JP2003223395A - Communication system and communication supporting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for allowing project members in an office on a network to communicate with each other, and for sharing the information only by performing a normal operation to transmit electronic mails without performing any special operation to designate all the project members with 'Cc:'. <P>SOLUTION: This communication system for supporting communication among project members through electronic mails comprises a mail server 20 and terminals to be used by respective project members which are connected through a communication network 11. The mail server 20 is provided with a mail storing part 25 for storing the contents of all the communication by the electronic mails among the project members for each project by making each project correspond to an account. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system that supports communication between project members by electronic mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of communication technology and the spread of the Internet, it has become possible to establish a virtual office on a communication network and operate it as a business entity.

For example, a teleworker having a communication device such as a personal computer gathers to form a project team and communicates with each other to proceed with development, thereby developing a system such as application software while staying at home. Can be jointly developed.

In offices on such a network, there are electronic mails, electronic bulletin boards, electronic conference rooms, etc. which are used as communication tools among project members.

With these tools, unlike telephones, connectionless asynchronous conversations are possible.
In other words, it is possible to send a message without forcing a call to the other party, or to browse all incoming messages at a convenient time.

[0006]

However, since electronic mail is basically premised on one-to-one communication, it is not suitable as a communication tool between, for example, three or more project members. That is, 2
In order to allow everyone to always share (view) the content of all conversations exchanged between people, for example, at the time of transmission, all the members other than the transmission partner can be given “Cc (Ca
rbon copy): ”is always required as a target.

Further, although the electronic bulletin board and the electronic conference room facilitate the sharing of information, when the number of projects increases, it is possible to manage the persons who participate in these multiple projects and the multiple projects. It imposes a heavy burden on the administrator who is in a position to do so. That is, it is necessary to repeat a series of procedures such as logging in, browsing, speaking, and logging out for a plurality of electronic bulletin boards and electronic conference rooms. Alternatively, it is necessary to prepare a special tool for automating such troublesome patrol work.

On the other hand, electronic mail is widely used as a familiar communication tool that can be used not only in computers but also in mobile phones, personal digital assistants, etc.
If it can be used as a communication tool between project members in an office on the network, it is very convenient because normal conversation and project conversation can be conducted with one tool.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, without performing a special operation such as designating all project members by "Cc:",
It is to provide a communication system and a network office that enable communication between project members in an office on the network and share the information by simply performing a normal operation of sending an electronic mail. The purpose of 1.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a communication system and a network office suitable for project management, which can easily grasp the exchange of e-mails and the participation status of members in each of a plurality of projects. .

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, a communication system according to the present invention is a communication system for supporting communication between project members by electronic mail, and is connected by a communication network. It is composed of a mail server device and a terminal device used by each project member, and the mail server device associates each project with an account, and the contents of all communication by e-mail between project members are carried out for each project. It is characterized in that it is provided with a mail storage means for storing and storing the mail.

Here, when the mail server device further receives the electronic mail sent from the terminal device to the account, the mail server device specifies the account as a reply destination to the electronic mail. It is also possible to provide a mail storage means for storing the above-mentioned header information in the mail storage means after determining whether the header information of Good.

[0013] Further, the terminal device, when transmitting the electronic mail, obtains a selection from the project members whether or not to transmit the electronic mail regarding the project, and a selection obtaining means for transmitting the electronic mail regarding the project. And a mail sending unit that sends the e-mail to the account associated with the project as a destination.
That is, the e-mail sending means may send the e-mail addressed to the account in both cases of newly speaking in the project and replying to the e-mail that has already been spoken.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, in the communication system according to the present invention, in the communication system, the mail server device further receives the mail based on a delivery request from the terminal device. From the emails stored in the storage means, a mail delivery means for reading out the emails stored in association with the account that is the subject of the delivery request and delivering them to the terminal device,
A management table registration holding unit that records the fact that the electronic mail has been delivered by the mail delivery unit for each email and each delivery destination and holds it as a management table, and a management table held by the management table registration holding unit are specified. Management table delivering means for delivering to the terminal device.

A network office according to the present invention is an office on a communication network, and is composed of a mail server device connected by the communication network and a terminal device used by a member of the office. Is provided with a mail storage unit that stores individual communication contents for each project by associating each project with an account and storing all the communication contents by e-mail between members who belong to the project. For both the remarks and the replies to the remarks already made, it is necessary to leave the e-mails stored in the mail storage means and the e-mail storage means for sending the e-mails to the account corresponding to the project. Read email Characterized in that it comprises a mail reading unit.

It should be noted that the present invention provides a communication support method, a network office operating method, and a program for causing a general-purpose computer device such as a personal computer to execute the steps, which are characteristic means of the communication system and the network office. , And a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This communication system 10 uses e-mail as a basic tool to support management of a plurality of projects in an office on a network. Specifically, communication among project members, sharing of information, participation of project members. It is a system that supports project management such as grasping the situation, and includes a mail server 20, terminal devices 30a to 30c, and a communication network 11 that connects them.

The mail server 20 is a computer such as a workstation, and functions as an electronic mail server in the communication system 10 and an information server for project management. Specifically, SMTP (Simple M
ail Transfer Protocol, POP3 (Post Office Pro)
tocol Version 3), IMAP4 (Internet Mail Acces
In accordance with a protocol such as s Protocol Version 4) or the like, the electronic mail requested from the terminal devices 30a to 30c is transmitted, and the electronic mail transmitted to the account associated with each project is received and accumulated, and The accumulated e-mail is distributed to the terminal devices 30a to 30c, and management information indicating the browsing status (read / unread etc.) of the project member for each e-mail is distributed to the project manager.

The terminal devices 30a to 30c are communication devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and portable information terminals used by project members and project managers, and function as clients to the mail server 20. Specifically, project members and managers connect the terminal devices 30a to 30c and the mail server 20 by PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connection or the like, and create, send, and browse e-mail using a mail tool or the like. Or browse the management information downloaded from the mail server 20 using a database tool or the like, or access the mail server 20 based on a protocol such as TELNET to make various settings for project management.

FIG. 2 shows the mail server 20 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing the detailed functional configuration of FIG. The mail server 20 includes three processing units (transmission / reception unit 21, mail reading / writing unit 22, project management unit 23) and three data storage units (mail storage unit 25, management table storage unit 2).
6, the project control table storage unit 27).

The project control table storage unit 27 is
It is a storage unit for accumulating and holding in the project control table 27a the information regarding the project transmitted by the project registration of the project manager by the terminal devices 30a to 30c. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for each target project managed by this mail server 20, the “project name” of the virtual conference room, the “account” of that project, and the members of that project are authenticated. "Password" to do so, and send an e-mail addressed to the project to each terminal device 3
0a to 30c, a flag "save copy" indicating whether or not to leave a copy of the email on the mail server 20 (mail storage unit 25) when viewed and reply to a comment for the viewed email Destination "Reply-T
“O”, “manager's mail address” of the project, and “member's mail address” of the project are stored.

In the communication system 10, the operation of setting "Save copy" in the project control table 27a to "Yes" and the reply destination "Reply-to" to "Account of the project". . The reason for this is that in each project communication, when making a new statement, an email is sent to the account corresponding to the project, while
If you want to comment on a new message, you can reply to the e-mails that are left there, so that all exchanges made in the project can be done by the mail server 2.
This is because it can be left and stored on 0 (mail storage unit 25). This enables project members and managers to download and view the e-mails accumulated in the accounts corresponding to each project at any time to know the exchanges and progress up to that point, and information is shared. It

The mail storage unit 25 is a storage unit for storing the electronic mails sent to the accounts associated with each project.

As shown in FIG. 4, the management table storage unit 26 has already read whether or not each project member has read the e-mail sent to the project (read / unread). If there is, management tables 26a to 26 indicating the browsing state such as when the reading was made
c is a storage unit for storing each project, and stores “No”, “speaking date” and “speaker” of the message, browsing date and time for each member and manager, and unread.

The transmission / reception unit 21 uses the above-described protocol and the like to transmit data to the terminal devices 30a to 3 through the communication network 11.
0c, which is an interface for communication with the terminal device 30
Analyze commands sent from a to 30c,
Depending on the result, the mail read / write unit 22 or the project management unit 23 is requested to perform processing, or the mail read / write unit 22
And the data passed from the project management unit 23 to the terminal devices 30a to 30c.

The mail read / write unit 22 executes the processing requested by the transmission / reception unit 21, writes the mails from the terminal devices 30a to 30c into the mail storage unit 25, and the mail storage unit 25 based on the project control table 27a.
Read mail from.

