JP2004171217A - Animation mail communication system, animation mail distribution method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an animation mail communication system, an animation mail distribution method and a program therefor, allowing the easy creation and distribution of an electronic mail using an animation. <P>SOLUTION: A sender downloads a necessary animation mail format 600 from contents 500 stored in a server 400 via a network 300 by the use of a communication terminal 100. The communication terminal 100 inputs character information to the animation mail format 600 downloaded from the server 400 to create the animation mail. The created animation mail comprises character information and animation information corresponding to N (N is an integer ≥1) frames. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an animation mail communication system, an animation mail distribution method, and a program therefor, and more particularly, to an animation mail communication system, an animation mail distribution method, and a program therefor that deliver an e-mail including one or more animation images.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, when communicating personal intentions to the other party, information is often transmitted using only text using simple text as seen in Internet e-mail. As a method of expressing one's own emotion in an e-mail, there has been a method of embedding an illustration such as "pictograph" or "emoticon" in the text of the e-mail. For example, to indicate a "fun" state, a "laughing face" mark was inserted into the email text.
[0003]
However, conventional "pictographs" and "emoticons" have limited patterns and are not always standardized, so that there is a risk that the same pictogram may have a different meaning. Therefore, it has been difficult for conventional “pictographs” and “emoticons” to express emotions in fine nuances.
[0004]
Conventionally, even if an e-mail includes a plurality of images and messages in order to provide a story (consecutive rendition), the e-mail recipient will inadvertently come into sight at the same time as opening the e-mail, resulting in an interest. Sometimes it was missing.
[0005]
In addition, in order to add a story to the contents of the e-mail, there is a method of dividing it into multiple e-mails and sending it, but it is necessary to enter an e-mail address etc. for each e-mail and send each, It was troublesome.
[0006]
As an electronic mail having a story, there is a three-dimensional animation mail disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-209593 (hereinafter, Patent Document 1). In Patent Literature 1, 3D animation is used for e-mail to enhance the expressiveness of a message, and the e-mail is given a story by combining several 3D animations like a picture-story show.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-209593 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, Patent Document 1 does not specify a method of acquiring a 3D animation, and it may be difficult for a sender of the electronic mail to create an electronic mail using the 3D animation.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an animation mail communication system, an animation mail distribution method, and a program thereof, which can easily create and distribute an electronic mail using animation. The purpose is to:
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides an animation mail communication having a communication terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network. In the system, the communication terminal device receives, from the mail format providing server, an animation mail format including a predetermined number of frames of animation images, in which the reproduction order of each frame of the animation image at the time of receiving the mail is set, and Character information is input for each animation image in the animation mail format to create an electronic mail.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 is an animation mail communication system having a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network, The mail format providing server includes a mail format storage unit configured to store an animation mail format including a predetermined number of frames of animated images, in which the order of reproduction of each frame of the animated image at the time of receiving the mail is set, and a mail format storage unit. The communication terminal device includes a mail format receiving unit that receives the anime mail format, and a mail format receiving unit that receives the anime mail format. Mail creating means for combining the character information on the animation image to create an email, and mail sending means for sending the email created by the mail creating means to another communication terminal device connected via a network , Is characterized by having.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 3 is an animation mail communication system comprising: a communication terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving electronic mail; and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network. The communication terminal device receives an animation mail format including one animation image from the mail format providing server, extracts one or more animation mail formats from the received animation mail formats, and extracts one or more extracted animation mails. The reproduction order of the formats is set, and character information is input to one or more anime mail formats in which the reproduction order is set, thereby creating an electronic mail.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 4 is an animation mail communication system including a communication terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network, The mail format providing server includes a mail format storage unit that stores an animation mail format including one frame of animation image, and a mail format transmission unit that transmits the animation mail format stored by the mail format storage unit. The apparatus comprises: a mail format receiving means for receiving an anime mail format; a mail format extracting means for extracting one or more anime mail formats from the anime mail formats received by the mail format receiving means; A reproduction order setting means for setting a reproduction order of one or more animation mail formats extracted by the format extraction means; and a character on one or more animation mail format animation images in which the reproduction order is set by the reproduction order setting means. Mail creating means for combining information to create an email, and mail sending means for sending the email created by the mail creating means to another communication terminal device connected via a network. Features.
