JP2009163287A - E-mail system, mail creation device, and mail delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add an advanced function, which is provided in a system such as groupware closed in a certain organization, etc., to an open e-mail system such as Internet mail. <P>SOLUTION: A mail creation device includes a writing means for writing information of an additional function with respect to a mail to the mail. A mail delivery device includes a control means for performing processing based on the information of the additional function with respect to the mail. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic mail system and an electronic mail delivery method for realizing transmission / reception of electronic mail performed through an open network such as the Internet.

  In an organization-wide e-mail system such as groupware, a technology that realizes functions such as a cancellation mail, a circulation mail, an incoming mail opening notification, and a transmission date / time designation mail is used. Also, in order to send and receive mail from these systems to an open mail system having many users, protocol conversion techniques using a gateway or the like have been provided. Furthermore, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, there is a technique for transferring a mail by giving a command to SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

  The operation of such an e-mail system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a related electronic mail system. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a related electronic mail system (configuration using a Web server). FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a related electronic mail system (when the receiving side uses a Web server). FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a related electronic mail system.

Such an electronic mail system generally operates as follows. 1 and 4, the e-mail system includes a mail creating means 100 in which a person who intends to send a mail (hereinafter referred to as a mail creator) A includes a mail creating unit 12 such as a MUA (Mail User Agent). The mail C created by using the mail server MTA (Mail
(Transfer Agent) or the like.

  The mail delivery apparatus 210 includes a delivery control unit 211 that controls mail delivery. When the delivery control unit 211 controls transmission / reception of mail, it is common to include a temporary storage unit 212 in order to perform processing to some extent in order to cope with communication load and the like.

  A mail system having a simple mail transmission / reception function typified by SMTP has a description part (hereinafter referred to as a mail header) of mail destination information in addition to the mail text. The delivery control unit 211 obtains information such as a mail destination by analyzing the mail header, and delivers the mail to a mail delivery device 310 such as an MTA on the recipient side via an open network such as the Internet.

  The mail delivery device 310 receives mail from the mail viewer B until the person who receives and browses the mail (hereinafter referred to as mail viewer) B tries to acquire the mail using the mail acquisition unit 4. It is common to have a temporary storage unit 312 for temporarily storing transmitted mail.

  When the mail viewer B acquires mail using the mail acquisition unit 4, the delivery control unit 311 transmits the mail in the temporary storage unit 312 to the mail acquisition unit 4.

  Referring to FIG. 2, in a mail system, mail may be transmitted / received via a dedicated device, such as Web mail. Such a system generally operates as follows.

  The mail creator A does not use the mail creating apparatus 100 including the mail creating unit 12 such as MUA to transmit the mail to the mail delivery apparatus 210. In some cases, the mail creator A may only input mail using, for example, a Web browser.

  The same applies to the mail receiving means 30-2, and the mail viewer B obtains and browses the mail via the receiving-side Web server 32 using a Web browser or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, only the mail receiving unit 30-2 uses, for example, a Web mail mechanism, and the mail transmitting unit 20-1 transmits the mail directly from the mail creating unit 100 to the mail delivery device 210. There is also a case.

  As described above, since the existing electronic mail system is an open system having a simple mail transmission / reception function, various usage forms are adopted.

JP 2001-195323 A JP 2000-115228 A JP 2002-185531 A JP-A-7-131480

  An open e-mail system represented by Internet mail provides a wide range of users with a simple mechanism for sending and receiving mail by adopting a protocol such as STMP based on a standard such as RFC822. Made it possible to do.

  On the other hand, e-mail systems that have been closed inside an organization, such as those realized by groupware, have advanced functions that are not available in open e-mail systems by using a protocol unique to each system. Yes.

  For example, there are a function for notifying an incoming call or opening, and a “cancellation mail” function for allowing a sender to delete an email once sent to the recipient.

  In order to deliver mails to recipients ahead of them using an open e-mail system with many users from an e-mail system closed inside these organizations, such as a gateway for protocol conversion There has been provided a technique for performing conversion to an open e-mail system protocol (for example, SMTP) through a device (for example, see Patent Documents 2 to 4).

  However, the advanced functions of a closed mail system function within the scope of the email system inside the closed organization, but once converted to SMTP, for example, an open email system such as Internet mail. It didn't work for users.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is no technology that uses an additional function when a dedicated mail transmission / reception device such as Web mail exists.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and is realized by a system such as groupware closed within an organization or the like with respect to an open electronic mail system such as Internet mail. It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail system and an e-mail delivery method capable of adding advanced functions such as cancellation mail, circulation mail, notification of unsealed incoming call, and date / time designation mail.

  When the present invention is viewed from the viewpoint of an e-mail system, the present invention relates to an e-mail system in which a mail creating means for creating a mail and a mail transmitting means for sending the mail are connected. Writing means for writing additional function information for mail into the mail is provided, and the mail transmitting means includes control means for executing processing based on the additional function information for the mail.

  Further, when the present invention is viewed from the viewpoint of a mail creation device, the present invention is a mail creation device for creating a mail, comprising a writing means for writing information on additional functions for the mail into the mail. To do.

  Further, when the present invention is viewed from the viewpoint as a mail delivery device, the present invention is a mail delivery device that transmits a mail in which information on an additional function for mail is written, and is based on the information on the additional function for the mail. Control means for executing processing is provided.