Specifically, the mail read / write unit 22 stores the mail from the terminal devices 30a to 30c in the mail storage unit 25.
When writing to the project control table storage unit 27
The project control table 27a stored in the project control table 27a is referred to.
By setting "y-to" (to the project), the reply address of the received mail is forcibly set to the project address. Further, when writing the mail from the terminal devices 30a to 30c into the mail storage unit 25, the mail reading and writing unit 22 enters the message No, the date and time of the message, the speaker and unread of each member in the management tables 26a to 26c. To do. Also, the mail read / write unit 22
When reading mail from the mail storage unit 25, the member is authenticated by the password, and the mail is kept stored without being deleted by setting "Yes" of "Save copy" in the project control table 27a. Or In addition, when reading the mail from the mail storage unit 25, the mail reading / writing unit 22 writes the date and time on the unread portion of the read message, thereby entering the read message.

The project management unit 23 stores the project control table 2 in the project control table storage unit 27.
7a is set, or the management tables 26a to 26c are read from the management table storage unit 26 and transmitted to the terminal devices 30a to 30c via the transmission / reception unit 21.

FIG. 5 shows the terminal devices 30a to 30a shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of 30b. As shown in the figure, each of the terminal devices 30a to 30c has six program units (transmission / reception unit 31, mail browsing unit 32, mail creation unit 33, account table editing unit 34, management table browsing unit 35, and GUI (Graphics). User Interfac
e) unit 36) and three data storage units (mail storage unit 3)
7, an account table storage unit 38, and a management table storage unit 39).

The mail storage unit 37 is a storage unit that receives mails for a project or an individual stored in the mail server 20 or the like via the transmission / reception unit 31 and stores them for each account.

The account table storage unit 38 stores the account table 38a shown in FIG. The account table 38a is a table that stores and holds information necessary for sending and receiving electronic mail for each account, and includes an "account name (folder name)" that represents a mail storage location in a storage device such as a hard disk, and "Server name" of the mail server used to send and receive mail,
In addition to the “user account” and “password” and the mail sender's mail address “From:”, the mail recipient's mail addresses “To:”, “Cc:”, and “Bcc:” set in the destination designation dialog Information is held in advance, and the account table editing unit 34
Are generated and updated by.

The project and accounting system (p
roj1) uses the user account of the server as the office of the project and collects newly speaking mails in this office without fail. Therefore, the mail address "To" is proj1 @ xxxxxx. com is set to be selectable by default. In addition, it is often better to inform the project members of new emails for external use as well, and in order not to forget to notify the project members, the email address "Bcc" is: proj1 @ ×××. com is set by default.

The management table storage unit 39 stores the management table 26a to be managed sent from the mail server 20.

The transmission / reception unit 31 is an interface for communicating with the mail server 20 via the communication network 11 in accordance with the above-mentioned protocol and the like, and sends mail to the mail server 20 in response to a request from the mail creation unit 33 or the management table browsing unit 35. Or sending a command, storing unread mail delivered from the mail server 20 in response to a request from the mail browsing unit 32 in the mail storage unit 37, or storing the management tables 26a to 26c in the management table storage unit 39. To do

The mail browsing unit 32 sends a command to read unread mail from the mail server 20 in response to a predetermined instruction from the GUI unit 36, or reads the mail stored in the mail storage unit 37 for each account. GUI
Hand it over to section 36. This makes the email available for viewing by project members and managers.

The mail creating section 33 creates a mail header or the like by referring to the account table 38a, and a GU.
The mail created according to the instruction from the I unit 36 is transmitted to a predetermined destination.

The account table editing unit 34 uses the GUI
The account information relating to the transmission / reception of the mail, which is input in the destination designation dialog via the unit 36, is entered in the account table 38a of the account table storage unit 38, or the account information entered in the account table 38a is changed.

More specifically, the account table editing unit 34, for example, inputs the “account name”, the “server name” of the mail server, and the “server name” input according to the instruction in the account dialog box (not shown) displayed on the GUI unit 36. "User account", "password" User name and e-mail address of the user, account information consisting of the sender "From:" of the mail, etc., and the destination of frequently used emails in the address designation dialog for each account To: ”,“ Cc: ”,“ B
Information of "cc:" is accepted.

The management table browsing unit 35 is for browsing whether or not a member of the project has read a mail addressed to the project. Specifically, the management table browsing unit 35 accepts an instruction to receive the management table from the GUI unit 36 by the operation of the terminal user, and further accepts the project name and password, and authenticates this together with the project name and password. Of the command of the mail server 20 via the transmission / reception unit 31.
Send to. The data of the management table transferred from the mail server 20 as a result of the authentication of the project name and password is updated and stored in the management table storage unit 39. In addition, the management table browsing unit 35
When an instruction to browse the management table is received from the UI unit 36, the management table is read from the management table storage unit 39 and passed to the GUI unit 36. As a result, the data of the management table is displayed as a list on the screen, and the manager can manage whether or not the member has read the mail.

The management table browsing unit 35 logs in the mail server 20 by the operation of the manager,
Send the information of "project name", "account", "password", "save copy", "Reply-To", "project manager's mail address", and "project member mail address", and send it to the project control table 27a. It also has a function to enter each information.

The GUI section 36 uses many visual elements on the screen of a display device such as a monitor for sending and receiving mails, browsing the management table, etc., to improve the operability of the terminal user and the information transmission to the user. The interface is used to convey the instruction of the user's operation result to the mail browsing unit 32, the mail creation unit 33, the account table editing unit 34, and the management table browsing unit 35.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of mail exchange between project members targeted by the communication system 10.

A member who wants to make a new statement in a project to which he / she belongs sends an e-mail (new e-mail) having the content of the new statement addressed to the e-mail address of the project. Each mail addressed to the project is stored in the mail storage unit 25 after “Reply-to” is set in the header of the mail. As a result, "Reply-to" is set to the project in the header of all the mails of the project downloaded and viewed by the member from the mail storage unit 25. Therefore, the address To of the reply mail of the member who wants to comment on the new comment is the mail address From of the sender of the new comment From.
Priority, and the project address set by "Reply-to" is automatically set. Therefore, all e-mails containing comments about new remarks of the project are sent to the e-mail address of the project. Each reply email to this project is
As in the case of new mail, "Repl
“Y-to” is set to the project and then stored in the mail storage unit 25.

On the other hand, in the communication system 10, the operation of setting "save copy" of the project control table 27a to "execute" is performed.

Therefore, when making a comment on a new comment, by replying to the e-mail left therein, all the exchanges made in the project are stored in the mail storage unit 25 of the mail server 20. It can be left and accumulated.

FIG. 8 shows the mail server 20 shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mail read / write unit 22 of FIG. Here, the mail (new mail,
Processing for sending a reply mail) and delivering (browsing) the mail is shown.

The mail read / write unit 22 first determines whether the request from the client is a mail transmission or a mail delivery (S10). This judgment is TEL
It is determined by the TCP port number that opens and receives a command and response of a character string on the subset NVT of the NET protocol. When it is determined that the request is a transmission request, the mail reading / writing unit 22 receives a command indicating a mail sender, a command indicating a mail receiver, a command for transmitting data, etc. from the terminal device, and after responding to this,
The mail is received, and it is judged from the To field of the header of this mail whether or not the mail is for the project managed by this communication system 10 (S11).

If the destination is not a project (No in S11), the mail reading / writing unit 22 transfers the mail to the destination (S15) and ends the transmission of the mail. On the other hand, if the mail is for a project managed by the communication system 10 (Yes in S11), a "Reply-to" field having the same project name as the To field is set in the header of the received mail ( S1
2) The mail is stored in the corresponding project folder of the mail storage unit 25 (S13). Then, "No" of the mail message is added to the management tables 26a to 26c of the corresponding project in the management table storage unit 26.
Or, an entry having "speaking date", "speaker", and "unread" of other members is added (S14), and the transmission of the mail ends. As a result, for each project, emails for that project are collected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the request is a mail delivery request, the mail read / write unit 22
The user confirmation is authenticated by the password transmitted together with the command for authentication (S16). If the password is incorrect (No in S17), the mail read / write unit 22
Returns an error and terminates the mail delivery communication for the corresponding project. On the other hand, if the password is correct (Yes in S17), the mail read / write unit 22
The personal e-mail address is obtained from the member who has requested the e-mail delivery, and an OK response regarding the e-mail delivery to the corresponding project is made. Then, the mail reading / writing unit 22 repeats the mail number and size by the number of mails by receiving a command for collecting information such as the size of the mail holder and the size of the message, and then returns the unread mail. In response to the command specifying the mail number for requesting collection, the unread mail specified by the command for collecting mail is delivered to the terminal device while saving a copy (S18). Then, the mail read / write unit 22
Management table 26a-2 by writing the delivery date and time in the delivery date and time column of the member who requested delivery based on the personal email address acquired in step S18.
The column of the member requesting the mail collection of 6c is updated from unread to already read (S19), and the mail delivery communication is terminated.

