JP2005346334A - Mail transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail transfer apparatus capable of transferring and outputting only a necessary part in an electronic mail to a prescribed communication apparatus with simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The mail transfer apparatus is provided with: a transmitting/receiving part 11 for transmitting/receiving an e-mail; a specification part 15 for specifying a prescribed message body to be transferred with a prescribed communication device as a transfer destination; a detecting part 19 for detecting a prescribed message body from the e-mail received by the transmitting/receiving part 11; a conversion part 21 for converting the prescribed message body into output data; and creation part 23 for creating an e-mail for output by using the output data as an attached file, thereby transferring the e-mail for output to a transferred destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail transfer device, and more particularly to a mail transfer device that transfers at least a part of an electronic mail to a predetermined communication device.

  In recent years, electronic mail has been actively used as a tool for transmitting information in various situations. The e-mail is composed of a header portion in which destination information and the like are described, and a message body in which actual contents are described. In addition to the body text, the message body can include various types of files as attached files.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a network-compatible print processing system that can send data to a print service using electronic mail. In this system, a document such as an attached file of an electronic mail is printed according to the parameters described in the electronic mail. In addition, this system has a function of converting a mail protocol format of electronic mail into a format that can be interpreted by the system.

  According to this system, a desired document can be printed by attaching a document to be printed to an e-mail and transmitting it to a print service.

Patent Document 2 discloses a system that provides a service for printing an electronic mail received by a terminal such as a mobile phone that does not have a printing function. This system includes an application server that executes a file in an e-mail transmitted from a terminal and converts the file into print data, a printer, and an adapter that converts the print data into a format corresponding to the printer.
JP-A-6-77994 JP 2000-339237 A

  However, in the conventional system described in the above document, the terminal that prints the document in the e-mail is a printer connected to the network, and it is necessary to have a special means for printing the document in the e-mail. . For example, in the system of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to include a parameter necessary for printing in an electronic mail at the transmission source, and it is also necessary to include a mechanism for analyzing this parameter on the printer side. Further, the system of Patent Document 2 requires an adapter for converting the format of print data corresponding to the printer. Furthermore, the conventional system described in the above literature cannot print only an arbitrary part of an e-mail.

  The present invention has been made under the above-described background, and its purpose is that no special operation or means is required at the sender or receiver of an email, and only a necessary part of the email is required with a simple configuration. It is to provide an e-mail transfer device that can output a message to a predetermined communication device.

  The mail transfer device of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives an e-mail, a specifying unit that specifies a predetermined message body to be transferred with a predetermined communication device as a transfer destination, and the predetermined e-mail received from the e-mail received by the receiving unit. A detection unit for detecting the message body, a conversion unit for converting the predetermined message body into output data, a creation unit for creating an output e-mail with the output data as an attached file, and the output e-mail And a transfer unit that transfers to the transfer destination.

  Here, the predetermined message body includes a format of an e-mail attachment file. The designation unit may designate all attached files or a specific file format as a predetermined message body. Alternatively, the designation unit may designate a keyword included in the mail body as a predetermined message body. In this case, the detection unit searches for the specified keyword from the mail text. When the keyword specified in the mail body is detected, the conversion unit converts the mail body including the keyword into output data.

  The mail transfer device according to the present invention includes, for example, a mail server that manages and stores mail received via a network such as the Internet and transmits it to a predetermined destination in response to a request from another terminal. Further, the original electronic mail may be transmitted as it is to the original destination.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined message body is detected from the e-mail, converted into output data, and the output e-mail is transferred to the predetermined communication device. Therefore, the communication device simply receives the output e-mail. Provided is a mail transfer device that can display a received electronic mail on a screen or print it. Since the mail transfer device automatically converts it to an output e-mail, no special operation or means is required on the communication device side of the transmission source or reception destination, and the system configuration can be simplified.

  In the mail transfer device, the predetermined communication device may be an Internet fax device.

  Here, the output data converted by the conversion unit is a format in which mail can be received and output by the Internet fax machine, for example, the TIFF format.

  According to this configuration, since the received electronic mail can be transferred to the Internet fax machine and outputted, the contents of the mail can be outputted without a communication device such as a personal computer, and convenience is increased. .

  In the mail transfer device, the designation unit can include a registration unit that registers the format of the predetermined message body and the software corresponding to the format of the predetermined message body in the registration table in association with each other. The conversion unit stores the software registered in the registration table, and executes the software corresponding to the format of the message body detected by the detection unit by calling from the storage unit The creation unit can create the output data when the execution unit executes the software.

