Function-Specific Password Authentication for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses face security issues due to single-password authentication, which compromises all functions if compromised, and inefficiencies with multiple accounts leading to unnecessary resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an image forming apparatus with a system that uses multiple passwords differentiated for each function, allowing users to input specific functions and authentication information, and managing user information through an account database for secure and efficient authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single password is used for all functions, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the authentication system by dividing functions into multiple groups, each requiring a different password. Instead of using a single password for all functions, the system creates separate authentication credentials for different function groups, allowing users to access only the functions they need while maintaining security for each segment independently.
2Reliability
If multiple accounts are used for different functions, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple account functionalities into a single account structure. Instead of requiring separate accounts for different functions, the system allows one account to contain multiple passwords that correspond to different function groups, combining the security benefits of multiple accounts with the simplicity of a single user profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The account structure is designed to be universal, supporting both single-password and multi-password authentication modes. A single account can function with one password for all functions or with multiple passwords for different function groups, providing multi-functionality that adapts to various security requirements without requiring separate accounts.
3Reliability
If multiple passwords are implemented for different functions, then security is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning different security levels and password requirements to different function groups based on their specific needs. Critical functions require stronger authentication while less sensitive functions use simpler passwords, allowing each part of the system to have the appropriate level of security complexity rather than applying uniform authentication throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus to execute user authentication includes an input unit through which user information is input, and an account management unit to manage an account information database. The account information database stores user information corresponding to functions of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus further includes a user authentication unit to execute user authentication based on the user information input through the input unit by using the account information database, and a display unit to display a user interface where a function corresponding to the input user information is activated, in response to a result of the authentication.