JP2005190282A - Electronic mail transmission and reception system, electronic mail transmission and reception method, and electronic mail transmission and reception program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic mail transmission and reception system capable of promptly sending electronic mail to a transmission destination without holding the transmitted electronic mail on a mail server for a long period of time and modifying, adding to and the like described contents before a receiver opens the electronic mail even if the electronic mail is once sent to the transmission destination. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic mail transmission and reception system comprises a user terminal including: an electronic mail preparation section 310 preparing the electronic mail by distinguishing temporary transmission mode electronic mail premising later update from re-transmission mode electronic mail for updating the temporary transmission mode electronic mail for transmission; a transmission mode detection section 302 detecting the transmission mode of the received electronic mail; an update authority determination section 303 determining the presence of update authority to the electronic mail when the received electronic mail is the re-transmission mode electronic mail; an update candidate mail detection section 304 detecting the presence of the unopened temporary transmission mode electronic mail becoming an update candidate when the update authority-provided re-transmission mode electronic mail is received; and an electronic mail save/deletion processing section 305 deleting the unopened temporary transmission mode electronic mail when the unopened temporary transmission mode electronic mail becoming the update candidate is detected, and saving the newly received update authority-provided re-transmission mode electronic mail as the updated electronic mail. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail transmission / reception system, an e-mail transmission / reception method, and an e-mail transmission / reception program capable of updating the contents of a transmitted e-mail from a terminal on the transmission side.

  After sending an e-mail, you may notice an error in the description or destination. Therefore, in order to cope with such a case, a technique has been proposed in which a transmitted e-mail is stored in a mail server for a certain period, and contents described in the e-mail can be corrected / added during the period ( For example, see Patent Document 1.)

JP 2001-350694 A

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 is meaningful in that it is possible to correct / add the contents of the e-mail after transmission, but has the following problems. First, since the e-mail is stored in the mail server for a certain period, it takes time until the information is transmitted to the other party. In particular, when making an urgent contact by e-mail, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot be used. Secondly, the description of the e-mail can be corrected only during the period stored in the mail server, and therefore the e-mail after being sent to the other party cannot be corrected.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention allows an e-mail to be sent to a destination without being held in the mail server for a long time, and once sent to the destination. It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail transmission / reception system, an e-mail transmission / reception method, and an e-mail transmission / reception program that can correct or add contents of the e-mail until the recipient opens the e-mail.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1 is a system for transmitting / receiving e-mail using a mail server or a user terminal connected via a network. The user terminal is configured to distinguish between a provisional transmission mode email premised on a later update and a retransmission mode email to be transmitted to update the provisional transmission mode email; Communication means for sending and receiving e-mail, transmission mode detecting means for detecting the transmission mode of received e-mail, and whether or not the e-mail has update authority when the received e-mail is re-send mode e-mail Update authority determination means to determine, and unsent temporary mail to be updated when a resend mode e-mail with update authority is received Update target e-mail detection means that detects the presence or absence of mode e-mail, and when unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail to be updated is detected, the unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail is deleted and newly received And an e-mail storing / deleting processing unit that stores the re-transmission mode e-mail having the update authority as an updated e-mail.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the transmitted e-mail is quickly sent to the destination without being held in the mail server for a long time, and even if the e-mail is once sent to the destination, If it is an unopened e-mail, it is possible to modify or add to the description.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the e-mail transmission / reception system according to the first aspect, the e-mail creating means also creates a normal transmission mode e-mail that does not assume a later update. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to send and receive e-mails that are not premised on updating later.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the first or second aspect, the user terminal includes an update authority setting unit that sets an association between a transmission source mail address and presence / absence of update authority. It is characterized by.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to update the contents of the electronic mail for each transmission source mail address.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the third aspect, the user terminal stores an address book folder in which an association between the source mail address and presence / absence of update authority is stored. Address book folder storage means, wherein the update authority determination means refers to the association between the sender mail address stored in the address book folder and the presence or absence of update authority for the received retransmission mode e-mail. In this case, it is determined whether or not it is transmitted from a mail address having update authority.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the content described in the e-mail can be updated for each source mail address, not the content of the e-mail.

