Email-Based Print Authentication System for Guest Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems that require user authentication for printing can inconvenience guests or visitors without accounts, potentially compromising security by allowing multiple users to access and manipulate each other's print data, and require additional infrastructure for guest use, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A networked printing system that allows users to send print requests via email, where the system generates a PIN code for unauthenticated users, enabling them to print without a pre-existing account, while maintaining security by correlating print data with unique identifiers and restricting access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user authentication is required for printing, then security is improved, but convenience for guests and visitors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an email address as an intermediary identifier that bridges the gap between authentication requirements and guest accessibility. Instead of requiring traditional username/password authentication, the system uses email addresses (which guests already possess) as the identification medium. The email address serves as a mediator that provides both security (unique identification) and convenience (no additional account creation needed).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the email address serve multiple functions: it acts as both the identification information for retrieving print data and as the notification channel for delivering the reproduction confirmation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate guest account infrastructure while maintaining security and convenience.
2Ease of operation
If guest accounts are created for unauthenticated users, then convenience is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential identification function from the complex guest account infrastructure. Instead of implementing full user account management systems (with passwords, permissions, and profile data), the system extracts only the email address identification element, which guests already possess. This dramatically reduces infrastructure complexity while maintaining guest convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats each print job as a temporary, disposable authentication session. Rather than creating persistent guest accounts that require long-term management, the system uses temporary email-based identification for each printing operation. The email address serves as a short-lived credential that is sufficient for the specific printing task without requiring ongoing account maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If multiple users share authentication credentials, then ease of operation is improved, but data security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system into individual email-based identifiers for each user. Instead of using shared group credentials, each user (including guests) has their own unique email address as identification. This segmentation ensures that each user's print data is independently identifiable and secure, while still maintaining ease of operation since users already have their own email addresses.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing system includes at least one information processor, an output data reception part configured to receive output data or output target data via a network, a determination part configured to determine whether user identification information, which is to be correlated with the received output data or output data generated based on the output target data, is specified from user information stored in a user information storage part, a storing part configured to store data identification information and the received or generated output data in correlation with each other in a data storage part when the user identification information is not specified; a notification part configured to give notice of the data identification information via the network; and a transmission part configured to transmit, via the network, the received or generated output data correlated with the user identification information or the data identification information received via the network.