Printing Data Confidentiality Flagging via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is challenging to identify which page of combined printing data contains highly confidential information, especially when multiple pieces of source data are combined to create the printing data.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus is configured to create individual pages of printing data by combining source data and add high-confidentiality information, such as an HS flag, to pages containing highly confidential data, enabling easy identification of such pages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple pieces of source data are combined to create printing data, then the productivity and functionality of the printing system is improved, but the ability to identify highly confidential pages deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting data creation efficiencyVSAvoidconfidential page identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing data into individual pages and applies confidentiality identification to each page separately. By dividing the combined printing data into discrete pages and marking each with confidentiality information, the system maintains the ability to identify confidential content even when multiple source data are combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by adding confidentiality information specifically to pages containing highly confidential data, rather than treating all pages uniformly. This allows the system to maintain security markers on sensitive pages while leaving other pages unmarked, enabling precise identification of confidential content within the combined printing data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If security information is added to print data transferred to an image forming apparatus without security functions, then the reliability of security protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity protectionVSAvoidprinting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (the information processing apparatus) that adds security information to the print data before transfer. This intermediary performs the security marking function, allowing the image forming apparatus to remain simple while still achieving secure printing through the prepared data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding security information to the print data in advance, before the data reaches the image forming apparatus. This pre-processing of security markers eliminates the need for the image forming apparatus to have complex security functions, as the security work is already completed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12321650B2Information processing apparatus for adding high-confidentiality information to first page of printing data that contains highly confidential data, printing system, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: create individual pages of printing data by combining plural pieces of source data containing highly confidential data with high confidentiality in accordance with a printing instruction received from a terminal apparatus; and add high-confidentiality information indicating high confidentiality to a page of the printing data that contains the highly confidential data.