JP2004172940A - Mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To report that mail addressed to a prescribed destination has been stored in a mail relay part to mail communication equipment corresponding to the destination in a mail system in which the mail relay part stores the mail received from a transmission origin and transmits the stored mail to the mail communication equipment corresponding to the destination of the mail. <P>SOLUTION: In the mail relay part, a received mail storage means 21 stores the mail received from the transmission origin 12, a destination mail communication equipment management means 23 manages the destination requesting the transmission of prescribed reporting information in the case that the mail to the destination has been stored and the mail communication equipment corresponding to the destination, and reporting information transmission control means 23 and 3 transmit the prescribed reporting information to the mail communication equipment 11 corresponding to the destination in the case of detecting that the mail to the managed destination has been stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mail system in which a mail from a sender is stored in a mail relay unit and transmitted to a mail communication device corresponding to a destination of the mail, and in particular, a mail to a predetermined destination is stored in the mail relay unit. The present invention relates to a mail system capable of notifying a mail communication device corresponding to the destination of the notification.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a mail system that transmits and receives mails using a PHS terminal device has been realized using a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) data communication method, using a local wireless as a transmission medium, and using a PHS terminal device. I have.
FIG. 8 shows, as an example of a conventional mail system, a device configuration example of a mail system using private wireless communication in a company, for example.
[0003]
In the mail system shown in the figure, a mail server device 41 and a PHS exchange 42 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) line 44, and the PHS exchange 42 and a plurality of PHS base station devices 43a, 43b are connected to each other. Is connected, the mail client 52 is connected to the mail server device 41 via the LAN line 44, and a plurality of PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c are provided.
[0004]
The mail server device 41 manages mail, the PHS terminal devices 51 to 51c are used in the premises and wirelessly connected to the PHS base station devices 43a and 43b, and the PHS base station devices 43a and 43b are installed in various parts of the premises. Connected to the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c wirelessly and to the PHS exchange 42, and the PHS exchange 42 has a gateway to the LAN line 44 when the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c are connected by the PIAFS data communication method.
[0005]
In the mail system shown in FIG. 1, PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c are connected to a mail server device 41 via PHS base station devices 43a and 43b, a PHS exchange 42, and a LAN line 44, and are connected to an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). ) Or a POP (Post Office Protocol) 3 protocol.
[0006]
The PIAFS is a transmission data protocol used when data is communicated at a speed of 32 kbps or the like in the PHS. For example, PIAFS detects a data error on a frame basis and retransmits the frame in which the error is detected. It has a function to perform, and a function to continue data transmission by resynchronizing after communication is resumed when communication is interrupted due to handover (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-101463
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional mail system using private wireless communication as shown in the above-described conventional example, when a mail addressed to the user using the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c reaches the mail server device 41, this is not the case. Is not provided to the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c, for example, if the user does not access the mail server device 41 from the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c used by the user, There is a problem that it is not possible to confirm whether or not the mail addressed to the user (self) has reached the mail server device 41.
[0009]
In particular, in the conventional mail system, for example, when the same PHS terminal device 51a to 51c is used by a plurality of users, or when the user using the same PHS terminal device 51a to 51c changes depending on circumstances, etc. Also, there has been a request to appropriately notify the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c that the mail addressed to the user using the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c has reached the mail server device 41.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and in a configuration in which a mail relay unit stores a mail from a sender and transmits the mail to a mail communication device corresponding to a destination of the mail, It is an object of the present invention to provide a mail system that can notify a mail communication device corresponding to a destination that the mail to the destination is stored in the mail relay unit.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, in a mail system according to the present invention, a mail relay unit stores a mail received from a transmission source, and transmits the stored mail to a mail communication device corresponding to a destination of the mail. The mail relay unit performs the following processing.
That is, in the mail relay unit, the received mail storage unit stores the mail received from the transmission source. Further, the destination mail communication device management means manages a destination requesting transmission of predetermined notification information when a mail to the self destination is stored, and a mail communication device corresponding to the destination. When the notification information transmission control means detects that the mail to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management means has been stored in the received mail storage means, the predetermined notification information is transmitted to the mail corresponding to the destination. Send to communication device.
