JPH06216934A - Electronic mail circulation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the time required for delivery of an electronic mail to all circulating persons by reducing opportunities of keeping the electronic mail in the other parties of transmission. CONSTITUTION:When data of the electronic mail where plural circulating persons are designated is inputted to a mail transmission part 30 from an electronic mail editing and display part 2 provided in a terminal equipment 1, an enquiry signal is outputted to all of designated circulation destinations (omitted in the figure) from the mail transmission part 30 through a communication network 15. A receivability response part (the same constitution as a receivability response part 50 in the figure) provided in an electronic mail transmission/reception part on the destination side discriminates whether the circulation object is present or not and sends a pertinent answer signal to the mail transmission part 30. The mail transmission part 30 selects one of present circulation objects based on received answer signals and transmits the electronic mail to the determined circulating person. A mail reception part in the electronic mail transmission/reception part of this circulation person receives and temporarily stores this electronic mail and receives a presentation request instruction to output it to its electronic mail editing and display part 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail circulation system, and more particularly to an electronic mail circulation system for circulating mail between information processing devices such as electronic computers via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional electronic mail circulation system has the following structure in order to shorten the circulation time when circulating an electronic mail among a plurality of users.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a first configuration example of this type of conventional electronic mail, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of this type of conventional electronic mail. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the stored contents of the storage unit shown in FIG. 7.

A configuration example of the first conventional electronic mail of this type shown in FIG. 6 is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-16147, and in this configuration example, electronic mail is sent and received. It is composed of a plurality of terminal systems 60 and a host computer 61 connected to these terminal systems 60 via a communication and communication network. The host computer 61 has a center file 62 having an outgoing mail management table 63 and a mailbox 64. I have it.

When sending an electronic mail, from any one of the terminal systems 60, in addition to the name of the reader and the circulation order, the upper limit value of the stay period and the upper limit of the number of times the circulation order is changed for each reader. A mail is sent to the host computer 61 by designating a value.

The host computer 61 stores the sent mail in the mailbox 64, and sends the mail name and the order of the reader together with the upper limit value of the stay period and the upper limit of the number of times the circulation order is changed, by mail. 63
Set within.

The host computer 61 sends the mail stored in the mail box 64 to the terminal system 60 to which the corresponding reader belongs according to the circulation order set in the outgoing mail management table 63, and the reader sending the mail. Check the retention time and the number of changes in the circulation order, and when the retention time specified in the outgoing mail management table 63 is exceeded and the number of changes in the circulation order is less than the specified upper limit value, the circulation order Change and send an email to the next reader.

If the number of circulation changes exceeds the upper limit value set in the outgoing mail management table 63, the circulation change is prohibited.

In this way, the host computer 61 controls the circulation of the electronic mail, which is requested to be transmitted from a certain terminal system, in the designated circulation order, and the retention period is equal to or longer than the designated retention period during the circulation. When the circulation is accumulated, the circulation order is changed to postpone the circulation of the mail regarding the accumulated circulation of the circulation, and the above-mentioned e-mail is transferred to the next circulation.

The configuration of the automatic circulation route designation system for slips which is substantially similar to the second conventional electronic mail circulation system shown in FIG. 7 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-25373. In this conventional invention, a method of circulating an electronic slip instead of an electronic mail is disclosed. Instead of the terminal system 60 described in FIG. 6, a plurality of approval operation devices 70 use an electronic slip circulation line 71. It is connected to the circulation control device 72 via. In this electronic slip system, a circulation control device 72 is used instead of the host computer 61 in FIG. 6, and a storage unit 73 is connected to the circulation control device 72.

An electronic slip input device 74 for inputting an electronic slip is connected to the circulation control device 72.

The presence / absence of approvers, including the sub-approver who is a substitute approver of the slip, is preliminarily input to the circulation control device 72 from each approval operation device 70, and as shown in FIG. Identifies the presence / absence of each approver in the storage unit 73 and stores it in the presence / absence table for each approver.

In addition, a slip type circulation route table in which the circulation order of the circulation approver is designated is created in advance in the storage unit 73 for each type of slip. In addition, in addition to the regular approver, which is a regular approver, the sub-authorizer, which is an alternative approver, is stored in the circulation order.

For example, when a slip of the slip type a is input to the circulation control device 72 from one of the electronic slip input devices 74, the circulation control device 72 refers to the slip type circulation route table in the storage section 73, This slip from approver A to B,
Further, the storage unit 7 recognizes that the approval is circulated in the order of C and D, and whether or not these approvers are present.
The presence / absence table for each approver provided in 3 is referred to.

When the authorized approver is absent, an alternative approver is selected and designated, the currently present approver is designated based on the slip type circulation route table, and the electronic slip is circulated in this designated order. I am letting you.

In this way, even if the positive approver is absent, the secondary approver is designated and the electronic slip is circulated, so that delay in the circulation of the electronic slip is minimized. The electronic voucher targeted by the system shown in FIG. 7 is essentially the same as the electronic mail targeted by the system shown in FIG.