[0014]
According to the invention described in claim 5, in the animation mail communication system according to claim 2 or 4, the mail format storage means is provided with a GUI component for executing a predetermined image display operation on the animation image. It is characterized by storing an anime mail format.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 6 is an animation mail delivery method using a communication terminal device capable of transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network, A mail format providing server for storing an animation mail format in which the animation format providing server is composed of a predetermined number of frames of animation images, and in which the playback order of each frame of the animation image at the time of receiving the mail is set; A mail format transmitting step of transmitting the anime mail format stored in the format storing step, a mail format receiving step in which the communication terminal receives the anime mail format, and an email format receiving step in which the communication terminal receives the mail format in the mail format receiving step. A mail creation step of creating an e-mail by combining character information on each animation image in the e-mail format, and another communication in which the communication terminal device connects the e-mail created in the e-mail creation step via a network And transmitting a mail to the terminal device.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 7 is an animation mail delivery method using a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network, A mail format providing step in which the mail format providing server stores an animation mail format composed of one frame of animated image; and a mail format transmitting step in which the mail format providing server transmits the anime mail format stored in the mail format storing step. A mail format receiving step in which the communication terminal device receives the anime mail format; and a message format in which the communication terminal device extracts one or more anime mail formats from the anime mail formats received in the mail format receiving process. Format extraction step, the communication terminal device sets a playback order of one or more animation mail formats extracted in the mail format extraction process, and the communication terminal device sets the playback order in the playback order setting step. An e-mail creation step of creating an e-mail by combining character information on one or more set animation images in an animation e-mail format, and a communication terminal device connecting the e-mail created in the e-mail creation step via a network And transmitting a mail to another communication terminal device.
[0017]
Further, the invention according to claim 8 is a mail format receiving process for receiving an animation mail format comprising an animation image of a predetermined number of frames and in which the reproduction order of each frame of the animation image at the time of receiving the mail is set. A mail creation process for creating an email by combining character information on each animation image in the animation email format received by the process, and a mail sending process for sending the email created by the email creation process to the computer. It is characterized by being executed.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail format receiving process for receiving an animation mail format including one frame of an animation image, and one or more animation mail formats among the anime mail formats received by the mail format receiving process. A mail format extraction process to be extracted, a reproduction order setting process for setting a reproduction order of one or more animation mail formats extracted by the mail format extraction process, and one or more reproduction orders set by the reproduction order setting process A computer is configured to execute a mail creation process of creating an email by combining character information on an animation image in an animation mail format, and a mail sending process of sending an email created by the mail creation process. I do.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Outline of the first embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the anime mail communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The anime mail communication system includes communication terminals 100 and 200, networks 300 and 700, and a server 400. Hereinafter, an outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0020]
Using the communication terminal 100, the sender downloads a necessary animation (hereinafter, animation) mail format 600 from the content 500 stored in the server 400 via the network 300. The communication terminal 100 uses the anime mail format 600 downloaded from the server 400 to create an electronic mail (hereinafter, animation mail). The created animation mail includes N (N is an integer of 1 or more) frames of animation information and documents (character information).
[0021]
The communication terminal 100 transmits the created animation mail to the communication terminal 200 via the network 700.
[0022]
When the recipient opens the anime mail using the communication terminal 200, the first frame of the anime mail is displayed first. Next, the receiver uses the communication terminal 200 to operate the second frame, the third frame,. . . . . I will continue to read. By using such an anime mail, the sender can accurately convey his / her own emotion to the receiver, and the receiver can visually read the sender's emotion.
[0023]
(Configuration of the first embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication terminals 100 and 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the anime mail communication system according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
As described above, the anime mail communication system includes the communication terminals 100 and 200, the networks 300 and 700, and the server 400. The communication terminal 100 is connected to the server 400 via the network 300. The communication terminal 100 is connected to the communication terminal 200 via the network 700.
[0025]
The communication terminal 100 is a portable communication processing device having a communication function. It is assumed that a user (sender) on the transmitting side of the anime mail operates the communication terminal 100. The communication terminal 100 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a personal computer. The communication terminal 100 includes a control unit 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, an information storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a voice input / output unit 16.
[0026]
The control unit 11 is connected to each part of the communication terminal 100 including the transmission / reception unit 12, the information storage unit 13, the display unit 14, the operation unit 15, and the voice input / output unit 16, and includes the above-described connected parts. Perform control.
[0027]
The transmission / reception unit 12 is a part that transmits and receives information, and is connected to networks 300 and 700.
[0028]
The information storage unit 13 is a part for storing information, and may be a recording medium such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).
[0029]
The display unit 14 is a part that displays information, and may be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.
[0030]
The operation unit 15 is a part for inputting information, and may be provided with, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key.
[0031]
The audio input / output unit 16 is a unit that inputs and outputs audio, and may be configured by, for example, a microphone and a speaker.
[0032]
The communication terminal 200 is a portable communication processing device having a communication function. It is assumed that the user (recipient) on the anime mail receiving side operates the communication terminal 200. Communication terminal 200 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, a personal computer, or the like. The communication terminal 200 includes a control unit 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, an information storage unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, and a voice input / output unit 26.
