Image Forming Apparatus User Information Deletion Controller

Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of image forming apparatuses, such as printers and MFPs, there is a challenge in protecting personal and use information, especially when users change or lease the devices, as existing methods often require complex processes to delete information, leading to potential leaks of sensitive data.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus equipped with a job processor, storage unit, determination unit, and controller that manages user information by determining user changes and providing a user interface to easily delete or maintain apparatus use information, including IP, account details, and other sensitive data, ensuring secure data protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complicated process is required to delete information, then information security is improved through thorough verification, but user ease of operation deteriorates as users may omit to delete some information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidinformation deletion process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user changes by monitoring account information and proactively deletes apparatus use information without requiring manual user intervention. The controller performs self-service by identifying when a user has changed and automatically removing sensitive data, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex deletion processes while maintaining security through automated verification of user change status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of user changes by comparing account information before information deletion is needed. By monitoring account IDs and other identification data in advance, the system prepares to delete information automatically when a user change is detected, ensuring security measures are in place before any potential information leakage occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual deletion of information is required, then information security is maintained through user control, but productivity deteriorates as users must find and delete each piece of information one by one

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidinformation deletion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user changes by monitoring account information and proactively deletes apparatus use information without requiring manual user intervention. The controller performs self-service by identifying when a user has changed and automatically removing sensitive data, eliminating the need for users to navigate complex deletion processes while maintaining security through automated verification of user change status

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple information deletion operations into a single automated process. Instead of requiring users to delete address books, document boxes, mail boxes, fax records, job logs, and operation logs separately, the controller combines all these deletion actions into one unified automated operation triggered by user change detection, significantly improving productivity while maintaining comprehensive security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If information is retained for extended periods, then data utility is improved for ongoing operations, but information security risk increases during leasing or user transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation retention periodVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user changes by comparing account information before information deletion is needed. By monitoring account IDs and other identification data in advance, the system prepares to delete information automatically when a user change is detected, ensuring security measures are in place before any potential information leakage occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors account information and provides feedback about user changes to the controller. When account IDs or other identification data change, the system generates feedback signals that trigger automated information deletion, creating a closed-loop security mechanism that dynamically adjusts information retention based on real-time user status changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9883077B2Image forming apparatus and method of managing information thereof

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a job processor to perform a job of the image forming apparatus, a storage unit to store apparatus use information on a user of the image forming apparatus and job performance of the job processor, a determination unit to determine whether the user is changed or not, and a controller to delete the apparatus use information on a previous user if it is determined that the user is changed.