Address List Management Apparatus for Secure MFP Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shared image formation apparatus environments, there is a risk of secret information leakage during image data transmission, particularly when login information is transmitted over networks, and existing solutions either expose this information to risk or increase the processing load on address book servers.
Innovation Solution
An address list management apparatus that creates a sending list by deleting secret information from address information pieces, allowing data to be transmitted to a specified address through the apparatus, thereby preventing information leakage and distributing processing load effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If login information is transmitted from the address book server to the image formation apparatus for each data transmission, then the address book server can provide address information, but the login information may be leaked through network snooping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the login information from the address information transmitted to the image formation apparatus. The address book server creates a modified address list that contains only the destination address without the login credentials, thereby preventing the leakage of secret information while still enabling data transmission to the specified destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The image formation apparatus acts as an intermediary that receives the modified address list without login information, then independently acquires the necessary login information directly from the destination system when needed for actual data transmission. This mediator approach allows the address book server to provide addressing functionality without exposing sensitive credentials.
2Reliability
If all image formation apparatuses transfer image data to the address book server, then the security of login information is improved, but the processing load on the address book server increases and smooth communication may be hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the data transmission process into two distinct phases: (1) Address list acquisition phase, where the image formation apparatus receives modified address information without login credentials from the address book server, and (2) Actual data transmission phase, where the image formation apparatus directly transmits data to the destination using locally acquired login information. This segmentation reduces the processing load on the address book server while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The image formation apparatus performs self-service by independently acquiring the necessary login information directly from the destination system when needed for data transmission, rather than relying on the address book server to provide complete address information including credentials. This self-service approach distributes the processing load and improves overall system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An address list management apparatus stores, for each user of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), a different address list that lists address information pieces for transmission of image data by the MFP. Upon being instructed by a logged-in user to transmit image data, the MFP transmits, to the address list management apparatus, a request for the address list that specifies the user. Upon receiving the request, the address list management apparatus transmits, to the MFP, a sending list pertaining to the user. The sending list is created by deleting secret information from address information pieces in the address list, and modifying such address information pieces so that image data is transmitted to the address list management apparatus. The address list management apparatus refers to the address list, and transfers the image data to the specified address.