JP2936482B2 - Email system and email server - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic mail system and an electronic mail server that deliver messages using a computer network, a local area network, or the like as a communication network, and particularly relates to a network connection. The present invention relates to an e-mail system and an e-mail server that are convenient for resending when some trouble occurs in sending e-mail.

2. Description of the Related Art E-mail that electronically delivers a message from one terminal connected to a communication network such as a LAN (local area network) to another terminal quickly delivers the message without manual intervention. It is gaining attention as a system that can do it.

By the way, in an e-mail system, for example, a communication network arranged at a head office in Tokyo and a communication network arranged at a sales office in Osaka are connected by a line, so that a message can be transmitted from one communication network to another communication network. Can be transmitted. A communication server is arranged in each communication network, and performs services such as connection between networks.

By the way, when an e-mail is sent from a terminal in a communication network, it is impossible to send the e-mail if the communication server of the self or the other party is out of order or there is some obstacle in the route to the destination terminal. turn into. Conventionally, in such a case, the e-mail is transmitted again when the user of the transmission source recovers from the failure.

"Problems to be Solved by the Invention" Therefore, when transmission of an e-mail is impossible, it is necessary for the user to perform retransmission.
Also, if it takes time to recover from a failure, e-mail transmission may not be successful with a single retransmission, and retransmission will be repeated at a certain time, which excessively constrains the user's time. There was also a case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic mail system and an electronic mail server capable of smoothly transmitting an electronic mail and enabling a sender to recognize the electronic mail even when the electronic mail is not transmitted.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the invention described in claim 1, (a) transmission e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mails arranged in the first network and to be sent, (B) When the electronic mail connected to the first network and stored in the transmission e-mail temporary storage means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, this is sent to the second network. Mail sending means to the network of (c), sending availability determining means for determining whether or not a result of a signal transmitted as to whether sending of an electronic mail from the first network to the second network is possible is received, (D) e-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means when the dispatchability judging means judges that the shipment is impossible; (E) The e-mail system is provided with resending means for resending the e-mail to the second network, the e-mail for which the eligibility determining means has determined that sending is impossible.

That is, in the electronic mail system according to the first aspect, when the electronic mail is sent from the first network to the destination of the second network, the electronic mail to be sent is temporarily stored in the sending electronic mail temporary storage means. And send it to the destination of the second network using the mail sending means to the second network. The sending / non-shipping determination means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether the e-mail can be sent to the second network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the e-mail is sent. While storing the e-mail in the e-mail storage means, which is stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, the re-sending permission / non-permission determining means determines that the e-mail is impossible to be sent by the sending means and attempts to resend the e-mail to the second network. Become.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided (a) a transmission e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent, which is arranged in the first network, and (b) connected to the first network. When the e-mail stored in the transmission e-mail temporary storage means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, e-mail sending means to the second network for sending this to the network, (C) dispatch possibility determining means for discriminating whether or not a result of a signal transmitted from the first network to the second network is possible based on a transmitted signal; and (d) dispatch possibility determining means. E-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the e-mail temporary storage means for sending when e-mail is determined to be impossible, and Resending means for resending the e-mail determined to be impossible to the second network, and if the resending fails, resending the e-mail to the second network after a predetermined time has elapsed. Are provided in the e-mail system.

In other words, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the electronic mail is sent from the first network to the destination of the second network, the electronic mail to be sent is temporarily stored in the sending electronic mail temporary storage means. Then, the mail is sent to the destination of the second network using the mail sending means to the second network. The sending / non-shipping determination means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether the e-mail can be sent to the second network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the e-mail is sent. While storing the e-mail in the e-mail storage means to be stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, the re-sending means judges that the e-mail which the sending permission / non-permission judgment means has determined that sending is impossible is resent to the second network. If retransmission fails, retransmission to the second network is attempted again after a predetermined time has elapsed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, (b) reply e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mail to be sent and arranged in the first network, and (b) connection to the first network When the e-mail stored in the transmission e-mail temporary storage means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, e-mail sending means to the second network for sending this to the network, (C) dispatch possibility determining means for discriminating whether or not a result of a signal transmitted from the first network to the second network is possible based on a transmitted signal; and (d) dispatch possibility determining means. The e-mail storage means for storing the e-mail and the e-mail temporary storage means for transmission separately when the e-mail is impossible, and Resending means for resending the e-mail determined to be impossible to the second network; and (f) retrieving the unsent e-mail from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined criterion, The e-mail system is provided with an unsent mail return means for returning the mail to the sender.

