Image Forming Apparatus Authentication for Secure Device Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems between mobile terminals and image forming apparatuses lack security in transmitting device information, as any user can acquire and potentially misuse sensitive data, leading to confidentiality breaches and system malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dedicated device information acquisition mode in the image forming apparatus that restricts communication to authorized mobile terminals, using a special communication mode and QR codes to ensure only authenticated devices can access and transmit device information, thereby preventing unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is enabled between mobile terminal and image forming apparatus without authentication, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus performs authentication processing with the mobile terminal before allowing device information transmission. The authentication unit verifies the mobile terminal's credentials in advance, ensuring that only authorized devices can access confidential information, thus resolving the security issue while maintaining ease of operation through automated authentication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An authentication unit acts as an intermediary between the mobile terminal and the device information transmission process. This intermediary verifies the mobile terminal's authorization status before permitting access to device information, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining smooth operation for authenticated users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If device information is transmitted without authentication, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidharmful factors

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication processing before device information transmission, ensuring that only authorized mobile terminals can receive and transmit device information to the maintenance server. This prevents harmful factors such as information leakage and system malfunction while maintaining efficient maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication requirement, which initially seems to slow down the process, actually prevents harmful actions by unauthorized users. The authentication mechanism converts a potential security vulnerability into a protective measure, ensuring that productivity improvements do not come at the cost of system security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10785377B2Communication system, image forming apparatus, communication method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 CANON KK

AI summary

Restriction processing for restricting communication with the network is executed, and a screen for starting establishment of a connection relationship in a state in which the restriction processing is executed is displayed on a display device. A connection relationship with a mobile terminal is established without intervention of the access point of the external apparatus using a wireless LAN interface capable of performing wireless communication, and predetermined information is acquired from the mobile terminal via the wireless LAN interface after establishment of the connection relationship.