JP2002082889A - Control mail system, control mail transmitter and control mail receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control mail system, a control mail transmitter and a control mail receiver to enable a receiving side to easily extract control data from an electronic mail at low cost and to enable the receiving side to speed up a processing (to shorten processing time) from extraction/analysis of the control data from the electronic mail to carrying out of control of equipment. SOLUTION: A control mail as the electronic mail to be constituted by describing the control data to control the equipment at the user side in an 'area which is an area of a 'From' line of a header and where a 'user name' in an electronic mail address of a transmitter described in a form of a 'user name'at'domain name' in a normal electronic mail is described' is created, transmitted to the user side via the Internet and the equipment at the user side is controlled based on the control data at the receiving side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control mail system, a control mail transmitting device, and a control mail receiving device for controlling a user device via the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, manual work, dedicated programs, and F
By using means such as TP (File Transfer Protocol), the user's equipment (video tape recorder (VTR) for recording TV programs, air conditioner, bath water heater, ventilation fan, etc.) can be remotely controlled via the Internet. The idea of controlling is known.

[0003]

However, in the conventional method of manually controlling a user-side device via the Internet by means of manual operation, a dedicated program, or FTP or the like, development of a dedicated program and setting of FTP software are not performed. Therefore, it could not be provided to general users at low cost, and the general users could not easily use them.

Recently, a system has been developed in which a user remotely controls an air conditioner from the outside via the Internet using electronic mail from a mobile phone ("Internet Air Conditioner (E-Air)" of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.). . In this system, a user sends an e-mail of the driving content from a mobile phone to an e-mail address. Then, when the user calls and hangs up the home phone a predetermined number of times using a mobile phone, the home PC (in response to the call the predetermined number of times hangs up, the user goes to retrieve the e-mail) Is set in advance) and the personal computer activates the air conditioner according to the contents of the e-mail.

[0005] However, in this system, the operation contents of the air conditioner sent by e-mail are likely to be included in the body of the e-mail.
When the control contents are inserted into the mail "body" in this way, a complicated and expensive program is required because the personal computer extracts and analyzes the air conditioner control contents from the mail body. There's a problem. Also,
Similarly, in such a system (a system in which control contents are inserted into the mail "body" and transmitted), it is difficult to extract the control contents from the mail body, so that the personal computer cannot control the air conditioner from the body of the e-mail. However, there is a problem that the processing time required for extracting the control contents, reading, analyzing, and executing the control contents becomes long.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and the receiving side can easily and inexpensively extract control data from electronic mail, and the receiving side can extract electronic data. A control mail system, control mail transmission device, and control that can significantly speed up processing (extensively shortening the processing time) from extracting and analyzing control data from mail to executing device control. An object of the present invention is to provide a mail receiving device.

[0007]

A control mail system according to the present invention for solving such problems of the prior art is a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet. This is an area of the “From” line in the header of the mail. In a normal e-mail, the “user name” in the e-mail address of the sender described in the form of “user name @ domain name” is described. Control mail transmitting means for generating a control mail as an electronic mail in which control data for controlling the user-side device is described in the "area" and transmitting the control mail to the user via the Internet; The control mail is received from the mail transmission means, and the control data is read from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” of the control mail. And because of the control mail receiving means is for the control signal transmitting means for transmitting to the user side device to be controlled a control command signal obtained from the control data, characterized in that it comprises a.

Further, in the control mail system of the present invention, the control mail transmitting means is an area of the “From” line of the header of the electronic mail, and in a normal electronic mail, the “user name @ domain name” "User name" in the sender's e-mail address in the format
Is described in the area where the address of the primary DNS server on the receiving side is described, a control section in which the control classification code and the control code are described, and data encrypted by a predetermined encryption logic. It is preferable that the control mail is created by inserting control data composed of an encrypted data part in which the control mail is described.

In the control mail system according to the present invention, the control mail transmitting means is a Web server connected to the Internet, and sets up a dedicated page for each user on a home page on the Internet, and sets a control mail on the page. A web server for displaying an interface screen (a screen for displaying an input frame or the like for a user to input predetermined information) for each user to input information for creating a web page, and the web server is opened. A homepage access unit used by each user to access a page and input information for creating a control mail on the interface screen; and a control mail of a predetermined specification based on the information input by the homepage access unit. Create this via the internet It is preferable are those composed of a dedicated mail server for transmission to the user side, Te.

In the control mail system according to the present invention, the control mail receiving means receives the control mail from the control mail transmitting means, and describes the control mail in an area of the “To” line of the header of the control mail. Email recipient's email address username "
A recipient mail server for distribution to each user, and a control mail distributed from the recipient mail server are received, and the “Fr” of the header of the control mail is received.
and a control mail receiving terminal on each user side for reading the control data from the om "line area".