[0012]
Therefore, when it is detected that the mail to the destination managed by the mail relay unit is stored, the predetermined notification information is transmitted to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination. Can be notified to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination, that the mail has been stored in the mail relay unit, thereby improving the convenience for the user using the mail communication device.
[0013]
In the mail relay unit, the destination is managed and the mail communication device corresponding to the destination is managed. For example, when the same mail communication device is used by a plurality of users, or when the same mail communication device is used. Even when the user to use changes depending on the situation, etc., the fact that the mail addressed to the user using each mail communication device is stored in the mail relay unit is appropriately notified to the respective mail communication device. It is possible to inform.
[0014]
Here, various configurations may be used as the mail relay unit, and the mail relay unit has a function of relaying mail transmitted from the transmission source to the destination.
As the transmission source, for example, a mail communication device serving as the transmission source is used.
In addition, the mail relay unit may, for example, directly receive a mail transmitted from a transmission source, or may receive the mail indirectly via another device.
Further, as communication between the mail relay unit and the transmission source, for example, wired communication, wireless communication, or both of them may be used.
[0015]
In addition, various mails may be used, and for example, electronic mail is used.
Further, various destinations of the mail may be used, and for example, an address set for each user may be used.
The destination of the mail is specified by, for example, information included in the mail or information added to the outside.
[0016]
Further, as the communication between the mail relay unit and the mail communication device corresponding to the mail destination, for example, wired communication may be used, or wireless communication may be used. You may be.
Further, the received mail storage means is configured using, for example, a memory for storing mail information.
[0017]
Further, the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit is required to transmit predetermined notification information from the mail relay unit when a mail to the destination (own destination) is stored in the received mail storage unit. Is what you do.
In addition, the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit and the mail communication device corresponding to the destination may be set in various ways, or may be set by various devices. It is preferable that the apparatus can be registered, deleted, changed, or the like by a device.
[0018]
Various methods may be used as the management method by the destination mail communication device management means. For example, information for identifying a destination is associated with information for identifying a mail communication device corresponding to the destination. To store the data in a memory.
Various information may be used as the predetermined notification information. For example, information for notifying that a mail to a destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit is stored is used. As the predetermined notification information, for example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which all or a part of the information of the stored mail itself is used.
[0019]
Further, when detecting that the mail to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management means has been stored in the received mail storage means, transmitting predetermined notification information to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination. For example, a mode in which the same mail is performed only once is used, but a mode in which the same mail is performed twice or more may be used.
[0020]
The mail system according to the present invention has the following configuration as one configuration example.
That is, the notification information transmission control means provided in the mail relay unit includes the received mail storage presence / absence determination means and the notification information transmission means. The received mail storage presence / absence determining means determines at a predetermined timing whether or not a mail addressed to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management means is newly stored in the received mail storage means. The notification information transmitting means transmits predetermined notification information to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination when the storage is detected by the determination of the received mail storage presence / absence determining means.
[0021]
The mail relay unit is configured using a mail device having a received mail storage unit, and a mail check device having a destination mail communication device management unit and a received mail storage presence / absence determination unit.
[0022]
In addition, a portable wireless communication device having a management destination designation unit and a notification information receiving unit is used as the mail communication device. The management destination specifying means specifies, to the mail relay unit, a destination that requests transmission of predetermined notification information when a mail to the self destination is stored. The notification information receiving means receives predetermined notification information transmitted from the mail relay unit.
The destination mail communication device management means provided in the mail check device manages a destination specified by the portable wireless communication device used as the mail communication device.
[0023]
Here, various timings may be used as the predetermined timing at which the determination by the received mail storage presence / absence determination unit is performed, for example, a timing at a predetermined time interval, a timing at a constant cycle, or the like is used. .
