JPH11298518A - Electronic mail system and storage medium recording its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means by which the user decides whether or not transmis sion addressed to itself is made is decided based on a message in the case of designating an alias to a transmission destination and sending an electronic mail. SOLUTION: This system has a retrieval means 7 that is used by the electronic mail system to retrieve whether or not a mail address of a transmission source is included in destination information of an alias of the transmission destination before the transmission in the case of designating the registered alias to the transmission destination and sending an electronic mail. In the case that a mail address of the transmission source is included in the transmission destination as a result of the retrieval and also has a notice setting means 8 that informs the user of the detection of the transmission source address by a GUI menu as the result of retrieval and sets whether or not the mail is sent to the transmission source. Thus, the user registers or designates the alias without notifying whether or not the alias includes the user itself and discriminates the transmission to the user itself depending on a message and decides it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic mail system for more effectively utilizing an alias setting function of electronic mail application software.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the explosive spread of the Internet and personal computers, communication means using electronic mail has begun to become popular in recent years, as well as conventional communication means such as telephones and postal delivery services.

[0003] Electronic mail application software is used as a utility for sending and receiving electronic mail. One of the functions of the electronic mail system is an alias function.

The purpose of this alias function is to simplify the input of destination information of a destination when specifying a destination, but by registering a plurality of e-mail addresses with one alias, one alias is created. There is also an advantage that an e-mail can be transmitted to all members registered in the alias by simply performing transmission to the alias.

[0005] Therefore, when all the group members of an organization are registered with one alias, the mail can be transmitted to all the registered group members by designating the alias as a destination.

[0006]

However, when a certain alias is specified as a transmission destination and transmission is performed, if the destination mail address is included in the destination information of the specified alias, Of course, the mail is naturally transmitted to the originating user himself. If the transmission requirement is not required for the transmission source user, transmission to itself by designating an alias including the user is wasteful communication.

In order to avoid this, an alias of a group including the mail address of the user himself and an alias of a group not including the user himself are created respectively.
Although the alias must be used depending on the transmission requirements, these operations have been very complicated for the user.

The present invention takes the above problem into consideration, and even if the user himself / herself is included in the alias specified as the destination, the system detects this and notifies the user, and furthermore, notifies the user himself / herself. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail system capable of determining whether or not to send an e-mail.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an alias destination described in an electronic mail to be transmitted is expanded to individual destinations, and the electronic mail is transmitted to each individual destination. In the e-mail system, a search means for searching whether or not the destination information of the alias designated as the destination of the e-mail includes the mail address of the sender, and the mail address of the sender by the search means are included. Notification means for notifying that the sender's mail address is included in the destination information of the alias, and an electronic mail system for notifying the notification result of the search to the notification means.

