JP2001156830A - Mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail system which informs a transmitter about that a receiver cannot receive a mail if the receiver has not received the mail. SOLUTION: When a transmission mail is transmitted from a transmission side mail terminal 201 to a reception side mail terminal 209, a reception side mail server 204 acquires the mail address of the transmission side mail terminal 201 from the transmission mail and stores a text, which indicates that the reception side mail terminal 209 does not receive the transmission mail, and assembles the mail address and the text to generate a report mail and transmits the report mail to the transmission side mail terminal 201.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail system such as an electronic mail used for wired and wireless communication and a short mail used for the same carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional mail system (this diagram is the same in the present invention).

Reference numeral 201 denotes a sending mail terminal; 202, a sending mail server; 203, a public network or a dedicated line;
4 is a receiving mail server, 206 is a gateway, 20
Reference numeral 5 denotes an input / output converter of the mail server that connects the receiving mail server 204 and the gateway 206; 207, a wireless base station control device; 208, a wireless base station; and 209, a receiving mail terminal.

[0004] First, when a mail is transmitted from a transmitting mail terminal 201 via a public network or a dedicated line 203, the mail is sent to a receiving mail server 204. When receiving the new mail, the receiving mail server 204 calls the receiving mail terminal 209 via the input / output conversion device 205, the gateway 206, the wireless base station control device 207, and the wireless base station 208. When called, the receiving-side mail terminal 209 performs an operation for a mail receiver to obtain a mail addressed to itself from the receiving-side mail server 204 via a communication line, and receives the mail. However, if the receiving mail terminal 204 cannot receive the mail, the mail is stored by the receiving mail server 204.

[0005]

In the prior art, when the receiving mail terminal 209 cannot receive a mail, the mail is stored in the receiving mail server 204 as a deposit of the receiving mail server 204. The side mail terminal 201 (sender) is not notified to that effect.

[0006] In such a situation, even when the sender sends an e-mail requiring a reply, there is a case where the state where no reply is received from the receiver continues for a long time. For this reason, a situation arises in which the same mail is repeatedly transmitted to the sender, resulting in inconvenience such as an increase in communication costs.

[0007] In addition, the mail receiver is initially in a state where mail cannot be received, but even if the mail receiver can be received afterwards, the receiving mail terminal 209 only has a server deposit display. It takes time to receive the mail in the receiving mail server 204.

As a prior art relating to an automatic response from a mail server to a mail or the like, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-33
No. 1621 is disclosed. This is a device that automatically returns a specific message when receiving a call or e-mail, but is limited to portable information terminal devices (cell phones, electronic organizers, portable terminals, small computers, etc.). It is a thing.

[0009] Further, in the device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-56476, it was not possible to confirm whether or not a mail was received without the time set by the mail server. In addition, a mail system using a wireless communication means such as a mobile phone could not respond.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mail system which can notify a sender of a fact that a recipient cannot receive a mail.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mail terminal having means for transmitting and receiving mail, a mail distribution means, a mail storage means, and a transmitting mail terminal. When an outgoing email is sent,
Means for notifying the sending mail terminal of the arrival of the sent mail, and detecting means for detecting whether the receiving mail terminal can or cannot receive the sent mail. A mail server for storing the outgoing mail when the mail is not received; a means for obtaining a mail address of the sending mail terminal from the outgoing mail; The mail server has means for storing a body indicating that the mail server does not receive the mail, means for assembling the mail address and the body to generate a notification mail, and means for transmitting the notification mail to the sending mail terminal. If the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail, the mail server transmits the notification mail. Characterized in that it sent to the mail terminal.

The detecting means detects at least one of a state in which the receiving mail terminal cannot respond to the line connection and a state in which the mail receiving storage area of the receiving mail terminal is full; The above-mentioned text represents the above-mentioned state.

Further, the mail server has means for determining whether or not opening confirmation is required from the delivered outgoing mail, and the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail, and When confirmation is required, the mail server sends the notification mail to the sending mail terminal.

Further, the mail server has means for judging whether or not opening confirmation is required from the delivered outgoing mail, and the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail, and When confirmation is required, the mail server sends the notification mail to the sending mail terminal.

