JP2003244240A - Mail server device, electronic mail classification method, mail server program and mail transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent any spam mail or annoying mail from being stored in a mail server or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A general classification means 12 classifies all received electronic mails into reliable electronic mails, unreliable electronic mails, and reliable or unclear electronic mails based on a predetermined general classification rule. An individual classification means 13 classifies the received electronic mails into the reliable electronic mails and the unreliable electronic mails based on the predetermined individual classification rule for each user of the electronic mail destination. A storing means 15 stores only the electronic mails which are not classified into the unreliable electronic mails among the received electronic mails based on the general classification rule or individual classification rule. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail server device for receiving and classifying electronic mail, an electronic mail classifying method and a mail server program, and a mail transfer system for transferring electronic mail received by the mail server device to a communication terminal. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of computer networks, many people are now able to send and receive e-mail by using personal computers and mobile phones.

Under such circumstances, electronic mail is distributed to unspecified destinations for the purpose of advertising and publicity. Recipients often do not need e-mail for such advertisements. Such e-mail is called so-called spam mail, junk mail, or the like. In particular, when a line usage fee is charged for browsing an incoming e-mail, the line usage fee for browsing unnecessary e-mails becomes a burden on the recipient.

In order to prevent such spam emails and unwanted emails, the user notifies the Internet service provider (ISP) of the email address of the sender of the spam emails or unwanted emails, and the ISP sends the emails. Register your e-mail address, and on the mail server device,
Measures have been taken such as setting to reject incoming e-mail from the e-mail address.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional mail server device, only the e-mail addressed to the user from the address notified by the user afterwards is rejected, so that other users are not allowed. It is difficult to reject such spam emails or junk emails before you feel uncomfortable. Further, when the sender's e-mail address is frequently changed, the user needs to notify the refusal of reception each time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a mail server device and an electronic mail classification method capable of suppressing the arrival of spam mails or unwanted mails and the storage of them in a server or the like. , To obtain a mail server program and a mail transfer system.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a mail server device of the present invention is connected to a computer network and receives an electronic mail addressed to a registered user, and an electronic mail receiving means. All e-mail received by the mail receiving means is classified into reliable e-mail, unreliable e-mail, and reliable or unknown e-mail based on a predetermined general classification rule. The general classification means and the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means are classified into reliable e-mail and unreliable e-mail based on a predetermined individual classification rule for each recipient of the e-mail. Individual classification means to classify into any of the above, and all the emails received by the email receiving means. Of mail, comprising the general class means or separate classification means, and storage means for storing only do not fall into the untrusted email email.

By using this mail server device, it is possible to correctly classify the received electronic mails and prevent the spam mails or the unwanted mails from being stored.

Further, in addition to the mail server device of the above invention, the mail server device of the present invention is a user who is the destination of the electronic mail when the electronic mail received by the electronic mail receiving means is stored in the storage means. A transmission means for transferring the e-mail or for transmitting an incoming notification of the e-mail to a communication terminal owned by.

By using this mail server device, the user can know only the arrival of reliable e-mail, and it is possible to prevent the frequency of viewing e-mail from increasing due to unnecessary e-mail.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server device of each of the above inventions, the transmission means uses a pager line to send an electronic mail to a communication terminal owned by the user who is the destination of the electronic mail. Or to send an incoming notification by e-mail.

By using this mail server device, an incoming call notification can be received in a wide area and even in an underground mall, and it is possible to reliably know the arrival of an important electronic mail from a reliable sender.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server device of each of the above inventions, the sending means includes the classification result of the electronic mail by the general classification means and / or the individual classification means in the incoming notification. It was done.

By using this mail server device, the user can know what type of electronic mail has been received.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server devices of the above inventions, a general classification means is provided.
When the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a reliable person, the electronic mail is classified into a reliable electronic mail.

By using this mail server device, an electronic mail from a generally reliable sender can be received.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server devices of the above inventions, a general classification means is provided.
When the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable electronic mail, the electronic mail is classified into a reliable electronic mail.

By using this mail server device, it becomes possible to receive an electronic mail from a sender who generally belongs to a reliable organization.

Further, in addition to the mail server devices of the above inventions, the mail server device of the present invention comprises general classification means,
When the sender of an electronic mail is registered as a dangerous person, the electronic mail is classified into an unreliable electronic mail.

By using this mail server device, it is generally possible not to store e-mails from untrusted senders.

Furthermore, in addition to the mail server devices of the above inventions, the mail server device of the present invention comprises general classification means.
When the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a dangerous organization, the electronic mail is classified as an unreliable electronic mail.

By using this mail server device, it is possible to prevent e-mails from senders belonging to generally untrusted organizations from being stored.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server devices of the above inventions, a general classification means is provided.
When the senders of a predetermined number or more of the e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means are the same, and all or a part of a predetermined proportion or more of the subject and / or the body of the e-mail is the same. Attempts to classify all such email as untrusted email.

By using this mail server device, it is possible to accurately classify unsolicited e-mails sent to unspecified large numbers into unreliable e-mails.

