JP2879547B2 - E-mail system and e-mail processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail system and an electronic mail processing method, and for example, to an electronic mail system and an electronic mail processing method using a hypertext transfer protocol.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, networks such as the Internet have spread worldwide, and information transmission, information retrieval, online shopping, and e-mail using the World Wide Web (WWW) have been realized.
Various applications such as communication by (E-mail) are widely used.

[0003]

A WWW composed of a hypertext file created in a hypertext markup language (HyperText Markup Language: HTML)
It provides multimedia composed of various data such as text, formatted text, images including moving images, and sound, and the multimedia provided from the WWW can be easily reproduced by using a WWW-compatible browser. In addition, hypertext provided by the World Wide Web can embed links to specify resources on the Internet, so users accessing the World Wide Web can:
By simply clicking on, for example, an underlined word displayed by the browser, that is, a word to which a link is set, information on the link destination can be displayed on the browser.

On the other hand, e-mail developed as a means of communication between individuals via a network is based on the exchange of text data. However, with the spread of WWW, which can handle multimedia relatively easily, it has been expected to handle multimedia in electronic mail. In the following, data that can be handled by a computer, such as text, formatted text, images including moving images, sound, and the like, and data created by various application software are collectively referred to as multimedia. Also, an electronic mail compatible with multimedia will be referred to as a multimedia mail.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an e-mail system and an e-mail processing method which can transmit and receive multimedia mail and are easy to operate.

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0007] An electronic mail system according to the present invention displays screen information composed of hypertext, displays input means for inputting information corresponding to the screen information, and displays the information input by the display input means. First generating means for generating screen information in response thereto, second generating means for generating an e-mail composed of hypertext based on information input by the display input means, and e-mail via a network Transfer means for performing transfer using a hypertext transfer protocol, the transfer means transmits the e-mail generated by the second generation means to the network, and transmits the e-mail received from the network. The information is sent to the first generation unit.

[0008] Also, the electronic mail processing method according to the present invention includes a display step of displaying screen information composed of hypertext, and an input step of inputting information corresponding to the screen information displayed in the display step. A first generation step of generating screen information according to the information input in the display input step, and a second generation step of generating an e-mail composed of hypertext based on the information input in the input step Generating step, using a hypertext transfer protocol, transmitting the e-mail generated in the second generating step to a network, receiving the e-mail from the network, and transferring the e-mail, the e-mail received in the transferring step And a third generation step of generating screen information based on the information.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic mail system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[E-mail System Using MIME] Simple Mail Transf, a protocol for transferring e-mail
Multipurpose Int as an e-mail system that conforms to the Internet Protocol (SMTP).
The ernet Mail Extension (MIME) has been proposed. MIME
E-mailing software (hereinafter referred to as "mailer") that adds a header (hereinafter referred to as "MIME header") that indicates the type of data to be included in the e-mail, And attach it to an email using a simple procedure (eg uuencode, base64). On the other hand, the mailer corresponding to the MIME that received the email is the MIME attached to the received email.
Based on the header, the data attached to the e-mail is decoded by a standard procedure (for example, uudecode, reverse base64 conversion).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic mail system using MIME. The personal computer 1 of each user needs a mailer 11 compatible with MIME and various application software for creating, editing and reproducing multimedia. As application software, for example, an editor 12 for text and formatted text data, a recorder player 13 for sound data, an editor viewer 14 for image data, and the like are required. Further, a compressor / expander 15 for compressing data when attaching the created multimedia to an electronic mail and expanding compressed data attached to the received electronic mail is also required.

An SMTP 21 is set in the host computer 2 and a Post Office Protocol (PO) for receiving and storing electronic mail from the network 3 is stored.
P) and sendmail 22, a program that delivers e-mails based on e-mail addresses, are configured and running. Therefore, the host computer 2 functions as a mail server, transfers the e-mail sent from the personal computer 1 to the network 3, and
The e-mail received from the network 3 can be delivered to the personal computer 1 specified by the e-mail address.

