Computer readable non-transitory medium, electronic mail information output method and electronic mail information output device

A computer readable, non-transitory medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process, the process includes: storing identification information and information of a plurality of users of an electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users in a storage unit when receiving the electronic mail; determining whether a new electronic mail has a correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users of which identification information is stored in the storage unit when receiving the new electronic mail; outputting information reporting receipt of the new electronic mail to at least one of the users included in the addresses of the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the addresses with reference to the storage unit when it is determined that the new electronic mail has the correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users.

FIELD

A certain aspect of embodiments described herein relates to a computer readable non-transitory medium, an electronic mail information output method and an electronic mail information output device.

BACKGROUND

Normally, a user terminal that receives a mail from an electronic mail server sets a time interval for sending an electronic mail to and receiving an electronic mail from a user using the terminal in order to suppress increasing of traffic, sends a receipt requirement of newly received electronic mails to the electronic mail server at the interval, and receives electronic mails from the electronic mail server. In this case, the user using the terminal cannot recognize the newly received electronic mails until the electronic mail server and the user terminal communicate with each other next time. The time interval is various with respect to each user. A user of which number of received mail is small may set the time interval to 30 minutes to one hour. On the other hand, a user of which number of received mail is large may set the time interval to a few minutes. Therefore, there is variability among the time intervals of users.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-313338 discloses a technology in which a user sets a condition with respect to an electronic mail server in advance, the electronic mail servers informs the user terminal of arriving of an electronic mail when the electronic mail server receives an electronic mail having a condition corresponding to the condition.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable, non-transitory medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process, the process comprising: storing identification information and information of a plurality of users of an electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users in a storage unit when receiving the electronic mail determining whether a new electronic mail has a correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users of which identification information is stored in the storage unit when receiving the new electronic mail; outputting information reporting receipt of the new electronic mail to at least one of the users included in the addresses of the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the addresses with reference to the storage unit when it is determined that the new electronic mail has the correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail information output method including: storing identification information and information of a plurality of users of an electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users in a storage unit when receiving the electronic mail: determining whether a new electronic mail has a correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users of which identification information is stored in the storage unit when receiving the new electronic mail; outputting information reporting receipt of the new electronic mail to at least one of the users included in the addresses of the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the addresses with reference to the storage unit when it is determined that the new electronic mail has the correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail information output device including: a memory; and a circuitry, wherein the memory is configured to store identification information and information of a plurality of users of an electronic sent to the plurality of the users; wherein the circuitry is configured: to determine whether a new electronic mail has a correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users of which identification information is stored in the memory when receiving the new electronic mail; and to output information reporting receipt of the new electronic mail to at least one of the users included in the addresses of the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the addresses with reference to the memory when it is determined that the new electronic mail has the correlation with the electronic mail sent to the plurality of the users.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A user using an electronic mail may send an identical mail to a plurality of addresses (broadcast mail). A user receiving a broadcast mail may reply to a sender and all addresses included in the broadcast mail.

In this case, when the electronic mail server and each user terminal send and receive an electronic mail at a predetermined time interval as mentioned above, a user (A) receiving a broadcast mail may make a reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail without being aware of another reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail sent by another user (B). Therefore, the reply mail made by the user A may conflict with the reply mail made by the user B. The user A may send a reply mail ignoring a mind of the user B. In these cases, it is necessary for the user A, B to make a reply mail again.

With respect to this case, the above-mentioned problem is not considered conventionally. Therefore, when a reply mail with respect to a broadcast mail arrives, the electronic mail server cannot automatically inform the user of the arrival. Even if a condition is set so that an arrival of a reply mail with respect to a broadcast mail can be informed, it is necessary to set the condition with respect to each broadcast mail or each address. Therefore, a user spends a lot, and the setting is not realistic.

First Embodiment

A description will be given of a first embodiment of an electronic mail system with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 16in detail.FIG. 1illustrates a schematic view of a structure of the electronic mail system100in accordance with the first embodiment.