  Here, in the registration table, for example, the format of the attached file and application software that can execute the format file are registered in association with each other.

  According to this configuration, since the detection unit detects a file in a format corresponding to pre-registered application software and the like, and the execution unit executes it, output data can be created, so various types of files are output. It becomes possible, and convenience increases.

  The mail transfer device may further include a parameter registration unit that registers in advance an output parameter specified for each communication device in an output parameter table, and the conversion unit is configured to transfer the communication device from the output parameter table to the transfer destination. The output parameter can be acquired, and the predetermined message body can be converted into the output data in accordance with the output parameter.

  Here, the output parameter is information that is specified for each communication device and is necessary when each communication device converts a predetermined message body into output data in a format that can receive and output an output e-mail. The output parameters include, for example, paper size, resolution, presence / absence of color printing, default font, encoding method, file format, maximum data size, and the like.

  According to this configuration, output data can be created with output parameters corresponding to the transfer destination communication device.

  In the mail transfer device, the electronic mail includes a plurality of parts, and the detection unit can detect a part including the predetermined message body from the plurality of parts.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to cope with an electronic mail including a plurality of parts.

  In the mail transfer device, when the predetermined message body of the part detected by the detection unit is converted into the output data by the conversion unit, the message body of the part is deleted from the email, Based on the message bodies of the remaining plurality of parts, the electronic mail can be provided with a shaping unit that reshapes the email, and the transfer unit converts the email reshaped by the shaping unit to the email Can be forwarded to any destination.

  Here, the shaping unit can reshape the message body of the part transferred as the output e-mail by inserting a message indicating that the message body has been transferred.

  According to this configuration, since an already transferred portion of an electronic mail can be deleted, it is not necessary to leave a large attachment file in a reception mailbox in the mail transfer device. As a result, even when multiple emails with large-capacity files attached are received, it is possible to avoid failures such as the inability to receive emails due to insufficient capacity of the received mailbox, and the reliability of the email transfer device is improved. improves.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a mail transfer device that can transfer only a necessary part of an electronic mail to a predetermined communication device and output it with a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the mail transfer apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The mail transfer device 10 has at least one communication terminal 3a, 3b (shown as “terminal” in the figure) and at least one Internet fax machine 5a, 5b (shown as “I-FAX” in the figure) via the network 1. And is connected to the Internet 7.

  The mail transfer apparatus 10 includes an SMTP server that stores electronic mails transmitted from the communication terminals 3a and 3b and the Internet fax machines 5a and 5b on the network 1 and transmits the electronic mail to a destination. Further, the mail transfer device 10 includes a POP3 server and an IMAP4 server that receive and store electronic mails transmitted to the communication terminals 3a and 3b and the Internet faxes 5a and 5b on the network 1 via the Internet 7. The mail transfer device 10 transmits the received mail to the destination in response to requests from the communication terminals 3a and 3b and the Internet fax machines 5a and 5b.

  The communication terminals 3 a and 3 b are personal computers, workstations, mobile phones, PDAs, and the like, and are connected to the mail transfer device 10 via the network 1. The communication terminals 3a and 3b send and receive e-mails to and from other communication terminals (not shown) via the Internet 7 via the mail transfer device 10. The Internet faxes 5a and 5b are network facsimile apparatuses, MFPs (Multi Functional Peripherals), and the like, and are connected to the mail transfer apparatus 10 via the network 1. The Internet faxes 5 a and 5 b send and receive electronic mails to and from other communication terminals and Internet faxes (not shown) via the Internet 7 via the mail transfer device 10. The Internet faxes 5a and 5b display or print the received electronic mail on the screen.

  The mail transfer device 10 of the present invention detects a predetermined message body from the received electronic mail, transfers the detected message body to predetermined Internet faxes 5a and 5b, and outputs it. Here, the predetermined message body includes, for example, the format of an electronic mail attachment.

  In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

  Each component of the mail transfer device 10 includes a CPU of a computer, a memory, a program that realizes the components of this figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the program, and a network connection interface. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each figure described below shows functional unit blocks, not hardware unit configurations.

  The mail transfer device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11, a mailbox 13, a designation unit 15, a message body designation table 17, a detection unit 19, a conversion unit 21, a creation unit 23, and a parameter table 25. .

  The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits / receives electronic mail via the Internet 7 and the network 1. The mailbox 13 includes a transmission mailbox (not shown) for storing electronic mail transmitted from the communication terminals 3a and 3b and the Internet faxes 5a and 5b on the network 1, and a communication terminal on the network 1 via the Internet 7. And a receiving mailbox (not shown) for receiving and storing e-mails sent to 3a, 3b and Internet faxes 5a, 5b.

