JP2012015662A - Electronic mail service system, electronic mail service device, and distribution permission confirmation method for use with the system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic mail service system capable of confirming mail delivery permission at a designated time with respect to the destination of delivery.SOLUTION: An electronic mail service system allows an electronic mail service device 3 to deliver an electronic mail transmitted from a source user terminal 1 to a destination user terminal 2. The electronic mail service device 3 has a valuable mail management function 31 which includes: means for determining whether or not delivery confirmation conditions including the delivery time of the electronic mail is imparted to the electronic mail from the source user terminal 1; means for confirming delivery to the destination user terminal 2 based on the delivery confirmation conditions when it is determined that the delivery confirmation conditions are imparted; and means for notifying the source user terminal 1 of a result of delivery confirmation.

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail service system, an e-mail service apparatus, and a delivery permission confirmation method used therefor, and more particularly to a delivery permission confirmation method in an e-mail service.

  The electronic mail service related to the present invention has a function of presetting reception refusal of received mail at the receiving client, but does not have a function of deciding the reception for each received mail and allowing the reception refusal or reception.

  In addition, when the mail sender wants to know what the outgoing e-mail he or she wants to deliver to the destination, there is no way other than the destination party to open the e-mail and get in touch. Regarding the opening notification of the e-mail, there are techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-320319 JP 2001-056788 A

  In the above-described e-mail service related to the present invention, an e-mail to be received may not be received due to reception refusal in order to restrict the received mail with a prior reception refusal condition.

  In addition, in the e-mail service related to the present invention, a large amount of e-mails are received in order not to reject the reception, and it takes a lot of time to view the necessary e-mails. You may miss it.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an e-mail service system, an e-mail service apparatus, and a delivery permission confirmation method used therefor, which can solve the above-mentioned problems and can confirm mail delivery permission at a specified time for a delivery destination. It is to provide.

An electronic mail service system according to the present invention is an electronic mail service system that distributes an electronic mail transmitted from a distribution source terminal to a distribution destination terminal using an electronic mail service device,
The electronic mail service device has means for determining whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the electronic mail is given to the electronic mail from the delivery source terminal, and the delivery confirmation condition is given. When it is determined, it comprises means for confirming delivery to the delivery destination terminal according to the delivery confirmation conditions, and means for notifying the delivery source terminal of the result of the delivery confirmation.

An electronic mail service apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic mail service apparatus that distributes an electronic mail transmitted from a distribution source terminal to a distribution destination terminal,
Means for determining whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the e-mail is given to the e-mail from the delivery source terminal, and delivery when it is judged that the delivery confirmation condition is given Means for confirming delivery to the delivery destination terminal according to a confirmation condition; and means for notifying the delivery source terminal of the result of the delivery confirmation.

The delivery permission confirmation method according to the present invention is a delivery permission confirmation method used in an email service system for delivering an email transmitted from a delivery source terminal to a delivery destination terminal by an email service device,
When the electronic mail service device determines whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the electronic mail is given to the electronic mail from the delivery source terminal, and the delivery confirmation condition is given When it is determined, a process of performing distribution confirmation to the distribution destination terminal according to the distribution confirmation condition and a process of notifying the distribution source terminal of the result of the distribution confirmation are executed.

  By adopting the above-described configuration and operation, the present invention can obtain an effect that mail delivery permission confirmation can be performed at a designated time for a delivery destination.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic mail service system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the user terminal by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic mail service apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example which attached the valuables tag to the header of the email in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of information of the valuable tag used for embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of information of the delivery permission confirmation mail in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of information of the delivery permission confirmation result notification mail in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of information of the delivery change instruction | indication mail in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of information of the delivery result notification mail in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the valuable electronic mail delivery management table | surface used for embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement of the electronic mail service system by embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of an electronic mail service system according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic mail service system according to the present invention. 1, the e-mail service system according to the present invention is configured by interconnecting user terminals 1 and 2 and an e-mail service (device) 3 via a network 100. The e-mail service 3 has a valuable mail management function. (Valuables mail schedule management, delivery permission confirmation mail creation, delivery permission confirmation result notification mail creation) 31 is provided.

