JP2001128239A - Electronic mail system, electronic mail management device and electronic mail charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an original sender to burden a charge required for a reply when contents of a transmitted electronic mail require the reply from a receiver. SOLUTION: When a 1st terminal transmits reply free information denoting no charge of a reply and sender information of the 1st terminal to an electronic mail and transmits the resulting electronic mail to a 2nd terminal and the 2nd terminal adds the reply free information and the sender information of the 1st terminal to a reply electronic mail with respect to the first electronic mail and transmits the resulting reply electronic mail to the 1st terminal, the addition of the reply free information is divided (step B02), and it is divided that the destination of the electronic mail is equal to the sender information added to the mail (step B03), and the charging destination of the reply electronic mail is revised into the 1st terminal (step B04).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail system for transmitting and receiving electronic mail between terminal devices such as a personal computer and a portable telephone terminal, an electronic mail management device, and an electronic mail charging method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, not only personal computers but also PHSs (Personal Handyphones) have been developed.
(System: Simplified Cordless Telephone System) E-mail communication for sending and receiving e-mail documents using terminals and digital mobile phones has become widespread and widely used by young people.

[0003] This e-mail communication is of a push-pull type in which a partner terminal downloads an e-mail stored in the server and a peer-to-peer type in which terminals exchange mail directly with each other. Things exist.

[0004]

However, when sending and receiving e-mails using a public line network, basically, the sender of the mail document bears the charge as in the case of voice communication. It has become.

[0005] Therefore, when the first user asks the second user some kind of question by the mail document, and the second user replies to the first user with the mail document answered to the second user. Means that the reply of the mail document from the second user to the first user is charged to the second user, and the second user responds to the request of the first user. Despite that, there was a problem that the user was charged.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to transfer the billing for an outgoing e-mail to the receiving side. In the case where a reply from the receiving side is required, an e-mail system, an e-mail management device, and an e-mail billing method that allow the original transmitting side to bear the fee for the reply are also provided. To provide.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an e-mail system having a terminal device for transmitting and receiving an e-mail and a management device for charging the terminal device in accordance with the transmission and reception of the e-mail performed by the terminal device, the terminal device includes identification information of a transmission destination. At the same time, the e-mail is transmitted by adding the replacement information indicating that the billing for the transmission of the e-mail is set to the transmission destination. When the replacement information is added to the e-mail, the management device In this method, the charge related to the transmission is transmitted to the terminal device of the transmission destination.

With such a system configuration, the billing for the outgoing e-mail is changed to the receiving side, so that, for example, the contents of the outgoing e-mail require a reply from the receiving side. In that case, the fee for the reply can also be borne by the original calling party.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first and second terminal for transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, and a management for charging each terminal with the transmission and reception of the electronic mail between the terminal. The first terminal device sends an e-mail to the second terminal device by adding identification information indicating that a reply is free and address information of the first terminal device. Then, the second terminal device adds the identification information indicating that the reply is free and the address information of the first terminal device to the electronic mail of the reply to the electronic mail, and transmits the electronic mail to the first terminal device. In this case, the management device sends the response information by the second terminal device based on the identification information indicating that the response is free and the address information of the first terminal device added to the reply e-mail. Reply email charging destination and changes to the first terminal device.

With such a system configuration, if the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the second terminal device receiving the e-mail, the fee for the reply is required. This can also be borne by the first terminal device that makes the call first.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail management device for charging each terminal device based on electronic mail transmitted and received between a plurality of terminal devices via a network. Based on the identification information added to the e-mail indicating that the reply is free and the address information of the terminal device that transmitted the predetermined e-mail, the electronic mail of the reply sent by the terminal device that transmitted the reply e-mail It is characterized in that the billing destination of the mail is changed to the terminal device that has transmitted the certain electronic mail.

