JP2778049B2 - Email recipient name input method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an e-mail recipient name for setting a recipient name as destination information on a display screen of the workstation when transmitting a message from the workstation. Regarding input method.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, when sending a message from a workstation by e-mail, it is necessary to set a recipient name as destination information of the message at the workstation, for example, inputting the recipient name by operating a keyboard Then, the input receiver name is displayed on the display screen and the receiver name is set.

Basic name (for example, the name of the recipient) as the recipient name
Some of these include only the basic name and a parameter indicating the attribute of the basic name (for example, a business name). Such a recipient name has a relatively simple configuration, and thus the input operation described above can be easily performed.

Meanwhile, the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) has recommended the X.400 series of sender / receiver names, ie, originator recipient names (hereinafter referred to as O / R names).
Since the / R name is composed of standard attributes of eight layers and arbitrary defined attributes, it can be said that the structure is complicated.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, when setting the O / R name in the conventional e-mail, each parameter indicating each attribute of the O / R name is sequentially input from a higher-order attribute at a workstation and displayed on a display screen. , The order of the displayed parameters and their contents must be checked,
For this reason, the operator cannot perform the input operation quickly unless he / she sufficiently knows the configuration of the O / R name.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail recipient name input method capable of promptly performing a recipient name input operation having a complicated configuration.

[Means for solving the problem]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, when a message is transmitted from a workstation, an e-mail recipient name input method for setting a recipient name serving as destination information on a display screen of the workstation includes the step of: Displaying a first window to be input on the display screen;
Display means for displaying, on the display screen, a second window for inputting a plurality of attributes forming the destination in response to a predetermined instruction input to the window, and a second window displayed on the display screen by the display means. In response to a predetermined instruction input to the window, parameters input to the second window are arranged in a predetermined order to form destination information, and the formed destination information is stored in a predetermined column of the first window. And destination setting means for setting the destination.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the second window includes at least a first input box corresponding to an address field of the first window and a second input box corresponding to a copy field. The setting means sets the destination information in the address field of the first window when the first input box of the second window is designated and selected, and sets the second input box of the second window. If the instruction is selected, the destination information is set in a copy field of the first window.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the second window includes a third input frame corresponding to all attribute settings forming the destination, and a partial attribute setting among a plurality of attributes forming the destination. And if a third input frame of the second window is instructed and selected, setting columns respectively corresponding to all attributes forming the destination are set in the second input frame. When the fourth input frame of the second window is designated and selected, only the setting fields corresponding to some of the plurality of attributes forming the destination are displayed in the second window. Is displayed.

[Action]

According to the first invention, in response to a predetermined instruction input to the first window, a second window for inputting a plurality of attributes forming a destination is displayed on the display screen, and the second window for the displayed second window is displayed. In response to a predetermined instruction input,
The destination information is formed by arranging the parameters input to the second window in a predetermined order, and the formed destination information is set in a predetermined column of the first window. Therefore, accurate input and confirmation of the destination can be performed quickly and easily.

According to the second invention, the second window is provided with the first input box corresponding to the address box of the first window and the second input box corresponding to the copy box. If the input frame is designated by instruction, the destination information is set in the address column of the first window, and if the second input frame is designated by instruction, the destination information is set in the copy column of the first window. For this reason, even if it has a copy field as well as a destination field, it is possible to more efficiently and accurately input and confirm a destination.

According to the third aspect, the third window includes a third input frame corresponding to all the attribute settings forming the destination and a part of the attribute setting of the plurality of attributes forming the destination in the second window. A corresponding fourth input frame is provided, and when this third input frame is designated and selected, setting columns respectively corresponding to all attributes forming the destination are displayed in the second window,
If the fourth input box is designated and selected, only the setting fields corresponding to some of the plurality of attributes forming the destination are displayed in the second input box.
Display in the window. For this reason, the user does not need to always input all the attributes, and the input and confirmation of the destination can be performed more efficiently.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail system to which a recipient name input method according to the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, a workstation 1 is connected to a mail server 3 via a local area network (hereinafter, referred to as LAN) 2, and mail transmitted from the workstation 1 is transmitted to the mail server 3 via the LAN 2. The mail server 3 delivers this mail to a terminal (not shown) which is the destination of the mail via the LAN 2.

In the workstation 1, the character input unit 11 is a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, from which various data, commands, and the like can be input. Destination attribute display section 12
Is provided with, for example, a CRT as a display device, a control device for controlling the CRT, and the like, and displays a message, a mail option sheet described later, etc. on a display screen. The destination information storage unit 13 stores the destination information input from the character input unit 11, that is, the recipient name, and the like, and the message information storage unit 14 stores the message input from the character input unit 11. The mail editing unit 15 edits and processes the destination information and the like in the destination information storage unit 13 and the message in the message information storage unit 14 to form a mail. The mail transmitting section 16 transmits the mail formed by the mail editing section 15.

