KR20020037401A - System and method for periodically drawing email from other mail servers in web-mail environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A periodical external mail popping-up method and system is provided to periodically access an account type mail server, i.e. a POP3 or IMAP type mail server, to check a new mail, and to take the new mail to a web mail type server if a user designates an information on an account type mail server at a web mail type server. CONSTITUTION: The method comprises steps of enabling a user, subscribing for a web mail type server, to set conditions for popping-up new mails from an account type mail server(101), storing the set conditions at a user management database(103), periodically requesting new mails to the external mail server, namely the account type mail server and popping-up the new mails via a mail popping-up processor(105), filtering taken mails taken from the external mail server and checking if the mails corresponds to a criteria set by the user(107) and storing the filtered mails at a mail box in the web mail type server(109).

Description

System and method for periodically drawing email from other mail servers in web-mail environment}

The present invention relates to a system and method for periodically importing account type mail such as POP3 or IMAP in a webmail environment.

There are two types of e-mail (e-mail) methods for delivering information using a network, a web mail method and an account method (POP3, IMAP, etc.). The webmail method can be used by accessing the website of an ISP (internet service provider) that provides e-mail services such as "Hanmail", "hotmail", and "Naver" (all are trademarks of specific sites). have. ISPs act as a kind of postpost.

Post-office protocol (POP3) and Internet message access protocol (IMAP), which are accounting methods, are emails that can send and receive e-mail using a mail server from a single user host. In order to send and receive e-mail using an account method, you need a dedicated mail program (both brand names such as "outlook express" and "netscape messenger").

In recent years, as the number of users using e-mail increases, in order for web mail users to read e-mails of users who have an e-mail account of the account type (POP3, IMAP, etc.), web mail users access their web mail servers. When the "External mail import" function is selected, it checks whether there is a new mail from an external accounting mail server and sends it to the webmail user.

This system is shown briefly in FIG. That is, between the webmail server 12, the user PC 14, and the account type mail server 16 connected to each other on the web network 10, the user PC 14 joins the webmail server 12 and is connected to another. A user of the webmail server can exchange e-mail with a user, and the external mail server receives the external mail from the account method mail server 16 which is an external mail server by the account method mail client 13 attached to the webmail server 12. You can also check mail from external mail users.

As described above, by using an external mail import function provided by a webmail server, a webmail user can call and check an account type mail in a webmail site without opening a separate mail program. However, the following disadvantages still exist.

First, a webmail user must connect to a webmail site server to which he or she is subscribed and manually operate an external mail import to go to an external accounting mail server and check whether there is a new external mail.

Second, you have to wait for a while to retrieve mail from an external accounting mail server to view the external mail. In particular, when using the wireless Internet, it takes a considerable amount of time due to the limitation of the original transmission speed, which takes considerable communication cost.

Third, the webmail server has functions to notify the user that a new mail has arrived for the mail coming to its mail server (for example, SMS, sending notification of arrival message, making a call, etc.), but for external mail. There is no such function.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an external mail importing system and method for automatically accessing an external accounting mail server at a predetermined time period and specifying a new mail and bringing it to the webmail server at a predetermined time period. It is.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a general external mail retrieval system.

2 is a system configuration according to the present invention.

3 is a schematic flowchart of a method according to the invention.

4a and 4b show a specific flowchart of the method according to the invention.

<Description of Drawing>

Web network 10, web mail server 12, account type mail client 13, user PC 14, account type mail server 16, web mail server 20, mailbox 22, mail filter ( 24), external mail import setting unit 26, subscriber DB 28, account type mail client 30, mail import processor 32, external mail server 40, subscriber 50

Summary of the Invention

2 is an overall configuration diagram of a system according to the present invention. The webmail server 20, the subscriber 50, and the external mail server 40 are connected to the web network. The webmail server 20 is connected with an account type mail client 30 which serves to fetch mail from an external mail server 40 and a subscriber DB 28 which stores information on the subscriber's mail.

The webmail server 20 includes an external mail import setting unit 26 for inputting information on its external mail account into the subscriber DB 28. For example, a subscriber who subscribes to a webmail server named "abc.net" with an account named "hwang@abc.net" may have other external mail accounts, "hwang@kkk.com" and "hwang@ggg.co.kr If the "" account is to be obtained from the "abc.net" webmail server, this external mail account information is inputted to the subscriber DB (28).

In addition, the webmail server 20 includes a mail filter 24 that checks whether new mails imported from the external mail server 40 belong to the criteria set by the subscriber, and a mailbox 22 that stores the imported mails. have.

On the other hand, the account type mail client 30 includes a mail import processor 32 for performing a process of obtaining the external mail of the subscriber stored in the subscriber DB 28 of the webmail server 20.

The method process of the present invention in the system configured as in FIG. 2 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

Subscriber 50 subscribed to the webmail server 20, in the external mail import setting unit 26 of the webmail server 20, periodically take the mail received from the external mail server to its external mail account Set to [101]. At this time, the name, user ID, password, etc. of the POP3 and IMAP4 server for the external mail account owned by the subscriber are set.