By constructing the electronic mail system shown in FIG. 1, the user of the personal computer 1 can transmit a multimedia mail with multimedia attached. On the other hand, the user who has received the multimedia mail can reproduce the multimedia decoded by the mailer 11 by using appropriate application software.

However, in order to play back multimedia in the above-described electronic mail system, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of application softwares capable of playing back data such as text, moving picture, image, sound, etc. are provided by a personal computer. If you need to prepare for computer 1 and handle more multimedia types,
The corresponding application software must be added. Furthermore, when data encoded by the mailer 11 is reproduced, there is a disadvantage that application software corresponding to the data must be specified.

Therefore, the user of the electronic mail system needs to understand the functions and operations of a plurality of application software in addition to the operation of the mailer 11. Further, the administrator of the above-described e-mail system needs to acquire, distribute, and maintain a plurality of application software in addition to maintaining the host computer 2 and acquiring, distributing, and maintaining the mailer 11. Furthermore, some application software selects a personal computer model, which complicates the work of the system administrator.

[0016] That is, although multimedia mail can be transmitted / received by an electronic mail system using MIME, complicated operations and operations are involved in its operation, and comfortable operability such as browsing the WWW is provided. You can't get it.

[E-mail System Using HTTP] Next, an e-mail system according to the present invention will be described. An electronic mail system according to the present invention transmits and receives multimedia mail using the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) used in WWW. Hereinafter, this e-mail system is referred to as a Web mail system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a Web mail system. Each user's personal computer 1 has Net
A WWW browser 31 typified by scape Navigator (manufactured by Netscape Communications) is provided. The browser 31 includes a browser 31a for displaying text and formatted text data, and a player 3 for playing sound data.
1b, a viewer 31c for reproducing image data, a compressor / expander 31d for compressing and expanding data, and the like. Further, if necessary, an encryption / decryption unit for encrypting the contents of the mail including the attached file can be provided.

When it becomes necessary to reproduce data of a type not supported by the browser 31, application software capable of reproducing the data is installed in the personal computer 1. And
By associating the type of data with the installed application software, the installed application software can function as a helper for the browser 31, thereby reproducing data of a type not supported by the browser 31.

HTTP 41 is set in the host computer 2, and the host computer 2 functions as a WWW server.
A Web mail system is realized by a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) 42 which is called through a daemon process of HTTP 41. CGI42 is an interface to a program that processes questionnaires and data searches created in WWW format. A program called by CGI42 (CGI program) receives character strings and files from any WWW browser and performs processing. Then, the processing result is returned as a hypertext.

In the present embodiment, a Web mail system operates as one of the CGI programs called by the CGI 42. Although the details will be described later, the Web mail system called by the CGI 42 transmits the multimedia mail to the host computer 2 when the multimedia mail is received from the network 3 by HTTP 41.
In the database for the user allocated on the storage medium. The stored multimedia mail is transferred to the browser 31 of the personal computer 1 by HTTP 41 when the browser 31 of the personal computer 1 corresponding to the incoming address accesses the WWW server (host computer 2). Browser 31
Displays a multimedia mail composed of hypertext on a monitor connected to the personal computer 1 and executes the reproduction of the multimedia constituting the multimedia mail in accordance with a user's instruction.

Further, as will be described in detail later, the Web mail system that has received the multimedia mail transmission instruction from the personal computer 1 calls the CGI of the WWW server corresponding to the transmission address and converts the multimedia mail described in the hypertext. , W called by the destination CGI
Send to eb mail system.

In other words, it can be said that the Web mail system is an application system in which the application range of HTTP and CGI is extended and HTTP and CGI functions are effectively used. Of course, if HTTP is fully supported in the Web mail system, it can be constructed as an independent mail system. However, by constructing the mail system as a program corresponding to the CGI of the WWW server, the realization becomes easy. Therefore, FIG. 2 shows an example in which a Web mail system is constructed by the CGI.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the host computer 2 has an SMT for exchanging ordinary e-mail.
P and POP are set.