With such a configuration, if the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the terminal device receiving the e-mail, the fee for the reply is also transmitted first. Can be borne by the terminal device that performs the process.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging a communication fee for an e-mail sent and received between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device sends a reply to the electronic mail. An e-mail is transmitted to the second terminal with the identification information indicating that the terminal is free and the address information of the first terminal, and the second terminal transmits the e-mail to the e-mail in reply to the e-mail. When the identification information indicating that the reply is free and the address information of the first terminal device are added and transmitted to the first terminal device, the reply attached to the reply e-mail is free. The charge destination of the communication fee of the reply e-mail is changed to the first terminal device based on the identification information indicating the fact and the address information of the first terminal device.

According to this method, if the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the second terminal receiving the e-mail, the fee for the reply is also reduced. The burden can be borne by the first terminal device that first makes a call.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a communication service system for sending and receiving electronic mails at a PHS terminal will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire system.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a public line network (PSTN, ISDN, etc.), which has a number of base stations 2, 2,.
Is connected, and a service center 3 that is operated by a service provider that provides an electronic mail transmission service of PHS and includes a mail server and a management device including accounting is connected.

By performing location registration processing with one of the base stations 2, 2,..., The PHS terminals 4a, 4
b can communicate.

Here, the PHS terminals 4a and 4b are both adapted to a communication service capable of transmitting and receiving e-mail documents, and are also registered in the service center 3 by contracting with the service provider. I do.

As a communication service of an e-mail document,
There are a push-pull type service via the mail server of the service center 3 and a peer-to-peer type service for directly connecting the PHS terminals 4a and 4b to send and receive e-mails.

FIG. 2 shows the PHS terminals 4a and 4b.
1 shows a circuit configuration. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an antenna to which a transmitting / receiving unit 12 is connected. The transmission / reception unit 12 includes a frequency conversion unit and a modem.
On the receiving side of the frequency conversion unit, a signal input from the antenna 11 is input via an antenna switch for distributing transmission / reception, and is mixed with a local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer to obtain a 1.9G signal.
The frequency is converted from the Hz band to an IF signal near 1 MHz.

On the transmitting side, the π / 4-shifted QPSK modulated wave input from the modem is mixed with a local oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency output from the PLL synthesizer to convert the frequency to a 1.9 GHz band. It radiates from the antenna 11 via the antenna switch.

On the receiving side of the modem, the IF signal from the frequency conversion unit is demodulated and separated into IQ data, which is transferred to the communication control unit 13 as a data string. On the transmission side, on the other hand, IQ data is generated from the data transferred from the communication control unit 13 and the π / 4 shift QP is generated.
The signal is modulated to SK and output to the frequency converter.

A communication control unit 13 and a voice processing unit 14 are connected to the transmission / reception unit 12 in this order.
4, a speaker 15 on the receiving side and a microphone 16 on the transmitting side are connected.

The communication control unit 13 performs frame synchronization and slot data format processing.
On the receiving side, data for one slot is taken out of the received data sent from the modem of the transmitting / receiving unit 12 at a predetermined timing, a unique word (synchronization signal) is extracted from this data, frame synchronization is performed, and control is performed. After descrambling the data section and the audio data section or the communication data section, the control data and the communication data are sent to the control section 17 described later, and the audio data is transferred to the audio processing section 14.

On the transmission side, control data and the like are added to the audio data sent from the audio processing unit 14 or the communication data sent from the control unit 17, and after scrambling, a unique word is added. Then, transmission data for one slot is created, inserted into a predetermined slot in the frame at a predetermined timing, and transmitted to the modem of the transmission / reception unit 12.

The speech processing unit 14 is composed of a speech codec and a PCM codec. The speech codec performs compression / expansion processing of digital data. On the receiving side, the ADPCM sent from the communication control unit 13 is used. Audio signal (4 bits x 8 kHz = 3
2Kbps) to PCM audio signal (8 bits x 8KHz =
Decompress to 64Kbps to expand PCM
Output to codec. On the other hand, the transmitting side converts the PCM audio signal sent from the PCM codec into an ADPC
The signal is compressed by encoding into an M audio signal and output to the communication control unit 13.