[0017]

The first conventional e-mail circulation system described above specifies the circulation order in addition to the name of the circulation person, and further specifies the maximum allowable mail retention time for each circulation person. , When the specified maximum residence period is exceeded, the circulation order is changed and the e-mail is forwarded to the next circulation destination in order to shorten the circulation time. If there are no readers, they will be retained at this transfer destination and then transferred to the next circulation destination until the retention time that is set again elapses. It has the drawback of wasting time.

In the second conventional example described above,
For electronic slips, which are a type of electronic mail, the primary and secondary circulation approvers for each approval operation device are specified in advance by specifying the circulation order, and the aforementioned primary and secondary approvers are specified. , The presence / absence information is stored in the presence / absence table for each approver, and when an electronic slip to be approved is input, the circulation approver for the slip is read out and When a positive approver is absent, select a secondary approver and circulate the electronic slip in a predetermined order to prevent the approver for that slip from being absent and retaining electronic slips as much as possible. I have to.

Also in the second conventional example as described above, when the circulation order of the electronic slips is designated in advance and both the primary and secondary approvers for the circulating electronic slips are absent, the electronic slips remain. Therefore, other approvers whose circulation order is specified after the staying approver, that is, users, cannot see this electronic slip unless the user in the previous circulation order has completed circulation. It has the drawback of

An object of the present invention is to preferentially circulate an e-mail from a circulator who is present among the circulators who have designated the circulation destination, or to circulate another e-mail among the circulation target persons during the circulation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail circulation system capable of shortening the retention period of the electronic mail by circulating the electronic mail to the circulation destination that has requested the circulation.

[0021]

An electronic mail circulation system according to the present invention is an electronic mail composed of a communication network and a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other via the communication network to send and receive electronic mail to and from each other. In the circulation system, each of the above-mentioned terminal devices sends an inquiry signal to the corresponding circulation person when it receives the electronic mail edited for each circulation target user and the data designating the circulation person who is the destination. The above inquiry signal is received until the answer signal indicating the presence / absence is received from the destination of the inquiry signal and at least the answer signal indicating the presence is received from at least one of the circulation target persons. It is repeatedly output and the destination of the e-mail is selected based on this response signal, and the information of other circulation target persons and the e-mail identification number are added to the selected circulation target person. And e-mail transmission unit for sending the e-mail,
Receiving an e-mail sent to itself, identifying it, accumulating it internally, outputting the accumulated e-mail when receiving the first presentation command, and deleting the accumulated content of the e-mail output Receivability response that stores the presence / absence of the user to be circulated and outputs an answer signal according to the presence / absence content when the inquiry signal addressed to itself is received from the above-mentioned inquiry signals The above-mentioned e-mail transmission / reception part edits the e-mail and its circulation target person and the identification number of the corresponding e-mail in a predetermined format according to the input from the outside. From the reader added to the e-mail when it receives the e-mail from the receiving part by outputting the above-mentioned first presentation command by external input Is constituted by a himself to erase the circulation's corresponding output as e-mail data to the transmission unit of the above electronic mail editing display unit for displaying information about the e-mail.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the electronic mail circulation system of the present invention.

In the electronic mail circulation system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of terminal devices having the same configuration as the terminal device 1 for circulating electronic mail are connected via a communication network 15. . However, in FIG. 1, only one terminal device 1 is shown, and other terminal devices are omitted.

In the terminal device 1, an electronic mail transmission / reception unit 16 is provided for each electronic mail user. Therefore, the terminal device 1 is normally provided with a duplicate number of electronic mail transmission / reception units 16.

The contents of the electronic mail to be sent and the circulation destination thereof are input to the electronic mail transmission / reception unit 16, edited in a predetermined format and output, and the contents of the electronic mail sent to itself from the outside and The sent electronic mail and the electronic mail edit display unit 2 for displaying the destination etc. are respectively connected.

Each e-mail transmission / reception unit 16 sends a e-mail to a specified destination via the communication network 15, and a mail transmission unit 30 receives an e-mail from the transmission source via the communication network 15. This is temporarily stored by the mail receiving unit 40 that outputs the temporarily stored E-mail to the aforementioned E-mail edit display unit 2 when the presentation command is received, and the user whose E-mail transmitting / receiving unit is to be circulated. When a signal indicating the presence is received, the fact that the user is present is stored, and when an inquiry signal is received from another electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit via the communication network 15, a reply signal indicating whether the user is present or absent Is sent via the communication network 15 to the source of the inquiry signal.

When the e-mail to be sent from the e-mail editing / displaying section 2 and the name of the reader and the name of the terminal device to which the reader belongs are output to the mail transmitting section 30, all the designated e-mails are output. And a destination analysis unit 3 which outputs the destination determination signal specifying the destination and outputs the E-mail designating the destination to the input E-mail, and temporarily receives the destination candidate signal. When a receipt list signal that indicates the presence of the user who should be the circulation destination is received, the survey signal that specifies all the received recipients is output, and the e-mail destination is sent according to the contents of the attendance list signal. , A destination determining means 4 for outputting one of the above-mentioned destination determination signals, which designates this one as a destination, and a survey signal, which is included in the survey signal. When the inquiry signal is output to the destinations and the presence signal is received, the presence list signal indicating the corresponding destinations is generated, and when all the destinations are absent, the survey signal is output after a predetermined time has elapsed. The transmission destination candidate investigating means 6 is provided.

