Guest Login Information Generation for Image Processing Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing apparatuses face challenges in allowing guest users to access functions without complicating user operations or preventing usage history recording, as current methods either disable access control or require frequent authentication.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically generates guest login information with a user identifier and access rights, enabling guest users to access image processing functions simply while recording usage history by determining the type of user request and performing appropriate login processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If access control is disabled to allow guest users to access functions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of usage history recording deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidusage history recording
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guest login information generation mechanism as an intermediary between the guest user and the access control system. This intermediary automatically creates login information containing user identifier and access right information, enabling both easy access for guests and reliable usage history recording without requiring manual authentication input from guests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authentication information is provided for guest users to enable access control, then reliability of usage history recording is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage history recordingVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating guest login information without requiring manual authentication input from guests. The access control unit autonomously creates login information containing user identifier and access right information, eliminating the need for guests to enter authentication information while maintaining reliable usage history recording.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If automatic guest login information generation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining access right information for guest users before actual usage. The system stores predetermined access rights in advance and automatically retrieves and applies them when generating guest login information, simplifying the operational flow while managing system complexity through pre-prepared configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2482541B1Image processing apparatus, access control method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2482541B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2482541B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2482541B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a request determining unit receiving an operation event indicating a request to use an image processing function and determining whether the request is from a guest user based on the received operation event; a guest login processing unit generating guest login information including a guest user identifier and access right information of the guest user if the request is from the guest user and sending a login request to request a login process for the guest user based on the guest login information; an access control unit disabling access control on the image processing function in response to the login request based on the access right information in the guest login information; and a usage history recording unit recording a usage history of the image processing function in association with the guest user based on the guest user identifier in the guest login information.