Instead of the acquisition of the personal mail address in step S18, the IP address of the terminal device of the manager or member may be used to specify the user who requested the distribution. Whether or not the member is a person who manages unread or read mail depending on whether or not the personal mail address or IP address acquired in this way is registered in the member column of the project control table 27a. You may judge whether.

Therefore, since all the communications made in the project are accumulated in the mail account provided for each project, the members belonging to the project can read the e-mail accumulated in the account at any time, You can know all the communication that has been done up to that point.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display in the state where the downloaded predetermined mail (No. 3.1 mail addressed to the accounting system (proj1)) is being browsed by the GUI unit 36 of the terminal device.

As shown in the figure, in the mail browsing dialog by the GUI unit 36, "file", "edit", "send / receive", "search", "macro", "setting",
Pull-down button 361 consisting of "Help", "New mail", "Reply mail", "Forward mail", "Send / receive mail", "Edit account", "Receive management table",
Command button 362 consisting of "view management table",
A folder window 36 that displays folders of accounts (for example, “accounting system (proj1)” and “for outside the company”) preset in this terminal device.
3, the details of the mail selected from the mail list window 364 that displays a list of mails received, unsent, sent, and stored in the trash box of each folder, and the mails displayed in the mail list window 364 ( Mail details window 36 that displays the header and mail body)
And 5 are provided.

In the mail list window 364,
A title bar showing the account selected in the folder window 363 and the received, unsent, sent, and trash types selected in that account, and a list of emails of the type indicated by this title bar, thread list, etc. "List" and "thread" to display
Tabs are provided. Also, mail details window 3
A title bar (e-mail underlined in the drawing) selected in the mail list window 364 is displayed in a title bar (in the illustrated example, “mail details (No. 3.1 / No. 3.1 /
Yamamoto / 01/04/20 (Friday) 10:45) ”) is provided, and a part of the content of the header part of the mail (in the illustrated example, From: Yamamoto <ab
c @ ○ × ○. com>, Reply-to: proj1
@ ×××. com, To: proj1 @ ×××. co
m, Subject: Re: Notice), a part of the content of the mail body part, that is, a part of the new statement to which the symbol ">" is added, and a part of Mr. Yamamoto's reply to it are displayed. . Here, the field Re of the header part
ply-to: proj1 @ ×××. com is attached by the mail server 20 and indicates a mailbox to which a reply to this message should be sent.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when a new speech is made on the terminal device. Members who want to make new comments
While looking at the display screen of the GUI unit 36, "folder"
Click the account name in the column to select it (S20) and press the "New Mail" command button shown in FIG. 9 (S
21).

"Accounting system" (proj
When "new mail" in the command button 362 is pressed with 1) selected, the "Message" dialog box shown in FIG. 11A is displayed on the screen. In this screen, by setting the account table 381, the sender “From” field of the header indicates the name of the project member and the e-mail address of Yamada <taro @ ○ × Δ. com> is the header “To” field indicating the first recipient of the email, the email address of the project to which this member belongs, proj
1 @ ○ × △. com has been entered in advance,
The text box of the header "Subject" field indicating the title of the mail is blank.

On the other hand, when the "new mail" command button 362 is pressed in the state where "for outside the company" is selected as the account, the "message" dialog box shown in FIG. 11B is displayed on the screen. On this screen, unlike the case of the project address, the email address of any first recipient is entered by setting the account table 381. Therefore, the text box of the header “To” field is blank and “To” is displayed. Click the part to call the mail address registered in the address book, or call the mail address that was mailed in the past and select it to enter the desired mail address in the text box. In addition, in this screen, the header "Bc
"c" field is provided, and proj1 @ ○ × Δ. com has been entered in advance. The reason for this is that it is often desirable for project members to view new emails addressed to the outside of the company.

In the "Message" dialog box shown in FIG. 11, if the destination does not need to be changed (No in S22), the header "Sub" indicating the title of the mail is displayed.
Ject "text box, enter an arbitrary title,
Enter the body of the email at the bottom of this header (S24),
Press the "send" command button (S25). As a result, the newly created mail is sent to the destination.

In the state where the "Message" dialog box shown in FIG. 11 (a) is displayed, "Destination change" is performed.
When the command button is pressed, the "destination designation dialog" shown in FIG. 12A is displayed on the screen. In the "destination designation dialog" for this accounting system (project), a plurality of destinations often used for mails to this project are prepared in advance, and are displayed in the "Message" dialog box of FIG. 11 (a). To To
Only the check boxes corresponding to the columns are checked to enable only that destination. Therefore, the speaker <abc @ ○ □ △. com> to send a mail to the Cc field and to send a mail to your own mailbox, click the check box in the Bcc field as necessary to add a check mark to enable the destination. This valid destination is set in the account table 38a and is also displayed on the screen of FIG. 11 (a). Therefore, it is possible to easily add or change the destination while avoiding the complexity of manually inputting the destination.

After changing the destination, the header "Subject"
Enter an arbitrary title in the text box, enter the text of the mail at the bottom of this header (S24), and press the "Send" command button (S25). As a result, the newly created mail is sent to the changed destination.

On the other hand, when the "destination change" command button is pressed in the state where it is displayed in the "message" dialog box of FIG. 11B, the "destination designation dialog" shown in FIG. 12 (b) is displayed. Is displayed in. In this "destination designation dialog" as well, a plurality of destinations often used for the mail addressed to the outside of the company are prepared in advance.
Only the check boxes in the To field displayed in the "Message" dialog box of 1 (b) and the Bcc field for the project have a check mark. Therefore, if you click the check box in the Cc field for the speaker or mailing server or the Bcc field for yourself to add a check mark, that address becomes valid, and this effective address becomes It is set in the account table 38a and set as the initial destination from the next time. Therefore, it is possible to easily add or change the destination while avoiding the complexity of manually inputting the destination.

After changing the destination, enter the destination in the text box in the To field of the header and add the header "Subje"
Enter an arbitrary title in the "ct" text box, enter the body of the mail at the bottom of this header (S24), and press the "Send" command button (S25). As a result, the newly created mail is sent to the changed destination.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when making a comment (reply) to a new message on the terminal device. The member who wants a comment selects the project folder or the external folder in the “Folder” column while looking at the display screen of the GUI unit 36, and the mail to be the reply target in the “Mail list”. Select (S3
0), press the "Reply mail" command button (S3
1).

When the "reply mail" command button is pressed with the mail for the project selected, FIG.
The "message" dialog box shown in (a) is displayed on the screen. On this screen, the sender “From” field of the header of the reply mail indicates the name of the project member to be commented and the e-mail address of Yamada <taro @ ○ × △. com> is the header “To” field indicating the first recipient of the email, the email address of the project to which this member belongs,
proj1 @ ○ × △. In the header "Subject" field indicating the title of the mail, "Re:" representing the reply is input in advance at the head of the title "Notification" of the original mail.

On the other hand, when the "Reply Mail" command button is pressed with the external mail selected,
The "message" dialog box shown in (b) is displayed on the screen. On this screen, the sender “From” field of the header of the reply mail indicates the name of the project member to be commented and the e-mail address of Yamada <taro @ ○ × △. com> is the header "To" field indicating the first recipient of the mail, the mail address of the creator of this original mail, abc @ ○ □
△. com, in the “Bcc” field, the mail address for the project, proj1 @ ○ × Δ. com
However, in the header "Subject" field indicating the title of the mail, "Re:" representing the reply is input in advance at the head of the title "Notification" of the original mail.

Here, when commenting on an external mail, it is customary that the header of the original mail does not include a Reply-to field. Therefore, in the header of the comment for external mail, R
The usual processing in the reply message performed when the email field is not included and the processing of reversing the contents of the From field and the To field are performed.

On the other hand, when a mail for a project is downloaded from the mail server 20 and a comment is made to this mail, the mail server 20 makes a reply to the project in the header of the downloaded original mail. The field is included. Therefore, in the To field of the comment,
Responding to the sender's email address of the original email, Re
The address of the project specified in the ply-to field is set.

The contents of the From field shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b), Yamada <taro @ ○ ×
△. com> and the contents of the Bcc field shown in FIG. 14 (b), proj1 @ xxx. com is a preset mail address as in the case of sending a new mail.

