JPH08102758A - Electronic mail device and electronic mail system using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To hold the security of a message and to display only a required message by using a predetermined character string (password). CONSTITUTION: On a transmission side X, the message A not to be masked, the message B to be masked and the predetermined character string CX are prepared in an input part 1X and they are transmitted from a transmission part 6X. On a reception side Y, the message A not to be masked is displayed at an output part 2Y, however, the message B to be masked is displayed at the output part 2Y only when the character string CY inputted from the input part 1, by a user on the reception side by a request from a device Y matches with the character string CX.

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 in a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic mail system has been widely used as a communication means by a computer. In this e-mail system, a user can send a message to any user who is using the computer currently using the message or another computer connected to the network. Also, the user receiving the message displayed and read all the received messages.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

(A) The receiving user may only need a summary of the information that the sending user sends, or may need the details of the information. In traditional email systems, if the sending user sends a summary and details of the information he / she wants to convey, the recipient user will only have to read the details, even if the summary is all that is needed, or a message. Parts that are not needed will be skipped. However, with this method, it is necessary to determine whether the information is necessary or unnecessary for the receiving side user, and the necessary information may be overlooked.

(B) The sending user may not want to be read by a person other than the recipient of the message to be sent. Even in such a case, in the conventional electronic mail system, there is a risk that another user may be inadvertently read when the destination user leaves his / her seat.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to mask a part of the message in order to solve the problems (a) and (b), so that the information not masked on the receiving side can be obtained. However, the masked part is to provide an electronic mail device and an electronic mail system that do not display unless a predetermined specific character string is input between the transmitting and receiving users.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention uses a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string for the sending side and the receiving side. A sending mechanism that is created by the sending side and sends these to the receiving side, and a message having the masked part and the unmasked part sent from the sender and a predetermined character string are received, and the message of the unmasked part is received. Regarding the message of the part to be displayed and masked, when the character string input by the receiving side user by the request from the receiving side electronic mail device matches the predetermined character string created by the transmitting mechanism of the transmitting side, , And a receiving mechanism that permits its display.

Similarly, the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention creates and inputs a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string at the sending side and the receiving side at the time of sending, and at the time of receiving the message. An input unit that allows the receiving side user to input a character string in response to a request from the receiving side device, and at the time of transmission, displays a message and a character string having a masked portion and a non-masked portion created by the input unit, and at the time of reception. A message having an unmasked part, an output part for displaying a character string input from the input part in response to a request from the device and a masked part message whose display is permitted, and a message having a masked part and a non-masked part Also, the sending side creates a predetermined character string on the sending side and the receiving side, and sends these to the receiving side. With respect to the message of the part to be masked and the message of the part to be masked and the message having the part to be masked and the part not to be masked, which are transmitted from the transmission side, are displayed, When the character string input by the receiving side user in response to the request from the transmitting side device matches a predetermined character string created by the transmitting mechanism of the transmitting side,
It consists of a receiving mechanism that permits its display.

Similarly, the electronic mail device of the present invention is an electronic mail system in which a sending electronic mail device and a receiving electronic mail device are connected via a communication line, and each of the electronic mail devices has a transmitting mechanism and a receiving mechanism. A sending mechanism of a sending electronic mail apparatus having a mechanism, creating a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string on the sending side and the receiving side, and sending these to the receiving side electronic mail apparatus And a message having a part to be masked and a part not to be masked and a predetermined character string transmitted from the transmission side, and displaying the message of the part not to be masked. Created by the sending mechanism of the sending e-mail device based on the request from When matching the predetermined string, composed of a receiving mechanism for receiving e-mail system to allow it display.

Similarly, the electronic mail system of the present invention is
In an electronic mail system in which a sending electronic mail device and a receiving electronic mail device are connected via a communication line, each of the electronic mail devices has a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion at the time of transmission, and a sending side. An input unit that creates and inputs a predetermined character string with the receiving side, and at the time of reception, the receiving side user inputs the character string at the request of the receiving mechanism of the receiving side electronic mail device; In addition to displaying a message and a character string having a masked portion and a non-masked portion created in, the message of the unmasked portion, the character string input from the input unit at the request of the receiving mechanism and the display thereof are displayed at the time of reception. Output part that displays the message of the allowed masked part, and masked part and unmasked part A message having a minute and a sending mechanism for creating a predetermined character string on the sending side and the receiving side and sending these to the receiving side, and a message having the masked part and the unmasked part sent from the sending side, Receives a predetermined character string and displays the message of the part that is not masked.For the message of the masked part, the character string input by the receiving side user at the request of the receiving mechanism is the transmitting mechanism of the transmitting side. And a receiving mechanism that permits the display of the created character string when it matches the predetermined character string.

