Multifunction Peripheral Authentication via Priority User Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user authentication methods for multifunction peripherals require manual registration of authentication information, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially for non-administrator users.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that includes a first unit with a function provider, a storage controller for authentication information, and a provision controller to offer functions upon authorized user authentication, and a second unit with an acquirer, a generator for priority user information, and an authenticator to perform authentication by collating input information with stored data, simplifying the registration and authentication process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual registration of authentication information is required, then user authentication can be performed securely, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidregistration convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to automatically register their authentication information without requiring manual administrator intervention. The registration process is self-service oriented, where users can independently complete authentication setup by providing basic information, which is then automatically processed and stored in the database.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating authentication information and pre-registering users in the database before they need to access the system. The administrator account is pre-configured, and the system automatically creates user profiles when they first provide their information, eliminating the need for manual pre-registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual administrator intervention is required for user registration, then authentication information can be centrally controlled, but the workload in managing user information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidadministrator workload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transfers the registration workload from administrators to users themselves. Users automatically register by providing their information through the interface, and the system handles the entire registration process including database storage and authentication setup without requiring administrator intervention for each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an automated intermediary process that mediates between users and the authentication database. This intermediary automatically processes user information, validates it, stores it in the database, and generates authentication credentials, eliminating the need for administrators to manually manage each registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional authentication registration is used, then security can be maintained, but the authentication process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication setup in advance during the automated registration process. User profiles, authentication credentials, and database entries are all created beforehand, so when users need to authenticate, the process is immediate rather than requiring time-consuming manual setup each time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Users independently complete their authentication setup instantly by providing basic information, which is automatically processed and stored. This self-service approach eliminates the time delay associated with manual administrator registration while maintaining security through automated validation and secure storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3268891B1Device, authentication processing method, and computer program product
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3268891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3268891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3268891B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device includes a first unit and a second unit, wherein, a first storage controller of the first unit stores in a first storage authentication information used for user authentication, a provision controller of the first unit controls a function provider of the first unit to provide a predetermined function when an authorized user is obtained, a first acquirer of the second unit acquires the authentication information before performance of the user authentication, a first generator of the second unit generates priority user information representing of the acquired authentication information, authentication information corresponding to a user who has been authenticated in user authentication as an authorized user, to which user authentication time information is added, and an authenticator of the second unit performs user authentication by collating the input authentication information with the priority user information and supplies the provision controller of the first unit with a user authentication result.