  An electronic mail transmission / reception system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the user terminal stores an inbox storing an inbox folder in which the received electronic mail is stored. The update target mail detection means includes a folder storage means, and when the update authority determination means determines that the received retransmission mode e-mail is transmitted from an email address having the update authority, It is detected whether or not an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail to be updated exists in the inbox folder.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily detect an e-mail to be updated.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the fifth aspect, the electronic mail storage / deletion processing means includes the temporary transmission mode electronic mail, the retransmission mode electronic mail, and the normal transmission. The mode e-mail is stored in the inbox folder.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the received electronic mail is temporarily held in the user terminal regardless of the transmission mode.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the user terminal stores a deleted item tray folder storing a deleted item tray folder in which unnecessary electronic mail is stored. And when the unread unsent temporary transmission mode e-mail to be updated in the reception folder is detected by the update target e-mail detection unit, the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit The electronic mail is read out and stored in the deleted item tray folder.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an e-mail that is no longer needed is deleted face up, but is actually stored in a predetermined folder, which is convenient when it is necessary to confirm later.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, wherein the user terminal has not received a predetermined time after reception in the inbox folder. Temporary transmission mode e-mail detecting means for detecting whether or not an unsealed temporary transmission mode e-mail exists is provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect a temporary transmission mode e-mail that has not been updated for a long time.

  An electronic mail transmission / reception system according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the user terminal is in an unopened temporary transmission mode in which a predetermined time has elapsed after reception by the temporary transmission mode email detection means. It is provided with a reminder mail creating means for creating a reminder mail that prompts the sender of the temporary transmission mode email to send a re-transmission mode email when the presence of the email is detected. And

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the update of the transmitted e-mail is urged to the transmission source of the e-mail to be updated, omission of update of the e-mail to be updated can be avoided.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the ninth aspect, the user terminal includes a reminder mail detecting means for detecting reception of the reminder mail.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since reception of an e-mail that prompts an update is known, omission of update of an e-mail scheduled to be updated can be avoided.

  An electronic mail transmission / reception method according to an eleventh aspect includes a provisional transmission mode e-mail creation step for creating a provisional transmission mode e-mail premised on a later update, and a transmission for updating the provisional transmission mode e-mail. A re-send mode e-mail to create a re-send mode e-mail, a normal mode e-mail create process to create a normal send mode e-mail that does not require a later update, and An e-mail transmission step of transmitting an e-mail.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, not only the normal mode e-mail but also the temporary transmission mode e-mail premised on the later update, and the re-transmission mode transmitted to update the temporary transmission mode e-mail You can also create emails.

  In addition, the e-mail transmission / reception method according to claim 12 further includes a mail address setting step of setting a sender e-mail address that allows updating of the contents of the e-mail in the invention according to claim 11. Features.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set whether or not to update the contents of the electronic mail for each transmission source mail address.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception method according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the transmission mode detection step of detecting whether or not the received electronic mail is in a retransmission mode, and the transmission mode detection An update authority determining step for determining whether or not the e-mail is transmitted from an e-mail address having an update authority when reception of a retransmission mode e-mail is detected in the process, and updating in the update authority determining step If it is determined that there is an authority, an update target email detection step for detecting the presence or absence of an unopened temporary transmission mode email to be updated, and a temporary transmission mode email to be updated are detected in the update target email detection step. The re-send mode e-mail is saved as an updated e-mail, and the temporary send mode e-mail that is the pre-update e-mail is saved. And e-mail storage and deletion processing step of dividing, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, even if an e-mail is once transmitted to the destination, it is possible to correct or add the contents of the e-mail if it is an unopened e-mail.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail transmission / reception method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention. When the presence of an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail is detected in the e-mail detection step and the temporary transmission mode e-mail detection step, re-transmission for the purpose of updating to the sender of the temporary transmission mode e-mail It includes a reminder mail creating step for creating a reminder mail for prompting transmission of the mode e-mail, and a reminder mail transmitting step for sending the reminder mail created in the reminder mail creating step to the transmission source.

