JP3872044B2 - Mail receiving system, router device, mail receiving method, and program for reducing load - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail receiving system, a router apparatus, a mail receiving method, and a program for reducing a load, and more particularly to a technique for receiving a broadcast mail addressed to a user in a LAN belonging to the same router apparatus.

  In conventional e-mail delivery, when e-mail is delivered to a specific group of users, a specific group of users is defined as a mailing list instead of sending individual users within the group as destinations. It is known to distribute to each user by transmitting to the representative address of the mailing list. For example, if a mailing list is defined for each work place in the company, it is not necessary to send an e-mail to be notified to all employees in the work to each user. So convenient.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-82876 discloses that an e-mail is distributed using a mailing list, and it is irrelevant when an e-mail related only to a part of users included in the mailing list is transmitted to the mailing list. In order to solve the problem that a large amount of electronic mail is distributed, a technique for narrowing down a distribution destination using a keyword is disclosed.

JP 2002-82876 A

  The sent e-mail is temporarily stored in the destination user's mailbox received by the mail server used by the destination user from the terminal of the calling user via the network or mail server, and the destination user receives the mail from the terminal. It reaches the destination user by making a request. At this time, since the e-mail information is transferred through the communication path between the terminal of the calling user and the terminal of the destination user, particularly an e-mail with a large file attached has a heavy load on the communication path.

  Using a mailing list makes it easy for users to specify a destination. However, even if a mailing list is used, outgoing emails are forwarded to each user on the mailing list by the mail server, reducing the load on the communication path. I couldn't. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-82876, it is possible to reduce the distribution destinations of the users in the mailing list, but it is inevitable that the load is increased by the number of distributed users.

  In particular, when a user who uses the same LAN (local area network) is a specific group, a mailing list is used in a configuration in which a mail server is arranged on a network connected via a router device outside the LAN. However, the same electronic mail information is transferred between the router device and the mail server by the number of users in the group, and the load is not reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce a communication load between a mail server and a router device when an electronic mail is distributed to all or a part of a group of users who use a LAN configured to connect to the mail server via a router device. Is to provide

A first mail receiving system according to the present invention includes a mail server that connects to a first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is connected to a second network and is used by a user registered as a user in the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
Representing all the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, define the user ALL and register the user in the mail server,
When receiving a mail reception request from the user terminal, the router device receives an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server and receives and holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and the user ALL together with the e-mail addressed to the requesting user. The e-mail addressed to the user terminal is also returned to the requesting user terminal.

A second mail receiving system according to the present invention includes a mail server that connects to a first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is connected to the second network and is used by a user registered as a user in the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
Representing all users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, the user ALL is defined and registered in the mail server.
The router device includes a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed for each user. Distribution table to keep corresponding,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. The extracted router mail holding unit stores the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with reference to the distribution table, and sends the e-mail (B) to the e-mail (A). And an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to the requesting user terminal.

A third mail receiving system of the present invention includes a mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is connected to the second network and is used by a user who has registered as a user on the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
Representing all users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, the user ALL is defined and registered in the mail server.
The router device includes a user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user ALL, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit. A distribution table for holding the distributed information for managing the distribution for each user in correspondence with the e-mail;
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, an e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and an e-mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is sent. Request to the mail server and store in the router mail holding unit, retrieve the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table, and send it to the e-mail (A) An electronic mail (B) and an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to the requesting user terminal.

A fourth mail receiving system according to the present invention includes a mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is connected to the second network and is used by a user who has registered as a user on the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
When receiving a mail reception request from the user terminal, the router device receives an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server and also receives an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs from the mail server and holds it. The electronic mail addressed to the user GRP to which the requesting user belongs together with the electronic mail addressed to the requesting user is returned to the requesting user terminal.

A fifth mail receiving system of the present invention includes a mail server that connects to a first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is used by a user who connects to the second network and registers as a user in the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
The router device includes a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user GRP, and distributed information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed for each user. It has a distribution table held correspondingly and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server and taken out, and it is addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to the group table. The received e-mail (B) is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the undelivered e-mail (C) is sent from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user by referring to the distribution table. The electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and sent back to the requesting user terminal.

A sixth mail receiving system of the present invention includes a mail server that connects to a first network and executes a mail service, a user terminal that is used by a user who connects to the second network and registers as a user in the mail server, A mail receiving system having a router device for connecting 1 and a second network,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
The router device includes a user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user GRP, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit. A distribution table that holds distribution-ready information for managing that is distributed for each user, and a group table that defines which users belong to each group;
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and the requesting user belongs to the group table. E-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group is requested from the mail server, retrieved and stored in the router mail holding unit, and undelivered e-mail (C) to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table Is taken out from the router mail holding unit, the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal.

