JP2002044245A - Message system, messaging method, and message program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a message system, a messaging method, and a message program for realizing easy call and sure receive while the call is transmitted surely to the destination. SOLUTION: A message consigner transmits a message, information of transmitting destination of the message, date information for designating a date when the message is transmitted through, if voice is an attribute of message, a telephone system and through an internet, if an mail is the attribute of message, to a message control site. After these message, destination information, and date information are correspondingly stored in the control site, the message to which the transmitting date comes is transmitted on the basis of the destination information corresponding to the message through, if voice is an attribute of message, a telephone system and through an internet, if an mail is the attribute of message, to a message receiver. In addition, automatic conversion of message attribute, and association function in messages are also carried out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a message system, a message method, and a message program using the Internet and a telephone network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A message is an indirect exchange of information between people and can ease direct contact between people. However, private and public message boards at stations, parks, and public institutions are not of a nature to reliably transmit messages, and the speed at which messages are transmitted is low.

[0003] On the other hand, the development of the Internet and wireless communication devices enables a huge amount of message communication to be instantaneously performed. There is a need to provide a message service for receiving a call using a portable terminal such as a pager or a mobile phone, which makes it easy to call and ensures that the call is transmitted to the other party. Alternatively, it is required to provide a message service provided by using a fixed terminal such as a personal computer in which a call is reliably received.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it easy to call and to ensure that the call is transmitted to the other party.
A message system, a message method, and a message program are provided.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a message system, a message method, and a message program in which an incoming call is reliably performed.

[0006]

According to a first message system of the present invention, a message, destination information on a destination to which the message is transmitted, and date and time information for designating a date and time when the message is transmitted are stored in the first message system. If the attribute of the message is voice, via the telephone network, if the attribute of the message is mail, via the Internet, receiving means for receiving, the message received by the receiving means, the message, and the destination information A storage unit that stores the date and time information in association with each other, and among the messages stored in the storage unit, a message whose date and time specified by the associated date and time information has arrived is associated with the message. And transmitting means for transmitting the message via the telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice and via the Internet if the attribute of the message is mail based on the destination information.

[0007] The second message system of the present invention comprises the first message system.
In the message system, the receiving means receives an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted, the storage means stores the attribute of the destination received by the receiving means, and the transmitting means, The attribute of the message is voice,
And if the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail, stored in the storage means, the attribute of the message is mail via the Internet after converting the attribute of the message into mail, If the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted stored in the storage means is a voice, the attribute of the message is converted into a voice and then transmitted via a telephone network.

[0008] The third message system of the present invention comprises the first message system.
In the message system, the receiving means receives identification information for specifying another message related to the message,
The storage unit stores the identification information received by the reception unit in association with the message, and the transmission unit stores the message stored in the storage unit in association with the message. It is characterized by being transmitted together with information.

A first message method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting a message, destination information relating to a destination to which the message is transmitted, and date and time information designating a date and time when the message is transmitted; If the attribute of the message is mail, the message is received via the Internet if it is present, and the message, the destination information, and the date and time information are stored in association with each other, and the stored message is stored. Out of the date and time specified by the date and time information associated therewith, based on the destination information associated with the message, if the attribute of the message is voice, the If the attribute of the message is mail, the message is transmitted via the Internet.

[0010] In a second message method according to the present invention, in the first message method, at the time of the reception, an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted is received, and at the time of the storage, the attribute of the destination is transmitted. If the attribute of the message is voice and the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail, the attribute of the message is converted to mail at the time of the transmission, and then the Internet is transmitted. If the attribute of the message is e-mail and the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is voice, the attribute of the message is converted to voice and then transmitted via the telephone network. Features.

[0011] In a third message method according to the present invention, in the first message method, at the time of the receiving, identification information for specifying another message related to the message is received; Preferably, the identification information is stored in association with the message, and at the time of the transmission, the message is transmitted together with the identification information stored in association with the message.

