JP2001350702A - Method and device for distributing electronic mail - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the multi-address distribution of electronic mail by automatically selecting a receiving side user considered that it satisfies conditions desired by a transmitter side user. SOLUTION: The title data or text data of received electronic mail or information, which is contained in an attached file, concerning a position is extracted and on the basis of the provided position information, the received electronic mail transmitted from a transmitting source position, which satisfies preset prescribed retrieval conditions, is specified. While using an electronic mail address corresponding to the specified received electronic mail, the multi-address transmission of previously designated electronic mail is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an e-mail distribution method and an e-mail distribution device, and more particularly to an e-mail distribution method and an e-mail distribution device for broadcasting the same e-mail data to a plurality of recipients. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of networks such as the Internet, the use of electronic mail has been increasing. E-mail is realized by storing messages in the destination mail server, and has a broadcast distribution function that can send the same data to multiple destinations, which has the advantage of greatly reducing the time and effort of paperwork. . When actually performing the broadcast distribution, the transmitting user designates a plurality of destination mail addresses in advance and transfers the e-mail data to the transmitting mail server. As a result, the sending mail server to which the e-mail data has been transferred refers to the e-mail address and transfers the e-mail data to the corresponding receiving mail server. This allows multiple recipient users to:
The respective receiving-side mail servers are accessed to receive the e-mail data, and the broadcast is realized.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional broadcast distribution function simply transfers the same e-mail data to a plurality of specified e-mail addresses. A predetermined condition from among the side users, for example, the transmission location (including the location estimated as such) of the e-mail previously transmitted by the receiving user or the transmission date and time satisfies the request of the transmitting user. It was not possible to automatically broadcast e-mail data only to the receiving user. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an e-mail distribution method and an e-mail distribution capable of automatically selecting a receiving user considered to satisfy a condition desired by a sender user and performing e-mail broadcasting. It is to provide a device.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems.
Identify the received e-mail transmitted from the source position that satisfies the predetermined search conditions set in advance based on the position information extracted from the received e-mail, using the e-mail address corresponding to the specified received e-mail, It is characterized in that an e-mail specified in advance is broadcast.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, information on a position included in subject data, body data, or an attached file of the received electronic mail is extracted as the position information. Features.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the transmission is performed at a transmission source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on the position information and transmission time information extracted from the received e-mail and in a predetermined transmission time range. An e-mail specified in advance is broadcast to an e-mail address corresponding to the received e-mail.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect, the transmission time information is extracted from subject data of the electronic mail, body data, or attached data attached to the mail body. I have.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined search condition is a location estimated as a transmission location of the received e-mail, a specific location. , Or at least one of a predetermined area and time.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the received e-mail satisfying the predetermined search condition is selected based on a preset priority condition. The broadcast transmission is performed based on an e-mail address corresponding to a predetermined number of received e-mails.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect, the priority condition is a predetermined distance from a specific place or a transmission time of the received electronic mail.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the received e-mail specifying unit for specifying the received e-mail transmitted from the source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on the position information extracted from the received e-mail. And a broadcast transmission unit that broadcasts an e-mail specified in advance using an e-mail address corresponding to the specified received e-mail.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eighth aspect, an address database unit for storing an address database in advance and the address database are referred to.
A position information extracting unit that extracts information on a position included in subject data, body data, or an attached file of the received electronic mail as the position information.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the transmission is performed at a transmission source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on the position information and transmission time information extracted from the received electronic mail and in a predetermined transmission time range set in advance. A receiving e-mail specifying unit for specifying the received e-mail, and a broadcasting transmitting unit for broadcasting an e-mail specified in advance to an e-mail address corresponding to the specified receiving e-mail. Features.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the tenth aspect, there is provided a time information extracting unit for extracting the transmission time information from subject data, body data, or attached data attached to the mail body of the electronic mail. It is characterized by having.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [1] Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration block diagram of a mail transmission / reception system of the embodiment. The mail transmitting / receiving system 10 includes a plurality of mail servers 12-1 to 12-1 connected to the Internet 11.
2-n, a plurality of user terminals 13-1 to 13-m connected to the Internet 11 via an Internet service provider (not shown), a radio base station 14, a public telephone network 16, an Internet service provider (not shown), and the like. And a plurality of user mobile terminals 15-1 to 15-x connected to the Internet via the Internet. In this case, the user mobile terminals 15-1 to 15-1
5-x is configured by a wireless communication terminal device including a mobile phone, a PHS, or a personal information processing device (PDA) 17 connected thereto.

