JP2004070501A - E-mail receiving apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an e-mail receiving apparatus and a method for enabling a user to familiarly send and receive an e-mail, in friendly sensation as though playing a game. <P>SOLUTION: The e-mail receiving apparatus and the method adds or subtracts parameters for displaying an object, when receiving a newly arrived e-mail. A way of display of the object on a GUI (graphical user interface) the screen is varied, in response to the parameters for displaying the object. A flower with a single bud on the GUI screen is varied, for example, to one flower with one blossomed flower and two flower buds. The object may be specified by a sender or may be set at random. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic mail receiving apparatus and an electronic mail receiving method for exchanging electronic mail between communication terminals such as personal computers via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art E-mail is widely used as one form of use of the Internet that provides a worldwide communication network environment in which information can be exchanged between remote computers.
The sender describes the contents to be conveyed with an editor, assigns necessary addresses and addresses to the recipients using an e-mail client tool called a mailer (software for sending and receiving e-mails), and sends them to the recipient.
The receiver can confirm that the e-mail has arrived at his / her post by a method such as displaying an arrival notification when the mailer is activated, and can read the e-mail addressed to himself / herself by the mailer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described e-mail system is very convenient when used, but is difficult to use for a user who exchanges e-mail using a personal computer for the first time. In other words, the operation method of a mailer, which is software for exchanging e-mails, was learned by a manual or the like and could not be used unless sufficiently understood.
In addition, many mailers are often tasteless and dry, and for users who use them as a hobby, they are not entertained and quickly get bored.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an e-mail receiving apparatus and an e-mail receiving method capable of exchanging e-mails by operating the game while enjoying it like a game.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving unit for receiving an e-mail, a transmission date and time of the e-mail, a reception date and time, a sender name, an e-mail address of the sender, an information amount, information based on a title or a text, or reception of the information. An information extraction unit for extracting the number of times, a storage unit for changing storage contents based on the information extracted by the information extraction unit, and an image information generation unit for generating image information for reflecting and displaying the storage contents in a display method And an electronic mail receiving device.
“Information based on title of electronic mail” is information derived from the title by a certain function. For example, the number of specific characters included in the title of the e-mail is counted, the count value is divided by a certain value, and the display parameter of the object specified by the remainder of the division is changed by a certain value.
"Information based on the body of the e-mail" is information derived from the body of the e-mail by a certain function. For example, the number of first specific characters included in the body of the e-mail is counted, and the count value is divided by the first value (first division). The number of the second specific characters included in the body of the e-mail is counted, and the count value is divided by the second value (second division). The display parameter of the object specified by the remainder of the first division is changed by the remainder of the second division.
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving unit for receiving an e-mail, a transmission date and time of the e-mail, a reception date and time, a sender name, a sender's e-mail address, an information amount, and information based on a title or a text. An information extraction unit that extracts the number of times, and based on the information extracted by the information extraction unit, changes the value of a parameter of a state function that defines the state of the object, and displays the object in a different display method according to the parameter. An electronic mail receiving device comprising: an image information generating unit that generates image information to be displayed.
"Change the value of the parameter of the state function that defines the state of the object and display the object in a different display method according to the parameter" means, for example, providing the number of points associated with the object, and The point number of an object is added or subtracted based on the extracted information, and the object is displayed in a different display method according to the point number.
[0006]
The invention according to claim 3 is a receiving unit that receives an e-mail, a display position information extraction unit that extracts display position information included in the e-mail and specifying a position, an area, or an object on a display image, And an image information generation unit that generates image information, wherein the image information generation unit is configured to receive the e-mail or a position on the display image determined by the display position information by the operator, an area or an object. When a display is pointed, a value of a parameter of a state function that defines a state of an object specified by the position or the area or an object determined by the display position information is changed, and a method of displaying the object according to the parameter is changed. Is changed.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 4, wherein the image information generation unit specifies an object located at a closest distance from a position on the display image determined by the display position information, or specifies an object on the display image determined by the display position information. When the area of a certain shape centered on the position of the same is enlarged in a similar manner, an object whose area overlaps is first specified, and when the e-mail is received or the operator points to the specified object. 4. The electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the case, a value of a parameter of a state function that defines a state of the specified object is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. Device.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 5, wherein a display parameter storage unit that stores a variable for determining a screen display method, a reception unit that receives an e-mail, and the parameter storage unit based on information received by the reception unit. An electronic mail receiving apparatus comprising: a parameter changing unit that changes the storage content of the parameter storage unit; and an image information generation unit that generates image information based on the storage content of the parameter storage unit.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 6 is a receiving unit that receives an e-mail including a folder display that specifies a folder, a folder display extraction unit that extracts a folder display included in the e-mail, and stores the e-mail in the folder. A folder storage unit for storing, a folder display, a display position information storage unit for storing information on a correspondence relationship with a position, an area, or an object on a display image, and an image information generation unit for generating image information. Then, the image information generating unit receives the e-mail or when the operator points to the display of the position, area or object on the display image associated with the folder in the display position information storage unit. Defines the state of the object specified by the position or area or the state of the object associated with the folder display Changing the value of the parameter of state function that is an electronic mail receiving apparatus characterized by changing the display method of the object in accordance with the parameters.
