Automated Card ID Registration in Printing Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical image forming apparatuses require manual registration of card IDs, leading to a lengthy time before authentication with an ID card is possible.

Innovation Solution

A printing system with an image forming apparatus and management server connected via a network, which includes a card reader, non-card authentication information accepting device, authentication requesting unit, and registration requesting unit, allowing for automated card ID registration through non-card authentication information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual registration of card ID is performed by a manager, then authentication with ID card becomes possible, but a lengthy time is required for the registration process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidregistration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to automatically register their own card IDs by inserting their ID cards into the image forming apparatus. The card reading unit reads the card ID, and the control unit automatically transmits it to the management server for registration, eliminating the need for manual registration by managers and significantly reducing registration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically reading the card ID from the inserted ID card and preparing the registration data before transmission to the management server. This preliminary processing automates what would otherwise require manual data entry and preparation by a manager.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual registration process is used, then card ID can be registered in correspondence to user, but the process is complex and requires manager intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard ID registrationVSAvoidregistration process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Users independently complete the entire registration process by simply inserting their ID card. The system automatically reads the card ID, transmits it to the management server, and completes the registration without requiring any manager intervention or complex manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of a manager physically handling ID cards and entering data is replaced by an automated electronic system that reads card IDs using a card reading unit and transmits them electronically to the management server, simplifying the operation significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If automated card ID registration is implemented, then registration time is reduced, but system complexity increases with additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration timeVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management server performs multiple functions: it manages user information, processes card ID registration, and handles authentication. By making the server multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated registration devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving automated registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The management server acts as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and users. It receives card ID transmission requests from the apparatus, processes the registration, and manages user information, thereby simplifying the system architecture by centralizing registration functionality in an existing server rather than requiring additional dedicated hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9021567B2Printing system and method to register card ID

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a management server connected via a network. The image forming apparatus reads a card ID of a user of the image forming apparatus from the ID card, accepts non-card authentication information, transmits an authentication request, including the card ID, to the management server, and, if an unsuccessful authentication result is transmitted from the management server, transmits a card registration request, including the non-card authentication information, to the management server. The management server transmits a successful authentication result or the unsuccessful authentication result to the image forming apparatus according to whether the card ID has been registered in correspondence to the user, registers the non-card authentication information in correspondence to the user, and if the non-card authentication information has been registered in correspondence to the user, registers the card ID in correspondence to the user.