JP2002132679A - Server system, attached file providing method, and computer-readable recording medium with attached file providing program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make properly confirmable the contents of an attached file even at the time of receiving an electronic mail including an attached file by a terminal which is not provided with any application software for developing the attached file. SOLUTION: At the time of receiving the notification of the incoming of an electronic mail with an attached file from a mail server 40 (2), a user instructs for the transfer of the mail from a portable telephone 30 (3). The mail server 40 transfers the electronic mail according to the instruction (4). A server 100 of an ASP receives this electronic mail, and stores it in a mail box 103. Also, at the time of receiving an output instruction (5), the server 100 of the ASP reads the pertinent attached file, and develops it by corresponding application software, and converts it into a proper data format corresponding to the designated output destination (6), and transmits it to a facsimile equipment 80 (7). The user can obtain a document related with the attached file printed by the facsimile equipment 80 (8).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a server system,
Regarding the method for providing the attached file and the computer-readable recording medium on which the attached file providing program is recorded, particularly when an e-mail with the attached file is received by a terminal such as a mobile phone that does not have application software for expanding the attached file. In particular, the present invention relates to a server system capable of appropriately viewing the contents of an attached file, an attached file providing method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an attached file providing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some cases, in addition to character information, a file created by specific application software is attached to an electronic mail as an attached file and transmitted together with the character information.

[0003] A recipient who receives such an e-mail with an attached file can open the attached file on the same software as the application software in which the attached file was created, and view the contents. Usually, the attached file has an extension that can identify the created software. For this reason, the OS (operating system) automatically determines the extension and selects software to be developed. Then, the attached file is expanded by the selected software, and the contents are displayed.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional e-mail system, the contents cannot be viewed unless the receiving side of the e-mail has application software corresponding to the attached file. was there.

[0005] In a terminal having a small memory capacity such as a mobile phone, it is difficult to install many application software in the main body. Therefore, when an e-mail with an attached file is received by a mobile phone, the fact that the attached file exists and its file format are displayed, but the attached file cannot be opened on the spot.

In this case, the recipient must forward the e-mail to another address and view it on a personal computer on which the corresponding application software is installed, or call the e-mail again on such a personal computer and view it. I had to.

[0007] Therefore, the contents cannot be easily viewed on the go, which is very inconvenient. On the other hand, it is troublesome to carry around a large and heavy notebook computer with many application software installed.

[0008] In addition, a compact terminal such as a PDA can be viewed on a screen as long as only application software is included, but also has a problem that the screen is small and difficult to see.

In particular, with the recent spread of e-mail and mobile phones, the number of opportunities to receive e-mails using mobile phones on the go is increasing. In addition, there is an increasing demand for exchanging not only text information but also image information such as graphs, tables, and digital photographs using attached files. Therefore, the above problems are expected to increase in the future.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to be applied to a case where an electronic mail including an attached file is received by a terminal which does not have application software for expanding the attached file. ,
An object of the present invention is to provide a server system capable of appropriately viewing the contents of an attached file, an attached file providing method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording an attached file providing program.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a server system stores an obtaining means for obtaining an attached file included in an e-mail, and stores the obtained attached file. Storage means, expanding means for expanding the stored attached file with predetermined application software, converting means for converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to the destination, and converting the converted data to the destination. Transmitting means for transmitting.

According to the present invention, the attached file included in the electronic mail is expanded by the application software corresponding to the attached file. Then, the expanded data is converted into a data format corresponding to the destination desired by the user, and then transmitted to the destination. For this reason, the user can check the contents of the attached file expanded at the transmission destination.

[0013] Therefore, even if an electronic mail including an attached file is received by a terminal that does not have application software for expanding the attached file, a server system capable of properly viewing the contents of the attached file is provided. It is possible to do.

[0014] Preferably, the expansion means includes a selection means for selecting application software based on the extension of the stored attached file, and is characterized in that the expansion is performed with the selected application software.

According to the present invention, application software is selected based on the extension of the stored attached file, and the attached file is expanded by the software. Therefore, the application software corresponding to the attached file can be easily selected, and the file can be appropriately expanded.