The PCM codec is analog /
A digital conversion process is performed. On the receiving side, the PCM audio signal sent from the speech codec is converted to a D / D signal.
A conversion is performed and an analog audio signal is output to the speaker 15. On the transmitting side, on the other hand, the analog audio signal input from the microphone 16 is A / D converted to obtain a PCM audio signal, which is output to a speech codec.

A control unit 17 is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 12, the communication control unit 13, and the voice processing unit 14,
A display unit 18, a key input unit 19, a ROM
20, a RAM 21, and a transmission / reception buffer 22 are connected.

Here, the control unit 17 is constituted by a CPU or the like, and controls the entire apparatus based on a predetermined protocol stored in the ROM 20. The ROM 20 controls communication, transmits and receives call data, and transmits and receives mail documents. A control operation program in the control unit 17 including creation and transmission is fixedly stored.

The RAM 21 has a work area for temporarily storing various data handled under the control of the control unit 17, a mail area for storing a predetermined number of transmitted and received mail document data, and the like. It has a telephone directory area for storing a telephone number or a mail address as a set.

The display section 18 is composed of, for example, a dot matrix type liquid crystal display panel with a backlight and its driving circuit.

The key input unit 19 has a dial key also serving as a character input key, a "call" key, an "off" key, a function selection key, a mode selection key, a cursor key, and the like.
The operation signal is input to the control unit 17.

The transmission / reception buffer 22 has a transmission buffer area and a reception buffer area for buffering data of a mail document to be transmitted / received.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

Here, first, the PHS terminal 4 a
It is assumed that a mail document containing any question is sent to the S terminal 4b, a mail document in reply to the mail document is created by the PHS terminal 4b, and sent back to the PHS terminal 4a.

First, the PHS terminal 4a shifts from the normal standby state to the transmission mode by operating the mode selection key of the key input unit 19, and creates a mail document.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of processing in the transmission mode in the PHS terminals 4a and 4b. At the beginning, the shift to the transmission mode is performed as a response operation to the arrival of a reply-free mail document. It is determined whether or not it is (Step A01).

Here, it is assumed that the shift to the transmission mode is not made as a response operation to the arrival of the reply-free mail document, but is made by operating the mode conversion key (new transmission, normal reply and transfer). If it is determined, a destination for sending the mail document is input (step A0).
7).

In this case, if the telephone number (or mail address) of the PHS terminal 4b is registered in the telephone directory area of the RAM 21 as a destination, the selection is made by using a cursor key or the like. Is entered directly with the dial keys. In the case of a normal reply, the address is automatically input by exchanging the destination of the transmitted mail with the sender's telephone number.

Thereafter, the mail document to be transmitted is created by appropriately operating the character input key and the function selection key which are also used as the dial keys (step A08).
Wait for the creation to end (step A09),
Is repeatedly executed.

When it is determined that the creation of the mail document has been completed, the created mail document requires an answer, and the reply of the answer is not borne by the sending party but is borne by the sender. It is determined by a predetermined operation whether or not the reply free setting is to be performed (step A10).

Only when the operation for setting the reply free is performed, the telephone number of the PHS terminal 4a is used as the information for identifying the reply free and the sender information for the created mail document. It is added (step A11).

Thereafter, transmission of the created mail document is instructed, for example, an operation by the "call" key is waited for (step A05). When it is determined that the operation is performed, the transmission to the service center 3 is executed. (Step A0
6) Thus, the process of FIG. 3 is temporarily terminated.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the data format of a mail document transmitted from the PHS terminal 4a to the service center 3 at this time.
In addition to the information of the telephone number b and the telephone number of the PHS terminal 4a as the transmission source, a header S1 at the head of the data, a text identification code S2 indicating that this data is a mail document, and a text constituting the mail document body Data S
3, reply free information S4 and sender information S5 as a telephone number of the PHS terminal 4a are sequentially arranged.