[0012] A first program of the present invention is a program for storing a message, destination information relating to a destination to which the message is to be transmitted, date and time information for designating a date and time to transmit the message, if the attribute of the message is voice. If the attribute of the message is mail, for example, via the Internet, a reception process received via the Internet, and the message, the destination information, and the date and time information received in the reception process are associated with each other. A storage process for storing the message, and among the messages stored in the storage process, a message whose date and time specified by the date and time information associated with the message has arrived, based on the destination information associated with the message, And transmitting the message via the telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice and via the Internet if the attribute of the message is mail. That.

According to a second program of the present invention, in the first program, the receiving process includes a process of receiving an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted, and the storing process includes a process of receiving the message in the receiving process. And transmitting the attribute of the message if the attribute of the message is voice and the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail. If the attribute of the message is e-mail and the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is voice via the Internet after converting the It is characterized by including a process of transmitting via a network.

According to a third program of the present invention, in the first program, the receiving process includes a process of receiving identification information for specifying another message related to the message, and the storing process includes Received in the receiving process,
The method includes a process of storing the identification information in association with the message, and the transmission process includes a process of transmitting the message together with the identification information stored in the storage process in association with the message. And

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, in a message system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a message client 1
A message management site 5 is connected through a communication network 4 including the Internet 2 and a telephone network 3. The message recipient 8 is also a communication network 4 including the Internet 2 and the telephone network 3.
Through the message management site 5. further,
The message management site 5 is connected to a message management server 6 that manages messages sent from the message client 1.

Here, it is assumed that the message consignor 1 and the message receiver 8 have terminal devices such as a portable terminal and a fixed terminal, and the actual system configuration is that of the message consignor 1. A terminal device owned by the message receiver 8 is connected to the communication network 4.

The basic operation of the message system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the message consignor 1 makes a contract with the service provider to subscribe to the service. The service providing company includes a message management site 5 and a message management server 6
Owns the equipment. The message management site 5 has a message table 7
n. The message client 1 is a message management site 5
In the message table 7n, a personal message table 7j unique to the message consignor 1 is opened. The message consignor 1 freely registers a message via the communication network 4 in the personal message table 7j already established.

There are two types of messages: voice and mail. The message consignor 1 selects either voice or mail as the message attribute.

FIG. 2 shows a flow when the message consignor 1 selects a voice and registers a message.

The message consignor 1 uses the telephone and connects to the message management server 6 via the telephone network 3 (step 21).
Then, the message management server 6 requests transmission of the ID and the password (step 22). In response to this request, the message consignor 1 transmits the ID and password determined at the time of the contract (step 23), and the message management server 6 requests that the message be transmitted (step 24). The message consignor 1 sends a message in response to this request (step 25).
Then, the message management server 6 requests transmission of information on the destination to which the message is to be transmitted (step 26). When the message consignor 1 transmits destination information in response to this request (step 27), the message management server 6 requests transmission of information on the date and time at which the message is transmitted (step 2).
8). When the message consignor 1 transmits the transmission date and time in response to this request (step 29), the message management server 6 associates the ID, the message, the destination information, and the transmission date and time transmitted from the message consignor 1 with each other. Personal message table 7j of the message sender 1
(Step 30). In this case, the destination device is a mobile phone, a fixed telephone, or the like, and the destination information is a telephone number.

FIG. 3 shows a flow when the message consignor 1 selects a mail and registers a message.

When the message client 1 connects to the message management server 6 via the Internet 2 using a personal computer (step 31), the message management server 6 requests transmission of an ID and a password (step 32). Message Consignor 1
Transmits the ID and password determined at the time of the contract in response to this request (step 33), and the message management server 6
Transmits an input screen (homepage) for prompting the user to input a message, information on the destination to which the message is to be transmitted, and information on the date and time of transmitting the message, and displays this screen on the personal computer (step 34). The message consignor 1 inputs a message, destination information, and a transmission date and time on this screen and transmits the message (step 3).
5), the message management server 6 associates the ID, the message, the destination information, and the transmission date and time transmitted from the message consignor 1,
The message is stored in the personal message table 7j of the message client 1 (step 36). In this case, since the destination device is a personal computer, a mobile phone or a pager having a mail receiving function, the destination information is an e-mail address.

