JP2002063267A - Memorial message system and server and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Problem] To be able to send messages to family and friends at various occasions even after death. A system comprising a plurality of terminals and a server having a storage device for storing a database, wherein the terminal and the server are connected via a network, wherein means for registering the ID of a living individual in the database. A means for registering, changing, and deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database by a living individual whose ID is registered, Means for sending a registered message to a destination of a registered message when a registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the individual.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memorial message system, a server, and a method, which can be suitably used by an individual to send a message to his or her beloved bereaved after death.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a will as a method of sending a message to a bereaved family or the like beloved by an individual after his / her death.

[0003]

By the way, there is a desire for a person to watch over his family, friends, etc., even after his death, because of his affection. And one of the desires is that, even after death,
There is a desire to send messages on various occasions.

[0004] For example, I want to send a message to the bereaved family at the beginning of each year. In the coming-of-age ceremony of the child,
I want to send a message. I want to send a message when my child graduates from school. I want to send a message when 25 years have passed since the wedding. And so on.

[0005] However, since the will is originally intended to convey the will of the testator regarding the disposition of the inherited property, and becomes legally effective when the testator dies, family members, friends, etc., take various occasions after death. Not suitable for sending messages to

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to be able to send a message to a family member or a friend at various occasions even after death.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention first comprises a plurality of terminals and a server having a storage device for storing a database. Means for registering the ID of a living individual in a database, and a method for registering an ID of a living individual in a database from a terminal to a database, Means for registering, changing, and deleting a destination and a trigger condition for sending a message, and a destination of the registered message when the registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the individual whose ID is registered. And a means for sending a registered message.

In the invention according to claim 2, the means for transmitting the message includes a means for transmitting the message by e-mail, according to the memorial message system according to claim 1.

In the invention according to the third aspect, the means for transmitting the message includes a means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed, as the memorial message system according to the first aspect. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the means for transmitting the message includes a means for transmitting the message by e-mail and a means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. A memorial message system according to item 1.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a living individual whose ID is registered is provided with means for creating a message on the terminal based on the template. Memorial message system.

[0012] In the invention according to claim 6, the network is the Internet.
A memorial message system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server which is connected to a plurality of terminals via a network and has a storage device for storing a database, wherein a means for registering the ID of a living individual in the database, Means for registering, changing, or deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database from a terminal; Means for sending a registered message to a destination of a registered message when a registered trigger condition is satisfied.

[0014] In the invention of claim 8, the means for sending the message includes means for sending the message by e-mail. The memorial message server according to claim 7, wherein:

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the means for transmitting the message includes a means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. is there.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the means for transmitting the message includes a means for transmitting the message by e-mail and a means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. A memorial message server according to item 7.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein a living individual whose ID is registered is provided with a means for creating a message at a terminal based on a template.
0 is a memorial message server.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the memorial message server according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects is characterized in that the network is the Internet.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminals and a server having a storage device for storing a database are provided, a step of connecting the terminals and the server via a network, and a step of storing the ID of a living individual in the database. Registering, changing, and deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending the message from a terminal to a database by a living individual whose ID is registered; Sending a registered message to a destination of a registered message when a registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the registered individual. Method.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memorial message method according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the step of transmitting the message includes a step of transmitting the message by electronic mail.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the step of transmitting the message includes a step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed.
The memorial message method described in No. 3.

In the invention according to claim 16, the step of transmitting the message includes a step of transmitting the message by e-mail and a step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. The memorial message method described in No. 13.

The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the method includes a step in which a living individual whose ID is registered creates a message on the terminal based on the template.
The memorial message method according to any one of the above.

The invention according to claim 18 is the memorial message method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the network is the Internet.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a step of providing a server connected to a plurality of terminals and a network and having a storage device for storing a database, a step of registering the ID of a living individual in the database, A registered living individual registers, changes, and deletes a message, a destination of the message, and a trigger condition for sending the message from the terminal to the database;
Sending a registered message to a destination of the registered message when D satisfies a registered trigger condition after the death of the registered individual. Message method.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memorial message method according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the step of transmitting the message includes a step of transmitting the message by electronic mail.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the step of transmitting the message includes a step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed.
This is the memorial message method described in No. 9.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the means for transmitting the message includes a step of transmitting the message by e-mail and a step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. This is the memorial message method described in Item 19.

