Customized Menu Generation for Multi-User MFP Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-function peripheral (MFP) systems, there is a need to provide customized menu screens to users based on their positions and authorities, while allowing users to access the same services through any MFP within a company, as existing systems lack user-specific functionality and service authorization management.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system comprising an image managing device and an image processing device connected via a network, where the image managing device stores function information associating users with their authorized functions and transmits customized menu screens to the image processing device based on user identification, allowing users to select and execute authorized functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single MFP is shared by multiple users, then resource utilization is improved, but the ability to provide customized services according to user positions and authorities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service provision by creating separate menu screens for each user based on their authority level. The server divides the single MFP's functionality into multiple customized interfaces, allowing each user to see only the services appropriate to their position, thus maintaining resource utilization while enabling customized service provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic menu generation where the MFP interface changes based on the logged-in user's identity and authority. The server dynamically creates and transmits appropriate menu screens to the MFP controller, which then displays the customized interface, allowing the same physical device to adapt its functionality to different users in real-time.
2Ease of operation
If multiple MFPs are deployed across different locations, then service accessibility is improved, but system complexity and administrative burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the MFP system universal by enabling the same MFP model to serve multiple locations and multiple user types through software configuration. The server manages user authorities and generates appropriate menu screens for any MFP in the network, allowing a standardized device to provide location-specific and user-specific services without requiring different hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between users and MFPs. The server centralizes the management of user authorities, service configurations, and menu generation, thereby simplifying the administrative burden. Instead of configuring each MFP individually, administrators manage user permissions centrally, and the server automatically generates appropriate interfaces for each user-MFP interaction.
3Reliability
If user-specific menu screens are implemented, then service authorization control is improved, but the complexity of menu management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the server as an intermediary to manage the complexity of user-specific menu generation. The server stores user authority information, determines which services each user can access, and automatically generates the appropriate menu screens. This centralizes the complexity in the server rather than in each MFP, simplifying local device management while maintaining strong authorization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically generates and transmits the appropriate menu screen to the user without requiring manual configuration. When a user logs in, the server automatically retrieves their authority level, generates the corresponding menu, and transmits it to the MFP for display, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each user's interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication server receives user information from an MFP, and acquires information on a service available for the user. The authentication server creates information on a menu screen having a selection function of selecting the service available for the user based on the acquired service information. The MFP receives the customized menu screen provided from the authentication server, and displays the menu screen on a display device.