Image Forming Apparatus HDD Failure Mode Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses become unusable when their Hard Disk Drive (HDD) becomes inoperative, as existing solutions do not effectively predict or manage HDD failures, leading to potential data loss and system downtime.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus includes an HDD confirming unit that uses failure history and cut-off flags to determine if the HDD is inoperative, allowing the system to separate the HDD from the system and switch to a restriction mode, enabling continued operation using SSD and RAM storage, thereby preventing data loss and maintaining functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the system relies on HDD for data storage, then large capacity storage is achieved, but system usability is lost when HDD becomes inoperative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidsystem usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the critical system functions from the HDD dependency by implementing a dual-storage architecture where essential system data and applications are stored separately in ROM. This allows the control unit to operate basic functions using ROM-stored data when HDD becomes inoperative, effectively separating the system's core functionality from the failure-prone HDD storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares for potential HDD failure by pre-storing essential system data, configuration information, and basic applications in ROM before any failure occurs. The control unit is also pre-programmed with failure detection and mode-switching capabilities, creating a cushion against future HDD failures and enabling seamless transition to restriction mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the system shuts down when HDD fails, then data integrity is protected, but operational continuity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operational modes that adapt to HDD status. The system can operate in normal mode when HDD is functional and switch to restriction mode when HDD fails. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain operational continuity by adjusting its functionality rather than shutting down completely, while still protecting data integrity through appropriate mode-specific handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both normal mode (with HDD) and restriction mode (without HDD). By storing universal basic functions and applications in ROM that can execute independently of HDD, the system maintains core productivity even when HDD is inoperative, allowing continued operation of essential functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the system uses only ROM for storage, then system reliability is maintained during HDD failure, but storage capacity and performance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments storage functions by dividing data into two categories: critical system data stored in ROM for reliability, and large-volume user data stored in HDD for capacity. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for essential operations while preserving storage capacity for additional data needs, with the control unit intelligently managing which storage device to use for different operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If the system implements comprehensive failure prediction, then operational continuity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors HDD operational status and responds by adjusting system mode. When HDD failure is detected, the control unit receives feedback about the failure state and automatically transitions from normal mode to restriction mode. This feedback-based approach provides effective failure response without requiring complex predictive algorithms, maintaining operational continuity through simple status monitoring and mode switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3159795B1Image forming apparatus that ensures operation while HDD is inoperative, and recording medium therefor

Publication Date: 2020.06.17 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

An image forming apparatus (1) includes an HDD (31), an HDD confirming unit (21), a system control unit (23), and a non-volatile semiconductor storage device (32). The HDD (31) is adapted to store user data created by a user. The HDD confirming unit (21) is adapted to determine whether or not the HDD (31) is in an inoperative state. The system control unit (23) is adapted to separate the HDD (31) from the image forming apparatus (1) to set the image forming apparatus (1) to a restriction mode, when the HDD (31) is in the inoperative state. The non-volatile semiconductor storage device (32) is adapted to store system data used for an operation of the system control unit (23).