Printer Driver User Name Extraction from Authentication Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer systems face challenges in acquiring and adding user name information from authentication systems, such as IC cards, to print data without requiring separate printer drivers for each authentication system, and often fail to distinguish between authenticated and unauthenticated user information.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates an authentication method that extracts user name information from authentication systems, converts it into a compatible format, and adds it to print data, using an information processing apparatus with a printer driver that communicates with an authentication server to manage user authentication and print operations, ensuring only authenticated user information is used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate printer driver is provided for each authentication system to extract user information, then user name information can be extracted from various authentication systems, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal printer driver that can extract user name information from multiple authentication systems (IC cards, operating systems, web browsers) through a single unified interface. The driver includes a user information acquisition unit that automatically detects and extracts user identity from various authentication sources without requiring separate drivers for each system, thereby achieving multi-functionality while maintaining simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If user name information is manually input via printer driver UI, then user information can be transmitted to the printer apparatus, but the reliability decreases because unauthenticated information may be set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic user information acquisition mechanism where the printer driver's acquisition unit automatically extracts user name information from authenticated sources (IC cards, operating system login information, web browser session data) without requiring manual user input. This self-service approach ensures that only information from authenticated users is captured and transmitted to the printer apparatus, eliminating the reliability issue of manual input while maintaining ease of operation.
3Extent of automation
If login name and computer name from OS are used as user name information, then user information can be acquired automatically, but the user name information may not coincide with authenticated user information from IC cards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic user information acquisition strategy where the printer driver automatically selects the most appropriate user identification source based on the authentication context. The acquisition unit dynamically switches between IC card information, operating system login names, and web browser user data depending on which authentication method is actively being used, ensuring that the extracted user name information always corresponds to the currently authenticated user rather than relying on a static source that may not match.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus (100) acquires user name information (505) contained in user authentication information transmitted from an authentication server (302). Then, the information processing apparatus describes the acquired user name information according to a predetermined format which the printer driver (202) can refer to, and stores it in a storage area which the printer driver (202) can refer to. The printer driver, if the user name information is stored in the storage area, and the user name information satisfies a condition described in the format, transmits the user name information added to the print data to a printer apparatus (150).