JP2002055929A - Electronic mail receiving terminal, method and system for displaying electronic mail, and recording medium for display program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for displaying electronic mail and an electronic mail display program which can automatically receive and dynamically display a mail magazine and mail (ordinary electronic mail) when a screen saver is actuated without starting an electronic mail program. SOLUTION: While a terminal such as a personal computer is not operated, arrival mail magazines 1, 2, and 3 are received and edited and headers 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1, and body texts 1-2, 2-2, and 3-2 are scrolled and displayed on a screen 35' according to setting. Consequently, the screen saver runs and the mail magazines can be browsed to save the work to read the mail magazines by starting the electronic mail program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a display control technique for an electronic mail or a mail magazine in a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic mail has become widespread in communication networks such as the Internet. The e-mail transmitted from the source terminal to the destination terminal is stored in a storage memory of a mail server that manages the destination terminal via a communication network. When the user of the destination terminal activates the e-mail program and checks the mail, the mail server notifies the destination terminal of the mail reception, and the destination terminal displays the received header information on the screen. When the user of the destination terminal wants to read the incoming mail, the user performs an operation to retrieve the desired mail from the storage memory (opens the e-mail), retrieves the mail from the storage memory of the mail server, and sends the mail to the destination terminal. The contents (header information and text) of the e-mail are displayed on the e-mail reception screen of the destination terminal, so that the user of the destination terminal can read the e-mail. Also, one of the e-mail utilization technologies,
There are mail magazine distribution services and mail news distribution services that send specific topics and information to specific users.

[0003] E-mail magazines and e-mail news are delivered to subscribers regularly or irregularly by e-mail, and are paid or free information (contents) such as specific topics and news.
If you register a subscription to the e-mail magazine, it will be delivered automatically, so the user can enter a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) like using a web page or use a search engine, etc. The use of the Internet has been rapidly increasing in recent years because it is not necessary to perform a search to find a desired content.

[0004] The mail magazine transmits a magazine (broadcast transmission) from a mail magazine issuer to a registered user in the same procedure as a normal electronic mail, and is transmitted to a mail server which manages a transmission destination terminal. The message is displayed on the screen when the user of the terminal opens a desired mail magazine.

On the other hand, in a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), an operation may not be performed for a long time while the terminal is activated. In such a case, if the screen is left in a static display state for a long time, a failure may occur on the display screen. Therefore, when the screen is in a static state for a predetermined time or more, a specific pattern or the like is dynamically displayed on the screen. There is a screen saver (screen saver) that displays the information on the screen and prevents the display screen from being damaged. In the screen saver, when a key operation or a mouse operation is started, the screen saver is released, and the screen returns to an original state.

[0006] In the mail magazine, not only the number of registered users is rapidly increasing as described above, but also the number of issued mail magazines is increasing, so that the user has an increased chance to select a topic of his / her interest. However, since mail magazines are automatically sent periodically by e-mail upon registration, a large number of mail magazines will be received, making it difficult to read all mail magazines.

[0007] Further, in order to know whether or not mail other than the mail magazine has arrived, it is necessary to perform mail check. However, if mail check is performed many times a day, the load on the mail server increases. If you do not check mail regularly, you will exceed the storage memory capacity,
There was a problem that emails could be missed immediately.

Therefore, it is conceivable to display an incoming mail message while the screen saver is being driven while the screen of a personal computer or the like is being displayed for a long time. For example,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-305648 discloses a technique for displaying information on a screen when operation is suspended using a screen saver. There is disclosed a technology in which, when a screen saver is operated, specific latest information (for example, sports information, weather, investment advice, etc.) desired by a user is periodically obtained from an information source of service information and displayed on a screen.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-149328 discloses a screen saver (program) with a message display function and a message mounted on a server computer of a computer communication network to collectively manage setting files and messages, and there is no operation for a predetermined time. A screen saver with a message display function mounted on a server computer in a terminal and a technique for downloading a message and operating as a screen saver are disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-57068 discloses a structure in which when an e-mail arrives, the fact that the fact is displayed can be easily confirmed by displaying the fact that the e-mail has arrived. There is disclosed a technique for canceling.