In other words, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the electronic mail is sent from the first network to the destination of the second network, the electronic mail to be sent is temporarily stored in the sending electronic mail temporary storage means. Then, the mail is sent to the destination of the second network using the mail sending means to the second network. The sending / non-shipping determination means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether the e-mail can be sent to the second network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the e-mail is sent. The e-mail, which is stored in the e-mail storage means, which is stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, is re-sent to the second network by the re-sending means, the e-mail for which the sending permission / non-permission judging means has determined that sending is impossible. Further, the unsent mail returning means takes out the unsent e-mail from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined standard and sends it back to the sender of the e-mail.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail system according to the third aspect, the predetermined criterion of the unsent mail returning means is that a predetermined time limit has been reached in an unsent state. I have.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, (a) an electronic mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an electronic mail to be sent, and (b) an electronic mail server for use in connection with a network. E-mail sending means for sending the e-mail stored in the e-mail temporary storage means to another e-mail server; and (c) determining whether the e-mail can be sent based on whether or not the result of the transmitted signal is received. Sending / non-shipping determining means; and (d) an e-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the mail stored in the sending e-mail temporary storing means when the sending / non-shipping determining means determines that sending is impossible. And (e) the electronic mail storage means and resending means for resending the stored electronic mail.

That is, in the invention according to claim 5, an e-mail server used by connecting to a network is provided with e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mails to be sent, and the e-mail sending means is provided with the e-mail for transmission. The electronic mail stored in the temporary storage means is sent to another electronic mail server. The sending / non-shipping determining means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether or not the electronic mail can be sent to another network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the electronic mail for sending is determined. While storing in the e-mail storage means to be stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, the re-sending means attempts to re-send the e-mail determined to be impossible to be sent by the resend means to the other network. Become.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, (a) an e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent, and (b) an e-mail server for use in connection with a network. E-mail sending means for sending the e-mail stored in the e-mail temporary storage means to another e-mail server; and (c) determining whether the e-mail can be sent based on whether or not the result of the transmitted signal is received. Sending / non-shipping determining means; and (d) an e-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the e-mail stored in the sending e-mail temporary storing means when the sending / non-shipping determining means determines that the sending is impossible. (E) trying to resend the e-mail, for which the dispatchability judging means has determined that dispatch is impossible, to the above-mentioned other network; To and a retransmission means for attempting to retransmit again for other networks mentioned above has passed since the beginning.

That is, in the invention according to claim 6, an e-mail server used by connecting to a network is provided with transmission e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent, and the e-mail sending means is provided with the transmission e-mail. The electronic mail stored in the temporary storage means is sent to another electronic mail server. The sending / non-shipping determining means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether or not the electronic mail can be sent to another network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the electronic mail for sending is determined. While storing in the e-mail storage means to be stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, the re-sending means attempts to re-send the e-mail determined to be impossible to send by the re-sendability determining means to the other network described above. If retransmission fails, retransmission to another network is attempted again when a predetermined time has elapsed.

In the invention according to claim 7, an e-mail server used by connecting to a network includes: (a) an e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent; and (b) this e-mail for transmission. E-mail sending means for sending the e-mail stored in the e-mail temporary storage means to another e-mail server; and (c) determining whether the e-mail can be sent based on whether or not the result of the transmitted signal is received. Sending / non-shipping determining means; and (d) an e-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the e-mail stored in the sending e-mail temporary storing means when the sending / non-shipping determining means determines that the sending is impossible. (E) resending means for resending the e-mail stored in the e-mail storage means, and (f) e-mail not sent from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined standard. To and a non-dispatch mail returning means to send back it to the originator of the e-mail is taken out Le.

That is, in the invention according to claim 7, an e-mail server used by connecting to a network is provided with transmission e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent, and the e-mail sending means is provided with the transmission e-mail. The electronic mail stored in the temporary storage means is sent to another electronic mail server. The sending / non-shipping determining means determines whether or not the result of the signal indicating whether or not the electronic mail can be sent to another network is received. If it is determined that the sending is impossible, the electronic mail for sending is determined. While the e-mail is stored in the e-mail storage means which is stored separately from the e-mail temporary storage means, the re-sending means attempts to re-send the e-mail for which the sending permission / non-permission judging means has determined that sending is impossible to the above-mentioned other network. Further, the unsent mail returning means takes out the unsent e-mail from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined standard and sends it back to the sender of the e-mail.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail server according to the seventh aspect, the predetermined standard of the sending mail returning means is that a predetermined time limit has been reached in a state where the mail has not been sent. .

