Printing Apparatus Name Conflict Detection and Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In printing systems where multiple devices share the same name, unintended printing can occur, leading to security risks and misprinted materials.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus that connects to a management server through a network, receives user input for its name, determines if another device with the same name exists, and prohibits printing if a match is found, thereby preventing unintended printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple printing apparatuses are registered with the same name in the printing system, then the ease of operation is improved (users can identify devices by a common name), but the reliability deteriorates (print data may be sent to the wrong device)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary check before printing to verify that the selected printing apparatus is the correct one. The determination unit checks whether another printing apparatus with the same name exists before allowing print execution, preventing misdirected printing in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about potential naming conflicts. When a printing apparatus with the same name is detected, the prohibiting unit prevents printing and notifies the user, allowing them to correct the device selection before printing occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If printing is allowed on any apparatus with the registered name, then the productivity is improved (printing can proceed without restrictions), but the harmful factors increase (unintended printing on wrong device causes information leakage)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidinformation leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies a preliminary countermeasure by detecting potential naming conflicts before printing occurs. The determining unit identifies apparatuses with duplicate names and the prohibiting unit blocks printing on potentially wrong devices, preventing information leakage before it can happen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the print data transmission and the printing execution. It verifies device identity through name checking and prevents print data from being sent to potentially wrong devices, mediating between productivity and security concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8854672B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus including: a connecting unit connected to a management server through a network; a printing unit configured to print of print data received through the network; a receiving unit configured to receive input of a name indicating the printing apparatus; a determining unit configured to determine whether another printing apparatus having a same name as the name received by the receiving unit exists; and a prohibiting unit configured to prohibit the printing unit from performing printing if the other printing apparatus having the same name exists.