Image Forming System Data Distribution via Device State Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems lack an efficient method to manage and distribute image data across multiple devices, leading to inefficiencies in user authentication and data storage, particularly in ensuring that image data are stored in devices that are less likely to be turned off, thus preventing data loss.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes a distribution server and client devices, which determine and store the most reliable image forming devices for user data storage, using a priority system to direct data transmission and storage, ensuring that image data are stored in devices with a lower likelihood of being turned off, and updating user information based on usage patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image data is stored in any image forming device, then data storage capability is provided, but data loss risk increases when devices are turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The determining unit pre-identifies which image forming device should store the image data before transmission occurs. This preliminary determination ensures that data is always routed to a device that meets reliability criteria (not in sleep/standby mode), preventing data loss before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational state of image forming devices and uses this feedback to dynamically determine storage destinations. The determining unit checks device states (sleep, standby, active) and adjusts storage routing accordingly, ensuring data is always sent to actively powered devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If image data is transmitted to multiple devices, then data availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decision-making function from the storage system itself and places it in a separate determining unit. This unit independently evaluates device states and determines the single best storage destination, simplifying the overall system by centralizing control logic rather than requiring complex coordination between multiple storage devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the storage function by separating the determination of storage destination from the actual storage operation. The determining unit handles the complex logic of selecting which device to use, while individual image forming devices simply execute storage commands, dividing the system's functional responsibilities.
3Productivity
If user information is preset in transmitting device, then transmission efficiency is improved, but flexibility in device selection decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines storage destinations based on real-time device states rather than using static preset configurations. The determining unit evaluates current operational conditions (sleep, standby, active modes) and adapts the storage routing accordingly, making the system both efficient and flexible simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes plural image forming devices, a determining unit determining an image forming device in which image data corresponding to user information is stored among the plural image forming devices, a first storage unit storing the user information and device information in a correlated manner, a transmitting device in which the user information is preset, a transmitting unit transmitting image data corresponding to the preset user information to the determined image forming device with respect to the user information, a second storage unit storing the transmitted image data, a receiving unit receiving an input of the user information, a first acquiring unit acquiring image data from an image forming device correlated with the input user information, and an image forming unit forming an image acquired by the first acquiring unit.