Contactless Authentication for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require users to physically interact with the device for both authentication and print job execution, which can be inconvenient and reduce usability.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that performs first authentication based on user-provided information and subsequent contactless second authentication, allowing for the execution of print jobs without displaying a print instruction screen on the device's display, enabling contactless processing from authentication to printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless authentication is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary information processing apparatus that handles the complex contactless authentication processing and communication with external authentication systems. This mediator absorbs the complexity away from the image forming apparatus, allowing the latter to maintain simplicity while still providing contactless authentication capability. The intermediary apparatus manages the authentication protocols and communicates results to the printing system.
2Productivity
If contactless authentication and automatic printing are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the functionality into distinct components: the image forming apparatus handles printing operations, while a separate information processing apparatus handles authentication and job management. This segmentation allows automatic printing upon authentication without requiring the image forming apparatus to become complex, as the control logic resides in the separate information processing system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple authentication methods are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing apparatus serves multiple functions: it performs contactless authentication, manages print jobs, communicates with authentication systems, and coordinates with the image forming apparatus. This universal multi-functional design consolidates the complexity in a single apparatus that can handle various authentication methods and printing scenarios, rather than requiring the image forming apparatus to have built-in support for multiple authentication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes a first authentication section that performs first authentication based on first authentication information associated with a user when acquiring the first authentication information, and a processor that acquires authentication success information indicating that second authentication was performed based on second authentication information different from the first authentication information and acquired by detecting the user in a contactless manner, and that stores a print job associated with the user. The processor displays, when the first authentication is performed while the print job associated with the user is stored, a print instruction screen accepting an instruction for executing printing based on the print job on the display, and causes, when the authentication success information is acquired while the print job associated with the user is stored, the image forming apparatus to execute the printing based on the print job without displaying the print instruction screen on the display.