JP2000201175A - Information transmission system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a system for transmitting information in accordance with a user's state especially in a mobile communication environment. SOLUTION: A rule edition part 53 in a user terminal generates various rules by various information inputted from a user. These rules are temporarily stored in a data management part 57 and sent to a data management part 71 through a communication control part 75. A user outputs various processing requests to an SC server 1 in a network. The SC server 1 receives various processing requests and transmits the information by executing the acquisition of user's position information, information working corresponding to an equipment to which information is to be transmitted, medium conversion corresponding to the information to be transmitted, the selection of information to be transmitted, etc., based on various rules stored in the data management part 71.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information transmission system, and more particularly to a technique for transmitting information according to a user's situation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information transmission system, LAN (LocalAr
ea Network), e-mail systems, e-news systems, WWW (World Wide
Web) system is a commonly used service. These are asynchronous communications, which are different from synchronous communications typified by telephone, in that a caller can make a call when he wants to make a call, and a receiver can also receive information when he wants information. Therefore, information can be exchanged without being bound by time. Also, the content of the information handles multimedia information, and very large amounts of information are transmitted on the network. These systems are
Wired and high-speed communication network (for example, 10Mbps LAN,
(Hereinafter referred to as a high-speed network). When these are used from outside using a mobile communication network or a public network, it is necessary to provide a remote access server in the high-speed network and make a network connection. The remote access server and the terminal use PPP (Point-to-Point Pr
otocol) and SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol)
It is connected by such a protocol.

[0003]

However, a system used in a high-speed network as described above is based on the premise that a terminal for receiving information is always connected to the network. As a result, problems specific to mobile communications,
For example, the configuration does not take into account the fact that communication quality is low, communication speed is low, cost is high, communication cannot be performed due to a communication dead zone, and the like. That is, when using the above service by remote access from a mobile body, despite the inherent problems described above, (1) data similar to that in a high-speed network environment is transmitted and received, and time is required for data processing. (2) Unnecessary information is acquired at a place where the user is away from home; and (3) Information beyond the capability of the terminal is acquired (for example, color image information is obtained even if the terminal has only a black-and-white screen display capability). , Acquiring an image without image decompression software, acquiring an audio file when audio cannot be reproduced, etc.), thereby increasing the communication cost and wasting communication time.

[0004] (4) Even if an attempt is made to transmit information by remote access, communication cannot be performed in a radio wave insensitive zone.
Information cannot be transmitted. (5) Even in areas where communication is possible, there are situations where access is not possible (during meetings, moving, etc.). (6) Unable to use unless there is a terminal for communication transmission. Therefore, there is a problem that necessary information cannot be obtained when necessary.

[0005] Further, since the above-mentioned service is a user-driven service, (7) the user cannot transmit information unless he / she accesses it from the outside. There is also a problem that it is not possible to confirm whether or not information has been transmitted.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a system for transmitting information according to the situation of a user.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for storing a user rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user, and a method adapted to a user rule of a destination user. Transmission means for transmitting information to the destination user.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the user rule includes terminal information of a terminal used by the user, and transmits the information to the destination user according to the terminal information.

In a preferred embodiment, the user rule includes the type of media used by the user, and transmits information in a method according to the type of media used by the destination user.

[0010] A system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a storage means for storing a user group rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user group, and a method adapted to the user group rule of the destination user group.
Transmission means for transmitting information to the destination user group.

In a preferred embodiment, the present system includes a storage unit for storing a preset user group, another storage unit for storing a preset information transmission condition for the user group, and Transmitting means for transmitting information to the designated user group.

For example, the information transmission conditions include an order transmission, A
Includes ND transmission and OR transmission. In the order transmission, information is transmitted in accordance with a preset order, and when information can be transmitted to any one member, it is determined that “transmission succeeded”. If the transmission fails, the information is transferred to the next member according to the group order. In the AND transmission, the transmission is performed to the designated user and the user group, and when the information is transmitted to all the users, "transmission succeeded" is determined. OR transmission is
When the information is broadcast to the designated user and the user group, and the information is transmitted to at least one user, the transmission is determined as “successful transmission”. As a result, it is possible to confirm the information transmission status, prevent a delay in the information, and perform a reliable notification.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a storage unit for storing one or more types of media set in advance by a user, a media selection unit for selecting one or a plurality of media, Transmission means for transmitting information to a destination user by media. Thereby,
The destination user can receive on available media without being bound by the media used for originating.

In a preferred embodiment, the present system converts the data into a data format suitable for the media set by the destination user and transmits the information. As a result, even data with a large amount of information can be received on available media.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the present system comprises a storage means for storing a preset information transmission time limit, and an opening detection means for detecting whether or not the destination user has opened the information within the information transmission time limit. Response detecting means for detecting whether or not the destination user has responded to the information within the information transmission time limit. As a result, it is difficult to confirm that the information has been transmitted reliably (for example, by fax
Or pager) can also confirm the transmission of information.

In a preferred embodiment, the present system includes a position detecting means for detecting a position of a user, a storage means for storing one or more types of media set in advance by the user, and a position detecting means. The information processing apparatus includes: a medium selection unit that selects the medium in accordance with the detected position of the destination user; and a transmission unit that transmits the information in a data format according to the selected medium.

For example, each user sets a transmission rule for information addressed to him / her. The position detecting means determines whether or not the destination user is in a mobile environment. At least when the destination user is in a mobile environment, information is transmitted by a method conforming to a set transmission rule. Thus, the user can perform information communication in consideration of various problems inherent in mobile communication as described above, such as low communication quality and low communication speed.

In a preferred embodiment, the present system comprises a storage means for storing one or more keywords set in advance by a user, and an information selection for selecting information relating to the set keyword from information addressed to the user. Means for transmitting selected information to the user. Thereby, the user can check necessary information with priority.

In a preferred embodiment, the present system includes an information server having the above-described units, and an information client that edits various information transmission rules set by each user and registers the edited rules in the information server. . The information transmission rules include user rules that include the settings of media and terminals used by the user for receiving information, user group rules that include conditions for transmission to the user, and message rules that include information for specifying prepared services. And are included. Information is transmitted according to the contents set in these rules. As a result, it is possible to provide more information transmission as desired by the user.

[0020] A system according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a grasping means for grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, and an information transmission target from a plurality of users based on the grasped states. And means for transmitting information to the selected user.

A system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises a grasping means for grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, and dynamically changing a preset information transmission path according to the grasped states. And a transmission means for transmitting information to a plurality of users according to the changed information transmission path.

In a preferred embodiment, a user to whom information is to be transmitted is selected from a plurality of users on the basis of the grasped state, and a preset selection is made according to the state of the selected user. Dynamically change the user's information transmission path.

In a preferred embodiment, the grasping means is an agent. The agent has a schedule, and grasps the states of a plurality of users at the times recorded in the schedule. Or, the agent can notify various states from multiple users,
Understand the status of multiple users.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, this embodiment of the system uses a new information transmission system referred to herein as "smart contacts". First, this smart contact (hereinafter referred to as SC) will be described.

The smart contact is a concept for providing a mechanism for "necessarily transmitting necessary information to a necessary person by a necessary time" and realizing a use environment particularly adapted to a mobile environment.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a smart contact.

[0027] The smart contact is "management of people",
It has "time management" and "information management" as basic functions, and furthermore, "service management" function that configures each application using them, and "communication management" function that constructs communication paths according to the situation. Having. The application is built using the functions presented in “Service Management”. Hereinafter, an outline of each management function will be described.

First, the outline of the "person management" function will be described with reference to FIG.

A, B, C,..., I, J indicate each user. A range surrounded by a frame (called a group) indicates a range of information transmission. Arrows connecting them indicate the order of information transmitted between people and groups. Here, the arrow indicated by the dotted line is larger than the arrow indicated by the solid line,
It indicates that the information transmission capability is low due to the restriction of the state such as the type of the group or the terminal. A group without an arrow indicates that it is a broadcast target.

The "person management" function manages the range of information transmission as a group, and manages the connection of persons to persons, persons to groups, and groups to groups in order and state. If the transmitted information is interrupted by a person or a group that is in the process of being transmitted, the information is transferred to the next person or the next group managed according to the hierarchy within the group.

Next, an outline of the "time management" function will be described with reference to FIG.

This function performs the opening management shown in FIG. 3A and the reply management shown in FIG. 3B. The opening management manages the time from when the information is transmitted to when the information is opened.
Response management manages the time from when information is sent to when a response to that information is received.

The outline of the "information management" function will be described with reference to FIG.

This function converts the information to be transmitted into information in a format suitable for the medium (for example, a telephone or a facsimile) set by the receiving side.
Then, "processing management" for processing information according to the amount of information that can be processed by the medium receiving the information is performed. For example, an e-mail transmitted from a desktop personal computer is converted into an image for a person who has only a facsimile and transmitted by facsimile, or a person who uses a mobile phone is converted into a voice and transmitted.

