Printer Authentication State Management During Server Outages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication systems that include printers and management servers face challenges when the management server malfunctions, leading to a disruption in communication and preventing the printer from functioning.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates an authentication server that sends first authentication information to an external device when communication with the management server is disabled, allowing the printer to shift from a permitted state to a prohibited state and back to a permitted state upon successful authentication with second authentication information, enabling printing to continue even if the management server is down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printer relies on the management server for authentication and permission management, then printing control and usage management are improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to communication failures and server malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting continuityVSAvoidsystem dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing authentication information and permission states locally in the printer before communication failures occur. The printer maintains a cache of authentication tokens and permission data, enabling it to continue operating autonomously when the management server becomes unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the printer maintains local authentication credentials and permission states as a buffer between the user and the management server. This intermediary layer allows the printer to function independently during server outages, reducing dependency on continuous server communication while maintaining security and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the printer continuously communicates with the management server, then usage management and authentication are improved, but communication failures completely stop printing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidprinting availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and stores permission data locally before communication interruptions occur. The printer maintains cached authentication tokens and usage information, allowing it to continue printing without real-time server verification during outages, thus maintaining both security and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining a local buffer of authentication information and permission states in the printer's memory. This cushioning layer absorbs the impact of communication failures, ensuring that printing operations can continue uninterrupted while still maintaining authentication security through the pre-stored credentials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the system prohibits printing when communication with the management server fails, then security and control are improved, but user convenience and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage controlVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and stores permission data locally before communication failures occur. When the server becomes unavailable, the printer uses the pre-stored authentication information to maintain printing permissions, thus preserving both usage control and user convenience without requiring continuous server verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the printer to autonomously verify authentication and permission status using locally stored credentials when server communication fails. The printer independently manages its own printing permissions based on cached data, eliminating the need for continuous server intervention while maintaining security and usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11782654B2Communication system, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for authentication server, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for printer

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An authentication server may, in a case where a communication state between the authentication server and a management server is a non-connecting state, send first authentication information to an external device. A printer may, in a case where a communication state between the printer and the management server changes from a communication-enabled state to a communication-disabled state, shift a state of the printer from a first permission state to a first prohibition state, while the state of the printer is the first prohibition state, accept an input of second authentication information from a user; and, in a case where the input of the second authentication information is accepted and the second authentication information matches the first authentication information, shift the state of the printer from the first prohibition state to a second permission state.