JP2007241732A - E-mail sender - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit an e-mail with a higher probability to a transmitting destination immediately, while preventing transmission of e-mail to wasteful transmission destinations as much as possible, in determining a mail address of the high probability which the transmitting destination person can see immediately according to a certain transmitting condition and transmitting the e-mail to the determined mail address, when an e-mail is transmitted to one address with which two or more mail addresses are registered. <P>SOLUTION: It is an e-mail sender comprising an address book 10A which enables to register two or more mail addresses to one address. In an address book 10A, a transmission time band 1071 is for example, set up, as a transmitting condition to which mail address is transmitted by the e-mail in two or more mail addresses registered into one address. When the e-mail is transmitted to one address, the e-mail is transmitted to one or two or more mail addresses which conform with the setting of this transmission time band 1071. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic mail transmission apparatus having an address book in which a plurality of mail addresses can be registered for one address.

  Along with the rapid spread of information communication equipment and infrastructure development, many companies and individuals are providing services using networks such as the Internet, and this is an era in which users can enjoy various services. . As a result, it has become commonplace for a single user to have multiple email addresses. In particular, e-mail systems are widely used as a simple means of communication at companies, schools, homes, etc., and at the present time communication charges are becoming affordable, a single user can use multiple e-mail communication devices. It is not unusual to own one. In many cases, a plurality of e-mail addresses acquired by one user are properly used depending on the time and place.

  On the other hand, since it is not possible to confirm whether an e-mail is viewed by the other party, real-time performance is low, and if urgentness is required, follow-up such as confirmation by telephone is necessary. In addition, depending on the location of the transmission partner, the electronic mail transmitted to the transmission destination mail address may not be viewed. For example, an e-mail sent to an office computer when going out cannot be viewed.

  Conventionally, various techniques for solving such a problem have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The portable terminal device of Patent Document 1 registers a plurality of telephone numbers and email addresses in one phone book name, and when the phone book name is selected as an email destination, all registered email addresses are automatically input, The same e-mail is sent to all e-mail addresses. Further, when the telephone book name is selected as the mail destination, all registered mail addresses are displayed, and the mail address selected from them is input as the destination.
JP 2003-167721 A

  According to the portable terminal device of Patent Document 1, the other party owns a plurality of mail communication devices (for example, a company personal computer, a home personal computer, and a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA). Correspondingly, when the user has a plurality of mail addresses, the same electronic mail can be simultaneously transmitted to all the mail addresses. Thereby, for example, when the user at the other end is out, the e-mail reaches the portable terminal device that the user has, so that the user can immediately see the e-mail that has arrived.

  However, since the same e-mail is transmitted to all other e-mail addresses in the portable terminal device of Patent Document 1, for example, when a user who arrives at a company opens a company personal computer, the same is also applied to that personal computer. An e-mail arrives, and the same e-mail arrives when a user who returns home opens a personal computer at home. Therefore, the user sees the same electronic mail many times. In this case, it is possible to predict whether or not they are the same e-mail by looking at the subject of the e-mail, but the contents of the e-mail may be different even if the subject is the same. There is a problem that it takes time and effort to open the e-mail once and confirm the contents. Further, there is a possibility that a useless reply such as returning a reply to the same e-mail twice may occur.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems, and its purpose is to send an e-mail according to a certain sending condition when sending an e-mail to one address where a plurality of e-mail addresses are registered. By determining an e-mail address with a high probability that the other party can see immediately, and sending an e-mail to the decided e-mail address, as much as possible to prevent sending e-mail to a useless destination, and more An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic mail transmission apparatus that can immediately deliver an electronic mail to a transmission partner with a high probability.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic mail transmission apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic mail transmission apparatus having an address book capable of registering a plurality of mail addresses for one address. Transmission conditions such as to which mail address the e-mail is to be transmitted among a plurality of registered e-mail addresses are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to the one address, the corresponding 1 is applied according to the transmission condition. Alternatively, a transmission control means for transmitting the electronic mail to a plurality of mail addresses is provided.

  Here, as the transmission condition, one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the divided arbitrary time zone is set as a transmission time zone for each registered mail address in the address book, and the transmission control is performed. The means is such that the e-mail transmission time for one address is an e-mail address included in a time zone in which one or more e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book are set. Alternatively, the electronic mail may be transmitted. For example, one day is a morning time zone from 6:00 to 11:00, a noon time zone from 11:00 to 17:00, a night time zone from 17:00 to 23:00, and from 23:00 to 6:00 the next morning It is possible to divide into four time zones, midnight / early morning time zones. For example, e-mail address 1, e-mail address 2, and e-mail address 3 are registered for one address N, e-mail address 1 is in the morning time zone, e-mail address 2 is in the noon time zone, and e-mail address 3 is registered. In the case where the night time zone is set as a condition, if the user inputs the address N and tries to send an e-mail at 12:00, for example, the transmission control means The electronic mail is automatically transmitted, and the electronic mail is not transmitted to the other mail addresses 1 and 3. Thereby, for example, when the mail address 2 is a company personal computer, the electronic mail reaches the personal computer at work. Thus, the person at work can immediately know that the e-mail has arrived, so that the e-mail can be opened and read immediately. For example, when the mail address 3 is a home personal computer, the same electronic mail is transmitted to the home personal computer according to the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, but in the present invention, it is not transmitted to the home personal computer. Thereby, unlike the above-mentioned patent document 1, the trouble that the same contents of the e-mail is opened by another device does not occur.

  According to the present invention, as the transmission condition, it is assumed that priority is set for a plurality of mail addresses associated with one address, and the transmission control means sends an e-mail transmission instruction to one address Is input, the e-mail is transmitted to one e-mail address having a high priority according to the priority set for a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book. It is good. Here, by setting the priority according to the behavior pattern of the recipient, the probability that the sender can send an email to an email address that is likely to be able to read the email immediately increases, Smooth information transmission is possible.

  Further, according to the present invention, the transmission control means adds an opening notification request when transmitting an e-mail to an e-mail address having a high priority, and transmits the opening notification within a predetermined time. May not be returned, the electronic mail may be transmitted to the next highest priority mail address. As a result, the probability that the transmission partner can send an e-mail to an e-mail address that is highly likely to be able to read the e-mail immediately increases, and smooth information transmission becomes possible. Further, by making a request for opening notification, it is possible to confirm that the e-mail has surely arrived at the transmission partner. The fixed time may be set to an arbitrary time by the user.

  In this case, when the e-mail is transmitted to the next highest priority e-mail address, the transmission control means sends a message indicating that the same e-mail has already been transmitted to the higher-order e-mail address. A configuration may be added.

