Information Management Device Organization Service Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information management systems struggle to manage service states on an organization-by-organization basis, particularly in network-based services like cloud services, web services, and ASPs, making it difficult to restrict access to authorized devices and track usage effectively.

Innovation Solution

An information management device that includes units for receiving and storing organization identification, device identification, and license identification information, allowing for the association and management of service usage on an organization-by-organization basis, enabling secure and organized access control and usage tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If device-service association is used for identification, then service access control is enabled, but organization-by-organization service state management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access controlVSAvoidservice state management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service management system by introducing organization identification information as a new hierarchical level. Instead of directly associating devices with services, the system now manages services through organization layers, where multiple devices can be grouped under the same organization. This segmentation enables organization-by-organization service state management while maintaining device-service access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If cloud service is made accessible from multiple devices, then service continuity is improved, but control over service usage by organization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidorganizational usage control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces organization identification information as an intermediary layer between devices and services. When a device accesses a service, the system uses the organization ID to determine whether the device is authorized to access that service for its organization. This intermediary mechanism enables service continuity across multiple devices while maintaining reliable organizational usage control through the organization-service association.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2917865B1Information management device, information management system, information management method, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2917865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2917865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information management device includes a first receiving unit that receives organization identification information to identify an organization and device identification information to identify a device in the organization from the device, a first storage unit that stores the received organization identification information and the received device identification information which are associated together, a second receiving unit that receives license identification information and the device identification information from the device, the license identification information identifying a license for using a predetermined service, and a second storage unit that stores the received license identification information and the received device identification information which are associated together.