Secure Print Job Resumption via Random Access Codes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Print operations are often interrupted by events like media outages, leading to potential unauthorized access to sensitive information when resumed, as traditional access codes can be compromised or easily obtained by others.

Innovation Solution

A print system generates a random-access code based on attributes of the interrupted print operation, which is communicated to the user for secure resumption, ensuring only authorized individuals can access and complete the interrupted print job.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional access codes are used to resume interrupted print operations, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as codes can be compromised or easily obtained by others

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of resuming print operationVSAvoidunauthorized access to sensitive information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the access code from a fixed, predictable value to a random value generated based on attributes of the interrupted print operation. This random access code is unpredictable and cannot be easily obtained by others, thereby improving security while still allowing the authorized user to resume the print operation by entering the code received via email or other communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If print operations are interrupted due to media outages, then productivity is worsened, but security is improved by halting the operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint operation completionVSAvoidunauthorized access to sensitive information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating and communicating the random access code to the user before the print operation is resumed. The code is generated when the interruption occurs and is sent to the user via email or other channels, so that when the user returns to resume the print operation, they can do so securely without the operation being accessible to others in the meantime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If random-access codes are generated and communicated to users, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access to sensitive informationVSAvoidprint system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary (email system or other communication channel) to transmit the random access code from the print system to the user. This intermediary handles the complexity of code generation and distribution, while the print system itself only needs to generate the code and send it through the existing communication infrastructure, thereby minimizing the increase in print system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3707589B1Reinstated print operations
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3707589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3707589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3707589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Approaches for reinstating a print operation are described. In one example, a random-access code corresponding to print operation interrupted from completing, by a print intervention event, is obtained. Further, a reinstated print operation is generated based on the intervened print operation. Thereafter, the reinstated print operation is securely maintained, wherein the reinstated print operation is accessible upon providing the random-access code.