  As a result, the user who has read this e-mail can confirm that an e-mail having the same content is transmitted to other high-priority devices. When an operation is performed, it is possible to easily find an e-mail that has already been read (open on another device) from among a plurality of received e-mails.

  In addition, when an e-mail is sent with one e-mail address specified directly, the transmission e-mail address has a higher priority than a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in one address including the e-mail address. It is good also as a structure changed so that it may become order. As a result, the most recently used mail address is always higher in the priority order, and therefore the probability that the transmission partner can send an e-mail to a mail address that is likely to be able to read the mail immediately becomes higher.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing a transmission history for each mail address, and the priority of a plurality of mail addresses registered in one address is based on the transmission history. It is good also as a structure which sets to the order with the largest transmission frequency from the past n transmission histories with respect to. As a result, email addresses that have been used frequently for a certain period in the past have a higher priority, so there is a higher probability that the sender can send emails to email addresses that are more likely to read emails immediately. Become.

  Moreover, as said transmission conditions, it can be set as all the mail addresses similarly to the said patent document 1. FIG. In this case, the transmission control means adds an opening notification request when transmitting an e-mail, and receives a response to the opening notification from one or more destinations. A configuration may be adopted in which a read notification mail is transmitted to the mail address.

  In this way, by sending a read notification mail to another mail address, the user who has received it can confirm that, for example, an email with the same subject has been read, so the same email is sent again. This saves you the trouble of opening and checking the contents. In this case, if the subject of the first e-mail sent is "Send Quotation", the subject of the read notification email is "Send Quotation (Read)" and received earlier Even if you do not open the e-mail "Send Quote", you can confirm that it has been read just by looking at the subject.

  According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores a transmission history for each e-mail address, and the transmission control unit receives the e-mail transmission instruction for one address and inputs the e-mail address in the address book. A configuration may be adopted in which the e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail address most recently transmitted among one or a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in one address. As a result, the next time an e-mail is sent to the same address, the e-mail is sent to the same e-mail address as the previous e-mail, so it is highly possible that the other party can read the e-mail immediately. The probability of sending an email to an address is higher.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a one-touch key or an abbreviated dial key may be registered corresponding to each address in the address book, and the address may be input using the one-touch key or the abbreviated dial key. That is, the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention is applied to a multifunction device having a mail transmission function and an Internet FAX function, and one address is designated by a one-touch key or a speed dial key mounted on such a multifunction device. By inputting, the input operation of the transmission destination can be simplified. That is, an e-mail can be transmitted to one or a plurality of e-mail addresses based on a transmission condition simply by selecting an address registered in the address book as an e-mail destination by operating a one-touch key or an abbreviated dial key. Is possible.

  In this case, the multi-function device has a telephone call mode and a mail transmission mode. In the telephone call mode, the telephone number registered in the address book is valid, and in the mail transmission mode, it is registered in the address book. Configure email address and sending conditions to be valid. This makes it possible to use one-touch keys and speed dial keys properly.

  Further, the default setting may be switched between the telephone call mode and the mail transmission mode. For example, the MFP may include a document reading unit, and when a document is set in the document reading unit, the default telephone call mode may be automatically switched to the mail transmission mode. As a result, the user switches to the mail transmission mode simply by setting a document to be transmitted as an e-mail in the document reading unit, so that the mode switching operation by the user becomes unnecessary. However, switching between the telephone call mode and the mail transmission mode may be switching by setting in a menu or the like, or switching by a separately provided switch operation.

  According to the electronic mail transmission device of the present invention, as a transmission condition, one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the divided arbitrary time zone is set as a transmission time zone for each registered email address in the address book, An e-mail is sent to an e-mail address included in a transmission time zone in which an e-mail is sent to one address corresponding to one or more e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book Therefore, it is possible to send an e-mail to an e-mail address having a high probability of being used by the other user depending on the transmission time period. This increases the probability that the other user can read the e-mail immediately. In addition, it is possible to prevent transmission of an electronic mail to a useless transmission destination as much as possible.

  Further, according to the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention, when a priority is set for a plurality of mail addresses associated with one address as a transmission condition, and an instruction to transmit an electronic mail for one address is input. In accordance with the priority set for a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book, the e-mail is transmitted to one e-mail address having a higher priority. The probability that an e-mail can be sent to an e-mail address where there is a high possibility that the e-mail can be read immediately becomes higher, and smooth information transmission becomes possible.

  Further, according to the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention, the electronic mail transmission apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a transmission history for each mail address, and the priority of a plurality of mail addresses registered in one address is determined based on the transmission history. Since the configuration is such that the number of transmissions is set in descending order from the past n number of transmission histories for one address, since the email addresses with the most frequent usages in the past fixed period come in the higher priority, The probability of being able to send an e-mail to an e-mail address that is highly likely to be read immediately becomes higher, and smooth information transmission becomes possible.

  In addition, according to the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention, when an electronic mail is transmitted, an opening notification request is added and transmitted, and when an opening notification reply is received from one or more destinations, an opening notification is returned. Since it has been configured to send a read notification email to another email address that has not been received, the user who received this can confirm that an email with the same subject has been read, so the same email will be opened again. This saves you the trouble of checking the contents.

  Further, according to the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention, the one-touch key or the abbreviated dial key is registered corresponding to each address in the address book, and the address is input by the one-touch key or the abbreviated dial key. The input operation of the other party can be simplified. That is, an e-mail can be transmitted to one or a plurality of e-mail addresses based on a transmission condition simply by selecting an address registered in the address book as an e-mail destination by operating a one-touch key or an abbreviated dial key. Is possible.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 which is an embodiment of an electronic mail transmission apparatus according to the present invention.

  The facsimile electronic mail transmission device 1 which is an image communication device is roughly classified into a control unit 2, a key input unit 3, a display unit 4, an RTC (Real Time Clock) unit 5, a scanner unit 6, a recording unit 7, a ROM 8, and a RAM 9. A storage unit 10, a FAX (Facsimile) modem unit 11, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 12.

  The control unit 2 executes a program stored in the ROM 8 to perform processing shown in a flowchart described later to control the entire apparatus.

  The key input unit 3 includes, for example, operation keys, and has a key input function for inputting a name (address) and operating the apparatus. The display unit 4 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and has a display function for displaying the contents input from the key input unit 3 and the state of the apparatus. That is, the key input unit 3 sends the input information to the control unit 2, and the display unit 4 displays the information received from the control unit 2.

  The RTC unit 5 has a clock function and sends date and time information to the control unit 2. The scanner unit 6 reads image information of a transmission original by an optical sensor, and sends the read image information (hereinafter referred to as “image data”) to the control unit 2.

