JP4169946B2 - Postal system - Google Patents

Description

【００５８】
前記の郵便物状況データは、郵便物データについてのシステム管理装置２での処理の進行、およびシステム管理装置３での処理の進行に応じて郵便物データ管理部４１により更新される。このために、システム管理装置３からシステム管理装置２へは、郵便物データの処理の進行に応じて、それを示す郵便物状況データが送信される。
【００５９】
郵便物データ記憶部４５においては、ハードディスク装置３５の記憶容量不足を防止するため、不要になった郵便物データおよびその郵便物状況データが適宜削除される。この削除を行う時点は次のような時点である。
【００６０】
例えば、所定の宛先への郵便物データの配達を完了したという情報がシステム管理装置３もしくはシステム管理装置２の入力装置２３から入力された時点、あるいはこの時点から所定の日数が経過した時点である。他には、配達先が不明であった場合に郵便物データをシステム管理装置２から差出人端末装置１に返送する構成となっている場合において、その返送が完了した時点、あるいはこの完了時点から所定の日数が経過した時点である。
【００６１】
また、郵便物データ管理部４１は、郵便物データの処理状況の調査依頼を受けた場合、その郵便物データについての状況調査処理を行う。この状況調査処理は、システム管理装置２において、差出人端末装置１から受信した郵便物データについての配達処理、即ち郵便物データを印刷して郵便物とし、それを配達するという処理を受理し、郵便物データ記憶部４５に記憶されている郵便物データに対して行う。
【００６２】
この状況調査処理の際には、既に配達処理を受理している郵便物データ、例えばテキストデータや画像データが差出人端末装置１から再度送信される。郵便物データ管理部４１では、再度受信した郵便物データ（第２の郵便物データ）と同一の郵便物データ（第１の郵便物データ）を郵便物データ記憶部４５から検索して、両者の一致判定処理を行った後、その郵便物データに付加（付与）されている郵便物状況データを調べ、そこに示されている処理状況を調査結果として差出人端末装置１に送信する。
【００６３】
上記の一致判定処理では、上記の両郵便物データの各部の一致不一致を比較することにより、あるいは上記の両郵便物データの特徴を抽出し、その特徴部分のみを比較することにより両者の一致不一致を判断するようにしてもよい。この場合、郵便物データ管理部４１は、一致判定処理部として機能し、特徴を抽出による後者の処理を行う場合、さらに特徴抽出部としても機能する。
【００６４】
また、郵便物データ管理部４１は、郵便物データの配達完了が入力装置２３から入力されたとき、あるいはシステム管理装置３から受信したとき、その旨を、郵便物データに添付されているＥ−メールアドレスに基づき、配達依頼元の差出人端末装置１に送信する。
【００６５】
課金処理部４３は、差出人端末装置１から郵便物データの配達依頼を受けたときに、その料金の支払いを受けるための課金処理を行う。
【００６６】
一方、システム管理装置３の郵便物データ管理部７１では、システム管理装置２から送信されて来た郵便物データを郵便物データ記憶部７２に格納するとともに、印刷装置５２により印刷する。
【００６７】
また、郵便物データ管理部７１は、システム管理装置３での郵便物データの処理状況を郵便物状況データとしてシステム管理装置２に送信する。この郵便物状況データはシステム管理装置２での処理において説明した通りのものであり、郵便物データや郵便物状況データの削除も、システム管理装置２の場合と同様にして行われる。
【００６８】
上記の構成において、本郵便システムの動作について図３のフローチャートにより説明する。
まず、本郵便システムを使用した、差出人端末装置１からの郵便物データの配達依頼から、それに応じたシステム管理装置２、３での配達完了までの一連の概略動作について説明する。なお、ここでは、郵便物データの宛先が全てシステム管理装置３の管轄区域である場合とする。
【００６９】
本郵便システムにおいて、郵便物データの配達依頼をする場合、差出人端末装置１は、郵便物データ（画像データまたはテキストデータ）と共にＥ−メールアドレスをシステム管理装置（メイン管理装置）２に送信する（Ｓ１）。
【００７０】
システム管理装置２では、受信した郵便物データから差出人と宛先とを読み取り、郵便物データに郵便物状況データを付加する（Ｓ２）。その後、システム管理装置２は、郵便物データを宛先のシステム管理装置３（サブ管理装置）に転送する（Ｓ３）。
【００７１】
システム管理装置３では、郵便物データを受信すると、その郵便物データを郵便物データ記憶部７２に格納する。さらに、郵便物データに添付されている郵便物状況データを書き換えた後、即ちシステム管理装置３への郵便物データの到着を示すデータに更新した後、郵便物データをシステム管理装置２に返送する（Ｓ４）。この場合、返送されるのは例えばコピーされたものであり、郵便物データは郵便物データ記憶部７２に残される。
【００７２】
また、郵便物データを受信したシステム管理装置３では、郵便物データを印刷する（Ｓ５）。これにより、郵便物データは郵便物とされ、この郵便物は配達人によりその宛先へ配達される（Ｓ６）。なお、この場合も印刷された郵便物データは郵便物データ記憶部７２に残される。
【００７３】
配達終了後、その旨が入力装置５３から入力されると、システム管理装置３の郵便物データ管理部７１では、配達が完了した郵便物データにその旨を示す郵便物状況データを付加し、システム管理装置（メイン管理装置）２に返送する（Ｓ７）。
【００７４】
システム管理装置３から郵便物データの返送を受けたシステム管理装置２の郵便物データ管理部４１は、その郵便物データを郵便物データ記憶部４５に格納する。また、先に同一の郵便物データが格納されている場合、その郵便物状況データを新たな郵便物状況データに更新する。また、郵便物状況データの内容を調べ、そこに郵便物データの配達完了が示されていると、郵便物データに添付されていたＥ−メールアドレスの差出人端末装置１へ、Ｅ−メールにより郵便物データの配達完了を通知する（Ｓ８）。
【００７５】
なお、上記Ｓ３において、システム管理装置２は、差出人端末装置１から受信した郵便物データをシステム管理装置３に転送する場合、その郵便物データを郵便物データ記憶部４５に残しておき、Ｓ５およびＳ８において、郵便物データの転送先のシステム管理装置３からは、郵便物状況データのみを受け取るようにしてもよい。
【００７６】
次に、差出人端末装置１から郵便物データの配達依頼を受けたシステム管理装置２での処理、およびこれに応じたシステム管理装置３での処理について図４のフローチャートにより説明する。なお、ここでは、同様に、郵便物データの宛先が全てシステム管理装置３の管轄区域である場合とする。
【００７７】
システム管理装置２の郵便物データ管理部４１では、差出人端末装置１から郵便物データを受信すると（Ｓ２１）、郵便物データの配達処理についての料金の支払いを受けるための課金処理を行う（Ｓ２２）。この課金処理の完了により配達依頼の受け付けが完了する。
【００７８】
次に、郵便物データ管理部４１では、差出人端末装置１から受信した郵便物データに対して郵便状況データを付加する（Ｓ２３）。次に、郵便物データがテキストデータであるか画像データであるかを判断し（Ｓ２４）、テキストデータであれば、郵便物データから差出人と宛先とを読み取る（Ｓ２５）。一方、郵便物データが画像データであれば、郵便物データをビットマップデータに変換し（Ｓ２６）、そのデータから差出人と宛先とを読み取る（Ｓ２７）。
【００７９】
その後、郵便物データに差出人データと宛先データを付加し（Ｓ２８）、郵便物データを宛先（システム管理装置３の管轄区域別）に振り分ける（Ｓ２９）。そして、システム管理装置（メイン管理装置）２からシステム管理装置３（サブ管理装置）へ、郵便物データを送信する（Ｓ３０）。
【００８０】
システム管理装置３（サブ管理装置）では、郵便物データを受信すると、その旨をシステム管理装置（メイン管理装置）２に送信する（Ｓ３１）。また、システム管理装置３では、郵便物データを一括して印刷する。これにより、郵便物データは郵便物とされ、この郵便物は配達人によりその宛先へ配達される。郵便物の配達が完了した場合、その旨はシステム管理装置３において例えば入力装置５３により入力され、その情報はシステム管理装置３からシステム管理装置２に送信される（Ｓ３２）。
【００８１】
その情報を受信したシステム管理装置２では、郵便物データに添付されていたＥ−メールアドレスに基づき、Ｅ−メールにより差出人端末装置１に連絡する（Ｓ３３）。
【００８２】
なお、システム管理装置２が、差出人端末装置１から受信した郵便物データをシステム管理装置３に転送する場合、その郵便物データを郵便物データ記憶部４５に残しておき、郵便物データの転送先のシステム管理装置３からは、郵便物状況データのみを受け取るようにしてもよい点は、前述の場合と同様である。
【００８３】
次に、システム管理装置２の郵便物データ管理部４１での郵便物データの前記状況調査処理について図５のフローチャートにより説明する。
差出人端末装置１は、郵便システムに対して郵便物データの状況調査処理を依頼する場合、既に配達処理を依頼済みの郵便物データを再度システム管理装置２に送信する（Ｓ４１）。
【００８４】
状況調査処理の依頼を受けた郵便物データ管理部４１では、例えば前記メモリ１５上に比較テーブルを作成し、この比較テーブルに郵便物データ記憶部４５に格納されている、状況調査処理の依頼を行った差出人が以前に送信した郵便物データとしての画像データおよびテキストデータを全て取り込む（Ｓ４２）。但し、比較テーブルに取り込むデータは、配達を完了していないデータである。
【００８５】
次に、郵便物データ管理部４１は、差出人端末装置１から再度受信した郵便物状況データ、即ち状況調査の依頼を受けた郵便物データと一致する郵便物データが比較テーブル上にあるか否かを判定する（Ｓ４３）。
【００８６】
この判定の結果、一致する郵便物データがあれば、その郵便物データに付加されている郵便物状況データに基づき、その郵便物データの状況、即ちその郵便物データがどこにあるか（所在）、あるいはどの状態にあるかを調べる（Ｓ４４）。
【００８７】
その後、郵便物データ管理部４１は、調査した郵便物状況を、例えばＥ−メールにて差出人端末装置１に送信する（Ｓ４５）。
【００８８】
一方、状況調査の依頼を受けた郵便物データと一致する郵便物データが比較テーブル上になければ、郵便物データ管理部４１は、その郵便物データが郵便システムにないことを差出人端末装置１に送信する（Ｓ４６）。
【００８９】
ここで、状況調査依頼を受けた郵便物データが比較テーブルに存在しなかったことは、差出人側での状況調査を依頼する郵便物データの選択ミスの可能性がある。その一方で、差出人とは異なる第三者が郵便システムに対して郵便物状況を覗こうとした可能性もある。しかしながら、そのような場合にも、本郵便システムでは、その第三者が状況調査を依頼する郵便物データを持っていない限り、上記のような不正行為を未然に防ぐことができる。
【００９０】
なお、郵便物状況データを管理するための構成としては、郵便物状況データの管理テーブルを設け、この管理テーブルの郵便物状況データを郵便物データの処理の進行に応じて更新していく構成としてもよい。この場合、郵便物データの状況調査依頼に対する処理は、配達依頼を受理している郵便物データと状況調査依頼のために再度受信した郵便物データとの一致を確認したのち、管理テーブルのその郵便物データについての郵便物状況データを調べることにより行われる。
【００９１】
次に、システム管理装置２の課金処理部４３による課金処理について、図６の説明図、および図７のフローチャートにより説明する。この課金処理は、前記図４のＳ２２の処理に相当する。
【００９２】
図６には、課金処理に関して、郵便物（郵便物データ）の差出人が使用する差出人端末装置１、システム管理装置（メイン管理装置）２、クレジット会社が使用するクレジット会社端末装置５および広告主が使用する広告主端末装置６間において行われる処理を示している。これら装置はインターネット４に接続可能となっている。広告主は郵便システムにおいて広告を配信しており、その広告は差出人端末装置１の表示装置１３に表示可能である。
【００９３】
差出人端末装置１からシステム管理装置２へ配達依頼のために郵便物データが送信されると（Ｓ５３）、システム管理装置２の課金処理部４３では、所定の規定により配達処理のための料金を計算し、料金情報として差出人端末装置１に送信する（Ｓ５２）。
【００９４】
差出人端末装置１においてシステム管理装置２から受信した料金情報は、表示装置１３に表示される。この表示に基づいて差出人により配達を希望するか否かの入力が行われ（Ｓ５３）、その情報がシステム管理装置２に送信される。この結果、配達を希望しない旨の入力があれば、システム管理装置２ではＳ６１に移行して、配達依頼を受理することなく、処理を終了する。
【００９５】
一方、Ｓ５３において、配達希望の入力があると、課金処理部４３は、広告を見て（広告を表示して）アンケートに回答するか否かの問い合わせを差出人端末装置１に行う（Ｓ５４）。
【００９６】
この問い合わせに対して、それら拒否する旨の入力があると、課金処理部４３は、差出人端末装置１に対してクレジット番号の入力を促す。これに応じて、差出人端末装置１からクレジット番号を送信されてくると（Ｓ５５）、課金処理部４３は、そのクレジット番号をクレジット会社端末装置５に転送する。これに応じて、クレジット会社では、クレジット番号の登録者が差出人と同一人物であるか否かの照合が行われ、その結果がシステム管理装置２に通知される。
【００９７】
この通知により、クレジット番号の登録者が差出人と同一人物であれば（Ｓ５６）、郵便物データの配達処理の受付、即ち課金処理が完了する（Ｓ５７）。この場合、クレジット会社ではクレジット番号に基づき、配達料（郵便料）についての所定の支払い処理が行われる。一方、クレジット番号の登録者が差出人と同一人物でなければ、システム管理装置２ではＳ６１に移行して、配達依頼を受理することなく、処理を終了する。なお、上記配達料は、例えば郵便物データのデータ量に基づいて決定される。
【００９８】
一方、Ｓ５４での問い合わせに対して、広告を表示してアンケートに回答することを了承する旨の入力があると、課金処理部４３は、広告情報（広告画像など）およびアンケート情報を差出人端末装置１に送信する。これに応じて差出人端末装置１の表示装置１３では、広告およびアンケートが同時あるいは順次表示される。