Further, in the mail server device of the present invention, in addition to the mail server device of each of the above inventions, an individual classification means is provided.
Among the e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means, only the e-mails that are classified as reliable or unknown by the general classification means are classified.

When this mail server device is used, the individual classification means classifies only a part of the electronic mails, and on average, the time required for classifying the electronic mails can be shortened. Further, it is more accurately determined whether each user wants to receive an e-mail.

The electronic mail categorizing method of the present invention includes a step of receiving an electronic mail addressed to a registered user from a computer network, and all the received electronic mail based on a predetermined general classification rule. Steps for classifying mail as either trusted, untrusted, or untrusted or unknown, and for incoming emails, a specific classification rule for each recipient of the email Classifying the e-mail as either reliable or untrusted based on e.g., and e-mail received that is not classified as untrusted based on general or individual classification rules. Storing only mail.

By using this electronic mail classification method, received electronic mail can be accurately classified, and it is possible to suppress the storage of spam mail and junk mail.

The mail server program of the present invention includes a step of receiving an electronic mail addressed to a registered user from a computer network, for all the received electronic mail, based on a predetermined general classification rule. Classifying as trusted, untrusted, or untrusted or unknown email; for received emails, based on predetermined individual classification rules for each recipient of the email, Classifying the email as either trusted or untrusted, and only received email that is not classified as untrusted based on general or individual classification rules Is stored in a predetermined storage means. To be executed by a computer.

By using this mail server program, it is possible to correctly classify received electronic mails and prevent spam mails or unwanted mails from being saved.

The mail transfer system of the present invention comprises a mail server device and a communication terminal. Then, the mail server device is connected to a computer network,
E-mail receiving means for receiving e-mail addressed to registered users, and for all e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means, based on predetermined general classification rules, the e-mails can be relied upon as reliable e-mails. , A general classification means for classifying untrusted e-mail and reliable or unknown e-mail, and e-mail received by e-mail receiving means that is not classified as untrusted e-mail by the general classification means Is transmitted to the communication terminal. Further, the communication terminal trusts the electronic mail based on a predetermined individual classification rule with respect to the electronic mail received by the receiving means and the electronic mail transferred from the mail server device. And an unreliable e-mail.

By using this mail transfer system, it is possible to accurately classify the electronic mail received by the mail server device, and it is possible to suppress the storage of spam mail and unsolicited mail.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a mail server device 1 is a device that is connected to a computer network 2 such as the Internet or an intranet and receives an electronic mail addressed to a registered user, and a device that classifies the received electronic mail according to a predetermined rule. Is. Further, when the received electronic mail is of a predetermined classification, the mail server device 1 notifies the pager terminal 3 of the user of the destination based on the transfer destination information 31 (or the notification of the arrival of the electronic mail). It is a device for sending (e-mail).

The pager terminal 3 is a terminal device owned by a user registered in the mail server device 1,
The communication terminal receives a pager signal transmitted via the pager communication network 4 and the wireless base station 5 and displays the received information.

The pager terminal 3 is provided with a personal computer or PDA (Personal Dig.
Ital Assistant) is a unit that receives a pager signal, but may be a terminal device dedicated to the pager system.

The communication terminal owned by the user is not limited to the pager terminal 3, and fixed telephone communication, ADSL (As
Other terminal devices capable of wireless communication by other methods such as ymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) communication and mobile phone communication may be used. However, the pager terminal 3 can be carried by a user, has a wide receivable area, can receive an incoming call notification even in a place where radio waves are hard to reach such as an underground mall, and has a low transmission cost. Since it has an advantage, it is suitable for the terminal device owned by the user in this system. Due to these advantages,
Incoming notifications can be delivered to users who frequently move.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mail server device 1 in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, electronic mail receiving means 11
Is a unit that is connected to the computer network 2 and receives an email addressed to a registered user.

Further, the general classifying means 12 processes all the electronic mails received by the electronic mail receiving means 11 based on a predetermined general classification rule to determine whether the electronic mails are reliable electronic mails or unreliable electronic mails. And a way to classify as either reliable or unknown email.

Further, the individual classifying means 13 processes the electronic mail received by the electronic mail receiving means 11 based on a predetermined individual classifying rule for each recipient of the electronic mail, based on the reliable electronic mail. It is a means of classifying as either email or untrusted email.

The control means 14 is also a general classification means 12
Based on the classification result by the individual classification means 13, the general classification means 12 or the individual classification means 13 among the emails received by the email reception means 11
This is a means for supplying to the storage means 15 only electronic mail that is not classified as unreliable electronic mail.

The control means 14 is also a general classification means 12
And means for determining the type of notification processing for the electronic mail based on the classification result of the received electronic mail by the individual classification means 13. As the type of notification processing, the presence / absence of incoming notification, the timing of the incoming notification, the content of the incoming notification, etc. are determined. As for the time to notify the incoming call,
It is possible to consider the earliest possible time (that is, immediately), a certain time within a certain time, a predetermined time zone of the day, or the like. Further, as the contents of the incoming notification, it is possible that only the incoming call is received, or a part or all of the information regarding the electronic mail. Some of the information about e-mail includes the sender (name and / or e-mail address) of the e-mail, the subject of the e-mail, the first few lines of the body of the e-mail, a summary of the body of the e-mail, etc. One or more are possible.

