Image Forming Apparatus Web Browser Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with Web browser functions face challenges in restricting access to external networks, leading to potential harmful or charged website access, and users may not fully utilize or appreciate the browser's benefits during a trial period, affecting purchasing decisions.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a communication interface, memory for storing predetermined addresses, and determination units to restrict or permit access, allowing permission for access to specific addresses while preventing access to others, enhancing user convenience and trial experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access to external websites is permitted during trial period, then user can fully utilize browser functions, but device may access harmful or charged websites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address space into predetermined allowable addresses and other addresses. The determination unit divides the address validation process into checking whether an accessed address belongs to the predetermined set, enabling selective access control that permits legitimate browser functions while blocking harmful sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the communication interface and external websites. It mediates access requests by intercepting address information, comparing it against predetermined addresses, and allowing or blocking access accordingly, thus protecting the device without completely isolating the browser.
2Ease of operation
If Web browser function is added to image forming apparatus, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the Web browser function into the image forming apparatus, making the device universal by combining printing capabilities with web browsing. This allows the device to serve multiple functions (printing, scanning, browsing) through a single multi-functional system, improving user convenience without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit automatically performs address validation without user intervention. The system self-manages access control by autonomously checking addresses against predetermined addresses, eliminating the need for users to manually configure security settings while maintaining protection against harmful sites.
3Reliability
If access control restrictions are imposed, then harmful website access is prevented, but user freedom of access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access control system dynamically adapts to different address types through the determination unit. Rather than imposing static restrictions, the system flexibly evaluates each accessed address against predetermined addresses, allowing legitimate access while blocking harmful sites, thus maintaining both security and user freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a communication interface accessing Web addresses; a memory for storing predetermined addresses; a first determination unit for determining whether the image forming apparatus is in a first state that access of the image forming apparatus is limited to the predetermined addresses or a second state that the image forming apparatus is permitted to access any addresses; a second determination unit for determining whether a designated address is included in the predetermined addresses, when the image forming apparatus is in the first state; and a permission unit for giving to the communication interface permission to access the designated address, when the designated address is included in the predetermined addresses.