JP3508735B2 - Information distribution system, information distribution device, program, information distribution method, relay server device, and e-mail receiving terminal - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information distribution system capable of attaching an attachment file to information when transmitting information to another terminal via a network and a plurality of or a single relay server, and a technique related thereto.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic mail is widely used as one of communication systems for transmitting information between terminals via the Internet. The data sent and received by this e-mail is basically composed of a body as character information (text information) indicating information content and header information as control information thereof. File attachments are being done. For example, a facsimile device that transmits and receives image data via electronic mail has been disclosed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-122415: First Prior Art).

The format of the distribution data of the first prior art is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Header information 101
And the text 102 are added as indispensable items. An attachment file flag 1012 indicating the presence / absence of an attachment file is set in the header information 101. When the attachment file flag 1012 specifies that there is an attachment file, as shown in FIG. The attached file data 103 follows. Also, the header information 10
Within 1, data items of distribution size 1011 are set. The distribution size 1011 is the header information 101,
Since the total value of all the data sizes of the main body 102 and the attached file 103 is stored, the data size of the header information 101 and the main body 102 when there is no attached file (see reference numeral 103 in FIG. 13) as shown in FIG. The total value of is stored. The distribution size 1011 of the header information 101 may be counted by the receiving server at the time of reception.

By the way, generally, the data size of the attached file 103 such as image data is larger than the data size of the text 102. In particular, in the case of transmitting full-color image data, the data size of the attached file 103 may be large-capacity communication exceeding 100 megabytes.

On the other hand, in an electronic mail receiving terminal and each server on the Internet through which electronic mail flows,
There is a case where the data size of the electronic mail is limited for the purpose of preventing the deterioration of traffic and securing the resources (memory capacity, processing capacity, etc.) of the server.

In this case, there is a possibility that an electronic mail attached with the attached file 103 having a large data size such as image data may be undeliverable or the incoming call may be rejected due to the data size limitation of the server.

For example, when a user first delivers an e-mail with the attached file 103 attached from a predetermined terminal to another terminal, the e-mail goes through a plurality of relay servers.

At this time, the attached file 10 is included in the electronic mail.
If 3 exists, they are also stored in each relay server.
Transferred. If the attached file 103 is a color image, a moving image, an audio file, etc., the attached file 1
The data amount of 03 becomes large, and there is a possibility that delivery will not be reached due to the capacity limit rule of each relay server or the capacity of the storage device itself.

In order to avoid this, a method of sending an e-mail including the actual attachment file 103 as a trial and reducing some data of the attachment file 103 or the like and retransmitting when an error occurs is considered. To be However,
A huge amount of unnecessary data flows through the network, resulting in unnecessary traffic degradation and resource occupation.

Various solutions have been published for the purpose of avoiding such an undeliverable state.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-259513 (second prior art), when an email having a size exceeding the data size limit is delivered, the email is automatically divided and delivered. Combine the divided e-mails at the receiving terminal.

Further, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-249980 (third prior art), the server delivers the information to the terminal side while deleting or omitting a part of the information of the attached file exceeding the data size limit. The attached file is stored in the server, the terminal on the receiving side is notified of the fact and the address of the stored attached file, and the user of the terminal downloads the file. For example, when the attached file is full-color (for example, 256 colors) image data, the color of the attached file is reduced to a monochrome display format or the like.

Further, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-273791 (fourth prior art), the relay device performs the distribution operation only when the capacity of the terminal of the distribution destination is checked and it is determined that the terminal is receivable. To do.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-27831.
According to the publication No. 1 (fifth prior art), a terminal that has received notification information that an electronic mail is to be delivered returns condition information such as the free space of the terminal to the distribution source server, and the condition information (return information) ) Or deliver all of the emails according to
Decide whether to deliver only part.

Furthermore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-18000.
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 0 (Sixth Prior Art), the free capacity of the servers at all transit points is investigated in advance in the server of the delivery source, and a transmission route is searched from the free capacity of each server. , Information will be distributed through a route that matches the conditions such as the data size of e-mail. As a result, even if an attached file with a large data size is attached to an electronic mail, it can be delivered only via a relay station that allows the large data size.

[0016]

In the above-mentioned first prior art, when the attached file 103 having a large data size is distributed, if the data size is limited by the server on the network, the distribution may fail. obtain. In this way, even if the data delivery fails, the actual data will be delivered on the network.
As described above, there are problems that traffic is deteriorated due to useless communication and that resources are occupied.

On the other hand, the second to sixth prior arts are advantageous in that they do not cause traffic deterioration.

However, in the case of the above-mentioned second conventional technique, the number of divisions has to be set to a large number in consideration of safety, so that the number of divided emails becomes large. Then, since the header information is added to each electronic mail and the electronic mail is delivered, the total amount of overhead becomes large and therefore the load on the server inevitably increases.

In the case of the above-mentioned third conventional technique, the download is finally performed by the operation of the user of the terminal, which impairs the convenience of the user on the receiving side.

In the case of the above-mentioned fourth prior art and fifth prior art, it was not possible to check the capacity limitation or rule of the relay server on the transmission line on the way.

In the case of the above-mentioned sixth prior art, it is necessary for the sender server to grasp the information of all transit points in advance, but it is practically applicable to a worldwide and fluid network such as the Internet. Is difficult. Even in the case of a LAN (local area network), it is not easy to update the information when the path is changed due to the layout change or the like.

Incidentally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-180000 discloses that
There is a disclosure that, when a request is made from a delivery destination terminal, the delivery source server investigates the capacity limits of the delivery destination server itself and its downstream relay servers and notifies the user of the selected route. . However,
This method is inefficient because the delivery source server directly communicates with each relay server to check the capacity limit.