Similarly, the electronic mail system of the present invention is
In an electronic mail system in which a sending electronic mail device and a receiving electronic mail device are connected via a communication line, each of the electronic mail devices inputs a transmission message consisting of a message to be masked and a message not to be masked, The input section of the sending e-mail device that inputs the corresponding character string (password) and the character string (password) when requested by the receiving e-mail device
The input part of the receiving side e-mail device for inputting, etc., the output part of the sending side e-mail device for displaying the sent message and the corresponding character string, the request of the receiving side e-mail device at the time of receiving the message The output unit of the receiving-side email device that displays the character string (password) input by, the transmission unit that transmits the message, the reception unit that receives the message from the outside, and the message input at the time of transmission. In the case of a transmission message control unit that creates a transmission message by linking the input character string, when receiving, determines whether the character string is linked to the message received by the receiving unit, and if the character string is linked. Stores the masked message and the unmasked message and the character string in a predetermined area of the buffer. Message is displayed on the output unit, and a character string for unmasking the message to be masked is requested to be input, and when the input character string matches the character string stored in the buffer, A message management unit that displays a message to be masked on the output unit, a message to be masked, a message that is not masked, and a character string (password) corresponding to the message, which is received from the input unit at the time of transmission or received at the reception unit at the time of reception. A message buffer that stores the data separately and a received message management that stores the message to be masked, the message that is not masked, and the character string (password) corresponding to the message, which are received by the receiving unit when receiving, in the message buffer It is composed of

[0011]

In the above electronic mail apparatus and electronic mail system, the user on the transmission side inputs a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string on the transmission side and the reception side from the input section, and these are input. It is transmitted from the transmitter. On the receiving side, when the receiving unit receives the message having the masked portion and the masked portion and the character string, the output unit outputs the unmasked message first. Next, it requests the recipient user to enter a character string. When the input character string matches the character string linked to the message, the masked part in the message is displayed.

As a result, the present invention defines the messages as unmasked message A and masked message B,
By using the input character string entered on the receiving side as the password negotiated between the sending and receiving users, it can be used as a means for maintaining the confidentiality of the masked part of the message, and the receiving side user can use the masked message B If it is not necessary to know the contents of the above, only the contents of the necessary unmasked message can be obtained from the display screen without inputting the character string.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the types of messages sent or received by the electronic mail device.

The configuration of the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The input unit 1 uses a message A (A ₁
... A _n ), the masked message B (B ₁ ...
B _n ) and the character string C _X (C ₁ ... C _n ) and the character string C _Y (C _1.
.. C _n ) is input. Hereinafter, unmasked messages are referred to as unmasked messages, and masked messages are referred to as masked messages.

The output unit 2 is a unit for displaying the messages A and B and the character string C _X which are being created on the transmitting side or the received messages A and B on the receiving side and the character string C _Y input here.

The message management unit 3 stores the input messages A and B and the character string C _X in the message buffer 4 and controls the transmission message control unit 5 when the transmission side gives an instruction to transmit the message. To call. Also, on the receiving side, when the character string C _Y is input, it is judged whether or not it matches the character string C _X in the message buffer 4, and when they match, the output unit 2 is called to display the mask message B. .

In the message buffer 4, the unmasked message A, the masked message B, and the character string C _X are separately stored for one message.

The send message controller 5 is called by the message manager 3 when a send command is issued, and creates a send message from the message A without mask, the message B with mask 3, and the character string C _X in the message buffer 4. .

Then, the transmitter 6 is called to transmit the message. Further, the receiving unit 7 receives the message transmitted from the transmitting unit 6.

The received message management section 8 divides the received message into the unmasked message A, the masked message B, and the character string C _X and stores them in the message buffer 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic mail system in which a transmitting electronic mail apparatus and a receiving electronic mail apparatus are interconnected via a communication line.

Next, the operation of transmitting a message from the sending electronic mail device X to the receiving electronic mail device Y via the communication line L in the electronic mail device system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the sending electronic mail apparatus X, when a message (consisting of a message A without mask and a message B with mask) and a character string C _X are input from the input unit 1 _X , these are displayed on the output unit 2 _X. To be done. By the input, message management unit 3 _X calls the transmission message control unit 5 _X, without a mask is the input by sending a message control unit 5 _X message A, the mask has a message B and strings C _X respectively message buffer 4 _X
Is stored in a predetermined area of. When the send command is issued, the message management unit 3 _X sends the send message control unit 5
_X is called, and the unmasked message A in the message buffer 4 _X is sent by the send message control unit 5 _X ,
A transmission message is created from the masked message B and the character string C _X, and the transmission message is transmitted from the transmission unit 6 _X to the outside (the receiving side electronic mail device Y via the communication line L).

