WO2002021286A1

WO2002021286A1 - Control mail system, control mail sending device, and control mail receiving device

Info

Publication number: WO2002021286A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/006958
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takuya Korogi
Original assignee: Jule Inc.; Aliss-Net Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-09-08
Filing date: 2001-08-10
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: AU2001277772A1; JP2002082888A; KR20020020177A

Abstract

A control mail system wherein a control mail containing control data for controlling a user's-side device described in a part which is an area of a From line of the header and in which the user name is written in the area where the electronic mail address of the sender is described in the form user's name @ domain name in a normal electronic mail is created as an electronic mail, and sent to the user's side through the Internet. The receiving side of the control mail extracts the control data from the area of the From line of the header of the control mail, acquires a control signal from the control data, sends the control signal to a user's-side device, and controls it.

Description

Description Control mail system, control mail sending device, control mail receiving device

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control mail system, a control mail transmitting device, and a control mail receiving device for controlling a user device via the Internet. Background art

Conventionally, user-side devices (video tape recorders for recording TV programs, air-conditioners, etc.) have been connected via the Internet by means of manual work, dedicated programs, or means such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The idea of remotely controlling conditioners, bath water heaters, ventilation fans, etc.) is known.

However, the conventional method of remotely controlling user-side devices via the Internet by means of manual work, dedicated programs, FTP, or other means requires the development of dedicated programs and the setting of FTP software. It could not be provided to the general user at low cost, nor could the general user use it easily.

Recently, a system has been developed in which a user can remotely control an air conditioner from outside using the e-mail from a mobile phone via the Internet (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries'"Internet Air Conditioner (E-Air)"). ). In this system, the user e-mails the details of the operation from a mobile phone and sends it to his / her e-mail address. Then, when the user calls and hangs up his home phone a predetermined number of times using his mobile phone, he responds. In response, a personal computer at home (this computer is pre-configured to call for a predetermined number of times and then retrieve the e-mail) goes to retrieve the e-mail. Operate the air conditioner according to.

However, in this system, the operation details of the air conditioner sent by e-mail are likely to be included in the body of the e-mail. Thus, the control contents are included in the e-mail "body". When sending by sending it, there is a problem that a complicated and expensive program is required because the personal computer extracts and analyzes the contents of the control of the e-mail from the e-mail text. Similarly, in a system in which control content is inserted into the mail "body" and sent, it is difficult to extract the control content from the mail body. However, there is a problem that the processing time for extracting the control contents, reading, analyzing, and executing the control contents becomes long.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and the receiving side can easily and inexpensively extract the control data from the e-mail. Control mail system, control mail transmission that can greatly simplify the process from extracting and analyzing control data to executing control of the device (which can greatly reduce the processing time) It is intended to provide a device and a control mail receiving device. Disclosure of Invention ·

The present invention relates to a control mail system for controlling a user-side device via the Internet, which is an area of a “F rom” line of a header, which is expressed as “user name @ domain name” in ordinary e-mail. In the form In the area of the sender's e-mail address where the "user name" is described, "a control mail as an e-mail in which control data for controlling the user-side device is described And a control mail transmitting means for transmitting the control mail to the user via the Internet; receiving a control mail from the control mail transmitting means; rom: a control mail receiving means for reading the control data from the “line area”; and a control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control command signal obtained from the control data to a user-side device to be controlled. Includes.

The control data entered in the control mail created by the control mail sending means included in the control mail system of the present invention is an area of the “From” line of the header, In the e-mail, the address of the primary DNS server on the receiving side is entered in the area where the "user name" is written in the sender's e-mail address in the format of "user name @ domain name". It is composed of an identification part to be described, a control part to describe the control classification code and the control code, and an encrypted data part to describe data encrypted by a predetermined encryption mouthpiece. Things. Further, in the control mail system of the present invention, the control mail transmission means is a Web server connected to the Internet, and establishes a page dedicated to each user on a home page on the Internet. A web server for displaying an interface screen for each user to enter information for creating control mail, and access to a page established by the web server to control the interface screen A homepage access means used by each user to input information for creating an email, and a control email of a predetermined specification is created based on the information input by the homepage access means, and And a dedicated mail server for sending to the user side via the Internet.