[0033]
Further, the control unit 21, the transmission / reception unit 22, the information storage unit 23, the display unit 24, the operation unit 25, and the voice input / output unit 26 include the control unit 11, the transmission / reception unit 12, the information storage unit 13, the display unit 14, This is the same as the unit 15 and the audio input / output unit 16. However, the network 700 is connected to the transmitting / receiving unit 22 and the network 300 is not connected.
[0034]
The networks 300 and 700 are wired / wireless communication networks, respectively, and may be a combination of wired and wireless communication networks. The networks 300 and 700 may be, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. Further, a gateway device may be provided on the networks 300 and 700, and communication between the communication devices may be different even when communication protocols used by the communication devices connected to the networks 300 and 700 are different. Is possible.
[0035]
The server 400 is an information processing device, and may be, for example, a high-end PC such as a workstation. The server 400 stores one or more contents 500.
[0036]
The content 500 is information transmitted from the server 400 to the communication terminal 100, and includes one or more animation mail formats 600. For example, the animation mail format 600 may be collectively included in one content 500 for each use such as for a birthday message or for a party invitation, or for each field such as sports, movies, and music. Further, the animation mail format 600 provided by the provider of the same animation mail format 600 may be collectively included in one content 500.
[0037]
The animation mail format 600 is information including an animation image for N (N is an integer of 1 or more) frames, and a document in which arbitrary character information (document) is inserted into the animation image of each frame of the animation mail format 600 An input field is provided.
[0038]
In addition, image display order information indicating the display order of N frames of animated images is added to the animation mail format 600. The image display order information refers to an animation image receiving side (communication terminal 200) of which animation image is the nth frame (n is an integer of 1 or more and N or less) among animation images of N frames in one animation mail format 600. This is information for specifying whether or not to be displayed.
[0039]
(Operation of First Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation performed by the communication terminal 100 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment for creating and transmitting an anime mail will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG.
[0040]
First, the transmission / reception unit 12 transmits information to the effect that a connection is requested to the server 400. When the transmission / reception unit 22 receives information requesting a connection from the communication terminal 100, the control unit 21 permits the communication terminal 100 to connect. In this way, the communication terminal 100 connects to the server 400 (Step S101).
[0041]
Next, server 400 transmits to communication terminal 100 an animation mail format list, which is information indicating a list of animation mail formats 600 stored therein. When the transmitting / receiving unit 12 receives the anime mail format list from the server 400, the display unit 14 displays the received anime mail format list (step S102).
[0042]
The sender browses the animation mail format list displayed on the display unit 14, and if the desired animation mail format 600 is not displayed (No in step S <b> 102), another animation mail is displayed using the operation unit 15. Enter information to request transmission of the format list. The transmission / reception unit 12 transmits to the server 400 the transmission request of the input other animation mail format list. The server 400 transmits the other requested animation mail format list to the communication terminal 100. The display unit 14 similarly displays another animation mail format list received by the transmission / reception unit 12 (step S102).
[0043]
When the display unit 14 displays the anime mail format 600 desired by the sender (step S103 / Yes), the operation unit 15 displays information indicating that the sender requests downloading of the desired anime mail format 600. input. The transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the input download request information to the server 400. When the server 400 receives the download request information, the server 400 extracts the anime mail format 600 requested to be downloaded from the plurality of anime mail formats 600 stored therein and transmits the extracted anime mail format 600 to the communication terminal 100 (step S104). .
[0044]
The information storage unit 13 holds a storage format list indicating list information of the animation mail format 600 stored therein. When the transmission / reception unit 12 receives the anime mail format 600 from the server 400, the control unit 11 stores the received animation mail format 600 in the information storage unit 13 and stores the received animation mail format 600 in the storage format list. Such information is added and written. Note that the storage format list may include information elements such as the name of the anime mail format 600, the download date and time, and a thumbnail image of the anime mail format 600 stored in the information storage unit 13. The information elements and the anime mail format 600 itself may be managed in the information storage unit 13 in association with each other by the identification information of the animation mail format 600.
[0045]
Next, when recognizing that information for requesting the display of the storage format list has been input by the operation unit 15, the control unit 11 extracts the storage format list from the information storage unit 13 and causes the display unit 14 to display the list. (Step S105).
[0046]
Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not information indicating an instruction to create an anime mail has been input through the operation unit 15 (step S106).
[0047]
If it is determined that the information for instructing the creation of the anime mail has not been input and that the information for instructing the creation of the normal e-mail has been input by the operation unit 15 (step S106 / No), the process proceeds to step S108. The control unit 11 creates a normal e-mail using the information stored in the information storage unit 13 and the information input by the operation unit 15 (step S108).