In the "Message" dialog box shown in FIG. 14, if the destination does not need to be changed (No in S32), immediately if the destination needs to be changed (Yes in S32), the destination of the new mail is changed. After changing the destination in the same manner as in the case (S33), the body of the mail is entered in the lower part of this header (S34), and the "send" command button is pressed (S35). As a result, the newly created mail is sent to the destination. Therefore, not only the mail for the project but also general mail can be easily created.

Here, the entire original message is once incorporated into a new message in the body of the mail, and a symbol such as ">" is inserted at the beginning of each line of the original message text. Therefore, even when a new sentence is inserted between the original message and the reply, the original message and the comment can be clearly distinguished by the symbol at the beginning of the line. Also, the method of inserting a symbol at the beginning of a line can be repeated any number of times, so that the progress of a comment can be easily grasped even if a reply to a reply is repeated.

At the beginning of a new message, attribution information for indicating the sender of the message is added. Therefore, even if the replies to the replies are overlapped, the attribution information can be utilized, and the details of the header can be examined to check the In-Reply-t.
Even without looking at the contents of the o field and the Reference field, the subject of the conversation exchanged in the mail message can be analyzed in detail.

Therefore, the electronic conference room, the electronic blackboard, etc. are not required, and the communication between the project members in the office on the network can proceed smoothly.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when the project manager browses the management table.

The manager who wants to browse the management table is
When the "management table reception" button is pressed while looking at the display screen (FIG. 9) by the GUI unit 36, the management table reception dialog box shown in FIG. 16A is displayed. When the manager inputs the "project name" and the "password" for browsing the management table in the text boxes, the management table browsing unit 35 acquires the entered "project name" and "password" (S40). Project name "and" password "are mail server 20
(S41).

Project management section 2 of mail server 20
3 is a project control table 27a in which the transferred “project name” is managed by the mail server 20.
"Project name" and the transferred "password" for browsing the management table that matches the "password" (not shown) for browsing the management table stored in the project control table 27a. If confirmed, the data of "authentication OK" is returned to the terminal device, and if the project does not exist or the passwords for browsing the management table do not match, the data of the authentication error is returned (S42).

When the "authentication OK" data is received from the mail server 20, the management table browsing unit 35 requests the mail server 20 to deliver the management table. The project management unit 23, which has received the management table distribution request, reads the corresponding management table from the management table storage unit 26 (S43). The data of the read management table is
The data is downloaded in CSV format from the mail server 20 to the terminal device (S44) and stored in the management table storage unit 39.

When the manager presses the "view management table" command button, the data of the management table read from the management table storage section 39 is displayed on the screen by the GUI section 36 shown in FIG. Is viewed (S45).

As a result, the manager Yamamoto can easily manage whether or not each member has read his or her statement made in the project managed by him.

As described above, according to the communication system according to the first embodiment, the mail server 20 associates each project with an account and displays the contents of all communication by e-mail between project members. The mail storage unit 25 is provided for storing and storing each project. As a result, all the communications made in the project will be accumulated in the email account provided for each project, so members belonging to the project can read the email accumulated in that account at any time,
You can know all the communication that has been done up to that point. Therefore, without performing special operations such as specifying all project members with "Cc:",
It is possible to communicate between project members in the office on the network and share the information only by performing a normal operation of sending an electronic mail. Further, since past e-mails are always stored in the mail server 20, the project member sends the read e-mails to his / her own terminal device 3
It is not necessary to store the data in 0a to 30c. Further, by using a mobile terminal, a PDA, or the like at a destination such as a business trip, it is possible to know the interaction in the project at any time.

Further, when the mail server 20 further receives the electronic mail sent from the terminal devices 30a to 30c to the account, the mail server 20 indicates to the electronic mail that the account is designated as a reply destination to the electronic mail. It is determined whether or not the header information is attached. If the header information is not attached, a mail reading / writing unit 22 that stores the header information to that effect in the email storage unit 25 after the email is attached is provided. . As a result, the header information with the account corresponding to the project as the reply destination is added to all the e-mails stored in the mail server device, so that the project member who reads the e-mail simply reads the e-mail. Simply replying to, the reply mail is sent to the same account and accumulated. Therefore, it is guaranteed that not only new comments but also replies will be accumulated in the same project account. Then, the function provided in the mail server device guarantees that all the electronic mails are stored in the project account, so that the mailers used by the terminal devices 30a to 30c can be realized by general mailers.

Further, the mail server 20 further associates, from the electronic mails accumulated in the mail accumulating section 25, with the account which is the object of the distribution request, based on the distribution request from the terminal devices 30a to 30c. A mail reading / writing unit 22 that reads out the stored e-mail and delivers it to the terminal devices 30a to 30c, and a mail reading / writing unit 2
The management table storage unit 26 that records the fact that the electronic mail has been delivered by 2 for each electronic mail and each delivery destination and holds the management table as a management table, and the management table held in the management table storage unit 26 in a specific terminal device. The project management part 23 which delivers is provided. As a result, whether or not each member has read out is recorded in the management table for all e-mails spoken in the project. For example, the project manager refers to this management table to check the participation status of members. Etc. can be easily grasped.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a communication system according to the second embodiment will be described. Like the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this communication system also uses e-mail as a basic tool, and is a system that supports communication among project members, sharing of information, and the like.
It is composed of a mail server, a terminal device, and a communication network connecting them. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the sharing of communication information among project members is realized by the function of the mail server, it is realized by the function of the mail client included in the terminal device.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the terminal device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal device 300 shown in the figure is the same as the terminal devices 30a to 30c of the above-described first embodiment, and is used by users (project members and project managers) for personal computers, mobile phones,
Although it is a communication device such as a portable information terminal, it is a general mail server
It differs from the terminal devices 30a to 30c in that it functions as a client to a mail server that does not set the y-To field or set to save a copy. Further, in the terminal device 300, since a general mail server does not manage read / unread of a mail addressed to a project, a management table storage unit 39 for browsing read / unread management information of the mail, This is different from the terminal devices 30a to 30c in that the management table browsing unit 35 is deleted. The differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

The terminal device 300 is connected to the communication network 11
You can connect to a general mail server via PPP connection etc., and create and send an e-mail by setting itself to surely collect mail to the project of that mail server even under a general mail server. The management table browsing unit 35 and the management table storage unit 3 are configured by a mailer that can set the mail for the project to remain on the server when browsing.
Six program parts (transmission / reception part 310, mail browsing part 320, mail creation part 330, GUI part 36 excluding 9)
0, a general account editing unit 340 and a project account editing unit 350), and two data storage units (a mail storage unit 370 and an account table storage unit 380).

For convenience of explanation, also in the second embodiment, the same project name as in the first embodiment,
An explanation will be given using a user name, a user's email address, and the like.

Like the mail storage unit 37 shown in FIG. 5, the mail storage unit 370 receives a mail for a project or an individual stored in the mail server via the transmission / reception unit 310 and an attachment file. This is a storage unit that accumulates for each account.

The account table storage section 380 is shown in FIG.
The account table storage unit 38 is substantially the same as the account table storage unit 38 shown in FIG. 2, but is different from the account table storage unit 38 in that a count table 381 holding information necessary for transmitting and receiving electronic mail is stored for each account.

Similar to the transmitting / receiving unit 31 shown in FIG. 5, the transmitting / receiving unit 310 is an interface for communicating with the mail server via the communication network 11 according to the above-mentioned protocol and the like, and sends a mail in response to a request from the mail creating unit 330. It sends emails and commands to the server, and stores unread emails delivered from the email server in the email storage unit 370 in response to a request from the email browsing unit 320.

The mail browsing unit 320 is similar to the mail browsing unit 32 shown in FIG. 5, but when reading an unread mail from the mail server, a command to delete the message based on the designation in the account table 381. (For example, DELE), send the account information file attached to the received mail to the project account editing unit 350,
Instructed by the project account editor 350,
It is different from the mail browsing unit 32 in that the test-transmitted mail is automatically received and viewed.

The mail creating unit 330 is generally the same as the mail creating unit 33 shown in FIG. 5, but when creating a mail under a project account, referring to the account table 381, the mail addressed to the project, etc. Create a template that includes, send an email created in response to an instruction from the GUI unit 360 to a predetermined destination, or instruct from the general account editing unit 340 to send a test email (new, reply, transfer ) Is different from the mail creation unit 33 in that it automatically sends).

The general-purpose account editing unit 340 has a GUI similar to the account table editing unit 34 shown in FIG.
Account information relating to transmission / reception of mail input via the unit 360 is entered in the account table 381 of the account table storage unit 380, or the account information entered in the account table 381 is changed.

