JP2009296632A - Electronic mail management device, mail server, transfer method and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology to automatically investigate correctness of a transfer destination address in an electronic mail, to allow transfer to the transfer destination address which is confirmed with propriety, and to prevent misdelivery of a transfer mail, beforehand. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic mail administrating devices 1, 2 to administrate the transfer destinations of electronic mails is equipped with a receiving part to receive a request for setting up a transfer destination address of a received address, and a confirmation part to confirm adequacy of the transfer destination address. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail transfer technique.

  Conventionally, in an electronic mail system, a transfer service for transferring received electronic mail to a predetermined address has been provided. In order to use this service, the user registers a forwarding address for his / her receiving address in the mail server.

  Then, when an e-mail is received at the receiving address, the mail server transfers the e-mail to the transfer destination. As a result, when changing the e-mail address, the user can use both the addresses before and after the change, or transfer the e-mail address used at work to the e-mail address used at home.

  Thus, the e-mail transfer function / transfer service has been convenient. However, it has been difficult to confirm from the address information only whether the transfer destination address is correct. Conventionally, in order to investigate the validity of a transfer destination address, for example, there is no choice but to determine whether it is in a previously registered list.

  In addition, when a delivery error occurs when transferring from an intranet to an external mail address, corporate secrets may be leaked. However, it has been difficult to prevent erroneous delivery by the conventional method of checking the list.

  Further, when the mail address changes, the legitimacy of the mail address cannot be determined by the method of referring to the registered address list. In addition, once the transfer destination address is registered, even if the address becomes invalid thereafter, illegal transfer may continue to be performed.

JP 2000-378389 A JP 2000-235631 A

Buna no Mori, “i-mode, cdmaOne / WAP, text phone etc. E-mail with mobile / PHS”, PC WORK! Mainichi Communications, Inc., August 18, 1999, Vol. 6, No. 8, p. 99-105

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for automatically examining the validity of a forwarding address in an electronic mail. An object of the present invention is to permit transfer to a transfer destination address whose validity has been confirmed, and to prevent erroneous delivery of a forwarded mail.

  Another object of the present invention is to prevent an e-mail from being transferred indefinitely to a transfer destination address once valid.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

The present invention is an e-mail management apparatus (1, 2) for managing an e-mail transfer destination,
A receiving unit that receives a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
And a confirmation unit for confirming the validity of the forwarding address.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device includes a transmission unit that transmits a test mail to the forwarding address;
A receiving unit for receiving a response to the test mail;
The confirmation unit may instruct the transmission unit to transmit a test mail and confirm the response via the reception unit.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device (1) further includes a communication unit that communicates with a transmission device (4) that transmits a test mail to the transfer destination and a reception device (2) that receives a response to the test mail,
The confirmation unit may instruct the transmission device (4) to transmit a test mail via the communication unit, and confirm a response received by the reception device (2) via the communication unit.

Preferably, the e-mail management device (1, 2) has a transfer destination registration unit (5) for registering the transfer destination address when the confirmation is successful,
A transfer control unit (2) for transferring electronic mail,
When the transfer destination address for the received address is registered in the transfer destination registration unit (5), the transfer control unit (2) transfers an e-mail received at the received address to the transfer destination address. Also good.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device (1) registers such a transfer destination address for the reception address of the electronic mail, and transfers such an electronic mail received at the reception address to the transfer destination address. 2) further comprising a communication unit communicating with
If the confirmation is successful, the confirmation unit may instruct the mail server (2) to register a transfer destination address for the reception address via the communication unit.

  Preferably, the confirmation unit may confirm whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address.

  Preferably, the confirmation unit may instruct transmission of each test mail to the reception address and the forwarding address, and confirm responses to the two test mails.

  Preferably, the transfer destination registration unit (5) unconditionally registers a transfer destination address setting request within a predetermined range, and responds to a transfer destination address setting request outside the predetermined range. The transfer destination address that has been successfully confirmed by the confirmation unit may be registered.

  Preferably, the e-mail management device (1, 2) may further include a notification unit for notifying that transfer to the transfer destination address cannot be permitted when the confirmation is not successful.

Preferably, the confirmation unit confirms the validity of the registered transfer destination address after a predetermined period from the registration,
The transfer control unit (2) may stop the transfer to the transfer destination address after the elapse of the period until the confirmation is successful.

Preferably, the communication unit receives a request for confirming a registered forwarding address from the mail server,
The confirmation unit may confirm the validity of the transfer destination address.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device further includes an information providing unit that discloses a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users,
The confirmation unit may confirm whether or not the response follows the response procedure.

  Preferably, the confirmation unit may confirm whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string.

In addition, the present invention registers an e-mail destination address with respect to an e-mail reception address, and transfers the e-mail received at the e-mail address to the e-mail destination address. A management device (1),
A receiving unit that receives a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
A command unit for commanding confirmation of the validity of the transfer destination address may be provided.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device further includes a transmission unit that transmits a test mail to the transfer destination,
The command unit may instruct the transmission unit to transmit a test mail to the forwarding address, and to confirm the validity of the forwarding address by a response from the received address to the mail server with respect to the test mail. Good.

Preferably, the electronic mail management device (1) further includes a communication unit that communicates with a transmission device (4) that transmits a test mail to the transfer destination,
The command unit commands the transmitting device (4) to transmit a test mail to the transfer destination address via the communication unit, and a response from the received address to the test server to the mail server (2). Thus, the validity of the forwarding address may be confirmed.

  Preferably, the transmission device (4) may be the mail server (2).

  Preferably, the command unit may command the transmission of each test mail to the reception address and the transfer destination address so that the mail server confirms the validity of the response to the two test mails.

Preferably, the communication unit receives a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server,
The command unit may command confirmation of the validity of the transfer destination address.

  Preferably, the electronic mail management device (1) may further include an information disclosure unit that discloses a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users.

  Preferably, the receiving unit may receive the setting request by receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address.

Further, the present invention is a mail server (2) that cooperates with such an e-mail management apparatus (1) that accepts a request for setting a forwarding address for an e-mail reception address,
A confirmation unit for confirming the validity of the forwarding address,
A transfer destination registration unit (5, 8) for registering a transfer destination address for an e-mail reception address;
The transfer destination registration unit (5, 8) may register the confirmed transfer destination address.

Preferably, the mail server (2) further includes a receiving unit that receives a response to the test mail transmitted to the transfer destination,
The confirmation unit may confirm the validity of the transfer destination address based on the response.

  Preferably, the confirmation unit may confirm whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address.

  Preferably, the confirmation unit may confirm whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string.

The present invention is also a method for managing a forwarding destination of an e-mail,
A step (101, S11) of receiving a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
It may consist of a step (106, S23-S27) for confirming the validity of the forwarding address.