The "communication management" function recognizes differences in processing due to differences in the communication environment and devices used in "management of people" and "management of information", and manages such that communication errors do not occur.

The "service management" function provides, as communication support, notification management and workflow management, which will be described later, based on an electronic mail system.

In order to enable these functions, the system according to the present embodiment has the following specific functions.

(1) Information media selection function The user sets in advance the media used by the user in this system. The transmitted information is received on the media set by the user, regardless of the media used at the time of transmission. A plurality of use media can be set, and since each media has a time management function described later, a process of automatically switching media until transmission is successful is also possible.

(2) Time Management Function The information transmission source sets a transmission time limit for the transmission destination, whereby the time management of information transmission to the transmission destination is performed. The time management function includes an opening confirmation function and a response confirmation function as shown in FIG.

(2-a) Opening Confirmation Function In order to detect opening in a one-way medium such as a facsimile or a pager, a delivery confirmation ID is assigned to each information by the system. When the information is delivered, the delivery confirmation ID assigned
Is returned from various media to confirm that the transmitted information has been received by the receiver.

(2-b) Reply Confirmation Function A reply ID is given to the information to be transmitted. When the media returns a response to the information to the system, a response ID is added to the response information. Thereby, the system can detect which transmission information is a response.

(3) Information transmission route setting function The information transmission route is set in advance as described below,
Information is transmitted according to the transmission path. A setting that transfers information that has been delayed during transmission to the next user managed in order (order transmission setting), and a setting that allows information to be transmitted to all broadcast destinations when information is broadcast (AND) Transmission setting), a setting (OR transmission setting) for transmitting information to at least one of the broadcast destinations when information is broadcast is possible. The content (order, AND, OR) of each setting is added to each group as a “condition” of transmission. Further, a user group can be registered as a member of another group, so that a group having a desired hierarchical structure can be created. Complex management is possible by hierarchically managing groups.

Hereinafter, each transmission setting will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 (a) shows an example of the order transmission setting.

A, B, C and D indicate users (or user groups), and the order is set to A → B → C → D. In the case of the hierarchical transmission setting, first, a message is transmitted to A, and when A receives it, "transmission succeeds". If the transfer to A fails, the message is transferred to the next transfer destination B.

As described above, in the order transmission setting, the order is set for the members in the group, and if the message is transmitted to any one of the members according to the order, "transmission succeeds". If the transmission fails and the message gets stuck, it is forwarded to the next destination.

FIG. 5B shows an example of AND transmission setting.

A, B, C, and D indicate users (or user groups). A and B are registered in group # 1, and C and D are registered in group # 2. Group # 1 and group # 2 are registered in group # 3. Group # 1 is set to “AND”, group # 2 is set to “order” (set to first C and second D), and group # 3 is set to “AND”.
D ”is set.

The message transmitted to group # 3 is broadcast to group # 1 and group # 2. In group # 1, a message is broadcast to A and B,
And B are confirmed as “successful transmission”. In group # 2, the message is first transmitted to C, and when C receives it, "transmission succeeds". If the transmission to C fails in group # 2, the message is forwarded to the next D,
When that is received, it becomes "communication success". In the group # 3, if "transmission succeeded" in the groups # 1 and # 2, "transmission succeeded" is reached.

As described above, in the AND transmission setting, a message is broadcast to all of a plurality of preset users or a plurality of user groups. Becomes

FIG. 5C shows an example of OR transmission setting.

A, B, C, and D indicate users (or user groups). A and B are registered in group # 1, and C and D are registered in group # 2. Group # 1 and group # 2 are registered in group # 3. Group # 1 is set to “OR”, group # 2 is set to “order” (first C and second D), and group # 3 is set to “O”.
R "is set.

The message transmitted to group # 3 is broadcast to group # 1 and group # 2. In group # 1, a message is broadcast to A and B,
Or, if the transmission is confirmed in either of B and B, it is "transmission success". In the group # 2, if the information is transmitted to one of C and D according to the order, "transmission succeeded". In group # 3, group # 1 or group # 2
If "successful transmission" occurs in either of the cases, "successful transmission" results.

As described above, in the OR transmission setting, a message is broadcast to all of a plurality of preset users or a plurality of user groups, and if "successful transmission" is confirmed in at least one of the broadcast targets, "Communication success".

The transmission path is set by combining these three types of conditions. Thereby, FIG. 5 (b),
Even in the case of transmission to a group having a complicated hierarchical structure as in the group # 3 of (c), reliable transmission can be performed.

(4) Media Selection and Information Transmission Path Selection Function by Location Management Based on the location information of the user obtained from a PHS or a GPS (Global Positioning System) terminal, the user is selected from a plurality of media set by the user in advance. Automatically selects available media and transmits information. Further, when the user does not have a usable medium at the current position, even if an information transmission route is set in advance, the information transmission is prevented from being stopped by bypassing the user. In this way, by combining position management, media conversion, time management, and transmission path management can be performed dynamically.

For example, an office location of a certain user is registered in advance, and when it becomes necessary to transmit information, the current location information of the user is acquired. When the user is at the office location, the information is transmitted to a medium (for example, a personal computer) in the office, and when the user is at a location other than the office location, the information is transmitted to another preset medium. Also, when the user does not have the media to be received (when the media is not registered)
Can give up the transmission to the user.

The position information of the user can be obtained in cooperation with a GPS, a PHS position information providing service, a scheduler, and the like. For example, by comparing latitude information and longitude information obtained from GPS or PHS with pre-registered office location information, it is determined whether the user is in the office location, and the transmission process is changed to an optimal means. .

(5) Keyword-based Information Selection Function By setting a keyword for information that is considered necessary to be transmitted to the information delivered to the user,
Only information that matches the keyword can be processed by the media conversion, time management, transmission path management, and the like described above. For example, if you need to know information about your computer as soon as possible, you can use keywords related to that information (e.g.,
Set “Soft”. Thereby, when the information matching the keyword arrives, the information can be notified to the set medium regardless of the user's situation.

(6) Information processing function If the information to be transmitted cannot be handled sufficiently by the medium used by the user, the information is processed so that the information can be handled by the medium to be used. For example, if the receiving medium can only display a monochrome image, and if the information to be transmitted includes a color image, the image is processed into a monochrome image and transmitted. If there is a limit on the display capacity or information storage capacity of the receiving terminal, information processing is performed in accordance with the limit and the data is transmitted. Thereby, efficient information transmission can be realized.

The above is the function of the smart contact (SC) introduced into the system of this embodiment. Less than,
A system according to an embodiment in which an SC is introduced will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an electronic mail system in which the SC is introduced.

This e-mail system includes an SC server 1 that performs various managements based on the SC. In this system, users 5 and 7 registered in the SC server 1 are SC users, while users 9 and 11 registered in the existing mail server 3 and not registered in the SC server 1 are general users. Call. An SC user 5
It is assumed that a certain general user 9 uses this system in an office environment, and another SC user 7 and another general user 11 use this system in a mobile environment (actually, there are many users). SMTP (Simple MailTransferPr) is used between each server and each user registered on that server.
otocol) and POP3 (PostOffice Protocol Version)
Connected by 3).

The SC server 1 performs processing as a subset of the existing mail server 3 without changing the conventional electronic mail system. That is, the SC server 1
Upon receiving the e-mail sent from the C users 5 and 7, the destination address of the received e-mail is recognized, and when the destination is the general user 9, 11 or the SC user 5 in the office environment, the e-mail is transmitted to the user. The mail is transferred to the registered existing mail server 3. On the other hand, when the destination of the mail is the SC user 7 in the mobile environment, the SC server 1
The mail is subjected to SC processing, and then sent to the SC user 7 in the destination mobile environment (even if the destination is the SC user 5 in the office environment, the SC server 1 performs SC processing depending on the situation and the SC user 5 can also be sent). As described above, the SC is processed and sent to the SC user 7 in the mobile environment. The reason is that in an office environment, e-mail generally requires no media change or processing and can access information almost at the same time as the mail arrives, whereas in a mobile environment, a terminal used for each user is used. This is because there are various problems such as differences, and a process based on the SC (SC process) is required to solve them.

The mail server 3 sends mail transmitted from the general users 9 and 11 directly to the users 9 and 11
C. E-mail sent from users 5 and 7 (as described above,
(Excluding mail addressed to SC user 7 in a mobile environment)
Is received via the SC server 1. When the destination of the received mail is the general user 9 or 11, the mail server 3 transmits the mail to the destination address. When the destination is the SC user 5 or 7, the mail is automatically sent to the SC server 1. Forward.