The GUI section 360 is a GUI shown in FIG.
Similar to the unit 36, it is an interface that improves the operability of the terminal user and the communication of information to the user by making heavy use of visual elements on the screen of a display device such as a monitor for sending and receiving mails and creating accounts. , The user's operation result instruction, the mail browsing unit 320 and the mail creation unit 33.
0, general account edit unit 340, new account creation unit 3510.

Project account editing unit 350
Is a new configuration peculiar to the terminal device 300 having a function of creating an account for a project, and is broadly divided into an account new creation unit 3510, an account information storage unit 3520, and a transmission / reception test unit 353.
0 and an account information lock unit 3540.

The new account creation unit 3510 is for creating a new account for a project, accepts the designation of the location and file name by the user, and designates a read file to read the contents of the designated account information file. Section 3511 and the contents of the account information file read by the read file designating section 3511 and account information incorporating the information manually input by the user are created, an account is set based on the created information, and an account table is stored. The account information input unit 3514 stores the account table 381 in the unit 380.

The account information input unit 3514 is an initial information holding unit that stores personal information, server information, and an initial value (default) of account information that is a template for defining the contents of a mail in the initial state of mail creation. 3515 and a previous information holding unit 3516 that stores personal information in the previously set project account, server information, and account information including a template.
And an account information embedding unit 3517 for incorporating the account information read out from the account information file into the account information read out from the information holding unit 3516 last time, and further incorporating the information manually input by the user for each item, An account information initialization unit 3518 for newly creating and initializing an account, and setting an account for a project based on the account information incorporated by the account information embedding unit 3517, and creating an account table 381 according to the account information. , And an account information setting unit 3519 for updating the contents of the previous information holding unit 3516.

The account information storage unit 3520 stores the account information including all items or only some items incorporated by the account information incorporation unit 3517 in a location designated by the user with a designated file name.

The transmission / reception test unit 3530 instructs the mail creating unit 330 to automatically create and send a test mail addressed to the project, and instructs the mail browsing unit 320 to automatically receive the test mail from the project. To browse.

The account information lock unit 3540 locks a portion of the set account information item which is troubled to be changed so as not to be rewritable.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the flow of user operation when the project account editing section 350 shown in FIG. 17 creates a new account.

Under the project management system configured by using this terminal device 300, when starting a new project (for example, customer management software), an account information file (for example, proj2 .Ini) is attached from the server administrator (secretariat) to the manager of the new project, and from this manager to the members who participate in the project, is attached to the e-mail notifying the launch of the project, or a recording medium such as FD. It is transferred and stored in a form such as.

The user (member and manager) who receives the account information file and starts the creation of a new project account starts a new project account by clicking a predetermined button displayed on the screen by the GUI unit 360. Operate (S5
0). Then, by inputting necessary instructions and inputs to the input form displayed on the screen by the GUI unit 360, the file used for creating a new project account is specified and the file is read (S51). Then
Information necessary for creating a project account (personal information, server information, templates, etc.)
The data is sequentially input manually (S52, S53, S54). When all the personal information, server information, and template information have been input, the user clicks a predetermined button to set an account (customer management software) (S5).
5). When the account is set, a project account and customer management software are created on the hard disk. Further, in order to deal with a case where the newly created account is damaged, the account information is saved (S56). Then, the user sends and receives a new mail, a reply mail, etc. under the account of the set customer management software so that the conversation by mail (new comment,
Progress the project with comments (replies).

FIG. 19 shows step S50 shown in FIG.
20 is a display example of the screen in FIG. 20, FIG. 20 is a display example of the screen in the designation of the read file in step S51 shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. 21 is a step S52 shown in FIG.
22 shows a screen display example in (input of personal information), FIG. 22 shows a screen display example in step S53 (input of server information) shown in FIG. 18, and FIGS. 23 to 25 show step S54 (shown in FIG. 18). An example of a screen display in (input of template), FIG. 26 shows step S56 shown in FIG.
Display examples of screens in (input of saving account information etc.) are shown.

As shown in FIG. 19, the GUI unit 360
Is displayed on the screen while the mail is being viewed,
Pull-down button 36 that is similar to the case of I part 36
1, a folder window 363, a mail list window 364, a mail detail window 365, a "new mail" button 3621, a "reply mail" button 3622,
"Forward mail" button 3623, "Send and receive mail" button 3624, "Edit account for general use" button 362
5, "Edit account for project" button 3626
A command button 3620 consisting of and an attached file list window 366 are provided. Members and managers can edit the project account button 362.
Click 6 to edit the project account editor 35
Start 0.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, in the read file specification dialog, "location" and "file name" are displayed.
A text box for inputting, etc., a read button B1, etc. are provided.
Input "location", "file name", etc., or click the read button B1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, in the personal information dialog, "account name", "name", "email address", "destination for new mail", "destination for reply mail", etc. Text box and setting button B
2. An initialization button B3 is provided so that the user can use “account name”, “name”, as personal information.
"Email address", "Recipient for new mail",
Enter personal information in items such as "Address when replying to email", enter "Bcc: Specify your email address in header (check)", click setting button B2, and initialize. Click the button B3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, in the mail server dialog, "outgoing mail server", "incoming mail server", "user account for incoming mail server", "password for incoming mail server", etc. , A setting button B2, and an initialization button B3 are provided, and the user can use, as the server information, the “outgoing mail server” of the personal account owned by the user and “for sending mail to the project”. Incoming mail server "," User account for incoming mail server ",
Enter server information in items such as "password for incoming mail server", "designate to save password", enter designation to leave received mail on the server, click the setting button B2, Click the initialization button B3.

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the dialog boxes for new mail, reply mail, and forward mail have text boxes for inputting a destination, fixed phrases, etc., setting button B2, and initialization button B3. Is provided, and the user inputs a template, clicks the setting button B2, and clicks the initialization button B3 as necessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 26, a text box for inputting "location", "file name", etc., a save button B4, a transmission / reception test button B5, an account information lock button B6, etc. are provided. The user inputs a location, a file name, etc. to save the set account information, and clicks the save button B4 or the transmission / reception test button B5 and the account information lock button B6.

Next, a new account creating process by the project account editing unit 350 will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the project account editing unit 350.

The account information file (proj2.ini) received by each user is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, “project name” customer management software and “outgoing mail server” mai for the individual user
l. ○ × △. com and a server different from this outgoing mail server, which is an “incoming mail server” mail. ×××. com, "password" 36y5, and "user account" proj2
The explanation will be made assuming that only some of the items necessary for setting the account of the customer management software are stored. In addition, the previous information holding unit 35 at the time of reading some of the above items from the account information file
As shown in FIG. 29, the previous values stored in 16 are null in the “account name”, “name” and “email address” fields of the personal information, and “reply address (Reply-To)”. Specify "and" Bc
The check box of "c: Add my email address to the header" is null (unchecked), and the server information "outgoing mail server", "incoming mail server", "user account for incoming mail server", and "reception" The fields of "Password for email" are null, and the checkboxes of "Save password" and "Keep received email on server" are null (unchecked), and the text such as the header in the new email template The box is null, and the text box such as the header is `` $ (SetNameOnly, $ (CurrentHea
der, From)). '' And `` $ c $ (QuotedRootBody) '',
In the forwarded email template, the text box such as the header is "----------------------- Forwarding email -----"
------------------ "," $ (SmallRootHeader) ", and" $ (RootBody) ", and the initial that occurs when setting the account for the project for the first time Information holding unit 3
It is assumed that the same value as 515 is stored.

Here, in the account information file, “user account” proj2 and “(reception) mail server” mail. ×××. .com and the email address to the project, that is, “project email address” proj2 @ xxx. com is obtained, the recipient “project mail address” proj2 @ ××. com is omitted. On the contrary, when each user participates in another project by mail that is carried out under the same mail server and publicizes the mail server, or from the project mail address (for receiving)
When the mail server is uniquely determined, the project mail address item may be described and the user account field and the mail server field may be omitted.

Project account editing unit 350
Waits for the project account edit button 3626 (see FIG. 19) to be clicked (S60).

For example, the member “Tazawa □” is shown in FIG.
You must read the mail from the manager "Onishi" on the screen by the GUI unit 360 shown in Fig.3 and create the account "customer management software" using the account information file (proj2.ini) attached to this mail. And click the edit project account button 3626.