In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to attach a file having a large data size to an e-mail and deliver the same on a global network such as the Internet without degrading traffic. An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution system and related technology capable of reliably guaranteeing information transmission.

[0024]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems,
In the invention according to claim 1, when transmitting information from a distribution source terminal to another terminal via a network and a relay server or a plurality of relay servers, it is possible to attach an attachment file to the information. An information distribution system, wherein the distribution source terminal generates a dummy file for confirming whether or not distribution is possible, to which the item of the data size of the entire information including the attached file is added, and which does not attach the attached file Means and transmission control means for transmitting the dummy file to the network before actually transmitting the information attached with the attached file , wherein the relay server relays the dummy file.
The size of the data on the relay server
With a means for relaying by adding restriction information regarding
In both cases, when another terminal receives the dummy file
In a shall comprise means for returning the dummy file.

The invention according to claim 2 is the information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a file type item indicating whether or not the file is the dummy file is added to the information. is there.

The invention according to claim 3 is the information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an item of distribution size indicating a data size of the information is added to the information, The item of the distribution size is applied as the item of the data size of the entire information.

The invention described in claim 4 is the information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an item of distribution size indicating a data size of the information is added to the information, The item of data size of the entire information is added separately from the item of distribution size.

The invention described in claim 5 is the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for returning the dummy file of the other terminal is:
Restrictions on data size restrictions on other terminals
Information is added and returned .

The invention described in claim 6 is an information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to <br/> claim 5, wherein the relay server, when relaying the dummy file, It is provided with a means for attaching the identification information given in advance to the relay server.

The invention described in claim 7 is the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the distribution source terminal is configured to execute the information based on the restriction information.
It further comprises means for dividing and transmitting the entire report in a plurality of times .

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1 to
The information distribution system according to claim 7 , wherein the relay server is based on an item of a data size of the entire information stored in the dummy file,
A means for reserving a reserved area of a predetermined storage device for accumulating the information is provided.

An invention according to claim 9 is the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the distribution source terminal has a data size of the information equal to or larger than a predetermined size. It is further provided with means for confirming whether or not the size is less than a predetermined size and for stopping the transmission of the dummy file and transmitting the entire information at once.

[0033]

The invention of claim 10 specifies an information distribution device that can be used as a distribution source terminal in the system of claim 7 .

The invention of claim 11 relates to a network and
Information to other terminals via one or more relay servers
Is a mailer program that sends
By executing the computer,
The information delivery device according to claim 10 is caused to function.

The invention of claim 16 is executed by a relay server in the network, whereby the server is provided with an item of the data size of the entire information including the attached file, and the distribution is possible without the attached file. Receiving means for receiving a confirmation dummy file in the network, means for adding restriction information regarding data size restriction in the relay server when relaying the dummy file, and the dummy file to which the restriction information is added To function as a means for transferring to another server.

The invention described in claims 13 to 16 is
Each specifies a method that can be implemented in the system of claims 1 to 4.

The invention according to claim 17 specifies a relay server device having the function of the program according to claim 12 .

The invention according to claim 18 is a network
E-mail receiving terminal that is connected to and receives e-mail
And the data size of the entire information including attachments
Item is added and the attached file is not attached
Receives a dummy file for confirming delivery availability on the network.
Receiving means to receive and when receiving in the dummy file
In addition, the data size control at the e-mail receiving terminal is
Means for giving limit information about the limit and the limit information
And means for returning the given dummy file
It is those that.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <Configuration of Information Distribution System> FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This information distribution system
The terminal 11 of the delivery destination of the electronic mail (information) from the terminals 11 to 16 of the delivery source via the plurality of relay servers 21 to 23
.. to 16, the attached file 103 is also included in order to confirm whether the data size of the electronic mail can be delivered due to the capacity limit of each of the terminals 11 to 16 and the relay servers 21 to 23. A dummy file having distribution size information is preliminarily transmitted as a pilot mail without the attachment file 103 being attached, and transmission propriety is confirmed before the actual attachment file 103 is transmitted.

More specifically, this information distribution system uses a normal personal computer to attach an image data or the like to send an electronic mail, or uses the electronic mail as a medium to send a full-color image to a network facsimile or network printer of a facsimile machine. To transmit images such as
A plurality of terminals 11 to 16 and a plurality of relay servers 21 to 23 are connected to each other via a relay station 3 and a relay station 4, and a plurality of networks 1 to 3 are connected to each other by exchanges 31 and 32. Then, from each terminal 11 to 16 to another terminal 11
To 16 through 16 when the electronic mail is delivered through the networks 1 to 3 and the relay station 4.
The communication is performed via -23.

Here, the terminals 11 to 16 are communication devices capable of sending and receiving electronic mails by installing an electronic mail program (so-called mailer), and for example, personal computers or electronic mails are distributed. A facsimile machine or the like that can be used is applied. Further, as the terminals 11 to 16, it is also possible to use a multifunctional image processing apparatus (MFP) in which a scanner unit that photoelectrically reads an image, a printing unit that prints an image, and a transmission / reception unit that transmits an image are integrated. . In the case of the multi-function image processing apparatus, the image data as an attached file described later can be obtained by photoelectrically reading the image of the document in the scanner unit.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the distribution source terminal 11. The terminal 11 is a personal computer provided with a function of attaching image data to an electronic mail and acting as a substitute for facsimile transmission, and includes a data processing unit 41 including a CPU to which a ROM and a RAM are connected, a keyboard and a pointing device. Input means 42 consisting of a device,
A display device 43 such as an LCD that displays the processing result of the data processing unit 41, an internal hard disk drive (HDD: storage device) 44 that stores the processing result of the data processing unit 41, and a user registered in advance. A wireless communication unit 46 that performs wireless communication between the nonvolatile memory 45 that stores information unique to each terminal such as 1D and the nearest relay station 4.
A clock 47 that counts the current date and time, and a built-in power supply 48 that supplies power to the entire terminal 11. These are connected to each other through a bus 49 or the like. Then, the terminal 11 uses the wireless communication unit 46 to perform the operation shown in FIG.
As described above, it is possible to wirelessly communicate with the nearest relay station 4 and exchange information with the relay server 21 and other devices (reference numerals 12 to 33 in FIG. 1) via the network 1. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 11 is connected to a GPS unit, and it is possible to detect the current location of the terminal 11 itself by receiving radio waves from a plurality of satellites. It is a portable terminal.