In the following description, the user terminal 13-1
Corresponds to the mail server 12-1, the user terminal 13-2 corresponds to the mail server 12-2, the user terminal 13-m corresponds to the mail server 12-n, and the user mobile terminal 15-1. , 15-2 correspond to the mail server 12-1, and the user mobile terminal 15-n corresponds to the mail server 12-2. Although the user terminals 13-1 to 13-m have the same configuration, a schematic configuration of the user terminal 13-1 will be described with reference to FIG. The user terminal 13-1 receives (downloads) the e-mail data from the corresponding mail server 12-1 as the received mail, and transmits the e-mail data to the mail server 12-1 as the outgoing mail. And an address database 22 referred to for obtaining position information from the header part and the body data of the received mail, and an e-mail address searched based on the input search condition.
And a mail spool 25 for storing received mail.

Here, the structure of the broadcast address file will be described with reference to FIG. Broadcast address file 24
Is the e-mail address data 2 of the received e-mail
4A, reception time data 24B storing the reception time,
Latitude / longitude data 24 of the position estimated as the transmission location obtained from the header part or the body data of the electronic mail.
C and address data 24D for storing the address of the location estimated to be the transmission location.

[2] Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. [2.1] Reception Processing First, the reception processing will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. In the receiving process, the user terminal 13-1
Accesses the corresponding mail server 12-1 and receives the e-mail data (step S1). User terminal 13
-1, it is determined whether or not an information file having a predetermined format in which the position information and the time information are described is attached as an attached file to the e-mail data (step S2). If the information file is not attached in the determination in step S2 (step S2; N
o), the mail header (subject; subject) and the mail text are analyzed (step S5). Then, the analysis result is referred to the address database (step S6), and position information and time information are extracted (step S7).

More specifically, for example, in the body of the e-mail, "I am in Shinjuku now. 2000/04/01 18: 3
If there is a description “0”, the address database is referred to, the syntax is analyzed to extract a noun, a place name “Shinjuku” is acquired as position information, and “2000/04/01”
And the time description “18:30” are acquired as time information. Then, the obtained position information and time information are stored as a broadcast management file on the broadcast address file (step S8). Step S2
If the information file is attached in the determination (step S2; Yes), position information and time information are obtained from the information file (step S3). Then, the acquired position information and time information are stored as a broadcast management file on a broadcast address file (step S4).

[2.2] Transmission Processing Next, transmission processing will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. First, the user edits data of an e-mail to be broadcasted in the mail processing unit 21 (step S11). After that, the user enters the mail processing unit 2
A search condition is specified for 1 (step S12). Here, the specification of the search condition will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of the search condition designation screen. In the search condition input screen 30,
Locations to be broadcast (areas, points, landmarks, etc.)
, A point range input unit 32 for determining a distance range in which broadcast is to be performed around the place input in the point name input unit, and a mail recipient to be broadcasted A time input unit 33 for specifying the time, a maximum number of input units 34 for limiting the maximum number of destinations in the case of performing the broadcast delivery, and a mail to be broadcasted which matches the search condition. A priority condition setting unit 35 for setting conditions for prioritizing the destinations when the number of recipients exceeds the maximum number of destinations.

The time input unit 33 inputs an absolute time input unit 33A that functions by inputting at least one of a start time and an end time, and inputs a time from a time before the input time to a current time. And a relative time input unit 33B. Also,
The priority condition setting unit 35 includes a distance priority setting unit 35A that preferentially broadcasts a location closer to the location of the location name input in the location name input unit, and a location that has a shorter time since reception. , And a time priority setting unit 35 </ b> B that preferentially broadcasts. Search conditions include the location to be broadcast (hereinafter, designated location),
Specify the broadcast distribution distance range or any combination of time around the specified location.