  Further, when viewed from the viewpoint of a program, the present invention is a program that, when installed in an information processing device, causes the information processing device to realize a function corresponding to the function of a mail creation device that creates a mail. A writing function for writing information of an additional function for the mail into the mail is realized.

  Further, the program of the present invention is a program that, when installed in an information processing apparatus, realizes a function corresponding to the function of a mail delivery apparatus that transmits to the information processing apparatus a mail in which information on additional functions for the mail is written. And the control function which performs a process based on the information of the additional function with respect to the said mail is implement | achieved, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, when the present invention is viewed from the viewpoint of an e-mail delivery method, the present invention relates to e-mail delivery executed by an e-mail system in which a mail creation means for creating a mail and a mail transmission means for sending the mail are connected. In the method, the mail creation means includes a step of writing information on the additional function for the mail into the mail, and a step of executing processing based on the information on the additional function for the mail. Features.

  According to the present invention, with respect to an open e-mail system such as Internet mail, a cancellation mail, a circulation mail, a notification of opening an incoming call, an outgoing date and time as realized by a system such as a groupware closed within an organization or the like Advanced functions such as designated mail can be added.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overview)
Embodiments of the present invention make it possible to add advanced functions such as those realized by a system such as groupware that is closed within a certain organization to an open e-mail system represented by Internet mail. ing.

  As a result, even for an existing system that does not take the embodiment of the present invention, the function that the system originally had is not impaired, and thus a technology applicable to various embodiments is provided. Is a feature.

  Another feature is that the header processing module can be placed on the server side instead of the client side, and the processing module can be easily placed in a system such as Web mail.

  FIG. 5 shows a block configuration of the electronic mail system in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic mail system of the present invention. The electronic mail system of the present invention comprises a mail creation device 11 as a mail creation means 10 and a mail delivery device 21 as a mail transmission means 20. The mail creating apparatus is composed of a mail creating unit 12 and a function identifier writing unit 13. The mail delivery device 21 includes a delivery control unit 211, a temporary storage unit 212, and a function control unit 213. The mail creation unit 12, the delivery control unit 211, and the temporary storage unit 212 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  When the mail creator creates a mail using the mail creating unit 12, the function identifier writing unit 13 of the mail creating apparatus 11 sets an identifier for identifying each mail, an identifier for identifying the function of the mail, etc. For example, it is given to the header and transmitted to the delivery control unit 211 of the mail delivery device 21 such as a mail server.

  The function control unit 213 of the mail delivery device 21 executes necessary function processing and controls the operation of the delivery control unit 211 based on the content of the function identifier.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the present invention includes a mail creation device 11 including a mail creation unit 12 and a function identifier writing unit 13, a mail including a delivery control unit 211, a temporary storage unit 212, and a function control unit 213. This can be implemented by the delivery device 21. FIG. 6 is a block diagram including the receiving side configuration of the electronic mail system of the present invention. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 6, a mail delivery device 31 is provided on the receiving side as the mail receiving means 30. The embodiment will be described as an example.

  The delivery control unit 211 of the mail delivery device 21 in the mail sending means 20 sends a mail to the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30 on the recipient side. During this time, an open network system such as the Internet can be used.

  The mail delivery apparatus 31 can also have a function control unit 313 on the receiving side. The function control unit 313 executes necessary function processing based on the content of the function identifier and controls the operation of the delivery control unit 311, so that the mail viewer can browse the Internet by using the mail acquisition unit 4. Implement specific functions for mail delivery on an open mail system.

(First embodiment)
The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 6, the present invention is configured to be used on an open mail system having a simple function for sending and receiving mail such as SMTP.

  6 to 8, the first embodiment of the present invention is a function that allows the mail creator who sent the mail to delete the mail c1 once sent to the receiving side (hereinafter referred to as the mail c1). The configuration of the embodiment that realizes the cancellation mail function will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default message according to the first embodiment.

  Also in the configuration of the present embodiment, the normal mail transmission / reception operation is performed in the same manner as the operation of the existing mail system. The mail creator A sends the mail c1 to the mail viewer B by the same method as before.

  When the mail creator notices that the mail c1 is missed and wants to cancel the mail c1 that has already been sent, the cancel mail c2 is sent to the mail viewer B. At this time, the mail creation device 11 includes a function identifier writing unit 13 for writing mail information (FIG. 7) indicating that c2 is a mail for using the cancel mail function in an information description part such as a mail header. Have.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 has a function control unit 213 for reading a mail header and determining that c2 is a mail requesting a cancel mail function. When the function control unit 213 determines that c2 is a cancellation mail, the function control unit 213 confirms whether there is a cancellation target mail c1 in the temporary storage unit 212, and can delete it if there is any (configuration shown in FIG. 5). Only possible).

  When the mail receiving means 30 has the configuration of the present invention, the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30 reads the mail header and determines that c2 is a mail requesting the cancel mail function. A function control unit 313 is included. When the function control unit 313 determines that c2 is a cancellation mail, the function control unit 313 checks whether there is a cancellation target mail c1 in the temporary storage unit 312 and can delete it.