Further, in the control mail system of the present invention, the control mail receiving means receives the control mail from the control mail transmission means, and is described in an area of the “To” line of the “header” of the control mail. `` User name of the e-mail address of the recipient who received the e-mail, '' and a recipient mail server for delivery to each user, and a control mail delivered from the recipient mail server are received. And a control mail receiving terminal on each user side for reading the control data from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” of the control mail.

In addition, the control mail transmitting apparatus of the present invention includes a user-side device in the “area of the“ From ”line of the header, where the information of the sender's e-mail address is described in a normal e-mail”. A control mail as an e-mail in which the control data for controlling the e-mail, the "@" as a delimiter, and the domain name of the sender are described. A control mail creating means for creating a control mail such that the control data for controlling the user-side device can be read from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header”. Control mail transmitting means for transmitting the control mail created by the creating means to the mail server on the recipient side via the Internet.

Further, the control mail receiving device of the present invention is a control mail receiving device used for a control mail system for controlling a user's one-side device via the Internet, and is transmitted from a sender's mail server. In the “FROM” line area of the header, which is the area where ordinary e-mail describes the e-mail address of the sender, control data for controlling the user-side device and "@" As delimiter and sender's domain Control mail receiving means for receiving a control mail as an e-mail in which a control name is described, and a “header” in the received control mail.

A control data reading means for reading the control data from the “line area”, and a control signal transmission for transmitting a control signal obtained from the read control data to a user device to be controlled. And means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the dedicated terminal in the present embodiment. '

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the schematic specification of the control mail according to the present embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a control mail system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the Internet, and 2 denotes a mansion-side server connected to the Internet 1 via a router 3 (a server having the functions of a DNS server, a mail server, and a WWW server). ) And 4 are dedicated terminals connected to this server 2.

In the present embodiment, the contest-side server 2 is provided for each contest. The dedicated terminal 4 is installed in each room (each resident) in each condominium.

The dedicated terminal 4 has a built-in dedicated mailer (mail sending and receiving software) for sending and receiving electronic mail (including a control mail to be described later). It has a function of regularly accessing the apartment-side server 2 and exchanging e-mail sent from outside and e-mail sent to the outside with the server 2.

In addition, the dedicated terminal 4 has a built-in microcomputer and a touch panel display 4a as a user-side device controlled by the microcomputer, speed 4b, and incoming mail. Lamp 4c is provided.

The dedicated terminal 4 is connected to an intercom slave unit installed at the entrance of the condominium, and the video and audio captured and collected by the interphone slave unit at the entrance are transmitted to the display 4a. It also has the function as an interphone master unit that outputs from the PEAKA 4b.

In addition, the dedicated terminal 4 includes an air conditioner 5 installed in a living room in each house, a VTR (video tape recorder) 6 with a built-in user, a ventilation fan 7 in the living room 7, a water heater 8 for a bathroom, a personal computer 9 and the like. It is also connected to one-sided equipment (home appliances and computers).

The microcomputer incorporated in the dedicated terminal 4 is a control command signal which is a control command signal created according to the control content indicated by the control data included in the received control mail. Control command signal for controlling the one-side device) to the touch-panel display 4a, microphone 4b, mail reception lamp 4c, and other user-side devices 5 to 9 by transmitting the same. Each of the above-mentioned user devices can be controlled.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a management center for providing useful information to each of the above-mentioned condominium residents (residents) and providing management services for each of the above-mentioned condominium residents. The center 11 has an interface with the condominium server 2 installed for each of the apartments. A center-side server 112 connected via the Internet 1 and the router 13 is provided. The center side server 12 has a function of a DNS server, a mail server, and a WWW server. In the present embodiment, the server 12 not only creates a normal e-mail, but also has a dedicated mail creation software for creating and transmitting a control mail described later.