  In the present invention, an e-mail distributor (user terminal 1) attaches a delivery confirmation condition to the delivery destination to the delivery mail, and sends the delivery mail with the delivery confirmation condition to the e-mail service 3. In the electronic mail service 3, the valuable mail management function 31 confirms the distribution to the mail recipient (user terminal 2) of the distribution destination according to the specified distribution confirmation condition, and the result of the distribution confirmation is sent to the e-mail distributor (user Notify terminal 1). The e-mail distributor (user terminal 1) can change the distribution conditions based on the distribution confirmation notification.

  As described above, in the present invention, when an e-mail distributor attaches a delivery confirmation condition to an e-mail as a valuable tag and makes a delivery request to the e-mail service, the e-mail service is operated under the conditions specified by the valuable tag. Confirm delivery permission to the delivery destination. In the present invention, the delivery permission condition acquired from the delivery destination by the electronic mail service is notified to the delivery source as a delivery confirmation result.

  Further, in the present invention, the e-mail service accepts the distribution condition change operation from the distribution source, changes the distribution condition of the distribution source, and distributes the e-mail from the distribution source to the distribution destination when the distribution confirmation condition is satisfied. ing.

  As a result, in the present invention, it becomes possible to prepare for receiving e-mails at the delivery destination, and important e-mails can be reliably received. Can do.

  Further, according to the present invention, distribution is possible at an agreed time between the distribution source and the distribution destination, and it is possible to eliminate the worry about the status of the distribution mail. Changes can be made.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the user terminals 1 and 2 shown in FIG. The configuration of the electronic mail service system according to the embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the electronic mail service system according to the present invention shown in FIG.

  The user terminals 1 and 2 are information processing terminals such as personal computers and have a mail client function 11 that communicates with the electronic mail service 3.

  The mail client function 11 includes an e-mail creating function 111 that creates an e-mail, an e-mail distribution request function 112 that makes an e-mail distribution request to the e-mail service 3, and an e-mail that retrieves e-mail from the e-mail service 3. A mail retrieval function 113, a mail distribution permission confirmation response function 114 that responds to a mail distribution permission confirmation, and a communication function 115 with an electronic mail service are provided.

  In addition, the mail client function 11 locks the screen by POP up or the like when receiving the delivery permission confirmation mail, and the screen lock function 116 prevents the work related to other mails from being performed unless the response work to the delivery permission confirmation mail is performed. It has. In the present embodiment, when the distribution permission confirmation mail is received by the screen lock function 116, it is executed with the highest priority.

  Further, the mail client function 11 includes a valuable tag creation / attachment function 117 for creating and attaching a valuable tag to a delivery mail.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic mail service according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the electronic mail service 3 shown in FIG.

  The e-mail service 3 includes a valuable mail management function (valuable mail schedule management, delivery permission confirmation mail creation, delivery permission confirmation result notification mail creation) 31, a mail management function 32 other than valuable mail, and a delivery mail management function 33. And a delivery mail notification function 34 and an e-mail reception function 35.

  In addition, the e-mail service 3 performs priority processing in the order of a communication function 36 with a mail client, a communication function 37 with another e-mail service, and “delivery permission confirmation mail”, “valuable mail”, and “other mail”. And a priority processing function 38.

  Further, the electronic mail service 3 includes a storage unit 39 for storing various programs and data. The storage unit 39 includes a valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 and an electronic mail post 392.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example in which a valuable tag is attached to the header of an e-mail in the embodiment of the present invention. 4, the e-mail header includes a transmission destination (to: aaa@yyy.ne.jp), a title (subject: [valuable article] adoption test result notification), and a transmission source (from: bbb@xxx.ne.jp). jp), data: tsu23 Mar 2010 20: 10: 33 + 0900, Message-Id: <2013033145320>, and Content-Type: multipart / mixed: a valuables tag (valuesMail-information).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of valuable tag information used in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, as an example of valuable tag information, email type: valuable email, delivery schedule and time: year / month / day hour / minute / second, delivery confirmation condition: ・ Not specified (delivery desired date Delivery time on the previous day) ・ Time designation (year / month / day hour / minute) ・ Specify how many hours before delivery time (2 hours / 1 hour / 30 minutes / 10 minutes) ・ Number of confirmation retries (n), delivery confirmation result Conditions ・ Notification request (Yes / No), Valuable mail delivery result condition ・ Delivery result notice (required).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information of the delivery permission confirmation mail in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, as information examples of the delivery permission confirmation mail, “to: bbb@xxx.ne.jp, subject: [important: delivery permission confirmation], from: mailservice@xxx.ne.jp, data: tsu23 Mar 2010 20: 10: 33 + 0900, Message-Id: <2013033145320>, Content-Type: multipart / mixed: variablesMail-information, and the text “mailservice@xxx.ne.j. Is scheduled to be delivered at 14:00 on April 4th, 2010. Please select and reply from the following convenience (1) Delivery permission (2) Only take rejection (3) time change after receiving permission YYYY / MM / DD hours: minutes: is constructed from a second ".