Further, the received mail storage presence / absence determining means regards, for example, the mail that was not stored in the determination at the previous timing, but was stored in the determination at the current timing, as a newly stored mail.
[0024]
Further, as the mail device and the mail check device, those having various configurations may be used.
In addition, various devices may be used as the portable wireless communication device, and for example, a PHS terminal device or the like can be used.
Various methods may be used for the designation by the management destination designation means, for example, a method of transmitting information for designation to the mail relay unit.
[0025]
The destination mail communication device management unit provided in the mail check device manages, for example, a destination specified by the management destination specifying unit provided in the mail communication device, and also manages a mail communication device corresponding to the destination. In this case, for example, the management destination designating means provided in the mail communication device, when designating the destination, specifies the identification information of itself (the mail communication device) as the identification information of the mail communication device corresponding to the destination. It is also possible to use various embodiments.
[0026]
In the mail system according to the present invention, as one configuration example, private wireless communication is performed between the mail relay unit and the mail communication device. Further, the mail relay unit, for a destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit, sends predetermined notification information in response to detecting that a mail to the destination is stored in the received mail storage unit. While transmitting to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination, the other destinations (that is, destinations not managed by the destination mail communication device management means) are sent in response to a predetermined confirmation request from the mail communication device. It is confirmed whether the mail to the other destination is stored in the received mail storage means.
[0027]
In other words, the mail relay unit automatically transmits predetermined notification information to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit when the mail to the destination is stored in the received mail storage unit. Is transmitted to the mail communication device corresponding to the above, while the mail to the other destination is stored in the received mail storage means only when there is a predetermined confirmation request from the mail communication device. It is confirmed (determined) whether or not the information has been stored. As a result, when it is confirmed that the information is stored, predetermined information is transmitted to the mail communication device corresponding to the other destination. In addition, as the predetermined information, for example, information indicating that the information is stored or information of the stored mail is used.
[0028]
Here, various types of private wireless communication may be used. For example, private wireless communication using a PHS may be used.
Further, as the premises, for example, various things such as in a company, in a factory, in a station, in a facility, or in a predetermined outdoor area may be used.
Also, various types of predetermined confirmation requests may be used.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Note that the mail system of this example is one in which the present invention is applied to, for example, the mail system shown in FIG. 8 described above, and therefore, in the following, a configuration and operation different from those of the mail system shown in FIG. Will be described in detail, and a description of similar configurations and operations will be omitted or simplified.
[0030]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a mail system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a more detailed configuration example of a part of the mail system of the present embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, one of the plurality of PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c shown in FIG. 1 is represented as a PHS terminal device 11.
[0031]
In the mail system of this example, a mail server device 1, a mail check server device 2, a PHS switching device 3, and a processing unit that constitute a mail relay unit that performs processing such as relaying mail are installed in various parts of the premises. A plurality of PHS base station devices 4a and 4b and a LAN line 5 are provided.
Further, the mail system of this example includes a mail client device 12 and a plurality of PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c used in the premises as devices for performing processes such as sending and receiving mail.
[0032]
Here, a private wireless communication system is configured by using a plurality of PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, a plurality of base station devices 4a and 4b, and a PHS exchange 3.
Further, the mail server device 1, the mail check server device 2, and the mail client device 12 are connected via the LAN line 5 to form a LAN system.
Then, the PHS exchange 3 of the private wireless communication system and the LAN line 5 of the LAN system are connected to constitute the mail system of the present embodiment.
[0033]
The mail server device 1 has a function of transmitting and receiving a mail according to the SMTP protocol and the POP3 protocol. In addition, the mail server device 1 has a mailbox 21 including a storage area for storing mail.
[0034]
The mail check server device 2 has a function of managing a destination of a user who has performed a predetermined login, and periodically checks a mail addressed to a user who is logging in to the mail server device 1. The mail checker 23 has a function of outputting an instruction to the PHS exchange 3 to send an incoming mail notification to the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c when a new mail is found by the check. Further, the mail check server device 2 has a mail information management database 22 which is a database (DB) for managing information on mail.
