Image Output Authentication via Server-Mediated Dual-Factor Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image output authentication systems require multiple steps for authentication, such as attaching a memory card and inputting a user code and password, which can be cumbersome and do not provide a high enough security level, especially when only a user ID is authenticated.
Innovation Solution
An image output authentication system that includes an image output apparatus, an image transmission apparatus, and an authentication server, where user identification information and passwords are determined and verified in a single process, allowing the image output apparatus to output images only if the authentication is successful, thereby maintaining high security and simplifying the authentication process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple authentication steps (memory card attachment, user code input, password input) are required, then security level is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple authentication elements (user ID and password) into a single integrated authentication process. The authentication server receives both the user ID from the image transmission apparatus and the password from the image output apparatus simultaneously, merging what were previously separate authentication steps into one unified operation. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining the dual-factor security requirement.
2Ease of operation
If only user ID authentication is performed, then operation simplicity is improved, but security level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication server acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the image transmission apparatus (which provides user ID) and the image output apparatus (which provides password). This mediator enables dual-factor authentication to occur seamlessly in the background, maintaining operational simplicity for users while ensuring both security factors are verified before allowing image output.
3Reliability
If authentication requires both user ID and password verification across multiple devices, then security level is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication server is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a central coordination point that handles user ID reception from one apparatus, password reception from another apparatus, and the logical processing that matches these credentials. This universal authentication hub eliminates the need for complex distributed authentication logic across multiple devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high authentication standards.
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication server: has user identification information and a password of that user identification information previously stored therein in association with each other; receives user identification information transmitted, the user identification information being determined from information input at and received by an image output apparatus; obtains a password received by an image transmission apparatus used by a user associated with the received user identification information, from that image transmission apparatus after that user identification information is received; determines whether the obtained password and the password stored in the authentication server in association with the received user identification information match; and, if a decision is made that the passwords match, permits the image output apparatus that had sent the received user identification information, to output an image corresponding to image data transmitted from the image transmission apparatus and stored in that image output apparatus in association with that user identification information.