JP2002123543A - Information retrieval system and simple authentication device, and information retrieving and providing method and simple authentication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to retrieve information through easy operation. SOLUTION: A mail reception part 30 has a specific retrieval request mail address. When retrieval request mail being an electronic mail having a retrieval key written is sent to the retrieval request mail address, an information retrieval part 48 on an information retrieval database server 24 retrieves information corresponding to the retrieval key. Retrieval result mail including the retrieval result is generated. The retrieval result mail is sent back to the sender of the retrieval request mail. For example, the user can easily retrieve information without any troublesome operation for accessing a Web page even when using a portable telephone, etc. Preferably, the header information of electronic mail from a member is saved as member authentication information. This member authentication information is collated with the header information of the retrieval request mail to authenticate the member. The authentication is easily completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information retrieval system for transmitting a retrieval result in response to an information retrieval request transmitted by communication, and more particularly to a system capable of retrieving information by a simple operation. The present invention also relates to a simple system for member authentication in communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, the Internet is used for various purposes as an information transmission medium. One of the uses of the Internet is information retrieval.

[0005] Conventionally, Web contents are exclusively used for information retrieval. The user connects to the Internet,
Using the WWW, an information search Web page is accessed. Then, the user inputs a search key according to the guidance on the Web page. The search key is sent to the information providing server. The server on the information providing side returns the search result based on the search key to the user in the form of Web content in HTML notation or the like.

[0004] Such an information retrieval system can provide information desired by a user. In addition, photos and graphics are also presented to the user by using the Web content. The user can also obtain information as if he were reading a book such as a magazine.

[0005] However, the conventional search system has a disadvantage that it is relatively troublesome for the user to use. The user must first access the search key input screen. Further, the user waits for the display of the input screen, then inputs a search key, and waits for the display of the Web content as a search result. After the search results are displayed, the user can finally obtain the information. This series of operations requires considerable effort and time for the user. And even if a simple search is desired, the user must perform these series of operations.

[0006] The above-mentioned problem is particularly conspicuous when a portable terminal such as a portable telephone is used. As is well known, a mobile phone has basic functions of a computer and also has a function of accessing a Web page. However, searching for information on a Web page using a mobile phone or waiting for a search result is a rather cumbersome task for the user.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system that allows a user to search information by a simple operation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is advantageously applied to the above-mentioned search system, and which is a simple member authentication system.

[0008]

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an information retrieval system for transmitting a retrieval result in response to an information retrieval request sent from a user via communication. The system according to the present invention includes a search request mail receiving unit having a specific search request mail address, and when a search request mail that is an e-mail with a search key written is sent to the search request mail address, An information search unit for searching for information corresponding to a search key; a search result mail creation unit for creating a search result mail including a search result by the information search unit;
A search result mail reply unit that returns the search result mail to a sender of the search request mail.

As described above, when the system of the present invention receives a search request mail to the search request mail address,
The information is searched based on the search key written in the search request mail, and the search result is returned. The user can obtain the search result by sending the search request mail to the search request mail address. Since the trouble and time required for accessing the Web page are not required, the information can be easily searched.

[0010] Preferably, the search key is described only in characters (including symbols) in the search request mail. Entering characters is similar to writing a normal mail, and is a simple task for the user. With this simple operation, the user can obtain the search result.

In the present invention, the search key may be written anywhere in the electronic mail. Typically, a search key is written as the content (e-mail text) of the e-mail. A search key may be written in the title portion of the email.

[0012] Preferably, the search request mail address corresponds to a specific information field. A specific information database storing information of the specific information field is provided. The information search unit, when the search request mail is sent to the search request mail address, from the specific information database, the information of the specific information field corresponding to the specific request mail address, the search request mail Is searched based on the search key. According to the present invention, the search request mail address is associated with a database of a specific information field. When a user wants to search for information in a specific information field, the user may send an e-mail to a search request mail address corresponding to the field. In response, information is retrieved from a database containing information in the field. The user can easily and quickly receive information in a specific information field.

[0013] Preferably, the search request mail receiving unit receives a search request mail addressed to a plurality of specific search request mail addresses respectively corresponding to a plurality of different information fields. A plurality of specific information databases storing respective information of the plurality of different information fields are provided. When a search request mail is sent to one of the plurality of search request mail addresses, the information search unit searches information from a specific information database in an information field corresponding to the search request mail address of the search request mail. . According to the present invention, a plurality of search request mail addresses are respectively associated with databases in different information fields. The user selects an address corresponding to the desired information and sends an e-mail to the address. In response, information is provided from a corresponding database. Therefore, the user only has to select a mail address in order to obtain information in a desired field, and can conveniently and easily search for information in a specific field.

Preferably, the information search unit includes a search key analysis unit that analyzes a search request mail to the search request mail address and detects a search key. For example, when search keywords are arranged in the search request mail, the search key analysis unit specifies those search keywords. Also, for example, when a sentence is written in the search request mail, the search key analysis unit analyzes the sentence and detects a search keyword.