  The designation unit 15 designates a predetermined message body to be transferred to the transfer destination. The designation unit 15 may designate all attached files or a specific file format as a predetermined message body. Alternatively, the specification unit 15 may specify a keyword included in the mail text as the predetermined message body.

  The message body designation table 17 registers a predetermined message body designated by the designation unit 15 in association with an output destination. Details of the message body designation table 17 will be described later.

  The detection unit 19 detects a predetermined message body from the electronic mail stored in the mail box 13 based on the message body designation table 17. When the email includes a plurality of body parts, the detection unit 19 detects a predetermined message body for each body part. The converter 21 converts the message body detected by the detector 19 into output data. In addition, when the detection unit 19 detects a plurality of message bodies and there are a plurality of transfer destinations, the conversion unit 21 temporarily stores the converted output data for each transfer destination (not stored). Included). The creating unit 23 creates an output e-mail with the output data as an attached file. The created output e-mail is transferred by the transmission / reception unit 11 to the destination Internet faxes 5a and 5b. Here, the transfer destination is an output destination registered in association with a predetermined message body based on the message body designation table 17.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the message body designation table 17. In this example, the file format of the attached file is specified as the message body. The message body designation table 17 includes a text file (extension txt) as a message body file format, and an address (192.168.1.1) of the destination Internet fax 5a as an output destination or an Internet fax. The address 5b (192.168.1.2) is registered in association with it. Further, in the message body designation table 17, attachment files other than those designated are registered so as to be output to the mail box 13.

  Here, the attached file format of the e-mail is specified as the message body. However, as described above, a keyword included in the mail body may be specified. When a keyword is specified, the detection unit 19 searches for the specified keyword from the mail text. When the keyword specified in the mail body is detected, the conversion unit 21 converts the mail body including the keyword into output data. In the message body designation table 17, the addresses of the Internet faxes 5a and 5b are individually designated as output destinations, but a plurality of addresses can be designated simultaneously. In this example, the output destination is specified by an IP address, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the output destination may be a mail address or a destination name specified in an address book (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the parameter table 25. Each parameter is registered in the parameter table 25 for each output destination of the output e-mail. The output parameters registered in the parameter table 25 include paper size, resolution, presence / absence of color printing, default font, encoding method, file format, maximum data size, and the like. This output parameter is specified for each of the Internet faxes 5a and 5b, and is necessary when each Internet fax 5a and 5b converts a predetermined message body into output data in a format that can receive and output an output e-mail. Contains information. The conversion unit 21 converts the message body into output data based on the output destination parameter table 25. In this way, output data can be created with output parameters corresponding to each of the Internet faxes 5a and 5b.

  The operation of the mail transfer apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mail transfer apparatus 10. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where the received mail includes a plurality of body parts will be described.

  First, when a mail is received by the transmission / reception unit 11 (YES in S11), the received mail is stored in the mail box 13. Subsequently, the detection unit 19 detects whether there is an unconfirmed body part among at least one body part of the received mail (S13). When there is an unconfirmed body part (YES in S13), the detection unit 19 detects whether there is a predetermined message body based on the message body designation table 17 for each detected body part (S15).

  When the detection unit 19 detects a predetermined message body (YES in S15), the corresponding output destination is acquired from the message body designation table 17 (S17). On the other hand, if the predetermined message body is not detected (NO in S15), the process returns to step S13 to detect the next body part.

  Following step S17, the conversion unit 21 acquires an output parameter corresponding to the output destination from the parameter table 25, and converts the message body detected in step S15 into output data according to the acquired output parameter (S19). The converted output data is temporarily stored in the storage unit for each output destination (S21). Thereafter, the process returns to step S13 to detect the next body part. In this way, when the mail includes a plurality of body parts, the processing from step S15 to step S21 is sequentially repeated for each body part.

  In the present embodiment, the body part converted into the output data is deleted from the mail. In addition, a message is added to the email body for the deleted body part.

  When the confirmation is completed for all the body parts (NO in S13), the creation unit 23 determines whether there is output data converted by the conversion unit 21 (S23). When there is output data (YES in S23), the creating unit 23 creates an output e-mail with the output data as an attached file for each output destination (S25). Here, the creating unit 23 designates the output destination address acquired in step S19 as the destination. Subsequently, the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the output e-mail from the creation unit 23, and transmits the output e-mail to the output destination (S27).

