JPH10161949A - E-mail sending and receiving system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] Even a client having a limited capacity of a storage unit and a display unit can reliably select and obtain only necessary e-mails by a simple operation. A client 2 inputs and sends a keyword included in a required e-mail, and the client 2
A keyword storage unit 16 for receiving and registering the keyword transmitted from 2; a storage mailbox 17 for receiving and storing an e-mail addressed to the client; and a received e-mail that includes the keyword. And a server 1 having a client mail transmitting unit 14 for transmitting only the e-mail stored in the transmitting mailbox 18 to the client 20. It is characterized by having.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an e-mail transmission / reception system suitable for S and an e-mail transmission / reception device used in the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional e-mail system, a server as a communication base receives and temporarily stores e-mail transmitted from a client as a terminal, and then stores the e-mail stored by the server in a corresponding client. Or the subject (title) of the e-mail stored by the server is transmitted to the relevant client, and only the e-mail designated by the client is retransmitted to the relevant client.

[0003]

By the way, in the near future,
PH currently used for making calls only
S (Personal Handyphone Sys)
tem: a simplified mobile phone system) is expected to provide a service that can also perform data communication. As a specific usage method of the PHS terminal for performing the data communication, a method of transmitting and receiving an e-mail is conceivable. However, the PHS terminal has a storage capacity of a memory and data which can be displayed at a time on a display unit based on its size. The quantity is very limited.

Therefore, if the PHS terminal is applied as a client in the method of transmitting all the e-mails stored by the server to the corresponding client, the server may transmit a plurality of e-mails to the corresponding PHS.
Since it is conceivable to transmit the data to the terminal, not only does it take time to transmit and receive the data, but also the PHS terminal does not have enough memory to store the received e-mail and cannot receive it. Cases are easy to occur, even when receiving urgent e-mail etc.
You may not be able to receive some emails.

Further, a PHS terminal is applied as a client in a method of transmitting only a subject of an e-mail stored by a server to a client and transmitting only an e-mail designated by the client from the subject to the client again. In this case, it is troublesome to obtain a necessary e-mail, not only is it easy to cause an erroneous operation, but also there is a problem of charging, which is not very realistic.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a simple operation even for a client having a limited storage unit or display unit, such as a PHS terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an e-mail transmission / reception system and apparatus capable of reliably selecting and obtaining only necessary e-mails.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an e-mail transmission / reception system having an e-mail transmission / reception device for storing an e-mail transmitted from a transmission terminal device to a destination terminal device, the terminal device transmits a keyword to the e-mail transmission / reception device, and transmits / receives the e-mail. The device receives the keyword from the terminal device, searches the stored e-mail based on the received keyword, and gives priority to the searched e-mail when the terminal device accesses the terminal. The data is transmitted to the device.

With such a system configuration, even for a terminal device such as a PHS terminal which has a limited storage unit or display unit, only a required operation is required to register a keyword by a simple operation, and only necessary e-mail is obtained. Can be reliably selected and obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an e-mail transmitting / receiving apparatus for storing an e-mail sent from a transmitting terminal to a receiving terminal, wherein the e-mail is transmitted to the receiving terminal based on a keyword sent from the terminal. Search means for searching for an e-mail stored in the terminal, and setting means for setting the e-mail searched by the search means to be preferentially transmitted to the terminal device that has transmitted the keyword. Features.

[0010] With this configuration, by using this electronic mail transmitting / receiving device, even in a terminal device such as a PHS terminal having a limited storage unit or display unit, a keyword can be registered by a simple operation. By simply doing so, it is possible to reliably select and obtain only necessary e-mails.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the search means has a storage means for storing a keyword sent from the terminal device, and the keyword stored in the storage means is stored. And searching for an e-mail stored in the terminal device based on the e-mail address.

According to this structure, in addition to the operation of the invention described in the second aspect, when the terminal device accesses the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device, an arbitrary keyword is transmitted each time the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device is accessed. It is also possible for the transmitting / receiving device to search for the stored e-mail based on the keyword sent each time, and to transmit only the e-mail having the keyword to the terminal device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic mail service in a PHS performing data communication will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration mainly related to an e-mail processing system excluding a communication processing system circuit.
Each e-mail client 2 composed of an HS terminal is connected via a public line network N.

In the electronic mail server 1, the public network N
A data branching control unit 12 is provided via a line connection unit 11 directly connected to the control unit. This data branch control unit 12
An e-mail from the e-mail client 2 is received and output to the received mail classification unit 13, while an e-mail from the client mail transmission unit 14 is sent to the line connection unit 11.
Output to

The received mail classification unit 13 refers to the client list 15 and the client setting keyword storage unit 16 to store the transmitted electronic mail in a storage mailbox 17 for storing data or a transmission mail for transmitting data. It is sorted and transferred to the box 18 and stored.

The mailboxes 17 and 18 are individually prepared for the number of clients registered in the client list 15.
Numeral 7 is for storing the received e-mail, and transmission mailbox 18 is for immediately transmitting the corresponding e-mail when there is a request from the client.