  Note that even if both the mail transmitting means 20 and the mail receiving means 30 do not have the configuration of the present invention, the function identifier writing unit 13 of the mail creating apparatus 11 has a default message as shown in FIG. Is written in the body of the mail c2, the mail viewer B can receive the default message shown in FIG. Therefore, the mail viewer B can know that the arrived mail c1 is a mail to be canceled.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6, 9, 10, and 11. 9 to 11 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the mail deletion function of the first embodiment.

  The mail creator A sends the mail c1 to the mail viewer B by the same method as before. When the mail creator A wants to cancel the mail c1 that has already been transmitted, the cancel mail c2 is created for the mail viewer B (step A1 in FIG. 9). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 adds, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 7 to an information description part such as a mail header (step A2 in FIG. 9). FIG. 7 means that the mail c2 is a mail for executing the cancel mail function. This mail information includes ID information (ID=xxxx.xxxxxxxx.00001@mail.example.com) for specifying the mail c1 that is a target for executing the cancel mail function.

  In the mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the mail c2, the function control unit 213 reads the mail header and determines that c2 is a mail requesting the cancel mail function (step A3 in FIG. 9). If it is determined that c2 is a cancellation mail, it is checked whether there is a cancellation target mail c1 in the temporary storage unit 212 (step A4 in FIG. 9). If there is a mail c1 to be canceled in the temporary storage unit 212, it is deleted (step A4 in FIG. 9).

  The above is the case where the cancellation target mail c1 can be canceled while being stored in the temporary storage unit 212 of the mail transmission means 20 (can be implemented only with the configuration shown in FIG. 5).

  Next, the operation when the mail c1 to be canceled is stored in the temporary storage unit 312 of the mail receiving means 30 and the mail viewer B has not browsed it will be described with reference to FIG.

  If the mail creator A wants to cancel the mail c1 that has already been sent, the cancel mail c2 is created for the mail viewer B (step B1 in FIG. 10). The subsequent operation is the same as that of FIG. 9 up to step B4 as shown in FIG.

  If there is no e-mail c1 to be canceled in the temporary storage unit 212, the e-mail delivery device 21 transmits e-mail c2 in the same manner as a normal e-mail. In this case, the mail c2 is transmitted by the distribution-side delivery control unit 211 to the reception-side mail delivery device 31 in the same manner as a normal mail (step B5 in FIG. 10). At this time, for example, a default message as shown in FIG. 8 may be written in the body of the mail c2.

  When the mail receiving means 30 is also configured according to the present invention, the function control unit 313 of the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30 reads the mail header and the mail c2 is a mail requesting a cancel mail function. Is determined (step B6 in FIG. 10). When the function control unit 313 on the receiving side determines that the mail c2 is a cancellation mail, it checks whether there is a cancellation target mail c1 in the temporary storage unit 312 (step B7 in FIG. 10), and deletes it if there is any. (FIG. 10, step B8).

  Next, the operation when the mail c1 to be canceled has already been acquired and browsed by the mail viewer B and does not exist in the temporary storage unit 312 on the receiving side will be described with reference to FIG. According to FIG. 11, the process up to step C7 is the same as FIG. If the mail c1 does not exist in the temporary storage unit 312 on the receiving side, the cancellation mail c2 is transmitted to the mail viewer B by the delivery control unit 311 on the receiving side in the same way as a normal mail (step C9 in FIG. 11). ).

  The mail viewer B is in a state where the mail creator A has already browsed the mail c1 that the mail creator A tried to cancel, but when the cancel mail c2 is opened by the mail viewer B, the text is shown in FIG. This is the default message shown in FIG. Thereby, the mail viewer B can recognize that the arrived mail c2 was originally a mail that should be canceled.

  As described above, either the mail transmitting unit 20 or the mail receiving unit 30 does not have the configuration of the present invention, but has the configuration of the existing electronic mail system as shown in FIG. Even if the unit 212 or 313 is not provided, the function of the existing electronic mail system is not impaired.

  Further, if the default message shown in FIG. 8 is written in the mail body by the function identifier writing unit 13 of the mail creating apparatus 11, both the mail transmitting means 20 and the mail receiving means 30 have the configuration of the present invention. Even if not, the default message shown in FIG. 8 is delivered to the mail viewer B, and the service can be provided without any trouble.

(Second embodiment)
The configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 6, 12, and 13, the second embodiment of the present invention is a function that can distribute one mail transmitted to the receiving side to a plurality of designated destinations (hereinafter, referred to as “recipient side”). The configuration of an embodiment that realizes the circulation mail function will be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default message according to the second embodiment.

  Also in the configuration of the present embodiment, the normal mail transmission / reception operation is performed in the same manner as the operation of the existing mail system. When the mail creator A transmits a circulation mail, the circulation mail is transmitted to the representative of the destination group to be circulated (for example, the mail viewer B). At this time, the mail creation device 11 writes a function identifier for writing information indicating that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a mail for using the circulation mail function in an information description unit such as a mail header. Part 13.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 has a function control unit 213 for reading a mail header and determining that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a mail requesting a circulation mail function.

  When the function control unit 213 determines that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a circulation mail, the function control unit 213 duplicates the circulation mail for a plurality of designated destinations (can be implemented only with the configuration shown in FIG. 5).

  Note that for a plurality of designated destinations, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the function is “X-DISTRIBUTION” and the destination addresses are “# 1 to #N”, destinations # 1 to # 1 are used. It may be set in advance so that the circulation mail for #N is copied. In this case, for example, if the destination # 1 corresponds to the mail viewer B and the destination is the mail viewer B (# 1) in circulation mail, the address # 1 is automatically circulated to the destinations # 1 to #N. Can be set.

