WO2006112617A1

WO2006112617A1 - Hyper mailing server, transmitting server, hyper mailing system comprising the same, control method thereof, hyper message server and hyper message system

Info

Publication number: WO2006112617A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/001059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sil-Ho Kim
Original assignee: Sil-Ho Kim
Priority date: 2005-03-23
Filing date: 2006-03-23
Publication date: 2006-10-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hyper mailing system comprising: a mail transmitting server storing a web page when a sender selects the web page as a hyper mail, and transmitting web- page information to gain access to the web page; and a hyper mailing server storing the received web-page information in an inbox, and hyper-linking to the web page stored in the mail transmitting server on the basis of the web page information for allowing a recipient to gain access to the web page when the recipient of the hyper mail connects therewith and selects check ing the hyper mail. Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a hyper mailing server, a transmitting server, a hyper mailing system comprising the same, a control method thereof, a hyper message server and a hyper message system, in which a web page can be used as a hyper mail or a hyper message, and a mail or a message can be transmitted and checked using web- page information about the hyper mail or the hyper message.

Description

Description HYPER MAILING SERVER, TRANMITTING SERVER, HYPER

MAILING SYSTEM COMPRISING THE SAME, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, HYPER MESSAGE SERVER AND HYPER

MESSAGE SYSTEM Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a hyper mailing server, a transmitting server, a hyper mailing system comprising the same, and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a hyper mailing server, a transmitting server, a hyper mailing system comprising the same, a control method thereof a hyper message server and a hyper message system, in which a web page is provided as a hyper mail. Background Art

[2] In a conventional mailing system, contents of a mail are recorded in a transmitting server for a sender who writes the mail and a receiving server for a recipient both. Therefore, transmission data increases in transmitting the mail, so that transmission time and network load may increase.

[3] In general, a web page uses a hypertext and thus allows a user to retrieve and browse various contents on the Internet by only clicking a mouse. For example, when a user accesses a hypertext document, he/she can determine whether the hypertext document contains hypertext links or a sub hypertext according as a mouse pointer appears as a hand while moving within the hypertext document. Then, clicking a word or an image on which the mouse pointer appears as the hand makes a text, an image, a moving picture or etc., which is linked thereto, be displayed. This is called a hyper link.

[4] Meanwhile, such a web page can be variously designed by programming, but the contents of a mail to be written by a sender are generally limited to a mutual approval frame readable by a recipient. Thus, it is difficult to overstep the limits of a text-based environment and pursue variety of the contents.

[5] Further, a conventional mailing service cannot avoid a problem such as a spam mail or the like when mail identification (ID) of a subscriber leaks out. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Solution

[6] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a hyper mailing server, a transmitting server, a hyper mailing system comprising the same, a control method thereof, a hyper message server and a hyper message system, in which a web page can be used as a hyper mail or a hyper message, and a mail or a message can be transmitted and checked using web-page information about the hyper mail or the hyper message.

[7] The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are achieved by providing a hyper mailing system comprising: a mail transmitting server storing a web page when a sender selects the web page as a hyper mail, and transmitting web-page information to gain access to the web page; and a hyper mailing server storing the received web-page information in an inbox, and hyper- linking to the web page stored in the mail transmitting server on the basis of the web page information for allowing a recipient to gain access to the web page when the recipient of the hyper mail connects therewith and selects checking the hyper mail.

[8] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mail transmitting server comprises a password creator to create a password corresponding to the web page, and the web-page information comprises a URL of the web page and the password.

[9] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mail transmitting server comprises a hyper mail storage to store the web page, the URL and the password, and a transmitting controller to determine whether a password in the hyper mailing server is identical with the password stored in the hyper mail storage when the hyper mailing server hyper-links with the web-page on the basis of the URL and the password and allow to the hyper mailing server to gain access to the web page when the both passwords are identical with each other.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, the hyper mailing server comprises a subscriber DB including information about subscribers, and the subscriber DB comprises approval destination information allowing the subscriber to receive and send a hyper mail, and mail transmitting server information registered to be used by the subscriber.

[11] According to another aspect of the present invention, the mail transmitting server requests the hyper mailing server to provide the approval destination information when the subscriber wants to send the hyper mail, and allows the recipient to be designated corresponding to the destination based on the approval destination information when receives the approval destination information from the hyper mailing server.

[12] According to another aspect of the present invention, the hyper mailing server retrieves the approval destination information of the recipient when receives the web- page information from the mail transmitting server, and stores the web-page information in the inbox information when the sender is included in the approval destination information.