The electronic mail may include a description other than the search key, for example, a signature. Preferably, the search key analysis unit is configured to detect the search key even in such a case. Therefore, the search key analysis unit obtains the search key description portion of the electronic mail according to a predetermined rule for determining the portion where the search key is described in the electronic mail, and detects the search key from the search key description portion. For example, a rule is set that a search key is written on one line (no line feed mark is inserted in the middle). Further, for example, a rule is set that a predetermined mark such as a period "." Or a period "." Is added at the end of the search key. According to these rules, the search key analysis unit detects the search key from the range where the search key is written. Even if information other than the search key such as a signature is described after the line feed mark or the period, the search key is not detected from such description. As a result, even when a description such as a signature is included in the e-mail, an appropriate search result can be provided.

Preferably, the information search system of the present invention includes an authentication information storage unit and an authentication processing unit. The authentication information storage unit stores information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information. The authentication processing unit, when the search request mail is sent, using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, the sender of the search request mail Authenticate whether you are a member.

According to the present invention, a simple system for member authentication can be provided. Conventionally, member authentication is exclusively performed by Web
This is done when using the page. Then, in normal member authentication, the user must input an ID and a password. On the other hand, in the present invention, member authentication can be realized by a system using electronic mail. further,
By using the header information as the authentication information, the user does not need to input the ID and the password. The system also does not need to request the user for the ID and password, and can easily perform authentication using the header information originally added to the electronic mail.

An information retrieval system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises:
It includes an information search mail server and an information search database server. The information search mail server has a specific search request mail address, and when a search request mail that is an e-mail in which a search key is written is sent to the search request mail address, the information search mail server is based on the search key. Reply search result emails containing search results. The information search database server is connected to the information search mail server, and includes a specific information database that is a database of an information field corresponding to the specific search request mail address, and the search request sent to the information search mail server. The information corresponding to the search key included in the mail is searched from the specific information database, and the search result is provided to the information search mail server. According to this aspect, by applying the e-mail to the search system, the same advantages as those of the above-described aspect are obtained, and the information search becomes easy.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an information search mail server used in an information search system for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication. The information search mail server includes: a search request mail receiving unit having a specific search request mail address; and when a search request mail that is an electronic mail with a search key is sent to the search request mail address, A search request unit for requesting a search for information based on the search key for a specific information database having information in an information field corresponding to the search request mail address, and obtaining information of a search result from the specific information database A search result e-mail creating unit that creates a search result e-mail including the search result; and a search result e-mail reply unit that returns the search result e-mail to a sender of the search request e-mail. According to this aspect, by applying the e-mail to the search system, the same advantages as those of the above-described aspect are obtained, and the information search becomes easy.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a simple authentication device for easily performing member authentication by communicating with a registered member. This simple authentication device includes an authentication information storage unit and an authentication processing unit. When an electronic mail is sent from a new member, the authentication information storage unit stores information obtained from header information of the electronic mail as member authentication information. When the authentication processing unit receives an e-mail from an existing member,
Using the header information of the electronic mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, authentication is performed as to whether the sender of the electronic mail is a member. According to this aspect, as described in the other aspects described above, a simple system for performing member authentication can be provided. This aspect may be applied to systems other than the information search system.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Another embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an information search providing method and an authentication method. Another embodiment of the present invention may be a medium recording a program for realizing the above-described invention.

Also, in the present invention, an e-mail is typically sent via the Internet, but it goes without saying that an e-mail not using the Internet may be applied to the present invention.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an information retrieval system according to this embodiment together with the Internet. The information search system 10 is connected to a user's computer via the Internet 12. The user's computer is, for example, the mobile phone 14, the mobile terminal 16, and the personal computer 18. The mobile phone 14 may be considered as a form of a mobile terminal. The advantages of the present invention are particularly noticeable when applied to mobile terminals, especially mobile phones that are small.

The information search system 10 receives search requests from these user computers and returns search results.
As a feature of this embodiment, an electronic mail is used for a search request and an answer. The information search system 10 has a specific search request mail address. An e-mail requesting a search is sent to the search request mail address.
This e-mail is called a search request mail in the present invention. The search key is written in the search request mail. The information search system 10 searches for information corresponding to a search key, and creates an e-mail including a search result. This search result mail is referred to as a search result mail in the present invention. The search result mail is returned to the sender of the search request mail.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of FIG. 1 in another form. There are a plurality of DNSs (domain name servers) on the Internet. The DNS includes a server that manages a domain name, an IP address, and the like, such as JPNIC. A mobile phone as a user computer is connected to the Internet via a base station and a router. The information retrieval system 10 of the present embodiment
0, an information search mail server 22 and an information search database server 24 are included. These router 20, information search mail server 22, and information search database server 24
Are connected to each other. The router 20 is connected to the Internet DNS. The router 20 functions as a firewall of the information search system 10.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the information search mail server 22 and the information search database server 24, which are the main components of the information search system 10. The main functions of FIG. 3 are realized by the hardware of the servers 22 and 24 and the software and programs (scripts) installed therein.

The information search system 10 of the present embodiment provides a search service for registered members. As described below, the information search system 10 includes a member authentication function of the present invention in addition to the search function of the present invention. The e-mail sent to the information search system includes an e-mail for member registration and a search request mail. A search request mail may be sent from a user other than the member. For such emails, the authentication function
Search service is not provided.

In FIG. 3, mail receiving section 30 receives an electronic mail sent to a search request mail address. The mail receiving unit 30 functions as a search request mail receiving unit of the present invention that receives a search request mail.