More specifically, “Shibuya” is input to the point name input section 31 and the absolute time input section 3 of the time input section 33 is input.
If "18:00 to 22:00" is entered in 3A, the e-mail address of the e-mail sent between 18:00 and 22:00 in Shibuya Ward is the same as the e-mail address of the broadcast distribution target. Become. In addition, point name input section 3
1 and enter “Shinjuku Station”, and enter “2k
m ”and“ 1h ”in the relative time input unit 33B, in the area within 2 km from Shinjuku Station,
The e-mail address of the e-mail sent one hour before the current time is set as the e-mail address to be broadcast. Also, "500" is entered in the maximum number of input section 34.
Is input, the priority order corresponding to the setting state of the priority condition setting unit 35 among the e-mail addresses satisfying the search conditions set in the point name input unit 31, the point range input unit 32, and the time input unit 33 Searches for e-mail addresses to be broadcast until the number of e-mails reaches 500. In this case, if the distance priority setting unit 35A is checked, the e-mail addresses satisfying the search conditions set in the point name input unit 31, the point range input unit 32, and the time input unit 33 are used. The one with a shorter distance from the point input to 31 is preferentially set as the e-mail address of the broadcast distribution target.

When the time priority setting section 35B is checked, the point name input section 31, the point range input section 3
2 and among the e-mail addresses satisfying the search conditions set in the time input unit 33, the e-mail address of the condition set in the time input unit 33 closer to the current time is preferentially broadcast. And Further, when both the distance priority setting unit 35A and the time priority setting unit 35B are not checked, the point name input unit 31,
Among the e-mail addresses satisfying the search conditions set in the point range input unit 32 and the time input unit 33, the e-mail addresses to be broadcasted are set in order from the one searched first. Then, the mail processing unit 21 reads the e-mail address targeted for broadcast distribution from the broadcast address file 24 and registers it as a destination (Step S).
13).

Subsequently, the user checks the destination in the mail processing section 21 (step S14). Then, when the user confirms the destination, the mail processing unit 21 sends the e-mail data to the mail server 12-1 to all the e-mail addresses that have been broadcast.
(Step S15). More specifically, the user is an advertisement distributor of “ABC Shinjuku Store” using the user terminal 13-2, inputs “Shinjuku” to the point name input unit 31, and inputs to the relative time input unit 33B. It is assumed that "1h" is input and the current time is 19:00.

In this case, the e-mail address "aaa@email.n" with the description "I'm in Shinjuku now.
e. jp "is sent to the user mobile terminal 15-2.
If the e-mail is received from the Internet 11, a transmission e-mail having, for example, the following content is sent to the e-mail address of the broadcast including the e-mail address “aaa@email.co.jp” as the mail text.
Via the mail server 12-2. "AB
News from C Shinjuku store Time sale now being conducted 1
We are waiting for you from 9:00 to 20:00. "

As a result, the mail server 12-2 refers to the e-mail address "aaa@email.ne.jp" and transfers the transmission e-mail to the corresponding mail server 12-1 via the Internet 11. . As a result, the mail server 12-1 also sends the e-mail address "aaa @
email. ne. jp ”and the Internet 1
1. The transmitted electronic mail is transferred to the user mobile terminal 15-2 via the public telephone line network 16 and the mobile station 14.

[3] Effects of the Embodiment According to this embodiment, it is presumed that the broadcast distribution target person who is presumed to be (or was) in the same area or the time zone set in the same area. When attempting to perform broadcast distribution to the broadcast distribution target person, it is not necessary to manually register an e-mail address for performing the broadcast distribution, and the broadcast distribution of the e-mail is performed with a simple operation. be able to. In addition, an optimal e-mail corresponding to the TPO of the receiving user can be transmitted, and the value of the information included in the e-mail increases. In particular, when broadcasting an advertisement electronic mail, the advertisement effect can be improved.

[4] Modification of Embodiment [4.1] First Modification In the above description, only the location and time of the broadcast distribution target and the maximum number of broadcasts are used as the search conditions of the broadcast distribution target. However, the search condition need not be limited to this. For example, it is possible to search only an email address including a server name of a specific domain, or to search only an email address including a server name provided in a specific country. Similarly, the affiliation (school name or company name, etc.) can be described in the attached information file, and only the e-mail address corresponding to the specific affiliation can be searched.

