Relay Apparatus for Printer Authentication Without Browser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses and printers without web browsers face difficulties in obtaining authentication data for web services, as existing solutions require web browser authentication, which they cannot perform.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising a communication device and a relay apparatus connected to a network, where the communication device can transmit and receive data location information and authentication data through a browser-installed device, enabling authentication token acquisition even without a web browser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web browser authentication is used to obtain authentication data from external services, then authentication can be performed, but communication devices without web browsers cannot access web services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay apparatus as an intermediary between the communication device and the external service. The relay apparatus receives authentication requests from the communication device, performs authentication with the external service, and transfers the authentication data back to the communication device. This mediator enables devices without web browsers to access web services by handling the authentication process that would otherwise require browser-based interaction.
2Ease of manufacture
If dedicated servers are provided by makers of image reading apparatuses and printers, then services can be provided, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables communication devices to universally access various web services through the relay apparatus without requiring device-specific dedicated servers. Instead of each maker providing separate dedicated servers for different services, the system uses a universal authentication mechanism that works across multiple services, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining service accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay apparatus copies and transfers authentication data from the browser-installed device to the communication device, allowing the communication device to replicate the authentication capability without actually implementing the complex web browser authentication functionality itself. This reduces the complexity and cost of manufacturing while maintaining service access capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a communication device and a relay apparatus that are connected to a network with an external service. The communication device includes a communication unit connected to a browser-installed device and a controller configured to transmit data location information to the browser installed device and output location of the communication device. The relay apparatus includes a communication unit and a controller configured to receive a request, transmit predetermined data based on the request, get the communication-device location information, instruct the browser-installed device to output the communication-device location information, receive authentication data, get the communication-device location information or the correspondence information output by the browser-installed device, and instruct the browser-installed device to transmit the authentication data to the communication device.