JP3161400B2 - E-mail transmission method and transmission device, e-mail reception method and reception device, e-mail transmission program supply medium, and reception program supply medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail transmitting method and an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus for exchanging electronic mail between communication terminals such as personal computers via a communication network, an electronic mail receiving method and an electronic mail receiving apparatus, The present invention relates to a mail transmission program supply medium and a reception program supply medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art E-mail is widely used as one form of use of the Internet for providing a worldwide communication network environment in which information can be exchanged between distant computers.

In the Internet e-mail system, mail servers are provided separately for each domain, and a client (user) transmits / receives e-mail to / from a mail server of a domain to which the client belongs. .

[0004] That is, the sender describes the contents to be conveyed with an editor, and assigns necessary addresses and addresses using an e-mail client tool called a mailer (software for sending and receiving e-mails) to the receiver. Send to

[0005] The mail server of the domain to which the sender belongs sends mail to be sent to a mail server representative of the organization. The representative mail server assigns the address of the server / node to be reached next and sends it to the network. The network refers to the address while sequentially transferring the address to the mail server to which the communication partner (recipient) belongs.

[0006] The recipient can confirm that the e-mail has arrived at his / her post by various methods such as displaying an arrival notice when the mailer is activated, and can read the mail addressed to himself by the mailer. .

[0007] For delivery of electronic mail, TCP / IP (Tra
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Pr
otocol) is used as the communication protocol. Normally, the format is automatically assembled by the mailer, and the mail body contains the date [Date:], mail sender name [From:], destination name [To:], title [Subject:] according to SMTP. , Carbon Copy [Cc:], Blind Carbon Copy [Bcc:], etc., are added to the head of the header.

[0008] Further, the electronic mail system of the Internet is basically based on text (character information: character code), but in order to be able to handle multimedia data in languages other than English, images and voices. Is an extended format of MIME (Multipurpose Internet M
ail Extension). That is, still image information, moving image information, audio information, and the like are compressed, converted to character codes, incorporated in text in MIME format, and sent. The receiving side automatically interprets the MIME format, checks the format of each of the embedded information, and activates a viewer / player tool for displaying / reproducing the information.

Here, for example, as an e-mail system that enables transmission and reception of an e-mail in which images and characters are mixed by adding image information to an e-mail and transmitting the same, the present applicant has Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-274233, which has been proposed above, is known. According to this e-mail system, the keyboard or mouse of the terminal is operated, a text and an image composed of only characters are drawn on the stationery displayed on the CRT, and an e-mail transmission command is issued by operating the keyboard or mouse. Can be Then, it is determined whether or not an address is entered in the top line of the text. If it is determined that the address is entered, an e-mail header including the address, the sender, and the current date is created. Next, it is determined whether or not an image is drawn on the stationery, and if it is determined that the image is drawn, page information indicating the page of the stationery on which the image is drawn, position information indicating the position of the image And image information data consisting of the image name and the image name are added to the header of the e-mail, the text is added, and transmitted.

[0010]

The above-described electronic mail system is very convenient when used, but is completely different from the letter delivery system used in real life. For those who send and receive email,
There was an aspect that it was difficult to use. In other words, the operation method of a mailer, which is software for exchanging e-mail, was learned by a manual or the like, and could not be used unless sufficiently understood.

In recent years, a set-top box having an Internet access function called an Internet terminal has been commercialized. By connecting this Internet terminal to a home television receiver, a personal computer is owned. Even users who do not have access to Internet services easily. However, even for such Internet terminal users, the operation method of the mailer was not intuitively understandable.

Here, as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) of an electronic mail in consideration of user's convenience, for example, General Magic Inc. in the United States. Magic developed by
A desktop metaphor screen imitating a desk realized by an OS called Cap (trademark) is known. FIG. 57 shows a display example of the GUI screen of Magic Cap. This Magic Cap GUI screen is
The metaphor of everyday tools and living space is imagined, and the initial screen is a desktop screen 3 simulating a study.
00. On this desktop screen 300,
A clock 301 indicating the current time, an inbox 302 indicating the number of received e-mails, an outbox 303 indicating the number of e-mails waiting to be sent, a file cabinet 304 for storing files, and the like are displayed. Further, a telephone 305, an address book 306, and a postcard 30 for creating a message to be transmitted by e-mail.
7, note 308, schedule book 309, etc. are displayed on a desk with a drawer.
Operation is possible by directly touching these with a pen.

However, such a Magic C
Although the image imitating the actual postcard is displayed on the GUI screen of the ap, the process of receiving and delivering the postcard 307, or the postcard 3 from another user.
Since the process of delivering 07 is not displayed at all, it was not possible to intuitively grasp the delivery act itself. Therefore, the e-mail exchange process and operation method,
It could not be inferred from the mechanism of letter delivery that takes place in real life.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-222033 (corresponding to US Pat. No. 5,347,628) discloses that a desktop metaphor screen imitating a room can be intuitively access to electronic data by moving image icons as an interface of a data processing device. There is disclosed a technique related to a GUI.

[0015] In view of the above-mentioned conventional situation, an object of the present invention is to use a real-world-oriented GUI, and to easily send an e-mail to an agent acting on behalf of the user to easily understand the operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for transmitting and receiving an e-mail, a method and a device for receiving an e-mail, a medium for supplying a program for transmitting an e-mail, and a medium for supplying a received program.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a real world oriented GUI.
Using a virtual pet appearing on a screen as the agent, a parameter for controlling the behavior of the agent can be added to the email, and the email can be transmitted and received. It is an object of the present invention to provide a receiving device, a medium for supplying an e-mail transmission program, and a medium for receiving a reception program.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail transmitting method, an electronic mail transmitting apparatus, and a transmitting program supply medium, which display an agent on a screen, manage the behavior of the agent by agent parameters, and transmit the electronic mail. When a transmission command for specifying transmission is received, an e-mail is transmitted by attaching an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to the main body of the e-mail to which a mail header is added, and after the e-mail is transmitted, until a predetermined period elapses. During the period, the agent is absent. In addition, the method and apparatus for transmitting an e-mail according to the present invention and the transmission program supply medium display an agent on a screen, manage the behavior of the agent by agent parameters, and issue a transmission command for designating transmission of an e-mail. When accepted, the e-mail is sent with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added, and then the agent parameter is sent back from the destination of the e-mail Is characterized by the absence of the agent. Further, the e-mail transmission method and transmission device and the transmission program supply medium according to the present invention display an agent on a screen, manage the behavior of the agent by agent parameters, and issue a transmission command for designating transmission of an e-mail. When accepted, the e-mail is sent with the agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added, and after the e-mail is sent, the agent parameter is not returned within a predetermined period. In this case, the agent parameter is automatically generated, the agent is absent from the time the agent parameter is transmitted to the time the agent parameter is automatically generated, and the agent parameter is returned within the predetermined period. Place The agent is absent from the time when the agent parameter is transmitted until the agent parameter is returned from the destination of the e-mail, and one e-mail is transmitted by one agent It is characterized by.

Further, the method and apparatus for receiving e-mail according to the present invention and the receiving program supply medium are provided with a transmission command designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a plurality of e-mails by one agent. Selectively accepts a send command that specifies the sending of e-mail, and receives a receiving command that specifies receiving e-mail. The behavior of the agent is controlled in accordance with the attached agent parameter, the agent is displayed on a screen, and the agent parameter is automatically returned to the sender of the electronic mail.

[0019]

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, electronic mail is transmitted between a plurality of personal computers 21 and 22 connected to the Internet 10 via public telephone lines 1 and 2 and Internet service providers 11 and 12, respectively. Applied to Internet e-mail systems that send and receive messages.

Internet service provider 11
Is composed of a router 11A, a communication server 11C, a mail server 11D, and the like, which are interconnected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 11B.
The mail server 11D has a mail server comprising a hard disk drive for temporarily storing electronic mail.
A spool 11E is provided, and a communication server 11C is provided with a modem 11F for connecting to the personal computer 21 via the public telephone line 1. The Internet service provider 11 transfers the e-mail transmitted from the personal computer 21 of the client (user) that has made a dial-up IP connection to the communication server 11C via the public telephone line 1 to the mail server 11D. The mail server 11D transfers the transferred e-mail via the Internet 10 to a mail server (not shown) of the Internet service provider 12 of the domain to which the other party belongs. In addition, the Internet service provider 11
0, the electronic mail addressed to the client (user) is transferred and stored in the mail spool 11E and stored. When a transfer request is received from the corresponding client (user), the electronic mail is addressed to the client (user). Forward your email to The other Internet service providers 12,... Also have the same electronic mail storage / transfer function as the Internet service provider 11.

The client (user) personal computer 21 of the Internet service provider 11 is provided with an arithmetic processing unit (CPU: Central Process
ng Unit) 21a, read only memory (ROM: Read On)
ly Memory) 21b, random access memory (RAM: Rand)
om Access Memory) 21c, hard disk drive (HD
D: Hard Disk Drive 21d, Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) 21e, CD-ROM Drive 21f, Display Control Unit (CRTC: Cathode RayTube Cont)
roller) 21g, modem 21h, interface (I /
F) An apparatus main body 21A provided with 21i, a video RAM 21j, and the like, and a CR connected to the display control unit 21g.
It comprises a T display device 21B, a keyboard 21C and a mouse 21D connected to the interface section 21i.

The personal computer 21
Is connected to the public telephone line 1 via a modem 21h provided in the apparatus main body 21A.

