Authentication Apparatus Using Card Dispatcher for IC Card ID

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Solution Overview

Problem

The operability of image forming apparatuses is degraded due to the need for users to repeatedly perform IC card reading operations for both main body authentication and subsequent application authentication processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a card dispatcher that registers and manages IC card usage, allowing the card ID to be stored and sent to applications as needed, reducing the necessity for users to perform repeated card reading operations by enabling the card ID to be retrieved and reused after initial authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If IC card authentication is used for main body authentication, then authentication security is improved, but operability deteriorates due to repeated card reading operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by storing authentication information (card ID) in the storage unit during main body authentication. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated card reading operations when applications are subsequently executed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security and improving operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If IC card reading operation is required for each application authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of repeatedly reading the original IC card, the system creates and uses a copy of the authentication information (card ID) that is stored in the storage unit. This copying mechanism maintains authentication accuracy while eliminating the time loss associated with repeated physical card reading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If authentication information is stored in storage unit, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information security increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidinformation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary authentication information (card ID) from the IC card and stores it temporarily in the storage unit, rather than storing the entire card data. This extraction approach maintains operability while minimizing information security risks by limiting the stored data to only what is needed for authentication verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10602022B2Authentication processing apparatus, method, and computer program product for authenticating a user

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

Equipment includes: a user authentication unit configured to perform a user authentication process based on authentication information stored in a storage medium; a usage registration unit configured to register a request for using the authentication information, the request being transmitted from an application; a storage controller configured to store the authentication information acquired from the storage medium in a storage unit; and a notifier configured to send the authentication information stored in the storage unit to the application, regarding which the request is registered.