Image Data Deletion Circuit for Storage Capacity Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses face storage capacity shortages due to continuous retention of image data unless explicitly deleted, leading to confusion for users and inefficient use of storage resources.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with an output setting circuit, association circuit, state determination circuit, and data deletion circuit that automatically deletes or selectively deletes image data based on association information when the target output result cannot be obtained, allowing for more appropriate data management and preventing storage capacity shortages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If image data is continuously retained in storage regions unless explicitly deleted, then users can access and use the stored image data without confusion, but storage capacity of the HD becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibility to image dataVSAvoidstorage capacity of HD

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by associating image data with output settings before output operations occur. This allows the system to proactively identify and delete data that cannot be output, preventing storage capacity issues before they arise while maintaining accessibility for data that can still be used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically managing image data deletion based on output settings and device state. The control unit autonomously determines which data to delete without requiring manual user intervention, thus maintaining storage capacity while preserving user accessibility through automated intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If automatic deletion process is delayed in response to user operations, then users can use storage regions without confusion, but image data is kept continuously causing storage capacity shortage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenience in using storage regionsVSAvoidavailable storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary association between image data and output settings before the automatic deletion process is triggered. This allows the system to identify deletable data in advance based on output settings, enabling deletion decisions that do not interfere with user operations while preventing storage capacity shortage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the device state and output settings to determine whether image data can be output. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust deletion decisions, ensuring user convenience is maintained while preventing storage capacity exhaustion through intelligent, state-based deletion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If image data is automatically deleted based on output settings and device state, then storage capacity is maintained efficiently, but system complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity management efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it manages output operations, associates image data with output settings, determines device state, and executes deletion decisions. By consolidating these functions in a single control unit, the system maintains storage capacity efficiently without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the deletion control function with the existing output control and state monitoring functions. The control unit integrates image data deletion management with output setting management and device state determination, achieving efficient storage capacity management while minimizing additional complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9936095B2Image forming apparatus and non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing image forming program

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Provided is an image forming apparatus enabling more appropriate data deletion. The image forming apparatus includes an output setting circuit for performing output setting for adjusting an output of image data to a target output result by selection operation, an output operation circuit for performing output of image data by instruction operation so that a process corresponding to the output setting is performed, an association circuit for storing association information in which the output image data is associated with the output setting, a state determination circuit for determining whether or not the target output result can be obtained based on a current state of the apparatus, and a data deletion circuit for automatically deleting or selecting the deletion of the image data associated with the output setting based on the association information when it is determined that the target output result cannot be obtained.