JPH024056A - Electronic mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To re-send a mail even when a trouble is generated to a cable, etc., at the time of a delivering by electronically copying the electronic mail and delivering it to a destination. CONSTITUTION:A mail server network management service has a CPU 32 built in the device main body. The CPU 32 is connected through a bus 33 to a RAM 34, a display 35, a magnetic disk 18 and a keyboard 36. The magnetic disk 18 stores a program for the control of the mail server network management service and, simultaneously, stores the electronic mail. The electronic mail is stored into the magnetic disk 18, copied in the number of destinations and delivered to respective destinations.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to an e-mail system that delivers messages using a computer network, local area network, etc. as a communication network, and particularly relates to an e-mail system that delivers messages using a computer network, local area network, etc. Concerning an e-mail system suitable for.

``Prior Art'' E-mail, which electronically delivers messages from one terminal to another connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), quickly delivers messages without human intervention. It is attracting attention as a system that can.

By the way, in conventional e-mail systems, when a message is sent from a terminal, it is stored in a mailbox within a mail server, and from there it is delivered to the destination terminal of the mail. Here, the mail server is used to transfer mail to the destination terminal or to another mail server that has jurisdiction over this terminal, and has a function similar to a postal collection and delivery office.

``Problem to be solved by the invention'' In conventional e-mail systems, the mail server in charge of the delivery destination temporarily stores the e-mail and then delivers it to the destination terminal. There is. For this reason, when the same e-mail is to be delivered to multiple destinations, it is necessary to store duplicate e-mails for the number of destinations.

Duplicate storage of e-mails with the same content in a mail server in this way is a problem with magnetic disks, etc. There was a problem with the efficiency of using the alpha medium. Additionally, once an email is delivered to the recipient's terminal, the email disappears from the mail server, so if you need it later, you will have to request the recipient again to send the email. There were also problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail system that makes efficient use of the storage area within a mail server and allows the same e-mail to be sent as many times as desired without bothering the sender. .

"Means for Solving the Problem" In the present invention, an e-mail storage means for storing received e-mails before delivery to the final destination connected to the same network is provided, and the e-mail storage means Prepare a mailbox for each final destination of e-mails stored in the . Then, without directly storing the e-mail in the mailbox, when the e-mail is stored in the e-mail storage means, a display indicating that the e-mail exists is added to the corresponding mailbox. The destination is notified of the existence of the e-mail by the notification means, and based on this, when the destination requests delivery of the e-mail, the corresponding e-mail stored in the e-mail storage means is copied. I plan to deliver to this address.

In other words, according to the present invention, e-mail is stored in the e-mail storage means, copies are made for each destination, and the copies are delivered to each recipient, so even when the same e-mail is delivered to many recipients, It is sufficient to store one e-mail in the mail server, and it is possible to efficiently utilize magnetic disks, etc. Furthermore, since the e-mail is copied and delivered to the destination, it becomes possible to deliver the same e-mail again unless the e-mail is deleted even after delivery at the request of the destination.

"Example" The present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 2 shows an overview of this e-mail system. The e-mail system of this embodiment, for example, connects an Ethernet 11-1 located at the head office in Tokyo and an Ethernet 11-2 located at the office in Osaka with a modem (modulator/demodulator) 12-1. It is possible to connect via line 13 via 12-2. Ethernet;A Local
Area Network Data Link
Layer and Physical Lay
er 5 specifications) refers to a LAN researched and developed by Xerox Corporation in the United States. Each Ethernet 11-1.11-2 has a communication server 14-
It is connected to modem 12-1.12-2 via 1.14-2. Also, each Ethernet 11-1.11-2 cable has a workstation 15-1-1.15-1-2..., 15-2-
1.15-2-2..., mail server network management service 16-L 16-2, and a print server, file server, etc. (not shown) are connected. The print server receives a print request from the workstation 15 and performs printing using, for example, a laser printer.The file server stores documents and data from the workstation 15, and sends out files in response to a search request. It has the function of

A case in which such a system is used to send an e-mail from the Ethernet 11-1 located at the head office in Tokyo to the Ethernet 11-2 located at the office in Osaka will be briefly described. Now, when workstation 15-1-1 sends an e-mail specifying two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 as destinations, this e-mail is sent to mail server network management service 16-1. It is temporarily stored on the magnetic disk 18-1. The mail server network management service 16-1 reads the destination of this stored e-mail, and if it determines that it belongs to another network, transfers it to the communication server 14-1.

In this example, the communication server 14-1 sends this to the destination Ethernet 11-2, and sends it to the magnetic disk 18-2 in the mail server network management service 16-2.
be stored in Additionally, a mail server network management service 16- that manages users and resources on the network
1 is operating on the network at this time.

By the way, as shown in Fig. 3, the memory area within the magnetic disk 18-2 is an e -mail prepared for each terminal belonging to the email body storage area 19-2 and the own Ethernet). Mailbox area 1 as a box
21-2-1°21-2-2 are arranged. The main body of the e-mail is stored in the mail main body storage area 19-2, and a tag (marker tag) 22 indicating the destination is stored in the corresponding mailbox. In this example, since the destinations are two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2, the corresponding mailbox areas 21-2-
Data indicating the tag 22 will be written to each of 1.21-2-2.

In this state, the mail server network management service 16-2 that received the e-mail sends the e-mail to the workstation 15-2-1.15-2-2 as the destination.
Notify that email delivery is available. At workstation 15-2-1.15-2-2, the C
An icon indicating this is displayed in one corner of the RT display 23. When the operator selects this icon, a list of e-mails that can be delivered is displayed.

When an e-mail is selected, the e-mail body stored in the e-mail body storage area 19-2 in the mail server network management service is copied, and this is sent to the workstation 15-2-1 or 15-2- that requested delivery. It will be sent to 2.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a mail server network management service.