[Multimedia Mail Format]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format example of multimedia mail handled by the Web mail system.

In the figure, the header 51 includes the sender name (Name) of the mail, the sender's mail address (From), the destination mail address (To), and the like. The body 52 includes the subject (Subect), the message (Message), etc., but the message created with the hypertext includes not only the text including the formatted text but also the link information indicating the link to other data. Can also be included.

Reference numerals 53 and 54 are attached files (File). These files (resources) are transferred as-is as part of the mail by HTTP, which supports the transfer of binary data. Therefore, the Web mail system does not need to encode the file to be transmitted. Also, We
In the b-mail system, the resource of the attached file may be stored in a mailbox allocated in the WWW server, and link information for accessing the file may be transmitted. That is, the link information is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the mailbox of the WWW server.

Although FIG. 3 shows an example in which there are two attached files, the number of attached files is not limited, and may be any number including zero.

Also, a MIME header indicating the type of the attached file is added to the header 51. Since the Web mail is transferred by HTTP, even if the attached file is binary data, the file should be transferred without encoding. Can be. Therefore, unlike the electronic mail system, there is no need to temporarily encode and transfer the binary data to the text data. Therefore, the transfer efficiency is not deteriorated by the attached file in the Web mail system.

[Web mail address] In an electronic mail system, a user name @ domain name (for example, name @ net.
or.jp). On the other hand, in a Web mail system, in order to differentiate it from a normal e-mail system and to clearly indicate that mail is transferred using HTTP, for example, the format of user name @ URL As the basis for a web email address. The URL describes the access destination in the format "type: // server / directory / file". Figure
Fig. 4 shows an example of a Web mail address, but (6) and (7) are special examples.

[Operation of Web Mail] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of Web mail, and shows an example in which the browser 31 accesses the Web mail system 45 running on the host computer 2.

The user accesses the Web mail page of the WWW server using the browser 31 in step S11. That is, the URL indicating the Web mail page may be instructed to the browser 31. The Web mail system 45 starts the process in step S21.
A screen (password page) for prompting the input of a password is returned to the browser 31 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S12, the user sets the name (of course, I
D) and a password (see Fig. 7).
In the case of a guest, enter a name and an e-mail address (see FIG. 8).

The Web mail system 45, which has received the name and the password, checks whether or not the relationship between the name and the password is identical with reference to the user database 43 in step S22. If the relationship is the same, it is determined that the user is a legitimate mail user, the received mail information corresponding to the mail user is read from the mail database 44, and the received mail page shown in FIG. 9 is returned to the browser 31. . In the example shown in FIG. 9, four mails are listed in the order of arrival, and if there is an attached file in addition to the mail text, an icon indicating the type of the data is additionally displayed in the Read column.

In step S13, the user selects a mail to be read from the received mail page list, and clicks an icon of the mail or the like. When the user clicks the icon indicating the attached file and plays the attached file, the Web mail system 45 accepting the selection of the mail reads the information of the selected mail from the mail database 44 in step S23, and Return the lead mail page showing an example in 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since there is an attached file, an icon indicating the type of the data is additionally displayed. The message is "test2"
The lead mail page fits on one screen because it is only a single message.However, in the case of a long message, the lead mail page does not always fit on one screen. And a scroll arrow appears.

The user reads the mail selected in step S14 and clicks on link information of, for example, a submenu (SUB MENU) displayed at the bottom of the lead mail page shown in FIG. ), Read previous or next mail (Prev, Next), create mail or reply (Write, Reply), forward read mail (Mov
e) You can select operations such as deleting mail. In step S24, the Webmail system 45 performs a process according to the operation selected by the user.