The received mail analyzing section 32 analyzes the received electronic mail. The received mail analyzing unit 32 processes the character information of the received mail and divides it into header information and a mail text. The email body is stored in the form of memory variables for information retrieval. The received mail analysis unit 32 determines whether information for member registration is described in the mail text (a new user's member registration request) or other content is described. The search request mail is included in the latter.

When the electronic mail is a mail for member registration, the authentication processing unit 32 performs a process for member registration. The member registration processing unit 34 confirms that information necessary for member registration is described in the e-mail. Information required for member registration includes the name and contact information (address, telephone number) of the member. In a billing-compatible system, information for billing is also included. When necessary member information is described in the e-mail, the member registration processing unit 34 registers the sender of the e-mail as a member. Here, member information including the above-described information is created and stored in the member database 36.

The member database 36 stores the authentication information storage unit 3
8 inclusive. The authentication information storage unit 38 stores the member authentication information. In the present invention, information obtained from the header information of the electronic mail is used as the member authentication information. When an e-mail is sent from a new user who wants to register, member authentication information is obtained from the header information of the e-mail. In this embodiment, “Return-Path”, “Delivered-To”, “HEL
Information of each item of "O" and "From" is used as member authentication information. In an actual system, the member database 36
It is sufficient that the member information and the member authentication information are associated with each other in some form, and thereby the authentication information storage unit 38 is realized.

In this embodiment, a part of the header information is stored as the member authentication information. However, the entire header information may be stored as the member authentication information. In this case, necessary information in the header information is referred to at the stage of authentication.

When the member registration is performed, the registration notification mail creation unit 40 creates a registration notification mail for notifying the success of the member registration. The registration notification mail is sent to the mail transmission unit 60
Is returned to the sender of the registration request mail. The registration notification email is also delivered to the system administrator (hereafter,
Other emails are the same).

If the member registration processing unit 34 cannot confirm information necessary for member registration in the e-mail, the registration application mail creation unit 42 sends an e-mail (e-mail for registration application) describing the method of member registration. create. The registration application mail is returned by the mail transmission unit 60 to the sender of the registration request mail.

If the electronic mail is not a registration request mail, the authentication processing unit 44 performs an authentication process. Authentication processing unit 44
Performs an authentication process based on the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 38 of the member database 36 and the header information of the e-mail. Here, the member authentication information and the header information are compared. "Return-Path" in header information
If the same member authentication information as “Delivered-To”, “HELO” and “From” is stored, it is determined that the e-mail has been sent from the member, and the authentication succeeds. If the same member authentication information is not stored in the authentication information storage unit 38, the authentication fails.

If the verification fails, the registration application mail creation unit 42 creates a registration application mail. The e-mail for registration application is sent by the e-mail
It is returned to the sender of the registration request email.

If the verification is successful, the search request unit 4
6 requests the information search unit 48 of the information search mail server 22 to search for information. The search request unit 46 passes the text of the search request mail to the information search unit 48. When the authentication is performed, the member authentication information may be updated using the header information of the new e-mail.

The information search section 48 has a search key analysis section 50. The search key analysis section 50 analyzes a search request mail and detects a search key. In the present embodiment, writing a search key in the body of the search request mail (content portion of the mail, mail text) is determined in advance as a rule. Therefore, the search key analysis unit 50 detects a search key from the mail text.

For example, it is assumed that search keywords are arranged in the mail text. The search key analysis unit 50 specifies those search keywords. Further, for example, it is assumed that a sentence is written in the search request mail. The search key analysis unit 50 analyzes a sentence and detects a search keyword. The sentence is divided into words, and the words are specified as search keywords. In addition, any known search technology can be applied to the search key analysis unit 50. Then, any known technique for detecting a search key may be applied to the present embodiment. For example, a concept search technique is also applicable.

The electronic mail may include a description other than the search key, for example, a signature. Preferably, the search key analysis unit 5
0 is configured to detect the search key even in such a case. For example, a rule is set that a search key is written on one line (no line feed mark is inserted in the middle). Further, for example, a rule is set that a predetermined mark such as a period "." Or a period "." Is added at the end of the search key. These rules determine the part where the search key is described in the search request mail. According to these rules, the search key analysis unit 50
Specify the range in which the search key is written (the search key description portion). A search key is detected from this range. Even if information other than the search key, such as a signature, is described in a portion other than the search key description portion (the search key non-description portion), the search key is not detected from such description. As a result, even when a description such as a signature is included in the e-mail, an appropriate search result can be provided.

In this embodiment, the search key is written in the mail text, but the search key may be written in another part. For example, it may be written in the title portion of the e-mail. In this case, the information search unit 48 acquires the information described in the title from the search request unit 46. Then, the search key analysis unit 50 detects a search key for the description of the title. Of course, the search key may be written in both the title and the mail text. The search key analysis unit 50 detects a search key from the title and the mail text. Preferably, a place where the search key is described is determined in advance as a rule (in the above example, both or one of the mail text and the title may be used). A search key is detected from the determined location.

Further, in the present embodiment, the search key is detected by the information search database server 24. On the other hand, the search key may be detected by the information search mail server 22. The information search mail server 22 requests the information search database server 24 for a search by transmitting the search key. Such a configuration is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The information search section 48 searches the search target information database 52 for information corresponding to the search key based on the detected search key. Information of the search result is provided from the information search unit 48 to the search result acquisition unit 54.

