural image forming apparatuses with memory for storing user and apparatus identification information, a reception component for receiving user identification, and acquisition components for retrieving image data from either local or remote apparatuses, with a storage controller to update authentication information for seamless image formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If user identification information and image data are stored in local memory only, then data access speed is improved, but system adaptability across multiple apparatuses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidsystem adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines local memory (first memory in each image forming apparatus) with centralized memory (second memory storing correlation data) to create a hybrid system. Each apparatus maintains local image data for fast access while the centralized memory stores user-apparatus correlation information, enabling both rapid local retrieval and cross-apparatus adaptability through networked access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by enabling image data to be accessed and printed from any image forming apparatus in the network, not just the one where it was originally stored. The reception component, acquisition components, and storage controller work together to provide universal access across multiple apparatuses, making the system adaptable to user movement and apparatus availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If manual administrator intervention is required for updating correlation data, then data accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service functionality where the storage controller automatically updates the second memory with new user-apparatus correlation data when image data is transferred between apparatuses. This automated process eliminates the need for manual administrator intervention while maintaining data accuracy through programmatic control and validation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the reception component and acquisition components communicate transfer status and correlation data back to the storage controller, which then updates the centralized memory. This closed-loop feedback ensures data accuracy is maintained through automated verification and updating processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If image data is distributed across multiple apparatuses, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized second memory as an intermediary that stores user identification information correlated with apparatus identification information. This intermediary component simplifies the distributed system by providing a central lookup table that coordinates access across multiple apparatuses, reducing the complexity of direct peer-to-peer coordination while maintaining system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If automatic update of correlation data is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements prior cushioning by maintaining correlation data in both local memory (first memory) and centralized memory (second memory) simultaneously. This redundancy acts as a cushion against potential data loss during automatic updates, ensuring that even if one storage location experiences issues, the correlation information remains preserved in the other location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9189178B2Image forming system, image forming apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming system includes plural image forming apparatuses that form images, and a second memory that stores user identification information for identifying a user and apparatus identification information for identifying an image forming apparatus storing image data corresponding to the user identification information so as to be correlated with each other, wherein each of the image forming apparatuses includes a first memory, a reception component, a first acquisition component, a second acquisition component, a storage controller, and an image forming component that forms an image corresponding to image data acquired by the first acquisition component or the second acquisition component.