  According to the invention described in claim 14, omission of update of an e-mail scheduled to be updated can be avoided.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail transmission / reception method according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the reception of the prompting mail is detected in the prompting mail detection step of detecting the reception of the prompting mail and the prompting mail detection step. A passive retransmission mode email creating step for creating a retransmission mode email for updating, and a retransmission mode email created in the passive retransmission mode email creating step. A retransmission mode e-mail transmission step.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid omission of update of an e-mail scheduled to be updated.

  An electronic mail transmission / reception program according to claim 16 causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to execute the electronic mail transmission / reception method according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth aspects.

  According to the e-mail transmission / reception system, the e-mail transmission / reception method, and the e-mail transmission / reception program according to the present invention, even if the e-mail is once transmitted to the destination, the description is made until the recipient opens the e-mail. There is an effect that the contents can be corrected and added. Also, when an e-mail that is scheduled to be updated later is sent, if the e-mail is not updated for a certain period of time, the sender can be urged to do so, so avoid omission of e-mail updates Can do. Furthermore, since the e-mail transmitted from the transmission source does not stay in the mail server for a long time and is sent to the transmission destination immediately after the transmission, there is no trouble in emergency contact.

  Exemplary embodiments of an electronic mail transmission / reception system, an electronic mail transmission / reception method, and an electronic mail transmission / reception program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Schematic configuration of e-mail transmission / reception system)
First, a system configuration of an electronic mail transmission / reception system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of this electronic mail transmission / reception system. This e-mail transmission / reception system includes a mail server 101 and a plurality of user terminals 102, 103, 104,... Connected to a network 100, and transmission / reception of e-mails between the user terminals via the mail server 101. Is done.

(Hardware configuration of the mail server and user terminal constituting the e-mail transmission / reception system)
Next, a hardware configuration of a mail server and a user terminal constituting the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a mail server and a user terminal constituting the electronic mail transmission / reception system.

  The mail server 101 and the user terminals 102, 103, 104,... Have a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HDD (hard disk drive) 204, an HD (hard disk) 205, an FDD (flexible disk drive) 206, An FD (flexible disk) 207 as an example of a removable recording medium, a display 208, an I / F (interface) 209, a keyboard 210, and a mouse 211 are provided. The components are connected by a bus 200.

  The CPU 201 governs overall control of each device constituting the electronic mail transmission / reception system. The ROM 202 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HDD 204 controls data read / write with respect to the HD 205 according to the control of the CPU 201. The HD 205 stores data written under the control of the HDD 204.

  The FDD 206 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the FD 207 according to the control of the CPU 201. The FD 207 stores data written under the control of the FDD 206 or causes the information processing apparatus to read data recorded on the FD 207. In addition to the FD 207, the removable recording medium may be a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), MO, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), memory card, or the like. The display 208 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. For example, CRT, TFT liquid crystal display, plasma display and the like.

  The I / F (interface) 209 is connected to the network 100 through the communication line 212, and is connected to the mail server 101 and other user terminals 102, 103, 104,. The I / F 209 serves as an interface between the network 100 and the inside, and controls input / output of data from the mail server 101 and other user terminals 102, 103, 104,. The I / F 209 is, for example, a modem or a LAN adapter.

  The keyboard 210 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. A touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used. The mouse 211 performs cursor movement, range selection, window movement, size change, and the like. A track ball, a joystick, a cross key, a jog dial, or the like may be used as long as it has the same function as a pointing device. If necessary, a scanner as an input unit, a printer as a printing unit, or the like can be connected to the bus 200 and used.