When the search result obtaining section 54 obtains the search result, the search result mail creating section 56 creates a search result mail including the search result. The search result mail is returned to the sender of the search request mail by the mail transmitting unit 60. At this time, the mail transmitting section 60 functions as a search result mail reply section of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the overall operation of the information retrieval system. On the user computer side,
An e-mail is created by the user (S10). A user who desires the service of the present system creates an e-mail in which only character information is described. A new user who wishes to register as a member writes information necessary for member registration. For registered members, enter the search key. The created mail is transmitted to the information search system 10 (S12).

In the information retrieval system 10, the mail receiving section 30 receives an electronic mail (S14). The received mail analysis unit 32 analyzes the received mail and determines whether registration has been requested (S16). If the e-mail is an e-mail requesting a membership registration, the process proceeds to FIG. 5, in which header information of the e-mail is acquired for use as member authentication information (S42). Further, the body of the e-mail is analyzed (S44), and it is determined whether there is information necessary for registration (S46).

When the information necessary for registration is confirmed, the received mail analyzing unit 32 creates member information (S4).
8). The member information is distributed to the member database 36 (S
50), the member is registered in the member database 36 (S52). At this time, the member authentication information (“Return-Path”, “Delivered-To”, “HELO”, “F
rom ”) is also registered in the member database 36. Then, an e-mail notifying the success of the member registration is created (S54). The e-mail of the registration notification is sent to the e-mail
(S56) and received by the user computer (S58).

If the information required for registration is not confirmed in S50, the process proceeds to FIG. 4, and in S22, an e-mail describing the member registration method, specifically, items to be described for the registration request are shown. An email is created. This mail is,
It is distributed to the user (S24). The mail describing the registration method is received by the user (S26). The user creates an e-mail for member registration according to the received e-mail (S28). This mail is transmitted again from the user to the information search system 10 in S12.

It is assumed that as a result of the analysis in S16, the received mail is not a registration request mail. In this case, the received mail is determined to be a search request mail. Then, the member database is collated by the electronic mail header authentication of the present invention (S18). Here, the header information of the newly received mail (search request mail) is compared with the member authentication information. If the member authentication information matching the header information is registered, the authentication is successful.

When the authentication fails in S18 (S2
0) In S22, an e-mail describing the member registration method is created. As described above, this mail is delivered to the user (S24). The user receives the mail (S
26) Create an e-mail for member registration (S2)
8).

When the collation is successful in S18, that is, when the identity is confirmed (S30), the information is searched to respond to the search request mail. The received data is analyzed (S32), and a search key is detected. Then, a search of the search target information database 52 based on the search key is executed (S34). Then, distribution data (search result mail) of the database search result is created (S36), and the distribution data is distributed (S38). The distribution data is distributed to the system administrator in addition to the user who has requested the search. The user receives the e-mail of the distribution data (S
40). By reading the mail, the user can obtain the information of the search result. As described above, the user can automatically obtain the search result by transmitting the search request mail in which the search key is written to the search request mail address.

When a charge is applied to the information providing service of the present system, a member is specified from the member database based on the authentication result. Then, a fee corresponding to the service provision is imposed on the member.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a preferred operation of the simple authentication function in the present system. The processing in FIG. 6 mainly corresponds to step S18 in FIG. In the present embodiment, three authentications of DNS check, Ping, and header collation are sequentially performed.

In FIG. 6, in S70, the header information of the electronic mail is obtained. The header information is added by the electronic mail server (source electronic mail server) on the user side that has transmitted the electronic mail. The e-mail to which the header information is added is distributed from the originating e-mail server to the mail server of the present embodiment. Then, the header information is obtained by the received mail analysis unit 30 in the received mail analysis step S16 in FIG.

The e-mail header information is analyzed, and “Retu
“rn-Path”, “Delivered-To”, “HELO”, and “From” are acquired (S72). This information is buffered in memory variables in the server. Next, based on the “HELO” information in the header information, the DNS of the originating e-mail server
A check is performed (S74). Here, it is confirmed whether an e-mail has been sent from the DNS registration server. Next, a Ping check is performed on the source e-mail server (S76). Pi for source email
ng signal is sent. The originating email server is Pi
An ng signal is received, and the ping signal is returned to the information search mail server of the present embodiment. This Ping signal is received (S78), whereby the presence of the originating electronic mail server is confirmed (S80).

Next, the header information of the received mail is compared with the existing member authentication information (S82). The member authentication information is obtained from the “Re
It consists of "turn-Path", "Delivered-To", "HELO" and "From". The member authentication information is stored in the member database 36 (member authentication information storage unit 38). In S82, it is checked whether there is existing data that matches the header information of the received mail. If there is existing data, it is confirmed that the sender of the e-mail is the member (S8).
4). Then, the process proceeds to S32 in FIG. 4 to provide an information search service.

If any of the above DNS check, Ping check and header collation is not successful,
It is determined that the collation has failed, and the process proceeds to S22 in FIG. 4 to perform a failure handling process (transmission of an e-mail for explaining a registration method).

FIG. 7 shows a preferred operation of the information search function in the present system. The processing in FIG. 7 mainly corresponds to steps S32 to S38 in FIG.

In FIG. 7, in S100, the information search mail server 22 requests the information search database server 24 for information search. Here, the search request mail is automatically processed, and the information of the search request is automatically delivered to the information search database server 24.