The invention according to claim 23, further comprising a step in which a living individual whose ID is registered creates a message on the terminal based on the template.
The memorial message method according to any one of the above.

The invention according to claim 24 is the memorial message method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the network is the Internet.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

1: Hardware Configuration of the System of the Present Invention As shown in FIG. 1, the memorial message system of the present invention includes a plurality of terminals and a server, and the terminals and the server are connected to a network.

The network may be an open one such as the Internet or a dedicated line. Also, whether it is wired or wireless,
It doesn't matter.

The server is the memorial message server of the present invention. In the present specification, simply referring to the server means the memorial message server of the present invention.

2: Hardware Configuration of Terminal or Server As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal includes at least a communication control device, an input device, an output device, an auxiliary storage device, a main storage device, and a central processing unit. And a computer in which these devices are connected by a bus.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the server includes a communication control device, an input device, an output device, a clock, an auxiliary storage device, a main storage device, and a central processing unit. Are computers connected by a bus.

The communication control device is a device for controlling input and output of data through a network.

The input device is a device for inputting data, such as a mouse or a keyboard.

The output device is a device that outputs data, such as a display or a printer.

The auxiliary storage device is a randomly accessible non-volatile storage device, and stores data and programs. The program is loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device and executed by the central processing unit.

The clock is a device for measuring time including the date.

3: In the auxiliary storage device of the database server, at least, as data, an individual's ID and password, the individual's survival information, a message, a message destination, a message transmission method, and a message transmission The trigger condition to be performed is stored in the database. Of these,
Personal ID, message, message destination,
A message sending method and a trigger condition for sending a message are a set. Also, an individual's ID, the individual's password, and the individual's survival information form a pair.

The individual's survival information is information on whether the individual is alive or dead.

The destination of the message includes information about the destination to which the individual wants to send the message after death. The message transmission method is a method of transmitting the message to the destination of the message. For example, when the message sending method is an e-mail, the information of the destination includes the e-mail address. Further, for example, when the message transmission method is mailing, the destination (name, zip code, address) is included in the information of the other party. If the message sending method is an e-mail, the server creates an e-mail in which the message is described and sends the e-mail to the e-mail address. If the message sending method is mailing, the server prints out a postal matter on which the message and the destination (name, zip code, address) are printed.

The trigger condition is a condition that determines when to send a message. Examples of the trigger condition include the following. First, there are times when individuals died. Secondly, there are times when predetermined dates, such as the beginning of the year, the anniversary of the marriage of an individual's spouse, and the birthday of an individual's child, have arrived. Third, a person, such as an individual's spouse, may have died. Fourthly, there are times when events such as admission, marriage, adult ceremony, etc. of individual children, etc. are greeted.

Hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, a set of a message, a message destination, a message sending method, and a trigger condition for sending a message are collectively referred to as a message or the like. In this specification, a database is abbreviated as DB.

4: Memorial Message Providing Service The server of the present invention is managed by a memorial message providing service provider. The memorial message providing service provider uses the system of the present invention to provide the following memorial message providing service to contracted individuals. Hereinafter, the contracted individual is referred to as a contractor.

First, the memorial message providing service provider gives the contractor an ID and a password, and
Register D and password in the database. At this time, the contractor's survival information is registered in the database as survival.

The contractor can register a message, a message destination, a message sending method, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal in a database beforehand, and can change or delete the message. The contract specifies how many message recipients can be registered. The contract also determines how many messages can be registered to one recipient.

The message providing service provider may prepare a template that can be used when the contractor creates a message. This template is stored in an auxiliary storage device of the server,
It is downloaded to the terminal when the subscriber creates a message on the terminal.

When the trigger condition is satisfied after the contractor's death, the memorial message providing service company sends the message to the message destination according to the message sending method registered in the database.

