Printer Authentication via NFC Token Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for printers face challenges in securely limiting terminal devices that can transmit control instructions, increasing user workload and potential security risks.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a terminal device and a printer, utilizing short-range wireless communication via NFC and Wi-Fi Direct, where the terminal device transmits connection and identification information to the printer, allowing secure authentication and control without physical user interaction, and uses tokens with varying validity periods for secure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user is required to perform operations to limit the number of terminal devices that can transmit control instructions, then security is improved, but user workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions by utilizing the NFC connection establishment process to automatically exchange and verify authentication information between the terminal device and communication device. This preliminary authentication occurs before the terminal device can transmit control instructions, thereby limiting authorized devices without requiring additional user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service authentication where the terminal device and communication device automatically perform mutual authentication using pre-shared keys or certificates stored in their respective secure elements. The authentication process is initiated and completed automatically during NFC connection establishment, eliminating the need for manual user intervention to limit authorized devices.
2Ease of operation
If multiple terminal devices are allowed to transmit control instructions, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC communication interface serves as an intermediary that mediates between the terminal device and communication device. During the NFC connection establishment, authentication information is exchanged and verified, acting as a gatekeeper that determines which terminal devices are authorized to transmit control instructions via the wireless communication interface. This intermediary authentication mechanism enables multiple devices to be allowed while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If authentication operations are required before transmitting control instructions, then security is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication is performed as a preliminary action during the NFC connection establishment phase, before the terminal device transmits control instructions via the wireless communication interface. The authentication information is exchanged and verified in advance, so that once authenticated, the terminal device can transmit control instructions immediately without repeated authentication delays, thereby maintaining both security and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device is configured to transmit communication start notification for starting short-range wireless communication between a terminal device-side communication interface and a communication device-side communication interface. In response to the communication start notification, a communication device transmits authentication information of wireless communication and a printer one-time token to the terminal device via the short-range communication. The terminal device transmits connection information for connecting a router to the communication device via the wireless communication using the authentication information. The communication device performs setting for connecting the router using the connection information.