[0011]

However, according to the technique disclosed above, a plurality of information sources (various service information stored in databases of a plurality of servers) on a communication network are downloaded at the time of operation of a screen saver as desired by a user. There is no disclosure regarding the display of distribution information handled by the e-mail system, and the technology disclosed above incorporates a screen saver program with a message display function and a message on a server computer. The configuration file and the messages are managed collectively, and the same message is displayed on each terminal in a screen save display.Therefore, it is not applicable to the distribution information handled by the e-mail system with different contents by each terminal. With the disclosed technology, Instead of displaying the incoming mail when the saver is operating, the screen saver is released when the mail arrives, and the notification of the incoming call is displayed as another application by simply displaying the icon display or the lighting device. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the user must start the e-mail program and browse the e-mail as in the related art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and automatically issues issuance information such as an e-mail magazine and e-mail (ordinary e-mail) when a screen saver is started without starting an e-mail program. It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail receiving terminal, an e-mail display system, an e-mail display method, and an e-mail display program which can be captured and dynamically displayed.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic mail receiving terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a screen for displaying a screen save display by detecting that the electronic mail receiving terminal has not been operated for a predetermined time or more. It is characterized by comprising a saving means, an e-mail receiving means, and a means for dynamically displaying the received e-mail during the screen save display.

According to a second invention, in the electronic mail receiving terminal according to the first invention, the electronic mail is a mail magazine or a mail news.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, the display means of one of the plurality of terminals remains stationary for a predetermined time or more. A step of detecting whether or not a display state is present; and, if the display means detects that the display means is in a static display state for a predetermined time or more by this step, whether or not an e-mail display setting is made as a screen save display method. Detecting, and when it is detected that the e-mail display setting is made by this step, a step of performing a screen save by dynamically displaying the received e-mail on the display means,
It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, the display means of a terminal among the plurality of terminals is provided for a predetermined time or more. A recording medium for recording a display program for performing a screen save display on the display means while the still display state is maintained, wherein the step of detecting that a terminal has not been operated for a predetermined time or more; Detecting whether or not an e-mail display setting has been made as a screen save display method when it is detected that the image is in a still screen display state for a predetermined time or more, and that the e-mail display setting has been made by this step Is detected, the received e-mail is dynamically displayed on the display unit and scanned. And the step of performing a lean save,
A display program having the following is recorded.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail display system, wherein in a network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, screen save means capable of setting display of electronic mail at the time of screen save; A stationary state detecting means for detecting whether or not a display means of a terminal among a plurality of terminals is in a static display state for a predetermined time or more; and the display means being in a static display state for a predetermined time or more by the static state detecting means. And a display control means for dynamically displaying the received e-mail on the display means when is detected.

According to a sixth aspect, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the received electronic mail is stored in a mail server.

According to a seventh invention, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth invention, the received electronic mail is stored in a terminal.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the display control means includes a display restricting means for selectively restricting an electronic mail displayed when the screen is saved. I do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the display restricting means is means for restricting the electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save to only newly arrived electronic mail. Features.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the display restricting means is means for restricting an electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save to only unviewed electronic mails. And

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the display restricting means restricts an electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save to an electronic mail received within a receiving date. There is a feature.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the electronic mail display system according to the fifth aspect, the storage control means for selecting a specific electronic mail from the received electronic mails and storing the selected electronic mail in a specific storage area. The display control means includes means for displaying the e-mail stored in the specific storage area by the storage control means at the time of screen save.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment of the present invention, when a communication network terminal is not operated for a predetermined period of time and remains on a still screen (hereinafter, a hibernation state), issue information such as an e-mail magazine is automatically taken in. Automatically display the imported e-mail magazine on the screen. As a result, the screen save can be performed, and at the same time, the user can read through as many mail magazines as possible. Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, when the communication network terminal is in a suspended state, mail (normal e-mail) other than the issuance information such as a mail magazine is automatically taken in, and header information of the taken-in mail is read. (Title, mail address and sender name) and text (full text or predetermined number of lines) are automatically displayed. As a result, it is possible to know whether a mail has arrived or to immediately know whether or not a mail exists. Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, the above may be used in combination, and when the communication network terminal is in a sleep state, the mail information may be sequentially displayed after displaying header information and the like of the received mail. . Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, the function of the screen save program is set by the setting means, and any one of the magazine display, the mail display, the mail display + magazine display, and the conventional pattern display according to the present invention is used. Can be displayed.