According to the present invention, it is possible for a user to register an effective alias according to the organizational structure including himself / herself, and to determine whether or not to execute a communication process with respect to the transmission source itself as a result. It is possible for the user to make a selection according to the requirements, so that the alias does not have to be used properly according to the requirements for transmission, eliminating complicated work.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention develops electronic destinations described in an electronic mail to be transmitted into personal destinations, and transmits the electronic mail to each personal destination. In the mail system, search means for searching whether or not the destination information of the alias designated as the destination of the electronic mail includes the mail address of the sender, and the mail address of the sender by the search means are included. Notification means for notifying that the sender's mail address is included in the destination information of the alias, wherein the search result is notified to the notification means. There is an effect that the sender can check in advance the distribution of unnecessary e-mail.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an e-mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an e-mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the e-mail to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether the source mail address is included in the destination information of the alias specified as the destination of the electronic mail,
An e-mail address deleting unit that deletes the e-mail address of the sender from the destination information of the alias when the e-mail address of the sender is included by the search unit; An e-mail system provided with a means for transmitting the e-mail based on the destination information. It is not necessary to register another alias except for the source, and to avoid unnecessary transmission of retransmission to the source without any trouble in advance. Has the effect of being able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an e-mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an e-mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the e-mail to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether the source mail address is included in the destination information of the alias specified as the destination of the electronic mail,
Notifying means for notifying that the sender's mail address is included in the alias destination information when the sender's mail address is included by the search means,
Setting means for setting whether or not to notify the search result to the notifying means in advance, and when the setting means is set to notify in advance, the result of the search is notified to the notifying means. This is an e-mail system for notifying, and has the effect that whether or not to notify can be determined by the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an electronic mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the electronic mail to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether the source mail address is included in the destination information of the alias specified as the destination of the electronic mail,
When the search means includes the sender's mail address, the search means includes a mail address deletion means for deleting the sender's mail address from the alias information, and the search result includes the sender's mail address. Has been set in advance to determine whether or not to delete the sender's e-mail address, if the setting is set to delete in advance by the setting means,
An e-mail system in which the e-mail address of the sender is deleted based on the result of the search, and the e-mail is transmitted based on the deleted alias information. This has the effect that the user himself can make a selection.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an e-mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an e-mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the e-mail to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether the source mail address is included in the destination information of the alias specified as the destination of the electronic mail,
Notifying means for notifying that the sender's mail address is included in the alias destination information when the sender's mail address is included by the search means,
An e-mail address deletion unit for deleting the e-mail address of the sender from the destination information of the alias if the e-mail address of the sender is included in the search result; and notifying the search result in advance to the notification unit Setting means for setting whether or not to delete, and second setting means for setting whether or not to delete the sender's mail address. The first setting means is configured to notify in advance. If the search result has been set, the result of the search is notified to the notifying means, and if the setting has been made in advance to be deleted by the second setting means, the mail of the sender is set based on the result of the search. An e-mail system in which the address is deleted and the e-mail is transmitted based on the deleted alias address information. Has the effect of transmission can be performed without load.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a notifying means and / or the setting means are provided on a GUI screen. User convenience is very good,
In addition, since hardware programs such as a personal computer can support a program without adding any device, there is an effect that a change or the like can be easily performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a search means for searching whether or not a destination mail address of an alias specified as a destination of an electronic mail includes a source mail address. In the case where the source mail address is included in the result, a notifying unit that notifies that the source mail address is included in the destination information of the alias, and the source mail address is included in the search result. If it has been, having a mail address deleting means for deleting the mail address of the sender from the destination information of the alias, a first setting means for setting whether or not to notify the search result in advance to the notification means, Second setting means for setting in advance whether or not to delete the sender's mail address, and the first setting means is set to notify in advance. In this case, the search result is notified to the notifying means, and if the second setting means is set to delete in advance, the source mail address is deleted based on the search result. 7. A recording medium storing a program for realizing the above-described means of the e-mail system having means for transmitting the e-mail based on the deleted alias address information. This is effective in executing the program of the means.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic mail system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mail transmitting / receiving unit in a workstation in the electronic mail system, and FIG. Is an explanatory view of a mail sheet used in a user input unit in the electronic mail system, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a notification format on a GUI screen in the electronic mail system, and FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the process of transmitting to each person of the alias e-mail address.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 11 and 12 denote mail servers which internally have a mail database 10 and execute a mail service having a mail transmission / reception function. Reference numerals 13 and 14 are operated by network subscribers. It is a workstation that sends and receives mails through 11 or 12, and has a mail sending / receiving unit 15 described later inside. Reference numeral 16 denotes an file server for executing a file service and a clearing house service for providing necessary information (authentication confirmation, destination identification, and the like) at the request of the user. These devices are interconnected on a network 17. I have.

The workstations 13 and 14
Functions as a terminal device when a user exchanges mails, and via the network 17, the mail server 11,
12 and the file server 16 can be accessed.

