Printer Security Pattern Authentication via Host Intermediary

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digital printers capable of printing security patterns on demand lack mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use if stolen, allowing potential counterfeiters to print fraudulent documents.

Innovation Solution

A digital printer is equipped with an encrypted key tied to its serial number and a unique password, requiring a matching password in the data stream from a host software to print security patterns, thereby disabling unauthorized printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If digital printers are equipped to print security patterns on demand, then the need to secure and guard pre-printed media is eliminated, but the risk of unauthorized use and counterfeiting increases if the printer is stolen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of secure media storageVSAvoidunauthorized printing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a host computer as an intermediary between the user and the printer. The host computer controls the printer through a communication interface and validates print jobs before they reach the printer. This intermediary layer ensures that even if the printer is stolen, unauthorized printing cannot occur without the host computer's authorization, thus resolving the contradiction between on-demand printing capability and security risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the printing system into separate components: the printer hardware, the host computer, and the security software. The security patterns are not permanently stored in the printer but are temporarily generated from encrypted data received from the host computer. This segmentation means that stealing the printer alone is insufficient for unauthorized printing, as the encrypted security data remains secured on the host computer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If security patterns are stored in the printer's memory for on-demand printing, then printing flexibility is improved, but the vulnerability to theft and unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-demand printing flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity against theft

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the security patterns into encrypted form before storing them in the printer's memory. The encryption changes the parameter of the security data from readable/plain text to encrypted binary form. Even if the printer is stolen and the memory is accessed, the encrypted patterns cannot be used without the decryption key, which is protected by the host computer's security software. This allows the printer to maintain flexibility while improving security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary security measures by encrypting the security patterns before they are stored in the printer's memory. The encryption is performed in advance, and the decryption capability is controlled through the host computer's authorization system. This preliminary action ensures that even if the printer is compromised, the security patterns remain protected until the moment of authorized use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the printer is designed with basic printing functionality, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to prevent unauthorized printing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter usabilityVSAvoidcounterfeiting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The host computer acts as an intermediary that enforces security policies while maintaining printer usability. The printer itself remains a simple device that responds to print commands, but the host computer intercepts and validates all print jobs before they reach the printer. This allows the printer to maintain ease of operation while the intermediary layer prevents unauthorized printing and counterfeiting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10007794B2Methods and systems for ensuring printer looses ability to print security patterns if disconnected from approved system

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 CTPG OPERATING

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and system used to ensure that a printer which is capable of printing security patterns loses its ability to print these patterns if the printer is disconnected from an approved system and, more particularly, to a method and system including a printer containing an encrypted key and password loaded into its memory, where the stored password must match a password present in a data stream sent from the host software application in order to print a requested print job.