  The recording unit 7 is configured, for example, as an electrophotographic recording device or the like, and prints document image data read by the scanner unit 6 or image data received through communication.

  The ROM 8 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory, and stores a program executed by the control unit 2. The RAM 9 functions as a working memory. The storage unit 10 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory, and stores various settings, history, communication data, an address book 10A described later, and an e-mail transmission history 10B. The FAX modem unit 11 is connected to a public line (TELE LINE), and controls FAX communication with other image communication apparatuses connected to the communication network through the public line. The NIC unit 12 is connected to a network and controls interface control and transmission / reception of e-mails.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 configured as described above, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the key input unit 3 and the display unit 4.

  In the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1, a key input unit 3 and a display unit 4 are arranged at the upper center of the apparatus main body, a document placement unit 61 is located on the right side of the key input unit 3, and a document discharge unit (document document) is located on the left side. Each of the discharge trays 62 is arranged.

  The key input unit 3 has a one-touch key group (in this example, a key group of 1 to 39) 31 also serving as a character key at the upper part, a numeric key group 32 serving also as a speed dial key on the lower left side, and a START / An up / down / left / right key group 33 centering on the ENTER key 33a is arranged. Further, around the up / down / left / right key group 33, various function keys including the abbreviated key 35 for performing the abbreviated dial function (the description of these function keys is omitted) are arranged. Further, a mode switching key 36 denoted as e-mail for switching between the telephone call mode and the mail transmission mode is arranged above the one-touch key group 31. In the present embodiment, the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 defaults to the telephone transmission mode, and the mode switching key 36 is operated to switch from the telephone transmission mode to the mail transmission mode.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a connection environment of the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 configured as described above.

  The facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 is connected to a mail server 41 and a gateway 42 via a LAN 21, and the NIC unit 12 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the Internet network or WAN (Wide Area Network) via the LAN 21 and the gateway 42. Connected to the network 51. The FAX modem unit 11 (see FIG. 1) is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 52.

  In the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 1 configured as described above, in this embodiment, the address book 10A can register a plurality of mail addresses for one name (address), and is registered for one name (address). It is also possible to register a transmission condition such as to which e-mail address the e-mail is to be transmitted among a plurality of e-mail addresses.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the address book 10A.

  This address book 10A includes, for example, a registration number (one-touch key number) 101, a name (address) 102, a number of owned communication devices (No) 103 corresponding to a one-touch key, a classification 104 indicating a place where the communication device is used, a telephone number 105, FAX number 106, mail address 107, address 108, and remarks 109. The mail address item 107 further includes a transmission condition setting item 1071.

  For example, paying attention to the mail address item 107, Mr. Ichiro Nara of registration No. 1 has three communication devices for office use, home use, and portable use. It is set, but no e-mail address is set for mobile use. In addition, Jiro Osaka, registered No. 2, owns three communication devices, one for office use, one for home use, and one for portable use, and an individual mail address is set for each communication device. Furthermore, Mr. Saburo Hiroshima, registered No.3, owns two communication devices, one for business and one for portable use, and has an email address only for the company.

  When the control unit 2 transmits an e-mail to one name (address), the control unit 2 sends an e-mail to the corresponding one or a plurality of e-mail addresses according to the transmission condition registered in the transmission condition setting item 1071 of the address book 10A. send mail. Hereinafter, an e-mail transmission destination input process and a transmission control process in accordance with the transmission conditions will be described with specific examples.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the address book 10A according to the first embodiment. However, FIG. 6 mainly shows details of the mail address item 107, and the telephone number column 105, FAX number column 106, address column 108, remarks column 109, etc. are omitted.

  The address book 10A of the first embodiment divides one day into four time zones as the transmission conditions of the transmission condition setting item 1071, and any time of the four divisions as the transmission time zone for each registered mail address. A band is set. Here, the time zone is classified into a time zone “morning” from 6:00 to 11:00, a time zone “daytime” from 11:00 to 17:00, a time zone “night” from 17:00 to 23:00, and midnight. It is divided into four time zones, “Deep / Early”, from 23:00 to 6:00 the next morning. And, for example, Jiro Osaka, registered No02 (one-touch key No “02”), sends “morning” and “deep / early” to the mail address “josaka@home.ne.jp” of the No1 communication device for home use. ”Is set (in the figure, the check box is ticked (blacked)), and for the email address“ osaka@sharp.co.jp ”of the company's No.2 communication device The three time zones of “morning”, “daytime”, and “night” are set (in the figure, the check box is checked (black)), and the email address of the portable communication device No3 One time zone of “daytime” is set for “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” (in the figure, the check box is checked (black)).

  The e-mail transmission destination input process of the first embodiment using the address book 10A in which the transmission conditions are set in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 sets the variable m to 1 (step S1) and waits for the input of the one-touch key K (n). When an arbitrary one-touch key K (n) is pressed in this state (step S2), the current time T is acquired from the RTC unit 5 at that time (step S3). Thereafter, the number N of mail addresses registered in the mail address item 107 of the address book 10A is acquired (step S4). For example, when the “02” key is pressed as the one-touch key K (n), the number N of mail addresses of Jiro Osaka is 3.

  Next, the control unit 2 confirms whether or not the number N of acquired email addresses is not 0, that is, whether or not the email address is registered in the name (address) of the pressed one-touch key K (n). (Step S5), if the e-mail address is not registered (if determined Yes in Step S5), the e-mail address is not registered in the name (address) of the pressed one-touch key K (n). A message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 4 (step S11), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if an e-mail address is registered in the name (address) of the pressed one-touch key K (n) (if No is determined in step S5), the variable m set in step S1 is set next. The number N of mail addresses acquired in step S4 is compared (step S6).

  When m ≦ N (when determined to be Yes in step S6), transmission of the m-th mail address A (m) registered in the name (address) of the pressed one-touch key K (n). A time zone is acquired (step S7).

  Specifically, since the number of mail addresses of Mr. Jiro Osaka is 3, when m = 1, it is determined Yes in step S6, and in step S7, the first mail address “josaka@home.ne.jp” is determined. "Morning" and "Deep / Early" that are transmission time zones set in "" are acquired.

  Next, the current time T acquired in step S3 is compared with the transmission time zone acquired in step S7, and it is determined whether or not the current time T is included in the acquired transmission time zone (step S8). As a result, when the current time T is included in the transmission time zone (when determined Yes in step S8), the m-th mail address A (m) is input as the destination mail address (step S9), and the next In step S10, the variable m is incremented, and the process returns to step S6. On the other hand, when the current time T is not included in the transmission time zone (when No is determined in step S8), step S9 is skipped, the variable m is incremented in step S10, and the process returns to step S6.