The bereaved family or the like, who is requested by the contractor, notifies the memorial service provider of the death of the contractor by an appropriate method. Alternatively, the message service provider periodically (for example, once a year) confirms the existence of the subscriber by an appropriate method.

When the message service provider confirms the existence of the contractor, he / she wants to confirm the e-mail address or destination (name, zip code, address) of the destination of the message and to continue the memorial message providing service. Confirmation of what to do may be performed together.

Further, after the death of the contractor is confirmed, the message service provider periodically (eg, once a year) sends a message to the bereaved or the like requested by the contractor. Confirmation of the e-mail address or destination (name, zip code, address) of the other party, and confirmation of the desire to continue the memorial message providing service may be performed.

If the trigger condition is a condition relating to the occurrence of an event whose occurrence is uncertain, the occurrence of the event is determined by the bereaved family or the like requested by the contractor by an appropriate method. Notify the memorial service provider.

5: Processing Executed by the System of the Present Invention In order to support the memorial message providing service described above, the system of the present invention includes at least a contractor registration process, a message registration / change / deletion process, and a message transmission process. Execute the following three steps. These three processes are:
It is done in parallel.

5-1: Contractor Registration Process Here, an example of a contractor registration process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: The memorial message providing service provider inputs the ID and password of the contractor using the input device of the server at the server. Or,
The memorial service provider will use the terminal
The contractor's ID and password are input using the input device of the terminal, and the terminal transmits the contractor's ID and password to the server.

STEP2: The server registers the contractor's ID and password in the database. Go to END.

5-2: Message Registration / Change / Delete Processing Here, an example of message registration / change / deletion processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP1: The contractor inputs the contractor's ID and password at the terminal using an input device provided in the terminal. The terminal sends the ID and the password to the server.

STEP 2: The server searches the database and confirms that the contractor having the transmitted ID and password is registered. If registered, ST
Proceed to EP3. If not registered, go to STEP9.

STEP 3: The server searches the database, reads a list of registered messages and the like, and outputs the list to the terminal. If the number of destinations of the registered message is equal to the number of contracts, the process proceeds to STEP4. If the number of registered messages is less than the number of recipients and the number of contracts, ST
Proceed to EP5.

STEP4: If the message or the like is to be changed (including additional registration of the message to the registered destination), the process proceeds to STEP7. When deleting a message or the like, the process proceeds to STEP8.

STEP 5: If a message or the like is to be registered, the operation proceeds to STEP 6. Change messages, etc. (including adding additional messages to already registered recipients)
If yes, go to STEP7. When deleting a message or the like, the process proceeds to STEP8.

STEP 6: The contractor uses the terminal's input device to input a message, a message destination, a message sending method, and a message sending trigger condition. However, up to the number of messages specified in the contract can be input to one destination. Regarding the input of the message, the contractor may download a template of the message stored in the auxiliary storage device of the server to the terminal and input the template into the template. The terminal transmits the message, the destination of the message, the message transmission method, and the trigger condition for transmitting the message to the server. The server sets the ID of the contractor, the message, the destination of the message, the message sending method, and the trigger condition for sending the message as one set,
Register in the database. Go to END.

STEP 7: The contractor uses the input device provided in the terminal to select a message to be changed from a list of registered messages, etc., and sends the message, the message destination, and the message. The method and any or all of the trigger conditions for sending the message are changed and input.
However, the message can be changed and input to one destination up to the number specified in the contract. The terminal transmits the changed message or the like to the server. The server updates the database with the changed message or the like. Go to END.

STEP 8: The contractor uses the input device of the terminal to select a message to be deleted from a list of registered messages and the like. The terminal sends the selected message or the like to the server. The server deletes the selected message or the like from the database. Go to END.

STEP 9: The server outputs to the terminal that the ID or the password is invalid. Go to END.

