Terminal Device Restricted Printing Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users may inadvertently cause a printer to execute printing without knowing the restriction items set in the printer, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive print history information.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device is configured to display a designation screen for users to select items for disclosure restriction, send a restriction item request to the printer, and only send a print request if the selected items are stored as restriction items, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printer stores print history information including sensitive items, then the printing function can be executed and history can be recorded, but unauthorized users can access sensitive print history information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidprinting operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary verification by sending a restriction item request to the printer before executing the print request. The terminal device checks whether the printer stores the designated sensitive items as restriction items in advance, and only sends the print request if the verification succeeds. This preliminary action ensures privacy protection is established before the printing operation occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the terminal device verifies restriction items before printing, then unauthorized access to sensitive information is prevented, but the printing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidprinting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device sends a restriction item request to the printer and receives a restriction item response containing information about which items are stored as restriction items. Based on this feedback, the terminal device determines whether to proceed with sending the print request. This feedback mechanism enables automated verification without requiring complex user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11379167B2Non-transitory computer-read able recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for terminal device, method executed by terminal device, and terminal device for causing the printer to execute restricted printing

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A terminal device may display a designation screen on a display unit, store designation item information indicating a designation item in a memory, and send a restriction item request to a target printer. The terminal device may, in a case where the restriction item request is sent to the target printer, receive the restriction item information from the target printer, and determine whether the restriction item indicated by the received restriction item information includes the designation item indicated by the designation item information stored in the memory. The terminal device may, in a case where it is determined that the restriction item includes the designation item, send a print request that requests execution of printing according to the IPP to the target printer, wherein in a case where it is determined that the restriction item does not include the designation item, the print request is not sent.