Printing System Direct Authentication During Server Outage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ubiquitous printing systems, when the print server is down, users cannot print immediately as they need to download a local printer driver and set the IP address, and cloud printing bypasses user authentication, compromising security and increasing memory burden on printing devices.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that uses a server printer driver to create a first print job and transmit it to the print server, while also generating a second print job with direct printing instructions, allowing the printing device to authenticate directly with the authentication server and print without relying on the print server, maintaining security and functionality during server outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication information is cached in the printing device, then printing can be performed even when the authentication server is down, but the memory burden on the printing device increases and security risks arise from potential information leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication information storage function from the printing device and relocates it to the print server. The printing device only retains minimal authentication verification capability, while authentication credentials are stored and managed exclusively on the print server, eliminating the memory burden and security risks associated with caching authentication information locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the print server as an intermediary between the printing device and the authentication server. The print server handles authentication information storage, management, and verification, acting as a mediator that enables printing continuity even when the authentication server is unavailable, while preventing authentication information from being stored in the printing device's memory.
2Productivity
If cloud printing is used instead of ubiquitous printing when the print server is down, then printing can be performed immediately, but user authentication cannot be executed compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the printing device with the print server's address and authentication capabilities before the print server goes down. The printing device maintains the ability to communicate with the print server and execute authentication protocols, enabling immediate printing restoration when the server is restored without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server serves as an essential intermediary that the printing device directly communicates with for authentication. Even when the print server is down, the printing device retains the capability to attempt direct authentication, and when the server is restored, authentication proceeds through the print server intermediary, maintaining the security architecture without requiring cloud printing alternatives.
3Reliability
If the print server is used for authentication, then security is maintained, but printing cannot be performed when the print server is down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication server's functionality into the print server, creating a unified system where the print server handles both print job management and authentication. This integration allows the printing device to maintain security protocols while being able to operate independently when the print server is unavailable, as the authentication capability is embedded in the print server itself rather than being entirely external.
Solution Approach 2:
The print server acts as an intermediary that provides both print management and authentication services. When the authentication server is unavailable, the print server can still facilitate printing operations while maintaining security through its integrated authentication capabilities, ensuring both security and printing availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes: an information processing terminal; a print server; a printing device; and an authentication server, wherein the information processing terminal uses a server printer driver for issuing a printing instruction, the printing device transmits authentication information to the print server, the print server requests the authentication server to perform user authentication, and the printing device performs printing, the information processing terminal including: a hardware processor that creates a second print job; and a second print job transmitter that transmits the second print job to the printing device, the printing device including: a second print job receiver that receives the second print job from the information processing terminal; the hardware processor that: recognizes that the printing system is in a non-server transit state; and instructs directly the authentication server to perform the user authentication; and a printer that performs printing based on the second print job.