JPH10136010A - Electronic mail communication equipment and electronic mail communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide with a simple operation an electronic mail communication device/system which can recognize and retransmit an electronic mail which is unopened. SOLUTION: A terminal on a network reads a system date and a timer at first (clock means) (S10). Then, whether or not mail which is unopened exists in a reception folder is judged (retrieval means)(S12 and 14). When the mail which is unopened exists, an open time limit added to the electronic mail is compared with the system data and the timer, so as to judge whether or not they exceed the open time limit (comparison means) (S16). If the received electronic mail is unopened and the open time limit has been exceeded (open time limit < reception date/time) in the terminal, not-opened information which informs that the mail has not opened is added to the electronic mail, which is unopened, and it is returned to a transmission source a (return means and not-opened information adding means) (S18).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic mail communication apparatus and an electronic mail communication system used for exchanging messages between computers on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, LANs (local area networks), WANs (wide area networks), the Internet and the like have attempted to communicate with other parties by exchanging electronic mail created on a computer. The sending computer adds a destination address to the created e-mail and sends it to the host computer (mail server) on the network. An e-mail storage area is provided on the host computer for each user address, and the transmitted e-mail is temporarily stored in a predetermined storage area and then transmitted to the computer at the destination address. Is done. The receiving computer informs the user that the e-mail has been received on the screen or the like, so that the user opens the e-mail addressed to the user.

[0003]

In the conventional e-mail system, the sender can only know whether the transmitted e-mail has been opened or not. However, in conventional email systems,
For example, when resending an unopened (unread) e-mail after sending it to a large number of recipients, only the destination address of the unopened e-mail is selected and the corresponding e-mail is resent. And there is a problem that the operation becomes very complicated.

[0004] Further, even in the case of an important e-mail having a time limit to be transmitted to the other party, the sender must check each time whether or not the other party has opened (read), which is troublesome. There was a problem.

Further, in order to resend an unopened e-mail, the original e-mail must be saved at least until the e-mail is opened. There is a problem that it is necessary to search for and resend the mail, and the operation becomes very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail communication apparatus and an electronic mail communication system capable of easily confirming and resending an unopened electronic mail.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic mail communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an opening time limit registering means for registering an opening time limit in an electronic mail, and an opening time limit by the opening time limit means. Transmitting means for transmitting the registered e-mail to the destination, when the e-mail transmitted by the transmitting means is returned after the opening period,
Receiving means for receiving the return electronic mail.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a notification means for notifying, when the information indicating that the electronic mail is unopened, is attached to the return e-mail, is provided. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail communication apparatus comprising: a return period registration unit for registering an automatic return period; a receiving unit for receiving an electronic mail; When you receive an email,
A comparing means for comparing the automatic return time limit registered by the return time limit registration means with the reception date and time; based on a comparison result by the comparison means, if the reception time and date are within the automatic return time limit, the received e-mail is And a return means for automatically returning the information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail communication apparatus, comprising: a return deadline registration unit for registering an automatic return deadline; a receiving unit for receiving an electronic mail; A receiving means for comparing the automatic return time limit registered by the return time limit registration means with the opening time limit when receiving the e-mail with a time limit; and, based on a comparison result by the comparing means, the opening time limit is set to the automatic return time limit. And a return means for automatically returning the received e-mail to the sender.

In a preferred embodiment, when the received electronic mail is automatically returned by the return means, for example, an unopenable information adding means for attaching information indicating that the electronic mail cannot be opened is provided. It may be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail communication system for storing an electronic mail transmitted from a sender with a designated expiration date in a mailbox of the receiver. In the mail communication system, the mail box of the called party is searched, and if the expiration date has passed by this search, the electronic mail stored in the mailbox is returned to the sender.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a seventh aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the electronic mail communication system according to the invention described above, in an electronic mail communication system for storing an electronic mail transmitted from a sender in a mailbox of the receiver, the electronic mail is transmitted to the receiver within a return deadline set by the receiver. The received e-mail is returned to the sender.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
An e-mail communication system according to the invention described above is an e-mail communication system that stores e-mail transmitted from a sender with a specified expiration date in a mailbox of the recipient, within the return period set by the recipient. The e-mail in which the expiration date is set is returned to the sender.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described as L
An embodiment applied to a network such as an AN will be described with reference to the drawings.