[0016] Preferably, the server system is connected to the Internet. Because it is connected to the Internet, it is possible to provide expanded attachment files over a wider range.

Preferably, the server system further includes a receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit the attached file.

According to the invention, the receiving means:
A transmission instruction from the user is received, and the attached file is transmitted based on the instruction. For this reason, it is possible to perform an appropriate transmission operation reflecting the user's intention.

Preferably, the accepted transmission instruction is sent from a terminal that has received the electronic mail.

According to the present invention, the data of the attached file is transmitted based on the transmission instruction transmitted from the terminal that has received the electronic mail. Therefore, even when an e-mail is received by a terminal such as a mobile phone while away from home, or when an e-mail is received by a terminal that does not have application software to be deployed, the desired transmission is immediately performed from the terminal. An instruction is sent, and data is transmitted based on the instruction. Therefore, the user can easily view the contents of the attached file simply by going to the location of the desired destination device.

Preferably, the accepted transmission instruction is sent from the transmission destination.

According to the present invention, the attached file data is transmitted based on the transmission instruction transmitted from the transmission destination device. For this reason, even when the user goes out without carrying the terminal receiving the e-mail with the attached file, the user directly designates himself / herself as the transmission destination at the desired transmission destination device and issues a transmission instruction. Can be put out. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately acquire the data of the attached file on the spot.

Preferably, the transmission destination includes a printer, a facsimile, and other image output devices connected to a communication line.

According to the present invention, the data of the attached file is transmitted to a printer, facsimile, or other image output device connected to the communication line. Therefore, since the content of the attached file is printed out on paper, the user can check the content on paper. Once obtained as paper, subsequent handling is convenient, such as showing it to others.

Preferably, when the transmission destination is a facsimile, the transmission means transmits the data through a relay point at which the communication fee is lowest as a transmission path.

According to the present invention, when the data of the attached file is transmitted to the facsimile, the data is transmitted via the relay point where the communication fee is lowest. Therefore, the user can check the content of the attached file at low cost.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the server system comprises: an acquiring unit for acquiring an e-mail including an attached file; a transferring unit for transferring the acquired e-mail to a mobile phone company; Storage means for storing the file, expanding means for expanding the stored attached file with predetermined application software, converting means for converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to the destination, Transmission means for transmitting the converted data to the transmission destination in accordance with the instruction.

According to the present invention, when an e-mail including an attached file is acquired by the acquiring means, the attached file is stored by the storage means. For this reason, even if the attached file cannot be stored in the mobile phone company, the attached file can be reliably stored in the server system.

Then, the stored attached file is expanded by the corresponding application software, and the expanded data is converted into a data format corresponding to the transmission destination.
The converted data is transmitted to the destination according to an instruction from the mobile phone by the user. For this reason, the user can more reliably check the contents of the attached file expanded at the transmission destination.

Therefore, even if an electronic mail including an attached file is received by a terminal that does not own the application software that expands the attached file, a server system that can more reliably view the contents of the attached file is provided. Can be provided.

[0031] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the attached file providing method comprises: an acquiring step of acquiring an attached file included in an electronic mail; a storing step of storing the acquired attached file; And a conversion step of converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to the transmission destination, and a transmission step of transmitting the converted data to the transmission destination.

According to the present invention, the attached file included in the electronic mail is expanded by the application software corresponding to the attached file. Then, the expanded data is converted into a data format corresponding to the destination desired by the user, and then transmitted to the destination. For this reason, the user can check the contents of the attached file expanded at the transmission destination.

Therefore, even when an electronic mail including an attached file is received by a terminal that does not have application software for expanding the attached file, a method of providing an attached file capable of properly viewing the contents of the attached file. Can be provided.

[0034] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium comprises: an acquiring step of acquiring an attached file included in an electronic mail; a storing step of storing the acquired attached file; A developing step of expanding the attached file with predetermined application software, a converting step of converting the data of the expanded attached file into a data format corresponding to the destination, and a transmitting step of transmitting the converted data to the destination. ,
Record the attached file program to be executed by the computer.