[4.2] Second Modification For the mobile user terminal or the user terminal to be broadcasted in the above description, when the position information or the time information is attached to the electronic mail as an information file, the information is manually set. Although it is possible to attach a file, an e-mail application that exchanges e-mail displays a screen that prompts the user for at least positional information, and automatically generates an information file based on the input positional information. It is also possible to configure to attach.

[4.3] Third Modification In the above description, it is assumed that the position information and the like are manually input by the user, but the position information or time information of the GPS receiver or the like is automatically obtained. If a possible location / time information acquisition device is provided, it may be configured to automatically receive such information from the device and attach it to the outgoing email.

[4.4] Fourth Modification In the above description, the case where an advertisement e-mail is distributed has been described. However, the broadcast e-mail may be based on the TPO such as the position of the receiving user and the reception time. It is possible to deliver an optimal e-mail.

[0032]

According to the present invention, a broadcast distribution target person who is presumed to be (or was) in the same area or a broadcast distribution target person who is presumed to be in a time zone set in the same area is provided. On the other hand, broadcast of electronic mail can be performed by a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mail transmission / reception system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a user terminal.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a broadcast address file.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of an e-mail receiving process of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of an electronic mail transmission process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition designation screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Mail sending and receiving system 11 Internet 12-1 to 12-n Mail server 13-1 to 13-m User terminal 14 Mobile station 15-1 to 15-x User mobile terminal 16 ...... Public telephone network 17 Personal information processing device (PDA) 21 Mail processing unit 22 Address database 24 Broadcast address file 25 Mail spool

Claims (11)

[Claims] An electronic mail corresponding to a specified received e-mail transmitted from a source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on position information extracted from the received e-mail is identified. An e-mail distribution method, wherein an e-mail specified in advance is broadcast using an e-mail address. 2. The electronic mail delivery method according to claim 1, wherein information on a position included in subject data, body data, or an attached file of the received electronic mail is extracted as the position information. Email delivery method. 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: sending the received e-mail transmitted at a source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on the position information and transmission time information extracted from the received e-mail and in a predetermined transmission time range set in advance. An e-mail distribution method, wherein an e-mail specified in advance is broadcast to a corresponding e-mail address. 4. The electronic mail delivery method according to claim 3, wherein the transmission time information is extracted from subject data, body data, or attached data attached to the mail body of the electronic mail. Delivery method. 5. The e-mail distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined search condition includes a place estimated as a transmission place of the received e-mail, and a predetermined place including a specific place. An e-mail distribution method characterized by at least one of an area and a time. 6. The electronic mail distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the received electronic mail satisfying the predetermined search condition is set in advance based on a preset priority condition. An e-mail distribution method, wherein the broadcast transmission is performed based on e-mail addresses corresponding to the number of received e-mails. 7. The electronic mail distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the priority condition is a predetermined distance from a specific place or a transmission time of the received electronic mail. 8. A received e-mail specifying unit for specifying the received e-mail transmitted from a transmission source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on position information extracted from the received e-mail; An e-mail distribution device, comprising: a broadcast transmitting unit that broadcasts an e-mail specified in advance using an e-mail address corresponding to the e-mail. 9. The e-mail distribution device according to claim 8, wherein an address database unit for storing an address database in advance, and subject data, body data, or an attached file of the received e-mail, referencing the address database. And a position information extracting unit that extracts information on the position included in the position information as the position information. 10. The received e-mail transmitted at a transmission source position satisfying a predetermined search condition set in advance based on the position information and transmission time information extracted from the received e-mail and in a predetermined transmission time range set in advance. An e-mail delivery system comprising: a specified receiving e-mail specifying unit; and a broadcast transmitting unit configured to transmit an e-mail specified in advance to an e-mail address corresponding to the specified received e-mail. apparatus. 11. The electronic mail distribution device according to claim 10, further comprising a time information extracting unit for extracting the transmission time information from subject data, body data, or data attached to the mail body of the electronic mail. An e-mail distribution device characterized by the above-mentioned.