Image Erasing Apparatus with Pre-Erasure Scanning and Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image erasing technologies do not efficiently convert images on printed sheets into electronic data before erasure, making it difficult to retrieve or rewrite the information after the image has been erased.
Innovation Solution
An image erasing apparatus that includes a scanning unit to convert images into electronic data, a memory unit for storage, and an erasing unit that uses heat to achromatize toner, allowing for the storage and potential retrieval of image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an image on a printed sheet is erased using heat to achromatize toner, then the image is removed from the sheet, but the information on the sheet cannot be retrieved or rewritten after erasure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by scanning and converting the image on the sheet into electronic data before the erasure process occurs. This allows the information to be preserved in digital form while the physical image on the sheet is erased through heat treatment, enabling both complete erasure and information retrieval.
2Loss of substance
If existing image erasing technology is used, then the image is erased from the sheet, but the process does not convert images into electronic data before erasure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs copying by creating an electronic duplicate of the image data through scanning before erasure. This digital copy serves as a backup that can be stored, retrieved, and reused independently of the physical sheet, solving the problem of information loss while maintaining the erasure function.
3Productivity
If the image is erased immediately without scanning, then the erasing process is faster, but the information cannot be stored or retrieved later
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and data conversion in advance of the erasure operation. This allows the erasing process to proceed efficiently while the information has already been captured and stored electronically, eliminating the need to choose between speed and information preservation.
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
Enables the conversion and storage of image data before erasure, allowing for the retrieval of information if needed after the image has been erased, and facilitates efficient sorting and reuse of sheets based on image presence and size.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning unit (12) to convert the image formed on the sheet into image data
Implementation Method 2
an erasing unit (13) to erase the image formed on the sheet... toner having a property of being made achromatic as heat is applied thereto at a predetermined or higher temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An image erasing apparatus includes a scanning unit; a memory unit; an erasing unit; a first conveying unit includes a first conveying direction as a conveying direction of the sheet; a storage unit that stores the sheet which is scanned by the scanning unit and is not conveyed to the erasing unit by the first conveying unit; a second conveying unit that once conveys the sheet from the first conveying unit to the storage unit, then return the sheet to the first conveying unit; and an interface unit that displays the image data stored in the memory unit and receives an instruction from a user, when the instruction for erasure is received, the interface unit operates the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit so as to conveys to the erasing unit, the sheet stored in the storage unit.