The service center 3 receiving the transmission data from the PHS terminal 4a executes the processing shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 4 shows a mail server and a mail center accepting process in the service center 3 as a managing device for charging, and waits for an acceptance from a PHS terminal registered in the service. (Step B01) When it is determined that there is a reply, it is determined whether or not the reply free information S4 as shown in FIG. 6 is added to the data portion, that is, whether or not the mail document is set to reply free. A determination is made (step B02).

Here, if it is determined that the reply free information S4 has been added, then the sender information S5 located after the reply free information S4 and the telephone number (or mail address) of the destination of this transmission. Is determined, that is, whether the mail document for which the reply free is set is a reply or an outgoing call (step B0).
3).

Here, the telephone number of the destination is the sender information S5.
If it is determined that the reply is not equal to the telephone number of the reply, it is determined that the reply free mail message is outgoing, and the reply free information S4 is not added in step S02 and the reply free mail message is not set. The source PHS terminal, in this case, 4
Charging is performed in accordance with the telephone number a (or the telephone number corresponding to the mail address) (step B05), and then the data including the received mail document is stored in the address position corresponding to the telephone number of the destination of the mail server. The storage operation is performed to store, save, and notify the destination PHS terminal 4b that the mail document has been received (step B06), and the process of FIG. 4 is once ended. Then, it shifts to waiting for the next reception.

PH received from service center 3
The S terminal 4b executes a process for receiving a mail as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 5 shows a process relating to mail reception from the standby state in the PHS terminal. At the beginning, it is determined whether there is a call for notifying the reception of a mail document from the service center 3 (step S1). C01), or by repeatedly determining whether or not an operation for displaying a mail document already stored in the mail server of the service center 3 has been performed (step C02), to wait for these states.

When it is determined in step C01 that a call for notifying the reception of the mail document has been received, the user who responds to the notification within a predetermined time period is notified while performing the notification accompanying the incoming call (step C03). Operation, eg "call"
It is determined whether or not a key operation is performed (step C0).
4).

Here, if the response operation is not performed within a predetermined time, the process returns to the standby process from step C01 again.
A line is connected between the S terminal 4b and the service center 3 (step C05), the mail document notified of reception is read from the service center 3, and the mail document is returned to the PHS terminal 4b. It is determined whether or not the mail document is a free mail message based on the presence or absence of the reply free information S4 added to the mail document and the contents of the sender information S5 when the reply free information S4 is added (step C06). ).

If the received mail document is not a reply-free outgoing mail document addressed to the PHS terminal 4b, it is assumed that there is no need to perform a reply operation to the mail document, and that the received mail document is a normal mail document. , Display unit 1
In step 8, the telephone number of the transmission source or the telephone number is stored in the RAM 21.
If it is registered in the telephone directory area, the name of the mail document is displayed once, the contents of the mail document are displayed for a certain time together with the date and time of arrival (step C09), and the line connected to the service center 3 is disconnected. Then, the process returns to the standby process from step C01.

FIG. 7 exemplifies a display screen at the time of receiving a normal mail document, in which a mail text B1 is displayed together with a symbol mark M1 indicating that it is a normal mail document, an arrival date and time T1.

If it is determined in step C06 that the received mail document is a reply-free mail document addressed to the PHS terminal 4b, it is determined that it is necessary to perform a reply operation to the mail document. The display unit 18 displays the telephone number of the transmission source or the telephone number
If it is registered in the telephone directory area of M21, the corresponding name is displayed once, and then a guide message asking about the contents of the mail document and whether or not there is a response to the mail document is displayed together with the date and time of arrival (step C07).

FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen at the time of receiving a reply free mail message. A symbol mark M indicating that the mail document is a reply free mail message.
2. Along with the arrival date and time T1, a mail text B2 and a guide message G1 asking whether or not there is a response are displayed.

While such a display is being performed, it is determined whether or not an operation for giving a response within a predetermined time is performed based on the presence or absence of a key operation on the guide message G1 (step C08). If the predetermined time has elapsed without the operation being performed, the line connected to the service center 3 is disconnected, and the process returns to the standby process from step C01.