  For example, in the case of Jiro Osaka, the transmission time zones set for the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” are “morning” and “deep / early”. On the other hand, if the current time T acquired in step S3 is, for example, a “daytime” time zone (such as 12:00), the determination in step S8 is No, and the first email address “josaka @ home The process proceeds to step S10 without inputting ".ne.jp" as the destination mail address. On the other hand, if the current time T acquired in step S3 is, for example, a “morning” time zone (e.g., 8:00), the determination in step S8 is Yes, and thus the first mail address “josaka” is determined in step S9. @ home.ne.jp "will be entered as the destination email address.

  If the control unit 2 repeats the processes in steps S6 to S10 as many as the number N of the mail addresses acquired in step S4, the determination in step S6 becomes No, and then the operation proceeds to step S12. To determine whether at least one e-mail address registered in the name (address) of the pressed one-touch key K (n) has been input as a transmission destination.

  For example, in the case of Jiro Osaka, if the current time T is in the “morning” time zone, the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” and the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” ”Is entered as the destination email address, and the current time T is“ daytime ”, the second email address“ osaka@sharp.co.jp ”and the third email address“ jiro @ keitai ” .ne.jp ”is entered as the destination email address, and if the current time T is in the“ night ”time zone, one of the second email addresses“ osaka@sharp.co.jp ”will be sent to If the current time T is in the “deep / early” time zone, one of the first mail addresses “josaka@home.ne.jp” is input as the destination mail address. Accordingly, in this case, the determination in step S12 is Yes, and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is terminated. Thereafter, the electronic mail is transmitted to the input destination mail address.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S12 is No, an error message such as “Time zone setting is error” is displayed on the display unit 4 (step S13), and the process ends. Specifically, for example, when the one-touch key K (n) pressed in step S2 is the “03” key, the number N of Saburo's mail addresses is one, and The set transmission time zones are three time zones of “morning”, “daytime”, and “night”. Here, if the current time T acquired in step S3 is in the “deep / early” time zone, the determination in step S8 is No, and as a result, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S12. The destination email address is not set at all. As a result, the determination in step S12 is No, and the above error message is displayed.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an input screen for a destination mail address. In this example, the case where the current time T is 12:52 is illustrated. At this time T, the user presses the “01”, “02”, and “03” one-touch keys, and the subject “Send Quote” The case where it is going to transmit the e-mail of "is illustrated. That is, 12:52 is the “daytime” time zone, and the e-mail address in which this “daytime” time zone is set as the transmission time zone is the first one for the company by Ichiro Nara of the one-touch key 01. The email address is “nara@sharp.co.jp”, and in Jiro Osaka, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” for business use and the third email address “jiro @ keitai. ne.jp ”, and for Saburo Hiroshima, the company's first email address“ hiroshima@sharp.co.jp ”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the input screen is “Nara Ichiro (company)” as the destination 1 (TO), Jiro Osaka (company) as the destination 2 (TO), and “Jiro Osaka ( Mobile phone) ”and“ Saburo Hiroshima (company) ”are entered as destination 4 (TO).

  The second embodiment is a modified embodiment of the first embodiment, and is an embodiment where only one mail address is registered in the pressed one-touch key K (n). Specifically, this is the case of Mr. Saburo Hiroshima in the address book 10A shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the e-mail transmission destination input process according to the second embodiment. That is, the second embodiment has a configuration in which step S5-1 that is a determination process is added between step S5 and step S6 in the process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. 7 as appropriate.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, when only one mail address is registered in the pressed one-touch key K (n), the determination in step S5-1 is Yes, and in this case Advances the operation to step S9, and inputs the acquired mail address to the destination mail address.

  That is, in this case, the acquired e-mail address is always input as the destination e-mail address without comparing the current time T acquired in step S3 with the transmission time zone acquired in step S7. For example, if the one-touch key K (n) pressed in step S2 is the “03” key, the number N of Shiro Hiroshima's mail address is 1, and the transmission time zone set for this mail address is There are three time zones: “morning”, “daytime”, and “night”. Here, if the current time T acquired in step S3 is the “deep / early” time zone, the determination in step S8 is No, but step S5- before going to the determination in step S8. 1 is determined as Yes, the first mail address “hiroshima@sharp.co.jp” of Hiroshima Saburo is always input as the destination mail address without performing the determination in step S8. Thereby, when there is one mail address, an e-mail is always sent to that mail address.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and any of the mail addresses registered in the pressed one-touch key K (n) is set in a transmission time zone that does not include the current time T. Example of the case.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the e-mail transmission destination input process according to the third embodiment. That is, in the third embodiment, the processing in the case of being determined No in step S12 in the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different. Hereinafter, specific explanation will be given by taking Mr. Ichiro Nara of the address book 10A as an example.

  Mr. Ichiro Nara of registration No01 (one-touch key No. “01”) has “morning”, “daytime” and “nighttime” for the email address “nara@sharp.co.jp” of the company's No1 communication device. Are set (see Fig. 6), and one time zone of "Night" is set for the mail address "ichiro@home.ne.jp" of the No.2 communication device for home use ( 6). That is, no communication device is set for the “deep / early” time zone.

  Here, when the pressed one-touch key is Mr. Ichiro Nara who is “01” and the pressed time T is a time zone of “deep / early” (for example, 24:00 (midnight at midnight), etc.), FIG. As shown in the address book 10A, the “deep / early” time zone is not set in the transmission time zones set in the mail addresses of the two communication devices owned by Ichiro Nara. Therefore, when the process from step S6 to step S10 is finished and the process proceeds from step S6 to step S12, nothing is entered in the destination mail address in the process in step S9, so the determination in step S12 is No. It becomes. In this case, in the first embodiment, an error message is displayed at that time and the processing is terminated. However, in the third embodiment, a copy mail is created here, and the next transmission time zone closest to the current time T is displayed. Is input to the destination mail address (step S15).

  That is, in the case of Ichiro Nara, the next transmission time zone closest to 24:00, which is the current time T, is the transmission time of “morning” set in the first email address “nara@sharp.co.jp” Since it is a band (6 to 11 o'clock), this first mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” is automatically input as a destination mail address. Then, the created copy mail is set as the timer transmission mail, and the earliest time of the “morning” transmission time zone (6: 00-11: 00) set in the first mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” Is set as the transmission time (step S16), and the e-mail transmission destination input is terminated.