(Functional configuration of user terminal)
Next, a functional configuration of the user terminal constituting the electronic mail transmission / reception system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the user terminal. The user terminal includes a receiving unit 301, a transmission mode detecting unit 302, an update authority determining unit 303, an update target mail detecting unit 304, an e-mail saving / deleting processing unit 305, a display unit 306, an address book folder storage unit 307, an inbox. A folder storage unit 308, a deleted item tray folder storage unit 309, an email creation unit 310, a provisional transmission mode email detection unit 311, a reminder email creation unit 312, a transmission unit 313, and an update authority setting unit 314 are configured.

  Here, the receiving unit 301 receives an email sent via the network 100. The transmission mode detection unit 302 is in a temporary transmission mode in which the e-mail received by the receiving unit 301 is premised on a later update, or in the re-transmission mode for updating the temporary transmission mode e-mail transmitted earlier. Detect whether or not. The update authority determining unit 303 determines whether or not the received retransmission mode e-mail is from a mail address having update authority. This determination is based on whether or not the source mail address of the received retransmission mode e-mail is an e-mail address having update authority described in the address book stored in the address book folder in the address book folder storage unit 307. It is done by judging.

  The update authority setting unit 314 sets the update authority for the mail address. The update target e-mail detection unit 304 has the same source mail address as the re-send mode e-mail having the update authority received in the in-tray folder in the in-tray folder storage unit 308, and the same subject and the same author. In the temporary transmission mode e-mail, it is detected whether or not unopened ones are stored. Further, in this detection, the creation date of the temporary transmission mode e-mail may be referred to.

  The e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 performs e-mail storage / deletion processing based on the processing results of the transmission mode detection unit 302, the update authority determination unit 303, and the update target e-mail detection unit 304. In other words, the re-sending mode e-mail that is the updated e-mail, the temporary sending mode e-mail before the re-sending mode e-mail is sent, and the normal sending mode e-mail are saved and updated and are no longer needed. The provisional transmission mode e-mail is deleted. The e-mail to be stored is stored in the inbox folder, and the e-mail to be deleted is stored in the deleted item tray folder in the deleted item tray folder storage unit 309. The display unit 306 displays an e-mail creation form, a transmission mode of the received e-mail, and the like.

  The e-mail creating unit 310 is a temporary transmission mode e-mail premised on a later update, a re-transmission mode e-mail for updating the previously transmitted temporary transmission mode e-mail, and a normal e-mail that is a general e-mail Create a mode email. The created electronic mail is sent to the transmission unit 313 and is transmitted to the network 100 from here. In addition, the temporary transmission mode email detection unit 311 periodically searches for unopened temporary transmission mode emails stored in the inbox folder at predetermined time intervals (set by the user).

  When the unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail is detected in the temporary transmission mode e-mail detecting unit 311, the reminder mail creating unit 312 transmits the re-sent mail to the transmission source of the unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail. A reminder email is created. This reminder mail is transmitted from the transmission unit 313 to the network 100. When this reminder mail is received by the receiving unit 301 of the user terminal, it is detected by the transmission mode detecting unit 302. Thereafter, the re-sending mode e-mail is created by the e-mail creating unit 310 and transmitted.

  In the e-mail transmission / reception system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the transmitted e-mail is updated by sending an e-mail for updating to the destination user terminal instead of the mail server. Mail doesn't stay on the mail server longer than necessary.

  Note that the reception unit 301 and the transmission unit 313 can realize their functions by, for example, the I / F 209 shown in FIG. Further, the transmission mode detection unit 302, the update authority determination unit 303, the update target mail detection unit 304, the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305, the temporary transmission mode e-mail detection unit 311, and the update authority setting unit 314 are illustrated in FIG. The function can be realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG.

  The function of the display unit 306 can be realized by, for example, the display 208 shown in FIG. The functions of the address book folder storage unit 307, the inbox tray storage unit 308, and the deleted item tray folder storage unit 309 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 204 and the HD 205 shown in FIG. The functions of the e-mail creation unit 310 and the reminder e-mail creation unit 312 can be realized by the CPU 201, the keyboard 210, the mouse 211, and the like shown in FIG.