The personal computer 21 is, for example,
The CD-ROM drive 21f uses the CD-ROM 21E.
By reading and installing the e-mail transmission / reception program stored in the e-mail, it functions as a mailer.
The e-mail transmission / reception program is a WWW (World WIde Web) server operated by Sony Communication Network Corporation on the Internet 10, for example, http://www.so-net.or.jp/postpet/index.
It may be downloaded from html via the Internet service provider 11 and the public telephone line 1 and installed.

Therefore, the program supply medium in the claims of the present invention is, for example, a CD-ROM 21
E means a medium in a broad sense that includes not only recording media such as E, but also transmission media such as the Internet and digital satellite data broadcasting.

In this embodiment, the other personal computer 22 also functions as a mailer by installing the same electronic mail transmission / reception program as the personal computer 21.

In the personal computer 21 in which the e-mail transmission / reception program is installed, when the mailer is activated, the arithmetic processing unit 21a transmits a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that imitates a room.
ace) Bitmap data corresponding to the screen is generated and written on the video RAM 21j of the display control unit 21g, and is displayed on the screen of the display device 21B by the display control unit 21g.
Is displayed on the GUI screen 100 shown in FIG.

Further, the arithmetic processing unit 21a displays a pointing cursor 101 on the GUI screen 100.
Is written in a predetermined position on the video RAM 21j in order to superimpose the display on the video RAM 21j. Thereby, the display device 21B
Mouse 21D on the GUI screen 100 displayed on the screen of
The pointing cursor 101 is displayed at the position specified by.

At the top of the GUI screen 100, the title 102 is displayed. On the GUI screen 100 shown in FIG. 2, “PostPet (room)” is displayed as the title 102. In addition, PostPet and postpet are
A trademark of Mailer, an Internet e-mail sending and receiving program provided by Sony Communication Network Corporation.

In this case, the arithmetic processing unit 21a
In order to display the postpet 103 imitating a bear doll and the postman 104 imitating a robot doll on the GUI screen 100 as agents for sending and receiving e-mails, for example, Screen 1
The bitmap data of the postpet 103 and the postman 104 is written in a predetermined position on the video RAM 21j so as to overlap the bitmap data corresponding to 00.
Thereby, the GUI screen 10 is displayed on the display device 21B.
The postpet 103 and the postman 104 are displayed on the screen 0.

Here, as the characters of the post pet 103, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a teddy bear (peach) 103A imitating a bear doll, a turtle (sumiko) 103B, a hybrid cat (flow) 103C, a mini rabbit (Mippi) 103D, Hatena Kimi 103E, etc. are prepared, and one of them except for Hatena Kimi 103E can be registered and used as the post pet 103, that is, the agent. The behavior of the post pet 103 is determined by an agent parameter that is changed by a learning function as described later.

Also, on the left side of the "PostPet (room)" GUI screen 100 shown in FIG. 2, a mail for instructing the display of the "write mail" GUI screen 110 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. A writing icon 105A, a reception list icon 105B for instructing the display of a GUI screen 120 of a “reception list” as shown in FIG. 5, and a transmission list icon 105C for instructing the display of a GUI screen of a “transmission list” (not shown) And a mail check icon 105D for instructing connection.

Then, the user moves the pointing cursor 101 to the above-mentioned "Post
Move the mouse to the mail writing icon 105A on the “Pet (room)” GUI screen and click the mail writing icon 105A, for example.
As shown in FIG. 4, 1a is a GUI of “Write a mail” on the GUI screen 100 of the “PostPet (room)”.
The bitmap data with the screen 110 superimposed is written to a predetermined position on the video RAM 21j. As a result, the screen of the display device 21B displays the above “PostPet”.
(Room) ”GUI screen 100 and“ Write email ”G
The UI screen 110 is displayed as a multi-window.

In the upper part of the GUI screen 110, "Write a mail" is displayed as the title 112. The GUI screen 110 for "writing a mail" has a first display area 113 for displaying the contents of the mail header in the upper half, and a second display area 113 for displaying the contents of the mail in the lower half. A display area 114 is provided. In the first display area 113, for example, a destination name [To:], a mail source name [From:], a title [Subject:], a title [Subject:], and a carbon copy (Carbon copy) input by the user operating the keyboard 21C are displayed. Copy) [Cc:], Attachment [Attachm
ent:] is displayed. In addition, this first
Are displayed in the display area 113 of the icon 115A given to the pet for instructing the mail delivery by the post pet 103, and the icon 115B provided to the postman for instructing the mail delivery by the postman 104.
Is displayed.

In the second display area 114, a mail text input by the user operating the keyboard 21C, for example, is displayed.

Then, the user operates the mouse 21D, and as shown in FIG.
Is moved to the icon 115A for passing a pet on the GUI screen 110 for "writing a mail" and a mouse button is clicked.
Step SP2 in the transmission subroutine process shown in FIG.
The process from 0 to SP27 is executed to transmit the pet mail.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the arithmetic processing unit 21a attaches an agent parameter 203 for determining the behavior of the postpet 103 to a mail body 202 to which a mail header 201 is added, as an attached document. Generates data and sends it to the other party as pet mail.

Here, the agent parameter 20
As shown in FIG. 6, reference numeral 3 denotes transmission date and time information 203A indicating the transmission date and time of the mail, and mail life information 2 indicating whether the receiving side needs to modify this data and return it.
03B, 4-byte data such as serial number information 203C indicating the number of mails handled by the post pet up to now, post pet parameter information 203D such as post pet environment information, stimulus information and desire information, and the like.

Post pet parameter information 203D
Consists of internal parameters and external parameters, as shown in FIG. Internal parameters include email count, age, gender, intelligence, physical strength, energy, friendship (with owner), hunger, happiness, cleanliness, biorhythm (uncertain factors),
Noise (uncertain factor), friendship (with opponent), aggressiveness / negativeness (+/-), cheerfulness / depression (+/-), gentleness / dullness (+/-), concentration / distraction (+/-) -), Fashionable / rugged (+/-), decoration degree, attractiveness, taste level, etc. External parameters are location, room comfort, user action-number of hits (degrees), guest action-called, guest action-indicated friendship, guest action-indicated hostility, guest action-given item, guest action-item Request. These parameters are input to an emotion unit, which will be described later, to activate the behavior unit, and determine the behavior of the postpet 103.

The agent parameter 20
3 is MIME which is an extended function of Internet mail
(Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension)
It is converted into Base64 format using characters of Z, a to z, and 0 to 9 and attached. FIG. 8 shows an example of the agent parameter 203 attached to the mail body 202. Here, MIME defines two types of encoding methods, and RFC (Request for Comments) 151
In Base64 described in No. 2, the width of the code is reduced by dividing three bytes into four, and the value indicated by each byte is stored in 64 types of numerical values from 0 to 63.
Character codes of A to Z, a to z, and 0 to 9 are assigned to the kinds of numerical values. For more information on RFC, see Doug
"Internetworking with TCP / Ip" by las Comer, 1988, Pr
entice-Hall ISBNO-13-470154-2025.

On the other hand, when the user operates the mouse 21D, as shown in FIG.
1 is moved to the post-man icon 115B on the GUI screen 110 of "Write a mail", and when the mouse button is clicked, the arithmetic processing unit 21a proceeds to step SP29 in the transmission subroutine processing shown in FIG. To execute the process of SP33 to transmit a normal electronic mail.

That is, the arithmetic processing unit 21a simply generates e-mail data composed of the e-mail text 202 to which the e-mail header 201 is added, and transmits this to the other party as a normal e-mail.

Next, the operation of the personal computer 21 in which the above-described electronic mail transmission / reception program is installed will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, steps SP1 to SP13 of the general flowchart showing the entire operation of FIG. 9 will be described.

In step SP1 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the operation by the user is an operation on his / her own (user's own) pet. That is, the mouse 21D is operated by the user, and the pointing cursor 101 shown in FIG. 2 is superimposed on the post pet 103 (the teddy bear 103A in FIG.
The operation of moving the 1D to the left or right, clicking the mouse button, or selecting “wash” or “snack” from the care pull-down menu as shown in FIGS. Is performed, it is determined that the operation by these users is an operation on their own (user's own) pet, and the operation proceeds to step SP2. If the operation is any other operation, the operation proceeds to step SP4. .

In step SP2, when the electronic mail transmission / reception program is activated, the agent parameters of the own pet read from the HDD 21d and stored in the RAM 21c are updated. For details of the agent parameter updating process, see FIG.
Will be described later.

Then, in the next step SP3, a process for displaying an animation of the behavior of the pet corresponding to the updated agent parameter is executed, and then the process returns to step SP1.

In step SP1, it is determined that the operation is not for the pet of the user (own user), and the process proceeds to step SP4. In this step SP4, it is determined whether or not the icon 105A for writing a mail is clicked. If the result is affirmative, step S
The process proceeds to P5, and in the case of a negative result, proceeds to step SP7.

In step SP5, a subroutine for inputting a header or body text of an e-mail to be transmitted is executed. First, a GUI screen 110 for "writing a mail" shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. In accordance with the text input instruction, a header and a body text of the e-mail are created, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step SP6.

In step SP6, FIG.
After the transmission subroutine of 0 is executed, the process returns to step SP1 again.

On the other hand, in step SP7, it is determined whether or not the reception list icon 105B has been clicked. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP8. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step SP9. In step SP8, after the reception list display subroutine processing for displaying the GUI screen 120 of "reception list" shown in FIG.
It returns to step SP1 again.

