Print Information Processing Apparatus Secure Data Portability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods face challenges in data portability and security, as print data is often tied to specific page description languages (PDLs) and printers, limiting flexibility and exposing metadata to security risks when made portable.
Innovation Solution
A print information processing apparatus that encrypts data and requires a removable recording medium for decryption, ensuring only authorized access and use, thereby enhancing data security and portability by translating print data into metadata independent of PDLs and printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print data is translated into PDL data for immediate printing, then printing speed and reliability are improved, but data portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the printing process into two distinct phases: first translating print data into portable metadata format that can be stored and transferred, then translating the metadata into printer-specific PDL data at print time. This segmentation allows the metadata to be portable across different systems while the final PDL translation ensures reliable printing on the target device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary translation of print data into a portable metadata format that is independent of specific printers and PDLs. This preliminary action creates an intermediate representation that can be stored, transferred, and later converted to the appropriate PDL format for any target printer, thus improving portability without sacrificing eventual printing reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metadata files are made highly portable and independent of PDLs and printers, then data portability is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by encrypting the metadata files before they are stored or transferred. This preventive measure counteracts potential security threats such as unauthorized access, data theft, or malicious modification. The encryption is applied in advance, so when the metadata is later decrypted and translated to PDL data for printing, the security risk has already been mitigated through the preliminary protective action.
Data Source
AI summary
A print information processing apparatus for performing a printing process is disclosed. The print information processing apparatus is connected to a printer via a network and includes an interface configured to connect a removable recording medium; a data storage unit configured to store encrypted data; a decryption unit configured to read decryption information used to decrypt the encrypted data from the removable recording medium connected to the interface and to decrypt the encrypted data by using the decryption information. In the print information processing apparatus, the decryption unit permits the printing process of the encrypted data only when the removable recording medium is connected to the interface.