JP5073735B2 - Mail apparatus, mail apparatus control method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail apparatus used for browsing mail.

  With the recent development of communication technology, opportunities for exchanging information using electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as “mail”) have increased. Accordingly, various mail devices have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, not only one-to-one correspondence but also information exchange and information sharing by mail may be performed among a plurality of users. In this case, a tool called a mailing list may be used.

  In addition, when a plurality of project teams are formed in a company, mail is also used for information exchange within a project and information exchange between projects. Various types of themes are handled by e-mail.

JP 2004-288111 A

  However, it is not easy to grasp the status of communication by email.

  For example, a mail user uses a screen for displaying a mail history in order to grasp the response status by mail. On the screen for displaying the mail history, mail titles are usually displayed in a list format.

  However, when an email sender sends an email, an abstract agenda is usually used as the email title. Therefore, the titles of emails related to the same agenda are often the same title. Therefore, it is difficult for the recipient to determine the content of the received mail from the mail title.

  In addition, a mail sender may give a mail title based on the specific contents of the mail regardless of the agenda. However, in this case, it becomes difficult for the recipient of the mail to determine which agenda the mail is about from the title. Further, in this case, if the agenda is not written in the body of the mail, the recipient of the mail cannot determine which agenda is related from the body of the mail.

  For this reason, a mail sender may assign a mail title based on both the agenda and specific contents of the mail. However, in this case, since the mail title is too redundant, it is difficult for the recipient to grasp the contents of the mail instantly. In addition, there are cases where it is not possible to enter the screen for displaying mails in a list format.

  As described above, there is a problem with displaying the state of communication by e-mail in an easy-to-understand manner.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a mail apparatus that more accurately displays the status of communication by mail.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a mail device according to the present invention is a mail device used for browsing mail, and includes a first part corresponding to sender information and destination information of a mail, and a first part other than the first part. and 2 parts in threaded mail titles, including when sending the mail, the second part of the email title second mail is a child having a parent-child relationship to the first mail and the parent, of the first mail mail a display unit for displaying the differences is omitted overlapping portion between the second portion and the second mail of the second portion of the mail title title as the second part of the email title of the second mail, the display unit, Further, in the thread display, an alternative character is displayed on the overlapped portion omitted, and the display unit further displays the first character before the difference in the thread display. Show sender information and destination information of the mail as a first part of the email title of the second mail.
In addition, the mail device according to the present invention is a mail device used for mail browsing, and in the mail title thread display, from the mail title of the second mail that is a child having a parent-child relationship with the first mail as a parent. A display unit may be provided that displays a difference obtained by omitting an overlapping part between the mail title of the first mail and the mail title of the second mail as the mail title of the second mail.

  Thereby, the status of communication by e-mail is displayed more accurately.

  Further, it is preferable that the display unit further displays a substitute character in the overlapped portion omitted in the thread display.

  Thereby, it can be grasped that a part of the mail title is omitted.

  The display unit may further display the sender information and destination information of the second mail before the difference in the thread display.

  Thereby, it is clearly displayed who the mail is from whom.

  Further, the display unit further encloses the sender information of the second mail, the sign indicating the direction, and the destination information of the second mail in parentheses before the difference in the thread display. A character string may be displayed.

  Thus, the mail from whom to whom is indicated by characters accompanied by symbols. Therefore, the mail from whom to whom is displayed more clearly.

  Further, the display unit may further display a comment designated at the time of transmission of the second mail before the difference in the thread display.

  Thereby, information different from the input title is displayed. The other information is displayed in front of the input title, so that the content of the mail is easy to understand.

  Further, the display unit further includes, in the thread display, when the comment specified at the time of transmitting the first mail is different from the comment specified at the time of transmitting the second mail, before the difference, You may display the comment designated at the time of transmission of the 2nd mail.

  Thereby, information different from the title is displayed, and such display is also limited to a specific case. Therefore, the display becomes easier to understand.

  Furthermore, when the comment is displayed, the display unit may display a delimiter character indicating a delimiter between the comment and the difference between the comment and the difference.