At step SP9, it is determined whether or not the transmission list icon 105C has been clicked. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP10. If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step SP11. In step SP10, after a transmission list display subroutine process for displaying a GUI screen of "transmission list" (not shown) is executed, the process returns to step SP1 again.

In step SP11, it is determined whether or not the mail check icon 105D has been clicked. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP12, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step SP13. Step SP12
In, after the later-described reception subroutine processing of FIG. 11 is executed, the process returns to step SP1 again. In step SP13, after other processing is executed, the process returns to step SP1.

Next, steps SP20 to SP33 of the flowchart of the transmission subroutine processing of FIG. 10 will be described.

When the user operates the mouse 21D, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the pointing cursor 101 is moved to the icon 115A given to the pet on the GUI screen 110 of "Write Mail", and when the mouse button is clicked, it is determined that the icon 115A given to the pet has been operated. Step SP20 to step SP21
It is determined whether the pet home flag stored in the RAM 21c is "1" or not. If it is determined that the pet is at home, that is, if the pet home flag is "1", the following process is performed. The processing of steps SP22 to SP27 is executed to transmit the pet mail.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, e-mail data is generated by attaching an agent parameter 203 for determining the behavior of the postpet 103 as an attached document to an e-mail text 202 to which an e-mail header 201 is added. Is sent to the other party as a pet mail.

In this case, the pet mail can be transmitted only when the pet home flag is "1", that is, only when the pet is at home.

First, in step SP22, SMT
When a connection is made to the mail server 11D of the service provider 11 to request mail transfer based on the transfer protocol of P (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and it is determined in the next step SP23 that the connection is completed, Proceed to SP24 and, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 23, own pet (the teddy bear 103A shown in FIG. 2).
Looks at the owner's e-mail as a letter and displays an animation of opening the door 107 and going out to collect and deliver the letter posted to the mail post 106. Further, in the next step SP25, the agent parameters of the own pet stored in the RAM 21c are encoded by the encoding method specified in MIME Base64. In the next step SP26, the encoded agent parameters are stored as attached documents. The pet mail is attached to the mail body 202 and the pet mail is transmitted to the mail server 11D.

Then, in step SP27, R
After the pet home flag stored in the AM 21c is set to “0”, that is, set to “absent”, step SP
In step 28, the connection to the mail server 11D is released, a series of transmission subroutine processes is completed, and the process returns to step SP1 in FIG.

On the other hand, the user operates the mouse 21D, and as shown in FIG.
1 is moved to the postman icon 115B on the GUI screen 110 of "Write Mail" and the mouse button is clicked to display the postman icon 115B.
It is determined that B has been operated, and the process proceeds from step SP20 to step SP30 via step SP29, and executes the processing of steps SP30 to SP33 to transmit a normal electronic mail.

That is, the data of the electronic mail composed of the mail body 202 to which the mail header 201 is added is simply generated and transmitted to the other party as a normal electronic mail.

First, in step SP30, SMT
In order to request a mail transfer based on the transfer protocol of P, the connection to the mail server 11D of the service provider 11 is made. When it is determined in the next step SP31 that the connection has been completed, the process proceeds to step SP32, and FIG.
As shown in 4 to 18, the postman 104 regards the owner's e-mail as a letter, collects the letter posted to the mail post 106, and displays an animation of going out for delivery. Further, in the next step SP33, after transmitting a normal e-mail to the mail server 11D, the process proceeds to step SP28, the connection to the mail server 11D is released, a series of transmission subroutine processes are completed, and the process proceeds to step SP1 in FIG. Return.

In steps 20 and 29 described above, without operating either the icon 115A passed to the pet or the icon 115B passed to the postman, the close box on the upper right of the GUI screen 110 for "writing mail" is clicked. If so, it is determined in step SP34 that the window for writing the mail is to be closed,
The flow returns to step SP1 in FIG. 9 without executing the transmission subroutine process described above.

Next, steps SP40 to SP59 of the reception subroutine processing of FIG. 11 will be described.

First, in step SP40, TCP
POP3 (Post Office P)
The connection to the mail server 11D of the service provider 11 is made based on the communication protocol of “rotocol Version 3). When it is determined in the next step SP41 that the connection is completed, the process proceeds to step SP42, where the mail drop of the mail server 11D is performed. To determine if there is an incoming mail addressed to him. That is, the mail server 11
It is checked whether or not the incoming mail exists in the directory in which the mail addressed to the user in the mail spool 11E of D is stored. The personal mail directory is a personal incoming mail storage area generally called a mail drop, and has a function similar to that of a post office post office box.

If it is determined in step 42 that there is an incoming mail, the process proceeds to the next step 43. If it is determined that there is no incoming mail, the process proceeds to step SP50 to release the connection to the mail server 11D. , After a series of receiving subroutine processing is completed,
Return to 1.

If it is determined in step SP42 that there is an incoming mail in the mail drop, the process proceeds to step SP42.
At 43, the e-mail addressed to the user is sent to the mail server 11
D, and in the next step SP44, it is determined whether or not the received e-mail is a pet mail based on the data in the mail header 201 of the received e-mail addressed to the user. If it is determined in step SP44 that the received e-mail is a pet mail, the process proceeds to the next step SP45, where it is determined whether the received e-mail is a reply mail of the pet mail issued by the user.

Here, when the pet mail sent by oneself is automatically replied by the other party, the mail text 202 is deleted, and the mail text 202 is transmitted, which includes the mail header 201 and the agent parameter 203 attached as an attached document. A part of the pet mail is returned as a reply mail.

If it is determined in step SP45 that the received mail is a reply mail of the pet mail issued by the user, the flow advances to the next step SP46, where the pet home flag stored in the RAM 21c is set to "1", that is, the home is set. After that, the process proceeds to Step SP47, and the MIME Ba
The attached document encoded by the encoding method specified in SE64 is decoded.

In the next step SP48, the RAM 2
The agent parameters of the own pet stored in 1c are updated, and in the next step SP49,
In response to the behavior according to the updated agent parameters, a process of displaying an animation in which the pet opens the door 107 and returns home is executed.

Next, the process proceeds to step SP50, where the connection to the mail server 11D is released, a series of reception subroutine processes is completed, and the process returns to step SP1 in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP45 that the received mail is not a reply mail of the pet mail issued by the user, the process proceeds to step SP51, where the TOC (Table Of
Contents) file is updated according to the addition of a new incoming mail.

Here, the TOC file is a list file of the reception list held on the local disk (HDD 21d) of the client, and is a file in which the mail header 201 is extracted. Specifically, TO, FRO
M, CC, Subject, Priority, Attachment flag indicating presence or absence of attached documents, Type flag indicating whether or not pet mail,
It is composed of the address in the local disk of the mail body 202 corresponding to the mail header 201 and the like.

First, when the reception list is opened, a list of received mails is displayed, which is generated from the TOC file. Then, if you specify a certain email from the list,
From the mail file (a set file of the mail body 202), the mail body 202 of the corresponding address is cut out.

For example, in the TOC file, FROM: a
aaaaa @ ipd.sony.co.jp, Subject: Patent for PostPet
.., Address (from 1100 to 1120), when displaying the mail body 202, a text corresponding to addresses 1100 to 1120 of the mail file is cut out and displayed.

Next, in step SP52, an update process is performed in accordance with the addition of a new incoming mail of the mail file, and the mail file storing the mail text 202 is updated. Then, the process proceeds to step SP53, where the MIME Base64 is set. The attached document encoded by the encoding method specified in the above is decoded.

In the next step SP 54, the behavior according to the decoded agent parameters is
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 28, a process of displaying an animation in which the partner's pet (the teddy bear 103A in FIGS. 25 to 28) visits by opening the door 107, stays for a predetermined time, opens the door, and returns home. Execute. During the period when the pet of the other party is staying, the mouse 21D is operated by the user, and the pointing cursor 10
When the operation of moving the mouse 21D left and right or clicking the mouse button is performed by superimposing 1 on the partner's pet, and updating the agent parameters of the partner's pet based on the user's operation in step SP55. Is performed, and then, in step SP56, the agent parameter of the partner pet is changed to MIME Ba
The encoded agent parameters are encoded by the encoding method specified in SE64, and in the next step SP57, the encoded agent parameters are attached to the mail header 201 as an attached document, and the pet mail is automatically returned to the mail server 11D.

Next, the process proceeds to step SP50, where the connection to the mail server 11D is released, a series of reception subroutine processes are completed, and the process returns to step SP1 in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP44 that the received e-mail is not a pet mail but a normal e-mail based on the data in the mail header 201 of the received e-mail addressed to the user, After the processing proceeds to SP58 and the TOC file is updated, the mail file is updated in step SP59, and further proceeds to step SP50.
The connection to the mail server 11D is released, a series of reception subroutine processing is completed, and the process returns to step SP1 in FIG.

Next, steps SP60 to SP67 of the agent parameter updating process of FIG. 12 will be described.

Here, the arithmetic processing unit 21a includes:
As shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Pointing cursor 101 displayed on 1B screen
It is monitored whether or not has moved into the window area of “PostPet (room)” (step SP60), and if the pointing cursor 101 is outside the window area of “PostPet (room)”, other information such as a bull-down menu is displayed. Is performed (step SP61), and when the pointing cursor 101 enters the window area of “PostPet (room)”, that is, into the room, the pointing cursor 101 is changed to an open hand shape (step SP62). Thereby, the pointing cursor 10
1 is a G of “PostPet (room)” as shown in FIG.
When it is located outside the room on the UI screen 100, it is displayed in the form of an arrow, but when it enters the room, it is displayed in the form of an open hand as shown in FIG.