For example, when creation of a mail is selected in step S14, the Web mail system 45 returns a light mail page as shown in FIG. 11A in step S24. In step S15, the user inputs an e-mail destination, a subject, a message, and the like, and attaches a file as necessary. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a state where a selection dialog for selecting a file to be attached is opened, and FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a state where an attached file is designated. FIG. 11A
Figure 11C shows an example in which a text file containing formatted text, a voice sound file, and a graphics file can be specified as the attachment file, but any other types of files can be attached And there is no limit on the number of attached files.

When the user completes the creation of the mail, the [POST MAI] displayed at the bottom of the light mail page, for example.
Click the L button. Mail post accepted
The web mail system 45 posts the created mail to the mail database 44, and returns a status page indicating that the mail shown in FIG. 12 has been received.

After confirming that the mail has been received by the status page in step S16, the user proceeds to FIG.
Although not shown in the figure, steps S13 to S15 are continuously or individually repeated to read and reply to necessary e-mails and the like, and then the access to the Web mail page is terminated.

[Sending Mail to Another Web Mail System] FIGS. 11A to 11C show a Web running on the same WWW server.
An example is shown in which a mail is sent to a user of the mail system (hereinafter, referred to as an “internal user”). Therefore, the abbreviated Web mail address (only the mail user name) is entered in the mail destination (To: column) shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C. Of course, you can enter your full address. However, when sending an e-mail to a user of a Web mail system running on another WWW server (hereinafter referred to as "external user"), a part of the Web mail address cannot be omitted.

FIG. 13 shows We when sending an e-mail to an external user.
Diagram showing an example of b-mail operation procedure, Web mail system 4 running on another WWW server (host computer 2 ')
5 'shows a case where a mail is sent from the browser 31.
Steps in the same procedure as the steps shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S17, the user selects a light mail (Wri) from the menu of the received mail page shown in FIG.
te Mail). In step S26, the Web mail system 45 returns a light mail page, an example of which is shown in FIG. In step S18, the user inputs the destination of the mail, the subject, the message, and the like, and attaches a file as necessary. In this case, the e-mail destination is Web
As a user of the mail system 45 ', a part of the Web mail address cannot be omitted. Therefore, a Web mail address in the form of “user name @ URL” is entered, and in the example shown in FIG. 14, “hana @ http: //mmm.patest.co.jp” is entered.

When the user completes the creation of the mail, the [POST MAI] displayed at the bottom of the light mail page, for example.
Click the L button. Mail post accepted
In step S27, the Web mail system 45 specifies the Web mail server designated as the mail destination by the HTTP 41 (FIG. 14).
In the example above, send a Web mail to mmm.patest.co.jp). W
In step S31, the Web mail system 45 'of the Web mail server that has received the eb mail posts the received Web mail to the mail database 44', and returns a status page indicating that the mail has been received. Web mail system 45
In step S28, the status page shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B in which a status indicating that the mail has been transmitted is added to the status received from the web mail system 45 ′.
Return to WWW browser 31.

When a Web mail is transferred between Web mail systems, the sender's WWW server URL is automatically added to the sender information of the mail, ie, From :.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of conversion of destination information. Figure (a) shows the Wem in the sending Web mail system.
Shows the format of b-mail. In other words, from the sending Web mail server address "Taro", the receiving Web mail server specified by the Web address "Hanako @ http: //mmm.server2.net.or.jp" (mmm.server2.net .or.jp)
This shows the format of the Web mail sent to the address "Hanako".

FIG. 6B shows a Web mail format in the Web mail system on the receiving side.
In other words, the web mail address "Taro @ http: //mmm.server
1.net.or.jp ”shows the format of the Web mail sent to the address“ Hanako ”.

[Case of Transmitting Carbon Copy] FIG. 17 shows an example of a light mail page in the case of transmitting a carbon copy. In other words, while sending a webmail to "jiro" who is a user of the same webmail system,
In the c: field, the user of the same webmail system, "han
By specifying "a" and "taro", the same message sent to "jiro", that is, the carbon copy is "hana"
It can be sent to two users of "taro". Although not described in detail, blind carbon copy (Bcc)
Needless to say, this can also be realized in the same way as carbon copy (Cc).