  According to the third embodiment, when the user sends an e-mail to Mr. Ichiro Nara at 24:00 (midnight), only the error message is displayed in the first embodiment. Although it is necessary to perform an input operation for transmitting the e-mail again after the hour, in the third embodiment, the e-mail transmission process is set to 6 o'clock in the transmission time zone in the form of timer transmission. Even if the user does not perform the input operation again, the electronic mail can be surely transmitted to Mr. Ichiro Nara at 6:00 in the early morning.

  The fourth embodiment is a modified embodiment of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the e-mail transmission destination input process of the fourth embodiment.

  That is, when the pressed one-touch key is Mr. Ichiro Nara of “01” and the pressed time T is in the “deep / early” time zone (for example, 24:00), it is shown in the address book 10A of FIG. As described above, the “deep / early” time zone is not set in the transmission time zones set in the mail addresses of the two communication devices owned by Ichiro Nara. Therefore, when the process from step S6 to step S10 is finished and the process proceeds from step S6 to step S12, nothing is entered in the destination mail address in the process in step S9, so the determination in step S12 is No. It becomes.

  In this case, in the third embodiment, the first mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” in which the next transmission time zone closest to 24:00, which is the current time T, is set is automatically set as the transmission destination mail address. Enter the first e-mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” and set the transmission time to 6:00, which is the earliest time in the “morning” transmission time zone (6: 00-11: 00) However, in the fourth embodiment, the first e-mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” registered as No1 among the e-mail addresses registered in association with Mr. Ichiro Nara is the destination mail. The address is input and the mail is sent to the first mail address as it is (step S17). In other words, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment in that the e-mail is immediately transmitted regardless of the transmission time zone setting.

  Although the said Example 1-Example 4 were the examples which introduced the concept of a transmission time slot | zone as a transmission condition, in this Example 5, the concept of a priority is introduced as a transmission condition.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the address book 10A ′ according to the fifth embodiment. However, FIG. 12 mainly shows details of the mail address item 107 relating to Mr. Jiro Osaka, and the telephone number column 105, FAX number column 106, address column 108, remarks column 109, etc. are omitted. ing.

  In the address book 10A ′ of the first embodiment, priority is set as the transmission condition of the transmission condition setting item 1071. Here, the priority is an order in which it is considered that there is a high probability that the user of the transmission destination can immediately read the transmitted email, and is basically set by the user on the transmission side. . In this example, the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” is priority 1, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is priority 2, and the third email address “jiro@keitai.ne”. .jp "is set to priority 3. This priority can be arbitrarily set and changed by the user. In this example, only the case of Mr. Jiro Osaka of the one touch key 02 is illustrated, but the priority is similarly set for the case of Ichiro Nara of the one touch key 01 and Mr. Saburo Hiroshima of the one touch key 03.

  The e-mail transmission destination input process of the fifth embodiment using the address book 10A ′ in which the priorities are set in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 enters a state of waiting for the input of the one-touch key K (n), and in this state, the arbitrary one-touch key K (n ) Is pressed (step S21), the mail address set to priority 1 is acquired from the mail addresses registered in the pressed one-touch key K (n) of the address book 10A ′ (step S21). S22). For example, when the “02” key is pressed as the one-touch key K (n), the mail address with priority 1 of Jiro Osaka is the first mail address “josaka@home.ne” from the address book 10A ′ shown in FIG. .jp ". Therefore, the control unit 2 inputs the first mail address “josaka@home.ne.jp” as the transmission destination mail address (step S23), and ends the input of the electronic mail transmission destination. Thereafter, the electronic mail is transmitted to the input destination mail address.

  In the fifth embodiment, the priority is described as a fixed priority set or changed by the user. However, in the sixth embodiment, the priority is automatically changed according to the use state of the user. It is configured to do.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the first mail address “josaka@home.ne.jp” has priority 1, the second mail address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” has priority 2, and the third mail address “ With “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” set to priority 3, the user directly selects the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp”, which is the company's email address. When the electronic mail is transmitted, the control unit 2 receives this selection input and changes the priority of the address book 10A ′ as shown in FIG. In other words, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp”, which is the most recently entered email address, is given priority 1, and the email addresses with higher priority than this second email address are moved down one by one. To do. In this example, since the mail address having a higher priority than the second mail address is the priority 1 of the first mail address “josaka@home.ne.jp”, the priority is lowered from 1 to 2. Also, since the third mail address “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” originally has a lower priority than the second mail address (priority 3), the third mail address has the same priority.

  In this way, the latest mail address selected and input for sending an e-mail other than the one-touch key operation is always set to priority 1, and the priority of other mail addresses higher than this is set to one each. By lowering, it is possible to always set the most recently sent mail address to priority level 1.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram simply showing the state of automatic priority setting change according to the sixth embodiment. In the state where the priority is 3, 2, and 1 for the registered mail addresses No1, No2, and No3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the priority is changed to 3, 1, and 2 for the registered mail addresses No1, No2, and No3, respectively, and in this state, the No1 mail address is selected and mail is sent. In this case, the priority is changed to 1, 2, and 3 for the registered mail addresses No1, No2, and No3, respectively, and the mail address No3 is selected in this state as shown in FIG. When the e-mail is sent, the priority is changed to 2, 3, and 1 for the registered e-mail addresses No1, No2, and No3, respectively, as shown in FIG.

  In the sixth embodiment, the priority is set in advance by the user when registering in the address book 10A '. However, the priority is not set when registering in the address book 10A'. A priority level between registered mail addresses may be set. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, all the priority levels between the registered mail addresses may be set to the same priority 3. In this state, for example, when the mail address No. 1 is selected and mail is transmitted, the priority of the registered mail address No. 1 is set to 1 as shown in FIG. Also, in this state, when the mail address No. 2 is selected and mail is sent, the priority of the registered mail address No. 1 is set to 1 and the priority of the registered mail address No. 1 is set as shown in FIG. One may be lowered from 1 to 2.

  The seventh embodiment is another embodiment in which the priority is automatically changed according to the use state of the user. In the seventh embodiment, when an e-mail is transmitted by selecting an e-mail address whose priority is set to other than the priority 1, e-mail is sent with a priority higher than that of the e-mail address. This is an embodiment in which the address is replaced. That is, this is an embodiment in which the priority of the most recently sent mail address is not suddenly set to priority 1.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram simply showing the state of automatic setting change of priority according to the seventh embodiment. In the state where the priority is 3, 2, and 1 for the registered mail addresses No1, No2, and No3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, the priority of the registered mail address No. 2 is changed from 2 to 1, and the priority of the registered mail address No. 3 is changed from 1 to 2. That is, the priorities of the registered mail addresses No2 and No3 are switched. In this state, when the mail address No. 1 is selected and the mail is transmitted, the priority of the registered mail address No. 1 is changed from 3 to 2 as shown in FIG. The priority is changed from 2 to 3. That is, the priorities of the registered mail addresses No1 and No3 are switched. In this state, when the mail address No. 3 is selected and mail is sent, the priority of the registered mail address No. 3 is changed from 3 to 2 as shown in FIG. The priority of No1 is changed from 2 to 3. That is, the priorities of the registered mail addresses No1 and No3 are switched.

