Image Sensor Authentication via Remote Terminal Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus technologies only allow authentication of users who are pre-set as authentication targets, preventing other users from accessing the device.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with an image sensor and a controller that captures user images and transmits them to an authenticating user's terminal for verification, allowing any user to be authenticated, even if not pre-set, by acquiring an authentication result from the authenticating user and granting access accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If face authentication is performed using a camera mounted on the image forming apparatus, then user authentication can be performed, but only users who are set as authentication targets in advance can be authenticated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and the user. The terminal device receives the captured image, performs the authentication determination, and communicates the result back to the image forming apparatus. This mediator enables flexible authentication of any user while maintaining security, as the terminal can identify users not pre-registered in the apparatus through alternative means (such as mobile device identification or network authentication).
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication function is segmented into two parts: image capture (performed by the image forming apparatus) and authentication determination (performed by the terminal device). This segmentation allows the image forming apparatus to maintain its security function while delegating the flexible user identification to the terminal, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.
2Reliability
If permission or non-permission of private printing is selected by an issuer, then control over private printing can be enforced, but users other than the issuer are limited to only private printing functions
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device acts as an intermediary that verifies user identity and communicates authentication results to the image forming apparatus. This allows the system to enforce printing controls securely while enabling authenticated users to access broader functions beyond just private printing, as the terminal can verify user credentials and authorize appropriate access levels.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture image data and a controller operatively coupled to the image sensor. The controller is configured to receive, from the image sensor, a requesting user image of a requesting user who requests authentication to use the image forming apparatus. The controller is configured to transmit the requesting user image to a terminal associated with an authenticating user that is authorized to authenticate the requesting user. The controller is configured to acquire, from the terminal, an authentication result indicating whether the authenticating user authenticates the requesting user to use the image forming apparatus.