Secure Job Execution via Authentication Matching During Interruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing apparatuses require users to re-input passwords to restart secure jobs after paper jamming or running out of paper issues are resolved, preventing other users from executing or accessing the suspended jobs, even if the issue is resolved by someone else.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with an authentication-information input unit, storage unit, and controller that allows execution of a different secure job if the input authentication information matches the stored authentication information, enabling the execution of another secure job even if the original job is suspended due to interruptions like paper jamming or running out of paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the secure job is suspended due to paper jamming or running-out of paper, then the job security is maintained by requiring password re-input, but the job execution efficiency deteriorates as the original user must re-authenticate even when another user has resolved the issue
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by acquiring authentication information before the interruption occurs and stores it in the storage unit. When an interruption happens, the system can immediately check the stored authentication information against the authentication information associated with other secure jobs, enabling quick execution decisions without requiring re-authentication
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the authentication-information input unit and the image processing unit. It manages the authentication verification process by comparing input authentication information with stored authentication information, and controls the execution flow based on the comparison results, thereby resolving the contradiction between security and efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system requires password re-input to restart a suspended secure job, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot execute jobs even when the interruption is resolved by someone else
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication information is acquired and stored in advance before the interruption occurs. This preliminary authentication enables the system to quickly verify permissions when the interruption is resolved, improving ease of operation while maintaining security through proper verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically comparing the authentication information associated with secure jobs against stored authentication information. This automated process eliminates the need for manual password re-input while maintaining security through systematic verification
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing unit; an authentication-information input unit; a storage unit; and a controller. The storage unit stores a plurality of secure jobs and a plurality of authentication information associated with the secure jobs respectively. The controller is configured to: acquire first authentication information; in a case that the first authentication information matches an authentication information stored in the storage unit, cause the image processing unit to execute a secure job stored in the storage unit and associated with the authentication information; acquire second authentication information which has been inputted during an interruption of the secure job; and in a case that the second authentication information matches another authentication information, and that another secure job associated with the another authentication information is executable by the image processing unit, cause the image processing unit to execute the another secure job.