MFP Web Mail Integration for Direct Image Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scan-to-e-mail functions require additional operations on both a personal computer and a Web mail service, making it cumbersome to store scanned images directly in a Web mail service folder.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reception unit, a producing unit, and a transmitting unit that receives image data from an image obtaining device, produces an email with the attached image data, and transmits it to a Web mail service for storage in a predetermined folder, eliminating the need for manual operations on the client device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the e-mail with scanned image is stored in the PC draft folder, then the scanned image can be stored locally, but additional operations on the PC and Web mail service are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operations (storing scanned image, creating e-mail, attaching image, and uploading to Web mail service) into a single integrated process. The image obtaining device directly stores the e-mail with attached scanned image in the Web mail service folder, merging what were previously separate steps into one automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the image obtaining device to automatically perform all necessary operations without requiring manual intervention on the PC. The device itself handles image acquisition, e-mail creation, attachment, and direct storage in the Web mail service, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user coordination between multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual operations are performed on PC and Web mail service, then the e-mail can be stored in Web mail service, but the process becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the e-mail creation and storage functionality directly from the PC environment and relocates it to the image obtaining device. By taking out the complex coordination requirements between PC and Web mail service and embedding the functionality in the image obtaining device itself, the system reduces operational complexity while maintaining service flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The image obtaining device is given multi-functionality, combining image scanning, e-mail composition, attachment management, and direct Web mail service integration in a single device. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate PC operations and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the e-mail is stored in PC local folder first, then the image can be attached to Web mail e-mail, but additional transmission and attachment operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the image obtaining device prepare and store the complete e-mail with attached image directly in the Web mail service folder in one step. This eliminates the need for subsequent transmission and attachment operations that would otherwise be required if the image were first stored in the PC local folder.
Data Source
AI summary
In a network environment, an e-mail to which an image obtained by a scanner (image obtaining device) is attached is stored in a folder on a Web mail service, not via a terminal. Therefore an application is prepared such that management and communication between a terminal, an MFP (scanner) and an e-mail service are executable via themselves. As a result, the e-mail to which the image obtained by the scanner is attached can be stored on the Web mail service, not via a terminal only by operating the application without setting up a driver of the scanner MFP to the terminal.