Printer Authentication Logic for Document Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing systems lack security measures for documents printed based on facsimile data or unidentifiable data, where the user remains anonymous, posing a risk to document security.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes a receiver for authentication information, a processor for communication with a storage device, and memory instructions to authenticate users and differentiate between identifiable and unidentifiable data, controlling printing based on user identity and authentication status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is required for all print jobs including unidentifiable data, then document security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments print data into two categories: identifiable data (with user information) and unidentifiable data (without user information). Different authentication mechanisms are applied to each segment. For identifiable data, the system verifies if the logged-in user matches the data sender. For unidentifiable data, the system simply verifies authentication without identity matching, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different authentication quality levels to different data types. Identifiable data receives stricter authentication (user identity verification), while unidentifiable data receives basic authentication (login verification only). This local differentiation ensures security is proportionate to the risk level, avoiding unnecessary complexity for lower-risk operations.
2Reliability
If user identity verification is performed for identifiable data, then document security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs user authentication and identity verification in advance, before the actual printing operation. The system checks whether the logged-in user matches the user who sent the print data during the job queue processing phase, not during the printing phase. This preliminary verification ensures security while keeping the actual printing operation simple and fast.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a memory storing instructions for authenticating a login user and determining whether a user identity information is included in a print data. When the user identity information is included in the print data, the instructions cause the printer to determine whether the login user is identical with a data sender user having sent the print data. When the login user is identical with the data sender user, the instructions cause the printer to print the pint data. When the login user is not identical with the data sender user, the instructions cause the printing portion to not print the print data. When the user identity information is not included in the print data, the instructions cause the printer to print the print data irrespective of whether the login user is identical with the date sender user.