Secure Tray Printer Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers lack effective mechanisms to securely manage valuable paper, such as prescription paper and stock certificates, as existing solutions like physical locks can be bypassed through printing blank pages or creating fake media, posing risks of fraud and tampering.
Innovation Solution
A secure tray printer system that employs a processor-controlled latch mechanism, mode-based operation, and a fob for authorization, ensuring the secure tray cannot be opened or printed from unless in the 'accept' mode, and includes a tamper-evident mode to detect unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical lock and key mechanism is used for the printer tray, then the tray can be physically secured against unauthorized removal, but the security is bypassed by printing blank pages or creating fake media through test pages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lock and key system with an electronic control system that uses a processor to manage tray access and printing operations. The electronic system monitors and controls whether the tray can be opened and whether printing operations are permitted, preventing fraud by blocking blank page printing and test page generation when security mode is active, rather than relying solely on physical prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic control system between the user and the printing components. This intermediary layer (processor and control circuitry) verifies authorization before allowing tray opening or printing operations, preventing unauthorized access and fraud by intercepting and blocking malicious print jobs before they reach the imaging components
2Ease of operation
If the printer allows free access to the tray for easy media loading, then operation is convenient, but valuable paper can be easily stolen or tampered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic security system where the tray access control state changes based on authorization. The system transitions between locked and unlocked states, and between permitted and blocked printing states, allowing the printer to adapt its security level according to the operational context and user authorization status
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the printer blocks all printing operations when secured, then fraud is prevented, but legitimate printing on valuable media cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic security system where the tray access control state changes based on authorization. The system transitions between locked and unlocked states, and between permitted and blocked printing states, allowing the printer to adapt its security level according to the operational context and user authorization status
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the printer based on security mode. When security mode is activated, the system changes parameters such as blocking blank page printing, preventing test page generation, and controlling tray access. When authorized, the system returns to normal operational parameters, allowing legitimate printing operations on valuable media
Data Source
AI summary
A secure printer with a secure tray. Valuable paper can be put in the secure tray, such as prescription paper, stock certificates, etc. The secure printer can lock the secure tray so that the secure tray cannot be removed from the secure printer or printed to. A wireless fob can be used to unlock the secure printer and thus enable removal of the secure tray from the secure printer and/or enable printing to the secure tray. A latch can be retracted and extended into a notch in the secure tray. When the latch is extended it would lock the secure tray from removal. A processor can control when to retract and extend the latch. A standard printer can also be converted to a secure printer by installing some components including a latch assembly, a processor board, and a detectable object on a side of the secure tray.