【００９９】
ここで、例えば配達料（郵便料）が全額免除されるのは、差出人端末装置１において広告が最後まで表示され、かつ差出人によりアンケートに回答された場合である（Ｓ５８）。そこで、差出人端末装置１での広告表示が途中で中止されることなく最後まで行われ、かつアンケート結果が差出人端末装置１から送られてくると（Ｓ６０）、郵便物データの配達処理の受付が完了する（Ｓ５７）。なお、アンケート結果は、システム管理装置２から広告主端末装置６に送られ、配達料は広告会社に請求される。
【０１００】
また、Ｓ５８において、差出人端末装置１において、広告表示が途中で終了され、あるいは広告表示は完了する一方、アンケートの回答が行われなかった場合、課金処理部４３は、広告表示に応じて一部免除になる分を除く後の支払いをクレジットにより支払うか否かの問い合わせを差出人端末装置１に対して行う（Ｓ５９）。この問い合わせに対して、クレジットでの支払いを了承する旨の回答があると、システム管理装置２側では、前述のＳ５５〜Ｓ５７においてそのための処理を行い、クレジットでの支払いを拒否する旨の回答があると、Ｓ６１に移行して、配達依頼を受理することなく、処理を終了する。
【０１０１】
なお、以上の実施の形態においては、システム管理装置２をメイン管理装置、システム管理装置３をサブ管理装置とし、システム管理装置２が複数のシステム管理装置３を管理する構成としているが、システム管理装置２とシステム管理装置３が対等の関係にあり、各々が各々の配達管轄区域を宛先とする郵便物データのみを管理し、他の配達管轄区域を宛先とする郵便物データを受信したときには、その郵便物データをその宛先を配達管轄区域とするシステム管理装置に送信する構成としてもよい。
【０１０２】
また、本発明の郵便システムは、以下のような構成としてもよい。
▲１▼差出人が差出人端末装置１により、住所、氏名をシステム管理装置２に登録する。なお、これは郵送で行ってもよい。
▲２▼システム管理装置２は、差出人の住所を郵便番号と番地とで登録する。なお、登録内容を差出人にインターネット４により通知してもよい。
▲３▼差出人端末装置１からシステム管理装置２に宛先の住所データと郵便物データとを送信して配達を依頼する。なお、郵便物データの画像データはＪＰＥＧ形式であってもよく、郵便物データが文字データのみであるなら、ＴＥＸＴ形式でもよい。
▲４▼システム管理装置２では、宛先の住所をその郵便番号と番地とで登録する。
▲５▼宛先へ配達すべき複数の差出人からの郵便物データをまとめる。
▲６▼郵便物データを管轄区域のシステム管理装置３に送信し、そこで郵便物として印刷する。
▲７▼各管轄区域の郵便局が宛先へ郵便物を配達する。同時に差出人に対して郵便物が届いたことをＥ−メールにより通知する（必要に応じて行うサービス）。なお、配達料についての課金は、▲３▼のときに、差出人からクレジットＮｏ．を入力することにより処理する。また、課金は１通単位でも画像データ量単位でもよい（なお、▲１▼のときにクレジットＮｏ．を登録しておいてもよい）。さらに、課金のバリエーションとしては、郵便システムが運営する広告サイト活用により、課金の一部減額あるいは全額免除も可能である。
【０１０３】
次に郵便物データの区分け方法について説明する。
▲１▼差出人が差出人端末装置１により、前述のようにして住所、氏名をシステム管理装置２に登録する。
▲２▼システム管理装置２では、差出人の住所（郵便番号〇〇〇−〇〇〇１ ３２番地）を郵便番号と番地とで登録する。
（差出人の登録：〇〇〇−〇〇〇１ ３２）。なお、登録内容を差出人にＥ−メールにより通知してもよい。
▲３▼差出人から差出人の住所データ（郵便番号〇〇〇−〇〇〇１ ３２番地）と宛先の住所データ（郵便番号〇〇〇−〇〇〇２ １５番地）と郵便物データとを送信する。なお、郵便物データの形式については前述の通りである。
▲４▼システム管理装置２では、宛先の住所をその郵便番号と番地とで登録する（宛先の登録データ：〇〇〇，〇〇〇２，００１５）。
▲５▼宛先登録データ：〇〇〇，〇〇〇２，００１５）へ配達すべき複数の郵便物データをまとめる。
▲６▼郵便物データを管轄区域のシステム管理装置３に送信し、そこで郵便物として印刷する。
▲７▼各管轄区域の郵便局が宛先へ郵便物を配達する。同時に差出人に対して郵便物が届いたことをＥ−メールにより通知する（必要に応じて行うサービス）。なお、配達料についての課金は、▲３▼のときに、差出人からクレジットＮｏ．を入力することにより処理する。また、課金は１通単位でも画像データ量単位でもよい。
【０１０４】
上記のように、本発明の郵便システムは、差出人から出される郵便物を宛先に配達すべく処理する郵便システムであって、前記差出人からの郵便物の投函に際し、差出人の情報を郵便システムに住所として登録しておく構成である。
【０１０５】
本発明の郵便システムは、差出人から出される郵便物を宛先に配達すべく処理する郵便システムであって、前記差出人からの郵便物の投函に際し、差出人の情報を郵便システムに住所として登録しておく構成である。
【０１０６】
上記の構成によれば、差出人の情報を事前に登録しておくことで、その後の配達依頼時に受け付け業務が迅速に行える。
【０１０７】
上記の郵便システムは、差出人が登録した住所を郵便番号と番地とによって自動的に他の差出人とを区別する構成としてもよい。
【０１０８】
上記の構成によれば、郵便システムでは差出人が登録した郵便番号と番地とを用いることで自動的に差出人の区別が可能であるため、暗証番号のような特別な番号（情報）を改めて設ける必要がなく、差出人側では今までとなんら変わりのない情報管理で済む。
【０１０９】
上記の郵便システムは、差出人の宛先をその郵便番号と番地とによって自動的に他の宛先と区別する構成としてもよい。
【０１１０】
上記の構成によれば、郵便システムでは郵便番号と番地とを用いることで自動的にあて先の区別が可能であるため、差出人側では今までとなんら変わりのない情報管理（住所管理）で済む。
【０１１１】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明の郵便システムは、通信手段と、配達の依頼に伴って前記通信手段により受信された第１の郵便物データを郵便物とするために印刷する印刷手段と、第１の郵便物データを記憶する記憶手段と、第１の郵便物データについての状況調査依頼に伴って第２の郵便物データが前記通信手段により受信されたときに、第２の郵便物データと一致する第１の郵便物データを前記記憶手段に記憶されている複数の第１の郵便物データの内から検索して抽出し、抽出した第１の郵便物データの処理状況を状況調査処理の依頼元に前記通信手段により送信する郵便物データ管理手段とを備えている構成である。
【０１１２】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データ管理手段は、状況調査依頼に伴って受信した第２の郵便物データが、配達の依頼に伴って先に受信している第１の郵便物データと一致する場合、即ち両者が同一の郵便物データである場合に、その第１の郵便物データについての処理状況を状況調査処理の依頼元に送信する。
【０１１３】
これにより、本郵便システムにおいて、第１の郵便物データと一致する第２の郵便物データ、例えば第１の郵便物データとして送信する画像データやテキストデータ等の郵便物データをコピーして手元に残したデータを持たない他人（差出人以外の者）は、差出人から郵便システムに対して配達依頼された郵便物データについて、その処理状況、例えばそれがどこにあるかといった所在やどのような処理工程にあるかといったことについて、確認不可能である。したがって、セキュリティの面において高い機能を有する。特に、住所のみを検索条件として状況調査を可能としたような構成に対しては格段のセキュリティ機能と信頼性を有する。
【０１１４】
また、郵便物データ管理手段が上記処理を行うことにより、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の調査依頼者が、第１の郵便物データの差出人であることを第２の郵便物データの受信により確認できるので、暗証番号や受付番号等の管理番号等の発行を必要としない。したがって、差出人側においても管理番号等の煩わしい管理が不要である。
【０１１５】
本発明の郵便システムは、通信手段と、配達の依頼に伴って前記通信手段により受信された第１の郵便物データに、その郵便物データの処理状況を示す郵便物状況データを付与するとともに、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の変化に応じて、対応する郵便物状況データを更新する郵便物状況データ管理手段と、第１の郵便物データと前記郵便物状況データとを記憶する記憶手段と、第１の郵便物データを郵便物とするために印刷する印刷手段と、第１の郵便物データについての状況調査依頼に伴って第２の郵便物データが前記通信手段により受信されたときに、第２の郵便物データと一致する第１の郵便物データを前記記憶手段に記憶されている複数の第１の郵便物データの内から検索して抽出し、抽出した第１の郵便物データに対応した郵便物状況データにより示される処理状況を、状況調査処理の依頼元に前記通信手段により送信する郵便物データ管理手段とを備えている構成である。
【０１１６】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データ管理手段は、状況調査依頼に伴って受信した第２の郵便物データが、配達の依頼に伴って先に受信している第１の郵便物データと一致する場合、即ち両者が同一の郵便物データである場合に、その第１の郵便物データについての処理状況を状況調査処理の依頼元に送信する。
【０１１７】
これにより、本郵便システムにおいて、第１の郵便物データと一致する第２の郵便物データ、例えば第１の郵便物データとして送信する画像データやテキストデータ等の郵便物データをコピーして手元に残したデータを持たない他人（差出人以外の者）は、差出人から郵便システムに対して配達依頼された郵便物データについて、その処理状況、例えばそれがどこにあるかといった所在やどのような処理工程にあるかといったことについて、確認不可能である。したがって、セキュリティの面において高い機能を有する。特に、住所のみを検索条件として状況調査を可能としたような構成に対しては格段のセキュリティ機能と信頼性を有する。
【０１１８】
また、郵便物データ管理手段が上記処理を行うことにより、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の調査依頼者が、第１の郵便物データの差出人であることを第２の郵便物データの受信により確認できるので、暗証番号や受付番号等の管理番号等の発行を必要としない。したがって、差出人側においても管理番号等の煩わしい管理が不要である。
【０１１９】
上記の郵便システムにおいて、第１および第２の郵便物データには、郵便物データの差出人を示す差出人データと宛先を示す宛先データが含まれており、前記記憶手段は、前記差出人データと宛先データとの少なくとも一方の区別により郵便物データを管理する構成としてもよい。
【０１２０】
上記の構成によれば、記憶手段は差出人データと宛先データとの少なくとも一方の区別により、例えば差出人データと宛先データとの少なくとも一方をヘッダとすることにより第１の郵便物データを管理する。これにより、記憶手段での第１の郵便物データの管理が容易となる。
【０１２１】
上記の郵便システムにおいて、第１の郵便物データには、郵便物データの配達依頼元を示す、前記通信手段が通信を行う際のアドレス情報が含まれている構成としてもよい。
【０１２２】
上記の構成によれば、郵便システムから郵便物データの配達依頼元（差出人）への各種通知、例えば郵便物の配達済み通知、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の調査結果、あるいは配達料金の課金の通知を、配達依頼元（差出人）からの問い合わせがなくても容易に行うことができる。
【０１２３】
上記の郵便システムにおいて、前記郵便物データ管理手段は、前記郵便物状況データが第１の郵便物データについて郵便物としての配達完了を示すものとなったときに、第１の郵便物データの配達依頼元に前記通信手段により配達の完了を通知する構成としてもよい。
【０１２４】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データの配達依頼元（差出人）は、配達完了時にその通知を受けることができるので、宛先からの連絡がなくても、また配達が完了したか否かを郵便システムに問い合わせなくても知ることができる。
【０１２５】
上記の郵便システムにおいて、第１および第２の郵便物データには、郵便物データの差出人を示す差出人データと宛先を示す宛先データが含まれており、前記郵便物データ管理手段は、第１の郵便物データについての前記状況調査処理での第１の郵便物データの検索の際に、第１の郵便物データと第２の郵便物データとの前記差出人データと宛先データとの少なくとも一方同士を照合する構成としてもよい。
【０１２６】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データ管理手段は、第１の郵便物データについての状況調査処理での第１の郵便物データの検索の際に、第１の郵便物データと第２の郵便物データとに含まれている差出人データと宛先データとの少なくとも一方同士をまず照合し、差出人データと宛先データとの何れか一方が一致する第１の郵便物データのみについて、第２の郵便物データとの一致を調べることができる。即ち、記憶手段に記憶された膨大な量の第１の郵便物データを、例えば比較テーブル上に呼び出してきて第２の状況調査処理との比較を行う必要がない。
【０１２７】
したがって、郵便物データ管理手段では記憶手段に対しての無用なアクセスを防ぐことができ、また一致を調べるべき郵便物データの数も少なくなる。これにより、郵便物データ管理手段での第１の郵便物データについての状況調査処理、即ち第２の郵便物データと一致する第１の郵便物データについての検索および抽出処理を容易かつ迅速に行うことができる。
【０１２８】