The information search database server 24 acquires a search request by receiving data from the information search mail server 22 (S102). The received data is analyzed (S
104), the search system is executed (S106), whereby the database is searched (S108), and the search result of the database is obtained (S110). Delivery data of the search result is created (S112), and by sending this delivery data, the search result is provided to the information search mail server 22 (S114).

The information search mail server 22 receives the distribution data from the information search database server 24 to obtain the search result (S116). From this data, e-mail transmission data for the user is created according to a predetermined format (S118). This email contains the search results. The search result e-mail is sent to the user's source e-mail server (S120).

The above-described series of processing functions may be configured as follows. In the information search mail server, PO
When an e-mail is received via the P server, the POP server changes the mail reception flag. Along with this, Aliase (alias, another distribution file according to the system to be used, etc., for example, “.
The classification and distribution are performed according to “d”, the same applies hereinafter), and the e-mail data is distributed to the registered user of the receiving side (information retrieval mail server). This registered user means an information provider. When a plurality of registered users (information providers) are registered, the e-mail data is distributed to the corresponding users in the mail server.

Here, in the present embodiment, a predetermined script is described for a registered user in Alias. Thus, when an e-mail is received, the e-mail is used as a trigger to execute the script.
In this script, a program for executing an information search (a program for causing a database to execute a search using a search term described in a mail text as an argument) is described. That is, when this script is executed,
The script is set so that the data of the e-mail is sent to the information search database server and a search is requested.

As described above, the information search database server performs information search based on the received information.
Search result information is created by the script, and the search result information is delivered to the information search mail server, and then returned to the member in the form of e-mail.

FIG. 8 shows the flow of data related to the information retrieval system of this embodiment. It is assumed that the user has transmitted a search request mail address, that is, a search request mail to the mail server of the present system. In response to this, the DNS (mail server) 100 on the user side sets the DNS (J
The PNIC 102 refers to the IP address of the transmission destination (S200). The search request mail is sent from the DNS 100 to the DNS 104 on the system side (S20).
2). The search request mail is sent to the information search mail server 22 via the router 20 of the information search system 10 (S204, S206). Information search mail server 22
Performs a DNS check by referring to an IP address for DNS (JPNIC) (S208).
Ping check is performed on the mail server on the user side. Further, after the authentication using the header information is performed, the information search mail server 22 acquires the search result by communicating with the information search database server 24 (S21).
0). The information search mail server 22 is connected to the router 20, the DN,
In S104, the search result e-mail is returned to the user via the DNS 100 (S212, S214, S21).
6).

[Specific Information Search] Preferably, the information search system of the present embodiment may provide information of a specific information field by being configured as follows.
In this aspect, the search request e-mail address corresponds to a specific information field. The search target information database 52 of FIG. 3 stores the information of the specific information field (specific information database of the present invention). Then, the information search unit 48
Searches the search target information database 52 for information in a specific information field corresponding to the specific request mail address based on the search key of the search request mail.

Further, the present system may provide information in a plurality of fields (may be referred to as types, genres, etc.) by being configured as follows. The search request mail contains the field and the search key. For example, the information field is described in the title of the mail, and the search key is described in the body of the mail. Both the information field and the search key may be described in the body part (or title part). The search request email address is commonly used. The information search database server 24 grasps the information field and the search key from the electronic mail (this process may be performed on the information search mail server side). The database is searched, and information corresponding to the search key is obtained from information in the corresponding information field.
A plurality of specific information databases may be provided corresponding to a plurality of fields. A specific information database corresponding to the information field described in the e-mail is referred to. Then, information corresponding to the search key is searched.

FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the user computer in the present embodiment, and particularly, an example of a screen when the above-described field-specific search is applied. In the example of FIG. 9, a mobile phone is used as a user computer. In the upper part of FIG. 9, "national test" is described as the information field in the title of the search request mail (transmission). In the body of the e-mail, "89th Adult Nursing Internal Medicine" is described as a search key. On the other hand, in the lower section, "Literature search" is described as an information field, and "Stoma surgery"
Surgical Internal Medicine ”is described. The e-mail address (search request e-mail address) is common. In response to such a search request mail, the information search system 10 returns a search result mail. In the search result mail (reception), the search result based on the search key in the corresponding field is described in the body part.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the screen. Here, the user uses a personal computer.
A user sends a search request e-mail with the title (field): national examination, e-mail text (search key): stoma, surgery, treatment. In response, a search result mail (received) is returned. As described above, the system of the present embodiment can be applied to a terminal such as a mobile phone and a personal computer.

FIG. 11 shows a further modification. The information search system may provide information of a plurality of specific fields by being configured as shown in FIG. FIG.
In the configuration 1, the information search system 10 (information search mail server 22) has a plurality of search request mail addresses. FIG. 11 illustrates three addresses A, B, and C. The search request mail sent to those addresses is received by the mail receiving unit. The plurality of search request e-mail addresses respectively correspond to a plurality of different information fields. Information retrieval system 10 (information retrieval database server 2)
4), a plurality of specific information databases a, b, and c are provided corresponding to the plurality of information fields. That is,
Each database stores one piece of information in a plurality of information fields. Databases a, b, and c correspond to search request mail addresses A, B, and C, respectively.

