Password Display Switching for Secure User Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems lack a robust mechanism to dynamically switch between display modes for sensitive information like passwords, ensuring confidentiality when needed and visibility for user confirmation.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a controller, switching operation decider, and condition establishment decider to manage display modes between masked and express forms based on user inputs and conditions, allowing secure and user-friendly password visibility control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the password is displayed in the second display mode (visible form), then the user can visually confirm the password, but the password becomes vulnerable to being viewed by third parties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser confirmation capabilityVSAvoidpassword security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display mode is made dynamic and switchable between masked and visible states. The system allows real-time switching of the password display state based on user needs and security requirements, rather than being fixed in one state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The password display area has differentiated display qualities - it can be masked for security or revealed for confirmation. The system applies different display properties to the same information based on the operational context and user intent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the password is displayed in the first display mode (masked form), then the password confidentiality is protected, but the user cannot visually confirm the password

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassword securityVSAvoiduser confirmation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display mode is made dynamic and switchable between masked and visible states. The system allows real-time switching of the password display state based on user needs and security requirements, rather than being fixed in one state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A switch icon serves as an intermediary control element that mediates between the user's need for confirmation and the security requirement. By interacting with this intermediary, the user can temporarily reveal the password while maintaining overall security protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a switch icon is provided to allow users to toggle between display modes, then the user can switch between visibility and security, but the system requires additional control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay mode flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch icon performs multiple functions: it serves as both a visual indicator of the current display state and as a control element for toggling between modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The state indicator and control button are merged into a single switch icon element. This combination simplifies the interface by eliminating the need for separate indicator lights and control buttons, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4672064A1Information processing apparatus, display mode switching program, and display mode switching method
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4672064A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4672064A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4672064A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a controller (21) that switches a display mode of a password between a masked display mode that restricts the password from being visually recognized, and an express display mode that enables the password to be visually recognized, a switching operation decider (22) that decides whether a switching operation of the display mode has been performed, and a condition establishment decider (23) that decides whether a specific switching condition has been established. The controller (21) switches the display mode to the express display mode when the operation for switching to the express display mode is performed during the masked display mode, switches the display mode to the masked display mode when the operation for switching to the masked display mode is performed during the express display mode, and switches the display mode to the masked display mode when the specific switching condition is established during the express display mode.