Cloud Printer Provisioning via Certificate Signing Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers are typically controlled via direct physical interaction or local networks, making remote control from external servers infeasible.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning system that enables cloud-connected printers to receive digital certificates through a provisioning server, allowing secure remote management and control by generating and validating certificate signing requests using a cryptographic accelerator chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If printers are controlled via direct physical interaction or local networks, then control is simple and reliable, but remote control from external servers is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provisioning server as an intermediary between external operators and printers. The server handles certificate generation, validation, and distribution, enabling remote control without requiring direct connection between operators and printers. The provisioning server mediates the authentication process by issuing digital certificates to printers and validating incoming control requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary provisioning actions by pre-generating and distributing digital certificates to printers before remote control operations begin. The certificate authority component creates authentication credentials in advance, and the provisioning server stores these certificates for future validation. This preliminary setup enables seamless remote control without real-time authentication complexity.
2Reliability
If digital certificates are implemented for secure remote management, then security is improved, but provisioning process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system is segmented into distinct functional components: a certificate authority for generating certificates, a provisioning server for managing distribution and validation, and printer-specific modules for storing and using certificates. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where the certificate authority automatically generates certificates based on printer identifiers, and the provisioning server automatically validates certificates against stored credentials. The printers themselves participate in the process by presenting their certificates for validation without requiring manual authentication intervention, simplifying the provisioning workflow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and efficient remote provisioning and management of printers, facilitating control from various locations and devices, ensuring only authorized printers and clients can connect to the network.
Implementation Method 1
generating and validating certificate signing requests using a cryptographic accelerator chip
Data Source
AI summary
A method, in a provisioning server, of provisioning a printer, includes: receiving a provisioning request from the printer, the provisioning request containing (i) a printer identifier, and (ii) an account identifier associated with the printer; obtaining, from a digital certificate issuer, a unique string; sending the unique string to the printer; receiving from the printer, in response to sending the unique string, a certificate signing request containing (i) the printer identifier, (ii) the account identifier, and (iii) an authentication token including the unique string signed with a private key of the printer; validating the certificate signing request; passing the validated certificate signing request to the digital certificate issuer; receiving, from the digital certificate issuer, a digital certificate encoding the printer identifier and the account identifier; and providing the digital certificate to the printer for storage.