Secure printing using electronic mailbox

Claim 3

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device to print a document, the process steps comprising: the printing device receiving a command, input at the printing device, to print a document located in an electronic mailbox; the printing device requesting the input of an e-mail address, a user ID and a password corresponding to an e-mail account of the electronic mailbox, after receiving the command; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the user selecting the document from the list; the user inputting a first security code into the printing device; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security code corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.

Claim 4

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device to print a document, the process steps comprising: the printing device receiving a command, input at the printing device, to print a document located in an electronic mailbox; the printing device requesting the input of an e-mail address, a user ID and a password corresponding to an e-mail account of the electronic mailbox, after receiving the command; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the user selecting the document from the list; the user inputting a first security code into the printing device; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security code corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.

Claim 7

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device to print a document, the process steps comprising the steps of: in a host computer, performing the steps of: selecting a printing option for printing the document to an electronic mailbox corresponding to an e-mail account; inputting an e-mail address corresponding to the e-mail account of the electronic mailbox that the document is to be printed to; and sending the document to the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account corresponding to the input e-mail address; and in a printing device, performing the steps of: the printing device receiving a command for printing a document located in an electronic mailbox; the printing device requesting the input of an e-mail address, a user ID and a password corresponding to an e-mail account of the electronic mailbox, and a first security code corresponding to the document; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the user selecting the document from the list; the user inputting a second security code into the printing device; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security code corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.

Claim 8

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device to print a document, the process steps comprising the steps of: in a host computer, performing the steps of: selecting a printing option for printing the document to an electronic mailbox corresponding to an e-mail account; inputting an e-mail address corresponding to the e-mail account of the electronic mailbox that the document is to be printed to; and sending the document to the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account corresponding to the input e-mail address; and in a printing device, performing the steps of: the printing device receiving a command for printing a document located in an electronic mailbox; the printing device requesting the input of an e-mail address, a user ID and a password corresponding to an e-mail account of the electronic mailbox, and a first security code corresponding to the document; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the user selecting the document from the list; the user inputting a second security code into the printing device; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security code corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 1 , wherein the document is stored in the electronic mailbox in a printer-ready format that comprises a printer definition language.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 5 , wherein the printer definition language comprises one of a Printer Control Language (PCL), a Page Description Format (PDF), or Postscript (PS).

Claim 11

A method according to claim 1 , wherein the document is rendered in the printer-ready format before being stored in the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account.

Claim 12

Computer-executable process steps according to claim 2 , wherein the document is stored in the electronic mailbox in a printer-ready format that comprises a printer definition language.

Claim 13

Computer-executable process steps according to claim 8 , wherein the printer definition language comprises one of a Printer Control Language (PCL), a Page Description Format (PDF), or Postscript (PS).

Claim 14

Computer-executable process steps according to claim 2 , wherein the document is rendered in the printer-ready format before being stored in the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 3 , wherein the document is stored in the electronic mailbox in a printer-ready format that comprises a printer definition language.

Claim 16

A method according to claim 11 , wherein the printer definition language comprises one of a Printer Control Language (PCL), a Page Description Format (PDF), or Postscript (PS).

Claim 17

A method according to claim 3 , wherein the document is rendered in the printer-ready format before being stored in the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account.

Claim 18

Computer-executable process steps according to claim 4 , wherein the document is stored in the electronic mailbox in a printer-ready format that comprises a printer definition language.

Claim 19

Computer-executable process steps according to claim 14 , wherein the printer definition language comprises one of a Printer Control Language (PCL), a Page Description Format (PDF), or Postscript (PS).

Claim 20

Computer-executable process step according to claim 4 , wherein the document is rendered in the printer-ready format before being stored in the electronic mailbox of the e-mail account.

Claim 23

A printing device, comprising: a requesting unit that requests the input of information corresponding to an e-mail account of an elelctronic mailbox; a display unit that displays a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; a detecting unit that detects a user selection of a document from the displayed list; a receiving unit that receives a first security code corresponding to the selected document; a determining unit that determines whether the first security code is identical to a second security corresponding to the document; a retrieving unit that retrieves, based on information input in response to the request of the requesting unit, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and a printing unit that prints the document.

Claim 24

A printing device, comprising: a requesting unit that requests the input of information corresponding to an e-mail account of an elelctronic mailbox; a display unit that displays a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; a detecting unit that detects a user selection of a document from the displayed list; a receiving unit that receives a first security code corresponding to the selected document; a determining unit that determines whether the first security code is identical to a second security corresponding to the document; a retrieving unit that retrieves, based on information input in response to the request of the requesting unit, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and a printing unit that prints the document.

Claim 25

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device for printing a document, the process steps comprising the steps of: the printing device requesting the input of information corresponding to an e-mail account of an electronic mailbox; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the printing device detecting a user selection of a document from the displayed list; the printing device receiving a first security code corresponding to the selected document; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.

Claim 26

Computer-executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps usable by a printing device for printing a document, the process steps comprising the steps of: the printing device requesting the input of information corresponding to an e-mail account of an electronic mailbox; the printing device displaying a list of documents stored in the electronic mailbox; the printing device detecting a user selection of a document from the displayed list; the printing device receiving a first security code corresponding to the selected document; the printing device determining whether the first security code is identical to a second security corresponding to the document; the printing device retrieving, based on information input in response to the requesting step, the document from the electronic mailbox corresponding to the e-mail account; and the printing device printing the document.