"Example" Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the electronic mail system. The electronic mail system of this embodiment, for example, the Ethernet 11-1 located at the head office in Tokyo and the Ethernet 11-2 located at the sales office in Osaka are provided with modems (modems) 12-1 and 12 provided for both. Line 13 via -2
Can be connected. Here, Ethernet (A Local Area Network Data Link Layer an
d Physical Layer Specifications) is a LAN developed and researched by Xerox Corporation in the United States. Each Ethernet 11
-1 and 11-2 are connected to the modems 12-1 and 12-2 via the communication servers 14-1 and 14-2. Also, the workstations 15-1-1, 15-1-2,..., 15
, 15-2-2,..., Mail server network management services (mail servers) 16-1, 16-2, and a print server and a file server (not shown) are connected. The print server receives a print request from the workstation 15 and performs printing with, for example, a laser printer.The file server stores documents and data from the workstation 15 and sends a file in response to a search request. It has the function to do.

(If no failure occurs) In such a system, when sending an e-mail from the Ethernet 11-1 located at the head office in Tokyo to the Ethernet 11-2 located at the sales office in Osaka, this transmission does not interfere. The case of ending is briefly described first.

Now, when an email is sent from the workstation 15-1-1 to the two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 as destinations, the email is sent to the mail server network management service 16-1. Is temporarily stored on the magnetic disk 18-1. The mail server network management service 16-1 reads out the destination of the stored e-mail, and transfers it to the communication server 14-1 when judging that it belongs to another network. In the case of this example, the communication server 14-1 sends it out to the destination Ethernet 11-2 and stores it on the magnetic disk 18-2 in the mail server network management service 16-2. The mail server network management service 16-1 for managing users and resources on the network is
At this time, it is operating on the network.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage area in the magnetic disk 18-2 includes a mail body storage area 19-2 and a mail prepared corresponding to each terminal belonging to its own Ethernet 11-2. Mailbox area as a box 21
-2-1 and 21-2-2 are arranged. The body of the electronic mail is stored in the mail body storage area 19-2, and a tag (marker tag) 22 indicating the destination is accommodated in the corresponding mailbox. In the case of this example, since the two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 are addressed, the tags 22 are indicated in the corresponding mailbox areas 21-2-1 and 21-2-2, respectively. Data will be written.

In this state, the mail server network management service 16-2 that has received the e-mail confirms that the e-mail can be delivered to the workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 as destinations. Inform. In the workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2, an icon indicating the fact is displayed in one corner of the CRT display 23. When the operator selects this icon, a list of e-mails that can be delivered is displayed. When the e-mail is selected, the mail body stored in the mail body storage area 19-2 in the mail server network management service is copied, and this is copied to the workstation 15-2 which has requested delivery.
-1, 15-2-2.

(When a Failure Occurs) Next, a case where a failure occurs in the delivery of the e-mail in the above example will be described.

The e-mail sent from the workstation 15-1-1 is temporarily stored on the magnetic disk 18-1 in the mail server network management service 16-1. The e-mail read from this is sent to the destination Ethernet 11-2 via the communication server 14-1. However, the communication server 14-1 is out of order or the modem 12-
If any failure occurs in the first and subsequent devices, the e-mail is sent to the destination mail server network management service 16.
-2 is not delivered. When the mail server network management service 16-1 on the sending side detects such a failure in sending, it stores this e-mail in a built-in unprocessed queue. Here, the unprocessed queue is a storage area in which unprocessed e-mails are stored in order, and are read out in order from the oldest one. The mail server network management service 16-1 on the sending side periodically reads out the e-mails stored in the unprocessed queue at predetermined time intervals, and attempts to transmit the e-mails to the destination. The failed e-mail is stored again in the pending queue, ready for the next retransmission. The processing of the electronic mail stored on the magnetic disk 18-2 in the destination mail server network management service 16-2 is as described above.

