Link-Based Device Identification for Privacy-Safe Server Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for a server to acquire identification information of a communication apparatus are inadequate, leading to potential leaks and misuse of this information, especially when randomization functions are enabled, which complicates appropriate management and privacy protection.

Innovation Solution

The system transmits non-randomized identification information, such as a fixed MAC address, to a server while using link information like a UUID, ensuring the identification information is only transmitted to a specific management server, thereby preventing unauthorized access and maintaining user privacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the server acquires identification information of a communication apparatus, then the server can recognize and manage the communication apparatus, but the identification information may be leaked or misused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver management capabilityVSAvoididentification information leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The identification information is segmented into two types: randomized identification information (for general communication and privacy protection) and non-randomized identification information (for server management only). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both privacy protection and reliable server management by using appropriate identification types for different purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the communication apparatus and the server. It selectively transmits only non-randomized identification information to the server when the randomization function is not enabled, while preventing transmission of randomized identification information that could be leaked. This intermediary role resolves the contradiction by controlling information flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the server acquires non-randomized identification information, then appropriate management is enabled, but the risk of unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication apparatus managementVSAvoidunauthorized access risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts identification information transmission based on the enabled state of the randomization function in the communication apparatus. When randomization is enabled, only randomized information is transmitted; when not enabled, non-randomized information may be transmitted. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to balance management needs with security risks in different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The identification information parameter changes between randomized and non-randomized states based on the communication apparatus's function state. The system changes the parameter of identification information (randomized vs. non-randomized) to match the security requirements of different scenarios, enabling appropriate management while controlling unauthorized access risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If randomized identification information is transmitted, then privacy protection is improved, but the server cannot appropriately manage the communication apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidcommunication apparatus recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments identification information transmission into two channels: randomized identification information for privacy-protected communication, and non-randomized identification information for server management. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different identification types to different functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus creates a copy of the identification information transmission process, sending different types of identification information to different destinations (communication vs. server management). This copying mechanism allows the system to maintain privacy protection in communication while enabling server management through separate identification transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12621393B2Information processing apparatus providing predetermined link information and identification information, method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program, and system

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 CANON KK

AI summary

A control method for an information processing apparatus communicable with a communication apparatus includes transmitting predetermined link information to the communication apparatus and transmitting, to a predetermined server, the predetermined link information and identification information of the communication apparatus that has been acquired from the communication apparatus and has not been randomized by a predetermined function of randomizing the identification information of the communication apparatus, based on a fact that the predetermined function is enabled in the communication apparatus. The predetermined link information transmitted to the communication apparatus is transmitted from the communication apparatus to the predetermined server.