Then, the arithmetic processing unit 21a
It is determined whether or not the pointing cursor 101 has crossed the display area of the post pet image by the left and right reciprocating operation of the mouse 21D (step SP63), and the determination result is "YES", that is, the pointing cursor 10
If 1 crosses the display area of the post pet image,
Assuming that the postpet has been stroked, an update processing routine of the various agencies A1 to A18 of the desire described later is executed (step SP64). As a result, "Pos
On the GUI screen 100 of “tPet (room)”, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the pointing cursor 101 displayed in the shape of the open hand is moved to the postpet 1.
The post pet 103 can be stroked by reciprocating left and right on the top 03.

Further, the arithmetic processing unit 21a includes:
It is determined whether the pointing cursor 101 has been moved into the display area of the post pet image and the mouse button of the mouse 21D has been clicked (step SP6).
5) If the result of the determination is "YES", that is, if the mouse 21D is clicked in a state where the pointing cursor 101 is within the display area of the post pet image, the pointing cursor 101 is changed to a grip fist shape (step SP66). Assuming that the postpet has been beaten, an update processing routine for the agencies A1 to A18 of various needs is executed (step SP67). This allows
On the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)”, the pointing cursor 1 displayed in the form of a fist as shown in FIG.
01 can hit the post pet 103.

When executing the mail transmission by the Postman 104, the arithmetic processing unit 21a sequentially changes the bitmap data of the Postman 104 on the video RAM 21j, and changes the “PostPet (room)” shown in FIG. On the GUI screen 100, the display control unit 21g causes the display control unit 21g to display, on the screen of the display device 21B, an animation in which the postman 104 moves, collects the mail posted to the mail post 106, and performs an operation for delivery.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the postman 104 on the GUI screen 110 for "writing mail" is displayed.
When the icon 115B given to the postman for instructing the mail delivery by the user is clicked, as shown in FIG. 14, the postman 104 displays the GU of "PostPet (room)".
It appears from the left side on the I screen 100, moves to the position of the mail post 106 as shown in FIG. 15, and the postman 104 collects the mail posted to the mail post 106 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, an animation display for performing an operation for delivery is performed.

Further, when executing the mail transmission by the post pet 103, the arithmetic processing unit 21a sequentially changes the bitmap data of the post pet 103 on the video RAM 21j and executes the “PostPe
t (room) ”on the GUI screen 100, post pet 1
03 walks with the mail and moves to the door 107, and opens the door 107 to go out and causes the display control unit 21g to display an animation on the screen of the display device 21B.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, the post-pet 10 on the GUI screen 110 for “writing mail” is displayed.
When the user clicks on the icon 115A given to the pet for instructing the sending of the mail by No. 3, the post pet 103 moves to the position of the mail post 106 on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)” as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the post pet 103 collects the mail posted to the mail post 106, and the post pet 103 walks with the mail and moves to the door 107 as shown in FIGS. Then, an animation display of opening the door 107 and going out is performed. At this time, "P
On the lower side of the GUI screen 100 of "ostPet (room)", a message "Momo (pet name) has been used" indicating that mail is sent by the post pet 103 is displayed.

Here, the mail transmission by the post pet 103 transmits one e-mail by one post pet 103, that is, one agent.
The state where the post pet 103 is absent on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)”, that is, the post pet 103
Cannot be executed when the user is out.

On the other hand, the mail transmission by the postman 104 transmits one or more e-mails by one postman 104, that is, one agent, and can be executed at any time. That is, even when the postpet 103 is absent on the “PostPet (room)” GUI screen 100, that is, the postpet 103 is out, the mail transmission by the postman 104 can be performed.

The behavior of the post pet is determined from the agent parameter attached to the mail, and the arithmetic processing unit 21a, when the mail is received by the post pet, if the agent parameter exists,
The bitmap data of the post pet is sequentially changed on the video RAM 21j, and as shown in FIG.
On the GUI screen 100 of “tPet (room)”, for example, the post pet 103D opens the door 107 and enters the room,
The mail is placed on the table 108, and an animation of the behavior of the postpet managed by the agent parameters such as walking around the room is displayed on the screen of the display device 21B by the display control unit 21g.

More specifically, when the mail by the post pet is received, if there is an agent parameter, the door 107 is first opened on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)” as shown in FIG. For example, FIG.
26, the post pet 103A enters the room, the mail is placed on the table 108 as shown in FIG. 26, and furthermore, as shown in FIG. I do. At this time, the GUI screen 10 of “PostPet (room)”
Below 0, a message indicating that a mail has arrived is displayed.

The arithmetic processing unit 21a includes:
The user clicks the postpet 103B on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)” with the pointing cursor 101 by operating the mouse 21D, for example.
By operating the keyboard 21 </ b> C, the agent parameter that determines the behavior of the post pet 103 </ b> B is processed by adding a predefined change according to the operation content. Specifically, the agent parameters are processed according to the operation of stroking or hitting the post pet 103B by operating the mouse 21D.

Then, the arithmetic processing unit 21a
The processed agent parameters are automatically returned to the transmission side.

Here, the arithmetic processing unit 21a includes:
Upon receiving the automatically returned agent parameters,
As shown in FIG. 28, first, the door 107 is opened on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)”, and then, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the postpet 103 enters the room, and as shown in FIG. 30, an animation of closing the door 107 is displayed on the screen of the display device 21B by the display control unit 21g. At this time, the GUI of “PostPet (room)”
On the lower side of the screen 100, a message "Peach (pet name) has returned" indicating that the post pet 103 has returned from whereabouts is displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG.
On the (room) "GUI screen 100, when the icon 115E for instructing the post-pet 103 in this room is clicked, as shown in FIG. 32, the" pet state " , "Wash", "snack" and the like are displayed. Then, for example, when the item "Snack" is selected, a window 130 for displaying a list of snack names, remaining amount and quality is opened as shown in FIG. A window 130 for displaying a list of the snacks is provided with a “sit” button 121 for instructing to discard the selected snack, and an “up” button 122 for instructing to give the selected snack to the post pet 103. I have. When any of the snacks displayed in the list is selected and the "I give up" button 122 is clicked, the selected snack, for example, the candy 109 is placed on the table 108 as shown in FIG. Thus, the candy 109 is given to the postpet 103 in the room.
Here, several types of “snacks” are prepared in advance as defaults, but are available on a WWW server on the Internet (for example, http://www.so-net.or.jp/postpet/index.htm).
l) Obtain the latest "snack" file by downloading it from a location, and paste it into the "snack" file in the same directory as PostPet.exe, the executable file for the e-mail sending and receiving program. Thus, it is possible to newly add.

When the item of “wash” displayed on the pull-down menu 125 shown in FIG. 32 is selected, as shown in FIG. 35, the G of “PostPet (room)” is displayed.
The post pet 103 takes a bath using the tub 123 on the UI screen 100. At this time, the GU of “PostPet (room)”
On the lower side of the I screen 100, a message “Taking a bath.” Indicating that the post pet 103 is taking a bath is displayed.

Here, the post pet 103 is soiled by delivering mail or eating a snack. The dirty state is represented by dots around the post pet 103, as shown in FIG. Then, by selecting the item of “wash” displayed in the above-mentioned care pull-down menu 125 and bathing the postpet 103, the dirt can be removed.

[0099] Also, the pull-down menu 12
When the item of “rearrangement” displayed in 5 is selected, a “rearrangement” window 135 as shown in FIG. 37 is opened. Then, when the user selects a desired room, for example, a hybrid cat set as shown by shading processing in FIG. 37 and presses a "change" button 136, the room is redesigned as shown in FIG. Here, several kinds of “room patterns” are prepared in advance as defaults, but a WWW server on the Internet (for example, http: //www.so-net.or.j
p / postpet / index.html) to obtain the “room pattern” file and download it to the “plug-in” folder in the same directory as PostPet.exe, the executable file for the email sending and receiving program. It is possible to add a new one by pasting.

Further, a pull-down menu 1 for the above-mentioned care
When the item of “pet status” displayed in 25 is selected, a window 138 as shown in FIG.
The status of the pet is displayed. According to the state of the pet displayed in this window 138, the user can determine the type, name, gender, age, happiness, brain, physical condition, tummy,
You can check the coolness, fun, and comments. Expressions such as happiness and brain are variable depending on the value of the parameter of the pet.

An electronic mail by the postpet 103 can be sent and received between the personal computers 22 having the same mailer function as those of the personal computer 21 having the mailer function. When the e-mail is transmitted and the e-mail is sent to the personal computer 22, the personal computer 22 executes the reception subroutine shown in FIG.
As shown in the time chart, the personal computer 22 checks the reception time of the e-mail by the postpet 103A, and displays the postpet 103A on the screen of the display device 22B if the e-mail is within the life of the mail. Automatically returns the agent parameters.

The personal computer 21 of the transmission source
When the e-mail is transmitted by the post pet 103A, the state where the post pet 103 is absent on the GUI screen 100 of “PostPet (room)”, that is, the post, is received until the agent parameter of the post pet 103A is returned from the transmission destination. Although the pet 103 is in a state of going out, the mail transmission by the post pet 103 cannot be executed, but the agent parameters are automatically returned within the life of the mail,
One postpet 103A can be used repeatedly to send one email at a time.

