Username Mapping in Image Forming Authentication Workflows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses and information processing apparatuses may experience mismatches in usernames during user authentication, leading to inconvenience due to incorrect association of users logged in to the apparatuses and those submitting print jobs.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a receiving unit, requesting unit, obtaining unit, and setting unit to obtain and set usernames based on attribute values from an authentication server using predefined setting rules, ensuring accurate user association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user authentication is performed using an authentication server, then user authentication function is provided, but username mismatches occur between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (username conversion unit) that translates usernames between different formats used by the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus. This intermediary layer resolves the username mismatch problem by converting usernames to a common format before association, maintaining both authentication reliability and user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of username format by providing multiple conversion rules that transform usernames from different formats into a unified format. The system stores multiple conversion rules and selects appropriate rules to convert usernames, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining authentication accuracy and ensuring user association convenience.
2Ease of operation
If multiple setting rules are provided for username conversion, then username mismatch is resolved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple username conversion rules in the conversion rule storage unit before runtime. When a username needs conversion, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-defined rule, eliminating the need for complex real-time rule creation or manual configuration during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic selection and application of conversion rules. The username conversion unit autonomously determines which conversion rule to apply based on the incoming username format, without requiring external intervention or complex management overhead, thereby reducing operational complexity despite having multiple rules.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive, from an information processing apparatus, authentication information of a user of the information processing apparatus, a requesting unit configured to request an authentication server to authenticate the user, an obtaining unit configured to obtain an attribute value of the user from the authentication server in a case where the user is successfully authenticated by the authentication server, and a setting unit configured to set a username of the user based on the attribute value in accordance with a setting rule selected from a plurality of setting rules.