  In the seventh embodiment, the priority is set by the user in advance when registering in the address book 10A ′. However, the priority is not set when registering in the address book 10A ′. A priority level between registered mail addresses may be set. For example, the default priority setting method may be determined in the order of registration, but is not limited to such a setting method.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 18A, the priority level between the registered mail addresses is set to an arbitrary level as a default value. In this state, when the mail address No. 1 is selected and mail is transmitted, the priority of the registered mail address No. 1 is changed from 2 to 1 as shown in FIG. Change the priority of No3 from 1 to 2.

  In the eighth embodiment, the priority is changed based on the transmission history. That is, in the eighth embodiment, a transmission history 10B for each registered mail address to the address book 10A ′ is stored in the storage unit 10 shown in FIG. The priority of a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in one name (address) is transmitted from the past n (n is a natural number) transmission histories for one name (address) based on this transmission history. The configuration is set in the descending order of the number of times. As a result, email addresses that have been used frequently in the past have a higher priority, so the probability that the sender can send emails to email addresses that are likely to be able to read emails immediately can be increased. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 19 shows an example in which priorities are set based on the past five transmission histories. Here, for example, registered mail addresses No1, No2, No3 of Mr. Jiro Osaka are illustrated. In this example, the email has been sent 3 times out of the past 5 times (m-5 to m-1) to the No. 1 registered email address, and has been sent once to the No. 2 registered email address. One email is sent to the registered email address of No3. As a result, the cumulative number of registered email addresses of No1 up to the m-1th time is 3 times, and the cumulative number of registered email addresses of No2 and No3 is 1 each. Since the cumulative number of registered email addresses of priority 1, No. 2 and No. 3 is the same, the priority is set to 3. In this state, when the registered mail address of No3 is selected and sent by mail for the next mth time, the total of the registered mail address of No1 is 3 times and the total of the registered mail address of No2 is 0 times at this time. Since the cumulative number of registered email addresses of No3 is 2 (because the m-5th is not covered), the priority of the registered email address of No1 is set to 1 and the priority of the registered email address of No2 is set at this stage. 3. Change the priority of the registered email address of No. 3 to 2.

  As described above, in the eighth embodiment, the priority is set and changed based on the past n transmission histories. As a result, the priority is set to reflect the past n mail transmission trends, so the probability that the sender can send an email to an email address that is likely to be able to read the email immediately is increased. Is possible.

  The ninth embodiment is an embodiment in which the transmission time zone of the first embodiment is added to the priorities of the fifth to eighth embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, the priority is set for each transmission time zone.

  20 shows an example of the configuration of the address book 10A ″ according to the ninth embodiment. However, FIG. 20 mainly shows the details of the mail address item 107 relating to Mr. Jiro Osaka. 105, the FAX number column 106, the address column 108, the remarks column 109, etc. are not shown.

  In the address book 10A ″ of the ninth embodiment, priority is set for each transmission time zone as the transmission condition of the transmission condition setting item 1071. In this example of Mr. Jiro Osaka, the time zone of “morning” is The first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” has priority 1, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” has priority 2, and the third email address “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” Priority 3 is set. During the daytime, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is priority 1, and the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” is priority. 2. The third email address “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” is set to priority 3, and the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” is priority 1, during the “night” time zone. When the third email address “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” is set to priority 2 and the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is set to priority 3, and “deep / early” The band has the first email address “jiro@keitai.ne.jp” as priority 1, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” has priority 2, and the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” "Is set to priority 3.

  An e-mail transmission destination input process according to the ninth embodiment using the address book 10A ″ in which the transmission conditions are set will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 enters a state of waiting for the input of the one-touch key K (n), and in this state, the arbitrary one-touch key K (n ) Is pressed (step S41), the current time T is acquired from the RTC unit 5 at that time (step S42), and the transmission time zone including the current time T is specified (step S43). Next, the control unit 2 sets the priority set in the specified transmission time zone from the mail addresses registered in the mail address item 107 corresponding to the one-touch key K (n) of the address book 10A ″. 1 mail address A (m) is acquired (step S44), this mail address A (m) is input to the destination mail address (step S45), and the input of the email destination is terminated. 20, for example, in the case of Mr. Jiro Osaka shown in Fig. 20, if the current time T is 9 o'clock, for example, "morning" is specified as the transmission time zone. Since the email address of priority 1 set in this “morning” time zone is the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp”, this first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” Send It will be entered in the destination email address. If the current time T is, for example, 12:00, “daytime” is specified as the transmission time zone, and the priority 1 email address set in this “daytime” time zone is the second email address. Since it is “osaka@sharp.co.jp”, this second mail address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is input to the destination mail address.

  In this way, by further subdividing the priority according to the transmission time zone, it is possible to further increase the probability that the transmission partner can send an e-mail to an e-mail address that is likely to read the e-mail immediately. It becomes possible.

  The tenth embodiment is an embodiment in which further contrivances are added in order to surely deliver an e-mail to the other party in each of the fifth to ninth embodiments in which the concept of priority is introduced.

  That is, in the tenth embodiment, when an e-mail is transmitted to a high-priority mail address, an opening notification request is added and transmitted, and the opening notification is not returned within a predetermined time period. Is configured to transmit the e-mail to a mail address having the next highest priority.

  Hereinafter, the e-mail transmission control process of the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to the e-mail transmission / reception explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 22 and the flowchart shown in FIG. However, FIG. 22 illustrates the case where Jiro Osaka is selected as the transmission destination.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 waits for the input of the one-touch key K (n), and in this state, the arbitrary one-touch key K ( When n) is pressed (step S51), the mail address having the highest priority (in this case, priority 1) is selected from the mail addresses registered in the one-touch key K (n) pressed in the address book. Obtain (step S52). For example, when the “02” key is pressed as the one-touch key K (n), the mail address with priority 1 of Jiro Osaka is the first mail address “1” of the home personal computer from the address book 10A ′ shown in FIG. josaka@home.ne.jp ". Therefore, the control unit 2 inputs the first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” as the destination email address, finishes the input of the email destination, and then enters the entered destination email. An e-mail is transmitted to the address (process (1) in FIG. 22) (step S53).