上記の郵便システムは、前記通信手段、前記記憶手段および前記郵便物データ管理手段を少なくとも有する第１のシステム管理装置と、第１のシステム管理装置の通信手段および前記印刷手段を少なくとも有し、郵便物の各配達管轄区域に設けられた複数の第２の管理装置とを備え、前記第１の郵便物データに、郵便物の宛先を示す宛先データが含まれており、第１のシステム管理装置における前記郵便物データ管理手段が、第１の郵便物データを前記宛先に基づいてその宛先を配達管轄区域とする第２の管理装置に前記通信手段により送信し、第１の郵便物データを受信した、第２の管理装置が、その第１の郵便物データを前記印刷手段により印刷する構成としてもよい。
【０１２９】
上記の構成によれば、配達依頼を受けた第１の郵便物データは、第１の管理装置からその宛先を配達管轄区域とする第２の管理装置に送信され、そこで一括して印刷される。したがって、郵便物の配達のための輸送区間は、宛先を配達管轄区域とする第２の管理装置から宛先までの間で済むので、郵便物の配達期間を大幅に短縮でき、また配達依頼を受けてから配達が完了するまでの期間が宛先により異なる事態も抑制することができる。
【０１３０】
上記の郵便システムは、第１の郵便物データの配達依頼元からの配達料の支払いを、クレジット会社のクレジット番号の受信により受け付ける課金処理手段を備えている構成としてもよい。
【０１３１】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データの配達依頼者は、郵便システムに対してクレジット番号を送信することにより、配達料を支払うことができるので、煩わしい現金の支払いや送金が不要となり、配達料の清算が容易となる。
【０１３２】
上記の郵便システムにおいて、前記配達料は、配達を依頼された第１の郵便物データのデータ量に応じて決定される構成としてもよい。
【０１３３】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データの配達料が郵便物データのデータ量に応じて決定されるので、例えば画像データとテキストデータとで異なる郵便システムでの負荷に応じて、適正な料金設定が可能となる。
【０１３４】
上記の郵便システムは、郵便システムが通信に使用するネットワーク上に広告を供給する広告供給手段をさらに備え、前記課金処理手段が、配達依頼者側の端末装置での前記の広告の表示が行われたときに、前記配達料の少なくとも一部を減額する構成としてもよい。
【０１３５】
上記の構成によれば、郵便システムは、郵便物データの配達処理に伴う収入に留まらず、広告主からの広告供給に伴う収入も得ることができる。また、広告主は、郵便システムという巨大な公告媒体を利用して自社の宣伝活動が可能となる。また、郵便システムの利用者は、本来、配達料の全額支払いが必要なところ、その少なくとも一部が減額されるので、安価に利用できるシステムとなる。
【０１３６】
上記の郵便システムは、前記通信手段がインターネットにより通信を行う構成としてもよい。
【０１３７】
上記の構成によれば、郵便物データの配達依頼者は、インターネットを使用することにより、郵便システムとの郵便物データの配達依頼等の通信を容易に行うことができる。
【０１３８】
本発明のプログラムは、配達の依頼に伴って受信した第１の郵便物データに、その郵便物データの処理状況を示す郵便物状況データを付与するステップと、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の変化に応じて、対応する郵便物状況データを更新するステップと、第１の郵便物データと前記郵便物状況データとを記憶手段に記憶させるステップと、第１の郵便物データを郵便物とするために印刷するステップと、第１の郵便物データについての状況調査依頼に伴って第２の郵便物データを受信したときに、第２の郵便物データと一致する第１の郵便物データを前記記憶手段に記憶されている複数の第１の郵便物データの内から検索して抽出し、抽出した第１の郵便物データに対応した郵便物状況データにより示される処理状況を、状況調査処理の依頼元に送信するステップとをコンピュータに実行させる構成である。
【０１３９】
上記の構成によれば、第１の郵便物データと一致する第２の郵便物データを手元に持たない他人（差出人以外の者）は、差出人から配達依頼された郵便物データについて、その処理状況について確認不可能である。したがって、セキュリティの面において高い機能を有する。特に、住所のみを検索条件として状況調査を可能としたような構成に対しては格段のセキュリティ機能と信頼性を有する。
【０１４０】
また、第１の郵便物データについての処理状況の調査依頼者が、第１の郵便物データの差出人であることを第２の郵便物データの受信により確認できるので、暗証番号や受付番号等の管理番号等の発行を必要としない。したがって、差出人側においても管理番号等の煩わしい管理が不要である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の一形態における郵便システムのシステム管理装置の構成を機能的手段によって示すブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の実施の一形態における郵便システムの全体構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】図１に示した郵便システムにおける、差出人端末装置からの郵便物データの配達依頼から、それに応じたシステム管理装置での配達完了までの一連の概略動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】図１に示したシステム管理装置における郵便物データの配達処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】図１に示したシステム管理装置における郵便物データの状況調査処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図６】図１に示した郵便システムにおける課金処理の説明図である。
【図７】図１に示したシステム管理装置における課金処理を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１ 差出人端末装置
２ システム管理装置
３ システム管理装置
４ インターネット
２２ 印刷装置（印刷手段）
３４ 通信装置（通信手段）
４１ 郵便物データ管理部（郵便物データ管理手段、郵便物状況データ管理手段）
４３ 課金処理部（課金処理手段）
４５ 郵便物データ記憶部（記憶手段）
５２ 印刷装置（印刷手段）
６４ 通信装置（通信手段）
７１ 郵便物データ管理部（郵便物データ管理手段、郵便物状況データ管理手段）
７２ 郵便物データ記憶部（記憶手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a postal system and program capable of requesting mail using, for example, the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional postal system, for example, the following procedures are used to request and deliver postal items such as postcards and sealed letters. First, the postal mail sender purchases postcards and stamps made by the government at the post office. Next, write the message to the address on a postcard or letter. Next, stamp them as needed and post them directly to a post box or post office.
[0003]
In addition, the post office having jurisdiction over the post box collects the posted mail items from the post box. Next, after confirming that the postal items and postal items directly posted to the post office are free of stamping omissions, etc., they are classified by delivery area. Next, the mail items are collected and delivered to a post office in the delivery area. Next, at the post office of the delivery destination, the postal items are finally classified by destination, and then delivered to each destination by the postman.
[0004]
However, such a mail system imposes a heavy burden on the mail sender and post office, and is not convenient. That is, the sender of the postal matter is forced to go out, move, and consume time by sending the postcard or stamp, and posting directly to the postbox or post office. Furthermore, when using a postcard or the like, it is necessary to pay attention to writing errors, and in particular, when a destination is far away, a long time is required for arrival of mail.
[0005]
Also, post offices are required to collect postal items from posts, check postage stamps, sort mail items by destination, and deliver postal items between post offices. It has become.
[0006]
On the other hand, in order to solve the above problems, a mail system using the Internet has recently been proposed and already implemented. In this mail system, mail is requested and delivered as follows. First, a sender of a postal matter transmits data to be a postal matter to a host device provided in the post office using a terminal device such as a personal computer from a home or company, for example. When the data is received at the post office, if the destination of the data is within the jurisdiction of the post office, the data is printed as a postal matter and delivered to a designated destination. On the other hand, if the destination of the data is outside the jurisdiction of the post office that received the data, it is transferred to the post office that has the destination as the jurisdiction. When the post office receives the transferred data, it prints the data as mail and delivers it to a designated destination.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional mail system using the Internet, the sender can easily request a survey on the processing status such as the location of mail (mail data) requested for delivery without being forced to manage the management number. The configuration for this has not been studied. In this configuration, a security function is also required so that others cannot easily request the investigation.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a postal system and a program in which a sender can easily request a survey on the status of a postal matter (postal matter data) requested for delivery, and can exclude a survey request by another person.