[0048]
If it is determined that the information for instructing the creation of the animation mail has been input (step S106 / Yes), the control unit 11 uses the operation unit 15 of the animation mail format 600 shown in the storage format list to execute the predetermined animation. It is determined whether or not information for selecting mail format 600 has been input.
[0049]
When recognizing that the predetermined animation mail format 600 has been selected (step S107), the control unit 11 creates an animation mail using the information stored in the information storage unit 13 and the information input by the operation unit 15. (Step S108).
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the animation mail format 600 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, the animation mail creation processing by the communication terminal 100 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
First, when the control unit 11 recognizes that the predetermined animation mail format 600 has been selected, the control unit 11 calls and extracts the selected animation mail format 600 among the animation mail formats 600 stored in the information storage unit 13. .
[0052]
Here, the extracted animation mail format 600 is composed of, for example, four frames of animation images as shown in FIG. 4, and the first frame animation image 610, the second frame animation image 620, and the three frame animation images It is assumed that the images are displayed on the communication terminal 200 on the animation mail receiving side in the order of the animation image 630 of the eyes.
[0053]
First, the display unit 14 displays the extracted first animation image 610 of the animation mail format 600. The control unit 11 synthesizes character information on the first frame of the animation image 610 based on the information input by the operation unit 15.
[0054]
When the control unit 11 recognizes that the enter key which is a predetermined key provided on the operation unit 15 is pressed when the first frame of the animation image 610 is displayed, the control unit 11 displays the next second frame of the animation image 620 on the display unit 14. Let it. Similarly to the first frame, the control unit 11 synthesizes character information on the animation image 620 of the second frame based on the information input by the operation unit 15.
[0055]
When recognizing that the enter key has been pressed during the display of the second frame of the animation image 620, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 14 to display the next third frame of the animation image 630. Similarly to the second frame, the control unit 11 synthesizes character information on the animation image 630 of the third frame based on the information input by the operation unit 15.
[0056]
Also, as shown in FIG. 4, on the third frame of the animation image 630, an operation instruction key 631 indicated by an asterisk (*) is provided. Note that the operation instruction key 631 may be realized by an icon in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment.
[0057]
When the control unit 11 recognizes that the enter key has been pressed when the third frame of the animation image 630 is displayed, the display unit 14 executes the animation operation when the operation instruction key 631 is selected, and finally the three frames after the operation instruction is executed. An eye animation image 640 is displayed. Similarly to the third frame, the control unit 11 combines the character information on the animation image 640 of the third frame after the execution of the operation instruction based on the information input by the operation unit 15.
[0058]
After the input of the character information up to the last frame is completed, when the control unit 11 recognizes that a predetermined key is pressed on the operation unit 15 or that a GUI component on the display unit 14 is selected, the control unit 11 executes the operation of the preview function on the display unit 14. Let it. The preview function is a function of displaying the animation mail format 600 in which character information is synthesized, that is, the contents of each frame of the created animation mail. By using the preview function, the sender can check the contents of the anime mail created by himself before transmission.
[0059]
Note that character information may be combined with a predetermined area on the animation image that is determined in advance in the animation mail format 600, or character information may be combined with an arbitrary area on the animation image.
[0060]
In this embodiment, character information is combined with each animation image. However, audio information stored in the information storage unit 13 may be combined with each animation image. The audio information may be created by the communication terminal 100, may be downloaded to the communication terminal 100 via a network, or may be obtained via a recording medium. The audio information may be downloaded from the server 400 together with the animation mail format 600. The mail receiving side reproduces the synthesized audio information together when reproducing each animation image.
[0061]
Here, the operation of the communication terminal 100 will be described again along the flowchart of FIG. After creating the anime mail by the communication terminal 100, the sender checks the contents of the animation mail created by the preview function and, if the created contents are acceptable, uses the operation unit 15 to send the mail of the transmission destination (communication terminal 200). The address is input (step S109).
[0062]
When the control unit 11 recognizes that the information indicating the anime mail transmission request has been input by the operation unit 15 after the input mail address of the transmission destination is recognized by the operation unit 15, the control unit 11 transmits the anime mail to the input destination. It instructs the transmission / reception unit 12. The transmission / reception unit 12 transmits the anime mail stored in the information storage unit 13 to the specified destination mail address (step S110). Thus, the communication terminal 100 ends the animation mail creation / transmission operation.
[0063]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the operation by the communication terminal 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of receiving and displaying an animation mail by the communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and along FIG.
[0064]
First, the transmitting / receiving unit 22 receives the anime mail transmitted from the communication terminal 100 (Step S201). The control unit 21 stores the received anime mail in the information storage unit 23.