According to the present invention, even when an e-mail including an attached file is received by a terminal that does not have application software that expands the attached file, the attached file allows the contents of the attached file to be properly viewed. It is possible to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a file providing program is recorded.

[0036]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration in which an ASP (application service provider) server 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is connected to the Internet 50. Referring to FIG. 1, a server 100, a plurality of fixed terminals 20 such as a personal computer (PC), a base station (mail server) 40 of a mobile phone 30 as a mobile communication terminal, a server 60, a printer 70, and an access point ( The APs 90 are connected to the Internet 50, respectively.

It should be noted that the mail server of the base station 40 is provided in the base station in this figure, and for convenience of explanation, the two may be used without distinction.

[0038] The mobile phone 30 is connected to the Internet 50 via the base station 40. When an e-mail is transmitted from the fixed terminal 20 to the mobile phone 30, the e-mail is temporarily stored in the mailbox 41 of the base station (mail server) 40.

Upon receiving the mail arrival notification, the user who owns the mobile phone 30 can read the e-mail stored in the mailbox 41 using the mailer software of the mobile phone 30. In addition, from mobile phone 30 to Internet 5
The server 100 can access the server 100 via the Internet server 0 to transmit an e-mail in the mailbox 41 to the server 100, or transmit data such as an output instruction from the mobile phone 30 to the server 100.

Server 100 stores the transmitted e-mail in a mailbox (not shown). And
When there is an output instruction, the attached file in the e-mail is expanded by the corresponding application software and converted into a data format according to the output destination. It should be noted that application software required for expanding the attached file is installed in the server 100 in advance. The converted data is sent to the printer 70 via the Internet 50.
Or to the facsimile machine 80 connected to the telephone line.

Printer 70 or facsimile machine 80
Prints out the attached file based on the transmitted data.

FIG. 2 shows a server 10 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of No. 0. Server 100
Means sending / receiving data such as e-mail, output instructions, etc.
A receiving unit 101, a mailbox 103 for storing the received e-mail, and an expansion unit 1 for expanding an attached file included in the e-mail with corresponding application software
05, a conversion unit 107 for converting the developed data into a data format corresponding to the output destination device, and a control unit 109 for controlling these units.

The server 100 can be connected to the Internet via the router 111, and can connect to the modem 1
13 and can be connected to a telephone network.

The e-mail sent via the Internet 50 is received by the sending / receiving unit 101 and stored in the mailbox 103 together with the attached file.

The output instruction of the attached file is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit 10.
When received in step 1, the attached file instructed is read from the mailbox 103. Then, the read attached file is expanded by the expansion unit 105 using the corresponding application software. next,
In the conversion unit 107, the expanded file is converted into a data format according to the output destination device that has received the output instruction.

The data of the attached file converted into an appropriate data format is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 101 to a predetermined output destination.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which the attached file included in the electronic mail is expanded and output by the server 100. It should be noted that the user has previously set the server 1
Register to receive this service from the website provided by 00. From this Web site, a mail address is issued to the user. At the same time, a certain amount of memory is secured in a predetermined area in the mailbox 103 as a user's mailbox.

First, an e-mail including an attached file is sent via the Internet 50 to the mail server 40 of the base station.
(1), the mail server 40 sends the message to the mobile phone 30
Is notified to inform the user of the incoming mail (2).

The user who owns the mobile phone 30 knows that an e-mail has arrived at a destination. When the user confirms that the attached file is included in the e-mail, the user instructs the mail server 40 to transfer the mail (3). At this time, the mail address acquired in advance is specified as the transfer destination.

Upon receiving the transfer instruction, the mail server 40 transmits an electronic mail including the attached file to the server 100 (4). Upon receiving the transmitted e-mail, server 100 temporarily stores it in mailbox 103.

The user designates an output destination from the mobile phone 30 at a destination and issues an output instruction to the server 100 (5). Here, the facsimile machine 80 in the convenience store near the destination is specified as the output destination.

