JP2003218944A - Mail transmission/reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail transmission/reception system where each user can utilize only required functions. <P>SOLUTION: The mail transmission/reception system comprises a database 2, a mail box 3, the Internet 4 and various function sections 5 connected to an MTA (Message Transfer Agent) 1. The various function sections 5 include e.g. a virus eliminating function 51 having functions 1 to 6, a virus mail eliminating function 52, a contents filter eliminating function 53, a content filter return function 54, a spam check function 55, and other function 56. Through the configuration above, the MTA 1 references the database 2 to decide a function in use, attaches function information in use to a header so as to allow mail to store the function information to which the mail itself is subjected, the MTA 1 references each mail header and shares mail to each service server. Thus, each user can utilize only required optional services, the operating efficiency of the system can be enhanced and the service performance can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail transmission / reception system, and more particularly to a mail transmission / reception system capable of providing an arbitrary service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method used for sending and receiving mail, there is one that executes a fixed function for each account participating in a domain.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional mail transmission / reception method, many users receive more services than necessary, and in some cases they cannot receive necessary services, which is a waste of system operation efficiency. There is a problem in the environment where is likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mail transmission / reception system in which each user can use only necessary functions. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mail transmission / reception method that enables an arbitrary service that a user wants to use individually for each user, for each mail, for each domain in a mail service.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the mail transmission / reception system of the present invention determines the function to be used by the MTA by referring to the database, adds the function information to be used to the header, and sends the mail to the mail. The function information to be received by the mail itself is retained, the MTA refers to each mail header and distributes the mail to each service server, and it is possible to provide an arbitrary service in which each user can use only the necessary function. It is characterized by that.

[0006] Further, if any service that can be used is individually selectable for each user, for each mail, for each domain, and if any service is used for each user, the transmitted mail is MTA. Received by
It is advisable to judge or discriminate whether or not the user has a service usage contract from the sending address and the receiving address of the mail.

Further, the above-mentioned functions include a virus deleting function for checking whether or not the mail contains a virus, a virus mail deleting function for deleting the entire mail with a virus attached thereto, and a filtered character string. The content filter deletion function that returns only non-emails to the MTA, the content filter reply function that checks whether the character string registered in the content filter is included, and the spam check function that returns non-spam mails to the MTA, Including at least one of M
The TA is connected to a database, the services that each user has subscribed to are registered in the database, the header for each service is added to the mail, and the MTA reads the header and determines the service function to be used. It is better to execute service provision for email.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a mail transmitting / receiving system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown an embodiment of a mail transmission / reception system of the present invention. 1 to 3 are the first
Of the second embodiment, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the second embodiment.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the embodiment of the mail transmitting / receiving system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the mail transmission / reception method of the present embodiment comprises an MTA (Message Transfer Agent / Message Transfer Agent) 1, a database 2, a mailbox 3, an Internet 4, and various functional units 5 connected to the MTA 1. It In addition, various functional units 5
Is a function 1 virus deletion function 51, a function 2 virus mail deletion function 52, a function 3 content filter deletion function 53, a function 4 content filter reply function 54,
It has a spam check function 55 of function 5 and another function 56 of function 6.

In the mail transmission / reception method of the present embodiment configured as described above, in the mail service, an arbitrary service that the user wants to use can be set for each user, mail, and mail.
It is possible individually for each domain. The details will be described below.

In the mail transmission / reception system of FIG. 1, when an arbitrary service is used for each user, an MTA (Message Transfer Agent / Message Transfer Agent) 1 receives the transmitted mail, and the transmission address and reception of the mail. Based on the address, it is judged or discriminated whether or not the user has a service contract. If the result of this determination is a user who has a usage contract, the MTA 1 reads the service that each user has a usage contract from the database 2 and adds a header for each service to the mail. Further, the MTA 1 reads the header, determines the service function to be used, and executes those services for the mail. After executing this service, MTA (Message
Transfer Agent) 1 deletes the corresponding header.

This series of processes is repeated until the service header disappears. When the header disappears, the received mail is delivered to the mailbox 3 for the corresponding user account, and the sent mail is delivered to the network of the Internet 4, respectively. To do. Also, for each email
In the case of domain units as well, add a header to the email and execute the service by the same procedure.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a virus deletion function 51, a virus mail deletion function 52, a content filter deletion function 53, a content filter reply function 54, a spam check function 55 and other functions 5 are used.
6 will be described in the case of the embodiment in which it can be used.
The above-mentioned content filter deletion function 53 is a function of performing filtering with a content filter and deleting the corresponding mail. The content filter reply function 54 is a function of performing filtering with a content filter and returning the corresponding mail to the sender.

