Image Forming Apparatus Backup Data Acquisition During Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face downtime issues during data backup and restoration processes, as application data cannot be backed up during operation, leading to potential data loss and system unavailability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs an external server and portable storage for simultaneous backup and restoration of user setting data and application data, allowing for continuous operation without stopping applications, using a backup execution request file to manage data acquisition and encryption for secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If application data is backed up during operation, then data backup completeness is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring application data during the activation process before the application fully operates. The backup execution request file is created and processed in advance, allowing data to be captured at a safe point in the activation sequence when the application is not yet accessing critical resources, thus preventing data loss while ensuring complete backup coverage
2Loss of information
If the image forming apparatus is reactivated to back up application data, then data backup completeness is improved, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the backup action preliminarily during the activation process itself, before the application begins normal operation. By creating the backup execution request file and processing it during activation, the system captures application data without requiring a separate reactivation cycle, thereby eliminating additional downtime while ensuring complete data backup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by integrating the backup process into the normal activation flow. Instead of interrupting operation for backup purposes, the system continuously performs backup as part of the activation sequence, ensuring that data protection occurs without breaking the operational continuity or requiring the application to stop
3Productivity
If backup is performed during application operation, then system availability is improved, but data integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the critical data acquisition action preliminarily during activation before the application enters its operational state where data integrity could be compromised. By capturing data at this early stage when the application has not yet accessed or modified critical resources, the system ensures both high availability (since the application can continue operating) and data integrity (since data is captured before potential corruption occurs)
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) providing a platform to execute applications (212) of a plurality of types including a first application and a second application, the image forming apparatus comprising. The image forming apparatus comprises a storage (114) to store information, wherein a first data area accessed during execution of the first application and a second data area accessed during execution of the second application are arranged in the storage, and at least one controller (111, 112, 113)configured to function as a unit configured to acquire backup data of the first data area and the second data area in a state in which the platform is not activated (S504).