Received Data Output Switching for Secure Remote Fax Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems, such as image forming apparatuses, face security issues when users are unable to remotely change the output destination of received data, particularly when the data is set to be printed, allowing external access and potential remote changes to the apparatus settings.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that allows users to register instruction information for setting the output destination of received data to either print or upload to a cloud server, with the processor checking for and executing these instructions before outputting the data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the received data is set to be printed locally, then security is improved by preventing external access, but the user cannot check the content of the fax from outside the company
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external device (cloud server or mobile terminal) as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and the user. The output destination is dynamically switched between local printing and external upload based on whether the user is inside or outside the company, allowing secure local processing when present and remote access when absent without compromising security
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the output destination of received data based on the user's location and registration status. When the user is outside the company and has registered instruction information, the output destination switches from local printing to external upload, enabling remote access while maintaining security through conditional dynamic adjustment
2Reliability
If the output destination is fixed to local printing, then security is maintained, but the user cannot remotely change the output destination when outside the company
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of instruction information in an external device before the user needs to access data remotely. This pre-configuration allows the image forming apparatus to automatically switch output destinations to external upload when receiving data from outside the company, enabling remote access without requiring real-time configuration changes or compromising security
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the registration status in the external device to control the output destination. When instruction information is registered in the external device, the system receives feedback and switches from local printing to external upload mode, allowing adaptive remote configuration while maintaining security through condition-based automatic adjustment
3Ease of operation
If the system allows external access to check fax content, then remote accessibility is improved, but security risks increase from potential remote setting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different output destination settings based on the local condition of whether the user is inside or outside the company. When outside the company and instruction information is registered, the output destination is locally changed to external upload in the image forming apparatus, allowing remote access while preventing security risks by blocking external access to the apparatus itself
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing system includes a processor configured to: set, in a case where instruction information for providing an instruction to set an output destination of received data to any one of printing using a printing apparatus or upload to an external device is registered in the external device, the output destination of the data received from an outside according to the instruction provided by the instruction information.