Image Forming Apparatus Login via FIDO Signature Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses lack the capability to utilize the digital signature verification techniques of FIDO for authenticating users, limiting their functionality and security compared to terminal-based authentication methods.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that performs biometric authentication on a mobile terminal and verifies digital signature data on the image forming apparatus using a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and FIDO services, enabling multiple authentication methods including password and passkey authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image forming apparatus uses traditional authentication methods (IC card, password), then device complexity remains low, but authentication security and functionality are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that handles the complex FIDO authentication processes. The image forming apparatus only needs to communicate authentication requests and results with the server, rather than implementing the entire FIDO protocol stack locally. This mediator approach allows the apparatus to benefit from enhanced security without bearing the full burden of implementation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the image forming apparatus to support multiple authentication methods (traditional IC card/password methods and modern FIDO methods) within a single system. By integrating both authentication approaches, the apparatus achieves multi-functionality in user authentication, allowing it to serve diverse security needs while maintaining a unified device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If image forming apparatus implements FIDO authentication verification, then authentication functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary that handles the computationally intensive FIDO verification processes. The image forming apparatus maintains simplified client-side functionality by only needing to generate authentication requests and process responses from the server, rather than implementing the complete FIDO verification stack locally. This distribution of complexity enhances authentication functionality while keeping the apparatus relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system is segmented into distinct functional components: the image forming apparatus handles user interaction and basic authentication operations, while the server handles complex cryptographic verification and credential management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling enhanced functionality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If image forming apparatus uses only traditional authentication methods, then device complexity is low, but adaptability to modern security standards is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to security standardsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal authentication framework that accommodates both traditional authentication methods (IC cards, passwords) and modern FIDO-based methods within the same image forming apparatus. This multi-functional approach ensures adaptability to various security standards and user preferences without requiring separate systems, thereby enhancing versatility while managing complexity through unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4513831B1System, image forming apparatus, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 CANON KK
  • EP4513831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4513831B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4513831B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for performing processing to allow a user to log in to an image forming apparatus includes means for displaying a code for accessing the system, means for receiving, upon access to the system based on the code, signature data based on authentication processing executed on a terminal, means for performing verification of the signature data, and means for executing login processing for the user based on a success of the verification.