Cloud Print Federation Interface for Cross-Service Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud printing environments, existing technologies face challenges in securely federating print devices across different cloud services, leading to limitations in device accessibility and user convenience due to proprietary APIs and lack of interoperability between cloud print services.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for securely federating cloud print services by aggregating data from trusted cloud print services, establishing trusted relationships, and enabling users to select and communicate with document processing devices across multiple cloud services, allowing for secure and seamless document processing operations without the need for multiple usernames and passwords.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud print services use proprietary APIs and separate cloud databases for each provider, then each provider can maintain control and security of their own systems, but device accessibility and interoperability are limited across different cloud services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal federation interface that enables multiple cloud print services to interoperate through a common standard. The system allows users to access document processing devices across different cloud services (e.g., Service A, Service B, Service C) through a unified interface, making the system multi-functional and service-agnostic while maintaining each provider's proprietary backend systems
Solution Approach 2:
The federation interface acts as an intermediary layer between users and multiple cloud print services. It mediates authentication, device discovery, and job submission by translating between different service providers' proprietary APIs and a unified interface, enabling cross-service accessibility without requiring direct integration between each service pair
2Adaptability or versatility
If users access print devices through multiple separate cloud services, then device selection flexibility increases, but user convenience decreases due to multiple usernames and passwords
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple authentication systems into a single unified authentication mechanism. Users authenticate once through the federation interface, which then manages access across all connected cloud services. This combines the security of individual service authentication systems while providing a single point of access, eliminating the need for multiple usernames and passwords
Solution Approach 2:
The unified authentication system provides universal access credentials that work across all federated cloud print services. A single user identity and credential set can access devices from any connected service provider, making the authentication system multi-functional and service-agnostic
3Reliability
If cloud print services operate independently with proprietary interfaces, then service security and data integrity are maintained, but interoperability and seamless document processing across services are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The federation interface serves as a trusted intermediary that enables secure data exchange between independent cloud services. It implements standardized protocols for job submission, device capability exchange, and status reporting that maintain data integrity while enabling interoperability. The intermediary validates and translates data between different service formats without compromising security
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interface parameters and communication protocols to standardized federation formats while maintaining internal proprietary formats within each service. This parameter transformation enables interoperability at the interface level without requiring changes to the core service architectures or data storage formats of individual providers
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are disclosed for federation among cloud print services. Based upon identification data and location data received from a user device, a primary cloud print service determines the best document processing device for output of a document. The primary cloud print service uses trusted relationships with other cloud print services, established via secure sharing of information, to allow for transparent printing across clouds to any device registered by the user or available and proximate to the user's location.