In such a configuration, it is assumed that a search request mail is sent to one of a plurality of search request mail addresses A, B, and C. The information search mail server requests the information search database server to search the database corresponding to the search request mail address. Here, information for identifying the mail address may be simply transmitted.
In response to the request, the information retrieval database server retrieves information from the corresponding database, and returns a retrieval result to the mail server.

[Example of Application of the Present Embodiment] Next, examples of services such as information provision to which the present embodiment is applied will be described. In the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10 described above, medical and nursing related information is provided. Information in other fields can also be applied to the database search by mail in this system. Appropriate information is, for example, stock price information, telephone number information, information such as various dictionaries and dictionaries, postal code information, traffic timetable information, product price information, information such as the balance of financial institutions, and various types of guidance information.

A plurality of pieces of information may be provided by one system. In this case, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the type of information is described in a title or the like. For example, as described with reference to FIG.
An e-mail is sent to the search request address corresponding to the type of information (these points are the same in the following modified examples).

According to the present invention, a search is executed on the system side in response to the transmission of the e-mail, and the result is returned to the user. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to service provision by a job execution request using electronic mail. In this case, an e-mail describing the desired job is created and transmitted by the user. The job described in the e-mail is executed on the service providing system side. An e-mail describing the result is returned. The applicable jobs are for reservations and confirmation of hotel accommodations, boarding reservations and confirmation of transportation, reservations and confirmation of facility use such as hospitals and movie theaters, general purchase and sale of products, etc., for remote areas (remote areas). Requests for execution of a job such as an experimental measuring instrument (such as starting operation of an experimental measuring system and collecting measurement data). A mail server is assigned to the experimental measuring instrument, and an electronic mail for remote control is sent to the experimental measuring instrument. And the results are delivered).

Further, from the same viewpoint, the present invention is also applicable to personal information management using electronic mail. The personal information management is, for example, schedule management. All settings and execution are done by e-mail. Notify the schedule by e-mail automatically delivered at the set date and time.

In addition, various modifications can be made to this embodiment by those skilled in the art.

For example, in the above embodiment, an electronic mail on the Internet was applied to the present invention. On the other hand, electronic mail other than the Internet is also suitably applied to the present invention. LAN and WAN mails are also applicable to the present invention.

In the present invention, the search request mail basically has character information as a search key. On the other hand, the search result mail may have information other than characters. For example,
A sound file that conveys the search result by voice may be attached to the mail. The search result is transmitted by the computer outputting the voice file as voice. In addition, it may have an image file, an executable program file, and the like, and any attached file may be attached to these.

In the present invention, the information search system is constituted by the information search mail server and the information search database server, and the components of the present invention are distributed to these servers. The method of allocating each component is not limited to the above embodiment. Further, some functions may be provided in another computer. Conversely, the information search mail server and the information search database server may be integrated.

One aspect of the present invention is the simple authentication technique (apparatus and method) as described above. And in this embodiment,
The simple authentication technology of the present invention has been applied to an information retrieval system using electronic mail. The simple authentication technology may be applied to a system other than the information search system. That is, the simple authentication technique of the present invention can be widely applied to easily perform member authentication by communicating with a registered member.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. As described above, upon receiving a search request mail to the search request mail address, the system of the present invention searches for information based on the search key written in the search request mail, and returns a search result. The user can obtain the search result by sending the search request mail to the search request mail address. Since the trouble and time required for accessing the Web page are not required, the information can be easily searched.

FIG. 12 illustrates the advantages of the present invention. Conventional search systems exclusively use Web pages. The user accesses the Web page and requests a search key input screen. In response, an input screen is provided. The user inputs a search key (a search term or the like) on the input screen.
The search term or the like is sent to the search system, a search is performed, and a search result or the like is returned to the user. Search results are Web
Presented in the form of content. As described above, in the conventional system, some effort and time are required for the search operation. In particular, for small terminal users such as mobile phones,
Searching is a rather cumbersome task.

On the other hand, the search system of the present invention
Use e-mail instead of WW. An e-mail containing a search key (a search term or the like) is sent from the user to the search system. In response, a mail such as a search result is returned to the user. Therefore, the user can obtain the information of the search result by a simple operation.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the conventional system, a computer is connected to the Internet during a search operation. In contrast, in the system of the present invention,
The computer only needs to be connected to the Internet when sending and receiving mail. Data traffic can be reduced, and prompt provision of information can be achieved in this respect as well.

According to the present invention, a search request mail address is associated with a database in a specific information field. When a user wants to search for information in a specific information field, the user may send an e-mail to a search request mail address corresponding to the field. In response, information is retrieved from a database containing information in the field. The user can easily and quickly receive information in a specific information field.

Further, according to the present invention, preferably, a plurality of search request mail addresses are respectively associated with databases in different information fields. The user selects an address corresponding to the desired information and sends an e-mail to the address. In response, information is provided from a corresponding database. Therefore, the user only has to select a mail address in order to obtain information in a desired field, and can conveniently and easily search for information in a specific field.

Further, according to the present invention, a search key analysis unit is provided, and the search key analysis unit analyzes a search request mail and detects a search key. Preferably, the search key analysis unit obtains a search key description portion of the search request mail according to a predetermined rule for determining a portion where the search key is described in the search request mail, and detects the search key from the search key description portion . The description of the e-mail is divided into a search key description part and a non-description part (a part where no key is described).
For example, the signature part is an undescribed part. With this configuration, even if the e-mail contains a description such as a signature,
Providing appropriate search results.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a simple authentication device using header information of an electronic mail. here,
Conventionally, member authentication is performed exclusively when a Web page is used. Then, in normal member authentication, the user must input an ID and a password. On the other hand, in the present invention, member authentication can be realized by a system using electronic mail. Further, by using the header information as the authentication information, the user does not need to input the ID and the password. The system also does not need to request the user for the ID and password, and can easily perform authentication using the header information originally added to the electronic mail.

