Image Processing Apparatus User Session Settings Resumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face increased burden when setting up image processing apparatus settings, as previously set information is lost upon logout, and allowing other users to access and modify this information compromises security.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a locking process that holds and continues to execute display control jobs in the background, allowing the original user to resume settings upon re-login while preventing other users from accessing or modifying the held settings, thus maintaining security by not displaying the held setting menu to unauthorized users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If setting information is held after user logout to reduce setting burden, then user convenience is improved, but security is worsened because other users can access and modify the held settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting operationVSAvoidsetting security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing the user ID and setting information in memory when the user logs out, preparing for the user's potential return. This allows the settings to be automatically restored when the same user logs back in, reducing the need for reconfiguration while maintaining security through user-specific identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms by comparing the logged-in user ID with the stored user ID to determine whether to display the setting menu. When the user IDs match, the settings are restored; when they differ, the setting menu is not displayed, thus preventing unauthorized access while maintaining convenience for the original user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If setting information is eliminated upon user logout to maintain security, then security is improved, but user convenience is worsened because the user must reconfigure settings upon returning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting securityVSAvoidsetting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of eliminating settings, the system performs preliminary storage of setting information in memory associated with the user ID. This preliminary action enables automatic restoration when the user returns, eliminating the need for reconfiguration while maintaining security through user-specific identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by checking whether the currently logged-in user ID matches the stored user ID. This feedback mechanism determines whether to restore settings or display the setting menu, thereby automatically providing convenience to authorized users while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3009953B1Image processing apparatus capable of setting various processes using operation screen, control method for image processing apparatus, and storage medium storing control program therefor.
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 CANON KK
  • EP3009953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3009953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus (100) is capable of reducing a user's burden about setting of setting information while maintaining a desired security level about the setting information. An operation screen (121) displays information. A holding unit (106, 107, 109, 607) holds setting information about a job when a user logs out from the image processing apparatus during execution of the job. A display control unit (106, 305, 307, 308) displays the setting information held by the holding unit on the operation screen when the user who logged out from the image processing apparatus during execution of the job logs in to the image processing apparatus again, and to restrict the displaying on the operation screen when a user other than the user who logged out from the image processing apparatus logs in to the image processing apparatus.