Further, the storage means 15 stores only the e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means 11 which are not classified as unreliable e-mails by the general classification means 12 or the individual classification means 13. It is a means.

When the electronic mail received by the electronic mail receiving means 11 is stored in the storage means 15, the transmitting means 16 sends the electronic mail to the pager terminal 3 owned by the user who is the destination of the electronic mail. It is a means of forwarding an email or transmitting an incoming notification of the email.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the mail server device 1 in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the mail server device 1 is realized as a so-called computer. In FIG. 3, the network interface 21 is a circuit that is connected to the computer network 2 and receives an electronic mail according to a predetermined protocol.

Further, the communication device 22 is a device for making a call to the pager number of the pager terminal 3 and transmitting an electronic mail or an incoming notification of an electronic mail under the control of the CPU 23. As the communication device 22,
A modem connected to a general telephone line is used. In that case, the incoming call notification is transmitted to the pager communication network 4 via the general telephone line.

The CPU 23 is a processing circuit for executing the programs stored in the ROM 24 and the programs loaded from the ROM 24 or the hard disk drive 26 into the RAM 25. Further, the ROM 24 is a memory that stores in advance data and programs required at the time of startup.
The RAM 25 is a memory that temporarily stores various programs during execution of the programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 26 is a recording medium that stores an operating system and programs such as a mail server program 41 that performs processing described below.
The mail server program 41 may be recorded in another recording medium such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk. In addition, flexible disks, various CDs (Compac
t Disc), various DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), M
It may be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an O (Magneto Optical) disk.

The CPU 23 also executes various programs for executing a protocol for transmitting and receiving electronic mail from the computer network 2. As such a protocol, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Pro
tocol), POP3 (Post Office Protocol version
3), TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / I)
nternet Protocol) and so on.

The database 27 is a storage device for storing information and data used when the electronic mail is processed by the mail server device 1, and electronic mail after classification.

The transfer destination information 31 stored in the database 27 is an identifier (for example, pager number) of the terminal device (pager terminal 3) owned by the user, which is associated with each registered user. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the transfer destination information 31 stored in the mail server device 1 in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, for example, as the transfer destination information 31, the electronic mail address is "xxxx @ compan.
y. The transfer destination number “020-xxxx-yyyy” of the pager terminal 3 of the registered user who is “com” is registered. Similarly, transfer destination numbers of pager terminals 3 owned by other registered users are also registered.

The user registration information 32 stored in the database 27 is information having various attribute values of each registered user.

Mailbox 33 in database 27
Is an area for storing, for each user, only the emails to be stored among the received and classified emails.

The general classification rule data 34 stored in the database 27 is data representing the general classification rules applied to all the received electronic mails, and registration information used for each general classification rule. This registration information includes the sender of the e-mail and the organization.

As the general classification rule, for example, one or more of the following are applied.

General classification rule A: If the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a reliable person and the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable organization, the sender Classify emails from as trusted emails.

General classification rule B: When the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a reliable person, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into a reliable electronic mail. The sender of the electronic mail is determined from the electronic mail address of the sender included in the electronic mail.

General classification rule C: When the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable organization, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into a reliable electronic mail. The organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is discriminated from the domain name in the electronic mail address of the sender included in the electronic mail. Since domain names are expressed hierarchically, the domains shown in each hierarchy are considered as an organization. For example, a sender having an email address “aaa@bbb.ne.jp” has a domain (organization) of “bbb.ne.jp” and a domain (organization) of “ne.jp”.
It is determined to belong to the domain (organization) “jp”.

General classification rule D: When the sender of an electronic mail is registered as a dangerous person, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into an unreliable electronic mail.

General classification rule E: When the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a dangerous organization, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into an unreliable electronic mail.

General classification rule F: The senders of a predetermined number or more of received e-mails are the same, and all or a part of the subject and / or the body of the e-mail is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio. In some cases, all email above that predetermined number is classified as untrusted email. In many cases, the subject and body of the junk mail and the like are the same, but since a part of the subject and body may be changed according to the destination address, a predetermined number (for example, 100
If there is the same portion of the average number of characters in the subject and / or the body of the regular email (for example, 90%) or more, the email is regarded as spam.

General classification rule G: General classification rules AF
E-mails that are not classified as trusted or untrusted by are classified as untrusted.

General classification rule H: Individual classification rules AF
Classify emails that are not classified as reliable emails or untrusted emails as trusted emails.

General classification rule I: General classification rules AF
If the received e-mail is not classified as reliable or dangerous (untrusted) e-mail, the individual classification rule is applied.

The registration of senders and organizations in the general classification rules A to D is set by the server administrator based on notifications from registered users and various publicly known information. At that time, the server administrator takes the e-mail address of the free mail and the organization (domain) of the free mail service into consideration. Alternatively, a reliable sender, a reliable organization, a dangerous (untrusted) sender, and a dangerous (untrusted) organization may be automatically registered according to a predetermined criterion.