These external mail related information is stored in the subscriber DB 28 [103]. Once stored, the subscriber changes the information, and the subscriber DB 28 updates (updates) the external mail account information of the subscriber and always has the latest external mail account.

Next, the mail import processor 32 of the account type mail client 30 repeats the "periodic external mail retrieval" process to request the new mail from the external mail server 50, and receives the new mail by receiving the mail. [105]. The "cyclic external mail retrieval" process will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The external mail obtained from the account method mail client 30 is filtered by the mail filter 24 of the webmail server 20 and checked whether the imported mail belongs to a mail defined by the subscriber [107]. The external mail filtered by the mail filter 24 is stored in the mailbox 22 to inform the subscriber of the incoming mail or the fact that the external mail has arrived through other communication means.

By this process, even if the user does not select "Import external mail" separately, since the account type mail client 30 retrieves the external mail and stores it in the mailbox 22 at regular intervals, the user is quickly arrived. You can check and know the arrival of external mail in real time through other communication means, you can quickly check the important mail.

Detailed description of the process

A detailed process of a method for periodically importing an external mail in a web mail environment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B. FIG. 4A shows a process (periodic external mail retrieval process) performed in the mail retrieval processor 32 of the account type mail client 30, and FIG. 4B shows the mail filter 24 and the mail of the webmail server 20. FIG. The process related to the box 22 is shown.

First, the subscriber of the webmail server sets up the external mail retrieval setting unit 26 for retrieving mail from the external mail server periodically by the account method via the web [201]. At this time, as described above, when setting the name and user ID, password, etc. of the POP3, IMAP server for the external mail account that the subscriber has, these external mail-related information is stored in the subscriber DB (28). Once stored, the subscriber changes information, and the subscriber DB 28 updates (updates) his / her external mail account information to always have the latest external mail account.

The mail import processor 32 of the account method mail client 30 checks the number of subscribers (m) set to fetch external mail by the account method from the subscriber DB 28, calculates the load, and proportionally loads. To determine the number of threads (n) needed to make it [203]. Then create as many threads as necessary (n) [205]. Then, m / n subscribers are allocated to one thread, and each thread manages only m / n subscribers.

Next, it is checked whether a preset time divided by the number of allocated subscribers of each thread, that is, a set time / (m / n) (hereinafter referred to as a "mail retrieval cycle") has passed [ If the e-mail retrieval period has not elapsed, the e-mail retrieval period is kept waiting [209]. If the e-mail retrieval period has elapsed, the e-mail server 40 of the next subscriber is connected to check whether a new e-mail has arrived [211]. The connection to the external mail server 40 is made by using the subscriber's account ID and password stored in the subscriber DB 28 and requesting a new mail confirmation from the connected external mail server 40. If no mail arrives at the external mail server, it enters the waiting state [209].

Mail arriving at the external mail server 40 is transmitted to the account type mail client 30, and finally, the mail type is taken from the external mail server 40 from the account type mail client 30 [213]. The imported external mail is transmitted to the webmail server 20. In FIG. 4A, the webmail server is represented as a local mail server (hereinafter, "webmail server" is used as a "local mail server" as a server used on the mail user side).

Hereinafter, a process performed in the webmail server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B.

When the external mail transmitted from the account method mail client 30 arrives at the webmail server 20 [217], the mail filter 24 checks whether the mail belongs to the standard set by the subscriber [219]. (This step is in fact not limited to external mail. In addition to the external mail arriving by the external mail retrieval process described in FIG. 4A, the processing process for mail (local mail) arriving directly at the webmail server is also described in FIG. 4B. Is done by a process.)

If the mail arriving at the webmail server 20 is determined by the mail filter 24 to be a normal mail, the mail is stored in an inbox in the mailbox 22 or a folder previously designated by the user [221]. Once stored in the mailbox 22, the subscriber can confirm that the mail has arrived via the web or via a mobile phone by the WAP [225]. In the case of the external mail retrieval process, at the point of confirmation of the subscriber, the external mail is already imported through the account method mail from the external mail server in the webmail server.

On the other hand, if the mail arrived by the mail filter 24 is determined to meet the specific criteria, and generates a predetermined event meeting the specific criteria [223]. For example, in some cases a short message (SMS) may be sent when a mail arrives, in some cases a mail may be sent to another person, a mail may be posted on a bulletin board, or other actions may be taken. Of course, after the event is generated, it is stored in the mailbox 22 [224] so that the subscriber can confirm that the mail has arrived through the web or through a mobile phone by the WAP [225].

Modification Example

In the system of FIG. 2, the account type mail client 30 is described as one person. However, if the accounting mail client 30 operates periodically, it causes a considerable load on the webmail server 20 and the network. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the accounting mail client 30 is distributed. structure to reduce the load on your webmail server. Distributed architectures in the field of computer networking are techniques that can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, instead of selecting the external mail import manually every time in the prior art, if the webmail server is initially designated once, it is automatically connected to an external accounting mail server at a predetermined time period according to the load according to the number of subscribers. This is effective for checking mail and importing it to a webmail server.

