Server Email Print Request Logic for Multiple Recipients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network systems fail to execute a print process when an email contains multiple recipient email addresses, despite user intent to print, as they do not appropriately determine whether to send a print request to a printer.
Innovation Solution
A server is configured to store email addresses and printer identification information, allowing it to receive emails with multiple recipient addresses, determine if they were generated from a previous email, and send print requests only to the appropriate printer based on stored associations and priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the image-forming device extracts one or more e-mail addresses as recipient addresses, then it can identify potential print targets, but it cannot execute the print process when multiple e-mail addresses are extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recipient e-mail addresses into two categories: print addresses (designated for printing) and general addresses (not designated for printing). This segmentation allows the system to process emails with multiple recipient addresses by selectively identifying which addresses should trigger the print function, thereby resolving the contradiction between handling multiple addresses and executing the print process.
2Productivity
If the server sends a print request to the printer for each received email, then printing functionality is provided, but unnecessary printing occurs when emails are forwarded or replied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the sender's e-mail address and attachment information when the original e-mail is received. When a subsequent e-mail (such as a reply or forward) is received, the server compares this stored information with the new e-mail's content to determine whether it is generated based on the original e-mail. This preliminary storage and comparison mechanism prevents unnecessary printing of duplicate or derived emails while maintaining print functionality for legitimate print requests.
3Loss of energy
If the server determines whether an email was generated by using a previous email, then unnecessary printing can be prevented, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by storing key information (sender's e-mail address and attachment information) from the original e-mail as a reference template. When processing subsequent e-mails, the server copies this reference information and compares it with the new e-mail's content. This copying approach simplifies the determination process by using direct information matching rather than complex analysis, thereby preventing unnecessary printing while keeping the processing logic relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A server may receive a first e-mail including a first image file from a first external device and send a first print request to a first printer. After the first e-mail has been received from the first external device, the server may receive a second e-mail including a second image file from a second external device. The server may, in a case where the second e-mail is received from the second external device, determine whether the second e-mail was generated by using the first e-mail. The server may, in a case where it is determined that the second e-mail was not generated by using the first e-mail, send a second print request to the first printer. In a case where it is determined that the second e-mail was generated by using the first e-mail, the second print request may not be sent to the first printer.