When the server 100 confirms that the output instruction is from a proper user, the server 100 reads out the attached file from the mailbox 103 and expands it with the corresponding application software. Then, the facsimile device 80 which is the designated output destination of the expanded data
(6), for example, to a data format conforming to the G3 standard. Then, the converted data is transmitted to the facsimile machine 80 which is the designated output destination (7).

At this time, the server 100 selects the access point 90 where the communication fee (telephone fee) is the lowest for the facsimile machine 80 as the designated output destination, and performs data transfer. For example, in FIG. 1, the access point 90A closest to the output facsimile machine 80 is selected from the plurality of access points 90. Here, as a communication line from the server 100 to each AP 90, an Internet line or a dedicated line may be used.

The facsimile apparatus 80 performs a printout based on the transmitted data. For this reason, the user on the go can obtain the document about the attached file on the go (8).

The flow of processing in the server 100 among the above processing procedures will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process performed by the control unit 109 of the server 100. Referring to FIG. 4, first, in step S401, server 100 determines whether or not the user's mobile phone 30 has output a request for outputting an attached file.

When a request to output an attached file is received from the user ("Y" in step S401), in step S403, the mailbox 103 is searched to read the attached file requested to be output.

Then, in step S405, the attached file is analyzed, and application software to be expanded is selected. Specifically, the corresponding application software is determined based on the extension of the attached file name. Then, the attached file is expanded using the determined application software.

The expanded file is stored in step S407.
Is converted into electronic data according to the designated output destination. Here, since the facsimile machine 80 is specified as the output destination, the data is converted into a format corresponding to the facsimile machine conforming to the G3 standard.

Then, in step S409, the converted electronic data is output to the facsimile machine 80 which is the designated output destination. The facsimile machine 80 that has received this forms an image based on the data and outputs it to paper.

In step S411, it is determined whether to delete the output attached file. If a deletion command is received by the user (“Y” in step S411), the corresponding attached file and the output electronic data are deleted from the mailbox 103 in step S413.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the attached file stored in the mailbox 103 is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 30. In the mailbox 103,
It is possible to store a plurality of e-mails with attached files within a predetermined capacity. As shown in FIG.
A list of attached files stored can be displayed on the display screen 0. The user selects a file desired to be output from the files.

An up / down key or a number key is used for selecting a file. Also, when deleting a file, a file to be deleted can be specified and a deletion request can be issued to the server 100 by the same operation.

Although only the attached file name is displayed in this figure, information relating to the attached file, such as the date and time of reception, may be displayed at the same time.

As described above, upon receiving a request to output an attached file, the server 100 according to the present embodiment expands the file using application software corresponding to the attached file and converts the file into data in a format corresponding to the output destination. Perform the conversion. Then, the converted data is transmitted to the output destination.

Therefore, the user who has received the e-mail including the attached file on the mobile phone 30
Can't see the contents of the attachment,
By using this service by the server 100,
Even when you are out, you can check the contents.

That is, the user can receive, as a document, the contents of the attached file output from the facsimile machine 80 such as a nearby convenience store. Since the contents can be obtained as a document, subsequent handling such as showing it to others becomes convenient.

Here, the case where the facsimile device 80 is designated as the image output device of the output destination has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the facsimile machine 80.
Printer 7 that supports P (Internet Printing Protocol)
0 can also be specified. Further, a network printer connected to an Internet server can be set as an output destination.

Here, the case of outputting to an IPP-compatible printer 70 connected to the Internet 50 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In this case, an IPP-compatible printer 70 is used instead of the illustrated facsimile machine 80 as an output destination. Then, from the mobile phone 30 owned by the user, the URL (Unif.
orm Resource Location) is specified as the output destination (5).

The server 100 knows that the output destination is an IPP-compatible printer, and converts the contents of the attached file developed by the corresponding application software into a PCL (Printer).
Control Language) (6). Then, the converted PCL is transmitted to the specified URL (7). The printer 70 prints out based on the data.

