Authority-Based PWA Access for Image Forming Web Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with Progressive Web App (PWA) functionality do not adequately differentiate user access based on authority, allowing general users to access administrator-level information and settings, which is a security concern.
Innovation Solution
A network device equipped with a web server that provides a PWA with functions tailored to the user's authority, ensuring that only authorized users can access specific features and settings through user authentication and PWA generation based on login authority.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a PWA is provided to users without authority differentiation, then ease of operation is improved, but security and information protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different PWA functionalities to different user groups (administrators vs. non-administrators). The web server generates distinct PWAs based on user authority, where administrators receive full functionality while non-administrators receive limited functionality. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for authorized users while preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information through authority-based differentiation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all user functions are provided in the PWA, then adaptability is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PWA functionality into distinct sets based on user authority. The web server divides available functions into administrator-only functions and general user functions, then generates appropriate PWAs by including only the relevant segments. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adaptability for administrators while ensuring security by excluding sensitive functions from non-administrator PWAs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring PWA functionality to specific user groups. Different PWAs are generated with different function sets according to user authority levels. This ensures that each user group receives only the adaptability and versatility they are authorized for, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining system flexibility for those with appropriate permissions.
3Device complexity
If user authority is not considered in PWA generation, then device complexity is reduced, but information protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining user authority and generating appropriate PWAs before the users access the system. The web server checks user authority status in advance and pre-generates the suitable PWA, preventing unauthorized information access before it can occur. This preliminary authority verification maintains information protection without requiring complex real-time authentication mechanisms during user interactions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that is available through login by a plurality of users having different authorities, and that includes a web server, wherein the web server provides a website for installing, in a user terminal, software as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for providing at least part of the functions of the image forming apparatus 102, and the web server provides a website such that a Progressive Web App (PWA) in which available functions differ according to an authority of a user who has logged in to the website can be provided.