[0065]
The receiver operates the operation unit 25 to input a request to open the received anime mail. When the control unit 21 recognizes that the opening request of the anime mail has been input by the operation unit 25, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display the animation image of the first frame of the anime mail stored in the information storage unit 23 (step S202). ).
[0066]
No GUI component (icon or the like) indicating a predetermined operation instruction is provided on the animation image displayed on the display unit 24, and the control unit 21 requests the operation unit 25 to display a next frame animation image. When recognizing the input (step S203 / No), the display unit 24 displays the animation image of the next frame (step S202).
[0067]
A GUI component (operation instruction key) indicating a predetermined operation instruction is provided on the animation image displayed on the display unit 24 (step S203 / Yes). Upon recognizing that the operation instruction key has been selected (step S204), the display unit 24 is caused to execute a display operation based on an operation instruction set in advance in the animation mail (step S205).
[0068]
When an animation image other than the last frame is displayed on the display unit 24, and the control unit 21 recognizes that the information to request the display of the animation image of the next frame has been input from the operation unit 25 (step S206). / No), the process proceeds to step S202, where the animation image of the next frame is displayed on the display unit 24, and the subsequent processing is executed.
[0069]
When the control unit 21 recognizes that the animation image of the last frame is displayed on the display unit 24 and that the information to request the end of the display of the animation mail is input by the operation unit 25 (step S206 / Yes), the communication terminal 200 ends the operation.
[0070]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the anime mail according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The animation mail shown in FIG. 6 is created by the communication terminal 100 by combining character information with the animation mail format 600 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the display operation of the animation mail by the communication terminal 200 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the animation mail is composed of four frames of animation images. Character information input by the communication terminal 100 is synthesized on each animation image. At the same time as the reproduction of each animation image, the audio input / output unit 26 reproduces the audio information attached by the communication terminal 100.
[0072]
When the control unit 21 recognizes that the information indicating the opening request of the animation mail has been input by the operation unit 25, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to execute the operation of the animation image 810 of the first frame. The first frame of the animation image 810 is provided with a NEXT key 811 labeled “NEXT”.
[0073]
When recognizing that the NEXT key 811 on the first frame of the animation image 810 has been selected, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to execute the operation of the next second frame of the animation image 820. Similarly, a NEXT key 821 for displaying the next frame is provided on the animation image 820 of the second frame.
[0074]
When recognizing that the NEXT key 821 on the second frame animation image 820 has been selected, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display the next third frame animation image 830. On the animation image 830 of the third frame, an operation instruction key 831 for causing the display unit 24 to execute a predetermined display operation is provided. In FIG. 6, the operation instruction key 831 is indicated by an asterisk (*).
[0075]
When the control unit 21 recognizes that the operation instruction key 831 has been selected by the operation unit 25, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to execute an animation display operation previously set in the animation image 830 of the third frame. For example, when the operation instruction key 831 is pressed, as shown in the animation image 840 of the third frame after the execution of the operation instruction, a mechanism in which a bear pops out of the box or a star flows in the background (animation image, Video, audio, etc.) appears.
[0076]
Also, on the third frame animation image 840 after the execution of the operation instruction, an END key 841 described as “END” indicating that the third animation image 840 after the execution of the operation instruction is the last frame is displayed. Is provided. When the control unit 21 recognizes that the END key 841 has been selected by the operation unit 25, the display unit 24 terminates the display of the animation mail.
[0077]
As described above, when the NEXT key provided in the animation image of the immediately preceding frame is selected by the operation unit 25 in the animation image having no operation instruction key, the display unit 24 executes the animation image operation. I do. On the other hand, in the animation image provided with the operation instruction key, when the operation instruction key is selected by the operation unit 25, the display unit 24 further executes another animation operation set in the animation image. Therefore, by providing the operation instruction key on the animation image, it becomes possible to start the animation operation in the animation image by the operation instruction on the mail receiving side.
[0078]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 transmits an animation mail including an animation image. Therefore, by incorporating animation into the mail, the recipient can intuitively understand the contents as compared with a mail containing only documents. Also, by using animation to express the sender's emotions, it can be used effectively in many situations in daily life, and as a result, it is effective to express one's feelings as it is Can be expressed as follows.
[0079]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 transmits an animation mail in which several frames of animated images having a story are combined into one e-mail. Therefore, even if the recipient opens the anime mail, the conclusion cannot be seen immediately, and the curiosity of the recipient can be tickled.
[0080]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 downloads the animation mail format 600 composed of several frames of animation images from the server 400 and creates character mail by inputting character information into each frame. . Communication terminal 100 transmits the created animation mail to communication terminal 200. Therefore, the e-mail sender can send an e-mail having a story that can express his / her emotions effectively by a simple operation of only inputting the character information.
[0081]
(Schematic and Configuration of Second Embodiment)
The configuration and operation of the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention unless otherwise specified, and the description will be given with reference to FIGS.
[0082]
In the first embodiment, the communication terminal 100 downloads from the server 400 an animation mail format 600 composed of animation images for several frames in which the order of frame display is set in advance, and Animation mail was created by inputting character information on an animation image. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 downloads the animation mail format 600, which is an animation image of one frame, from the server 400 from the server 400, and combines the downloaded animation mail formats 600 into an animation mail. Create
[0083]
(Operation of Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an operation of creating and transmitting an anime mail by the communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0084]
First, the communication terminal 100 downloads the anime mail format 600 desired by the sender from the server 400. As described above, the downloaded animation mail format 600 is configured by one frame of animation image.
[0085]
The information storage unit 13 holds a storage format list indicating list information of the animation mail format 600 stored therein. The storage format list may include information elements such as the name of the anime mail format 600 stored in the information storage unit 13, the download date and time, and a thumbnail image of the animation mail format 600. The information elements and the anime mail format 600 itself may be managed in the information storage unit 13 in association with each other by the identification information of the animation mail format 600.
[0086]
When the control unit 11 recognizes that the information requesting the display of the storage format list has been input by the operation unit 15, the control unit 11 extracts the storage format list from the information storage unit 13 and causes the display unit 14 to display the list. Using the operation unit 15, the sender selects the anime mail format 600 used for creating the anime mail from the name of the anime mail format 600 displayed in the storage format list (it may be displayed together with its thumbnail image). I do.
[0087]
FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are views showing animation mail creation screens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment for creating an anime mail will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0088]
The control unit 11 displays the animation mail format 600 selected by the operation unit 15 on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows an animation mail creation screen when animation mail formats 650, 660, and 670 are selected, respectively. Note that the number of selectable anime mail formats is not limited to the one shown in the present embodiment.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 7, on the animation mail creation screen, frame order setting fields 651, 661, 671 and operation instruction setting are provided for each of the displayed animation mail formats 650, 660, 670, respectively. Keys 652, 662, 672 are provided. The frame order setting field is an input area for setting the display order of animation images of each animation mail format on the mail receiving side. The operation instruction setting key is an information input key for providing an operation instruction key on each animation image.
[0090]
Next, the operator uses the operation unit 15 to input numbers and the like in the frame order setting fields 651, 661, and 671, and determines the display order of the animation images of each animation mail format when the animation mail is reproduced. In the present embodiment, as an example, “3” is input to the frame order setting column 651, “2” is input to the frame order setting column 661, and “1” is input to the frame order setting column 671, and the animation mail format 670 → 660 → 650 is input. It is assumed that animation images are specified in order.
[0091]
When recognizing the input of the display order of each animation mail format in the frame order setting fields 651, 661, and 671 on the animation mail creation screen of FIG. 7, the control unit 11 displays the animation mail creation screen shown in FIG. Display.
[0092]
In FIG. 8, the animation images in the animation mail format are rearranged in the order of the animation mail format 670 → 660 → 650 according to the designated display order. NEXT keys 673 and 663 for moving to the next frame when viewing the animation mail on the receiving side are provided for animation images in the animation mail formats 670 and 660 other than the last frame, respectively. In addition, the animation image of the animation mail format 650 of the last frame is provided with an END key 653 for terminating the animation mail browsing when the animation mail is browsed on the receiving side.
[0093]
Also, in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which a mechanism (animation image, video, audio, or the like) appears such that a bear pops out of a box or a star flows in the background when the operation instruction key is pressed. In the embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism as described above for an arbitrary frame (animation mail format). The operator uses the operation unit 15 to select an operation instruction setting key corresponding to a frame (animation mail format) in which the mechanism described above is provided.
[0094]
In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the operation instruction setting key 652 is selected by the operation unit 15, that is, a case where the setting is made to reproduce the gimmick after displaying the animation mail format 650 of the third frame will be described. When recognizing that the operation instruction setting key 652 of the third frame has been selected, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 14 to display an animation mail creation screen as shown in FIG.
[0095]
In FIG. 8, the NEXT key 653 is provided on the animation image of the third frame in the mail format 650. However, when the operation instruction setting key 652 is selected, in FIG. An operation instruction key 654 is displayed at the top instead of the END key 653. When the operation instruction key 654 is selected on the anime mail receiving side at the time of browsing the anime mail, a device (animation image, video, sound, etc.) is reproduced. The operation unit 15 can provide an operation instruction key 654 at an arbitrary position on the animation image in the animation mail format 650.
