JP2002123470A - Simplified customer information authentication and e- mail address conversion system for mobile portable terminal capable of grasping transmission source - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely simply exchange information with a number of people by e-mail by eliminating a troublesome activity such as mischief and nuisance and using a mobile portable terminal capable of grasping a transmission source such as a portable telephone and a PHS. SOLUTION: A dedicated mail address by customers is allocated to a customer when the customer is registered as a member. When the customer hereafter exchanges information with another customer by using an e-mail and invites his/her opposite party, his/her own carrier mail address is automatically converted into the dedicated mail address by customers by a customer information authenticating part 7 that interlocks with a customer information management authentication database 8 and a dedicated mail address by customers converting part 11, and besides, the customer transmits the dedicated mail address to a designated receiving destination or opens the dedicated mail address to the public on a Web, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for allowing a customer to use a simple and more secure exchange of e-mail with a large number of people transmitted from a mobile portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS that can identify the source. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of providing a service, which is obtained by converting an e-mail address, including a method of transmitting / receiving an e-mail including a determination as to whether or not the service is applicable to a membership-based e-mail exchange service for a customer. The present invention relates to a customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system capable of efficiently performing a method for protecting customer privacy and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, mobile terminals, such as mobile phones and PHS, which can identify the origin of mobile phones, have been remarkably popularized, and have become necessities of life especially for businessmen and young people. In addition, there has been remarkable progress in terms of functions, and functions for sending and receiving e-mail as well as just for talking are now being enhanced. Along with this, the exchange of e-mails using mobile mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PHS that can identify the source as inexpensive and easy information communication means is attracting attention, and e-mails are also being posted on websites. Recruitment of pen-friends (so-called e-mail friends) by using them, trading of goods in auction format, and the like are actively performed.

[0003] When an individual wishes to exchange information with a large number of people using e-mail using a mobile portable terminal such as a mobile phone or PHS that can identify the source, usually through the service of a bulletin board on a Web site, etc. At that time, a contract for the use of the service is concluded in advance with the administrator of the website, and the user obtains a password ID, and every time he tries to use it, It is common to need to enter a password ID. In such services, it is often necessary to expose their own e-mail address to the public.

[0004]

However, the necessity of inputting the password ID each time it is used is rather complicated for a user who frequently uses the password. Also, once your e-mail address is widely disclosed to the public through a bulletin board on a Web site, etc., sudden sudden calls and e-mails from strangers or e-mails from people who exchanged e-mail persistently Harassment such as the presence of a phone call or harm caused by a stalker is frequent. In addition, financial troubles such as fraud related to the transaction of goods have occurred frequently, and these have now become social problems. Although it is not technically impossible to investigate and identify the source of such mischief, harassment, or financial trouble, it is difficult and time-consuming for ordinary users. .

[0005] As a method for general users to escape from pranks and harassment, it is conceivable that the users change their own e-mail addresses, but the e-mail addresses are carriers (for example, NTT DOCOMO for a telecommunications carrier). Etc.) and only one e-mail address can be obtained for each device. In other words, changing the e-mail address of a mobile phone or PHS has a serious drawback in that it blocks the way to obtain necessary or useful information for the user himself. Furthermore, when a mobile phone number is used as a part of the e-mail address, a situation in which the communication contract itself with the carrier has to be canceled in order to avoid a prank call may be considered.

[0006] The present invention is intended to address the above-mentioned problems, and by the completion of the invention described below,
When exchanging information with a large number of people using e-mail, the troublesome task of entering a password ID each time a service is used as in the past is eliminated, and the risk of inconvenience is avoided safely. Can be achieved.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when an e-mail is received from a customer via the communication line via the Internet, an input control unit for receiving an e-mail from a mobile portable terminal capable of ascertaining the source of the customer. When the input control unit receives communication from a customer via a communication line, whether or not to enjoy services such as exchange of e-mail with another customer based on the e-mail address sent by the customer. And a dedicated mail address for each customer, which is necessary and usable only for enjoying the service provided to the customer, is allocated to the mobile portable terminal of the customer whose source can be identified. In conjunction with the customer-specific email address assignment unit, the customer information authentication unit, and the customer-specific email address assignment unit, individual information of each customer and the customer-specific email address are assigned. Customer information management authentication database that manages authentication data composed of emails as one record unit, and the customer's carrier email address based on the customer information management authentication database (registered and assigned to a communication carrier such as NTT DOCOMO). Email address)
A customer mail address conversion unit that converts a customer-specific mail address into a customer-specific mail address or a customer-specific mail address into a carrier mail address, and exchanges e-mails requested by each customer in conjunction with the customer information management authentication database. And an output control unit for transmitting an e-mail to each of the other customers via the communication line via the Internet.

