Networked Decryption Server for Encrypted File Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatuses cannot print files encrypted by software applications on portable recording mediums due to lack of common hardware with user PCs, making it difficult to decrypt and process encrypted files.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system and method that connects an image processing apparatus to a decryption server via a network, allowing the apparatus to read encrypted files from a portable recording medium, access the decryption server, transmit the files for decryption, and process the decrypted files, eliminating the need for local decryption capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image processing apparatus installs decryption software for each encryption provider, then it can decrypt encrypted files from various USB memories, but the memory capacity, development manpower, and system complexity increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decryption server as an intermediary component between the image processing apparatus and encrypted files. Instead of embedding decryption software directly in the image processing apparatus, the system uses an external decryption server that receives encrypted files via network transmission, performs decryption, and returns decrypted files. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling multi-provider decryption capability without increasing the complexity of the image processing apparatus itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the decryption function from the image processing apparatus and places it in a separate decryption server. By separating the decryption capability from the main image processing system, the apparatus can support multiple encryption providers without having to install and manage multiple decryption software packages locally. This extraction eliminates the need for enormous memory capacity and development manpower while maintaining the ability to handle encrypted files from various sources.
2Device complexity
If the image processing apparatus has no decryption capability, then the system configuration remains simple, but it cannot process encrypted files from portable recording mediums
Solution Approach 1:
The decryption server acts as an intermediary that provides decryption services to the simple image processing apparatus. The apparatus maintains its configuration simplicity by not including built-in decryption software, while still gaining the ability to process encrypted files through network-based decryption services. The intermediary handles the complexity of decryption while the client remains simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of installing local decryption software with a network-based service approach. Instead of having decryption capabilities physically embedded in the apparatus (mechanical system), the solution uses network communication to access remote decryption services. This substitution maintains local system simplicity while enabling encrypted file processing through cloud-based or server-based decryption capabilities.
3Reliability
If encryption software is installed on USB memories from different providers, then data security is improved, but conventional image processing apparatus cannot print these encrypted files
Solution Approach 1:
The decryption server serves as a universal intermediary that can handle encrypted files from multiple USB memory providers. Instead of requiring the image processing apparatus to support each provider's encryption format, the intermediary server receives encrypted files, identifies the encryption type, and applies the appropriate decryption method. This maintains data security through provider-specific encryption while achieving broad compatibility through the intermediary's multi-format support.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system includes an image processing apparatus and a decryption server interconnected via a network. When a portable recording medium having an encrypted target file and access information to access a decryption server that decrypts this encrypted target file, recorded therein, is connected to a connector of an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus reads out the encrypted target file and the access information from the portable recording medium connected thereto, accesses the decryption server according to the access information, then transmits the encrypted target file to the decryption server. The decryption server decrypts the encrypted target file received therefrom, and returns it to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus executes processing on the decrypted target file that is returned therefrom.