The mail server network management service 16 has a CPU (central processing unit) 32 in its main body 31 (FIG. 2).
Built-in. The CPU 32 uses a bus 3 such as a data bus.
It is connected to the following parts via 3.

(i) RAM 34: This is a random access memory that stores programs read from the magnetic disk 18 and temporarily stores data for performing various processes.

(ii) Display device 35: This is a CRT for monitoring.

(iii) Magnetic disk 18: This magnetic disk 18 stores a program for controlling this mail server network management service, and also stores and stores electronic mail (see FIG. 3).

(iv) Keyboard 36: This is an input device for inputting instruction data, etc.

FIG. 4 shows the e-mail reception and delivery process performed by the mail server network management service in the e-mail system configured as described above.

As explained in the previous example, e-mail is sent from workstation 15-1-1 located at the Tokyo headquarters to two workstations 15-2-1. located at the Osaka sales office. 15-2-2 as the destination.

In this case, this e-mail is sent to the mail server network management service 16-2, and the magnetic disk 18
-2 (step ■).

C in mail server network management service 16-2
The PU32 determines whether there are multiple destinations (
Step ■).

Although this example is different, if there is only one destination (N),
A tag indicating the arrival of the mail is placed in the destination mailbox (step ■). If there are multiple destinations as in this example, the tags corresponding to the e-mail are copied as many as the corresponding number and stored in the mailboxes of each of the destinations (step 2). In other words, in this example, as shown in FIG.
2=L Data indicating the tag 22 will be written to each of 21-2-2. The body of the e-mail remains stored in the mail body storage area 19-2.

When the processing in step (2) or step (2) is completed, the destination workstation 15 is notified that the e-mail has arrived (step (2)). At this time, the destination workstation 15 displays an icon (not shown) on its display indicating that the e-mail has arrived. In this state, the operator can retrieve the e-mail by operating the mouse 41 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 shows the contents displayed on the display of the workstation at this time. A list of e-mails stored in the magnetic disk 18-2 for the destination is displayed on the display, and two items, [Erase Tag] and [Retrieve], are displayed above the list. For e-mail lists, please write (i) serial number, (i) in order of arrival.
i) Subject (title), (iii) Sender, (iv)
) Displays the date and time the transmission occurred. In this state, the operator can select e-mails one by one and request their retrieval.

When requesting e-mail retrieval, the user first selects whether or not to specify the [tag deletion] location. If you specify this with the cursor and select the [Retrieve] item, after the specified e-mail is delivered, the tag for that e-mail in the corresponding mailbox will be deleted. As a result, e-mails whose tags no longer exist in any mailbox are stored on the magnetic disk 18-2.
It will be erased from within. If the cursor is moved to the [Eject] location using the mouse 41 and this is specified without specifying the [Erase Tag] location, the tag in the corresponding mailbox will not be erased.

FIG. 6 shows the work performed when e-mail is retrieved.

The mail server network management service 16-2 monitors whether the destination workstation 15 has issued an instruction to retrieve the e-mail (step (2)). When there is a request for e-mail retrieval from one of the workstations 15 (Y), the CPU 32 determines whether deletion of the tag is specified (step 2).

If deletion of the tag is not specified (N), the corresponding e-mail in the e-mail body storage area 19-2 is copied and delivered to the destination (step (2)). Since the tag is still present in the recipient's mailbox, the same email can be resent upon request. Examples of this include: In other words, a person receives an e-mail delivery at a business office in Osaka, but because he has to go on a business trip right away, he retains the e-mail without erasing the tag and sends it to other sales representatives at the business location. This is a case where the e-mail is re-delivered from a workstation at another location and processed.

If the tag is specified to be deleted in step ■ (Y)
, copies the corresponding e-mail in the mail body storage area 19-2, delivers it to the destination, and then erases the tag in the corresponding mailbox (step 2). Thereafter, the CPU 32 searches the subordinate mailbox and determines whether a tag related to the e-mail still exists (step 2). In this example, the e-mail is being sent to two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2, so even if a copy of the e-mail is delivered to one recipient, only one tag will be cleared. Not yet. In this state, when the tag for the e-mail exists, the processing is completed (f6%), and the retrieval of the e-mail is monitored again (step ① and below). If all tags are erased by mail delivery (Y), the corresponding e-mail will be erased from the e-mail body storage area 19-2 (step 2).

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, according to the present invention, e-mail is electronically copied and delivered to the destination, so unlike the conventional method, even if a cable or other problem occurs during delivery, the e-mail can be resent. It is possible to improve the reliability of the system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the circuit configuration of a mail server network management service, and Figure 2 is a system configuration showing an overview of an e-mail system. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the configuration of the storage area of the magnetic disk, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the e-mail reception and delivery process by the mail server network management service, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the configuration of the storage area of the magnetic disk. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the contents displayed on the display when retrieval is performed, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing when an e-mail request is received from the workstation. 11...Ethernet, 15...Workstation, 16...
・Mail server network management service, 18...Magnetic disk, 21...Mailbox area, 22...
・Tag, 32...cpuo Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent
Person Patent Attorney Umeo Yamauchi Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 21-2-. 1 2+-2-2 (Mail body) Figure 4 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] E-mail storage means for storing received e-mails before delivery to the final destination connected to the same network; a mailbox prepared for each final destination; and a display indicating that there is an e-mail to be delivered to the mailbox corresponding to the final destination when the e-mail is stored in the e-mail storage means. an indication adding means; a notification means for notifying the existence of an e-mail to a corresponding destination when the above-mentioned indication is attached to a mailbox; An e-mail system characterized by comprising e-mail delivery means for copying the corresponding e-mail stored in the e-mail storage means and delivering it to the destination when requested.