Provisional Authentication for Unregistered Maintenance Operators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems fail to implement multi-factor authentication for maintenance operators who are unregistered in advance, particularly when they need to perform maintenance operations on apparatuses or systems.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes a processor configured to issue provisional authentication information with a validity period, and when a maintenance operator logs in using memory or possession information, requests the operator to enter provisional authentication information if biological information is not registered, and registers the biological information if it matches the issued provisional authentication information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-factor authentication is implemented for all users, then security is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different authentication requirements to different user groups: registered users undergo multi-factor authentication while unregistered maintenance operators use a simplified process with provisional authentication information. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high security for regular users while providing ease of access for maintenance personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication process is segmented into two distinct pathways: one for registered users requiring multi-factor authentication, and another for unregistered maintenance operators using provisional authentication information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain security for critical users while simplifying access for maintenance personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multi-factor authentication is required for maintenance operators, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operation securityVSAvoidmaintenance operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration of maintenance operators with provisional authentication information before they need to perform maintenance. This advance preparation ensures that when maintenance operators arrive, they can authenticate quickly using pre-issued provisional information without undergoing complex multi-factor authentication during time-critical maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system dynamically adapts its requirements based on the operator's registration status. Registered maintenance operators experience simplified authentication while unregistered ones undergo more rigorous verification. This dynamic approach balances security requirements with operational efficiency based on the specific context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If provisional authentication information is issued to unregistered maintenance operators, then ease of operation is improved, but security may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operator accessibilityVSAvoidauthentication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The administrator performs preliminary verification and issues provisional authentication information only after confirming the operator's identity and authorization. This advance verification ensures that even though the authentication process is simplified, security is maintained through pre-authorization checks before provisional credentials are issued.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The provisional authentication information acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges security requirements and operational efficiency. It serves as a temporary credential that can be verified against registered administrator information, providing a secure yet simplified authentication path for maintenance operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250077641A1Information processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes a processor configured to: issue provisional authentication information in response to a request from a first user who is an administrator managing an authentication target apparatus, the provisional authentication information being assigned a validity period; when a second user who is to perform maintenance operation for the authentication target apparatus logs in using first authentication information that is memory information or possession information assigned in advance to the second user, request the second user to enter provisional authentication information if second authentication information is not registered, the second authentication information being biological information associated with the second user who has logged in; and register the biological information of the second user as the second authentication information if the provisional authentication information entered by the second user matches the provisional authentication information issued in advance.