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information of the delivery permission confirmation result notification mail in the embodiment of the present invention. 7, information examples of the delivery permission confirmation result notification mail include “to: bbb@xxx.ne.jp, subject: [important: delivery permission confirmation], from: mailservice@xxx.ne.jp, data: tsu23. Mar 2010 20: 10: 33 + 0900, Message-Id: <2013033145320>, Content-Type: multipart / mixed: "values Mail-information" and <notification body> "bbb @ xxx.ne.a @ y. We will inform you of the delivery permission confirmation result of the valuable mail for the delivery request at 13: 00: 2010/4/6 to ne.jp (1) Confirmed delivery permission / (2) Rejected receipt / (3) time Post-change request YYYY / MM / DD hour: minute: second "and <instruction for notification text>" change permission / change prohibition (cancellation of distribution) ".

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information of the distribution change instruction mail according to the embodiment of the present invention. 8, information examples of the distribution change instruction mail include “to: bbb@xxx.ne.jp, subject: [important: distribution change instruction], from: mailservice@xxx.ne.jp, data: tsu23 Mar 2010. 20: 10: 33 + 0900, Message-Id: <2013033145320>, Content-Type: multipart / mixed: “valuesMail-information” and the text “bbb@xxx.ne.jp” to aaa@yy.ne. We will inform you of the delivery permission confirmation result of the valuable request email at 2010/4/6 13:00: (1) Confirm delivery permission / (2) Reject receipt / (3) Request after time change YY Y / MM / DD hours: minutes: the second ", and is configured from the <instruction for the notification text>" change permission / change prohibition (distribution cancel) ".

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information of a delivery result notification mail in the embodiment of the present invention. 9, information examples of the delivery result notification mail include “to: bbb@xxx.ne.jp, subject: [important: delivery result notification], from: mailservice@xxx.ne.jp, data: tsu23 Mar 2010. 20: 10: 33 + 0900, Message-Id: <2013033145320>, Content-Type: multipart / mixed: "valablesMail-information", and <notification body> "bbb@xxx.ne.jp like aaa @ y. We will inform you of the delivery permission confirmation result of the valuable mail for the delivery request to jp 2010/4/6 13: 00. (1) Delivery completed (2) Delivery NG (Factor) " ing

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the valuable electronic mail delivery management table 391 used in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 stores a message ID, a distribution destination address, a transmission source address, a distribution confirmation date and time, a distribution date and time, a remaining number of retries, a situation, and a distribution confirmation result. Here, as an example of the contents of the status, there are distribution permission confirmation / distribution result notification / distribution permission confirmation time waiting / distribution processing time waiting / distribution processing in progress / discarding processing.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the electronic mail service system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the e-mail service system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the distribution source user terminal (mail client) 1 creates an e-mail, attaches the valuable tag information (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to the e-mail, and communicates with the e-mail service as a valuable e-mail. The function 115 requests the electronic mail service 3 to distribute electronic mail (A1 in FIG. 11).

  Next, in the e-mail service 3, the e-mail receiving function 35 confirms the valuable tag (see FIG. 4) of the e-mail received from the distribution source user terminal (mail client) 1, and the valuable e-mail management function 31 (A2 in FIG. 11). When there is no valuable tag (see FIG. 4), the electronic mail receiving function 35 passes the electronic mail to the mail management process 32 other than the valuable mail.

  The valuable mail management function 31 looks at the valuable tag (see FIG. 4) of the received mail, registers it in the valuable electronic mail delivery management table 391 (see FIG. 10), and stores it in the electronic mail post 392 of the valuable electronic mail. Pool (A3 in FIG. 11).

  Also, the valuable mail management function 31 searches the valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 (see FIG. 10), and sends a distribution permission confirmation mail (see FIG. 6) to the valuable mail whose distribution confirmation time is reached. It is created and delivered to the distribution mail management function 33 (A4 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution mail management function 33 registers in the electronic mail post 392 of the corresponding client, and notifies the corresponding distribution destination user terminal (mail client) 2 of “incoming mail” using the communication function 36 with the mail client. In addition, there is a method in which processing of valuable mail is prioritized by preferentially processing when entering the electronic mail post 392 (A5 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution destination user terminal (mail client) 2 sees the incoming mail presence notification, and takes in mail from the electronic mail service 3 using the communication function 115 with the electronic mail service.