(Management of E-mail by Tag) As shown in FIG. 3, the storage area in the magnetic disk 18-2 includes the mail body storage area 19-2 and each terminal belonging to its own Ethernet 11-2. Mailbox area 21 as a mailbox prepared corresponding to
-2-1 and 21-2-2 are arranged. The body of the electronic mail is stored in the mail body storage area 19-2, and a tag (marker tag) 22 indicating the destination is accommodated in the corresponding mailbox. In this example, two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 are addressed, so
Data indicating the tag 22 is written in the corresponding mailbox areas 21-2-1 and 21-2-2.

In this state, the mail server network management service 16-2 that has received the e-mail confirms that the e-mail can be delivered to the workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2 as destinations. Inform. In the workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2, an icon indicating the fact is displayed in one corner of the CRT display 23. When the operator selects this icon, a list of e-mails that can be delivered is displayed. When the e-mail is selected, the mail body stored in the mail body storage area 19-2 in the mail server network management service is copied, and this is copied to the workstation 15-2 which has requested delivery.
-1, 15-2-2.

In this embodiment, the electronic mail stored in the mail server network management service 16-2 is not delivered to the destination as it is, but a copy thereof is delivered. However, it is also possible that electronic mails are sent one-to-one with the destination from the shipping destination, and these electronic mails are directly delivered to the destination.

(Unprocessed queue) FIG. 4 shows the magnetic disk 18-1 on the transmission side.
Represents a part of the storage area in the storage area. The storage area is provided with a storage area 25 called an unprocessed queue, in which unprocessed e-mails (unshipped mails) 26 that have failed to be delivered are stored in a "sokoten" formula in order from the oldest one. It has become. The unsent mails 26 are called out one by one at predetermined time intervals, and transmission to the respective destination networks is attempted. The e-mail that has failed to be sent is stored in the storage area 25 as an unsent mail 26 again. The unsent mail 26 records the date and time when sending was first attempted, and is checked against the current date and time each time it is read. When the difference between these dates and times reaches a predetermined period or more, the storage area 25
The re-storing is stopped, and the sender's terminal is informed of this.

(Configuration of Mail Server Network Management Service) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a mail server network management service on the transmitting side.

The mail server network management service 16-1 has a CPU (central processing unit) 32 built in its main body 31 (FIG. 2). The CPU 32 is connected to the following units via a bus 33 such as a data bus.

(I) RAM 34: a random access memory for storing a program read from the magnetic disk 18 and temporarily storing data for performing various processes.

(Ii) Display device 35: CRT for monitor.

(Iii) Magnetic disk 18: This stores a program for controlling the mail server network management service and also stores an e-mail (see FIG. 3). Storage area 25 for storing unsent mail
(See FIG. 4) is also provided here.

(Iv) Keyboard 36: an input device for inputting instruction data and the like.

(E-mail Transmission Processing) FIG. 5 shows a work station 15- located at the head office in Tokyo in the e-mail system configured as described above.
The operation of the mail server network management service 16-1 on the transmitting side will be described by taking as an example a case where a mail is transmitted from 1-1.

The e-mail sent from the workstation 15-1-1 is transferred to the magnetic disk 18- of the mail server network management service 16-1 in charge of the workstation.
1 (step in FIG. 5). The mail server network management service 16-1 reads out the destination of the electronic mail and searches for the mail server network management service 16 of the corresponding workstation (step). In the case of this example, the mail server network management service 16-2 corresponds to this. Thereafter, the mail server network management service 16-1 sends a control signal to the destination mail server network management service 16-2, and depending on whether or not the result is received, there is some trouble in communication or the like. It is determined whether or not to perform (step). If there is a failure that hinders transmission (Y), the sending of the e-mail is stopped, and the mail is stored in the storage area 25 as the unsent mail 26 (step).

On the other hand, if there is no failure in the transmission of the e-mail in step (N), the e-mail is transmitted to the destination mail server network management service 16-2.

(Processing of Unsent Mail) FIG. 6 is for explaining the processing of the unsent mail 26.

The CPU 32 (see FIG. 1) measures time, and calls the unsent mail 26 from the storage area 25 every time a predetermined time elapses (step; Y) (step). This time may be shortened in inverse proportion to the number of unsent mails 26 stored in the storage area 25.

The called unsent mails 26 each indicate the date and time when the sending was first attempted.