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a mail system according to the present invention includes a communication unit and a printing unit that prints first mail data received by the communication unit in response to a delivery request so as to be a postal matter. Storage means for storing the first mail data, and the second mail when the second mail data is received by the communication means in response to a situation investigation request for the first mail data. First mail data that matches the mail data is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the processing status of the extracted first mail data is The present invention is characterized by comprising postal matter data management means for transmitting by means of the communication means to a requester of investigation processing.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data management means receives the second postal matter data when the second postal matter data is received by the communication means in response to the situation survey request for the first postal matter data. The first postal data that matches the first postal data is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first postal data stored in the storage means (for example, when the postal data is image data, The processing status of the extracted first mail data is transmitted to the requester of the status investigation processing (by extracting the features of both pieces of mail data and comparing the extracted feature portions).
[0011]
Accordingly, the postal data management means, when the second postal data received with the situation survey request matches the first postal data received with the delivery request, that is, both Are the same mail data, the processing status of the first mail data is transmitted to the requester of the situation investigation process.
[0012]
As a result, in the present mail system, second mail data that matches the first mail data, for example, mail data such as image data or text data transmitted as the first mail data is copied and handed. Others who do not have the data left (the person other than the sender), for the mail data requested for delivery from the sender to the mail system, the processing status, for example, where it is and where it is It is impossible to confirm whether there is any. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0013]
In addition, the postal data management means performs the above processing, so that the requester of the processing status of the first postal data is the sender of the first postal data. Since it can be confirmed by reception, it is not necessary to issue a management number such as a personal identification number or a reception number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[0014]
The postal system of the present invention provides communication means and postal matter status data indicating the processing status of the postal matter data to the first postal matter data received by the communication means in response to a delivery request, A mail status data management means for updating the corresponding mail status data in response to a change in the processing status of the first mail data, and a memory for storing the first mail data and the mail status data Means, printing means for printing the first mail data to be mail, and second mail data is received by the communication means in response to a status investigation request for the first mail data. Sometimes, the first mail data that matches the second mail data is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the extracted first mail Against material data The processing status indicated by the mailpiece status data is characterized by comprising a mailpiece data management means for transmitting by said communication means to the requesting survey process.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, the storage means stores the first mail data and the mail status data corresponding to the first mail data in association with each other. The postal matter data management means, when the second postal matter data is received by the communication means in response to the situation survey request for the first postal matter data, the first postal matter that matches the second postal matter data The object data is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means (for example, when the mail data is image data, feature extraction of both mail data by image processing) And by comparing the extracted feature parts), the contents of the postal matter data corresponding to the extracted first postal matter data are examined, and the processing status of the first postal matter data described therein is determined. Sent to the requester of the situation investigation process.
[0016]
Accordingly, the postal data management means, when the second postal data received with the situation survey request matches the first postal data received with the delivery request, that is, both Are the same mail data, the processing status of the first mail data is transmitted to the requester of the situation investigation process.
[0017]
As a result, in the present mail system, second mail data that matches the first mail data, for example, mail data such as image data or text data transmitted as the first mail data is copied and handed. Others who do not have the data left (the person other than the sender), for the mail data requested for delivery from the sender to the mail system, the processing status, for example, where it is and where it is It is impossible to confirm whether there is any. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0018]
In addition, the postal data management means performs the above processing, so that the requester of the processing status of the first postal data is the sender of the first postal data. Since it can be confirmed by reception, it is not necessary to issue a management number such as a personal identification number or a reception number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[0019]
In the above mail system, the first and second mail data includes sender data indicating the sender of mail data and destination data indicating the destination, and the storage means stores the sender data and destination data. The mail data may be managed by distinguishing at least one of them.