Now, assuming that the message is already stored in the message information storage unit 14, and when transmitting this message,
First, by operating the character input unit 11, the mail option sheet 21 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display screen of the destination attribute display unit 12.

This mail option sheet 21 has columns corresponding to the items of "sender", "address", "copy", "importance", "reply-to", "field display", and "comment". By operating the unit 11, the respective parameters are written in the respective columns. As a result, the destination attribute display section
Each parameter is displayed in each column of the mail option sheet 21 on the display screen 12, and these parameters are stored in the destination information storage unit 13.

At this time, the recipient name is entered in the “address” column of the mail option sheet 21. Here, if the recipient name has a simple configuration of, for example, only the basic name, the name of the recipient, for example, as the basic name is directly entered in the “address” column. Even when the recipient name is an O / R name recommended as the CCITT X.400 series, the O / R name can be directly entered in the “address” column.

However, since the O / R name has a complicated structure as described above, if the operator does not fully know the structure of the O / R name, the O / R name can be entered in the “address” column. Can not.

Therefore, in order to promptly enter the O / R name, processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed.

Now, the mail option sheet 21 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12, and the "O / R name input" displayed on the upper side of the mail option sheet 21 is operated by the character input section 11. By selecting (step
101). In response, a first O / R name input option sheet 41 superimposed on the mail option sheet 21 is displayed on the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12 as shown in FIG. 102).

Next, in the "display" column of the first O / R name input option sheet 41, one of "standard" and "all" is selected by operating the character input unit 11 (step 103). ).

If "all" in the "display" column is selected in step 103, the display mode shown in FIG. 4 is continued on the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12 (step 104).
When "standard" in the "display" column is selected in step 103, the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12 replaces the display mode shown in FIG.
O / R name input option sheet 51 is displayed. In addition,
The second O / R name input option sheet 51 may be superimposed and displayed on the mail option sheet 21 in accordance with the display mode shown in FIG.

Now, it is assumed that "all" in the "display" column is selected in step 103, and the display mode shown in FIG. 4 on the display screen of the destination attribute display unit 12 is continued (step 104). . Therefore, the first O / R name input option sheet 41 is displayed.

In the first O / R name input option sheet 41, "country name", "ADMD name", and "PRMD name" as attributes constituting the O / R name are provided.
And "organization name" are described, and respective columns corresponding to these attributes are described.

Here, by operating the character input unit 12, the first
Each parameter is entered in each column of the O / R name input option sheet 41 one character at a time. For example, enter "JP" in the "Country" field as an attribute, and enter "ADMD" as an attribute.
Enter “NTTPc” in the “Name” field. In addition, it is not necessary to fill in each parameter in all the columns, and the minimum attribute for surely expressing the destination of the message is selected, and appropriate parameters are filled only in the column corresponding to the selected attribute. do it.

After completing the entry of each parameter in each column in the first O / R name input option sheet 41 in this manner,
Thereafter, one of “Complete” and “Apply” on the upper side of the first O / R name input option sheet 41 is selected by operating the character input unit 11 (Step 106). In response to this, the destination attribute display unit 12 forms a recipient name in which the parameters entered in the respective columns of the first O / R name input option sheet 41 are arranged in a predetermined order (step 107). ).

Next, one of “address” and “copy” in the “input field” column of the first O / R name input option sheet 41 is selected by operating the character input unit 11 (step 108). . If "address" is selected in the "input field" field, the destination attribute display unit 12 displays the recipient name formed in step 107 in the "address" field in the mail option sheet 21 of FIG. (Step 109).

In step 108, “copy” is entered in the “input field” field of the first O / R name input option sheet 41.
Is selected, the destination attribute display unit 12 returns to step 107
Is displayed in the "copy" column of the mail option sheet 21 in FIG. 4 (step 11).
0).

Thereafter, when "Complete" on the upper side of the first O / R name input option sheet 41 is selected by operating the character input section 11 (step 111), in response to this, the destination attribute display section 12 is selected.
Displays the mail option sheet 21 of FIG. 2 on the display screen instead of the display mode of FIG. 4 (step 112).

At this time, in the mail option sheet 21 displayed on the display screen, the recipient name formed in step 107 is entered in the “address” or “copy” field.
That is, in accordance with the entry of the recipient name in the “address” or “copy” field in the mail option sheet 21 of FIG. 4 performed in the step 109 or 110,
The display mode of the mail sheet 21 in FIG. 2 is determined.