Now, the message registered in this way is:
If the attribute is voice, the message is transmitted to the voice-capable device of the message receiver 8 via the telephone network 3 by the message management server 6, and if the attribute is mail, the message is transmitted by the message management server 6 via the Internet 2. The message is transmitted to the mail-receiving device of the recipient 8.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing at this time.

First, the message management server 6 checks whether there is a message specifying the current date and time as the transmission date and time (step 41). If there is no such message, the same survey is repeated, but if such a message is found, the ID of the message consignor who registered the message, the message, and information on the other party to whom the message should be transmitted are applied. Personal message table 7
j (step 42). Then, the message management server 6 determines whether the attribute of the message is voice or mail (step 43). If the attribute is voice, the message is transmitted via the telephone network 3 to the device of the telephone number registered as the destination information. If it is a mail, the message is transmitted via the Internet 2 to a device having an e-mail address registered as destination information. It should be noted that information as to who the message is from can be determined based on the ID associated with the message and added to the message.

As described above, the basic operation of the message system according to the present invention is completed, but the message consignor 1 needs to pay a charge for use of this service to the message management service company. In this case, for example, it is possible to set a charge obtained by adding a monthly basic charge and a charge for use of mail or telephone transmitted from the message management site 5 as a charge to be paid.

In such a message service, the message receiver does not need to be another person with the message client, and the message receiver may be the message client. That is, the present invention uses a communication medium such as a telephone or an e-mail which is familiar to an individual, and automatically gives an effective instruction and prompt to himself or another person without automatically bothering the user based on the message transmission schedule. It can be realized. This service can be used in aspects such as a schedule communication, a wake-up call service, and a reminder communication service.

The message service according to the present invention is characterized in that a message has two attributes of voice and mail.

Next, 2 which further utilizes such features.
One embodiment will be described. (1) Automatic conversion of message attributes In this embodiment, any of the attributes of “only voice can be received”, “only mail can be received”, and “both voice and mail can be received” are included as the destination information. It is assumed that it is added and registered in advance.

The message consignor 1 does not consider whether the attribute of the other party is any of "only voice can be received", "only mail can be received", and "both voice and mail can be received". The message is registered according to the flow shown in FIG. 2 or FIG.

Then, the registered message is transmitted to the destination according to the flow shown in FIG.

First, the message management server 6 checks whether there is a message specifying the current date and time as the transmission date and time (step 51). If there is no such message, the same investigation is repeated. Personal message table 7
j (step 52). Then, the message management server 6 determines whether the attribute of the message is voice or mail (step 53). If the attribute of the message is voice, the attribute of the other party is checked (step 54). If "only mail is acceptable", the message is converted to a mail (step 55), and the destination The information is transmitted to the device with the registered e-mail address (step 56).
Is transmitted to the device of the telephone number registered as the destination information through the communication (step 59). If the attribute of the message is mail, the attribute of the destination is checked (step 57).
If "only voice can be received", the message is converted into a voice (step 58) and transmitted to the device of the telephone number registered as the destination information via the telephone network 3 (step 59). If "only mail can be received" or "both voice and mail can be received", the message is registered as the destination information via the Internet 2 as it is.
The mail address is transmitted to the device (step 56).

In this embodiment, by automatically converting the voice attribute and the mail attribute, for example, when the hearing-impaired person has a telephone number, "only mail can be received" as an attribute of his / her terminal, and When a visually impaired person has an e-mail address, by registering in advance “only voice can be received” as an attribute of his / her own terminal, barrier-free communication between persons including the visually impaired and the healthy can be achieved. Communication means can be realized. (2) Association of a Plurality of Messages In this embodiment, a plurality of messages, in particular, a message with a voice attribute and a message with a mail attribute are combined and sent as a series of messages so as to be understood by the other party.

A message whose attribute is voice is registered according to the flow shown in FIG.