A. Network Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a plurality of terminals (two in the illustrated example) 2a and 2b and at least one mail server 3 are connected on a network 1, and a predetermined communication protocol is used to communicate between terminals and between terminals. Between servers,
Transfer data such as e-mails and files.

The mail server 3 receives the e-mail from the terminals 2a and 2b sent to the network 1 by executing a predetermined program, and sends the e-mail according to various information added to the e-mail. Manage sending and receiving. The terminals 2a and 2b are, for example, personal computers and workstations, and execute various applications. Particularly, in this embodiment, transmission and reception of an e-mail by e-mail software described later will be described.

Although not shown, it goes without saying that various servers such as a file server and a printer server other than the mail server 3 may be connected as the server. Although two terminals are provided in the illustrated example, this is for ease of explanation of the present invention, and three or more terminals may be connected. Furthermore, it may be connected to another network at a remote place via a router or the like, and it is also possible to transmit and receive e-mail between terminals between the networks.

B. Next, an operation of the electronic mail system according to the above-described embodiment will be described. B-1. First Operation Example FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the first operation example of the electronic mail system according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement in the receiving side terminal in an operation example. In the terminal 2a on the transmission side, as shown in FIG. 3, the transmission source (in the illustrated example, ☆ Hanako) creates an e-mail and broadcasts the e-mail to the plurality of parties including ×× Taro by broadcasting. Send. Note that the broadcast communication is a transmission method for transmitting the same mail to a plurality of parties.

As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the text, the e-mail has attached to the header thereof an expiration date: yymmdd, a destination: × Taro, □ 元 Jiro, and a source: ☆ Hanako ( Opening period registration means). The information in the header may be input when the user inputs the text, or may be automatically inserted into the header of the e-mail text by selecting from the menu screen. Good. At least, the sender (Hanako) must read the e-mail by the other party when sending the e-mail (must read it)
Specify the expiration date.

The e-mail is sent out on the network 1 and sent to the terminal 2 b via the mail server 3. In this case, since the e-mail specifies a broadcast communication to be transmitted to a plurality of parties, the mail server 3 sends the e-mail to the destination (terminal) added to the header of the body. Will be sent. Actually, each terminal 2a, 2b has a memory (secondary storage device:
An area (inbox) for receiving e-mail is set in the hard disk, etc., and the mail server 3
Transfers the e-mail to the above-mentioned area of the destination terminal of the transmission destination, that is, the reception box.

On the other hand, the terminals 2a and 2b execute the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 at predetermined time intervals,
A predetermined process is performed according to the presence or absence of an unopened mail (an electronic mail that has not been read yet) in the reception box. in this case,
Since the terminal 2a is the transmission source and the terminal 2b is the incoming call, the terminal 2b will be described. First, in step S10, the terminal 2b reads a system date and a timer (time measuring means). Next, in step S12, the receiving folder of the receiving box is read, and in step S14, it is determined whether there is an unopened mail (search means). If there is no unopened mail, the process returns to step S10.

On the other hand, if there is an unopened mail, the process proceeds to step S16, where the opening date added to the header of the e-mail is compared with the system data and the timer read in step S10. It is determined whether the opening time limit has been exceeded (comparison means). If the opening period has not passed (opening period ≧ current date and time), the process returns to step S10.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, if the e-mail is not opened at the terminal of one of the transmission destinations (○ × Taro) and the opening period is exceeded (opening period < (Current date and time), the process proceeds to step S18, and a mail return process is executed. In the e-mail return process, as shown in FIG. 2, unopened e-mail is added with unopened information as "This e-mail was automatically returned unopened by (recipient)". To the sender (return means, unopened information adding means). In the example shown in the figure, the content "This mail was automatically returned unopened by Mr. Taro XX" was added, and the sender terminal (☆ Hanako) 2
Returned to a.

Therefore, at the source terminal 2a, the unopened e-mail is automatically returned from the receiving side terminal 2b even if the opening period has expired, so that the contents of the e-mail and the destination Since it is possible to easily recognize who (the receiving side) is, even for important information having a time limit, an electronic mail can be used as a transmission means with confidence. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it can be used again without retransmission or with some modifications, and the content of the existing e-mail can be easily reused (re-used). Communication).

B-2. Second Operation Example FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the second operation example of the electronic mail system according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement in the receiving side terminal in an operation example. In the transmitting terminal 2a, as shown in FIG. 4, a sender (in the illustrated example, ☆ Hanako) creates a mail and broadcasts the illustrated e-mail to a plurality of parties including ○ × Taro. Send.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the e-mail, in addition to the text, a header part includes destinations: × Taro, □ △ Jiro,
Sender: ☆ Hanako is attached. However, there is no opening time limit added in the first operation example described above. These header information may be input when the user inputs the text,
By selecting from the menu screen, it may be automatically inserted into the header part of the e-mail text.