The electronic mail system100has a mail server10acting as an electronic mail information output device and a client terminal20as illustrated inFIG. 1. The mail server10and the client terminal20are coupled to a network80such as internet or a LAN. The electronic mail system100is a system in which a user performs inputting or operating with a web mail screen (provided by the mail server10) shown on a browser in the client terminal20and thereby sending and receiving of an electronic mail can be allowed between the client terminals20.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a hardware structure of the mail-server10. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the mail server10has a CPU (Central Processing Unit)90, a ROM (Read Only Memory)92, a RAM (Random Access Memory)94, a storage unit (HDD) (Hard Disk Drive))96, a network interface97, a movable storage medium drive99and so on. Each device of the mail server10is coupled to a bus98. In the mail server10, functions illustrated inFIG. 3are realized when the CPU90executes a program stored in the ROM92or the HDD96(including electronic mail information output program) or a program (including electronic mail information output program) that the movable storage medium drive99reads from a movable storage medium91.

FIG. 2Billustrates a hardware structure of the client terminal20. As illustrated inFIG. 2B, the client terminal20has a CPU190, a ROM192, a RAM194, a storage unit (HDD)196, a display unit193, an input unit195, a network interface197, a movable storage medium drive199and so on. Each device of the client terminal20is coupled to a bus198. In the client terminal20, when the CPU190executes a program, the functions ofFIG. 3are realized.

FIG. 3illustrates a function block diagram of the mail server10and the client terminal20. As illustrated inFIG. 3, in the mail server10, when the CPU90executes a program, a function as a mail process unit12is realized. And, in the client terminal20, when the CPU190executes a program, functions as a display send-receive unit22and an alert unit24are realized.FIG. 3also illustrates a mail DB32stored in the HDD96or the like of the mail server10, a user authentication DB34, an address correspondence table36and an information condition table38as a storage unit.

The mail process unit12makes a screen of a WEB mail, sends a screen to the client terminal20, processes sending-receiving of a WEB mail and so on. And, the mail process unit12informs a plurality of addresses that one of the client terminals20of the addresses sends a reply with respect to a broadcast mail (electronic mail to a plurality of addresses) sent by one of the client terminals20.

The display send-receive unit22shows the web mail screen sent by the mail process unit12on a browser and sends an instruction from a user (an instruction input on the browser) of the client terminal20to the mail server10.

When the above-mentioned information is sent by the mail process unit12, the alert unit24shows the information on the display unit193of the client terminal20. A form of the display is described later.

The mail DB32is a database that stores information of an electronic mail sent and received between the client terminals20with respect to each user. The mail DB32has fields of “user ID”, “send receive”, “message ID”, “sender ID (user ID)”, “open condition”, “address”, “sending date”, “mail information (subject and body text)”. A user ID of a user performing sending and receiving of an electronic mail is input into the “user ID” field. When a folder is provided with respect to each user ID and the mail DB is located under the folder, the “user ID” field is not necessary. Whether the user sends the electronic mail or receives the electronic mail is input into the “send receive” field. A unique ID defined with respect to each electronic mail is input into the “message ID” field. A user ID of sending or receiving an electronic mail is input into the “sender ID (user ID)”. When the “send receive” field is “send”, the ID in the “user ID” field is input. When the “send receive” field is “receive”, “read” meaning opened is input into the “open condition” field or “unread” meaning not opened is input into the “open condition” field. When the “send receive” field is “send”, neither “read” nor “unread” is input (inFIG. 4“-” is input). An address of an electronic mail is input into the “address” field. A sending date of an electronic mail is input into the “sending date” field. A subject and a body text are input into the “mail information (subject and body text)” field. “send” and “receive” are separated into different folders and the “send receive” field may be omitted. Accordingly the “sender ID” field and “open condition” field may be omitted in a mail DB in the “send” field.

Returning toFIG. 3, the user authentication DB34is a database that stores information used in a login of a user. The user ID and a password corresponding to the user ID are stored in the user authentication DB34as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

A user ID and an IP address corresponding to the user ID are stored in the address correspondence table36as illustrated inFIG. 5B.

The information condition table38stores a message ID of a broadcast mail and user IDs (mail addresses) of a sender and an address (addresses) of an electronic mail corresponding to the message ID.

Next, a description will be given of processes of the mail process unit12, the display send-receive unit22and the alert unit24with reference toFIG. 6toFIG. 16in detail.

FIG. 6andFIG. 7illustrate a flowchart of a sequential flow of the processes of the mail process unit12in the mail server10and the display send-receive unit22in the client terminal20. In the flowcharts ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7, each processing and each determining is located in view of a timing of the process by the mail process unit12and the display send-receive unit22.

In the process ofFIG. 6, in a Step S110, the display send-receive unit22holds it until show-requirement of an electronic mail is input into the display send-receive unit22from a user. The show-requirement is performed when the user accesses an address of a WEB mail on the browser. When it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S110, a step S112is executed.

When the Step S112is executed, the display send-receive unit22sends a mail-show-requirement to the mail server10(the mail process unit12).

With respect to this case, in a Step S110, the mail process unit12holds it until the mail process unit12receives the mail-show-requirement from the client terminal20(the display send-receive unit22). Therefore, the mail process unit12executes a Step S12when the mail-show-requirement is sent from the display send-receive unit22in the Step S112.

In the Step S12, the mail process unit12sends the user ID and an entry screen for inputting password to the client terminal20(the display send-receive unit22). The entry screen is an authentication screen (a screen including input fields of the user ID and the password, a send button and a cancel button) as illustrated inFIG. 8.

On the other hand, in a Step S114the display send-receive unit22holds it until the display send-receive unit22receives the user ID and password entry screen from the mail process unit12of the mail server10after the Step S112. Therefore, the display send-receive unit22executes a Step S116when the entry screen is sent from the mail server10side as mentioned above in the Step S12.

In the Step S116, the display send-receive unit22shows the user ID and the password entry screen (FIG. 8) on the display unit193(in a browser) of the client terminal20. Next, in a Step S118, the display send-receive unit22holds it until a user ID and a password are input into the display send-receive unit22. In this case, a Step S120is executed when the user inputs a user ID and a password with use of the input unit195of the client terminal20and presses a send button.

When a Step S20is executed, the display send-receive unit22obtains an IP address stored in the client terminal20as individual identification information of the client terminal20. Next, in a Step S122, the display send-receive unit22sends the user ID, the password and the IP address to the mail server10(the mail process unit12).

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12holds it until the user ID, the password and the IP address are sent from the client terminal20(the display send-receive unit22) after the Step S12. Therefore, a Step S16is executed when the user ID and so on are sent to the mail process unit12from the display send-receive unit22in the Step S122.

When the Step S16is executed, the mail process unit12performs an authentication of the user with use of the sent user ID, the password, and the user authentication DB34. After that, a Step S18ofFIG. 7is executed.

When the Step S18ofFIG. 7is executed, the mail process unit12determines whether the authentication is succeeded. When it is determined as “No”, the mail process unit12makes an authentication error screen (FIG. 9) and sends the screen to the client terminal20(the display send-receive unit22). All processes ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7are terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S18, a Step S22is executed.

In the Step S22, the mail process unit12relates the IP address to the user ID and stores the IP address and the user ID in the address correspondence table36. Next, in the Step S24, the mail process unit12uses the mail DB32and makes a mail-show-screen of the user ID. The mail-show-screen in this case is a screen illustrated inFIG. 10.

Next, in a Step S26, the mail process unit12sends the mail-show-screen (FIG. 10) of the user ID to the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20.

On the other hand, the display send-receive unit22holds it until the display send-receive unit22receives the authentication error screen from the mail server10(the mail process unit12) or until the display send-receive unit22receives the mail-show-screen from the mail server10(the mail process unit12) (S124, S128). Therefore, when the display send-receive unit22receives the authentication error screen from the mail process unit12, it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S124and a Step S126is executed. In the Step S126, the display send-receive unit22shows the authentication error screen (FIG. 9) on the display unit193and after that all processes ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7are terminated. On the other hand, when the display send-receive unit22receives the mail-show-screen (FIG. 10) from the mail process unit12, a Step S130is executed.

When the Step S130is executed, the display send-receive unit22shows the mail-show-screen (FIG. 10) on the display unit193(in the browser) of the client terminal20.

Next, in the Step S132, it is determined whether the message creation requirement is input. In this case, the message creation requirement is output when the user presses a new document button on the mail-show-screen or when a menu screen is shown by moving a cursor to a received mail and “reply” or “reply to all” is selected as illustrated inFIG. 11. A “reply” button or a “reply to all” button may be provided on the mail-show-screen in addition to the new document button, and it may be determined whether the message creation requirement is output in accordance with whether these buttons are pressed or not. A mail document related to a subject may be shown on the mail-show-screen when the subject shown on the mail-show-screen is clicked. A “reply” button and a “reply to all” button may be provided on a screen showing the mail document (not illustrated). It may be determined whether the message creation requirement is output based on whether these buttons are pressed or not. When it is determined as “No” in the Step S132, a Step S138is executed. In the Step S138, it is determined whether a logout is required by the user (whether a logout button ofFIG. 10is pressed or not). When it is determined as “No” in the Step S138, the Step S132is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S132(that is, the display send-receive unit22receives the message creation requirement), a Step S134is executed.

In the Step S134, the display send-receive unit22sends the message creation requirement to the mail process unit12of the mail server10. After that, a sending process sub routine (FIG. 12) of a Step S136is executed.

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12holds it until the mail process unit12receives the message creation requirement from the client terminal20(the display send-receive unit22) in the Step S28after the Step S26. Therefore, it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S28when the message creation requirement is sent from the display send-receive unit22in the above-mentioned Step S134. And a Step S29is executed. In the Step S29, the mail process unit12sends the message creation screen (with reference toFIG. 14) to the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20. The mail process unit12sends the screen ofFIG. 14when the message creation requirement is “new document”. The mail process unit12sends a screen in which a sender ID of an electronic mail extracted by the mail DB32is shown in the address field, and the subject and a cited document of a body text are shown in the subject field and document entry screen field (a subject to which “Re:” indicating a reply is added, and a body text to which “>” indicating cited is added). When the message creation requirement is “reply to all”, the mail process unit12shows all sender IDs and all addresses (except for the user itself) of an electronic mail extracted from the mail DB32in the address field of the screen ofFIG. 14and sends a screen in which a subject and a cited document of a body text are shown in the subject field and the document entry screen field (a subject to which “Re:” indicating a reply is added, and a body text to which “>” indicating cited is added). When the process of the Step S29is terminated, a sub routine of a sending process is executed in a next Step S30.

Next, a description will be given of a sending process by the display send-receive unit22and the mail process unit12along flowcharts ofFIG. 12and FIG.13.

First, a description will be given of the sending process (a Step S136) along the flowchart ofFIG. 12.

In the process ofFIG. 12, in a Step S150, the display send-receive unit22holds it until the display send-receive unit22receives the message creation screen from the mail server10(the mail process unit12). In this case, when the message creation screen (FIG. 14) is sent from the mail process unit12in the Step S29ofFIG. 7mentioned above, a Step S152is executed.

When the Step S152is executed, the display send-receive unit22shows the message creation screen ofFIG. 14received from the mail process unit12on the display unit193(in the browser).

Next, in the Step S154, an address, a subject and a document body are input into the display send-receive unit22by a user. Next, in a Step S156, the display send-receive unit22holds it until a message-send requirement is input. In this case, a message-send requirement is input into the display send-receive unit22when the user presses a send button in the screen ofFIG. 14.

When the display send-receive unit22receives a message-send requirement from the user, a Step S158is executed. And the display send-receive unit22sends an address, a subject and a document body to the mail process unit12of the mail server10. After that, a Step S138ofFIG. 7is executed.

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12holds it until the mail process unit12receives the address, the subject and the body text from the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20in the Step S40ofFIG. 13after the Step S29. Therefore, the mail process unit12executes a Step S42at a timing when the process of Step S158ofFIG. 12is executed.

When the Step S42is executed, the mail process unit12makes a message ID and a header as identification information of an electronic mail with respect to the received address, the received subject matter and the received body text. Next, in a Step S44, it is determined whether an address of a sent mail includes a plurality of mail addressed. When it is determined as “No”, a Step S62is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes”, (that is, a plurality of addresses are included), a Step S46is executed.

When the Step46is executed, the mail process unit12relates a message ID of the electronic mail to a plurality of mail addresses and additionally stores the message IDs and the mail addresses in the information condition table38(FIG. 5(c)). That is, when the mail process unit12receives the electronic mail having a plurality of addresses, identification information of the electronic mail (in the embodiment, a message ID) and information of a plural of users (in the embodiment, mail addresses) are stored in the information condition table38. When the number of address is one, the Step S62is executed after the Step S44. Therefore, the additional storing in the information condition table38is not performed.

Next, in the Step S48, it is determined whether a received electronic mail including a plurality of addresses is replied to all addresses with respect to another electronic mail (broadcast mail). When it is determined as “No”, the Step S62is executed. When it is determined as “Yes”, a Step S50is executed.

When the Step S50is executed, the mail process unit12reads a message ID of a reply source mail. A message ID of the reply source mail can be read, when a mail is selected on a mail-show screen, a “reply” button or a “reply to all” button is pressed, an ID of the selected mail is stored in a memory or the like, and the ID is used. Next, in the Step S52, the mail process unit12determines whether the reply source message ID) is included in the information condition table38. That is, the mail process unit12determines whether a newly received electronic mail (a reply mail to all with respect to the broadcast mail) has a correlation with an electronic mail of which message ID is already stored in the information condition table38. When it is determined as “No” in the Step S52, the Step S62is executed. When it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S52, the Step S54is executed.

When the Step S54is executed, the mail process unit12reads an address corresponding to the reply source message ID from the information condition table38. Next, in the Step S56, the mail process unit12reads an IP address corresponding to the read address from the address correspondence table36. Next, in the Step S58, the mail process unit12reads a sender and a subject of a sent mail from information sent from the client terminal20.

And, in the Step S60, the mail process unit12informs the alert unit24in the client terminal20corresponding to the IP address read in the Step S56of a mail receipt information together with the sender (user ID) and the subject matter. That is, the mail process unit12outputs information informing receipt of a newly received electronic mail (mail receipt information) to a user included in addresses of an electronic mail with reference to the information condition table38when the newly received electronic mail (a mail replied to all with respect to a broadcast mail) has a correlation with the electronic mail included in the information condition table38. After that, the Step S62is executed.

When the Step S62is executed after the Step S60or after it is determined as “No” in the Steps S44, S48or S52, the mail process unit12stores the message ID, the address, the subject and the body text in the mail DB32of each address. After that, the Step S32ofFIG. 7is executed.

With reference toFIG. 7, the display send-receive unit22determines whether logout is required in the Step S138after the sending process of the Step S136. In this case, it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S138, when the user presses a logout button in a screen shown in the browser. When it is determined as “No” in the Step S138, the step S132is executed. After that, the processes and determinations of the Step S132to S138are repeated until it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S138. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S138, a Step S140is executed.

In the Step S140, the display send-receive unit22sends a requirement of logout to the mail process unit12of the mail server10and terminates all processes of the display send-receive unit22ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7.

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12determines whether the mail process unit12receives the requirement of logout from the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20in the Step S32after the sending process of the Step S30. When it is determined as “No”, the Step S28is executed. On the other hand, the mail process unit12terminates all processes ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7, because it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S32when the display send-receive unit22executed the process of the Step S140.

Next, a description will be given of the process of the alert unit24of the client terminal20with reference toFIG. 15. In the process ofFIG. 15, in a Step S202, the alert unit24holds it until the alert unit24receives a mail receipt information from the mail process unit12of the mail server10. In this case, when the mail receipt information is informed in the Step S60of above-mentionedFIG. 13, a Step S204is executed.

When the Step S204is executed, the alert unit24pops up the mail receipt information on a screen of the display unit193. For example, when a mail-show screen is shown on the display unit193as illustrated inFIG. 16, the alert unit24pops up a subject, information of a sender and so on of a reply mail with respect to a broadcast mail on a mail-show screen. In the embodiment, when a screen relating to an electronic mail is not shown on the display unit193, a pop up illustrated inFIG. 16is shown.

The processes of above-mentionedFIG. 6,FIG. 7(FIG. 12andFIG. 13) andFIG. 15will be repeated even if the processes are terminated.

As mentioned above in detail, in accordance with the first embodiment, when the mail process unit12receives an electronic mail including a plurality of addresses (broadcast mail), the mail process unit12stores a message ID and the addresses in the information condition table38(S46). When the mail process unit12receives a new electronic mail, the mail process unit12determines whether the new electronic mail is a reply mail to all addresses with respect to the electronic mail (broadcast mail) of the message ID stored in the information condition table38(S44, S48and S52). When it is determined as “Yes”, the mail process unit12outputs (informs) a mail receipt information of the new electronic mail to the users (the client terminal20) included in the addresses of the broadcast mail with reference to the information condition table38(S60). Thus, a receipt of the reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail is automatically sent to the users included in the addresses of the broadcast mail. Therefore, the receivers of the broadcast mail can acknowledge an existence of the reply mail by the mail receipt information when another receiver sends a reply mail to the broadcast mail. Therefore, in accordance with the embodiment, it is suppressed that a reply mail made by a receiver of the broadcast mail conflicts with a reply mail made by another receiver or the receiver of the broadcast mail sends a reply mail ignoring another receiver's mind. Therefore convenience of the users can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the mail process unit12reads an IP address in every user authentication (Step S22(FIG. 7). Therefore, the mail process unit12can deal with a case where an IP address such as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is automatically assigned. And, the mail process unit12can deal with a case where a user uses a WEB mail with use of a different terminal.

Second Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of an electronic mail system with reference toFIG. 17toFIG. 19in detail. In the second embodiment, being different from the first embodiment, when a reply mail to all addresses with respect to a broadcast mail is sent from another user at a timing when a user is making a reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail, a mail receipt information is shown. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in a part of the process described in the first embodiment. A description will be given of this point. An explanation of the rest is omitted.

FIG. 17illustrates a sending process of the mail process unit12in accordance with the second embodiment (corresponding to the Step S30ofFIG. 7). The processes ofFIG. 6andFIG. 7are the same as the second embodiment. The process ofFIG. 12(the sending process of the display send-receive unit22) is the same as the second embodiment.

In the process ofFIG. 17, in the Step S302, the mail process unit12determines whether a message creation requirement indicates a reply to all with respect to another electronic mail in the Step S302. When it is determined as “No”, a Step S304is executed.

When the Step S304is executed, the mail process unit12holds it until an address, a subject and a body text are received from the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20. In the Step S304, it is determined as “Yes” when the process of the Step S158ofFIG. 12is performed. And, a Step S320is executed (a process of the Step S320will be described later).

On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S302(that is, a message creation requirement indicates a reply to all addresses with respect to another electronic mail), a Step S306is executed.

When the Step S306is executed, the mail process unit12reads a message ID of a reply source mail. Next, in a Step S308, the mail process unit12determines whether a reply (unread) mail is stored in the mail DB32. That is, it is determined whether a reply mail from another user with respect to a broadcast mail to be replied is sent. When the determination is already performed, the Step S308is not executed.

Next, in a Step S310, the mail process unit12determines whether the reply (unread) mail to the reply source mail is stored in the mail DB32. When it is determined as “No”, the Step S318is executed. When it is determined as “Yes”, the Step S312is executed.

When the Step S312is executed, the mail process unit12reads a subject, a sender and a date of an unread mail from the mail DB32.

Next, in a Step S314, the mail process unit12reads an IP address of a user from the address correspondence table36. Next, in a Step S316, the mail process unit12informs IP addresses of the mail receipt information together with a subject, a sender and a date. The alert unit24of the client terminal20receiving the information performs the same process asFIG. 15, and thereby pops up the mail alert information illustrated inFIG. 18.

When a Step S318is executed after the Step S316or after it is determined as “No” in the Step S310, the mail process unit12determines whether the mail process unit12receives an address, a subject, and a body text from the display send-receive unit22of the client terminal20. That is, the mail process unit12determines whether a user makes a reply mail with respect to a broadcast mail on a message creation screen and send the reply mail. When it is determined as “No”, the Step S308is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S318, a Step S320is executed.

When the Step S320is executed after it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S318or the Step S304, the mail process unit12makes a message ID and a header with respect to the received address, the received subject and the received body text. Next, in a Step S322, the mail process unit12stores the message ID, the address, the subject and the body text in the mail DB32of each address. With the processes, the sending process of the mail process unit12of the second embodiment is terminated.

As described above in detail, in accordance with the second embodiment, information of a new reply mail (mail receipt information) from another user included in addresses of a broadcast mail with respect to the broadcast mail is sent to a user making a reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail (S316). Thus, the mail receipt information is sent at a timing when a user is making a reply mail with respect to the broadcast mail. Therefore, the user can adequately refer to a reply mail of another user during making of the replay mail. Therefore, it is possible to suppress that a reply mail made by a user conflicts with a reply mail sent by another user more effectively than the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, a description is given of the case where the alert unit24pops up a mail receipt information. The structure is not limited. For example, the mail process unit12may insert the mail receipt information in a message creation screen with an HTML format as illustrated inFIG. 19and may send the message creation screen to the display send-receive unit22. In this case, the process from the client terminal20to the alert unit24(the process ofFIG. 15) may be omitted.

Third Embodiment

Next, a description will be given of an electronic mail system of a third embodiment with reference toFIG. 20toFIG. 23. In the third embodiment, when the client terminal20reads a screen relating to an electronic mail made by the mail server10and the client terminal20executes a program of a mail client installed in advance being different from the case of showing in the browser (WEB mail), the client terminal20makes a screen based on information sent by the mail server10and shows the made screen.

In the client terminal20of the third embodiment, when the CPU190executes a program (mail client program), a mail function unit122and the alert unit24are realized as illustrated inFIG. 20. A description will be given of a process of the mail process unit12of the mail server10and a process of the mail function unit122and the alert unit24of the client terminal20with reference toFIG. 21toFIG. 23. A part different from the first embodiment is mainly described below.

FIG. 21andFIG. 22illustrate a flowchart (corresponding toFIG. 6andFIG. 7of the first embodiment) including a sequential process of the mail process unit12and the mail function unit122in accordance with the third embodiment.

In the process ofFIG. 21, the mail function unit122shows a user ID and a password entry screen (the same as the screen ofFIG. 8) in the Step S116when a mail-show-requirement is input into the mail function unit122from a user in the Step S110. That is, in the third embodiment, the process of the Step S112and S114of the first embodiment (FIG. 6) is not performed. After that, the process ofFIG. 22is executed after the Step S118to Step S122are executed as in the case of the first embodiment.

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12does not execute the process of the Step S10and S12of the first embodiment but executes the process of the Step S14and S16(authentication process) and executes the process ofFIG. 22.

When the process ofFIG. 22is executed, the mail process unit12determines whether the authentication is succeeded in the Step S18. When it is determined as “No”, the mail process unit12gives an authentication error to the mail function unit122in a Step S20′ and terminates all of the processes ofFIG. 22. On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S18, the mail process unit12executes the Step S22.

On the other hand, the mail function unit122determines whether the authentication error is received in a Step S124′. When it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S124′, a Step S126′ is executed, and the mail function unit122shows an authentication error screen (the same as the screen ofFIG. 9) prepared in advance on the display unit193.

On the other hand, when it is determined as “No” in the Step S124′, a Step S130′ is executed and a mail-show screen (the same as the screen ofFIG. 10) is shown on the display unit193. After that, the process of the Step S132to the Step S140is executed as in the case of the first embodiment (except for the Step S134ofFIG. 7). In the sending process of the Step S136, the mail function unit122executes the same process as the first embodiment except for not executing the Step S150described with reference toFIG. 12(the first embodiment) and showing the message creation screen (the same as the screen ofFIG. 4) prepared in advance on the display unit193in the Step S152′.

With respect to this case, the mail process unit12executes the Steps S30and S32ofFIG. 22as in the case of the first embodiment (the Step S28is omitted). The sending process by the mail process unit12of the mail server10is the same as the process of the first embodiment (FIG. 13).

The process of the alert unit24of the client terminal20is the same as the process of the first embodiment (FIG. 15). Therefore, the alert unit24pops up a mail receipt information on the display unit193of the client terminal20when the mail receipt information is informed by the mail process unit12.

As mentioned above, in the third embodiment, even if a mail client is used, it is possible to inform all addresses of a broadcast mail that a reply mail to all addresses with respect to the broadcast mail is sent to the addresses of the broadcast mail as in the case of the first embodiment. Therefore, in accordance with the first embodiment, it is suppressed that a reply mail made by a receiver of the broadcast mail conflicts with a reply mail made by another receiver or the receiver of the broadcast mail sends a reply mail ignoring another receiver's mind. Therefore convenience of the users can be improved.

Modified Embodiment

In the third embodiment, the mail function unit122of the client terminal20may execute the process ofFIG. 24in the sending process (S136).

In the process ofFIG. 24, when the mail function unit122shows a message creation screen on the display unit193in the Step S302, the mail function unit122determines whether the mail function unit122receives a mail receipt information from the mail process unit12of the mail server10in a next Step S304. When it is determined as “No”, a Step S308is executed and the mail function unit122receives an address, a subject and a body text from a user.

In a Step S310, the mail function unit122determines whether message-send-requirement is input into the mail function unit122. When it is determined as “Yes”, the mail function unit122sends the address, the subject and the body text to the mail process unit12of the mail server10in a Step S312. With respect to this case, when the message-send-requirement is not received, the Step S304is executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined as “Yes” in the Step S304(the information of receiving a mail is received), the mail function unit122pops up a new arrival information in the Step S306.

With the process, it is possible to inform a reply mail from another user with respect to a broadcast mail only when the message creation screen is shown on the display unit193of the client terminal20(that is, only when a user is making a new electronic mail). The mail function unit122may show a mail alert in the message creation screen in the Step S306as in the case of the second embodiment. In the modified embodiment, the alert unit24can be omitted.

In the above-mentioned embodiments and the modified embodiment, an IP address is used as individual identification information of a terminal. However, the structure is not limited. For example, an individual number of a mobile phone such as a smart phone or information such as a telephone number may be used as the individual identification information.

In the embodiments, the mail process unit12performs informing of a mail receipt when a new reply mail to all addresses with respect to a broad cast mail is sent. However, the structure is not limited. For example, the mail process unit12may inform that a new mail relating to a broadcast mail is sent such as a reply mail other than a reply mail to all addresses with respect to the broadcast mail.

The above-mentioned functions are realized by a computer. In this case, a program having a process of a function which a process device should have is provided. When the computer executes the program, the above-mentioned functions are realized in the computer. The program having the process may be stored in a storage medium (except for a carrier wave) that is readable by the computer.

When the program is distributed, a movable storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) in which the program is stored are sold. And a storage device of a server computer may store the program, and the server computer may send the program to another computer via a network.

The computer executing a program stores a program stored in a movable storage medium or a program sent by the server computer in a storage device. And, the computer reads the program from the storage device, and executes processes in accordance with the program. The computer may read the program directly from the movable storage medium and executes a process in accordance with the program. The computer may execute a process in accordance with a received program sequentially each time when the program is sent from the server computer.