Image Forming Apparatus Visible Code Remote Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus control systems lack efficient and user-friendly methods for remote operation and authentication, particularly in scenarios where multiple users need to access and control the apparatus using portable devices, leading to potential security risks and usability issues.
Innovation Solution
The system displays a visible code encoding network identification and function codes, allowing portable devices to connect and authenticate, with the image forming apparatus transmitting operation screens only when the correct function code is input, ensuring secure and user-friendly remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote operation is enabled through network connection, then ease of operation is improved, but security risks increase due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by displaying a visible code containing function code information before allowing remote operation. The portable terminal device must capture and decode this code to authenticate the user, ensuring that only authorized users can access the image forming apparatus remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible code acts as an intermediary element between the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal device. It mediates the authentication process by encoding function code information that must be captured and decoded, creating a security layer that prevents unauthorized access while enabling remote operation.
2Reliability
If function code authentication is implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a visible code that is a visual representation (copy) of the function code information. Instead of using complex cryptographic authentication mechanisms, the patent encodes the function code as a visible code that can be captured by a portable terminal device's camera and decoded, simplifying the authentication process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic authentication mechanisms with an optical/capturing-based system. The visible code is captured using a portable terminal device's camera, and the function code is extracted through decoding, substituting complex authentication processing with a simpler capture and decode mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If visible code display is used for authentication, then ease of operation is improved through intuitive interface, but information loss occurs if the code is not captured correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by displaying the visible code with function code information on the image forming apparatus's display device. The portable terminal device captures this code and decodes it to obtain the function code, creating a feedback loop where the captured information is processed to authenticate the user and provide the appropriate operation screen.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus 1 (a) displays a visible code in which network identification information of the image forming apparatus 1 is encoded and a function code corresponding to a function of the image forming apparatus 1, (b) transmits function designation screen data to the portable terminal device 2 connected by using the network identification information, (c) receives a function code input to a function designation screen based on the function designation screen data from the portable terminal device 2 via a network, (d) determines whether the received function code matches the displayed function code or not, (e1) transmits operation screen data corresponding to the function code to the portable terminal device 2 via the network when both match, and (e2) does not transmit operation screen data to the portable terminal device 2 when both do not match.