  When the mail receiving means 30 has the configuration of the present invention, the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30 reads the mail header and the mail transmitted from the mail transmitting means 20 is a mail requesting the circulation mail function. It has a function control unit 313 for determining this.

  When the function control unit 313 determines that the mail transmitted from the mail transmission unit 20 is a circulation mail, the function control unit 313 duplicates the circulation mail for a plurality of designated destinations.

  In the second embodiment, any one of the function control units 213 or 313 of the mail transmission unit 20 or the mail reception unit 30 may execute the process.

  Further, even when both the mail transmitting means 20 and the mail receiving means 30 do not have the configuration of the present invention, the function identifier writing unit 13 of the mail creating apparatus 11 has a default message as shown in FIG. Is written in the body of the mail, the mail viewer B can receive the default message shown in FIG. 13, and therefore can manually transfer the circulation mail to the destinations # 1 to #N.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6, 14, 15, and 16. 14 to 16 are sequence diagrams illustrating the operation of the circulation mail function according to the second embodiment.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the mail transmission unit 20 has the configuration of the present invention, and the mail reception unit 30 has an existing configuration. The mail creator A creates a circulation mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step D1 in FIG. 14). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 13 in an information description unit such as a mail header (step D2 in FIG. 14).

  In the mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the circulation mail, the function control unit 213 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the circulation mail function (step D3 in FIG. 14).

  When the function control unit 213 determines that the mail is a circulation mail, the function control unit 213 duplicates and stores the circulation mail for each of a plurality of destinations as circulation destinations in the temporary storage unit 212 (step D4 in FIG. 14). The delivery control unit 211 transmits these circulation mails to the mail receiving means 30 when the next transmission timing comes.

  In the example of FIG. 15, the operation when the mail receiving unit 2 has an existing configuration and the mail receiving unit 30 has the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, in this example, the function control unit 213 and the temporary storage unit 212 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 15 do not exist.

  The mail creator A creates a circulation mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step E1 in FIG. 15). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 12 in an information description part such as a mail header (step E2 in FIG. 15). FIG. 12 means that the mail is a mail for executing the circulation mail function. This mail information includes destination information (# 1 to #N) for specifying the circulation destination for which the circulation mail function is executed.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the circulation mail transmits the circulation mail as it is to the mail reception means 30 (step E3 in FIG. 15).

  In the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30, the function control unit 313 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the circulation mail function (step E4 in FIG. 15). If it is determined that this mail is a circulation mail, the circulation mail is duplicated and stored for each of a plurality of destinations as circulation destinations in the temporary storage unit 312 (step E5 in FIG. 15). When the next transmission timing arrives, the delivery control unit 311 transmits these circulation mails to the mail acquisition means 4 of a plurality of circulation destinations.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the operation when neither the mail transmitting unit 20 nor the mail receiving unit 30 has the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, in this example, the function control units 213 and 313 and the temporary storage units 212 and 312 surrounded by a broken line in FIG.

  The mail creator A creates a circulation mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step F1 in FIG. 16). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 12 in an information description part such as a mail header (step F2 in FIG. 16). FIG. 12 means that the mail is a mail for executing the circulation mail function. This information includes destination information (# 1 to #N) for specifying a circulation destination for which the circulation mail function is executed. However, in the example of FIG. 16, since the mail transmission unit 20 and the mail reception unit 30 do not have the function control units 213 and 313, the mail information indicating the function shown in FIG. 12 is invalid.

  Further, at this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes a default message as shown in FIG. 13 in the body of the mail.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the circulation mail transmits the circulation mail to the mail acquisition means 4 (step F3 in FIG. 16). As a result, the mail viewer B is displayed with the “circular mail notification” which is the default message shown in FIG. The viewer B manually transfers the mail to the destinations # 1 to #N according to the display.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment which implement | achieves the function (henceforth an incoming mail opening notification mail function) which requests | requires an incoming mail opening notification to a recipient which is 3rd embodiment of this invention using FIG.6, FIG.17, FIG.18. The configuration will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail information according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default message according to the third embodiment.

  Also in the configuration of the present embodiment, the normal mail transmission / reception operation is performed in the same manner as the operation of the existing mail system. When the mail creator A creates an incoming receipt notification mail, the email creation device 11 sends email information indicating that the email created by the email creation unit 12 is an email for using the incoming receipt notification email function. The function identifier writing unit 13 for writing in the information description unit such as.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 has a function control unit 213 for reading the mail header and determining that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a mail requesting the incoming receipt notification mail function.

  When the function control unit 213 determines that the mail created by the mail creating unit 12 is an incoming receipt notification mail, the function control unit 213 transmits the incoming receipt notification mail to the mail acquisition unit 4 corresponding to the designated destination (shown in FIG. 5). This can be done only with a different configuration).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the function is “X-REPORT” and the destination address is “xxx.xxxxxxxx.00001@mail.example.com”, the mail acquisition means corresponding to the destination address 4 sends an incoming mail notification mail.

  In the third embodiment, any one of the function control units 213 or 313 of the mail transmission unit 20 or the mail reception unit 30 may execute the process.

  Further, even when both the mail transmitting unit 20 and the mail receiving unit 30 do not have the configuration of the present invention, the function identifier writing unit 13 of the mail creating apparatus 11 has a default message as shown in FIG. Is written in the body of the mail, the mail viewer B can receive the default message shown in FIG. 18 and can manually return the incoming mail notification mail to the mail creator A.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6, 19, 20, and 21. FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the incoming mail opening notification mail function of the third embodiment.

  In the example of FIG. 19, the mail transmitting unit 20 has the configuration of the present invention, and the mail receiving unit 30 has an existing configuration. The mail creator A creates an incoming mail opening notification mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step G1 in FIG. 19). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 18 in an information description part such as a mail header (step G2 in FIG. 19). FIG. 17 means that the mail is a mail for executing the incoming / opening notification mail function. This mail information includes destination information “ID=xxxx.xxxxxxxx.00001@mail.example.com” for specifying a destination for executing the incoming mail opening notification mail function.

  In the mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the incoming mail notification mail, the function control unit 213 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the incoming mail notification mail function (step G3 in FIG. 19). ). If it is determined that this mail is an incoming / opening notification mail, the incoming / opening notification mail with the opening confirmation flag is stored in the temporary storage unit 212 (step G4 in FIG. 19). The delivery control unit 211 sends the incoming mail notification mail to the mail delivery device 31 when the next transmission timing arrives.

  After that, when the mail viewer B opens the mail, an opening confirmation flag is automatically set, and in response to this, an incoming opening notification is automatically returned to the mail creator A (this process is known technology). And the illustration is omitted).

  In the example of FIG. 20, the operation when the mail transmission unit 20 has an existing configuration and the mail reception unit 30 has the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, in this example, the function control unit 213 and the temporary storage unit 212 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 20 do not exist.

  The mail creator A creates an incoming mail notification mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step H1 in FIG. 20). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 17 in an information description part such as a mail header (step H2 in FIG. 20). FIG. 17 means that the mail is a mail for executing the incoming / opening notification mail function. This mail information includes destination information “ID=xxxx.xxxxxxxx.00001@mail.example.com” for specifying a destination for executing the incoming mail opening notification mail function.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail sending means 20 that has received the incoming opening notification mail transmits the incoming opening notification mail to the mail receiving means 30 as it is (step H3 in FIG. 20).

  In the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30, the function control unit 313 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the incoming receipt notification mail function (step H4 in FIG. 20). If it is determined that this mail is an incoming mail opening notification mail, an opening confirmation flag is given to this mail and stored in the temporary storage unit 312 (step H5 in FIG. 20). When the next transmission timing arrives, the delivery control unit 311 transmits the incoming unsealing notification mail to the mail acquisition means 4 serving as the destination.

  After that, when the mail viewer B opens the mail, an opening confirmation flag is automatically set, and in response to this, an incoming opening notification is automatically returned to the mail creator A (this process is known technology). And the illustration is omitted).

  In the example of FIG. 21, the operation when neither the mail transmitting unit 20 nor the mail receiving unit 30 has the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, in this example, the function control units 213 and 313 and the temporary storage units 212 and 312 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 21 do not exist.

  The mail creator A creates an incoming mail opening notification mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step I1 in FIG. 21). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 17 in an information description part such as a mail header (step I2 in FIG. 21). However, in the example of FIG. 21, since the mail transmission unit 20 and the mail reception unit 30 do not have the function control units 213 and 313, the mail information indicating the function shown in FIG. 17 is invalid.

  Further, at this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes a default message as shown in FIG.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the incoming mail notification mail transmits the incoming mail notification mail as it is to the mail acquisition means 4 (step I3 in FIG. 21). As a result, the mail viewer B displays “notification of incoming mail notification” as the default message shown in FIG. In accordance with the display, the viewer B returns an opening confirmation notification to the mail creator A.

  However, in the example of FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, since the opening confirmation flag is given, the opening confirmation flag is automatically set when the mail viewer B opens the mail, and the incoming reception is automatically opened in response to this. The notification can be sent back to the mail creator A. However, in the example of FIG. 21, since the opening confirmation flag is not given, the mail viewer B manually “opens”. The mail needs to be sent back to mail creator A.

(Fourth embodiment)
The configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 6, 22, and 23, the fourth embodiment of the present invention that implements a function for sending a mail by designating a transmission date and time (hereinafter referred to as a transmission date and time designation mail function). The configuration of the embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of mail information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default message according to the fourth embodiment.

  Also in the configuration of the present embodiment, the normal mail transmission / reception operation is performed in the same manner as the operation of the existing mail system. When the mail creator A creates a transmission date / time designation mail, the mail creation device 11 sends mail information indicating that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a mail for using the transmission date / time designation mail function as a mail header. The function identifier writing unit 13 for writing in the information description unit such as.

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 has a function control unit 213 for reading the mail header and determining that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a mail requesting the outgoing date / time designation mail function.

  When the function control unit 213 determines that the mail created by the mail creation unit 12 is a transmission date / time designation mail, the function control unit 213 stores the mail in the temporary storage unit 212 until the designated transmission date / time, and the designated transmission date / time is reached. Sometimes mail is sent to the destination (can be implemented only with the configuration shown in FIG. 5).

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22, when the function is “X-RESERVE (2007.11.33: 00)” and the destination address is “xxx.xxxxxxxx.00001@mail.example.com”. Sends a mail to the mail acquisition means 4 corresponding to the destination address when the designated transmission date and time (1 PM on November 3, 2007) is reached.

  In the fourth embodiment, any one of the function control units 213 or 313 of the mail transmission unit 20 or the mail reception unit 30 may execute the process.

  In addition, when both the mail transmitting unit 20 and the mail receiving unit 30 do not have the configuration of the present invention, the function of the outgoing date designation mail is not exhibited, but even in that case, the function of the mail creating device 11 If the identifier writing unit 13 writes the default message as shown in FIG. 23 in the body of the mail, the mail viewer B can receive the default message shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to know that the arrived mail is originally a transmission date / time designation mail.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6, 24, and 25. 24 and 25 are sequence diagrams illustrating the operation of the outgoing date / time designation mail function according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the example of FIG. 24, the mail transmitting unit 20 has the configuration of the present invention, and the mail receiving unit 30 has an existing configuration. The mail creator A creates an outgoing date / time designation mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step J1 in FIG. 24). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 22 in an information description part such as a mail header (step J2 in FIG. 24). As described above, FIG. 22 means that the mail is a mail for executing the outgoing date / time designation mail function.

  In the mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the outgoing date / time designation mail, the function control unit 213 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the outgoing date / time designated mail function (step J3 in FIG. 24). ). If it is determined that this mail is a transmission date / time designation mail, the transmission date / time designation mail is stored in the temporary storage unit 212 until the designated transmission date / time is reached (step J4 in FIG. 24). The delivery control unit 211 transmits a stored outgoing date / time designation mail to the mail delivery device 31 when the designated outgoing date / time arrives. At this time, for example, a default message as shown in FIG. 23 may be written in the body of the mail.

  In the example of FIG. 25, the operation when the mail transmission means 20 has an existing configuration and the mail reception means 30 has the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, in this example, the function control unit 213 and the temporary storage unit 212 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 25 are not present.

  The mail creator A creates an outgoing date / time designation mail addressed to the mail viewer B (step K1 in FIG. 25). At this time, the function identifier writing unit 13 writes, for example, mail information indicating a function as shown in FIG. 22 in an information description part such as a mail header (step K2 in FIG. 25).

  The mail delivery device 21 of the mail transmission means 20 that has received the transmission date / time designation mail transmits the transmission date / time designation mail as it is to the mail reception means 30 (step K3 in FIG. 25).

  In the mail delivery device 31 of the mail receiving means 30, the function control unit 313 reads the mail header and determines that this mail is a mail requesting the outgoing date / time designation mail function (step K4 in FIG. 25). If it is determined that this mail is a transmission date / time designation mail, the mail is stored in the temporary storage unit 312 until the designated transmission date / time arrives (step K5 in FIG. 25). When the designated outgoing date / time arrives, the delivery control unit 311 transmits the outgoing date / time designated mail to the mail acquisition means 4 as the destination (step K6 in FIG. 25). A message as shown in FIG. 23 is attached to the mail arriving at the mail viewer B.

(Summary of embodiment)
As described in the above embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the present invention and an existing electronic mail system can be easily mixed, and can be easily applied to an electronic mail system via an open network such as the Internet. is there. With this feature, the present invention provides a technique that can easily achieve both openness and multiple functions.

  In order to realize the embodiment of the present invention, it is necessary to have the function identifier writing unit 13 in the mail creating device 11, but the mail acquisition means 4 on the mail viewer side does not need this. Therefore, if the sender side adopts the configuration of the present invention, the cancel mail function can be used for mail transmitted to the user of the existing mail system.

  In addition, the mail transmission unit 20 or the mail reception unit 30 needs to be configured to have the function control unit 213 or 313. However, the reception side or the transmission side may prepare this to obtain a similar function. It may be used within the range of existing functions without. Alternatively, the service can be provided even when both the mail transmitting unit 20 and the mail receiving unit 30 do not have the configuration of the present invention.

  It is possible to add the function identifier writing unit 13 to the mail creation device 11 used by each individual user to make the configuration of the present invention. However, as commonly seen in existing mail systems, for example, Web mail or the like When the mail transmission means 20 has the Web server 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mail sender has only an input function such as a browser, and the specific mail creation device 11 Therefore, the function identifier writing unit 13 is arranged on the Web server 22 or the mail delivery device 21. In this case, it is possible to easily add the function identifier writing unit 13 and adopt the configuration of the present invention.

(Example of the program)
An example of a program that, when installed in the information processing apparatus, causes the information processing apparatus to realize a function corresponding to the function of the mail creation apparatus 11 or the mail delivery apparatus 21 or 31 of the present embodiment will be described.

  By recording the program of this embodiment on a recording medium, the information processing apparatus can install the program of this embodiment using this recording medium. Alternatively, the program of the present embodiment can be directly installed on the information processing apparatus from the server holding the program of the present embodiment via the network.

  Thereby, using the information processing device, the function of the mail creating unit 12 that is the function of the mail creating device 11 or the mail delivery device 21 or 31 of the present embodiment, the function of the function identifier writing unit 13, the delivery control unit 211, Functions corresponding to the functions 311, the functions of the function control units 213 and 313, and the functions of the temporary storage units 212 and 312 that control writing to and reading from the memory can be realized.

  The program of this embodiment includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the information processing apparatus but also a program that can be executed by being installed on a hard disk or the like. Also included are those that are compressed or encrypted.

(Explanation of effect)
The first effect is that a technology capable of easily realizing a high-functional e-mail system that has many restrictions in an e-mail system via an open network is provided.

  This is because the function controller 213 or 313 can be added as a module in the mail delivery device 21 or 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the configuration in which the mail transmission means 20 such as Web mail is separate from the mail creation means 10, the function identifier writing unit 13 is also a module in the mail transmission means 20. It is because it is the structure which can be added as. Furthermore, if the transmission side has the function identifier writing unit 13, even if the reception side has the configuration of the existing electronic mail system, it is configured to be able to transmit highly functional electronic mail.

  The second effect is that the functions of the existing electronic mail system are not impaired even in a situation where it is mixed with an existing electronic mail system that is not configured according to the present invention.

  This is because an existing electronic mail system having only a simple mail transmission / reception function is configured to operate even when information added by the function identifier writing unit 13 cannot be read.

  Since the present invention can add advanced functions to an open electronic mail system such as Internet mail, an electronic mail system with high service quality can be realized.

It is a block diagram of a related electronic mail system. It is a block diagram of a related electronic mail system (configuration using a Web server). It is a block diagram of a related electronic mail system (when the receiving side uses a Web server). It is a block block diagram of a related electronic mail system. It is a block block diagram of the electronic mail system of this invention. It is a block block diagram including the receiving side structure of the electronic mail system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the mail information of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the default message of 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 1) of the mail deletion function of 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 2) of the mail deletion function of 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 3) of the mail deletion function of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the mail information of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the default message of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement (the 1) of the circulation mail function of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement (the 2) of the circulation mail function of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 3) of the circulation mail function of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the mail information of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the default message of 3rd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 1) of the incoming call opening notification mail function of 3rd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 2) of the incoming call opening notification mail function of 3rd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement (the 3) of the incoming call opening notification mail function of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the mail information of 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the default message of 4th embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement (the 1) of the transmission date / time designation | designated mail function of 4th embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement (the 2) of the transmission date specification mail function of 4th embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 100 Mail creation means 11, 110 Mail creation device 12 Mail creation section 13 Function identifier writing section (writing means)
20, 200-1, 200-2 Mail transmission means 30, 300-1, 300-2 Mail reception means 4 Mail acquisition means 21, 31, 210, 310 Mail delivery device 22, 32 Web server 211, 311 Delivery control unit 212 , 312 Temporary storage unit 213, 313 Function control unit (control means)

Claims (32)