The MTA 1 receives the mail, determines the destination address of the mail and delivers the mail to any MTA 1 or mailbox 3, and also provides its own server from the destination address and the source address. The database 2 is checked to see if it is a service user. In addition, the user is also inquired about the service contracted to the database 2, and according to the contract contents,
It has the function of delivering mail to the server that executes the contract service. Services that the user has contracted for use are registered in the database 2, and have a function of responding to the service used by the user in response to an inquiry from the MTA 1.

The virus deleting function 51 of the function 1 is the MTA.
Receives the mail delivered from and checks whether the mail contains a virus. Based on the result of this check, the attached virus is deleted and the mail after the virus deletion is returned to MTA1.

The virus mail deletion function 52 of the function 2 is
The mail delivered from MTA1 is received, and it is checked whether the mail contains a virus. Based on the result of this check, the entire mail with a virus is deleted, and only the mail without a virus is returned to MTA1.

Content filter deletion function 53 of function 3
Receives the mail delivered from the MTA 1 and checks whether the character string registered in the content filter is included. As a result of this check, only mails that do not contain filtered character strings are MTA
Reply to 1. When the character string registered in the content filter is found, the mail is deleted.

Content filter reply function 54 of function 4
Receives the mail delivered from the MTA 1 and checks whether the character string registered in the content filter is included. As a result of this check, only mails that do not contain filtered character strings are MTA
Reply to 1. When the character string registered in the content filter is found, the mail is returned to the sender.

Spam check function 55 of service function
Receives the mail delivered from MTA1 and sends the mail indiscriminately (Spam Mai
l) Check if it is not. As a result of this check, a mail other than spam is returned to MTA1. If you find spam, delete the email.

Other functions (also known as service functions) 56
The same applies to the case of using the service function as, the contract information is read from the database 2 and the information is added to the header. According to the header, the mail is transferred to the server that provides the service function 56. The service function server provides the service function, deletes the service information from the header, and returns it to the MTA 1.

(Operation Example) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an embodiment of mail reception for an arbitrary user using this function will be described in detail. This user uses the virus deletion function, the content filter deletion function, and the spam check function for the received mail, and registers that effect in the database.

In FIG. 2, first, a mail is delivered to the MTA 1 from the network. The MTA 1 checks from the reception address of the mail whether it is a user who is using this function. If the receiving address is not the user who is using this function, the reception is rejected. This is to prevent unsolicited e-mail such as spam using the MTA 1 as a stepping stone. If the receiving address of the delivered mail is the user who is using this function, M
TA1 receives the mail.

Next, the database 2 is inquired about the function used by the user. The database 2 returns the registration status of the corresponding user. The MTA 1 recognizes that the user has registered the virus deletion function 51, the content filter deletion function 53, and the spam check function 55 for the received mail.

Next, the MTA 1 adds a header corresponding to the function used by the user to the mail. This work is performed to determine which function to use for the corresponding received mail thereafter. In addition, a function end header is added to distinguish between newly received mail and mail that uses the function.

Next, the following processing is performed until there are no additional headers. (1) The MTA 1 reads the header added to the mail and transfers the mail to the server that executes the corresponding function. When the function end header is read, it is determined that all the registered functions have been executed, and the mail is delivered to the user's mailbox 3. (2) The server that executes various functions receives the mail and executes each function. (3) The server that executes various functions returns a mail to the MTA. (4) The MTA deletes the header corresponding to the function whose execution has been completed from the received mail.

In the case of FIG. 2, the user uses three services of a virus deleting function, a content filter deleting function, and a spam check function. Therefore, the total number of headers added to the mail will be four, including the function end header. The MTA 1 sequentially reads the header and sends the mail to the corresponding server. In FIG. 2, first, MTA1
It reads the header corresponding to the virus check service and sends the mail to the server that executes the virus removal function.

Next, the virus deletion function server executes the service, deletes only the virus when a virus is found, and only mails without viruses are MTA.
Reply to. Next, the MTA deletes the header corresponding to the virus deletion function, reads the next header, and sends the mail to the server that executes the content filter deletion function.