The present invention also registers a forwarding address for an email receiving address, forwards the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, and forwards the email in cooperation with such a mail server. Is a way to manage the destination,
A step (101, S11) of receiving a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
It may consist of a step (102) for instructing confirmation of the validity of the forwarding address.

In addition, the present invention is a method for managing a forwarding destination of an email in cooperation with such an email management apparatus that accepts a setting request for a forwarding address for an email receiving address.
Checking the validity of the forwarding address (106, S21-23, S25-S27);
Registering the forwarding address (S24);
And a step of transferring the electronic mail to the forwarding address when the forwarding address for the received electronic mail address is registered.

  Further, the present invention may be a program for causing a computer to realize any one of the above functions. Further, the present invention may be a program in which such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the legitimacy of the forwarding address can be automatically investigated in the electronic mail forwarding function. The present invention allows transfer to a transfer destination address whose validity has been confirmed and prevents erroneous delivery of the forwarded mail.

  Further, the present invention can prevent an e-mail from being transferred indefinitely to a transfer destination address once valid.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an e-mail management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a setting screen used for forwarding setting of received mail. It is a display screen of transfer setting contents. It is a display screen which shows the transfer setting procedure of the received mail outside the company. This is an example of a test mail transmitted from the web server 1 to an external forwarding address zzz@xxx.com. It is an example of the fixed phrase C transmitted from the web server 1 to the received mail server 2. It is an example of the response mail that the user transmits to the received mail server 2. It is an example of the data of the transfer check list 5 which the received mail server 2 has. It is a flowchart which shows the setting procedure of a transfer destination address. 4 is a flowchart showing an expiration date confirmation process executed by a received mail server 2; It is a system configuration | structure figure of the electronic mail management system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an example of the electronic mail transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the incoming mail server 2 when a transfer setting request is made. It is an example of the transfer permission list 6. It is an example of the email transmitted to the user terminal 3 when the transfer setting request is approved. It is an example of the email transmitted in order to acquire the setting content of the present transfer setting file 8. 4 is a flowchart of transfer setting processing executed by a received mail server 2; It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a transfer permission list confirmation process.

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

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, the electronic mail management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the electronic mail management system. This e-mail management system includes a user terminal 3 that transmits and receives mail, a transmission mail server 4 that manages transmission of mail, a reception mail server 2 that manages reception of mail, and a web server 1 that receives settings related to mail management. Including.

  These user terminals 3 and each server constitute an intranet by a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN). This intranet is connected to an external mail server on the Internet through an external gateway.

  The user terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer (abbreviated as a personal computer). The user terminal 3 provides the user with functions such as access to a web server, access to the Internet, creation of mail, transmission, reception, and display. FIG. In 1, the user terminal 3 is given a mail address user@ff.co.jp.

The outgoing mail server 4 is a so-called server device, and has a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a LAN board, etc. (not shown). The outgoing mail server 4 is connected to the LAN by a LAN board and manages the transmission of electronic mail (the LAN board corresponds to a communication unit).

The electronic mail to be transmitted is delivered from the user terminal 3 to the transmission mail server 4 via the LAN by smtp (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and relayed to the destination mail server. FIG. In 1, the outgoing mail server 4 is given a domain name of smtp.ff.co.jp.

    The received mail server 2 is also a so-called server device, and has a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a LAN board, etc. (not shown). The received mail server 2 is connected to the LAN by a LAN board and manages reception of electronic mail (the LAN board corresponds to a communication unit).

The received electronic mail is read out to the user terminal 3 by pop (Post Office Protocol) via the LAN. FIG. In 1, the received mail server 2 is given a domain name of pop.ff.co.jp.

  The received mail server 2 provides a mail transfer function for transferring mail that has arrived to the user to another mail address designated by the user (the CPU of the received mail server 2 that provides this function corresponds to a transfer control unit). .

  For this reason, the received mail server 2 has a transfer checklist 5 for files in a hard disk (not shown). The transfer check list 5 is a file that defines a pair of an e-mail reception address and an e-mail transfer destination address received at the reception address.

  The received mail server 2 receives a reply to the test mail to the forwarding address from the user terminal 3 (the CPU and the LAN board of the received mail server 2 providing this function correspond to the receiving unit). The incoming mail server 2 determines the validity of the reply, and stores the forwarding address determined to be valid in the forwarding checklist 5 (the CPU of the incoming mail server 2 that provides this function). Corresponds to the confirmation part).

The web server 1 is also a so-called server device, and has a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a LAN board, etc. (not shown). The web server 1 is connected to the LAN by a LAN board (the LAN board corresponds to a communication unit). The web server 1 provides various setting screens and messages to the user terminal 3 by using http (hypertext transfer protocol) via the LAN.

  For example, the web server 1 provides a web page for the user to use a mail transfer function. The user displays this web page on the user terminal 3, and inputs or changes the transfer destination address and the like.

Further, the web server 1 transmits a test mail for confirming the validity of the forwarding mail address set in such a web page (sent by the CPU and the LAN board of the web server 1 that provides this function). Part)). Furthermore, the web server 1 provides the user with information indicating a response procedure for responding to such a test mail. This information is described in html (hypertext markup language) and stored in a hard disk (not shown) (the CPU and hard disk of the web server 1 that executes this processing correspond to the information providing unit).

<Functional overview>
In the present invention, the forwarding address is set on the web page of the web server 1. When an application is made for a forwarding address that allows unconditional forwarding (for example, a mail address in the same department), the web server 1 immediately enables the forwarding of an electronic mail to the forwarding address. Therefore, such a forwarding address is notified from the web server 1 to the received mail server 2.

  When the user inputs a forwarding address that does not permit unconditional forwarding, for example, an external address, the web server 1 sends a test mail including a predetermined keyword (hereinafter referred to as keyword 2) to the forwarding address. To do.

  Details of the method of replying to the test mail are described on a web page provided by the same web server 1. If the reply to the specific address satisfies a predetermined requirement, the received mail server 2 recognizes the forwarding address as valid. The received mail server 2 validates the forwarding address and registers it in the forwarding check list 5. As a result, the received mail server 2 permits transfer to the transfer destination address.

Here, the predetermined requirement is that the reply is a call from a predetermined email address (in-house email address, etc.), and that the reply is described in a fixed form displayed on a web page. The case where the keyword 1 posted on the web page and the keyword 2 described in the test mail are included in the reply. If the reply content does not satisfy this condition, transfer to that address is not permitted.

  The incoming mail server 2 sets an expiration date for a valid forwarding address, and automatically sends a test mail again after a certain period. If the reply to the test email meets the predetermined requirements, the expiration date is extended.