  According to a seventh mail receiving system of the present invention, in the second, third, fifth, or sixth mail receiving system of the present invention, the router device returns an electronic mail to the requesting user terminal. , Update all the delivered information in the delivery table corresponding to the user of the return destination to delivered, delete the delivery table registration for the emails that have been delivered to all users, and the router mail It deletes from a holding | maintenance part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

A first router device of the present invention includes a first network to which a mail server that executes a mail service is connected, and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected. A router device to be connected,
Representing all the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, define the user ALL and register the user in the mail server,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user ALL is received and held together with an e-mail addressed to the requesting user. In addition, it is returned to the requesting user terminal.

The second router device of the present invention includes a first network to which a mail server for executing a mail service is connected, and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected. A router device to be connected,
Representing all users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, the user ALL is defined and registered in the mail server.
A router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and a distribution that holds distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed to each user. With a table,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. The extracted router mail holding unit stores the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with reference to the distribution table, and sends the e-mail (B) to the e-mail (A). And an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to the requesting user terminal.

The third router device of the present invention includes a first network to which a mail server that executes a mail service is connected, and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected. A router device to be connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
When a mail reception request is received from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs is received from the mail server and held. An e-mail addressed to the user GRP to which the requesting user belongs together with an e-mail addressed to the user is also returned to the requesting user terminal.

The fourth router device of the present invention includes a first network to which a mail server for executing a mail service is connected, and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected. A router device to be connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
A router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user GRP, and a distribution that holds distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed to each user. A table and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server and taken out, and it is addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to the group table. The received e-mail (B) is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the undelivered e-mail (C) is sent from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user by referring to the distribution table. The electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and sent back to the requesting user terminal.

A fifth router device of the present invention includes a first network to which a mail server for executing a mail service is connected, and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected. A router device to be connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
A user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user GRP, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit are distributed to each user. A distribution table that holds the distributed information for managing e-mail and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and the requesting user belongs to the group table. E-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group is requested from the mail server, retrieved and stored in the router mail holding unit, and undelivered e-mail (C) to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table Is taken out from the router mail holding unit, the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal.

  The sixth router device of the present invention is the distribution device according to the second, fourth, or fifth router device of the present invention, wherein an electronic mail is returned to the requesting user terminal, and then the distribution corresponding to the return destination user is performed. All the delivered information in the table is updated to delivered, and the delivery table registration is deleted and deleted from the router mail holding unit for the emails that have been delivered to all users .

The first mail receiving method of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and connects to a first network, and that is connected to a second network. A user ALL representing all users who receive an e-mail from the mail server by relaying the router device connecting the second network and the second network, and registering the user in the mail server,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. Requested by referring to the distribution table that holds the delivered information for managing the fact that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is stored for each user and delivered to each user. The undelivered e-mail (C) for the original user is taken out from the router mail holding unit, and the e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) are added to the e-mail (A) to the requesting user terminal. It is characterized by returning.

The second mail receiving method of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and is connected to the first network, and is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive an e-mail from the mail server by relaying the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined for each mail server. Register as a user,
When a mail reception request is received from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs is received from the mail server and held. An e-mail addressed to the user GRP to which the requesting user belongs together with an e-mail addressed to the user is also returned to the requesting user terminal.

The third mail receiving method of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and is connected to the first network, and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive an e-mail from the mail server by relaying the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined for each mail server. Register as a user,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested and retrieved from the mail server, and the request is made with reference to the group table that defines which users belong to each group. The e-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the original user belongs is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is stored for each user. An undelivered e-mail (C) is retrieved from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table that holds distribution-completed information for managing the distribution of e-mails, and electronically The electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal.

The fourth mail receiving method of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and connects to the first network, and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive an e-mail from the mail server by relaying the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined for each mail server. Register as a user,
When there is a mail reception request from a user terminal, a group that defines which user belongs to each group by requesting the mail (A) sent to the requesting user from the mail server and storing it in the user mail holding unit The electronic mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs with reference to the table is requested from the mail server, extracted, stored in the router mail holding unit, and stored in the router mail holding unit A router mail holding unit for sending undelivered e-mail (C) to a requesting user with reference to a distribution table for holding e-mail correspondence with distributed information for managing that mail has been distributed for each user And the e-mail (B) and the e-mail (C) are added to the e-mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal.

