MFP Email Copy Count Determination via Destination Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation systems, such as MFPs, require users to manually specify the number of copies when printing emails, leading to potential errors if the participant count is incorrectly set, and existing solutions do not allow for automatic determination of the required number of copies based on destination information.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus and method that includes a reception portion to receive emails, a number of copies determination portion to determine the number of copies based on destination information, and a print portion to print the data by the determined number of copies, allowing for automatic printing of the required number of copies without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the number of copies is manually specified in the email body, then the printing function can be implemented, but the likelihood of errors increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the number of copies by analyzing the email destination information itself, without requiring user input. The email address format or metadata inherently contains the copy count information, and the system extracts and uses this information automatically, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate processing step where the system analyzes the email destination information to extract copy count data. This intermediary analysis process acts as a mediator between the email reception and printing execution, automatically translating destination information into the required number of copies.
2Productivity
If the number of participants is set beforehand for meeting materials, then preliminary printing can be performed, but the system cannot adapt if the participant count is erroneously set
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the number of copies based on the actual email destination information received at the time of printing, rather than using a fixed pre-set value. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and correct any earlier errors in participant count estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the email destination information to automatically adjust and determine the correct number of copies. By continuously analyzing the destination data, the system can verify and correct the copy count, ensuring accuracy even if initial estimates were wrong.
3Measurement precision
If automatic determination of copy number from destination information is implemented, then accuracy and user convenience improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing email destination information field for multiple purposes: both for identifying the recipient and for determining the number of copies. This multi-functional use of existing data structures avoids adding separate complex input mechanisms while achieving accurate copy count determination.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to print a required number of copies, MFP having an assigned email address includes an email reception portion to receive an email, a number of copies determination portion to determine, based on destination information of the received email, the number of copies of data included in the email to print, and an image formation control portion to print the data included in the email by the determined number of copies.