The CPU 32 compares this date and time with the current date and time to check whether the time limit for retransmission has been exceeded (step). If the time limit has not been exceeded (Y), retransmission of the unsent mail 26 is attempted (step). If retransmission is successful (step;
Y), the unsent mail 26 is deleted from the queue and all the operations are completed (step). On the contrary,
If the retransmission fails (step; N), the storage area
The data of the unsent mail 26 is moved to the last column 25 (step).

On the other hand, the unsent mail called in the step
If 26 is too old (Y), work is done to stop the retransmission attempt. That is, a mail indicating that transmission is impossible is created and sent back to the source workstation 15-1-1 (step). Then, the unsent mail 26 whose transmission has been attempted is fetched from the storage area 25 and is sent to the workstation 15-1-.
1 (step). Workstation 15
If necessary, -1-1 can be stored in its own hard disk or the like and transmitted again.

(Email Delivery Process) FIG. 7 shows an email delivery process in the mail server network management service on the receiving side.

When the electronic service is successfully transmitted from the mail server network management service 16-2, the electronic mail is stored on the magnetic disk 18-2 in the mail server network management service 16-2 (step). The CPU 32 in the mail server network management service 16-2 determines whether there are a plurality of destinations (step).

Unlike this example, if there is only one destination (N), a tag indicating the arrival of the mail is placed in the destination mailbox (step). When there are a plurality of destinations as in this example, the tags corresponding to the e-mails are copied in a number corresponding to the number and stored in their own mailboxes (step). That is, in the case of this example, data indicating the tag 22 is written in each of the mailbox areas 21-2-1 and 21-2-2 as shown in FIG. The main body of the e-mail remains stored in the mail main body storage area 19-2.

When the step or the processing of the step is completed,
Inform the destination workstation 15 that the e-mail has arrived (step). At this time, the other party's workstation 15 displays an icon (not shown) on its display indicating that the e-mail has arrived. In this state, the operator
(FIG. 2) can be used to retrieve an e-mail.

FIG. 8 shows the contents displayed on the display of the workstation at this time. A list of electronic mails stored on the magnetic disk 18-2 for the destination is displayed on the display, and two items of [tag erasure] and [retrieval] are displayed above the list. In the e-mail list, (i) reference number, (i
i) subject (title), (iii) sender, and (iv) date and time of transmission are displayed. In this state, the operator can select an e-mail for each case and request retrieval thereof. When requesting the retrieval of an e-mail, first, a selection is made as to whether or not to specify a [tag erase] location. When this item is designated by the cursor and the item of [Eject] is designated, the tag for the e-mail in the corresponding mailbox is deleted after the specified e-mail is delivered. As a result, the e-mail whose tag no longer exists in any mailbox is deleted from the magnetic disk 18-2. [Erase] the cursor with the mouse 41 without specifying the [Erase Tag] location
When this is specified and the tag is specified, the tag in the corresponding mailbox is not deleted.

FIG. 9 shows the operation when the electronic mail is taken out.

The mail server network management service 16-2 monitors whether the destination workstation 15 has specified the retrieval of the e-mail (step). When there is a request to retrieve the e-mail from any of the workstations 15 (Y), the CPU 32 determines whether or not the deletion of the tag is specified (step).

If the deletion of the tag is not designated (N), the corresponding electronic mail in the mail main body storage area 19-2 is copied and delivered to the destination (step). Since the tag still exists in the mailbox of the destination, in this case, the same electronic mail can be resent if there is a request again. Examples of such are as follows. In other words, a person received an e-mail at an office in Osaka, but had to go on a business trip immediately. This is a case where the e-mail is delivered again from a workstation such as a place and the processing is performed.

If the deletion of the tag is specified in the step (Y), the corresponding electronic mail in the mail body storage area 19-2 is copied and delivered to the destination. Delete the tag (step).
Thereafter, the CPU 32 searches the subordinate mailboxes to determine whether or not a tag relating to the e-mail exists again (step). In this example, the e-mail is sent to the two workstations 15-2-1 and 15-2-2, so even if a copy of the e-mail is delivered to one destination, only one tag is deleted. Not. In the state where the tag for the e-mail is present, the process ends, and the monitoring of the retrieval of the e-mail is performed again (steps and subsequent steps). On the other hand, if all the tags are deleted by the delivery of the electronic mail (Y), the corresponding electronic mail is deleted from the mail body storage area 19-2 (step).

