MFP Print Data Storage and Authentication Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses fail to effectively prevent the leakage of confidential information when print data is transmitted over a network, as they often require users to input passwords at the time of transmission, leading to potential unauthorized access if the user is not present near the apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a print data reception portion, an image forming portion, a prohibition portion to store received print data, and an output portion that allows image formation only upon user authentication and after a prescribed time has passed, ensuring that print data is not formed until the user is present to collect it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the image forming apparatus performs image formation immediately upon receiving print data, then productivity is improved, but confidentiality is compromised as other users can pick up the printed documents before the intended user arrives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation speedVSAvoidconfidentiality of print data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions (receiving and storing print data) before the intended user arrives, but delays the critical action of image formation until authentication occurs. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the data in advance while postponing the actual printing until confidentiality can be ensured through user presence verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the image forming apparatus requires password input at the time of print data transmission, then confidentiality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as users must remember and input passwords

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfidentiality of print dataVSAvoidsimplicity of printing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically authenticating users through detection of their presence (e.g., proximity sensing, card reading) rather than requiring manual password input. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining confidentiality through automated authentication while eliminating the operational burden of manual password entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the image forming apparatus stores print data without immediate processing, then confidentiality is improved, but loss of time increases as users must wait for authentication and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfidentiality of print dataVSAvoidtime from data transmission to printing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions (receiving, validating, and storing print data) before the user arrives, so that when the user authenticates, the data is ready for immediate processing. This resolves the contradiction by doing preparatory work in advance to minimize the actual waiting time while maintaining confidentiality during the storage phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7729000B2Image forming apparatus performing image formation on print data, image processing system including plurality of image forming apparatuses, print data output method executed on image forming apparatus, and print data output program product

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

In order to prevent leakage of confidential information, MFP includes a communication I/F to receive print data, an image forming portion to perform image formation on print data, and a CPU to prohibit the image forming portion from performing image formation on the print data before the print data is subjected to image formation by the image forming portion, when a prescribed time has passed since the print data was received or when an input of an instruction to protect the print data is accepted, and to store the print data in a storage device, and to allow the image forming portion to perform image formation on the print data in response to accepting a log-in instruction.