When the distribution source is a computer and the distribution destination is a printer, a mail attached with print data described in the page description language is transmitted to the printer. When the delivery source is the MFP and the delivery destination is also the MFP, for example, a mail attached with an image input from the scanner or an image held in the HDD is transmitted to the MFP.

FIG. 3 shows a standard format for an electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as “substantial electronic mail”) that actually includes an attached file among the distribution data used in this embodiment. Note that in FIG. 3, the same data items as those in the first conventional technique shown in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the standard format shown in FIG.
Compared with the distribution data of the first conventional technique shown in FIG. 2, the header information 101 includes, for example, an item of file type 1013 and an item of virtual distribution size 1014.

If the flag 1012 indicating the presence / absence of the attached file 103 is “attached file = present” and the item of the file type 1013 is “file type = normal”, the attached file 103 is attached. It In this case, both the item of distribution size 1011 and the item of virtual distribution size 1014 store the actual data size in which the attached file 103 is attached in the e-mail.

On the other hand, when the item of the file type 1013 is “file type = virtual attachment”, the attached file 103 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4 regardless of the presence / absence of the flag 1012 indicating the presence of the attached file 103. Is not attached. In this case, the item of distribution size 1011 stores the net data size to which the attached file 103 is not attached, while the virtual distribution size 101
In item 4, the entire size including the attached file 103 is designated. That is, although the attached file 103 is not attached, the data size including the attached file 103 is designated by the item of the virtual delivery size 1014,
The distribution data thus generated will be used as a dummy file for pilot mail.

In the distribution data format shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to maintain compatibility with the conventional distribution formats shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a virtual format “attached file 1012 = none” is used. As
“File type 1013 = virtual attachment” may be directly referenced.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the header information 101 is set with the item of response information 1015 which means the check result from the relay server or the delivery destination. In the item of the response information 1015, a code meaning “OK” is stored as a value (initial value) at the time of distribution from the distribution source terminal 11, but distribution data (including a dummy file) is stored in the relay server 21. (22, 23) are sequentially distributed and transmitted to the next relay server 22 (23) or the destination terminal 15 respectively, the relay server 21
When the data size limit in (22, 23) is exceeded, the code indicating “NG” is stored in the item of the response information 1015. On the contrary, when the data size limit of each relay server 21-23 is not exceeded, the relay server 21-23 keeps the item of the response information 1015 as "OK" which is the initial value.

The response information 10 in the header information 101
It is also possible to omit 15 items, describe similar items of response information in the main body 102, perform text analysis in each of the relay servers 21 to 23, and determine and add the response information.

In that case, the relay servers 21, 22, 23
Which response information is described is also described.

Further, in the header information 101, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the distribution direction 101 for identifying whether the distribution data is transmitted or returned.
6 items are set.

Furthermore, the header information 101 includes the transmission path name (identification information) 1018 indicating the names or addresses of all the relay servers 21 to 23 through which the mail is delivered from the sender terminal 11. Information on whether to set an item (item of the transmission path 1017) is set. When the item of the transmission path 1017 is “valid”, the number of the relay servers 21 to 23 that have passed through the networks 1 to 3 for the item of the transmission path name 1018 is equal to that of the relay servers 21 to 23. The path name will be added. A server name or address is applied as this path name (identification information).

Reference numeral 1010 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is an item indicating the subject of the electronic mail.

Further, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 15 of the delivery destination. Of the elements of FIG. 5, the data processing unit 141 is configured to include a CPU, and the HDD 1
In accordance with a program installed in advance in 44, control and processing described later are executed. Elements 142, 143, 145, 146, 147, 148 in FIG.
Is the element 4 of the distribution source terminal 11 shown in FIG.
2, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, respectively.

The terminal 15 prints the image data attached to the electronic mail transmitted from the sender (for example, the terminal 11) through the networks 1 to 3.
It is a communication printer that can do, basically,
The configuration is similar to that of the terminal 11 of the transmission source shown in FIG. 2, except that a print engine 151 that prints / prints large-capacity character data such as full color as an image and a print control unit 152 that controls the print engine 151. I have it. Incidentally, FIG.
Is equipped with a wireless communication unit 146 and is connected to networks 1-3.
However, instead of the wireless communication unit 146, wired networks 1 to 3 are shown.
You may connect to.

Further, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the relay server 21. The basic configuration is similar to that of the terminal 11 of the transmission source shown in FIG. 2, and is configured to include a CPU, and the data processing unit 241 includes the HDD 244.
Controls and processes described below are executed according to a program installed in advance. Elements 242, 243, 245 and 248 in FIG. 6 are elements 242, 243 and 245 of the terminal 11 of the delivery source shown in FIG.
It has a function corresponding to each 248. However, since a large amount of data is relayed from many terminals, the capacity of the built-in hard disk drive 244 is set large.
Note that the clock is omitted in FIG. 6, and instead of the wireless communication unit 46 in FIG.
The network 1 is directly connected to the network 1 through 53.