[0020]
According to the above configuration, the storage unit manages the first mail data by distinguishing at least one of the sender data and the destination data, for example, using at least one of the sender data and the destination data as a header. This facilitates management of the first mail data in the storage means.
[0021]
In the above mail system, the first mail data may be configured to include address information when the communication means performs communication, which indicates a mail request delivery source.
[0022]
According to the above configuration, various notifications from the postal system to the postal data delivery requester (sender), for example, postal matter delivery completion notification, processing status survey results on the first postal matter data, or delivery charges Can be easily notified without any inquiry from the delivery requester (sender).
[0023]
In the postal system, the postal matter data management means delivers the first postal matter data when the postal matter status data indicates completion of delivery as postal matter for the first postal matter data. The requester may be notified of completion of delivery by the communication means.
[0024]
According to the above configuration, the postal data delivery requester (sender) can receive a notification when delivery is completed, so it is possible to indicate whether delivery has been completed or not even if there is no contact from the destination. You can know without contacting the system.
[0025]
In the above mail system, the first and second mail data include sender data indicating a sender of mail data and destination data indicating a destination. At the time of searching for the first mail data in the situation investigation processing for mail data, at least one of the sender data and the destination data of the first mail data and the second mail data is obtained. It is good also as a structure to collate.
[0026]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data management means performs the first postal matter data and the second postal mail when searching for the first postal matter data in the situation investigation process for the first postal matter data. First, at least one of the sender data and the destination data included in the article data is collated, and only the first mail data for which either the sender data or the destination data matches is the second mail piece. You can check for a match with the data. That is, there is no need to call up a huge amount of first mail data stored in the storage means on the comparison table, for example, and compare it with the second situation investigation process.
[0027]
Therefore, the mail data management means can prevent unnecessary access to the storage means, and the number of mail data to be checked for a match is reduced. As a result, the situation investigation process for the first mail data in the mail data management means, that is, the search and extraction process for the first mail data that matches the second mail data is performed easily and quickly. be able to.
[0028]
The postal system includes at least a first system management device having at least the communication unit, the storage unit, and the mail data management unit, a communication unit of the first system management device, and the printing unit, A plurality of second management devices provided in each delivery jurisdiction of the goods, wherein the first mail data includes destination data indicating a mail address, and the first system management device The mail data management means transmits the first mail data based on the destination to the second management device having the destination as the delivery jurisdiction by the communication means, and receives the first mail data. The second management device may print the first mail data by the printing unit.
[0029]
According to the above configuration, the first mail data that has received the delivery request is transmitted from the first management device to the second management device whose destination is the delivery jurisdiction, and is printed in a batch there. . Therefore, since the transportation section for delivery of postal items is between the second management device having the destination as the delivery jurisdiction and the destination, the delivery period of postal items can be greatly shortened and the delivery request can be received. It is also possible to suppress a situation in which the period until delivery is completed differs depending on the destination.
[0030]
The postal system may include a billing processing unit that accepts payment of a delivery fee from a delivery request source of the first mail data by receiving a credit number of a credit company.
[0031]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data delivery requester can pay the delivery fee by sending a credit number to the postal system, so there is no need for troublesome cash payment or remittance, and the delivery fee. It becomes easy to liquidate.
[0032]
In the above mail system, the delivery fee may be determined according to the data amount of the first mail data requested for delivery.
[0033]
According to the above configuration, the delivery fee for mail data is determined according to the data amount of the mail data. For example, appropriate charges are set according to the load on the mail system that is different between image data and text data. Is possible.
[0034]
The postal system further includes an advertisement supply unit that supplies an advertisement to a network used for communication by the postal system, and the billing processing unit displays the advertisement on the terminal device on the delivery requester side. In this case, at least a part of the delivery fee may be reduced.
[0035]
According to the above configuration, the postal system can obtain not only income associated with delivery processing of postal matter data but also income associated with advertisement supply from the advertiser. In addition, advertisers can use their huge advertising medium called a postal system to conduct their own advertising activities. Further, since the user of the postal system originally needs to pay the full amount of the delivery fee, at least a part thereof is reduced, so that the system can be used at low cost. In addition to the advertisement, the questionnaire information may be further displayed on the terminal device on the delivery requester side, and the amount of reduction may be further increased when the questionnaire is answered.
[0036]
The postal system described above may be configured such that the communication means communicates via the Internet.
[0037]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data delivery requester can easily communicate the postal matter data delivery request with the postal system by using the Internet.
[0038]
The program of the present invention includes a step of assigning postal matter status data indicating a processing status of the postal matter data to the first postal matter data received in response to the delivery request, and a process for the first postal matter data A step of updating corresponding postal matter status data in response to a change in status, a step of storing the first postal matter data and the postal matter status data in storage means, and the first postal matter data as postal matter And the first mail data that matches the second mail data when the second mail data is received in response to the status survey request for the first mail data. Is retrieved and extracted from among the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the processing status indicated by the mail status data corresponding to the extracted first mail data is checked. It is characterized by and a step of transmitting to the management of the request source to the computer.
[0039]
According to the above configuration, the other person (a person other than the sender) who does not have the second piece of mail data that matches the first piece of mail data has processed the mail data requested to be delivered by the sender. It is impossible to confirm. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0040]
Further, since the requester of the processing status of the first mail data can confirm that the first mail data is the sender of the first mail data by receiving the second mail data, the personal identification number, the reception number, etc. It is not necessary to issue a management number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[0041]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the postal system of the present embodiment includes a sender terminal device 1 and system management devices 2 and 3, which are connected to each other via the Internet 4.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the system management device 3 is a sub-management device provided in, for example, post offices nationwide, and mainly transmits and receives data to and from the system management device 2. On the other hand, the system management device 2 is a main management device provided at a central post office, and manages postal data addressed to the whole country or postal data addressed to the jurisdiction of a plurality of system management devices 3, and a sender terminal device 1 and the system management apparatus 3 transmit and receive data. Further, the system management device 2 operates a home page on the Internet 4 of the postal system, and also has a function of the system management device 3. Although only one sender terminal device 1 and one system management device 3 are shown, there are usually a plurality of sender terminals.
[0043]
The sender terminal device 1 includes a main unit 11 made of a computer, an input device 12 made of a keyboard, for example, and a display device 13 made of a liquid crystal display device, for example. The input device 12 and the display device 13 may be included in the main unit 11.
[0044]
The main unit 11 includes a CPU 14 that controls the overall operation of the sender terminal device 1, a memory 15 that serves as a work area for the CPU 14, a hard disk device 16 that stores operation programs and various data for the CPU 14, and an input interface connected to the input device 12. 17, a display control unit 18 that controls the display operation of the display device 13, and a communication device 19 connected to the Internet 4.
[0045]
The hard disk device 16 stores software for document creation and image data processing. Further, the hard disk device 16 includes text data created using the document creation software, image data created using the image data processing software, or an external sender terminal device 1. The text data and image data input to the are stored. These text data and image data can be transmitted as mail data from the communication device 19 to the system management devices 2 and 3 via the Internet 4. At this time, the postal code, address, name, and e-mail address (address information) of the sender and the postal code, address, and name of the destination are attached to the text data and image data, and the postal data includes these. It will be a thing.
[0046]
The system management device 2 includes a main unit 21 composed of a computer, a printing device (printing means) 22, and an input device 23 composed of a keyboard and the like. The system management devices 2 and 3 may further include a display device, similar to the sender terminal device 1.
[0047]
The main unit 21 includes a CPU 31 that controls the overall operation of the system management device 2, a memory 32 that serves as a work area for the CPU 31, an input interface 33 connected to the input device 23, and a communication device (communication means) connected to the Internet 4. ) 34, a hard disk device 35 that stores an operation program of the CPU 31 and various data, and a print control unit 36 that controls the operation of the printing device 22. In the present embodiment, the system management apparatus 2, which is the main management apparatus, also has a jurisdiction, and is provided with the printing device 22 for printing mail data addressed to this jurisdiction.
[0048]
The system management device 3 has the same configuration as the system management device 2 and includes a main unit 51, a printing device (printing means) 52, and an input device 53 including a keyboard and the like. Similar to the main unit 21 of the system management apparatus 2, the main unit 51 includes a CPU 61, a memory 62, an input interface 63, a communication device (communication means) 64, a hard disk device 65, and a print control unit 66.
[0049]
The functional configuration of the system management devices 2 and 3 in the postal system is as shown in FIG. In the figure, the input interfaces 33 and 63 and the print control units 36 and 66 are not shown for simplification.
[0050]
In the figure, the system management apparatus 2 includes a postal matter data management unit (postal matter data management means, postal matter status data management means) 41, an accounting processing unit (accounting processing unit) 43, and a postal matter data storage unit (storage unit). 45, and the printing device 22, the input device 23, and the communication device 34. The postal data management unit 41 is constituted by a computer program stored in the CPU 31 and the hard disk device 35. The mail data storage unit 45 includes a hard disk device 35.
[0051]
The system management device 3 includes a postal matter data management unit (postal matter data management unit, postal matter status data management unit) 71 and a postal matter data storage unit (storage unit) 72, and the printing device 52, the input device 53, and the like. A communication device 64 is provided. The postal data management unit 71 is constituted by a computer program stored in the CPU 61 and the hard disk device 65. The mail data storage unit 72 includes a hard disk device 65.