Next, the content filter deletion function server executes the service and returns it to the MTA. If you find a character string registered in the content filter,
Delete the mail.

Next, the MTA 1 deletes the header corresponding to the content filter deletion function 53, reads the next header, and sends the mail to the server that executes the spam check function. Next, the spam check function server executes the service and returns it to MTA1. When it is determined that the email is spam, the email is deleted.

Next, the MTA 1 deletes the header corresponding to the spam check function and reads the next header, which is the function end header. The MTA 1 recognizes that all the functions to be performed on the mail have been completed, and delivers the mail to the corresponding mailbox 3.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, using this function,
An example of sending an email from an arbitrary user will be described in detail. This user uses the virus mail deletion function / content filter reply function for outgoing mail,
The fact is registered in the database. In FIG. 3, first, an email is delivered to the MTA from a user who is using this function.

Next, the database is inquired about the functions used by the user. The MTA 1 recognizes that the user has registered the virus mail deletion function 52 and the content filter reply function 54 for the sent mail.

Next, the MTA 1 adds a header corresponding to the function used by the user to the mail. This work
After that, it is performed to determine which function is used for the corresponding received mail. In addition, a function end header is added to distinguish newly sent mail from mail that uses the function.

Next, the following processing is performed until there are no additional headers. (1) The MTA 1 reads the header added to the mail and transfers the mail to the server that executes the corresponding function. When the function end header is read, it is determined that all the registered functions have been executed, and the mail is delivered to the appropriate MTA 1. (2) The server that executes various functions receives the mail and executes each function. (3) The server that executes various functions sends the mail to the MTA1.
Reply to. (4) The MTA 1 deletes the header corresponding to the function whose execution has been completed from the received mail.

In the case of FIG. 3, since the user uses the two services of the virus mail deleting function and the content filter reply function, the total number of headers added to the mail is three including the function end header. The MTA 1 sequentially reads the header and sends the mail to the corresponding server. In FIG. 3, first, the MTA 1 reads the header corresponding to the virus check service and sends the mail to the server that executes the virus mail deletion function 52.

Next, the virus mail deleting function server
The service is executed, and if a virus is found, the mail with the virus is deleted, and only the mail without the virus is returned to the MTA 1.

Next, the MTA 1 deletes the header corresponding to the virus mail delete function 52, reads the next header, and sends the mail to the server which executes the content filter reply function 54.

Next, the contents filter reply function server executes the service and sends a reply to the MTA 1. When the character string registered in the content filter is found, the mail is returned to the sender.

Next, the MTA deletes the header corresponding to the content filter reply function 54 and reads the next header, the function end header. The MTA 1 recognizes that all the functions to be performed on the mail have been completed, and delivers the mail to the appropriate MTA 1.

(Effect) The first effect is that only the necessary function can be executed for each mail user domain. The second effect is that if you want to add a new function,
All you have to do is add the MTA header and connect the server to the network.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second example of the embodiment of the mail transmitting / receiving system of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the mail transmission / reception method of this embodiment is based on an MTA (Message Transfer Agent /
A message transfer agent) 1, a database 2, a mailbox 3, an Internet 4, and various functional units 6 connected to the MTA 1. The various function units 6 have a translation function 61 of function 1 and a mail size restriction function 62 of function 2.

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail when the mail translation function 61 and the mail size restriction function 62 are available. The functional configuration of this embodiment is MT
A1, database 2, and translation function 61 as function 1
The function 2 includes the mail size limiting function 62 and the mailbox 3.

The translation function 61 of the function 1 has a function of reading the foreign language described in the mail, adding the corresponding Japanese to the mail, and returning it to the MTA 1. The mail size limit function 62 of the function 2 checks the size of the mail and
Reply to the sender an email that exceeds M bytes. The other mails have a function of replying to the MTA 1.

A second embodiment of mail transmission / reception for an arbitrary user using this function will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This user uses the mail translation function 61 and the mail size restriction function 62 for the sent / received mail, and registers that effect in the database 2.

In FIG. 4, first, a mail is delivered to the MTA 1 on the network or from the user. M
The TA1 checks from the reception address or transmission address of the mail whether or not the user is using this function. If the receiving address or sending address is not the user who is using this function, the reception is rejected.
Otherwise, you will receive an email.