<Operation Method> The operation of the above information distribution system will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 11. Here, as an example, from the terminal 11 for wireless communication in FIG. 1 to another terminal 15 connected to the network 3.
On the other hand, consider a case where an electronic mail with the attached file 103 attached is distributed via the relay servers 21 to 23.

<Operation of Distribution Source Terminal> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an electronic mail transmission process in the distribution source terminal 11. It should be noted that in FIG. 7, initialization processing and the like at the time of turning on the power are omitted.

First, in the processing of the distribution request shown in step S100 in FIG. 7, the operator uses the input means 42 of the terminal 11 to input the information of the subject distribution destination of the electronic mail, the text and the attached file. , This is the data processing unit (CP
U) Hand it to 41. The data processing unit 41, step S10
In step 1, the header information 101 is initialized. The initial values in the header information 101 are as follows.

Subject 1010 = (name specified by the user), ・ Distribution size 1011 = 0 bytes, -Attached file 1012 = None, -File type 1013 = normal -Virtual distribution size 1014 = 0 bytes, ・ Response information 1015 = OK, · Delivery direction 1016 = send, -Sending path 1017 = invalid, -Transmission path name 1018 = (blank).

Next, in step S102, the total value of the data sizes of the header information 101, the body 102 and the attached file 103 is calculated based on the input information (the body and the attached file, etc.), and the distribution size 10
11

Next, in step S103, the distribution size 1011 is compared with the standard limit size registered in the terminal 11. The standard limit size is a small value, which is a predetermined value that is empirically guaranteed. If the distribution size 1011 is less than the standard limit size, in step S104, the distribution data of the electronic mail is generated in the standard format similar to the conventional electronic mail. In this case, if the attached file 103 is attached, as shown in FIG. 3, it is attached as a data string subsequent to the body 102. And
The distribution data of the electronic mail is transmitted to the relay server 21 through the relay station 4. The transmission procedure to the relay server 21 is a procedure using a normal POP protocol. Then, in step S113, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the distribution size 1011 is equal to or larger than the standard limit size, the following process is performed.

First, in step S105, it is determined whether or not the attached file 103 is attached based on the flag 1012 indicating the presence or absence of the attached file. If the attached file is not attached, only divided transmission can be supported. Therefore, in step S106,
Divide into a data group with a file size that maximizes the standard limit size and send in the normal split mail format.
Then, in step S113, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the attached file 103 is attached, the process advances to step S107 to calculate the virtual distribution size 1014. Then, in step S108, a pilot mail in the virtual format as shown in FIG. 4 is generated and the pilot mail is transmitted. At this stage, no real e-mail has been sent yet.

In this case, the pilot mail header information 101 is set as follows. First, the subject 1010 is
To ensure confirmation of the reply, rewrite it with a specific identification number different from the actual email. Here, as the specific identification number, a character string including an identification code (name, address, etc.) of the transmission source terminal 11 and a predetermined serial number is applied. The distribution size 1011 sets the total value of the data sizes of the header information 101 and the body 102. Further, the flag 1012 indicating the presence / absence of the attached file 103 is set to, for example, “attached file = absent” (“attached file = present” does not matter). Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the file type 1013 is a virtual attachment file, and the virtual distribution size 1
As 014, the total value of the header information 101, the body 102, and the attached file 103 is set. Response information 10
15 is “OK”, the distribution direction 1016 is “transmission”, the transmission path 1017 is “valid”, and the transmission path name 1018.
Is (blank). And the actual attached file 103
Is not attached, and only the header information 101 and the main body 102 are used as distribution data, and a pilot mail having such a virtual format (FIG. 4) is transmitted via the relay station 4 to the network 1
Send to ~ 3.

Subsequently, in step S109a, a reply mail from the delivery destination terminal 15 is waited for. This reply mail has a pre-specified identification number and
The header information of the pilot mail is copied by the terminal 15 of the delivery destination, and the delivery direction 1016 is rewritten as “reply”, and the information is included. If any of the relay servers 21 to 23 and the delivery destination terminal 15 itself that have passed through to the terminal 15 cannot relay or receive a mail having a virtual delivery size, the response information 1015 is “ N
It has been rewritten as "G".

When the reply mail from the delivery destination is received, the process proceeds to step S110, and the response information 1015 in the reply mail is sent.
Is read to determine whether the mail having the virtual delivery size can normally reach the delivery destination terminal 15 without limitation. If the response information 1015 is “OK”, it is determined that there is no problem in the reception capacity at the relay server or the distribution destination terminal 15 and the distribution of the actual electronic mail can be normally terminated, and in step S111, the standard format and division are performed. Send substantive e-mail without.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the response information 1015 is "NG", the process proceeds to step S112, and the actual electronic mail is divided into a plurality of mails in the standard format and the division size is designated. ,
This divided distribution data is transmitted to the destination terminal 15 as the destination.

In step S109a, when the reply mail is not returned from the delivery destination terminal 15, the clock 4
7 (FIG. 2), and in step S109b, it is determined whether or not there is no reply mail for a predetermined time. If it is determined that there is no reply even after the lapse of a predetermined time, it is interpreted that the virtual format of the pilot mail has reached a relay server or terminal that is not recognized normally, and in step S111, the standard format and no division are used. To send a real email.

As will be described later, when the virtual distribution size exceeds the specified size handled by the relay server, the response information 1015 is set to "NG" and the virtual distribution size 1014 is set to the specified size. The value has been rewritten. Therefore, it is preferable to divide the size of each divided file into the reply mail from the delivery destination in order to reduce the number of divisions as much as possible and to reduce the addition of processing such as a relay server when the actual email is divided and sent. It is preferable to match the virtual distribution size 1014 recorded in 1. However, when the distribution direction 1016 is “transmission”, the pilot mail may be returned due to an error in the relay server on the way, so the data size within the virtual distribution size 1014 is not adopted.