The message consignor 1 uses the telephone and connects to the message management server 6 via the telephone network 3 (step 61).
The message management server 6 requests transmission of the ID and the password (step 62). In response to the request, the message consignor 1 transmits the ID and password determined at the time of the contract (step 63), and the message management server 6 requests that the message be transmitted (step 64). The message consignor 1 sends a message in response to this request (step 65).
Then, the message management server 6 requests transmission of information on the destination to which the message is to be transmitted (step 66). When the message consignor 1 transmits destination information in response to this request (step 67), the message management server 6 requests transmission of information on the date and time of transmitting the message (step 6).
8). When the message consignor 1 transmits the transmission date and time in response to this request (step 69), the message management server 6 requests transmission of information for identifying another message related to this message (step 6A). ). When the message consignor 1 transmits the identification information of another related message (step 6B),
The message management server 6 sends the I message transmitted from the message client 1
D, the message, the destination information, the transmission date and time, and the identification information are stored in the personal message table 7j of the message consignor 1 in association with each other (step 6C).

When the attribute of another message related to this message is also voice, the same registration operation is repeated according to the flow of FIG. On the other hand, when the attribute of another message related to this message is mail, a registration operation is performed according to the flow shown in FIG.

When the message client 1 connects to the message management server 6 via the Internet 2 using a personal computer (step 71), the message management server 6 requests transmission of an ID and a password (step 72). Message Consignor 1
Transmits the ID and password determined at the time of contract in response to this request (step 73), and the message management server 6
Sends an input screen (homepage) that prompts the user to enter a message, information about the recipient of the message, information about the date and time the message is to be transmitted, and information to identify other messages related to this message. This screen is displayed (step 74). When the message consignor 1 inputs and transmits a message, destination information, transmission date and time, and identification information of another related message on this screen (step 75), the message management server 6
ID, message, destination information transmitted from the message consignor 1,
By associating the transmission date and time and the identification information of other related messages,
The message is stored in the personal message table 7j of the message consignor 1 (step 76).

When the attributes of a plurality of messages are both mail, the same registration operation is repeated according to the flow of FIG.

Here, as information for identifying a related message, for example, ID + X + date + serial number (X:
"V" (for voice) or "M" (for mail)
However, the content is not particularly limited as long as it guarantees the uniqueness of the information.

When the main message and another message related to the main message are transmitted to the other party at the same time, if the destination information and the transmission date and time are specified only for the main message, the related message is transmitted. For other messages, designation of destination information and message date and time can be omitted. further,
It is also possible to transmit the main message first, and to transmit other messages related to the simple message in response to a simple action on the main message. The designation of the message date and time can be omitted.

On the other hand, when the main message and other messages related to the main message are transmitted to the other party at different timings and the relevance is notified, the main message is
It is necessary to specify the transmission date and time for each of the other messages related to this.

Thereafter, the message is transmitted to the destination according to the flow shown in FIG. However, a message related to the main message, for which the transmission date and time is omitted, is transmitted according to the setting when the transmission date and time of the main message or when a simple action is performed on the main message.

In this embodiment, a message can be effectively transmitted by combining a message with a voice attribute and a message with a mail attribute. For example, important information that should not be misunderstood or misunderstood is conveyed in a message with an e-mail attribute, and information that contains subtle nuances and emotions that cannot be conveyed by e-mail, such as instructions on messages with this e-mail attribute Can be transmitted as a voice attribute message.

Further, even when different transmission dates and times are specified for the main message and the messages related thereto,
It is also possible to tell the message recipient that these are a related series of messages.

Referring to FIG. 8, the present embodiment may further include a recording medium 9. The message management server 6 loads the program recorded on the recording medium 9 and performs the operation of the message management server 6 shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 under the control of the loaded program. Note that the recording medium 9 may be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or another recording medium, and the program may be divided and recorded in a recording medium group including a plurality of recording media. The loading of the program from the recording medium 9 may be performed via a signal line.

[0047]

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a message system, a message method, and a message program in which a call is easy and the call is reliably transmitted to the other party.