Further, the mail server has means for storing the time at which the outgoing mail was sent, and when the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail even if a specific time has elapsed from the time, The notification mail is transmitted to the transmission-side mail terminal.

According to the present invention, when the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail, the address of the sending mail terminal of the outgoing mail is identified, a specific message is assembled at the address, and a notification mail is created to make the notification. Automatically reply emails. When a transmission mail including an opening confirmation is received, a notification mail corresponding to the detection result is automatically returned in both the receiving state of the receiving mail terminal and the state of the opening confirmation flag. In addition, it repeatedly checks the recipient's email reception status at a specific time, and if it becomes available during that time, immediately sends outgoing email,
In addition, if the e-mail cannot be received even after the specified time elapses, the outgoing mail is stored in the mail server,
The notification mail can provide the sender with information such as the status of the recipient, why the mail cannot be read, and why the reply does not come. In addition, when the receiver changes from the mail non-receivable state to the mail receivable state, the recipient can immediately receive the transmitted mail, and can immediately reply to the transmitted mail requiring a reply.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a mail receivable area, 102 denotes a non-mail receivable area, 103 denotes a radio base station, 104
Is in the mail receivable area and is in the power-on state, 105 is in the mail receivable area but is in the power-off state, 106 is in the mail receivable area but the storage area for receiving outgoing mail is full, 107 is no mail reception The state where the user is in the available area, 108 is a mail sender. Also, the solid arrow indicates the state in which the mail is delivered from the mail server, and the mail sender 108 sends outgoing mail to the mail server,
A dotted arrow indicates a state where mail is not delivered from the mail server.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a mail system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a transmitting mail terminal; 202, a transmitting mail server; 203, a public network or a dedicated line;
4 is a receiving mail server, 206 is a gateway, 20
Reference numeral 5 denotes an input / output converter of the mail server that connects the receiving mail server 204 and the gateway 206; 207, a wireless base station control device; 208, a wireless base station; and 209, a receiving mail terminal. In addition, each mail terminal sends,
It goes without saying that reception is also possible.

First, when a transmission mail is transmitted from the transmission side mail terminal 201 via the public network or a dedicated line 203, the transmission mail is transmitted to the reception side mail server 204. When the receiving mail server 204 receives the newly transmitted mail, the input / output conversion device 205 and the gateway 20
6. Call the receiving side mail terminal 209 via the radio base station controller 207 and the radio base station 208. When called, the receiving mail terminal 209 performs an operation for the mail receiver to obtain a sending mail addressed to itself from the receiving mail server 204 via the communication line, and receives the sending mail. However, if the receiving mail terminal 204 cannot receive the transmitted mail, the transmitted mail is stored by the receiving mail server 204.

In the embodiment of the present invention, mail terminals 201 and 209 having means for transmitting and receiving mail, mail distribution means, mail storage means, and transmission mail are distributed from transmission side mail terminal 201. And a means for notifying the sending mail terminal 201 of the arrival of the outgoing mail, and a detecting means for detecting whether the receiving mail terminal 209 can or cannot receive the outgoing mail.
9, when the outgoing mail is not received, in the mail system including the mail server 204 for storing the outgoing mail, the means for obtaining the mail address from the outgoing mail, and the receiving mail terminal 209 not receiving the outgoing mail. The mail server 204 has means for storing a body text to be represented, means for assembling the mail address and the body text to create a notification mail, and means for transmitting the notification mail to the sending mail terminal 201. When the terminal 209 does not receive the outgoing mail, the mail server 204 sends the notification mail to the sending mail terminal 201.

Thus, when the sender sends outgoing mail and the receiver cannot receive the outgoing mail, the mail server sends the mail with the content of the failure of the mail reception notification to the receiving mail terminal 209 from the mail server. The mail can be transmitted to the address of the sender (sender) of the mail (return mail address of the reception notification).

In addition, the detecting means determines that the receiving mail terminal 209 is in the mail non-receivable area or is in a power-off state in which the line connection cannot be responded. At least one of the full states is detected, and the text represents the state.