In the above-described embodiment, the time for resending an e-mail is limited, but the number of resending attempts may be limited. By limiting the time at which the e-mail is resent, the e-mails that have failed to be sent can be organized, and the storage area for storing these unsent e-mails can be made relatively small. Also, if the e-mail whose retransmission has failed within a predetermined time is returned to the sender, there is an advantage that the sender can use it again for retransmission and the like.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the invention of claims 1 to 4, when an electronic mail is delivered from the first network to the delivery destination of the second network, the first network This is temporarily stored in the transmission electronic mail temporary storage means in the, and then the electronic mail is sent to the second network. Even if it fails, it is possible to send the e-mail itself, and the user can concentrate on creating and sending the e-mail without having to pay attention to these points.

Further, in the inventions described in claims 1 to 4, the electronic mail for which the retransmission attempt has failed is stored in the electronic mail storage means. The e-mail storage means is provided separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means. Therefore, it is possible to read out the e-mail independently of the sending e-mail temporary storage means and try to send the e-mail. In this case, the e-mail that has not been tried to be sent by the e-mail that needs to be resent is sent. It is possible to effectively prevent occurrence of a situation such as a delay in processing until shipping. In addition, since the e-mails that need to be resent are collectively stored in the e-mail storage unit, not only the management of the e-mails that need to be resent is facilitated, but also the old e-mails are deleted. E-mail can be operated efficiently.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, for an e-mail for which resending attempt has failed, an attempt is made to resend the e-mail to the second network when a predetermined time has elapsed. Can be greatly improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an unsent e-mail is retrieved from the e-mail storage means and returned to the sender of the e-mail when a predetermined standard is satisfied. In the case of e-mails that need to be sent out, you can have them re-shipped, and the sender can know that the e-mail is still in the stage before it is sent out, so take necessary measures There is an advantage that it can be adopted.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the e-mail system according to the third aspect uses a predetermined reference that a predetermined time limit has been reached in a state where the e-mail has not been sent. It is possible to prevent the storage means from staying in the storage means for a long time, and to avoid inconvenience caused by delivery of old e-mail. Also, if an e-mail that has not been sent yet is not returned within a predetermined time limit, the sender can proceed with the processing assuming that the e-mail has been sent.

According to the invention of claims 5 to 8, an e-mail server connected to a network is provided with a transmission e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mails to be sent, Since the sending means decides to send the e-mail stored in the sending e-mail temporary storage means to another e-mail server, even if the other e-mail server breaks down or communication fails, the e-mail is not sent. The transmission itself is possible, and the user can concentrate on creating and transmitting the electronic mail without paying attention to these points.

Further, in the inventions described in claims 5 to 8, the e-mail which has failed to be sent is stored in the e-mail storage means. This e-mail storage means is provided separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means. Therefore, it is possible to read out the e-mail independently of the sending e-mail temporary storage means and try to send the e-mail. In this case, the e-mail that has not been tried to be sent by the e-mail that needs to be resent is sent. It is possible to effectively prevent occurrence of a situation such as a delay in processing until shipping. Also,
Since the e-mails that need to be resent are collectively stored in the e-mail storage unit, not only the management of the e-mails that need to be resent is facilitated, but also the old e-mails can be deleted. In addition, efficient operation of e-mail is enabled.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, for an e-mail for which retransmission attempt has failed, retransmission is attempted again to the second network when a predetermined time has elapsed. The probability of success can be greatly improved.

According to the present invention, when an unsent electronic mail satisfies a predetermined criterion, it is taken out from the electronic mail storage means and sent back to the sender of the electronic mail. In the case of e-mails that need to be sent out, you can have them re-shipped, and the sender can know that the e-mail is still in the stage before it is sent out, so take necessary measures There is an advantage that it can be adopted.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, since the predetermined time limit has been reached in the unsent state in the e-mail server according to claim 7, the old e-mail is sent to the e-mail server. It is possible to prevent the mail from staying in the mail storage means for a long time, and to avoid inconvenience caused by delivery of old e-mail. Also, if an e-mail that has not been sent yet is not returned within a predetermined time limit, the sender can proceed with the processing assuming that the e-mail has been sent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of a mail server network management service, and FIG. 2 is a system configuration showing an outline of an electronic mail system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a part of the configuration of the storage area of the magnetic disk. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state where unsent mail is stored in a storage area called an unprocessed queue. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an e-mail sending process, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an unsent mail, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an e-mail transfer process by a mail server network management service, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the contents displayed on the display when taking out, and FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing when an e-mail request is received from the workstation. 11 ... Ethernet, 15 ... Workstation, 16 ... Mail server network management service, 18 ... Magnetic disk, 25 ... Storage area (unprocessed queue), 26 ... Unsent mail.