  Thereafter, the control unit 2 monitors whether or not an opening notification is returned from the transmission destination until a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses (steps S54 and S55). . As a result, when the opening notification is returned before the predetermined time has elapsed (when it is determined Yes in step S55), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the opening notification has not been replied even after a certain time has elapsed (No in step S55, Yes in step S54), that is, when the e-mail has not been opened on the home personal computer In step S56, the control unit 2 checks whether there is a next highest priority mail address (step S56), and if there is one (if it is determined Yes in step S56), the control unit 2 A high (in this case, priority 2) mail address is acquired (step S57), and the process returns to step S53. Here, the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” with priority 2 of Jiro Osaka is acquired, and the process returns to step S53. In other words, this second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is entered in the destination email address, the entry of the email destination is terminated, and then the same email as the entered destination email address. Is transmitted (process (2) in FIG. 22).

  Thereafter, the control unit 2 monitors whether or not an opening notification has been returned from the transmission destination until a predetermined time has elapsed (steps S54 and S55). Here, when an email is opened on the company's personal computer with the second email address “osaka@sharp.co.jp”, a notification of opening is returned from the corporate personal computer to the device ( Process (3) in FIG. 22). Thereby, since determination in step S55 is Yes, the control part 2 complete | finishes an email transmission control process at this time.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S56, if the next highest priority mail address is not registered in the address book 10A '(in the case of Jiro Osaka, the same applies to the mobile phone that is the third mail address). Even if the e-mails are sent sequentially, if the opening notification is not replied from any of the home personal computer, the office personal computer, and the mobile phone), the operation proceeds to step S58. The user is notified that the e-mail has not been opened, and the e-mail transmission control process is terminated.

  According to the tenth embodiment, by requesting the opening notification, it is possible to confirm whether or not the e-mail has surely arrived at the transmission partner.

  The eleventh embodiment is a modified embodiment of the tenth embodiment.

  That is, in the tenth embodiment, the next highest priority mail address is acquired in step S57, the process returns to step S53, the mail address is input to the destination mail address, and the same email as the input destination mail address. At this time, a message informing that the same e-mail has already been sent to a high-priority e-mail address (for example, “This e-mail is <josaka@home.ne. jp> is also being sent. " As a result, the user who has received this e-mail can know that the same e-mail has already been sent to a communication device with another high-priority e-mail address. When you open your PC (another high-priority communication device), it recognizes that you have already received an e-mail, so you can avoid wasting the trouble of opening the same e-mail. It can be omitted. Even if the same e-mail is opened, it can be recognized that the same e-mail is the same, so that it is not mistaken that a similar e-mail is received.

  In the twelfth embodiment, when an arbitrary one-touch key K (n) is pressed, an e-mail with an opening notification request is transmitted to all e-mail addresses registered in the one-touch key K (n). This is an embodiment in which a read notification mail is transmitted to another mail address when an opening notification is replied from an arbitrary mail address within a predetermined time set in advance.

  Hereinafter, the e-mail transmission control process of the twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to the e-mail transmission / reception explanatory diagram shown in FIG. 24 and the flowchart shown in FIG. However, FIG. 24 illustrates the case where Jiro Osaka is selected as the transmission destination.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 waits for the input of the one-touch key K (n), and in this state, the arbitrary one-touch key K ( When n) is pressed (step S61), an e-mail with a request for opening notification is sent to all e-mail addresses registered in the pressed one-touch key K (n) of the address book 10A (see FIG. 5). Is transmitted (step S62). Note that the transmission condition setting item 1071 of the address book 10A at this time may be set to “send all”.

  For example, when the “02” key is pressed as the one-touch key K (n), three mail addresses of Jiro Osaka, that is, the first mail address “josaka@home.ne. jp ”, the second email address“ osaka@sharp.co.jp ”, and the third email address“ jiro@keitai.ne.jp ”are entered in the destination email address, and a request for opening notification is sent to these email addresses. An e-mail is transmitted (process (1) in FIG. 24).

  Thereafter, the control unit 2 monitors whether an opening notification has been returned from any of the transmission destinations (step S63). As a result, when an opening notification is returned from one transmission destination (when it is determined Yes in step S63), the control unit 2 reads the mail address other than the mail address to which the opening notification has been returned. A notification mail is transmitted (step S64), and the process ends.

  For example, when an opening notification email is replied from Jiro Osaka's first email address “josaka@home.ne.jp” (process (2) in FIG. 24), the second email address “osaka @ sharp. co.jp "communication device (company personal computer) and the third mail address" jiro@keitai.ne.jp "communication device (mobile phone), the read notification mail is transmitted ((3 in FIG. 24). )).

  Here, the read notification mail is transmitted with (read) at the end of the subject field, for example. For example, when the subject of the transmitted electronic mail is “send estimate”, “send estimate (read)” is added to the subject of the email to be sent as the read notification email. In this case, the text of the same electronic mail may be added and transmitted, or may be transmitted without the text.

  In this way, by sending a read notification mail to another mail address, when the user who has received the mail has checked the mail with another communication device, the email with the same subject is already read. Therefore, it is possible to save unnecessary work such as reopening the same electronic mail and confirming the contents. In this case, by putting (read) in the subject, it is possible to confirm that it has already been read by just looking at the subject without opening the email "Send Quote" that has already been received. it can.

  In the thirteenth embodiment, for each one-touch key of the address book 10A, a storage means for storing the latest outgoing mail address is provided.

  FIG. 26 shows an example of the configuration of the storage means for storing the latest transmission mail address, which consists of an item of a one-touch key No and an item of the latest transmission mail address.

  For example, if the last e-mail address sent to Ichiro Nara was the first e-mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp”, the most recently sent e-mail address will appear in the one-touch key “01”. The first e-mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” is stored, and the last e-mail address sent to Jiro Osaka is the second e-mail address “osaka@sharp.co.jp”. If there is, the second mail address “osaka@sharp.co.jp” is stored in the one-touch key No “02” as the most recent transmission mail address. The one-touch key No “03” stores the first mail address “hiroshima@sharp.co.jp” as the most recent transmission mail address.

  The storage means is configured to update and store one mail address that has always been transmitted to one transmission destination (one-touch key) in this way.

  The e-mail transmission destination input process according to the thirteenth embodiment using such storage means will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the mode switching key 36 is operated to enter the mail transmission mode and the input of the e-mail transmission destination is started, the control unit 2 enters a state of waiting for the input of the one-touch key K (n), and in this state, the arbitrary one-touch key K (n ) Is pressed (step S71), the storage means is referred to based on the one-touch key K (n), and the mail address stored in association with the one-touch key is acquired (step S72). For example, when the “01” key is pressed as the one-touch key K (n), the mail address “nara@sharp.co.jp” of Nara Ichiro is acquired from the storage means shown in FIG. nara@sharp.co.jp "is input to the destination mail address (step S73), and the input of the electronic mail destination is completed. Thereafter, the electronic mail is transmitted to the input destination mail address.