Edit Project Account Button 36
When 26 is clicked, the account information incorporating unit 3517 of the project account editing unit 350 reads the previously set account information stored in the previous information holding unit 3516 (S61). Then, the account information incorporating unit 3517 instructs the GUI unit 360 to execute the process shown in FIG.
Open the [Specify file to be read] dialog box shown in 0, and the member's file storage location and account information file name (proj2.ini)
The presence / absence of a file input is determined by designating and the read button B1 (S62). If there is a file input (Yes in S62), the account information incorporation unit 3517
Is the account information file (proj2.in
The information read from i) is incorporated for each item (S6
3). This incorporation is performed by validating the setting content of the file if the account information file has the setting content for the same item, and validating the content read from the previous information holding unit 3516 for the item that is not in the file. Be seen. That is, the account information embedding unit 3517 uses the customer management software in the “project name” field and the mail. ○ × △. com in the "Received mail server" field. ×××. com, 36y5 in the “password” column, and proj2 in the “user account” column. Then, the account information embedding unit 3517 uses the “user account” field pro in the address fields for new mail and reply mail.
j2 and the mail. × ×
×. project email address proj2.com in combination with ×××. com automatically included.

If no file is input in step S62 (No in S62), it is determined whether or not the initialization button B3 is clicked (S64), and only when the initialization button B3 is clicked (Yes in S64). The account information incorporation unit 3517 is the file information input unit 351.
The initial information is read from 2 and initialized (S65). Therefore, the information stored in the initial information holding unit 3515 is the previous value holding unit 3516 as the initial value before manual input.
The same information as the previous information stored in, the information in which the file information is incorporated in this previous information, and the initial information holding unit 3
It is one of the three of the same information as the previous information stored in 515.

In the manual input information reception process of step S66, a personal information dialog box, a mail server dialog box, or a template dialog box is displayed by clicking the personal information tag, the mail server tag, or the template tag by the user, and one of the text boxes is displayed. Or a check box is manually entered (S66
a). Only when there is manual input (Yes in S66a)
s), the information manually input by the member is accepted (S66).
b).

Specifically, the account information incorporating unit 351
7 is a manual input made by user Tazawa □ ○ in the personal information dialog, Tazawa □ ○ in the name column, and bko @ ○ × Δ. com, accepts the manual input performed in the mail server dialog, the check to save the password in the field to save the password, and the check to leave the received mail in the field to leave on the server. In addition, in the new mail dialog of the template, you can enter your name at the beginning of the body of the mail when creating a new mail by clicking "$ (SetNameOnly, $ (Curren
tHeader, From)). Is accepted. Also, in the reply mail dialog, put the greeting for the sender of the reply original mail at the beginning of the mail body, enter your name, move the cursor after that, and select the character selected in the original mail (if not selected, to quote the full text), "Hello, $ (SetNameOnly, $ (RootHeader, From)) 's."
And "$ (SetNameOnly, $ (CurrentHeader, From))."
, "$ C" and "$ (QuotedSelectedRootText2)" are accepted. In addition, in the transfer mail dialog, in order to notify the members of the project of the transfer mail while sending the contents of the project to outsiders,
Leave Reply-To blank, enter the project email address in Bcc, and paste the content of the selected email (or the whole text if you do not select) as is, so enter "$ (SetHeader,
Reply-To, "") "and" $ (SetHeader, Bcc, $ ("AccountRepl
yTo ", $ (" CurrentAccount ")))" and "---------------
-------- Forwarding email ----------------------- ''
, And "$ (SmallRootHeader)" and "$ (RootBody)" are accepted.

Then, the accepted manual input is incorporated into the corresponding item, and the setting button B2 is waited for being clicked (S67). When the setting button is clicked (S67
Yes), the account information incorporation unit 3517 finishes the creation of the new account, creates a new account table 381, and stores it in the account table storage unit 380 (S68).

In this account table 381, the information of the account information file and the information manually input by the user are incorporated in the previous information of the previous information holding unit 3516, and as shown in FIG. "account name"
For customer management software (proj2) and personal information,
"Name" Tazawa □ ○, "Email address" bko @ ○
× △. com, “Address for new mail” proj2 @ ×
Xx. com and "address for reply mail" proj2
@ ×××. com, for mail server information,
"Outgoing mail server" mail. ○ × △. com, “Incoming mail server” mail. ×××. com, "User account for incoming mail server" proj2, "Password for incoming mail" 36y5, "Save password" Save and "Leave received mail on server" Leave, but with new mail template, `` $ (SetN
ameOnly, $ (CurrentHeader, From)). "Is, in the reply e-mail templates," Hello, $ (SetNameOnly,
Mr. $ (RootHeader, From)). , `` $ (SetNameOnly, $ (Cur
rentHeader, From)). , “$ C” and “$ (QuotedS
electedRootText2) ”, but for forwarded mail templates,“ $ (SetHeader, Reply-To, "”) ”,“ $ (SetHeaer
der, Bcc, $ ("AccountReplyTo", $ ("CurrentAccoun
t ")))", "----------------------- Forwarding mail--
"---------------------", "$ (SmallRootHeader)" and "$ (RootBody)" are stored respectively.

This account table 381 is used when creating a template for new mail, reply mail, and transfer mail under the account of the customer management software. Then, the account information incorporating unit 3517 stores the information in the previous information holding unit 3516, holds the information for the next project creation (S69), and finishes the creation of the new account.

By using the new mail template shown in FIG. 30, unlike the case of FIG. 29, the sender's name can be embedded in the mail text. Further, by using the reply mail template shown in FIG. 30, unlike the case of FIG. 29, it is possible to secure the embedding of the sender name of the reply mail sender in the mail text. As a result, it is possible to manage unread and read from the state of mail exchange between project members without looking at the header. Furthermore, by using the forwarded mail template shown in FIG.
Unlike the case of 9, the function to search the header specified by the parameter from the header part of the mail, replace the content, or add a new one can be obtained, and the reply destination (Reply-To) for this forwarded mail is the project. It is ensured that the destination (Bcc) of this transfer mail is included in the project as well as the destination. As a result,
Members outside the project can view emails sent outside the project.

Therefore, when participating in another project newly opened under the same server next time to create a new account for that project, the description contents of the information file (for example, project name and user account Other than (project account) and password), my previous settings become the initial input values, so there will be almost no new items to enter manually.

Here, if the user specifies a tag such as "save account information", a dialog for saving account information shown in FIG. 26 is opened. When the user specifies a save location and a file name and clicks the save button B4 in the dialog for saving account information, the account information saving unit 3520 causes the account information saving unit 3520 to store the account information group in the specified save location with the specified file name. The account information held by the inserting unit 3517 is saved. Therefore, various operations such as the first to the fourth described below are possible.

(First Operation) At the time when the new creation of the project account is completed, the account information incorporating unit 3517 holds the account information including all the same items as the account table 381. As a result, if the save button B4 is clicked when the new creation of the project account is completed, the account information saving unit 3520 causes the account information including all items to be FD
Or save to a hard disk, etc.

Therefore, later, the account table 3
Even if unfortunately need to be restored as a result of the destruction of the 81 or the like, if the read file designation unit 3511 reads the account information stored in the FD or the hard disk, the previous information holding unit 3516 No matter what the previous value of is, the account information embedding unit 3517 incorporates the account information stored in the FD, hard disk, etc. in all the items, so the account information setting unit 3519 resets the account as it is. Can be set.

(Second Operation) Account Information Storage Unit 35
By copying the account information including all items saved by 20 to another machine via the FD or the like, reading the account information by the read file designation unit 3511 of the other machine, and setting the account information input unit 3514. , The same account can be set up on other machines.

(Third operation) From the account information files saved in the FD or the hard disk,
By reading the file you want to copy and reading it with the file specification unit 3511 and changing only the necessary parts (at least, it will be an error if you do not change the account name) and setting it, you can easily set another project account It can also be created.

(Fourth Operation) Further, when the initialization button is pressed for manually inputting the account information, the information shown in FIG. 29 is read from the initial information holding unit 3515, returned to the initial value, and from the initial state, You can manually enter each item from scratch. Therefore, from the initial state, nullify the template of reply mail and forward mail, manually enter only the necessary items, and save when the necessary items are entered, the account information file transferred from the server can be easily Can be created.

When the user clicks the transmission / reception test button B5 in the dialog for saving account information, etc. at the stage where the account setting is completed, the transmission / reception test unit 3530 instructs the mail creation unit 330 to send the account table 381. A new mail to which a test subject or sentence is added is created and automatically transmitted to the model according to the contents of (1), and the mail browsing unit 320 is instructed to automatically receive this new test mail. Next, the transmission / reception test unit 3530 instructs the mail creation unit 330 to send the account table 381.
A reply mail in which a comment or the like is added to this mail is automatically transmitted to the template according to the content of 1., and the mail browsing unit 320 is instructed to automatically receive this test reply mail. Further, the transmission / reception test unit 3530 instructs the mail creation unit 330 to add a comment or the like to this mail in a template according to the contents of the account table 381 (for example, a transfer destination is an external mail address ( bko@○×△.com), B
cc proj2) is automatically transmitted, and the mail browsing unit 320 is instructed to automatically receive the transfer mail for the test transfer.