  The mail client looks at the valuable tag (see Fig. 4), locks it with valuable mail processing, or preempts the recipient to open the mail with the valuable mail tag. Alternatively, when the opened mail is a reception permission confirmation mail, there is a method in which the mail cannot be moved to another mail processing until it is replied (A6 and A7 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution destination user terminal (mail client) 2 sees the reception permission confirmation mail (see FIG. 8) and returns the distribution conditions (A8 in FIG. 11). The e-mail receiving function 35 of the e-mail service 3 checks the valuable tag (see FIG. 4) of the delivery permission confirmation mail (see FIG. 6) received from the delivery destination user terminal (mail client) 2 and manages the valuable mail. It is passed to the function 31 (A9 in FIG. 11).

  The valuable mail management function 31 searches the valuable electronic mail delivery management table 391 (see FIG. 10) and registers the delivery confirmation result. In addition, the valuable mail management function 31 creates a distribution permission confirmation result notification mail (see FIG. 7) for the valuable mail that needs the distribution permission confirmation result notification and passes it to the distribution mail management function 33 (FIG. 11). A10).

  In the distribution mail management function 33, the distribution permission confirmation result notification mail is registered in the e-mail post 392 of the corresponding client, and the communication function 36 with the mail client is used to notify the corresponding user terminal (mail client) that there is an incoming mail. "(A11 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution source user terminal (mail client) 1 reads the incoming mail from the electronic mail service 3 by using the communication function 115 with the electronic mail service after seeing the incoming mail presence notification (A12, A13 in FIG. 11). When the distribution mail needs to be changed, the valuable mail creator returns a condition with a distribution change instruction mail (see FIG. 8) (A14 in FIG. 11).

  In the electronic mail service 3, the electronic mail receiving function 35 confirms the valuable tag (see FIG. 4) of the distribution change permission mail received from the distribution source user terminal (mail client) 1, and the valuable mail management function 31. (A15 in FIG. 11).

  The valuable mail management function 31 searches the valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 (see FIG. 10) and executes a distribution change process. The valuable mail management function 31 changes the distribution time or deletes the valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 (see FIG. 10) and the electronic mail post 392 (A16 in FIG. 11).

  Further, the valuable mail management function 31 searches the valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 (see FIG. 10), searches for the valuable mail that has reached the distribution time and waits for the distribution time, and passes it to the distribution mail management function 33. (A17 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution mail management function 33 registers the valuable mail in the e-mail post 392 of the corresponding client, and notifies the user terminal (mail client) that there is an incoming mail using the communication function 36 with the mail client. (A18 in FIG. 11).

  The distribution destination user terminal (mail client) 2 sees the incoming mail presence notification, reads the mail from the electronic mail service 3 using the communication function 115 with the electronic mail service, and confirms the contents (A19, A20 in FIG. 11). .

  In the valuable mail management function 31, a delivery result notification mail (see FIG. 9) is created by “delivery completed” after the valuable mail is delivered normally [However, if the distribution mail management function 33 does not receive the mail normally (delivery) During the waiting period, the mail client cancels or the like) creates a distribution result notification mail (see FIG. 7) with “distribution NG” and delivers it to the distribution mail management function 33.

  The valuable mail management function 31 updates the valuable electronic mail distribution management table 391 (see FIG. 10) and deletes the valuable mail from the electronic mail post 392 after notification of the distribution result (A21 in FIG. 11). .

  In the distribution mail management function 33, registration is made in the e-mail post 392 of the corresponding client, and the communication function 36 with the mail client is used to notify the corresponding user terminal (mail client) that there is an incoming mail (A22 in FIG. 11). ).

  The distribution source user terminal (mail client) 1 reads the incoming mail from the electronic mail service 3 by using the communication function 115 with the electronic mail service after seeing the incoming mail presence notification (A23, A24 in FIG. 11). The valuable mail creator confirms the delivery result by viewing the delivery result notification.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prepare for the reception of e-mails at the distribution destination, and important e-mails can be reliably received. be able to.

  Also, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to deliver valuable e-mails at the time agreed between the delivery source and the delivery destination, and it is possible to eliminate the worry about the status of the delivery email. The delivery can be changed to the desired time.