  As a result, the part indicating the title and the part indicating different information are separated and displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Further, in the thread display, when the second mail is a reply mail of the first mail, the display unit may display a character indicating the reply at the head of the mail title of the second mail. .

  Thereby, it is shown that the message is a reply, and it is easy to understand that the mail is related.

  The mail device may further include an input unit that receives an input of the comment.

  Thereby, in addition to the input title, additional information for supplementing the input title can be input. The additional information input in this way can be used in thread display of the mail title.

  The mail device may further include a title generation unit that adds the comment to the mail title when the second mail is transmitted.

  As a result, information input separately from the title is automatically added to the title.

  The mail device may further include a title generation unit that adds the sender information and the destination information of the second mail to the mail title of the second mail when the second mail is transmitted. .

  Thereby, the mail from whom to whom is added to the title.

  The mail device may further include a control unit that causes the server device connected to the mail device via a network to add the comment to the mail title when the second mail is transmitted.

  As a result, information input separately from the title is added to the title by another device.

  The mail device further transmits the sender information and the destination information of the second mail to a server device connected to the mail device via a network when the second mail is transmitted. You may provide the control part made to add to the mail title of mail.

  Thereby, the mail from whom to whom is added to the title by another device.

  The display unit may display the thread display on a Web browser.

  As a result, it is possible to browse the mail in the Web browser.

A mail apparatus control method according to the present invention is a mail apparatus control method used for mail browsing, and includes a first part corresponding to mail sender information and destination information, and a first part other than the first part. and 2 parts in threaded mail titles, including when sending the mail, the second part of the email title second mail is a child having a parent-child relationship to the first mail and the parent, of the first mail mail comprising a display step of displaying the difference is omitted overlapping portion between the second portion and the second second portion of the mail mail title title as the second part of the email title of the second mail, in the display step, Further, in the thread display, an alternative character is displayed in the overlapped portion omitted, and in the display step, in the thread display, Before the serial differential may be a control method of the mail device that displays the sender information and destination information of the second e-mail as a first part of the email title of the second mail.
Also, the mail device control method according to the present invention is a mail device control method used for browsing mail, and is a second child having a parent-child relationship with the first mail as a parent in thread display of the mail title. A method for controlling a mail apparatus comprising a display step of displaying, as a mail title of the second mail, a difference obtained by omitting an overlapping part between the mail title of the first mail and the mail title of the second mail from the mail title of the mail But you can.

  Thereby, the status of communication by e-mail is displayed more accurately.

  The program according to the present invention may be a program that causes a computer to execute the steps included in the method for controlling the mail device.

  Thereby, the control method of the mail apparatus is realized as a program.

  With the mail device according to the present invention, the status of communication by mail can be displayed more accurately.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the mail device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the mail server in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing main components of the mail apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a new creation screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a response screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a re-response screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another instruction screen. FIG. 9 shows a thread display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the thread display screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second modification of the thread display screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the thread display screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the response screen. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram in the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating main components of the mail device and the mail server according to the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram according to the first embodiment.

  The mail device 101 and the mail server 102 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to each other via a network.

  The mail device 101 operates as a terminal device that creates a mail and transmits / receives the mail. Specifically, the mail apparatus 101 transmits the created mail to the destination specified at the time of creation via the mail server 102. In addition, the mail device 101 receives mail addressed to the user of the mail device 101 via the mail server 102. The received mail is displayed on the mail device 101.

  The mail server 102 receives the mail transmitted by the mail device 101, and transmits the received mail to a designated destination. The mail server 102 receives mail addressed to the user of the mail device 101. The received mail is transmitted to the mail apparatus 101 in response to a request from the mail apparatus 101.

  As described above, the mail device 101 and the mail server 102 operate as a mail client and a mail server, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the mail device according to the first embodiment.

  The mail apparatus 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, a display 114, a keyboard 115, a mouse 116, and a LAN (local area network) interface (I / F). 117.