Thus, it is possible to easily test and confirm whether new mail, reply mail or forward mail can be transmitted / received with the set account while saving the trouble of members and managers.

Further, in the dialog for saving account information, etc., the user can select the account information lock button B.
If you click 6, the account information lock part 3540
Is a part of the set account information that is difficult to change, for example, in the case of personal information, the column of the "To new mail address" text box or the "To reply mail address" text box field , In the mail server information,
For example, the check box in the "Leave received mail on the server" column is displayed in light gray, deactivates it so that it cannot be entered manually, and locks these settings so that they cannot be rewritten in this account.

Therefore, as a result of the test by the transmission / reception test unit 3530, if it is locked at the stage where it can be confirmed that the set account can send and receive the mail, thereafter, the mail can be erroneously sent to another project, It is possible to reliably prevent mistakes such as deleting mail on the server.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the mail creating section 330 shown in FIG.

The mail creating section 330 waits for any of the new mail button 3621, the reply mail button 3622, and the transfer mail button 3623 to be clicked, and which of the buttons 3621 to 3623 has been clicked determines the mail to be created. The type (new mail, reply mail, transfer mail) is specified (S70). Next, the mail creating unit 330 identifies which account (for project) in the folder 363 is selected (S71). Then, the account table 381 to be referred to when creating the mail is determined, and a template (header, body) of the mail addressed to the project is created according to the type of the mail identified in step S70 (S72), and the GUI unit 3
Instruct 60 to display a model on the screen.

Specifically, for example, when the member Tazawa presses the new mail button 3621 with the “account” customer management software activated, the mail creation unit 330
From: bko @ ○ × △. com and To: p
roj2 @ ×××. Create a template for new mail consisting of the header of com and the body of "Tazawa □ ○." In addition, when member Tazawa activates the “account” customer management software and specifies the email to be commented (this email is also referred to as “original email” below), when the reply email button 3622 is pressed, the email is sent. The creating unit 330 determines that From: bko @ ○ × Δ. com,
To: proj2 @ ×××. com and Subjec
t: the header of Re of the original e-mail Subject, ". Hello, based on the sender of the mail ○○ Mr. Tazawa □ is ○."
Create a template for the reply mail consisting of and the body of the original mail with the quotation mark added. In addition, the member Tazawa activates the "account" customer management software and designates the email to be forwarded (this email will also be referred to as "original email" below).
When 623 is pressed, the mail creating unit 330 displays From: b
ko @ ○ × △. com, Bcc: proj2 @ xxxx.
com and Subject: Subj of Fw original mail
Create a template for a transfer email that consists of the header of ect and the header and body of the original email.

That is, when the new mail is created, the To field is normally left blank, but the mail creating unit 330 uses the project address (proj2 @ x).
Xx. com) is forcibly written in the To column. Also, when creating a reply mail,
Although it is customary to create a header in which the m field and the To field are exchanged, the mail creating unit 330 gives priority to the setting of the account table 381 (the destination when replying mail), and the project address (proj2 @ xx × .com)
Is forcibly written in the To column. further,
When creating a transfer mail, it is customary that the Bcc field is left blank, but this mail creating unit 330 sets the settings of the account table 381 (address of transfer mail (Bc
c) Setting: $ (SetHeader, Bcc, $ ("AccountReplyTo",
$ ("CurrentAccount")))), the process of forcibly writing this project address (proj2@xxxxxx.com) in the Bcc field is executed. As a result, the destinations (To and Bcc) of the new mail, reply mail and forward mail are all directed to the same project (proj2).

Upon completion of creating the mail template, the mail creating unit 330 waits for a message or comment to be manually input (S73), and if there is manual input (Yes in S73), input to the template. Is accepted (S74). In this step S74, for example, in the new mail for the project, the input of the new remark to the Subject column and the body is accepted, in the reply mail, the input of the comment to the original mail is received after the greeting of the body, and in the transfer mail. Accepts the transfer destination address in the To field and the input of a comment before the original mail.

Then, the mail creating section 330 waits for the send / receive button 3624 to be clicked (S75), and when the send / receive button 3624 is clicked (Yes in S75).
s), the created mail is sent to the outgoing mail server mail. ○ × △. com (S76). In addition, this outgoing mail server mai
l. ○ × △. com sends this mail to the mail server mail.mail where the project account is created. ×××.
com. Therefore, mails (new mails, reply mails and transfer mails) sent while the account and customer management software are active are all collected in the account, proj2, provided in the server.

On the other hand, by clicking the send / receive button 3624 when sending a new mail or a reply mail, unread mails are received and viewed from the mails collected in the server account, proj2. In the account table 381, “leave received mail on server” is set to be left. As a result, regardless of whether this member or the manager of this project browses, the server account and the mails collected in proj2 are left as they are without being deleted. Therefore, even if a member newly joins after the start of the project, it is possible to view all the emails before the project participation, and deleting the emails will hinder the progress of the project. You can avoid the situation.

As described above, according to the communication system according to the second embodiment, the terminal device 300 can make a new statement in the project or reply to an already-sent e-mail. Send the email to the account for the project. As a result, due to the function of the terminal device 300, that is, the mailer, the e-mail relating to the project is always sent to the project account and accumulated therein, unlike the e-mail for general use, regarding new comments and replies. Therefore, each project member can use the mailer having such a function to communicate between the project members without performing any special operation regarding the destination. Therefore, the mail server device does not need to have a special function, and a general one is sufficient.

(Modification) The communication system according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the following modifications are also applicable.

In the above-described embodiment, the mail server 20 has a Rep header for the project in the mail header.
Although y-to is set, Reply-to addressed to the project may be set in the header of the mail on the terminal device side.

Further, in the terminal device, as shown in FIG. 32, "$ (SetHeader, To, $ ("
AccountReplyTo ", $ (" CurrentAccount ")))", and the To field of the new mail may be the project. In addition, as shown in FIG. 33, the template of the reply mail includes "$ (SetHeader, To, $ (" AccountReplyTo ", $ (" Cu
rrentAccount ")))" may be added, and the To field of the reply mail may be set as the project. In this case,
It is possible to delete the address fields for new mails and reply mails in the personal information dialog box.

Further, in the template of the transfer mail, as the recipient of Bcc: the project was added. However, a text box for the address (Bcc) of the reply mail is provided in the dialog box of personal information, and this text box is added. You may set the e-mail address of the project.

[0147]

As is apparent from the above description, the communication system according to the present invention is a communication system that supports communication between project members by electronic mail, and includes a mail server device and a mail server device connected by a communication network. The mail server device is configured by a terminal device used by project members, and the mail server device associates each project with an account, and stores all communication contents by e-mail made between project members for each project and stores the contents. It is characterized by comprising a mail storage means.

As a result, all the communications made in the project are accumulated in the mail account provided for each project, so that the members belonging to the project can read the e-mail accumulated in the account at any time. , You can know all the communication that has been done so far.
Therefore, it is possible to communicate between project members in offices on the network simply by performing a normal operation of sending an e-mail without performing special operations such as designating all project members with "Cc:". In addition, the information can be shared. In addition, past e-mails are always placed on the mail server device, so project members
It is not necessary to store the read e-mail in the terminal device. Further, by using a mobile terminal, a PDA, or the like at a destination such as a business trip, it is possible to know the interaction in the project at any time.

Here, when the mail server device further receives an e-mail sent from the terminal device to the account, the e-mail specifies the account as a reply destination to the e-mail. It is also possible to provide a mail storage means for storing the above-mentioned header information in the mail storage means after determining whether the header information is attached or not. Good.

As a result, the header information with the account corresponding to the project as the reply destination is added to all the electronic mails stored in the mail server device, so that the project members who read the electronic mails simply Simply replying to the e-mail, the reply mail is sent to the same account and accumulated. Therefore, it is guaranteed that not only new comments but also replies will be accumulated in the same project account. Since the function provided in the mail server device guarantees that all electronic mails are stored in the project account, a general mailer is sufficient for the terminal device.

Further, the mail server device further comprises:
On the basis of a delivery request from the terminal device, an email stored in association with the account that is the subject of the delivery request is read out from the emails stored in the mail storage unit, and is read in the terminal device. A mail delivery means for delivering, a management table registration holding means for recording the delivery of the email by the mail delivery means for each email and each delivery destination, and holding as a management table, and the management table registration holding means. A management table distribution unit for distributing the held management table to a specific terminal device may be provided.

As a result, with respect to all the e-mails made in the project, whether or not each member has read is recorded in the management table. Therefore, for example, the project manager refers to this management table, It is possible to easily understand the participation status of the.