The control mail transmitting apparatus of the present invention is a control mail transmitting apparatus used for a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet. In the area of the line, in the area where the information of the e-mail address of the sender is described in the ordinary e-mail, "control data for controlling the user-side device and"
A control mail as an e-mail in which "@" and the domain name of the sender are described, and the mail receiving terminal of the receiver recognizes the user device from the "area of the" From "line of the header". Control mail creating means for creating control mail capable of reading control data for control, and control mail sending means for sending the created control mail to a mail server on the recipient side via the Internet , Are included.

Further, the control mail receiving device of the present invention is a control mail receiving device used for a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet, and is transmitted from a sender mail server. , "The area of the" From "line in the email header,
In an ordinary e-mail, in an area where information of the e-mail address of the sender is described, control data for controlling the user-side device, "@" as a delimiter, and the domain name of the sender are described. Control mail receiving means for receiving a control mail as an electronic mail, and control data reading means for reading the control data from the "area of the" From "line of the header" in the received control mail. Control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal obtained from the read control data to a user-side device to be controlled.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a control mail system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet, and 2 denotes an apartment side server (DNS server, connected to the Internet 1 via a router 3).
A server 4 having functions of a mail server and a WWW server) and 4 are dedicated terminals connected to the server 2.

In the present embodiment, the apartment server 2 is installed for each apartment. The dedicated terminal 4 is installed in each room (each resident) in the apartment.

The dedicated terminal 4 has a built-in dedicated mailer (mail sending and receiving software) for sending and receiving electronic mail (including a control mail to be described later). It has a function to exchange e-mail with

The dedicated terminal 4 has a built-in microcomputer, and includes a touch panel display 4a, a speaker 4b, a mail incoming lamp 4c, and the like as user-side devices controlled by the microcomputer. ing.

The dedicated terminal 4 is connected to an intercom slave unit installed at the entrance of the apartment,
It also has a function as an intercom master unit that outputs video and audio captured and collected by the intercom slave unit at the entrance from the display and the speaker.

The dedicated terminal 4 is a user-side device such as an air conditioner 5 installed in a living room in each house, a VTR (video tape recorder) 6 with a built-in tuner, a ventilation fan 7 in the living room, a bath water heater 8 and a personal computer 9. (Home appliances and computers).

A microcomputer built in the dedicated terminal 4 is a control command signal created according to a control content indicated by control data included in a control data included in the received control mail, and controls a user-side device. Control command signal) to the touch panel display 4a, the microphone 4b, the mail reception lamp 4c, the other user devices 5 to 9, and the like, thereby transmitting the user devices (the above described devices). Touch panel display 4a, microphone 4b, mail incoming lamp 4c
) Can be controlled.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a management center for providing useful information to the residents (residents) of each apartment and providing management services for the residents of each apartment. . The center 11 has a center server 12 connected to the apartment server 2 installed for each apartment and the Internet 1 and a router 13. The center server 12 has functions of a DNS server, a mail server, and a WWW server. In the present embodiment, the server 12
Has built-in dedicated mail creation software for creating and sending control emails as well as creating normal emails.

In the present embodiment, the center 11
By transmitting a predetermined control mail from the center server 12 to the dedicated terminal 4, the
, A touch panel display 4a, a microphone 4b, a mail incoming lamp 4c, and the like.

For example, the center server 12
When sending e-mails containing important notices from the center to each user, use a dedicated terminal 4 for each user.
The e-mail and a control mail including control data for automatically turning on the mail reception lamp 4c of the dedicated terminal 4 are transmitted together. In this case, in the dedicated terminal 4 on the user side, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data. And
Based on the read control data, a built-in microcomputer automatically turns on the mail incoming lamp 4c as shown in FIG. The user can see that the important notification mail from the center side has arrived by seeing that the mail reception lamp 4c is lit. Then, the user can operate the screen of the touch panel display 4a to view important notice mails from the center side.

Further, for example, the center server 1
When sending an e-mail including important information from the center to each user, the e-mail is sent to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user and sent to the touch panel display 4a of the dedicated terminal 4. A control mail including control data for automatically displaying a reception guide screen (launcher) is transmitted together. In this case, in the dedicated terminal 4 on the user side, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data. And
Based on the read control data, a built-in microcomputer displays the display 4a in FIG.
Is automatically displayed. The user can see that the important notice mail from the center has arrived by looking at the mail reception guide screen on the display 4a. And the user
For example, an important notification mail from the center side can be viewed by performing an operation such as pressing an electronic mail icon from the center side on the screen of the touch panel display 4a with a finger.

Also, for example, the center server 1
When transmitting predetermined content (image and sound) such as event advertisement information of a nearby shopping mall to each user, the content information is sent to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user, 4 and a control mail including control data for automatically outputting the content from the display 4a and the microphone 4b.
In this case, in the dedicated terminal 4 on the user side, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data. Then, based on the read control data,
The built-in microcomputer operates the display 4a.
And the microphone 4b to automatically output predetermined contents (images and sounds) such as event information of a shopping street as shown in FIG. 2C. As described above, the center can use the control mail of the present embodiment to guide each user to the content intended by the center.

Further, for example, the center server 1
2. If the user intends to automatically update (upgrade) the built-in program of the dedicated terminal 4 installed in the room of each user (a resident of the apartment) at once, e-mail the main body of the program to be updated. The control mail described in the text or attached as an attached file, in which control data for starting the installation of the program is inserted in the From line of the header, is directed to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user. Broadcast all at once. Then, the dedicated terminal 4 of each user side
Then, the control data is read from the From line portion of the header of the control mail, and the installation of the built-in program is started according to the control data to complete the automatic up-to-date (version upgrade). As described above, the center 11 can automatically update the built-in program of each user-side dedicated terminal 4 from the outside by using the control mail of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the center server 12 establishes a home page on the Internet, and establishes a page dedicated to each user (resident of the apartment) in the home page. Each user:
The dedicated page can be accessed using its own ID and password. This dedicated page contains a control mail for each user to control user-side devices (air conditioner, VTR, ventilation fan, bath water heater, personal computer, etc.) in his / her apartment room (home) from outside. Create and send the center server 1
2 is displayed.

Here, the operation when each user requests the center server 12 to send a control mail for controlling the user device from outside the home will be described. First, a user accesses this homepage using a portable terminal such as a portable personal computer, a portable information terminal equipped with an Internet connection function, or a portable telephone (for example, a portable telephone equipped with an i-mode function of NTT DOCOMO). . Then, each user opens his / her own page and displays the interface screen on the browser of the mobile terminal. On this interface screen, a data input frame for control mail (input frame input by the user) is displayed, so that each user can use the browser of the mobile terminal to enter a data input frame in the data input frame. The user can input data such as control contents desired by the user.

For example, when a user who is out of the office wants to send a control mail for "operating the air conditioner at home at a target temperature of 23 degrees from 6:00 pm today", the control object The name (identification number) of the air conditioner, which is the device,
Information such as an air conditioner operating target temperature) is input from a browser screen of the portable terminal. Further, for example, when a user on the go is referred to as “a VTR with a tuner
If you want to send a control mail to "record the NHK TV drama from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm today," the name (identification number) of the VTR that is the control target device and the VTR Information such as control contents (recording start time and recording end time, channel of the program to be recorded)
Input from the browser screen of the terminal.

When the user completes necessary data input on the interface screen, the center-side server 12 creates a control mail of a predetermined specification based on the input contents. That is, the center server 1
2 converts the control contents input by the user into a predetermined data format (data specification), and converts the converted control data into an area in the “From” line of the header, which is a normal email. A control mail is created by inserting it in the area where the "user name" is described in the e-mail address of the sender in the format of "user name @ domain name" (note that the "header""Fro
The area of the "m" line, and the area where the "user name" is described in the e-mail address of the sender in the form of "user name @ domain name" in a normal e-mail "
An email with information of about 128 bits inserted into the Internet, for example, Microsoft's OutlookExpr
It is possible to use a normal mailer such as ess and send it like a normal e-mail.) Then, the center side server 12 transmits the created control mail to
The data is transmitted to the apartment-side server 2 via the Internet 1.

In this embodiment, the specifications (control code system, etc.) of the control mail created by the center-side server 12 are kept private to ensure security. Cannot be created and sent.

Next, the operation when the control mail created by the center server 12 is transmitted to the apartment server 2 will be described. As described above, the dedicated terminal 4 having an intercom function is installed in each room of the apartment. The dedicated mailer built in the dedicated terminal 4 periodically (for example, every few minutes or several tens of minutes) calls the apartment-side server 2 and
The self-addressed mail (including control mail and ordinary e-mail) stored in the mailbox is distributed from the apartment server 2 to the dedicated mailer. When the dedicated mailer receives the control mail, the special mailer receives the control mail in the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” (in a normal e-mail, the e-mail address of the sender (in the form of “user name @ domain name”)). The control data inserted in the area where the “user name” is described) is extracted and analyzed, and the control command (control command signal for executing the control content) obtained from the analysis is sent to the control target device. Send.

For example, when the control data in the received control mail contains the control content of "operating the air conditioner at home at a target temperature of 23 degrees from 6:00 pm today". The built-in microcomputer sends a control command (control command signal) for executing the control content based on control data from the dedicated mailer to the air conditioner 5 to be controlled (see FIG. 1).
Send to. The control data in the received control mail is "VT with tuner in living room at home".
R includes a reservation content of the NHK TV drama from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm of the day ”, the built-in microcomputer controls the built-in microcomputer based on the control data from the dedicated mailer. A control command (control command signal) for executing the control content is transmitted to the VTR 6 to be controlled (see FIG. 1).

[0033]Outline specification of control mail  Next, the system generated by the center server 12
The outline specifications of your e-mail will be explained. In this embodiment
Means that the control mail is, for example, a mail address as shown in FIG.
Is created in the addressless format. That is, in this email format
Is the "From line in the header" (the sender's "username
Part that describes an email address in the form of "domain name"
Minutes), the “user name” (account name)
Part to be described (delimiter sent before domain name
The part before the "@" character)
Three areas: separate part, control part, and encrypted data part
We are trying to secure. That is, the control of this embodiment
In the mail format, the inside enclosed with, for example, "@" in FIG.
The “identification code”, “control code” and “encrypted data”
"Is included. And an identification code,
The control code and the encrypted data are, for example, ""
# ".

The "identifying section" in FIG. 2 is composed of 32-bit data. In this identification unit, the address of the primary DNS server used by the recipient is specified.
By specifying the IP address of the DNS server,
It is possible to specify that the control mail is mail addressed to the network of the DNS server.

The "control unit" in FIG. 2 is composed of 16-bit data. The first 8 bits are a control classification code (code for specifying a device to be controlled and a type of control content), and the last 8 bits are a control code (code indicating control content).

The "encrypted data section" in FIG.
It consists of encrypted data of bits. For example, encrypted data obtained by encrypting predetermined data using a secret key in the center-side server 12 is described here.

The encrypted data is decrypted with the public key (public key having a paired relationship with the secret key) in the apartment server 2 on the receiving side. The condominium-side server 2 determines whether the data obtained by the decryption is correct, and if correct, extracts and reads the control data from the control mail. On the other hand, if the data obtained by decoding is not correct,
The control mail is discarded because it may be due to “spoofing”. In this embodiment, the control mail can be transmitted without using the encrypted data. In this case, the area of the encrypted data section in FIG. 2 is all filled with 0 (zero).

For example, if the DNS server address is 21
This is a control mail to be transmitted to the network of 0.200.190.180, where the encrypted data is not used in the classification AA control FF, and the domain name of the mail address of the sender is abc. co. The control mail in the case of jp is as follows. ＄ D2C8BE
B4 # AAFF # 0000 @ abc. co. jp

In the present embodiment, if the control mail contains update information such as firmware (computer program burned into a ROM built in the user side device), a script should be described in the mail text, Attach the program itself as an email attachment or execute it by either method. However, when describing the program in the mail text, only ASCII characters can be used (RFC822). If the description is made using characters other than ASCII characters, the binary code is converted into an ASCII code by some procedure and described.

Here, the processing procedure of the receiving side based on the above-described control mail specification will be described as follows. The dedicated mailer of the dedicated terminal 4 that has received the control mail processes the control mail in the following procedure.
(1) The identification unit, the control unit, and the encrypted data are extracted from the portion of the header of the mail that is equal to or less than 'From'.
(2) Decrypt the encrypted data using the public key.
(3) If the decrypted data is incorrect, discard the control mail. (4) If the decoded data is correct, execute a control command based on the data of the control unit.

In the above embodiment, since the control mail specification is not disclosed for security, the control mail can be created and transmitted only by the center server 12.
And individual users cannot create and send control mails without permission (individual users access the homepage established by the server 12 on the center side and need to send control mails that they want to send. Data can be input only), but the present invention is not limited to this. Each user is connected to a communication terminal (such as a laptop or mobile phone)
Using the special mailer built in, the e-mail of the sender, which is the area of the "From" line of the e-mail header, which is composed of "user name @ domain name" in ordinary e-mail "User name" in the address
It is also within the scope of the present invention that the control data is described and written by itself in the "area in which is described."