Further, the organization (domain) providing the service by the mail server device 1 and the registered users of the organization are automatically registered as the reliable organizations and persons in the general classification rules A and B. Good.

Further, the other organization authenticated by the organization providing the service by the mail server device 1 and the registered users of the organization are registered as the reliable organizations and persons in the general classification rules A and B. May be.

The general classification rule applied is IS
It is decided based on P's management policy. That is,
From the above general classification rules (or other predetermined rules), one rule or a combination of rules is selected as needed. However, for the general classification rule G and the general classification rule H, only one of them is used at most. Therefore, for example, the general classification rules A, D, E, and H are applied.

The individual classification rule data 35 stored in the database 27 is, for each user registered in the mail server device 1, data representing an individual classification rule applied to an electronic mail addressed to that user, and each individual classification rule. The registration information used for. The individual classification rule is set by notification from the user to the ISP. The registration information includes the sender of the e-mail and the organization.

As the individual classification rule, for example, one or a plurality of the following rules are applied.

Individual classification rule A: If the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a reliable person and the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable organization, the sender Classify emails from as trusted emails.

Individual classification rule B: When the sender of an electronic mail is registered as a reliable person, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into a reliable electronic mail.

Individual classification rule C: When the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable organization, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into a reliable electronic mail.

Individual classification rule D: When the sender of an electronic mail is registered as a dangerous person, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into an unreliable electronic mail.

Individual classification rule E: If the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a dangerous organization, the electronic mail from the sender is classified into an unreliable electronic mail.

Individual classification rule F: Individual classification rules A to E
E-mails that are not classified as trusted or untrusted by are classified as untrusted.

Individual classification rule G: Individual classification rules A to E
Classify emails that are not classified as reliable emails or untrusted emails as trusted emails.

Individual classification rule H: If the sender is registered as a sender who needs to be notified of incoming e-mail, the e-mail from the sender is classified into an e-mail to be notified of incoming.

Individual classification rule I: When registered as an organization that requires notification of incoming e-mail, e-mails from senders belonging to that organization are classified into e-mails for which incoming notification is performed.

Individual classification rule J: Individual classification rule A,
E-mail classified as reliable e-mail by one or more of B, C, and G is classified as e-mail for which incoming notification is performed.

Individual classification rule K: general classification rule A,
E-mail classified as reliable e-mail by one or more of B, C, H and classified as reliable e-mail by one or more of individual classification rules A, B, C, G Is categorized as an email for which incoming notification is performed.

The individual classification rule to be applied is determined by the designation by each user. That is, one rule or a combination of rules desired by the user is selected from the above-mentioned individual classification rules (or other predetermined rules). However, for the individual classification rule F and the individual classification rule G, only one of them is used at most. Therefore, for example, the individual classification rules B to E, F, and J are applied to a certain user, and the individual classification rules B to E, G, and H are applied to another user.

Further, the individual classification rule to be applied and the organization or sender to be registered are set according to the mail server program 41 of the mail server device 1 based on the notification sent from the user terminal device such as the pager terminal 3. It may be done. For example, the mail server device 1
When a mail including such setting information arrives at a predetermined e-mail address of, the mail server program 4
According to 1, the mail server device 1 sets the individual classification rule for the user based on the setting information.
Further, the mail server device 1 has a web server function,
You may make it possible to perform such setting according to a user's operation with respect to a web page.

The network interface 21, CPU 23 and mail server program 4 shown in FIG.
1 implements the electronic mail receiving means 11 shown in FIG. In addition, the CPU 23, the mail server program 41, and the general classification rule data 34 shown in FIG.
The general classification means 12 shown in is realized. Further, the CPU 23, the mail server program 41, and the individual classification rule data 35 shown in FIG. 3 implement the individual classification means 13 shown in FIG. The CPU 23 and the mail server program 41 shown in FIG. 3 implement the control means 14 shown in FIG. The storage unit 15 shown in FIG. 2 is realized by the database 27 shown in FIG. Communication device 2 shown in FIG.
2, the CPU 23 and the mail server program 41 implement the transmission unit 16.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of pager terminal 3 in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment. The pager terminal 3 shown in FIG. 5 has a function as a mobile phone in addition to the function of receiving a pager signal.

In FIG. 5, the pager signal receiving unit 51 is a circuit for receiving a pager signal from the radio base station 5. The wireless communication unit 52 is a circuit connectable to a mobile phone network.

The display section 53 is a section for displaying various information. For example, the display unit 53 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. The operation unit 54 is switches such as keys and buttons operated by the user. The speaker 55 is a device that outputs a sound corresponding to the sound signal from the control unit 57.

The storage device 56 is a device including a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory for storing various information and a magnetic recording medium. The control unit 57 is a circuit that controls each unit of the pager terminal 3 and executes various processes.

Next, the operation of each of the above devices will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of each device of the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

The electronic mail receiving means 11 waits until it receives an electronic mail addressed to the registered user from the computer network 2 (step S1).