2. Configuration 2-1: Configuration Example of Communication Network FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication network, where reference numeral 10 is a mail server (server computer), and reference numeral 20
Is a communication network such as the Internet, etc.
Is a source terminal for transmitting a mail magazine, and reference numeral 30-2.
Is a source terminal that sends an e-mail other than the mail magazine, and reference numeral 30-3 is a destination terminal of the e-mail (that is,
1 shows an e-mail magazine and an e-mail receiving terminal other than the e-mail magazine. In FIG. 1, one terminal for transmitting a mail magazine, one terminal for receiving an e-mail other than the mail magazine, and one terminal for transmitting an e-mail are shown as terminals connected to the communication network 20 for explanation. Is connected to multiple terminals. Further, the number of mail servers is not limited to one.

In FIG. 1, the mail magazine source terminal 30-
1 is transmitted via a communication network (hereinafter, the Internet) 20 to a mail server 10 indicated by the domain name of the mail address of the registered user.
(Ie, a mail server that manages the destination terminal) and is transmitted to the destination terminal 30-3.

If the e-mail magazine display setting of the present invention is set in the screen save program installed in the destination terminal 30-3, the destination terminal 30-3
Fetches the received e-mail magazine text into the e-mail magazine reception folder. When the suspension time of the terminal 30-3 elapses a predetermined time, the mail magazines satisfying the predetermined conditions described later among the mail magazines taken into the mail magazine reception folder are sequentially displayed in a predetermined display format.
When the opened mail magazine has been received, the mail magazine is taken out from the mail magazine reception holder of the destination terminal 30-3, and the contents of the mail magazine are displayed on the mail reception screen. -3 user can read the e-mail magazine. In addition, unnecessary mail magazines can be deleted by looking at the mail magazine body and header information, or downloaded to a recording medium such as an FD.

In FIG. 1, the mail (normal electronic mail other than the mail magazine) transmitted from the transmission source terminal 30-2 is also transmitted to the reception destination terminal via the mail server 10. In the case where the screen display program installed in the destination terminal 30-3 is set to display the mail, when the suspension time of the terminal 30-3 elapses a predetermined time, the mail stored in the mail receiving folder is displayed. Mails satisfying predetermined conditions described later are sequentially displayed in a predetermined display format.

At this time, when the mail server 10 receives a mail transmission request by a screen saver described later from the transmission destination terminal 30-3 under its control, the mail server 10 transmits the header information of the new mail and the mail text to the transmission destination terminal 30-3. The destination terminal 30-3 captures the header information and the mail text of the received mail magazine into the mail receiving folder, and receives the mail when the idle time of the terminal 30-3 elapses a predetermined time. Of the mail magazines loaded into the folder, mails satisfying predetermined conditions described later may be sequentially displayed in a predetermined display format.

If the mail magazine display setting and the mail display setting are not set in the screen save program installed in the transmission destination terminal 30-3,
The user activates the e-mail program and checks the mail as in the related art. When the user reads an incoming mail, the user opens a desired mail magazine (or mail) and retrieves the mail from the storage memory of the mail server 10. Transmitted to the destination terminal 30-3 and transmitted to the destination terminal 30-3
The contents of the e-mail magazine (or e-mail) are displayed on the e-mail reception screen. In addition, the user is the body of the mail magazine
It is also possible to delete unnecessary mail magazines (or mails) by looking at (or mail body) and header information, or download them to a recording medium such as an FD.