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an example of a status page when a carbon copy is transmitted.
Following the message indicating that the mail addressed to "o" was received, a message indicating that the carbon copy addressed to "hana" and "taro" was received is displayed.

[When exchanging mail with a normal e-mail system] When transmitting / receiving a normal e-mail, the SMTP and P set in the host computer 2 are used.
Use OP.

The Web mail system 45 stores the e-mail received by POP in the mail database 44 in the same manner as the Web mail. However, if the e-mail contains a MIME header, the data is decoded in a standard procedure and then stored in the mail database 44. Therefore, the user sends the e-mail stored in the mail database 44 to
It can be read by the operation procedure described above.

When an e-mail address is specified in the destination as in the light mail page shown in FIG.
The Web mail system 45 rewrites the Web mail posted by the WWW browser 31 into a normal e-mail format and transmits the Web mail by SMTP. Of course, if the message contains Japanese or there is an attached file, if necessary
Rewrite Web mail into an e-mail format that includes a MIME header and send it.

In this case, the Web mail system 45
Return a status page indicating that the received mail should be forwarded as an e-mail, that is, sent by SMTP, as shown in.

[Security] In order to protect the privacy of mail, it is preferable to authenticate a user every time a Web mail page or the like is accessed.

On the other hand, a password is generally required when accessing the host computer 2. The password for accessing the host computer 2 can be used for authentication of the Web mail user. However, there is a possibility that the password is relayed from the client to the server to many computers, such as when the user confirms an e-mail addressed to the user from a destination, and the password is stolen. Also, since HTTP disconnects communication each time it is accessed,
In order to access the Web mail page continuously, you need to send a password every time you access. Therefore, the same password is repeatedly transmitted, and the risk of the password being stolen increases.

In order to solve the above problem and maintain security, the Web mail system is provided with an authentication system unique to the mail system, in addition to an authentication system using a password for accessing the host computer 2. Of course, the public key function of the Web can also be used.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a user authentication procedure of the Web mail system.

The user or browser 31 proceeds to step S41
In the email user password over the network We
b Send to mail system 45. In step S51, the Web mail system 45 having received the mail user password checks the sent mail user password with reference to the user database 43. If the password is correct, the access password (A
P) is issued, and a page (for example, a received mail page) in which the access password is embedded is returned in step S53. This access password is HT invisible to the user.
Embedded in ML page format. Also Web
The mail system 45 stores the relationship between the user and the access password issued to the user in a user database.
Record and manage in 43.

Thereafter, the Web mail system 45 does not send the access password, and the browser 31 sends the Web mail system 45
Access (S42) includes an access password or a character string related to the access password. The webmail system 45 performs authentication based on the access password each time the browser 31 accesses the webmail system (S54), and responds only to the authenticated access and returns an HTML page.
(S55).

The end of access is requested from the user (S
43), the Web mail system 45 invalidates the access password issued to the user (S56).

[User Search] When a member list (Member List) is selected from the menu of the Web mail page, the member list page shown in FIG. 22 is returned from the Web mail system 45 and registered in the same Web mail system. A list of users, that is, internal users registered in the user database 43 can be obtained. Then, by clicking the icon displayed at the left end of the list, a mail addressed to the user can be created.

Search (Se) from the menu of the Web mail page.
When arch) is selected, a search page as shown in FIG. 23 is returned from the Web mail system 45, and a specific user can be searched from the member list. The search field includes, for example, a name (Name :), a group (Group :), and a keyword (Keyword :), and a specific user or a group of users can be extracted by any or a combination thereof. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of the search, in which users whose names include “jiro” are listed.

The member list and the range of the search are as follows:
It is not limited to internal users, but if you regularly exchange member lists and user data for searching with other Web mail systems, you can obtain a member list including external users or include external users Search is also possible.

