Methods and systems for imaging device credential management

• US 20060077438A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lovat, David J., Zhang, Hanzhong
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/502 relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5091 for user-identification or authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00109 Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3221 of a job number or identification, e.g. communication number

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for eliminating multiple submission of user credential data in a system with multiple distinct restricted sub-systems wherein a unique credential is required for each sub-system.

Claims

1. A method for providing single-credential access to multiple, distinct, restricted services wherein a unique credential is required for each service, said method comprising:

a) receiving an authenticated user identification from an accounting application (AcctApp);

b) matching said authenticated user identification to a corresponding sign-on token that is related to at least one user service credential, such that said user service credential may be exchanged for said sign-on token if said token is received from a service related to said user service credential; and

c) issuing said sign-on token to said authenticated user.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said authenticated user identification is generated by authenticating a user sign-on credential.

3. A method as described in claim 2 wherein said user sign-on credential is received from an imaging device (IDev).

4. A method as described in claim 2 wherein said user sign-on credential is received from an application.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said matching is performed with the use of look-up table relating said authenticated user identification to at least one user service credential.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said matching is performed with the use of look-up table relating said authenticated user identification to a plurality of user service credentials.

7. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising sending said sign-on token to said AcctApp for forwarding to an IDev.

8. A method for providing single-credential access to multiple, distinct, restricted services wherein a unique credential is required for each service, said method comprising:

a) receiving a sign-on token from a service, wherein said sign-on token has been related to a user by authenticating a user credential with an accounting application (AcctApp);

b) matching said sign-on token with a corresponding user service credential; and

c) sending said user service credential to said service.

9. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said service is an IDev function.

10. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said service is a remote application.

11. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said matching is performed with the use of look-up table relating said user sign-on credential to at least one user service credential.

12. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said matching is performed with the use of a relational database.

13. An apparatus for providing single-credential access to multiple, distinct, restricted services wherein a unique credential is required for each service, said apparatus comprising:

a) a receiver for receiving an authenticated user identification from an accounting application (AcctApp);

b) a relational system for matching said authenticated user identification to a corresponding sign-on token that is related to at least one user service credential, such that said user service credential may be exchanged for said sign-on token if said token is received from said service; and

c) an issuer for issuing said sign-on token to said authenticated user.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said user identification originates from an imaging device (IDev).

15. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said relational system is a look-up table relating said user sign-on credential to at least one user service credential.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said relational system is a look-up table relating said user sign-on credential to a plurality of user service credentials.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 13 further comprising a sender for sending said sign-on token to an IDev associated with said authenticated user identification.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 13 further comprising a sender for sending said sign-on token to said AcctApp.