  The fifth mail receiving method of the present invention corresponds to the return destination user after returning an electronic mail to the requesting user terminal in the first, third, or fourth mail receiving method of the present invention. All the distributed information in the distribution table is updated to distributed, and registration of the distribution table is deleted and deleted from the router mail holding unit with respect to an e-mail that has been distributed to all users. And

A first program of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and connects to a first network, and that is connected to a second network. A mail reception request is received from the user terminal in a state where a user ALL representing all the users who receive the e-mail from the mail server via the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined and registered as a user in the mail server. If there,
A procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user from the mail server, and requesting and retrieving the e-mail (B) delivered to the user ALL from the mail server and storing them in the router mail holding unit For the requesting user with reference to the procedure and the delivery table that holds the delivered information for managing the email stored in the router mail holding unit for each user. Procedure for removing undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit, returning e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) to e-mail (A) to the requesting user terminal And making the computer execute.

A second program of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and connects to a first network and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive e-mail from the mail server through the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined, and the mail server has a user for each group. If there is a mail reception request from the user terminal in the registered state,
A request for receiving an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server, a procedure for receiving an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the requesting user A procedure for causing the computer to execute a procedure for returning an e-mail addressed to the user GRP to which the original user belongs to the requesting user terminal.

The third program of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and is connected to the first network, and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive e-mail from the mail server through the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined, and the mail server has a user for each group. If there is a mail reception request from the user terminal in the registered state,
A user of a group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to a group table that defines a procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user from the mail server and for each group. A procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (B) delivered to the GRP from the mail server and storing it in the router mail holding unit, and managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit has been delivered to each user A procedure for retrieving undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table that holds e-mail correspondence to the distributed information for performing e-mail, and e-mail (A) A procedure for causing the computer to execute a procedure of adding the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) and returning the electronic mail to the requesting user terminal.

A fourth program of the present invention uses a user terminal that is used by a user registered in a mail server that executes a mail service and connects to a first network, and that is connected to a second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of users who receive e-mail from the mail server through the router device connecting the network and the second network is defined, and the mail server has a user for each group. If there is a mail reception request from the user terminal in the registered state,
The request source user's email (A) is requested from the mail server and stored in the user mail holding unit, and a request is made with reference to the group table defining which users belong to each group. A procedure for requesting the e-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the user belongs to the mail server, retrieving it and storing it in the router mail holding unit, and distributing the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit for each user A procedure for retrieving undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table for holding e-mail correspondence to the distributed information for managing the information, It is characterized by causing a computer to execute a procedure of adding an electronic mail (B) and an electronic mail (C) to the mail (A) and returning them to the requesting user terminal.

  In addition to the first, third, or fourth program of the present invention, the fifth program of the present invention returns an e-mail to the requesting user terminal, and then corresponds to the return destination user. A procedure for updating all the distributed information in the distribution table to be distributed and deleting registration of the distribution table and deleting from the router mail holding unit with respect to an e-mail for which distribution to all users has been completed. It is made to perform.

  When distributing e-mail to all users in the LAN, the router is connected to the LAN and the mail server as the destination, so that the router apparatus represents one e-mail from between the mail servers to the users in the LAN. Since the distribution is performed, the load on the network path between the router device and the mail server can be reduced.

  Next, a first best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mail receiving system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The mail receiving system in FIG. 1 includes a user terminal 10 connected to the LAN 40, a router device 20 that connects the LAN 40 and the network 41, and a mail server 30 that connects to the router device 20 via the network 41.

  As an example of the configuration of FIG. 1, a router device 20 is installed in each workplace (distinguishes between A and B in the figure), and a user terminal such as a personal computer used by a worker at each workplace for business or the like is connected via a LAN 40, There is a configuration in which a mail server 30 that provides an e-mail transmission / reception service is connected to a network 41 that connects offices in the company via the network 20. In this configuration, the router device 20 is provided at each workplace, and is connected to an external network 42 such as the Internet using the router device 25 for communication with outside the company.

  The user terminal 10 is an information device such as a personal computer, has a function of connecting to the LAN 40 and a mail processing function, and is used by one or more users. In FIG. 1, two LANs 40 (A) and one LAN 40 (B) are connected, but the number of connections is not particularly limited as long as the necessary number is connected.