  The e-mail transmission / reception system according to the present invention is configured as described above, and even if it is an e-mail once sent to a destination, the description contents are corrected / added until the recipient opens the e-mail. It becomes possible. Also, when an e-mail that is scheduled to be updated later is sent and the e-mail is not updated for a certain period of time, the sender can be urged to do so. be able to. Further, in this e-mail transmission / reception system, the e-mail after transmission is sent to the destination user terminal without staying in the mail server for an unnecessarily long time, so that urgent communication is not hindered.

(Update authority setting processing procedure for email address)
Hereinafter, an e-mail transmission / reception processing procedure using the e-mail transmission / reception system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, an update authority setting process procedure for a source mail address that permits e-mail update will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the update authority setting processing procedure for this source mail address. The update authority setting for the sender mail address is performed by the update authority setting unit 314 (step S401). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the update authority setting unit 314 creates an address book 500 in which the source mail address and the update authority are associated with each other.

  In this address book 500, for example, “U” is described in the authority column corresponding to the sender mail address having update authority to clarify that it has update authority. This address book 500 is stored in the address book folder in the address book folder storage unit 307. By executing the processing as described above, it is possible to determine a source email address of an email that is permitted to be updated once received.

(E-mail transmission processing procedure)
Next, an e-mail transmission processing procedure will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the e-mail transmission processing procedure. First, the user determines whether or not it is a transmission mode of an electronic mail to be transmitted, that is, a retransmission mode (step S601). If it is not the re-transmission mode (temporary transmission mode) (step S601: No), the e-mail creation unit 310 creates a temporary transmission mode e-mail (step S602).

  The provisional transmission mode e-mail is an e-mail that may be updated later. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, “transmission / temporary transmission” indicating the temporary transmission mode is displayed in the transmission mode display field 701 of the e-mail creation form 700, and necessary items are written in the predetermined field, Create an email. Note that. It is assumed that the same processing is performed when an e-mail is transmitted in the normal transmission mode, which is a general e-mail, without performing temporary transmission. On the other hand, in the case of the retransmission mode (step S601: Yes), the email creation unit 310 creates a retransmission mode email (step S603).

  The re-transmission mode e-mail is an e-mail that is transmitted in order to correct or add to the contents of the provisional transmission mode e-mail transmitted previously. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, “Retransmission” indicating the retransmission mode is displayed in the transmission mode display field 701 of the e-mail creation form 700, the description content is updated, and the re-transmission mode e-mail is displayed. create. The update of the description content by the re-transmission mode e-mail allows not only correction / addition / deletion of the description content but also addition of a new attached file. However, it is only possible to add the description to the CC receiver. It should be noted that, in order to clarify the portion that has been updated at this time, it may be displayed by changing the color of characters or the like from other portions that are not updated (for example, displayed in red). Then, the transmission unit 313 transmits the created electronic mail (step S604).

  By executing the processing as described above, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether an electronic mail to be transmitted is scheduled to be updated later or has already been updated. Note that, when an e-mail in the normal transmission mode is transmitted, the e-mail is transmitted in the same format as the temporary transmission mode here. However, the e-mail receiving process described later makes a distinction between the temporary transmission mode and the normal transmission mode.

(E-mail reception processing procedure)
Next, an e-mail reception process procedure will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of this e-mail receiving process. First, the transmission mode detection unit 302 detects whether or not the email received by the reception unit 301 is in the retransmission mode (step S901). When the mode is not the retransmission mode (temporary transmission mode or normal transmission mode) (step S901: No), the transmission mode detection unit 302 displays on the display unit 306 that the received electronic mail is in the temporary transmission mode or the normal transmission mode. At the same time, the electronic mail is sent to the electronic mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 and stored in the inbox folder by the processing of the electronic mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 (step S903). On the other hand, if it is the retransmission mode (step S901: Yes), the process proceeds to step S904.

  In step S901, when the received e-mail is in the retransmission mode (step S901: Yes), the update authority determination unit 303 determines whether the e-mail is an e-mail transmitted from an e-mail address having the update authority. In order to make a determination, the search of the address book 500 is started (step S904). As described above, the address book 500 clearly shows the e-mail transmission source mail address for which the description can be updated. As a result of the processing in step S904, it is detected whether the electronic mail has update authority (step S905).

