Patent ID: 8873093

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for processing an image, comprising: a communication unit capable of communicating with a plurality of external devices including a first external device and a second external device through a network; a data storage unit for storing a first mail transmitted from the first external device; a print unit for printing image data of the first mail stored in the data storage unit; a mail generation unit for generating a second mail including the image data of the first mail and an open mail notification instruction relative to the second external device, and for controlling the communication unit to transfer the second mail to the second external device; a mail analysis unit capable of analyzing an open mail notification response from the second external device; and a processing control unit for deleting the first mail when the mail analysis unit determines that the second external device receives and opens the second mail, and for notifying a user to open the first mail when the mail analysis unit determines that the second external device does not open the second mail.