A broadcast mail can be sent to the users listed by the search. That is, by clicking the icon in the “ALL Matched Member” row included in the search result list shown in FIG. 24, a broadcast mail can be sent to all of the extracted internal and external users.

From the menu of the Web mail page, select Environment (Conf
iguration), the Web mail system 45
An environment setting page showing an example is returned in FIG. 5, and each setting item except for the user name can be set or updated. A list of users registered in the same Web mail system, that is, a list of internal users registered in the user database 43 can be obtained. The setting item group (G
The roup :) and the keyword (Keyword :) are data to be used in the above search. Also set your POP email address on this page.

[Other Functions] While the main functions of the Web mail system have been described above, the Web mail system 45 has many other functions. For example, a browser
With the client pull function of 31, the setting item "Ge
There is also a function to check the reception of mail at the time interval set in "t Mail Interval:", and a function to hierarchically manage sent and received mail.

When sending the link information of the attached file, as shown in an example in FIG. 29A, the destination is set in the “Link:” item of the light mail page. In the example of FIG. 29A, the file set to “File 2:” is stored in the mailbox of the user Taro of the Web mail server, and the link information (URL) to the file is set to “Link:”. de
Sent to nko. Of course, if you set the “Link:” destination and set the “To:” and “Cc:” destinations,
A file (resource) is transferred to the destination set to "o:" or "Cc:" instead of link information. "Link:"
The Web mail system 45 that has accepted the mail posting with the set destination posts the created mail to the mail database 44 and returns a status page indicating that the mail shown in FIG. 29B has been received.

In the present embodiment, when the user desires to transmit link information, the above-mentioned consideration is given in consideration of the purpose of explicitly instructing the transmission of link information and compatibility with the interface of the electronic mail system. Use the "Link:" destination. For example, by providing a button for instructing the transmission of link information attached to the "To:" or "Cc:" destination, link information can also be sent to the destination specified in "To:" or "Cc:" . For example, in the example of FIG. 29A, the file set to “File 2:” is stored in the mailbox of the user Taro of the Web mail server, and the link information (URL) to the file is “To:” or “ It will be sent to the destination set in "Cc:".

The transmitted Web mail and the like are stored in the user's mailbox. Therefore, the e-mail called from the mailbox can be resent and transferred, and the opening confirmation described later can be performed. Fig. 30
A to FIG. 30C are diagrams showing an example of the mail log page.
By selecting the radio button next to the item "atus:", you can select "all (all)", "unread or unopened (new)", "read or opened (read)" or "send (source)" , You can list the mail stored in your mailbox. FIG. 30A shows a state in which a source is selected to list outgoing mails, and FIG. 30B shows a state in which all is selected to list all mails. FIG. 30C shows a state in which all is selected, “hana” is set in the “Name:” section, and mails containing “hana” in the destination or sender mail address are listed.

The Web mail system 45 has a mail opening confirmation function for confirming whether or not the other party has read the transmitted mail. That is, as shown in an example in FIG. 31A, when a mail recipient, denko, reads a Web mail from taro for the first time and the read confirmation flag is set in the mail, the Web mail system 45 generates the mail in FIG. 31B. As shown in the example, data indicating that the package has been opened, for example, "Read Retur
n: denko read "
o Send to Upon receiving the read confirmation information, the Web mail system 45 stores the Web corresponding to the information in the mailbox.
Data included in the received open confirmation information, for example, “denko read” is recorded in the opener list of the log relating to the mail. Note that the setting of the open confirmation flag can be done by checking the “read and return” option check box at the bottom of the light mail page shown in FIG. 11A when creating the Web mail.

[Program] The Web mail system is functionally composed of two programs which function as CGI programs of the WWW server 46 on which the host computer 2 operates. The first program is a Webmail user manager 42a that has a function of managing Webmail users and Webmails from those users and creating an HTML page of the Webmail.

The second program is a hypertext post office (HTPO) 42b having a function of delivering a received Web mail to a destination user (browser). In addition, there is the user database 43 and the mail database 44 described above.