If any of the relay servers 21 to 23 has no free storage capacity, a relay error may occur even with the standard limit size. If you want to respond even in such a case, send a pilot email for emails with a standard size limit
When 015 is “NG”, the distribution request process of the actual electronic mail may be interrupted.

<Operation of Relay Server> FIG.
8 is a rough control flow of the relay server 21 that delivers the e-mail given by the above to the designated terminal 15. A program that implements this control flow and each flow described below is installed in advance in the relay server 21 or the like.

First, at the time of initialization in step S201, a mail receiving process described later (step S250 in FIG. 9).
See below). Further, in step S202, the received mail is stored in the internal hard disk drive (HD
D) Since it will be stored in 144, the free space of this internal hard disk drive 144 is checked.

Next, in step S203, the distribution (e-mail) from each of the terminals 11 to 16 and the other relay servers 22 and 23 is received and accumulated, and then in step S20.
In 4, the accumulated e-mail (accumulated mail) is
The data is transmitted to the other terminals 11 to 16 and the other relay servers 22 and 23 (S204).

When the sending process is completed, the sent electronic mail is discarded and the free space of the internal hard disk drive 144 is increased. Then, in step S205, it is determined whether an area (reserved area) reserved for a virtual format to be described later has not been used for a predetermined time, and if it is determined that the area has not been used for the predetermined time, the area is released. (Step S206).

Next, a processing procedure for receiving e-mail from the networks 1 to 3 and accumulating it in the internal hard disk drive 144 in each of the relay servers 21 to 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. still,
The processing procedure shown in FIG. 9 is performed in step S202 in FIG.
This corresponds to (capacity check of internal hard disk drive 44).

First, in step S251, the header information 101 and the body 102 are received. At this time, these data are held in the memory of the data processing unit 141. Next, in step S252, it is checked based on the free space of the internal hard disk drive 144 whether or not the header information and the body 102 can be stored. If there is no free space, an error message is returned to the delivery source in step S266. At this time, the text 102 and the attached file 1
03 is not returned, but an error message of capacity over is returned in the body 102 instead. In the header information 101, the subject 1010 is generated by adding a character string (for example, “Re:”) to the reply to the sent message, and the delivery size 1011 of the reply e-mail is set accurately. However, the other items of the header information 101 are ignored.

Next, in step S253, it is confirmed whether or not the mail is a virtual distribution, that is, a pilot mail by determining whether or not there is an item such as a virtual distribution size in the header information. In step S254, it is confirmed whether or not there is a reserved area for the e-mail, and if there is, the area is returned to the normal area in step S255 (reservation allocation release). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the entire e-mail is within the specified size (less than the capacity limit) determined to be receivable by the relay server 21 (step S256a). Here, the value of the "specified size" is preset by the administrator of the server 21, for example, and the server 21 rejects incoming mail having a size larger than this value. Further, the free space of the internal hard disk drive 144 is detected and it is confirmed whether or not the e-mail can be stored (step S25).
6b), if possible, it is confirmed in step S257 whether or not the attached file 103 exists. Attachment 103
If it is confirmed that the attached file 103 exists, the attached file 103 is received in step S258a. And step S25
8b, it is determined whether or not the actual data exists as the attached file 103. If it is determined that the actual data exists, the attached file 103 as the actual data is stored in the internal hard disk drive 144 in step S259. Remember. Then, in step S260, the address of the self (relay server-21) (identification information)
Is added to the transmission path name 1018 of the header information, and the header information 101 and the body 102 in the memory are written in the internal hard disk drive 144. In response to this, in step S203 in FIG. 8 described above, a process of extracting the electronic mail from the internal hard disk drive 144 and transmitting it to the delivery destination is performed.

When transmitting to the delivery destination, if the path name of each of the relay servers 21 to 23 is designated in the item of the transmission path name 1018 in the header information 101, according to the order of the path name. Send processing. In this way, when the path name of each relay server 21 to 23 is specified in the item of the transmission path name 1018, the pilot mail has already been transmitted and the capacity limit on the route sequentially arranged in the path name is set. This is because the (specified size) has been confirmed, and it is necessary to ensure the delivery of electronic mail through the confirmed route.

Further, step S25 shown in FIG. 9 described above.
7, the attached file 103 is “Yes (Yes)”
However, if the actual received data ends with the text 102 and there is no data to be received (“No” is determined in step S258b), the e-mail is a pilot mail in a virtual format. The header information 101 and the body 102 are stored and distributed (step S260 → S204).

If it is judged as "Yes" in step S253 and it is interpreted as the virtual delivery pilot mail,
It is determined whether the virtual distribution size 1014 is less than the capacity limit of the relay server 21 (that is, less than or equal to the specified size) (step S261), and further the relay server 2
It is determined whether or not there is a free space corresponding to the virtual distribution size 1014 in one built-in hard disk drive 144 (step S262). Both of these judgment results are “Y
If it is "es", the area of the designated size is reserved and secured in association with the subject 1010 (step S26).
3). This area is used in step S25 when relaying a normal format physical email that is transmitted later.
5 is released, or step S20 in FIG.
It is also released when it is not used for a predetermined time in 6.

If the virtual distribution size 1014 is equal to or larger than the specified size for rejecting incoming mail ("No" in step S261), or if the free space is insufficient ("No" in step S262), Response information 1015
Is rewritten to "NG" (step S264). Further, considering the divided transmission, when the virtual distribution size 1014 is equal to or larger than the capacity limit of the relay server 21 (when it is larger than the specified size), the item of the virtual distribution size 1014 is rewritten and updated to the value of the specified size. (Step S2
65). The information rewritten in this way corresponds to the limit information regarding the capacity limit of the server 21. In this state, the header information 101 and the body 102 are stored in the internal hard disk drive 44. The pilot mail is sent from this server 21 in step S2 of FIG.
In 04, it is transmitted to the next relay server 22.