5-3: Message Sending Process The message sending process is performed when the trigger condition is satisfied after the contractor's death. Such a case is roughly classified into three. The first case is when it is confirmed that a contractor who has registered the time of death as a trigger condition has died. This confirmation is made by a notice from a bereaved family or the like requested by the contractor or by a message service provider periodically confirming the existence of the contractor. The second case is when the contractor has registered a predetermined date as a trigger condition, and that day has arrived after the contractor's death. Third, when the contractor has registered the conditions relating to the occurrence of an uncertain event (excluding the death of the contractor) as a trigger condition, the occurrence of the event after the death of the contractor is registered. In this case, the bereaved family or the like who has received the request from the contractor has notified. The message sending processes in the first to third cases are respectively performed in parallel.

Here, an example of the message sending process performed in the first case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: The memorial message providing service provider uses the input device of the server to change and input the survival information of the subscriber whose death has been confirmed from alive to dead. Alternatively, the memorial message providing service provider uses the terminal input device at the terminal,
The terminal changes the survival information of the subscriber whose death has been confirmed from live to dead, and transmits to the server that the survival information of the subscriber whose death has been confirmed has been changed from live to dead.

STEP2: The server updates the database and changes the survival information of the subscriber whose death has been confirmed from “live” to “dead”.

STEP 3: The server searches the database to check whether or not the contractor has died among the trigger conditions registered by the contractor whose death has been confirmed. When there is a time when the contractor dies as a trigger condition, the process proceeds to STEP4. When there is no time when the contractor dies as a trigger condition, the process proceeds to END.

(Step 4) The server searches the database and reads out a message paired with a trigger condition for when the contractor died, a message destination, and a message sending method. If the message sending method is e-mail, the process proceeds to STEP5. If the message sending method is mail, the process proceeds to STEP6.

STEP 5: The server sends the message to the electronic mail address. Go to END.

STEP 6: The server prints out the postal matter on which the message and the destination (name, zip code, address) are printed. Go to END.

An example of the flow of the message sending process performed in the second case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: The server measures the time including the year, month and day by using a clock provided in the server, and determines whether or not the set time has been reached. This set time is one point in the day that is repeated every day. At the set time,
Proceed to STEP2. At times other than the set time, STEP 1
Return to

STEP2: The server searches the database to determine whether or not a trigger condition in which today is the date of sending the message and whose survival information of the subscriber who registered it is dead is registered. I do. If registered, go to STEP3. If not registered, go to END.

STEP3: The server selects the first one of the trigger conditions in which today is the date of sending the message and the survival information of the subscriber who registered it is dead.

STEP 4: The server searches the database and reads out the message sending method paired with the selected trigger condition. If the message sending method is e-mail, the process proceeds to STEP5. If the message sending method is mail, the process proceeds to STEP6.

STEP 5: The server sends the message to the e-mail address. Proceed to STEP7.

STEP 6: The server prints out the mail and the postal matter on which the destination (name, zip code, address) is printed. Proceed to STEP7.

STEP 7: The server determines whether or not there is a trigger condition that sets today as the date of sending the message, and there is any unselected surviving information among the surviving information of the subscriber who registered it is dead. Judge. If any remain, the process proceeds to STEP8. If not, E
ND

STEP 8: The server selects one of the trigger conditions which sets today as the date of sending the message and whose survival information of the subscriber who registered it is dead has not been selected yet. It returns to STEP4.

Here, an example of the message sending process performed in the third case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP1: The memorial message providing service provider uses the input device of the server to notify the server that the occurrence of the event (excluding the death of the contractor) has been notified and the survival information of the contractor. The condition and the database are searched by the server and output. Alternatively, the memorial message providing service provider uses the input device provided in the terminal to search the database for the survival information and the trigger condition of the subscriber who has been notified that the event has occurred and to transmit the trigger condition to the server. Output to the terminal.

STEP2: If the survival information is dead and there is a trigger condition related to the occurrence of the notified event,
Go to STEP3. If the existence information does not exist or there is no trigger condition related to the occurrence of the notified event, the process proceeds to END.

STEP 3: The memorial message providing service provider uses the input device of the server to instruct the server to send a message paired with a trigger condition relating to the occurrence of the notified event. Alternatively, the memorial message providing service provider uses the input device of the terminal to instruct the server to send a message paired with the trigger condition related to the occurrence of the notified event.

