Smart Device Proximity Detection for MFP Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of smart devices face inconvenience when printing, as they often need to perform a log-in operation even when they are close to the printer, and existing solutions require direct interaction with the printer for log-in, which is not efficient for mobile printing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A system where a smart device determines its proximity to a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) and sends authorization information only when close, allowing for seamless printing without the need for a log-in operation when the user is near the MFP, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for proximity detection and NFC or QR Code for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user operates a smart device to request a printer to execute a job, then printing functionality is enabled, but the user is required to perform a log-in operation which reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user proximity to the printer before the printing job is submitted. When the user is detected to be within threshold distance, the system pre-authenticates the user account and stores authorization information, so that no log-in operation is required when the user later submits a printing job from their smart device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting user presence through proximity sensors and autonomously performing authentication without requiring user intervention. The printer independently determines when a user is nearby and initiates the authorization process automatically, eliminating the need for manual log-in operations.
2Ease of operation
If authorization information is sent when the user is close to the MFP, then printing without log-in is enabled, but security may be compromised if the user is not properly authenticated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses proximity detection as an intermediary mechanism to bridge security and convenience. The proximity sensor acts as a mediator that verifies the user's physical presence before enabling automatic authentication, ensuring that authorization information is only sent to genuinely nearby users and not to remote devices, thus maintaining security while enabling seamless printing.
3Reliability
If the system requires direct interaction with the printer for log-in, then authentication is ensured, but mobility and convenience for remote printing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication preliminarily when the user is detected near the printer, storing the authorized user information in advance. This preliminary authentication allows the user to later submit printing jobs from any location using their smart device without needing to physically interact with the printer again, thus ensuring authentication accuracy while enabling mobility and remote printing versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
To enhance the convenience of devices which can be operated through a smart device, a first information processing apparatus includes a processor, and a memory device configured to store a program. The processor executes the program to perform determining whether or not the first information processing apparatus is within a predetermined distance from a second information processing apparatus, and sending authorization information with which an authorization for an operation is requested to the second information processing apparatus, in response to determining that the first information processing apparatus is within the predetermined distance from the second information processing apparatus.