Remote Operation Browser Segmentation for MFP Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Remote operation of information processing devices via user terminals often results in performance reduction due to browser operations, and there is a security risk when internal contents are accessed by external browsers.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a user terminal and information processing device connected over a network, where the device determines whether accessed contents are internal or external, and either runs a browser on the device or the terminal, ensuring internal contents are secured and external contents are handled by the terminal's browser, thus preventing performance reduction and maintaining security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the browser is run on the information processing device to display contents, then the user can access web pages and internal contents, but the device performance is significantly reduced and job execution becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrowser access capabilityVSAvoidjob execution speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the browsing function from the information processing device by running the browser on the user terminal instead. This separates the content acquisition function (performed by the terminal's browser) from the device functions (print, scan, etc.), allowing the device to maintain high productivity while the user still gains web browsing capability through the remote operation interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the browser on the user terminal is used to access internal contents, then device performance is maintained, but security of internal contents is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejob execution speedVSAvoidinternal contents security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the remote operation screen image as an intermediary between the user terminal and the information processing device's internal contents. The terminal's browser displays these remote screen images that show internal contents, allowing the user to view internal content without the browser directly accessing or exposing the actual internal data, thus maintaining security while enabling access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the remote operation screen image is displayed with the user terminal, then remote control is enabled, but browser operations cause performance reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoiddevice response speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the browser operation from the information processing device and relocates it to the user terminal. The terminal runs the browser locally and displays remote operation screen images received from the device, separating the browsing workload from the device's processing tasks. This allows remote control functionality to be maintained while preventing browser operations from degrading device performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2639688B1Information processing system, user terminal, information processing device and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2639688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2639688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2639688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system (1) comprises a user terminal (3) and an information processing device (2). A remote operation screen image (G1) is displayed with the user terminal (3), and the information processing device (2) is operated by remote control via the user terminal (3). The information processing device (2) includes: a screen image controlling part for receiving operation information from the user terminal (3); a contents determining part (55) for determining if internal contents of the information processing device (2) are accessed by a browser when a received request requires start up of the browser; and a browser controlling part for starting up the browser on the information processing device (2) when the internal contents are accessed, and sending a browser start up instruction to start up a browser on the user terminal (3) when external contents are accessed.