When the electronic mail receiving means 11 receives the electronic mail addressed to the registered user, the general classification means 12
No matter which registered user the email is addressed to, it classifies the email as either reliable, untrusted, or untrusted based on certain general classification rules. Yes (step S2). The general classification rule applied at that time is selected in advance as described above.

On the other hand, the individual classification means 13 classifies the received electronic mail based on a predetermined individual classification rule for each recipient of the electronic mail (step S3). The individual classification rules applied at that time are those selected in advance as described above.

The general classifying means 12 and the individual classifying means 13 may classify the electronic mails in parallel. First, the general classifying means 12 classifies the electronic mails, and then the individual classifying means 13 The electronic mail may be classified according to. In addition, the individual classification means 13
After classifying e-mail by
It is also possible to classify the electronic mail according to 2.

Alternatively, the individual classification means 13 may classify only the electronic mails classified by the general classification means 12 into the reliable or unknown electronic mails among the received electronic mails.

Next, the control means 14 controls the general classification means 12
Then, based on the classification result by the individual classification means 13, it is determined whether the received electronic mail is an electronic mail that has not been classified as an unreliable electronic mail (step S4). At this point, the received e-mail is temporarily stored in the RAM 25.

When the control means 14 determines that the received electronic mail is an electronic mail that has not been classified as an unreliable electronic mail, the control means 14 stores the electronic mail in the storage means 15 (step S5). This allows
The electronic mail is stored in the mailbox 33 of the destination user.

Otherwise, the control means 14 skips saving the electronic mail in the storage means 15.
In that case, untrusted emails will be discarded. Further, when discarding an electronic mail, the mail server device 1 may save the fact that there is such an electronic mail as a log or notify the user.
Furthermore, when an unreliable e-mail is received, the mail server device 1 may reply to the sender of the e-mail with an e-mail refusing the incoming call.

For example, the received electronic mail is the above-mentioned general classification rules D, E, F, G and individual classification rules D,
If neither E nor F is classified as an unreliable electronic mail, it is stored in the storage unit 15.

Of the received e-mails, instead of the e-mails that are not classified as unreliable e-mails, the e-mails that are classified as reliable e-mails may be stored in step S5.

Then, the control means 14 is the individual classification means 1
Based on the classification result according to 3, it is determined whether or not the incoming notification for the received e-mail is necessary (step S
6). For example, when the individual classification means 13 classifies the received e-mail into the e-mail for which the incoming notification is given, based on any of the individual classification rules H to K,
The control unit 14 determines that the incoming call notification is necessary.

When the control means 14 determines that the incoming notification for the received electronic mail is necessary, the transmission means 1
6 is controlled to execute the transmission processing (notification processing) of the incoming notification for the electronic mail (step S7). At that time, the incoming call notification may include the classification result of the electronic mail. This allows the user to know what type of email was received.

For example, when the individual classification rule J is selected as a rule to be applied, and when the received electronic mail is classified into a reliable electronic mail, the electronic mail of the electronic mail is classified according to the individual classification rule J. Notification of incoming call is sent.

Further, for example, when the received electronic mail is classified into the reliable electronic mail by the general classification rule A or the individual classification rule A, the notification of the arrival of the electronic mail is immediately transmitted, The received e-mail can be classified according to the general classification rule C or the individual classification rule C.
When the email is classified as reliable, the notification of the arrival of the email may be transmitted at a predetermined time within a certain period of time (for example, a predetermined time within one day from the arrival). Instead, the notification of the arrival of the e-mail will be sent at a predetermined time period of the day (for example, 9 am
The time may be set to be transmitted from the time between 5 pm and 5 pm). In that case, the start time of the predetermined time zone (for example, 5 pm
The transmission event of the incoming call notification that occurs after (hour) is processed at the start time (for example, 9:00 am) of a predetermined time zone on the next day.

On the other hand, when the control means 14 determines that the incoming notification for the received electronic mail is not necessary,
No processing for sending an incoming call notification is performed. Then, the state of the apparatus returns to step S1.

In this way, the mail server device 1
After the received e-mail is classified, the e-mail is stored or an incoming notification is sent to the pager terminal 3 of the user only in a predetermined case.

Then, when the pager signal receiving unit 51 of the pager terminal 3 receives the incoming call notification, the control section 57 controls the display section 53 to display the incoming call notification or causes the speaker 55 to output a predetermined voice signal. To output a voice indicating reception of incoming communication.

After confirming the incoming notification, the user operates the operation unit 54 of the pager terminal 3 to access the mail server device 1 and browse the received e-mail.
At that time, in the pager terminal 3, the control unit 57 causes the operation unit 5 to operate.
In accordance with the operation for 4, the wireless communication unit 52 is controlled,
The mail server device 1 is accessed to obtain a list of the titles and senders of the received electronic mails, and the list is displayed on the display unit 5
Display in 3.