In the present embodiment, the center 11 sends a predetermined control mail from the center server 12 to the dedicated terminal 4 so that the touch panel display ⁴ a of the dedicated terminal 4 and the microphone are transmitted. ⁴ b, and summer to be able to control such as mail incoming indicator 4 c.

In the first operation example, when the center-side server 12 sends an e-mail including important notice from the center to each user, the center-side server 12 sends the e-mail to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user, The e-mail and a control mail including control data for automatically turning on the mail reception lamp 4 c of the dedicated terminal 4 are transmitted together. In this case, in the dedicated terminal 4 on the user side, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data. Then, based on the read control data, the built-in microphone computer automatically turns on the mail reception lamp 4c as shown in FIG. 2 (a). The user can see that the important notification mail from the center has arrived by seeing that the mail reception lamp 4c is lit. Then, the user can operate the screen of the touch panel display 4a to view important notification emails from the center side.

In the second operation example, when the center server 12 sends an e-mail including important notice from the center to each user, the e-mail is sent to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user, Email and the dedicated terminal 4 A control mail including control data for automatically displaying the mail reception guide screen (launcher) on the touch panel display 4a is transmitted together. In this case, at the user-side dedicated terminal 4, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data. Then, based on the read control data, the built-in microcomputer automatically displays the mail reception guide screen as shown in FIG. 2 (b) on the display 4a. The user can see that an important notification mail from the center has arrived by looking at the mail reception guide screen on the display 4a. Then, the user performs an operation such as pressing with a finger an icon indicating an important notification mail from the center displayed on the screen of the touch panel display 4a, and performs an important operation from the center. You can see the notification email.

In the third operation example, when transmitting predetermined content (image and sound) such as event advertisement information of a nearby shopping street to each user, the center server 12 transmits to the dedicated terminal 4 of each user. For this purpose, the content information and a control mail including control data for automatically outputting the content information by the display 4a and the microphone 4b of the dedicated terminal 4 are transmitted together. In this case, in the dedicated terminal 4 on the user side, the built-in dedicated mailer receives the control mail and reads the control data ₍ and based on the read control data, the built-in micro computer S In addition, the display 4a and the microphone 4b are controlled to automatically output predetermined contents (image and sound) such as shopping street event information as shown in FIG. In addition, on the center side, each user can be guided to the content intended by the center side by using the control mail of the present embodiment.

In the fourth operation example, the center-side server 1 2 If you intend to automatically update (upgrade) the built-in program of the dedicated terminal 4 installed in the room of the user at the same time, complete the main body of the program to be updated in the body of the e-mail. Or a control mail attached as an attached file, in which control data for starting the installation of the program is inserted in the header's From line. Broadcast to all at once. Then, the dedicated terminal 4 of each user reads the control data from the From line portion of the header of the control mail, starts the installation of the built-in program according to the control data, and automatically updates ( Version up). As described above, the center 11 can use the control mail of the present embodiment to automatically update the built-in program of each user-side dedicated terminal 4 from outside.

In the present embodiment, the center server 12 establishes an Internet homepage, and in the homepage, a page dedicated to each user (resident of the conference) is opened. Each user can access this dedicated page using their own ID and password. This dedicated page contains control emails that allow each user to control user-side devices (air conditioners, VTRs, ventilation fans, bath water heaters, personal computers, etc.) in their condominium room (home) from outside. An interface screen for requesting the center-side server 12 to create and transmit the URL is displayed.

