JPH06188905A - Electronic mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the electronic mail system which changes the right of access to a mail box from the outside while holding the security and allows a facsimile or the like to perform vicarious processing. CONSTITUTION:Plural access permission lists are stored in an access right holding part 3, and an access right to be set is selected from them. Access permission lists are registered and changed by an access right setting part 4. The selected access permission list is changed through an access right selecting part 5 by a terminal machine 8 or a remote terminal machine 11. When a mail is received, the access permission list corresponding to its transmission destination is referred to inform a user having the access right that the mail is received. If a facsimile is designated in the access permission list, it is transferred from a FAX transfer part 6 to the facsimile 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail system for sending and receiving electronic mail among a plurality of users, and in particular, when a certain user is absent, it is sent to the user. The present invention relates to an electronic mail system that processes incoming mails on behalf of them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electronic mail system, in order to ensure security, basically, an electronic mail sent to an individual (hereinafter simply referred to as an electronic mail means an electronic mail) It cannot be accessed by other users. However, when one user is absent, there are cases where another user must process the mail sent to that user. In order to deal with such a case, the password of a certain user is taught to another user and the mail is accessed as the individual. However, teaching passwords to others is a problem in terms of security and the like.

As one method for solving this, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-235450, the owner of the mailbox assigns the disclosure level to other users, and the disclosure level is disclosed. A technique has been developed in which a list of emails is displayed within a range of levels and a proxy process is performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a mail receiving proxy process in a conventional electronic mail system. In the figure, 41 is an electronic mail system, 42 is a terminal, 43 is a processing unit, 44 is a mailbox, 45 is a user-mailbox relationship definition, and 46 is a mailbox attribute definition. The mail transmitted from the terminal 42 to the electronic mail system 41 is stored in the mail box 44. Normally,
The users and the mailboxes 44 are defined in the user-mailbox relation definition 45 on a one-to-one basis, and it is possible to refer to the mail received from the corresponding mailbox 44 for each user. . Further, in the mailbox attribute definition 46, information indicating the disclosure level is registered. For example, for the mailbox A corresponding to the user A, the user B “call, delete, personal communication”, user An access right such as “call, delete, general” is given to C. By registering such information, the mail addressed to the user A can be processed by the users B and C within the range of the registered public level.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the access right of the user who can perform the proxy processing and the access right of the user who performs the proxy processing must be registered in advance. In such a case, the registered information cannot be changed suddenly.

There is also a case where the user does not want to disclose it to other users, but wants to know the contents immediately after receiving the mail. But,
The conventional electronic mail system has a problem that no countermeasure is taken in such a case.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to change the access right to a mailbox from the outside while maintaining security, and to use a facsimile or the like as a proxy. It is intended to provide an electronic mail system that enables processing.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in an electronic mail system for sending and receiving electronic mail among a plurality of users, a plurality of patterns of access right lists permitting proxy processing for receiving electronic mail are held. An access right holding unit and an access right selecting unit that selects an access right to be set from the list of the plurality of patterns of access rights are provided.

[0009] Further, it is characterized by comprising an electronic device transfer section for transferring an electronic mail to the specified electronic device such as a facsimile by designating an electronic device such as a facsimile in the list of access rights. .

[0010]

According to the present invention, by registering a plurality of patterns of access rights permitting proxy processing of e-mail reception in advance, and selecting an access right to be set from among them, the selected access right can be selected. Subsequent proxy processing can be performed. At this time, since the access right registration process is not necessary, it is possible to deal with a sudden change of the access right.

Further, by designating an electronic device such as a facsimile in the access right list, it is possible to automatically transfer the electronic device to the electronic device such as a facsimile and do not want to disclose it to other users. If you want to know the content immediately after receiving it, you can deal with it.

[0012]

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail system of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a mail server, 2 is a main processing unit, 3 is an access right holding unit, 4 is an access right setting unit, 5 is an access right selecting unit, and 6 is a FAX.
Transfer unit, 7 is a user interface unit, 8 is a terminal,
Reference numeral 9 is a network, 10 is a public line network, 11 is a remote terminal, and 12 is a facsimile. The mail server 1 and the plurality of terminals 8 are connected by a network 9 to construct a local electronic mail system. This e-mail system is connected to the public line network 10 and the public line network 1
0 is connected to the remote terminal 11 and the facsimile 12. Although three terminals 8 are shown in FIG. 1, it is not limited to three, of course. A plurality of terminals (not shown) and input / output devices are connected to the network 9. In addition to the remote terminal 11 and the facsimile 12, a telephone and various electronic devices are connected to the public line network 10 and may be connected to other networks.

