Image Forming Apparatus Cloud Authentication Token Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses, such as printers and scanners, face operational complexity when using cloud services like OAuth 2.0, as they require users to constantly authenticate and manage access tokens through mobile terminals, leading to cumbersome workflows, especially when handling multiple documents.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a first user authentication unit, image reading unit, transmission destination setting unit, image conversion unit, sending unit, access token management unit, and second user authentication unit, allowing for seamless image file transmission to cloud services without requiring user operation of a mobile terminal each time, by managing access tokens and performing authentication internally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OAuth 2.0 authentication is implemented using mobile terminals for cloud services, then cloud service functionality is enabled, but operation complexity increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus performs authentication operations automatically using stored access tokens without requiring user interaction with mobile terminals. The system self-manages the authentication process by selecting appropriate tokens and communicating with external servers independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Access tokens are obtained and stored in the image forming apparatus in advance through preliminary authentication operations. This allows subsequent cloud service operations to proceed without requiring real-time user intervention or mobile terminal involvement.
2Reliability
If access token management is performed through mobile terminals, then authentication for external servers is achieved, but operational steps increase and workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication functionality and access token management capabilities are merged into the image forming apparatus itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate mobile terminal operations and combines multiple steps into a single automated process within one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages access tokens and handles authentication with external servers. This intermediary role eliminates the need for users to directly operate mobile terminals for each authentication task, streamlining the workflow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users must go back and forth between image forming apparatus and mobile terminal for each operation, then cloud service access is maintained, but operation time increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus independently performs all authentication and communication operations with cloud services using stored access tokens. This self-service capability eliminates the need for users to physically move between devices and manually operate both the image forming apparatus and mobile terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary authentication credentials are obtained and stored in advance in the image forming apparatus. This preliminary setup enables subsequent operations to execute immediately without requiring users to retrieve or input information from mobile terminals, significantly reducing operation time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus which eliminates a need for a user to operate a mobile terminal each time he or she sends an image file from the image forming apparatus using a cloud service and therefore enhances ease of operation. First user authentication of the user is performed for the image forming apparatus. Image data read from a scanner is converted to an image file, which in turn is sent to a destination set on a transmission destination setting screen. Based on the authenticated user, an access token to be used is selected from at least one access token managed in a hard disk of the image forming apparatus so as to use a function of an external server. Second user authentication for the external server is performed using the selected access token. After that, the image file is sent using the function of the external server.