Next, the operation when each user requests the center server 12 to send a control mail for controlling the user's own device from outside the home will be described. First, users can use mobile personal computers, mobile information terminals or mobile phones with Internet connection functions (eg NTT DOCOMO). Access this website using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone with i-mode function. Then, each user inputs his / her ID and password, opens his / her own page, and displays the interface screen on the browser of the portable terminal. The interface screen displays a data input box for control mail (an input area for the user to input data). Each user can use the browser of the portable terminal to enter the data input box. The user can input data such as the desired control details.

For example, an out-of-office user sends a control mail to the center-side server 12 to "activate the air conditioner at home at a target temperature of 23 degrees from 6:00 pm today." If you wish to have the information, such as the name of the air conditioner (identification number), the content of the air conditioner control (date and time of start of air conditioner operation, the target temperature of the air conditioner), etc. Input from the browser screen. Also, for example, a user who is out of the office may send a control mail to a "VTR with tuner in the living room at home to pre-record the NHK TV drama from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm". If you want to have the terminal send information such as the name (identification number) of the VTR that is the device to be controlled, the control contents of the VTR (recording start time and recording end time, and the channel of the recording target number), Input from the browser screen of.

When the user completes necessary data input on the interface screen, the center-side server 12 creates a control mail of a predetermined specification based on the input contents. That is, the center side server 12 converts the control content input by the user into a predetermined data format (data specification), and stores the converted control data in the area of the “From” line of the header. The usual e-mail has the form "username @ domainname" By inserting the control email into the sender's email address consisting of the formula in the area where the "user name" is described (ie, the area before the "@ domain name"). Create (Note that the "header"

The area of the "From" line, which describes the "user name" in the sender's e-mail address in the format of "user name @ domain name" in ordinary e-mail. An email with about 128 bits of information inserted in the same email message as a regular email using a regular mailer such as Microsoft Outlook software Is possible). Then, the center-side server 12 sends the created control mail to the mansion-side server 2 via the Internet 1.

In this embodiment, since the specifications of the control mail (control code system, etc.) created by the center server 12 are kept private to ensure security, each user can send the control mail without permission. It cannot be created and sent.

Next, an operation when the control mail created by the center server 12 is transmitted to the conference server 2 will be described. As described above, a dedicated terminal 4 having an interphone function is installed in each room of the condominium. Then, the dedicated mailer built in the dedicated terminal 4 periodically (for example, every few minutes or several tens of minutes) calls the above-mentioned concession-side server 12 to store the self-stored mail in the mailbox. Mails (including control mails and normal e-mails) addressed to them are distributed from the concession server 12 to the dedicated mailer. When the dedicated mailer receives the control mail, the control mail “area of the“ From ”line in the header” of the control mail (in a normal e-mail, the e-mail address of the sender is “user name @ domain name” In the format described in Extract the control data entered in the part where "one name per person" is described. ■ Analyze and control the control commands (control command signals for executing the control contents) obtained from the analysis. Send to the target device.

For example, when the control data in the received control mail includes the control content of "operating the air conditioner in the living room at home at the target temperature of 23 degrees from 6:00 pm today", The microcomputer incorporated in the dedicated terminal 4 transmits a control command (control command signal) for executing the control content based on the control data from the dedicated mailer to an air conditioner to be controlled. 5 (see Figure 1). In addition, the control data in the received control mail includes a control content that “the VTR equipped with a tuner in the living room at home records a TV drama of NHK from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm on a reservation basis today”. If included, the microcomputer sends a control command (control command signal) for executing the control contents based on the control data from the dedicated mailer to the VTR 6 (see FIG. (See 1).

Next, the general specifications of the control mail generated by the center server 12 will be described. In the present embodiment, the control mail is created in a mail address format as shown in FIG. 3, for example. In other words, in the mail address format used for control mail, the area of the header's From line (the area that describes the e-mail address of the mail sender in the format of “user name @ domain name”) In the part where the “user name” (account name) is usually described (the part before “@” as a delimiter placed before “domain name”), as shown in Figure 3, Three areas are secured: a unique identification section, a control section, and an encrypted data section. That is, in the control mail format of the present embodiment, the “identification code”, the “control code”, and the “encrypted data” are enclosed inside predetermined symbols such as “$” in FIG. Is included. The identification code, the control code, and the encrypted data are separated from each other by a predetermined symbol such as "#".

