Device Hub Workroom for Secure Enterprise Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a device hub system that enables secure access to protected network resources, such as enterprise multifunctional printers, for managing information exchange and improving productivity while reducing resource consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a control unit that generates a workroom for accessing protected resources, provides authentication for participant devices, and distributes sharable information within the workroom, using a multi-time password to simplify access and reduce resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network security measures are implemented to protect enterprise resources, then network security is improved, but device complexity and access difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a workroom as an intermediary virtual space between participant devices and protected enterprise resources. The workroom controller mediates all access requests, authentication processes, and resource sharing operations, simplifying the access mechanism while maintaining security. Participant devices interact with the workroom rather than directly with protected resources, reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The workroom provides universal access mechanisms that handle multiple functions including authentication, authorization, information sharing, and resource access control through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate security mechanisms and simplifies the overall access process.
2Reliability
If separate authentication mechanisms are provided for each device, then security is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual device authentication into a single workroom-level authentication process. The workroom controller manages authentication for all participant devices collectively, eliminating redundant authentication operations and reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining security through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The workroom system provides self-service authentication mechanisms where participant devices can authenticate themselves to the workroom without requiring separate authentication for each enterprise resource. The workroom controller automatically manages authentication states and grants access based on predefined permissions, reducing computational overhead.
3Productivity
If untrusted devices are allowed to access protected resources, then productivity is improved, but network security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into distinct zones: the protected enterprise resource network, the workroom virtual network, and the participant device network. This segmentation allows untrusted devices to access resources through the isolated workroom environment without directly connecting to the protected enterprise network, enabling productivity improvement while maintaining security through architectural isolation.
4Reliability
If multiple passwords are required for different resources, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The workroom provides a universal access interface that consolidates multiple resource access operations into a single authenticated session. Participants authenticate once to the workroom and gain access to multiple enterprise resources through the workroom controller, eliminating the need for multiple passwords while maintaining security through centralized authorization management.
Data Source
AI summary
A device hub system includes: a control unit configured to: generate a workroom for providing access to a workroom accessible resource, including an enterprise multifunctional printer, protected by a network firewall; provide authentication for a participant device to access the workroom; receive a workroom request through the workroom; generate a workroom sharable information from the workroom request; and a communication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to distribute the workroom sharable information within the workroom.