Image Forming Apparatus Storage Recovery via Partition Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face data access abnormalities due to hardware and software issues, leading to downtime and the need for manual intervention, especially when logical abnormalities such as MBR collapse or file system inconsistencies occur, which are often resolved by formatting partitions but can result in unnecessary service calls and data loss.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a detection unit and control unit that identifies abnormal access and performs specific recovery actions based on the type of storage area, either formatting temporary areas or checking and fixing non-temporary data partitions to minimize downtime and service calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If automatic formatting is performed upon detecting storage abnormality, then recovery speed is improved, but data loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedowntimeVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is segmented into multiple partitions with different attributes (temporary vs. non-temporary). The system selectively applies formatting only to temporary partitions while preserving non-temporary partitions, thus reducing unnecessary data loss while maintaining fast recovery for temporary storage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different recovery strategies are applied to different partitions based on their local characteristics. Temporary partitions undergo automatic formatting for rapid recovery, while non-temporary partitions receive different treatment to preserve data, optimizing both recovery speed and data protection locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If serviceperson intervention is used for storage recovery, then data safety is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata safetyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-recovery by automatically detecting storage abnormalities and executing appropriate recovery actions (formatting temporary partitions) without requiring serviceperson intervention, thereby maintaining data safety through controlled processes while significantly improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary classification of partitions into temporary and non-temporary categories, and pre-configures recovery strategies for each type. When an abnormality occurs, the predetermined recovery action is executed immediately, eliminating the need for serviceperson assessment and intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If partition formatting is performed to resolve logical abnormalities, then storage reliability is improved, but data loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage reliabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is segmented into multiple partitions with different attributes (temporary vs. non-temporary). The system selectively applies formatting only to temporary partitions while preserving non-temporary partitions, thus reducing unnecessary data loss while maintaining fast recovery for temporary storage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different recovery strategies are applied to different partitions based on their local characteristics. Temporary partitions undergo automatic formatting for rapid recovery, while non-temporary partitions receive different treatment to preserve data, optimizing both recovery speed and data protection locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10992825B2Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 CANON KK

AI summary

According to some embodiments, an image forming apparatus includes at least one storage device, a detection unit, and a control unit. The at least one storage device is logically dividable into a plurality of storage areas each capable of construction of a file system. The detection unit detects an abnormal access to the storage device. The control unit, in response to detection of the abnormal access, performs, for a storage area in which the abnormal access is detected, a recovery action corresponding to the storage area. If the storage area in which the abnormal access is detected does not correspond to a predetermined storage area, the control unit checks and fixes the storage area as the recovery action for the storage area in which the abnormal access is detected.