[0010]
The present invention according to claim 7, a receiving unit that receives an e-mail, a random number generating unit that generates a random number each time an e-mail is received, an image information generating unit that generates image information, A position on the display image, a specifying unit for specifying an area or an object, and wherein the image information generating unit is a position on the display image when the e-mail is received or an operator is specified by the specifying unit. When pointing to the display of the area or the object, the value of the parameter of the state function that defines the state of the object specified by the position or the area or the object specified by the specifying unit is changed, and according to the parameter, An electronic mail receiving device, wherein a display method of the object is changed.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 8 is a receiving step of receiving an e-mail, the transmission date and time of the e-mail, the reception date and time, the name of the sender, the e-mail address of the sender, the information amount, the information based on the title or the body, or the reception or reception. An information extraction step of extracting the number of times, a storage step of changing storage content based on the extracted information, and an image information generation step of generating image information for displaying the storage content in a display method. An e-mail receiving method comprising:
[0012]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving step of receiving an e-mail, and transmitting or receiving the e-mail based on a transmission date / time, a reception date / time, a sender name, a sender's e-mail address, an information amount, a title or a text. An information extraction step of extracting the number of times, and image information for changing a value of a parameter of a state function defining a state of the object based on the extracted information, and displaying the object in a different display method according to the parameter And an image information generating step of generating an e-mail.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 10 is a receiving step of receiving an e-mail, a display position information extracting step of extracting display position information which is included in the e-mail and specifies a position, an area or an object on a display image, When the e-mail is received or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area or the object on the display image determined by the display position information, the object specified by the position or the area or the display position information An image information generating step of changing the value of a parameter of a state function defining the state of the object to be determined, and generating image information for changing a display method of the object according to the parameter. This is the mail receiving method.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 11, wherein in the image information generating step, an object located at a closest distance from a position on the display image determined by the display position information is specified, or an object on the display image determined by the display position information is specified. When the area of a certain shape centered on the position of the same is enlarged in a similar manner, an object whose area overlaps is first specified, and when the e-mail is received or the operator points to the specified object. 11. The e-mail receiving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a value of a parameter of a state function defining a state of the specified object is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. Is the way.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 12 is a receiving step of receiving an e-mail, a parameter changing step of changing a storage content of a parameter storage unit based on information included in the received e-mail, and a storage content of the parameter storage unit. An image information generating step of generating image information based on the E-mail.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 13 is a receiving step of receiving an e-mail including a folder display for specifying a folder, a folder display extracting step of extracting a folder display included in the e-mail, and storing the e-mail in the folder. A folder storing step for storing, when the e-mail is received, or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area, or the object on the display image associated with the folder, the folder is specified by the position or the area. Information generating step of changing the value of a parameter of a state function defining the state of an object associated with the folder display or the folder display, and generating image information for changing a display method of the object according to the parameter And a method for receiving an e-mail. A.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 14 is a receiving step of receiving an electronic mail, a random number generating step of generating a random number each time an electronic mail is received, and specifying a position, an area or an object on a display image based on the random number. The identifying step and the image information generating step, when the e-mail is received or when the operator points to the position, area or object display on the display image identified in the identifying step, the position or Image information that changes the value of a parameter of a state function that defines the state of the object specified by the region or the object specified in the specifying step, and generates image information that changes the display method of the object according to the parameter E-mail receiving method, comprising: a generating step. It is.
[0018]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing an information processing apparatus having an e-mail receiving unit to implement the e-mail receiving method according to any one of the eighth to fourteenth aspects.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment that specifically shows the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
<< Example 1 >>
First Embodiment An e-mail receiving apparatus and an e-mail receiving method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The electronic mail receiving apparatus of the present invention can change the display method of an object by receiving the electronic mail and accumulating points of the object on the display screen. For example, grow plants and make them bloom. The user can give a point to an object on the display screen of the recipient using the electronic mail transmitting device of the present invention.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an electronic mail receiving device and an electronic mail transmitting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
First, a system configuration of the electronic mail receiving device and the electronic mail transmitting device according to the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, 101 is an image display unit, 102 is an e-mail receiving device, 103 is the Internet, 104 is a first e-mail transmitting device, and 105 is a second e-mail transmitting device.
The e-mail receiving device 102 includes an image information generating unit 111, a receiving unit 112, a display position information extracting unit 113, a specifying unit 114, a random number generating unit 115, a storage unit 116, a position specifying unit 117, and a command input unit 118. The image information generation unit 111 includes an acquisition point calculation unit 121. The storage unit 116 includes a garden image information storage unit 122, a display position information storage unit 123, a point information storage unit 124, and a display method information storage unit 125. The first e-mail transmission device 104 includes a command input unit 131, an e-mail generation unit 132, a display position information generation unit 133, and a transmission unit 134. The second e-mail transmission device 105 includes a command input unit 131, an e-mail generation unit 132, and a transmission unit 134.
