MFP Email Retention for Reprinting Without Local Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with limited storage capacity face challenges in reprinting images based on attached files from electronic mails, as deleting the email from the mail server after aborting printing prevents subsequent reprinting, and storage limitations can impact other functions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving emails, a storage unit for images, a printing unit, a deletion unit for the email, and a control unit that manages abort instructions, allowing the email to remain on the server for reprinting if the print is aborted, and deleting it only after completion, thus enabling reprinting without storage constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electronic mail is deleted from the mail server after aborting printing, then storage area is freed and other functions can operate, but the image cannot be reprinted with changed settings
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by retaining the electronic mail in the mail server's storage area even after aborting printing. This preliminary retention enables subsequent reprinting operations with modified settings without requiring the mail to be deleted first, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reprinting capability and freeing storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the deletion timing of the electronic mail based on user needs. The control unit can delay deletion until after successful reprinting or permanently delete the mail to free storage, providing flexible handling that adapts to different user scenarios and resolves the storage versus reprinting contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic mail is retained in the mail server for reprinting, then reprinting with changed settings is enabled, but storage area becomes tight and may affect other functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary action by retaining the electronic mail in the mail server's storage area even after aborting printing. This preliminary retention enables subsequent reprinting operations with modified settings without requiring the mail to be deleted first, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reprinting capability and freeing storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the deletion timing of the electronic mail based on user needs. The control unit can delay deletion until after successful reprinting or permanently delete the mail to free storage, providing flexible handling that adapts to different user scenarios and resolves the storage versus reprinting contradiction.
3Productivity
If the image is stored in the image forming apparatus for reprinting, then reprinting is enabled, but storage area becomes tight and affects other functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the mail server as an intermediary storage location rather than storing the image locally in the image forming apparatus. The electronic mail containing the image is retained in the mail server's storage area, which has sufficient capacity, enabling reprinting without consuming storage space in the image forming apparatus and thus avoiding impact on other functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An MFP receives an electronic mail from a mail server. The MFP prints an image based on an attached file of the received electronic mail. If an abort instruction is not accepted during printing of the image, the electronic mail is deleted from the mail server after printing of the image based on the attached file of the received electronic mail is completed. On the other hand, if the abort instruction is accepted during printing of the image, printing of the image is aborted without deleting the received electronic mail from the mail server.