  However, when there is no reply within a certain period, or when the reply does not satisfy a predetermined requirement, the received mail server 2 deletes the forwarding address from the forwarding check list 5. As a result, transfer to the transfer destination address is prohibited.

<Screen configuration>
FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 shows a setting screen that the web server 1 provides to the user terminal 3 via http (the CPU of the web server 1 that provides this function corresponds to a reception unit). These screens are provided from the web server 1 to the user terminal 3 in the intranet.

  Therefore, this screen cannot be accessed from a host (third party) on the Internet. FIG. 2 shows a setting screen used for setting the forwarding of the received mail to the company or the affiliated company.

  This screen includes a mail server designation field 11, a mail address designation field 12, a password designation field 13, a transfer destination address designation field 14 and a transfer designation to transfer source field 15, a “set” button, and a “cancel” button. Have.

  In the mail server designation field 11, the domain name of the received mail server 2 is designated. The received mail server 2 manages the transferred mail. FIG. 2, pop.ff.co.jp is designated as the incoming mail server 2.

In the mail address designation column 12, the received mail address of the user is designated. This is also called a transfer source address. This email address specification field 12 has a domain @ ff.co.jp
Specify a user account (user in FIG. 2) excluding.

  In the password designation column 13, a password for accessing the received mail server 2 from the user terminal 3 is designated.

  The transfer destination address designation field 14 designates a transfer destination address to which the electronic mail received at the transfer source address is transferred. However, FIG. In the setting screen of 2, only designation to transfer to the company or the affiliated company is allowed. When a check mark is entered in the transfer designation field 15 to the transfer source, the transfer source itself is included in the transfer destination address.

  After the above settings, when the user presses the “set” button on the user terminal 3 with a pointing device (not shown), the setting on this screen is changed to FIG. 1 is set in the transfer destination check list 5 shown in FIG. When the cancel button is pressed, FIG. The setting of the second screen is discarded.

  FIG. 3 shows a display screen of transfer setting contents. This screen is used when displaying the setting contents of the transfer destination address. This screen is also shown in FIG. Similarly to the setting screen 2, the mail server designation field 11, the mail address designation field 12, and the password designation field 13 are provided. This screen also has a “display” button and a cancel button.

  In the mail server designation field 11, the domain name of the mail server that holds the transfer setting contents is designated. In the mail address specification column 12, a transfer source mail address is specified. In addition, the password designation field 13 includes FIG. As in the case of 2, the password is specified when the user terminal 3 accesses the mail server.

  After the above settings, when the user presses the “display” button, the setting contents of the transfer destination address for the transfer source address specified in the mail address specification column 12 are displayed. When the user presses the “Cancel” button, FIG. The setting contents of 3 are discarded.

  FIG. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display screen showing a procedure for setting the transfer of received mail to outside the company.

  This screen has an explanation display field 16 and a test mail sending field 17. The explanation display column 16 shows a test mail transmission request procedure for confirming the validity of the transfer destination and a procedure for responding to the test mail.

  After reading the explanation in the explanation display field 16, the user requests the test mail transmission field 17 to send a test mail. The test mail sending field 17 has a mail server designation field 11, an in-house mail address designation field 12A, a forwarding address designation field 14A, a “Send” button, and a “Cancel” button.

  In the mail server designation field 11, FIG. As in the case of 2, the domain name of the received mail server 2 is designated. In the in-house mail address designation column 12A, FIG. As in the case of the email address designation field 12 in FIG. 2, the forwarding email address is designated. In addition, a mail address of an external forwarding destination is designated in the forwarding destination mail address designation column 14A.

  After such setting, when the user presses the “Send” button, the web server 1 transfers the in-house e-mail address specified in the in-house e-mail address specification column 12A and the transfer specified in the transfer destination e-mail address specification column 14A. Send a test email to the destination address.

  At the same time, a fixed phrase C that is designated in the mail server designation field 11 and requests transfer permission from the web server 1 is transmitted from the web server 1 (the CPU of the web server 1 that executes this process sends a command to the command unit). Equivalent to).

  When the fixed sentence C is received, the incoming mail server 2 sets the forwarding address to FIG. 1 is added to the transfer destination checklist 5 shown in FIG. However, in this case, the forwarding address is set to a waiting state for confirmation, and the received mail is not actually forwarded to that address.

  When the user receives the test mail at the in-house electronic mail address and the forwarding address, the user transmits a response to each test mail according to the procedure in the explanation display field 16. When the mail server receives the two responses and the validity of the responses is confirmed, the received mail server 2 sets the forwarding address that has been set to wait for confirmation in the forwarding destination checklist 5 to the forwarding-permitted state. To do. As a result, the forwarding address becomes valid, and the received mail is forwarded to the forwarding address.

<Data structure>
FIG. 5 shows an example of a test mail transmitted from the web server 1 to an external forwarding address zzz@xxx.com. This test mail has a title and a text.

In the test mail, the title is set to mail test, for example. In the body, a keyword 2 including a random number and a forwarding address expiration date 20010320 (March 20, 2001) are described.

  An e-mail having the same content as the test e-mail is also sent to a normal in-house e-mail address (an e-mail address designated in the in-house e-mail address designation field 12A of FIG. 4).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a fixed phrase C transmitted from the web server 1 to the reception address fwcheck@ff.co.jp of the received mail server 2. This email is called a transfer permission request email. The transfer permission request mail has a title, a sender, and a text.

The subject is set to forward check in the forward permission request mail. The sender's e-mail address of the user who uses the transfer function is described in the sender. In the text, for example, a character string “forward check list”, an email address of a user who uses the forwarding function, an email address of the forwarding destination, a keyword 2 composed of random numbers, a forwarding destination address expiration date, and a reply valid The deadline is described.

  Here, the transfer destination address expiration date is the expiration date of the transfer destination address set by the user within a predetermined allowable range. On the other hand, the reply valid period is a reply valid period set by the system parameter in the web server 1. If the user replies to the test mail after this reply expiration date, forwarding is not permitted.

FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example of a response mail that the user transmits from the electronic mail address user@ff.co.jp to the response reception address forward-append@ff.co.jp of the received mail server 2.

When the user receives a test mail at a normal in-house e-mail address (an e-mail address specified in the in-house e-mail address specification field 12A of FIG. 4) and a forwarding address, a response mail to the test e-mail is received by the receiving mail server. Send to 2 reception address forward-append@ff.co.jp. FIG. 7 shows an example of a response that the user transmits from a normal in-house e-mail address.

This response mail has a title, text, name, affiliation, transfer destination, transfer reason, keyword 1, keyword 2, and expiration date. The structure of such a response mail is the web server 1
Specified on the procedure screen (FIG. 4) for setting up forwarding outside the company.

