Dynamic Secure Print Authentication for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack flexibility and convenience in managing secure print settings, making it difficult to adapt to changing situations where the need for secrecy varies, which decreases user convenience while potentially compromising security.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a hardware processor that controls image forming operations based on set limit settings, allowing users to change these settings dynamically through an instruction obtaining unit, enabling secure print functionality with flexible authentication requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secure print settings are maintained with fixed authentication requirements, then security level is improved, but flexibility and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic authentication settings where the authentication requirement is not fixed but can be changed based on the situation. The system allows the authentication setting to be switched between required and not required states, enabling the security level to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining the ability to enforce security when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of authentication requirement from a static state to a dynamic state that can be modified. By allowing the authentication setting to be changed based on job data characteristics or user decisions, the system adjusts the security parameter to match the actual need, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high security and providing flexibility.
2Reliability
If secure print settings are maintained with fixed authentication requirements, then security level is improved, but convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts authentication requirements based on the situation, allowing users to switch between secure and non-secure printing modes. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for users to manually configure complex security settings for each print job, as the system adapts to the current needs, thereby improving convenience while maintaining security when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines whether authentication is required based on the job data or pre-set conditions, reducing the burden on users to manually configure security settings. This self-service mechanism allows the system to handle security decisions automatically, improving user convenience while ensuring security requirements are met when applicable.
3Reliability
If authentication is required for all print jobs, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic authentication where the requirement is activated only when necessary. By allowing the authentication setting to be switched based on the print job characteristics or user decisions, the system avoids imposing authentication steps on all print jobs, thereby maintaining security for sensitive documents while preserving printing efficiency for routine tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication requirement parameter is changed from a universal fixed state to a conditional variable state. The system adjusts whether authentication is required based on the specific job data or situation, eliminating unnecessary authentication steps that would reduce productivity while maintaining security where needed.
4Reliability
If limit settings are maintained statically, then security control is improved, but adaptability to changing situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static limit settings into dynamic ones that can be changed based on changing situations. The system allows the authentication requirement and other limit settings to be modified according to the current needs, enabling the security control to adapt to varying circumstances while maintaining robust security when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The limit settings parameters are changed from fixed values to adjustable parameters. The system allows these parameters to be modified based on the job data or user decisions, enabling the security control to adapt to changing situations while maintaining the ability to enforce strict limits when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes the following. A forming operating unit performs image forming based on image data. A data obtaining unit obtains the image data as a target of the image forming. An instruction obtaining unit obtains an operation instruction to instruct the forming operating unit to perform the image forming. An authentication receiver receives a predetermined authentication operation regarding approval of reception of the operation instruction. A hardware processor performs the image forming when a limit setting regarding a limit of reception of the operation instruction is set on the image data as the target of the image forming according to the obtained operation instruction and it is determined that the authentication receiver received the authentication operation. The instruction obtaining unit obtains a setting changing instruction to change the limit setting. The hardware processor changes the limit setting based on the obtained setting changing instruction.