Further, the mail transmitting section 30 is provided with a transmitting means 5 for outputting to the communication network 15 when receiving an electronic mail whose destination is designated from the destination analyzing means 3.

Receivability response section 50 stores a code indicating presence when a predetermined access signal indicating presence is given from the outside, and stores a code indicating absence at other times. When the seat storage means 14 and the inquiry signal addressed to itself are received via the communication network 15,
This is identified, the presence memory means 14 is referred to, the presence signal or the absence signal is used as a response signal according to the content, and the response signal is output via the communication network 15 to the source that has output the inquiry signal. And a response means 10.

The e-mail receiving section 40 identifies the e-mail addressed to itself when it is sent via the communication network 15, receives the e-mail, and outputs the e-mail to the accumulating means 8, which will be described later, and the receiving means 7. When the storage unit 8 for temporarily storing the email output from the storage unit 8 and the presentation command output from the email editing display unit 2 are received, the contents stored in the storage unit 8 are read and output to the email editing display unit 2. And presenting means 9 for

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an example of the contents of the data of the electronic mail and its destination which are externally input to the electronic mail edit display unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3 and 5 described later. is there.

Now, the data as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed in the electronic mail edit display unit 2 on the right side of the terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1, that is, the reader name 21 of the electronic mail and its circulation. Device name (terminal device name) 22 to which the person belongs and sender name 2
3, email number 24, subject 25 and email body 2
6 is input, the electronic mail edit display unit 2 displays
The data input in the format indicated by is edited and output to the destination analysis means 3.

The destination analysis means 3 is
The circulation name 21 and the device name 22 are extracted and output to the transmission destination determining means 4 as a destination candidate signal.

The destination determining means 4 temporarily stores the input signal, and outputs a survey signal designating the reader name 21 and the device name 22 to the destination candidate examining means 6.

The transmission destination candidate survey means 6 designates the reader name 21 and the device name 22 for each of the reader names 21 designated by the input survey signal, and the sender name and the device name to which it belongs. Inquiry signals including and are sequentially output to the communication network 15 for each reader.

Among the terminal devices not shown in FIG. 1, FIG.
In the terminal device having the same e-mail transmission / reception unit 16 shown in FIG. 1, the reception possibility response means 10 in the e-mail transmission / reception unit 16 that has received the inquiry signal addressed to itself receives the inquiry signal, This signal is identified, and the seat storage means 14 connected to the receivability response means 10 is referred to. If the stored content of the presence memory means 14 is a code indicating presence, a presence signal is sent, and if it is a code indicating absence, an absence signal is sent to the caller who outputs the inquiry signal via the communication network 15. Output.

The destination candidate survey means 6 which has output the inquiry signal receives the presence signal or absence signal from these inquiry destinations as an answer signal, and presents the presence or absence of all the inquiry destinations. A list signal is generated and output to the above-mentioned destination determining means 4. If all reply signals from all inquiries indicate absence,
After the elapse of a predetermined time, the inquiry signal is output again.

The destination determining means 4 extracts the reader name 21 indicating the presence and the device name 22 thereof from the contents of the received presence list signal. If there are a plurality of reader names 21 indicating the presence, one reader name 21 and the device name 22 to which the reader name 21 belongs are randomly selected from the plurality of reader names 21, and the destination analysis is performed as a destination determination signal. Output to the means 3.

When the destination analysis means 3 receives the above-mentioned destination determination signal, the reader name 21 shown in FIG. 2 and the device name 22 to which it belongs are assigned as the destinations, and the other reader names 21 and the other reader names 21 are given. An electronic mail including the device name 22 to which the device belongs is output to the transmission unit 5. The transmission means 5 outputs the input electronic mail to the communication network 15.

When the receiving means 7 included in the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 (not shown) corresponding to the name of the reader designated by this destination receives the above-mentioned electronic mail, it identifies the electronic mail, and the receiving means 7 mentioned above receives the electronic mail. It outputs to the connected storage means 8. The storage unit 8 temporarily stores the input electronic mail with the destination.

Storage means 8 for storing this electronic mail
When a predetermined command indicating the presentation is input to the electronic mail edit display unit 2 connected to the electronic mail transmission / reception unit 16 having, the electronic mail edit display unit 2 outputs the presentation command to the presentation unit 9. To do.

When the presentation command is added, the presentation means 9 reads the contents of the electronic mail stored in the storage means 8,
The contents stored in the storage means 8 which have been output and output to the electronic mail edit display means 2 are deleted.