It also eliminates the need to wait while retrieving mail from an external mail server to view it. In particular, if you use the wireless Internet, you can save more time to view mail (since external mail arrives in the mailbox of the local webmail server). This saving of time can reduce the cost for the user to use the wireless Internet. Therefore, more wireless Internet can be used at the same cost, or the same wireless internet can be used more cheaply. In addition, since the server for the account type mail client can be designed in a distributed structure, the load on the webmail server can be reduced.

Not only local mail of web mail server but also external mail can be searched periodically to notify that new mail has arrived. By making it visible, the utility value of the mail can be further increased.

Claims (8)

A webmail server, subscriber, and external mail server are connected to the web network. The webmail server stores an account type mail client serving to retrieve mail from an external account type mail server, and information on the subscriber's mail. Connected subscriber DB is connected, In the webmail server, an external mail import setting unit configured to set information about its external mail account in a subscriber DB and to import external mail from an external accounting mail server, and from an external accounting mail server. Includes a mail filter that checks whether a new imported message falls within a subscriber's criteria, and a mailbox that stores imported messages. The account type mail client includes a mail import processor that performs a process of obtaining a subscriber's external mail stored in a subscriber DB of a webmail server. Subscriber subscribed to webmail server enters POP3 and IMAP server name, user ID and password for external mail account that subscriber has in external mail import setting part of webmail server. If the mail received from the external mail account is set to be fetched periodically, these external mail related information is stored in the subscriber DB. The account type mail client checks the number of subscribers set up to get external mails from the subscriber DB by accounting method, calculates the load, determines the required number of threads, creates the required number of threads, and sets a predetermined time. (setting time) divided by the number of subscribers of each thread ("mail retrieval cycle") has passed, and if it has elapsed, then it is connected to the external mail server of the corresponding subscriber to check whether new mail has arrived. Receives mail sent to an external mail server and sends it to a webmail server. When the external mail sent from the account method mail client arrives at the webmail server, the mail filter of the webmail server checks whether the mail belongs to the standard set by the subscriber, and if the mail is determined to be general mail, stores it in the mailbox. When the mail arrives determined to meet certain criteria, the system generates a preset event that meets the specified criteria and stores it in a mailbox. The system of claim 1, wherein when the external mail is stored in the mailbox, the subscriber can confirm that the mail has arrived through the web or the wireless cellular phone. The webmail event according to claim 1, wherein the event set in advance when it is determined by the mail filter that the mail meets a specific criterion is a short message (SMS), a mail to another person, or a posting to a bulletin board. A system that retrieves external mail periodically under the environment. The webmail environment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the accounting mail client comprises a plurality of accounting mail clients 30 in a distributed structure, thereby reducing the load on the webmail server. System that retrieves external mail periodically. A webmail server, subscriber, and external mail server are connected to the web network. The webmail server stores an account type mail client serving to retrieve mail from an external account type mail server, and information on the subscriber's mail. Connected subscriber DB is connected, In the webmail server, an external mail import setting unit configured to set information about its external mail account in a subscriber DB and to import external mail from an external accounting mail server, and from an external accounting mail server. Includes a mail filter that checks whether a new imported message falls within a subscriber's criteria, and a mailbox that stores imported messages. The account type mail client is a process performed in a system including a mail import processor that performs a process of fetching an external mail of a subscriber stored in a subscriber DB of a webmail server. Subscriber of webmail server inputs external mail related information such as POP3 and IMAP server name, user ID and password of external mail account that subscriber has in external mail import setting section, Setting up periodically about retrieving mail from an external mail server by Storing the external mail related information set in the step in the subscriber DB, In the mail fetching process of the account method mail client, 1) check the number of subscribers set up to get external mails from the account method mail from the subscriber DB, calculate the load, and determine the required number of threads in proportion to the load. Creating as many threads as necessary, 2) checking whether a time elapsed by dividing a predetermined time by the number of subscribers of each thread ("mail retrieval cycle"), and 3) e-mail If the import cycle has not passed, it is still in the waiting state, and if so, accesses the subscriber's external mail server using the next subscriber's account ID and password and checks whether new mail has arrived. 4) External mail server 5) Send the received mail to the account mail client, and 5) send the received mail to the webmail server. Stage, When the external mail sent from the account method mail client arrives at the webmail server, the mail filter checks whether the mail belongs to the criteria set by the subscriber, If the mail filter is determined to be a normal mail, the mail is stored in a mailbox, and if the mail arrived is determined to be a mail meeting a specific criterion, the mail filter is configured to generate a preset event meeting the specific criterion. How to retrieve external mail periodically under the webmail environment. The method of claim 5, wherein when the external mail is stored in the mailbox, the subscriber can confirm that the mail has arrived through the web or the wireless cellular phone. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the step of generating an event when it is determined that the mail meets a specific criterion by the mail filter, the predetermined event is a short message (SMS) sent to the subscriber, or an e-mail to another person, or a bulletin board. A method of periodically retrieving external mail under a webmail environment, characterized by being posted to the post. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the account type mail client has a plurality of account type mail clients in a distributed structure, so as to reduce the load placed on the web mail server. How to get mail.