In this response mail, the title is set to forward-append@ff.co.jp. In the text, "Please allow transfer settings." The name and affiliation are the name and department of the user who registered the forwarding address. The transfer destination is an external transfer destination mail address to which the received mail is transferred.

  The keyword 1 is specified on the procedure screen (FIG. 4) of the transfer setting to the outside provided by the web server 1. The keyword 2 is specified in the text of the test mail transmitted from the web server 1 to the forwarding address. The transfer destination address expiration date is an expiration date for which transfer of electronic mail is permitted.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of data in the transfer check list 5 that the received mail server 2 has. This transfer check list 5 is set for each user who receives the service of the received mail server 2. In the transfer checklist 5, the user name is specified on the first line. In addition, transfer destination designation is listed below the second row.

  Each transfer destination designation line includes a transfer destination address, a status, a keyword 2 and a transfer expiration date. In each line, the characters after the “#” character are comments. Among these, the state defines the use state of each transfer destination address.

  For example, when the status is OK, it indicates that an e-mail transfer service to the transfer destination address is being performed.

  When the status is WT, the received mail server 2 receives the transfer permission request mail from the web server 1, and indicates that the transfer destination address is being confirmed by the test mail. Alternatively, when the status is WT, the expiration date of the forwarding address has passed, and the forwarding address may be being confirmed by a test mail.

  In the case of NG, this indicates that the transfer destination address cannot be used. This is a transfer destination address designated by the user to stop using a user interface (not shown). As described above, the user can select and use a desired one of the plurality of transfer destination addresses registered in the transfer check list 5 and stop others.

For example, FIG. In the second line of the transfer check list 5 shown in FIG. 8, the transfer destination address xxx@nif.com is designated and the state is OK. Therefore, the e-mail currently delivered to user is forwarded to xxx@nif.com. The expiration date of this forwarding address is set on February 28, 2001.

In the third line, the transfer destination address yyy@ppp.com is designated and the state is NG. Therefore, currently received electronic mail is not forwarded to this forwarding address.

In the fourth line, the forwarding address zzz@xxx.com is specified and the status is WT, that is,
Waiting for confirmation. Therefore, when a response mail to the test mail corresponding to this forwarding address is normally received, this forwarding address is used.

<Action and effect>
FIG. 9 shows a procedure for setting a forwarding address in the electronic mail management system. Now, according to the user operation, the web page of the web server 1 is displayed on the user terminal 3.

  The user terminal 3 receives input of the user's name, e-mail address, forwarding address, etc. on this web page. This input is transmitted to the web server 1 via the LAN (arrow 101).

  If the forwarding address is within the permitted range, the web server 1 immediately sends a setting file describing the forwarding address to the incoming mail server 2. Here, the setting file is a file that describes the name of the user who requested the transfer setting, the transfer destination address, and the transfer destination address expiration date.

  On the other hand, if the forwarding address is out of the permitted range, the web server 1 transmits a test mail A in which the keyword 2 is specified as the forwarding address. Further, the web server 1 transmits a test mail B in which the keyword 2 is designated as a normal received mail address (forwarding mail address). Further, the web server 1 embeds the forwarding destination information of the user in the format of the fixed phrase C and forwards it to the received mail server 2 (arrow 102).

  This fixed sentence C includes the user's normal use mail address, transfer destination address, keyword 2, transfer destination address expiration date, and reply expiration date. The received mail server 2 stores the transfer destination information of the user in the temporary file 7.

  Then, the test mail A transmitted above is received by the user terminal 3 from the forwarding mail address (arrow 103). Further, the test mail B is received by the user terminal 3 from a normal received mail address (arrow 104). Note that the terminals receiving the test mails A and B may not be the same terminal.

  The user terminal 3 displays a reply procedure for the web page and a reply example sentence D (arrow 105), and the user refers to the reply procedure and the reply example sentence D. Further, in this reply procedure, keyword 1 is specified (see FIG. 4). The user creates a reply mail X for the test mail A by adding the name, affiliation, keyword 1 and the like to the contents of the received test mail A with reference to the reply example sentence D. Further, the user adds a name, affiliation, keyword 1 and the like to the content of the received test mail B with reference to the reply example sentence D, and creates a reply mail Y for the test mail B.

  Then, the user transmits the reply mail X and reply mail Y to the received mail server 2 with the titles specified in the standard text from the normal mail address (transfer source address) and the transfer destination address (arrow 106).

  The received mail server 2 confirms whether the reply mails X and Y are received within the reply valid period. When the reply mails X and Y are received within the reply validity period, the received mail server 2 confirms whether or not the keyword 1 is included in the reply mails X and Y. The keyword 1 is information set as a constant in the web server 1 and the incoming mail server 2.

  If the keyword 1 is included in these reply mails, the received mail server 2 can confirm that the reply mails are in accordance with the procedure for setting forwarding outside the company (FIG. 4). Therefore, next, the received mail server 2 collates the reply mails X and Y with the fixed phrase C.

  If both the reply mail X (including keyword 2) and Y (including keyword 2) match the contents of the fixed phrase C (including keyword 2), the received mail server 2 adds the transfer check list 5 to the transfer check list 5. A transfer destination address is added in an OK state.

  At the same time, the received mail server 2 sets the expiration date of the transfer destination address in the transfer destination check list 5. Then, the received mail server 2 deletes the fixed phrase held in the temporary file 7.

  On the other hand, when the keyword 1 is not included in the reply mail X or Y as described above, it is determined that these reply mails are not valid replies according to the procedure for setting forwarding to outside the company (FIG. 4).

  Further, even if the keyword 1 is included in these reply mails X or Y, if these reply mails X or Y do not match the contents of the fixed phrase C (for example, when the keyword 2 is not included), The received mail server 2 determines that the reply mail is not a valid reply mail.

  In these cases, the incoming mail server 2 does not set a forwarding address in the forwarding destination check list 5. Then, the received mail server 2 deletes the fixed phrase held in the temporary file 7.

  FIG. 10 shows an expiration date confirmation process executed by the received mail server 2. This process is periodically started in the incoming mail server 2 and executes the expiration date management of the forwarding address.

  In this process, first, the received mail server 2 reads the next transfer destination designation line whose status is designated as OK from the transfer check list 5 (S1). Then, the received mail server 2 determines whether or not the transfer expiration date included in the transfer destination designation line is a predetermined date before the expiration (S2).