When the output destination is the network printer 75 connected to the Internet server, the network printer 75 may be considered instead of the facsimile apparatus 80 shown in FIG. However, the designated destination is the server 60 corresponding to the network printer 75.
Is specified. For this reason, in the server 100, the contents of the file decompressed by the application software corresponding to the attached file are converted to Tiff (Tagged Image File
t) Convert the data to the format. After the conversion, the Tiff file is transmitted to a network printer 75 connected to a predetermined Internet server 60.

In the present embodiment, the e-mail with the attached file is temporarily stored in the mailbox 103, and is expanded by application software when output is requested. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, as soon as an attached file is received, the file is expanded by the corresponding application software,
The information may be stored in a predetermined area of the mailbox 103. In this way, if there is an output request,
Output can be performed immediately by simply converting the data of the expanded file to the data format of the output destination. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required until the user reaches the user.

The output destination is not limited to an image output device such as a printer or a facsimile device as described above. For example, the output destination is displayed on an image display device such as a CRT and the contents can be confirmed. It is possible.

As described above, when the service provided by server 100 in the present embodiment is used, even when an e-mail with an attached file is received by mobile phone 30 while away from home, a service such as a convenience store can be used. The contents of the attached file can be obtained as a document from an appropriate facsimile machine or the like.

Therefore, even if a user who does not own the personal computer itself receives the e-mail with the attached file from the mobile phone, the user can use the present service to check the contents.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the mobile phone 30 receives an e-mail.
This service can be used even when application software is not installed in (Personal Digital Assistants) or the like. That is, when an e-mail with an attached file is received by the personal computer or the PDA, a transfer instruction and an output instruction are issued from the received e-mail, thereby confirming the contents of the attached file developed from an appropriate facsimile machine, printer, display, or the like. It becomes possible. [Second Embodiment] Next, an ASP server 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The server 200 according to the present embodiment has the same overall configuration as the server 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
Also, when connected to a network, the network configuration is the same as that of the server 100 shown in FIG. However, the server 200 differs from the server 100 in that the server 200 first receives an e-mail with an attached file.

Also in the present embodiment, the user needs to register in advance to receive this service from the Web site provided by server 200. Thus, the user can receive the issuance of the e-mail address, and can secure a certain area of memory in the mailbox 103 of the server 200.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which the attached file included in the electronic mail is expanded and output by the ASP server 200 according to the present embodiment.
Unlike the case of FIG. 3, here, an e-mail with an attached file is first transmitted to the server 200 (1).
In this case, the sender of the e-mail specifies the e-mail address issued by the user registration as the destination.

When the server 200 receives the e-mail (1), the server 200 transfers the e-mail to the mail server 40 (2). However, in this case, the attached file is not transferred,
It remains stored in the mailbox 103. Therefore, data other than the attached file, that is, the mail text, the sender, the presence or absence of the attached file, the attached file name and the like are transferred.

The mail server 40 receives the notification and notifies the mobile phone 30 of the incoming mail (3). The user who owns the mobile phone 30 can use the mail server 4 as shown in FIG.
Instead of issuing an e-mail transfer instruction to 0, an output request is issued to the server 200 by specifying an e-mail output destination when necessary (4). This is because the attached file is already stored in the mailbox 103 of the server 200.

The subsequent processing procedure is the same as in FIG. That is, the server 200 expands the attached file using the corresponding application software, and converts the expanded data into a data format corresponding to the destination (5). Then, the converted data is transmitted to the facsimile machine 80 as the transmission destination (6). The user operates the facsimile machine 3
From 0, a document on which the content of the attached file is printed can be obtained (7).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, first, server 200 receives an e-mail with an attached file. Therefore, the mail server (mobile phone company) 40
Even if the capacity of the mailbox 45 is small or the mailbox 45 does not have the mailbox 45 itself,
This service is provided appropriately, and the user can finally check the contents of the attached file.

The attached file is stored in the server 20 from the beginning.
Since the mail is stored in the mailbox 103 of 0, the user does not need to instruct the mail server 40 to transfer the e-mail.