2-2: Mail Server The mail server 10 is composed of a computer device having a hard disk, and is transmitted from the transmission source terminals 30-1 and 30-2 connected to the Internet 20 to the transmission destination terminal 30 managed by the mail server 10. The e-mail magazine and the ordinary e-mail transmitted to the transmission terminal 3 are temporarily stored in a storage memory in the hard disk, and transmitted (distributed) to the transmission destination terminal 30-3. In addition, the mail server 10 transfers an outgoing mail from a source terminal (not shown) managed by the mail server 10 to a terminal (not shown) managed by another mail server to the other mail server.

2-3: Terminal Configuration Example 2-3-1: Hardware Configuration FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 30 (source terminal or destination terminal), and is shown in FIG. As described above, the terminal 30 includes an input unit 31 provided with a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a CPU and its peripheral circuits.
A control unit 32 (including a timer); a temporary storage memory (recording medium) 33 such as a RAM for temporarily storing data and programs; and storing and reading information such as data and programs. A display unit 35 having a storage memory (recording medium) 34 such as a magnetic disk, a display memory for developing edited character information and image information into an image and displaying the image on a screen; An I / O interface (not shown) for sending and receiving is provided. Reference numeral 33 ′ denotes a mail receiving buffer secured in the temporary storage memory 33.

As the mail magazine source terminal 30-1 of the communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1, a computer (or a personal computer) having at least the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is used. A computer having at least the configuration shown in FIG. 2, for example, a personal computer or a data terminal is used as the mail source terminal 30-2, the mail magazine, and the mail destination terminal 30-3 of the communication network 100 in FIG. . As shown in FIG. 2B, the storage memory 34 is connected to a control program such as an OS and the communication network 20 in addition to the e-mail receiving program 341, the screen save function setting program 342, and the screen save program 343. For this purpose, a communication connection program and a communication control program, various application programs such as an e-mail program, and a support program are installed, and are read from the storage memory 34 under the control of the control unit 32 and are executed and controlled.

Reference numeral 346 denotes a received mail storage area secured in the storage memory 34, and a mail reception holder and a mail magazine reception holder are reserved. Also, the received mail storage area 346 is divided into a plurality of areas 346-1, 346-2,... As shown in FIG. The following can be a holder for storing a specific mail magazine or specific mail news.

2-3-2: Functional Configuration of Terminal FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 30.
The terminal 30 includes a stationary state detecting unit 41 that detects whether the screen of the display unit 35 remains stationary for a predetermined time or more, and the stationary state detecting unit 41 causes the screen of the display unit 35 to be in a static display state for a predetermined time or more. An e-mail receiving means 42 for receiving an e-mail magazine received from the mail server 10 when this is detected,
Screen display means 43 for performing screen save display after the reception of the e-mail by e-mail, and the display setting by the screen save function setting means 46, the mail magazine received at the time of screen save by the screen save means 43 Control means 44 for dynamically displaying a message or mail (ordinary e-mail) on the display screen of the display unit 35, a storage control means 45 for storing a specific mail magazine in a specific reception holder, and setting and displaying screen display start time in advance. A screen save function setting means 46 for setting functions such as setting is provided.

Here, the stationary state detecting means 41 includes an input section 31 for transmitting a key or mouse state signal to the control section 32, a time counter for counting the key or mouse pause state time transmitted from the input section 31, and a time counter for the time counter. The control unit 32 compares the value with the set screen display start time.

The electronic mail receiving means 42 includes a mail receiving buffer 33 ′ and a control unit 32 for controlling the execution of the I / O interface and the electronic mail receiving program 341.
Consists of The screen save function setting means 46 includes an input key of the input unit 31, a pointing device (for example, a mouse) for a set value point, an input screen for setting having a predetermined format as described later, and a screen save function setting program 342. The control unit 32 controls the execution, and sets various screen save functions by updating the program constants of the screen save program 343 or storing the input values in a specific area of the memory by a user's setting input.