The e-mail receiving device 102, the first e-mail transmitting device 104, and the second e-mail transmitting device 105 of the first embodiment are personal computers.
[0022]
Next, the flow of electronic mail in the system of the electronic mail receiving device and the electronic mail transmitting device according to the first embodiment will be described.
The user inputs command information to the command input unit 131 of the first e-mail transmitting device 104. The e-mail generation unit 132 generates an e-mail based on the command information. When the user specifies the display position, the display position information generation unit 133 generates display position information. The e-mail is transmitted from the transmission unit 134 with the display position information attached thereto, and reaches the e-mail receiving device 102 via the Internet 103.
Similarly, the user inputs command information to the command input unit 131 of the second e-mail transmission device 105. The e-mail generation unit 132 generates an e-mail based on the command information. The e-mail is transmitted from the transmission unit 134 and reaches the e-mail receiving device 102 via the Internet 103. The second e-mail transmission device 105 is a conventional e-mail transmission device.
[0023]
The receiving unit 112 receives an electronic mail or the like. The e-mail is sent to the image information generation unit 111 as it is. The display position information extracting unit 113 extracts display position information from the electronic mail and transmits the display position information to the image information generating unit 111. When the display position is not specified, the specifying unit 114 specifies the display position information based on the random number input from the random number generation unit 115, and transmits the specified display position information to the image information generation unit 111.
The garden image information storage unit 122 transmits the garden image to the image information generation unit 111. The display position information storage unit 123 has a database of a correspondence table between object names and reference numbers shown in FIG. 3 and transmits this correspondence table to the image information generation unit 111. The point information storage unit 124 has a database of a correspondence table between the object names and the number of points, and transmits this correspondence table to the image information generation unit 111. The display method information storage unit 125 has a database of a correspondence table between the number of points for each object and the display method shown in FIG. 4 and transmits this correspondence table to the image information generation unit 111.
The user inputs a command to check the reception status of the e-mail, a command to specify a position on the image, a command to open the received e-mail, and the like through the command input unit 118. The position specifying unit 117 extracts a command for specifying a position on an image from commands input by the user from the command input unit 118, and outputs information on the commanded position (in the embodiment, information for specifying an object) to image information. The data is transmitted to the generation unit 111.
[0024]
When a user sends or receives or displays an e-mail, the e-mail receiving apparatus of the present invention displays a garden image or a normal e-mail box on a display. Hereinafter, a case where the electronic mail receiving apparatus of the present invention displays a garden image on a display will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the e-mail receiving method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2, in step 201, the receiving unit 112 of the e-mail receiving device 102 receives an e-mail. In step 202, the image information generation unit 111 displays a message “New mail has arrived!” On the image display unit 101 (see FIG. 5). In step 203, the display position information extracting unit 113 determines whether the sender has designated a hidden location of the e-mail (determines whether the display position information is attached to the received e-mail). In the embodiment, the received e-mail is hidden by any object in the garden on the image display unit 101 of the e-mail receiving device 102.
[0025]
If it is specified (when the display position information is attached to the received e-mail), the process proceeds to step 204, where the display position information extraction unit 113 extracts the display position information and transmits it to the image information generation unit 111. . If not specified (if display position information is not attached to the received e-mail), the process proceeds to step 205, where the random number generation unit 115 generates a random number and transmits it to the identification unit 114. In step 206, the specifying unit 114 specifies the display position information based on the random number, and transmits the specified display position information to the image information generation unit 111. In step 207, the garden image is displayed without displaying the new mail icon (see FIG. 5). The method by which the specifying unit 114 specifies the display position information based on the random number is arbitrary. In the embodiment, the specifying unit 114 has a function using a random number as a parameter. The specifying unit 114 outputs the value obtained by this function as display position information associated with the received electronic mail.
[0026]
In step 208, the user specifies an object on the screen display unit 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the designated position of the mouse is displayed by an arrow, and when the user right-clicks the mouse, an object including the area of the designated position or an object located at the closest distance from the designated position is specified. (Specified by the position specifying unit 117.) In step 209, the image information generation unit 111 determines whether the specified object matches the object corresponding to the display position information.
The display position information storage unit 125 has a database of a correspondence table between object names and reference numbers shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the display position information transmitted by the first e-mail transmitting device 104 and the display position information transmitted by the specifying unit 114 to the image information generating unit 111 are reference numbers shown in the right column of FIG. The image information generation unit 111 can specify an object on the image display unit 101 based on a correspondence table between object names and reference numbers.