[0052]
The mail data storage unit 45 of the system management device 2 stores the mail data transmitted from the sender terminal device 1 via the Internet 4. In this case, the postal matter data management unit 41 reads the destination from the postal matter data, and distributes the received postal matter data by destination, that is, by the jurisdiction of the system management device 2 and each system management device 3.
[0053]
The mail data management unit 41 transfers the mail data in the jurisdiction of the system management device 3 to the system management device 3 via the communication device 34 and the Internet 4, while the postal data in the jurisdiction of the system management device 2. The object data is printed by the printing device 22. The mail data is transferred and printed every time mail data that needs to be processed is received, every time a certain amount of mail data that needs to be processed accumulates, or at regular intervals. The postal matter data printed by the printing device 22 is taken as postal matter and delivered to a predetermined destination by a delivery person. The same applies to the system management apparatus 3 side.
[0054]
Further, the postal matter data management unit 41 gives postal matter status data to the postal matter data received from the sender terminal device 1 and received by the communication device 34. This mail status data is information regarding the processing status of the received mail data, such as at which process position the mail data currently exists in the processing process until delivery. Furthermore, information on completion of delivery when mail data is printed and delivered as mail is also included. This information is input from the input device 23, for example.
[0055]
The postal matter status data may be attached (attached) directly to the postal matter data or may be associated with the postal matter data in a management table provided in the postal matter data storage unit 45. It may be memorized. In the following, the former case will be described.
[0056]
As an example, the postal matter status data can be displayed with 2 bits up to 4 statuses. In this case, for example, the form is as follows.
[0057]
[Table 1]

[0058]
The postal matter status data is updated by the postal matter data management unit 41 in accordance with the progress of processing of the postal matter data in the system management apparatus 2 and the progress of processing in the system management apparatus 3. For this reason, the mail status data indicating this is transmitted from the system management device 3 to the system management device 2 as the mail data processing proceeds.
[0059]
In the postal matter data storage unit 45, in order to prevent the storage capacity of the hard disk device 35 from being insufficient, the postal matter data that has become unnecessary and the postal matter status data are appropriately deleted. The time when this deletion is performed is as follows.
[0060]
For example, it is the time when information indicating completion of delivery of mail data to a predetermined destination is input from the system management device 3 or the input device 23 of the system management device 2, or a time when a predetermined number of days have elapsed from this time. . In addition, when the delivery data is returned from the system management device 2 to the sender terminal device 1 when the delivery destination is unknown, a predetermined time from the completion of the return or from the completion time This is the point when the number of days has passed.
[0061]
In addition, when the mail data management unit 41 receives a request for checking the processing status of the mail data, the mail data management unit 41 performs a status checking process on the mail data. In this situation investigation process, the system management apparatus 2 accepts a delivery process for the mail data received from the sender terminal apparatus 1, that is, a process of printing the mail data to form a mail and delivering it. This is performed on the mail data stored in the material data storage unit 45.
[0062]
In this situation investigation process, mail data that has already been accepted for delivery processing, such as text data and image data, is transmitted again from the sender terminal device 1. The postal matter data management unit 41 searches the postal matter data storage unit 45 for the same postal matter data (first postal matter data) as the received postal matter data (second postal matter data). After performing the coincidence determination process, the mail status data added (given) to the mail data is checked, and the processing status shown there is transmitted to the sender terminal device 1 as the check result.
[0063]
In the above match determination process, the match / mismatch of each part of the above-mentioned mail piece data is compared, or the feature of both the above-mentioned mail piece data is extracted and only the feature part is compared, so that the match / mismatch of both is not found. May be determined. In this case, the mail data management unit 41 functions as a match determination processing unit, and further functions as a feature extraction unit when performing the latter processing by extracting features.
[0064]
Further, when the postal matter data delivery completion is input from the input device 23 or received from the system management device 3, the postal matter data management unit 41 notifies the E-mail attached to the postal matter data. Based on the mail address, it is transmitted to the sender terminal device 1 of the delivery request source.
[0065]
When receiving the mail data delivery request from the sender terminal device 1, the billing processing unit 43 performs billing processing for receiving payment of the fee.
[0066]
On the other hand, the postal matter data management unit 71 of the system management device 3 stores the postal matter data transmitted from the system management device 2 in the postal matter data storage unit 72 and prints it by the printing device 52.
[0067]
Further, the postal matter data management unit 71 transmits the postal matter data processing status in the system management device 3 to the system management device 2 as postal matter status data. The postal matter status data is as described in the processing in the system management device 2, and the postal matter data and the postal matter status data are deleted in the same manner as in the system management device 2.
[0068]
In the above configuration, the operation of the present mail system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, a series of schematic operations from the delivery request for mail data from the sender terminal device 1 to the completion of delivery in the system management devices 2 and 3 according to the mail system will be described. Here, it is assumed that all mail data destinations are within the jurisdiction of the system management apparatus 3.
[0069]
In the present mail system, when requesting delivery of postal matter data, the sender terminal device 1 transmits an e-mail address to the system management device (main management device) 2 together with postal matter data (image data or text data) ( S1).
[0070]
The system management device 2 reads the sender and destination from the received mail data, and adds mail status data to the mail data (S2). Thereafter, the system management device 2 transfers the mail data to the destination system management device 3 (sub-management device) (S3).
[0071]
When the system management device 3 receives mail data, it stores the mail data in the mail data storage unit 72. Further, after the postal matter data attached to the postal matter data is rewritten, that is, updated to data indicating the arrival of postal matter data at the system management device 3, the postal matter data is returned to the system management device 2. (S4). In this case, what is returned is, for example, a copy, and the mail data is left in the mail data storage unit 72.
[0072]
The system management device 3 that has received the mail data prints the mail data (S5). As a result, the postal matter data is converted into postal matter, and the postal matter is delivered to the destination by the delivery person (S6). In this case as well, the printed mail data is left in the mail data storage unit 72.
[0073]
When the message is input from the input device 53 after the delivery is completed, the mail data management unit 71 of the system management device 3 adds the mail status data indicating that to the mail data for which the delivery has been completed. It returns to the management device (main management device) 2 (S7).
[0074]
The postal matter data management unit 41 of the system management device 2 that has received the return of postal matter data from the system management device 3 stores the postal matter data in the postal matter data storage unit 45. If the same mail data is stored in advance, the mail status data is updated to new mail status data. Further, the contents of the mail status data are checked, and when the delivery of the mail data is indicated there, the mail is sent by e-mail to the sender terminal device 1 of the e-mail address attached to the mail data. The delivery completion of the article data is notified (S8).
[0075]
In S3, when the system management device 2 transfers the mail data received from the sender terminal device 1 to the system management device 3, the system management device 2 leaves the mail data in the mail data storage unit 45, and S5 and In S8, only the mail status data may be received from the system management apparatus 3 to which the mail data is transferred.
[0076]
Next, the processing in the system management device 2 that has received a mail data delivery request from the sender terminal device 1 and the processing in the system management device 3 corresponding thereto will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, similarly, it is assumed that all the mail data destinations are within the jurisdiction of the system management apparatus 3.
[0077]
When the mail data management unit 41 of the system management device 2 receives mail data from the sender terminal device 1 (S21), the mail data management unit 41 performs a billing process for receiving payment for the mail data delivery process (S22). . Upon completion of this billing process, acceptance of the delivery request is completed.
[0078]
Next, the postal matter data management unit 41 adds postal status data to the postal matter data received from the sender terminal device 1 (S23). Next, it is determined whether the mail data is text data or image data (S24). If the mail data is text data, the sender and destination are read from the mail data (S25). On the other hand, if the mail data is image data, the mail data is converted into bitmap data (S26), and the sender and destination are read from the data (S27).
[0079]
Thereafter, the sender data and the destination data are added to the mail data (S28), and the mail data is distributed to the destination (by the jurisdiction of the system management apparatus 3) (S29). Then, the mail data is transmitted from the system management apparatus (main management apparatus) 2 to the system management apparatus 3 (sub management apparatus) (S30).
[0080]
When receiving the mail data, the system management device 3 (sub management device) transmits a message to that effect to the system management device (main management device) 2 (S31). Further, the system management device 3 prints the mail data collectively. As a result, the postal matter data is made into postal matter, and this postal matter is delivered to its destination by the delivery person. When the delivery of the postal matter is completed, the fact is input to the system management device 3 by the input device 53, for example, and the information is transmitted from the system management device 3 to the system management device 2 (S32).
[0081]
The system management device 2 that has received the information contacts the sender terminal device 1 by E-mail based on the E-mail address attached to the mail data (S33).
[0082]
When the system management device 2 transfers the mail data received from the sender terminal device 1 to the system management device 3, the mail data is left in the mail data storage unit 45, and the mail data transfer destination is stored. From the system management apparatus 3, only the mail status data may be received in the same manner as described above.
[0083]
Next, the mail status data processing in the mail data management unit 41 of the system management apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the sender terminal device 1 requests the postal system to check the status of postal matter data, it sends the postal matter data that has already been requested for delivery processing to the system management device 2 again (S41).
[0084]
In the mail data management unit 41 that has received the request for the situation investigation process, for example, a comparison table is created on the memory 15, and a request for the situation investigation process stored in the article data storage unit 45 is stored in this comparison table. All the image data and text data as mail data previously transmitted by the sender who has performed are fetched (S42). However, the data captured in the comparison table is data that has not been delivered.
[0085]
Next, the mail data management unit 41 determines whether or not the mail status data received again from the sender terminal device 1, that is, the mail data that matches the mail data that has been requested for the status investigation is on the comparison table. Is determined (S43).
