Image Processing Apparatus User Authentication Restriction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing image processing systems, new users cannot access functions without pre-set restriction information by administrators, causing inconvenience to users and administrative burden in managing user permissions.

Innovation Solution

The image processing apparatus autonomously obtains individual and common restriction information from storage or external devices, performing user authentication and restricting image processing based on available information, allowing some functions to be accessible without administrator input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If restriction information is pre-set by administrators for each user, then user authentication and permission control are ensured, but user convenience deteriorates and administrative burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser authentication and permission controlVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing apparatus automatically obtains restriction information from the server based on user authentication results, without requiring administrators to manually configure restrictions for each user. The system serves itself by autonomously managing permission control through automated information acquisition and application of obtained restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server pre-stores restriction information for multiple users in advance. When a user authenticates, the apparatus retrieves the pre-prepared restriction information from the server, eliminating the need for real-time administrative intervention and enabling quick permission assignment based on pre-configured user profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If individual restriction information is set for each user, then precise permission control is achieved, but device complexity and administrative workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermission control precisionVSAvoidadministrative management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary between administrators and the image processing apparatus. Administrators configure user restriction information on the server, which then automatically distributes this information to the apparatus during user authentication. This intermediary role simplifies the apparatus's complexity while maintaining precise permission control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server provides a universal platform for managing restriction information for multiple users simultaneously. Instead of configuring each user individually on the apparatus, the server handles multiple user profiles and restriction sets in one centralized location, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the system requires administrator configuration for every user, then security is maintained, but productivity and system efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing apparatus autonomously acquires restriction information from the server during user authentication without requiring administrator intervention. This self-service capability maintains security through automated verification while dramatically improving system efficiency by eliminating manual configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the apparatus communicates with the server during authentication to obtain appropriate restriction information. This automated feedback loop ensures security requirements are met while streamlining the user access process, improving overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2763392B1Image processing apparatus and image processing system
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2763392B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2763392B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2763392B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit configured to perform image processing; and a control device configured to perform: transmitting the authentication information received by the input unit to the server; receiving a result of user authentication from server, the result indicating a specific user authenticated by the server; requesting individual restriction information for the specific user when the result received, determining whether the requested individual restriction information for the specific user is obtained; restricting the performance of the image processing based on the requested individual restriction information, when the requested individual restriction information is obtained; requesting common restriction information when the requested individual restriction information is not obtained, obtaining the requested common restriction information; and restricting the performance of the image processing based on the obtained common restriction information.