The same processing is sequentially performed in the relay servers 22 and 23, and the final relay server 23 sends a pilot mail or a real electronic mail to the terminal 15 of the delivery destination.

<Operation of Delivery Destination Terminal> Delivery Destination Terminal 15
The operation of will be described.

FIG. 10 is a rough control flow of the terminal 15 at the delivery destination (reception side). As shown in FIG. 10, the basic operation of the delivery destination terminal 15 is similar to the operation of the relay server 21 shown in FIG.

The process of step S301 is the same as the process of step S201 in the relay server 21 shown in FIG.

Next, in step S302, the capacity of the internal hard disk drive 244 is checked. Such processing will be described later.

Subsequently, in step S303, it is determined whether or not there is a stored mail in the internal hard disk drive 244. Then, in step S304, the data stored in the internal hard disk drive 244 is printed by the printing mechanism without being distributed to others. The area after printing is released.

The other steps S305 to S309 are the same as the steps S205 to S209 in the relay server 21 shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for receiving an electronic mail from the networks 1 to 3 and accumulating it in the internal hard disk drive 244 in the terminal 15 of the delivery destination (reception side). The processing procedure shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to step S302 (capacity check of the internal hard disk drive 244) in FIG.

First, in step S351, the header information 101 and the body 102 are received. At this time, these data are held in the memory of the data processing unit 41.

Next, in step S352, it is confirmed whether or not it is a virtual delivery pilot mail, and if it is a normal delivery substance email, in the following step S353, a header is determined based on the free space of the internal hard disk drive 244. It is checked whether the information and the body 102 can be stored. If there is no space, an error message is returned to the delivery source in step S368. At this time, the text 10
2 and the attached file 103 are not returned. Instead, the main body 10
In 2, a capacity over error message is returned. In the header information 101, the subject 1010 is a character string (for example, “R
e: ”) is added and generated, and the delivery size 1011 of the reply e-mail is set correctly, and the other items of the header information 101 are ignored.

On the other hand, in step S303, if the internal hard disk drive 244 has free space,
Proceeding to step S354, it is confirmed whether or not there is a reserved area for the electronic mail, and if there is a reserved area, step S3
At 55, it is returned to the normal area (reservation allocation release). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the entire electronic mail is within the specified size (less than the capacity limit) that can be received by the terminal 15 (step S356a). The “specified size” in the terminal 15 is manually set in advance by the user of the terminal 15 or set in the terminal 15 by default. Further, the free space of the internal hard disk drive 244 is detected to confirm whether the e-mail can be stored (step S356b), and if possible,
In step S357, it is confirmed whether the attached file 103 exists. If it is confirmed that the attached file 103 exists, the attached file 10 is confirmed in step S358.
Receive 3 Then, in step S359, the attached file 103 is transferred to the internal hard disk drive 244.
Remember. Subsequently, in S360, the header information 101 and the body 102 in the memory are written in the internal hard disk drive 244. In response to this, in step S303 in FIG. 10 described above, the process of taking out the electronic mail from the internal hard disk drive 244 and transmitting it to the delivery destination is performed.

However, if the attached file 103 is designated as “not present (No)” in step S357, steps S358 and S359 are omitted and the process proceeds to step S360.

Returning to step S352, this step S352
If it is determined to be “Yes” in 352 and it is interpreted as virtual distribution, the process proceeds to step S361, and virtual distribution size 1
It is determined whether 014 is less than the capacity limit of the terminal 15 (that is, less than or equal to the specified size). If the size is equal to or smaller than the specified size, in step S362 the virtual distribution size 10
It is determined whether or not the internal hard disk drive 244 has a free capacity with respect to 14. If there is a free area in the internal hard disk drive 244, an area of the designated size is reserved and reserved in association with the subject 1010 (step S363). This area is used in step S when receiving a regular format physical email that is sent later.
Besides being released at 355, or when not used for a predetermined time in step S306 in FIG. 10, it is also released.

On the other hand, when it is judged in step S361 that the virtual distribution size 1014 is equal to or larger than the capacity limit of the terminal 15 (exceeds the specified size), or step S361
If it is determined in 362 that the free space of the internal hard disk drive 244 is insufficient, the response information 1015 is rewritten to “NG” (step S364), and the virtual distribution size is set to the specified size and the internal hard disk drive 2
44 is updated to a value that satisfies both of the free capacities (step S
365), the distribution direction is updated to "reply" in step S366, and the message is returned (step S367).
The information updated in step S365 is the destination terminal 1
This corresponds to the limit information regarding the capacity limit of No. 5.

That is, the distribution destination terminal 1 shown in FIG.
In the processing procedure of FIG. 5, when the pilot mail having the virtual format is received, the delivery direction 1016 of the header is rewritten to “reply” in step S367, and the reply is sent to the delivery source. The processing procedure is different. In this case, the direct destination of the e-mail from the terminal 15 is the relay server 23, and normally,
The network 1 to 3 will be returned in the reverse order of the route originally delivered. The reply route may be different from that at the time of sending.