  As described above, according to the thirteenth embodiment, since the mail transmission reflecting the mail address transmitted most recently is performed, the probability that the transmission partner can easily transmit the email to the mail address that is likely to read the mail immediately. Can be made higher.

  In the first to thirteenth embodiments, a one-touch key is assigned to each name (address) in the address book, but it is natural that a speed dial key may be assigned.

  Further, the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present embodiment has a telephone call mode and a mail transmission mode. In each of the first to thirteenth embodiments, the mode switching key shown in FIG. 36 is operated to enter a mail transmission mode, and input of an electronic mail transmission destination is started. Thereby, in the telephone call mode before operating the mode switching key 36, the telephone number registered in the address book is valid, and in the mail transmission mode, the mail address and transmission conditions registered in the address book are valid. It can be constituted as follows. However, the default setting may be switched between the telephone call mode and the mail transmission mode. For example, the default may be the telephone call mode, and when a document is set on the document placement unit 61 shown in FIG. 2, the default phone call mode may be automatically switched to the mail transmission mode. As a result, the user switches to the mail transmission mode simply by setting a document to be transmitted as an e-mail in the document reading unit 61, so that the mode switching operation by the user becomes unnecessary. However, switching between the telephone call mode and the mail transmission mode may be switching by setting in a menu or the like, or switching by a separately provided switch operation.

  In this embodiment, the case where the electronic mail transmission apparatus of the present invention is applied to a facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus that is a multifunction peripheral is described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus. Of course, the present invention may be applied to portable terminal devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus which is one Embodiment of the electronic mail transmission apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus according to an embodiment. It is an external view of a key input part and a display part. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the connection environment of the facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of an address book. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of a configuration example of an address book according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an electronic mail transmission control process according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an input screen of a transmission destination mail address. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to the third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an address book according to a fifth embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to a fifth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which changed the priority of the address book. It is explanatory drawing which showed only the mode of the automatic setting change of the priority of Example 6 simply. It is explanatory drawing which showed only the mode of the automatic setting change of the priority of Example 6 simply. It is explanatory drawing which showed only the mode of the automatic setting change of the priority of Example 7 simply. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of the priority level between each registered mail address. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which priorities are set based on the past n transmission histories in Example 8. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the address book concerning Example 9. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to the ninth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the mail transmission / reception of Example 10. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the email transmission control processing of Example 10. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the mail transmission / reception of Example 12. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to a twelfth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmission log | history memorize | stored in the memory | storage part. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an e-mail transmission control process according to the thirteenth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile electronic mail transmission apparatus 2 Control part 3 Key input part 4 Display part 5 RTC part 6 Scanner part 7 Recording part 8 ROM
9 RAM
10 storage unit 10A, 10A ', 10A "address book 11 FAX modem unit 12 NIC unit 21 LAN
31 One-touch key group 32 Numeric key group 33 Up / down / left / right key 33a START / ENTER key 35 Abbreviated key 36 Mode switch key 41 Mail server 42 Gateway 51 Network 52 Public switched telephone network (PSTN)
61 Document Placement Unit 62 Document Output Unit (Document Output Tray)
101 Item of registration No (one-touch key No) 102 Item of name (address) 103 Item of the number of communication devices (No) 104 Item of classification indicating the location of use of the communication device 105 Telephone number item 106 FAX number item 107 Mail Address field 108 Address field 109 Remarks field 1071 Transmission condition setting field

Claims (14)

In an electronic mail transmission apparatus having an address book that can register a plurality of mail addresses for one address,
In the address book, there are registered transmission conditions such as to which e-mail address the e-mail is to be transmitted among a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in the one address,
An electronic mail transmission apparatus comprising: transmission control means for transmitting the electronic mail to one or a plurality of corresponding mail addresses according to the transmission conditions when an electronic mail is transmitted to the one address. The transmission condition is that one day is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the divided arbitrary time zones are set as transmission time zones for each registered mail address in the address book,
The transmission control means includes a time at which an e-mail is transmitted to one address in a transmission time zone set for one or a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book. 2. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted to a mail address. The transmission condition is one in which priorities are set for a plurality of mail addresses associated with one address.
When an instruction to send an e-mail to one address is input, the transmission control means determines the priority according to the priority set for a plurality of mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book. The e-mail transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the e-mail is transmitted to a high e-mail address.   The transmission control means transmits an e-mail to a high-priority e-mail address with an open notification request, and when the open notification is not returned within a predetermined time period. 4. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted to a mail address having the next highest priority.   5. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined time can be set to an arbitrary time by a user.   When the e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail address having the next highest priority, the transmission control means adds a message indicating that the same e-mail has already been transmitted to the e-mail address having the higher priority. The electronic mail transmission device according to claim 4.   When an e-mail is sent with one e-mail address specified directly, the priority of the plurality of e-mail addresses registered in one address including the e-mail address is set as the highest priority. The electronic mail transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the electronic mail transmission device is changed to be It has storage means to store the transmission history for each email address,
The priority of a plurality of e-mail addresses registered in one address is set based on the transmission history in the descending order of the number of transmissions from the past n transmission histories for one address. 3. The electronic mail transmission device according to 3.   The transmission control means adds an opening notification request when transmitting an e-mail, and receives an opening notification reply from one or more destinations, and sends it to another e-mail address that has not returned the opening notification. 2. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a read notification mail is transmitted to the electronic mail transmission apparatus. It has storage means to store the transmission history for each email address,
When an instruction to send an e-mail to one address is input, the transmission control means sets the e-mail address sent most recently among one or more e-mail addresses registered in the one address in the address book. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted to the electronic mail transmission apparatus.   11. The one-touch key or abbreviated dial key is registered corresponding to each address in the address book, and the address is input by the one-touch key or the abbreviated dial key. The electronic mail transmission device described in 1.   In the phone call mode, the phone number registered in the address book is valid, and in the mail send mode, the mail address and transmission conditions registered in the address book are set. The electronic mail transmission apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the electronic mail transmission apparatus is valid.   The electronic mail transmission device according to claim 12, wherein the default setting is switched between a telephone call mode and a mail transmission mode.   14. The electronic mail transmission device according to claim 13, further comprising a document reading unit, wherein when a document is set in the document reading unit, the default telephone call mode is switched to the mail transmission mode.

Images