Print Control Apparatus Parallel Erase Overwriting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print control apparatuses do not efficiently manage print data security by simply deleting data, leaving it vulnerable to recovery, and do not optimize print and erase processes for increased productivity.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus with a memory unit for storing print data, a print processing unit for generating post-process data, and an erase processing unit that overwrites data in a dedicated folder, allowing for parallel processing of print and erase operations, thereby enhancing security and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is simply deleted to make space for new print data, then storage capacity is improved, but data security deteriorates because deleted data can be recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (recoverable deleted data) by moving it to a trash folder separated from the main storage area. This allows the main storage to be cleared for new data while the sensitive data is isolated in a dedicated trash folder where it can be securely overwritten before permanent deletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary overwriting of data in the trash folder before permanent deletion. By overwriting data multiple times with dummy values before final deletion, the system ensures that even if data is moved to trash, it cannot be recovered, thus maintaining security while enabling storage reuse.
2Reliability
If erase processing is performed sequentially after print processing, then data security is improved through complete erasure, but productivity deteriorates due to increased total processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic erase processing where data in the trash folder is overwritten at predetermined intervals or when certain conditions are met, rather than waiting for sequential completion of all print jobs. This periodic action maintains security while allowing continuous print processing to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs overwriting of erased data in parallel with ongoing print processing operations. By initiating the erase process preliminarily and concurrently with print jobs rather than sequentially after completion, the system achieves both security through complete erasure and productivity through overlapping operations.
3Reliability
If overwriting processing is performed for all deleted data, then data security is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial overwriting by selectively overwriting data in the trash folder based on predetermined conditions such as data sensitivity, age of deletion, or storage space availability. Not all deleted data requires the same level of overwriting, allowing the system to balance security requirements with processing time constraints by applying overwriting only where necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A print control apparatus includes a memory, a print processing unit, and an erase processing unit. The memory stores one or more pieces of print data each representing print content and being subjected to a print process. The print processing unit performs the print process for a piece of print data stored in the memory, and generates a piece of post-process data that represents print content. The erase processing unit moves, to a trash or a deletion folder, a piece of data for which the print process has been performed among one or more pieces of data stored in the print processing unit, and performs an erase process for a storage area of the piece of data that has been moved, the erase process being a process of data overwriting and being performed in parallel with the print process that is performed for another piece of print data.