Cross-Domain User Authentication Linking for Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
An image forming apparatus cannot authenticate a user if the domain of the extracted user information differs from the domain of the user information registered in advance, even if both indicate the same user.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a communication interface, a printer, and a processor that extracts user information from a printing job, links it to stored user information from a different domain using link information, and generates a registration URL if no link exists, allowing for user authentication and printing based on linked user information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus uses domain-based authentication with pre-registered user information, then user authentication security is improved, but the apparatus cannot authenticate users from different domains even if they indicate the same user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces link information as an intermediary that connects user information from different domains. The link information contains a relationship between the user information extracted from the printing job (first domain) and the pre-registered user information (second domain), enabling authentication across domains while maintaining security through the established linking mechanism
2Measurement precision
If the apparatus strictly compares user information domains during authentication, then authentication precision is improved, but the apparatus fails to recognize equivalent users across different domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to user information comparison by introducing link information that operates at a higher level than direct user information comparison. Instead of comparing user information directly (which fails across domains), the system compares link information that references both the extracted user information and pre-registered user information, enabling recognition across domains while maintaining precision
3Reliability
If the apparatus requires exact domain matching for user authentication, then system security is improved, but user operation convenience deteriorates due to inability to print from different domains
Solution Approach 1:
The link information serves as a mediator that allows users from different domains to access printing functions without compromising security. The apparatus maintains security by verifying the link information while enabling convenient operation for users across multiple domains, as the link information automatically establishes the relationship without requiring manual configuration during printing operations
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a communication interface, a printer, and a processing circuit. The communication interface is configured to receive a message regarding a print job and including first user information of a first domain. The processing circuit includes a processor caused to: store second user regarding users who can perform printing and belonging to a second domain different from the first domain, and link information regarding linking the first user information and the second user information; extract the first user information from the message based on a determination that the first user information is linked to the second user information in the link information; print an image based on the printing job using the printer; and based on a determination that the first user information is not linked to the second user information in the link information, generate a registration URL for registering the link information.