[0027]
If the specified object does not match the object corresponding to the display position information, the process returns to step 208. The user specifies another object (right mouse click on that object) and continues to search for hidden emails. If the designated object matches the object corresponding to the display position information, the process proceeds to step 210, where the image information generating unit 111 displays a new mail icon on the garden image object (see FIG. 7). The change of the display screen from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 gives the user a visual impression as if the e-mail hidden on the screen was found. When the new mail icon is clicked in step 211, the contents of the new mail are displayed.
[0028]
In step 212, the acquired point calculation unit 121 adds the acquired point number to the point number of the designated object in the point information storage unit 124. The number of points after the addition is stored in the point information storage unit 124 again. In the embodiment, the earned points are increased according to the length of the body of the email. In step 213, the image information generation unit 111 determines whether the number of points after the calculation exceeds the upper limit of the column of the display method information storage unit 125 to which the number of points before the calculation belongs. If it exceeds the upper limit, the process proceeds to step 214 to change the display method of the object (display according to the display method of a new column of the display method information storage unit 125 to which the calculated point number belongs), and the flowchart ends. I do. If the upper limit has not been exceeded, this flowchart ends. The number of points serves as a display parameter.
For example, it is assumed that the tree (1) has grown to a mature tree (state 2) (48 points). When the number of acquired points is 2 (when the number of points of the designated object is 50), the tree (1) remains as a mature tree (state 2) because the upper limit (50) is not exceeded. However, if the number of acquired points is 5 (the number of points of the designated object is 53), the display method is changed since the upper limit value (50) is exceeded, and three flowers are added to the tree (1) (see FIG. 8). The upper limit value in the embodiment indicates the maximum value of the number of points in each column (a fixed range of the number of points is assigned) shown in FIG. 4 and varies depending on the designated object and the number of points.
[0029]
If the sender has not specified a hidden place in step 203 of the present embodiment, the process proceeds to step 205, where a random number is generated and the display position information is specified in step 206. A hidden place and / or a gained point may be designated based on the transmission date and time of the e-mail, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's e-mail address, the amount of information, the information based on the title or text, or the number of receptions. For example, the display position information extraction unit specifies an object and / or an acquired point by a predetermined function using these pieces of information as parameters. For example, the display position information extraction unit may count the number of specific characters included in the title of the e-mail, divide the count value by a certain value, and specify the display position information by the remainder of the division. Similarly, the number of specific characters included in the body of the electronic mail may be counted, the count value may be divided by a certain value, and the display position information may be specified by the remainder of the division.
[0030]
In step 208 in the present embodiment, the mouse is used as a method for the receiver to specify the object on the image display unit 101. Alternatively, the receiver may specify the object by inputting a number or the like from a keyboard. . Similarly, even when using a mouse, an area of a certain shape (for example, a circle or a rectangle) centered on a specified position is similarly enlarged to specify an object where the area overlaps first. Is also good.
In step 212 of the present embodiment, the number of earned points is increased according to the length of the body of the e-mail. Alternatively, the number of earned points may be a fixed value (fixed value). Also, the number of specific characters included in the body of the e-mail may be counted, the count may be divided by a certain value, and the remainder of the division may be obtained as a point. The acquired points may be determined according to the attribute of the mail. Alternatively, the sender may attach an arbitrary acquired point to an e-mail and transmit it. Further, in addition to adding the acquired points (generating an object), a process of increasing the number of the objects (for example, increasing the number of garden trees or flowers) may be performed.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the sender of the first e-mail transmission device 104 can make a game (communication) with the receiver by considering which object gives the point. The recipient can receive not only the e-mail including the display position information transmitted from the first e-mail transmission device 104 of the present invention but also the e-mail not including the display position information transmitted from the first e-mail transmission device 104 Alternatively, even when an e-mail transmitted from the second e-mail 105 of the conventional example is received, a game of accumulating points and changing an object can be enjoyed.
[0032]
<< Example 2 >>
Second Embodiment An e-mail receiving apparatus and an e-mail receiving method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9 to 11.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an electronic mail receiving device and an electronic mail transmitting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The description is omitted because it is the same as the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The e-mail receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment displays a bad character (for example, a character that mischiefs on the screen) on the screen in a different display method according to the number of points, or does not display the bad character on the screen. The point information storage unit 124 stores points of bad characters (referred to as “exclusion points”). The display method information storage unit 125 has a database of a correspondence table between the number of bad character points and the display method shown in FIG.
[0033]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the electronic mail receiving method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, first, an e-mail receiving process is performed, and then, a process of generating image information is performed.
In the e-mail receiving process, the receiving unit 112 of the e-mail receiving device 102 receives an e-mail in step 901. In step 902, the contents of the new mail are displayed. In step 903, the display position information extraction unit 113 determines whether the sender has specified a bad character (object). If a bad character is specified, the process proceeds to step 904, and the point information storage unit 124 adds the exclusion points of the bad character. If no bad character has been designated, step 904 is skipped. In step 905, the image information generation unit 111 determines whether or not the exclusion point of the bad character is equal to or larger than the lower limit value in the lowermost column of the display method information storage unit 125 (FIG. 10). If the value is equal to or more than the lower limit (61) in the lowermost column in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step 906, and the image information generation unit 111 sets a screen display prohibition period (3 months) for the bad character. If less than the lower limit, step 906 is skipped.
[0034]
For example, assume that a bad character is slightly weakened (point number 57). If two points are added (the number of bad character exclusion points is 59), the bad character remains as it is less than the lower limit (61). However, when 5 points are added (in the case of the bad character exclusion point number 62), the screen display prohibition period (3 months) of the bad character is set because it is not less than the lower limit (61). The lower limit value in the embodiment indicates the minimum value of the number of points in the “3 months appearance prohibited” column shown in FIG. 10 and varies depending on the designated object.
[0035]
In the image information generation process, in step 907, the image information generation unit 111 determines whether or not a screen display prohibition period for a bad character is present. If the period is not the prohibition period, the process proceeds to step 911, where the image information generation unit 111 generates image information including the bad character according to the column of the display method information storage unit 125 to which the point number belongs (see FIG. 11), and this flowchart is used. To end. In the case of the prohibition period, the process proceeds to step 908, where it is determined whether a bad character is currently displayed. If it is displayed, the process proceeds to step 909, where the image information generation unit 111 generates image information for leaving the bad character, and ends this flowchart. If not displayed, the process proceeds to step 910, where the image information generation unit 111 generates image information that does not include a bad character, and ends this flowchart.
[0036]
In step 904 of the present embodiment, the exclusion points of bad characters are added, but the life points of bad characters may be subtracted instead. Further, the exclusion points of bad characters may be attenuated with time.
In step 909 of the present embodiment, image information for causing a bad character to exit is generated. Alternatively, image information for causing a bad character to exit and an original good character to appear may be generated.
In the present embodiment, the receiver can enjoy a game of accumulating points of the bad character and changing the object such as leaving the bad character and causing the original good character to appear.
[0037]
<< Example 3 >>
Third Embodiment An e-mail receiving apparatus and an e-mail receiving method according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 12 to 15. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the electronic mail receiving device and the electronic mail transmitting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
First, a system configuration of the electronic mail receiving device and the electronic mail transmitting device according to the third embodiment will be described. In FIG. 12, 101 is an image display unit, 103 is the Internet, 1202 is an e-mail receiving device, and 1204 is a third e-mail transmitting device. The e-mail receiving device 1202 includes a position designation unit 117, a command input unit 118, an image information generation unit 1211, a reception unit 1212, a folder display extraction unit 1213, and a storage unit 1216. The image information generation unit 1211 includes an acquisition point calculation unit 1221. The storage unit 1216 includes a garden image information storage unit 1222, a display position information storage unit 1223, a point information storage unit 1224, a display method information storage unit 1225, and a folder storage unit 1226. The third e-mail transmission device 1204 includes a command input unit 131, an e-mail generation unit 132, a transmission unit 134, and a folder display designation unit 1233.
The same reference numerals are assigned to the same blocks as in the first embodiment. The e-mail receiving device 1202 and the third e-mail transmitting device 1204 according to the second embodiment are personal computers.
[0038]
Next, the flow of electronic mail in the system of the electronic mail receiving device and the electronic mail transmitting device according to the third embodiment will be described.
The user inputs command information to the command input unit 131 of the third e-mail transmission device 1204. The e-mail generation unit 132 generates an e-mail based on the command information. The folder display specifying unit 1233 specifies a folder display for specifying a folder of the receiving device. The e-mail is transmitted from the transmission unit 134 with a folder display attached thereto, and reaches the e-mail receiving device 1202 via the Internet 103. The method of specifying the folder display is arbitrary. For example, a user (sender) inputs a folder number from the command input unit 131. Alternatively, for example, the folder display designation unit 1233 has a function, and processes the data stream, which is the body of the e-mail to be transmitted, with the function to derive a folder number.
[0039]
The receiving unit 1212 receives an electronic mail or the like. The e-mail is sent to the folder storage unit 1226 of the storage unit 1216 and stored in the folder. The folder display extraction unit 1213 extracts a folder display from the e-mail and transmits the extracted folder display to the image information generation unit 1211 and the folder storage unit 1226 of the storage unit 1216. The folder storage unit 1226 has a plurality of folders shown in the right column of FIG. 14, and stores the e-mail in the folder of the input folder display. The folder storage unit 1226 sends the folder or the information of the e-mail stored therein or the contents thereof to the image information generation unit 1211 according to the image to be displayed.
The garden image information storage unit 1222 transmits the garden image to the image information generation unit 1211. The display position information storage unit 1223 has a database of a correspondence table between object names and folder names (each folder name has a unique folder number) shown in FIG. 14, and stores this correspondence table in the image information generation unit 1211. To be transmitted. The point information storage unit 124 has a database of a correspondence table between the object names and the number of points, and transmits this correspondence table to the image information generation unit 1211. The display method information storage unit 125 has a database of a correspondence table between the number of points for each object and the display method shown in FIG. 4 and transmits this correspondence table to the image information generation unit 1211.
The user inputs a command to check the reception status of the e-mail, a command to specify a position on the image, a command to open the received e-mail, and the like through the command input unit 118. The position specifying unit 117 extracts a command for specifying a position on an image from commands input by the user from the command input unit 118, and outputs information on the commanded position (in the embodiment, information for specifying an object) to image information. The data is transmitted to the generation unit 1211.
[0040]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the e-mail receiving method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 13, in step 1301, the receiving unit 1212 of the e-mail receiving device 1202 receives an e-mail. In step 1302, the image information generation unit 1211 displays a message “New mail has arrived!” On the image display unit 101 (see FIG. 5). In step 1303, the folder display extraction unit 1213 extracts a folder display from the received e-mail and transmits it to the image information generation unit 1211. In step 1304, the folder storage unit 1213 stores the new mail in a specified folder. In step 1305, the image information generation unit 1211 displays the garden image without displaying the new mail icon (see FIG. 5).
[0041]
In step 1306, the user specifies an object on the screen display unit 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the designated position of the mouse is displayed by an arrow, and when the user right-clicks the mouse, an object including the area of the designated position or an object located at the closest distance from the designated position is specified. . In step 1307, the image information generation unit 1211 determines whether the specified object matches the object corresponding to the display position information. The display position information storage unit 1223 has a database of a correspondence table between object names and reference numbers shown in FIG. In the embodiment, the folder display transmitted by the third e-mail transmission device 1204 is the folder name shown in the right column of FIG. The image information generation unit 1211 can specify an object on the image display unit 101 associated with the folder display attached to the e-mail based on the correspondence table between the object name and the folder name.
[0042]
If the specified object does not match the object corresponding to the folder display, the process returns to step 1306. The user specifies another object (right mouse click on that object) and continues to search for hidden email folders. If the specified object matches the object corresponding to the folder display, the process proceeds to step 1308, and the image information generation unit 1211 displays the folder on the garden image object (see FIG. 15). By changing the display screen from FIG. 6 to FIG. 15, a visual impression is given to the user as if a folder hidden on the screen was found. When a folder is clicked in step 1309, a new mail icon is displayed. When the new mail icon is clicked in step 1310, the contents of the new mail are displayed.
[0043]
In step 1311, the acquired point calculation unit 1221 adds the acquired point number to the point number of the designated object in the point information storage unit 1224. The number of points after the addition is stored in the point information storage unit 1224 again. In the embodiment, the earned points are increased according to the length of the body of the email. In step 1312, it is determined whether the number of points after the calculation exceeds the upper limit of the column of the display method information storage unit 125 to which the number of points before the calculation belongs. If the value exceeds the upper limit, the flow advances to step 1313 to change the display method of the object (display according to the display method of a new column of the display method information storage unit 125 to which the calculated point number belongs), and the flowchart ends. I do. If the upper limit has not been exceeded, this flowchart ends.
[0044]
In step 1306 of this embodiment, the mouse is used as a method for the receiver to specify the object on the image display unit 101, but the object may be specified by inputting a number or the like from the keyboard. Similarly, even when using a mouse, an area of a certain shape (for example, a circle or a rectangle) centered on a specified position is similarly enlarged to specify an object where the area overlaps first. Is also good.
In step 1311 of the present embodiment, the acquired points are increased in accordance with the length of the body of the e-mail. However, instead of this, the acquired points may be set to a fixed value (fixed value). Further, the display position information extracting unit may determine the hidden place and / or the acquired point based on the transmission date and time of the e-mail, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's e-mail address, the amount of information, the information based on the title or text, or the number of receptions. May be specified. For example, the display position information extraction unit specifies an object and / or an acquired point by a predetermined function using these pieces of information as parameters. For example, the display position information extraction unit may count the number of specific characters included in the body of the e-mail, divide the count value by a certain value, and obtain the remainder of the division, or obtain the points of the e-mail. The acquired points may be determined according to the attribute of the e-mail such as the number or the amount of information. Further, in addition to adding the acquired points (generating an object), a process of increasing the number of the objects (for example, increasing the number of garden trees or flowers) may be performed.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the sender has designated the folder for storing the e-mail. Instead, the e-mail receiving device has a random number generating unit and a specifying unit, and upon receiving the e-mail, the random number generating unit generates a random number, and the specifying unit specifies a folder by using a predetermined function using the random number. You can do it. The folder storage unit 1226 stores the electronic mail in the folder specified by the specifying unit.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, when a new mail arrives, the user can enjoy the game of accumulating points of the object corresponding to the folder storing the new mail and changing the object.
[0047]
In the first and second embodiments, the e-mail icon is displayed when the designated object matches the display position information. Instead, a window for opening the e-mail (for example, a new e-mail icon is included in the window) .) May be displayed, or the content of the new e-mail may be directly displayed.
In the third embodiment, the icon of the folder is displayed when the designated object matches the object corresponding to the folder display. Instead, a window of the folder (for example, an icon of a new e-mail is included in the window) is displayed. It may be displayed, or the content of the new e-mail may be displayed directly.
In the above embodiment, the new e-mail is hidden in correspondence with the object on the screen. Instead, the new e-mail may be hidden corresponding to a position on the screen or a certain area. When the receiver specifies a certain area or position on the screen and the specified area includes the position or area corresponding to the new e-mail (or when the specified area has an area that overlaps with the area corresponding to the new e-mail) ) Or when the designated position is included in the area corresponding to the new e-mail, the image information generation unit displays an e-mail icon or a folder containing the new e-mail.
In the embodiment, the number of points associated with the object is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any state function that defines the state of the object and its parameters can be used.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an electronic mail receiving apparatus and an electronic mail receiving method that can send and receive electronic mails by operating while enjoying the game.
According to the present invention, when a sender specifies an object to which points are to be given (a hidden place of a new mail icon), a game is received in which the points of the object specified by the sender are accumulated in the information terminal of the receiver to change the object. This makes it possible to realize an e-mail receiving device and an e-mail receiving method that allow the user to view the contents of the newly arrived mail while performing.
[0049]
Further, even when the sender does not specify an object for which the sender gives a point (a hidden place for a new mail icon), a game in which the point of the object specified at random on the information terminal of the receiver is accumulated and the object is changed. This makes it possible to realize an e-mail receiving device and an e-mail receiving method for viewing the contents of a new mail while the receiver performs the e-mail receiving.
Also, even if the sender's information terminal does not have the mailer of the present invention, the receiver plays a game in which the receiver's information terminal accumulates points of the object specified by the attribute of the new mail and changes the object. However, there is an effect that an e-mail receiving device and an e-mail receiving method for viewing the contents of newly arrived mail can be realized.
[0050]
According to the present invention, when a sender specifies a folder for storing an e-mail, the receiver stores a point of an object corresponding to the folder in which the e-mail is stored in the information terminal of the receiver and changes the object. An effect is obtained that an electronic mail receiving apparatus and an electronic mail receiving method for viewing the contents of a new mail can be realized while performing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an e-mail receiving device according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electronic mail receiving method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a correspondence table between object names and reference numbers of the electronic mail receiving apparatus and the electronic mail receiving method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an e-mail receiving apparatus and an e-mail receiving method according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on an image display unit when a new mail is received in the electronic mail receiving apparatuses according to the first and third embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on an image display unit when a user specifies an object in the e-mail receiving apparatuses according to the first and third embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on an image display unit when a new mail icon is displayed in the electronic mail receiving device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the image display unit when the display method of the object is changed in the electronic mail receiving device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an e-mail receiving method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a table showing a correspondence between the number of points for each object and a display method in the electronic mail receiving apparatus and the electronic mail receiving method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the image display unit when a bad character is displayed in the electronic mail receiving device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an e-mail receiving device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an electronic mail receiving method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a correspondence table between an object name and a folder name in the electronic mail receiving apparatus and the electronic mail receiving method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the image display unit when a folder is displayed in the electronic mail receiving device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Image display section
102, 1202 E-mail receiving device
103 Internet
104 First e-mail transmission device
105 Second e-mail transmission device
111, 1211 Image information generation unit
112, 1212 Receiver
113 display position information extraction unit
114 Specific part
115 Random number generator
116, 1216 Storage unit
117 Position designation section
118, 131 Command input unit
121, 1221 Acquired point calculation unit
122, 1222 garden image information storage unit
123, 1223 display position information storage unit
124, 1224 point information storage
125, 1225 display method information storage unit
132 Email Generator
133 display position information generation unit
134 transmission unit
1204 Third e-mail transmission device
1213 Folder display extraction unit
1226 Folder storage
1233 Folder display specification section

Claims (15)

A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail,
An information extraction unit for extracting the transmission date and time of the e-mail, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's e-mail address, the amount of information, the information based on the title or body, or the number of receptions,
A storage unit that changes the storage content based on the information extracted by the information extraction unit,
An image information generating unit that generates image information to be displayed by reflecting the stored content in a display method,
An e-mail receiving device comprising: A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail,
An information extraction unit for extracting the transmission date and time of the e-mail, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's e-mail address, the amount of information, the information based on the title or body, or the number of receptions,
Image information that changes the value of a parameter of a state function that defines the state of an object based on the information extracted by the information extraction unit and generates image information that displays the object in a different display method according to the parameter A generating unit;
An e-mail receiving device comprising: A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail,
A display position information extraction unit that extracts display position information that is included in the e-mail and specifies a position, an area, or an object on a display image,
An image information generation unit that generates image information;
Has,
The image information generation unit is specified by the position or the area when the electronic mail is received or when the operator points to the position, the area, or the display of the object on the display image determined by the display position information. An e-mail receiving device, wherein a value of a parameter of a state function that defines a state of an object or an object defined by the display position information is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. The image information generating unit specifies an object located at a closest distance from a position on the display image determined by the display position information or has a fixed shape centered on a position on the display image determined by the display position information. When the area is enlarged in a similar manner, the object whose area overlaps first is specified, and when the e-mail is received or the operator points to the specified object, the specified object is identified. 4. The e-mail receiving device according to claim 3, wherein a value of a parameter of a state function defining a state is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. A display parameter storage unit for storing variables for determining a screen display method,
A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail,
A parameter changing unit that changes the storage content of the parameter storage unit based on the information received by the receiving unit,
An e-mail receiving device, comprising: an image information generating unit that generates image information based on the storage content of the parameter storage unit. A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail including a folder indication for specifying a folder;
A folder display extraction unit for extracting a folder display included in the email,
A folder storage unit that stores the email in the folder;
The folder display, a display position information storage unit for storing information of the correspondence relationship with the position on the display image, the area or the object,
An image information generation unit that generates image information;
Has,
The image information generating unit, when receiving the e-mail or when the operator indicates the position of the position, area or object on the display image associated with the folder in the display position information storage unit, Changing the value of a parameter of a state function that defines the state of the object specified by the position or the area or the object associated with the folder display, and changing the display method of the object according to the parameter. E-mail receiving device. A receiving unit for receiving an e-mail,
A random number generator that generates a random number each time an e-mail is received;
An image information generation unit that generates image information;
A specifying unit that specifies a position, an area, or an object on a display image based on the random number,
Has,
The image information generation unit is specified by the position or the area when the electronic mail is received or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area, or the object on the display image specified by the specification unit. An e-mail receiving apparatus, wherein a value of a parameter of a state function that defines a state of an object or the object specified by the specifying unit is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. A receiving step of receiving an email;
An information extraction step of extracting the transmission date and time of the email, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's email address, the amount of information, the information or the number of receptions based on the title or body,
A storage step of changing the storage content based on the extracted information,
Image information generating step of generating image information to be displayed by reflecting the stored content in a display method,
An e-mail receiving method, comprising: A receiving step of receiving an email;
An information extraction step of extracting the transmission date and time of the email, the reception date and time, the sender's name, the sender's email address, the amount of information, the information or the number of receptions based on the title or body,
Based on the extracted information, changing the value of the parameter of the state function that defines the state of the object, image information generating step of generating image information to display the object in a different display method according to the parameter,
An e-mail receiving method, comprising: A receiving step of receiving an email;
A display position information extraction step of extracting display position information included in the e-mail and specifying a position, an area or an object on a display image,
When the e-mail is received or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area or the object on the display image determined by the display position information, the object specified by the position or the area or the display position information An image information generating step of changing a value of a parameter of a state function that defines a state of an object to be determined, and generating image information for changing a display method of the object according to the parameter,
An e-mail receiving method, comprising: In the image information generating step, an object located at the closest distance from a position on the display image determined by the display position information is specified or a fixed shape centered on the position on the display image determined by the display position information When the area is enlarged in a similar manner, the object whose area overlaps first is specified, and when the e-mail is received or the operator points to the specified object, the specified object is identified. 11. The electronic mail receiving method according to claim 10, wherein a value of a parameter of a state function defining a state is changed, and a display method of the object is changed according to the parameter. A receiving step of receiving an email;
A parameter changing step of changing storage contents of the parameter storage unit based on information included in the received e-mail;
An image information generating step of generating image information based on the storage content of the parameter storage unit,
An e-mail receiving method, comprising: A receiving step of receiving an email including a folder indication identifying the folder;
A folder display extraction step of extracting a folder display included in the email;
A folder storing step of storing the email in the folder;
When the e-mail is received or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area, or the object on the display image associated with the folder, the object or the folder display specified by the position or the area is displayed. An image information generating step of changing the value of a parameter of a state function defining the state of the associated object, and generating image information for changing a display method of the object according to the parameter;
An e-mail receiving method, comprising: A receiving step of receiving an email;
A random number generating step of generating a random number each time an e-mail is received;
A specifying step of specifying a position, a region, or an object on a display image based on the random number,
In the image information generating step, when the e-mail is received or when the operator points to the display of the position, the area, or the object on the display image specified in the specifying step, the image is specified by the position or the area. An image information generating step of changing a value of a parameter of a state function defining the state of the object or the object specified in the specifying step, and generating image information for changing a display method of the object according to the parameter;
An e-mail receiving method comprising: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing an information processing apparatus having an e-mail receiving unit to implement the e-mail receiving method according to claim 8.

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