  Although not shown, the router device 20 has a mail processing unit 21, a user mail holding unit 22, a router mail, in addition to a function of connecting between networks and having a routing table to control packet transfer like a normal router device. A holding unit 23 and a distribution table 24 are included. In addition, the router device 20 can register as one user to represent each user under the LAN 40 with respect to the mail server 30, and can send and receive mail. Although FIG. 1 shows two router devices 20 (A) and 20 (B), the number of connections is not limited, and one or three or more may be connected.

  The mail server 30 is a device that executes a mail service for registered users. The mail server 30 is realized by a personal computer or an information processing device having higher functional performance and has a mail box unit 31. The mailbox unit 31 includes a mailbox for each registered user, and includes a registered number for a normal user and a router, but the configuration and function are the same for a normal user and a router. They are simply distinguished for convenience of explanation.

  The mail processing unit 21 is a program that executes a process of receiving and distributing an e-mail addressed to its own router together with receiving a mail addressed to the user when a mail reception request from the subordinate user terminal 10 is detected. However, part or all may be realized by hardware.

  The user mail holding unit 22 is a storage area that temporarily holds an email received from the mail server 30. The router mail holding unit 23 is a storage area that is held in association with information (mail number) for identifying an electronic mail addressed to the router. The distribution table 24 is a table for managing information on e-mail registered in the router mail holding unit 23 and information on to which user the held e-mail has been distributed.

  2 and 3 are diagrams showing the contents of the distribution table 24 before and after receiving an e-mail for the sake of explanation. In FIG. 2, the registered mail number and the distribution result for each mail number are managed. Information that has already been distributed. The mail number is information for identifying an electronic mail received to the router, and may be identified by a reception date and time other than a continuous number as shown in FIG. The distributed information in FIGS. 2 and 3 indicates that the number of users is 8 and corresponds to the bit. If “0”, it indicates that the distribution has not been performed. If “1”, the distribution has been performed. It may be defined in a format other than this as long as it includes information on whether or not it has been delivered.

  Next, the operation of the first best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when an email is received from the user terminal 10 (A) to the mail server 30. Referring to FIG. 4, first, when a user requests a received electronic mail, the user operates the mail function of the user terminal 10 (A) to instruct reception of the electronic mail, and the user terminal 10 sends a mail reception request accordingly to the mail server. It is issued to 30 (S61).

  The detailed procedure of the mail reception request will be briefly described by taking POP3 (post office protocol version 3), which is well known as an e-mail reception protocol, as an example. (1) Authentication by USER and PASS commands, (2) Mail by LIST commands The acquisition of the e-mail list number in the box, (3) acquisition of e-mail by the REST (+ e-mail number to be acquired) command, and (4) termination of the POP3 session by the QUIT command. When a mail reception request is made in the procedure of (1), authentication is accompanied by sending out a user name and password, but detailed explanation is omitted in the following explanation. Further, in the procedure of (3), the following description will be made assuming that all received e-mails are acquired. Further, the mail reception protocol is not limited to POP3.

  The mail reception request is relayed to the router device 20 (A) and sent to the mail server 30, but when the mail processing unit 21 of the router device 20 (A) detects the mail reception request from the user terminal 10, it is detected after authentication. The received mail reception request is relayed to the mail server 30 (S62). When the mail server 30 accepts the mail reception request, the mail server 30 authenticates the user, and then returns an e-mail received from the mail box unit 31 to the corresponding user (S63).

  The mail processing unit 21 of the router device 20 (A) stores the received e-mail in the user mail holding unit 22 when receiving the e-mail from the mail server 30 (S64), and the user name registered by the router device 20 (A). The mail reception request is sent to the mail server 30 (S65). When the mail server 30 receives the mail reception request from the router device 20 (A), it returns any electronic mail that has arrived from the mail box unit 31 for the router device 20 (A) (S66).

  When receiving the e-mail from the mail server 30, the mail processing unit 21 of the router device 20 (A) assigns a mail number for identifying the received e-mail and registers it in the distribution table 24 as distributed information = “11111111”. The received e-mail is stored in the router mail holding unit 23 in association with the mail number (S67). However, if there is no e-mail addressed to the router, it is not stored or registered. For example, if the contents of the distribution table 24 before registration are shown in FIG. 2, the received e-mail is registered as e-mail number = “104”. When two or more received e-mails are included, as many e-mail numbers as the number of received e-mails may be added and registered in the distribution table 24, or a representative e-mail number “104” is assigned to e-mails received at one time. You may register.