Also, the transmission source personal computer 2
In 1, the postpet 103A performs an operation determined by the automatically returned agent parameter. Further, in the receiving personal computer 22, for example, if the post pet 103B is registered as an agent, the personal computer 21
Receives the e-mail from the post-pet 103A transmitted from the e-mail, the agent parameter of the post-pet 103B changes due to the interaction with the post-pet 103A performing the operation determined by the agent parameter attached to the e-mail.

Further, when the personal computer 21 executes the transmission of the e-mail by the postpet 103A and sends the e-mail to the personal computer 22, when the personal computer 22 does not execute the receiving subroutine shown in FIG. That is, when the personal computer 22 is not connected to the communication network, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 47, the e-mail is stored in the mail server of the Internet service provider 12, and the personal computer 22 is connected to the communication network. It will be received when connected. In this case, the post pet 103A remains in the mail server until the e-mail is received. Therefore, on the personal computer 21 of the transmission source, the GUI screen 1 of “PostPet (room)” is displayed.
In the state where the post pet 103A is absent, that is, in a state where the post pet 103A is out, it becomes impossible to execute the mail transmission by the post pet 103A. When the agent parameter of the postpet 103A is not returned from the transmission destination within the mail life period, the postpet 103 is automatically set due to the timeout of the mail life period.
Generate agent parameters for A
(Room) ”on the GUI screen 100
A appears.

When the personal computer 22 on the receiving side is connected to the communication network, it checks the reception time of the e-mail by the postpet 103A, and transmits the transmission date and time information of the agent parameter attached to the e-mail and the e-mail. Based on the life information, it is determined whether or not it is within the life of the mail. If it is within the life of the mail, the processing returns to the above-described reception subroutine, and the processed agent parameters are automatically returned.
If the reception time of the e-mail by the post pet 103A exceeds the life of the e-mail, the post-pet 1 may be executed even if the above-described reception subroutine is executed.
03A is not displayed, and agent parameters are not returned.

Here, step SP5 in FIG.
The pet arrival confirmation function, which is an additional function of the automatic reply process of No. 7, will be described.

As described above, in step SP57, the pet mail received on the receiving side is displayed on the GUI screen 100 of the sending side of the electronic mail in order to display an animation of the state of the return of the post pet 103. Is deleted, the agent parameter 203 is further processed based on a user operation, and only the processed agent parameter 203 is attached to the mail header 201 to automatically reply. As a result, on the sending side of the e-mail, the state of the return of the post pet 103 as shown in FIGS. 28 to 30 as an animation is displayed on the GUI screen 100 by the processing of step SP49 described above.

In addition to the automatic reply of the agent parameter 203, the pet arrival confirmation mail function is a function of automatically replying to the sender as a text image of the e-mail to notify the arrival of the pet.

That is to say, in accordance with the processing flow of FIGS. 51 to 54, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the "automatic reply" mail A 'is sent to the personal computer 22 of the transmission destination user B. Is automatically returned to the personal computer 21 of the originating user A via the mail server 11D. In addition to the "automatic reply" mail A ', a "pet arrival confirmation mail" is automatically replied from the personal computer 22 of the transmission destination user B to the personal computer 21 of the transmission source user A via the mail server 11D. To

This “pet arrival confirmation mail” is automatically generated by the electronic mail transmission / reception program of the personal computer 22 of the user B of the transmission destination.

Here, the GU of the setup shown in FIG.
In the I screen 140, it is assumed that the user A has set “MOMO” as the name of his / her pet and the user B has set “Mippi” as the name of his / her pet.

Then, the following mail is set as the “pet arrival confirmation mail”.

[0113] That is, "The Secret Diary" was automatically set as the subject (Subject), and in the text, for example, "I went to (User B) today. I played with Mipi. The sentence "MOMO" is automatically set.

Such a “pet arrival confirmation mail” is
In addition to the "auto-reply" mail A ', an automatic reply is sent from the personal computer 22 of the user B to the personal computer 21 of the sender A via the mail server 11D.

As a result, the “pet arrival confirmation mail” titled “Secret Diary” is added to the user A's reception list in the same manner as a normal electronic mail.

This “pet arrival confirmation mail” is automatically generated by the electronic mail transmission / reception program of the personal computer 22 on the user B side, and its body is composed of the operation of the user B with respect to the post pet who has delivered the electronic mail, ie, the other party. The sentence reflects actions such as stroking and mopping the post pet. As a result, in addition to the practical effect of being able to confirm that the e-mail has been reliably delivered to the sender, the psychological feeling that the post pet uses the owner is obtained. The effect is obtained.

Here, the behavior of the post pet is determined by the agent parameter 203 as follows.

That is, the magnitude of the pseudo desire is determined by the environment surrounding the post pet and the stimulus from the user. And each desire agency has a point and a sensitivity. Each action unit receives the points of each desire agency as inputs and adds new points. Then, the action unit having the largest score is expressed.

The score of the desire agency and the action unit is calculated as follows: new score = old score + (input × sensitivity). Sensitivity is the depth of the relationship between individual desire agencies and behavioral units and input factors.
The sensitivity itself also changes according to the input.

That is, as shown in FIG. 48, the emotion unit that determines the behavior of the post pet captures the result of the change in the value of the environment parameter surrounding the post pet (step A) and, based on the changed environment parameter, The behavior is determined (step B), the taken behavior is determined (step C), and the event processing for changing the value of the internal parameter (step D) is performed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 49, environment information E such as age, intellect, physical strength, energy, intimacy, degree of contamination, degree of hunger, etc. indicating the environment surrounding the input post pet is shown in FIG.
1 to E7 and stimulus information S1 such as hitting, kicking, e-mailing, etc. indicating stimulus from the user for the post pet.
~ S3 as input, agency of various needs A1 ~ A
Reference numeral 18 denotes an age checker C1, an intellectual checker C2, a physical fitness checker C3, a kinetic checker C4, a likes and dislikes checker C.
5, environmental information E1 to E7 through various checkers C1 to C7 such as a dress checker C6 and a hunger checker C7;
In addition, each point is calculated by directly checking the stimulus information S1 to S3. Each action unit U1-U
Reference numeral 25 designates the points of the desire agency calculated in this way as inputs, sets the respective points, and activates the action unit having the maximum points. That is, as shown in FIG. 50, the basic unit for the reaction is composed of a basic agency A, a checker C, and an action unit U.

The agencies of the various needs described above include:
Mouse hunter A1 with a desire to find a mouse, Food hunter A2 with a quest to find food, A3 toy hunter with a desire to find a toy, A4 who wants a toilet with a defecation request, Sleeper with a sleep request A5, a talk shop A6 with a desire for conversation, a sampling shop A7 with a need for sampling, a writer A8 with a desire to write a letter, an eatery A9 with an appetite, a memory shop A1 with a desire to look back on the past
0, a fortune teller with a desire to fortune, A11 with a desire to rampage, A12 with a desire to stand still A1
3. A fight shop A14 with a desire to fight, a love shop A15 with a love desire, a seeker A16 with a desire to search for things, a reflection shop A17 with a desire for reflection, an evaluation shop A18 with a desire for evaluation, etc. Have been prepared.

The action units include a unit U1 for displaying an animation of an operation.
A dangling unit U2 for displaying an animation of a dangling operation, a sitting unit U3 for displaying an animation of a dangling operation, a one-hand raising (seat) unit U4 for displaying an animation of a sitting and raising a hand,
One-hand raising (standing) unit U5 for displaying an animation of standing and raising one hand, a two-hand raising (seat) unit U6 for displaying an animation of sitting and raising both hands, and displaying an animation of standing and raising both hands. -Hand raising (standing) unit U7 for calling, a calling unit U for displaying an animation of the calling operation
8. Holding unit U9 for animating the walking action, clapping unit U10 for animating the clapping motion, rampage for displaying the rampage action (standing)
A unit U11, a ramping (sleeping) unit U12 for displaying an animation of a sleeping rampage operation, an eating / writing unit U13 for displaying an animation of an eating / writing operation, a toilet unit U14 for displaying an animation of a defecation operation, and rounding The sluggish unit U15 for animation display of the action, the defense unit U16 for animation display of the defense action, the sleeping unit U for animation display of the sleep action
17, a falling unit U18 for displaying an animation of a falling motion, a nodding unit U19 for displaying a nodding motion as an animation, a dancing unit U20 for displaying a dancing motion as an animation, and a shaking unit U21 for displaying a wandering motion as an animation. A unit U22 for displaying an animation of a reciprocating motion, a unit U23 for displaying an animation of a reversing motion, a special skill unit U24 for displaying an animation of a motion showing a special skill, and a unit U25 for displaying an animation of a possessing motion. and so on.

In this embodiment, about 50 types of text examples are prepared for each type of the post pet 103. Each sentence example is ranked according to the "intelligence" of the post pet 103, and when the eating and writing unit U13 is activated, the sentence examples belonging to the rank corresponding to the "intelligence" at that time are randomly selected. You. The intelligence of the post-pet 103 changes depending on the age E1 of the post-pet 103 determined by the elapsed time after being registered in the user's computer, the serial number information 203C indicating the number of mails handled by the post-pet 103, and the like.

The selected text example is sent as an e-mail by randomly selecting the user or an e-mail partner to whom the user has previously sent an e-mail with the post pet 103 in the past.