The electronic mail edit display unit 2 displays the contents of this electronic mail. When a transfer command is externally added to the e-mail edit display unit 2, the contents of the e-mail input from the presenting means 9 are erased from the name of the reader who has designated himself and the name of the device to which the data belongs. The data is output to the destination analysis unit 3 connected to the edit display unit 2.
If the name of the reader attached to the e-mail input to the e-mail edit display unit 2 does not exist other than the name of the reader who has designated himself as described above, the e-mail edit display unit 2 displays When the transfer command is input, the electronic mail with the address is deleted and is not output to the address analysis means 3.

After that, for the electronic mail having the name of the reader, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 that has received the electronic mail sends the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 to the remaining readers as if the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 is the first reader. The same operation as when an e-mail is sent to the attending reader by designating the name and the device name to which the name belongs is carried out until all the names of the reader are erased from the data of the e-mail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the terminal device 1, there is one terminal device having the same configuration as the terminal device 1.
More than one unit is connected via the communication network 15,
However, in FIG. 3, only one terminal device 1 is shown and the others are omitted.

The terminal device 1 including the terminal device not shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the e-mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 already shown in FIG.
It has an e-mail transmission / reception unit 17 having 0, and in addition to it, a mail transmission unit 30A and a mail reception unit 40A.

The mail receiving section 40A is a mail receiving section 40.
In addition to the receiving means 7, the accumulating means 8 and the presenting means 9 included in, the e-mail is accumulated when the e-mail remains in the accumulating means 8 for a predetermined time after the e-mail is stored in the accumulating means 8. Equipped with a staying mail sending means 11 for reading the e-mail with a destination stored in the means 8 and outputting it to the destination analyzing means 3A described later. Also, the mail transmission unit 30
In addition to the destination candidate examining means 6, the destination determining means 4 and the transmitting means 5 shown in FIG. 1, A is an electronic mail editing display instead of the destination analyzing means 3 shown in FIG. The data output from the unit 2 and the output from the staying mail sending means 11 are used as input, and a destination analyzing means 3A for outputting an electronic mail designating a designated destination to the transmitting means 5 is provided.

Further, the electronic mail transmission / reception unit 17 is provided in the terminal device 1 for each user who can be a reader, and each of the electronic mail transmission / reception units 17 has the same electronic mail editing as already explained in FIG. The display unit 2 is connected.

The destination analysis means 3A performs the same processing as that of the destination analysis means 3 described above for the data output by the electronic mail edit display unit 2, and the electronic mail is added from the staying mail sending means 11 to the outside thereof. Then, the destination candidate signal specifying all the reader names 21 excluding the reader name addressed to itself from the reader names 21 included in this data and the device name 22 to which the reader name 21 belongs Is output to the destination determination means 4.

In response to such a destination candidate signal, the transmission destination determining means 4 outputs the investigation signal similar to that already described in FIG. 1 to the transmission destination candidate investigation means 6, and the transmission destination candidate investigation means 6 outputs it. An inquiry signal for the corresponding reader name is transmitted, and either an attended signal or an absent signal in response to this inquiry signal is received as a reply signal from each of the other parties, and an attendance list signal is sent to the transmission destination determining means 4. Output.

If the contents of the reply signals from all the inquiry destinations are all absence signals, the destination candidate examining means 6 receives the reply signal described above, and again after a predetermined time has elapsed, the above-mentioned process is repeated. The inquiry signal of is output.

When there is a reader name indicating the presence in the presence list signal, the transmission destination determining means 4 randomly selects one from among the names of the readers indicating the presence, and the circulation is performed. A destination determination signal specifying the name of the person and the device name to which the name of the reader belongs is output to the destination analysis means 3A. Address analysis means 3
A designates the name of the reader and the device name thereof, which are the destinations specified by the destination determination signal, as the destination, and the name of the reader to which the own electronic mail transmission / reception unit 17 belongs and the name of the reader including the device name. It is output to the transmission means 5 as an electronic mail with the name of the device to which it belongs.

In the electronic mail circulation system shown in FIG. 3, the receiving means 7 receives the electronic mail addressed to itself and outputs it to the accumulating means 8 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.
When the storage means 8 stores this e-mail, the staying mail sending means 11 detects that this e-mail is stored, and a predetermined time after the e-mail is stored in the storage means 8, that is, an allowable staying time, is set. If this e-mail remains in the storage means 8 even after the elapse, the content is read and output to the destination analysis means 3A in the same manner as the data output by the e-mail edit / display unit 2, and as described above. The processing is performed, and the electronic mail is sent to the names of uncirculated readers other than the name of the reader to which the user belongs.

Therefore, in the e-mail circulation system shown in FIG. 1, the e-mail is sent, and the circulation target person who operates the e-mail transmission / reception section 17 storing the e-mail in the storage means 8 is predetermined. If the presentation command is not input to the electronic mail edit display unit 2 within the given time, the electronic mail will remain as it is. In the e-mail circulation system shown in FIG. 3,
Since such a staying time will not exceed the allowable staying time set for the staying mail sending means 11, the time required for circulation to all target readers is shown in FIG. It can be shorter than the e-mail circulation system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the electronic mail circulation system of the present invention, which is different from those shown in FIGS.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of terminal devices for exchanging electronic mail are connected to each other via the communication network 15. However, in FIG. 4, only the terminal device 1 is shown as the terminal device,
Other terminal devices are omitted.

