Image Processing Job Suspension with Dynamic User Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses struggle to allow users to immediately select and stop jobs from a list, especially when the user who input the job is not logged into the system or has not logged in, leading to restricted job management capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit for user-identification information, a storage unit to associate jobs with user-identification information, a display unit to show a job list screen, and a determination unit to verify user authentication, displaying a user authentication screen if the logged-in user's ID does not match the job's creator, enabling secure job selection and suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If job operation is restricted to logged-in users only, then system security is improved, but job management flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic authentication where the system adapts its security requirements based on the operation being performed. For job stop operations, the system dynamically prompts for authentication when the logged-in user attempts to stop another user's job, rather than maintaining a static restricted access model. This allows the system to balance security and flexibility by applying authentication only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an authentication intermediary mechanism that mediates between the logged-in user and the job control function. When a user attempts to stop a job belonging to another user, the system acts as an intermediary by prompting for authentication credentials, verifying authorization, and then allowing the operation. This intermediary layer enables secure cross-user job management without completely restricting access.
2Speed
If all jobs are suspended immediately upon user request, then job suspension speed is improved, but job selection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the job suspension operation into two distinct modes: a quick suspension mode that suspends all jobs immediately, and a selective suspension mode that displays a job list for user selection. The system divides the monolithic suspension function into these two parts, allowing users to choose the appropriate level of granularity based on their needs. This resolves the contradiction by providing both rapid bulk suspension and controlled selective suspension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes where the system adapts its behavior based on user input. When a user requests job suspension, the system can dynamically switch between displaying a job list for selection or immediately suspending all jobs, depending on the specific operational context and user preferences. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to optimize between speed and selection capability based on real-time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided that executes processing that, when a request to stop a print job is received during a job suspension, it is determined whether a login user ID of a user who is logged in and a job execution user ID of a user who has executed a job coincide with each other. In a case where the login user ID and the job execution user ID do not coincide with each other, an authentication request is received, and in a case where a user ID of an authenticated user coincides with the job execution user ID, the job is stopped.