That is, in the case of the postpet 103A in this embodiment, for example, “My name is MOMO
is. Thank you. Can be spontaneously sent to the user or the user's e-mail partner. Eat and write unit U1
3 has the post-pet 103's age E1 and intelligence E
2. It changes depending on the physical strength E3 and the energy E4, and is reset when the post pet 103 voluntarily sends an e-mail. The physical strength E3 and energy E4 of the post pet 103 are
It changes depending on the stimulus and experience content of the user and the user's e-mail partner. For example, the physical strength E3 of the post pet 103 decreases when an e-mail is sent, and increases when eating or sleeping. Also, the energy E4 of the post pet 103 decreases when the user or the user's e-mail partner is abused, and increases when the user is cute. Thereby, the post pet 103 can voluntarily send an e-mail to the user or the e-mail partner of the user many times.

The age E1 and intelligence E2 of the postpet 103 increase and the number of times the postpet 103 voluntarily sends an e-mail to the user or the e-mail partner of the user increases, and the same sentence example appears many times. In order to prevent the user from getting tired of the postpet 103 due to the coming, the “life” is set for the postpet 103.

"Life" set in postpet 103
Is usually about 500 when converted to the number of mails (number of times) carried by the pet, and varies depending on the physical strength E3 and the energy E4.

Then, the post-pet 1 whose "life" has expired
03 is, for example, “MOM
O travels far away. ... Thank you very much for taking care of me for a long time. goodbye. Is sent to the user or the user's e-mail partner to stop the function as an agent.

In the electronic mail system having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 51, for example, the “post pet” of the personal computer 21 of the user A is a mail in which the agent parameter is given to the pet A as a mail in MIME format. The mail A is encoded together with the text and transmitted to the destination, ie, the user B. Thereby, the pet A
Disappears from the personal computer 21 of the user A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 52, when the destination “post pet” user B executes the mail check, the mail A is taken into the “post pet” of the personal computer 22 of the user B.

Further, as shown in FIG. 53, the “post pet” of the user B records changes in the state of the pet A due to various events occurring in the pet room of the user B, and sends the “auto reply” to the pet A. It is sent back to user A as mail A '.

Then, as shown in FIG. 54, when the user A performs a mail check on the “post pet” of the personal computer 21, an “automatic reply” mail A ′ is fetched. As a result, the “post pet” of the personal computer 21 of the user A is used as a new agent parameter that reflects the event at the user B.

That is, the image data of the agent is
By holding the agent on the personal computer of both the user and the user's mail partner and actually sending agent parameters that control the behavior of the agent, a result is obtained as if image data of the agent was sent. By sending agent parameters instead of sending image data, user connection time is reduced,
For dial-up users, Internet connection and telephone charges are saved. Also, since the amount of data to be transmitted and received is relatively small, the resources of the entire Internet can be saved.

When the post pet is activated for the first time, a GU for selecting a pet is displayed as shown in FIG.
The screen changes to the I screen 140, and one kind of pet can be selected from the teddy bear 103A, the turtle 103B, the hybrid cat 103C, and the mini rabbit 103D. "physical condition",
The parameters of “mood”, “brain”, and “appearance” change every moment and are determined at the timing of selecting (clicking) a pet. However, the parameters determined at the timing when the pet is selected (clicked) are initial values to the last, and change according to the situation of the pet breeding by the user. The items of “name of pet” and “name of your” can be freely input by the user.

In the case of the post pet, since the pet image data is stored in the user's local disk, a new pet cannot be displayed when the number of pets increases in the future. It has image data of the character 103E shown. That is, the teddy bear 103A and the turtle 103
B, when a mail is sent to a user who has only the image data of the hybrid cat 103C and the mini rabbit 103D by the post pet of the newly defined character, a letter 103E is displayed as shown in FIG. You. In this way, in the post pet, even if the type of pet increases, the appearance of the Hatena 103E enables
It is possible to deal with it, and it is possible to newly increase the types of pets.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the Internet has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to mail communication on the Internet, but may be applied to mail communication on an intranet or PIAFS (PHS Internet A).
ccess Forum Standard) and can be applied to a personal handy phone and other mail communication systems using mobile communication terminals.

[0138]

As described above, according to the present invention, an agent is displayed on a screen, the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and the behavior of the agent is managed in a mail body with a mail header added. An e-mail is sent with the agent parameter attached, and the e-mail is sent until a predetermined period elapses or until the agent parameter is returned from the e-mail destination. Since the agent is absent, the behavior of the agent, which simulates the behavior in the real world where one agent sends one e-mail to the destination, is displayed on the screen, and the real world is displayed. You can intuitively understand e-mail by entrusting it to an agent acting on your behalf using an oriented GUI. Operation makes it possible to send.
The receiving side receives the e-mail attached with the agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent, controls the behavior of the agent according to the agent parameter attached to the body of the received mail, and displays the e-mail on the screen. By displaying the agent, it is possible to display on the screen the behavior of the agent that simulates the behavior in the real world where one agent from the transmission source comes to deliver one e-mail and returns.

That is, according to the present invention, by expressing the process of exchanging e-mails as the behavior of an agent imitating the act of delivering a letter that is performed in real life, functions and operations can be easily performed. The procedure can be analogized,
Even a user who exchanges e-mail using a personal computer for the first time can easily learn and use the operation method. Also, agent parameters updated according to the experience of the virtual pet as an agent are sent as e-mail attachments, and the receiving side automatically replies only the agent parameters, thereby simulating the interior of both the sending and receiving rooms. An e-mail can be sent and received with an animation display on the GUI screen as if a pet were coming and going and delivering a letter. In addition, for example, in response to a mouse operation by a user such as stroking the head or raising a snack, the agent data that determines the character and behavior of the virtual pet is updated, and the behavior of the pet itself displayed in an animation is raised in the breeding environment. , A virtual pet displayed as an animation can be simulated.

As described above, by sending and receiving e-mails to virtual pets simulated on the real world-oriented GUI screen imitating the interior of both the transmitting and receiving rooms, the sender and the receiver of the e-mails Have a common consciousness of raising virtual pets, giving and receiving e-mails with feelings, and adding an emotion expression function according to the new breeding environment as a means of communication Can be.

In addition, image data of an agent for displaying a virtual pet animation is stored on both personal computers that send and receive e-mails.
Actually, by sending only the agent parameters that control the behavior of the agent, a result is obtained as if the image data of the agent was sent. In this way, by sending agent parameters instead of sending image data, user connection time is minimized, and for dial-up IP connection users, connection and telephone charges to Internet providers can be saved. Become. Further, since the amount of data to be transmitted and received is relatively small, it is possible to contribute to saving resources of the entire Internet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic mail system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” displayed by activating a mailer installed in a personal computer in the electronic mail system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing types of post pets prepared in the mailer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a GUI screen for “writing a mail” displayed by a mailer.

Fig. 5 GUI of "Receiver" displayed by mailer
It is a figure showing a screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of an e-mail transmitted by the post pet.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing types of agent parameters attached to a mail body of an e-mail transmitted by the post pet.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an agent parameter attached to a mail body of an e-mail transmitted by the post pet.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the entire processing functions of the mailer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of transmission processing by the mailer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of a reception process by the mailer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of an agent parameter updating process by the meter.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which mail transmission by Postman is instructed on the GUI screen of “writing a mail” displayed by the mailer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when the mail transmission by the postman is instructed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when the mail transmission by the postman is instructed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an instruction to send an e-mail by Postman is given.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when mail transmission by the postman is instructed.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when the mail transmission by the postman is instructed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which an instruction to send an e-mail by a post pet is given on a GUI screen for “writing a mail” displayed by the mailer.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an instruction to send an e-mail by the post pet is issued.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an instruction to send a mail by the post pet is issued.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an instruction to send an e-mail by the post pet is issued.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an instruction to send an e-mail by the post pet is issued.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an e-mail by a post pet is received.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an e-mail by the post pet is received.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an e-mail by the post pet is received.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when an e-mail by the post pet is received.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a state of the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when the mail is transmitted by the postpet and the postpet returns.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a state of a GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when mail is transmitted by the post pet and the post pet returns.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a state of the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” when the mail is transmitted by the postpet and the postpet returns.

FIG. 31 is a view showing a state where an icon for instructing to take care of a post pet is clicked on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a state in which a pull-down menu is opened by clicking an icon instructing care of a post pet on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a state in which a window is opened by selecting the item “Snack” in the pull-down menu on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a state in which the item “Snack” in the pull-down menu is selected on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)” and the “Giving” button is clicked in a window opened.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a state where the item “wash” of the pull-down menu is selected on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a state in which the postpet is dirty on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a state where the item “pattern change” of the pull-down menu is selected on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 38 shows “PostPet” in a state where the remodeling has been performed.
(Room) "is a diagram showing the GUI screen.

FIG. 39: “Pet state” in the pull-down menu on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”
It is a figure showing the state where was selected.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a display state of a pointing cursor located outside a room on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a display state of a pointing cursor positioned in a room on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation of stroking a post pet on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation of stroking a post pet on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation of stroking a post pet on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation of hitting a post pet on the GUI screen of “PostPet (room)”.

FIG. 46 is a time chart showing a procedure for sending and receiving e-mails in a state where two personal computers each having the mailer installed therein are simultaneously connected to a communication network.

FIG. 47 is a time chart showing a procedure of sending and receiving e-mail in a state where two personal computers each having the mailer installed therein are connected to a communication network with a time lag.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an event process of an emotion unit that determines the behavior of a post pet.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining the behavior of a post pet using agent parameters.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an emotion unit.

FIG. 51: User A to User B by post pet
It is a figure which shows transmission of the mail A to the server.

FIG. 52 is a diagram schematically showing the taking in of the mail A by the user B;

FIG. 53 is a diagram schematically showing automatic reply of an agent parameter by the user B.

FIG. 54 is a diagram schematically showing reception of the agent parameter automatically returned from the user B.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a GUI screen for selecting a post pet.

FIG. 56 shows “PostPe” in a state in which Hatenaken appears.
It is a figure which shows the GUI screen of "t (room)."

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI screen of Magic Cap.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2 public telephone line, 10 internet, 11,
12 Internet Service Provider, 11A
Router, 11B LAN, 11C communication server, 11D mail server, 11E mail
Spool, 11F modem, 21, 22, personal computer, 21A, 22A main unit, 21B, 22
B display device, 21C, 22C keyboard, 21D,
22D mouse, 21a arithmetic processing unit, 21b read-only memory, 21c random access memory,
21d hard disk drive, 21e floppy disk drive, 21f CD-ROM drive, 2d
1g display control unit, 21h modem, 21i interface unit, 203 agent parameters

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Namie Otaki 1-4-7-403 Minami Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-9-259063 (JP, A) JP-A-8-129467 (JP) JP-A-7-66832 (JP, A) JP-A-8-309032 (JP, A) JP-A-8-329269 (JP, A) JP-A-8-129467 (JP, A) 7-302351 (JP, A) JP-A-8-101756 (JP, A) JP-A-6-12401 (JP, A) Patent 3110266 (JP, B2) Hiroshi Otaka, et al. System, "NTT Technical Journal, Telecommunications Association of Japan, (November 01, 1996), Vol. 8, No. 11, p. 70-74 Hirofumi Miyamoto, "Developing Agent Functions", INTERNET Surfer, AI Publishing Co., Ltd. (Dec. 01, 1996), Vol. 77-85 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/00 G06F 3/00 G06T G06F 9/44-9/46 G09B A63F H04L 12/58

Claims (82)

(57) [Claims] When an agent is displayed on a screen, the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received.
Send an e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the above agent attached to the mail body with the mail header attached, and leave the agent absent until a predetermined period elapses after sending the above e-mail. Sending e-mail. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the predetermined period has elapsed, an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent is automatically generated. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein one e-mail is transmitted by one agent. 4. The agent parameter according to claim 2, wherein the agent parameter includes transmission date and time information, and based on the transmission date and time information, can be attached to a mail body of an e-mail to be transmitted next after a predetermined period has elapsed. How to send email. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the behavior of the agent is managed by an agent parameter including environment information. 7. A single agent selectively receives a transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail and a transmission instruction designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails by one agent. 2. The electronic mail according to claim 1, wherein, when a transmission instruction designating transmission of one electronic mail is received, the electronic mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the mail text. How to send email. 8. The mail transmission process according to claim 7, wherein when an agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter is absent, the mail transmission processing is performed by an agent that transmits an e-mail capable of specifying a plurality of e-mails. How to send email. 9. When an agent is displayed on a screen, the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received.
Send the e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header attached, and then send the e-mail until the agent parameter is returned from the destination of the e-mail A method for sending an e-mail, wherein the agent is absent. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein an agent parameter obtained by changing the transmitted agent parameter is returned from the destination of the electronic mail. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the absence state of the agent is set by a home flag. 12. An agent selectively receives a transmission instruction designating transmission of one electronic mail by one agent and a transmission instruction designating transmission of a plurality of electronic mails by one agent. 10. The electronic mail according to claim 9, wherein, when a transmission command designating transmission of one electronic mail is received, the electronic mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the mail text. How to send email. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein when an agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter is absent, a mail transmission process is performed by an agent that transmits an e-mail capable of designating the plurality of e-mails.
How to send the described e-mail. 14. When an agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by an agent parameter, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
Sends an e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added.If the agent parameter is not returned within a predetermined period after the e-mail is sent, Automatically generate agent parameters, from sending the agent parameters to automatically generating the agent parameters, the agent is absent, and if the agent parameters are returned within the predetermined period, The agent is absent from the time when the agent parameter is transmitted to the time when the agent parameter is returned from the transmission destination of the e-mail, and one e-mail is transmitted by one agent. Sending e-mail Method. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein an agent parameter obtained by changing the transmitted agent parameter is returned. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the absence state of the agent is set by a home flag. 18. When an agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
After sending an e-mail with an agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added, execution of the e-mail by the agent is disabled, and one e-mail is sent by one agent A method for sending an e-mail, comprising: 19. A transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a transmission instruction designating transmission of e-mail capable of designating a plurality of e-mails by one agent are selectively received. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, when a transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail is received by the agent, the e-mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the main body of the e-mail. How to send e-mail. 20. An agent manager for displaying an agent on a screen and managing the behavior of the agent by agent parameters, a transmission instruction receiving means for receiving a transmission instruction for specifying transmission of an electronic mail, and specifying transmission of an electronic mail. When the transmission command receiving means receives the transmission command to be transmitted, the mail transmission means is controlled by the agent manager, and transmits an e-mail by attaching an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to a mail body with a mail header added. An electronic mail transmission device, wherein the agent manager keeps the agent absent until a predetermined period elapses after transmitting the electronic mail. 21. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the agent manager automatically generates an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent after the predetermined period has elapsed. 22. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the agent manager causes one agent to transmit one electronic mail from the mail transmitting means. 23. The method according to claim 13, wherein the agent parameter includes transmission date and time information, and the agent manager is capable of attaching to a mail text of an e-mail to be transmitted next after a predetermined period has elapsed based on the transmission date and time information. Item 22. An electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to Item 21. 24. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 25. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the agent manager manages the behavior of the agent by using agent parameters including environment information. 26. The transmission command receiving means selectively selects a transmission command designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a transmission command designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails by one agent. When the agent manager receives a transmission command designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent, the agent manager attaches an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to the body of the e-mail and transmits the e-mail to the e-mail. 21. The electronic mail transmitting device according to claim 20, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted from a mail transmitting unit. 27. The agent manager, wherein when there is no agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter, the agent manager performs a mail transmission process by an agent that transmits an e-mail capable of specifying a plurality of messages. The e-mail transmission device according to claim 26. 28. An agent manager that displays an agent on a screen and manages the behavior of the agent using agent parameters, a transmission instruction receiving unit that receives a transmission instruction that specifies transmission of an electronic mail, and specifies transmission of an electronic mail. When the transmission instruction receiving unit receives the transmission instruction to be transmitted, the mail transmission unit is controlled by the agent manager, and transmits an e-mail by attaching an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to a mail body to which a mail header is added. The agent manager, wherein after the transmission of the e-mail, the agent is absent from the agent until the agent parameters are returned from the transmission destination of the e-mail. Transmission equipment . 29. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising an agent parameter receiving means for receiving an agent parameter obtained by changing the transmitted agent parameter returned from the transmission destination of the electronic mail. . 30. The electronic mail transmitting device according to claim 29, wherein the agent manager manages the absence state of the agent by using a home flag. 31. The transmission command receiving means selectively selects a transmission command designating transmission of one email by one agent and a transmission command designating transmission of a plurality of emails by one agent. The agent manager attaches an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to a mail body when the transmission instruction receiving unit receives a transmission instruction designating transmission of one electronic mail by one agent. 29. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted from the mail transmitting means. 32. The agent manager, wherein, when an agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter is absent, the agent transmitting the plurality of specifiable e-mails performs mail transmission processing. The e-mail transmission device according to claim 31. 33. An agent manager that displays an agent on a screen and manages the behavior of the agent by agent parameters, a transmission command receiving unit that receives a transmission command that specifies transmission of an e-mail, and specifies transmission of an e-mail. When the transmission instruction receiving unit receives the transmission instruction to be transmitted, the mail transmission unit is controlled by the agent manager, and transmits an e-mail by attaching an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent to a mail body to which a mail header is added. The agent manager automatically generates the agent parameter if the agent parameter is not returned within a predetermined period after sending the e-mail, and transmits the agent parameter. The agent is absent until the agent parameter is automatically generated, and if the agent parameter is returned within the predetermined period, the agent parameter is transmitted and the agent parameter is changed to the electronic parameter. An e-mail transmission device, wherein the agent is absent until a reply is received from a destination of the e-mail, and one e-mail is transmitted by one agent. 34. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising: agent parameter receiving means for receiving an agent parameter changed from a transmitted agent parameter returned from a transmission destination of the electronic mail. . 35. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the agent manager changes the agent parameter by a learning function. 36. The electronic mail transmitting apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the agent manager manages the absence state of the agent using a home flag. 37. When an agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by an agent parameter, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
Send an e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the above agent attached to the mail body with the mail header attached, and leave the agent absent until a predetermined period elapses after sending the above e-mail. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer. 38. The computer according to claim 37, wherein an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent is automatically generated after the predetermined period has elapsed. Media for sending e-mail. 39. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer according to claim 37, wherein one electronic mail is transmitted by one agent. 40. The method according to claim 38, wherein the agent parameters include transmission date and time information, and based on the transmission date and time information, can be attached to a mail text of an e-mail to be transmitted next time after a predetermined period has elapsed. An e-mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an e-mail transmission program readable by a computer. 41. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer according to claim 37, wherein said agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 42. A medium according to claim 37, wherein the behavior of the agent is managed by an agent parameter including environment information. 43. A transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a transmission instruction designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails by one agent are selectively received. 38. The computer according to claim 37, wherein, when a transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail is received, the e-mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the main body of the e-mail. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program that can be read and executed by a computer. 44. An agent which transmits a plurality of specifiable e-mails, and performs an e-mail transmission process when an agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter is absent.
An e-mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an e-mail transmission program readable by a computer as described in the above. 45. When an agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by an agent parameter, and a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
Send the e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added, and then send the agent until the agent parameter is returned from the destination of the e-mail. A transmission program supply medium for supplying an e-mail transmission program which can be read and executed by a computer, wherein the e-mail is absent. 46. An electronic device according to claim 45, wherein an agent parameter obtained by changing the transmitted agent parameter is returned from the transmission destination of the electronic mail. Media for sending e-mail. 47. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer according to claim 45, wherein the absence state of the agent is set by a home flag. 48. An agent selectively accepts a transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a transmission instruction designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails by one agent. 46. The computer according to claim 45, wherein, when a transmission command designating transmission of one e-mail is received, the e-mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the main body of the e-mail. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program that can be read and executed by a computer. 49. An agent which transmits a plurality of specifiable e-mails, and performs an e-mail transmission process when an agent whose behavior is determined by the agent parameter is absent.
An e-mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an e-mail transmission program readable by a computer as described in the above. 50. When the agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and when a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
Sends an e-mail with the agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added.If the agent parameter is not returned within a predetermined period after the e-mail is sent, When the agent parameter is automatically generated, the agent is absent during the period from transmitting the agent parameter to automatically generating the agent parameter, and when the agent parameter is returned within the predetermined period, The agent is absent from when the agent parameter is transmitted until the agent parameter is returned from the destination of the e-mail, and one e-mail is transmitted by one agent. Computer E-mail sending program supplying medium for supplying the read executable email program by. 51. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying a computer-readable electronic mail transmission program according to claim 50, wherein an agent parameter obtained by changing the transmitted agent parameter is returned. 52. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer according to claim 50, wherein said agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 53. An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer according to claim 50, wherein the absence state of the agent is set by a home flag. 54. When the agent is displayed on a screen and the behavior of the agent is managed by agent parameters, and when a transmission command for specifying transmission of an e-mail is received,
After sending an e-mail with an agent parameter that manages the behavior of the agent attached to the mail body with the mail header added, execution of the e-mail by the agent is disabled, and one e-mail is sent by one agent An electronic mail transmission program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail transmission program readable by a computer, wherein the electronic mail transmission program transmits the electronic mail transmission program. 55. A transmission instruction designating transmission of one e-mail by one agent and a transmission instruction designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails by one agent are selectively received. 55. The computer according to claim 54, wherein, when a transmission command designating transmission of a plurality of e-mails is received, the e-mail is transmitted with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent attached to the e-mail body. An e-mail transmission program supply medium for supplying a readable e-mail transmission program. 56. Receiving a reception instruction designating reception of an electronic mail, receives an electronic mail with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent, and responds to the agent parameter attached to the received mail body. A method for receiving an e-mail, comprising controlling the behavior of an agent, displaying the agent on a screen, and automatically returning the agent parameter to a source of the e-mail. 57. The electronic mail receiving method according to claim 56, wherein an agent parameter obtained by changing the agent parameter attached to the received mail body is automatically returned to the source of the electronic mail. 58. The electronic mail according to claim 57, wherein the agent parameter attached to the received mail body and changed based on the event that caused the agent parameter is automatically returned to the sender of the electronic mail. How to receive. 59. The method according to claim 56, wherein the agent parameter changed based on the interaction with the receiving agent is automatically returned to the source of the electronic mail. 60. The method according to claim 57, wherein the agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 61. Check the reception time of an e-mail,
Based on the transmission date and time information of the agent parameters attached to the e-mail and the mail life information, it is determined whether or not the mail is within the life of the mail. The method for receiving an electronic mail according to claim 57, wherein the electronic mail is automatically replied to a transmission source of the electronic mail. 62. The method according to claim 56, wherein a message indicating that an e-mail attached with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent is received is automatically returned to a source of the e-mail. How to receive email. 63. The method according to claim 56, wherein the agent parameter of the receiving agent is changed based on the interaction with the transmitting agent. 64. When displaying the agent on a screen by controlling the behavior of the agent in accordance with the agent parameter attached to the received mail text, the image data of the agent corresponding to the agent parameter is transmitted to the receiving side. 57. The method according to claim 56, wherein when not stored, a character prepared in advance is displayed instead of the agent. 65. A reception command receiving means for receiving a reception command designating reception of an electronic mail, and an agent parameter for managing behavior of an agent when receiving a reception command designating reception of the electronic mail by the reception command reception means is attached. A mail receiving means for receiving the received e-mail, an agent manager for controlling the behavior of the agent according to the agent parameter attached to the mail body received by the mail receiving means and displaying the agent on a screen, An e-mail receiving apparatus, comprising: agent parameter return means for automatically returning the agent parameter to the source of the e-mail. 66. A user's operation input means for the agent displayed on the screen, and an agent parameter attached to a mail text received by the mail reception means is changed according to a user operation by the operation input means. 66. The electronic mail according to claim 65, further comprising: agent parameter changing means for performing the operation, wherein the agent parameter returning means automatically returns the agent parameter changed by the agent parameter changing means to a source of the electronic mail. Receiving device. 67. The electronic apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said agent parameter changing means changes the agent parameter attached to the body of the mail received by the mail receiving means based on the event that has occurred. Email receiving device. 68. The agent manager, based on an interaction between a receiving agent displayed on a screen and a transmitting agent whose behavior is controlled according to the agent parameter, by the agent parameter changing means, The e-mail receiving device according to claim 67, wherein the agent parameter is changed. 69. The electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 68, wherein said agent manager changes said agent parameter by a learning function. 70. The agent parameter reply means checks the reception time of the electronic mail, and determines whether the mail is within the life of the mail based on the transmission date and time information and the mail life information of the agent parameter attached to the electronic mail. 70. The e-mail receiving apparatus according to claim 68, wherein it is determined whether or not the agent parameter has been changed within the life of the e-mail, and the changed agent parameter is automatically returned to the source of the e-mail. 71. A confirmation message returning means for automatically returning a confirmation message indicating that an e-mail attached with an agent parameter for managing behavior of the agent has been received by the e-mail receiving means to a source of the e-mail. 66. A device according to claim 65, comprising:
Receiving device of the described e-mail. 72. The electronic mail receiving apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the agent manager changes agent parameters of the receiving agent based on the interaction with the transmitting agent. 73. When displaying the agent on a screen by controlling the behavior of the agent according to the agent parameter attached to the received mail text, the agent manager displays an image of the agent corresponding to the agent parameter. 66. The electronic mail receiving device according to claim 65, wherein a character prepared in advance is displayed in place of the agent when data is not stored in the receiving side. 74. Receiving a reception instruction designating reception of an electronic mail, receives an electronic mail with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent, and responds to the agent parameter attached to the received mail body. A computer-readable e-mail receiving program that controls the behavior of the agent, displays the agent on a screen, and automatically returns the agent parameter to the source of the e-mail. E-mail receiving program supply medium. 75. An electronic mail readable by a computer according to claim 74, wherein the agent parameter obtained by changing the agent parameter attached to the received mail body is automatically returned to the sender of the electronic mail. An e-mail receiving program supply medium for supplying a receiving program. 76. The computer according to claim 75, wherein the agent parameter attached to the body of the received mail is automatically returned to the sender of the electronic mail with the agent parameter changed based on the event that generated the agent parameter. An e-mail reception program supply medium for supplying a readable e-mail reception program. 77. An electronic mail receiving program readable by a computer according to claim 74, wherein the agent parameter changed based on the interaction with the receiving agent is automatically returned to the source of the electronic mail. E-mail receiving program supply medium for supplying. 78. An electronic mail receiving program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail receiving program readable by a computer according to claim 75, wherein said agent parameter is changed by a learning function. 79. Check the reception time of the e-mail,
Based on the transmission date and time information of the agent parameters attached to the e-mail and the mail life information, it is determined whether or not the mail is within the life of the mail. The electronic mail receiving program supply medium for supplying a computer-readable electronic mail receiving program according to claim 75, which automatically replies to a source of the electronic mail. 80. The method according to claim 74, wherein a message indicating that an e-mail attached with an agent parameter for managing the behavior of the agent is received is automatically returned to a source of the e-mail. An e-mail receiving program supply medium for supplying an e-mail receiving program that can be read and executed by a computer. 81. An e-mail for providing a computer-readable e-mail receiving program according to claim 74, wherein the agent parameter of the receiving agent is changed based on the interaction with the transmitting agent. Receiving program supply medium. 82. When displaying the agent on a screen by controlling the behavior of the agent according to the agent parameter attached to the received mail body, image data of the agent corresponding to the agent parameter is transmitted to the receiving side. 75. An electronic mail receiving program supply medium for supplying an electronic mail receiving program readable by a computer according to claim 74, wherein a character prepared in advance is displayed in place of the agent when not stored. .