  Next, if the mail processing unit 21 of the router apparatus 20 (A) checks the distribution table 24 to determine whether there is an undelivered e-mail to the user in the router mail holding unit 23, the undelivered e-mail is sent from the router mail holding unit 23. And the electronic mail addressed to the individual user and the electronic mail addressed to the router stored in the user mail holding unit 22 are returned to the requesting user terminal 10 (A) (S68). Subsequently, the mail processing unit 21 of the router device 20 (A) updates the distributed information for the return destination user, and if there is an electronic mail (distributed information = “00000000”) that has been distributed to all users. It deletes from the router mail holding part 23 and deletes the registration of the distribution table 24 (S69).

  The user terminal 10 (A) that requested reception receives the e-mail that has been delivered to the requested user, the e-mail that has been delivered to the router, and the e-mail that has been delivered to the router and held in the router device 20 (A). Are received (S70).

  A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. When the user who requested mail reception in the state of FIG. 2 corresponds to the leftmost bit of the distributed information in the distribution table 24, the mail numbers “100” and “100” with the leftmost bit of the distributed information being “1”. Since the e-mails 101 "," 102 ", and" 103 "have not been delivered to the requesting user, the requesting user terminal 10 (A) sends the e-mail addressed to the router that is newly received together with the e-mail addressed to the user. (Email number = “104”) and the e-mails with the mail numbers “100” to “103” held in the router mail holding unit 23 are received together from the router device 20 (A).

  At this time, in the distribution table 24, the leftmost bit of the distributed information is updated from undelivered “1” to distributed “0”. As a result, the distributed information of the mail number “100” is changed from “10000000” to “00000000”, so that the distribution to all users is completed, and the e-mail with the mail number “100” is sent from the router mail holding unit 23. The registration of the mail number “100” is also deleted from the distribution table 24. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, in the distribution table 24, the mail number “100” is deleted, the mail number “100” is registered, and the leftmost bit of the distributed information is all updated to “0” indicating that the distribution has been completed. The

  As described above, when the user receives an electronic mail via the router device 20, the electronic mail transmitted to the router can be received together with the electronic mail addressed to the user. At this time, only one e-mail addressed to the router is transferred between the mail server 30 and the router device 20, and after the transfer, the router holds and distributes it to all the subordinate users, thereby reducing the load on the network 41. can do. In particular, when the number of e-mails attached with files is increasing, the load on the network 41 is greatly affected.

  Next, the second best mode will be described with reference to the drawings. In the above description, the e-mail addressed to all users belonging to the LAN 40 is addressed to the router. However, the router device 20 is added with a function of defining a part of users belonging to the LAN 40 and processing e-mail addressed to the group members. Is the second best mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mail receiving system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the mail receiving system in FIG. 5 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 1 except for the following.

  The router device 70 includes a user mail holding unit 22, a router mail holding unit 23, a management table 24, and a mail processing unit 71, and additionally includes a group table 75 compared to the router device 20. Although it is a program similar to the mail processing unit 21, group correspondence processing is added.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the group table 75. FIG. 6 shows an example in which all members are defined as group name = “all” and only three users are defined as group name = “1 group”, but the number of groups is further added. It doesn't have to be a group that includes everyone. The member information in FIG. 6 represents each user under the router device 70 in bits, and corresponds to the bits of the distributed information in the distribution table 24.

  When the router device 70 (A) is a group-compatible device, the mail box unit 31 of the mail server 30 corresponds to two user registrations of the group name “all” and the group name “1 group”, and for all routers 1 and 1. Has two mailboxes for the team.

  Next, the operation of the second best mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the user operates the user terminal 10 (A) to receive an email from the mail server 30. The operation from step S81 to step S84 is the same as the operation from step S61 to step S64 in FIG.

  After receiving the e-mail addressed to the user in step S84 and storing it in the user mail holding unit 22, the mail processing unit 71 of the router device 70 refers to the group table 75 to determine which group the requesting user belongs to and belongs to it. A group mail reception request is sent (S85). The mail server 30 returns the received e-mail of the designated group from the mail box unit 31 (S86).

  More specifically, if the requesting user corresponds to the leftmost bit in the member information of the group table 75 of FIG. 6, the requesting user belongs to both the group “all” and “1 group”, so An e-mail reception request will be sent. For example, an e-mail addressed to the group “everyone” is acquired first, followed by an e-mail addressed to the group “1 group”. If the requesting user corresponds to the rightmost bit of the member information, only the e-mail addressed to the group “everyone” is acquired, but the leftmost user will be described below.