Then, the user operates the operation unit 54 to
From the list, select the e-mail for which you want to download the full text, and the pager terminal 3 displays the mail server device 1
A notification that the entire text of the received electronic mail is browsed is transmitted to the mail server apparatus 1 to acquire the entire text of the electronic mail and display it on the display unit 53. At this time, when there is an attached file, the attached file is also acquired by the pager terminal 3 together with the entire text of the electronic mail.

When the user operates the operation unit 54 and selects an unnecessary e-mail from the list, the pager terminal 3 notifies the mail server device 1 that the entire text of the received e-mail is not viewed. To delete the e-mail from the mail server device 1. At that time, the pager terminal 3 may send a notification to the mail server device 1 that the incoming call from the sender of the electronic mail is rejected.

In the first embodiment, the user is
Although the pager terminal 3 is operated to browse the received electronic mail, another device capable of two-way communication with the mail server device 1 is operated to allow the user from the mail server device 1 to operate the device. You may make it download the e-mail addressed to.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the electronic mail receiving means 11 receives the electronic mail addressed to the registered user, and the general classification means 12 receives all the received electronic mail. On the other hand, based on a predetermined general classification rule,
The unclassified e-mail and the unreliable or unclear e-mail are classified, and the individual classification unit 13 determines the received e-mail based on a predetermined individual classification rule for each recipient of the e-mail. Classify the email as either trusted or untrusted. Then, the storage unit 15 stores only the electronic mail that is not classified as an unreliable electronic mail by the general classification unit 12 or the individual classification unit 13 among the received electronic mail. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spam mail and the unwanted mail from being saved.

That is, in the first embodiment, the mail server device 1 rejects an electronic mail that is generally determined to be junk mail based on the general classification rule, and further, the junk mail unique to each user. , Etc., the incoming call is rejected based on the individual classification rule, so that the received e-mail can be correctly classified, and it is possible to effectively prevent the spam mail or the junk mail from being stored in the mail server device 1. it can.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when the received electronic mail is stored in the storage means 15, the transmitting means 16 sends the received electronic mail to the pager terminal 3 owned by the user who is the destination of the electronic mail. , Forward the email, or send an incoming notification of the email.
As a result, the user can know only the reliable arrival of the e-mail, and it is possible to prevent the frequency of viewing the e-mail from increasing due to unnecessary e-mail.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the transmitting means 16 transfers the electronic mail to the pager terminal 3 owned by the user, which is the destination of the electronic mail, using the pager line, or Send an incoming email notification. As a result, the user can receive an incoming call notification over a wide area and in an underground mall, and can reliably know the arrival of an important electronic mail from a reliable sender.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the general classification means 12 determines that the senders of a predetermined number or more of received e-mails are the same, and the subject and / or the body of the e-mails are , If all or more than a predetermined ratio are the same, classify all the emails as untrusted emails. This makes it possible to correctly classify unsolicited e-mails, etc., into untrusted e-mails.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the individual classification means 13 classifies the e-mails received by the e-mail reception means 11 into the e-mails whose reliability is unknown by the general classification means 12. Classify emails only. As a result, the individual classification unit 13 classifies only some of the electronic mails, and on average, the time required for classifying the electronic mails can be shortened.
Further, it is more accurately determined whether each user wants to receive an e-mail.

Embodiment 2. In the mail transfer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the mail server device 1 applies the general classification rule, and the communication terminal of the user applies the individual classification rule. In the second embodiment, the pager terminal 3 is used as the user's communication terminal.

The basic configuration of the mail transfer system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the electronic mail system of FIG. 1, but the mail server device 1 and the pager terminal 3 are used.
Is changed to that shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mail server device 1 in the mail transfer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the mail server device 1 shown in FIG. 7, the electronic mail receiving means 61 is means for receiving an electronic mail addressed to a registered user, which is connected to the computer network 2 like the electronic mail receiving means 11 in FIG. .

The general classifying means 62, like the general classifying means 12 in FIG. 2, applies to all the electronic mails received by the electronic mail receiving means 61 based on a predetermined general classification rule. Is a means to classify trusted email into untrusted email and untrusted or unknown email.

The control means 63 is the general classification means 62.
Based on the classification result of the email received by
Among the e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means 61, the e-mails that have been classified as reliable by the general classification means 62 and have not been classified as unreliable e-mails by the general classification means 62. It is a means for supplying only the transmitting means 64.

Further, the transmitting means 64 is a means for transmitting the electronic mail supplied from the control means 63 to the pager terminal 3 owned by the user, which is the destination of the electronic mail, similarly to the transmitting means 16 in FIG. is there.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pager terminal 3 in the mail transfer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the pager terminal 3 is a personal computer or PDA in which a unit for receiving a pager signal is incorporated, but it may be a terminal device dedicated to the pager system.

In the pager terminal 3 shown in FIG. 8, the receiving means 71 is means for receiving the electronic mail from the mail server device 1 shown in FIG. Also, the individual classification means 72
In the same manner as the individual classification means 13 in FIG. 2, the electronic mail received by the receiving means 71 is based on the individual classification rule unique to the owner (registered user) of this pager terminal 3. Is a means of categorizing an email as either reliable or untrusted.

