Mobile App Token Authentication for Legacy Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices run outdated programs, are not compatible with newer applications, and lack integration with internet applications due to incompatibilities with recent technologies, making it difficult to authenticate users and access various applications, especially on public devices that cannot store multiple user accounts.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a mobile application to authenticate users at a printing device by generating and sharing authentication tokens between a mobile device, a third-party application, and a document processing platform, allowing connection establishment without requiring personal information on the printing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If authentication tokens are stored on public printing devices, then user access is enabled, but device security and data protection are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessVSAvoiddevice security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication token storage function from the printing device and relocates it to the user's mobile device. The printing device only temporarily holds tokens during the authentication process, then immediately deletes them. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by enabling user access while preventing long-term security risks on public devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cloud-based authentication server as an intermediary between the user's mobile device and the printing device. This mediator manages token generation, verification, and lifecycle control, allowing secure access without requiring tokens to be permanently stored on either the mobile device or printing device, thus resolving the security-access contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If legacy printing devices with outdated programs are used, then device compatibility with newer applications is limited, but device functionality is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware update requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts the compatibility layer from the printing device software dimension to a network/cloud dimension. By implementing an authentication server and mobile application that operate independently of the printing device's operating system, the system enables modern authentication protocols and application integration without requiring updates to legacy device software, thus resolving the compatibility-complexity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cloud-based authentication server as an intermediary that handles all application compatibility and authentication logic. This mediator allows legacy printing devices to access modern applications through standardized network protocols without requiring software updates, resolving the contradiction between maintaining legacy functionality and achieving modern compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If personal information is stored on public printing devices, then user authentication is simplified, but information security and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication processVSAvoidinformation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts personal information (authentication tokens) from the printing device environment entirely and stores it only in the user's mobile device and cloud authentication server. The printing device never stores personal information, eliminating the security risk while maintaining authentication functionality through token exchange protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses token copying and exchange mechanisms where authentication credentials are temporarily transmitted as data copies during the authentication process but never permanently stored on the printing device. The mobile application copies tokens from the cloud server, uses them for authentication, and the server deletes the originals, enabling secure authentication without information storage on public devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11262958B2Authentication of user at a device using a mobile application

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An authentication system uses authentication tokens to allow access by third party applications to a printing device. A mobile device includes a mobile application that scans a graphical code to obtain identification information for the printing device. The mobile application requests that the third party application generate an authentication token. The mobile application stores the authentication token for the third party application and the identification information at a document processing platform, which is separate from the printing device or application. The printing device provides its identification information to the document processing platform to receive the authentication token. The printing device provides the authentication token to the third party application to establish a connection to process print jobs through the mobile device.