The configuration of each terminal device is the same as that of the terminal device 1, and each of them is provided with an electronic mail transmission / reception section 18 for each user who is a target of circulation of electronic mail. Input and edit e-mails in the e-mail transmission / reception section 18,
An e-mail edit display unit 2A for inputting necessary information such as a destination and inputting a necessary command and displaying related information is connected.

The electronic mail transmission / reception section 18 is composed of a mail transmission section 30B and a mail reception section 40B.

The mail sending section 30B receives the data about the e-mail output from the e-mail edit display section 2A as an input, adds the destination in a predetermined format, and specifies and outputs the destination, and the electronic mail analysis section 3B. Email editing display 2A
When the e-mail and the additional data such as the destination are output from the communication network 1, the notice message generating means 13 for generating and outputting a notice message described later, and the output from the destination analyzing means 3B and the notice message generating means 13 are used.
5, and a transmitting means 5A for outputting to 5.

Further, the mail receiving section 40B identifies the electronic mail addressed to itself and the advance notice message sent via the communication network 15 and receives and outputs the receiving means 7A, and the electronic mail output by the receiving means 7A. When a presentation command is received from the storage unit 8A that temporarily stores the notification message and the notice message and the email edit display unit 2A, the storage unit 8A stores the email or the notice message specified by the presentation command.
A read-out e-mail is output from A to the e-mail edit display unit 2A, and when the e-mail is output, there is provided a presentation unit 9A that erases the read e-mail from the storage unit 8A.

Further, when the circulation request command having the identification number specified is input from the electronic mail edit display section 2A, the mail receiving section 40B reads out a notice message having the corresponding identification number from the accumulating means 8A and gives a notice. Among the prospective circulation persons stored corresponding to the message, a circulation transmission request signal designating all the circulation prospective persons except the circulation prospective person to which he / she belongs and the device name to which the circulation prospective person belongs is transmitted to the communication network 15.
The accumulated mail requesting means 12 to be output to and the circulation sending request signal addressed to itself are read out from the communication network 15, and when the corresponding electronic mail is stored by referring to the storing means 8A to which the self belongs, this electronic mail is stored. Equipped with staying mail sending means 11A for reading out the mail, outputting it via the communication network 15 to the sending / receiving part of the sending side of the circulation sending request signal, and erasing the contents of the read out email stored in the storing means 8A. There is.

The data as shown in FIG. 2, that is, the body 26 of the electronic mail, the reader name 21 input in the circulation order, the device name 22 indicating the terminal device to which this reader belongs, and the sender When the name 23, the e-mail identification number 24, and the title 25 are input to the e-mail edit display unit 2A, the e-mail edit display unit 2A edits the e-mail in a predetermined format and analyzes the destination. It is output to the means 3B and the notice mail generation means 13.

The destination analyzing means 3B creates an electronic mail addressed to the first designated reader name 21 and the corresponding device name 22 and outputs it to the transmitting means 5A.

This electronic mail contains all data other than the electronic mail text 26 described above.

Further, the notice message generating means 13 generates a notice message of a predetermined format, which will be described later, from the contents of the electronic mail outputted from the electronic mail edit display section 2A and outputs it to the transmitting means 5A.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of this notice message. That is, the advance notice message generating means 13 further identifies the advance notice message by adding the code P indicating the advance notice message to the identification number 24 attached to the e-mail, the circulation prospective person name 28, and the device name to which it belongs. 29, a sender name 30 and a title 31 of an e-mail to be circulated according to a predetermined format, and the name of the circulator and the device name to which the circulator belongs are added for each name of the circulator. The notice message with the specified address is generated for each prospective person, and the transmission means 5
Output to A.

When the sending means 5A receives the electronic mail output from the destination analyzing means 3B and the advance notice message output from the advance notice message generating means 13, the transmitting means 5A outputs these to the communication network 15.

For example, if such an electronic mail and a notice message are output from the terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 4, the receiving means 7A of the terminal device (not shown) corresponding to the destination is The e-mail addressed to itself and the notice mail are identified, received, and output to the storage means 8A connected to the reception means 7A. The corresponding storage unit 8A temporarily stores the input e-mail and the advance notice message.

Therefore, the receiving means 7A provided in the device within the electronic mail transmission / reception unit which does not belong to the current e-mail circulator but belongs to the circulation target person who is designated in the notice message receives only the notice message. Storage means 8
It will be temporarily stored in A.

Here, the electronic mail is received and the storage means 8
When a person to be circulated corresponding to the electronic mail transmission / reception unit 18 that stores the electronic mail in A, that is, a user outputs a presentation command designating an electronic mail to the presentation unit 9A via the electronic mail edit display unit 2A. The presenting means 9A checks whether or not the electronic mail is stored in the storage means 8A. If the electronic mail is stored, the presenting means 9A reads the electronic mail and outputs the electronic mail to the electronic mail edit display unit 2A and stores the electronic mail. The contents of the above-mentioned e-mail stored in the means 8A are deleted.