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electronic mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing an electronic mail to be sent, which is arranged in a first network, and is connected to the first network and temporarily stores the electronic mail for transmission. When the electronic mail stored in the means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, mail sending means to a second network for sending the mail to the network, Sending availability determining means for determining whether a result of a signal transmitted as to whether the electronic mail can be sent to the second network is received, and an electronic mail to be sent when the sending availability determining means determines that sending is impossible E-mail storage means for storing the transmission e-mail temporary storage means separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means; Resending means for resending the electronic mail to the second network. 2. A transmission e-mail temporary storage means arranged in a first network for temporarily storing an e-mail to be sent, and a transmission e-mail temporary storage connected to the first network. When the electronic mail stored in the means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, mail sending means to a second network for sending the mail to the network, Sending availability determining means for determining whether a result of a signal transmitted as to whether the electronic mail can be sent to the second network is received, and an electronic mail to be sent when the sending availability determining means determines that sending is impossible E-mail storage means for storing the transmission e-mail temporary storage means separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means; Resending means for resending the e-mail to the second network, and resending the e-mail to the second network when a predetermined time elapses if the resending fails. An e-mail system, characterized in that: 3. An e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mail to be sent, which is arranged in a first network, and is connected to the first network and temporarily stores the e-mail for transmission. When the electronic mail stored in the means is to be sent to the destination of the second network, mail sending means to a second network for sending the mail to the network, Sending availability determining means for determining whether a result of a signal transmitted as to whether the electronic mail can be sent to the second network is received, and an electronic mail to be sent when the sending availability determining means determines that sending is impossible And an e-mail storage means for storing the e-mail for temporary storage separately from the transmission e-mail temporary storage means; Resending means for resending the e-mail to the second network, unsending the e-mail from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined criterion, and sending the e-mail back to the sender of the e-mail. An e-mail system comprising: mail return means. 4. The electronic mail system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined standard of the unsent mail returning means is that a predetermined time limit has been reached in an unsent state. 5. An e-mail server connected to a network, the e-mail server being used for temporarily storing e-mail to be sent, and being stored in the e-mail temporary storage means. Sending means for sending the received e-mail to another e-mail server, sending / non-shipping determining means for determining whether sending of the electronic mail is possible or not based on whether a result of the transmitted signal is received, and sending / not determining means E-mail storage means for storing an e-mail to be sent when e-mail is determined to be impossible to send, separately from the e-mail stored in the e-mail temporary storage means for transmission, and e-mail stored in the e-mail storage means. Resending means for resending the mail. 6. An e-mail server used by connecting to a network, the e-mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing e-mail to be sent, and the e-mail server stored in the e-mail temporary storage means. Sending means for sending the received e-mail to another e-mail server, sending / non-shipping determining means for determining whether sending of the electronic mail is possible or not based on whether a result of the transmitted signal is received, and sending / not determining means An e-mail storage means for storing the target e-mail separately from the e-mail stored in the transmission e-mail temporary storage means when it is determined that the e-mail cannot be dispatched; Attempt to resend the e-mail to the other network,
An e-mail server comprising: retransmission means for retrying transmission to the other network when a predetermined time has elapsed if the retransmission has failed. 7. An electronic mail server used by connecting to a network, the electronic mail temporary storage means for temporarily storing electronic mail to be sent, and the electronic mail server stored in the electronic mail temporary storage means. Sending means for sending the received e-mail to another e-mail server, sending / non-shipping determining means for determining whether sending of the electronic mail is possible or not based on whether a result of the transmitted signal is received, and sending / not determining means E-mail storage means for storing an e-mail to be sent when e-mail is determined to be impossible to send, separately from the e-mail stored in the e-mail temporary storage means for transmission, and e-mail stored in the e-mail storage means. Resending means for resending the mail; extracting unsent e-mail from the e-mail storage means based on a predetermined standard; E-mail server, characterized in that it comprises a non-dispatch mail returning means to send back it to the followers. 8. The electronic mail system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined criterion of the unsent mail returning means is that a predetermined time limit has been reached in an unsent state.