The control means 73 is also an individual classification means 72.
Based on the classification result of the email received by
Of the e-mails received by the reception means 71, the individual classification means 72 supplies only the e-mails that are not classified as unreliable e-mails to the storage means 74.

The control means 73 is also the individual classification means 72.
Based on the classification result of the email received by
It is a means for determining the type of display processing for the electronic mail. Whether to display the incoming call notification,
The display contents are decided. As the display contents, it is possible that only an incoming call is received or a part or all of the information regarding the electronic mail is received. Some of the information about e-mail includes the sender (name and / or e-mail address) of the e-mail, the subject of the e-mail, the first few lines of the body of the e-mail, a summary of the body of the e-mail, etc. One or more are possible.

Further, the storage means 74, like the storage means 15 in FIG. 2, only the electronic mails which are not classified as unreliable electronic mails by the individual classification means 72 among the electronic mails received by the receiving means 71. Is a means of storing.

The display means 75 is a device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various information.

As a specific configuration of the mail server device 1 according to the second embodiment, the individual classification rule data 35 of the computer shown in FIG. 3 is omitted, and the mail server program 41 performs the following processing. You can change to one.

Next, the operation of each of the above devices will be described.

In the mail server device 1 shown in FIG. 7,
The electronic mail receiving means 61 waits until it receives an electronic mail addressed to the registered user from the computer network 2.

When the electronic mail receiving means 61 receives the electronic mail addressed to the registered user, the general classification means 62
No matter which registered user the destination of the electronic mail is, the electronic mail is classified into a reliable electronic mail and an unreliable electronic mail based on a predetermined general classification rule. Note that the same general classification rules as in the first embodiment can be used in the second embodiment.

Next, the control means 63 controls the general classification means 62.
Based on the classification result by
Determine if the email was classified as untrusted.

If the control means 63 determines that the received electronic mail has not been classified into an unreliable electronic mail based on the general classification rule, it supplies the electronic mail to the transmitting means 64. The control unit 63 controls the transmission unit 64 to transmit the electronic mail to the pager terminal 3 owned by the user who is the destination of the electronic mail.

In the pager terminal 3 shown in FIG. 8, when the receiving means 71 receives the electronic mail from the mail server device 1 shown in FIG. 7, the individual sorting means 72 sends the electronic mail to the destination of the electronic mail. The e-mail is classified as either reliable e-mail or unreliable e-mail based on a predetermined individual classification rule for each person. As the individual classification rule in the second embodiment, the same rule as in the first embodiment can be used.

Then, the control means 73 has the individual classification means 7
The electronic mail is stored in the storage means 74 only when the received electronic mail is not classified into the unreliable electronic mail by the individual classification means 72 based on the classification result of the received electronic mail according to 2.

Further, the control means 73 is the individual classification means 7
Based on the classification result of the received e-mail according to 2, determine the type of display processing for the e-mail,
If necessary, the display means 75 is controlled to display the information regarding the electronic mail.

In the second embodiment, the unclassified electronic mail that is not classified based on the general classification rule is transferred from the mail server device 1 to the pager terminal 3, but instead, the reliable electronic mail is used. You may make it transfer the thing classified into.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the mail server device 1, the electronic mail receiving means 61 is provided.
Is connected to the computer network 2, receives an email addressed to a registered user, and receives the general classification means 62.
Classifies all received emails as either trusted, untrusted or trusted or unknown based on certain general classification rules. Transmission means 63
Transfers to the pager terminal 3 an email that is not classified as an untrusted email. Further, in the pager terminal 3, the receiving means 71 receives the electronic mail from the mail server device 1, and the individual classification means 72 is specific to the user who owns the pager terminal 3 with respect to the received electronic mail. Classify the email into either trusted or untrusted email based on the individual classification rules. As a result, the electronic mail received by the mail server device 1 can be accurately classified in the mail server device 1 and the pager terminal 3, and it is possible to suppress the storage of spam mail or junk mail in the pager terminal 3 or the like.

In other words, in the second embodiment, an electronic mail that is generally determined to be unsolicited mail is rejected by the mail server device 1 based on the general classification rule, and further, unsolicited mail unique to each user. Since the pager terminal 3 rejects the incoming call based on the individual classification rule, it is possible to effectively suppress the storage of spam mails and junk mails.

The above embodiments are examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It can be changed.

For example, a computer virus or the like which is transmitted by transmitting an electronic mail often has the same title and text of the electronic mail used as the transmission medium. You may make it set the general classification rule which discards without saving.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the electronic mails are classified before being stored, and only the electronic mails of a predetermined classification are stored in the storage means 15 and 74.
The received e-mail may be temporarily stored, and thereafter, e-mails other than the predetermined classification may be deleted from the storage means 15 and 74, and only the e-mail of the predetermined classification may be stored.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the pager terminal 3 causes the sender (or organization) of the electronic mail to be based on the operation of the electronic mail by the user.
Is sent to the mail server device 1, the mail server device 1 receives the information, and based on the information, the sender (or organization) is classified into individual users. You may register as a trusted sender (or organization) for the rule. For example, when the pager terminal 3 displays only the title and sender of the received e-mail and determines that the e-mail is unreliable, the pager terminal 3 is operated based on a predetermined operation by the user. 3 sends to the mail server device 1 information that the sender of the e-mail is unreliable.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the notification from the user's pager terminal 3 that the entire text of the received electronic mail is viewed or the notification that the entire text of the received electronic mail is not viewed is sent. Based on the determination, whether or not the sender (or organization) of the email can be trusted may be registered, and the sender (or organization) may be registered for the individual classification rule of the user.