Thus, if the receiving mail terminal 209 cannot respond to the line connection, the reason why the mail server failed to notify the receiving mail terminal 209 of the mail reception (the mail server is in the mail receiving impossible area or the power is turned off) ) Can be sent to the address of the sender of the sent mail. Also, the receiving mail terminal 2
If the mail receiving storage area 09 is full and the mail cannot be received any more, a notification mail indicating the reason why the mail reception notification from the mail server 204 to the receiving mail terminal 209 has failed is sent to the transmission mail. To the sender's address.

Further, the mail server 204 has means for determining whether or not opening confirmation is required from the delivered outgoing mail, and the receiving mail terminal 209 does not receive the outgoing mail and performs the opening confirmation. If necessary, the mail server sends the notification mail to the sending mail terminal 201.

Thus, when the receiving mail terminal 209 cannot receive the outgoing mail and needs to confirm the opening,
It becomes possible to transmit a notification mail indicating that the reception notification has failed to the sender's address of the transmission mail to the sender's address of the transmission mail.

Further, when the outgoing mail is transmitted, the receiving mail terminal 209 periodically detects whether the outgoing mail can be received or not by the detecting means (a receiving notification is periodically sent to the receiving mail terminal 209). ), And periodically distribute the outgoing mail to the receiving mail terminal.

Further, the mail server has means for storing the time at which the outgoing mail was sent, and if the receiving mail terminal 209 does not receive the outgoing mail even after the specified time has elapsed from the above time, the receiving mail The outgoing mail is delivered to the terminal 209.

Thus, when the receiving mail terminal 209 cannot receive the outgoing mail, the outgoing mail can be periodically transmitted to the receiving mail terminal 209, and a specific time elapses from the time when the mail was delivered. Even if the receiving mail terminal 209 continues to be unable to receive mail, a notification mail can be returned to the sender.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the automatic reply process for receiving a mail.

When the receiving mail terminal 209 (see FIG. 2; the same applies hereinafter) cannot receive the transmitted mail, the mail address of the transmitting mail terminal 201 is changed to the sender (sender) included in the transmitted mail. It is decoded from the address (S301).

Next, the server 204 acquires a text indicating that the receiving mail terminal 209, which has been determined in advance, does not receive the transmitted mail (S302).

Next, the address and the body are assembled to create a notification mail (S303).

Thereafter, a notification mail is transmitted to the above address (S304).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of the receiving process. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the transmission mail is transmitted from the transmission mail terminal 201, the transmission mail reaches the reception mail server 204 via the transmission mail server 202 (S401).

In response, the receiving mail server 204
Notifies the input / output conversion device 205 that a new mail has arrived (S402).

Further, the input / output converter 205 notifies the gateway 206 that the outgoing mail has arrived (S
403).

Here, the gateway 206 issues a line connection request to the receiving mail terminal 209 (S404).

On the other hand, when the line is connected, the receiving mail terminal 209 transmits a line connection response to the gateway 206 (S405). If this line connection response is not returned, it means that the reception side mail terminal 209 is in a mail reception disabled area or is in a power-off state, and the line connection cannot be responded.

When the receiving mail terminal 209 transmits a line connection response, the gateway 206 notifies that it has been connected to the input / output converter 205 (S4).
06).

In response to this notification, the input / output converter 20
5 transmits a connection notification response to the gateway 206 (S407).

Here, since the connection from the receiving mail server 204 to the receiving mail terminal 209 has been completed, the gateway 206 notifies the receiving mail terminal 209 of the incoming mail notification (S408).

Upon receiving the incoming call notification, the receiving mail terminal 209 issues a transmission mail reception request in order to receive the transmission mail addressed to itself in the reception mail server 204 (S409).

This receiving request reaches the receiving mail server 204 via the gateway 206 and the input / output device 205 (S410, S411).

Upon receiving the mail receiving request, the receiving mail server 204 transfers the outgoing mail in the server to the receiving mail terminal 209 (S412 to S414).

Reception-side mail terminal 2 that has received the transmission mail
09 transmits the confirmation signal Ack to the gateway 2
06 (S415).

Upon receiving the confirmation signal Ack, the gateway 2
06 notifies the input / output converter 205 of a delivery confirmation that the receiving mail terminal 209 has received the transmitted mail (S416).