On the networks 1 to 3 of the information distribution system, a terminal (non-recognition terminal) or a relay server (non-recognition terminal) that cannot recognize the dummy file (that is, does not support the virtual attachment file format). (Recognition server) is connected and the pilot mail is returned via these unrecognized terminals or unrecognized servers, the unrecognized terminals or unrecognized servers are stored in the item of virtual delivery size 1014. It is sufficient to invalidate the delivery restriction confirmation result. As a result, even when terminals 11 to 16 unique to this embodiment and non-recognition terminals similar to the conventional ones are mixed and connected to the networks 1 to 3, transmission and reception of e-mails within the specified size can be performed without any trouble. be able to.

In the above processing procedure, when the attached file 103 having a large data size is attached to the body 102 of the e-mail to be delivered, the attached file 103 is first attached within the virtual delivery size 1014 without actually attaching the attached file 103. A pilot mail in a dummy file format that specifies data size information including the file 103 is sent, and information on whether the dummy file can be sent is given by each relay server 21-23 on the route and returned. Therefore, the information transmission can be surely guaranteed on the global network such as the Internet without degrading the traffic.

Also, since the relay server 21 to 23 and the terminal 15 of the transmission destination (reception side) add the capacity limit (specified size) information in the e-mail and send it back to the distribution source, the terminal 15 of the distribution source. Can grasp the proper distribution data size,
Attachment 1 based on this proper distribution data size
E-mail including 03 can be divided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of divided emails from being unnecessarily increased as compared with the second conventional technique, and it is possible to prevent the total number of overheads from becoming large and placing a large load on the relay servers 21 to 23.

Further, as compared with the third conventional technique, the convenience of the receiving side user, which can send an electronic mail of an appropriate size without requiring the user of the delivery destination terminal 15 to perform a special operation, may be impaired. Absent.

Furthermore, as compared with the fourth to sixth prior arts, it is possible to easily check the capacity limit and rule of the relay server on the transmission line in the middle.

In the above embodiment, the header information 1
The file type 1013 item and the virtual distribution size 1014 item are set in 01, and the file type 1013
When the item 13 is "virtual attachment", the item of the virtual distribution size 1014 is referred to determine whether the size is within the specified size (less than the capacity limit). Without setting the item of virtual delivery size, the data size of the entire e-mail including the data size of the attached file 103 is always set in the item of delivery size 1011 and the file type 1013 is "virtual attachment".
In this case, the pilot mail may be delivered without attaching the substance of the attached file 103 as shown in FIG. In this case, in the pilot mail, the value of the delivery size item and the actual size of the pilot mail will be different.

Further, in the above embodiment, the personal computer or the MF is used in the terminal of the distribution source.
P, the printer is set as the delivery destination, but the delivery source may be an MFP and the delivery destination may be a personal computer.

Further, the MFP is connected to the relay servers 4, 22,
It has 23 functions and is used for personal computers and other MFs.
It may be a system that relays the mail from P.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment,
Although the data size of the entire mail including the attached file is described as the data size of the entire information including the attached file, an approximate value of the data size of the entire mail may be described. For example, since it can be applied to a system for sending an email in which the text does not include data, the data size of only the attached file may be described as the data size of the entire information.

[0110]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Claims 1 to 11 and 13 to
According to the invention as set forth in claim 16, before the delivery source terminal actually transmits the information to which the attached file is attached, the item of the data size of the entire information is added and the attached file is not attached for confirmation of delivery availability. Since a dummy file of is sent, even if you do not actually attach the attachment and send
It becomes possible to confirm, using the dummy file, whether or not the attached terminal attaches the data to the data terminal at the receiving terminal or the relay server. Therefore, information transmission can be reliably guaranteed on a global network such as the Internet without degrading traffic.

According to the invention described in claims 2 and 14 , since a file type item indicating whether or not it is a dummy file is added to the information, the receiving side terminal and the relay server receive Whether or not the information to be relayed or the information to be relayed is a dummy file can be easily determined, and the processing efficiency can be improved.

Claims 3, 4, 15, and
According to the invention of Item 16 , it becomes possible to easily include an item of data size of the entire information in the dummy file, and the terminal and the relay server on the receiving side receive the item of the data size of the entire information and the capacity limit. It becomes possible to easily illuminate and compare.

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 9 and 12 , when the relay server (relay server device) or the electronic mail receiving terminal relays the dummy file,
Since the relay is performed by adding the information on the data size limitation in the relay server, if the dummy file with the information on the data size limitation is returned to the delivery source terminal, the delivery source terminal The limitation of the data size can be easily recognized, and the data division of the information can be appropriately performed based on the limitation. In particular, according to the invention described in claim 5, when the terminal on the receiving side receives the dummy file, the terminal of the data size limit information is added and returned when the dummy file is received. By returning a dummy file with "" to the distribution source terminal, the distribution source terminal can easily recognize the data size limitation at the receiving side terminal, and based on this, the data division of information can be performed more appropriately. Becomes

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the relay server relays the dummy file, the relay server attaches the identification information previously given to the relay server. Therefore, the dummy file is returned to the source terminal. Then, the delivery source terminal can reliably transmit the information with the attached file again on the route.

[0115]

According to the invention described in claim 8, the relay server secures a reserved area of a predetermined storage device for accumulating information based on the item of the data size of the entire information stored in the dummy file. Therefore, when actually distributing the information with the attached file, it is possible to reliably relay the information by using the reserved area.

According to the invention described in claim 9, each terminal confirms whether or not the data size of the information is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, and when it is smaller than the predetermined size, the transmission of the dummy file is stopped. Since the whole information is sent at once,
Traffic on the route can be improved by omitting the transmission of unnecessary dummy files.

