Mobile Printing via QR Code Spool Directory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security challenges exist when printing images or documents in community or kiosk environments, as traditional methods require user credentialing and dedicated hardware, making it difficult for mobile computing device users to securely retrieve print jobs without external hardware or uniform security across multiple locations.
Innovation Solution
A system using a spool directory accessible by both mobile computing devices and imaging devices, where a unique QR code is generated by the imaging device, allowing the mobile device to rename and retrieve print jobs securely, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and uniform credentialing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional security schemes with credentialing and dedicated hardware are used, then security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security verification process from traditional credentialing systems and dedicated hardware, replacing it with a QR code-based identification mechanism. The QR code contains encrypted print job information that can be scanned by any smartphone camera, eliminating the need for specialized security badges, readers, or centralized authentication servers while maintaining secure print job retrieval
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces QR codes as an intermediary carrier that bridges the mobile computing device and the imaging device. Instead of direct communication requiring complex protocols and authentication, the QR code serves as a simple, universal intermediary that any device with a camera can read, significantly simplifying the system architecture while preserving security through encrypted data within the QR code
2Reliability
If traditional credentialing systems are implemented, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service printing where the user's own mobile device serves as both the credential holder and the verification tool. The smartphone camera scans the QR code generated by the imaging device, automatically retrieves the print job using the encrypted information in the QR code, and completes the printing process without requiring manual authentication or interaction with security systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical security credentials (badges, cards) with a digital copy in the form of a QR code. This QR code can be displayed on any smartphone screen and contains all necessary authentication information, allowing users to access printing services without carrying physical credentials or remembering passwords
3Reliability
If uniform credentialing across multiple locations is required, then security consistency is improved, but adaptability and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal printing system where a single QR code mechanism works across all imaging devices regardless of location. Any device in the network can generate and process QR codes using the same encrypted format, allowing uniform security standards to be implemented across multiple locations without requiring location-specific credentials or configuration, thereby improving both security consistency and deployment flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a spool directory accessible by a mobile computing device and an imaging device. A user selects for imaging on the imaging device a file accessible by the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device saves the file on the spool directory with a unique name Upon the user accessing the imaging device for imaging, the imaging device generates a unique quick response code. The user captures the code with a camera of the mobile computing device and the code is used by the mobile computing device to rename the file on the spool directory. That the imaging device knows the quick response code, the imaging device accesses and prints the file on media for the user.