Image Forming Virus Quarantine Timing Without Workflow Delays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses, such as multifunction devices, face challenges in executing virus scanning without delaying other functions, particularly when high-load functions are in use, leading to potential delays in virus detection.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a setting screen that allows users to set virus quarantine timing, including options for enabling/disabling virus scanning, specifying scanning areas, and scheduling automatic scans, along with on-demand scanning, facilitated by a UI provider, setter, and quarantine processor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If virus scanning is executed when a virus scanning execution request is generated, then virus detection timing is improved, but system load increases and may interfere with basic functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus detection timingVSAvoidbasic function execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts virus scanning execution based on current device state and user operations. The control unit monitors whether basic functions are being used and dynamically determines to execute or defer virus scanning, making the system adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system executes virus scanning at predetermined timings (such as when basic functions are not being used) before virus detection delays occur. This preliminary action ensures security maintenance without interfering with user operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If virus scanning is deferred when basic functions are in use, then system stability is improved, but virus detection is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidvirus detection timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the execution state of basic functions and uses this feedback to determine appropriate virus scanning timing. When basic functions complete or are not in use, the system receives feedback and executes pending virus scanning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs virus scanning periodically at predetermined timings rather than continuously. This periodic execution maintains system stability while ensuring regular security checks without constant interference with basic functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If virus scanning is executed continuously, then virus detection reliability is improved, but system resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system executes virus scanning periodically at predetermined timings rather than continuously, reducing resource consumption while maintaining adequate security monitoring. The periodic nature balances reliability requirements with resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards the approach of continuous scanning and recovers resources by executing scanning only when necessary (at predetermined timings or when basic functions are not in use), thereby reducing unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining security effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS12524543B2Image forming apparatus, terminal device, and control method for virus quarantine processing

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 SHARP KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a provider that provides a setting screen on which settings of a system are executed; a setter that executes settings of the image forming apparatus, based on a content set on the setting screen; an image former that forms an image according to the set content; and a processor that executes virus quarantine processing. The provider provides the setting screen including settings pertaining to a virus quarantine timing.