Image Forming Apparatus Sensitive Data Detection and Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses either fail to print materials when they detect prohibited specific information, leading to inconvenience for users, or they do not effectively prevent the revelation of such information during printing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a reception unit, primary storage, secondary storage for specific information, detection units, and a data processing unit that restricts image formation of detected specific information by replacing it with unreadable characters, allowing printing without revealing sensitive data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printing is prohibited when specific information is detected, then information security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific information (personal data) from the printing data while allowing the rest of the document to be printed. The detection unit identifies specific information, and the restriction unit removes only that portion, enabling the user to receive their desired printed material with sensitive data excluded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing to different parts of the printing data. Normal data is printed as usual, while detected specific information is restricted from printing. This localized approach allows most of the document to be printed while protecting only the sensitive portions.
2Ease of operation
If all printing data is printed without restriction, then user convenience is improved, but information security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing unit as an intermediary between the printing data and the image formation unit. This intermediary detects specific information and restricts its printing, acting as a mediator that allows normal printing while blocking sensitive data from being revealed.
3Reliability
If specific information is detected and restricted, then information security is improved, but printing functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific information portions from the printing data for restriction, while allowing the remaining non-sensitive data to proceed with normal printing. This selective extraction maintains printing functionality for the majority of the document.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies restriction only to locally detected specific information rather than the entire document. This localized restriction preserves the printing functionality for all non-sensitive portions of the data.
Data Source
AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can print material by which specific information is not revealed without prohibiting printing, even where the printing data contains information that causes problems by printing specific information. By detecting information to be restricted in the printing data and restricting the image formation of the detected information, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can form the image in which the image of the information is not formed. Accordingly, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can print material by which specific information is not revealed without prohibiting printing, even where the printing data contains specific information.