Authorized Printing With Finite-Time User Authorization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems face security concerns with 'push' generation of documents when users are not present, and 'pull' generation can impede productivity due to the need for repeated authorizations and waiting times.
Innovation Solution
Authorized printing system that authenticates users for a finite time, automatically routes and releases print jobs to a queue, allowing secure and efficient document generation without additional user authorization during that time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 'push' generation of documents is used when users are not present, then document generation can proceed automatically, but security concerns arise as documents may be left unattended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization of users before documents are generated. Print jobs are held in a queue and only released after user verification, preventing unattended document generation while maintaining productivity through automated queue management.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary authentication system is introduced between the document generation process and the final output. The system uses access codes, biometric verification, or network authentication as a mediating layer that ensures security while allowing automatic document release to authorized users.
2Reliability
If 'pull' generation of documents is used with print queues, then security is improved by requiring user presence, but productivity is impeded due to repeated authorizations and waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
User authentication and authorization are performed in advance before the printing process begins. Once authorized, users can send multiple print jobs that are automatically released without requiring repeated authentication, eliminating waiting time while maintaining security through the initial authorization step.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous authorized access for users who have been authenticated, allowing multiple document releases without interruption. The authorization persists until revoked or expired, enabling seamless document generation across multiple print jobs without repeated security checks.
3Reliability
If repeated authorizations are required for each print job, then security is maintained, but user convenience and productivity decrease due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication is performed once in advance, and the authorization is cached or stored temporarily. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated authentication steps while maintaining security through the initial verification, significantly improving user convenience for multiple print jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
A single authentication event provides universal access for multiple print jobs within an authorized session. The authorization mechanism serves multiple functions: verifying user identity, granting access to multiple documents, and managing print queue release, replacing the need for repeated individual authorizations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In some examples, a memory resource may store non-transitory machine-readable instructions executable by a processing resource to authenticate a user, authorize the authenticated user at an imaging device for a finite amount of time and during the finite amount of time, automatically route a plurality of print jobs to a queue and automatically release the plurality of print jobs.