  A part or all of the above embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited to the following description.

[Appendix 1]
A delivery permission confirmation method used in an email service system for delivering an email sent from a delivery source terminal to a delivery destination terminal by an email service device,
When the electronic mail service device determines whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the electronic mail is given to the electronic mail from the delivery source terminal, and the delivery confirmation condition is given A process of performing delivery confirmation to the delivery destination terminal according to the delivery confirmation condition when determined, and a process of notifying the delivery source terminal of a result of the delivery confirmation,
The delivery permission confirmation method, wherein the delivery source terminal assigns the delivery confirmation condition to the electronic mail using tag information.

[Appendix 2]
The delivery permission confirmation method according to appendix 1, wherein the electronic mail service device executes a process of notifying the delivery source terminal of a delivery confirmation result under a delivery permission condition acquired from the delivery destination terminal.

[Appendix 3]
The delivery permission confirmation method according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the electronic mail service device receives a delivery confirmation condition changing operation from the delivery source terminal and executes a process of changing the delivery confirmation condition.

[Appendix 4]
4. The delivery permission confirmation method according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein the electronic mail service device delivers the electronic mail at a designated delivery time when the delivery confirmation condition is satisfied.

  The present invention can be applied to uses such as “recruitment notice”, “reminder”, “birthday celebration”, and “pass notice” when it is desired to deliver important sentences by e-mail at a specified time. The present invention can also be applied to uses such as viewing and approving sentences in time with the other party.

1, 2 User terminal 3 E-mail service (device)
11 Mail Client Function 31 Valuable Mail Management Function 32 Mail Management Function Other than Valuable Mail 33 Delivery Mail Management Function 34 Delivery Mail Notification Function 35 Email Receiving Function 36 Communication Function with Mail Client 37 Communication Function with Other Email Service 38 Priority processing function 39 Storage unit 111 E-mail creation function 112 E-mail delivery request function 113 E-mail retrieval function 114 E-mail delivery permission confirmation response function 115 Communication function with e-mail service 116 Screen lock function 117 Rare tag creation / attachment function 391 Valuables E-mail Delivery Management Table 392 E-mail Post

Claims (10)

An email service system for delivering an email sent from a delivery source terminal to a delivery destination terminal by an email service device,
The electronic mail service device has means for determining whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the electronic mail is given to the electronic mail from the delivery source terminal, and the delivery confirmation condition is given. An e-mail service system comprising means for confirming delivery to the delivery destination terminal according to the delivery confirmation condition when judged, and means for notifying the delivery source terminal of the result of the delivery confirmation.   2. The electronic mail service system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution source terminal assigns the distribution confirmation condition to the electronic mail using tag information.   3. The electronic mail service system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic mail service device includes means for notifying the distribution source terminal of a distribution confirmation result under a distribution permission condition acquired from the distribution destination terminal. .   The electronic mail service device according to claim 1, further comprising means for accepting an operation of changing a delivery confirmation condition from the delivery source terminal and changing the delivery confirmation condition. Mail service system.   The electronic mail service system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electronic mail service device distributes the electronic mail at a specified distribution time when the distribution confirmation condition is satisfied. An e-mail service device that distributes an e-mail transmitted from a distribution source terminal to a distribution destination terminal,
Means for determining whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the e-mail is given to the e-mail from the delivery source terminal, and delivery when it is judged that the delivery confirmation condition is given An electronic mail service apparatus comprising: means for confirming distribution to the distribution destination terminal according to a confirmation condition; and means for notifying the distribution source terminal of a result of the distribution confirmation.   The electronic mail service apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for notifying the distribution source terminal of a distribution confirmation result based on the distribution permission condition acquired from the distribution destination terminal.   8. The electronic mail service apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for accepting an operation for changing a delivery confirmation condition from the delivery source terminal and changing the delivery confirmation condition.   The electronic mail service apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the electronic mail is distributed at a specified distribution time when the distribution confirmation condition is satisfied. A delivery permission confirmation method used in an email service system for delivering an email sent from a delivery source terminal to a delivery destination terminal by an email service device,
When the electronic mail service device determines whether or not a delivery confirmation condition including a delivery time of the electronic mail is given to the electronic mail from the delivery source terminal, and the delivery confirmation condition is given A distribution permission confirmation method, comprising: a process of confirming distribution to the distribution destination terminal according to a distribution confirmation condition when determined, and a process of notifying a result of the distribution confirmation to the distribution source terminal.

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