Cloud Intermediary for Cross-System Print Job Result Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud print systems face challenges in managing print job execution results across different cloud cooperation systems, particularly when users need to print documents stored in cloud storage from external image forming apparatuses, requiring seamless authentication and authorization processes to ensure secure and efficient printing operations.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus configured to communicate with a first cloud cooperation system, which receives file selections, acquires and prints files, and transmits printing results to a second cloud cooperation system using input authentication information, enabling secure and efficient printing across different cloud systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user prints documents from cloud storage using external image forming apparatus outside the office, then printing flexibility and accessibility are improved, but authentication management complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and cloud storage services. The cloud server handles authentication with external cloud storage services (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) and manages authorization tokens, allowing the image forming apparatus to access documents without direct authentication complexity. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing authentication management while maintaining printing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service authentication where the cloud server automatically manages authorization tokens and credentials for multiple cloud storage services. Once initial authentication is performed, the system autonomously handles subsequent access requests using stored authorization information, eliminating the need for users to manually authenticate for each printing operation and reducing authentication management complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cloud storage services are integrated for printing, then service versatility and user choice are improved, but system complexity and authentication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud server is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple cloud storage services (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) through a unified architecture. It implements standardized interfaces for document acquisition, printing, and result transmission across different cloud providers, allowing the system to work with various services without requiring separate specialized components for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud server acts as a universal intermediary layer between the image forming apparatus and diverse cloud storage services. It translates between different cloud service protocols and the internal system requirements, managing authentication tokens and authorization for each service type centrally. This mediator approach enables multi-service compatibility while maintaining a simple unified system architecture.
3Loss of information
If print job execution results are transmitted to external cloud systems, then billing accuracy and log analysis capability are improved, but data transmission security requirements and system reliability demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud server serves as a secure intermediary for transmitting print job execution results to external cloud systems. It encrypts data during transmission, manages authentication credentials securely, and validates data integrity before forwarding information to cloud storage services for billing and log analysis. This mediator approach ensures accurate information transmission while maintaining high security and reliability standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements prior cushioning measures by pre-establishing secure communication channels and authentication mechanisms before data transmission. Authorization tokens are obtained in advance, and security protocols are configured beforehand to prevent potential security issues during actual data transmission, ensuring reliable and secure communication with external systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus configured to communicate with a first cloud cooperation system receives selection of a file stored in a cloud storage service, acquires the selected file via the first cloud cooperation system, performs control to execute printing of the acquired file, receives input of authentication information to be used for connection to a second cloud cooperation system different from the first cloud cooperation system, and transmits information about a result of the executed printing to the second cloud cooperation system via the first cloud cooperation system by using the input authentication information.