[0008] In the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system having the above-mentioned structure, when an e-mail is received from the customer via the communication line via the Internet to request the enjoyment of the service, the carrier mail address is first used. It is confirmed from the customer information management authentication database whether the customer has obtained a dedicated mail address for each customer through member registration. If the customer has already obtained a dedicated email address for each customer through membership registration,
It converts the customer's carrier email address into a customer-specific email address and provides services such as e-mail exchange. If the customer has not obtained a dedicated email address for each customer, the server will return an e-mail to the effect that the service will be refused once, and will be assigned by going through the membership registration to receive the service. Notify that it is necessary to obtain a customer-specific email address.

That is, in the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system configured as described above, once the customer has registered as a member, the carrier e-mail address of the customer, the dedicated e-mail address for each assigned customer, and the like are obtained. Customer information (mobile phone number, name,
Phonetic, postal code, current address, home phone number, date of birth, gender, nickname on website, handle name, remarks, etc.) are stored in a file format in the customer information management authentication database. Regarding access to the server, it is possible to determine whether or not to provide the service using the carrier mail address of the customer. This frees the customer from having to enter a password ID each time the service is used.

In the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system having the above-described structure, the e-mail sending side as well as the receiving side must obtain the above-mentioned dedicated mail address for each customer through member registration. Nara.
That is, it can be used only when using the service provided by the service program providing unit through the customer information authentication and electronic mail address conversion system having the above configuration.

Further, the above-mentioned customer-specific mail address functions as an electronic mail address, and is different from a mere password ID. In the first place, sending and receiving an e-mail requires an e-mail address that specifies a source and specifies a destination, which is equivalent to an address or a lot number in postal mail, for example. This e-mail address is a server that allows each person who wants to send and receive e-mail to manage their own e-mail
(Hereinafter, this is called a mail server.) It is necessary to receive an assignment, and an e-mail can be transmitted and received only through the above-described mail server using the assigned e-mail address. In other words, when a customer who has registered as a member exchanges e-mail with another registered customer using the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system configured as described above, the customer is designated as a recipient. It is sufficient to send an e-mail to the customer-specific e-mail address of the customer who performs the job, and no other special procedure is required. This is the same for the receiving customer. Therefore, customers can easily collect and exchange information as if they exchanged general e-mail.

[0012] In the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system having the above-described configuration, when a message by the user's own e-mail is disclosed on a bulletin board or the like, or when an e-mail is transmitted by designating a recipient,
Since the carrier mail address of the customer is always converted to a dedicated address for each customer by passing through the server of the system, there is no fear that the carrier mail address of the customer is disclosed to others and misused.

In the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system having the above-mentioned configuration, the server must be connected to the registered customer in order to exchange e-mails using the dedicated e-mail address for each customer. It has the characteristic that it has to go through. By utilizing this feature, the customer can unilaterally refuse to receive an e-mail from one or a plurality of customer-specific addresses by designating the service to a person who manages and provides the service.
This means that the person who manages and provides the service knows the customer information of both parties who exchange e-mails, and if the customer misuses the service to cause trouble to other customers. Even in such a case, the sender can be easily investigated and specified by a person who manages and provides the service.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a description will be given of a processing operation until a customer is assigned the above-mentioned dedicated mail address for each customer necessary for enjoying the service provided by the main service program providing section after the member registration. Customers who want to receive e-mail exchange services with a large number of customers first use mobile communication terminals 2 such as mobile phones and PHS that can identify the source, and send e-mail to the communication line 3 and originating carrier server. The server 1 is accessed via the Internet 5 via 4a, and via the input control unit 6 in the server, the customer information authentication unit 7 receives a judgment as to whether or not to enjoy the service including the presence or absence of membership registration (101 in FIG. 1). , 102).

The customer information authentication section 7 can extract the corresponding customer authentication data from the customer information authentication database 8 linked to the customer information authentication section based on the carrier mail address of the e-mail received from the customer. (See step S1 in FIG. 3).
103, 104).

