Printer Token-Based Wireless Printing Without Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer technologies require establishing multiple wireless connections and user authentication to execute printing, making it cumbersome for users to print images without prior account registration, especially when using a mobile terminal.

Innovation Solution

A printer system that establishes a first wireless connection with a terminal device, receives communication information for uploading print data to a server, and executes printing without requiring additional wireless connections or user authentication, by using a token-based registration process that allows the printer to upload and download necessary information securely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple wireless connections are established between printer and terminal device, then printing functionality is achieved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation simplicityVSAvoidwireless connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless connection process into two distinct types: a first wireless connection for account information transmission and a second wireless connection for print data transmission. This segmentation allows each connection to have a specific, simplified purpose, reducing the overall operational complexity for users while maintaining the necessary functionality for secure printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives account information from the printer via the first wireless connection and stores print data from the terminal device. This intermediary simplifies the direct communication requirements between printer and terminal device, reducing connection complexity while enabling printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If user authentication is required before printing, then security is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting securityVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs user authentication in advance by establishing the first wireless connection between the printer and terminal device to transmit account information to the server before actual printing occurs. This preliminary authentication action ensures security requirements are met while allowing subsequent print operations to proceed without repeated authentication delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service printing by storing account information and print data on the server, allowing the terminal device to retrieve and transmit print data without requiring user presence for authentication during the printing process. The printer automatically handles the authentication verification through the stored account information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10936260B2Printer and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for terminal device

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer may receive communication information from a server via a second type interface in a case where account information for logging in to the server is sent to the server, receive the print data from the server via the second type interface in a case where the print data is uploaded onto the server due to the terminal device using the communication information without sending the account information to the server after the communication information has been sent to the terminal device, and cause the print executing unit to print the target image represented by the print data in a case where the print data is received from the server.