  The CPU 111 is an example of a processor that executes a control program or the like stored in the ROM 112.

  The ROM 112 is an example of a read-only memory that holds a control program and the like.

  The RAM 113 is a readable / writable memory having a volatile storage area that temporarily holds a work area used when the CPU 111 executes a control program, and a non-volatile storage area that holds sent and received mails. It is an example.

  The display 114 is a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays sent / received mails.

  The keyboard 115 and the mouse 116 are examples of information input interfaces.

  The LAN interface 117 is an example of an interface device connected to a network.

  Thus, the mail device 101 has the structure shown in FIG. The structure shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a mail device, and may be a device having a similar structure. For example, the mail device may be a mobile phone or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the mail server in the first embodiment.

  The mail server 102 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, a display 124, a keyboard 125, a mouse 126, and a LAN interface 127.

  The mail server 102 has a structure similar to that of the mail apparatus 101 shown in FIG. Since the mail server 102 is not directly operated by the user, the mail server 102 does not have to include input / output devices such as the display 124, the keyboard 125, and the mouse 126.

  The structure shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a mail server, and may be a device having a similar structure.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing main components of the mail apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The mail device 101 includes a mail storage unit 131, a display unit 132, an input unit 133, and a title generation unit 135.

  The mail storage unit 131 is a storage unit realized by the RAM 113 shown in FIG. The mail storage unit 131 stores mail transmitted and received by the mail device 101. That is, the mail transmitted by the mail device 101 is stored in the mail storage unit 131 and transmitted to the mail server 102. A mail addressed to the user of the mail device 101 is received by the mail device 101 and stored in the mail storage unit 131. Storage and transmission / reception are executed by a control unit (not shown).

  The display unit 132 is a user interface unit realized by the display 114 shown in FIG. The display unit 132 displays the mail stored in the mail storage unit 131.

  The input unit 133 is a user interface unit realized by the keyboard 115 and the mouse 116 shown in FIG. The input unit 133 accepts input of information such as a newly created mail or a reply mail.

  The title generation unit 135 is a processing unit realized by the CPU 111 shown in FIG. The title generation unit 135 generates a mail title from the information input by the input unit 133.

  The mail device 101 includes the above-described components, thereby realizing mail input and display.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a new creation screen displayed on the mail apparatus 101 shown in FIG.

  When a new mail is created, a new creation screen 141 is displayed on the display unit 132 of the mail apparatus 101. On the new creation screen 141, a sender information input area 151, a destination information input area 152, a title input area 153, a comment input area 154, and a text input area 155 are displayed. In each input area, information is input by the input unit 133, and the input information is displayed.

  The sender information input area 151 is an area for inputting information of a sender who is a user of the mail apparatus 101. Information on the user of the mail apparatus 101 may be automatically inserted into the sender information input area 151. Further, the automatically inserted information may not be changed.

  The destination information input area 152 is an area for inputting destination information indicating to whom the mail is sent. The destination information input area 152 may be an area for inputting a plurality of destinations. It may be an area selected from a predetermined destination list.

  The sender information and the destination information may be information indicating “FROM” and “TO” of mail used for mail transmission, that is, mail address information. Alternatively, the “TO” information of the mail is separately managed, and the destination information input area 152 may be an area for inputting information on the main destination such as a person who particularly requests a reply. For example, in the case of using a mailing list transmitted to a plurality of people, it is particularly effective when determining who the mail is.

  The title input area 153 is an area for inputting title information to be given to the mail. The user of the mail apparatus 101 inputs the subject of the mail in the title input area 153.

  The comment input area 154 is an area for inputting information on comments to be added to the mail. A user of the mail apparatus 101 inputs a comment for the mail in the comment input area 154. In the new creation screen 141 for creating a new mail, the comment input area 154 may be a non-inputtable area. Further, it may be a non-display area.

  The text input area 155 is an area for inputting the text of the mail. The user of the mail apparatus 101 inputs the mail text in the text input area 155.

