Server Authentication Correlation for Printer Service Provision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional order support systems for printers and other apparatuses place a high processing load on client computers due to the need to collect and manage various device-related information, such as consumable levels, leading to a need for a solution that reduces this load.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising a server with a communication interface, storage, and processor that receives correlation instructions, authentication information, and device data from image processing apparatuses, allowing it to correlate device information, authenticate, and transmit necessary information to service-providing apparatuses, thereby reducing the processing load on client computers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the client computer collects and manages various device-related information (consumable levels, device status), then the service can be provided, but the processing load on the client computer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the image processing apparatus and the client computer. The server collects device information from the image processing apparatus and manages authentication, thereby reducing the processing load on the client computer while enabling service provision. This mediator approach directly resolves the contradiction by centralizing data collection and authentication functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data collection and authentication functions from the client computer and relocates them to the server. By taking out these complex processing tasks from the client environment, the system reduces client processing load while maintaining service capability through server-based coordination.
2Ease of operation
If the client computer manages device information and authentication, then service access is enabled, but the processing load and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that handles authentication and device information management, simplifying the client computer's role to basic service access. This mediator approach enables ease of operation for service access while significantly reducing client processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the image processing apparatus to automatically transmit device information to the server without requiring complex client computer intervention. The server autonomously manages authentication and data correlation, reducing client processing requirements while maintaining service accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A server receives a correlation instruction from an information processing apparatus when the storage stores first device information uniquely assigned to an image processing apparatus. The correlation instruction is for correlating first device information with a service that a service-providing apparatus provides. The server receives first authentication information from the information processing apparatus. The server stores the first authentication information in association with the first device information in the storage. The server receives, from the image processing apparatus, second device information and first information. The second device information is assigned to the image processing apparatus. The first information is generated in the image processing apparatus for receiving the service. The server identifies the first authentication information in the storage, and transmits second information based on the first information to the service-providing apparatus using the first authentication information.