Image Forming Apparatus Remote Print Job Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses fail to prevent printed materials from being erroneously taken away when print job commands are given remotely using features other than PC printing, leading to confusion and misappropriation of printed documents.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a security printing system that includes user authentication, job record storage, and pending job management, where print jobs are temporarily suspended and require direct user intervention to resume, ensuring that only authorized users can retrieve their printed documents by requiring direct login and operation of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If print jobs are executed immediately upon receiving remote commands, then printing productivity is improved, but the risk of printed materials being erroneously taken away increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and user identification before executing the print job. The control unit stores the user ID in a holding register upon receiving a remote print command, but delays actual printing until the user physically presents themselves at the device and is authenticated through the operation panel. This preliminary action ensures that the document is released only to the authorized user while maintaining efficient remote job submission.
2Reliability
If user authentication and pending job management are implemented, then document security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is designed to be self-service oriented. When a user submits a print job remotely, the system automatically holds the job and waits for the user to return to the device. The user simply needs to interact with the operation panel to authenticate themselves (e.g., through card swipe, PIN entry, or touch ID), and the system automatically releases the document. This self-service approach provides strong security without requiring complex manual verification procedures or additional hardware components.
3Loss of time
If immediate printing is performed, then processing time is reduced, but the occurrence of misappropriation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the remote printing system and the document release mechanism. It receives print jobs from remote devices, stores them in memory, and manages the release process. The intermediary function includes holding the document data, verifying user authentication, and controlling the document output. This intermediary layer prevents direct immediate printing while maintaining efficient remote job submission, as the control unit seamlessly manages the transition from remote command to authenticated release.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus having a function to communicate with a terminal is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive, from the terminal, a print command to print a rasterized image having been stored; a user interface configured to receive, from a user, an execution command to print the rasterized image after the receiver receives the print command; and a printer configured to print the rasterized image after the user interface receives the execution command.