Locked Print Job Release via Keypad and Web Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locked printing on printing devices requires users to enter authentication data through limited user interfaces, making it tedious and prone to errors, especially when dealing with alphanumeric strings and both upper and lower case characters.
Innovation Solution
Implementing locked printing on printing devices with a keypad interface that allows users to simplify the printing process by entering job IDs or general IDs to release print jobs, using a minimal user interface, and optionally printing a list of available locked print jobs with associated IDs, or viewing them via a Web page generated by the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locked printing is implemented with basic operation panel, then authentication security is provided, but user operation becomes tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote computing device as an intermediary between the user and the printing device. This mediator handles the complex authentication data entry and verification process remotely, allowing users to input authentication information on their own devices rather than manually entering it through the printing device's limited interface, thus maintaining security while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication process is segmented into separate components: the printing device handles secure verification and job release, while the remote computing device handles user interaction and data input. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its strength - security verification and user-friendly interface respectively - resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation
2Reliability
If alphanumeric authentication data entry is required on printing device, then security is maintained, but operation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The remote computing device acts as an intermediary that handles time-consuming authentication data entry remotely. Users can input their authentication credentials on their own devices at their own pace, eliminating the time pressure and manual entry delays associated with basic printing device interfaces, while the printing device maintains security by performing the actual verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to prepare and input their authentication data in advance on their remote computing devices before initiating the print job. This preliminary action on the user's own device eliminates the need for time-consuming manual entry at the printing device, reducing overall authentication time while maintaining security through the verified credential transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is provided for implementing locked printing on a printing device with unlock via a keypad attached to the printing device via an interface. A user may specify for printing print jobs stored at a printing device using a keypad device to enter a job ID associated with a particular print job or a general ID associated with users to release all print jobs associated with a particular user, all print jobs not yet printed, or all print jobs. Print jobs may alternatively be identified by date. The approach may also include a user viewing a list of available locked print jobs on a user interface of the printing device, along with the associated job IDs. The approach may further include the use of a Web server on the printing device to generate and provide a Web page that lists stored print jobs and their associated job IDs.