3. Function Setting of Screen Save Program FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a screen save function setting operation of the terminal 30-3, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a screen save function setting screen. FIG. 4 (a)
Fig. 4 shows an example in which either a mail magazine display or a pattern display is selected as a display method at the time of screen save.
(B) is an example in which one of a mail magazine display, a mail display, a mail + mail magazine display, and a pattern display is selected as a display method at the time of screen saving.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the screen save function setting program 342 is installed in the terminal 30-3. To perform a screen save, the screen save start time and the screen save method must be set in the program that executes the screen save. The screen save start time and the screen save method may be specified at the time of creating the screen save program. However, in the present embodiment, the screen save program is set as standard and can be set by the user's selection. After the terminal 30-3 is activated, the screen save function setting program 342 is selected and activated on the desktop screen. Hereinafter, under the control of the execution of the screen save function setting program 342 by the control unit 32, the terminal 30-3 performs the operations shown in the following steps S0 to S9 by the screen save function setting means 46.

Step S0: (Screen Save Start Time Setting) In FIG. 4A, even if the display screen of the terminal 30-3 is stationary, it means that the operation is suspended due to the interruption of the user operation. It is difficult to determine whether it takes time to select an operation. Therefore, the screen save display start time is set as follows. The control unit 32 controls the display unit 3
5 displays a screen save start time (= pause start determination time) setting screen 300 as shown in FIG. 5A, and prompts the user to make a selection. The control unit 32 checks a signal from the input unit 31, points the desired time displayed in the set time selection column 301 with a pointing device (hereinafter, mouse) such as a mouse, and clicks an “OK” button 302. Then, the pointed time is written to the screen save start time program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the screen save start time setting area defined by the screen save program 343). In the example shown in FIG. 5A, “15 minutes” is set as the screen saver start time (tX).

Step S1: (Selection of display method for screen save) The control unit 32 displays a display method setting screen 310 for screen save as shown in FIG. Prompt for selection. The control unit 32 examines the signal from the input 31, and when the user selects (points) “e-mail magazine display” displayed in the display method selection field 311 with the mouse, the processing transits to S 2. Transitions to.

Step S2: (E-mail magazine display setting) When "E-mail magazine display" is selected in step S1, the control section 32 displays a value ("1" in the embodiment) meaning "E-mail magazine display" on the screen. It is written into the display method setting program constant of the save program 343 (or the display method setting area defined by the screen save program 343), and the process proceeds to S4.

Step S3: (Pattern display setting) When "pattern display" is selected in step S1,
The control unit 32 writes a value (“4” in the embodiment) meaning “pattern display” into a display method setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or a display method setting area defined by the screen save program 343). , S9.

Step S4: (Selection of Display Contents) The control unit 32 superimposes (displays a window) a display contents setting screen 320 as shown in FIG. When the user selects (points) “display only new arrivals” displayed in the display content selection field 321 with the mouse, S5 is performed.
When selecting "Display only unviewed", the process proceeds to S6. When an item for limiting the number of display days such as "Display only within 2 days" is selected, the process proceeds to S7, and "Specific mail magazine display" is selected. Then, the process proceeds to S8. The screen 320 in FIG. 5C can be scrolled. When the screen 320 is scrolled, “display only within two days”, “display only within three days”,... “Display only within one week”, Displayed date limit items such as "display only within one month" and "no limit" are displayed.

Step S5: (New Arrival Display Setting) The control unit 32 checks the signal from the input unit 31, and when the user clicks the "OK" button 312 in FIG. 5B, the control unit 32 corresponds to the result of the selection in step S4. The value (that is, the value indicating that only the newly arrived mail magazine is displayed (“00” in the embodiment)) is used as the display content setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the display defined by the screen save program 343). Then, the execution control of the screen save function setting program 342 is terminated.

Step S6: (Unviewed display setting) The control unit 32 checks the signal from the input unit 31, and when the user clicks the "OK" button 312 in FIG. (That is, “01” in the embodiment) meaning that only the mail magazines (including newly arrived mails) that have not yet been viewed are displayed are set as display content setting program constants of the screen save program 343 (or Screen save program 343
Then, the execution of the screen save function setting program 342 is terminated.

Step S7: (Set the number of days) The control unit 32 checks the signal from the input unit 31, and when the user clicks the "OK" button 312 in FIG. 5B, the control unit 32 displays the selection result in FIG. Corresponding values (that is, values corresponding to the display limit days (in the embodiment, “02”, “03”, “0”)
7 (in the case of less than one week), "30" (in the case of less than one month), and "99" (in the case of no limitation) are set as the display content setting program constants of the screen save program 343 (or the screen save program 343). Then, the execution of the screen save function setting program 342 is terminated.

