Image Erasing Apparatus Owner Verification via QR Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image erasing apparatuses cannot accurately determine whether an authenticated operator is the owner of an image, leading to incorrect counting of decolored sheets, as they fail to differentiate between the owner of the image and the user or group using the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An image erasing apparatus that includes a reading unit to identify owner information via a two-dimensional code, an authenticating unit to verify user or group information from an IC card, and a determining unit to correlate user information from the card with information on the image, ensuring that only the owner can initiate the decoloring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an erasing counter is incremented based on authenticated user information, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because it cannot determine whether the authenticated operator is the owner of the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by reading and storing owner information from the image data before the erasing operation. This allows the system to compare the authenticated user's ID with the stored owner ID at the time of erasing, ensuring that only the owner can successfully erase their image and increment the counter. The preliminary storage of owner information resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable owner verification without complicating the user authentication process.
2Ease of operation
If the system allows any authenticated user to erase images, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information worsens because incorrect erasing counts are recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the authenticated user's ID with the stored owner ID and providing feedback control to the erasing operation. The system only allows erasing and counter incrementation when the IDs match, preventing incorrect erasing counts from being recorded. This feedback mechanism ensures data integrity while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users.
3Reliability
If owner verification is implemented by comparing user IDs, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional reading and determining units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the reading unit multi-functional: it reads both image data and owner information from the same image in a single operation. The determining unit also serves dual purposes by both authenticating the user and comparing IDs. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable owner verification.
Data Source
AI summary
An image erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a scanner that reads an image printed on a sheet with decolorable colorant, the image including a first owner information. A decoloring unit decolors the image printed on the sheet. An input device receives a second owner information. A controller identifies the first owner information included in the image read by the scanner, and determines whether the first owner information corresponds to the second owner information. Based on the determination, the controller selectively controls the decoloring unit to decolor the image.