Login Screen Input Restriction During Startup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses with login functions allow unauthenticated users to operate the device during startup or logout processing due to delays in displaying the login screen, leading to unintended access and operation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mechanism that restricts input on the display unit until the login application is fully started up or logout processing is completed, ensuring that the operation screen is only accessible after successful authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the login application is started up during apparatus operation, then user authentication can be performed, but the operation screen remains accessible during the startup period allowing unauthenticated operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidoperation screen accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying a blank screen and restricting input functionality before the login application is fully started up. This prevents unauthenticated operation during the startup period while maintaining the ability to perform authentication once the login screen is displayed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If logout processing is executed, then user session can be terminated, but the operation screen remains accessible during the logout period allowing other users to operate the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession securityVSAvoidoperation screen accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying a blank screen and restricting input functionality before logout processing is completed. This prevents other users from operating the apparatus during the logout transition period while ensuring proper session termination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the login screen is displayed after authentication processing, then user authentication is completed, but there is a time delay during which unauthenticated operation is possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication integrityVSAvoidlogin screen display delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary state by displaying a blank screen during the authentication processing period. This intermediary display state bridges the time gap between authentication initiation and login screen display, preventing unauthenticated operation without extending the overall authentication time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11379623B2Information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 CANON KK

AI summary

Upon accepting a start-up request or logout request of a login application, an information processing apparatus according to this embodiment controls to display a blank screen that does not input to a display unit or ignore input via a UI screen displayed on the display unit before the login application is started up or logout processing is completed.