Step S8: (Specific E-mail Magazine Display Setting) When the "Specific E-mail Magazine Display" menu is selected in step S4, the control unit 32 displays a specific e-mail magazine designation input screen as shown in FIG. 5 (c '). 322 is displayed in a window, and the user inputs a URL of a desired mail magazine by a key and clicks an “OK” button 312 in FIG. 5B, and the input URL is stored in a specific area defined by the screen save program 343. While holding the receiving mail holder B for storing the specific mail magazine, the value (“0B” in the embodiment) corresponding to the result of the selection in the step S4 is set to the display content setting program constant (or the screen saving program 343). , The display content setting area defined by the screen save program 343). Clean save function setting for the program 34
The execution control of Step 2 is ended. Note that a plurality of specific mail magazines may be selectable. In this case, a reception holder for storing each specific mail magazine is secured.

Step S9: (Pattern Selection) The control unit 32 superimposes (displays a window) a pattern selection screen 330 as shown in FIG. The control unit 32 checks the signal from the input unit 31, selects (points) the pattern displayed in the display content selection field 331 with the mouse, and clicks the “OK” button 312 in FIG. The value corresponding to the result (in this embodiment, “5”) is written into the display content setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the display content setting area defined by the screen save program 343), and the screen save function setting program is written. 34
The execution control of Step 2 is ended.

The flowchart of FIG. 4A shows an example in which the screen save function setting program 342 is configured to select either the mail magazine display or the pattern display, as shown in FIG. 4B. Alternatively, any of a mail magazine display, a mail (normal electronic mail) display, a mail + mail magazine display, and a pattern display may be selected as a display method at the time of screen saving. That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 4A, when the mail magazine display is not selected in the “selection of display method for screen save” in step S1, the process immediately transits to step S3 “pattern display setting”. However, in this case, the following steps S1 'to S1
2 ". In this case, FIG.
In step S1 of (a), a display method setting screen 310 'as shown in FIG. 5 (b') is displayed.

Step S1 ': (mail display selection) If the user selects "mail display" when the mail magazine display is not selected in step S1 of FIG. 4A, the process transits to S2'. Transitions to S1 ".

Step S2 ': (mail display setting) In step S1', "mail + mail magazine display"
Is selected, the control unit 32 sets the value ("2" in the embodiment) meaning "mail display" to the display method setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the display defined by the screen save program 343). (Method setting area), and the process proceeds to S4.

Step S1 ″: (mail + mail magazine display selection) If the user selects “mail + mail magazine display” in the case where the mail display is not selected in step S1 ′, the process transits to S2 ″, otherwise. In this case, the process proceeds to S3.

Step S2 ″: (mail + mail magazine display setting) In step S1 ″, “mail + mail magazine display”
Is selected, the control unit 32 sets a value ("3" in the embodiment) meaning "mail + mail magazine display" to a display method setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the screen save program 343). (Displayed method setting area), and the process proceeds to S4.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the screen save function setting program 342 is configured to set the screen save start time and the display method. However, the screen save-displayed mail magazine (or mail) is received. E-mail magazine (or e-mail) saved in the storage area or displayed in screen save
It is also possible to provide a save selection setting screen for selecting whether or not to delete the file, to perform a save setting or a delete setting, and to add a step of selecting the save setting or the delete setting after steps S5 to S8 in FIG. Good.

4. Screen save operation 4-1. Screen Save Operation Example FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a screen save operation example of the terminal 30-3. When the screen save function is set, the control unit 32 controls the screen save program 34 in parallel with the execution control of the application program.
The terminal 30-3 performs the operation as shown in the following example of steps T1 to T7 by the stationary state detecting means 41 and the electronic mail receiving means 42 to the storage control means 45. When the state of the display screen of the display unit 35 of the terminal 30-3 is in a stationary state for a predetermined time or more, the display contents preset by the screen save function setting program 342 are dynamically displayed (for example, scroll display). In addition, the display operation of the screen save program 343 is stopped when the user starts an operation such as a key operation or a mouse operation, and returns to the execution of the application being executed before the screen save starts.