[13] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a mail transmitting server providing a hyper mailing service, comprising: a password creator to create a password; a hyper mail storage to store the contents of a web page selected as a hyper mail, a URL corresponding to the web page, and the password; a transmitting controller controlling the password creator to create the password corresponding to the web page and transmitting the URL and the password for gaining access to the web page to a predetermined external server when a sender designates a recipient and selects the hyper mail to be sent, determining whether a password in the external server is identical with the password stored in the hyper mail storage when the external server hyper-links with the web page based on the URL and the password, and allowing the external server to gain access to the web page when the both passwords are identical with each other.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, the transmitting controller requests the hyper mailing server to provide approval destination information allowing the destination to receive and send the hyper mail with the destination when the sender wants to send the hyper mail, and allows a recipient to be designated corresponding to the destinations included in the approval destination information received from the hyper mailing server.

[15] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a hyper mailing server comprising: inbox information having web-page information for gaining access to a web page, the web-page information including a recipient and a sender of the hyper mail transmitted from a mail transmitting server, and a URL and a password of the web page of the hyper mail; and a controller hyper- linking to the web page stored in the mail transmitting server on the basis of the URL and the password for allowing the recipient to gain access to the web page when the recipient connects therewith and selects receiving the hyper mail.

[16] According to another aspect of the present invention, the hyper mailing server further comprises a subscriber DB including information about subscribers, wherein the subscriber DB comprises approval destination information allowing the subscriber to receive and send a hyper mail, and mail transmitting server information registered to be used by the subscriber, and the controller retrieves the approval destination information of the recipient when receives the web-page information from the mail transmitting server, and stores the web-page information in the inbox information when the sender is included in the approval destination information.

[17] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a hyper message system comprising: a client program downloaded and executed in a user terminal, and transmitting information about a currently activated web page and a destination when a user selects the web page as a hyper message; and a hyper message server comprising a communicating unit for network communication, a member DB storing a recipient list and receiving/sending information of a member, and a server controller reading out the recipient list corresponding to the member from the member DB and providing the user terminal with the recipient list when the user terminal requests the recipient list, controlling the member DB to store web-page information and destination information received from the client program, and transmitting a receiving event of the hyper message to the terminal of the destination.

[18] According to another aspect of the present invention, the client program transmits state information about login and logout to the hyper message server when a user logs in or out to the client program; and the server controller receives the state information and updates the member DB.

[19] According to another aspect of the present invention, the server controller provides the client program of the destination with information about the web page when the destination logs in; and the client program of the selected recipient hyper-links with the web page on the basis of the web-page information when contents checking of the hyper message is selected.

[20] According to another aspect of the present invention, the web-page information comprises URL information of the web page.

[21] According to another aspect of the present invention, the client program provides a hyper message sending window when the user wants to send the hyper message, requests the hyper message server to provide the recipient list of the user, and allows the hyper message sending window to show the recipient list received from the hyper message server.

[22] According to another aspect of the present invention, the client program comprises a URL sending program or a URL push program.

[23] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention are also achieved by providing a hyper message server comprising: a program storage storing a client program which is downloaded and executed in a user terminal and transmitting state information about login or logout of a user; a communicating unit for network communication with the user terminal; a member DB storing a recipient list and receiving/ sending information of a member; and a server controller reading out the recipient list corresponding to the member from the member DB and transmitting the user terminal to the recipient list when the user terminal requests the recipient list, controlling the member DB to store information about a destination and a URL of the user terminal when receives the information from the user terminal, and transmitting a receiving event of a hyper message to the recipient.

[24] According to another aspect of the present invention, the server controller checks the state information, and controls the terminal of the destination to hyper- link to a web page corresponding to the URL by providing the terminal of the destination with the information about the URL when the destination logs in. [25] According to another aspect of the present invention, the client program comprises a URL sending program or a URL push program. [26]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[27] FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a hyper mailing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[28] FIGS. 2 and 3 are control flowcharts of the hyper mailing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] FIGS. 4 through 6 are a control block diagram and a control flow charts of a hyper message system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[30] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[31] Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

[32] FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a hyper mailing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[33] As shown in FIG. 1, a hyper mailing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a mail transmitting server 10, a hyper mailing server 20, a sender 30, and a recipient 40. Here, the mail transmitting server 10 and the hyper mailing server 20 can communicate with each other through the Internet. Further, the sender 30 of a mail and the recipient 40 can access the mail transmitting server 10 and the hyper mailing server 20 through the Internet, respectively.

