Code Pattern Authentication for Secure Image Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image output systems face challenges in securely obtaining and managing device information for multifunction devices, leading to potential security breaches and operational inefficiencies, particularly when users need to register and manage PIN codes for multiple devices and transmit sensitive information like IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
An image output system that includes an information processing device capable of obtaining device information through code patterns, an authentication device that authenticates users and specifies the image output device, and a control unit that allows authenticated users to execute image output tasks without needing to know the device's specific information, such as IP addresses, thereby maintaining security and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If specific information (IP address) is transmitted from information processing device to authentication server, then the user can specify the desired image output device, but secret information may be illegally obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary device identifier (code pattern) from the full IP address information. The information processing device captures and transmits only the code pattern displayed on the authentication server, rather than transmitting the complete IP address, thereby preventing exposure of sensitive network information while still enabling device identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication server acts as an intermediary that displays the code pattern and receives it from the information processing device. This intermediary mechanism allows device identification without direct transmission of sensitive IP address information between the information processing device and the target image output device.
2Reliability
If PIN codes are registered and changed for each multifunction device, then authentication can be performed, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication server automatically generates and displays the code pattern without requiring manual PIN code configuration on each multifunction device. The system performs self-service authentication where the code pattern serves as the authentication credential, eliminating the need for users to manually register and manage PIN codes for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The code pattern serves multiple functions: it identifies the image output device, acts as an authentication credential, and enables device selection. This universal credential replaces the need for separate PIN codes for each device, simplifying the authentication process across multiple multifunction devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If code patterns are displayed on each multifunction device, then specific information can be obtained securely, but device information management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication server generates a digital code pattern that represents the device identity. This code pattern is a simplified copy of the device's identification information that can be securely transmitted and processed without exposing the actual IP address or other sensitive network configuration details.
Data Source
AI summary
An image output method including capturing an image of code pattern including device information specifying an image output device, obtaining the device information from the image of code pattern, obtaining user information specifying a user, and outputting the device information, and the user information or a permission information for temporarily permitting the use of the image output device to an external device, by an information processing device; authenticating the user based on the user information, by a processor; and executing image output processing by the image output device specified based on the device information when authenticating the user based on the user information or when the permission information is sent from the information processing device.