  The title 161 indicates an example of a mail title used for mail list display or thread display. Information shown in the title 161 may be used as the mail title of the mail to be transmitted. The title generation unit 135 generates the title 161 based on the input contents of the sender information input area 151, the destination information input area 152, the title input area 153, and the comment input area 154 shown in FIG.

  In the title 161, sender and destination information is inserted before the title input in the title input area 153. A symbol indicating the direction from the sender to the destination is inserted between the sender and the destination. A string containing the sender and destination is enclosed in parentheses.

  Thus, the title 161 is generated from the information input in each input area.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a reply screen for replying to the mail created in FIG.

  When replying to mail, a reply screen 142 is displayed on the display unit 132 of the mail apparatus 101. On the reply screen 142, a sender information input area 151, a destination information input area 152, a title input area 153, a comment input area 154, and a text input area 155 are displayed. Each input area is an input area similar to the input area shown in FIG.

  Further, in the destination information input area 152, the sender information of the mail to be answered may be displayed as an initial value. The information displayed as the initial value may be changeable.

  The title input area 153 may display a title input when creating a mail to be responded to. The displayed title may be changeable.

  The comment input area 154 may be an area that can be input only when replying to mail.

  The text input area 155 may display a text input at the time of creating a mail to be responded to. Further, the displayed text may be changeable.

  The title 162 shows an example of a mail title used for mail list display or thread display. Information shown in the title 162 may be used as the mail title of the mail to be transmitted. The title generation unit 135 generates a title 162 based on the input contents of the sender information input area 151, the destination information input area 152, the title input area 153, and the comment input area 154 shown in FIG.

  In the title 162, a character “Re:” indicating a reply is added to the head. Also, the input comment is inserted with the delimiter between the comment and the title before the input title.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a re-response screen for replying to the mail created in FIG.

  When replying to the mail again, the reply screen 143 is displayed on the display unit 132. On the reply screen 143, a sender information input area 151, a destination information input area 152, a title input area 153, a comment input area 154, and a text input area 155 are displayed. Each input area is an input area similar to the input area shown in FIG.

  Further, in the destination information input area 152, sender information of a reply mail to be re-answered may be displayed as an initial value. The information displayed as the initial value may be changeable.

  The title input area 153 may display a title input when creating a reply mail to be re-answered. Furthermore, the displayed title may be changeable.

  In the comment input area 154, a comment input when creating a reply mail to be re-answered may be displayed. Furthermore, the displayed comment may be changeable or not changeable.

  The body text input area 155 may display the body text that was input when creating the reply mail to be re-answered. Further, the displayed text may be changeable.

  The title 163 indicates an example of a mail title used for mail list display or thread display. Information shown in the title 163 may be used as the mail title of the mail to be transmitted. The title generation unit 135 generates a title 163 based on the input contents of the sender information input area 151, the destination information input area 152, the title input area 153, and the comment input area 154 shown in FIG.

  Compared with the title 162 shown in FIG. 6, the title 163 has the information indicating the sender and destination reversed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another instruction screen for transmitting an instruction to another person with respect to the mail created in FIG. Here, when an instruction is given to another person, it is sent in the same format as a reply to the original mail, but sent to a different destination from the sender of the original mail. By taking the form of a reply, while maintaining the relationship with the original mail, by setting the address to another person, the mail is substantially instructed to another person.

  When the destination is changed after the response screen 142 is displayed, the displayed screen may be treated as another instruction screen 144 for transmitting an instruction to another person. Alternatively, the separate instruction screen 144 may be displayed by an explicit operation different from the reply.

  When an instruction is transmitted to another person, the separate instruction screen 144 is displayed on the display unit 132 by the above-described operation. On the separate instruction screen 144, a sender information input area 151, a destination information input area 152, a title input area 153, a comment input area 154, and a text input area 155 are displayed. Each input area is an input area similar to the input area shown in FIG.

  Further, in the destination information input area 152, the sender information of the mail that is the target of another instruction may be displayed as an initial value. Alternatively, the initial value of the destination information input area 152 may be blank. Furthermore, the information displayed as the initial value may be changeable.

