Viewing Control Server for Secure Device Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printer management systems, customers face tedious manual input errors when viewing operating information, and there is a need to prevent unauthorized access to this information, especially when printers are transferred between owners.

Innovation Solution

A viewing control server that acquires and stores device, manager, and customer identification information, allowing customers to view device information securely by identifying customer credentials and managing changes in ownership, thereby preventing unauthorized access to historical data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input of device identification information is used for each printer, then customers can be linked to their printers, but the process becomes tedious and prone to input errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer linkage processVSAvoidtime for manual input

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic acquisition of device identification information from the printer itself through the identification information manager, eliminating the need for manual customer input. The printer automatically provides its identification information to the server, which then performs the linkage process autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of typing device identification information is replaced with an automated electronic information retrieval system. The identification information manager automatically obtains device identification information from the printer via network communication, substituting human manual input with automated software functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If device information is stored and accessible, then customers can view operating information, but security risks arise when printers are transferred to new owners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors changes in device identification information and manager identification information, and automatically updates customer linkage relationships in response to detected changes. This feedback mechanism ensures that access rights are dynamically adjusted based on current ownership status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively detects changes in device ownership before unauthorized access can occur. By monitoring for changes in device identification information and automatically updating customer linkages, the system prevents information leakage rather than merely responding after a security breach is detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If automatic acquisition of device identification information is implemented, then manual input errors are eliminated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification information manager serves multiple functions: it automatically acquires device identification information, determines customer linkage relationships, detects ownership changes, and updates access rights. This multi-functional component consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification information manager acts as an intermediary component between the printer and the customer management system. It handles the complexity of automatic information acquisition and processing, shielding the rest of the system from complex operational details while ensuring accurate data flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10552106B2Viewing control server and viewing control method

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Viewing operating information of a device is controlled appropriately. A viewing control server has: an identification information manager that acquires, through a network from a manager function that manages one or more devices, device identification information unique to each device, manager identification information unique to each manager function, and customer identification information unique to each customer, and relationally stores the acquired device identification information, manager identification information, and customer identification information; a device information collector that acquires device information, which is operating information of each device, from the manager function through the network; and a viewing controller that identifies the customer identification information according to an operation from an external device, and enables viewing on an external device the device information of a device identified by the device identification information relationally stored to the identified customer identification information.