[0035]
The PHS exchange 3 has a function of sending an incoming mail notification to the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c.
Each of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c has a function of transmitting mail by the SMTP protocol and a function of receiving mail by the POP3 protocol as a standard function (mail standard function) 31 relating to mail. It has a function of notifying a user of the device (each of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c) of an incoming mail.
[0036]
Here, the login in this example will be described.
For example, in the conventional mail server system as shown in FIG. 8, in order to confirm whether or not the user has received mail addressed to himself, the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c send a message to the mail server device 41. It is necessary to access, that is, to connect to the mail server device 41 from the PHS terminal devices 51a to 51c by dial-up or the like. This is because, for example, in a mobile phone system such as i-mode (registered trademark), when a terminal device is in an out-of-service area and cannot receive an incoming mail, it is necessary to confirm the presence or absence of a new mail. This is equivalent to making an inquiry from the terminal device to the center of the telephone office.
[0037]
On the other hand, the login in this example means that the user accesses the mail check server device 2 from the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c by dial-up or the like, and connects the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c carried and used by the user (the user). This is a process of registering in the mail check server device 2. In this example, by performing such a registration process, the mail check server device 2 can specify which of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c should receive a new mail addressed to a certain user. .
[0038]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the contents of management by a user information management database provided in the mail check server device 2 and used by the mail check server device 2 to manage information on users for each user.
In the user information management database of this example, for each user, a user ID (for example, “00000001”) that is identification information of the user, a user name (for example, “Sato”) that is the name of the user, A password (eg, “0001”), which is one type of information, is associated with an account name (eg, “0001@hike.com”), which is one type of identification information and used as a destination of each user. Managed.
[0039]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the contents of management by a logged-in user information management database provided in the mail check server device 2 and used by the mail check server device 2 to manage information on a logged-in user for each user. It is.
In the logged-in user information management database of the present example, a PHS number (for example, “0001”) that is identification information of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c and identification information of the user are provided for each currently logged in user. A user ID (for example, “00000001”) is managed in association with the user ID.
[0040]
FIG. 5 shows the contents of management by the mail information management database 22 which is provided in the mail check server device 2 and is used by the mail check server device 2 to manage information on mail obtained in the previous check for each user. An example is shown.
In the mail information management database 22 of the present example, for each mail, a user ID (for example, “00000001”) that is identification information of a destination user and a mail number (for example, “1”) that is identification information of the mail are provided. ), A mail size (for example, “128”) that is the size of the mail, and a message ID (for example, “00001”) that is the identification information of the message are managed in association with each other.
[0041]
In the mail information management database 22 of the present example, since information on mail for each user is substantially managed by managing information for each mail, for example, a plurality of mails addressed to the same user are stored. In some cases, information on a plurality of mails for the same user ID is separately managed, but as another example, a plurality of mails addressed to the same user are collectively associated with the ID (user ID) of the user. It is also possible to use a mode of attaching and managing.
[0042]
FIG. 6 shows an example of information displayed on the screens of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c when the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c log in to the mail check server device 2. .
On the screen (login screen) shown in the figure, a field for inputting “user name”, a field for inputting “password”, and a button (login button) for instructing “login” are displayed.
[0043]
As an example, the user makes a login request to the mail check server device 2 by using the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, inputting a user name and a password, and clicking a login button or the like. Then, the mail check server device 2 receives the user names and the passwords transmitted from the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c that have made the login request, and based on the contents of management by the user information management database shown in FIG. When the received user name and password are authenticated, the user ID corresponding to the user name and the password and the PHS numbers of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c that made the login request are associated with each other, and It is managed by the information management database.
[0044]
As described above, in this example, the user uses the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c used by himself / herself to the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b, the PHS exchange 3, and the mail check server device 5 via the LAN line 5. By accessing and making an instruction to register his / her user ID in the logged-in user information management database in association with the PHS numbers of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, the registration is performed in the mail check server device 2. Is Further, deletion or change of information registered in the logged-in user information management database can be similarly performed by the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c.