If the corresponding customer authentication data cannot be extracted from the customer information management authentication database 8, the customer information authentication unit 7 once refuses to provide the service to the customer ( Step S2 in FIG.
To use the service, provide the service management provider with the customer's own information (mobile phone number, name, phonetic, postal code, current address, home phone number, date of birth, gender, An e-mail indicating that it is necessary to disclose the nickname (handle name, remarks, etc.) and register as a member is transmitted via the output control unit 13 via the Internet 5 via the communication line 3 (103 in FIG. 1). , 1
04, 105, and 106, and step S4 in FIG. 3 and its example sentences).

Even if it is not possible to extract the corresponding customer authentication data from the customer information management authentication database 8 (see step S2 in FIG. 3), the member registration is made in the e-mail sent from the customer. The customer's own information (mobile phone number, name, furigana, postal code, current address, home phone number, date of birth, gender, nickname on the website, (Notes, etc.) are described without omission (see steps S3 and S5 in FIG. 3), the customer information authentication unit 7 informs the customer-specific email address assignment unit 10 that the customer is registered as a member. To instruct. In response to this, the customer-specific dedicated mail address assigning section 10 assigns a customer-specific dedicated address to the customer, and creates a new customer database file 9 in the customer information management authentication database 8 based on the address (FIG. 3). Step S6),
The result is notified to the customer by e-mail via the output control unit 13 through the Internet via the communication line and the originating carrier server (106, 107, 108, 1 in FIG. 1).
09, 110, see step S7 in FIG. 3 and its example sentences).

The customer information management authentication database 8 stores customer information as one record unit using a dedicated mail address for each customer assigned to each customer, a carrier mail address of each customer or a mobile terminal number as a key. It is managed for each customer.

The customer database file 9 created for each customer is classified according to the customer-specific dedicated mail address assigned by the customer-specific dedicated mail address assigning unit 10. This customer-specific e-mail address is composed of characters or symbols that represent characters or numbers such as continuous alphabets, the number of digits is set arbitrarily, and the combination is used to receive the service. It is necessary and usable only for Examples include aa0001@j2mf.com and zz9999@j2mf.com. By changing the combination of letters, numbers, and symbols used and the number of digits, in the case of the above example, the mail account (aa00
01 or zz9999) even if limited to 26 squared × 10 cubed-
One combination of customer-specific email addresses will be created. As a result, a large number of file names in the authentication data can be created, and a large number of members can be registered.

Through the above processing operations, the customer is assigned a dedicated address for each customer through member registration, and can enjoy the service provided to the member.

Next, in the case of the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system configured as described above, a customer who has been assigned a dedicated mail address for each customer through member registration by the above-described procedure is provided to the member. With reference to the drawings, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of a processing operation for receiving an e-mail transmission / reception service and transmitting / receiving an e-mail to / from a customer who has been assigned a dedicated address for each customer through another member registration.

The customer to whom the dedicated mail address for each customer has been assigned through the member registration by the above-described processing operation desires to receive the electronic mail exchange service with a large number of persons provided by the main service program providing unit 12. In the case, first, the server 1 is accessed via the Internet 5 via the communication line 3 and the transmitting side carrier server 4a by e-mail using the mobile portable terminal 2 which can recognize the source such as a mobile phone or a PHS, and the Through the input control unit 6, the customer information authentication unit 7 receives a service availability determination including the presence or absence of a member registration (20 in FIG. 2).
1, 202, 203, 204, see step S1 in FIG. 4). Here, the customer information authentication unit 7 outputs corresponding authentication data from the customer database file 9 constituting the customer information authentication database 8 linked to the customer information authentication unit based on the carrier mail address of the e-mail received from the customer. Whether or not the service can be enjoyed is confirmed based on whether or not the extraction is successful (see 203 and 204 in FIG. 2).

At this time, even if the customer has already been assigned a dedicated e-mail address after registering as a member, the service may not be used, for example, if a member's agreement such as unpaid membership dues or other acts contrary to public order and morals are observed. If the management provider determines that it is inappropriate to provide the service to the customer, the fact is recorded in the customer information management authentication database 8 and linked with the customer information management authentication database. The customer information authentication unit 7 sends an e-mail from the output control unit 13 to the effect that the customer is refused to provide the service (209 in FIG. 2, steps S2, S3,
S4 and its example sentences).