  When the mail processing unit 71 of the router device 70 acquires the received e-mail for each group, the mail processing unit 71 assigns a mail number to each group, registers the distributed information in the distribution table 24 with reference to the group table 75, and acquires the acquired electronic mail. The mail is stored in the router mail holding unit 23 in association with the mail number (S87).

  For example, if the content of the distribution table 24 is the user corresponding to the leftmost bit of the member information in the state shown in FIG. 8, the mail number = “204” is assigned to the received e-mail addressed to the group name “everyone” and has been distributed. Member information = “11111111” of the group table 75 is registered in the distribution table 24 as information. Further, the mail number = “205” is assigned to the received electronic mail of the group name “1 group”, and the member information = “11100000” of the group table 75 is registered in the distribution table 24 as the distributed information. By registering in this way, undistributed user information is automatically registered in the distribution table 24, and a necessary distribution destination can be specified without identifying an email address to which group.

  Subsequently, the mail processing unit 71 of the router device 70 (A) extracts the undelivered received e-mail with reference to the distribution table 24 and matches it with the received e-mail addressed to the user stored in the user mail holding unit 22. To return (S88). Further, the mail processing unit 71 of the router device 70 (A) updates the distributed information in the distribution table 24, and deletes the registration in the distribution table 24 if there is an electronic mail whose distribution completed information is all “0” and distribution is completed. Then, the electronic mail stored in the router mail holding unit 23 is deleted (S89). The user terminal 10 (A) receives both the e-mail addressed to the user and the e-mail addressed to the group (S90).

  If the user corresponds to the leftmost bit of the member information and the distribution table 24 is in the state of FIG. 8, the e-mails with the mail numbers “200” to “203” and the newly stored mail numbers “204” and “205” are stored. The user terminal 10 (A) receives the e-mail together with the e-mail addressed to the user stored in the user mail holding unit 22. In addition, when the distribution information of the leftmost user is updated in the distribution table 24, the leftmost bit of the distributed information becomes “0”. The distribution completed information of the mail number “200” in FIG. 8 is “00000000”, and the e-mail with the mail number “200” stored in the router mail holding unit 23 after the registration of the mail number “200” in the distribution table 24 is deleted. Deleted. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the distribution table 24 after the above update is executed.

  Thus, in addition to receiving e-mails for all users under the router device 20, the present invention can also group some users under the router device 20 as distribution targets. It is possible to define and implement both everyone and some groups as distribution targets at the same time. Even in the case of grouping, the load on the network 41 between the router device 70 and the mail server 30 can be reduced as in the first embodiment.

It is a block diagram of the mail reception system of the 1st form of this invention. It is an example of the delivery table | surface 24 of this invention. It is an example of the delivery table | surface 24 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the 1st form of this invention. It is a block diagram of the mail reception system of the 2nd form of this invention. It is an example of the group table | surface 75 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the 2nd form of this invention. It is an example of the delivery table | surface 24 of this invention. It is an example of the delivery table | surface 24 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 User terminal 20 Router apparatus 21 Mail processing part 22 User mail holding part 23 Router mail holding part 24 Distribution table 30 Mail server 31 Mailbox part 40 LAN
41 Network 70 Router 71 Mail processing section 75 Group table

Claims (23)

