Centralized Server for Network Printer Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network printers require cumbersome individual registration of IP addresses for each device to restrict printing requests from non-predetermined sources, leading to inefficient management and potential unnecessary printing operations.
Innovation Solution
An image formation system comprising an image formation device and a server connected through a network, where the device transmits request source information to the server, which judges and sends restriction instructions based on database-registered statuses, allowing for centralized management of printing permissions and restrictions without individual device registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP addresses are registered with each network printer individually to restrict printing requests, then printing security is improved, but device complexity and administrative burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the registration function across multiple network printers by introducing a central registration target (server or management system). Instead of registering IP addresses individually with each printer, the registration is performed once at the central target, which then manages the authorization information for all printers in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server or management system as an intermediary between terminal devices and network printers. This intermediary receives print requests, checks authorization against registered IP addresses, and forwards approved requests to appropriate printers, eliminating the need for each printer to independently verify IP addresses.
2Reliability
If printing restriction is implemented at each network printer individually, then printing control is improved, but loss of time for configuration and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by registering IP addresses and printing restriction rules in advance at a central registration target. This pre-configuration allows network printers to operate with default settings while the central system handles all authorization decisions, eliminating the need for time-consuming individual configuration at each printer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal registration target that serves multiple network printers simultaneously. This single registration system manages authorization for all printers in the network, providing multi-functionality that reduces both configuration time and maintenance effort compared to individual printer-based restriction systems.
3Ease of operation
If centralized registration is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server or management system as an intermediary that handles the complexity of centralized registration. This intermediary absorbs the system architecture complexity while providing a simple interface for users to register IP addresses and manage printing restrictions, thereby improving ease of operation without exposing users to underlying complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation system includes an image formation device and a server device connected with each other through a network. The image formation device includes an image formation executing unit that receives an image formation request from a terminal device through the network and executes the image formation a request source information transmitting unit that transmits request source information, which is included in the image formation request and identifies the request source of the image formation request, and an image formation restricting unit that restricts the image formation by the image formation executing unit when a restriction instruction is received from the server device. The server device includes a restriction instruction transmitting unit that causes the image formation unit to restrict in the image formation when a registration status of the request source information with respect to a database for storing the request source information satisfies a predetermined status.