[0045]
In each of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, the PHS number of the own device (each of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c) is stored in a memory. Notification of the PHS numbers of the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c from the mail check server device 2 to the mail check server device 2 is performed.
[0046]
Next, an example of a procedure of a process performed from when the mail server device 1 receives a mail to when the PHS terminal device 11 receives the mail will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example, an e-mail addressed to the user using the PHS terminal device 11 is transmitted from the e-mail client device 12 or another PHS terminal device as a transmission source, and becomes a transmission destination via the mail server device 1 or the like. The processing received by the PHS terminal device 11 is shown.
[0047]
(1) First, the mail client device 12 or the PHS terminal device transmits a mail addressed to the user using the PHS terminal device 11 to the mail server device 1 by the SMTP protocol.
(2) Then, the mail server device 1 stores the information of the received mail in the mailbox 21.
[0048]
(3) Further, the mail check server device 2 periodically acquires, for example, information on the mailbox 21 obtained by the previous check from the mail information management database 22.
(4) Then, the mail check server device 2 inquires of the mail server device 1 about the current state of the mailbox 21 using the POP3 protocol, for example.
[0049]
Specifically, the mail check server device 2 acquires the user ID of the logged-in user based on the management contents of the logged-in user information management database shown in FIG. 4 and performs the user information management shown in FIG. An account name and a password of the logged-in user corresponding to the user ID are acquired based on the management contents by the database, and the account name is transmitted from the mailbox 21 of the mail server device 1 using the account name and the password. Get information about mail to be sent.
[0050]
(5) Next, the mail check server device 2 checks the status of the mailbox 21 obtained by the previous check currently managed by the mail information management database 22 and the status of the mailbox 21 obtained by the current check. The state is compared with the current state, and if it is detected that there is a change between these two states, for example, a new mail has arrived at the mailbox 21, an incoming call notification of the newly arrived mail is received. Is output to the PHS exchange 3 for instructing the PHS exchange 3 to send out.
[0051]
Specifically, when a newly arrived mail is detected, the mail check server device 2 checks the user ID corresponding to the account name that is the destination of the mail, the PHS number corresponding to the user ID, It sends information about the mail and the like to the PHS exchange 3 and requests it to notify the incoming call.
[0052]
(6) The mail check server device 2 saves the current state of the mailbox 21 acquired by the current check in the mail information management database 22 by, for example, overwriting.
(7) Further, the PHS exchange 3 that has received the request for the notification of the incoming call from the mail check server device 2 has the information for performing the notification of the incoming mail to the PHS terminal device 11 corresponding to the PHS number specified in the request. For example, information indicating that a mail has arrived (incoming notification information) is transmitted to the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b.
[0053]
Then, the incoming call notification information is wirelessly transmitted from the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b, and the incoming call notification information is received by the PHS terminal device 11 which is the incoming call notification destination. Further, the PHS terminal device 11 that has received the incoming notification information receives an incoming call for the user using the PHS terminal device 11 based on the incoming notification information, for example, by displaying a screen or outputting a sound (or voice). Make a notification. Thereby, the user can know that the mail addressed to the account name of the user (the user) is newly stored in the mailbox 21 of the mail server device 1.
[0054]
(8) Then, the user who has received the incoming call notification operates the PHS terminal device 11 to access the mail server device 1 from the PHS terminal device 11, so that the user enters the mail box 21 of the mail server device 1. The stored mail can be received by the POP3 protocol.
Specifically, the user transmits his / her account name and password from the PHS terminal device 11 to the mail server device 1 so that the mail stored in the mailbox 21 and addressed to the account name is transmitted. It is possible to receive from the mail server device 1.
[0055]
Next, an example of a procedure of a process in which the mail check server device 2 performs a check for inquiring the mail server device 1 about the current state of the mailbox 21 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0056]
(1) First, the mail check server device 2 requests the mail server device 1 to connect to the line via the LAN line 5, and the mail server device 1 approves the connection.
