Patent ID: 6178442
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
An electronic mail server used in a distributed type of network with a plurality of networked electronic mail servers each having terminals connected thereto comprising:a preparing means for preparing a transmitted mail message, when a submitted mail message is received from one of the terminals connected thereto, according to the submitted mail message and program information actuated to return, when the main body of the transmitted mail message is accessed and read at a destination terminal, an acknowledgement by mail of the access to the electronic mail server;a return mail program generating means for generating the program information;a transmitting means for transmitting the transmitted mail message prepared by said preparing means;a judging means for judging whether or not a mail message received, after said transmitted mail message is transmitted by said transmitting means, is acknowledgement that the transmitted mail message has been accessed and read, which is returned from said destination terminal in response to actuation of said program information; anda storing means for storing therein, when it is judged by the judging means that the mail message is the acknowledgement that the mail message has been accessed and read, a result of a transmission of the transmitted mail message prepared by said preparing means as information indicating that the transmitted mail message was accessed and read.