Image Forming Apparatus Wireless Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming systems that allow communication between image forming apparatuses and cell-phones via wireless, users other than those who have deposited money can inadvertently print photos or texts, leading to unauthorized use of deposited funds, and users must input their ID twice, which is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that issues identification information to cell-phones, requires users to input their ID, and only executes print commands from the identified user, ensuring that only the depositor can initiate chargeable processes, thereby preventing unauthorized fund use and simplifying the ID input process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus receives data and print commands wirelessly from communication terminals, then the convenience and functionality of the system is improved, but unauthorized users can spend deposited funds by sending print commands
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining proper information from communication terminals before allowing print commands. The image forming apparatus stores the proper information and uses it to authenticate subsequent print requests, preventing unauthorized spending of deposited funds while maintaining wireless communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming apparatus sends proper information back to the communication terminal after initially obtaining it. This feedback loop enables the terminal to include authentication data in future print commands, ensuring that only authorized users can spend funds while maintaining system versatility
2Reliability
If users must input their ID twice (at deposit and at operation), then fund security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the user's proper information and stores it in the image forming apparatus. Instead of requiring the user to input their ID twice, the system uses the stored proper information to authenticate the user at operation time, maintaining fund security while significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically obtaining and storing proper information from the communication terminal. The terminal itself provides the authentication data without requiring repeated manual ID input from the user, reducing operational steps while maintaining security through the stored proper information
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus which can prohibit any users but a user who has made a deposit from operating the image forming apparatus for a chargeable process. A communication controller of the image forming apparatus obtains pieces of proper information of cell-phones. An ID management section issues IDs for the respective pieces of proper information, and the communication controller sends the IDs to the corresponding cell-phones. At an input section, a user of one of the cell-phones inputs the ID sent thereto. Thereafter, the communication controller receives an access from a cell-phone and receives proper information of the cell-phone. In this moment, it is judged whether the cell-phone which has made an access is identical with the cell-phone of which ID was inputted at the input section. Only when the communication controller identifies the cell-phone, the communication controller permits the image forming apparatus to communicate with the cell-phone.