The mail servers 11 and 12 can access other mail servers, and receive and deliver mail transmitted from the workstations 13 and 14 by a mail service executed on the mail server. Do. Further, the subscriber of the mail service has an individual mailbox (not shown) on the mail service, and mail addressed to the subscriber is delivered to the corresponding mailbox. When the mail is delivered to the user's mailbox, the user can receive the mail through the mail service.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mail transmitting / receiving unit 15 existing on the workstation 13 (or 14)
Is a user input unit 1, a transmission processing unit 2, a search unit 7 for searching whether or not a specified mail destination (alias) includes a source mail address, a search result by the search unit 7, When the source is included, the notification setting means 8 as first setting means for presetting whether or not to notify the notification means (display) of the fact, the result of the search by the search unit 7 and the transmission Self-exclusion setting means 9 as a second setting means for setting in advance whether or not to delete the sender's mail address from the specified alias when the source is included, the mail transmission section 3, and It comprises a mail receiving unit 4, a reception processing unit 5, and a user output unit 6.

The user input unit 1 is an interface unit for receiving mail from a user, and includes a user interface such as a display, a keyboard, and a mouse (not shown). The user can input a message or set various conditions by operating a keyboard and a mouse by opening a property sheet or an option sheet on a GUI-compatible display.

Next, in FIG. 3, which shows an example of the format of a mail sheet used in the user input section 1, address information such as an individual or an alias is entered in the input area 18. If the destination (alias) of the group is described here, the mail is transmitted to each individual destination belonging to the alias.

The transmission processing unit 2 identifies the mail input through the user input unit 1, and searches the destination information (alias) described therein via the search unit 7, and includes the source address in the alias information. Search whether it has been done. If the mail address of the sender is included, the transmission processing unit 2 checks the setting status of the notification setting unit 8. When the notification setting means 8 is set to notify the search result, the contents shown in FIG. 4 are displayed on the GUI screen, and the commanded alias includes the user himself (source). Notify that If the notification is not set by the notification setting means 8, no notification is made.

Here, in the display on the GUI screen shown in FIG.
This is realized on the I screen. When the selection unit 21 is clicked, a mode is set in which an e-mail is transmitted to the alias members except for the transmission source.

On the other hand, when the selection unit 22 is clicked, a mode is set in which a mail is transmitted to all the aliases including the transmission source. Reference numeral 23 denotes a setting unit for canceling the setting of the notification setting unit 8 so as not to notify the search result.

Therefore, when an e-mail is to be transmitted to a part of a certain group, an alias which is the closest to the destination to be transmitted may be designated in the input area 18. According to this, it is not necessary to describe all the destinations to which the mail is to be transmitted on the mail sheet as in the related art, and the description of the destination information can be simplified.

The reception processing unit 5 periodically inquires of the mail service via the mail reception unit 4 whether or not mail has arrived, and notifies the user via the user output unit 6 if mail has arrived. . On the other hand, when the user instructs to take out the mail, the reception processing unit 5 receives the mail from the mail service through the mail receiving unit 4 and notifies the user through the user output unit 6.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the above procedure. In Embodiment 1 of the present invention,
Although the e-mail system on the workstation has been described, it goes without saying that a similar effect can be obtained in the present invention by software provided on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM using a program for operating the above means. No.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention is applicable to an electronic mail system even if the user himself / herself is included in the alias specified as the destination when the user sends the electronic mail. , The system detects this, informs the user, and can determine whether or not to send an email to the user himself, that is, the user can respond to the organizational configuration including himself. Effective alias registration becomes possible, and the user can select whether or not to execute a communication process with respect to the transmission source itself as a result, depending on the requirement, and accordingly, according to the transmission requirement. It is not necessary to use the alias separately, which eliminates complicated work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic mail system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mail transmitting / receiving unit in a workstation in the electronic mail system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mail sheet used in a user input unit in the electronic mail system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a notification format on a GUI screen in the electronic mail system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting to the respective e-mail addresses of the aliases whose transmission sources have been deleted in the e-mail system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 user input unit 2 transmission processing unit 3 mail transmission unit 4 mail transmission unit 5 reception processing unit 6 user output unit 7 search unit 8 notification setting unit 9 self-deletion setting unit 10 mail server 12 mail server 13 workstation 14 workstation 15 mail Transmitter / receiver 16 File server 17 Network