The e-mail is sent out on the network 1 and sent to the terminal 2b via the mail server 3. In this case, since the e-mail specifies a broadcast communication to be transmitted to a plurality of parties, the mail server 3 sends the e-mail to the destination (terminal) added to the header of the body. Will be sent. Actually, as described above, the mail server 3 transfers the e-mail to the above-mentioned area of the destination terminal of the transmission destination, that is, the reception box.

On the other hand, when receiving the e-mail, the terminal 2b on the receiving side executes the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, and based on the automatic return time limit described later, the unopened e-mail (still A predetermined process is performed on an unread email). The terminal 2b first reads a system date and a timer in step S30. Next, in step S32, the receiving folder of the receiving box is read, and in step S34, the automatic return time limit is read. The automatic return period indicates a period for automatically returning the received unopened mail to the sender if the reception date and time obtained from the system date and the timer are within the automatic return period, and is set in advance by the user. Yes (return deadline registration means). For example, if you cannot open your email at a predetermined time due to a long absence,
The user sets the period in advance as the automatic return period. Then, in step S36, it is determined whether or not the reception date and time obtained from the system date and the timer is within the automatic return time limit (comparing means). If the current date and time is not within the automatic return period (automatic repayment period> reception date and time), the process returns to step S10.

On the other hand, for example, one of the destinations (（×
If Taro's terminal 2b receives the e-mail within the automatic return period (automatic return period ≦ reception date and time), the process proceeds to step S38, and a mail return process is executed. In the mail return processing, as shown in FIG. 4, the reason why the received e-mail cannot be opened as unopened information, for example, "(Destination) is absent until xx month xx day,
The person cannot open the email. And the like and return it to the sender (return means, unopenable information adding means). In the example shown, “(Destination) is xx
Since he is absent until the month XX, he cannot open the mail. I'm sorry, but I sent it back unopened automatically. Is added back to the source terminal (☆ Hanako) 2a.

Although the automatic return time limit and the reception date and time are compared in step S36, the automatic return time limit and the open time limit may be compared for an e-mail with an open time limit specified. Thus, those who cannot open the e-mail because they are absent within the opening period can return the e-mail.

Therefore, the source terminal 2a can easily recognize that the received e-mail cannot be opened and the reason why it cannot be opened at the receiving terminal 2b. For example, if you cannot open your email at a predetermined time due to a long absence,
The e-mail received during that period is automatically returned to the sender, so that the sender can be notified that it cannot be opened. Also, at this time, since the contents of the e-mail are also returned, it is possible to easily recognize the contents of the e-mail and the destination of the e-mail (= the receiving side).
Even for important information having a time limit, an electronic mail can be used as a transmission means with confidence. Also, the content of the sent e-mail will be returned as it is,
It can be used as it is, resent or partially modified, and the contents of existing e-mail can be easily reused (retransmitted).

In the above embodiment, the terminal connected to the electronic mail communication system by wire has been described. However, the terminal is not limited to the terminal connected to the system by wire.
That is, it is needless to say that a wireless connection to the electronic mail communication system, for example, a portable personal computer, a data PHS, or the like connected via a mobile phone may be used.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when sending an e-mail, the opening time limit is registered in the e-mail by the opening time registration means, and the e-mail is transmitted by the transmitting / receiving means. The electronic mail sent by the means is returned when the expiration date has passed, and the returned electronic mail is received by the receiving means. Therefore, the contents of the unopened electronic mail and the destination thereof ( (E.g., the receiving side) can be easily recognized, so that there is an advantage that even if important information has a time limit, an e-mail can be used as a transmission means with confidence. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it will not be resent,
You can use it as it is, with some modifications, and easily reuse (retransmit) existing e-mail content
The advantage is that it can be