  Subsequently, the creating unit 23 reshapes the remaining body part that has not been converted, and creates an e-mail to be sent to the original destination (S29). Here, the body part converted into the output data is deleted from the mail. In addition, a message is added to the email body for the deleted body part. Subsequently, the creating unit 23 stores an e-mail as a received mail in the mail box 13 (S31). The electronic mail is transmitted to the corresponding destination by the transmission / reception unit 11 in response to a reception request from the destination communication terminals 3a and 3b.

  In the mail transfer apparatus 10 configured as described above, for example, an operation when an e-mail attached with an image file in JPEG format and a text file is received will be described.

  In FIG. 4, the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the mail (YES in S 11) and stores it in the mail box 13. Subsequently, the detection unit 19 detects a plurality of body parts from the mail (YES in S13), and detects whether there is a predetermined message body based on the message body designation table 17 (S15).

  First, the detection unit 19 detects an image file in the JPEG format (YES in S15), and acquires an output destination address (192.168.1.2) from the message body designation table 17 (S17). Subsequently, the conversion unit 21 acquires an output parameter corresponding to the output destination address (192.168.1.2) from the parameter table 25, and uses the image file detected in step S15 as output data according to the output parameter. Conversion is performed (S19). The converted output data is temporarily stored in the storage unit for transfer to the output destination address (192.168.1.2) (S21).

  Subsequently, returning to step S13, the next body part is detected (YES in S13), and it is detected whether there is a predetermined message body based on the message body designation table 17 (S15). Next, the detection unit 19 detects the text file (YES in S15), and acquires the output destination address (192.168.1.1) from the message body designation table 17 (S17). Subsequently, the conversion unit 21 acquires an output parameter corresponding to the output destination address (192.168.1.1) from the parameter table 25, and uses the text file detected in step S15 as output data according to the output parameter. Conversion is performed (S19). The converted output data is temporarily stored in the storage unit for transfer to the output destination address (192.168.1.1) (S21).

  Subsequently, the process returns to step S13, and when the confirmation is completed for all the body parts (NO in S13), the creation unit 23 determines whether or not the output data converted by the conversion unit 21 is in the storage unit ( S23). Here, since there are two output data in the storage unit (YES in S23), the creation unit 23 creates an output e-mail with the output data as an attached file for each output destination (S25). Here, output e-mails are created at two destinations. Subsequently, the transmission / reception unit 11 receives the output e-mail from the creation unit 23, and transmits the output e-mail to each output destination (S27).

  Here, the output e-mail including the attachment file of the JPEG image file is transmitted to the Internet fax 5b, and the output e-mail including the text file attachment is transmitted to the Internet fax 5a. The Internet fax 5b receives the output e-mail and performs screen display and printing of the image file. The Internet fax 5a receives the output e-mail and performs screen display and printing of the text file.

  Subsequently, the creating unit 23 reshapes the remaining body part that has not been converted, and creates an e-mail to be sent to the original destination (S29). Here, the body part converted into the output data is deleted from the mail. In addition, a message is added to the email body for the deleted body part.

  Subsequently, the creating unit 23 stores the e-mail as a received mail in the mail box 13 (S31). This electronic mail is sent to the corresponding destination by 11 in response to a reception request from the destination communication terminal.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a predetermined message body is detected from an e-mail, converted into output data, and the output e-mail is transferred to a predetermined communication device. In 5b, an output e-mail can be simply received and output as it is. Since the mail transfer device 10 automatically converts it to an output e-mail, no special operation or means is required on the side of the communication terminals 3a and 3b and the Internet faxes 5a and 5b at the transmission and reception destinations. It can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the mail transfer device 10 can transfer the received electronic mail to the Internet faxes 5a and 5b and output it, so that the contents of the mail are output even without a communication device such as a personal computer. It becomes possible, and convenience increases.

Further, in the present embodiment, the portion of the electronic mail that has already been converted for output and transferred can be deleted, so that the capacity of the received mail box in the mail box 13 of the mail transfer device 10 can be reduced. No need to leave large attachments. As a result, even when a plurality of mails with large-capacity files attached are received, it is possible to avoid troubles such as failure to receive mails due to insufficient capacity of the received mailbox, and the reliability of the mail transfer apparatus 10 Will improve.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of the conversion unit 21 that is a main configuration of the mail transfer apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The conversion unit 21 includes a registration unit 31, a software registration table 33, a software storage unit 35, an execution unit 37, and a rasterization unit 39.