Further, when transmitting the electronic mail, the terminal device obtains from the project members a selection obtaining means for obtaining a selection as to whether or not to send the electronic mail regarding the project, and a selection for transmitting the electronic mail regarding the project. And a mail sending unit that sends the e-mail to the account associated with the project as a destination.
That is, the e-mail sending means sends the e-mail addressed to the account in both cases of newly speaking in the project and replying to the e-mail already spoken.

As a result, due to the function of the terminal device, that is, the mailer, the e-mail relating to the project is always sent to the project account for new comments and replies, unlike general e-mail.
Accumulated there. Therefore, each project member can use the mailer having such a function to communicate between the project members without performing any special operation regarding the destination. Therefore, the mail server device does not need to have a special function, and a general one is sufficient.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a communication system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the whole structure of.

2 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of a mail server 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a project control table 27 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structural example of a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing management table storage units 26a to 26a shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structural example of 26c.

5 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of a terminal device 30a shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an account table 38a shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of mail exchange between project members targeted by the communication system 10.

8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mail reading / writing unit 22 of the mail server 20 shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a mail browsing dialog by the GUI unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when a new speech is made on the terminal device.

[Fig. 11] "Message" dialog box (Fig. 11 (a)) when sending a new mail with a project account and "Message" dialog box (Sending a new mail with a general account other than the project) It is a figure which shows an example of FIG.11 (b).

[Fig. 12] Dialog box for specifying a destination when a new email is sent using a project account (Fig. 12
FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a destination designation dialog box (FIG. 12B) when a new mail is transmitted using a general account other than (a)) and a project.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when making a reply at the terminal device.

[Fig.14] "Message" dialog box when replying with a project account (Fig.14 (a))
And "Message" dialog box when replying with a general account other than the project (Fig. 14
It is a figure which shows an example of (b)).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when a project manager browses a management table.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a management table reception dialog box (FIG. 16A) and contents of the management table (FIG. 16B) displayed on the screen by the DB software.

FIG. 17 is a terminal device 300 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of user operations when the project account editing unit 350 shown in FIG. 17 creates a new account.

19 is a diagram showing an example of a mail browsing dialog by the GUI unit 360 shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a read file designation dialog.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a personal information dialog.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a mail server dialog.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog of a template of a new mail.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog box of a reply mail template.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog of a template of a transfer mail.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog for saving account information and the like.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the project account editing section 350 shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an account information file sent to a user.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the previous information holding unit 3516 when a project account is newly set.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of an account table 381 set by an account information incorporating unit 3517.

31 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the mail creating unit 330 shown in FIG.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing another example of a dialog of a new mail template.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another example of a dialog of a reply mail template.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 communication system 11 communication network 20 mail server 22 mail reading / writing unit 23 project management unit 25 mail storage unit 26 management table storage units 26a to 26c management table 27 project control table storage unit 27a project control tables 30a to 30c, 300 terminal device 32, 320 Mail browsing unit 33, 330 Mail creation unit 34 Account table editing unit 35 Management table browsing unit 36, 360 GUI unit 37, 370 Mail storage unit 38, 380 Account table storage unit 38a, 381 Account table 39 Management table storage unit 340 General Account editing unit 350 project account editing unit 3510 new account creation unit 3511 read file designation unit 3514 account information input unit 3515 initial information Holding unit 3516 preceding information holding unit 3517 account information incorporating section 3518 account information initializing unit 3519 account information setting unit 3520 account information storage unit 3530 transceiver test unit 3540 Account locking portion

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 30, 2002 (2002.7.3)
0)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Title: Communication system and communication support method

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, without performing a special operation such as designating all project members by "Cc:",
It is the first object of the present invention to provide a communication system or the like that enables communication between project members in an office on a network and sharing of the information by simply performing a normal operation of sending an electronic mail. To aim.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0010] In addition, it is to provide a communication system or the like that is suitable for project management that the participation status of e-mail exchanges and members can be easily grasped in each of the plurality of project second object of the present invention.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A communication system for supporting communication between project members by electronic mail, comprising a mail server device connected by a communication network and a terminal device used by each project member, wherein the mail server device is , A communication system characterized by comprising an e-mail accumulating means for accommodating each project with an account and accumulating and storing all contents of communication by e-mail made between project members for each project. 2. The mail server device, upon receiving an electronic mail sent from the terminal device to the account, specifies the account as a reply destination to the electronic mail in the electronic mail. It is judged whether or not the header information is attached, and if not attached, a mail storage means is provided for attaching the header information to that effect to the electronic mail and then storing it in the mail storage means. The communication system according to claim 1. 3. The mail server device further associates, based on a distribution request from the terminal device, with an account that is a target of the distribution request from among the electronic mails stored in the mail storage means. A mail delivery unit that reads out the stored emails and delivers the emails to the terminal device, and a record that the delivery of the emails by the mail delivery unit is recorded for each email and each delivery destination, and is stored as a management table. The communication system according to claim 2, further comprising: a table registration holding unit; and a management table distribution unit that distributes the management table held by the management table registration holding unit to a specific terminal device. 4. The communication according to claim 3, wherein the management table registration / holding means records the delivery date of the electronic mail in the management table to record the delivery of the electronic mail. system. 5. The terminal device, when transmitting an electronic mail, a selection obtaining unit that obtains a selection from a project member as to whether or not to send an electronic mail regarding a project, and a selection to send an electronic mail regarding a project. 3. When a mail is acquired, a mail sending unit that sends the electronic mail to the account associated with the project as a destination is provided.
The communication system described. 6. The mail sending means sends the e-mail addressed to the account both when newly speaking in the project and when replying to an already spoken e-mail. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein 7. The terminal device further comprises account information storage means for storing account information indicating correspondence between a project and an account, and the mail transmission means stores the account information stored in the account information storage means. 7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein header information indicating that the account is addressed is generated based on the email, and the header information is transmitted together with the email. 8. The terminal device further includes an account file acquisition unit that stores the account information included in the text file in the account information storage unit when the specification of the text file including the account information is acquired from the project member. The email transmission means may generate the header information based on the account information stored in the account information storage means by the account file acquisition means, and transmit the header information in association with the email. The communication system according to claim 7. 9. The terminal device further comprises account information changing means for changing the account information stored in the account information storing means in accordance with an instruction from a project member, and the account information changing means includes the project information. 9. Regarding the change of the account corresponding to, the change is not permitted only after a specific process has been performed.
The communication system described. 10. The terminal device further comprises transmission / reception test means for transmitting and receiving an electronic mail including a text prepared in advance according to the account information stored in the account information storage. Item 9. The communication system according to Item 9. 11. An office on a communication network, comprising a mail server device connected by a communication network and a terminal device used by members of the office, wherein the mail server device uses individual projects as accounts. Correspondingly, it is provided with a mail storage means for storing and storing for each project the contents of all communication by e-mail made between members belonging to the project, wherein the terminal device responds to new comments and comments already made regarding the project. For any of the replies, a mail sending means for sending an e-mail addressed to the account corresponding to the project, and a mail reading means for reading out the necessary e-mail while leaving the e-mail accumulated in the e-mail accumulating means. To be equipped with Network office and butterflies. 12. A communication support method for supporting communication between project members by electronic mail in a communication system comprising a mail server device connected by a communication network and a terminal device used by each project member, comprising: The mail server device includes a storage / storage step of storing individual communication contents for each project in a storage means by associating each project with an account and storing all communication contents by e-mail among project members. Communication support method. 13. The mail server device, upon receiving the email sent from the terminal device to the account in the storage step, stores the account in the email as a reply destination to the email. It is determined whether or not the header information indicating the designation is attached, and if not attached, the header information indicating the designation is attached to the e-mail and then stored in the storage means. The communication support method according to claim 12. 14. The terminal device, at the time of sending an e-mail, a selection obtaining step of obtaining a selection from a project member whether to send an e-mail regarding the project, and a selection to send the e-mail regarding the project. 13. The communication support method according to claim 12, further comprising: a mail sending step of sending the electronic mail to the account associated with the project as a destination when is acquired. 15. A method of operating an office on a communication network in a communication system comprising a mail server device connected by a communication network and a terminal device used by members of an office, the mail server device comprising: , A step of associating each project with an account and accumulating and storing the contents of all communication by e-mail made by members who belong to the project for each project in the terminal device. For all the remarks and replies to the remarks that have already been made, a mail sending step for sending an e-mail to the account corresponding to the project, and a necessary e-mail while leaving the e-mail accumulated in the storage means. Read email And a network office operating method. 16. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps described in any one of claims 12 to 15. 17. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 16 is recorded.