Context-Aware Print Job Management for Secure Pull Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printed documents left unattended at printing devices pose a security risk due to potential unauthorized access, and pull printing, while enhancing security, can impede productivity by requiring additional authentication and waiting time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses context data from portable computing devices, such as location and beacon identifiers, to manage print jobs across a network, allowing print jobs to be held in a queue until the user is physically present at the printing device, where authentication can occur before document generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pull printing is implemented to enhance security, then unauthorized access to printed documents is reduced, but user productivity deteriorates due to additional authentication and waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending print jobs to a secure queue in advance and proactively monitoring for user presence through context data (GPS location, beacon identifiers). When the user approaches the printing device, the system automatically prepares authentication, eliminating the need for users to wait in queue and reducing authentication time while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If print jobs are held in queue until user presence is detected, then document security is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives context data from portable computing devices including GPS coordinates and beacon identifiers as feedback about user location. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically determine when the user has arrived at the printing device and automatically initiate or complete authentication, minimizing queue waiting time while ensuring security through presence verification.
3Reliability
If authentication is required before document generation, then unauthorized access is prevented, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service authentication by automatically detecting user presence through context data and initiating the authentication process without requiring user initiation. The user simply needs to be present at the printing device, and the system handles the authentication workflow automatically, significantly improving convenience while maintaining access control security.
Data Source
AI summary
An example of an apparatus includes a network interface to receive print data associated with a user from a first computing device and to receive context data from a second computing device, the second computing device associated with the user, and wherein context data includes a beacon identifier and a global positioning system (GPS) coordinate. The apparatus includes a memory storage unit to store the print and context data, wherein the memory storage unit includes a database of printing devices. The apparatus includes a processor to select a printing device from the database of printing devices, the printing device associated with the beacon identifier and a predefined area, wherein the predefined area includes the GPS coordinate. The apparatus includes a print engine to generate a notification for the second computing device, wherein the notification prompts the user for a command to send the print data to the printing device.