[34] The mail transmitting server 10 is a sever that is operated by a transmitting service providing enterprise for the hyper mail, and provides various functions needed in writing the hyper mail. The hyper mail comprises a hypertext markup language (HTML), and uses a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

[35] The mail transmitting server 10 stores contents of a web page written or selected by the sender, and transmits web-page information that gives access to the web page to the hyper mailing server 20.

[36] Here, the sender 30 can gain access to the mail transmitting server 10 through the

Internet and write the hyper mail. As necessary, the mail transmitting server 10 may be a web server that is directly operated by an enterprise in order to provide members with information and an advertisement through the hyper mail.

[37] The web-page information transmitted from the mail transmitting server 10 to the hyper mailing server 20 means simple transmission information for gaining access to the hyper mail written by the sender. Further, the web-page information includes information about the sender, the recipient, uniform resource locator (URL) of the web page written in the hyper mail, and a predetermined password. Thus, not the whole contents of the mail but the simple web-page information about the mail is transmitted to the hyper mailing server 20, thereby reducing the transmission load.

[38] Meanwhile, the password transmitted to the hyper mailing server 20 is automatically created by the mail transmitting server 10 when the hyper mail to be transmitted is selected. The password is used by the recipient to gain access to the mail when he/she tries to access the mail transmitting server 10 through a hyper link in order to check the mail. Thus, the accessing allowance is determined by the password, so that the recipient can gain access to the corresponding web page of the main transmitting server 10 without login authentication.

[39] Here, the web page written in the hyper mail can contain various contents and be variously written by intention of the sender. As compared with the conventional simple text based mail, the hyper mail can be written by various methods using a programming function of a web language. For example, the hyper mail can be written with multimedia information such as a graphic, sound, a moving picture, etc.

[40] The sender 30 can send the hyper mail with a gift and a gift certificate chosen among various contents provided by the mail transmitting server 10. For example, music, a moving picture, etc. can be transmitted by the hyper mail. Further, in the case where a recommendable web site is found during web surfing, a corresponding web page can be transmitted by the hyper mail.

[41] The hyper mailing server 20 is a server that is operated by a hyper mail service providing enterprise, and creates a subscriber database (DB) 21 based on information provided by a subscriber.

[42] Here, the subscriber DB 21 includes approval destination information 21C such as the ID of the subscriber based on mutual transmission approval, and mail transmitting server information 2 ID about the transmitting service providing enterprise that is chosen by the subscriber as the mail transmitting server 10. For example, the subscriber can input and register a hyper mail address of a destination with whom he/ she wants to transmit and receive the hyper mail, and the subscriber can exchange the mail with the destination only when the destination approves his/her calling.

[43] When the mail transmitting server 10 makes a request for information about the destination called by the sender to the hyper mailing server 20, the hyper mailing server 20 provides the mail transmitting server 10 with a list of the approval destinations from the subscriber DB 20. Then, the sender 30 of the hyper mail chooses the recipient 40 among the approval destinations in the list.

[44] In the meantime, a system about password creation and password check is built by association between the mail transmitting service providing enterprise and the enterprise operating the hyper mailing server 20. Here, the subscriber can register an enterprise, which does not associate with the enterprise operating the hyper mailing server, as the mail transmitting server 10. In this case, because the password creation and the password check are disabled, the sender and the recipient are authenticated by a separate transmission-processing system and login is additionally needed instead of the password check for automatic linking.

[45] The mail transmitting server 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1.

[46] As shown in FIG. 1, the mail transmitting server 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a hyper mail storage 11, a password creator 13, a transmitting controller 15, a communicating unit 17, and a contents creator 19.

[47] The sender 30 of the hyper mail may be a web server of the transmitting service providing enterprise that offers information and advertisement through the hyper mail, or a private destination or an enterprise that joins in the transmitting service providing enterprise. For example, the private destination or the enterprise that joins in the transmitting service providing enterprise gains access to the mail transmitting server 10 through the Internet, and writes the mail.

[48] The hyper mail storage 11 stores the web-page information, i.e. the contents and the transmission information of the hyper mail to be sent from the sender.

[49] The web-page information includes a title, simple contents and a transmission date of the mail besides the sender, the recipient, the URL of the web page, the password. Further, the web-page information includes information about whether to give access to only the recipient 40. That is, the web page provided as the hyper mail may be accessed by only the recipient 40 or may be opened to general members who gain access to the mail transmitting server 10. The information stored in the forgoing hyper mail storage 11 can be made as a database according to the senders.