If it is determined in step C08 that an operation for making a response has been performed, the service center 3
After the line connected to is disconnected, the process automatically shifts to the transmission mode processing of FIG. 3 in order to create and transmit a reply mail document as it is.

In this case, in FIG. 3, first, in step A01, it is determined that the shift to the transmission mode has been performed as a response operation to the arrival of the reply-free mail document, and is added to the received mail document. The sender information S5 is automatically set as a destination as it is, and setting is made to add reply free information S4 (additional information) and sender information S5 to a mail document to be created (step A02). (Step A0) while appropriately operating the character input keys and function selection keys which are also used as dial keys.
3) Wait for the creation to end (step A0)
4) is repeatedly executed.

When it is determined that the creation of the mail document has been completed, transmission of the created mail document is instructed.
For example, it waits for an operation by the "call" key (step A05), and when it is determined that the operation is performed, executes transmission to the service center 3 (step A06).
Thus, the processing of FIG. 3 is completed.

At this time, the data format of the mail document transmitted from the PHS terminal 4b to the PHS terminal 4a is also as shown in FIG. 6, and at this time, the sender information S5 added to the end thereof Is the telephone number of the PHS terminal 4a that is the source of the mail document in the first place.

The service center 3 receiving the transmission data from the PHS terminal 4b executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 again.

In FIG. 4, when it is determined that there is an acceptance from the registered PHS terminal (step B)
01), it is confirmed that the reply free information S4 is added to the data portion (step B02), and then the sender information S5 located after the reply free information S4.
Is equal to the telephone number of the destination of the transmission, and it is confirmed that the mail document for which the reply free is set is a reply, not an outgoing mail (step B03).

Therefore, the service center 3 transmits the sender information S5 with respect to the mail document in which the reply free is set.
Is charged in accordance with the telephone number of the PHS terminal 4a indicated by (step B04), and thereafter, the data including the received mail document is stored and stored in the address position on the mail server corresponding to the destination telephone number. At the same time, a transmission operation for notifying the destination PHS terminal 4a that the mail document has been received is executed (step B06), and the process of FIG. It shifts to waiting for acceptance.

PH received from service center 3
The S terminal 4a executes a process for receiving a mail as shown in FIG.

That is, first, when it is determined that there is a call for notifying the reception of the mail document from the service center 3 (step C01), the notification accompanying the incoming call is performed (step C03), and the notification is made within a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not a user operation in response to the notification is performed (step C).
04).

Here, if the response operation is not performed within a predetermined time, the process returns to the standby process from step C01 again.
A line is connected between the S terminal 4a and the service center 3 (step C05), the mail document notified of reception is read out from the service center 3, and the mail document is returned free to the PHS terminal 4a. Is determined based on the presence or absence of the reply free information S4 added to the mail document and the contents of the sender information S5 when the reply free information S4 is added (step C06). .

Here, although the received mail document is not the reply free outgoing mail document addressed to the PHS terminal 4a, although the reply free information S4 is added, the reply operation to the mail document is performed. The display unit 18 assumes that it is an ordinary mail document that is not necessary.
When the telephone number of the transmission source or the telephone number is registered in the telephone directory area of the RAM 21, the corresponding name is displayed once, and then the contents of the mail document are displayed for a fixed time together with the date and time of the arrival (step C09). , Service center 3
After disconnecting the line connected to, the process returns to the standby process from step C01 again.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 18 of the PHS terminal 4a at this time, and a symbol mark M indicating that the mail document is a reply free reply mail document.
3. The mail text B3 is displayed together with the arrival date and time T2.

As described above, when the contents of the mail document transmitted from the PHS terminal 4a require a reply from the PHS terminal 4b receiving the mail document, the fee for the reply is also set. PHS terminal 4 that sends calls to
a and the PHS terminal 4
Since it can be displayed using the symbol mark M2 or the like at the time of reception at b, the PHS terminal 4b can also easily respond to the sent mail document.

As a result, the PHS terminal 4a can transmit the mail document to the transmission destination PHS terminal 4b without worrying about the fee, and can surely obtain a response to the transmission.