When various parameters are entered using the first O / R name input option sheet 41 in this way, a recipient name in which these parameters are arranged in a predetermined order is formed. This is entered in the "Address" or "Copy" field in 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the first O / R name input option sheet 41, "JP" is entered in the "Country name" column and "NT" is entered in the "ADMD name" column.
"TPc", "FX1" in the "PRMD name" field, "Fuji Xerox" in the "Organization name" field, and "STC-Lab" in the "Department name 1" field.
And "Ohno" in the "Last name" column.
In this case, if the entered parameters are arranged in a predetermined order, the receiver name "JP: NTTPc; FX1; Fuji Xe
rox; STC-Lab; Ohno "is formed, and the recipient name is entered in, for example, the" address "field on the mail option sheet 21.

Next, when "standard" is selected in the "display" column of the first O / R name input option sheet 41 in the above step 103, the destination attribute display section 12 display screen shown in FIG. A second O / R name input option sheet 51 is displayed. This case will be described.

In the second O / R name input option sheet 51, an attribute appropriately selected from the respective attributes described in the first O / R name input option sheet 41 is described. It is described by selecting a high attribute. Here, "Country name", "ADMD name", "PRMD name", "Organization name"
The respective attributes of "section name 1" and "last name" are selected.

Therefore, the second on the display screen of the destination attribute display unit 12
In the O / R name input option sheet 51, each column can be filled with each parameter corresponding to each attribute. The operation for this entry is the first operation.
As in the case where parameters are entered in the O / R name input option sheet 41, characters are input one by one by operating the character input unit 11.

Here, another method different from the method of writing the parameters in the respective columns one by one will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in order to execute the process of this flowchart, it is assumed that data as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance, for example, on a local disk (not shown) in the workstation 1 as a precondition. This data has respective menus consisting of "CountryName" or "country name", "ADMDName" or "ADMD name", and "PRMDName" or "PRMD name". A parameter group has been set.
For example, a group of parameters "JP", "UK", "US" and "WG" are set corresponding to "country name".

The data is called from the local disk by operating the character input unit 11, and for example, "CountryName", that is, "country name" in the data is selected (step 201). In response to this, the second O / R name input option sheet 5 on the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12
In 1, the parameter group corresponding to “CountryName” is the fifth
It is displayed as a menu list 52 as shown in the figure (step 202).

Next, by operating the character input unit 11, a desired parameter is selected from the parameter group of the menu list 52 (step 203). For example, if "JP" in the menu list 52 is selected, the parameter "JP" is entered in a column corresponding to "Country name" in the second O / R name input option sheet 51 (step 204).
Thereafter, when an instruction to close the menu list is made by operating the character input unit 11 (step 205), the menu list 52 is erased from the display screen in response to this. If there is no desired parameter in the menu list 52 in step 203, the process proceeds to step 205 to close the menu list 52.

Similarly, "ADMDName" and "PRMD"
Select "Name" and enter the menu list corresponding to these menus in the second O / R name input option sheet 5.
When each parameter is selected from the menu list, these parameters correspond to “ADMD name” and “PRMD name” in the second O / R name input option sheet 51. Fill in each column.

The method of setting parameters using such a menu list is described in the second O / R name input option sheet 5.
Not only 1 but also the first O / R name input option sheet 41 can of course be applied.

In this way, the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is displayed on the display screen of the destination attribute display section 12 in the step 105 in the flowchart of FIG. 2, and the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is used. After completing the setting of each parameter, the second O / R name input option sheet 5
(1) Select one of “Complete” and “Apply” on the upper side by operating the character input unit 11 (Step 10
6). In response, the destination attribute display unit 12 forms a recipient name in which the parameters entered in the respective columns of the second O / R name input option sheet 51 are arranged in a predetermined order (step 107). ).

Next, one of “address” and “copy” in the “input field” column of the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is selected by operating the character input unit 11 (step 108). . As a result, it is determined which of the "address" and "copy" fields of the recipient name formed in step 107 is to be entered in the mail option sheet 21 shown in FIG. 2 (steps 109 and 11).
0).

Thereafter, when "Complete" on the upper side of the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is selected by operating the character input section 11 (step 111), in response to this, the destination attribute display section 12 is selected.
Is the second O / R name input option sheet 51 shown in FIG.
Instead, the mail option sheet 21 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display screen (step 112).

At this time, in the mail option sheet 21 displayed on the display screen, one of the columns of “address” and “copy” determined in steps 109 and 110 is the recipient name formed in step 107. Is filled in.