(2) Next, the mail check server device 2 transmits the account name to the mail server device 1, and the mail server device 1 approves the account name.
(3) Further, the mail check server device 2 transmits the password to the mail server device 1, and the password is approved by the mail server device 1.
[0057]
(4) Next, the mail check server device 2 requests the mail server device 1 to acquire the status such as the number of mails in the mailbox 21 and the size of the entire mail. Upon approval, the mail check server device 2 is notified of the number and size of the mails.
(5) Next, the mail check server device 2 requests the mail server device 1 to acquire a list of each mail, and when the request is approved by the mail server device 1, the size of each mail message is reduced, for example. Each mail is sequentially notified in octet units.
[0058]
(6) The mail check server device 2 sequentially requests the mail server device 1 to acquire the message ID of each mail for each mail, and when the request is approved by the mail server device 1, the message of each mail is IDs are sequentially notified.
(7) Then, when the reception of the necessary mail information from the mail server device 1 is completed, the mail check server device 2 requests the mail server device 1 to disconnect the line, and the mail server device 1 disconnects the line. Is approved, the processing of this inquiry is completed.
[0059]
As described above, in the mail system of the present example using private wireless, the mail server device 1 temporarily stores the mail from the transmission source and then responds to the mail in response to a request from the destination of the mail. In the configuration for transmitting to the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, a log-in function for managing the destination of a specific user is provided, and the mail check server device 2 manages the status of the login performed by the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c, The mail check server device 2 accesses the mail server device 1 to check the arrival status of the mail addressed to the logged-in user one by one, and if there is a new mail addressed to the logged-in user, the mail check server In response to an instruction from the device 2, the PHS exchange 3 sends a message to the user logged in from the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b Ri is sending an incoming mail notification to the PHS terminal 11a~11c being used is carried out.
[0060]
Therefore, in the mail system of this example, when mail communication is performed in a private wireless communication system or the like, it is determined whether there is any new mail addressed to the logged-in user using the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c. It is checked from time to time, and if there is the new mail, a mail arrival notification is transmitted to the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c used by the user, so that the user is notified that there is a new mail. For example, it can be instantly notified.
[0061]
In particular, in the mail system of the present example, for example, when one PHS terminal device 11a to 11c is used by a plurality of persons (users), or when the person (user) using one PHS terminal device 11a to 11c is In this case, each user logs in by associating his or her own user ID (the corresponding account name) with the PHS number of the PHS terminal device 11a to 11c used by the user. The arrival of the new mail to the mail server device 1 can be known by the mail arrival notification by the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c used by the user. If the user who uses the terminal device is fixed, such as i-mode (registered trademark), a system that does not need to log in as in this example can be considered. Login may be used.
[0062]
Here, in the mail system of the present example, a mail communication device is configured by the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c and the mail client device 12, which are portable wireless communication devices, and a mail device is configured by the mail server device 1. A mail check device is configured by the mail check server device 2.
[0063]
Further, in this example, the received mail storage means is constituted by the function of the mailbox 21 of the mail server device 1, and the function of the user information management database shown in FIG. The destination mail communication device management means is constituted by the function of the logged-in user information management database shown in FIG. In the logged-in user information management database of this example, a user ID corresponding to an account name is managed as a mail destination, and the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c are managed by PHS numbers.
[0064]
Further, in this example, the function of the mail checker 23 included in the mail check server device 2 constitutes a received mail storage presence / absence judging means, and the mail checker 23 included in the mail check server device 2 sends an instruction to the PHS exchange 3 The notification information transmitting unit is configured by a function of transmitting an incoming mail notification to the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c via the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b. Further, a notification information transmission control means is constituted by the received mail storage presence / absence determination means and the notification information transmission means.
[0065]
In this example, a management destination designating means is configured by a function in which the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c log in to the mail check server device 2 in response to a user operation, and the PHS terminal devices 11a to 11c A notification information receiving unit is configured by a function of receiving an incoming notification of an email transmitted from the exchange 3 via the PHS base station devices 4a and 4b.