[50] The password creator 13 is controlled by the transmitting controller 15 to create the password when the sender 30 selects the hyper mail to be sent to the chosen recipient 40. Here, the password can be created automatically by programming. The password created by the password creator 13 is stored in the hyper mail storage 11 and transmitted to the hyper mailing server 20 through the Internet as being contained in the web-page information needed for gaining access to the web page written in the hyper mail.

[51] The transmitting controller 15 controls the contents creator 19 to create web contents previously programmed according to selection of the sender 30 and provides them on the web page when the sender visits the mail transmitting server 10. Further, the transmitting controller 15 controls the mail transmitting server 10 overall. Here, the transmitting controller 15 can be implemented by a processor such as a program or the like. [52] The contents creator 19 can be controlled by the transmitting controller 15 to provide a web page for writing the hyper mail. Then, the sender 30 can write the hyper mail on the provided web page.

[53] The transmitting controller 15 controls the hyper mail storage 11 to store the contents (web page) of the hyper mail and the information about the sender and the recipient when the sender 30 selects the hyper mail to be sent to the designated recipient 40. Further, the transmitting controller 15 controls the password creator 13 to create the password, and controls the web-page information, i.e., the transmitting information containing the created password and the URL to be transmitted to the hyper mailing server 20 through the communicating unit 17.

[54] When the sender designates the recipient, the transmitting controller 15 requests the hyper mailing server 20 to provide the approval destination information 21C based on mutual transmission approval, e.g., information about an address book, information about whether the recipient is in connection with the hyper mailing server 20, and information about a receiving state of the recipient. After receiving the approval destination information 21C, the transmitting controller 15 controls the approval destination information 21C to be shown on the web page. Thus, the sender 30 can designate the recipient 40 through the shown list of the approval destinations.

[55] In the case where the mail transmitting server 10 is a web server of an enterprise for advertisement or informational purposes, the mail transmitting server 10 can receive the approval destination information 21C often by associating with the enterprise operating the hyper mailing server 20, and send the hyper mail based on the provided list of the recipients.

[56] On the other hand, in the case where the mail transmitting server 10 does not associate with the transmitting service providing enterprise, the mail transmitting server 10 cannot check the list of the recipients, and thus determines whether the approval destinations include the recipient 40 in the hyper mailing server 20, thereby allowing the recipient 40 to receive the hyper mail only when the recipient 40 is identical with one of the approval destinations.

[57] Further, when the recipient 40 selects checking the hyper mail and gains access to the web page through the hyper link to the hyper mailing server 20, the transmitting controller 15 determines whether the password transmitted through the hyper link is identical with the password created by the mail transmitting server 10. Only when the two passwords are identical with each other, the transmitting controller 15 allows the recipient 40 to read the contents (web page) of the hyper mail through a corresponding URL. Therefore, the recipient 40 can directly check the web page written in the hyper mail without separate login authentication.

[58] When the sender 30 is an enterprise operating the mail transmitting server 10 for advertisement or informational purposes, the web page provided through the hyper mail can contain various contents, so that the web page may not only provides more detailed information when the recipient selects his/her desired item (information) but also induce the recipient to visit a home page thereof through the hyper mail.

[59] For example, the hyper mail can be used in sending product advertising, sale information, etc. to a customer, to thereby directly induce him/her to purchase products. Further, the hyper mail can be used in providing news or knowledge and in providing event information and a reservation service for performance or the like. Also, in the case of a financial institution, a news agency and a public institution, the hyper mail can be used in providing the members with financial details and a statement. Thus, the hyper mail according to the present invention may contain various contents.

[60] The hyper mailing server 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 1.

[61] As shown in FIG. 1, the hyper mailing server 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the subscriber DB 21, a controller 23, and a communicating unit 25.

[62] The subscriber DB 21 means information provided by a member who subscribes for the hyper mailing service, which contains the approval destination information 21C such as the ID of the subscriber, the mail transmitting server information 2 ID about a registered transmission enterprise, etc. Further, the subscriber DB 21 contains inbox information 21 A and outbox information 2 IB of the subscriber.

[63] The controller 23 processes the information provided by the subscriber and stores it as the subscriber DB 21. Further, the controller 23 controls the hyper mailing server 20 overall, for example, controls the hyper mailing server 20 to hyper- link a mail to the web page of the mail transmitting server 10 on the basis of the web-page information stored in the inbox information 21 A when the recipient of the hyper mail makes a request for checking the mail. Here, the controller 23 can be implemented by a processor such as a program or the like.

[64] The controller 23 controls the ID and the personal matters of the subscriber to be registered in the subscriber DB 21 when a user visits the hyper mailing server 20 and subscribes for a membership.