In the receiving side electronic mail apparatus Y, when the message transmitted from the transmitting side electronic mail apparatus X is received by the receiving section 7 _Y , the received message managing section 8 _Y changes the message to the unmasked message A, The masked message B and the character string C _X are respectively divided and stored in a predetermined area of the message buffer 4 _Y. Then, the message management unit 3 _Y displays the unmasked message A on the output unit 2 _Y , but the masked message B is not immediately displayed. It is displayed only when the following prescribed procedure is passed. That is, a request for the receiving side user to input from the input unit 1 _Y the character string C _Y previously agreed with the transmitting side user,
Receiving side e-mail device Y (in particular, a receiving mechanism including a received message management unit 8 _Y and a message management unit 3 _Y )
The user on the receiving side inputs the character string C _Y from the input unit 1 _Y. The message management unit 3 _Y compares the input character string C _Y with the character string C _X stored in the message buffer 4 _Y , determines whether they match, and if they match, the above Message buffer 4 _Y
The masked message B stored in is displayed on the output unit 2 _Y.

4 to 9 are views showing screens in which the electronic mail apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is started. The screen and its operation contents will be described below. The present embodiment is a case where it is realized on a window system having a mouse or the like as an input means in addition to the keyboard.

FIG. 4 is an initial screen for starting the embodiment. Reference numeral 9 is a button for shifting to a creation mode for creating a message. Reference numeral 10 is a button for opening the received message and shifting to the unopened mode for reading the message A. Reference numeral 11 is a button for shifting to the opening mode for reading the opened message A again. If button 9 is clicked on with a mouse, it transits to message creation mode (FIG. 5).

FIG. 5 is a screen of the message creation mode. Reference numeral 13 is a window for inputting the title T of the transmitted message. Reference numeral 14 is a window for inputting the message A that is not masked on the receiving side. Reference numeral 15 is a button for shifting to a transmission mode for transmitting the message being created. Reference numeral 16 is a button for saving the message A being created in a file and reading the created message saved in the file. Reference numeral 17 is a button for shifting to the masked message B creation screen (FIG. 6). Reference numeral 18 is a button for shifting to the initial screen (FIG. 4) of the electronic mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a screen for creating a message B with a mask. Reference numeral 19 is an input window of the character string C _Y that the receiving side user needs to input in order to display the masked message B on the receiving side. 20 is message B with mask
Is a window for inputting. 21 is a mode for shifting to the transmission mode for transmitting the message B being created. A button 22 is provided for saving the message B being created in a file and reading the created message saved in the file. Reference numeral 23 is a button for moving to the message A creation screen (FIG. 5) to correct the unmasked message A. 24 is a button for shifting to the initial screen (FIG. 4) of the electronic mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a screen for reading an unopened message. On the menu mode screen (FIG. 4), the mouse cursor 30 is moved to the unopened button 10 and clicked to move to the screen (FIG. 7). Reference numeral 25 is a message title window that displays the title of the unopened message, the sender name, and the reception date and time. Note that FIG. 7 shows that there are two unopened messages. And
When the mouse cursor is placed in the message title window, the title, sender name,
The reception date and time is displayed in reverse video, and when the mouse is clicked, the reception message display message display screen (FIG. 8) is displayed. 26 is a screen of message creation mode (Fig. 5)
Is a button for shifting to, and 27 is a button for shifting to a screen for reading the opened message. 28 is a button for shifting to the menu screen (FIG. 4). 29 is a button for ending the electronic mail system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a screen for displaying the unmasked message A among the unopened messages designated in FIG. 31
Is a window for displaying the message title, and 32 is a window for displaying the unmasked message A.
Reference numeral 33 denotes a window opened when a character string needs to be input, and the user on the receiving side inputs the character string C _Y into this window. 34 is a button for replying to the sender.
Reference numeral 35 is a button for cutting out the received message to a file, and 36 is a button for returning to the screen (FIG. 7) of the title list of unopened messages. Reference numeral 37 is a button for returning to the menu screen (FIG. 4).

The user on the receiving side displays the character string C in 33 windows.
_{When Y} is input and the character string matches the character string input by the user on the transmitting side (referred to as C _{X in} this embodiment), the masked message B is displayed. (Figure 9)

FIG. 9 is a display screen of the message B with mask. 38 is a window for displaying the message title T, and 39 is a window for displaying the masked portion. 40 is a button for replying to the sender, 41 is a button for cutting out the received message into a file, and 42 is a button for returning to the screen (FIG. 8) for displaying the unmasked message A. 43 is a button for returning to the menu screen (FIG. 4) of the electronic mail system.