  If the e-mail has no update authority (step S905: No), the update authority determination unit 303 determines that the e-mail is another newly transmitted e-mail, and displays that fact on the display unit 306 (step S902). The e-mail is sent to the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 and stored in the inbox folder by the process of the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 (step S903). On the other hand, if the e-mail has update authority (step S905: YES), the process proceeds to step S906.

  If it is determined in step S905 that the email has update authority (step S905: Yes), the update target email detection unit 304 is transmitted from the same source email address as the retransmission mode email, and A search is started as to whether or not an unopened temporary transmission mode email of the same subject and the same sender exists in the inbox folder (step S906). As a result of the process in step S906, the presence / absence of the corresponding unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail is detected (step S907).

  If the corresponding unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail does not exist (step S907: No), the update target e-mail detection unit 304 determines that the e-mail is another newly transmitted e-mail, and displays that fact on the display unit 306. The electronic mail is sent to the electronic mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 and stored in the inbox folder by the processing of the electronic mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 (step S903). On the other hand, when the corresponding unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail exists (step S907: Yes), the process proceeds to step S908.

  If there is a corresponding unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail in the process of step S907 (step S907: Yes), the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 moves the e-mail from the inbox folder to the deleted item tray folder. (Step S908). That is, the electronic mail is deleted from the inbox folder. Subsequently, the update target email detection unit 304 displays on the display unit 306 that the retransmission mode email has been received (step S909), and stores and deletes the retransmission mode email as an updated email. The data is sent to the processing unit 305 and stored in the inbox folder by the processing of the e-mail storage / deletion processing unit 305 (step S903). FIG. 10 shows a display example of the browsing screen 1000 displayed on the display unit 306 by the process of step S909.

  The e-mail stored in the inbox folder can be confirmed by clicking on the inbox folder on the e-mail browsing screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 306. FIG. 11 is an example of a browsing screen 1100 showing the e-mail stored in the inbox folder displayed on the display unit 306 at this time and its transmission mode.

  By executing the processing as described above, even if an e-mail is once sent to the destination, it is possible to correct or add the contents until the recipient opens the e-mail. In this process, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether the received electronic mail is in the temporary transmission mode, the retransmission mode, or the normal transmission mode. Note that the date and time when the updated e-mail is received is the date and time when the provisional transmission mode e-mail is received. Further, the updated date and time may be additionally displayed.

(Prompt mail transmission processing procedure)
In addition, as described above, in this e-mail transmission / reception system, if a re-transmission mode e-mail has not been received even after a lapse of a certain period after the provisional transmission mode e-mail has been received, A reminder email is sent prompting you to send Therefore, here, the procedure for sending the reminder mail will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing this reminder mail transmission processing procedure.

  First, in order to confirm whether or not there is an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail in the inbox folder, the temporary transmission mode e-mail detection unit 311 executes a search for the inbox folder every predetermined time (step S1201). ). It should be noted that the time interval at which the provisional transmission mode e-mail detection unit 311 executes the search is arbitrarily set by the user. As a result of the processing in step S1201, it is detected whether there is an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail (step S1202).

  If there is an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail (step S1202: Yes), the e-mail creation unit 312 creates an e-mail that prompts the sender to send the re-transmission mode e-mail, and the transmission unit 313 prompts the e-mail. A mail is transmitted (step S1203). In this case, the contents of the temporary transmission mode e-mail received initially or the entire temporary transmission mode e-mail are attached to the reminder mail to be created. On the other hand, when there is no unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail (step S1202: No), the processing is ended as it is.