In FIG. 5, step C0
In 1, the description has been given of the case where the service center 3 sends a call for notifying the user of the reception of the mail document.
If it is determined in step C02 that an operation for displaying the mail document stored in the mail server of the service center 3 has been performed, that is, although there is no call from the service center 3, the mail from the PHS terminal 4a (4b) The case where the service center 3 which is a server is accessed will be described below.

In this case, the PHS terminal 4a (4b) immediately connects the line with the service center 3 (step C10), and selects one of the mail documents addressed to the PHS terminal 4a (4b), for example, the incoming call. The one with the latest date and time is selected, read out from the service center 3, and displayed on the display unit 18 (step C11).

At this time, whether or not the mail document is a reply-free outgoing mail document addressed to the PHS terminal 4a (4b) is determined by the presence or absence of the reply free information S4 added to the mail document and the reply free. Judgment is made based on the contents of the sender information S5 when the information S4 is added (step C12). If the reply is a reply-free outgoing mail document, a guide message G1 as shown in FIG. Since such a display is being performed, it is determined whether or not an operation for performing a response is performed based on the presence or absence of a key operation for the guide message G1 (step C13).

If it is determined that an operation for making a response has been performed, the line connected to the service center 3 is automatically disconnected after the line connected to the service center 3 has been cut off so that a reply mail document can be created and transmitted as it is. The processing shifts to the processing of the transmission mode 3.

If no operation for making a response is performed in step C13, or the mail document displayed in step C12 is a reply-free outgoing mail document addressed to the PHS terminal 4a (4b). If it is determined that the same mail document has not been changed (step C14), an operation for changing the mail document displayed on the display unit 18 to another one is performed. Whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step C1)
By repeatedly performing step 5), the process waits until a change operation of the mail document is performed or a predetermined time elapses.

If it is determined in step C14 that an operation for changing the mail document to another has been performed, the process proceeds to step C11, where the other mail document is sent to the mail server of the service center 3 based on the contents of the operation. And read it out and display it on the display unit 18.

If it is determined in step C15 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the same mail document, the line connected to the service center 3 is disconnected, and the standby processing from step C01 is resumed. Return to

As described above, not only when there is a call for notifying the reception of the mail document from the service center 3 to the own device, but also the contents already received by the mail server
Even when accessing and browsing the mail server from the terminal 4a (4b), the mail document is set to reply-free, and if an operation to answer the question is performed, the mail document immediately returns. Can be shifted to a process for creating and transmitting the.

Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the charge for the call (communication) charge at the time of uploading (transmitting) to the service center 3, the charge for the call charge at the time of downloading (receiving) the mail document is similarly applied. It is possible. That is, in the service center 3, when the PHS terminal downloads the reply free mail document from the service center 3, the charge may be made to the telephone number of the sender who created the mail document.

In the above-described embodiment, the service center 3 also serves as a mail server and a management device for charging, and the PHS terminals 4a and 4b send the service center 3
Was described as a device that obtains a mail document addressed to its own device by accessing (so-called push & pull type),
It is also possible to apply the present mail communication service in which a mail document or other data is transmitted directly by the sub-address information in the call signal and the mail document can be transmitted and received without a line connection (peer). -to-peer type).

In this case, although the capacity that can be sent and received as one mail document is limited, it is not the original billing target, so that the user can be conveniently set as a low-cost setting.

On the contrary, the mail document or other data may be directly transmitted after the line is once connected between the terminals. In this case, the capacity of the mail document which can be transmitted / received, etc. This greatly eases the restriction, so that not only text data but also large-capacity files such as image data can be attached and transmitted as e-mail (peer-to-peer type).

When the present invention is applied to these peer-to-peer types, since it is the same as a normal call, it is possible only by changing one call. Further, by using the collect call, the system can be easily applied without changing the current system. That is, when returning a mail document of a reply free mail, it can be realized by using a collect call.

