Image Processing Apparatus Storage Region Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in processing job-related information across multiple storage regions, particularly when the storage capacity is close to its limits, leading to inefficiencies in managing job images and histories.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that records log information and job attribute data, utilizing multiple storage regions for log information, conversion, and transmission units to manage image data conversion and storage efficiently, ensuring data is processed and transmitted based on specific conditions related to storage capacity thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If job images are converted to general-purpose formats and stored in a separate storage region, then image format versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple storage regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple distinct storage regions: a first storage region for job images in device-specific formats, a second storage region for converted job images in general-purpose formats, and a third storage region for job information. This segmentation allows each region to serve a specific function, resolving the contradiction by organizing complexity through structured division rather than monolithic storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conversion unit as an intermediary component that transforms job images from device-specific formats to general-purpose formats. This intermediary enables format versatility without requiring the main storage system to directly handle multiple formats, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the core storage management while still achieving adaptability.
2Loss of information
If all job images are converted to general-purpose formats, then data portability is improved, but processing time increases due to conversion operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image format conversion in advance during the job execution process, rather than converting at the moment of external access. By pre-converting images to general-purpose formats and storing them in the second storage region, the system ensures data portability is immediately available without incurring conversion delays when users need to access or transfer the images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of job images in both device-specific formats (first storage region) and general-purpose formats (second storage region). This copying approach allows the system to maintain the original high-quality device-specific versions for internal processing while providing portable general-purpose versions for external use, eliminating the need to convert originals and preserving both format advantages simultaneously.
3Reliability
If storage capacity monitoring is implemented, then data loss prevention is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and transmission control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the usage status of the third storage region (job information storage) and automatically triggers transmission of job information to external storage when a predetermined threshold is reached. This feedback-based automatic control prevents data loss due to storage full conditions while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through rule-based decision making rather than complex monitoring algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus reserves a plurality of regions including a region of log information; converts image data from a first region into data in a predetermined format; controls execution of conversion if a conversion condition is satisfied and storage of the converted data in a second region; externally transmits log information that includes job attribute information corresponding to converted data based on the converted data that are stored in the second region; executes conversion of unprocessed image data and transmission of log information based on the converted data even if the conversion condition is not satisfied if an amount of job-related information that is stored in the first region or the second region satisfies a predetermined condition.