  The registration unit 31 registers the predetermined message body format and the software corresponding to the predetermined message body format in the software registration table 33 in association with each other. Here, a predetermined message body format and corresponding software are designated by the designation unit 15 and registered by the registration unit 31.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software registration table 33. In the software registration table 33, a message body file format and software for executing the file, that is, an application program file are registered in association with each other. In this example, the execution file name of the application program is associated, but the present invention is not limited to this. You can also register application program file storage locations and shortcuts. For example, a word document file (extension doc) is registered in association with an execution file name of an application program of Microsoft Word (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the software storage unit 35 stores the application program file registered in the software registration table 33. The execution unit 37 calls an application program corresponding to the format of the message body detected by the detection unit 19 from the software storage unit 35 and executes it. The execution unit 37 opens a file of a predetermined message body with the executed application program, and creates a print output file.

  The rasterizing unit 39 rasterizes the print output file data created by the execution unit 37 in accordance with the parameter table 25, creates output data, and passes it to the creating unit 23. Here, the output data is in the TIFF format, which is a format that can be received and output by the Internet faxes 5a and 5b.

  According to this configuration, since the detection unit 19 detects a file in a format corresponding to pre-registered application software, and the execution unit 37 executes the file, output data can be created. It becomes possible to output, and convenience increases.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can modify the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the mail transfer device 10 of the above embodiment, the message body designation table 17 in FIG. 2 registers the message body format and the output destination in association with each other. It is also possible to specify the output destination in association with the destination of the received e-mail.

  For example, the mail transfer device includes an output destination registration unit (not shown) that registers a predetermined message body, an email destination, and an output email output destination in association with each other in the message body designation table. Can do. FIG. 7 shows an example of the message body designation table 43.

  When the detection unit 19 detects the message body of the word document file (extension doc), the detection unit 19 further includes the destination registered in the message body designation table 43 of FIG. Is detected. When the destination registered in the message body designation table 43 is included in the destination of the email received by the transmission / reception unit 11, the detection unit 19 acquires the corresponding output destination. The creation unit 23 creates an output e-mail with the acquired output destination as a destination. The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the created output e-mail to the output destination.

  According to this configuration, since the device to be output can be sorted according to the destination of the received e-mail, for example, the destination can be selected from Internet fax devices installed in a plurality of departments connected to the company intranet. It is also possible to transfer the output data to a device in an appropriate department according to the situation, improving usability.

  The mail transfer device according to the present invention has an effect of transferring only a necessary part of an electronic mail to a predetermined communication device with a simple configuration and enabling output, and at least a part of the electronic mail is predetermined communication This is useful as a mail transfer device or the like for transferring to a device.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the mail transfer apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the message body designation | designated table of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the parameter table of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of the conversion part of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the software registration table of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the message body designation | designated table of the mail transfer apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 3a, 3b Communication terminal 5a, 5b Internet fax 7 Internet 10 Mail transfer apparatus 11 Transmission / reception part 13 Mailbox 15 Specification part 17 Message body specification table 19 Detection part 21 Conversion part 23 Creation part 25 Parameter table 31 Registration part 33 Software registration Table 35 Software storage unit 37 Execution unit 39 Rasterization unit 43 Message body specification table

Claims (6)

A receiver for receiving e-mail;
A designation unit for designating a predetermined message body to be transferred with a predetermined communication device as a transfer destination;
A detection unit that detects the predetermined message body from the email received by the reception unit;
A conversion unit that converts the predetermined message body into output data;
A creation unit for creating an output e-mail with the output data as an attached file;
A transfer unit for transferring the output e-mail to the transfer destination;
A mail transfer device comprising: The mail transfer device according to claim 1,
The mail transfer apparatus, wherein the predetermined communication apparatus is an Internet fax machine. In the mail transfer device according to claim 1 or 2,
The designation unit includes a registration unit that registers the format of the predetermined message body and software corresponding to the format of the predetermined message body in a registration table in association with each other,
The conversion unit includes a storage unit that stores the software registered in the registration table;
An execution unit that calls and executes the software corresponding to the format of the message body detected by the detection unit from the storage unit,
The mail transfer device, wherein the creation unit creates the output data when the execution unit executes the software. The mail transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A parameter registration unit that registers in advance an output parameter specified in the output parameter table for each communication device;
The conversion unit obtains the output parameter of the transfer destination communication device from the output parameter table, and converts the predetermined message body into the output data according to the output parameter. apparatus. The mail transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The email is composed of a plurality of parts,
The mail transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a part including the predetermined message body from the plurality of parts. The mail transfer device according to claim 5, wherein
When the predetermined message body of the part detected by the detection unit is converted into the output data by the conversion unit, the message body of the part is deleted from the email, and the remaining plurality of parts A reformatting unit for reshaping the email based on the message body of
The said transfer part transfers the said email reshaped by the said shaping part to the destination of the said email, The mail transfer apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

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