Since the customer has already been assigned a dedicated mail address for each customer after registering as a member, the e-mail sent by the customer is changed to the dedicated mail for each customer linked to the customer information management authentication database 8. The address conversion unit 11 converts the carrier mail address into a dedicated mail address for each customer and transmits the converted mail address to the main service program providing unit 12 (205, 206, 207, and 2 in FIG. 2).
08, see step S5 in FIG. 4 and its conversion example, S6).

A dedicated mail address conversion unit 1 for each customer who works with a mail address in association with the customer information management authentication database 8
In 1 the carrier email address is converted to a customer-specific email address and the main service program provider 12
The e-mail message transmitted to the customer together with the customer-specific e-mail address goes through the above-described processing operation (see FIG. 2).
201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, see steps S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, S7 in FIG. 3 and S1, S2, S5, S6 in FIG. Published on a website or otherwise to a small or large number of other customers who wish. Examples of the services provided here are so-called "Mel Friends" service, which mediates recruitment and introduction of penpals using e-mail, and transmission and reception of the e-mail, auction using bulletin boards on websites, Communication services, such as a service for recruiting members such as circles, in which customers can obtain useful information by exchanging e-mails with each other can be cited.

If another customer wishes to reply or apply to the e-mail message disclosed by the above-described processing operation, the portable mail is sent to the customer-specific e-mail address written in the message. Phone or PHS
An electronic mail is transmitted to the server 1 through the Internet 5 via the communication line 3 and the transmission-side carrier server 4a using the mobile portable terminal 2 whose transmission source can be grasped (FIG. 2).
201).

The e-mail passes through an input control unit 6 and is linked to a customer information management authentication database 8.
Is transmitted to Here, the customer who sent the e-mail
It is confirmed whether or not the service can be enjoyed, including whether or not a customer-specific email address has been assigned after membership registration (see 202, 203, 204 in FIG. 2 and steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 4). .

When it is determined by the customer information authentication section 7 that the customer can enjoy the service, the e-mail is transmitted to the customer-specific dedicated mail address conversion section 11 linked to the customer information management authentication database 8. . Therefore, the e-mail address is converted from the carrier e-mail address to a dedicated e-mail address for each customer (see step S5 in FIG. 4 and a conversion example), and this time, in order to confirm the information of the customer on the side receiving the e-mail again, Is transmitted to the customer information authentication unit 7 linked to the customer information management authentication database 8 (see 205, 206, 207, 209 in FIG. 2 and step S5 in FIG. 4).

The e-mail transmitted to the customer information authentication unit 7 linked with the customer information management authentication database 8 is
Therefore, whether the customer data file 9 on the receiving side exists in the customer information management authentication database 8 based on the dedicated e-mail address for each customer on the receiving side designated as the destination (that is, whether the customer data file 9 is registered as a member. 5
Step S7), and whether the receiving customer has refused to receive the e-mail from the sending customer even if the customer data file exists (see FIG. 5).
(See S8). If there is no problem, the mail address of the customer on the receiving side is transmitted from the dedicated mail address for each customer to the carrier mail address to the dedicated mail address conversion unit 11 for each customer (21 in FIG. 2).
0, 211, 212).

In the case where the customer data file 9 does not exist in the customer information management / authentication database 8 because the customer on the receiving side has already deleted the membership registration (FIG. 5).
(See step S7 of FIG. 5), or if the receiving customer refuses to receive the e-mail from the sending customer even if it exists (see step S8 of FIG. 5), the customer information authentication unit 7
Mobile terminal that can identify the origin of the calling customer
In response to the e-mail sent by the customer, the output control unit 13 replies from the output control unit 13 via the Internet 5 via the originating carrier server 4 and the communication line 3 (210, 211, and 2 in FIG. 2). 213, 216, 217, 209, 218, see steps S9, S10 and example sentences in FIG. 5).

The customer information authenticating section 7 confirms the customer information on the receiving side and transmits the e-mail to the dedicated mail address converting section 11 for each customer. After conversion from the separate dedicated mail address to the carrier mail address (see step S11 and conversion example in FIG. 5), the output control unit 13 receives the carrier server 4b via the Internet 5 and the communication line 3
Is transmitted to the mobile portable terminal 2 of the receiving customer that can identify the source (see step S12 in FIG. 5), and the receiving customer receives this (see 214 and 215 in FIG. 2). .

[0032]

As described above, when the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system according to the present invention is used, a party to exchange information using e-mail on a Web site or the like is recruited and actually exchanged. In such a case, by using a dedicated e-mail address for each customer assigned through member registration, it is possible to simply save the troublesome work as in the past, that is, the trouble of having to enter a password ID every time the service is used. In addition, since there is no need to disclose the carrier e-mail address, there is no risk of being tampered with or harassed by outsiders who have not registered as members.
Also, even if the same happens between members,
One of the parties can completely block the transmission of e-mail from the other party by notifying the service provider of the administrator such as a Web site.

When the customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system according to the present invention is used, it is necessary for the customer to disclose his / her own information and register as a member in order to receive a dedicated mail address for each customer. is there.
In other words, because it is possible to grasp the member information, even if a certain member is involved in an annoying act such as prank or harassment of another member, or even in a fraudulent act at an auction, etc. The source can be specified.

The member information is managed for each customer in a file format in a customer information management authentication database. Identification of the authentication data in the customer information management authentication database is performed by the above-mentioned customer-specific dedicated mail address. This can be created in a very large number by using characters or symbols expressing continuous characters or numbers, arbitrarily setting the number of digits, and combining them. Therefore, a large number of member registrants can be held, and it becomes possible to provide registered members with a place for exchanging information with a wide range of age and gender.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment in a customer information authentication and email address conversion system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment in a customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a processing operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a processing operation of the embodiment in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing operation of the embodiment in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 server 2 mobile mobile terminal capable of ascertaining the source 3 communication line 4a originating carrier server 4b receiving carrier server 5 Internet 6 input control unit 7 customer information authentication unit 8 customer information management authentication database 9 customer database file 10 customer Dedicated e-mail address assigning unit 11 Dedicated e-mail address conversion unit for each customer 12 Main service program providing unit 13 Output control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] An input control unit for receiving an e-mail from a mobile portable terminal capable of ascertaining a transmission source of a customer when the e-mail is received from the customer via the communication line via the Internet; A customer information authentication unit that, when receiving a communication from a customer via a communication line, confirms whether or not to enjoy services such as exchanging e-mail with another customer based on the address of the e-mail sent by the customer; And a customer-specific email address assigning unit that assigns a customer-specific email address necessary and usable only for enjoying the service provided to the customer to a mobile portable terminal of the customer whose source can be identified. In conjunction with the customer information authentication section and customer-specific email address assigning section, the authentication data composed of individual information of each customer and the customer-specific email address The customer information management authentication database that manages data as one record unit and the customer's carrier email address is converted to a customer-specific email address or the customer-specific email address is converted to a carrier email address based on the customer information management authentication database And a main service providing unit for providing an information service such as an exchange of e-mails requested by each customer in conjunction with the customer information management authentication database, and for each customer to other customers. And an output control unit for transmitting the e-mail via the communication line via the Internet. 2. The customer information management authentication database includes a carrier mail address of each customer, and characters or symbols expressing continuous characters or numbers assigned to each customer by the customer-specific mail address assigning unit. And a plurality of authentication data having a dedicated mail address for each record which is necessary and usable only for enjoying the service by using a record unit. 2. The customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system according to 1. 3. The customer information authentication unit determines whether or not authentication data corresponding to a carrier mail address of an electronic mail transmitted from a mobile portable terminal of a customer whose source can be identified is extracted from a customer information management authentication database. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the service provided by the main service program providing unit can be enjoyed is confirmed, and the result is transmitted to a customer mail address conversion unit or an output control unit. The customer information authentication and email address conversion system described. 4. The main service program providing unit according to claim 1, wherein the customer information authenticating unit obtains a dedicated e-mail address for each customer necessary and usable only for enjoying the service from a mobile portable terminal capable of ascertaining a transmission source of the customer. When an e-mail is transmitted to another mobile portable terminal via the e-mail, the e-mail address of the receiving mobile portable terminal designated by the customer is the customer information management authentication as authentication data corresponding to the customer-specific dedicated mail address. Confirming whether or not the e-mail should be sent to the mobile terminal designated by the customer as the destination based on whether or not the e-mail has been extracted from the database, and transmitting the result to the customer e-mail address conversion unit or output control unit 4. The customer information authentication and e-mail address conversion system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The e-mail address conversion unit is based on the customer information management authentication database and requires and uses a customer's carrier e-mail address only for the customer to enjoy the service provided by the main service providing unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conversion is made to a customer-specific mail address assigned by the customer-specific mail address assigning unit, or the customer-specific mail address is converted to a carrier mail address. Customer information authentication and email address conversion system described.