Image-Forming Device Management with Authentication Fallback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a network management system, when authentication information for devices is updated, some devices may fail to update the new authentication information, leading to access failures by management devices attempting to acquire device information using the new information.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device stores both first and second authentication information, attempting to acquire device information using the second authentication information first, and if that fails, it switches to using the first authentication information, ensuring successful access and information retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication information is updated to enhance security, then system security is improved, but access reliability deteriorates when devices fail to update

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The management device stores multiple versions of authentication information (current and previous) in advance before the update occurs. When attempting to access a device, if the current authentication information fails, the device automatically falls back to the previously stored authentication information, ensuring continuous access capability without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares backup authentication information beforehand to cushion against the harmful effect of authentication failures. By maintaining a history of authentication credentials, the system creates a safety buffer that prevents access disruption when devices fail to update their authentication information synchronously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If authentication information is updated periodically, then security is improved, but system complexity increases due to version management

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication information management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device automatically manages multiple authentication information versions without requiring manual configuration or intervention. The system self-services by automatically storing, retrieving, and switching between authentication information versions based on access outcomes, reducing the operational complexity for users while maintaining enhanced security through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250272369A1Information processing device, management method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An information processing device is an information processing device for managing an image forming device. The information processing device includes: a storage unit configured to store first authentication information for accessing the image forming device and second authentication information that is information obtained by updating the first authentication information; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire device information of the image forming device by accessing the image forming device, in which the acquisition unit acquires, when acquisition of the device information of the image forming device by access using the second authentication information fails, the device information of the image forming device using the first authentication information.