  The title input area 153 may display a title input at the time of creating a mail that is the target of another instruction. Furthermore, the displayed title may be changeable.

  In the comment input area 154, a comment input at the time of creating a mail that is a target of another instruction may be displayed. Further, the displayed comment may be changeable only when an instruction is transmitted to another person, that is, only when the comment is handled as the separate instruction screen 144 by the above-described operation such as changing the destination.

  The text input area 155 may display a text input at the time of creating a mail that is the target of another instruction. Further, the displayed text may be changeable.

  The title 164 shows an example of a mail title used for mail list display or thread display. Information shown in the title 164 may be used as the mail title of the mail to be transmitted. The title generation unit 135 generates a title 164 based on the input contents of the sender information input area 151, the destination information input area 152, the title input area 153, and the comment input area 154 shown in FIG.

  The title 164 is different from the title 163 shown in FIG. 7 in that information indicating a destination and information indicating a comment are changed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a mail thread display screen created using the screens of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG.

  On the thread display screen 171, the title of the mail is displayed as a thread. Here, the thread display refers to bundling and displaying mails that are in a reference and referenced relationship. Usually, the mail that is the source of the reply mail is the parent mail, and the reply mail is the child mail. Based on the parent-child relationship, a tree is displayed. In this embodiment, even when an email for sending instructions to another person is used, the original email is displayed as a parent email, and a reply email for sending instructions to another person is displayed as a child email. The

  On the thread display screen 171, the input title is used as the mail title. Here, when the mail title of the parent mail and the mail title of the child mail overlap, the overlapping part is omitted from the mail title of the child mail and displayed. That is, the difference obtained by removing the overlapping part between the mail title of the child mail and the mail title of the parent mail from the mail title of the child mail is displayed as the mail title of the child mail. In addition, by inserting an alternative character in the cut portion, it is clearly shown that it has been cut.

  Further, for the reply, re-reply, and another instruction mail, the character “Re:” indicating the reply is used as the mail title.

  By doing so, duplicate titles are omitted and the screen is easy to see.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modification of the mail thread display screen created using the screens of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG.

  In the thread display screen 172, as compared with the thread display screen 171 shown in FIG. 9, the input comment is used as a mail title. Further, “/” indicating a character delimiter is inserted between the input comment and the input title.

  Similarly to the thread display screen 171 shown in FIG. 9, when the mail title of the parent mail overlaps with the mail title of the child mail, the overlapping part is omitted from the mail title of the child mail. That is, the difference obtained by removing the overlapping part between the mail title of the child mail and the mail title of the parent mail from the mail title of the child mail is displayed as the mail title of the child mail.

  By doing so, duplicate titles are omitted and the screen is easy to see. In addition, since a comment different from the input title is displayed, the specific content of the mail can be grasped more accurately. Furthermore, by displaying the comment part first, the difference can be easily understood.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modification of the mail thread display screen created using the screens of FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG.

  In the thread display screen 173, as in the thread display screen 172 shown in FIG. 10, the difference obtained by removing the overlapping part of the mail title of the child mail and the mail title of the parent mail from the mail title of the child mail is the child mail. Is displayed as the mail title.

  In the thread display screen 173, the sender and destination information is further displayed. Further, a symbol indicating the direction from the sender to the destination is inserted and displayed between the sender and the destination. A character string including the sender and the destination is displayed in parentheses.

  By doing so, duplicate titles are omitted and the screen is easy to see. In addition, the sender and destination information can be easily understood visually.

  Note that the thread display title generated by the title generation unit 135 may be used in each thread display screen shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. For example, on the thread display screen 173 shown in FIG. 11, the title 161 shown in FIG. 5, the title 162 shown in FIG. 6, the title 163 shown in FIG. 7, and the title shown in FIG. 164 may be used. Alternatively, the display unit 132 does not use the title for thread display generated by the title generation unit 135, but forms the title when displaying, thereby displaying each thread shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. A screen may be displayed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the thread display screen. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the examples shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are further simplified.