(Modification 1) Next, an example in which the method of specifying the output destination for the server 100 is different will be described again with reference to FIG. Since the same applies to the server 200, the description using FIG. 6 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, here, the processing procedure is the same as in the above-described embodiment except for the output instruction. That is, when the mobile phone 30 instructs the mail server 40 to transfer the electronic mail with the attached file to the server 100 (3), the mail server 40 sends the electronic mail to the server 10 (4).

Next, an output request is made to server 100. In this case, the output request is made from the mobile phone 30 in the above-mentioned example (5), but here, the output request is made directly from the facsimile machine 80 as the output destination (5) '. The output request from the facsimile device 80 is made by making a call to an IVR automatic voice response device (Interactive Voice Response) linked to the control unit 109 of the server 100. The user inputs his / her facsimile number, which is the output destination, according to the instruction of the IVR, and designates an attached file in the mailbox 103 which the user wants to output.

The subsequent operation is the same as in the case described above. That is, the server 100 receives the output instruction,
The corresponding attached file is read from the mailbox 103 and is expanded by predetermined application software. Then, data conversion is performed to data corresponding to the facsimile machine 80 as the output destination (6). The converted data is transmitted to the facsimile machine 80 (7) and printed out by the facsimile machine 80.

Although the case where the output instruction is issued from the facsimile machine 80 as the output destination has been described, the output can be instructed from the terminal connected to the Internet 50 or the output destination network printer. .

For example, when a terminal connected to the Internet designates a printer connected to the terminal as an output destination, the user accesses this Web site and designates an address of the output destination.

The same is true when an output instruction is issued from a network printer. However, in this case, a browser can be displayed on the operation panel of the network printer, and the Web site is accessed from there.

Note that the server 100 according to the present embodiment
As described above, user registration is required to secure a predetermined capacity in the mailbox 103 as described above. At this time, the user ID may be issued together with the mail address. Then, when receiving the output instruction, the server 100 may request the input of the user ID issued to determine whether or not the output instruction is from an appropriate user.

By doing so, it is possible to enhance security when outputting the attached file. In addition,
When it is known that the instruction is from the user himself, such as when the output instruction is issued from the mobile phone 30 or the like owned by the user, the input request of the user ID may be omitted as described above. When the input of the user ID is unnecessary, the operation for issuing the output request is simplified.

[0092] In this case, the case where the mail server 40 for receiving the electronic mail and the server 100 or 200 are separated as different apparatuses has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, the functions of both servers may be realized by one device.

That is, the mail server 40 of the base station shown in FIG. 1 is provided with the functions of the expanding unit 105 and the converting unit 107 performed by the server 100. By doing so, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the transfer instruction (3) from the mobile phone 30 outside the home and the transmission processing (4) of the e-mail from the mail server 40 to the server 100 become unnecessary. .

[0094] Therefore, the user who has received the e-mail arrival notification on mobile phone 30 receives the notification from mobile phone 30 only when making an output request to mail server 40.
Alternatively, an output instruction may be issued from the output facsimile machine 80 or the like.

Therefore, the user does not need to give an e-mail transfer instruction, and can receive a more convenient service.

Further, the above-described plurality of processes performed in the server 100 (or 200) or the mail server 40 of the base station may not be performed entirely by any device, but may be performed by appropriately sharing. good. Further, for example, all or part of the processing may be performed in another device such as the AP 90.

[0097] This time, the case where the electronic mail is stored in the mailbox 103 together with the attached file has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and only the attached file may be stored in the mailbox 103. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the mailbox 103 having a predetermined storage capacity.

[0098] This time, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the mail server 40 is described using a server of a mobile phone company as an example. However, the server is not limited to the mail server of the mobile phone company, and may be another server such as a server owned by a company.

When the server is a company server, the electronic mail may be automatically transferred to the server 100 by the automatic transfer function. Thereby, the user can use the mobile phone 30.
Just send an output request to the server 100 from the printer,
The contents of the attached file can be easily checked on the go by facsimile, display, or the like.