[0066]
Here, the configurations of the mail relay unit, the mail communication device, the mail system, and the like according to the present invention are not necessarily limited to those described above, and various configurations may be used. Note that the present invention can be provided, for example, as a method or a method for executing the processing according to the present invention, or a program for realizing such a method or method.
Further, the application field of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described fields, and the present invention can be applied to various fields.
[0067]
As various processes performed in the mail relay unit, the mail communication device, the mail system, and the like according to the present invention, for example, a processor is stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in a hardware resource including a processor and a memory. A configuration controlled by executing a control program may be used, and, for example, each functional unit for executing the processing may be configured as an independent hardware circuit.
Further, the present invention can be understood as a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM storing the above-mentioned control program or the program (the program itself). The processing according to the present invention can be performed by inputting the program from the recording medium to the computer and causing the processor to execute the program.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the mail system of the present invention, the mail relay unit stores the mail received from the transmission source and transmits the stored mail to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination of the mail. In the mail relay unit, the mail received from the sender is stored, and when the mail to the self-address is stored, a destination requesting transmission of predetermined notification information and the mail communication corresponding to the destination are stored. The device is managed, and when it is detected that a mail to the managed destination is stored, predetermined notification information is transmitted to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination. Can be notified to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination that the mail to is stored in the mail relay unit, thereby using the mail communication device. That it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a mail system using private wireless communication according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a mail system and an example of a procedure of a process related to a mail arrival notification.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of management contents by a user information management database.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of management contents by a logged-in user information management database.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of management contents by a mail information management database.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen in the PHS terminal device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a process in which the mail check server device checks the current mail box status with respect to the mail server device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a mail system using private wireless communication according to a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Mail server device 2. Mail check server device
3 ··· PHS exchange, 4a, 4b · · · base station equipment, 5 · · · LAN line,
11a to 11c PHS terminal device 12. Mail client device
21. Mailbox, 22. Mail information management database,
23-Mail checker, 31-Mail standard function,

Claims (3)

A mail system in which a mail relay unit stores mail received from a transmission source, and transmits the stored mail to a mail communication device corresponding to a destination of the mail.
The mail relay unit includes a received mail storage unit for storing mail received from a sender,
A destination requesting that predetermined notification information is transmitted when a mail to the destination is stored, and a destination mail communication device managing means for managing a mail communication device corresponding to the destination,
Notification information for transmitting predetermined notification information to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination when detecting that mail to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit has been stored in the received mail storage unit. Transmission control means;
A mail system comprising: The mail system according to claim 1,
The notification information transmission control unit provided in the mail relay unit is configured to determine at a predetermined timing whether or not a mail to the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit is newly stored in the received mail storage unit. It is constituted by presence / absence determination means, and notification information transmission means for transmitting predetermined notification information to the mail communication device corresponding to the destination when the storage is detected by the determination by the received mail storage presence / absence determination means. Has been
The mail relay unit is configured using a mail device having a received mail storage unit, and a mail check device having a destination mail communication device management unit and a received mail storage presence / absence determination unit,
As a mail communication device, the mail is transmitted from a management destination designating unit and a mail relay unit for designating, to a mail relay unit, a destination requesting transmission of predetermined notification information when a mail to its own destination is stored. A portable wireless communication device having notification information receiving means for receiving predetermined notification information is used,
The destination mail communication device management means provided in the mail check device manages a destination specified by the portable wireless communication device used as the mail communication device.
A mail system characterized by the following. In the mail system according to claim 1 or 2,
Private wireless communication is performed between the mail relay unit and the mail communication device,
The mail relay unit, for the destination managed by the destination mail communication device management unit, responds to the predetermined notification information in response to detecting that the mail to the destination is stored in the received mail storage unit. While transmitting to the mail communication device, for other destinations, in response to a predetermined confirmation request from the mail communication device, it is checked whether mail to the other destination is stored in the received mail storage means. Do
A mail system characterized by the following.

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