Multi-Factor Authentication for Print Jobs on High-Security Accumulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-factor authentication systems for print data do not adequately secure job information during the job selection phase, leaving room for improvement in security.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that performs a first authentication process for user verification and, if a job is stored on a higher security level accumulator, conducts an additional second authentication process, thereby enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two-factor authentication is performed for print data from a high-security network, then security is improved, but user workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiduser workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication before job selection. By authenticating users in advance and storing authentication results, the system eliminates the need for repeated authentication during job selection, reducing user workload while maintaining security for high-security network jobs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication requirement is made dynamic based on job characteristics. The system automatically determines whether additional authentication is needed based on the network security level and job type, applying authentication only when necessary rather than universally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If job information is displayed during job selection phase, then user convenience is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication before displaying job information. By completing authentication in advance, the system can safely display job information during selection without compromising security, as the user has already been verified

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication result acts as an intermediary state that enables both convenience and security. Once authentication is completed and stored, it serves as a mediator that allows the system to display job information while maintaining security protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12271641B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium that provide multi-factor authentication

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: perform a first authentication process to authenticate a user; and if a job is stored on a second accumulator having a higher security level than a first accumulator by the user authenticated via the first authentication process, perform as an additional authentication process a second authentication process different from the first authentication process.