Instead of the automatic transfer, a transfer instruction may be issued from the mobile phone 30 to the company server to transfer the e-mail to the server 100, as in the case described with reference to FIG.

The attached file providing method described above can be realized by causing a computer to execute an attached file providing program for causing the above-described series of processing operations to function. The attached file providing program may be installed in advance on a hard disk in a computer, or may be a CD-ROM,
It may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic tape. In any case, the attached file providing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

Note that computer-readable recording media include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks (flexible disks, hard disk devices, etc.) and optical disks (CD-ROM / MO / MD).
/ DVD, etc., a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) or an optical card, or a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash RO
A medium that fixedly holds the program, such as a semiconductor memory such as M, may be used.

Further, the medium may carry the program in a fluid manner so that the program is downloaded from the network.

The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to a program, but may be data.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example in all points, and should not be considered as being restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a server 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
00 shows a network configuration connected to the Internet 50.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server 100 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which an attached file included in an electronic mail is expanded and output by a server 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process performed by a control unit 109 of the server 100.

FIG. 5 shows a mailbox 1 on the display screen of the mobile phone 30.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which an attached file stored in the file 03 is displayed.

FIG. 6 is an ASP server 200 according to the present embodiment.
Expands the attachments contained in the email,
It is a figure for explaining the procedure outputted.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 fixed terminal (PC), 30 mobile terminal (mobile phone), 40 base station (mail server), 41, 103
Mailbox, 50 Internet, 60 server, 70 printer, 75 network printer, 8
0 Facsimile machine, 90 access points (A
P), 100, 200 ASP server device, 101
Transmission / reception unit, 105 expansion unit, 107 conversion unit, 109
Control unit, 111 router, 113 modem.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/32 H04N 1/34 1/34 G06F 9/06 650D F-term (Reference) 5B076 AB17 AB20 5B082 GA02 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA12 AA14 AA29 AA37 AB42 AC29 AC43 AF08 BA00 BC06 BD00 5C075 AB06 AB90 CA14 CA15 CA90 CD07 FF90 GG09

Claims (11)

[Claims] An acquisition unit that acquires an attached file included in an electronic mail; a storage unit that stores the acquired attached file; a deployment unit that deploys the stored attached file with predetermined application software; A server system, comprising: a conversion unit that converts the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to a destination; and a transmission unit that transmits the converted data to the destination. 2. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the expanding unit includes a selecting unit that selects an application software based on an extension of the stored attached file, and expands the application using the selected application software. Server system as described. 3. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the server system is connected to the Internet. 4. The server system according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit an attached file. 5. The received transmission instruction is sent from a terminal that has received an e-mail,
The server system according to claim 4. 6. The server system according to claim 4, wherein the accepted transmission instruction is sent from the destination. 7. The transmission destination includes a printer, a facsimile, and other image output devices connected to a communication line.
The server system according to claim 1. 8. When the destination is a facsimile,
The server system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the data via a relay point at which a communication fee is lowest as a transmission route. 9. An acquiring unit for acquiring an e-mail including an attached file; a transferring unit for transferring the acquired e-mail to a mobile phone company; a storing unit for storing the acquired attached file; Expanding means for expanding the stored attached file with predetermined application software; converting means for converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to a transmission destination; and converting the data according to an instruction from a mobile phone. Transmitting means for transmitting the data to the destination. 10. An acquiring step of acquiring an attached file included in an e-mail, a storing step of storing the acquired attached file, and an expanding step of expanding the stored attached file with predetermined application software; A method for providing an attached file, comprising: a converting step of converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to a destination; and a transmitting step of transmitting the converted data to the destination. 11. An acquiring step of acquiring an attached file included in an electronic mail, a storing step of storing the acquired attached file, and an expanding step of expanding the stored attached file with predetermined application software; An attachment file providing program for causing a computer to execute a conversion step of converting the data of the expanded attached file into data corresponding to a destination, and a transmission step of transmitting the converted data to the destination. A computer-readable recording medium that has been recorded.