[0118]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a distribution source terminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information (e-mail) with an attached file attached.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a pilot mail in a dummy file format.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a distribution destination terminal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a relay server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a distribution source terminal in the information distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the relay server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a relay server in the information distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the terminal of the delivery destination.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a distribution destination terminal in the information distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format of information in a state where an attached file is attached in the first conventional technique.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format of information in a state in which an attached file is not attached in the first conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-3 networks 11-16 terminals 21-23 Relay server 101 header information 102 body 103 Attachment 1010 subject 1011 Delivery size 1012 Attachment 1013 file type 1014 Virtual delivery size 1015 Response information 1016 Delivery direction 1017 send path 1018 Send path name

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-11-154121 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-270008 (JP, A) JP-A-2001-7975 (JP, A) JP-A-2000-244556 (JP, A) JP 2000-259513 (JP, A) JP 2001-5571 (JP, A) JP 2001-14235 (JP, A) JP 2000-29797 (JP, A) JP 11-46214 (JP, A) ) JP-A-11-32196 (JP, A) JP-A-9-331355 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/00 H04L 12/58

Claims (18)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information distribution system capable of attaching an attachment file in the information when transmitting information from a distribution source terminal to another terminal via a network and a relay server or plural relay servers. Wherein the delivery source terminal is provided with an item of the data size of the entire information including the attachment file, and a dummy file generation unit for generating a delivery availability confirmation dummy file not attaching the attachment file, Transmission control means for transmitting the dummy file to the network before actually transmitting the information to which the attached file is attached , wherein when the relay server relays the dummy file, the relay server
Limit information about the data size limitation in
When means for relaying, provided with a, another terminal has received the dummy file Te, the dummy file
Information distribution system characterized Rukoto comprises means for returning the Le, the. 2. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein an item of a file type indicating whether or not the file is the dummy file is added to the information. 3. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a distribution size item indicating a data size of the information is added to the information, and a data size item of the entire information. An information distribution system, wherein the item of the distribution size is applied as. 4. The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distribution size item indicating a data size of the information is added to the information, and a data size item of the entire information. Is provided separately from the item of the distribution size. 5. The information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for returning the dummy file of the other terminal is
Restriction information about data size restrictions on other terminals
An information distribution system characterized in that a message is added with a reply . 6. The information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to claim 5, wherein the relay server, when relaying the dummy file, the previously assigned identification information to the relay server An information distribution system comprising means for attaching. 7. The information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the distribution source terminal divides the entire information into a plurality of times based on the restriction information.
An information distribution system, further comprising means for transmitting the information. 8. The information distribution system according to claim 1 , wherein the relay server is based on an item of a data size of the entire information stored in the dummy file, An information distribution system comprising: means for securing a reserved area of a predetermined storage device for accumulating the information. 9. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution source terminal confirms whether the data size of the information is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, and determines the predetermined size. An information distribution system, further comprising: a unit for stopping the transmission of the dummy file and transmitting the entire information at one time when the size is less than the size. 10. Network and plural or singular among
When sending information to other terminals via the relay server,
Information that can be attached to the above information
A distribution device, of the data size of the entire information including the attached file
A file that has an item and is not attached with the attachment
Dummy file that creates a dummy file for checking the authenticity
File generation means and actually transmitting the information with the attached file attached
Before sending the dummy file to the network
Included in the transmission control means and the response of the other terminal to the dummy file.
Data on the relay server or the other terminal.
All of the above information based on the restriction information regarding the size restrictions
An information distribution apparatus , comprising: a unit that divides the body into a plurality of times for transmission . 11. Network and plural or singular among
A mailer that sends information to other terminals via a relay server
A program that is executed by a computer
The computer according to claim 10
Professionals characterized by functioning as information distribution devices
Gram. 12. A relay server in the network
By executing it, the server is added with the item of the data size of the entire information including the attached file.
Whether or not distribution is permitted and the attached file is not attached
Receive a dummy file for approval in the network
Means, when relaying the dummy file, the relay server
Limit information about the data size limitation in
Means and the dummy file to which the restriction information is added.
A program that functions as a means for transferring a file to another server . 13. A distribution terminal, a network and a duplicate
Information to other terminals via one or more relay servers
Attach the attached file in the above information when sending
Is a possible information distribution method, in which the data size of the entire information including the attached file is
A file that has an item and is not attached with the attachment
Generate a dummy file for authenticity confirmation at the delivery source terminal
Dummy file generation step and the actual transmission of the information with the attached file attached
Before copying the dummy file from the delivery source terminal to the
Regarding the transmission control process to send to the network and the data size limitation on the relay server.
The relay server adds the restriction information to the dummy file.
Relay the file and return the dummy file to the other terminal.
And a step of performing communication . 14. The information distribution method according to claim 13.
Therefore, in the information, it is indicated whether or not it is the dummy file.
File type items are added
Information distribution method. 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14.
An information distribution method, wherein a distribution size indicating a data size of the information is included in the information.
Item is added to the distribution size as an item of the data size of the entire information.
The information delivery method characterized in that the item of the above is applied. 16. The method according to claim 13 or 14.
An information distribution method, wherein a distribution size indicating a data size of the information is included in the information.
Item is added, and the item of the data size of the entire information is the delivery size.
Information distribution method characterized by being added separately from the item
Law. 17. A relay server connected to a network
-It is a device, and the item of data size of the entire information including attached files is added.
Whether or not distribution is permitted and the attached file is not attached
Receive a dummy file for approval in the network
And a relay server for relaying the dummy file
Limit information about the data size limitation in
And the dummy file with the restriction information added to another
And a means for transferring to the server. 18. Electronic mail connected to a network
An electronic mail receiving terminal to receive, with items of the data size of the entire information, including attachments
Whether or not distribution is permitted and the attached file is not attached
Receive a dummy file for approval in the network
And how to receive the email when the dummy file is received.
Restriction information about the data size restriction on the
And means for giving back the dummy file to which the restriction information is given.
An electronic mail receiving terminal having means for