[0096]
When the operation instruction setting key 652 is selected, as shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 14 displays the animation mail format 650 as the next frame of the animation image of the animation mail format 650 for which the operation instruction key 654 setting has been instructed. , 660, and 670, and an animation image in the animation mail format 680 indicating the frame after the device is reproduced.
[0097]
On the animation mail creation screen shown in FIG. 8, the END key 653 is displayed on the animation image of the animation mail format 650 because the animation image of the animation mail format 650 of the third frame is the last frame. Since the operation instruction key 654 and the device are set in the format 650, the END key 683 is provided on the animation image of the animation mail format 680 after the execution of the operation instruction on the animation mail creation screen in FIG.
[0098]
It is assumed that the animation image, video, audio information, and the like to be played as a device are included in advance in each animation mail format of the animation image provided with the operation instruction key. For example, the animation mail format 650 includes animation images, video, audio information, and the like that are reproduced when the operation instruction key 654 on the animation image in the animation mail format 650 is selected.
[0099]
Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the communication terminal 100 completes the creation of the animation mail by inputting the character information on the animation image in the animation mail format 650, 660, 670, 680. After creating the anime mail, the communication terminal 100 inputs the mail address of the transmission destination and transmits the mail to the mail address to which the anime mail was input.
[0100]
When the communication terminal 200 receives the animation mail from the communication terminal 100, the receiver causes the communication terminal 200 to display the animation images in the order set in the frame order setting field and read the animation images.
[0101]
Note that various keys and input fields on the animation mail creation screen may be realized by icons in a GUI environment.
[0102]
Also, in the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 downloads several anime mail formats composed of one frame of animation image, and extracts and combines a predetermined number of downloaded anime mail formats to create an anime mail. Was. As a modification of the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 downloads several animation mail formats composed of N (N is an integer of 1 or more) animation images and combines the animation mail formats composed of the downloaded N frames. To create an anime mail.
[0103]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 100 selects a predetermined number of anime mail formats from the downloaded anime mail formats, and sets the display order for the selected anime mail formats. Create anime mail. The mail sender can freely select the animation image of the animation mail to be transmitted, and can freely set the display order. Therefore, it is possible to create an electronic mail capable of effectively expressing the emotion of the mail sender.
[0104]
In addition, the above processing is executed by a computer program included in the communication terminal 100, 200, or the server 400, and the program is executed by a recording medium such as an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor. And may be loaded from the above-described recording medium, or may be loaded from an external device connected via a predetermined network.
[0105]
The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. Becomes possible.
[0106]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the communication terminal device transmits an e-mail composed of an animation image. Therefore, compared to a document-only mail, the inclusion of animation in the mail allows the recipient to intuitively understand the contents. Also, by using animation to express the sender's emotions, it can be used effectively in many situations in daily life, and as a result, it is effective to express one's feelings as it is Can be expressed as follows.
[0107]
Further, according to the present invention, the communication terminal device transmits one e-mail in which several frames of animation images in a reproduction order are set. Therefore, even if the recipient opens the e-mail, the conclusion cannot be seen immediately, and the curiosity of the recipient can be tickled.
[0108]
Further, according to the present invention, the communication terminal device downloads an animation mail format composed of several frames of animation images from the mail format providing server, and creates an animation mail by inputting character information into each frame. . The communication terminal device sends the created e-mail to another communication terminal device. Therefore, the e-mail sender can send an e-mail having a story that can express his / her emotions effectively by a simple operation of only inputting the character information.
[0109]
As described above, according to the present invention, the communication terminal device selects a predetermined number of anime mail formats from among the downloaded anime mail formats, sets the display order for the selected animation mail formats, and sets the display order. Create an email. The mail sender can freely select an animation image of the e-mail to be sent, and can freely set the display order. Therefore, it is possible to create an electronic mail capable of effectively expressing the emotion of the mail sender.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an animation mail communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation performed by the communication terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an animation mail format according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation by the communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an anime mail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an animation mail creation screen according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an animation mail creation screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an animation mail creation screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 21 control unit
12,22 transceiver
13, 23 Information storage unit
14, 24 display
15, 25 Operation unit
16, 26 voice input / output unit
100, 200 communication terminal
300, 700 network
500 contents
600, 650, 660, 670 Anime mail format
610, 620, 630, 640, 810, 820, 830, 840 Animation image
631, 654, 831 Operation instruction keys
651, 661, 671, 681 Frame order setting column
652, 662, 672, 682 Operation instruction setting key
653, 673, 683, 811, 821 NEXT key
663, 841 END key

Claims (9)

An animation mail communication system having a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
The communication terminal device,
An animation mail format including a predetermined number of frames of animation images, in which the reproduction order of each frame of the animation images at the time of mail reception is set, is received from the mail format providing server. An anime mail communication system characterized in that an electronic mail is created by inputting character information into an electronic mail. An animation mail communication system having a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
The mail format providing server,
Mail format storage means for storing an animation mail format comprising a predetermined number of frames of animation images, and storing an animation mail format in which the reproduction order of each frame of the animation images at the time of mail reception is set;
Mail format transmitting means for transmitting the anime mail format stored by the mail format storing means,
The communication terminal device,
Mail format receiving means for receiving the anime mail format;
Mail creation means for creating an electronic mail by synthesizing character information on each animation image in the animation mail format received by the mail format receiving means,
Mail sending means for sending the electronic mail created by the mail creating means to another communication terminal device connected via the network,
An animation mail communication system comprising: An animation mail communication system having a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
The communication terminal device,
Receiving an animation mail format including one frame of animation image from the mail format providing server, extracting one or more of the animation mail formats from the received animation mail formats, and extracting the extracted one or more animation mail formats; An electronic mail communication system, wherein the electronic mail is created by setting the reproduction order of the characters and inputting character information into one or more of the anime mail formats in which the reproduction order is set. An animation mail communication system having a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
The mail format providing server,
Mail format storage means for storing an animation mail format comprising one frame of animation image;
Mail format transmitting means for transmitting the anime mail format stored by the mail format storing means,
The communication terminal device,
Mail format receiving means for receiving the anime mail format;
Mail format extracting means for extracting one or more anime mail formats from the anime mail formats received by the mail format receiving means;
Reproduction order setting means for setting a reproduction order of one or more anime mail formats extracted by the mail format extraction means;
Mail creation means for creating an electronic mail by synthesizing character information on one or more animation mail format animation images in which the playback order is set by the playback order setting means;
Mail sending means for sending the electronic mail created by the mail creating means to another communication terminal device connected via the network,
An animation mail communication system comprising: The mail format storage means,
5. The animation mail communication system according to claim 2, wherein the animation mail format provided with a GUI component for executing a predetermined image display operation on the animation image is stored. An animation mail delivery method using a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
A mail format storing step of storing the animation mail format in which the mail format providing server is composed of a predetermined number of frames of animation images and in which a reproduction order of each frame of the animation images at the time of receiving a mail is set;
A mail format transmitting step in which the mail format providing server transmits the anime mail format stored in the mail format storing step;
A mail format receiving step in which the communication terminal device receives the anime mail format;
An e-mail creating step in which the communication terminal device composes character information on each animation image in the animated e-mail format received in the e-mail format receiving step to create an e-mail;
A mail transmitting step in which the communication terminal device transmits the electronic mail created in the mail creating process to another communication terminal device connected via a network,
An animation mail distribution method characterized by having: An animation mail delivery method using a communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail, and a mail format providing server connected to the communication terminal device via a network,
A mail format storage step of storing the animation mail format composed of one frame of animation image by the mail format providing server;
A mail format transmitting step in which the mail format providing server transmits the anime mail format stored in the mail format storing step;
A mail format receiving step in which the communication terminal device receives the anime mail format;
A mail format extracting step in which the communication terminal device extracts one or more anime mail formats from the anime mail formats received in the mail format receiving step;
A reproduction order setting step in which the communication terminal device sets a reproduction order of one or more anime mail formats extracted in the mail format extraction step;
An e-mail creating step in which the communication terminal device synthesizes character information on one or more animated mail format animation images in which the order of reproduction is set in the reproduction order setting step to create an e-mail;
A mail transmitting step in which the communication terminal device transmits the electronic mail created in the mail creating process to another communication terminal device connected via a network,
An animation mail distribution method characterized by having: A mail format receiving process of receiving an animation mail format including a predetermined number of frames of an animation image, and receiving an animation mail format in which a reproduction order of each frame of the animation image at the time of receiving a mail is set;
Mail creation processing for creating an electronic mail by combining character information on each animation image in the animation mail format received by the mail format reception processing;
A mail sending process of sending the email created by the email creating process,
A program for causing a computer to execute. A mail format receiving process for receiving an animation mail format including one frame of animation image;
A mail format extracting process for extracting one or more anime mail formats from the anime mail formats received by the mail format receiving process;
A reproduction order setting process for setting a reproduction order of one or more anime mail formats extracted by the mail format extraction process;
A mail creation process for creating an electronic mail by synthesizing character information on one or more animation mail format animation images in which the playback order has been set by the playback order setting process;
A mail sending process of sending the email created by the email creating process,
A program for causing a computer to execute.

Images