Step T1: (Time Count) The control unit 32 adds 1 to the time counter at every predetermined time (in the embodiment, in units of seconds) and counts the time.

Step T2: (Determination of presence / absence of screen stationary state for a predetermined time or more) The control unit 32 checks the stationary time of the display content displayed on the display unit 35, and determines whether the screen stationary state is the flowchart of FIG. If it exceeds the predetermined ratio (for example, 40%) of the screen save start time tX set in step S0, the process transits to T3, otherwise returns to T1. The screen still time may be such that the contents of the display memory are compared with the contents before and after the display, and detected based on the duration of the same contents, but the operation of a key operation or an operation of a pointing device such as a mouse may be performed. Usually, detection is performed based on an interval (that is, a time during which no key operation or mouse operation is performed) is regarded as a screen still time.

Step T3: (Judgment of presence / absence of mail magazine display setting) The control unit 32 checks the display method setting contents set in step S2 of FIG. 4A, and if this means mail magazine display setting ( In the embodiment, when the display method setting program constant value is “1”, the process transits to T4; otherwise, the process transits to T5.

Step T4: (Screen save operation by mail magazine) The control unit 32 displays the mail magazine by the screen save operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Is displayed dynamically, and when there is a key operation or mouse operation, T
Transition to 7.

Step T5: (Judgment of presence / absence of mail display setting) The control unit 32 checks the display method setting contents set in step S2 of FIG. In the example, when the display method setting program constant value is “2”, the process proceeds to T6. Otherwise, the process proceeds to display control of other screen save contents.

Step T6: (Screen Save Operation by Mail) The control unit 32 dynamically displays the mail (ordinary electronic mail) on the display device 35 by a screen save operation by mail as described later, and performs key operation and mouse operation. The operation transits to T7 when there is an operation of.

Step T7: (Clearing of Time Counter) The controller 32 clears the time counter to zero and returns to T1.

4-2. Example of Screen Save Operation by Mail Magazine FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of step T4 in FIG. 6, that is, a flowchart showing the screen save operation of the terminal 30-3 by the mail magazine. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method of editing the mail magazine in the memory at the time of screen save, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of display of the mail magazine at the time of screen save.

Thereafter, if the operation of the display setting of the mail magazine is performed in step T3 of FIG. 6, the control unit 32 controls the execution of the screen save program 343, and
In the step -3, the stationary state detecting means 41 to the storage control means 45 perform an operation as shown in the following steps U1 to U12.

Step U1: (Time Count) In FIG. 7 (a), the control unit 32 adds 1 to the time counter every predetermined time (the same time unit as in step T1 of FIG. 6) and counts the time.

Step U2: (Fetch New Mail Magazine) When the communication connection with the mail server 10 is established via the Internet 20, the control unit 32 activates the e-mail receiving program 341 to control its execution, and the mail server 10 Sends a new mail magazine transmission request and sends the mail server 1
When a new mail magazine is received from 0, it is taken into the mail receiving buffer 33 'of the temporary storage memory 33.

Step U3: (Determination of arrival of screen save start time) The control unit 32 checks the time counter, and if the value of the time counter exceeds the screen save start time tX set in step S0 in FIG. If not, the flow returns to U2 to take in a new mail magazine. As a result, the connection with the Internet and the loading of the new mail magazine into the mail receiving buffer 33 'are performed during the 0.6tX from the still time 0.4tX determined in step T2 of FIG. 6 to the screen save start X time. It can be carried out.

Step U4: (Judgment Completion Determination of New Mail Magazine) The control unit 32 determines whether or not all the new mail magazine has been fetched from the mail server 10 and has been recorded and stored. If not, the flow goes to U2 to continue loading. As a result, even if the loading of the new mail magazine is not completed within the time 0.6tX in step U3, all the new mail magazines can be loaded.

