Print Server Web Interface for Secure Printer Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print systems face challenges in registering printer configuration information in a network environment, especially with thin clients and Internet-based services, due to security concerns and user authentication issues, where direct access from the Internet is restricted and user authentication is not recognized by the print server.
Innovation Solution
A print system that includes a print server and client terminal connected via the Internet, where the printing apparatus generates a URL for printer registration, allowing users to authenticate and register printer configuration information securely through a Web-based interface, ensuring only authenticated users can register printers and manage print settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a program on a terminal acquires printer configuration information and registers it in a print server, then the registration process is automated, but this method cannot be used on thin client terminals where only Web browsers run
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print server as an intermediary between the printer and the thin client terminal. The print server provides a Web-based interface that mediates the registration process, allowing thin clients to interact with printer configuration without requiring local software. The print server acquires configuration information from the printer and manages the registration process centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/software-based registration approach (requiring local programs on terminals) with a Web-based interface approach. Instead of installing and running registration software on each terminal, the system uses standard Web browsers to access a Web interface on the print server, substituting the mechanical software installation process with network-based Web communication.
2Extent of automation
If the print server directly accesses the printer to acquire configuration information, then automation is improved, but firewalls prevent Internet access to local area printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct network zones: the print server resides in the internal network where it can access printers, while users access through the Internet via Web browsers. The print server acts as a gateway that separates the internal printer access (protected by firewalls) from external Web access, allowing automated configuration acquisition without requiring Internet-to-printer access.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the firewall-protected internal network and the external Internet. It receives Web requests from external users, acquires printer configuration information from internal printers, and manages the registration process, thereby eliminating the need for direct Internet-to-printer access that would be blocked by firewalls.
3Ease of operation
If the printer directly registers configuration information in the print server, then registration is simplified, but the print server cannot recognize user authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The print server acts as an intermediary that handles user authentication. When a user initiates printer registration through the Web interface, the print server verifies the user's credentials and manages the authentication process. The printer itself does not perform authentication; instead, the print server mediates between the authenticated user and the printer registration process, ensuring both simplicity and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service registration where the user can register a printer through the Web interface without requiring administrator intervention. The print server automatically processes the registration request, verifies user authentication, and completes the printer configuration registration, providing both ease of operation and reliable authentication in a self-service manner.
4Reliability
If the user enters authentication information to a printer for registration, then the print server can recognize the user, but transferring authentication information creates security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The print server serves as a secure intermediary that handles authentication information. Instead of transferring user credentials to the printer (which would create security risks), the print server receives and verifies authentication information from the user, then uses this authenticated session to manage the printer registration process. The printer never receives or stores authentication credentials, eliminating the security vulnerability while maintaining reliable user recognition.
Data Source
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AI summary
A client terminal (105) transmits a request to a printing apparatus (106) for a registration web page for registering, in a print server (104), a printing apparatus used in a print service provided by the print server. The printing apparatus (106) collects configuration information of the printing apparatus (106) in response to reception of the request, and creates link information which contains the collected configuration information and is used to access the print server (104). The printing apparatus (104) then generates a registration web page containing the created link information, and transmits it to the client terminal (105). The print server (104) receives the configuration information of the printing apparatus (106) transmitted from the client terminal (105) via the registration web page transmitted to the client terminal. The print server (104) creates printing apparatus information which associates the configuration information with user information of the user of the client terminal, and manages it in a storage medium.