Image Forming Apparatus Authentication Control via External Server Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses with user authentication systems face system redundancy and complex maintenance due to fixed processes between IC cards, external authentication servers, and image forming apparatuses, limiting flexibility and redundancy in authentication methods.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a user information managing part, an authentication part, an external authentication part, and a registration part that allows for efficient authentication operations by controlling an external computer for user authentication and registering authenticated user information, enabling flexibility in using various external devices and authentication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed processes are used between IC cards, external authentication servers, and image forming apparatuses, then authentication security is ensured, but system redundancy increases and maintenance operations become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus is designed to perform multiple authentication functions: it can act as both an authentication server and an authentication client. The authentication client portion enables the apparatus to communicate with external authentication servers, while the authentication server portion allows it to independently verify user credentials. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated authentication devices, reducing system redundancy and simplifying maintenance while maintaining security through multiple authentication pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the authentication server and authentication client functions within a single image forming apparatus. By merging these previously separate components into one integrated system, the patent reduces the number of separate devices needed in the authentication architecture, thereby reducing maintenance complexity and system redundancy while preserving authentication security through the combined capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If fixed external devices are used for user authentication, then authentication process is simplified, but adaptability to different authentication methods is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is designed with dynamic capabilities that allow it to adapt between different authentication methods. The image forming apparatus can dynamically switch between acting as an authentication server for local verification and as an authentication client for external server verification. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to handle various authentication scenarios (IC cards, external servers, local databases) without requiring fixed device configurations, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
By endowing the image forming apparatus with universal authentication capabilities, the system can work with multiple types of external devices and authentication protocols. The apparatus can function as an authentication client with various external authentication servers and as an authentication server with multiple user databases, enabling flexible adaptation to different authentication methods while maintaining a unified, simple operation interface for users.
3Extent of automation
If independent authentication system is implemented in image forming apparatus, then authentication control is improved, but system redundancy occurs and maintenance operations become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the independent authentication system with external authentication systems by implementing dual functionality within the image forming apparatus. The apparatus maintains its own authentication server capabilities for autonomous control while simultaneously integrating authentication client capabilities to communicate with external authentication servers. This merging approach preserves authentication control automation while eliminating the need for completely separate independent systems, thereby reducing system redundancy and maintenance complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a user information managing part that manages registered user information, an authentication part that performs user authentication using the registered user information managed by the user information managing part, an external authentication part that controls an external computer to perform authentication on user information input via an input interface and acquires authenticated user information from the computer when the input user information is successfully authenticated by the computer, and a registration part that registers the authenticated user information acquired by the external authentication part in the user information managing part as the registered user information.