[0086]
If there is matching mail data as a result of this determination, based on the mail status data added to the mail data, the status of the mail data, that is, where the mail data is (location), Alternatively, it is checked which state is present (S44).
[0087]
Thereafter, the postal matter data management unit 41 transmits the investigated postal matter status to the sender terminal device 1 by e-mail, for example (S45).
[0088]
On the other hand, if there is no mail data that matches the mail data requested for the situation investigation on the comparison table, the mail data management unit 41 informs the sender terminal device 1 that the mail data is not in the mail system. Transmit (S46).
[0089]
Here, the fact that the postal matter data for which the situation survey request has been received does not exist in the comparison table may indicate a mistake in selecting the postal matter data for which the sender side requests the situation survey. On the other hand, there is a possibility that a third party different from the sender tried to look into the mail system against the mail system. However, even in such a case, in the present mail system, as long as the third party does not have postal matter data for requesting the situation investigation, it is possible to prevent the illegal acts as described above.
[0090]
As a configuration for managing the mail status data, a mail status data management table is provided, and the mail status data in this management table is updated as the mail data processing progresses. Also good. In this case, the mail data status check request is processed by confirming the match between the mail data for which the delivery request has been received and the mail data received again for the status check request, and then the postal data in the management table. This is done by examining the mail status data for the item data.
[0091]
Next, charging processing by the charging processing unit 43 of the system management apparatus 2 will be described with reference to an explanatory diagram of FIG. 6 and a flowchart of FIG. This billing process corresponds to the process of S22 in FIG.
[0092]
FIG. 6 shows a sender terminal device 1, a system management device (main management device) 2, a credit company terminal device 5 used by a credit company, and an advertiser used by a sender of postal items (postal matter data). The process performed between the advertiser terminal devices 6 to be used is shown. These devices can be connected to the Internet 4. The advertiser distributes the advertisement in the postal system, and the advertisement can be displayed on the display device 13 of the sender terminal device 1.
[0093]
When mail data is transmitted from the sender terminal device 1 to the system management device 2 for delivery request (S53), the billing processing unit 43 of the system management device 2 calculates a fee for delivery processing according to a predetermined rule. Then, it is transmitted to the sender terminal device 1 as fee information (S52).
[0094]
The fee information received from the system management device 2 in the sender terminal device 1 is displayed on the display device 13. Based on this display, the sender inputs whether or not the delivery is desired (S53), and the information is transmitted to the system management apparatus 2. As a result, if there is an input indicating that delivery is not desired, the system management apparatus 2 proceeds to S61 and ends the process without accepting the delivery request.
[0095]
On the other hand, when there is an input of delivery request in S53, the billing processing unit 43 looks at the advertisement (displays the advertisement) and makes an inquiry to the sender terminal device 1 as to whether or not to answer the questionnaire (S54).
[0096]
If there is an input to reject these inquiries, the charging processing unit 43 prompts the sender terminal device 1 to input a credit number. In response to this, when a credit number is transmitted from the sender terminal device 1 (S55), the billing processing unit 43 transfers the credit number to the credit company terminal device 5. In response to this, the credit company verifies whether the registrant of the credit number is the same person as the sender, and notifies the system management apparatus 2 of the result.
[0097]
If the registrant of the credit number is the same person as the sender as a result of this notification (S56), reception of mail data delivery processing, that is, accounting processing is completed (S57). In this case, the credit company performs a predetermined payment process for the delivery fee (postage fee) based on the credit number. On the other hand, if the registrant of the credit number is not the same person as the sender, the system management apparatus 2 proceeds to S61 and ends the process without accepting the delivery request. The delivery fee is determined based on the data amount of mail data, for example.
[0098]
On the other hand, if there is an input for accepting that the inquiry in S54 is answered by displaying an advertisement and answering the questionnaire, the billing processing unit 43 sends the advertisement information (such as an advertisement image) and the questionnaire information to the sender terminal device. 1 to send. In response to this, on the display device 13 of the sender terminal device 1, advertisements and questionnaires are displayed simultaneously or sequentially.
[0099]
Here, for example, the delivery fee (postage fee) is completely exempted when the advertisement is displayed to the end on the sender terminal device 1 and the questionnaire is answered by the sender (S58). Therefore, when the advertisement display on the sender terminal device 1 is performed to the end without being interrupted, and the questionnaire result is sent from the sender terminal device 1 (S60), the mail data delivery process is accepted. Completion (S57). The questionnaire result is sent from the system management device 2 to the advertiser terminal device 6, and the delivery fee is charged to the advertising company.
[0100]
In S58, when the advertisement display is ended in the middle of the sender terminal device 1 or the advertisement display is completed, but the questionnaire is not answered, the billing processing unit 43 performs a part of the advertisement display according to the advertisement display. An inquiry is made to the sender terminal device 1 as to whether or not the payment after the exemption is paid by credit (S59). In response to this inquiry, if there is a reply that the payment by credit is accepted, the system management apparatus 2 performs a process for the above in S55 to S57, and a reply that refuses the payment by credit. If there is, the process proceeds to S61, and the process ends without accepting the delivery request.
[0101]
In the above embodiment, the system management device 2 is a main management device, the system management device 3 is a sub-management device, and the system management device 2 manages a plurality of system management devices 3. When the device 2 and the system management device 3 are in an equal relationship, each manages only mail data destined for each delivery jurisdiction, and receives mail data destined for other delivery jurisdictions, The mail data may be transmitted to a system management apparatus whose delivery destination is the destination.
[0102]
The postal system of the present invention may be configured as follows.
(1) The sender registers the address and name in the system management device 2 by the sender terminal device 1. This may be done by mail.
(2) The system management device 2 registers the sender's address with the postal code and address. The registered contents may be notified to the sender via the Internet 4.
(3) Send address data and mail data are sent from the sender terminal device 1 to the system management device 2 to request delivery. The image data of the mail data may be in JPEG format, and may be in TEXT format if the mail data is only character data.
(4) The system management device 2 registers the address of the destination by its zip code and address.
(5) Collect mail data from multiple senders to be delivered to the destination.
(6) Mail data is transmitted to the system management apparatus 3 in the jurisdiction and printed as mail there.
(7) Post offices in each jurisdiction deliver mail to the destination. At the same time, the sender is notified by e-mail that the mail has arrived (service provided as necessary). Note that the delivery fee is charged from the sender by the credit no. It processes by inputting. In addition, charging may be performed in units of one message or in units of image data (note that a credit number may be registered in the case of (1)). Furthermore, as a variation of billing, the billing can be partially reduced or exempted by using an advertising site operated by the postal system.
[0103]
Next, a method for sorting mail data will be described.
(1) The sender registers the address and name in the system management apparatus 2 by the sender terminal apparatus 1 as described above.
(2) The system management apparatus 2 registers the sender's address (zip code 00-001-1 32) with the postal code and address.
(Registration of sender: 〇〇〇〇〇〇〇01 32). The registered contents may be notified to the sender by e-mail.
(3) Send the sender's address data (zip code xxx-00001 address 32), address data of the recipient (zip code xxx-00002 address 15) and postal data . The mail data format is as described above.
(4) In the system management apparatus 2, the address of the destination is registered with the zip code and the address (destination registration data: 000, 000, 0015).
(5) Destination registration data: A plurality of postal data to be delivered to (00, 00, 00, 0015).
(6) Mail data is transmitted to the system management apparatus 3 in the jurisdiction and printed as mail there.
(7) Post offices in each jurisdiction deliver mail to the destination. At the same time, the sender is notified by e-mail that the mail has arrived (service provided as necessary). Note that the delivery fee is charged from the sender by the credit no. It processes by inputting. Further, charging may be performed in units of one message or in units of image data.
[0104]
As described above, the postal system of the present invention is a postal system that processes mail delivered from a sender to a destination, and when sending the mail from the sender, the sender's information is addressed to the postal system. It is the structure registered as.
[0105]
The postal system of the present invention is a postal system that processes mail delivered from a sender to a destination, and registers the sender's information as an address in the postal system when posting the mail from the sender. It is a configuration.
[0106]
According to the above configuration, by registering the sender information in advance, the receiving operation can be quickly performed at the time of a subsequent delivery request.
[0107]
The postal system described above may be configured such that an address registered by a sender is automatically distinguished from other senders by a zip code and an address.
[0108]
According to the above configuration, the postal system can automatically distinguish the sender by using the postal code and address registered by the sender, so it is necessary to provide a special number (information) such as a password. There is no information management on the sender side.
[0109]
The postal system described above may be configured to automatically distinguish the sender's destination from other destinations based on the postal code and address.
[0110]
According to the above configuration, since the postal system can automatically distinguish the destination by using the postal code and the address, the sender side can perform information management (address management) which is no different from the past.
[0111]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the postal system of the present invention includes a communication unit, a printing unit that prints the first mail data received by the communication unit in response to a delivery request, as a mail item, Storage means for storing the postal matter data of the second postal matter data when the second postal matter data is received by the communication means in response to a situation survey request for the first postal matter data. The first mail data to be retrieved is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the processing status of the extracted first mail data is requested for the situation investigation process. Originally, the mail data management means for transmitting by the communication means is provided.
[0112]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data management means matches the second postal matter data received along with the situation investigation request with the first postal matter data previously received along with the delivery request. In other words, if both are the same mail data, the processing status of the first mail data is transmitted to the requester of the situation investigation process.
