Printer-Specific Encryption Key Generation Using MAC Address

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems face security issues in transmitting print data over networks, as common key encryption methods require shared keys, making them vulnerable to key theft and unauthorized decryption by multiple printers, while public key encryption methods are complex and slow.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device generates an encryption key based on unique inherent information, such as a printer's MAC address, to encrypt print data, and the printer generates a corresponding decryption key, ensuring only the designated printer can decrypt and print the data, thus enhancing security without pre-sharing keys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If common key encryption method is used, then processing capacity and ease of mounting are improved, but security is worsened due to key theft vulnerability and inability to prevent unauthorized decryption by multiple printers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by generating encryption keys that are unique to each printer based on its inherent information (MAC address or serial number). Each printer receives a distinct encryption key tailored to its specific identity, preventing other printers from decrypting the data. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of common key encryption while achieving printer-specific security through localized key generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If encryption key is transmitted from encrypting side to decrypting side, then encryption can be implemented, but security is worsened due to key theft vulnerability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencryption implementationVSAvoidkey security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the printing device autonomously generate its own encryption key based on its inherent information (MAC address or serial number). The key generation is performed locally in the printing device without requiring key transmission from the information processing device. This eliminates the vulnerability of transmitted keys while maintaining ease of operation through automated key generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If identical keys are stored in advance on both sides, then encryption can be implemented without transmission, but security is worsened when multiple printers share the same key

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem setupVSAvoidprinter-specific security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by generating encryption keys that are unique to each printer based on its inherent information (MAC address or serial number). Each printer receives a distinct encryption key tailored to its specific identity, preventing other printers from decrypting the data. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplicity of pre-stored keys while achieving printer-specific security through localized key generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If public key encryption method is used, then security is improved by eliminating key transmission, but device complexity and processing time increase due to complicated mechanisms and large arithmetic operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey securityVSAvoidencryption mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7535586B2Information processing device, printing device, print data transmission method, printing method, print data transmitting program, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2009.05.19 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing device is provided to transmit print information securely to a printing device, and a printing device is provided to print out the information transmitted from the information processing device. The information processing device transmits print data to the printing device connected via a network. The information processing device includes: an encryption key generating part that generates an encryption key to be used to encrypt the print data, based on inherent information that is unique to the printing device and is represented by a fixed value; and an encrypting part that encrypts at least part of the print data, using the encryption key generated by the encryption key generating part. The print data encrypted by the encrypting part are transmitted to the printing device.