Printing Apparatus Registration via Local IPP and Authority Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in easily registering a printing apparatus to a cloud print service system, particularly for users working remotely who need to connect their home devices, and this applies to both cloud printing and other printing systems.

Innovation Solution

A server system and printing apparatus configuration that utilizes a local IPP service to facilitate the registration of printing devices to a cloud print service system, allowing users with user authority to register devices through a simplified process, with optional administrator approval and flexible security settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user registers a printing apparatus to a cloud print service system, then the printing apparatus can be used for cloud printing, but the registration process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of registrationVSAvoidregistration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus prestores administrator credentials (administrator ID and password) in its storage unit before the user needs to register. When registration is needed, the apparatus automatically uses these prestored credentials to communicate with the cloud print service system, eliminating the need for the user to manually input complex registration information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus autonomously performs the registration process with the cloud print service system by automatically transmitting administrator credentials and receiving authentication. The apparatus handles the complex registration communications itself without requiring user intervention, making the process simple for the end user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If administrator credentials are prestored in the printing apparatus, then user registration is simplified, but security risks may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of registrationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus distinguishes between different operational modes: when storing administrator credentials locally for automatic registration, and when requiring user authentication for actual printing operations. This local quality differentiation allows simplified registration while maintaining security during printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud print service system acts as an intermediary that verifies administrator credentials during registration and user credentials during printing. The system mediates between the prestored credentials and the cloud service, ensuring that security protocols are maintained while enabling easy registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the printing apparatus automatically transmits administrator credentials to the cloud print service system, then registration is faster, but the complexity of the authentication process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration speedVSAvoidauthentication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus automatically handles the complex authentication communication with the cloud print service system using prestored credentials. The apparatus itself manages the complexity of transmitting administrator ID and password, receiving authentication responses, and completing registration, while the user experiences a simple process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3945409B1Printing system, server system, and printing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 CANON KK
  • EP3945409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3945409B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3945409B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A server system includes setting means for, based on an input from a user having first authority, setting information indicating whether to permit registration of a printing apparatus based on a registration request from a user having second authority being more limited than the first authority, and registration processing means for, in a case where a registration request for registering a printing apparatus is received, performing processing for registering the printing apparatus based on the registration request, wherein, in a case where the user who has issued the registration request has the second authority and where the setting means sets information indicating that the registration of a printing apparatus based on the registration request from the user having the second authority is permitted, the registration processing means performs the registration of a printing apparatus based on the registration request from the user having the second authority.