  If the transfer expiration date is a predetermined date before the expiration date, the received mail server 2 sends a test mail to the transfer destination (S3). Thereafter, the received mail server 2 advances the control to the determination of S6. The response to this test mail is shown in FIG. Processing is performed in the same procedure as described in 9.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that it is not before the predetermined expiration date, the received mail server 2 determines whether or not it has expired based on whether or not the transfer expiration date has passed the current date (S4). When the expiration date has expired, the received mail server 2 deletes the forwarding destination designation line from the forwarding check list 5.

  Thereby, the received mail server 2 stops the transfer service for the transfer destination address (S5). Thereafter, the received mail server 2 advances the control to the determination of S6. If the expiration date is not expired in the determination in S4, the received mail server 2 skips the forwarding destination designation line and advances the control to the determination in S6.

  Next, the received mail server 2 determines whether or not there is a next transfer destination designation line in the transfer check list 5 (S6). If there is a next transfer destination designation line, the received mail server 2 returns the control to S1. On the other hand, if there is no next transfer destination designation line, the received mail server 2 ends the process.

  As described above, in this electronic mail management system, the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed in the electronic mail transfer function in the received mail server 2. That is, when a test mail is transmitted to the forwarding address and a valid reply mail is returned to the receiving mail server 2 for the test mail, the forwarding address becomes valid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an incorrect forwarding destination from being set by processing of the received mail server 2.

  Further, the received mail server 2 confirms not only a response from the forwarding address for the test mail but also a response to the test mail from a normally used mail address as a validity condition. Therefore, it is possible to respond to the test mail using a pre-managed e-mail address. For this reason, an illegal response to the test mail can be prevented.

  Further, the web server 1 of the above embodiment immediately receives the incoming mail server 2 if the forwarding address requested to be forwarded on the web page is within a predetermined range, for example, the address range of a company or an affiliated company. To register. On the other hand, a test mail is sent to the forwarding address outside the company. For this reason, the forwarding address within the company can be quickly registered. On the other hand, it is possible to strictly check the forwarding destination of e-mail outside the company.

  The received mail server 2 has a transfer destination address expiration date in each transfer destination designation line of the transfer check list 5. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the e-mail from being transferred to the transfer destination address indefinitely. Further, the validity or invalidity of the transfer can be freely set within such a time limit.

  In the present embodiment, a response procedure for the test mail is provided from the web server 1 on the intranet. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an external third party from responding to the test mail by impersonation.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the test mail A is transmitted to the transfer destination address, and the test mail B is transmitted to the normally used transfer source mail address. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and procedure. For example, it is not necessary to send the test mail A to the forwarding address and send the test mail B to the usual forwarding mail address. That is, the validity of the transfer destination address may be confirmed only by a test mail addressed to the transfer destination address.

  In the above embodiment, the web server 1 that provides a web page that receives an application for a forwarding address has transmitted a test mail to the forwarding address 2. In addition, the web server 1 transmits a fixed phrase C for requesting transfer permission to the incoming mail server 2. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and procedure.

For example, the web server 1 may request another communication device to send a test mail. Further, the web server 1 may send a fixed sentence C for requesting transfer permission to the received mail server 2 and may request the received mail server 2 to send a test mail (in this case, the received mail server 2 communicates). Corresponds to the device). At this time, the communication between the web server 1 and the incoming mail server 2 may be performed by e-mail, or other file transfer functions such as ftp (file transfer protocol), files by nfs (network file system), etc. A sharing function may be used.

  In that case, FIG. In the configuration of 1, the incoming mail server 2 and the outgoing mail server 4 may operate on the same host. Further, the web server 1 and the received mail server 2 may operate on the same host. In that case, the received mail server 2 may perform reception of a transfer setting request, transmission of a test mail, confirmation of a response to the test mail, registration of a transfer destination address after confirmation of the response, and the like.

Conversely, different server devices may be assigned to receive transfer setting requests, send test mails, confirm responses to test mails, register transfer destination addresses after confirming responses, and the like. Communication between the servers in this case is the above-mentioned e-mail, ftp, nfs, or DCOM (Distributed Component Object) provided as a function of Windows, which is a well-known remote procedure call in the unix system, or Microsoft's OS. Model) may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the keyword 1 is fixedly set as a constant value in the web server 1 and the incoming mail server 2. However, instead of this, the keyword 1 may be delivered from the web server 1 to the received mail server 2. For this purpose, the keyword 1 may be included in the fixed phrase C (FIG. 6) transmitted from the web server 1 to the received mail server 2.

<< Second Embodiment >>
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, an example of an e-mail management system in which a web page for setting a transfer destination address is provided in the web server 1 and allows a user to set a transfer destination address based on information on the web page. Indicated.

  In the present embodiment, an example of an e-mail management system will be described in which an e-mail is transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the incoming mail server 2 without using such a web server 1 to set a forwarding address. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. In addition, FIG. 1 to FIG. Reference is made to the ten drawings.

<System configuration>
FIG. 11 shows a system configuration diagram of an e-mail management system according to the present embodiment. This system has a user terminal 3 used by a user and a received mail server 2. The user terminal 3 and the received mail server 2 are connected via a LAN. The system is connected to the Internet via an external gateway.

  In the present embodiment, the received mail server 2 has a transfer permission list 6, a temporary file 7, and a transfer setting file 8. In the transfer permission list 6, one or more transfer destination addresses where transfer of electronic mail is permitted in the received mail server 2 are registered.

  In the transfer setting file 8, a transfer destination address for transferring the received electronic mail is registered. The user can register the transfer destination in the transfer setting file 8 by sending an e-mail requesting transfer setting to the reception address (fwset@ff.co.jp) of the received mail server 2.

  The temporary file 7 temporarily holds the contents of the e-mail requesting the transfer setting from such a user. When the transfer destination requested by the user for transfer setting is permitted in the transfer permission list 6, the transfer destination is moved from the temporary file 7 to the transfer setting file 8.

  On the other hand, when the transfer destination requested by the user for transfer setting is not registered in the transfer permission list 6, the received mail server 2 sends a test mail to the transfer destination in the same procedure as the web server 1 of the first embodiment. Send.

  Then, when the response to the test mail is confirmed in the same procedure as in the first embodiment, the forwarding address is added to the forwarding permission list 6 and further registered in the forwarding setting file 8. . The transfer setting request is held in the temporary file 7 until the response to the test mail is confirmed.

<Data structure>
FIG. 12 is an example of an e-mail transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the received mail server 2 when a transfer setting request is made. A user who wishes to transfer the received e-mail receives the FIG. Address to the reception address of the receiving mail server 2 (fwset@ff.co.jp in FIG. 12). The e-mail shown in FIG.

FIG. In the 12 e-mails, the title “forward-set” indicates that this e-mail is a forwarding setting request. In addition, “set forward list” described in the first line of the text indicates that forwarding destination addresses are listed below that line. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a title or description of the text itself.

