Secure Print Data Routing via Authentication Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
In pull printing systems, if the print server becomes unavailable, users cannot print until it recovers, requiring cumbersome printer driver installations and potentially compromising security when directly outputting print data to printing devices.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes a terminal for sending print data, a printer for authenticating and printing, and a transfer device for secure data transfer, using encryption and decryption keys to ensure secure printing even without a functional print server, allowing direct printer authentication and printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print data is directly outputted to the printing device without via the print server, then printing can be performed when the print server is unavailable, but the security level required to use the printing device may not be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication server as an intermediary component between the terminal and printing device. Even when the print server is unavailable, the authentication server maintains security by verifying user credentials before allowing direct print data transmission to the printing device, thus resolving the contradiction between printing availability and security level.
2Ease of operation
If a printer driver compatible with the printing device is installed on the personal computer, then direct printing without print server is enabled, but cumbersome installation and settings tasks are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a printing system where the authentication server and printing device work together to enable direct printing without requiring user installation of printer drivers. The system automatically handles driver compatibility and communication protocols, allowing users to simply input their user ID and password to print, thus eliminating cumbersome installation tasks while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the print server becomes unavailable, then users cannot cause printing until it recovers, but requiring direct output without print server involves installing printer drivers and making settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the authentication server as a preliminary component that remains operational independently of the print server. Users can perform authentication and initiate printing operations directly to the printing device through this pre-configured authentication pathway, eliminating the need to wait for print server recovery and avoiding complex driver installations during outages.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system is provided with a terminal sending print data; a printer performing printing based on the print data; and a transfer device transferring the print data to the printer responding to a request from the printer. The terminal includes a transmission portion configured to, when communication with the transfer device is possible, send the print data to the transfer device, and configured to, when the communication is impossible, send the print data in association with a command for authentication print to the printer without via the transfer device. The printer includes a requesting portion configured to, when user authentication of a user of the terminal is successful, request the print data from the transfer device, and a printing portion configured to, when the user authentication is successful, perform the printing based on the print data received from the transfer device or the terminal.