Printing Management Server Authentication Token Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing email printing systems face issues with unauthorized printing due to leaked email addresses, and the authentication token method in WO 2013/057787 increases communication complexity and server burden.
Innovation Solution
A printing management server manages identification information uniquely associated with email addresses, allowing it to specify and instruct email printing servers to print content only when necessary, thereby preventing unauthorized printing and reducing server load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If email address is used for printer identification, then printing operation is simple, but unauthorized printing occurs when email address is leaked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication token system between the email address and the printer. The terminal generates an authentication token that is sent along with the print request to the email printing server, which then verifies it before executing the print. This intermediary mechanism maintains the simplicity of email-based printing while adding a security layer that prevents unauthorized printing even if the email address is leaked.
2Reliability
If authentication token method is used to prevent unauthorized printing, then printing security is improved, but communication complexity and server burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the terminal generate the authentication token before sending the print request. The token is created in advance based on the print data and terminal identification, and then included in the email message. This preliminary generation of the authentication token simplifies the overall communication process compared to exchange-based methods, as the token is ready when needed and doesn't require multiple back-and-forth communication steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing management server includes an identification information management unit that manages identification information uniquely associated with an email address assigned to a printer, a print request receiving unit that receives a print request that is a request to print content and that accompanies the identification information, and a print instructing unit that designates an email address, corresponding to the identification information accompanying the print request specified by the identification information management unit, to an email printing server that causes a printer corresponding to a designated email address to execute a print, and instructs the email printing server to cause the printer corresponding to the designated email address to print content included in the print request.