Image Processing Storage Management via Link Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems that manage image data using link information face challenges in fair storage capacity management and charging, particularly when multiple users store identical data, leading to unfair usage and capacity limitations.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and system that calculates a virtual used amount and charged amount based on actual image data storage, allowing for management of storage capacity and charging as if the data is stored locally, even when managed via link information, by designating data for storage, tracking data amounts, and displaying usage and remaining capacity accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If image data is managed using link information in network storage devices, then storage capacity utilization is improved and redundant storage is avoided, but fair management of storage capacity and charging becomes difficult when multiple users store identical data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a storage management server as an intermediary between users and network storage devices. This server maintains a storage management database that tracks the actual data amount stored by each user, serving as a mediator that enables fair capacity management and charging while allowing link information to be used for avoiding redundant storage. The database stores correspondence relationships between user identifiers and actual data amounts, allowing the system to fairly manage storage capacity even when link information is used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the storage management server continuously monitors and updates the storage management database with current data amounts. When users store or delete data, the server receives notifications and updates the database accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that storage capacity management and charging calculations are always based on accurate, up-to-date information about actual data amounts, enabling fair management while utilizing link information for storage optimization.
2Ease of operation
If identical image data is stored in multiple users' storage devices, then each user has local access to the data, but the data amount used for charging becomes unfair and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to store link information locally in their terminal devices, which acts as a copy that provides local access to the data without duplicating the actual data content. The link information contains sufficient data to access the original file, enabling fast local access while the actual data remains stored once in the network storage device. This resolves the contradiction by providing local access capability without creating redundant data copies that would cause unfair charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage management server acts as an intermediary that tracks the actual data amount stored by each user in the centralized network storage device. Even though users have local link information for accessing data, the server maintains accurate records of what data each user has rights to access and the actual storage amount. This enables fair charging based on actual data amounts rather than local cache sizes, while still allowing users to access their data quickly through local link information.
3Loss of energy
If image data is stored in external storage devices rather than local data storage units, then network data transfer and local storage requirements are reduced, but accurate representation of used and remaining capacity becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The storage management server implements a feedback mechanism where it receives notifications from network storage devices about data storage and deletion operations. When data is stored or deleted in external storage devices, the server updates the storage management database to reflect the current data amount for each user. This continuous feedback ensures that the used capacity representation remains accurate even though the actual data is stored externally, allowing the system to track and report precise capacity information without requiring local data copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage management server serves as an intermediary that maintains the relationship between users and externally stored data. It tracks which users have access to which data stored in network storage devices and maintains accurate records of data amounts in the storage management database. This intermediary role enables the system to accurately represent used and remaining capacity for users accessing data from external storage devices, without requiring the data to be physically present in local storage units.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an image processing apparatus, if image data designated to be stored in a storage unit within the image processing apparatus is stored in a storage device outside the image processing apparatus, a memory remaining amount or the like of the image processing apparatus is calculated as if the image data is stored in a storage area within the image processing apparatus, although the image data is not moved to the storage area within the image processing apparatus.