The input / output device 205 returns a response to this (S417).

If the confirmation signal Ack is transmitted to the gateway 2
If it does not return from 06, the receiving mail terminal 209
Is full.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of mail distribution / reply processing from the mail server (when the receiving mail terminal 209 is out of the receivable area or in a power-off state).

The gateway 206 performs processing for confirming whether the receiving mail terminal 209 can receive the transmitted mail (S501). That is, it is determined whether it is in the receivable area or the power is on (S50).
2). Regarding the reception state confirmation processing, S404 and S404 in FIG.
405.

When the receiving mail terminal 209 is in a state where it can receive the transmitted mail in the processing of S501 and S502,
From the receiving mail server 204 to the receiving mail receiving terminal 2
The outgoing mail is distributed at 09 (S503). The mail distribution process is shown in S409 to S414 in FIG.

If the receiving mail terminal 209 cannot receive the outgoing mail in the processing of S501 and S502, that is, if the receiving mail terminal 209 is out of the receivable area or the power is off, the automatic reply shown in FIG. The process is performed (S504), and the outgoing mail is stored in the receiving mail server 204 (S505).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of mail distribution / reply processing from the mail server (the received mail storage area of the receiving mail terminal 209 is full).

The gateway 206 performs processing for confirming whether or not the receiving mail terminal 209 can receive outgoing mail (S601). That is, it is determined whether the storage area of the received mailbox is full. The reception state confirmation processing is shown in S414 and S415 in FIG.

In the processing of S601 and S602, when the storage area of the receiving mailbox of the receiving mail terminal 209 is not full and the mail can be received, the mail is transmitted from the receiving mail server 204 to the receiving mail receiving terminal 209. The mail is delivered (S603).

In the processing of S601 and S602, when the storage area of the receiving mailbox of the receiving mail terminal 209 is full and the transmission mail cannot be received, the automatic reply processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed (S604). Then, the mail is stored in the receiving mail server 204 (S605).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a mail distribution process corresponding to a transmission mail with an open confirmation.

The gateway 206 performs processing for confirming whether or not the receiving mail terminal 209 can receive outgoing mail (S701, S702).

If the receiving side mail terminal 209 can receive, the receiving side mail server 204 sends the receiving side mail terminal 2
The outgoing mail is distributed at 09 (S703).

When the receiving mail terminal 209 is in an unreceivable area, in a state where power supply is not available for line connection response, or when the received mail storage area is full, the transmitting mail terminal 201 If the flag as to whether or not to confirm the opening of the outgoing mail is turned on (S704), the automatic reply process shown in FIG. 3 is performed (S705), and the outgoing mail is accumulated in the receiving mail server 204. (S706).

If the opening confirmation flag is off (S702), the mail is stored in the receiving mail server 204 (S706).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a mail distribution process corresponding to a case where a specific time has passed.

The receiving mail server 204 receives the newly sent mail from the sending mail terminal 201 (S80).
1), a number and the like are assigned to the newly transmitted mail and registered in the mail management table (S802). An example of the mail management table will be described later with reference to FIG.

Thereafter, the receiving mail terminal 209 performs a process of confirming whether or not the transmission mail can be received (S803, S804). This corresponds to steps S701 and S7 in FIG.
02 is the same process.

As a result, when the receiving mail terminal 209 is in a state where mail cannot be received, the receiving mail server 20
4 and waits for the time determined (S80).
5). Although there is no particular mention about this time, it is desirable to wait a short time, for example, 5 minutes, as a waiting time for turning on the power of the receiving mail terminal 209 or moving to the receivable area.

After the waiting time, a waiting count is added (S806).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the count value has expired (S807). If the count value has expired, an automatic reply process is performed (S808).

After that, the timer and table of the corresponding received mail number are cleared (S809).

If the above count value has not expired, S8
The processes from 03 to S807 are repeated.

If the receiving mail terminal 209 is in a mail receivable state in S803 and S804, the transmission mail transmitted from the transmitting mail terminal 201 is delivered to the receiving mail terminal 209 (S810), and the corresponding received mail number is sent. The timer and the table are cleared (S811).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of table items and the like of the mail management table used in FIG.

