Document Authentication Apparatus with Segmented Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information processing systems, there is a risk of document security deterioration when multiple users are present around the apparatus used for authentication, leading to potential leakage of document content.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that authenticates users and enables them to instruct processing on documents from a separate processing apparatus, while preventing access to the document from the authentication apparatus, using encryption and secure metadata management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user authenticates on the apparatus and the document is processed on the same apparatus, then the operation is simple and convenient, but the document security deteriorates and content may be leaked to other users present around the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of document processingVSAvoiddocument security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the document processing function into two separate apparatuses: an authentication apparatus for user verification and a processing apparatus for actual document operations. This segmentation ensures that the document never resides on the authentication apparatus, eliminating the security risk of leakage to other users while maintaining operational convenience through networked coordination between the two apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a metadata mechanism as an intermediary that carries essential document processing information without containing the actual document content. The metadata includes only necessary instructions (e.g., print count, color settings) and is transmitted between apparatuses, allowing document processing to occur on the processing apparatus while the authentication apparatus remains security-focused and cannot access the document content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the document is transmitted to the apparatus for processing, then the processing can be executed, but the document content may be accessed or leaked by other users around the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument processing capabilityVSAvoiddocument content leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary processing instructions from the complete document and transmits them as metadata to the processing apparatus. The actual document content remains on the user's terminal and is never transmitted to the processing apparatus. This extraction approach enables full document processing functionality while eliminating the risk of content leakage, as the processing apparatus only receives and executes instructions without accessing the document itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting the actual document for processing, the system creates and transmits a lightweight metadata copy that contains only processing parameters. This metadata copy is sufficient for the processing apparatus to execute document operations (printing, copying, etc.) while the original document content remains securely stored on the user's terminal, preventing any possibility of leakage to other users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus stores and processes the document, then processing operations can be performed, but the security risk increases when multiple users are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing operationsVSAvoiddocument security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the document handling process into two distinct phases: authentication phase on the authentication apparatus and processing phase on the processing apparatus. The document is never stored on the authentication apparatus, eliminating security risks associated with multiple user presence. Meanwhile, the processing apparatus can perform various operations (printing, copying, scanning) with full adaptability, as it receives authenticated processing instructions through the metadata mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11575805B2Information processing apparatus and information processing system to process document involving user authentication

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus comprises a processor configured to: authenticate a user designated as a utilizer of a document; enable the authenticated user to instruct a processing apparatus to perform processing of the document, the processing apparatus being different from the information processing apparatus; and disable the authenticated user to access the document from the information processing apparatus.