Methods and systems for imaging device credential management and authentication

• US 20060077429A1
• 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 8,001,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• 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 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00503 Customising to a particular machine or model, machine function or application
• 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

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 a user sign-on credential;

b) authenticating said sign-on credentials to authorize system access for an authenticated user;

c) matching said user credentials 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

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

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said user sign-on credential is received from an imaging device (IDev).

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said user sign-on credential is received from an application.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said user sign-on credential is received from an accounting application (AcctApp).

5. A method as described in claim 1 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.

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

7. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising sending said sign-on token to an IDev from which said user sign-on credential was received.

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;

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 a user sign-on credential;

b) an authenticator for authenticating said sign-on credentials to authorize system access for an authenticated user;

c) a relational system for matching said user credentials 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

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

14. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said receiver connects with an imaging device (IDev) to receive said user sign-on credential.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said receiver connects with an application to receive said user sign-on credential.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said receiver connects with an accounting application (AcctApp) to receive said user sign-on credential.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 13 further comprising a sender for sending said sign-on token to an IDev from which said user sign-on credential was received.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 13 further comprising a sender for sending said sign-on token to an application from which said user sign-on credential was received.