Image Forming Apparatus Inspection Memory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, test printing inspection result data often occupies memory unnecessarily, leading to decreased available memory capacity.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with an inspection unit, memory for storing inspection results, and a setting unit for automatically deleting test printing inspection results, while retaining main printing inspection results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test printing inspection result data is stored in the image forming apparatus, then inspection functionality is maintained, but available memory capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic deletion of test printing inspection result data after a predetermined period, while preserving main printing inspection result data. This selective discarding approach recovers memory space occupied by temporary test data, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining inspection functionality and preserving available memory capacity.
2Loss of information
If all inspection result data is retained, then complete inspection history is available, but memory overflow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different retention policies to different types of inspection data: main printing inspection results are retained indefinitely while test printing inspection results are automatically deleted after a predetermined period. This localized differentiation in data quality management prevents memory overflow while preserving essential inspection history.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the retention parameter for inspection data based on the printing type. Test printing data has a time-limited retention parameter (predetermined period), while main printing data has an indefinite retention parameter. This parameter change strategy manages memory usage effectively while maintaining necessary inspection records.
3Quantity of substance
If test printing inspection data is automatically deleted, then available memory capacity is maintained, but inspection data completeness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments inspection data into two distinct categories: test printing inspection results and main printing inspection results. By applying different management strategies to each segment (automatic deletion for test data, permanent retention for main data), the system maintains memory capacity while preserving complete inspection history for production printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on image data, an inspection unit configured to inspect an image formed on a sheet, a memory configured to store an inspection result inspected by the inspection unit, and a controller configured to execute main printing for controlling the image forming unit to form an image based on the image data, or test printing for controlling the image forming unit to form an image based on only a part of the image data, wherein a first inspection result obtained by performing the test printing is automatically deleted, and a second inspection result obtained by performing the main printing is not automatically deleted.