By using the second O / R name input option sheet 51 in this way, the first O / R name input option sheet 41
, The recipient name can be set. Here, when the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is compared with the first O / R name input option sheet 41, the attribute in which the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is described The number is much smaller. Therefore, when the second O / R name input option sheet 51 is used, there is an advantage that the input operation on the display screen is not confused.

Now, by using the first O / R name input option sheet 41 or the second O / R name input option sheet 51, the recipient name, that is, the destination information is entered in the column of the mail option sheet 21, and When the respective parameters are entered in the other columns of 21, the various parameters including the destination information are stored in the destination information storage unit 13. Here, the mail editing unit 15 reads out the various parameters from the destination information storage unit 13 and reads out the messages already stored in the message information storage unit 14. Then, the mail editing unit 15 forms a mail by editing and processing the read various parameters and messages. This e-mail is sent to the LA
It is transmitted to the mail server 3 through N2. The mail server 3 delivers the mail to a destination terminal (not shown) via the LAN 2 based on the destination information as a parameter included in the mail.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, in the first invention, in response to a predetermined instruction input to the first window, the second window for inputting a plurality of attributes forming the destination is displayed on the display screen, and the displayed second window is displayed. In response to a predetermined instruction input to the second window, destination parameters are formed by arranging the parameters input to the second window in a predetermined order, and the formed destination information is stored in a predetermined window of the first window. Since it is configured to set in the column, accurate input and confirmation of the destination can be performed quickly and easily.

Further, in the second invention, the second window is provided with a first input box corresponding to the address field of the first window and a second input box corresponding to the copy box, and the first input box is provided with the first input box. If the instruction is selected, the destination information is set in the address field of the first window. If the second input frame is selected, the first information is set.
In this case, the destination information is set in the copy field of the window, so that even if the apparatus has a copy field in addition to the destination field, it is possible to more efficiently input and confirm the destination accurately.

Further, in the third invention, the second window corresponds to the third input frame corresponding to all the attribute settings forming the destination and the attribute setting of a part of the plurality of attributes forming the destination. A fourth input frame is provided, and when this third input frame is designated and selected, setting fields respectively corresponding to all attributes forming the destination are displayed in the second window, and the fourth input frame is displayed. When the frame is selected, only the setting fields corresponding to some of the attributes forming the destination are displayed in the second window, so that the user always inputs all the attributes. This eliminates the necessity of inputting and confirming the destination more accurately and efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic mail system to which a recipient name input method according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is used in the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a mail option sheet, and FIG. 3 shows the mail option sheet in the embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart used to explain the O / R name input process, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first O / R name input option sheet used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing a second O / R name input option sheet used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is used for explaining an example of parameter input processing in the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing data used in the parameter input processing shown in FIG. 1 ... workstation, 2 ... local network, 3 ... mail server, 11 ... character input unit, 12 ... destination attribute display unit, 13 ... destination information storage unit, 14 ... message information storage unit, 15 …… Email editing part, 16 …… Email sending part.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-108345 (JP, A) JP-A-58-3445 (JP, A) JP-A-59-196647 (JP, A) Proceedings of the Conference (Part 8), 1792 (1986-3-5) P8-28 Proceedings of the IEICE General Conference (Part 8), 1799 (1985-3-5) P8-29 (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04L 12/58

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When a message is transmitted from a workstation, an attribute of a mail including a destination is input in an e-mail recipient name input method for setting a recipient name serving as destination information on a display screen of the workstation. A first window to be displayed is displayed on the display screen, and a second window for inputting a plurality of attributes forming the destination is displayed on the display screen in response to a predetermined instruction input to the first window. A display unit, in response to a predetermined instruction input to a second window displayed on the display screen by the display unit, arranging parameters input to the second window in a predetermined order to form destination information. And destination setting means for setting the formed destination information in a predetermined column of the first window. Power system. 2. The second window includes at least a first input box corresponding to an address field of the first window and a second input box corresponding to a copy field, and the destination setting unit includes: If the first input frame of the second window is designated and selected, the destination information is set in the address field of the first window, and the second input frame of the second window is designated and selected. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising setting the destination information in a copy field of the first window. 3. The second window corresponds to a third input box corresponding to all attribute settings forming the destination and a part of attribute settings of a plurality of attributes forming the destination. And when a third input frame of the second window is instructed and selected, setting fields respectively corresponding to all attributes forming the destination are set in the second window. If a fourth input frame of the second window is designated and selected, only a setting field corresponding to a part of a plurality of attributes forming the destination is displayed in the second window. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: