Image Processing Apparatus Email Destination Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses face challenges in preventing information leakage by limiting email destinations, which decreases user convenience, especially when completion notifications cannot be sent to alternative email addresses, restricting user flexibility in managing transmission and notification routes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that restricts the destination of emails with image data attachments to a predetermined email address of the user operating the system while allowing completion notifications to be sent to any registered email address, maintaining user convenience by not imposing destination limitations on notification emails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the destination of emails with image data attachments is limited to a predetermined email address, then information leakage is prevented, but user convenience is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments email transmission into two distinct types: main body emails (which may contain image attachments) and notification emails (completion notifications). Different destination limitation rules are applied to each type: main body emails are restricted to predetermined destinations to prevent information leakage, while notification emails can be sent to any registered email address. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing security restrictions where needed while maintaining user convenience for notifications.
2Reliability
If the destination of completion notification emails is limited to a predetermined email address, then information leakage risk is reduced, but user flexibility in managing transmission routes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distinguishes between main body emails and notification emails, applying different destination policies. Notification emails (completion notifications) are allowed to be sent to any email address registered in the address book, providing user flexibility. Meanwhile, main body emails containing actual image data attachments remain restricted to predetermined destinations. This selective approach maintains both security and flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If completion notification emails can be sent to any registered email address, then user convenience is enhanced, but information leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments email functionality into two distinct operations with different security requirements. Completion notification emails (containing only status information) are permitted to be sent to any registered email address, enhancing user convenience. In contrast, main body emails (containing actual image data attachments) are restricted to predetermined destinations only. This segmentation allows the system to satisfy user convenience requirements for notifications while maintaining security for actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an acceptance unit configured to accept an input of user information, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an e-mail address of a user identified based on the user information accepted by the acceptance unit, a first setting unit configured to set a destination of a first e-mail transmitted with an attachment of image data, a second setting unit configured to set a destination of a second e-mail for making notification of completion of transmission of the first e-mail, and a control unit configured to perform control such that a destination of the first e-mail is restricted to the e-mail address acquired by the acquisition unit, but a destination of the second e-mail is not restricted to the e-mail address acquired by the acquisition unit.