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an unopened electronic mail is automatically returned by the return means,
Since the unopened information adding unit attaches the information indicating that the electronic mail is unopened to the electronic mail, it is possible to easily recognize that the electronic mail is unopened.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when an e-mail is received by the transmission / reception means, the comparison means compares the automatic return time limit registered by the return time limit registration means with the reception date and time. If the date and time is within the automatic return time limit, the return means automatically returns the e-mail received from the transmission / reception means to the sender, so that the e-mail is automatically returned when the e-mail cannot be opened due to absence. Therefore, there is an advantage that even if the information is time-limited important information, the e-mail can be used as a transmission means with security. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it can be used again without retransmission or with some modifications, and the content of the existing e-mail can be easily reused (re-used). Transmission).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when an e-mail with an expiration date is received by the receiving means,
The comparing means compares the automatic return time limit and the opening time limit registered by the return time limit registration means, and when the opening time limit is within the automatic return time limit, the returning means sends the e-mail received by the receiving means to the sender. Automatic return allows you to automatically return e-mails when you cannot open the e-mail when you are absent. Is obtained. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it can be used again without retransmission or with some modifications, and the content of the existing e-mail can be easily reused (re-used). Transmission).

According to the present invention, when the received electronic mail is automatically returned by the return means, information indicating that the electronic mail cannot be opened is attached to the electronic mail by the unopenable information adding means. Therefore, there is an advantage that the receiving side can easily recognize that it cannot be opened.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the received and stored e-mail has passed the opening time limit, it is returned to the sender, so that the e-mail cannot be opened due to absence. Since it can be returned automatically, there is an advantage that even if important information has a time limit, an e-mail can be used as a transmission means with confidence. In addition, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it can be used again without resending it as it is, making some modifications,
The advantage is that the contents of the existing e-mail can be easily reused (retransmitted).

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail transmitted within the return deadline set by the callee is returned. Therefore, when the electronic mail cannot be opened due to absence. Since it can be returned automatically, there is an advantage that even if important information has a time limit, an e-mail can be used as a transmission means with confidence. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it will not be resent,
You can use it as it is, with some modifications, and easily reuse (retransmit) existing e-mail content
The advantage is that it can be

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the electronic mail from the sender is returned if the expiration date is set within the return time limit set by the callee. Since the mail can be automatically returned when it cannot be opened, there is an advantage that the electronic mail can be safely used for the transmission means even for important information having a time limit. Also, since the content of the sent e-mail is returned as it is, it can be used again without retransmission or with some modifications, and the content of the existing e-mail can be easily reused (re-used). Transmission).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of a first operation example of the electronic mail system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at a receiving terminal in the first operation example.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of a second operation example of the electronic mail system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the receiving terminal in the second operation example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 network 2a, 2b terminal 3 mail server

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An expiration date registering means for registering an expiration date in an e-mail, a transmission means for transmitting an e-mail having an opening expiration date registered by the opening expiration date registration means to a destination, and an e-mail transmitted by the transmission means Receiving means for receiving the returned e-mail when the e-mail is returned after the opening time limit. 2. The e-mail communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying means for notifying that the information indicating that the electronic mail has not been opened is attached to the return e-mail. 3. A return period registration unit for registering an automatic return period, a receiving unit for receiving an e-mail, and an automatic return period registered by the return period registration unit when an e-mail is received by the receiving unit. A comparison unit that compares the reception date and time, and a return unit that automatically returns the received e-mail to the transmission source when the reception date and time is within the automatic return time limit based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. E-mail communication device. 4. A return deadline registration means for registering an automatic return deadline, a receiving means for receiving an e-mail, and, when an electronic mail with an opening deadline is received by the receiving means, the automatic return date registered by the return deadline registration means is received. Comparing means for comparing the return time limit with the opening time limit; and returning means for automatically returning the received e-mail to the sender if the opening time limit is within the automatic return time limit based on the comparison result by the comparing means. An e-mail communication device comprising: 5. The non-opening information adding unit that attaches information indicating that the electronic mail cannot be opened to the electronic mail when the received electronic mail is automatically returned by the returning unit. Email communication device. 6. An e-mail communication system for storing an e-mail transmitted from a sender with a designated expiration date in a recipient's mailbox, wherein the recipient's mailbox is searched, and the search opens the expiration date by this search. An e-mail communication system that returns the e-mail accumulated in the mailbox to the sender when the e-mail has passed. 7. An electronic mail communication system for storing an electronic mail transmitted from a sender in a mailbox of a receiver, wherein the electronic mail transmitted to the receiver within a return deadline set by the receiver. An e-mail communication system, which returns the e-mail to the sender. 8. An electronic mail communication system for storing an e-mail transmitted from a sender with a designated expiration date in a mailbox of the recipient, wherein the expiration date is set within a return period set by the recipient. An e-mail communication system for returning the e-mail to the sender.