Image Reader Data Move Function for Storage Capacity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image readers face challenges in storing scan data with desired quality when the size of the read image data exceeds the free space of the external storage medium, leading to either incomplete storage or reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image reader system that includes a storage capacity detector, a capacity comparison section, a data extractor, and a data mover, which detects the storage capacity of the external storage medium, compares the size of the image data with the available space, extracts data to be moved from existing storage, and relocates it to another medium, thereby increasing free space without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the scan data is stored in the external storage medium, then the user can access the scan data outside the office, but the storage cannot be completed when the external storage medium has insufficient free space
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of free space in the external storage medium before initiating the scan. When insufficient space is detected, the system proactively deletes unnecessary files from the external storage medium in advance, ensuring that sufficient space is available before the scan data needs to be stored, thus guaranteeing both accessibility and storage completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the storage space by detecting free space levels and autonomously deleting unnecessary files without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures that the external storage medium maintains sufficient capacity for incoming scan data, resolving the contradiction between storage completion and data accessibility.
2Reliability
If the scan data is temporarily stored in the mass storage medium when external storage medium has insufficient space, then the storage operation can be completed, but the original purpose of storing in external medium is not fulfilled and user must perform additional task to acquire data
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of temporarily storing data in the mass storage medium and requiring user intervention for transfer, the system performs preliminary deletion of unnecessary files from the external storage medium before the scan. This ensures that the external storage medium has sufficient space from the outset, allowing direct storage completion without temporary storage or additional user tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically creates and executes a deletion plan for unnecessary files, eliminating the need for manual data transfer operations. The system self-manages the storage space by removing obsolete files, thereby maintaining the external storage medium as the primary destination and eliminating the need for temporary mass storage intervention.
3Quantity of substance
If the image reading condition is relaxed to reduce scan data size, then the data can fit in the external storage medium, but the scan image quality may not be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relaxing image quality to fit the data, the system converts the problem of insufficient space into an opportunity to clean up unnecessary files. By deleting obsolete data from the external storage medium, the system recovers space while maintaining the original high-quality scan settings, thus turning the storage constraint into a beneficial space recovery opportunity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically identifies and deletes unnecessary files based on predefined criteria, thereby self-managing the storage capacity. This automated space management allows the system to maintain high scan image quality settings while ensuring sufficient storage space through intelligent file removal rather than quality compromise.
4Productivity
If the predicted scan data size is compared with free space to urge changing image reading condition, then storage feasibility can be assessed, but scanning may have to be redone due to variation in predicted size
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and deletion of unnecessary files before the scan operation. By proactively creating space in advance, the system eliminates the need for predictive size calculations and potential re-scanning, as the external storage medium is guaranteed to have sufficient capacity regardless of the actual scan data size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback on the actual free space after deleting unnecessary files, rather than relying on predictions. This real-space feedback mechanism allows the system to confirm sufficient capacity before scanning, eliminating the uncertainty that leads to re-scanning and improving productivity without time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal serial bus (USB) memory that stores image data acquired by reading a document is connectable with an image reader. The image reader includes a storage capacity detector that detects storage capacity capable of storing information in the USB memory at a time point of reading a document, a capacity comparison section that compares size of the image data acquired by reading the document with the storage capacity of the USB memory, a data extractor that extracts the data to be moved to another storage medium from data that has already been stored in the USB memory, and a data mover that moves the data extracted by the data extractor to the other storage medium.