Next, the database 2 is inquired about the function used by the user. The database 2 returns the registration status of the corresponding user. The MTA1 is a mail translation function for the user to receive or send mail 61.
Recognize that the mail size limiting function 62 is registered.

Next, the MTA 1 adds a header corresponding to the function used by the user to the mail. This work is performed to determine which function is to be used for the corresponding incoming mail or outgoing mail. Also,
In order to distinguish new mail and mail using the function,
Function end header is added.

Next, the following processing is performed until there are no additional headers. (1) The MTA 1 reads the header added to the mail and transfers the mail to the server that executes the corresponding function. When the function end header is read, it is determined that all the registered functions have been executed, and the mail is delivered to the user's mailbox 3 or the appropriate MTA 1. (2) The server that executes various functions receives the mail and executes each function. (3) The server that executes various functions returns a mail to the MTA. (4) The MTA deletes the header corresponding to the function whose execution has been completed from the received mail.

In the case of FIG. 5, since the user uses the two services of the translation function 61 and the mail size limiting function 62, the total number of headers added to the mail is 3 including the function end header. The MTA sequentially reads the header and sends the mail to the corresponding server. In FIG. 5, first, the MTA reads the header corresponding to the translation service and sends the mail to the server that executes the translation function.

Next, the translation function server that receives the mail translates the foreign language described in the mail into Japanese,
Write in the email. After execution, it returns a mail to the MTA. Next, the MTA deletes the header corresponding to the translation function, reads the next header, and sends the mail to the server that executes the mail size limiting function. Next, the mail size limiting function server that has received the mail checks the size of the mail and returns a reply to the sender if the size is 5 Mbytes or more, and a reply to the MTA otherwise.

Next, the MTA has a mail size limiting function 6
The header corresponding to 2 is deleted, and the function end header, which is the next header, is read. The MTA recognizes that all the functions to be performed on the mail have been completed, and the mail is sent to the appropriate MT.
It is delivered to A or the corresponding mailbox 3.

The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0053]

As is apparent from the above description, in the mail transmission / reception method of the present invention, the MTA refers to the database to determine the function to be used, adds the function information to be used to the header, and adds the mail to the mail itself. The MTA stores the function information to be received, and the MTA refers to each mail header to distribute the mail to each service server. As a result, it is possible to provide an arbitrary service in which each user can use only the required function, improve the operating efficiency of the system, and improve the service performance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a first example of an embodiment of a mail transmission / reception system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 1 showing an operation procedure example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 2 showing an operation procedure example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure example of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 MTA (Message Transfer Agent) 2 Database 3 Mailbox 4 Internet 5 Various Function Parts 51 Virus Removal Function 52 Virus Email Removal Function 53 Content Filter Removal Function 54 Content Filter Reply Function 55 Spam Check Function 56 Other Functions 6 Various function parts 61 Translation function 62 Mail size limit function

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kentaro Kataoka             5-7 Shiba 5-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo NEC Corporation             Inside the company F-term (reference) 5K030 HA06 HC01 JT02 KA01 KA06                       KA07 LD00

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. The MTA determines a function to be used by referring to a database, adds the function information to be used to a header, and causes the mail to hold the function information to be received by the mail itself, and the MTA to each mail header. The mail transmission / reception system characterized in that the mail is distributed to each service server by referring to, and it is possible to provide an arbitrary service in which each user can use only necessary functions. 2. The mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein the available services can be individually selected for each user, each mail, and each domain. 3. When using an arbitrary service on a per-user basis, the MTA receives the transmitted mail, and whether the user has a contract for using the service from the transmission address or the reception address of the mail. The mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the judgment or judgment is made. 4. The function includes a virus deleting function for checking whether or not a mail contains a virus, a virus mail deleting function for deleting an entire mail having a virus, and a filtered character string. Content filter deletion function that returns only unsent mails to the MTA, content filter reply function that checks whether the character string registered in the content filter is included, and spam check function that returns non-spam mails to the MTA 4. The mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the above. 5. The MTA is connected to a database, and registers the service for which each user has a usage contract, in the database.
The email transmission / reception method described in any one of 4 to 4. 6. The header for each service is added to a mail, the MTA reads the header, determines a service function to use, and executes the provision of the service to the mail. The email transmission / reception method according to any one of Items 1 to 5.