The contents of the electronic mail are displayed on the electronic mail edit display section 2A. When the user reads this content and inputs a transfer command into the electronic mail edit display unit 2A, the electronic mail edit display unit 2A displays the prospective person to be circulated corresponding to the self designated in the electronic mail and the name of the device to which the person will circulate. And are deleted and output to the destination analysis means 3B.

The destination analyzing means 3B performs the same processing as the processing when the above-mentioned electronic mail data is newly created in the electronic mail edit display unit 2.

When a presentation command designating a notice mail is input to the electronic mail edit display unit 2A, the electronic mail edit display unit 2A outputs this presentation command to the presentation means 9A.
Upon receiving this command, the presentation unit 9A stores the storage unit 8A.
Of the e-mail editing display section 2A.
Output to.

When a circulation request command specifying the identification number included in the advance notice message is input from the electronic mail edit display unit 2A, this command is issued.
It is output from A to the staying mail requesting means 12.

Upon receipt of this circulation request command, the staying mail requesting means 12 reads out the circulation candidate name of the notice message having the corresponding identification number and the device name to which it belongs from the accumulating means 8A, and determines each circulation candidate and its circulation candidate. The device name to which the device belongs belongs to the user, the user name of the requester and the device name to which the device belongs to are added as the requester, and a circulation transmission request signal specifying the identification number of the corresponding electronic mail is sent to the communication network 15. Send out by all prospective users via.

When the staying mail sending means 11A in the electronic mail sending / receiving section 18 of the plurality of terminal devices 1 receives the circulation sending request signal addressed to itself through the communication network 15, the staying mail sending means 11A identifies this signal and the corresponding electronic mail. It is checked whether or not the mail is stored in the storage means 8A (in the same electronic mail transmission / reception unit 18), and when the corresponding electronic mail exists, the electronic mail that has read the electronic mail and sent the circulation transmission request signal The mail is output to the mail transmitting / receiving unit 18 via the communication network 15 and the corresponding electronic mail in the storage unit 8A is deleted.

As is clear from the above description, in the electronic mail circulation system shown in FIG. 4, the electronic mail transmission / reception unit 1 provided in one of the plurality of terminal devices.
When outputting an e-mail by designating a specific one of a plurality of prospective readers from 8 at the same time, the identification number and the circulation of the e-mail to be circulated to all prospective readers at the same time. Since a notice message containing information about the prospective person is generated and transmitted, the prospective circulation target person who sees the notice message sends a circulation request command to the email edit display unit when he wants to see the contents of the corresponding email. By inputting from 2A, the corresponding electronic mail can be received and viewed at any time.

Further, when the function of the staying mail sending means 11A shown in FIG. 4 further detects that an electronic mail addressed to itself is stored in the storing means 8A, even if a predetermined time elapses. When this e-mail is accumulated in the storage means 8A, the corresponding e-mail is read out from the storage means 8A, and this e-mail is sent to the next prospective person designated in the e-mail by the communication network 15
It is also possible to add a function of sending out the contents of the electronic mail from the storage means 8A via the.

By adding such a function, it is possible to further shorten the time until the electronic mail is circulated to all prospective users, as compared with the electronic mail circulation system shown in FIG. Becomes

[0082]

As described above, in the electronic mail circulation system of the present invention, when the electronic mail is sent, the person to be circulated is designated in advance, and the person currently in attendance is selected from these persons to be circulated. Examine and select the circulation target person, and circulate the e-mail from the circulation target person who is present, or when sending the e-mail, specify the prospective circulation person and the circulation order, and further, Sending a notice message about the email that should be circulated to all of those scheduled to be circulated, and among those scheduled to circulate other than the above-mentioned circulation order, those who wish to see the corresponding email will receive this notice message. By entering the circulation request command by looking at the contents of
Since it is possible to receive this e-mail at any time, compared to the conventional e-mail circulation system of this type, the amount of time that e-mail stays at a particular circulation target person will be small This has the effect of making it possible for all persons to circulate electronic mail in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail circulation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of contents of data to be input as an electronic mail shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the electronic mail circulation system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail circulation system of the present invention different from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a notice message generated by the electronic mail circulation system shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional electronic mail circulation system of this type.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional electronic mail of this type different from that of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of contents of a storage unit shown in FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal device 2 E-mail edit display section 3 Destination analysis means 3A to 3B Destination analysis means 4 Destination determination means 5 Transmission means 5A Transmission means 6 Destination candidate examination means 7 Reception means 8 Storage means 8A Storage means 9 Presentation means 9A Presentation Means 10 Receivability Response Means 11 Retained Mail Sending Means 11A Retained Mail Sending Means 12 Retained Mail Request Means 13 Notice Message Generating Means 14 Attendance Means 15 Communication Network 16-18 Mail Sending / Receiving Section 30 Mail Sending Sections 30A-30B Mail Sending Part 40 Mail receiving part 40A-40B Mail receiving part 50 Receivability response part