Further, regarding a sender registered as a reliable person (or organization) in the individual classification rule for a predetermined number or more of registered users, a mail is sent as a reliable sender (or organization) in the general classification rule. It may be automatically registered by the server device 1.

[0147]

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the storage of spam mails and junk mails.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mail server device in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of a mail server device in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of transfer destination information stored in a mail server device in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pager terminal in the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of each device of the electronic mail system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mail server device in a mail transfer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pager terminal in the mail transfer system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Mail server device 2 computer network 3 Pager terminal (communication terminal) 11,61 E-mail receiving means 12,62 General classification means 13,72 Individual classification means 15,74 storage means 71 receiving means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. Connected to a computer network,
An electronic mail receiving means for receiving electronic mail addressed to a registered user, and all the electronic mail received by the electronic mail receiving means, based on a predetermined general classification rule, can be processed as a reliable electronic mail. General classification means for classifying mail, untrusted e-mail, and untrusted or unknown e-mail, and e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means specified by the recipient of the e-mail. Based on the individual classification rule, the individual classification means for classifying the e-mail as either reliable or untrusted e-mail, and the general classification of all e-mails received by the e-mail receiving means. Emails that are not classified as untrusted emails by Mail server device, characterized in that it comprises storage means for storing only the. 2. When the electronic mail received by the electronic mail receiving means is stored in the storage means, to the communication terminal owned by the user who is the destination of the electronic mail,
2. The mail server device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that transfers the electronic mail or transmits an incoming notification of the electronic mail. 3. The transmitting means uses the pager line to transfer the electronic mail to a communication terminal owned by the user, which is the destination of the electronic mail, or to send an incoming notification of the electronic mail. The mail server device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The mail server device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit includes the result of classification of the electronic mail by the general classification unit and / or the individual classification unit in the incoming notification. 5. The general classification means, when the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a reliable person,
The mail server device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic mail is classified into a reliable electronic mail. 6. The general classification means, when the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a reliable organization, classifies the electronic mail into a reliable electronic mail. The mail server device according to claim 1. 7. The general classification means, when the sender of the electronic mail is registered as a dangerous person, classifies the electronic mail into an unreliable electronic mail. The mail server device described. 8. The general classification means, when the organization to which the sender of the electronic mail belongs is registered as a dangerous organization, classifies the electronic mail into an unreliable electronic mail. The mail server device according to claim 1. 9. The general classification means has the same senders of a predetermined number or more of emails received by the email receiving means, and all or all of the titles and / or texts of the emails. 2. The mail server device according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined proportion or more of parts are the same, all the predetermined number or more of e-mails are classified as unreliable e-mails. 10. The individual classification means classifies only the electronic mails classified by the general classification means into the reliable or unknown electronic mails among the electronic mails received by the electronic mail receiving means. The mail server device according to claim 1, wherein 11. A step of receiving an electronic mail addressed to a registered user from a computer network, and a reliable electronic mail for the received electronic mail based on a predetermined general classification rule. The step of classifying the email as untrusted email, untrusted email, or untrusted email, and the received email based on the specified individual classification rule for each recipient of the email. Classifying the mail as either trusted or untrusted email, and only those emails received that are not classified as untrusted emails based on the above general classification rules or the above individual classification rules And a step of storing Mail classification method. 12. A step of receiving an electronic mail addressed to a registered user from a computer network, the electronic mail being a reliable electronic mail for all the received electronic mails based on a predetermined general classification rule. Classifying the email as either untrusted or untrusted or unknown, for each of the above received emails, the email is classified according to the specific classification rules for each recipient of the email. , A step of categorizing as a reliable email or an untrustworthy email, and of the received emails, only emails that are not classified as untrustworthy emails based on the general classification rule or the individual classification rule are specified. The step of storing in the storage means of A mail server program to be executed by a computer. 13. A mail transfer system comprising a mail server device and a communication terminal, wherein the mail server device is connected to a computer network and receives an electronic mail addressed to a registered user; and For all the emails received by the email receiving means, the emails will be classified as reliable emails, untrusted emails, and reliable or unknown emails based on a predetermined general classification rule. A general classification means for classifying, and an e-mail not classified into an unreliable e-mail by the general classification means out of the e-mails received by the e-mail reception means, a transmission means for transferring to the communication terminal, The communication terminal uses the electronic mail transferred from the mail server device. Receiving means for receiving the e-mail, and e-mail received by the above-mentioned receiving means, in accordance with a predetermined individual classification rule, the e-mail is classified as either reliable e-mail or unreliable e-mail A mail transfer system characterized by comprising means.