Temporary Authentication ID for Substitution Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in enabling substitution printing without disrupting the authentication server management system, particularly when a user not registered in the authentication server attempts to perform substitution printing, requiring frequent and cumbersome user registration.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system that includes a first image forming apparatus, one or more second image forming apparatuses, and an authentication server, where the first apparatus requests a temporary authentication ID from the authentication server if the user is not managed by the server managing the second apparatus, allowing the second apparatus to perform printing with the received ID for temporary authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user authentication function is implemented in image forming apparatus, then information security is improved, but substitution printing becomes difficult for users not registered in authentication server
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication server issues temporary authentication IDs in advance before the user actually needs to perform substitution printing. This preliminary action allows users not registered in the authentication server to still access the substitution printing function without disrupting the authentication management system.
Solution Approach 2:
A temporary authentication ID is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the authentication server and users who are not registered. This intermediary allows the authentication system to verify users temporarily without requiring permanent registration, thus enabling substitution printing while maintaining security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If temporary authentication ID is issued to users not managed by authentication server, then substitution printing is enabled, but authentication server management system is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two distinct pathways: one for registered users who undergo normal authentication, and another for unregistered users who receive temporary authentication IDs. This segmentation allows the authentication server to handle different user types independently without disrupting the overall management system.
Solution Approach 2:
Temporary authentication IDs are designed as short-lived, disposable credentials that are issued only for the specific purpose of enabling substitution printing for unregistered users. These temporary IDs expire after use or after a short period, preventing long-term disruption to the authentication server's management system while still providing the necessary access.
Data Source
AI summary
When a first image forming apparatus 1 cannot perform printing based on a print instruction from a user, the first image forming apparatus 1 (a1) makes a substitution printing request to a second image forming apparatus 2 and (a2) receives a temporary authentication ID from this second image forming apparatus 2 and notifies the user of it if the user is not managed by an authentication server 4 that manages this second image forming apparatus 2. If the user is not managed by the authentication server 4 and not authenticated when receiving the substitution printing request, the second image forming apparatus 2 (b1) requests the authentication server 4 to issue the authentication ID, (b2) receives the authentication ID and notifies the apparatus 1 of it, and (b3) receives a user inputted authentication ID and performs the printing if the inputted authentication ID is identical to the received one.