Master-Local Authentication System for Image Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatus authentication systems rely on dedicated authentication servers, which increase costs and make centralized management cumbersome, and can lead to authentication failures if the server is temporarily unavailable.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus authentication system where multiple devices communicate via a network, with one device acting as a master and others as local devices, allowing local devices to store and manage authentication information independently, eliminating the need for a dedicated server and enabling continuous authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dedicated authentication server is installed to centrally manage authentication information, then centralized management capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication server functionality into one of the image processing apparatuses itself. This image processing apparatus simultaneously performs image processing operations and authentication operations, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated authentication server while maintaining centralized management capability through the integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an image processing device and as an authentication server. This universal design allows the same apparatus to handle both document imaging tasks and user authentication, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Ease of operation
If a dedicated authentication server is used to store authentication databases, then authentication information management is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates when the server is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling each image processing apparatus to store and use its own local authentication information database. This allows individual apparatuses to perform authentication operations independently without relying on a centralized server, ensuring that authentication functionality remains available even when other systems are unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized authentication database is segmented and distributed to individual image processing apparatuses. Each apparatus receives and stores relevant authentication information locally, allowing them to operate independently and perform authentication without continuous connection to a central server, thereby improving reliability.
3Reliability
If authentication information is stored locally in each image processing apparatus, then operational reliability is improved, but management complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of distributed authentication information back to the image processing apparatus with the highest number of users. This apparatus consolidates the authentication information from all other apparatuses, allowing centralized management functionality to be achieved without requiring a separate dedicated server, thus balancing reliability and management complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus serving as a master device and a plurality of local image processing apparatus serving as local devices are connected to one another via a network, and each of the devices includes an authentication information storage unit and an authentication unit. The master device stores, as master authentication information, authentication information necessary for an authentication on each of users who are able to use each of the devices, for each of the devices, and allows editing of the master authentication information. When the authentication information on the local device in the master authentication information is edited, the edited authentication information is transmitted to the local device, and the authentication information stored in local device is updated. When a user login operation is performed on the local device, an authentication is performed by using the authentication information in the local device.