  The title list screen 181 displays the titles of two emails. These mail titles are all input titles.

  On the thread display screen 182, the two mails displayed on the title list screen 181 are displayed in a thread. The two emails have a parent-child relationship, the second child email is displayed under the first parent email, and the duplicated title of the parent email is omitted from the child email title. .

  By doing so, duplicate titles are omitted and the screen is easy to see. That is, the status of communication by email is displayed more accurately.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the response screen shown in FIG.

  The comment input area 154 is not displayed on the response screen 145 shown in FIG. When the mail is transmitted, the comment input screen 146 is displayed, and the comment input area 154 is displayed on the comment input screen 146.

  Thereby, the same input as that on the reply screen 142 shown in FIG. 6 is possible. As a result, a title 165 similar to the title 162 shown in FIG. 6 is generated. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent omission of comments by displaying an explicit separate screen.

  As described above, the mail device 101 according to Embodiment 1 displays the status of communication by mail more accurately. As a result, the user of the mail apparatus 101 can easily grasp the transition of communication. It also makes it easier to find the target email.

  Furthermore, by including additional information in the title, the contents of the mail can be easily grasped from the title. In addition, by placing such additional information in front of the title, it becomes easier to grasp the content of the mail. Furthermore, since such additional information is plain characters, it does not put a heavy load on the apparatus.

  In the first embodiment, the title generation unit 135 generates a title, but the title generation unit 135 may be omitted. In this case, the display unit displays the mail title by dynamically forming the mail title from the mail information. For example, when sending mail, additional information may be stored in the header information of the mail, and when the display unit displays the mail title, the mail title may be dynamically displayed from the stored information.

  The symbols and character strings inserted in the title shown in the first embodiment are examples, and may be other symbols or character strings.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram in the second embodiment.

  The mail device 201 and the mail server 202 are connected to each other via a network.

  The mail server 202 in the second embodiment has a function as a Web server. In the mail apparatus 201, a Web browser is used as a user interface.

  The mail device 201 has the same structure as the mail device 101 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The mail server 202 has the same structure as the mail server 102 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating main components of the mail device and the mail server according to the second embodiment.

  The mail device 201 includes a display unit 232, an input unit 233, and a control unit 234.

  The mail server 202 includes a mail storage unit 231 and a title generation unit 235.

  The display unit 232 of the mail device 201 displays the mail stored in the mail storage unit 231 of the mail server 202 on the Web browser. For example, the screens shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are displayed on the Web browser.

  The input unit 233 of the mail device 201 accepts input of information such as a newly created mail or a reply mail. The input information is displayed on the screen of the Web browser by the display unit 232.

  The control unit 234 of the mail device 201 causes the title generation unit 235 of the mail server 202 to generate a title based on the information received by the input unit 233. The control unit 234 is realized by a program that operates in a Web browser.

  The mail storage unit 231 of the mail server 202 stores mail transmitted / received by the mail device 201. That is, the mail transmitted by the mail device 201 is stored in the mail storage unit 231. In addition, mail addressed to the user of the mail device 201 is stored in the mail storage unit 231.

  The title generation unit 235 of the mail server 202 receives information from the control unit 234 and generates a title.

  With such a configuration, an operation for mail is realized in a Web browser included in the mail device. And the function shown in Embodiment 1 is implement | achieved. That is, the screens shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and the functions based on the screens can be used in the Web environment according to the second embodiment. Realized.

  As a result, a mail device that can more accurately display the communication status in the Web environment can be used. Therefore, the use of such a mail device is facilitated.

  In the second embodiment, the mail server 202 has been described as having a function as a Web server. However, an independent Web server may be provided in a case different from the mail server 202. Even in such a case, the same function can be realized by cooperation between the mail server 202 and the Web server.

  In the second embodiment, the mail server 202 includes the title generation unit 235. However, the mail device 201 may include the title generation unit 235. That is, the title may be generated by a program that operates in the Web browser. In this case, the control unit 234 may be omitted. Similarly to the first embodiment, when the display unit 232 dynamically generates a title, the title generation unit 235 may be omitted.

  As described above, the mail apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment and the second embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Forms obtained by subjecting these embodiments to modifications conceived by those skilled in the art, and other forms realized by arbitrarily combining components in these embodiments are also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be realized not only as a mail apparatus but also as a method using processing means constituting the mail apparatus as steps. For example, the present invention can be realized as a mail apparatus control method. And this invention is realizable as a program which makes a computer perform the step contained in those methods. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

  It can be used as a mail device that can display the status of communication by mail more accurately.

101, 201 Mail device 102, 202 Mail server 111, 121 CPU
112, 122 ROM
113, 123 RAM
114, 124 Display 115, 125 Keyboard 116, 126 Mouse 117, 127 LAN interface (LAN I / F)
131, 231 Mail storage unit 132, 232 Display unit 133, 233 Input unit 135, 235 Title generation unit 141 New creation screen 142, 145 Response screen 143 Re-response screen 144 Separate instruction screen 146 Comment input screen 151 Sender information input area 152 Destination Information input area 153 Title input area 154 Comment input area 155 Text input area 161, 162, 163, 164, 165 Title 171, 172, 173, 182 Thread display screen 181 Title list screen 234 Control unit

Claims (14)

An email device used for browsing emails,
In the thread display of the mail title including the first part corresponding to the sender information and destination information of the mail and the second part other than the first part at the time of sending the mail, the parent-child relationship with the first mail as a parent is from the second portion of the mail title of the second mail is a child with the difference that omit overlapping portion between the second portion and the second mail of the second portion of the mail title mail title of the first mail A display unit for displaying the second part of the mail title of the second mail;
The display unit further displays an alternative character in the overlapped portion omitted in the thread display,
In the thread display, the display unit further displays the sender information and the destination information of the second mail as the first part of the mail title of the second mail before the difference. In the thread display, the display unit includes, before the difference, a character string enclosed in parentheses between the sender information of the second mail, a sign indicating the direction, and the destination information of the second mail. The mail apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mail apparatus is displayed as sender information and destination information of the second mail. The mail device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays a comment specified when the second mail is transmitted before the difference in the thread display. In the thread display, when the comment specified at the time of transmitting the first mail is different from the comment specified at the time of transmitting the second mail, the display unit further displays the second before the difference. The mail device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a comment designated at the time of mail transmission is displayed. The mail according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, when the comment is displayed, the display unit further displays a delimiter character indicating a delimiter between the comment and the difference between the comment and the difference. apparatus. The display unit further displays a character indicating a reply at the head of the mail title of the second mail when the second mail is a reply mail of the first mail in the thread display. The mail device according to any one of the above. The mail apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an input unit that receives an input of the comment. The mail apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a title generation unit that adds the comment to a mail title when the second mail is transmitted. The said mail apparatus is further provided with the title production | generation part which adds the said sender's information and the said information of the said 2nd mail to the mail title of the said 2nd mail at the time of transmission of the said 2nd mail. The mail device according to any one of the above. The mail device according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit that causes a server device connected to the mail device via a network to add the comment to a mail title when the second mail is transmitted. The mail device further transmits the sender information and the destination information of the second mail to a server device connected to the mail device via a network when the second mail is transmitted. The mail apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that is added to the mail title. The mail device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the thread display in a Web browser. A method of controlling a mail device used for viewing mail,
In the thread display of the mail title including the first part corresponding to the sender information and destination information of the mail and the second part other than the first part at the time of sending the mail, the parent-child relationship with the first mail as a parent is from the second portion of the mail title of the second mail is a child with the difference that omit overlapping portion between the second portion and the second mail of the second portion of the mail title mail title of the first mail A display step of displaying as a second part of the mail title of the second mail;
In the display step, an alternative character is further displayed in the overlapped portion omitted in the thread display,
In the display step, in the thread display, the sender information and the destination information of the second mail are displayed as the first part of the mail title of the second mail before the difference. . A program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in the method for controlling a mail device according to claim 13.

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