The “identification part” in Fig. 2 is composed of 32 bits of data. In this identifier, specify the address of the primary DNS server used by the recipient. By specifying the IP address of the DNS server, it is possible to specify that the control mail is mail addressed to the network of the DNS server.

The “control section” in Fig. 2 is made up of 16-bit data. The first 8 bits are the control classification code (code for specifying the device to be controlled and the type of control content), and the last 8 bits are the control code (code indicating the control content).

The “encrypted data section” in FIG. 2 is composed of, for example, 16-bit encrypted data. For example, encrypted data obtained by encrypting predetermined data using a secret key in the center-side server 12 is described here.

The encrypted data is decrypted by a public key (a public key having a paired relationship with the secret key) in the apartment server 2 on the receiving side. The concession-side server 2 determines whether the data obtained by decryption is correct, and if correct, extracts and reads the control data from the control mail. On the other hand, if the data obtained by decryption is not correct, the control mail is discarded because it may be due to “spoofing”. In this embodiment, the control mail can be transmitted without using the encrypted data. In this case, the area of the encrypted data section in FIG. 2 is filled with 0 (zero).

For example, a control mail transmitted to a network with a DNS server address of 210.20.0.190.10180, and a classification AA control F If F does not use encrypted data and the domain name of the sender's e-mail address is abe.co.jp, the control mail is as follows.

$ D 2 C 8 BEB 4 #AA FF # 0 0 0 0 $@abc.co.jp In the present embodiment, the control mail includes firmware (computer burned in ROM built in the user device). If update information such as a program is included, execute the script in one of two ways: the ability to write a script in the body of the e-mail and the attachment of the program as an e-mail attachment file. However, when describing the program in the mail body, only ASCII characters can be used (RFC822). If it is written in characters other than ASCII characters, convert the binary code to ASCII code by some procedure. .

Next, the processing procedure on the receiving side based on the above-described control mail specifications will be described. The dedicated nulla of the dedicated terminal 4 that has received the control mail processes the control mail in the following procedure. (1) Extract the identification part, control part, and encrypted data from the part below the "From" of the e-mail header. (2) Decrypt the encrypted data using the public key. (3) If the decrypted data is incorrect, discard the control mail. (4) If the decoded data is correct, execute a control command based on the data of the control unit. In the above embodiment, since the control mail specification is kept private for security, the control mail can be created and transmitted only to the server 12 on the center side, and individual users can send the control mail without permission. It cannot be created and sent (individual users can only access the homepage established by the server 12 on the center side and enter the necessary data for the control mail they want to send). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Individual users can Using a special mailer built in the communication terminal (Note Pacoson, mobile phone, etc.), the area of the “From” line of the e-mail header, and the e-mail address of the sender in ordinary e-mail By writing the control data in the area where the "user name" is described in the area described in the format of "user name @ domain name", you can create and send your own control mail. Are also within the scope of the present invention. Industrial applicability

In the control mail system, the control mail transmission device, and the control mail reception device of the present invention, the area of the “From” line of the header is an area where the sender's e-mail address is “ In the area described in the format of "user name @ domain name", control data for controlling the user device, "@" as a delimiter, and the domain name of the sender are described. A control mail is created as an e-mail and sent to the user via the Internet, and the receiving side receives the control mail in the “From” line of the header in the control mail. The control data is extracted from the "area" (2) The data is analyzed and a predetermined control command signal is transmitted to the user-side device.

That is, in the present invention, the control data required for controlling the user-side device is not in the “body” of the electronic mail, but in the “From” line area of the “header” of the electronic mail, Conventionally, the sender's e-mail address must be entered in the part where the "user name" is described in the area where the "user name @ domain name" is described and sent. I have to.