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An e-mail circulation system comprising a communication network and a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other via the communication network and transmitting and receiving e-mail to and from each other, wherein each of the terminal devices is a circulation target. When an electronic mail that has been edited for each user and data that specifies a reader who is the destination of the email are received, an inquiry signal is sent to the corresponding reader, and the inquiry signal is sent from the destination to the presence / absence. The response signal indicating whether or not the inquiry signal is repeatedly output from at least one of the circulation target persons until the response signal indicating the presence is received, and the destination of the electronic mail is selected based on the response signal. It is sent to the selected circulation target person, the mail transmission part that sends the information of other circulation target persons and the e-mail with the identification number of this e-mail, and to itself A mail receiving unit for identifying the e-mail when it is received, accumulating it internally, and outputting the accumulated e-mail when receiving the first presentation command, and for deleting the accumulated content of the e-mail that has been output, and a circulation target. The presence / absence of a user is stored, and an e-mail transmission / reception unit including a receivability response unit that outputs a response signal according to the content of the presence / absence when the inquiry signal addressed to itself is received from the inquiry signals The electronic mail transmission / reception unit edits the electronic mail and the circulation target person of the electronic mail and the identification number of the corresponding electronic mail in a predetermined format in accordance with an input from the outside, and outputs the edited data to the transmission unit. When the first presentation command is output by the input from the outside and the electronic mail is received from the receiving unit, it is identified as the self among the readers added to the electronic mail. Email circulation system, characterized in that it comprises a erases the circulation's output as the electronic mail data to the transmission section e-mail editing display unit for displaying information about the e-mail. 2. An electronic mail circulation system comprising a communication network and a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other via the communication network and transmitting and receiving electronic mail, wherein each of the terminal devices is a target of circulation. Receiving the edited e-mail for each user and the data specifying the destination of the reader, an inquiry signal is sent to the applicable readers except the applicable reader, and the inquiry signal is sent to the destination. From the response signal indicating whether the user is present or absent, and at least the inquiry signal is repeatedly output until the response signal indicating the presence is received from at least one of the circulation targets, and based on the response signal. Select the destination of the e-mail and send the e-mail with the information of other circulation target and the identification number of this e-mail to the selected circulation target When the e-mail sent to the department and the self is received, it is identified and stored internally.
When the display command is received, the stored electronic mail is output as display information, the stored content is erased, and the stored electronic mail is transmitted to the electronic mail when a predetermined time or more has elapsed after storing the electronic mail. A mail receiving unit that deletes the stored contents of the corresponding electronic mail that has been output and stored as the data to the department, and the presence / absence of the user to be circulated is stored, and an inquiry signal addressed to itself is stored in the inquiry signal. An e-mail transmission / reception unit including a receivability response unit that outputs a reply signal according to the presence / absence content upon reception is provided, and the e-mail transmission / reception unit includes an e-mail and its e-mail according to an external input. The identification number of the person to be circulated and the corresponding e-mail is edited in a predetermined format and output as the data to the transmitting unit, and the first proposal is made by input from the outside. When a command is output and an e-mail is received from the receiving unit, the reader corresponding to the self is deleted from the readers added to the e-mail, and the e-mail is output to the transmitting unit as data of the e-mail. An electronic mail circulation system, comprising: an electronic mail edit display unit for displaying information. 3. An electronic mail circulation system comprising a communication network and a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other via the communication network for transmitting and receiving electronic mail, wherein each of the terminal devices is a target of circulation. When the user receives the data that specifies the edited e-mail for the user and its destination, including the circulation order, the circulation of the e-mail to the corresponding circulation of the e-mail. Sends an e-mail including the information specifying the person and its circulation order and the identification number of this e-mail, and generates a notice message with all the circulation persons the identification number corresponding to the e-mail, and applies it. The data received when the notice message is output to the reader through the communication network and the transferred data is received. A mail sending unit that outputs the data as an e-mail to the communication network to the highest circulation person specified in the circulation order, and the e-mail sent to itself and to the self. When the received advance notice message is received, these are identified and stored internally, and when the first presentation command designating the electronic mail is received, the stored electronic mail is output and the stored electronic mail is received. When the contents of the mail are erased and the second presentation signal designating the notice message is received, the accumulated notice message is output, and when the circulation transmission request signal designating the identification number addressed to itself is received, it is accumulated internally. If there is an e-mail to be sent, and if it exists, send the corresponding e-mail to the e-mail sending / receiving unit that sent the circulation sending request signal and specify the identification number. A mail that, upon receipt of a circulation request command, identifies the corresponding notice mail from the accumulated notice mail and outputs the circulation transmission request signal to all the readers attached to the notice mail via the communication network. The electronic mail transmission / reception unit including a reception unit is provided, and the electronic mail transmission / reception unit is provided with an electronic mail, its circulation target person, its circulation order, and the identification number of the corresponding electronic mail in a predetermined format in accordance with an external input Edited and output to the transmission unit as the data and outputs the first and second presentation commands and the circulation request command by an external input, and when the electronic mail is received from the reception unit, it is added to the electronic mail. The circulator who corresponds to himself is deleted from the current circulators, and it is output to the transmission unit as the transfer data of the above-mentioned e-mail, Email circulation system, characterized in that it comprises an electronic mail editing display unit for displaying information. 