The receiving operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 and the schematic configuration diagram of the electronic mail system shown in FIG.

A message is sent from the sending electronic mail apparatus X via the communication line L. And step S ₁
In step S ₂ , the receiving electronic mail device Y receives the message sent to its own device, selects a desired message from the messages, and in step S ₂ , the masked message A in the message and the masked message are present. The message B and the character string C _X predetermined for the sending side and the receiving side are stored in the message buffer 4 in the receiving side electronic mail apparatus Y. In step S ₃ , the unmasked message A is displayed on the output unit 2 _Y as it is, but the masked message B is displayed by the receiving side electronic mail device Y (particularly, the device E). Received message manager 8 _Y and message manager 3
_An input request is displayed on the output unit 2 _Y so that a predetermined character string C _Y can be input from the input unit 1 _{Y of the} device Y by a receiving mechanism including _Y ), and based on the input request,
In step S ₄ , the receiving user selects the input unit 1
Input the character string C _Y from _Y. Then, in step S ₅ , the character string C _Y input by the receiving side electronic mail device Y and the C _X sent by the transmitting side electronic mail device _X.
Are compared, and if they match, the masked message B is displayed on the output section 2 _Y thereof in step S ₆ .

As described above, according to the present invention, the message is masked message A and masked message B, and the input side character string C _Y of the receiving side is masked by using the password arranged between the transmitting and receiving users. It can be used as a means for maintaining the confidentiality of the part of the message, and when the receiving user does not need to know the contents of the message B with the mask, the character string C
It is possible to obtain only the contents of the required maskless message A from the display screen without inputting _Y.

[0038]

The electronic mail system of the present invention makes it possible to read out only the required information when the receiving user needs only the summary information, and is confidential to users other than the receiving user. It is possible to prevent a highly sensitive message from being read easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of an electronic mail device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an information type of a message used in the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of an electronic mail system in which a transmitting electronic mail apparatus and a receiving electronic mail apparatus of the present invention are interconnected via a communication line.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen when the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention is activated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen for creating an unmasked message in the electronic mail device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for creating a message with a mask in the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen for displaying the title of an unopened message in the electronic mail device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying an unopened message of an unopened message on the electronic mail device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen for displaying an unopened message with a mask in the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a receiving operation of the electronic mail apparatus and the electronic mail system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Input part 2 Output part 3 Message management part 4 Message buffer 5 Transmission message control part 6 Transmission part 7 Reception part 8 Received message management part T Title A No mask message B Masked message C _X Character string to be input on the transmission side C _Y Character string to be input on the receiving side X Sending e-mail device 1 _X Input part of sending e-mail device 2 _X Output part of sending e-mail device 3 _X Message management part of sending e-mail device 4 _X Sending e-mail Device message buffer 5 _X Sending e-mail device send message control unit 6 _X Sending e-mail device sending unit 7 _X Sending e-mail device receiving unit 8 _X Sending e-mail device receiving message management unit L communication the output unit 3 _Y of the input unit 2 _Y receiving e-mail system of the line Y receiving e-mail device 1 _Y receiving e-mail system Reception of the transmission unit 7 _Y receiving e-mail system of the transmission message control unit 6 _Y receiving e-mail system message buffer 5 _Y receiving e-mail device message management unit 4 _Y receiving e-mail device Shin-side electronic-mail apparatus Part 8 _Y Received message management part of the receiving side email device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail device having a sending mechanism and a receiving mechanism, wherein the sending mechanism of the sending electronic mail device comprises:
Create a message having a masked part and a non-masked part and a predetermined character string on the sender side and the receiver side,
These are transmitted to the receiving electronic mail device, and the receiving mechanism of the receiving electronic mail device receives the message having the masked part and the unmasked part and the predetermined character string transmitted from the sending electronic mail device. Then, while displaying the message of the part that is not masked, regarding the message of the part that is masked, the character string input by the receiving side user at the request of the receiving mechanism is created in advance by the transmitting mechanism of the transmitting electronic mail device side. An electronic mail device characterized by permitting display of a specified character string when it matches. 2. An electronic mail device having an input unit, an output unit, a sending mechanism and a receiving mechanism, wherein the input unit of the sending side electronic mail device has a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion at the time of sending, and a sending side and a receiving side. The input unit of the receiving-side electronic mail device inputs the character string by the receiving-side user at the request of the receiving mechanism at the time of reception while creating and inputting a predetermined character string with the sending-side electronic mail device. The output unit displays a message and a character string having a masked portion and a non-masked portion created in the input unit at the time of sending, and the output unit of the receiving-side electronic mail device receives the message of the portion not masked at the time of receiving, Allows the character string input from the input unit of the receiving electronic mail device and its display in response to a request from the receiving mechanism. The message of the masked part is displayed, and the sending mechanism of the sending electronic mail device creates a message having a masked part and an unmasked part and a predetermined character string for the sending side and the receiving side, and creates these strings. The message is transmitted to the receiving side electronic mail device, and the receiving mechanism of the receiving side electronic mail device receives the message having the masked portion and the non-masked portion transmitted from the transmitting side and the predetermined character string, and the non-masked portion. In addition to displaying the message, the message to be masked is a character string input by the receiving side user in response to a request from the receiving mechanism and a predetermined character string created by the transmitting mechanism of the transmitting side electronic mail device. An electronic mail device characterized by permitting the display of a match. 3. An electronic mail system in which a sending electronic mail device and a receiving electronic mail device are connected via a communication line, wherein each of the electronic mail devices has a sending mechanism and a receiving mechanism, and a sending electronic device. The sending mechanism of the mail device creates a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string between the sender and the receiver, sends these to the receiver electronic mail device, and receives the receiver electronic mail. The receiving mechanism of the device receives the message having the masked part and the unmasked part and the predetermined character string transmitted from the transmission side, displays the message of the unmasked part, and displays the message of the masked part. Is a character string entered by the receiving user in response to a request from the receiving mechanism and is sent by the sending electronic mail device. An electronic mail system characterized by permitting display of a predetermined character string created by the mechanism when the character string matches the predetermined character string. 4. An electronic mail system in which a sending electronic mail device and a receiving electronic mail device are connected via a communication line, wherein each of the electronic mail devices includes an input unit, an output unit, a transmitting mechanism and a receiving mechanism. The sending electronic mail device has an input unit that creates and inputs a message having a masked portion and a non-masked portion and a predetermined character string for the sending side and the receiving side during transmission, The input part of the device, when receiving,
A character string is input by the receiving user at the request of the receiving mechanism, and the output unit of the sending electronic mail apparatus sends a message and a character string having a masked portion and a non-masked portion created in the input unit at the time of transmission. Along with displaying
When receiving, the output unit of the receiving-side electronic mail device masks the message of the portion that is not masked, the character string input from the input unit of the receiving-side electronic mail device according to a request from the receiving mechanism, and its display is permitted. The message of the part is displayed, and the sending mechanism of the sender electronic mail device creates a message having a part to be masked and a part not to be masked and a predetermined character string for the sender and the receiver, and these are stored in the electronic part of the receiver. The message is transmitted to the mail device, and the receiving mechanism of the receiving side electronic mail device receives the message having the masked part and the unmasked part and the predetermined character string sent from the sending side, and receives the message of the unmasked part. The message on the masked part is displayed by the receiving user at the request of the receiving mechanism. E-mail system, characterized in that force the string when matching the character string predetermined created by the transmission mechanism of the transmission-side electronic-mail apparatus, to allow it display. 5. An electronic mail system in which a plurality of electronic mail devices are interconnected via a communication line and messages are sent and received between the electronic mail devices, wherein each of the electronic mail devices masks a message during transmission. And an input part for inputting a transmission message consisting of unmasked messages, inputting a character string (password) corresponding to the message and inputting a character string (password) when receiving, and a transmission message when sending, corresponding to this The output unit that displays the received message and the input character string (password) when receiving, the sending unit that sends the message when sending, and the message from the outside when receiving. At the time of sending, the receiving unit that receives the message and the message string that was entered at the time of sending are linked to the sent message. And a message to be masked and not masked if a character string is linked to the message received by the receiving unit at the time of reception. The message and the character string are stored in a predetermined area of the buffer, the unmasked message is displayed on the output unit, and the input of the character string for canceling the masking of the masked message is requested. A message management unit that displays the message to be masked on the output unit when the string matches the character string stored in the buffer, and the mask received by the receiving unit at the time of input from the input unit at the time of transmission or at the time of reception. Messages that are enabled, messages that are not masked, and character strings (passwords) that correspond to the messages are classified. A message buffer that stores the data in a message buffer, and a received message management unit that stores a message to be masked, a message that is not masked, and a character string (password) corresponding to the message, which are received by the receiving unit at the time of reception, in the message buffer. An electronic mail system characterized by becoming.