A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
Defining a user ALL on behalf of all users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and registering the user in the mail server;
When receiving a mail reception request from the user terminal, the router device receives an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server and receives and holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and the user ALL together with the e-mail addressed to the requesting user. An e-mail receiving system characterized in that an e-mail addressed to the e-mail is also returned to the requesting user terminal. A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
Define a user ALL on behalf of all the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive an email from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server.
The router device includes a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed for each user. Distribution table to keep corresponding,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. The extracted router mail holding unit stores the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with reference to the distribution table, and sends the e-mail (B) to the e-mail (A). And an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to the requesting user terminal. A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
Define a user ALL on behalf of all the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive an email from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server.
The router device includes a user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user ALL, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit. A distribution table that holds distribution-ready information for managing the distribution for each user in correspondence with e-mail;
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, an e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and an e-mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is sent. Request to the mail server and store in the router mail holding unit, retrieve the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table, and send it to the e-mail (A) A mail receiving system, wherein an electronic mail (B) and an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to a requesting user terminal. A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
When receiving a mail reception request from the user terminal, the router device receives an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server and also receives an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs from the mail server and holds it. And an e-mail addressed to the user GRP to which the requesting user belongs together with an e-mail addressed to the requesting user, and then returned to the requesting user terminal. A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
One or more user GRPs are defined on behalf of a group consisting of some or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
The router device includes a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user GRP, and distributed information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed for each user. It has a distribution table held correspondingly and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server and taken out, and it is addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to the group table. The received e-mail (B) is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the undelivered e-mail (C) is sent from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table. A mail receiving system, wherein the mail receiving system extracts the electronic mail (A), adds the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C), and returns them to the requesting user terminal. A mail server that connects to the first network and executes a mail service; a user terminal that is connected to the second network and that is used by a user registered in the mail server; and a router device that connects the first and second networks A mail receiving system comprising:
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
The router device includes a user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user GRP, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit. A distribution table that holds distribution-ready information for managing that is distributed for each user, and a group table that defines which users belong to each group;
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and the requesting user belongs to the group table. E-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group is requested from the mail server, retrieved and stored in the router mail holding unit, and undelivered e-mail (C) to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table Is taken out from the router mail holding unit, and the e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) are added to the e-mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal. After returning an e-mail to the requesting user terminal, the router device updates all the delivered information in the delivery table corresponding to the return destination user to delivered, and delivery to all users is completed. 7. The mail receiving system according to claim 2, wherein the distribution table registration is deleted from the router mail holding unit and deleted from the router mail holding unit. A router device for connecting a first network to which a mail server for executing mail service is connected and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected,
Representing all the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, define the user ALL and register the user in the mail server,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user ALL is received and held together with an e-mail addressed to the requesting user. In addition, the router device is also returned to the requesting user terminal. A router device for connecting a first network to which a mail server for executing mail service is connected and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected,
Representing all users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, the user ALL is defined and registered in the mail server.
A router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user ALL, and a distribution that holds distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed to each user. With a table,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. The extracted router mail holding unit stores the undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with reference to the distribution table, and sends the e-mail (B) to the e-mail (A). And an electronic mail (C) are added and returned to the requesting user terminal. A router device for connecting a first network to which a mail server for executing mail service is connected and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
When a mail reception request is received from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs is received from the mail server and held. A router apparatus characterized in that, together with an e-mail addressed to a user, an e-mail addressed to a user GRP to which the requesting user belongs is also returned to the requesting user terminal. A router device for connecting a first network to which a mail server for executing mail service is connected and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
A router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to the user GRP, and a distribution that holds distribution information for managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is distributed to each user. A table and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server and taken out, and it is addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to the group table. The received e-mail (B) is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the undelivered e-mail (C) is sent from the router mail holding unit to the requesting user by referring to the distribution table. A router device characterized by taking out and adding an e-mail (B) and an e-mail (C) to an e-mail (A) and returning them to a requesting user terminal. A router device for connecting a first network to which a mail server for executing mail service is connected and a second network to which a user terminal used by a user registered in the mail server is connected,
One or more user GRP is defined on behalf of a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device from the user terminal and receive e-mail from the mail server, and the user is registered in the mail server for each group. ,
A user mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to an individual user, a router mail holding unit that holds an e-mail addressed to a user GRP, and an e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit are distributed to each user. A distribution table that holds the distributed information for managing e-mail and a group table that defines which users belong to each group,