Claims (7)

[Claims] An e-mail system which expands alias destinations described in an e-mail to be transmitted into individual destinations and transmits the e-mail to each individual destination is designated as a destination of the e-mail. Search means for searching whether or not the address information of the alias includes the mail address of the sender, and when the mail address of the sender is included by the search means, the address information of the alias is included in the address information of the alias. Notification means for notifying that a mail address is included, and the search result is notified to the notification means. 2. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, wherein the alias destination described in the electronic mail to be transmitted is expanded to individual destinations, and the electronic mail is transmitted to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether or not the address information of the alias includes the mail address of the sender; and, if the mail address of the sender is included by the search means, the mail of the sender is determined from the address information of the alias. An e-mail system, comprising: e-mail address deletion means for deleting an address; and means for transmitting the e-mail based on the destination information of the alias from which the transmission mail address has been deleted. 3. An e-mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an e-mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the e-mail to each individual destination, wherein the e-mail is designated as a destination of the e-mail. Search means for searching whether or not the address information of the alias includes the mail address of the sender, and when the mail address of the sender is included by the search means, the address of the sender is included in the address information of the alias. A notification unit for notifying that the mail address is included, and a setting unit for setting in advance whether or not to notify the search result to the notification unit, wherein the setting unit is configured to notify in advance. The search result is notified to the notifying means. 4. An e-mail system which expands alias destinations described in an e-mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmits the e-mail to each individual destination. Search means for searching whether or not the address information of the alias includes the mail address of the sender; and, if the mail address of the sender is included by the search means, the mail of the sender is determined from the address information of the alias. Mail address deleting means for deleting an address, and setting means for setting in advance whether or not to delete the mail address of the sender when the search result includes the mail address of the sender. However, if the setting means has set in advance to delete, the source mail address is deleted based on the search result. Electronic mail system is characterized in that so as to transmit the e-mail based on the destination information of the deleted Eriasu. 5. An electronic mail system for expanding an alias destination described in an electronic mail to be transmitted to individual destinations and transmitting the electronic mail to each individual destination, wherein the electronic mail is designated as a destination of the electronic mail. Search means for searching whether or not the address information of the alias includes the mail address of the sender, and when the mail address of the sender is included by the search means, the address information of the alias is included in the address information of the alias. Notifying means for notifying that an e-mail address is included, and e-mail address deleting means for deleting the e-mail address of the sender from the destination information of the alias if the e-mail address of the sender is included in the search result, First setting means for setting in advance whether or not to notify the search result to the notifying means; and And second setting means for setting whether or not to delete the resource, if the first setting means is set to notify in advance, the search result is notified to the notifying means. If the setting is made in advance to be deleted by the second setting means, the e-mail address of the sender is deleted based on the result of the search, and the e-mail is deleted based on the deleted address information of the alias. An e-mail system characterized by being transmitted. 6. An informing means and / or said setting means is a GU.
The electronic mail system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic mail system is on an I screen. 7. A search means for searching whether or not the destination information of the alias designated as the destination of the electronic mail includes the source mail address, and the search result includes the source mail address based on the search result. Notification means for notifying that the mail address of the sender is included in the destination information of the alias, and, if the mail address of the sender is included in the search result, the destination information of the alias. A first setting means for setting whether or not to notify the search result in advance to the notifying means, comprising: a mail address deleting means for deleting a sender's mail address from
Second setting means for setting in advance whether or not to delete the sender's mail address, if the first setting means is set to notify in advance, the search result Notify to the notifying means, if it is set to delete in advance by the second setting means, delete the source mail address based on the search result,
A recording medium on which a program for realizing the above means of the e-mail system having means for transmitting the e-mail based on the deleted alias information is recorded.