Further, in this embodiment, in addition to the collation of the header information, a DNS check and a Ping check are performed. The DNS check confirms whether the IP address of the source of the search request mail actually exists. Furthermore, the Ping check indicates that the IP
It is confirmed that the mail server is operating normally with respect to the address. After confirming this normal operation, the header information of the search request mail is compared with the header information already registered as authentication information. Therefore, authentication can be performed more reliably. However, the order of confirmation is not limited to the above, and another order may be used.

As described above, the authentication technique of the present invention is suitably applied to the information search system of the present invention, but can also be independently applied to other systems and devices.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information retrieval system of the present invention together with the Internet.

FIG. 2 is another diagram showing the information search system of the present invention together with the Internet.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search mail server and an information search database server of the information search system.

FIG. 4 is a first flowchart showing the overall operation of the information search system.

FIG. 5 is a second flowchart showing the overall operation of the information search system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an authentication process by the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a preferred operation of an information search function in the present system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of data related to the information search system of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on a user computer.

FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a user computer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a plurality of specific information databases are provided corresponding to a plurality of search request mail addresses.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the labor-saving effect of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information search system 12 Internet 14 Mobile telephone 16 Mobile terminal 18 Personal computer 20 Router 22 Information search mail server 24 Information search database server 30 Mail reception part 32 Received mail analysis part 34 Member registration processing part 36 Member database 38 Authentication information storage part 44 Authentication processing unit 46 Search request unit 48 Information search unit 50 Search key analysis unit 52 Search target information database 54 Search result acquisition unit 56 Search result mail creation unit 60 Mail transmission unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/54 H04L 11/20 101B 12/58

