Dynamic Port Permission for Secure Wireless Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Wi-Fi Direct communications, data transmission from a mobile terminal to a printing device is often prohibited if it designates a port other than the permitted port, leading to security improvements but also restricts data processing when the wrong port is used.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus is configured with a first permitted port and a second permitted port, which is used when a specific condition is met, allowing data processing even if the external apparatus designates a non-permitted port, by incorporating a reception unit, a determination unit, and a control unit to analyze and manage port usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predefined port is set to achieve higher security, then security is improved, but data processing is prohibited when a non-permitted port is used

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddata processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of port permission status from fixed to dynamic. The control unit changes the port from a non-permitted state to a permitted state temporarily when specific conditions are met (such as receiving a permission request and verifying the external apparatus identity). This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain strict security defaults while adapting to legitimate data processing needs when conditions warrant it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a port is set as permitted for data processing, then data processing flexibility is improved, but security is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic port permission management where the control unit can change the permission status of ports based on runtime conditions. Instead of static port configuration, the system dynamically adjusts port accessibility by transitioning ports between permitted and non-permitted states according to verification results and operational needs, thus achieving both security and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit receives information about data processing requirements and external apparatus identities, verifies these conditions, and accordingly adjusts port permission status. This feedback loop ensures that port permissions are granted only when necessary and appropriate conditions are met, maintaining security while enabling data processing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10042590B2Information processing apparatus method for controlling information processing apparatus and storage medium
Publication Date: 2018.08.07 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus which performs printing processing based on print data, and has a direct wireless communication function, includes a wired interface, a wireless interface, and a control unit. The wired interface receives print data. The wireless interface receives print data by a wireless communication by the direct wireless communication function. The control unit applies, as a condition of a port which can be used in a communication including receiving of print data, a first port condition to a communication by the wired interface, and applies a second port condition to a wireless communication by the direct wireless communication function.