Cloud Access Mediation for Secure Image Processing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing devices, such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs), face challenges in efficiently and securely communicating with cloud services due to security vulnerabilities and the need for frequent updates, especially when accessing cloud services like Google Drive, Microsoft SharePoint Online, and Evernote, which restrict access from embedded equipment.
Innovation Solution
A communication mediation device and system that associates cloud service login information with a user, allowing the device to log into cloud services through a communication mediator, which is easier to update than the image processing device, thereby mitigating security vulnerabilities and facilitating communication without directly updating the image processing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing devices directly access cloud services, then communication functionality is achieved, but security vulnerabilities and update difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication mediation device as an intermediary between the image processing device and cloud services. This mediator handles authentication and communication, allowing the image processing device to access cloud services without embedding complex authentication logic, thereby improving security while maintaining simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cloud service access is enabled in image processing devices, then functionality is improved, but security risks increase due to embedded equipment restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The communication mediation device serves as a secure intermediary that handles cloud service authentication and communication. This approach enables cloud service compatibility while isolating the image processing device from direct security risks associated with embedded equipment restrictions.
3Ease of operation
If authentication information is stored in image processing devices, then direct cloud access is enabled, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication information and cloud service communication functions from the image processing device and places them in a separate communication mediation device. This extraction maintains ease of cloud access while improving security by removing sensitive authentication data from the embedded image processing device.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication mediation device comprises a communication device, a storage device, and a controller. The communication device communicates with an image processing device and a cloud service. The storage device stores a predetermined code, cloud service information and an access token, in association with user identification information. The controller logs into, when the communication device has received information sent from the image processing device and the received information has matched the predetermined code, the cloud service indicated by the cloud service information corresponding to the user identification information corresponding to the predetermined code using the access token corresponding to the user identification information and provides a notification of the cloud service logged in through the communication device to the image processing device.