In an e-mail system in which e-mail creating means for creating e-mail and e-mail transmitting means for sending the e-mail are connected,
The mail creating means includes a writing means for writing information on additional functions for the mail into the mail,
The e-mail system, wherein the e-mail transmission unit includes a control unit that executes processing based on information of an additional function for the e-mail. Mail receiving means for receiving the sent mail is connected to the mail sending means,
The said mail receiving means is provided with the control means which performs a process based on the information of the additional function with respect to the said mail, when the said process is not performed by the said mail transmission means. E-mail system.   3. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, wherein the writing means writes information indicating a type of the additional function and information indicating an execution target of the additional function as the additional function information. . The mail transmission means includes storage means for temporarily storing mail to be transmitted,
When the additional function is a function for executing processing for canceling mail that has already been transmitted, the control unit of the mail transmission unit determines whether or not the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function is stored in the storage unit. The electronic mail system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for performing a process of searching for and canceling the mail when the mail is stored.   In the case where the additional function is a function for executing cancellation processing of mail that has already been transmitted, the control means of the mail transmission means receives the mail in which the identifier of the additional function is written, and performs cancellation processing corresponding to the additional function 5. The electronic mail system according to claim 4, further comprising means for transmitting a predetermined message to the destination instead of the mail cancellation processing when the mail to be executed is already sent to the destination.   When the additional function is a function for executing a process of copying a mail and delivering it to a plurality of predetermined destinations, the control means of the mail transmitting means copies the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function. 4. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, further comprising means for executing processing for distributing the copied mail to a predetermined plurality of destinations.   When the additional function is a function for executing a process of notifying the sender of an incoming receipt at the transmission destination, the control means of the mail transmitting means confirms the opening of the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function. The electronic mail system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for executing a process of providing a flag. The mail transmission means includes storage means for temporarily storing mail to be transmitted,
When the additional function is a function of executing a process of transmitting a mail by designating a date and time to a transmission destination, the control unit of the mail transmission unit is configured to store the additional function stored in the storage unit. The e-mail system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for executing a process of transmitting after the mail corresponding to the execution target is accumulated up to a designated date and time. In an email creation device that creates email,
An e-mail creating apparatus comprising a writing means for writing information on additional functions for the e-mail into the e-mail.   10. The mail creating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the writing unit writes information indicating a type of the additional function and information indicating an execution target of the additional function as the additional function information. A mail delivery device for sending mail in which information on additional functions for mail is written,
A mail delivery apparatus comprising control means for executing processing based on information of an additional function for the mail. It has storage means to temporarily store mail to be sent,
When the additional function is a function for executing processing for canceling mail that has already been transmitted, the control means searches for whether or not mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function is stored in the storage means. The mail delivery apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for executing processing for canceling the mail when it is stored.   In the case where the additional function is a function for executing a cancellation process for mail that has already been transmitted, the control means receives a mail in which the identifier of the additional function is written, and executes a cancellation process corresponding to the additional function 13. The mail delivery apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for transmitting a predetermined message to the destination instead of the mail canceling process when the mail to be sent is already sent to the destination.   In the case where the additional function is a function of executing a process of copying mail and delivering it to a predetermined plurality of destinations, the control means copies the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function and copies the predetermined plural destinations. The mail delivery apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for executing processing for delivering the copied mail. In a case where the additional function is a function of executing processing for notifying the transmission source of an incoming receipt at the transmission destination, the control unit gives an opening confirmation flag to the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function. The mail delivery apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means for executing processing. It has storage means to temporarily store mail to be sent,
In a case where the additional function is a function of executing a process of transmitting a mail specifying a date and time to a transmission destination, the control unit corresponds to an execution target of the additional function stored in the storage unit The mail delivery device according to claim 11, further comprising means for executing a process of transmitting mail to be stored after being accumulated up to a specified date and time. In a program that, when installed in an information processing device, causes the information processing device to realize a function corresponding to the function of a mail creation device that creates a mail,
A program for realizing a writing function for writing information of an additional function for the mail into the mail.   The function for writing the information indicating the type of the additional function and the information indicating the execution target of the additional function as the information of the additional function is realized when the writing function is realized. 17. The program according to 17. A program that, when installed in an information processing device, realizes a function corresponding to the function of a mail delivery device that transmits a mail in which information of an additional function for mail is written to the information processing device,
A program for realizing a control function for executing processing based on information of an additional function for the mail. Realize a storage function to temporarily store mail to be sent,
When the additional function is a function for executing processing for canceling mail that has already been transmitted, the control function searches for whether or not mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function is stored in the storage function. The program according to claim 19, which realizes a function of executing a process of canceling the mail when it is stored.   In the case where the additional function is a function for executing cancellation processing of mail that has already been transmitted, as the control function, a target for receiving a mail in which an identifier of the additional function is written and executing cancellation processing corresponding to the additional function 21. The program according to claim 20, which realizes a function of transmitting a predetermined message to a destination instead of the mail canceling process when the mail to be sent is already transmitted to the destination.   When the additional function is a function for executing a process of copying a mail and delivering it to a predetermined plurality of destinations, as the control function, the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function is copied to a predetermined plurality of destinations. 20. The program according to claim 19, which realizes a function of executing processing for distributing the copied mail.   When the additional function is a function of executing a process of notifying the transmission source of an incoming receipt of the transmission destination, a read confirmation flag is given to the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function as the control function The program according to claim 19, which realizes a function of executing processing. Realize a storage function to temporarily store mail to be sent,
When the additional function is a function for executing a process of sending a mail by designating a date and time to a transmission destination, the control function corresponds to an execution target of the additional function stored in the storage function The program according to claim 19, which realizes a function of executing a process of transmitting mail to be stored after being accumulated up to a specified date and time. In an e-mail delivery method executed by an e-mail system in which an e-mail creating unit that creates an e-mail and a mail transmitting unit that sends the e-mail are connected,
The mail creating means writing information on additional functions for the mail into the mail;
The e-mail delivery method, wherein the e-mail transmission means includes a step of executing processing based on information of an additional function for the e-mail. Mail receiving means for receiving the sent mail is connected to the mail sending means,
26. The electronic mail according to claim 25, further comprising a step of executing processing based on information of an additional function for the mail when the mail receiving means does not execute the process. Shipping method.   27. The electronic mail delivery according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the writing means writes information indicating a type of the additional function and information indicating an execution target of the additional function as the additional function information. Method. The mail transmitting means temporarily storing mail to be transmitted;
When the additional function is a function for executing processing for canceling mail that has already been sent, the control means of the mail sending means searches whether or not the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function is accumulated. 28. The electronic mail delivery method according to claim 25, further comprising a step of executing a process of canceling the mail when it is stored.   When the additional function is a function for executing cancellation processing of mail that has already been transmitted, the control means of the mail transmission means receives the mail in which the identifier of the additional function is written, and cancel processing corresponding to the additional function 29. The electronic device according to claim 28, further comprising a step of transmitting a predetermined message to the destination in place of the mail cancellation processing when the mail to be executed is already transmitted to the destination. Mail delivery method.   When the additional function is a function for executing a process of copying mail and delivering it to a plurality of predetermined destinations, the control means of the mail transmitting means copies the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function. 28. The electronic mail delivery method according to claim 25, further comprising a step of executing a process of delivering the copied mail to a plurality of predetermined destinations.   When the additional function is a function of executing a process of notifying the sender of an incoming receipt at the transmission destination, the control unit of the mail transmission unit confirms the opening of the mail corresponding to the execution target of the additional function. The e-mail delivery method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising a step of executing a process of assigning a flag. The mail transmitting means temporarily storing mail to be transmitted;
When the additional function is a function of executing a process of transmitting a mail by designating a date and time to a transmission destination, the control unit of the mail transmission unit corresponds to an execution target of the stored additional function The e-mail delivery method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising a step of executing a process of transmitting the e-mail to be stored after being accumulated up to a designated date and time.

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