Further, in order to exchange ordinary e-mail, the host computer 2 has the above-mentioned SMTP 21, POP 22a and sendma independently of the Web mail system.
il 22b is set and working.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the Web mail user manager 42a, and shows a processing for starting access to the Web mail system.

The Web mail user manager 42a executes the steps
The user database is opened in S101, and it is checked in step S102 whether the password is correct. If the password is correct, a setting suitable for the user is performed in step S103. That is, the operation for the user is set according to the data set on the user setting page shown in FIG.

Subsequently, in step S104, database maintenance is performed. For example, a command corresponding to deletion of an e-mail, change of a password, change of an environment setting, or the like is executed. After that, the command issued by the user is checked in step S105.

If the command is correct, an HTML page corresponding to the command is created in step S106. Note that the HTML pages created in step S106 are the above-described HTML pages, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

On the other hand, if the password is not correct in step S102, the password page shown in FIG. 6 is returned in step S107, and the input of the correct password is prompted. If the command is not correct in step S105,
In step S108, an error page is returned.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the HTPO 42b, and shows a processing which is started when a mail arrives at the Web mail server.

The HTPO 42b checks the destination of the incoming mail in step S201, and if the destination is a Web mail address,
In step S202, it is determined whether the mail is addressed to another Web server. If the mail is addressed to the Web mail server 46 on which the user operates, the process proceeds to step S203.

If the destination of the incoming mail is indicated by an e-mail address, the Web mail is converted into an e-mail by rewriting the format in step S207, and the e-mail converted by SMTP is transferred in step S208. . In the case of a Web mail addressed to another Web mail server, the Web mail is transferred by HTTP in step S209.

On the other hand, in step S203, the user database
43 is opened, and it is determined in step S204 whether a user corresponding to the destination Web mail address exists. If there is a corresponding user, the incoming web mail is posted to the mail database 44 in association with the user, and a status page indicating that the mail has been received by the sender of the web mail or the web server in step S206 is displayed. return.
If there is no user corresponding to the destination Web mail address, an error page notifying that there is an error in the destination is returned to the sender of the Web mail or the Web server in step S210.

[Comparison of E-mail and Web Mail] (1) E-mail is based on the transfer of text data.
By expanding with IME, it supports the transfer of multimedia (binary data) such as images and sounds. On the other hand, Web mail is not only text data, but also multimedia (binary data) such as hypertext, images, sounds, etc. ) Can be easily transferred.

(2) When receiving a multimedia mail containing images, sounds, etc., in an electronic mail system, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of applications for reproducing images, sounds, etc. for each user (computer). The mail system can be played with only a WWW browser.

(3) The account of the e-mail system is
The account is shared with the host computer (or mail server) account, and the password is also shared. On the other hand, the Web mail system independently manages the mail user and also independently manages the password, so that higher security can be obtained.

(4) Use of a Web mail system using a WWW server is not limited to a local network.
As long as you can access the Internet using a WWW browser, you can use it from anywhere in the world and send and receive mail.

The following is a table comparing electronic mail and Web mail.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the realization of the electronic mail function on the WWW server facilitates the transmission, reception and reproduction of multimedia mail.

Also, since Web mail using HTTP can transfer binary data, it is not necessary to transfer a binary file attached to the mail after encoding it into text data, and the encoding does not increase the file size. Therefore, the mail transfer time can be reduced as compared with the electronic mail. In addition, web mail using hypertext can transfer only link information without transferring resources, greatly reducing the time required for mail transfer, and enabling the recipient to perform necessary actions based on the link information. Only resources can be obtained.
Therefore, the load on a network such as a local area network or the Internet can be reduced by efficiently using resources such as a transmission path.

Further, only the WWW browser needs to be prepared in the user's computer, and the Web mail operation can be performed only by understanding the operation of the WWW browser.
Further, the administrator of the Web mail system only needs to obtain, distribute, and maintain a WWW browser on the user's computer. Plus, all email management is web
Since it is performed on the mail server side, maintenance and updating of the software that makes up the Web mail system is easy.

The Web mail system has a user search function, and can perform a group search, a keyword search, and the like. Furthermore, a broadcast mail can be sent to a plurality of users extracted by the search.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an e-mail system and an e-mail processing method that can transmit and receive multimedia mail and are easy to operate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic mail system using MIME;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a Web mail system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a multimedia mail format handled by a Web mail system;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a Web mail address,

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a Web mail operation procedure,

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a password page.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a user name and a password are input on a password page;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information input to a password page in the case of a guest,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a received mail page.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lead mail page.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a light mail page.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a state in which a selection dialog for selecting a file to be attached is opened;

FIG. 11C is a diagram showing a state in which an attached file is designated;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a status page.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of Web mail when sending mail to an external user;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a light mail page when sending an e-mail to an external user;

FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of a status page when an e-mail is sent to an external user;

FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of a status page when an email is sent to an external user;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a conversion example of destination information;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a light mail page when a carbon copy is transmitted;

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of a status page when a carbon copy is transmitted,

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an example of a status page when a carbon copy is transmitted,

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a light mail page in which an e-mail address is specified in a destination;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a status page indicating that a received mail is transmitted as an e-mail by SMTP.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a user authentication procedure of the Web mail system.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a member list page.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a search page.

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a result of a search.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of an environment setting page.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a software configuration of a Web mail system.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing example of a Web mail user manager;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of HTPO processing;

FIG. 29A is a diagram showing an example of a write page when sending link information,

FIG. 29B is a diagram showing an example of a status page when link information is received,

FIG. 30A is a diagram showing an example of a mail log page listing outgoing mail;

FIG. 30B is a diagram showing an example of a mail log page listing all mails;

FIG. 30C is a diagram showing an example of a mail log page listing mails including “hana” in the mail address of the destination or the sender,

FIG. 31A is a diagram for explaining a mail opening confirmation function;

FIG. 31B is a diagram for explaining the mail opening confirmation function.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-305503 (JP, A) JP-A-9-231040 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06F 13/00 H04L 12/54 H04L 12/58

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display input means for displaying screen information composed of hypertext and inputting information corresponding to the screen information, and generating screen information in accordance with the information input by the display input means. First generating means; second generating means for generating an e-mail composed of hypertext based on information input by the display input means; and a hypertext transfer protocol for transferring e-mail via a network. And a transfer unit that performs transmission using the e-mail generated by the second generation unit to the network, and transmits the e-mail received from the network to the first generation unit. E-mail system characterized by sending. 2. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, wherein the display input unit reproduces an image and / or a sound including a moving image from data attached to the received electronic mail. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first generation unit includes a storage unit configured to store the received e-mail, and when the display input unit receives an instruction to read the e-mail, the first e-mail is transmitted from the storage unit. 2. A screen information is generated based on a read out and read out e-mail.
Email system as described in. 4. The first generating means embeds a password in at least one of the screen information to be sent to the display input means, and thereafter, the information sent from the display input means relates to the password or the password. 2. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, wherein it is checked whether or not a character string is included. 5. The first generation unit includes a storage unit for managing users, and generates screen information based on a list of users extracted from the storage unit based on an instruction from the display input unit. The e-mail system according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when a file to be attached to an e-mail is specified, the second generation unit attaches link information to the file to the e-mail to be generated. E-mail system. 7. A display step of displaying screen information composed of hypertext, an input step of inputting information corresponding to the screen information displayed in the display step, and a step of inputting the information input in the display input step. A first generation step of generating screen information in response to the input information, and a second generation step of generating an e-mail composed of hypertext based on the information input in the input step, using a hypertext transfer protocol. Transmitting the e-mail generated in the second generation step to a network and receiving the e-mail from the network; and a third generation step of generating screen information based on the e-mail received in the transfer step An electronic mail processing method comprising: