System and method of overwriting image data with random patterns
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsFadi Rouhana, Larry Kovnat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for overwriting image data in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image control unit having a central processing unit and an image control unit for receiving image data. The image control unit stores image data on a non-volatile storage apparatus. A memory includes an overwrite application program for generating a string of random numbers and overwriting the image data with patterns from the string of random numbers.
Claims17
An overwriting method for overwriting image data of an image stored in a non-volatile storage apparatus of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving the image data;
- storing the image data on a hard disk drive;
- generating a set of random numbers, wherein a length of each of the set of random numbers is based on a sensitivity of the image data;
- receiving, from a user, an indication of a category of image to be overwritten;
- identifying a category of the image data;
- determining, by an image overwrite application, that the category of the image data matches the category of image to be overwritten;
- overwriting, in response to the determination, the image data with a set of patterns from the set of random numbers;
- and
- verifying that the image cannot be recovered by attempting to read the overwritten image data from the hard disk drive.
An image control unit for controlling an image forming apparatus, the image control unit comprising:
- an image input control unit for receiving image data of an image;
- a non-volatile storage apparatus for storing the image data;
- a central processing unit;
- and
- a memory comprising an overwrite application program configured for execution by the central processing unit and comprising instructions for:
- generating a set of random numbers, wherein a length of each of the set of random numbers is based on a sensitivity of the image data;
- receiving, from a user, an indication of a category of image to be overwritten;
- identifying a category of the image data;
- determining that the category of the image data matches the category of image to be overwritten;
- overwriting, in response to the determination, the image data with a set of patterns from the set of random numbers;
- and verifying that the image cannot be recovered by attempting to read the overwritten image data from the non-volatile storage apparatus.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an image reading apparatus for generating image data from an original image;
- a printer for printing copies of the image data;
- an image input control unit for receiving the image data;
- an image control unit comprising:
- a non-volatile apparatus for storing the image data;
- a central processing unit;
- and
- a memory comprising an overwrite application program configured for execution by the central processing unit and comprising instructions for generating a set of random numbers, wherein a length of each of the set of random numbers is based on a sensitivity of the image data;
- receiving, from a user, an indication of a category of image to be overwritten;
- identifying a category of the image data;
- determining that the category of the image data matches the category of image to be overwritten;
- overwriting, in response to the determination, the image data with a set of patterns from the set of random numbers;
- and verifying that the original image cannot be recovered by attempting to read the overwritten image data from the non-volatile apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.