STEP 4: The server searches the database and reads out the message paired with the trigger condition relating to the occurrence of the notified event, the message destination, and the message sending method. If the message sending method is e-mail, the process proceeds to STEP5. If the message sending method is mail, the process proceeds to STEP6.

STEP 5: The server sends the message to the electronic mail address. Go to END.

STEP 6: The server prints out the mail and the postal matter on which the destination (name, zip code, address) is printed. Go to END.

[0094]

The present invention has an effect that a message can be sent to a family member or a friend at various occasions even after death.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of a memorial message system.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of a terminal.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a contractor registration process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of registration / change / deletion processing of a message or the like.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a message sending process performed when the death of a contractor who has registered the time of death as a trigger condition is confirmed.

FIG. 7 shows a flow of a message sending process performed when the contractor has registered a predetermined date as a trigger condition and the day comes after the contractor's death.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example.

FIG. 8: When a contractor has registered conditions relating to the occurrence of an uncertain event as a trigger condition, when the contractor dies, the contractor requests the occurrence of the event after the death of the contractor. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a message sending process performed when a received bereaved family or the like notifies.

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A system comprising a plurality of terminals and a server having a storage device for storing a database, wherein the terminals and the server are connected via a network, and the ID of a living individual is registered in the database. A means for registering, changing, and deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database by a living individual whose ID is registered; Means for sending a registered message to a destination of a registered message when a registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the registered individual, and a memorial message system comprising: . 2. The memorial message system according to claim 1, wherein the means for sending the message includes a means for sending the message by e-mail. 3. The memorial message system according to claim 1, wherein said means for sending out the message includes means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. 4. The memorial message according to claim 1, wherein the means for sending the message includes means for sending the message by e-mail, and means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. system. 5. The memorial message system according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a living individual whose ID is registered to create a message at the terminal based on the template. 6. The memorial message system according to claim 1, wherein said network is the Internet. 7. A server connected to a plurality of terminals via a network and having a storage device for storing a database, comprising: means for registering an ID of a living individual in the database; Means for registering, changing, and deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database; and a trigger registered after the death of an individual whose ID is registered. Means for sending a registered message to a destination of a registered message when a condition is satisfied, a memorial message server comprising: 8. The memorial message server according to claim 7, wherein the means for transmitting the message includes a means for transmitting the message by e-mail. 9. The memorial message server according to claim 7, wherein said means for sending out the message includes means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. 10. The memorial message according to claim 7, wherein the means for sending the message includes means for sending the message by e-mail, and means for printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. server. 11. The memorial message server according to claim 7, further comprising means for allowing a living individual whose ID is registered to create a message on the terminal based on the template. 12. The memorial message server according to claim 7, wherein the network is the Internet. 13. A method comprising: providing a plurality of terminals and a server having a storage device for storing a database; connecting the terminals and the server via a network; registering the ID of a living individual in the database; A step of registering, changing, and deleting a message, a message destination, and a trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database by a living individual; Sending a registered message to a destination of the registered message when a registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the registered message condition. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein sending the message comprises sending the message by electronic mail. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of sending the message includes the step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. 16. The memorial message method according to claim 13, wherein the step of sending the message includes a step of sending the message by e-mail and a step of printing out a mail piece on which the message is printed. . 17. The memorial message method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of creating a message based on a model at a terminal by a living individual whose ID is registered. 18. The memorial message method according to claim 13, wherein said network is the Internet. 19. A plurality of terminals and connected to a network,
Providing a server having a storage device for storing the database; registering the ID of the living individual in the database; and transmitting the message, Registering, changing, and deleting the destination and the trigger condition for sending the message; and, when the registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the individual whose ID is registered, the destination of the registered message. Sending a registered message first, the memorial message method. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein sending the message comprises sending the message by e-mail. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of sending the message includes the step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. 22. The memorial message method according to claim 19, wherein the means for sending the message includes a step of sending the message by e-mail and a step of printing out a postal matter on which the message is printed. . 23. The memorial message method according to claim 19, further comprising a step in which a living individual whose ID is registered creates a message on the terminal based on the template. 24. The memorial message method according to claim 19, wherein said network is the Internet.