(Retransmission mode e-mail transmission procedure after receiving the reminder e-mail)
Next, a re-transmission mode e-mail transmission process procedure when a reminder mail is received will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a retransmission mode e-mail transmission processing procedure in this case. First, when the transmission mode detection unit 302 detects reception of a reminder email (step S1301), the display unit 306 displays that the reminder email has been received (step S1302). Subsequently, a retransmission mode e-mail creation form 700 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 306 (step S1303). The user activates the email creation unit 310 to create a retransmission mode email (step S1304). Then, the transmission unit 313 transmits the retransmission mode e-mail (step S1305).

  By executing the process as described above, if an e-mail to be updated later is sent and the e-mail is not updated within a certain period of time, the sender is prompted to update the e-mail. Therefore, e-mail update omission can be avoided.

  As described above, according to the e-mail transmission / reception system, e-mail transmission / reception method, and e-mail transmission / reception program according to the present invention, even if the e-mail is once transmitted to the destination, the recipient opens the e-mail. Until this is done, it will be possible to modify or add to the contents. Also, when an e-mail that is scheduled to be updated later is sent and the e-mail is not updated for a certain period of time, the sender can be urged to do so. be able to. Furthermore, since the e-mail transmitted from the transmission source does not stay in the mail server for a long time and is sent to the transmission destination immediately after the transmission, there is no trouble in emergency contact.

  The e-mail transmission / reception method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the e-mail transmission / reception system, the e-mail transmission / reception method, and the e-mail transmission / reception program according to the present invention are useful for information transmission by e-mail, and are updated to e-mails that have already been transmitted to the destination. It is suitable when necessary.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electronic mail transmission / reception system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the mail server and user terminal which comprise the electronic mail transmission / reception system concerning this Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the user terminal which comprises the email transmission / reception system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the update authority setting process sequence with respect to a transmission origin mail address. It is a figure which shows an example of the address book produced in the update authority setting procedure with respect to a sender mail address. It is a flowchart which shows an electronic mail transmission process procedure. It is a figure which shows an example of the preparation form of temporary transmission mode (normal transmission mode) email. It is a figure which shows an example of the creation form of re-transmission mode email. It is a flowchart which shows an electronic mail reception process procedure. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing screen displayed on a display part when the re-transmission mode email is received. It is a figure which shows an example of the browsing screen which shows the email stored in the inbox folder displayed on a display part, and its transmission mode. It is a flowchart which shows a reminder mail transmission processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows the resending mode e-mail transmission processing procedure in the case of receiving a reminder mail.

Explanation of symbols

100 Network 101 Mail server 102, 103, 104, ... User terminal 200 Bus 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
205 HD (hard disk)
206 FDD (flexible disk drive)
207 FD (flexible disc)
208 Display 209 I / F (Interface)
210 Keyboard 211 Mouse 212 Communication line 301 Reception unit 302 Transmission mode detection unit 303 Update authority determination unit 304 Update target email detection unit 305 Email storage / deletion processing unit 306 Display unit 307 Address book folder storage unit 308 Inbox folder storage unit 309 Deleted item tray folder storage unit 310 Email creation unit 311 Temporary transmission mode email detection unit 312 Reminder email creation unit 313 Transmission unit 314 Update authority setting unit 500 Address book 700 Email creation form 701 Transmission mode display field 1000 Viewing screen

Claims (16)

