Multi-Step Authentication Configuration via Hierarchical Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems face difficulties in selecting and setting the appropriate unit of authentication in multi-step authentication processes, where the type of authentication is uniformly fixed, making it challenging to modify or customize authentication settings for groups or organizations.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium that allows for the selection of authentication units and types in a multi-step authentication process by displaying and enabling the user to set the unit of authentication as a target, enabling customizable authentication settings for each step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the type of authentication is uniformly fixed in multi-step authentication, then the system configuration is simplified, but the flexibility and adaptability for different user groups and organizations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication system configurationVSAvoidauthentication setting customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication setting is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: organization level, group level, and user level. Each level can independently configure authentication types and units, allowing flexible customization without requiring complete system reconfiguration. This segmentation enables different authentication settings for different organizations and groups while maintaining manageable complexity through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the unit of authentication is fixed at user level, then individual customization is maximized, but the number of configuration steps and administrative overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual authentication customizationVSAvoidauthentication configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication configuration at organization and group levels before individual user setup. Administrators can pre-define authentication types, units, and policies for entire groups, which are then automatically applied to individual users. This preliminary action significantly reduces the time and steps required for individual user configuration while maintaining full customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges configuration operations across multiple levels by allowing group-level settings to be inherited and applied to multiple users simultaneously. This combining approach reduces redundant configuration steps while preserving the ability to customize individual user settings when needed, effectively reducing administrative overhead and configuration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11671426B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium of performing setting for multi-step authentication

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a memory storing, in an associated form, a unit of authentication and multi-step authentication corresponding to the unit and one or more processors configured to, when a type of the authentication of an authentication step in the multi-step authentication is to be set, display a unit of the type serving as a setting target on a display in a manner such that the unit of the type serving as the setting target is selectable.