The mail server 1 supplies a service capable of exchanging mails from the terminals 8 connected by the network 9. Mail server 1
Is composed of a main processing unit 2, an access right holding unit 3, an access right setting unit 4, an access right selecting unit 5, a FAX transfer unit 6, a user interface unit 7, and the like. The main processing unit 2 performs various processes for realizing a general mail system, for example, a process of storing a sent mail in a mailbox and a process of fetching a mail from the mailbox. Is omitted.

The access right holding unit 3 holds an access permission table in which several patterns of the access permission list are stored, and information indicating which pattern is currently selected. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the access permission table. This access permission table is composed of a pattern number and an access permission list, and is prepared for each user. The pattern number is a serial number assigned to the access permission list starting from 0. The access permission list is a list of IDs indicating users or electronic devices such as facsimiles that are permitted access. The ID is composed of a symbol number indicating the attribute of the ID and a symbol number indicating the details thereof. The former indicates a user or an electronic device such as a facsimile, and the latter indicates a user if the user. If the ID is a facsimile, it is a facsimile number. The user ID is a so-called mail address, and a known one can be used. Also,
Facsimile numbers are also equivalent to commonly used telephone numbers within 10 digits. For example, UA @ Net
1, F-0331234567,
U and F represent a user and a facsimile, respectively, and A @ Net1,0331234567 is a mail address and a facsimile number, respectively. These I
Internally, D can be replaced with a number or an encrypted code for use. Also, the pattern number does not have to be a number, and may be any code that can be specified when selected.

In the concrete contents of FIG. 2, for example, in the pattern number 0, since nothing is specified in the access permission list, the access of other users is not permitted and the facsimile transfer is not performed. Since "FAX" is designated in the pattern number 1, when the mail is received, the facsimile transfer is performed. In pattern number 2, since "A" and "C" are designated, access is granted to users A and C. In pattern number 3, since "B" and "C" are designated, the users B and C are permitted to access. In pattern number 4, since "A", "B", and "C" are designated, access is granted to users A, B, and C. In the pattern number 5, since "C" and "FAX" are designated, the user C is permitted to access and the facsimile transfer is also performed. The access to the received mail is permitted by the designated pattern number from the patterns of these access permission lists.

Returning to FIG. 1, the access right setting unit 4 constructs an access permission table, and registers, changes, or deletes the access permission list. The access right can be set from the user interface unit 7 or the terminal 8. The access right selection unit 5 uses the remote terminal 11
From the access permission list held in the access right holding unit 3, the pattern to be selected is changed in accordance with the information for identifying the user and the pattern number sent from the public circuit network 21. When the facsimile is designated in the selected access permission list of the access permission table, the facsimile transfer unit 6 transfers the corresponding mail to the designated facsimile, for example, the facsimile 12. The device for transferring mail may be a device other than a facsimile, such as a telephone. In that case,
For example, a telephone transfer unit may be provided, and the mail may be converted into voice and output. In addition, it is possible to provide a transfer unit corresponding to another electronic device and transfer the mail to the electronic device.

The terminal 8 is a workstation, a personal computer, or the like, and can exchange mail with other users using the service provided by the mail server 1. In addition, access rights can be displayed, set and selected here.

Remote terminal 11 and facsimile 1
2 is a system which exists logically apart from the electronic mail system connected by the network 9, and the public network 1
It is possible to communicate with the electronic mail system through 0.
The remote terminal 11 can be replaced with a work station, a personal computer, or a general telephone.
The remote terminal 11 transmits the ID for identifying the user and the pattern number registered in the access permission table to the mail server 1 through the public line network 21. Then, the access right selection unit 5 identifies the received user,
The currently selected access permission pattern held in the access right holding unit 3 is changed according to the ID and the pattern number. When the facsimile is specified in the access permission list of the access permission table, the facsimile 12 automatically transfers the corresponding mail from the mail server 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the electronic mail system of the present invention.
First, in S21, the access right is set. Here, each user individually sets an access permission list as shown in FIG. The user makes settings on the user interface unit 7 of the terminal 8 or the mail server 1. When setting from the terminal 8, first, when a predetermined key is input, the access permission table in the access right holding unit 3 is referred to through the main processing unit 2 of the mail server 1, and as shown in FIG. Table is displayed. Here, if the access right is changed, the corresponding pattern number is input, and if the new access right is added, the other pattern number is input. If nothing is set, the pattern such as the pattern number 0 in FIG. 2 is set as the default, which does not allow the access of other users and does not perform the facsimile transfer, and only that pattern is displayed. . Here, to set the access right, the number "1"
Enter. Next, the user who permits the access or the ID representing the facsimile transfer is input. ID to enter
Is the same as the above-mentioned ID, for example, UA @
It is represented by a symbol number indicating the attribute of the ID and a symbol number indicating the details, such as Net1 and F-0331234567. When setting multiple patterns, return to the input of pattern number and repeat. On the other hand, when setting from the user interface unit 7, first, it is necessary to input a password in order to check whether the setter is the person himself or herself. If it is confirmed that the user is the person himself, the subsequent steps are the same as when setting from the terminal device 8. After the setting is completed, the access right setting unit 4 sets the access right holding unit 3
Update the permission table in.

Next, in S22, an access right pattern is selected. Here, which pattern of the access rights set in S21 is to be used is designated by the pattern number. For example, if "3" is input, the pattern number 3 is selected, and the access right setting unit 4 changes the access right holding unit 3
Update the information that indicates which pattern held in is selected.

When the setting and selection of the access right in S21 and S22 are completed, the process stands by until an event occurs in S23. Examples of the event include an access right selection request S24, a mail reception S27, a received mail display request S32, and the like. Depending on the event that occurred,
Perform each processing.

When an access right selection request is made as an event, the process proceeds to S24. In S25, if the request is from the terminal 8 or the user interface unit 7, the process returns to the access right selection in S22, and if it is the remote terminal 11, the process proceeds to S26. In S26, unlike the access right selection in S22, the selection is performed based on the information transmitted from the remote terminal 11 through the public network 10. The information transmitted is the ID and password for identifying the user and the pattern number of the access permission list. These information are provided to the access right selection unit 5
When the information is received, the information is decrypted, the password is checked for coincidence, and then the information indicating which pattern is currently selected, which is held in the access right holding unit 3, is updated according to the received pattern number. After that, S23
Return to and wait for the event.

When mail is received as an event,
The process proceeds to S27. When a mail sent from a certain terminal is received, first, in S28, the access permission list corresponding to the user to whom the mail is sent is checked.
This is performed by the access right holding unit 3. If there is a user who is permitted to access, the main processing unit 2 notifies the user that the mail has arrived in S29. Here, if the user is not using the terminal device 8, the user is notified of the next use. Then, in S30, it is checked whether the facsimile transfer is designated in the access permission list. If specified,
In S31, obtain the facsimile number from the ID,
By the facsimile transfer unit 6, the corresponding facsimile 12
Transfer to. After that, the process returns to S23 and waits for an event.

If there is a request to display the received mail as an event, the process proceeds to S32. First, in S33, the access right holding unit 3 checks the access permission list corresponding to the user to whom the display-requested mail is sent. Then, in S34, it is determined whether or not the user who has made the received mail display request has the access right to the corresponding mail. If there is an access right, the corresponding mail is displayed in S35. After that, the process returns to S23 and waits for an event.

In the above description of the operation, the electronic device to be transferred is described as a facsimile, but as described above, the same applies to the transfer to another electronic device such as a voice transfer to a telephone.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by using the access right to be set from the access permission list set in advance in a plurality of patterns, the mail reception agent process is used. Person or electronic device is set, so even if it is necessary to change the access right suddenly, such as when it is not possible to specify in advance due to a sudden business trip, etc., the access permission list is selected from the local or remote terminal. The access right can be easily changed only by performing the desired mail substitute processing. Also, by specifying an electronic device such as a facsimile in the access permission list, the mail can be automatically transferred to the electronic device such as a facsimile, so the contents of the mail can be immediately confirmed even if the user is in a remote place. There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an access permission table.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an embodiment of the electronic mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a mail receiving proxy process in a conventional electronic mail system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mail server, 2 main processing unit, 3 access right holding unit, 4 access right setting unit, 5 access right selecting unit, 6 FAX transfer unit, 7 user interface unit, 8 terminals, 9 network, 10 public line network, 11 Remote terminal, 12 fax machines.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical indication H04L 12/22

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail system for exchanging electronic mail between a plurality of users, and an access right holding unit for holding a plurality of patterns of access right lists for permitting proxy processing for receiving electronic mail, and the plurality of access right holding units. An electronic mail system comprising an access right selecting unit for selecting an access right to be set from a list of access rights of a pattern. 2. The electronic mail system according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic device transfer unit that transfers an email to a specified electronic device by specifying an electronic device in the list of access rights. .