Information Processing Device Secure Setting Import via Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-forming devices do not encrypt command information files, leaving the configuration settings unprotected and vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
An information-processing device with a memory and controller that acquires, determines, allows, imports, and encrypts setting information using a device password, ensuring secure import and storage of authentication information on a removable storage medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the command information file is imported without encryption, then the import process is simple and fast, but the security and protection of the setting information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication and encryption actions before the actual import of setting information. The controller first authenticates the removable storage medium and then encrypts the command information file before importing it, ensuring security is established in advance of the import process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an encryption mechanism as an intermediary between the removable storage medium and the setting information storage. This encryption layer mediates the import process by transforming the raw setting information into an encrypted form before storage, thereby protecting the information without blocking the import function
2Reliability
If authentication information is stored in plain text, then the storage process is simple, but the protection against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state of the authentication information from plain text to encrypted form by applying encryption algorithms. This parameter change transforms the storage mechanism from simple text storage to cryptographic encoding, thereby enhancing security while maintaining storage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically performs encryption of the authentication information without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically authenticating the removable storage medium and encrypting the command information file as part of the standard import process
Data Source
AI summary
In an information-processing device, a memory is configured to store setting information including an operation setting for the information-processing device. A controller is configured to perform: acquiring; determining; allowing; importing; and encrypting. The acquiring acquires import authentication information including a device password for the information-processing device while a removable storage medium storing import setting information is connected to an input-output interface. The determining determines whether the device password matches a preset device password of the information-processing device. The allowing allows, in response to determining that the device password matches the preset device password, the import setting information to be imported. The importing imports the import setting information from the removable storage medium into the memory as the setting information. The encrypting encrypts the import authentication information using the device password to create encrypted import authentication information and stores the encrypted import authentication information into the removable storage medium.