Communication Server with Separated Storage to Limit Device Data Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face issues with increased storage requirements and potential data leakage due to the storage of sensitive information, such as destination designation information, in devices like printers, leading to vulnerabilities and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A server-based system that stores additional information separately from the devices, transmitting only device identification and setting information to the devices, and retrieves associated data including additional information for external transmission, thereby preventing sensitive data from being stored on the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If destination designation information is stored in the device, then the device can identify and transmit data to the correct destination, but the amount of information to be stored in the device increases and information leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the destination designation information from the device storage and relocates it to the server. The device only stores minimal identification information, while the server stores the complete destination designation information and additional information. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing sensitive data from the device, reducing both storage requirements and security risks while maintaining the device's ability to identify and transmit to the correct destination through server-mediated communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If destination designation information is stored in the device, then the device can maintain communication settings, but information leakage risks such as unauthorized access and interception increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the server as an intermediary between the device and the destination. The server acts as a mediator that receives communication settings from the device, stores them securely, and forwards them to the appropriate destination. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining the device's adaptability to communicate with various destinations while transferring the sensitive storage function to a more secure centralized system, thereby reducing information leakage risks.
3Productivity
If additional information is transmitted to the device, then the device can process and respond to settings, but the storage requirements and security vulnerabilities in the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts additional information (such as user credentials, destination details, and configuration parameters) from the device and relocates it to the server. The device only retains minimal identification information necessary for establishing communication, while the server stores and processes the additional information. This extraction maintains the device's productivity in processing settings through server-mediated commands while significantly improving data security by eliminating sensitive data storage within the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A server communicates with a first device and a second device and includes a controller configured to process setting requests. Upon receiving a setting request from the second device, which includes device identification information of the first device, setting information, and additional information, the server stores the additional information in a database separate from both devices. The server then transmits the setting information to the first device without including the additional information. The first device, upon receiving the setting information, transmits first data including device information and device identification information to the server. In response, the server retrieves the additional information associated with the device identification information from the database and transmits associated data, including the device information and the additional information, to the second device. This enables efficient data management while ensuring that additional information is not transmitted to the first device.