[0113]
As a result, in the present mail system, second mail data that matches the first mail data, for example, mail data such as image data or text data transmitted as the first mail data is copied and handed. Others who do not have the data left (the person other than the sender), for the mail data requested for delivery from the sender to the mail system, the processing status, for example, where it is and where it is It is impossible to confirm whether there is any. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0114]
In addition, the postal data management means performs the above processing, so that the requester of the processing status of the first postal data is the sender of the first postal data. Since it can be confirmed by reception, it is not necessary to issue a management number such as a personal identification number or a reception number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[0115]
The postal system of the present invention provides communication means and postal matter status data indicating the processing status of the postal matter data to the first postal matter data received by the communication means in response to a delivery request, A mail status data management means for updating the corresponding mail status data in response to a change in the processing status of the first mail data, and a memory for storing the first mail data and the mail status data Means, printing means for printing the first mail data to be mail, and second mail data is received by the communication means in response to a status investigation request for the first mail data. Sometimes, the first mail data that matches the second mail data is retrieved and extracted from the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the extracted first mail Against material data The processing status indicated by the mailpiece status data, a configuration in which a mailpiece data management means for transmitting by said communication means to the requesting survey process.
[0116]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data management means matches the second postal matter data received along with the situation investigation request with the first postal matter data previously received along with the delivery request. In other words, if both are the same mail data, the processing status of the first mail data is transmitted to the requester of the situation investigation process.
[0117]
As a result, in the present mail system, second mail data that matches the first mail data, for example, mail data such as image data or text data transmitted as the first mail data is copied and handed. Others who do not have the data left (the person other than the sender), for the mail data requested for delivery from the sender to the mail system, the processing status, for example, where it is and where it is It is impossible to confirm whether there is any. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0118]
In addition, the postal data management means performs the above processing, so that the requester of the processing status of the first postal data is the sender of the first postal data. Since it can be confirmed by reception, it is not necessary to issue a management number such as a personal identification number or a reception number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[0119]
In the above mail system, the first and second mail data includes sender data indicating the sender of mail data and destination data indicating the destination, and the storage means stores the sender data and destination data. The mail data may be managed by distinguishing at least one of them.
[0120]
According to the above configuration, the storage unit manages the first mail data by distinguishing at least one of the sender data and the destination data, for example, using at least one of the sender data and the destination data as a header. This facilitates management of the first mail data in the storage means.
[0121]
In the above mail system, the first mail data may be configured to include address information when the communication means performs communication, which indicates a mail request delivery source.
[0122]
According to the above configuration, various notifications from the postal system to the postal data delivery requester (sender), for example, postal matter delivery completion notification, processing status survey results on the first postal matter data, or delivery charges Can be easily notified without any inquiry from the delivery requester (sender).
[0123]
In the postal system, the postal matter data management means delivers the first postal matter data when the postal matter status data indicates completion of delivery as postal matter for the first postal matter data. The requester may be notified of completion of delivery by the communication means.
[0124]
According to the above configuration, the postal data delivery requester (sender) can receive a notification when delivery is completed, so it is possible to indicate whether delivery has been completed or not even if there is no contact from the destination. You can know without contacting the system.
[0125]
In the above mail system, the first and second mail data include sender data indicating a sender of mail data and destination data indicating a destination. At the time of searching for the first mail data in the situation investigation processing for mail data, at least one of the sender data and the destination data of the first mail data and the second mail data is obtained. It is good also as a structure to collate.
[0126]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data management means performs the first postal matter data and the second postal mail when searching for the first postal matter data in the situation investigation process for the first postal matter data. First, at least one of the sender data and the destination data included in the article data is collated, and only the first mail data for which either the sender data or the destination data matches is the second mail piece. You can check for a match with the data. That is, there is no need to call up a huge amount of first mail data stored in the storage means on the comparison table, for example, and compare it with the second situation investigation process.
[0127]
Therefore, the mail data management means can prevent unnecessary access to the storage means, and the number of mail data to be checked for a match is reduced. As a result, the situation investigation process for the first mail data in the mail data management means, that is, the search and extraction process for the first mail data that matches the second mail data is performed easily and quickly. be able to.
[0128]
The postal system includes at least a first system management device having at least the communication unit, the storage unit, and the mail data management unit, a communication unit of the first system management device, and the printing unit, A plurality of second management devices provided in each delivery jurisdiction of the goods, wherein the first mail data includes destination data indicating a mail address, and the first system management device The mail data management means transmits the first mail data based on the destination to the second management device having the destination as the delivery jurisdiction by the communication means, and receives the first mail data. The second management device may print the first mail data by the printing unit.
[0129]
According to the above configuration, the first mail data that has received the delivery request is transmitted from the first management device to the second management device whose destination is the delivery jurisdiction, and is printed in a batch there. . Therefore, since the transportation section for delivery of postal items is between the second management device having the destination as the delivery jurisdiction and the destination, the delivery period of postal items can be greatly shortened and the delivery request can be received. It is also possible to suppress a situation in which the period until delivery is completed differs depending on the destination.
[0130]
The postal system may include a billing processing unit that accepts payment of a delivery fee from a delivery request source of the first mail data by receiving a credit number of a credit company.
[0131]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data delivery requester can pay the delivery fee by sending a credit number to the postal system, so there is no need for troublesome cash payment or remittance, and the delivery fee. It becomes easy to liquidate.
[0132]
In the above mail system, the delivery fee may be determined according to the data amount of the first mail data requested for delivery.
[0133]
According to the above configuration, the delivery fee for mail data is determined according to the data amount of the mail data. For example, appropriate charges are set according to the load on the mail system that is different between image data and text data. Is possible.
[0134]
The postal system further includes an advertisement supply unit that supplies an advertisement to a network used for communication by the postal system, and the billing processing unit displays the advertisement on the terminal device on the delivery requester side. In this case, at least a part of the delivery fee may be reduced.
[0135]
According to the above configuration, the postal system can obtain not only income associated with delivery processing of postal matter data but also income associated with advertisement supply from the advertiser. In addition, advertisers can use their huge advertising medium called a postal system to conduct their own advertising activities. Further, since the user of the postal system originally needs to pay the full amount of the delivery fee, at least a part thereof is reduced, so that the system can be used at low cost.
[0136]
The postal system described above may be configured such that the communication means communicates via the Internet.
[0137]
According to the above configuration, the postal matter data delivery requester can easily communicate the postal matter data delivery request with the postal system by using the Internet.
[0138]
The program of the present invention includes a step of assigning postal matter status data indicating a processing status of the postal matter data to the first postal matter data received in response to the delivery request, and a process for the first postal matter data A step of updating corresponding postal matter status data in response to a change in status, a step of storing the first postal matter data and the postal matter status data in storage means, and the first postal matter data as postal matter And the first mail data that matches the second mail data when the second mail data is received in response to the status survey request for the first mail data. Is retrieved and extracted from among the plurality of first mail data stored in the storage means, and the processing status indicated by the mail status data corresponding to the extracted first mail data is checked. A configuration to execute a step of transmitting to the management of the request source to the computer.
[0139]
According to the above configuration, the other person (a person other than the sender) who does not have the second piece of mail data that matches the first piece of mail data has processed the mail data requested to be delivered by the sender. It is impossible to confirm. Therefore, it has a high function in terms of security. In particular, it has a remarkable security function and reliability for a configuration in which the situation can be investigated using only an address as a search condition.
[0140]
Further, since the requester of the processing status of the first mail data can confirm that the first mail data is the sender of the first mail data by receiving the second mail data, the personal identification number, the reception number, etc. It is not necessary to issue a management number. Therefore, troublesome management such as a management number is not necessary on the sender side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system management device of a postal system according to an embodiment of the present invention by functional means.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a postal system in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of schematic operations in the mail system shown in FIG. 1 from a delivery request for mail data from a sender terminal device to completion of delivery in the system management device according to the request.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a mail data delivery process in the system management apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing postal matter data status investigation processing in the system management apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
6 is an explanatory diagram of a billing process in the postal system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a charging process in the system management apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sender terminal device
2 System management device
3 System management device
4 Internet
22 Printing device (printing means)
34 Communication device (communication means)
41 Mail data management department (mail data management means, mail status data management means)
43 Billing processing unit (billing processing means)
45 Mail data storage unit (storage means)
52 Printing device (printing means)
64 Communication device (communication means)
71 Postal data management unit (mail data management means, mail status data management means)
72 Postal data storage unit (storage means)

Claims (4)

Communication means;
The postal matter status data indicating the processing status of the postal matter data is attached to the first postal matter data including the postal matter main body data, the sender data and the destination data received by the communication means in response to the delivery request. And a mail status data management means for updating the corresponding mail status data in response to a change in the processing status of the first mail data,
Storage means for storing first mail data and the mail status data;
Printing means for printing the first mail data to be mail;
When the second mail data including the mail main body data, the sender data and the destination data is received by the communication means in response to the situation survey request for the first mail data, the second mail data First piece of mail data that matches the first piece of mail data stored in the storage means is retrieved and extracted, and mail piece status data corresponding to the extracted first piece of mail data A postal matter data management means for transmitting the processing status indicated by
The mail data management means searches the first mail data and the second mail data when searching for the first mail data in the situation investigation process for the first mail data. A postal system characterized by collating at least one of sender data and destination data, and collating the remaining data with respect to postal matter data in which they match.   2. The postal system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit manages postal matter data by distinguishing at least one of the sender data and destination data.   2. The postal system according to claim 1, wherein the first postal data includes address information when the communication means performs communication, which indicates a delivery request source of postal data.   The mail data management means sends the communication means to the delivery request source of the first mail data when the mail status data indicates the completion of delivery as mail for the first mail data. The postal system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the completion of the delivery is notified by the above.

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