In addition, FIG. In 12 e-mails, aaa@ff.co.jp is a forwarding address. In addition, FIG. The last line \ user of 12 is a designation for registering the transfer source address itself as the transfer destination.

  FIG. FIG. 13 shows an example of the transfer permission list 6. The transfer permission list 6 is created for each user. In the first line of the transfer permission list 6, the name of the user who is the recipient of the electronic mail to be transferred is described.

  The transfer permission list 6 lists the permitted transfer destination addresses and the expiration date of the permission after the description of the user name. For example, *@ff.co.jp is a specification that permits all internal transfers. That is, transfer to all addresses of the domain name ff.co.jp is permitted. FIG. In 13, an indefinite period is set for an in-house address.

In addition, FIG. 13, for example, “bbb@nif.com 20010630” indicates that transfer to the transfer destination address bbb@nif.com is permitted until June 30, 2001. FIG. 14 shows an example of an e-mail transmitted from the received mail server 2 to the user terminal 3 when the transfer setting request is approved and the transfer destination address is registered in the transfer setting file 8. Note that when the transfer setting request is not approved, the received mail server 2 may notify the user terminal 3 accordingly. The CPU of the received mail server 2 that executes such processing corresponds to the notification unit.

This e-mail indicates that the transfer setting request has been approved and the transfer destination has been changed by the title “forward-changed”. This text includes the registration completion date and time of the transfer destination, a message indicating that the transfer destination has been changed, and the setting contents of the transfer setting file 8 of the user after the change.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of an e-mail sent by the user in order to obtain the setting contents of the current transfer setting file 8. FIG. When the e-mail shown in FIG. 15 is transmitted to the received mail server 2, the received mail server 2 returns the setting of the transfer setting file 8 for the user.

In this e-mail, the title is “forward-get”, which indicates that the request is a reply to the setting contents of the transfer setting file 8. In addition, “get-forward-list” in the text indicates that this e-mail is a reply request for the setting contents of the transfer setting file 8. The target user is specified next to the “get-forward-list” line.

<Action and effect>
FIG. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the transfer setting process executed by the received mail server 2.
This process is started when an e-mail addressed to the reception address of the received mail server 2 (fwset@ff.co.jp in FIG. 11) is received. In this process, the received mail server 2 first reads the transfer setting request e-mail (S11).

  Next, the contents of the e-mail are stored in the temporary file 7 (S12). Next, the received mail server 2 executes a transfer permission list confirmation process (S13).

  FIG. 17 shows details of the transfer permission list confirmation process. In this process, the received mail server 2 first reads the next transfer destination from the temporary file 7 (S21). Next, the received mail server 2 confirms the transfer permission list 6 (S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer destination address is included in the transfer permission list 6 (S23).

  If the transfer destination is included in the transfer permission list 6, the received mail server 2 moves the transfer destination from the temporary file 7 to the transfer setting file 8 (S24). Thereafter, the received mail server 2 advances the control to the process of S26.

  On the other hand, if the transfer destination is not included in the transfer permission list 6, the received mail server 2 transmits a test mail to the transfer destination (S25). When the response to the test mail is confirmed, the transfer destination is registered in the transfer permission list 6 and further set in the transfer setting file 8. Since the procedure for confirming the response to the test mail is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the received mail server 2 determines whether or not the temporary file 7 has the next transfer destination (S26). If the next transfer destination remains in the temporary file 7, the received mail server 2 returns the control to S21. On the other hand, if the next transfer destination does not remain in the temporary file 7, the received mail server 2 transmits a change notification mail to the user (S27). Thereafter, the CPU 2 ends the process.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, unlike the case of the first embodiment, transfer settings can be managed only by sending and receiving e-mails without using the web server 1.

<Computer-readable recording medium>
The program executed in the web server 1 or the incoming mail server 2 in the above embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, by causing the computer to read and execute the program of the recording medium, the computer can function as the web server 1 or the incoming mail server 2 described in the above embodiment.

  Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium in which information such as data and programs is accumulated by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read from a computer. Examples of such a recording medium that can be removed from the computer include a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R / W, a DVD, a DAT, an 8 mm tape, and a memory card.

  Further, there are a hard disk, a ROM (read only memory), and the like as a recording medium fixed to the computer.

<< Data communication signal embodied in carrier wave >>
The program can be stored in a hard disk or memory of a computer and distributed to other computers through a communication medium. In this case, the program is transmitted through a communication medium as a data communication signal embodied by a carrier wave. And the computer which received the distribution can be functioned as the web server 1 or the received mail server 2 shown in the said embodiment.

  Here, as a communication medium, a wired communication medium, for example, a metal cable including a coaxial cable and a twisted pair cable, an optical communication cable, or a wireless communication medium, for example, satellite communication, terrestrial wireless communication, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, etc. Either is acceptable.

  The carrier wave is an electromagnetic wave or light for modulating the data communication signal. However, the carrier wave may be a DC signal. In this case, the data communication signal has a baseband waveform without a carrier wave. Therefore, the data communication signal embodied in the carrier wave may be either a modulated broadband signal or an unmodulated baseband signal (corresponding to a case where a DC signal having a voltage of 0 is used as a carrier wave).

  The present invention can be used in industries related to manufacture / sales of information equipment, development of programs related to information equipment, system integration including information equipment, and provision of services using information equipment.

Claims (104)