4. The electronic mail circulation system according to claim 3, wherein the electronic mail received by the electronic mail reception unit is detected in the electronic mail reception unit, and when the electronic mail stays for a predetermined time or longer. , A staying mail sending means for outputting the stored electronic mail to the designated reader in the next circulation order via the communication network and deleting the stored contents of the corresponding electronic mail from the mail receiving unit. An e-mail circulation system featuring. 5. When the data is input, the name of the reader included in the data is extracted and output as a destination candidate signal, and when the destination determination signal is received, the destination designated by the destination determination signal is set as the destination. Destination analyzing means for outputting the email, and, when receiving the destination candidate signal, outputs a survey signal designating these readers, and when receiving the presence list signal, the presence reader included in the presence list signal Destination determining means for selecting one of the above and outputting it to the destination analyzing means as the destination determining signal; and, upon receiving the survey signal, repeat until at least one of the readers receives an attendance signal. When an inquiry signal in which a code for identifying the transmission source is attached to each reader designated by the survey signal is output to the communication network and the presence signal and the absence signal are received, these signals are transmitted. A mail sending unit composed of a destination candidate survey means for generating and outputting the attendance list signal indicating a circulator who is present based on the number of the issue, and identifying the receipt of an electronic mail addressed to itself, Receiving means for outputting an e-mail inside, accumulating means for temporarily storing the output of the receiving means, and whether or not an e-mail is stored in the accumulating means upon receipt of the first presentation signal. 2. The electronic mail circulation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a mail receiving unit configured by a presenting unit that reads out the content when the information exists and outputs it to the electronic mail edit display unit when it exists. 6. A mail transmission unit and a mail reception unit according to claim 5, which detect when an electronic mail is stored in the storage means and read out the electronic mail when a predetermined time elapses. 3. The electronic mail circulation system according to claim 2, wherein a staying mail sending means for outputting to the destination analyzing means and erasing the contents of the electronic mail read from the storage means is added to the mail receiving section. 7. When the data including the edited e-mail and the name of the circulation person who specifies the circulation order is output from the e-mail editing display section according to claim 3, the data is received and the maximum number specified in the circulation order is received. Destination analyzing means for outputting an e-mail to which the number of circulators is assigned as an address, and when the data is received, all the circulators included in the data are addressed and the identification number of the e-mail in the data is assigned and determined in advance. A notice message generating means for generating and outputting a notice message in the specified format, and a transmitting means for receiving the email and the notice message and outputting the notice message to the communication network. Receiving means for identifying and outputting the notice messages when they are received, accumulating means for storing the output of the receiving means, and the first presentation message. When a message is added, the stored electronic mail is read out and output to the electronic mail edit display unit, and when the second presentation signal is added, a notice message stored in the storage unit is read out and the electronic mail is read out. Presenting means for deleting the corresponding e-mail in the accumulating means when the e-mail is output to the mail editing / displaying section and reading out the e-mail; and corresponding means stored in the accumulating means when the circulation request signal is received. A staying mail request means for referring to a notice message and outputting a circulation transmission request signal to all the readers included in the notice message via the communication network, and the circulation transmission request signal addressed to itself by the communication. When it is received via the network, it is identified, and when the corresponding e-mail exists by referring to the storage means, The mail receiving unit is constituted by a staying mail sending means for sending the corresponding electronic mail to a reader who has output the circulation sending request signal and for deleting the corresponding electronic mail from the storage means. E-mail circulation system described in 3. 8. An electronic mail transmission / reception unit comprising the mail transmission unit, the mail reception unit, and the reception possibility response unit according to claim 1, and one of these electronic mail transmission / reception units.
The e-mail according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sets of the e-mail edit display section according to claim 1 connected to each other, and at least one terminal device having these e-mail transmission / reception sections connected to each other. Circulation system. 9. An electronic mail transmission / reception unit comprising the mail transmission unit, the mail reception unit, and the reception possibility response means according to claim 2, and one-to-one connection with each of these electronic mail transmission / reception units. 3. The electronic mail circulation system according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of sets of the electronic mail edit display unit according to claim 2 and at least one terminal device connecting the electronic mail transmission / reception units to each other. 10. The electronic mail editing unit according to claim 3, wherein the electronic mail transmission / reception unit configured by the electronic mail transmission unit and the electronic mail reception unit according to claim 3 and one-to-one connection with each of these electronic mail transmission / reception units 4. The electronic mail circulation system according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of sets of display units, and at least one of the terminal devices connecting the electronic mail transmission / reception units to each other. 11. The staying mail sending means according to claim 4 is connected to each mail sending / receiving unit according to claim 10 in a one-to-one manner.
E-mail circulation system described.