A system for sending and receiving e-mails using a mail server or user terminal connected via a network,
The user terminal is
E-mail creating means for distinguishing and creating a temporary transmission mode e-mail premised on a later update and a retransmission mode e-mail to be transmitted to update the temporary transmission mode e-mail;
A communication means for sending and receiving e-mail;
A transmission mode detection means for detecting a transmission mode of the received e-mail;
An update authority determination means for determining whether or not there is an update authority for the e-mail when the received e-mail is a resend mode e-mail;
An update target email detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an unopened temporary transmission mode email to be updated when a retransmission mode email having update authority is received;
When an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail to be updated is detected, the unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail is deleted, and the newly received resending mode e-mail with update authority is updated. Email storage / deletion processing means to save as email,
An e-mail transmission / reception system comprising: The e-mail creating means includes:
The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1, wherein a normal transmission mode e-mail that does not assume a later update is also created. The user terminal is
3. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 1, further comprising update authority setting means for setting an association between a sender mail address and presence / absence of update authority. The user terminal is
An address book folder storing means for storing an address book folder in which an association between the sender mail address and the presence of update authority is stored;
The update authority determination means refers to the email address having the update authority with reference to the association between the source mail address stored in the address book folder and the presence / absence of the update authority for the received retransmission mode e-mail. 4. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not it is transmitted. The user terminal is
An inbox folder storing means for storing an inbox folder in which received e-mails are stored;
The update target e-mail detection unit updates the inbox folder when the update authority determination unit determines that the received retransmission mode e-mail is transmitted from an e-mail address having update authority. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising detecting whether or not an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail as a target exists. The e-mail storage / deletion processing means includes:
6. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 5, wherein the temporary transmission mode e-mail, the re-transmission mode e-mail, and the normal transmission mode e-mail are stored in the inbox folder. The user terminal is
A delete item tray folder storing means for storing a delete item tray folder in which unnecessary e-mails are stored;
When an unopened temporary transmission mode email to be updated is detected in the reception folder by the update target email detection means, the email storage / deletion processing means reads the unopened temporary transmission mode email. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the e-mail is read and stored in the deleted item tray folder. The user terminal is
The provisional transmission mode e-mail detecting means for detecting whether or not an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail for which a predetermined time has elapsed after reception exists in the inbox folder. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to any one of 5 to 7. The user terminal is
When the provisional transmission mode e-mail detection means detects the presence of an unopened temporary transmission mode e-mail for which a predetermined time has elapsed after reception, re-transmission for update to the sender of the temporary transmission mode e-mail 9. The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 8, further comprising a reminder mail creating means for creating a reminder mail for prompting transmission of the mode email. The user terminal is
The e-mail transmission / reception system according to claim 9, further comprising: a reminder mail detecting unit that detects reception of the reminder mail. A provisional transmission mode email creation step for creating a provisional transmission mode email premised on a later update;
A retransmission mode email creation step for creating a retransmission mode email to be transmitted to update the temporary transmission mode email; and
A normal mode e-mail creation process to create a normal send mode e-mail that does not require a later update;
An email sending step for sending the email created in each of the steps;
An e-mail transmission / reception method comprising: further,
12. The e-mail transmission / reception method according to claim 11, further comprising a mail address setting step of setting a transmission source mail address that allows updating of the contents of the e-mail. further,
A transmission mode detection step for detecting whether the received email is in a retransmission mode;
An update authority determination step of determining whether or not the email is transmitted from an email address having an update authority when reception of a retransmission mode email is detected in the transmission mode detection step;
When it is determined that there is an update authority in the update authority determination step, an update target email detection step for detecting the presence or absence of an unopened temporary transmission mode email to be updated;
When the temporary transmission mode e-mail to be updated is detected in the update target e-mail detection step, the re-transmission mode e-mail is stored as an updated e-mail, and the temporary transmission mode e-mail is an e-mail before the update Email saving / deleting process to delete mail,
The electronic mail transmission / reception method according to claim 12, comprising: further,
A provisional transmission mode email detection step of searching for the presence or absence of an unopened provisional transmission mode email after a predetermined time after reception;
When the presence of an unopened temporary transmission mode email is detected in the temporary transmission mode email detection step, transmission of a retransmission mode email for the purpose of update to the sender of the temporary transmission mode email A reminder email creation process for creating a reminder email prompting,
A reminder email sending step for sending the reminder email created in the reminder email creating step to the sender; and
The method according to claim 13, further comprising: further,
A reminder email detection process for detecting receipt of the reminder email;
A passive re-send mode e-mail creating step for creating a re-send mode e-mail for the purpose of updating when reception of a reminder e-mail is detected in the reminder e-mail detection step;
A retransmission mode email sending step for sending the retransmission mode email created in the passive retransmission mode email creation step;
The method according to claim 14, further comprising: An e-mail transmission / reception program that causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

Images