An e-mail management device that manages e-mail forwarding destinations.
A receiving unit that receives a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
A confirmation unit for confirming the validity of the forwarding address;
E-mail management device with A transmission unit for transmitting a test mail to the forwarding address;
A receiving unit for receiving a response to the test mail;
The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit instructs the transmission unit to transmit a test mail and confirms a response via the reception unit. A communication unit that communicates with a transmission device that transmits a test mail to the transfer destination and a reception device that receives a response to the test mail;
The electronic mail management device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit instructs the transmission device to transmit a test mail via the communication unit, and confirms a response received by the reception device via the communication unit. A transfer destination registration unit for registering the transfer destination address when the confirmation is successful;
A transfer control unit for transferring e-mail;
The e-mail according to claim 1, wherein the transfer control unit transfers an e-mail received at the reception address to the transfer destination address when a transfer destination address for the reception address is registered in the transfer destination registration unit. Management device. Further comprising a communication unit that communicates with such a mail server, registers a forwarding address for the receiving address of the email, and forwards the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address;
The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the confirmation is successful, the confirmation unit instructs the mail server to register a transfer destination address for the reception address via the communication unit. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether the response is transmitted from the reception address. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit instructs transmission of each test mail to the reception address and the forwarding address, and confirms responses to the two test mails. The transfer destination registration unit unconditionally registers a transfer destination address setting request within a predetermined range, and checks the transfer unit address setting request outside the predetermined range by the checking unit. The e-mail management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transfer destination address that succeeded is registered. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies that transfer to the transfer destination address cannot be permitted when the confirmation is not successful. The confirmation unit confirms the validity of the registered forwarding address after a predetermined period from the registration,
5. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transfer control unit stops transfer to the transfer destination address after the elapse of the period until the confirmation is successful. The communication unit receives a request for confirming a registered forwarding address from the mail server,
The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the confirmation unit confirms validity of the forwarding address. An information providing unit for disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users;
The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether or not the response follows the response procedure. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether the response includes a predetermined data string. An email management device that cooperates with such a mail server, registers a forwarding address for the receiving address of the email, and forwards the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address;
A receiving unit that receives a request for setting a forwarding address for an email receiving address;
A command unit for commanding the validity of the transfer destination address;
E-mail management device with A transmission unit for transmitting a test mail to the forwarding destination;
The command unit instructs the transmission unit to transmit a test mail to the forwarding address, and confirms the validity of the forwarding address by a response from the received address to the mail server with respect to the test mail. 14. The electronic mail management device according to 14. A communication unit that communicates with a transmission device that transmits a test mail to the transfer destination;
The command unit commands the transmission device to transmit a test mail to the transfer destination address via the communication unit, and the transfer destination address is determined by a response from the received address to the mail server to the test mail. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein validity is confirmed. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the transmission apparatus is the mail server. 15. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the command unit instructs each test mail to be transmitted to the reception address and the forwarding address, and causes the mail server to confirm the validity of a response to two test mails. The communication unit receives a request for confirming a registered forwarding address from the mail server,
The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the command unit commands confirmation of validity of the forwarding address. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising an information disclosure unit that discloses a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives the setting request by receiving an electronic mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. The electronic mail management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the reception unit receives the setting request by receiving an electronic mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. It is a mail server that cooperates with such an e-mail management device that accepts a setting request for a forwarding address for an e-mail receiving address,
A confirmation unit for confirming the validity of the forwarding address;
A forwarding address registration unit for registering a forwarding address for an email reception address;
With
The forwarding destination registration unit is a mail server that registers the confirmed forwarding address. A receiving unit for receiving a response to the test mail transmitted to the forwarding destination;
24. The mail server according to claim 23, wherein the confirmation unit confirms validity of the forwarding address based on the response. The mail server according to claim 23, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. The mail server according to claim 23, wherein the confirmation unit confirms whether the response includes a predetermined data string. A way to manage email forwarding destinations,
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
To manage email forwarding destinations. Sending a test mail to the forwarding address;
Receiving a response to the test mail,
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein in the checking step, the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by a received response. Instructing a transmitting device for transmitting an e-mail to transmit a test mail to the forwarding address;
Communicating with the receiving device that has received the response to the test mail;
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein in the checking step, validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by a response received by the receiving device. Registering the forwarding address for the received address when the confirmation is successful;
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, further comprising a step of forwarding an e-mail received at the receiving address to the forwarding address when a forwarding address for the receiving address is registered. . Registering a forwarding address for the receiving address of the e-mail, and further forwarding the e-mail received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, instructing such a mail server;
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein registration of the forwarding address is instructed to the mail server when the confirmation is successful. 29. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 28, wherein in the checking step, it is checked whether or not the response is sent from the receiving address. Sending each test mail to the receiving address and the forwarding address,
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein the confirming step includes a step of confirming responses to two test mails. The method further includes a step of unconditionally registering the forwarding address in response to a setting request for the forwarding address within a predetermined range,
31. The method of managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 30, wherein a transfer destination address that has been successfully confirmed is registered in response to a request for setting a transfer destination address outside a predetermined range. 28. The method of managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 27, further comprising a step of notifying that transfer to the transfer destination address cannot be permitted when the confirmation is not successful. Further comprising the step of confirming the validity of the registered forwarding address after a predetermined period of time from the registration;
31. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 30, wherein, in the forwarding step, forwarding to the forwarding address is stopped after the period has elapsed until the confirmation is successful. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
32. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 31, further comprising a step of confirming validity of the registered forwarding address. Further comprising disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users;
28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein in the checking step, it is confirmed whether or not the response follows the response procedure. 28. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 27, wherein in the checking step, it is checked whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string. By registering a forwarding address for the receiving address of the email and transferring the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, by managing the forwarding destination of the email in cooperation with such a mail server Yes,
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Commanding the validity of the forwarding address;
To manage email forwarding destinations. The e-mail transfer according to claim 40, further comprising the step of transmitting a test mail to the transfer destination, wherein the validity of the transfer destination address is confirmed by a response from the received address to the mail server with respect to the test mail. How to manage the destination. In the commanding step, the communication device that sends an e-mail is instructed to send a test mail to the forwarding address, and the validity of the forwarding address is determined by a response from the received address to the mail to the test server. 41. The method for managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 40, wherein the e-mail address is confirmed. 43. The method of managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 42, wherein the transmitting device is the mail server. 41. The electronic mail transfer according to claim 40, wherein in the instructing step, transmission of each test mail to the received address and the forwarding address is instructed, and the validity of a response to two test mails is confirmed by the mail server. How to manage the destination. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
41. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 40, further comprising a step of instructing validity confirmation for the registered forwarding address. 41. The method for managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 40, further comprising: disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users. 28. The method of managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 27, wherein the receiving step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. 41. The method of managing an e-mail transfer destination according to claim 40, wherein the receiving step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. A method for managing a forwarding destination of an email in cooperation with such an email management apparatus that accepts a setting request for a forwarding address for an email receiving address,
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
Registering the forwarding address;
A method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination, comprising: forwarding an e-mail to the forwarding address when a forwarding address for the received e-mail address is registered. Further comprising receiving a response to the test mail sent to the forwarding destination;
50. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 49, wherein in the checking step, the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by the response. 50. The method of managing an email forwarding destination according to claim 49, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. 50. The method of managing an e-mail forwarding destination according to claim 49, wherein in the checking step, it is checked whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string. On the computer,
A program that manages email forwarding destinations.
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program which consists of. Sending a test mail to the forwarding address;
Receiving a response to the test mail,
54. The computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 53 is recorded, wherein the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by the received response in the confirmation step. Instructing a transmitting device for transmitting an e-mail to transmit a test mail to the forwarding address;
Communicating with the receiving device that has received the response to the test mail;
54. The computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 53 is recorded, wherein the validity of the transfer destination address is confirmed by the response received by the receiving device in the confirmation step. Registering the forwarding address for the received address when the confirmation is successful;
54. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 53, further comprising a step of transferring an e-mail received at the reception address to the transfer destination address when a transfer destination address for the reception address is registered. recoding media. Registering a forwarding address for the receiving address of the e-mail, and further forwarding the e-mail received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, instructing such a mail server;
54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, wherein, when the confirmation is successful, registration of the forwarding address is instructed to the mail server. 55. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 54, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. Sending each test mail to the receiving address and the forwarding address,
54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, wherein the step of confirming comprises confirming responses to two test mails. The method further includes a step of unconditionally registering the forwarding address in response to a setting request for the forwarding address within a predetermined range,
57. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 56, wherein a transfer destination address that has been successfully confirmed is registered in response to a transfer destination address setting request outside a predetermined range. 54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, further comprising a step of notifying that transfer to the transfer destination address cannot be permitted when the confirmation is not successful. Further comprising the step of confirming the validity of the registered forwarding address after a predetermined period of time from the registration;
57. The computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 56, wherein, in the transferring step, the transfer to the transfer destination address is stopped after the elapse of the period until the confirmation is successful. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
58. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 57, further comprising a step of confirming validity of the registered transfer destination address. Further comprising disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users;
54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response follows the response procedure. 54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string. On the computer,
A program that registers the forwarding address for an email receiving address and forwards the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, and manages the forwarding destination of the email in cooperation with such a mail server. Yes,
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Commanding the validity of the forwarding address;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program which consists of. The program according to claim 66, further comprising a step of transmitting a test mail to the forwarding destination, wherein the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by a response from the received address to the mail server with respect to the test mail. Computer-readable recording medium. In the commanding step, the communication device that sends an e-mail is instructed to send a test mail to the forwarding address, and the validity of the forwarding address is determined by a response from the received address to the mail to the test server. 68. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 66 is recorded. 69. The computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 68 is recorded, wherein the transmission device is the mail server. 67. The program according to claim 66, wherein in said commanding step, transmission of each test mail to said receiving address and forwarding address is commanded, and said mail server confirms the validity of a response to two test mails. Computer-readable recording medium. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
67. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 66, further comprising a step of instructing the confirmation of the validity of the registered transfer destination address. The computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 66, further comprising the step of disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users. 54. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 53, wherein the accepting step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. 68. The computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 66, wherein the accepting step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. On the computer,
A program that accepts a setting request for a forwarding address for an email receiving address, manages the forwarding address of an email in cooperation with such an email management apparatus,
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
Registering the forwarding address;
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program having a step of transferring an e-mail to the transfer destination address when a transfer address for the received e-mail address is registered. Further comprising receiving a response to the test mail sent to the forwarding destination;
76. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 75, wherein in the checking step, the validity of the transfer destination address is confirmed by the response. 76. The computer-readable recording medium storing a program according to claim 75, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. 76. The computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 75, wherein in the checking step, it is confirmed whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string. On the computer,
A program that manages email forwarding destinations.
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
A program consisting of Sending a test mail to the forwarding address;
Receiving a response to the test mail,
80. The program according to claim 79, wherein, in the step of confirming, validity of the transfer destination address is confirmed based on a received response. Instructing a transmitting device for transmitting an e-mail to transmit a test mail to the forwarding address;
Communicating with the receiving device that has received the response to the test mail;
80. The program according to claim 79, wherein in the checking step, the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by a response received by the receiving device. Registering the forwarding address for the received address when the confirmation is successful;
80. The program according to claim 79, further comprising a step of transferring an e-mail received at the reception address to the transfer destination address when a transfer destination address for the reception address is registered. Registering a forwarding address for the receiving address of the e-mail, and further forwarding the e-mail received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, instructing such a mail server;
80. The program according to claim 79, wherein registration of the forwarding address is instructed to the mail server when the confirmation is successful. The program according to claim 80, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. Sending each test mail to the receiving address and the forwarding address,
The program according to claim 79, wherein the confirming step includes a step of confirming responses to two test mails. The method further includes a step of unconditionally registering the forwarding address in response to a setting request for the forwarding address within a predetermined range,
83. The program according to claim 82, wherein a transfer destination address that has been successfully confirmed is registered in response to a transfer destination address setting request that is outside a predetermined range. 80. The program according to claim 79, further comprising a step of notifying that transfer to the transfer destination address cannot be permitted when the confirmation is not successful. Further comprising the step of confirming the validity of the registered forwarding address after a predetermined period of time from the registration;
83. The program according to claim 82, wherein, in the transferring step, after the elapse of the period, transfer to the transfer destination address is stopped until the confirmation is successful. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
84. The program according to claim 83, further comprising a step of confirming validity of the registered transfer destination address. Further comprising disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users;
80. The program according to claim 79, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response conforms to the response procedure. 80. The program according to claim 79, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string. On the computer,
A program that registers the forwarding address for an email receiving address and forwards the email received at the receiving address to the forwarding address, and manages the forwarding destination of the email in cooperation with such a mail server. Yes,
Receiving a forwarding address setting request for an email receiving address;
Commanding the validity of the forwarding address;
A program consisting of The program according to claim 92, further comprising a step of transmitting a test mail to the forwarding destination, wherein the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by a response from the received address to the mail server to the test mail. In the commanding step, the communication device that sends an e-mail is instructed to send a test mail to the forwarding address, and the validity of the forwarding address is determined by a response from the received address to the mail to the test server. 94. The program of claim 92, wherein: 95. The program according to claim 94, wherein the transmission device is the mail server. 95. The program according to claim 92, wherein in the commanding step, transmission of each test mail to the reception address and the forwarding address is commanded, and the validity of a response to two test mails is confirmed by the mail server. Receiving a request to confirm a registered forwarding address from the mail server;
95. The program according to claim 92, further comprising a step of commanding confirmation of validity with respect to the registered transfer destination address. 95. The program according to claim 92, further comprising disclosing a response procedure for the test mail to a predetermined range of users. 80. The program according to claim 79, wherein the accepting step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. 93. The program according to claim 92, wherein the receiving step includes a step of receiving an e-mail in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. On the computer,
A program that accepts a setting request for a forwarding address for an email receiving address, manages the forwarding address of an email in cooperation with such an email management apparatus,
Checking the validity of the forwarding address;
Registering the forwarding address;
And a step of transferring the electronic mail to the forwarding address when the forwarding address for the received electronic mail address is registered. Further comprising receiving a response to the test mail sent to the forwarding destination;
102. The program according to claim 101, wherein in the checking step, the validity of the forwarding address is confirmed by the response. 102. The program according to claim 101, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response is transmitted from the reception address. 102. The program according to claim 101, wherein in the step of confirming, it is confirmed whether or not the response includes a predetermined data string.

Images