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An information search system for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication, comprising: a search request mail receiving unit having a specific search request mail address; An information search unit that searches for information corresponding to the search key when a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which the search key is written is sent to the address; and a search result that includes a search result by the information search unit. An information search system, comprising: a search result mail creating unit that creates an email; and a search result mail reply unit that returns the search result email to the sender of the search request email. 2. The information search system according to claim 1, wherein the search request mail address corresponds to a specific information field, and a specific information database storing information of the specific information field is provided. The information search unit, when the search request mail is sent to the search request mail address, from the specific information database, the information of the specific information field corresponding to the specific request mail address, the search request mail An information search system for performing a search based on the search key. 3. The information search system according to claim 2, wherein the search request mail receiving unit receives a search request mail addressed to a plurality of specific search request mail addresses respectively corresponding to a plurality of different information fields, A plurality of specific information databases each storing information of the plurality of different information fields are provided, and the information search unit, when a search request mail is sent to one of the plurality of search request mail addresses, An information search system for searching information from a specific information database in an information field corresponding to a search request mail address of a search request mail. 4. The information search system according to claim 1, wherein the information search unit analyzes a search request mail sent to the search request mail address and detects a search key. An information retrieval system including an analysis unit. 5. The information search system according to claim 4, wherein the search key analysis unit includes a search key description portion of the search request mail according to a predetermined rule for defining a portion where the search key is described in the search request mail. And a search key is detected from the search key description portion. 6. The information retrieval system according to claim 1, wherein an authentication information storage unit stores information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information. When the search request mail is sent, whether the sender of the search request mail is a member is determined using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit. An information processing system, comprising: an authentication processing unit that performs authentication of whether or not authentication is performed. 7. An information search system for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication, comprising a specific search request mail address, and searching for the search request mail address. An information search mail server that returns a search result mail including a search result based on the search key when a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which the key is written is connected to the information search mail server; And a specific information database which is a database of an information field corresponding to the specific search request mail address, and stores information corresponding to a search key included in a search request mail sent to the information search mail server in the specific information database. And an information search database server for providing search results to the information search mail server. An information retrieval system characterized in that: 8. The information retrieval system according to claim 7, wherein: an authentication information storage unit for storing information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information; Is sent, the authentication of whether or not the sender of the search request mail is a member is performed using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit. An information processing system, comprising: an authentication processing unit for performing. 9. An information search mail server used in an information search system for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication, wherein the search request mail has a specific search request mail address. And a specific information database having information in an information field corresponding to the search request mail address when a search request mail which is an electronic mail in which a search key is written is sent to the search request mail address. A search request unit for requesting a search for information based on the search key, a search result obtaining unit for obtaining search result information from the specific information database, and a search for creating a search result mail including the search result A result mail creation unit; and a search result mail reply unit that returns the search result mail to the sender of the search request mail. An information retrieval mail server, characterized in that: 10. The information search mail server according to claim 9, wherein: an authentication information storage unit that stores information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information; When an e-mail is sent, authentication of whether the sender of the search request mail is a member is performed using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit. An information processing mail server, comprising: an authentication processing unit that performs the following. 11. A simple authentication device for easily performing member authentication by communicating with a registered member, wherein when a new member receives an e-mail, the e-mail is obtained from header information of the e-mail. An authentication information storage unit that stores information as member authentication information, and when an e-mail is received from an existing member, using the header information of the e-mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit, An authentication processing unit for performing authentication as to whether or not the sender of the e-mail is a member. 12. An information search providing method for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication, wherein the method is provided to a specific search request mail address.
A mail receiving step of receiving a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which a search key is written; an information search step of searching for information corresponding to the search key written in the search request mail; a search result including the search result An information search providing method, comprising: a search result mail creating step of creating an email; and a search result email replying step of returning the search result email to a sender of the search request email. 13. The information search providing method according to claim 12, wherein the search request mail address corresponds to a specific information field, and in the information search step, the search request mail address is added to the search request mail address. Is sent, from the specific information database storing the information of the specific information field, the information of the specific information field corresponding to the specific request mail address, based on the search key of the search request mail An information search providing method characterized by searching. 14. The information search providing method according to claim 13, wherein the mail receiving step receives a search request mail addressed to a plurality of specific search request mail addresses respectively corresponding to a plurality of different information fields. In the information search step, a plurality of specific information databases each storing information of the plurality of different information fields are used, and when a search request mail is sent to one of the plurality of search request mail addresses, the search is performed. An information search providing method, wherein information is searched from a specific information database in an information field corresponding to a request mail address of a request mail. 15. The information search providing method according to claim 12, wherein the information search step analyzes a search request mail sent to the search request mail address and detects a search key. An information retrieval providing method comprising a key analysis step. 16. The information search providing method according to claim 15, wherein the search key analysis step is performed according to a predetermined rule for defining a portion where a search key is described in a search request mail.
An information search providing method, wherein a search key description portion of a search request mail is obtained, and a search key is detected from the search key description portion. 17. An information retrieval providing method according to claim 12, wherein information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user is stored as member authentication information. When the search request mail is sent, the sender of the search request mail is a member using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage step. An authentication processing step of performing authentication as to whether or not the information is provided. 18. An information search providing method for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user by communication, comprising: a search key for an information providing mail server having a specific search request mail address; Replying a search result mail including a search result based on the search key from an information providing mail server when a search request mail that is an electronic mail written is sent, and connected to the information search mail server. The information corresponding to the search key included in the search request mail sent to the information search mail server is provided by an information search database including a specific information database that is a database of an information field corresponding to the specific search request mail address. Searching the specific information database and providing a search result to the information search mail server Information retrieval provides a method, which comprises a. 19. The information search providing method according to claim 18, wherein an authentication information storing step of storing information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information; When the mail is sent, it is determined whether the sender of the search request mail is a member by using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storing step. An information processing method, comprising: performing an authentication processing step of performing authentication. 20. An information retrieval mail processing method used in an information retrieval system for transmitting a retrieval result in response to an information retrieval request transmitted from a user through communication, wherein the method is transmitted to a specific retrieval request mail address. Have been
A mail receiving step of receiving a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which a search key is written; and a specific information database having information in an information field corresponding to the search request mail address. A search request step for requesting a search, a search result obtaining step for obtaining search result information from the specific information database, a search result mail creating step for creating a search result mail including the search result, A search result mail replying step of replying to a sender of the search request mail. 21. An information retrieval mail processing method according to claim 20, wherein: an authentication information storing step of storing information obtained from header information of an e-mail sent from a new user as member authentication information; When the request mail is sent, whether or not the sender of the search request mail is a member is determined using the header information of the search request mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage step. An authentication processing step of performing authentication of the information retrieval mail processing method. 22. A simple authentication method for easily performing member authentication by communicating with a registered member, wherein when an e-mail is sent from a new member, the e-mail is obtained from header information of the e-mail. An authentication information storing step of storing information as member authentication information, and when an e-mail is received from an existing member, using the header information of the e-mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storing step. An authentication processing step of performing authentication as to whether or not the sender of the electronic mail is a member. 23. A recording medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein the program executes an information search providing process for transmitting a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication. A program to be executed by a computer, wherein the program is sent to a specific search request email address,
A mail receiving step of receiving a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which a search key is written; an information search step of searching for information corresponding to the search key written in the search request mail; a search result including the search result Making the computer execute a search result mail creating step of creating an email, and a search result mail replying step of returning the search result mail to the sender of the search request mail.
A computer-readable recording medium. 24. A recording medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein the program is used in an information search system that transmits a search result in response to an information search request sent from a user via communication. A program for causing the computer to perform an information search mail process, wherein the program is sent to a specific search request mail address,
A mail receiving step of receiving a search request mail that is an electronic mail in which a search key is written; and a specific information database having information in an information field corresponding to the search request mail address. A search request step for requesting a search, a search result obtaining step of obtaining information of a search result from the specific information database, a search result mail generating step of generating a search result mail including the search result, and the search result mail A search result mail replying step of replying to the sender of the search request mail, and causing the computer to execute.
A computer-readable recording medium. 25. A recording medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein the program causes the computer to perform a simple authentication process for easily performing a member authentication by communicating with a registered member. An authentication information storing step of storing information obtained from header information of the e-mail as member authentication information when an e-mail is sent from a new member; and When receiving the e-mail, using the header information of the e-mail and the member authentication information stored in the authentication information storage step, an authentication process for authenticating whether or not the sender of the e-mail is a member And b. Causing the computer to execute
A computer-readable recording medium.