In the above embodiment, the round-trip mail has been described as an example. However, if the additional information (charging replacement information) is added to the outgoing mail (new, reply, transfer, etc.), the charging is not performed. You may change it.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the charging is changed, but the charging may not be performed when the above conditions are satisfied as a service.

Although the above embodiment has been described as using a PHS terminal as a terminal device, the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital mobile phone, a personal computer, and other terminals having various e-mail communication functions can be used. Of course, the present invention can be applied to an electronic mail system using the device and its terminal device.

In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0089]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the billing for the outgoing e-mail is transferred to the receiving side. If so, the fee for the reply can also be borne by the original calling party.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the second terminal device receiving the e-mail, the reply is applied to the reply. The fee can also be borne by the first terminal device that makes the call first.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the terminal device receiving the e-mail, the fee for the reply is also started. Can be borne by the terminal device that makes the call.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the content of the outgoing e-mail requires a reply from the second terminal device receiving the e-mail, the reply is applied. The fee can also be borne by the first terminal device that makes the call first.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the PHS terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing contents in a transmission mode of the PHS terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of charging processing at the time of mail relay of the service center according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents from a standby state of the PHS terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing a data format of a mail document in which reply-free setting is made according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing a display screen of a received mail document according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing a display screen of a received mail document according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing a display screen of a received mail document according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Public circuit network 2 ... Base station (CS) 3 ... Service center 4a, 4b ... PHS terminal (PS) 11 ... Antenna 12 ... Transceiving unit 13 ... Communication control unit 14 ... Sound processing unit 15 ... Speaker 16 ... Microphone 17 ... Control unit 18 ... Display unit 19 ... Key input unit 20 ... ROM 21 ... RAM 22 ... Transmission / reception buffer S1 ... Header S2 ... Text identification code S3 ... Text data S4 ... Return free information S5 ... Sender information

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail system comprising: a terminal device for transmitting / receiving an electronic mail; and a management device for charging the terminal device in accordance with the transmission / reception of the electronic mail performed by the terminal device. The identification information of the transmission destination is added to the exchange information indicating that the charge for the transmission of the electronic mail is set to the transmission destination, and the electronic mail is transmitted. An electronic mail system, wherein the accounting relating to the transmission of the electronic mail is transferred to the terminal device of the transmission destination. 2. An electronic mail comprising: first and second terminal devices for transmitting and receiving electronic mail; and a management device for charging each terminal device in accordance with the transmission and reception of the electronic mail performed between these terminal devices. In the system, the first terminal device sends an e-mail to the second terminal device by adding identification information indicating that a reply is free and address information of the first terminal device, In a case where the terminal device sends identification information indicating that the reply is free to the electronic mail and address information of the first terminal device to the electronic mail in reply to the electronic mail and transmits the electronic mail to the first terminal device, The device, based on the identification information indicating that the reply is free and the address information of the first terminal device attached to the reply electronic mail, transmits the reply electronic mail by the second terminal device. Electronic mail system and changes gold destination to the first terminal device. 3. An electronic mail management device for charging each terminal device based on electronic mail transmitted and received between a plurality of terminal devices via a network, the electronic mail management device being added to an electronic mail in reply to a predetermined electronic mail. Based on the identification information indicating that the reply is free and the address information of the terminal device that transmitted the predetermined e-mail,
An e-mail management device, wherein a charging destination of the reply e-mail by the terminal device that has transmitted the reply e-mail is changed to the terminal device that has transmitted the certain e-mail. 4. A method of charging a communication fee for an electronic mail transmitted and received between a first terminal device and a second terminal device, wherein the first terminal device indicates that a reply is free. The identification information and the address information of the first terminal device are added, and the e-mail is transmitted to the second terminal device. The second terminal device is free to reply to the e-mail in response to the e-mail. And the identification information indicating that the reply is free, which is added to the reply e-mail when the identification information indicating the reply and the address information of the first terminal apparatus are transmitted to the first terminal apparatus. An e-mail billing method, comprising: changing a billing destination of a communication fee of the reply e-mail to the first terminal device based on address information of the first terminal device.