Document Sharing Server for Secure Remote Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internet printing systems require remote network printing devices to have fixed IP addresses and be externally accessible, which limits network management and increases security vulnerabilities, as they often need to be behind firewalls, making it difficult for remote users to access printers without compromising network security.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated internet site acts as a liaison between remote users and local printers, managing IP address updates and print jobs through a Document Sharing Server, allowing printers to download jobs like web pages, eliminating the need for direct external access and firewall exceptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote network printing devices are made externally accessible over the Internet, then remote users can access printers, but network security is compromised and firewalls must be configured with exceptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a document sharing server as an intermediary between remote users and local printing devices. The server receives print jobs from users, stores them securely, and makes them available to printing devices through controlled mechanisms. This mediator approach allows remote access functionality while maintaining firewall security, as the printing devices do not need direct external access - they only need to periodically check the server for available print jobs through controlled channels.
2Reliability
If remote network printing devices maintain fixed IP addresses for internet access, then external connectivity is enabled, but network management flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the document sharing server maintain a registry of printing devices with their current IP addresses before print jobs are submitted. Printing devices periodically announce their presence and current IP addresses to the server. This advance registration and periodic update mechanism ensures that when print jobs need to be delivered, the server already has the correct routing information, eliminating the need for fixed IP addresses while maintaining reliable delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by allowing printing devices to have dynamic IP addresses that change over time. The document sharing server maintains updated mappings between device identifiers and current IP addresses through periodic announcements. This dynamic approach enables the system to accommodate IP address changes, DHCP reassignments, and network reconfigurations while maintaining reliable print job delivery to the correct devices.
3Productivity
If direct internet access to remote printers is implemented, then printing functionality is enabled, but the system becomes vulnerable to unauthorized access and malicious attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing system into distinct functional components: a document sharing server that handles job submission and storage, and printing devices that handle only the actual printing operation. This segmentation isolates the printing devices from direct internet exposure - they operate in a protected internal network and only interact with the server through controlled mechanisms. The server acts as a buffer that filters and manages all external communications, preventing direct attack paths to the printing devices while maintaining full printing functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An internet accessible server permits access management to remote printing devices by remote users. Only users having printing access to a target remote printing device may submit a print job for printing on the target remote printing device. Users having printing access permission are further divided into owner status and user status. Owner status user of a remote printing device may grant or revoke the printing permission of non-owner status users. At least one owner status user is designated a super-owner, and can grant and revoke the owner status of other users. The super-owner user may relinquish its super-owner status to any other user. After submitting a print job for a target printing device, the print job is stored in a storage space on the Internet and is transferred to the target printing device only when the target printing device itself downloads the print job using standard internet protocols similar to those used in the downloading of a web page.