[65] Further, when the subscriber inputs a destination of the hyper mail, the controller 23 requests the destination to approve his/her calling. Also, the controller 23 can provide the subscriber with a menu about a list of enterprises associated by prior consultation, and allow the subscriber to select a desired enterprise as the transmission destination for a mail on the list through the corresponding menu.

[66] After subscribing for the membership, updated information about the enterprise is provided to the subscriber, so that the subscriber can select a needed enterprise as the destination of the hyper mail. Also, it is possible to set an information receiving condition about a certain event among various services provided by the enterprise

[67] When the destination approves of the hyper mail transmission, the controller 23 registers the approval destination information 21C in the subscriber DB 21. On the other hand, when either of the approval destination or the subscriber cancels the mutual approval, the destination is deleted from the list of the approval destinations.

[68] When the subscriber selects the transmitting service providing enterprise to be used in transmitting a mail, the controller 23 registers the selection of the subscriber in the subscriber DB 20 as the mail transmitting server information 21D. The controller 23 can provide the subscriber with the list of the transmitting service providing enterprises and information allowing he/she to check supporting functions of the providing enterprises. Thus, the subscriber can select a desired enterprise, and directly input URL address when there is no desired enterprise. In the case where the transmitting service providing enterprise selected by the subscriber is associated with the hyper mail service providing enterprise, the information used in the transmission based on the association is shared with each other, thereby consulting personal convenience. However, separate login authentication is needed for checking the mail in the case of a non- associated enterprise.

[69] When receives the web-page information from the mail transmitting server 10, the controller 23 checks information about the recipient and the sender, creates receiving information when the information is correct, and stores the receiving information in the inbox information 2 IA. Here, when the information about the recipient and the sender is incorrect, the controller 23 can reject to receive the mail. Further, when the recipient selects access-denied, the sender can receive a notification message.

[70] When the recipient 40 connects with the hyper mailing server 20, the controller 23 provides a mail list to the recipient 40. In the case that the recipient 40 selects mail check, the controller 23 controls the hyper mailing server 20 to hyper-link with the mail transmitting server 10 on the basis of web-page information, i.e., the password and the URL, thereby allowing the recipient 40 to gain access to the web page. Thus, the recipient 40 can gain access to the mail transmitting server 10 without the separate login authentication, thereby checking the mails. Alternatively, when the transmitting service providing enterprise is a non-associated enterprise, hyper linking may be just achieved through the URL, and also the password may be separately input as necessary.

[71] The hyper mailing server 20 provides a management function to manage an inbox and an outbox of the mailing system. When the recipient 40 saves or deletes the mail of the inbox or the outbox, the controller 23 processes the corresponding mail to be saved in or deleted from the inbox information 21 A and the outbox information 2 IB of the subscriber DB 21 and provides the corresponding information to the mail transmitting server 10, thereby allowing the mail transmitting server 10 to save or delete the corresponding mail.

[72] Further, the hyper mailing server 20 provides a replying function and a forwarding function for the mail. When the recipient selects the replying function or the forwarding function, the controller 23 link with the mail transmitting server 10 that is checked the mail or is selected by the recipient 40, thereby allowing the recipient 40 to do additional operations such as replying and forwarding through functions provided by the transmitting service providing enterprise. Meanwhile, it is impossible to implement the forwarding function when the forwarding destination is not in connection.

[73] A method of controlling the hyper mailing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[74] As shown in FIG. 2, the hyper mailing server 20 creates a subscriber DB 21 based on the information provided by the subscriber (Sl). The subscriber DB 21 can be updated depending on the information provided by the subscriber.

[75] When the subscriber writes a hyper mail through the functions provided from the mail transmitting server 10 by directly connecting with the mail transmitting server 10 or by performing the hyper link from the hyper mailing server 20 to the mail transmitting server 10 and then selects the written hyper mail to be sent (S2), the transmitting controller 15 controls the password creator 13 to create the password and creates the password, the web page written in the hyper mail, and the transmitting information about the web page, thereby storing them in the hyper mail storage 11 (S3).

[76] Then, the transmitting controller 15 transmits the created transmitting information, i.e., the web-page information containing the sender, the recipient, the password, the URL of the web page, etc. to the hyper mailing server 20 through the communicating unit 17 (S4).

[77] The controller 23 of the hyper mailing server 20 stores the web-page information transmitted from the mail transmitting server 10 as the inbox information 21 A of the personal DB (S5). In the case where the recipient or the sender is uncertain, the web- page information is not stored in the inbox and rejected. Also, in the case where information about the sender is not included in the approval destination information 21C of the recipient, the mail is not stored and rejected.

[78] Further, the controller 23 provides the recipient with a list of his/her hyper mails when the recipient connects with the hyper mailing server 20. Then, when the recipient requests the hyper mail check (S6), the controller 23 tries to gain access to the corresponding web page of the mail transmitting server 10 on the basis of the stored information about the password and the URL (S7). [79] The transmitting controller 15 of the mail transmitting server 10 determines whether the transmitted password is identical with the password stored in the hyper mail storage 11 (S8).

[80] When two passwords are identical with each other, the recipient is allowed to gain access to the web page corresponding to the hyper mail (S9). On the other hand, when two passwords are not identical with each other, the recipient is rejected from the web page.

[81] FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of transmitting a mail in the hyper mailing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[82] As shown in FIG. 3, when the subscriber connects with the hyper mailing server 20 and selects the mail transmitting server 10 to write the hyper mail (Sl 1), the hyper mailing server 20 links with the mail transmitting server 10 selected by the subscriber.

[83] Then, when the subscriber writes a mail through various hyper mail writing functions provided by the mail transmitting server 10 and requests information about the recipient list (S 15), the mail transmitting server 10 requests the hyper mailing server 20 to provide information about the list of the approval destinations (S 17).

[84] The hyper mailing server 20 retrieves the approval destination information 21C and provides the list of the approval destinations to the mail transmitting server 10 (S 19). Thus, the subscriber can transmit the mail to only the previously approved destinations.

[85] Meanwhile, a hyper massage server 200 and a system thereof according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6.

[86] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the hyper message server 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the system comprising the same, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are control flowcharts of the hyper message system of FIG. 4.

[87] As shown in FIG. 4, the hyper message system according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a user terminal 100, and the hyper message server 200 accessible through a network.

[88] Here, the network includes a wire or wireless network such as the Internet, and enables not only on-line communication between the hyper message server 200 and the user terminal 100 but also communication between a web site built up by the hyper message server 200 and the user terminal 100.

[89] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the hyper message server 200 provides a connected user with a predetermined service such as a receiving/ sending service of a hyper message. Besides the receiving/sending service of the hyper mail, the service provided by the hyper message server 200 may include a retrieving service, an advertising service, an on-line game service, a portal service, an electronic commerce service, etc. Thus, a user can gain access to the hyper message server 200 through the network, and receive the service provided by the hyper message server 200.

[90] As shown in FIG. 4, the hyper message server 200 includes a communicating unit

210, a program storage 220, a member DB 230 having information about members, and a server controller 240 controlling them overall.

[91] The communicating unit 210 is used as a module for the interface between the hyper message server 200 and the terminal 100 through the network.

[92] The program storage 220 stores a client program 120 to be downloaded in a user computer and executed. Here, the client program 120 can be automatically or manually downloaded in the user terminal 100 when a user applies for membership. Further, the client program 120 may include a program for sending URL by clicking an activated window R-button or a push program for receiving URL. More detailed descriptions about the client program 120 will be described later.

[93] The member DB 230 includes member information given when a user applies for the membership, a recipient list 231 selected as a destination by the member, a receiving/sending information 232 of the member, which can be stored in a mass storage medium. Here, the receiving/sending information 232 includes a receiving/ sending date, a message, a URL, etc.

[94] The server controller 240 allows the client program 120 to be downloaded in the user terminal 100, manages the member DB 230, and links the user terminals 100 with each other. Here, the server controller 240 can be implemented by a processor or a controller, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU). More detailed descriptions about the server controller 240 will be described later.

[95] Below, a message sending method of the hyper message system of FIG. 4 will be described.

[96] When the user terminal 100 connects with the web site built by the hyper message server 200, the hyper message server 200 provides a page for allowing a user to apply for membership. When a user applies for the membership (S20), the server controller 240 stores information input by a member in the member DB 230, and controls the client program 120 stored in a data storage to be downloaded in the user terminal 100 (S21). At this time, the hyper message server 200 has a function of recommending a user to apply for the membership, so that the member can register a mail ID or the like of a destination and write a membership recommending message. Thus, the membership recommending message and the URL automatically included therein can be sent as a mail.

[97] Meanwhile, when the user terminal 100 is turned on, i.e., booted (S22), the client program 120 is automatically executed and provides a user with a login page (S23). Thus, a user can log in through the login page. When a user logs on (S24), the client program 120 provides the login data of a user to the hyper message server 200, and the hyper message server 200 authenticates the login and updates the member DB 230 with state information about the login of a user (S25). Likewise, when a user logs out, the client program 120 provides the state information of a user to the hyper message server 200. Thus, the hyper message server 200 knows whether the members logs in or out to the client program 120, and also knows an IP address or the like of the connected user terminal 100.

[98] Further, when a user selects hyper-message writing through an input unit such as a keyboard, a mouse or the like connected to the user terminal 100 (S26), the client program 120 requests the hyper message server 200 to provide a recipient list 231 corresponding to users and separately opens a hyper message sending window (S27). Here, the hyper message sending window includes a connection button to connect with the web page built in the hyper message server 200, a login/logout button, a message sending button, a requesting /selecting button for the recipient list 231, and a message input window. Thus, a user can input and send a desired character and the like through the message input window.

[99] The server controller 240 of the hyper message server 200 reads out the recipient list 231 corresponding to a user from the member DB 230 according to his/her requests, and transmits the recipient list 231 to the user terminal 100 (S28).

[100] Further, the client program 120 of the user terminal 100 displays the recipient list

231 provided from the hyper message server 200 in the hyper message sending window (S29). Here, the recipient list 231 can be requested and transmitted when a user logs in. In this case, the client program 120 can save the received recipient list 231 in a predetermined memory and then reads out it from the memory when a user selects message writing, thereby displaying the recipient list 231 in the sending window.

[101] Meanwhile, when a user selects the destination from the recipient list 231 displayed in the sending window and selects message sending, the client program 120 transmits the URL information of the currently activated web page along with the destination information to the hyper message server 200 (S31). As shown in FIG. 4, the client program 120 can know the URL information of the currently activated web page by linking with a web browser 110.

[102] The server controller 240 of the hyper message server 200 stores the received destination information and the URL information of the web page as the receiving/ sending information 232 of the member DB 230, and transmits a receiving event to the terminal 100 of the destination (S32). As described above, the hyper message server 200 receives the state information about the login/logout of the user from the user terminal 100, so that the hyper message server 200 can determine whether the destination is in a login or logout state. When the destination is in the login state, the receiving event can be transmitted according to the IP information of the terminal 100 of the destination. On the other hand, when the destination is in the logout state, the receiving event can be transmitted after the destination logs in.

[103] In the meantime, when the destination selects checking the details of the received hyper messages (S33), the client program 120 requests the hyper message server 200 to provide the details of the received hyper messages (S34). Then, the hyper message server 200 reads out the details of the received messages from the receiving/sending information 232 of the member DB 230, and transmits it to the terminal 100 of the destination (S35). At this time, the client program 120 displays the details of the received hyper messages as a separate hyper message receiving window (S36). Here, the hyper message receiving window can include information about a recipient/sender, a receiving/sending date, a received message, a URL, etc. In the case where the destination selects checking the corresponding message (S37), the client program 120 hyper- links to the corresponding web page on the basis of the URL information of the web page and transmits a check tag to the hyper message server 200 (S38).

[104] Further, the client program 120 can provide a favorites folder to thereby allowing a user to register the URL of the web page as favorites.

[105] According to the second embodiment of the present inve

[106] ntion, the URL information of the web page can be conveniently sent as a message to a desired destination.

[107] As described above, the present invention provides a hyper mailing server, a transmitting server, a hyper mailing system comprising the same, a control method thereof, a hyper message server and a hyper message system, in which a web page can be used as a hyper mail or a hyper message, and a mail or a message can be transmitted and checked using web-page information about the hyper mail or the hyper message.

Claims

[1] A hyper mailing system comprising: a mail transmitting server storing a web page when a sender selects the web page as a hyper mail, and transmitting web-page information to gain access to the web page; and a hyper mailing server storing the received web-page information in an inbox, and hyper- linking to the web page stored in the mail transmitting server on the basis of the web page information for allowing a recipient to gain access to the web page when the recipient of the hyper mail connects therewith and selects checking the hyper mail.

[2] The hyper mailing system according to claim 1, wherein the mail transmitting server comprises a password creator to create a password corresponding to the web page, and the web-page information comprises a URL of the web page and the password.

[3] The hyper mailing system according to claim 2, wherein the mail transmitting server comprises a hyper mail storage to store the web page, the URL and the password, and a transmitting controller to determine whether a password in the hyper mailing server is identical with the password stored in the hyper mail storage when the hyper mailing server hyper-links with the web-page on the basis of the URL and the password and allow to the hyper mailing server to gain access to the web page when the both passwords are identical with each other.

[4] The hyper mailing system according to claim 1, wherein the hyper mailing server comprises a subscriber DB including information about subscribers, and the subscriber DB comprises approval destination information allowing the subscriber to receive and send a hyper mail, and mail transmitting server information registered to be used by the subscriber.

[5] The hyper mailing system according to claim 4, wherein the mail transmitting server requests the hyper mailing server to provide the approval destination information when the subscriber wants to send the hyper mail, and allows the recipient to be designated corresponding to the destination based on the approval destination information when receives the approval destination information from the hyper mailing server.

[6] The hyper mailing system according to claim 4, wherein the hyper mailing server retrieves the approval destination information of the recipient when receives the web-page information from the mail transmitting server, and stores the web-page information in the inbox information when the sender is included in the approval destination information.

[7] A mail transmitting server providing a hyper mailing service, comprising: a password creator to create a password; a hyper mail storage to store the contents of a web page selected as a hyper mail, a URL corresponding to the web page, and the password; a transmitting controller controlling the password creator to create the password corresponding to the web page and transmitting the URL and the password for gaining access to the web page to a predetermined external server when a sender designates a recipient and selects the hyper mail to be sent, determining whether a password in the external server is identical with the password stored in the hyper mail storage when the external server hyper- links with the web page based on the URL and the password, and allowing the external server to gain access to the web page when the both passwords are identical with each other.

[8] The mail transmitting server according to claim 7, wherein the transmitting controller requests the hyper mailing server to provide approval destination information allowing the destination to receive and send the hyper mail with the destination when the sender wants to send the hyper mail, and allows a recipient to be designated corresponding to the destinations included in the approval destination information received from the hyper mailing server.

[9] A hyper mailing server comprising: inbox information having web-page information for gaining access to a web page, the web-page information including a recipient and a sender of the hyper mail transmitted from a mail transmitting server, and a URL and a password of the web page of the hyper mail; and a controller hyper- linking to the web page stored in the mail transmitting server on the basis of the URL and the password for allowing the recipient to gain access to the web page when the recipient connects therewith and selects receiving the hyper mail.

[10] The hyper mailing server according to claim 9, further comprising a subscriber

DB including information about subscribers, wherein the subscriber DB comprises approval destination information allowing the subscriber to receive and send a hyper mail, and mail transmitting server information registered to be used by the subscriber, and the controller retrieves the approval destination information of the recipient when receives the web-page information from the mail transmitting server, and stores the web-page information in the inbox information when the sender is included in the approval destination information.

[11] A hyper message system comprising: a client program downloaded and executed in a user terminal, and transmitting information about a currently activated web page and a destination when a user selects the web page as a hyper message; and a hyper message server comprising a communicating unit for network communication, a member DB storing a recipient list and receiving/sending information of a member, and a server controller reading out the recipient list corresponding to the member from the member DB and providing the user terminal with the recipient list when the user terminal requests the recipient list, controlling the member DB to store web-page information and destination information received from the client program, and transmitting a receiving event of the hyper message to the terminal of the destination.

[12] The hyper message system according to claim 11, wherein the client program transmits state information about login and logout to the hyper message server when a user logs in or out to the client program; and the server controller receives the state information and updates the member DB.

[13] The hyper message system according to claim 12, wherein the server controller provides the client program of the destination with information about the web page when the destination logs in; and the client program of the selected recipient hyper-links with the web page on the basis of the web-page information when contents checking of the hyper message is selected.

[14] The hyper message system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the web-page information comprises URL information of the web page.

[15] The hyper message system according to claim 14, wherein the client program provides a hyper message sending window when the user wants to send the hyper message, requests the hyper message server to provide the recipient list of the user, and allows the hyper message sending window to show the recipient list received from the hyper message server.

[16] The hyper message system according to claim 15, wherein the client program comprises a URL sending program or a URL push program.

[17] A hyper message server comprising: a program storage storing a client program which is downloaded and executed in a user terminal and transmitting state information about login or logout of a user; a communicating unit for network communication with the user terminal; a member DB storing a recipient list and receiving/sending information of a member; and a server controller reading out the recipient list corresponding to the member from the member DB and transmitting the user terminal to the recipient list when the user terminal requests the recipient list, controlling the member DB to store information about a destination and a URL of the user terminal when receives the information from the user terminal, and transmitting a receiving event of a hyper message to the recipient.

[18] The hyper message server according to claim 17, wherein the server controller checks the state information, and controls the terminal of the destination to hyper-link to a web page corresponding to the URL by providing the terminal of the destination with the information about the URL when the destination logs in.

[19] The hyper message server according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the client pr ogram comprises a URL sending program or a URL push program.