In this embodiment, the SC server 1
Writes "SC processing completed" in the header of the mail to be transferred when transferring the mail to the mail server 3, and then transfers the mail. Then, when "SC processed" is written in the header of the mail transferred from the mail server 3, the SC server 1 does not perform the SC processing, discards the mail, and ends the processing. By doing this,
When the mail server 3 receives the mail addressed to the SC user 5 in the office and confirms whether or not “SC processed” is written in the header of the mail, the mail server 3 determines whether the mail has been received from the general user. , Or from the SC server 1. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which mail is infinitely transferred between the SC server 1 and the mail server 3.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between transmission and reception of mail performed by each user in the system of FIG.

When SC users 5 and 7 transmit mail, each SC user 5 and 7 connects to SC server 1 and transmits mail. The SC server 1 recognizes the destination address of the received mail and, as described above,
The mail addressed to the C user 7 is subjected to SC processing and sent to, for example, the SC user 7, and the other mail is transferred to the mail server 3. The mail server 3 sends the mail to the destination address. On the other hand, when the general users 9 and 11 send mail, each of the general users 9 and 11
Connect to and send mail. The mail server 3 sends mail addressed to the SC users 5 and 7 to the SC server 1 as described above.
And forward the other mail to its destination address.
The SC server 1 performs the SC processing on the mail transferred from the mail server 3 and then transmits the processed mail to the destination SC user 5 or 7 (the SC server 1 receives the mail from the general users 9 and 11). Transmits, for example, a Notify service described later). With such a system, the SC user can receive various services by the SC processing as described above. In particular, the SC user 7 in the mobile environment receives the merits of the SC processing such as receiving an e-mail in a format suitable for media used in the mobile environment, selecting and receiving only an e-mail corresponding to a preset keyword. Can be.

FIG. 8 shows a more specific configuration example of the system of this embodiment.

As a medium handled by the SC server 1 in a fixed environment (office environment), for example, there is a desktop personal computer (e-mail client). A plurality of desktop personal computers (SC clients) 23a, 23b,
23c (actually, there are many) is connected to the hub 19, and the hub 19 has an SC server 1 that performs SC processing.
And the existing e-mail server 25 is connected. The hub 19 includes the RAS 17 and the plurality of M / D converters 1.
One public network 13 via 5a, 15b, 15c, 15d
And a voice processing server 27 having a line processing board 29. Line processing board 29
Is connected to the other public network 33 via a plurality of M / D converters 31a and 31b. Note that the SC client is not limited to a desktop personal computer in an office environment, but may be a notebook computer 35, a mobile phone 39, or the like described later as long as it is communicably connected to the SC server 1.

In a mobile environment (mobile environment), SC
As the media handled by the server 1, for example, a modem 3
Notebook computer 35 to which a mobile phone 39 is connected via
(E-mail client), Pager 45, PHS4
1, FAX43 and the like.

FIG. 9 shows an example of media handled by the SC server 1.

In this system, each user can designate a plurality of terminals (media) for receiving information.
In addition, each user can also specify the time required to transmit information addressed to him / her. The SC server 1 transmits information addressed to each user to a designated medium within a designated time. Information transmission to designated media based on SC,
It is possible to process simultaneously over multiple media.

Such an example will be described with reference to FIG.

In the system of FIG. 8, a certain user
E-mail client, telephone, F as receiving media
It is assumed that AX and pager are specified. In this way, by specifying a plurality of media, for example, when receiving one piece of information, the user can simultaneously receive it as character information by an e-mail client, as voice information by telephone, and as image information by FAX. Becomes possible.

Next, some services that can be constructed using the SC will be described.

(1) Inform Service The Inform service is a service for notifying a party to whom information is to be transmitted according to rules set by a sender.
The sender sets a destination group and a time limit, and requests the SC server 1. The SC server 1 that has received the request attempts to reliably notify the destination group of the information within the designated time. If the destination group cannot be notified within the designated time, an error notification is sent to the sender.

(2) Notify Service The Notify service is a service for notifying the user of necessary information among the information delivered to the user. The user sets filter conditions such as a keyword for the mail to be notified, and requests the SC server 1. The user also sets the notification recipient group and the time limit at the same time. When a mail that meets the conditions arrives for the user, the SC server 1 attempts to reliably notify the mail or the arrival of the mail to the recipient group within the designated time.

(3) Reply Service The Reply service is a service for notifying a partner who wants to transmit information of the information and managing the information until a reply is received from the partner. The sender sets a destination group, a recipient group, and a time limit, and requests the SC server 1 for information notification. SC server 1 that received the request
Will ensure that the destination group is notified within the specified time,
Attempts to ensure that the response from the destination group is sent to the recipient group within the specified time. If the response from the destination group cannot be notified to the receiver group within the designated time, an error notification is sent to the sender.

(4) Workflow Service The Workflow service is a service that circulates information to the approval group set by the sender. The sender sets a decision group and a time limit, and requests the SC server 1 to circulate information. The SC server 1 that has received the request transfers the information to all the members of the decision making group while sequentially confirming the information. If the approval is not completed within the specified time, an error notification is sent to the sender.

In this embodiment, the Inform service will be described in detail, and for other services, differences from the Inform service will be described.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of SC software in this system.

The SC client 23 such as a desktop personal computer and the SC server 1 are communicably connected. An external application server (AP server) 77 such as the mail server 3 is communicably connected to the SC server 1.

In the SC client 23, a communication control unit 59 serving as an interface with the SC server 1 is provided.
User registration unit 55 to which user information is input from the user
And a rule editing unit 53 for editing various rules. A mail client 5 for performing mail processing;
1 and a data management unit 57 for managing various data.

Inside the SC server 1, a communication control unit 75 that serves as an interface between the SC client 23 and the AP server 77, a position management unit 67 that obtains user position information via the communication control unit 75, and a mail transmission. A rule processing unit 65 for analyzing a rule to be used is provided. Also,
Personal data processing unit 6 for creating personal processing data to be described later
3, an information processing unit 61 that processes information according to the designated medium, and a media management unit 73 that receives the information notification request of the designated medium and transmits the information to the designated medium. Further, a transmission management unit 69 for monitoring whether information transmission is completed within a designated time, and a data management unit 71 for storing data created by the SC client 23 are provided.

The operation of this system will be described below by taking as an example the case where an Inform service is provided.

First, the user registers with the SC client 23 in order to receive various services in this system.

FIG. 12 shows an example of user management data created by user registration.

Each user inputs necessary items such as his / her name and organization name. The user registration unit 55 creates user management data as shown in FIG. 12 based on the input items. The created user management data is temporarily stored in the data management unit 57. On the other hand, the communication control unit 59
It constantly monitors whether communication with the communication control unit 75 of the server 1 is possible, and if communication is possible, notifies the data management unit 57 that communication is possible. The data management unit 57 that has received the notification transmits the user management data to the data management unit 71 of the SC server 1.
The transmitted information is stored in the data management unit 71 of the SC server 1.
Is saved. Thus, the user registration process is performed.

Next, a rule editing process, that is, a rule of each service such as the Inform service and a personal rule described later are edited.

FIG. 13 shows an outline of the rule editing process performed by the SC client 23.

The rule editing unit 53 is activated in response to a request for a rule editing process from a user (step S0). Then, the rule editing unit 53 starts a session with the data management unit 57 (S1) and performs user authentication (S2). If the authentication is successful, the initial rule setting screen is displayed (S
3), the user selects one of personal rules or rule editing of various services (S4).

When the user selects the personal rule setting in step S4, personal rule editing is started (S4).
5). The user enters various information about the personal rules. Then, the rule editing unit 53 creates personal rule data based on the information.

FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG.
4 shows an example of personal rule data.

As shown in the figure, user personal information 81, environment setting 83, personal communication rules 85, and the like are input by the user. As the user personal information 81, a password,
"SC user information" such as e-mail address, telephone and fax
If media such as is set, phone number or FAX
The setting of the number and the like are input. As the environment setting 83, a use environment (office environment / mobile environment) and presence / absence of use of location information (office location information if location information is used) are input. Rules 85 for personal communication include:
"Voice response settings" during information processing, "Terminal number information" such as the number of terminals used, selection of media used such as personal computers (PCs) and telephones, and the type, status, functions, etc. of each selected media Settings and the like are input. Based on these pieces of information, the rule editing unit 53 creates personal rule data. After that, the rule editing unit 53 transmits the created personal rule data to the data management unit 57, and requests that the data be saved. On the other hand, the communication control unit 59 sets the communication control unit 7 of the SC server 1 in the same manner as in the user registration process.
Always monitor whether communication is possible with 5 and if communication is possible,
The data communication unit 57 is notified that communication is possible. Data management unit 5
7 transmits the personal rule data to the data management unit 71 of the SC server 1 when communication with the SC server 1 is possible (S5).

In step S4 of FIG.
When the setting is selected, Inform editing starts. The rule editing unit 53 edits rules (group rules and message rules) of the Inform service.

Before describing the editing process of the Inform service, the relationship among the individual rules, group rules, and message rules will be described.

FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the rules.

The personal rules of each of the plurality of persons (each having a configuration as shown in FIG. 14) are registered as a list. The personal rules A, B, and C of the plurality of persons are registered as “member names” of the group in a group rule of a certain group to which the plurality of persons belong. Those "member names"
A group rule G1 is obtained by adding a transmission condition such as an order, AND or OR. The same applies to the group rules G2 and G3 of the other groups. Each of the message rules M1, M2, and M3 is obtained by adding a time limit and service information to a “group rule name” of a group involved in message transmission. Each rule has its own identification
ID is assigned. In this system, various services are provided using the ID.

[0100] The outline of the Inform service editing process will now be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The user requests Inform editing (S13)
Then, a desired item is selected from new / edit / delete / execute (S14). Hereinafter, the operation when the user selects each item will be described.

First, the operation when "new" is selected will be described.

When "new" is selected, editing of the rule of the Inform service is started (S15).

FIG. 20 shows an outline of rule editing of the Inform service.

"New" is selected in S14 of FIG.
When the rule editing of the rm service is started (S27), any of the conditions of group new / group editing / group deleting / message editing is selected (S28). For example, when "group new" is selected, group rule editing is started (S29). In the group rule editing, the user inputs various information regarding a new or previously registered group rule.
Then, the rule editing unit 53 creates group rule data based on the input information.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the group rule data.

[0107] The data shown in the figure include the "rule ID" of this group rule, the order set by the user, and AND.
Or, "Condition" of information transmission such as OR, "List number" which is the number of personal rules of a plurality of persons (or groups) belonging to the group, "List column" which is a column of rule IDs of those personal rules (group rules) And so on. This group rule data is registered in the data management unit 57 (S30). After the registration, "do not end" is selected in step S36, and the process returns to condition selection (S28). Then, when "edit message" is selected, message rule editing is started.

Also in the message rule editing, the user inputs various information on the message rule, and the rule editing unit 53 creates message rule data based on the input information.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the message rule data.

The data shown in the figure include the “rule ID” of the message rule, the “service type” such as Inform and Notify, the “limit time” until information notification, the group rule ID of the message destination group, and the reply It contains the group rule ID of the recipient group. In the “service type”, a service environment in which the rule is edited, for example, [Inform] is selected here. When such message rule data is created and the message rule editing is completed (S35), a selection is made as to whether or not the rule editing is to be completed (S36). If the user wants to end the rule editing, the user selects "end" and ends the rule editing (S37).

When the rule editing is completed, the created message rule data is stored in the data management unit 57, the rule registration is completed (S16), and the “new” operation of the Inform editing ends.

Next, in condition selection (S14) of FIG.
The operation when “edit” is selected will be described.

The user selects a desired message rule (S17). The rule editing unit 53 passes the ID of the selected message rule to the data management unit 57,
The message rule data corresponding to the rule ID is obtained (S18). The user edits the acquired message rule data (S19). An overview of this edit is
Editing of the message rule in the "new" process described above (FIG. 20)
This is the same as S35). The user corrects a desired portion of the obtained message rule data. The edited message rule data is stored in the data management unit 57, and the rule editing process ends (S37). Thereby, the rule registration is completed (S20), and the “edit” operation of the Inform editing ends.

In the rule editing described above (see FIG. 20), after editing the message rule in S35, the user sets
It is also possible to select “do not end” in 36 and select “group edit” or “group delete” by selecting the condition in S28.

[0115] In the "group edit", a group rule is edited. The user selects desired group data from the list of group rules created so far. By passing the ID of the selected group rule data to the data management unit 75, the rule editing unit 53 acquires the group rule data corresponding to the rule ID (S
31). The user corrects a desired portion of the acquired group rule data. The edited group rule data is stored in the data management unit 75, and the group rule registration is completed (S33).

In the "group deletion", the edited group rule is deleted. The user selects desired group data from the list of group rules created so far. The rule editing unit 53 passes the ID of the selected group rule data to the data management unit 75. The data management unit 75 deletes the group rule data corresponding to the rule ID (S34).

When the respective operations have been completed and the rule editing is to be ended, "end" is selected in S36 as described above, and the process is ended (S37).

Next, in condition selection (S14) of FIG.
The operation when “delete” is selected will be described.

[0119] The user selects a desired message rule (S21). The rule editing unit 53 passes the ID of the selected message rule to the data management unit 57. The data management unit 57 deletes the message rule data corresponding to the rule ID (S22).

For other services such as the Notify service and the Reply service, rule editing and data deletion are performed by the same processing as described above.

The operation when "execute" is selected in the condition selection (S14) in FIG. 19 will be described.

By selecting "execute", the Inform service is started. Then, the rule editing unit 53 acquires the message rule of the Inform service stored in the data management unit 57, and displays a list of the acquired rules. The user selects a message rule to be executed from the list (S23). The rule editing unit 53 passes the ID of the selected message rule to the mail client 51 (see FIG. 11) and activates the mail client 51 (S2).
4). The mail client 51 compares the passed message rule ID with the To: line (destination) of the header of the mail to be transmitted.
And create the message to be sent as the body of the email. Then, the mail client 51 sends the created mail to the SC server 1 via the communication control unit 59, and requests mail processing. Such a processing request to the SC server 1 is also performed in the Reply service and the Workflow service in the same procedure as described above.

The above is performed by the SC client 23.
It is an outline of Inform editing processing.

Next, an outline of the processing performed by the SC server 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG.

The operating SC server 1 is in a state where it can receive various processing requests (mail processing, telephone line connection, etc.) transmitted from the SC client 23 (S4).
1). When a processing request from the SC client 23 is transmitted to the SC server 1, the processing request is transmitted to the communication control unit 75.
Via the media management unit 73 (see FIG. 11)
(Depending on the content of the processing request, the processing request is stored in the data management unit 71). The media management unit 73 notifies the transmission management unit 69 based on the content of the processing request or the processing result of the request (in some cases, the data management unit 71 notifies the transmission management unit 69).

FIG. 24 shows the types of notification of the processing request and the respective notification conditions.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 23 and FIG.
The operation when each notification for each processing request of the rm service is made will be described.

When the mail from the SC client 23 arrives, the media management unit 73 recognizes the reception of the mail, and performs “mail arrival notification” to the transmission management unit 69. Transmission management unit 6
No. 9 compares the To: line of the header of the received mail with the ID of the message rule stored in the data management unit 71 (S43). If there is a matching ID, the transmission management unit 69 sends the message to the rule processing unit 65 together with the mail message.
Notify service. Thereby, the Send mail receiving process is performed (S44). On the other hand, if there is no matching ID,
Filter service notification is sent to the rule processing unit 65 together with the mail message, and Filter mail reception processing is performed (S45).

FIG. 25 shows an outline of the Send mail incoming process.

The rule processing section 65 receives the mail sent together with the Send service notification (S51), and acquires the ID of the message rule in the To: line (S52). Then, the rule processing unit 65 acquires a message rule as shown in FIG. 22 from the data management unit 71 using the acquired rule ID (S53). Further, the rule processing unit 65
Allocates the obtained message rule to the service type described in the message rule in the selection of the "service type" (S54). Here, Info
The service is distributed to the rm service, and the Inform mail receiving process is performed (S55).

FIG. 26 shows an outline of the Inform mail arrival process.

The rule processing section 65 having acquired the message rule (S59) analyzes the message rule (S60). Then, the rule processing unit 65 sets the “group rule 1” described in the message rule.
Destination group rule ID recorded in (see FIG. 22)
Is acquired, and the group rule data is acquired from the data management unit 71 using the ID (S61). Group rule also in "list column" in acquired group rule data
If there is an ID (see FIG. 21), the rule processing unit 65
Further, the group ID data is acquired from the data management unit 71 using the ID. This is repeated until all the “list columns” of the acquired group data become individual rule IDs, and a personal data list described later is created. The rule processing unit 65 performs such group rule expansion (S
62).

An example of group rule expansion will be described with reference to FIG. 27 (message rule data is shown in FIG.
See FIG. 21 for group rule data).

The M1 rule (message rule) shown in the figure is the S1 of the Inform service in which the time limit is set to T.
These are the rules included in C-mail (SC-mail is
Arrived at time T0). In the “group rule 1” (destination group rule) of the M1 rule, a group rule ID: g1 is described. g1 is a G1 rule (a group rule of transmission condition “OR”)
, And two group rule IDs: g2 and g3 are described in the “list column” of the rule. g
2 corresponds to the G2 rule (the group rule of the transmission condition “rank”), and the “list row” of the rule includes:
Three personal rule IDs: P1, P2, and P3 are described. On the other hand, g3 includes the G3 rule (the transmission condition “AND”).
Group rule), and the "list column" of the rule has three individual rule IDs: P4, P5, and P6.
Is described. Individual rule ID: P1, P2, P
3, P4, P5, P6 are personal data A, B, C, D,
E and F respectively.

