Information Processing Apparatus User Information Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user information management systems for multifunction devices face challenges in efficiently managing user permissions and usage data, particularly when the number of users exceeds the server's capacity, leading to increased memory requirements and limitations in control and management.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus connected to an external server via a network, which stores user identification information and usage permissions, allowing for the transmission and reception of user information and usage data, and controls storage operations based on received permission information, thereby optimizing memory usage and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the server manages user information for all users including those not managed by the authentication server, then the system can support more users and functions, but the memory space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user information management by creating two distinct storage areas: authentication user information storage for users managed by the authentication server, and other user information storage for users not managed by the authentication server. This segmentation allows the system to handle different user types with different storage requirements, improving adaptability while optimizing memory usage by not storing authentication user information in both locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the server stores user information for both authentication users and other users, then more users can be supported, but the number of users that can be managed becomes limited by device capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the user management system into two segments: authentication users managed through the authentication server with centralized control, and other users managed locally by the information processing apparatus. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to support both user types simultaneously while maintaining manageable complexity through clear separation of management responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the information processing apparatus acts as a local manager for other users not handled by the authentication server. This intermediary approach allows the system to expand user support capacity while maintaining manageable complexity by distributing management functions across multiple levels rather than centralizing all management in one server.
3Reliability
If all user information is stored in the server, then centralized management is achieved, but memory usage increases and maintenance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage of user information by authentication status, storing authentication user information centrally in the authentication server while storing other user information locally in the information processing apparatus. This segmentation maintains centralized management reliability for authenticated users while reducing overall memory usage by avoiding duplicate storage and enabling local caching of frequently accessed data.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores therein user information, an operating unit that performs an operation of setting of user authentication, a user information registering unit that registers user information for a user who are permitted to use a function, and a system control unit that controls registration of the user information to the user information registering unit. An authentication server reads out the user information from the HDD and authenticates use permission of functions in the information processing apparatus. The system control unit controls registerability of the user information to the user information registering unit for each function with use permission determined by the information processing apparatus.