However, the e-mail stored in the transmission mail box 18 is transmitted to the client mail transmission unit 1.
4 and is sent to the corresponding e-mail client 2 via the data branch control unit 12 and the line connection unit 11.

On the other hand, in the e-mail client 2, a data branching control unit 22 is provided via a line connection unit 21 directly connected to the public line network N. The data branching control unit 22 receives the e-mail sent from the e-mail server 1 and stores the received e-mail in the reception mailbox 23, while receiving various commands from the various command transmission units 24 and e-mails from the mail transmission unit 25. Are transmitted as a series of electronic mails from the line connection unit 21 to the electronic mail server 1 side.

The received mail box 23 stores an e-mail received from the e-mail server 1. The contents of the received e-mail are read out through a buffer 26 and read on a liquid crystal display panel having a display capacity of, for example, about 20 characters × 3 lines. Is output on the display unit 27 composed of

The buffer 26 is connected to an input unit 28 for inputting data and an own mail address storage unit 29. The input unit 28 includes, for example, a tablet input unit and a stylus pen provided integrally with the display unit 27, and performs a handwriting scan on the tablet input unit with the stylus pen according to a keyboard pattern or the like displayed on the display unit 27. The corresponding data and commands,
It is possible to input keywords and the like. The own mail address storage unit 29 stores the e-mail address assigned to the e-mail client 2, and the stored contents are read out via the buffer 26.

In the circuit configuration described above, first, when the keyword is transmitted from the electronic mail client 2 to the electronic mail server 1, the electronic mail server 1
2 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic mail server 1
When a keyword is received from the e-mail client 2 together with a keyword registration request via the line connection unit 11 and the data branching control unit 12 (step A1), whether the received mail is from a client whose keyword is registered in the received mail classification unit 13 After confirming whether or not the keyword has been referred to by referring to the client list 15, the keyword is stored in the client setting keyword storage unit 16 in a state where the keyword is associated with the client address (step A2).

Then, using the stored address and the keyword, an e-mail having an address addressed to the client already stored in the storage mailbox 17 and including one or more of the stored keywords is stored. (Step A3). As a result of this search, it is determined whether or not there is an electronic mail including the keyword (step A4). Only when it is determined that the electronic mail includes the keyword, the relevant electronic mail is moved from the storage mailbox 17 to the transmission mailbox 18. Thus, this process ends. The e-mail including the keyword moved to the client e-mail transmission unit is transmitted to the e-mail client 2
The request is sent to the e-mail client 2 immediately upon request.

FIG. 3 shows processing contents when the electronic mail server 1 receives an electronic mail from the electronic mail client 2, and receives the electronic mail via the line connection unit 11 and the data branch control unit 12. Then (step B1), first, the client setting keyword storage unit 16 is referred to using the address of the destination e-mail client 2 in the e-mail, and it is determined whether the corresponding keyword is registered (step B2). .

If it is determined that the keyword is registered, the keyword is read out and the received e-mail is searched (step B3), and it is determined whether or not the keyword is included in the e-mail. (Step B4).

If it is determined that the keyword is included, the e-mail is a necessary message for the destination e-mail client 2, and the e-mail is transferred to the transmission mailbox 18. (Step B5), and the process ends. The e-mail including the keyword moved to the client e-mail transmission unit is transmitted to the e-mail client 2 immediately upon receiving a request from the e-mail client 2.

If it is determined in step B4 that the received e-mail does not include the stored keyword, it is determined that the e-mail is specially required by the destination e-mail client 2. The e-mail is transferred to the storage mailbox 17 and stored there (step B).
6) This ends the processing.

Further, when it is determined in step B2 that the keyword corresponding to the address of the destination e-mail client 2 in the e-mail received is not registered in the client setting keyword storage section 16, the e-mail of the destination is determined. Since the mail client 2 does not particularly perform the operation for selecting the received e-mail, the processing in steps B2 to B4 is omitted as it is, and the processing directly proceeds to step B5 to transmit the e-mail to the transmission mail. Transfer to box 18 for storage.

As described above, when the e-mail client 2 registers an arbitrary keyword in the client setting keyword storage unit 16 of the e-mail server 1, only the e-mail including the keyword is stored in the client setting keyword storage unit 16 with priority. The e-mail is sent from the e-mail server 1 to the e-mail client 2 according to the request from the e-mail client 2.

For this reason, even if the electronic mail client 2 has a very small storage capacity of the receiving mailbox 23 and a very small display capacity on the display unit 27 like a PHS terminal, the necessary keywords are registered. Only by doing so, it is possible to reliably obtain an e-mail of an urgent and important business.

FIG. 4 shows an example of such an e-mail sent from the e-mail server 1 to the e-mail client 2, such as the date of transmission, destination address, subject (title), source address, and the like. Secretary A
The mail content B is displayed on the display unit 27 of the e-mail client 2.