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, stored in the user mail holding unit, and the requesting user belongs to the group table. E-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group is requested from the mail server, retrieved and stored in the router mail holding unit, and undelivered e-mail (C) to the requesting user with reference to the distribution table Is taken out from the router mail holding unit, the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal. After returning the e-mail to the requesting user terminal, update all the distributed information in the distribution table corresponding to the return-destination user to the already-distributed, and for the e-mail that has been distributed to all users The router apparatus according to claim 9, 11 or 12, wherein the registration of the distribution table is deleted and deleted from the router mail holding unit. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. Define a user ALL representing all the users who relay the router device and receive e-mail from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server.
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested from the mail server, and the electronic mail (B) delivered to the user ALL is requested from the mail server. Requested by referring to the distribution table that holds the delivered information for managing the fact that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is stored for each user and delivered to each user. The undelivered e-mail (C) for the original user is taken out from the router mail holding unit, and the e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) are added to the e-mail (A) to the requesting user terminal. A mail receiving method characterized by returning it. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. Define one or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mail from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server for each group.
When a mail reception request is received from the user terminal, an e-mail addressed to the requesting user is received from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs is received from the mail server and held. An e-mail receiving method, wherein an e-mail addressed to a user GRP to which a request source user belongs is returned together with an e-mail addressed to the user to the requesting user terminal. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. Define one or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mail from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server for each group.
When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal, the electronic mail (A) delivered to the requesting user is requested and retrieved from the mail server, and the request is made with reference to the group table that defines which users belong to each group. The e-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the original user belongs is requested from the mail server, extracted and stored in the router mail holding unit, and the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit is stored for each user. An undelivered e-mail (C) is retrieved from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table that holds distribution-completed information for managing the distribution of e-mails, and electronically An e-mail receiving method, wherein e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) are added to e-mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. Define one or more user GRP representing a group consisting of a part or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mail from the mail server, and register the user in the mail server for each group.
When there is a mail reception request from a user terminal, a group that defines which user belongs to each group by requesting the mail (A) sent to the requesting user from the mail server and storing it in the user mail holding unit The electronic mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs with reference to the table is requested from the mail server, extracted, stored in the router mail holding unit, and stored in the router mail holding unit A router mail holding unit for sending undelivered e-mail (C) to a requesting user with reference to a distribution table for holding e-mail correspondence with distributed information for managing that mail has been distributed for each user The mail receiving method, wherein the electronic mail (B) and the electronic mail (C) are added to the electronic mail (A) and returned to the requesting user terminal. After returning the e-mail to the requesting user terminal, update all the distributed information in the distribution table corresponding to the return-destination user to the already-distributed, and for the e-mail that has been distributed to all users 18. The mail receiving method according to claim 14, wherein the registration of the distribution table is deleted and the router mail holding unit is deleted. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. When there is a mail reception request from the user terminal in a state where the user ALL representing all users who receive the email from the mail server via the router device is defined and registered in the mail server,
A procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user from the mail server, and requesting and retrieving the e-mail (B) delivered to the user ALL from the mail server and storing them in the router mail holding unit For the requesting user with reference to the procedure and the delivery table that holds the delivered information for managing the email stored in the router mail holding unit for each user. Procedure for removing undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit, returning e-mail (B) and e-mail (C) to e-mail (A) to the requesting user terminal A program characterized by causing a computer to execute. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of some or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mails from the mail server is defined, and mail is sent from the user terminal with the user registered for each group in the mail server. When there is a reception request,
A request for receiving an e-mail addressed to the requesting user from the mail server, a procedure for receiving an e-mail addressed to the user GRP of the group to which the requesting user belongs from the mail server, and an e-mail addressed to the requesting user A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for returning an e-mail addressed to a user GRP to which a former user belongs to a requesting user terminal. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of some or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mails from the mail server is defined, and mail is sent from the user terminal with the user registered for each group in the mail server. When there is a reception request,
A user of a group to which the requesting user belongs by referring to a group table that defines a procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (A) delivered to the requesting user from the mail server and for each group. A procedure for requesting and retrieving the e-mail (B) delivered to the GRP from the mail server and storing it in the router mail holding unit, and managing that the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit has been delivered to each user A procedure for retrieving undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table that holds e-mail correspondence to the distributed information for performing e-mail, and e-mail (A) A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of adding an electronic mail (B) and an electronic mail (C) and returning them to a requesting user terminal. Connect the first network and the second network by using a user terminal that is used by a user registered in the mail server that executes the mail service and connects to the first network and that is connected to the second network. One or more user GRP representing a group consisting of some or all of the users who relay the router device and receive e-mails from the mail server is defined, and mail is sent from the user terminal with the user registered for each group in the mail server. When there is a reception request,
The request source user's email (A) is requested from the mail server and stored in the user mail holding unit, and a request is made with reference to the group table defining which users belong to each group. A procedure for requesting the e-mail (B) delivered to the user GRP of the group to which the user belongs to the mail server, retrieving it and storing it in the router mail holding unit, and distributing the e-mail stored in the router mail holding unit for each user A procedure for retrieving undelivered e-mail (C) from the router mail holding unit with respect to the requesting user by referring to a distribution table for holding e-mail correspondence to the distributed information for managing the information, A procedure for causing a computer to execute a procedure of adding an e-mail (B) and an e-mail (C) to a mail (A) and returning it to a requesting user terminal. Lamb. After returning the e-mail to the requesting user terminal, update all the distributed information in the distribution table corresponding to the return-destination user to the already-distributed, and for the e-mail that has been distributed to all users 23. The program according to claim 19, wherein the program causes the computer to execute a procedure for deleting the registration of the distribution table and deleting it from the router mail holding unit.

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