Therefore, in the present invention, control data is inserted into the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” and transmitted. Therefore, the control content is inserted into the “body” of the e-mail and transmitted as in the related art. The receiver is more complex and expensive than The control data can be extracted and analyzed from the “area of the“ From ”line in the header” of the e-mail (control mail) easily and at low cost without the need for a cost program.

Also, in the present invention, the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” into which the control data is inserted is an area that is distinguished from the mail “body” and is the area that is read first by the mailer. Compared to the case where the control content is inserted in the “body” of the e-mail and sent, the receiving side extracts and analyzes the control data from the e-mail (control e-mail), analyzes it, and executes device control. Processing can be significantly accelerated (processing time can be significantly reduced).

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A control menu system for controlling user equipment via the Internet,

"User name" in the area of the "From" line of the header where the sender's e-mail address is described in the format of "user name @ domain name" in normal e-mail A control mail as an e-mail with control data for controlling the user's one-side device is created in the `` part to be controlled '' and sent to the user via the Internet. Transmission means;

Control mail receiving means for receiving the control mail from the control mail transmitting means and reading the control data from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” of the control mail;

A control signal transmitting unit for transmitting a control signal obtained from the control data read by the control mail receiving unit to a user-side device to be controlled;

A control mail system comprising:

2. In Claim 1,

The control mail transmission means,

"User name" in the area of the "From" line of the header where the sender's e-mail address is described in the format of "user name @ domain name" in normal e-mail In the `` part to be encrypted, '' an identification part in which the address of the primary DNS server on the receiving side is described, a control part in which the control classification code and the control code are described, and data encrypted by predetermined encryption logic are included. The control mail is created by inserting control data composed of the described encrypted data portion. A control mail system, characterized in that:

3. In Claim 1,

The control mail transmission means,

A web server connected to the Internet, an interface screen for setting up a dedicated page for each user on the Internet homepage and allowing each user to enter information for creating control mail on that page. A web server for displaying

A homepage access means used by each user to access a page established by the web server and to input information for creating a control mail in a predetermined input area of the interface screen; A dedicated mail server for creating a control mail of a predetermined specification based on the information input by the homepage access means and transmitting the control mail to a mail server on the user side via the Internet. And a control mail system.

4. In Claim 1,

The control mail receiving means,

Receiving the control mail from the control mail transmitting means, reading the “user name of the e-mail address of the mail recipient described in the area of the“ To ”line of the header” of the control mail, Recipient mail server for delivery to each user,

A control mail receiving terminal of each user for receiving the control mail delivered from the recipient mail server and reading the control data from the “From” line area of the header of the control mail. And a control mail system comprising:

5. A control mail transmission device used in a control mail system for controlling user devices via the Internet, In the area of the "From" line of the header, which is the area where the information of the sender's e-mail address is described in ordinary e-mail, the control data and delimiter for controlling the user-side device This is a control mail as an e-mail in which all "@" s and the sender's domain name are described, and the mail receiving terminal on the receiver side receives the "area in the" From "line of the header" described above. A control mail creating means for creating a control mail capable of reading control data for controlling a user device from a user, and a control mail created by the control mail creating means are connected to the Internet. Control mail sending means for sending to the recipient's mail server via

A control mail transmitting device comprising:

6. A control mail receiving device used for a control mail system for controlling a user device via the Internet,

Controls the user device in the area of the "From" line in the header, which is sent from the sender's mail server, and in the area where normal e-mail describes the information of the sender's e-mail address. A control mail receiving means for receiving control mail as e-mail in which control data for performing the control, "@" as a delimiter, and the sender's domain name are described;

Control data reading means for reading the control data from the “area of the“ From ”line of the header” in the received control information, and a control signal obtained from the read control data as a control target. Control signal transmission means for transmitting to the one side device,

A control mail receiving device comprising: