JP2001318861A - Information service system and information service method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information service system capable of making good use of mail information, and maintaining sufficient secrecy, and preventing any illegal use. SOLUTION: This system is provided with plural terminal data equipment to be used by each of plural subscribers, an information service system for storing information, a mail server system for performing an electronic mail service, and a digital communication system connected to each of them. In this case, mail information to be transmitted by the terminal data equipment includes preserving period information for designating preserving periods, and the information service system stores the preserving period mail information designated by the preserving period information, and accepts requests from the plural terminal data equipment corresponding to the stored information, and performs information services corresponding to the requests.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information service system and an information service method utilizing information technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example of an electronic mail system. In this conventional example, the information terminal 8
01, mail server system 804, mailing list server 805, digital communication system 80
And 3. Although only one information terminal 801 and one mail server system 804 are shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of each are actually provided.

Each information terminal 801, each mail server system 804, and mailing list server 805
Each information terminal 80 is individually connected to the digital communication system 803, and is connected to the digital communication system 803 via the digital communication system 803.
1 and each mail server system 804 are configured to be connectable.

[0004] A normal mail operation will be described. When a mail is transmitted from the information terminal 801 on the transmitting side, the mail is sent to the mail server system 804 on the receiving side and stored. The information terminal 801 on the receiving side can retrieve the mail addressed to itself by inquiring of the mail server system 804 on the receiving side whether the mail addressed thereto has arrived.

A mailing list server 805 stores a mailing list in which addresses of a plurality of destinations are registered. The mailing list is registered in cooperation with a mail server system 804, and the stored mailing list is designated to the mail server system 804. Then, when the mail is transmitted, the same mail is automatically sent to a plurality of destinations indicated by the addresses registered in the designated mailing list, and the sent mail is stored. The stored mail can be searched by making a request from the information terminal 801.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing information accompanying the mail. As shown in FIG. 7, sender information of the mail, destination information for sending the mail, title, communication contents of the mail, and time information at the time of sending are shown. Provided as accompanying information.

[0007] Since the mail server system 804 is configured to accumulate mail as described above, conventionally, various kinds of information have been provided through a digital communication system in response to a request of an information service subscriber. For example, in the case of the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, a mail stored in the mail server system 804 in response to a subscriber request sent from the information terminal 801 is transmitted to the information terminal 801.
Services such as sending to are provided.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mail server 80
4 or each of the mails stored in the mailing list server 805, there is no specification information for specifying the storage period or the content of the mail, and all the mails are stored uniformly or deleted without being stored uniformly. Deletion of stored mail is separately
I needed to do it again. As a result, even if the mail does not need to be stored in the server, the storage state is maintained unless a delete operation is performed, and a lot of unnecessary mail is stored, and a storage space is wasted. .

The mailing list is specified by a logical address constituting a group corresponding to the list name, the physical address is not considered, and the security is not specified for each mail. For this reason, in the information service for an unspecified number of subscribers, the confidentiality of the information provided is not sufficient,
It is difficult to prohibit copying of the provided information, and there is a problem that confidentiality and confidentiality are not always sufficient.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional technology, and stores message information exchanged by a mail service in an information service system in cooperation with a server, and requests the message information. When necessary, sufficient confidentiality can be ensured so that the same stored e-mail information can be classified and used by multiple subscribers, and the information provided by the information provision service can be used. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information service system capable of sufficiently securing confidentiality and preventing unauthorized use if necessary.

[0011]

An information service system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, and a mail server system for performing an e-mail service. , Comprising a digital communication system connected to each of them, using a terminal including a storage period information specifying a storage period as mail information sent by the terminal data device,
The information service system stores storage period mail information specified by the storage period information, receives a request for the stored information from the plurality of terminal data devices, and performs an information service corresponding to the request. And

In this case, as the mail information, information including logical destination information and transmission source information of the mail, and classification name information of the mail is used, and the information service system stores the combination information of these in advance. If the conditions are met, the mail may be stored.

[0013] Further, the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices to perform a search using various types of information constituting mail information, and searches for the corresponding mail information from the mail information stored. An information search service may be provided.

Further, each of the plurality of terminal data devices has unique physical ID information, and includes, as mail information, physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. And the information service system may identify the mail information from the physical ID information and the time information, and determine the storage state of the mail information according to the identification result.

[0015] Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating a security level to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system performs the plurality of terminals in accordance with the security level indicated by the security information. The information service corresponding to the request from the data device may be limited.

Further, the information service system may restrict access to stored mail information according to the security information.

Further, the information service system encrypts the stored mail information by using the physical ID information unique to the requesting terminal data device in accordance with the security information, and transmits the encrypted mail information to the requesting terminal data device. The terminal data device that has transmitted and received this may decode the data using the unique physical ID information.

[0018] Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating a security level at which the mail information is to be maintained is used, and the information service system operates according to the security level indicated by the security information. The information search service corresponding to the search request from the data device may be limited.

An information service system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, and a digital communication system connected to each of these devices. The information service system receives an e-mail request for information to be stored from the plurality of terminal data devices and performs an information service corresponding to the request indicated in the e-mail information constituting the e-mail; Each of the devices is provided with unique physical ID information, and as the mail information, a device including physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted is used. The mail information is identified from the physical ID information and the time information, and the request is made according to the identification result. And determining the execution of the corresponding information service.

In this case, as the mail information, information containing logical mail destination information and mail source information and mail classification name information is used, and in the information service system, a combination of these information is registered in advance. When the conditions are met, an information service corresponding to the request may be performed.

Further, the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices for performing a search based on various types of mail information constituting a mail, and searches for the corresponding information from the stored information. An information search service may be provided.

Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating the degree of security to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system makes the plurality of terminals in accordance with the degree of security indicated by the security information. The information service corresponding to the request from the data device may be limited.

The information service system may restrict access to stored mail information according to the security information.

Further, the information service system encrypts the stored mail information using the physical ID information unique to the requesting terminal data device according to the security information, and transmits the encrypted mail information to the requesting terminal data device. The terminal data device that has transmitted and received this may decode the data using the unique physical ID information.

Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating the degree of security to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system makes the plurality of terminals in accordance with the degree of security indicated by the security information. The information search service corresponding to the search request from the data device may be limited.

Further, the terminal data device may not transmit the information stored in the information service system as the information whose copying is prohibited, to the outside through a communication line or an input interface.

An information service method according to the present invention comprises a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, a mail server system for performing an e-mail service, and connection with each of these. An information service method performed in a system including a digital communication system that includes a storage period information that specifies a storage period as mail information transmitted from the terminal data device. The storage period mail information specified by the storage period information is stored, and a request for the stored information from the plurality of terminal data devices is received, and an information service corresponding to the request is performed.

In this case, as the mail information, information including logical destination information and transmission source information of the mail, and mail classification name information is used, and the information service system stores the combination information of these in advance. If the condition is met, the mail may be stored.

The information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices for performing a search based on various types of information constituting the mail information, and searches for the corresponding mail information from the stored mail information. An information search service may be provided.

Further, each of the plurality of terminal data devices has unique physical ID information, and includes, as mail information, physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. And the information service system may identify the mail information from the physical ID information and the time information, and determine the storage state of the mail information according to the identification result.

In addition, as the mail information, information including security information indicating a security level to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system performs the plurality of terminal operations according to the security level indicated by the security information. The information service corresponding to the request from the data device may be limited.

Further, the information service system may restrict access to the stored mail information according to the security information.

Further, the information service system encrypts the stored mail information by using the physical ID information unique to the requesting terminal data device in accordance with the security information and transmits the encrypted mail information to the requesting terminal data device. The terminal data device that has transmitted and received this may decode the data using the unique physical ID information.

Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating the degree of security to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system makes the plurality of terminals in accordance with the degree of security indicated by the security information. The information search service corresponding to the search request from the data device may be limited.

An information service method according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, and a digital communication system connected to each of these devices. An information service method performed by a system provided with the information service system, wherein the information service system accepts a request by a mail from the plurality of terminal data devices for information to be stored and information corresponding to a request indicated in mail information constituting the mail. A service, wherein each of the plurality of terminal data devices has unique physical ID information, and includes, as mail information, physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. And the information service system uses the physical ID information and the time information to Identifies Lumpur information, and determines the execution of the information service corresponding to the request in accordance with the identification result.

In this case, as the mail information, information including logical destination information and source information of the mail, and classification name information of the mail is used, and the information service system stores the combination information of these in advance. When the conditions are met, an information service corresponding to the request may be performed.

Further, the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices for performing a search based on various types of mail information constituting a mail, and searches for the corresponding information from the stored information. An information search service may be provided.

Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating the degree of security to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system sets the plurality of terminals in accordance with the degree of security indicated by the security information. The information service corresponding to the request from the data device may be limited.

Further, the information service system may restrict access to the stored mail information according to the security information.

In addition, according to the security information, the information service system encrypts the stored mail information using the physical ID information unique to the requesting terminal data device, and transmits the encrypted mail information to the requesting terminal data device. The terminal data device that has transmitted and received this may decode the data using the unique physical ID information.

Further, as the mail information, information including security information indicating the degree of security to be maintained in the mail information is used, and the information service system sets the plurality of terminals in accordance with the degree of security indicated by the security information. The information search service corresponding to the search request from the data device may be limited.

Further, the terminal data device may not transmit the information stored in the information service system as the information whose copying is prohibited, to the outside through a communication line or an input interface.

In the present invention configured as described above, if the mail information includes information designating a period during which the mail information is stored in the mail server system, the storage time can be made appropriate, and Resources can be used efficiently. Further, since the service is performed by confirming the physical ID information unique to each of the plurality of terminal data devices, security is improved.

[0044]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment typically.

In this embodiment, a terminal data device 101, a control device 102, a digital communication system 103, a mail server system 104, and an information service system 105
It is composed of Although only one of the terminal data device 101 and the control device 102 and the mail server system 104 provided therewith is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of each are actually provided.

The terminal data device 101 is a terminal device used by each subscriber of the mail service or the information providing service, and each terminal data device 101 has physical ID information as a unique device number. The physical ID information is, for example, structurally given at the time of manufacturing the device, and is given, for example, as a pattern of a flash memory of an IC chip so as to be different for each device.

The control device 102 operates according to a predetermined program, and is configured such that the physical ID information of the terminal data device 101 can be read but cannot be rewritten. Note that the control device 102
Is provided independently of the terminal data device 101, but this is for convenience of describing the function. The control device 102 is actually incorporated in the terminal data device 101, and the function of the control device 102 is The terminal data equipment 101 provided is also included in the present invention.

The digital communication system 103 includes a data communication line and a control system thereof, and is connected to each terminal data device 101, each server system 104 and the information service system 105, and executes a communication operation between them. I do. Further, the server system 104 and the information service system 105 correspond to the digital communication system 1.
03, but are also directly connected so that they can be connected independently without going through the digital communication system 103.

FIG. 2 shows the terminal data device 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of communication information of an e-mail transmitted by No. 1.
As shown in the figure, the mail used in this embodiment is information handled by a conventional mail service, such as sender information h, destination information r, title d, communication content c, and time information t.
, Physical ID information p ₁ , p ₂ , logical ID information l ₁ ,
l ₂ , l ₃ , storage period information k, and security designation information s.

Hereinafter, among the information used in the present embodiment, each content other than general sender information h, destination information r, and title d will be described.

Physical ID information p ₁ , p ₂ : device numbers unique to the terminal data device 101 shown in FIG. 1, p ₁ is group identification information given for each manufacturing factory, and p ₂ is in order of manufacturing time. Is a serial number.

Time information t: Time information including the date when the mail was sent. Physical ID information and time information t
Is given, it is possible to uniquely identify the mail information.

Logical ID information l ₁ , l ₂ , l ₃ : Logical identifiers of mail information. Here, l ₁ is single destination information or group destination information that specifies a mailing list, l ₂ is a mail classification name, and l ₃ is sender information. The information service system 105 includes caller information 1 transmitted by a specific data terminal device 101.
_3, the classification name and a destination information or group destination information l ₁ single to be created for each mail classification specified by l ₂ has been registered.

Retention period information k: information for specifying the retention period of mail information. If the retention period information k is 0, it means that the mail information does not need to be stored in the mail server system 104. .

Security designation information s: information for designating a degree of security such as confidentiality of mail, and information for designating encryption or duplication of communication at the time of communication.

Communication contents c: Communication contents of mail.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention when a mail is transmitted from the data terminal device 101 will be described.

When the various communication information shown in FIG. 2 is sent from the data terminal equipment 101 to the server system 104, the server system 104 performs the same mail service as the conventional example shown in FIG. The communication information shown is transferred to the information service system 105.
The information service system 105 stores the transferred mail for a specified period indicated in the storage period information k.
In response to a request sent from the subscriber for the stored information, an information service such as distribution of the stored information is performed.

The above operation will be described more specifically. First, the information service system 105 identifies the physical ID information p ₁ , p _2, and stores the identified physical ID information p ₁ , p ₂ and the logical ID information l ₁ , l ₂ , l _{3 in} a legitimate manner. Check if it is.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the above-described confirmation processing performed inside the information service system 105. The processing box 301 and the table 302 in FIG.
It is virtually configured in a storage device (not shown) in the information service system 105.

When the information service system 105 identifies the physical ID information p ₁ and p ₂ of the incoming mail, it checks whether or not the physical ID information is registered in the processing box 301. The table 302 is prepared corresponding to the specific physical ID information registered in the processing box 301. The logical ID information l ₁ , l ₂ , and l ₃ shown in FIG. Is checked.

Logical ID stored in table 302
Information l ₁₁ , l ₂₁ , l _{31 to} l _1n , l _2n , l _3n are logical IDs
This represents an allowable combination of information l ₁ , l ₂ , and l ₃ . Here, the logical ID information l ₁₁ , l ₂₁ , l _{31 to} l _1n ,
Don't care marks are also allowed for l _2n and l _3n , and the locations of these marks are excluded from the conditions for combination.

For example, the classification name l of the logical ID information_{twenty one}Is
Caller information, caller information ₃₁To a specific individual
Or group destination information₁₁Mail to
Is a permissible combination, regardless of the class name of the
You.

Further, assuming that the sender and the receiver are the same person,
For example, destination information l₁₁And caller information ₃₁Be the same
Allows you to send to yourself,
Class name l₁₂The mail information is stored and saved.
The information search service described later by the service system 105
Can receive.

The information service system 105 has a logical ID
For emails for which information has not been properly registered,
The server system 104 is notified that the mail registration is not valid. Upon receiving the notification, the server system 104
An alarm indicating this is notified to the terminal data device 101. This alarm means that the corresponding mail is not stored and stored in the information service system 105, and does not disturb the normal mail service in the mail server 104.

The information service system 105 has a logical ID
For a mail whose information has been properly registered, various kinds of communication information shown in FIG. 2 constituting the information of the mail are stored and saved in a file storage device (not shown). The various communication information stored and stored is stored in the file storage device for a period specified by the storage period information k. As will be described later, the file is stored in the file storage in a form that can efficiently respond to a request for a search service that will be required later.

Next, the operation of this embodiment when a mail is received by the data terminal device 101 will be described.

When the mail is received, the terminal data device 1
The recipient who uses “01” checks the storage period information k in FIG. 2, and if the storage period information k is desired to be longer than the storage period information k, corrects the storage period information k so that the mail server system 104 in FIG. The received mail information is returned to the mail server system 104, and the received mail information is transferred to the information service system 105. Upon receiving the transferred mail information, the information service system 105 identifies the mail with the physical ID information p ₁ , p ₂ and the time information t (it is important that this identification is uniquely performed). Check whether the mail information is stored. Here, if the identified mail information is already stored, it is replaced with the newly transferred received mail information and the storage period is corrected. If it is not stored (there may be cases where the storage period information k is set to 0 in the outgoing outgoing mail and is not stored), the received mail having the corrected storage period information k is stored and stored. I do.

Next, an information search service performed by the information service system 105 will be described. An information service subscriber provided by the information service system can request the information service system 105 for various search services related to stored mail via the data terminal device 101.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a search example of mail information organized by the logical ID information of FIG. In FIG. 4, search condition 4
01, specific logical ID information l ₁ , l ₂ , l ₃
Is requested, a list 402 of titles satisfying the condition is shown together with the unique identifiers p ₁ , p ₂ , and t of the mail. Further, a request for reading the contents of a specific mail from the list 402 can be issued to know in detail. Alternatively, a list of e-mails for a specific period of a specific sender or receiver can be searched.

The mail stored in the mail server system 104 stores security designation information s1, s2, and s3 as shown in FIG.

In the security designation information s1, designation is made as to whether or not mail search is permitted to anyone other than the sender or receiver of the mail. When the mail search is prohibited by the security designation information s1, only the mail receiver and sender can search the mail. When the mail search is permitted by the security designation information s1, the mail search according to the terminal data device, the user, the mail classification name, and the like that matches the pre-registered condition is permitted.

The security designation information s2 designates whether copying of the contents of the retrieved mail is permitted.

The security designation information s3 designates whether or not to perform encryption. For example, when the retrieved mail requires high confidentiality, it is designated to perform encryption. When the content of the mail searched by the security specification information s3 is designated to be encrypted, the content is encrypted and transmitted from the information service system 105 and decrypted by the terminal data device 101.

The encryption is performed as follows. Appropriate n is taken to encrypt the communication contents, and all operations are performed in binary modulo n. The bit string of the communication content is regarded as a binary number, and the bit string of the physical ID information of FIG. 2 is added, and transmitted from the information service system 105 of FIG.
In this way, the transmitted information is transmitted to the terminal data device 10.
1 and received by the controller 102
The bit string of the D information is subtracted and decoded.

It is necessary to take measures for changing the storage period information k and the security designation information s1, s2, s3 of the stored mail by appropriate procedures. For example, there may be a case where it is desired to extend the storage period than originally expected, or a case where it is desired to release mail information that has not been released.
However, this change must be made only by the sender or recipient of the mail.

Note that the mail server system 104
It may be configured with a plurality of systems and connected to the single information service system 105 with different interfaces, or may be configured to be connected through the digital communication system 103.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the mail information is stored and the service is performed based on the stored contents, the information prepared and stored in advance according to the request from the subscriber of the information system service. Provides information services.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the system configuration of this embodiment.

A request for an information service is made from the terminal data device 501 to the information service system 505 through the digital communication system 503, and in response to the request, the information service system 505 checks the validity of the request content, and, upon a valid request, If so, provide the requested information service. At this time, according to the contents of the information service, encryption for confidentiality of information and means for inhibiting illegal copying of the provided information are taken.

The above operation will be described more specifically. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of information when the terminal data device 501 makes a service request to the information service system 505.

The sender information h is stored in the digital communication system 5
This is the communication address of the terminal data device given from 03, and is called the URP address in the electronic mail service.

The request information title d designates the requested information.

The time information t is time information including the date when the request is made.

The physical ID information p ₁ and p ₂ are unique device numbers of the terminal data device 501 in FIG. 1, p ₁ is group identification information given for each manufacturing factory, and p ₂ is It is a serial number.

The logical ID information 1 is information relating to the requester of the information service, and the requester can operate the terminal data device 501 to give the program of the control device 502.

Next, the operation when a service request is made will be described.

When the information service system 505 receives the service request information shown in FIG. 6, it checks the validity of the requester. Logical I allowed for physical ID information p ₁ , p ₂
The D information 1 is registered in the information service system 505 in advance, and it is checked whether this registration has been made. If it is confirmed that the information has not been registered, the information service is stopped, and the information service system 505 issues this alarm to the terminal data device 501.
Send to When it is confirmed that the registration is properly performed, the information service system 505 sends the information of the request information title d to the terminal data device 501. At this time, depending on the information provided, measures are taken for concealment of information and countermeasures against unauthorized use as follows.

An appropriate n is set for encrypting the information to be provided, and all the operations are performed by the binary modulo n.
The bit string of the provided information is regarded as a binary number, and the binary number bit strings of the physical ID information p ₁ and p ₂ are added and transmitted from the information service system 505.

The encrypted and transmitted data is transmitted as described above.
The information is received by the terminal data device 501 and the control device 50
2, the corresponding physical ID information p₁, P_TwoInsert the bit string
Subtract and decrypt. Here, encryption and decryption are performed using physical information p.
₁, P_TwoWas performed by a simple binary operation using
However, in order to achieve higher security,
p ₁, P_TwoSpecifies key information and performs encryption based on complex operations
And decoding can also be performed. The important thing here is that
Key information is physical information p₁, P_TwoMade under the specification of
Therefore, it is unique and unique key information.
You.

As described above, it is extremely difficult to decrypt the encryption performed in this embodiment in a system other than the system in which the terminal data device 501 and the control device 502 are integrated. Therefore, the confidentiality of the information can be made extremely high, and the information service can be provided only to the legitimate requester.

The information service system 505 is provided to prevent unauthorized use and illegal copying of the provided information.
The provided information is stored in the terminal data device 501 and the control device 50.
2, it is possible to instruct that the information is not taken out of the device. Here, “not taken out of the device” means that transmission through the communication line is not performed or that the device is not taken out to the output device through the input / output interface. The provided information is stored in a file as read-only information and can be viewed on the screen, but is guaranteed not to be copied outside.

The above-mentioned assurance that the provided information is reliably prevented from being illegally used and illegally copied is based on the fact that the terminal data device 501 and the control device 502, which are only one in the world, are integrated with each other. To further enhance confidentiality, storage in the file can also be encrypted.

Since the operation of the present invention is controlled by the control device 502, the control device 502 needs to be configured to be able to resist tampering from outside. Although there are software and hardware tampering from the outside, various countermeasures such as firewalls have been proposed for software tampering, and these may be used. Also, it is generally difficult to falsify hardware, but even if hardware is falsified, in the case of the present invention, falsification is performed because it has unique physical ID information, and this is discovered. In this case, it is possible to track the distribution route and the like using the unique physical ID information as a clue, and from this point of view, the ability to prevent unauthorized use and unauthorized access is improved.

In the above description, the digital communication system 103 or the digital communication system 503 may be a private LAN system. Further, the terminal data device 101 and the control device 102 may be a mobile phone having a mail function shared with the telephone and a built-in control device, and the physical ID information may be a telephone unique to the mobile phone. It may be a number. Further, although the physical ID information is somewhat inferior in the security of the confidentiality, the terminal data device 101 or the terminal data device 5 does not.
01 may be a telephone number of a fixed telephone provided for connection with the digital communication system 103 or the digital communication system 503.

As described above, the second embodiment described above is characterized in that an information service corresponding to a request from a subscriber of an information system service is performed on information prepared and stored in advance. This is different from the embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Although not specifically described, various services described as the first embodiment, for example, restrictions by security information, information search, and the like are also performed. Such a form is also included in the present invention.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to store mail information in common, and it is possible to improve memory efficiency and memory management as a whole.

Further, there is an effect that the mailing list is effectively used, the mail activity and the group activity are integrated, and the group activity having an interest in the common theme can be promoted.

Also, as long as the mail information can be used,
It can be made public and has the effect of increasing the creation and utilization of information.

In addition, it is possible to create mail information for itself, manage the information, and release the information to a necessary range as needed. This has the effect that the mail activity can be integrated with the information creation and information management activities.

In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the terminal data device has the unique physical ID information provided in hardware, and this information is used for authentication for valid registration for information access. By using
This has the effect of preventing access to unauthorized information and dramatically increasing the function of protecting against unauthorized use of information.

Further, by using the unique physical ID information of the terminal data device of the present invention as the key information for encryption of data communication, there is an effect that encryption and decryption with high secrecy can be easily realized. .

Also, the operation of the program of the control device which cooperates with the terminal data device capable of decrypting the encrypted information makes it difficult to falsify the hardware integrated with the program, and prevents unauthorized use of the information. This has the effect of increasing the ability to prevent unauthorized access.

[0104]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the mail information can be stored in the same manner by a plurality of subscribers by ensuring sufficient confidentiality when required and when necessary. It is possible to use the received mail information, and also to provide sufficient confidentiality and prevent unauthorized use of the information provided by the information providing service, if necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of communication information of a mail transmitted by the terminal data device 101 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the above-described confirmation processing performed inside the information service system 105 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a search for mail information organized by logical ID information of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing a configuration of information when the terminal data device 501 shown in FIG. 5 makes a service request to the information service system 505.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional example of an electronic mail system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing information accompanying a mail.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101,501 Terminal data equipment 102,502 Control device 103,503 Digital communication system 104 Mail server system 105,505 Information service system

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, a mail server system for performing an electronic mail service, and a digital communication system connected to each of these devices. Using, as the mail information transmitted by the terminal data device, one including storage period information specifying a storage period, the information service system stores the storage period mail information specified by the storage period information and An information service method, wherein a request from the plurality of terminal data devices for information to be stored is received and an information service corresponding to the request is performed. 2. The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the mail information includes logical mail destination information and mail source information, and mail classification name information. An information service method characterized by storing a mail when the combination information matches a pre-registered condition. 3. The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices to perform a search using various types of information constituting mail information. An information service method characterized by performing an information search service for searching for corresponding mail information among stored mail information. 4. The information service system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of terminal data devices has a unique physical ID.
And information including physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail as the mail information and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. The information service system uses the physical ID information and the An information service method for identifying information and determining a storage state of mail information according to a result of the identification. 5. The information service system according to claim 4, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the information service system performs an information service corresponding to a request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 6. The information service system according to claim 4, wherein the information service system restricts access to stored mail information according to the security information. 7. The information service system according to claim 4, wherein the information service system stores the information service system using physical ID information unique to the requested terminal data device in accordance with the security information. An information service method wherein the mail information is encrypted and sent to the terminal data device which made the request, and the terminal data device which has received the information is decrypted using its own unique physical ID information. 8. The information service method according to claim 3, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the information service system performs an information search service corresponding to a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 9. A system comprising: a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers; an information service system for storing information; and a digital communication system connected to each of the plurality of terminal data devices. A request for information is received from the plurality of terminal data devices by e-mail, and an information service corresponding to the request indicated by the mail information constituting the mail is performed.
And information including physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail as the mail information and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. The information service system uses the physical ID information and the An information service method characterized by identifying information and determining execution of an information service corresponding to the request according to the identification result. 10. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the mail information includes logical mail destination information and mail source information, and mail classification name information. An information service method characterized by performing an information service corresponding to the request when the combination information matches a condition registered in advance. 11. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices for performing a search using various types of mail information constituting a mail. And performing an information search service for searching for the corresponding information from the stored information. 12. The information service method according to claim 9, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to be maintained in the mail information.
The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the information service system performs an information service corresponding to a request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 13. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the information service system restricts access to stored mail information in accordance with the security information. Service method. 14. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the information service system stores the information using physical ID information unique to the requested terminal data device in accordance with the security information. An information service method wherein the mail information is encrypted and sent to the terminal data device which made the request, and the terminal data device which has received the information is decrypted using its own unique physical ID information. 15. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to be maintained in the mail information.
The information service system according to claim 1, wherein the information service system performs an information search service corresponding to a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 16. The information service system according to claim 9, wherein the terminal data device is configured to store, in the information service system, information stored as information for which copying is prohibited.
An information service system characterized in that the information service is not transmitted to the outside through a communication line or an input interface. 17. A plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, a mail server system for performing an e-mail service, and a digital communication system connected to each of these devices. An information service method performed in a system provided with the information service system, wherein the mail information sent from the terminal data device includes a storage period information specifying a storage period, and the information service system is specified by the storage period information. An information service method for storing the storage period mail information, receiving a request for the stored information from the plurality of terminal data devices, and performing an information service corresponding to the request. 18. The information service method according to claim 17, wherein the mail information includes logical mail destination information and mail source information, and mail classification name information. An information service method comprising storing a mail when the combination information matches a condition registered in advance. 19. The information service method according to claim 17, wherein the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices to perform a search using various types of information constituting mail information. An information service method characterized by performing an information search service for searching for corresponding mail information among stored mail information. 20. The information service method according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of terminal data devices has a unique physical ID.
And information including physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail as the mail information and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. The information service system uses the physical ID information and the An information service method comprising: identifying information; and determining a storage state of mail information according to the identification result. 21. The information service method according to claim 20, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
An information service method, wherein the information service system performs an information service corresponding to a request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 22. The information service method according to claim 20, wherein the information service system restricts access to stored mail information according to the security information. 23. The information service method according to claim 20, wherein the information service system stores the information using physical ID information unique to the requested terminal data device in accordance with the security information. An information service method comprising encrypting mail information, sending the encrypted mail information to a terminal data device that has made a request, and receiving the decrypted mail information using its own unique physical ID information. 24. The information service system according to claim 19, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
An information service method, wherein the information service system restricts information search services corresponding to search requests from the plurality of terminal data devices according to the degree of security indicated by the security information. 25. An information service method performed in a system including a plurality of terminal data devices used by a plurality of subscribers, an information service system for storing information, and a digital communication system connected to each of them. The information service system receives an e-mail request for information to be stored from the plurality of terminal data devices and performs an information service corresponding to the request indicated in the e-mail information constituting the e-mail. Each device has a unique physical ID
And information including physical ID information of the terminal data device that transmitted the mail as the mail information and time information indicating the time at which the mail was transmitted. The information service system uses the physical ID information and the An information service method comprising: identifying information; and determining to execute an information service corresponding to the request in accordance with the identification result. 26. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the mail information includes logical mail destination information and mail source information, and mail classification name information. An information service method characterized by performing an information service corresponding to the request when the combination information matches a condition registered in advance. 27. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the information service system receives a search request from the plurality of terminal data devices to perform a search based on various types of mail information constituting a mail. And performing an information retrieval service for retrieving pertinent information from information to be stored. 28. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
An information service method, wherein the information service system performs an information service corresponding to a request from the plurality of terminal data devices in accordance with a degree of security indicated by the security information. 29. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the information service system restricts access to stored mail information according to the security information. Service method. 30. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the information service system stores the information using physical ID information unique to the requested terminal data device in accordance with the security information. An information service method comprising encrypting mail information, sending the encrypted mail information to a terminal data device that has made a request, and receiving the decrypted mail information using its own unique physical ID information. 31. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the mail information includes security information indicating a degree of security to maintain the mail information,
An information service method, wherein the information service system restricts information search services corresponding to search requests from the plurality of terminal data devices according to the degree of security indicated by the security information. 32. The information service method according to claim 25, wherein the terminal data device stores information stored in the information service system as information whose copying is prohibited.
An information service method, wherein the information service is not transmitted to the outside through a communication line or an input interface.