In the preceding Send mail receiving process, the rule processing unit 65 acquires the M1 rule (S5 in FIG. 25).
3). The rule processing unit 65 analyzes the M1 rule,
A group rule ID: g1 included in the rule is acquired, and a G1 rule is acquired from the data management unit 71 using the ID. After that, service data is constructed.

FIG. 28 shows an example of service data.

The service data is data for holding the contents of the message rule data and the state of the service when server processing is performed. For example, as shown in the figure, the “data type” of the M1 rule is a service, the “service type” is Inform, the “start time” is T0, and the “end time”.
Includes information such as T0 + T, and “child pointer” includes G1,.

After constructing the service data, the rule processing unit 65
Analyzes the obtained G1 rule and uses the group rule ID: g2 included in the G1 rule to generate the data management unit 71.
, The G2 rule is obtained, and a group data list described later is created. In addition, personal rules included in G2 rules
ID: P1, P2, and P3 are used, and personal data A,
B and C are obtained, and a personal data list described later is created. Further, the rule processing unit 65 uses the group rule ID: g3 included in the already acquired
Get rules and create group data. And
Individual rule IDs included in the rule: P4, P5, P6
Is used to acquire personal data D, E, and F, and create personal data.

FIG. 29 shows an example of the created group data list.

The group data is data for holding the contents of the group rule data when the server process is performed and for realizing the transmission route. For example, as shown in the figure, “data type”, “service type”, “group rule ID”,
Information such as "condition" is included.

FIG. 30 shows an example of the created personal data list.

The personal data is data for associating the personal rule data with the personal processing data to be described later when the server processing is performed. For example, as shown in the figure, “data type” of each personal data A, B, C, D, E, F,
Information such as “service type”, “individual rule ID”, “individual processing data ID”,...

As described above, in the “group rule expansion” of S62 in FIG. 26, the rule processing unit 65 executes the processing of acquiring the rule ID → acquiring the rule → generating the data by M1 → G1 →
It repeats recursively in the order of G2 → A → B → C → G3 → D → E → F to construct data as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 31 shows a rule data structure after message rule data expansion.

As shown in the figure, these rule data have a tree structure with message rule data (M1 rule) as the root. The rule processing unit 65 passes the personal rule data ID to be processed first to the personal data processing unit 63 from the personal data list of the developed group rule.
The personal data processing unit 63 acquires personal rule data from the data management unit 71 using the passed personal rule ID (S63). Thereafter, the personal data processing unit 63 inquires of the position management unit 67 about the position of the user and performs an environment check (S64). The position management unit 67 uses position information or the like obtained from a scheduler, PHS, GPS, or the like,
It checks whether the user of the mail destination exists in the office, and returns the result to the personal data processing unit 63.

If the destination user is outside the office as a result of the environment check, the transmission management unit 69 performs time management based on the results of the analysis of the various rules up to that time (S65). The personal data processing unit 63 requests the information processing unit 61 to process information according to the media setting in the acquired personal rule data (see FIG. 14). Information processing unit 6
1 processes the message according to each set terminal (media), and returns the result to the personal data processing unit 63. The personal data processing unit 63 creates personal processing data based on the returned data for each terminal and personal rule data (S66).

FIG. 32 shows an example of the personal processing data created.

The personal processing data is data for reliably transmitting information to a user outside the office (a user in a mobile environment) or for confirming whether the information has been transmitted. Information included in the personal processing data includes, for example, a “user code” that is a numeric string for identifying a user, a “tone password” that is a password based on a numeric string set by the user,. There is a "terminal n setting" that defines information such as a media type and a message transmission method, and a "reply message" in which a reply message is set.

FIG. 33 shows an outline of the processing for creating personal processing data.

When the personal processing data creation process is started (S72), the original mail is acquired by the personal data processing section 63 (S73), and the transmission start time set for each terminal is acquired based on the original mail. Is performed (S74). Then, the terminal data to be transmitted first is obtained (S7).
5). Based on the acquired data, information such as a transmission method of the terminal is created (S76).
For example, it is registered in the “setting of terminal 1” of the personal processing data of FIG. 32 (S77). Thereafter, in "acquisition of next use terminal data" (S78), if there is another terminal setting, "data available" is selected, and the communication contents of the set terminal are created (S76). It is registered in the "setting of terminal 2" of the personal processing data of No. 32 (S77). In step S78, if there is no other terminal setting, "no data" is selected, other recordable information is registered in the personal processing data (S79), and the processing for creating personal processing data is "finished". (S80).

The personal processing data created by the above operation is passed to the rule processing section 65. Rule processing unit 65
Transfers the personal processing data to the transmission management unit 69. The transmission management unit 69 requests the media management unit 73 to perform transmission processing to each medium in accordance with the personal processing data passed thereto, and starts transmission processing to each medium (S67).

The media management unit 73 receives the transmission processing request to each medium from the transmission management unit 69, and
5 to the user. Transmission management unit 69
Performs time monitoring for each requested media, and performs opening detection and response detection.

FIG. 34 shows the processing trigger for opening detection and reply detection.

If the destination medium is an open-type open medium such as e-mail or telephone, when the user obtains the message using the medium within the designated time,
The media management unit 73 notifies the transmission management unit 69 of the fact, and the opening detection is performed. On the other hand, when the destination medium is a non-exposure type medium such as a facsimile or a pager, the transmission management unit 69 adds a delivery confirmation ID or a response confirmation ID to a message to be transmitted (having a data format corresponding to the destination medium).
, And the media management unit 73 transmits it. Then, the user who has received and confirmed the message within the time specified by the transmission source user calls the SC server 1 and uses the tone signal to confirm the delivery confirmation attached to the mail.
The ID is transmitted to the SC server 1. As a result, the delivery confirmation
The ID is received by the media management unit 73 and the transmission management unit 69
The opening is detected. If a reply to the message from the destination user is made within the designated time, the reply confirmation ID given to the message is added to the reply message and sent to the SC server 1 (use for reply). The media used need not match the media at the time the message was received.) The media management unit 73 passes the reply confirmation ID to the transmission management unit 69, and the transmission management unit 69
Performs response detection using the response confirmation ID.

Rule processing section 65 for managing transmission conditions
Sends a “transmission completion notification” to the transmission management unit 69 when the transmission under the set transmission conditions (order, AND, etc.) succeeds (see FIG. 24). The transmission management unit 69 performs the above-described opening detection and response detection processing if there is a request in accordance with the “presence / absence of an opening detection request” and the “presence / absence of a response detection request” of the personal processing data for the transmitted information.

With reference to FIG. 35, an outline of the process of the transmission management unit 69 for the “transmission end notification” will be described. here,
There are three requests set in the transmitted message: no open detection request / no response detection request, open detection request / no response detection request, no open detection request / response detection request. .

When the transmission management unit 69 confirms the transmission of the message by the “transmission end notification”, in the case of the above, the transmission management unit 69 inserts, for example, “OK” in the “result of open detection” of the personal processing data and confirms the delivery. Is shown. In this case, the transmission management unit 69 waits for the transmission confirmation ID to be transmitted from the media management unit 73. Similarly, the transmission management unit 69 waits for the response confirmation ID to be transmitted from the media management unit 73. In the case of, when the delivery confirmation ID is transmitted from the media management unit 73, the transmission management unit 6
9 confirms this, puts “OK” in the “result of open detection” of the personal processing data, and stores the data in the rule processing unit 6.
Hand over to 5. Similarly, in the case of
When the response confirmation ID is transmitted from the media management unit 73, “OK” is entered in “response detection result” of the personal processing data, and the data is passed to the rule processing unit 65. The rule processing unit 65 receives personal processing data describing the detection result from the transmission management unit 69, and completes the service being processed. However, if the media transmission condition is “AND” (broadcast notification), when the notification to all users is completed,
The process ends.

If the transmission is not completed from the media management unit 73 to the transmission management unit 69 within the set time, the transmission management unit 69 notifies the rule processing unit 65 of "timeout" indicating that. After confirming the “timeout”, the rule processing unit 65 refers to the child pointer list and the parent pointer (see FIG. 29) of the group data list, and transfers the personal processing data of the personal rule ID to be processed next in the above-described procedure. create. Through the above processing, information is transmitted to each individual in the destination group in accordance with the setting of the list column of the group rule data (see FIG. 21). When a “timeout” finally occurs, an error notification is sent to the transmission source, and the transmission process is completed.

The media management unit 73 performs the above-described operation, and upon completion of the transmission process started in step S67 of FIG. 26, the Inform mail arrival process ends (S71). At this point, the transmission manager 69 waits for an event to occur in step S41 in FIG.

The above is the outline of the Inform mail receiving process when transmitting a message to a user in a mobile environment (see FIG. 26). In the "environment check" in this processing (S64), if it is detected that the destination user is in the office, the original mail is sent to the AP server 77.
(E-mail server) (S68). The transferred mail is processed by the AP server 77. After the transfer,
"End determination" is performed (S69), and "end" of the Inform mail arrival process is reached (S71). Then, the Send mail receiving process is “end” (S58 in FIG. 25).

The process of “Send mail arrival” in the process of the SC server 1 shown in FIG. 23 (S44)
It is an outline of the process of “transmission response” (S47).

Next, an outline of processing of the SC server 1 when data is changed by the SC client 23 will be described.

While the transmission manager 69 is processing the personal processing data, if the user changes the personal rule data and the changed personal rule data is updated by the data manager 71, the data manager 71 sends the changed personal rule data to the transmission manager. A “data change notification” is notified to 69 (see FIG. 24). Transmission management unit 69
Acquires the personal rule data updated based on the “data change notification” from the data management unit 71, and
Requesting update of personal processing data based on the updated personal rule data to 5. Thereafter, by the same processing as the above-described operation, new personal processing data based on the updated personal rule data is created and updated and registered (S4).
8). The transmission processing for each medium is performed based on the updated personal processing data.

Next, an outline of the processing when the SC server 1 receives a telephone call from the user in the above-described confirmation of opening the non-exposure type medium (see FIG. 34) will be described.

When the SC server 1 receives a telephone call from the user, a "telephone request notification" is notified from the media management unit 73 to the transmission management unit 69 (S46 in FIG. 23). The transmission management unit 69 makes a voice response to the notification, and performs a delivery confirmation process and a message transmission / reception process.

FIG. 36 shows the state transition of the telephone response at this time. An example of the message used is as follows:

1. "Press 1 for delivery confirmation and 2 for sending and receiving e-mail.""Please press the user code and #.""Please press the tone password and #.""Email is over. Please press #.""Opening confirmed. E-mail check will be terminated.""Please press the delivery confirmation ID and #.""I have confirmed the opening. The delivery confirmation will be terminated.""The input data is incorrect. Press 1 again for delivery confirmation and 2 for mail check.""Cannot authenticate. Again, the user code and #
Please press. 10. "The input data is incorrect. Press # again.""Delivery confirmation ID is wrong.
Press D and #. 12. "Please call again.""There is no e-mail.""Press 1 to receive mail, press 2 to send mail.""Press the user code and # of the recipient, and enter a message when it beeps.""The input data is different. Press 1 again for mail reception, press 2 for mail transmission." As shown in FIG. 36, first, the transmission manager 69 requests the media manager 73 to read out the message 1. State 1
Wait for input from the user. The user inputs “1” of the delivery confirmation to the read message 1 in order to confirm, for example, whether the message has been opened. This input is notified from the media management unit 73 to the transmission management unit 69 as a “response process end notification”. In response to the input, the transmission management unit 69 requests the media management unit 73 to read out the message 6, and transitions to the next state 6.
In response to the message 6, the user inputs the delivery confirmation ID with the push button of the telephone and presses #. The input delivery confirmation ID is transmitted to the transmission management unit 69 via the media management unit 73.
To be notified. If the ID is not correct, the transmission management unit 69 reads out the message 11 to the media management unit 73.
If the ID is correct, the media management unit 73 is requested to read out the message 7, and the telephone response is terminated (S49).

When the processing of the SC server 1 ends,
The “server termination notification” is notified to the transmission management unit 69, and the server processing ends (S50).

The outline of the processing in the Inform service has been described above. The differences between the Inform service and the Notify, Reply, and Workflow services are shown below.

First, a rule editing process performed by the SC client 23 in the Notify service will be described.

The rule editing process of the Notify service is shown in FIG.
The process is started when “Notify setting” is selected in “selection of conditions” of the rule editing process shown in FIG. 3 (S4). Then, the user inputs various keywords related to the information to be notified. The input keyword is recorded in the message rule as “Notify information” necessary for executing the Notify service, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the rule editing process is performed in the same manner as in the case of Inform.

Next, the processing outline of the SC server 1 in the Notify service will be described.

As shown in FIG. 24, when a mail arrives at SC server 1, transmission manager 69 sets “mail arrival notification”.
Receive. Then, the transmission management unit 69 compares the To: line in the header of the mail with the message rule ID stored in the data management unit 71, and if there is no match,
The “Filter service notification” is passed to the rule processing unit 65 together with the content of the received mail. Thereby, the Filter mail receiving process is started.

FIG. 37 shows an outline of the Filter mail incoming process.

The rule processing unit 65 receives the Filter mail (S81), specifies the user from the To: line of the mail (S82), and acquires the first Notify message rule of the user (S83). Then, the rule processing unit 6
5 checks whether the keyword recorded in the "Notify information" of the acquired rule matches the content of the received mail (S84). If the contents match, Info
Similarly to the rm service, transmission processing is performed according to the group rule included in the message rule, and information is transmitted to the user (S85). If the contents do not match, another message rule is acquired, and the contents of the received mail are compared using the keyword recorded in the rule.

Next, the rule editing process performed by the SC client 23 in the Reply service will be described.

The rule editing process of the Reply service is shown in FIG.
The process is started when "Reply setting" is selected in "Selection of conditions" of the rule editing process shown in FIG. 3 (S4). Then, the user inputs the group rule ID of the reply destination of “group rule 2”. Thereafter, the rule editing process is performed in the same manner as in the case of Inform.

Next, an outline of the processing of the SC server 1 in the same service will be described.

In the personal processing data shown in FIG. 32, “presence / absence of response detection request” is set to “present”, and
The personal processing data is passed to. The transmission management unit 69 requests the media management unit 73 to perform transmission processing based on the data, and adds a response confirmation ID to the corresponding message. The media management unit 73 transmits the message provided with the reply confirmation ID to a predetermined destination. After the end of the transmission, the media management unit 73 notifies the transmission management unit 69 of a “transmission end notification”. Thereafter, when receiving the response confirmation ID from the media management unit 73 within a predetermined time, the transmission management unit 69 confirms the response and inserts, for example, “OK” in “response detection result” of the personal processing data. , And sends the data to the rule processing unit 65 (see FIG. 34). After that, according to the content of the “group rule 2” of the message rule data, a transmission process similar to the Inform process is performed.

Next, an outline of a rule editing process in the Workflow service will be described.

The rule editing process of the Workflow service is performed by selecting “Workflow setting” in “selection of conditions” of the rule editing process shown in FIG. 13 (S4).
Be started. Thereafter, the rule editing process is performed in the same manner as in the case of Inform.

In the Workflow service, the rule processing unit 65
Creates personal processing data similar to that of the Reply service, and the media management unit 73 transmits the message to the designated first user based on the personal processing data. Then, when the message is transmitted, the transmission management unit 69 detects the opening or reply of the message. If an open or reply is detected, the message is forwarded to the next user described in the group rule. When the message is forwarded to the last user in the group rule, the message is forwarded to the sender.

According to the system of the above embodiment, a user can receive only desired information with an available device (media). If the destination user does not receive the information or cannot receive the information, the SC server transmits the information by switching the media or automatically transfers the information to a user who can receive the information instead.
It is possible to prevent a delay in information. Further, the SC server automatically detects the status of the user and processes the information, so that more efficient information transmission can be realized, especially in a mobile environment.

By the way, the system of the above embodiment has
In addition to the types of functions (information media selection function, time management function, information transmission path setting function, media selection and information transmission path selection function by position management, information selection function by keyword, information processing function) Adaptive function "can also be provided.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with the above-described embodiment as the first embodiment, and with the “user situation adaptation function” added as the second embodiment.

First, the "user situation adaptation function" will be described.

The "user situation adaptation function" manages the state of the user's work, schedule, skills, etc., and recognizes the state of a group rule member set in advance as an information transmission path when a transmission process occurs. And dynamically change the route and order of information transmission. When this function is provided, the transmission setting (order, AND, OR) already described
In addition, new transmission settings of “selection transmission setting” and “routing transmission setting” can be provided. “Selection transmission setting” and “routing transmission setting” are based on the order, AN
This is a setting for more quickly transmitting information based on the D and OR transmission settings.

With reference to FIG. 38, "selection transmission setting" and "routing transmission setting" will be described.

FIG. 38 (a) shows an example of "selection transmission setting".

The “selection transmission setting” includes the order, AND, OR
In each of the transmissions (see FIG. 5), the user recognizes whether or not the transmission processing of the user is possible or not, and if the request is appropriate and unsuitable, and if the user can transmit and is suitable for the request, re-group with the user. And perform the transmission process. For example, if the users A and D cannot transmit or are unsuitable for the content of the request, only B is transmitted to the group # 1 and only C is transmitted to the group # 2.

FIG. 38B shows an example of “routing transmission setting”.

The “routing transmission setting” refers to / confirms the ease (cost value) of transmission to the user, and performs transmission in ascending order of cost value. For example, in the group # 2, if the cost value is D <C in the group originally set in the order of C → D, the order of information transmission is D = C.
→ The order is C. Note that the cost value is not calculated for the group # 1 for the broadcast.

Here, "selection transmission setting" and "routing transmission setting" can be combined. When these are combined, first, a selection process for selecting a user that can be transmitted and is suitable for the request content is performed, a cost value is calculated for the selected user, and routing transmission is performed based on the cost value. Further, in the “selection transmission setting” and the “routing transmission setting”, position information can be incorporated as the state of the user. In that case, the selection process and the calculation of the cost value are performed according to the position of the user, and the transmission is performed according to the selection process and the cost value.

When the "user information adaptation function" is provided, the software configuration of the SC (smart contact) in this system is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 39 shows the configuration of the SC software according to the second embodiment. This software also uses the four services already described (Inform, Notify, Replay, W
orkflow) to the user. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same functional elements as the SC software provided in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The description of the function is omitted.

This software has a function of preparing an agent for each user state information to be managed for a user registered in the SC server 1 and managing various states of the user by the agent. As an element for this, this software additionally provides an agent registration unit 101 in the SC client 23 and a state management unit 103 in the SC server 1.
Note that the AP server 111 is also provided with various agent servers for storing agents described later.

Referring to FIG. 40, agent registration unit 1
01 and the function of the state management unit 103 will be described.

The agent registration section 101 allows the user to input predetermined information, and creates agent setting data for making various settings for the agent to be registered.

FIG. 41 shows an example of the agent setting data.

The agent registration unit 101 registers
For each of the agents, the user is required to input, for example, an “agent setting flag”, an “agent name”, an “agent type”, an “executable file name”, and a “member list” as shown in FIG. The “agent setting flag” indicates the state of the agent to be registered, “0: unregistered (initial value, not registered at all)”,
One of "1: not set (registered but disabled)" and "2: set (enabled)" is input. “Agent name” indicates the name of the agent to be registered. "Agent type"
Whether the agent to be registered is "0: active", "1: passive", or "2: active / passive"
(Hereinafter, an agent set to “active” is referred to as an “active agent” and an agent set to “passive” is referred to as a “passive agent”). The active agent grasps and manages various states of the user by the agent and the agent itself, and the passive agent grasps and manages various states of the user by receiving notifications of various states from the user. The “executable file name” indicates a location (file name) where the agent to be registered is stored. The “member list” indicates members managed by the agent to be registered. Agent registration unit 1
No. 01 creates agent setting data by allowing the user to input the predetermined contents.

The agent registration section 101 sets an agent based on the created agent setting data, temporarily stores the set agent in the data management section 57 of the SC client 23, and stores the stored agent in the communication control sections 59 and 75. Is registered in the data management unit 71 of the SC server 1 via the. Here, the data management unit 71
When the agent is registered in the external scheduler 1
07 is activated. Then, the user performs various registration processes on the properties of the schedule, thereby
A C administrator (a manager or the like provided in this system) sets and edits the schedules 109A and 109B, and gives the schedules to the registered agents 105A and 105B. In the schedule given to the active agent, the activation start time of the agent is recorded.

[0202] The state management unit 103
A, schedule 109A given to 105B,
109B is registered in the scheduler 107. Then, the schedule of the agent whose “agent setting flag” in the agent setting data (see FIG. 41) is set to “2: set” is monitored, and according to the start start time of the agent recorded in the schedule or the user's request. , Start that agent. When the agent is activated, the state management unit 103
1 is notified of an agent activation request, and the data management unit 7
1 refers to the “executable file name” in the agent setting data, finds an agent to be requested to start, and starts the agent.

The activated agent checks various states for each user recorded in the “member list”, and
For example, state management data as shown in FIG. 42 is created, and the result of the check is recorded therein. As described above, the user performs the rule editing process performed by the SC client 23.
In FIG. 13 (see FIG. 13), personal rule data is created.
Corresponding to

[0204] "Personal rule information" includes "personal rule ID" for identifying personal rule data in a corresponding relationship.
Is recorded. In the “SC usage information”, whether or not the user whose status has been checked can receive the SC service can be recorded. This can be recorded not only by the agent but also by the SC administrator. The “location information” records the current location of the user. There are m types of "states", and each "state" is represented by a cost value (ease of transmission) of 1 to 5.
For example, if the “state” is “user's work state”,
The cost values are "1: going home", "2: working", and "3:
"Returning to work", "4: resting", "5: waiting" (the lower the cost value, the more difficult it is to communicate), the agent checks the user's work status and records the cost value・ Update.

When the above-mentioned state management data is created, if the agent is an "active agent", the agent checks various states of the user according to the time recorded in the schedule of the agent, and the result of the check is as follows. Is recorded in the state management data. In the case of the "passive agent", the user appropriately notifies his / her state to the agent, and the agent receives the notification from the user and records the state of the user accordingly. Here, as a method for the user to notify his / her state to the agent, various methods such as using a telephone or a personal computer can be considered.

By the way, the user creates personal rule data in the rule editing process (see FIG. 13). At this time, when the above-described state management data is created, the user may use the “state management data ID” for identifying the state management data uniquely corresponding to the personal rule data to be created.
Must be recorded in the personal rule data. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
The “status management data ID” described above is included in the user information 113.
Record

In the Inform editing in the rule editing processing shown in FIG. 13 (see FIG. 19), message rule data is also created. At this time, the processing conditions for the selection transmission and the routing transmission described above are set.

FIGS. 44 to 48 show an example of message rule data used in the second embodiment.

[0209] As shown in the figure, in addition to the first embodiment, this message rule data is provided with "adaptive selection setting" and "adaptive routing setting" for both the outward route and the return route. In the “adaptive selection setting”, a “selection process” for determining whether or not to perform a selection process, a “selection level” (for example, a threshold value) for determining whether transmission is appropriate, and the like are set. In the "adaptive routing setting", a "routing process" for determining whether or not to perform routing transmission, and a level for setting which state is weighted and evaluated when rearranging in the transmission destination group are set. "Weighting" and "Routing type" for determining whether or not to limit the target of the routing process to the range of the group rule set in the message rule are set.

When the above settings are made and the Inform mail arrival process (see FIG. 26) is performed, the outline of the process is as follows.

FIG. 49 shows an outline of the Inform mail receiving process according to the second embodiment.

In the Inform mail arrival processing in this embodiment, first, the rule processing section 65 in FIG. 39 requests the state management section 103 to expand the rules. The state management unit 103
Upon receiving the request, the message rule is analyzed according to the procedure shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the state management unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a group rule ID is obtained from the group rule 1 recorded in the message rule data (see FIGS. 44 to 48), and the corresponding group rule data is obtained from the data management unit 71. When a group rule ID is included in the “list column” (see FIG. 21) of the group rule data, the state management unit 103 further acquires the group rule data corresponding to the ID from the data management unit 71. The state management unit 103 repeats this until the “list column” of the group rule data becomes the personal rule data ID, and repeats the personal data list (FIG. 3).
0 (see S103).

Next, in order to check whether or not each user uses the SC recorded in the created personal data list, the “SC use information” of the status management data of these users (see FIG. 42) is referred to (S104). ). At this time, "Usage status"
If there is a user whose flag is set to “OFF”,
Remove the user from the communication target. However, if there is no user to whom information is to be transmitted as a result of checking the “SC usage information”, an error notification is issued to the transmission request source.

Next, a selection process is performed for each user remaining as a transmission target (S105). First, reference is made to “selection processing” in the message rule data (see FIGS. 44 to 48). At this time, if the “selection processing” flag is set to “valid”, the selection processing is performed. When performing the selection process, first, refer to “selection use” and set the flag to “use”.
If so, the current selection level value in various states is compared with a selection level value preset as a selection criterion. As a result, if the current selection level value is smaller than the preset selection level value in any of various states, the user is excluded from the selection target. Here, the selection process is not performed for the user for whom the value of the selection level is not set.

After the "SC usage information" is checked, or after the selection process is performed, the routing process is performed on each user selected by the selection process (S10).
6). First, reference is made to “routing processing” of the message rule data. At this time, if the “routing process” flag is set to “valid”, the routing process is performed. When performing the routing process, first, a “personal matching value” and a “personal urgent value” for calculating a cost value are calculated. Formula (1) is used to calculate the "personal fit value", and formula (2) is used to calculate the "personal urgency value".

[0219]

(Equation 1)

(Equation 2) Equation (1) is an equation for calculating “Aj: personal matching value of user j”, “ws: weighting coefficient of schedule information”, “wi: weighting coefficient of state i”, and “zs: weighting coefficient of user j”. "Value of schedule information" and "zi: value of state i of user j" are required. For this purpose, “schedule information weighting” and desired “state weighting” are obtained from the message rule data, the schedule information value is obtained from the scheduler 107, and the desired state value is obtained from the state management data. On the other hand, the expression (2) is an expression for calculating “dj: personal urgent value of the user j”. Therefore, the coordinate data (xr, yr) recorded in the “reference position” of the message rule data and the coordinate data (xj, yj) recorded in the “position information” of the state management data
Respectively.

After calculating the “personal adaptation value” and the “personal urgency value”, a cost value is calculated from these values, and the order is rearranged based on the calculated value. Here, the range in which the order is rearranged differs depending on whether the “routing type” of the message rule data is “local” or “global”.

When the “routing type” is “local”, when the members of a certain group are all individuals and the group is set in order, the order is rearranged within the range of the group. . In this case, within each group, the "personal matching value" of each user is sorted in descending order to determine the "matching order" of each user. Also, the “personal urgency value” of each user is determined by sorting the “personal urgency value” of each user in ascending order. Then, the determined “matching order” and “urgent order”
Then, the "primary cost value" is obtained using the value of "position information weighting" recorded in the message rule data. “Cost original value” is << “Cost original value” = “Applicable rank” × (100− “Position information weighting”) / 100+
It is determined using the formula of “urgent order” × “weighting of position information” / 100 >>. Once the “cost primitive value” has been determined, each user selected within the group
The order is set by rearranging in ascending order of “cost primitive value”.

When the “routing type” is “global”, it is not necessary that all the users of the group recorded in the “group rule 1” are individuals. That is, even if a group (child group) belongs to a recorded group (parent group), the order is set within the range of the parent group. In this case, first, the “matching order” and the “urgent order” are determined among all the users selected by the selecting process, and the “primitive cost value” for each user is calculated from each order. Then, all the users are sorted in ascending order of the calculated “cost primitive value”,
The rank at that time is set as the cost value of each user. Next, if each user belongs to a child group, a “representative cost value” is calculated for each child group according to the transmission conditions for each child group. For example, when the transmission condition is AND, the cost value of the user having the largest cost value in the child group is set as the “representative cost value” of the child group. When the transmission condition is OR, the cost value of the user having the smallest cost value in the child group is set as the “representative cost value” of the child group. If the transmission condition is hierarchical, the cost value of each user in the child group is summed, the value is divided by the number of users to calculate an average cost value, and the calculated average cost value is used as the “representative cost value” of the child group. And At this time,
If there is a group (hereinafter referred to as a grandchild group) in the child group, and the grandchild group also has the transmission order, the user of the grandchild group is upgraded to a user of the child group, and the grandchild group is eliminated. Then, for all the selected users in the child group, the order is set for each user in ascending order of cost value, and in the order of decreasing “representative cost value” of the group if the user belongs to the group.

After checking the “SC usage information” (after the selection processing and the routing processing, if those processings have been performed), each user is checked based on the “time limit” recorded in the message rule data. The transmission time limit is determined (S107). As a method for this determination, first, a “time limit” is set for the group recorded in “group rule 1”.
All of. Next, the transmission conditions of the group are confirmed. When the transmission condition is AND or OR, the time limit assigned to the group is set as the time limit for transmission of each user. When the transmission conditions are in the order, the time limit assigned to the group is divided by the number of users in the group to calculate a time limit for each user, and the time limit is assigned to each user. In this way, the transmission time limit of each user is determined.

After performing such processing based on the message rule data (see FIGS. 44 to 48), state management section 103 passes the message rule data to rule processing section 65 (see FIG. 39).

The above is the point added to the first embodiment, which is a feature of the second embodiment. Thus, the second
According to the embodiment, the message can be more quickly transmitted to a desired user by performing the selection processing and the routing processing at the time of the transmission in addition to the selection transmission and the routing transmission to the transmission condition.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, these are merely examples for describing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to these embodiments. . The present invention can be implemented in other various forms. The present invention relates to information transmission services other than the e-mail service, for example, multimedia information transmission on the WWW (World Wide Web) and FTP (File Transfer).
Protocol) using a file transfer service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of SC.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of “management of people” in the concept of SC.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of “time management” in the concept of SC.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of “information management” in the concept of the SC.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing management of people by grouping.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mail processing method in an electronic mail system in which an SC is introduced.

FIG. 7 is a table showing the relationship between sending and receiving mails in an electronic mail system in which an SC is introduced.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a system configuration in which an SC is used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of media handled by the SC server 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of parallel processing of media processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of software of an SC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of user management data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a rule editing process performed by the SC client 23.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of personal rule data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of personal rule data.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of personal rule data.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of personal rule data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between rules.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an outline of an Inform service editing process.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an outline of rule editing in the Inform service.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of group rule data.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of message rule data.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of a process performed by the SC server 1.

FIG. 24 is a table showing notification types of processing requests and respective notification conditions.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an outline of Send mail reception processing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an outline of an Inform mail arrival process.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of group rule development.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of service data.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a group data list.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a personal data list.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a data structure after expanding message rule data.

FIG. 32 shows an example of personal processing data.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing for creating personal processing data.

FIG. 34 is a table showing processing triggers for opening detection and reply detection.

FIG. 35: Transmission management unit 69 for “transmission end notification”
The table | surface which shows the outline | summary of processing.

FIG. 36 is a table showing a state transition of telephone response.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an outline of Filter mail reception processing.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of selection transmission and routing transmission.

FIG. 39 is a view showing a configuration of software of an SC according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a configuration of setting of an agent.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of agent setting data.

FIG. 42 shows an example of state management data.

FIG. 43 is a view showing a part of personal rule data according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a view showing an example of message rule data according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a view showing an example of message rule data according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a view showing an example of message rule data according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a view showing an example of message rule data according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a view showing an example of message rule data according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of incoming Inform mail according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing an outline of a rule expansion process;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 SC server 3 mail server 5 SC user 7 SC user 9 general user 11 general user 13 public network 15 M / D converter 17 RAS 19 hub 23 SC client 27 voice processing server 29 line processing board 31 M / D converter 33 public Network 35 Notebook PC 37 Modem 39 Cellular Phone 41 PHS 43 FAX 45 Pager 51 Mail Client 53 Rule Editing Unit 55 User Registration Unit 57 Data Management Unit 59 Communication Control Unit 61 Information Processing Unit 63 Personal Data Processing Unit 65 Rule Processing Unit 67 Position Management Unit 69 transmission management unit 71 data management unit 73 media management unit 75 communication control unit 77 AP server 81 user personal information 83 environment setting 85 personal communication rules 101 agent registration unit 103 state management unit 107 scheduler

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) HH62 LL01 MM39 NN04

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing a user rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user, and a transmission unit for transmitting information to the destination user in a method adapted to the user rule of the destination user. Information transmission system. 2. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the user rule includes terminal information of a terminal used by the user and transmits the terminal according to the terminal information. 3. A storage means for storing a user group rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user group, and transmitting information to the destination user group by a method adapted to the user group rule of the destination user group. An information transmission system having transmission means. 4. A grasping means for grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, and from the plurality of users based on the grasped states,
An information transmission system comprising: a selection unit that selects a user to whom information is to be transmitted; and a transmission unit that transmits information to the selected user. 5. A grasping means for grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, a transmission path changing means for dynamically changing a preset information transmission path according to the grasped states, A transmission unit that transmits information to the plurality of users according to the changed information transmission path. 6. The information transmission system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of users are selected from the plurality of users based on the grasped state.
The information processing apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects a user to whom information is to be transmitted. Information transmission system to change. 7. The information transmission system according to claim 4, wherein said grasping means is an agent. 8. The agent has a schedule, and grasps states of the plurality of users at a time recorded in the schedule, or has the plurality of users notify the various states. The information transmission system according to claim 7, wherein the statuses of the plurality of users are grasped by using: 9. An information transmission method comprising: storing a user rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user; and transmitting information to the destination user in a method adapted to the destination user's user rule. Method. 10. A process of grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, and based on the grasped states, from among the plurality of users,
An information transmission method including a step of selecting a user to be transmitted, and a step of transmitting information to the selected user. 11. A process of ascertaining various states of a plurality of users set in advance, a step of dynamically changing a preset information transmission path according to the ascertained states, Transmitting information to the plurality of users according to a transmission path. 12. The information transmission method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of users are selected from the plurality of users based on the grasped state.
The method further includes the step of selecting a user to be transmitted, and the step of changing dynamically changes a preset information transmission path of the selected user according to a state of the selected user. Information transmission method. 13. A computer, comprising: a step of storing a user rule including a preset information transmission rule for each user; and a step of transmitting information to the destination user in a method conforming to the destination user's user rule. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute is recorded. 14. A step of ascertaining various states of a plurality of users set in advance, and based on the ascertained states, from among the plurality of users,
A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a step of selecting a user to be transmitted with information and a step of transmitting information to the selected user. 15. A step of grasping various states of a plurality of users set in advance, a step of dynamically changing a preset information transmission path according to the states grasped, and A step of transmitting information to the plurality of users according to a transmission path. 16. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of users are selected from the plurality of users based on a grasped state.
The method further includes a step of selecting a user to be transmitted, and the step of changing dynamically changes a preset information transmission path of the selected user according to a state of the selected user. Computer readable recording medium.