In this case, the e-mail client 2 registers a character string "plan" as a keyword in the e-mail server 1, and this keyword "plan" is included in the subject of the written matter A and the mail content B. The e-mail server 1 determines that it is included and sends it to the e-mail client 2.

FIG. 5 shows the concept of the operation of the entire system as viewed from the electronic mail client 2 side. In this case, the electronic mail client 2 is not only a PHS terminal 2 'for performing the above-mentioned data communication but also a personal computer. A PC client 2 ″ using (PC) is also provided.

In this case, when viewed from the side of the e-mail client 2, the e-mail server 1 is made up of each personal box PB. In the personal box PB, the keyword 31 registered by the user using this client and the electronic mail for transmission are displayed. An e-mail 32, an e-mail 33 for storage, and a client list 34 are stored, and a LAN (Local Area Network) is transmitted from another client.
The e-mail received via k) is stored in the e-mail 32 for transmission or the e-mail 33 for storage according to the presence or absence of the keyword by referring to the keyword 31 and the client list 34 by the e-mail distribution judging mechanism 35, and It can be considered that an e-mail including the keyword stored in the e-mail 32 for transmission is transmitted to the PHS terminal 2 'or the PC client 2 "by the e-mail transmission mechanism 36.

Here, the PHS terminal 2 'can receive the above-mentioned service by transmitting the keyword set by its own input, while the PC client 2 "transmits the keyword in the same manner as described above and transmits the keyword. Only personal e-mail box containing keywords containing keywords
All e-mails including the storage e-mail 33 may be received from the personal box PB regardless of the presence or absence of a keyword because the e-mail may be received from the B side or the capacity of the memory or the display unit is not limited. You may make it.

In the above embodiment, the number of keywords to be set and registered in the e-mail server 1 by the e-mail client 2 has not been described. However, a plurality of keywords are set and registered, and any one of them is included. It may be possible to set whether to selectively receive an e-mail, or selectively to receive only an e-mail including all of a plurality of registered keywords.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the keyword is registered in the e-mail server 1. For example, when the e-mail client 2 accesses the e-mail server 1, an arbitrary keyword is transmitted each time and the e-mail is sent. The server 1 may search for the stored e-mail based on the keyword sent each time, and transmit only the e-mail having the keyword to the e-mail client 2. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, P
Even in a terminal device such as an HS terminal in which the capacity of the storage unit and the display unit is limited, only a necessary e-mail can be reliably selected and obtained by simply registering a keyword by a simple operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by using this electronic mail transmitting / receiving device, even a terminal device such as a PHS terminal, which has a limited storage unit or display unit, can perform a keyword operation by a simple operation. By simply registering the e-mail, only the necessary e-mail can be selected and obtained.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect of the invention, when an electronic mail transmitting / receiving device is accessed from a terminal device, for example, an arbitrary keyword is transmitted each time. It is also possible for the electronic mail transmitting and receiving apparatus to search for the stored electronic mail based on the keyword sent each time, and to transmit only the electronic mail having the keyword to the terminal device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration related to an electronic mail processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing contents of an e-mail selectively transmitted to the client according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing an operation concept of the entire system according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... E-mail server 2 ... E-mail client 2 '... PHS terminal 2 "... PC client 11 ... Line connection part 12 ... Data branch control part 13 ... Received mail classification part 14 ... Client mail transmission part 15 ... Client list 16 ... Client setting keyword storage unit 17 ... Save mailbox 18 ... Transmission mailbox 21 ... Line connection unit 22 ... Data branching control unit 23 ... Reception mailbox 24 ... Various command transmission unit 25 ... Mail transmission unit 26 ... Buffer 27 ... Display Part 28 Input part 29 Own mail address storage part 31 Keyword registered by user 32 Electronic mail for transmission 33 Electronic mail for storage 34 Client list 35 Electronic mail distribution judging mechanism 36 Electronic mail transmission mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An e-mail transmitting / receiving system having an e-mail transmitting / receiving device for storing an e-mail sent from a transmitting terminal device to a receiving terminal device, wherein the terminal device transmits a keyword to the e-mail transmitting / receiving device. The electronic mail transmitting / receiving device receives a keyword from the terminal device, searches the stored electronic mail based on the received keyword, and when the terminal device accesses the electronic mail, the searched electronic mail An e-mail transmission / reception system, wherein the e-mail is transmitted to the terminal device with priority. 2. An electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus for storing an electronic mail sent from a transmitting terminal to a receiving terminal, wherein the electronic mail stored in the terminal based on a keyword sent from the terminal. E-mail transmission / reception comprising: a search unit for searching for mail; and a setting unit for setting the electronic mail searched by the search unit to be preferentially transmitted to the terminal device that has transmitted the keyword. apparatus. 3. The search means has storage means for storing a keyword sent from the terminal device, and retrieves an e-mail stored in the terminal device based on the keyword stored in the storage device. 3. The electronic mail transmitting / receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic mail is searched.