Further, according to the present invention, a message system, a message method, and a message program that can reliably receive a call are also obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering a message with a voice attribute in a message management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering a message with a mail attribute in the message management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the message management server transmits a message to a destination in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the message management server transmits a message to a destination in the embodiment (1) of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when registering a message with a voice attribute in a message management server in the embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when registering a message with a mail attribute in the message management server in the embodiment (2) of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Message consignor 2 Mail correspondence network 3 Voice correspondence network 4 Communication network 5 Message management site 6 Message person (Message management server) 7n Message table 8 Message recipient 9 Recording medium

Claims (9)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A message, destination information on a destination to which the message is to be transmitted, and date and time information for specifying a date and time to transmit the message, via a telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice, If the attribute of the message is mail, a receiving unit that receives the message via the Internet, and a storage unit that stores the message, the destination information, and the date and time information received by the receiving unit in association with each other. Of the messages stored in the storage means, those whose date and time specified by the date and time information associated therewith have arrived are based on the destination information associated with the message, and the attribute of the message is voice. A message transmitting means for transmitting, via a telephone network, if any, and via the Internet if the attribute of the message is mail. 2. The receiving unit receives an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted, the storage unit stores the attribute of the destination received by the receiving unit, If the attribute of the message is voice, and stored in the storage means, the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail, the attribute of the message is converted to mail, and then via the Internet, The attribute of the message is mail, and stored in the storage means;
If the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is voice, the attribute of the message is converted to voice, and then, via the telephone network,
The message system according to claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted. 3. The receiving means receives identification information for specifying another message related to the message, and the storage means stores the identification information received by the receiving means as the message. The message system according to claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted in association with the identification information stored in the storage device in association with the message. 4. A message, destination information on a destination to which the message is to be transmitted, and date and time information for specifying a date and time to transmit the message, via a telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice, If the attribute of the message is a mail, it is received via the Internet, the message, the destination information, and the date and time information are stored in association with each other, and the message is stored in the stored message. Based on the destination information associated with the message, the message whose date and time specified by the date and time has arrived is transmitted via the telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice, and if the attribute of the message is mail, A message method characterized by transmitting via the Internet. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein, at the time of receiving, an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted is received, at the time of storing, the attribute of the destination is stored, and at the time of transmission, the attribute of the message is Voice, and if the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail, the attribute of the message is mail via the Internet after converting the attribute of the message to mail, and
If the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is voice, the attribute of the message is converted to voice, and then, via the telephone network,
The message method according to claim 4, wherein the message is transmitted. 6. At the time of receiving, receiving identification information for specifying another message related to the message, and at the time of storing, storing the identification information in association with the message, 5. The message method according to claim 4, wherein, at the time of the transmission, the message is transmitted together with identification information stored in association with the message. 7. A message, destination information on a destination to which the message is to be transmitted, and date and time information for specifying a date and time to transmit the message, via a telephone network if the attribute of the message is voice, If the attribute of the message is mail, via the Internet, a reception process to be received, and a storage process of storing the message, the destination information, and the date and time information received in the reception process in association with each other. Of the messages stored in the storage process, the message whose date and time specified by the date and time information associated with the message has arrived, and the attribute of the message is voice based on the destination information associated with the message. A message program for causing a computer to execute a sending process via the telephone network if there is, and a sending process via the Internet if the attribute of the message is mail. 8. The receiving process includes a process of receiving an attribute of a destination to which the message is transmitted, and the storing process includes a process of storing the attribute of the destination received in the receiving process. The transmission process, if the attribute of the message is voice, and if the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is mail, the attribute of the message is converted to mail, and the message is transmitted via the Internet. Is attributed to email, and
If the attribute of the destination to which the message is transmitted is voice, the attribute of the message is converted to voice, and then, via the telephone network,
The message program according to claim 7, further comprising a transmission process. 9. The receiving process includes a process of receiving identification information for identifying another message related to the message, and the storing process includes: receiving the identification information received in the receiving process. 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: a process of storing the message in association with the message, and the transmitting process includes a process of transmitting the message together with identification information stored in the storage process in association with the message. Message program described in.