[0042]

As described above, in the control mail system, the control mail transmission device, and the control mail reception device of the present invention, it is the area of the "From" line of the header, In the area where the information of the sender's e-mail address is described, control data for controlling the user-side device and "@" as a delimiter
A control mail is created as an e-mail in which the sender and the sender's domain name are described. The control mail is transmitted to the user via the Internet, and the receiver receives the "From" header in the control mail. The control data is extracted and analyzed from the “line area”, and a predetermined control command signal is transmitted to the user device.

As described above, according to the present invention, the data necessary for controlling the user-side device is stored in the “body” of the electronic mail.
In the email, "From" in the header
This is the area of the line, conventionally "user name @ domain name"
In the sender's e-mail address in the format of ".", The message is inserted into an area where "user name" is described. Therefore, in the present invention, the control data is inserted into the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” and transmitted. Therefore, when the control content is inserted into the “body” of the e-mail as in the related art and transmitted. Compared to
The receiving side can easily and inexpensively extract and analyze the control data from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” of the electronic mail (control mail) without requiring a complicated and expensive program. . Also, in the present invention, the "From" header of the control data is inserted.
The `` line area '' is an area that is distinguished from the mail `` body '' and is the area that the mailer reads first, so when inserting control content in the `` body '' of the e-mail as before and sending it In comparison, the receiving side is e-mail (control mail)
, A series of processes from extracting and analyzing control data to executing device control can be significantly speeded up (processing time can be greatly shortened).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a control mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of a dedicated terminal in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining schematic specifications of a control mail according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Internet 2 Condominium server 3,13 Router 4 Dedicated terminal 4a Touch panel display 4b Microphone 4c E-mail incoming lamp 5 Air conditioner 6 VTR with built-in tuner 7 Ventilation fan 8 Bath water heater 9 PC 11 Center 12 Center server

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K030 GA01 HA08 HC01 HD03 JT03 MB18

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A control mail system for controlling a user-side device via the Internet, which is an area of a “From” line of a header. Creates a control mail as an e-mail that contains control data for controlling the user-side device in the area where the "user name" in the e-mail address of the sender described in the format is described And a control mail transmitting means for transmitting the control mail to the user via the Internet, receiving a control mail from the control mail transmitting means,
"Area of" From "line in header) of the control mail
Control mail receiving means for reading the control data from, and control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal obtained from the control data read by the control mail receiving means to a user-side device to be controlled, And a control mail system. 2. The transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the control mail transmission unit is an area in a “From” line of a header, and is described in a format of “user name @ domain name” in a normal electronic mail. In the area where the “user name” is described in the e-mail address of the recipient,
An identification unit in which the address of the S server is described, a control unit in which a control classification code and a control code are described, and an encrypted data unit in which data encrypted by a predetermined encryption logic are described. A control mail system for generating the control mail by inserting control data. 3. The control mail transmitting unit according to claim 1, wherein the control mail transmitting unit is a Web server connected to the Internet,
A web server for setting up a page dedicated to each user on an Internet homepage and displaying an interface screen for each user to input information for creating a control mail on the page, and a page set up by the web server Go to
A homepage access unit used by each user to input information for creating a control mail on the interface screen, and a control mail of a predetermined specification is created based on the information input by the homepage access unit. A control mail system, comprising: a dedicated mail server for transmitting to a user via the Internet. 4. The control mail receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the control mail receiving unit receives a control mail from the control mail transmitting unit,
A recipient mail server for reading the "user name of the e-mail address of the e-mail recipient described in the area of the" To "line of the header" of the control e-mail and delivering it to each user; Control mail delivered from the local mail server, and the control mail "header"
a control mail receiving terminal on each user side for reading the control data from the "m" -line area ". 5. A control mail transmission device used in a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet, which is an area of a “From” line of a header, which is a normal electronic mail. In the area where the information of the sender's e-mail address is described, the control data for controlling the user device, "@" as a delimiter, and the sender's domain name are described. , And a control mail which allows the recipient's mail receiving terminal to read the control data for controlling the user-side device from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header”. Means for creating control mail, and a mail server for receiving the control mail created by the control mail creating means via the Internet. Control mail sending apparatus characterized by and a control mail sending means for sending. 6. A control mail receiving device used in a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet, wherein the control mail receiving device transmits a “From” line of a “Header” line transmitted from a sender mail server. In the area where the information of the e-mail address of the sender is described in a normal e-mail, "control data for controlling the user-side device," ＠ "as a delimiter, and the domain of the sender Control mail receiving means for receiving a control mail as an e-mail in which a name is described, and "Fro" in the header in the received control mail.
control data reading means for reading the control data from the m-line area; control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal obtained from the read control data to a user-side device to be controlled; And a control mail receiving device.