Image Forming Apparatus Vulnerability Detection and Communication Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses with independent operation and body units lack sufficient security measures to address vulnerabilities in their software, leading to potential attacks and compromised functionality.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with an operation device and apparatus body that operate independently, featuring a vulnerability management system to determine software vulnerabilities and restrict communication based on attack risk, transitioning to a separation mode to prevent attacks while allowing essential functions to continue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If communication between operation device and apparatus body is maintained to ensure operational functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but security vulnerability to attacks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational functionalityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The communication restriction mechanism dynamically adjusts the communication state between operation device and apparatus body based on vulnerability detection results. When a vulnerability is detected, the system transitions from a permissive communication state to a restricted state, and can restore communication after vulnerability remediation, making the security posture adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vulnerability detection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the operation device and apparatus body, monitoring for security issues and mediating the communication state. This intermediary layer enables the system to maintain operational functionality while filtering out security risks through automated detection and restriction mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If communication is restricted to prevent attacks on vulnerable software, then security is improved, but operational functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperational functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication restriction is not permanent but dynamic, automatically adjusting based on vulnerability presence. The system maintains full operational functionality when secure, restricts communication only when vulnerabilities are detected, and can restore functionality after remediation, thus avoiding permanent functional deterioration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary vulnerability detection before attacks can exploit the software. By detecting vulnerabilities in advance and proactively restricting communication before exploitation occurs, the system prevents attacks while maintaining functionality during secure periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20250244926A1Image forming apparatus, control method, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes an operation device, an apparatus body, and circuitry. The operation device receives an operation by a user. The apparatus body operates based on a request from the operation device. The circuitry determines a vulnerability of software in the operation device. Based on a determination indicating that the software has a vulnerability, the circuitry restricts communication with the operation device in accordance with an attack risk due to the vulnerability.