The newly transmitted mail received in S801 of FIG. 8 is first registered with the lowest available number in the table as a mail number.

Then, the received outgoing mail is decrypted,
The sender's address, the recipient's address, the text, the mail arrival date and time, and the expiration date and time obtained by adding a specific time to this arrival date and time are registered.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if sent mail sent from the sender's mail terminal cannot be received by the receiver's mail terminal and a reply mail cannot be sent immediately, the reply is automatically sent to the sender using a notification mail from the mail server, so the sender cannot reply. Be informed of the situation.

Further, the mail server has means for storing the time at which the outgoing mail was sent. If the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail even after the specified time has passed from the above time, the sending mail When sending a notification email to the terminal, after a specified time elapses, the sender is notified that the email has not arrived, the recipient is notified that the recipient cannot read the email, and the sender is resent many times. This saves the trouble of doing so, which leads to a reduction in communication costs.

When the outgoing mail is transmitted, the receiving mail terminal periodically detects whether or not the outgoing mail can be received by the detecting means, and periodically transmits the outgoing mail to the receiving mail terminal. If the recipient changes from outside the service area to the service area or from power off to power on within a specific time, the sent mail is immediately delivered to the recipient. You can reply.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an automatic reply process for mail reception according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a reception process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of mail distribution / reply processing from a mail server (when the receiving-side mail terminal 209 is out of a receivable area or in a power-off state) according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of mail distribution / reply processing from a mail server according to an embodiment of the present invention (a state where a received mail storage area of a receiving mail terminal 209 is full).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a mail distribution process corresponding to an outgoing mail with an open confirmation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a mail distribution process corresponding to a case where a specific time has elapsed according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of table items and the like of a mail management table used in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

101: mail receivable area, 102: non-mail receivable area, 103: radio base station, 104: mail receivable area and power on state, 105: mail receivable area but power off state, 106: mail reception In the available area, but the storage area to receive mail is full,
107: state where mail cannot be received; 108:
Mail sender 201, sending mail terminal 202, sending mail server 203, public network or dedicated line 2, etc.
04 ... Reception side mail server, 206 ... Gateway, 2
05: input / output conversion device, 207: radio base station control device,
208: wireless base station, 209: receiving side mail terminal.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GA25 HA13 JA31 KA16 KC28 LA07 5K030 GA17 GA20 HA06 KA02 KA08 LD13 MA13 MB15

Claims (5)

[Claims] An e-mail terminal having means for transmitting and receiving e-mail; an e-mail delivery means; an e-mail accumulating means; Means for notifying the receiving mail terminal, and detecting means for detecting whether or not the receiving mail terminal can receive the transmitted mail. If the receiving mail terminal does not receive the transmitted mail, the transmitting mail is transmitted. In a mail system comprising a mail server for storing mail, a means for acquiring a mail address of the sending mail terminal from the sent mail, and a text indicating that the receiving mail terminal does not receive the sent mail. Means for storing, assembling the e-mail address and the body, and generating a notification e-mail; Wherein the mail server has means for transmitting the notification mail to the transmission side mail terminal when the reception side mail terminal does not receive the transmission mail. Mail system. 2. The detecting means detects at least one of a state in which the receiving mail terminal cannot respond to the line connection and a state in which the mail receiving storage area of the receiving mail terminal is full. 2. The mail system according to claim 1, wherein the text represents the state. 3. The mail server has means for determining whether or not opening confirmation is required from the delivered outgoing mail, wherein the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail and opens the mail. The mail server according to claim 1, wherein the mail server sends the notification mail to the sending mail terminal when confirmation is required. 4. When the outgoing mail is transmitted, the receiving side mail terminal periodically detects whether the outgoing mail can be received or not by the detecting means, and sends the outgoing mail to the receiving side mail terminal. 4. The mail system according to claim 1, wherein the mail is delivered periodically. 5. The mail server further comprises means for storing a time at which the outgoing mail is transmitted, wherein the receiving mail terminal does not receive the outgoing mail even if a specific time has elapsed from the time. The mail system according to claim 4, wherein the notification mail is sent to the sending mail terminal.