Step U5: (Determination of Display Contents) The control unit 32 checks the value of the display contents setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the display contents setting area specified by the screen save program 343), and If the value is "00", which means that only the newly arrived mail magazine is displayed, the process transits to U6.
If the value is "01" indicating that only the mail magazine that has not been browsed yet is displayed, the process transits to U7.
In addition, the values “02”, “03”,
In the case of “07” (within one week), “30” (within one month), and “99” (without limitation), transition to U8 is made. If the value is "0B" indicating that only a specific e-mail magazine is to be displayed, the process transits to U9.

Step U6: (Edit New Mail Magazine) The control unit 32 continuously displays the new mail magazine stored in the mail receiving buffer 33 'on the display screen as shown in FIG. 8A. When the editing of all the new mail magazines is completed, the new mail magazine stored in the mail receiving buffer 33 'is stored in the mail magazine reception holder A (FIG. 2 (c)) and record it,
Transitions to 1. When the number of lines of the new mail magazine exceeds the number of lines displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG.
At the time of editing, the header information of the mail magazine is written in a line corresponding to the upper column of each page so that the header information (title, issuer, etc.) of the mail magazine can be displayed on each page.

Step U7: (Edit Unread Mail Magazine) The control unit 32 takes out the unread mail magazine stored and stored in the mail magazine reception holder A in the received mail storage area 346 of the storage memory 34 and displays it. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the data is continuously edited and temporarily stored in the temporary storage memory 33, and the process transits to U11 when all the unedited mail magazines have been edited. If the number of lines in the unread mail magazine exceeds the number of lines displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 8B, each page is edited so that the header information of the mail magazine can be displayed on each page. Edit so that the header information of the mail magazine is written in the line corresponding to the upper column.

Step U8: (Edit of mail magazine within the set number of days) The control unit 32 determines the reception date X of the mail magazine stored and stored in the mail magazine reception holder A in the electronic mail storage area 346 of the storage memory 34. A program constant for setting the display contents of the screen save program 343 (or
The value X0 of the display content setting area defined in the screen save program 343 is checked, and if X ≦ X0, the mail magazine is taken out and continuously displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. 8A. After editing all the unedited mail magazines, the process goes to U11. When the value of X0 is "99" (that is, when there is no limit), the mail is sequentially extracted from a new mail magazine and edited. If the number of lines in the e-mail magazine exceeds the number of lines displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 8B, the upper column of each page is edited so that the header information of the e-mail magazine can be displayed on each page. Edit so that the header information of the mail magazine is written in the corresponding line.

Step U9: (Storing of the specific mail magazine in the specific reception holder) The control unit 32 checks the URL of the new mail magazine taken in the mail receiving buffer 33 'in the above-mentioned step U2, and if there is a specific mail magazine. Is extracted and stored in the mail magazine receiving holder B (FIG. 2C) of the storage memory 34.

Step U10: (Editing of Specific Mail Magazine) The control unit 32 takes out the specific mail magazine stored and stored in the mail magazine receiving holder B of the storage memory 34 and enables continuous display on the display screen as shown in FIG. As shown in a), the data is continuously edited and temporarily stored in the temporary storage memory 33, and when the editing of all the specific mail magazines is completed, U1
Transitions to 1. When the number of lines of the specific e-mail magazine exceeds the number of lines displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG.
In order to display the header information of the mail magazine on each page, the editing is performed by writing the header information of the mail magazine in the line corresponding to the upper column of each page at the time of editing.

Step U11: (Screen Save (Dynamic Display of E-mail Magazine)) The control unit 32 executes the above-mentioned step U6, U7, U8 or U10
The mail magazine edited by any of the above is taken out from the temporary storage memory 33 and displayed (FIG. 9). At this time, the mail magazine is moved and displayed (shifted) so as to scroll upward from a lower speed at a predetermined speed. Further, when the last e-mail magazine is displayed, the first e-mail magazine is displayed from the beginning following the tail thereof (that is, with the movement of information in the e-mail magazine screen, each e-mail magazine is endless (terminal 30 -3) until the user can read the e-mail magazine without starting the e-mail program, and at the same time, the screen save is executed and the screen during the idle period is displayed. Is prevented from being deteriorated.

Step U12: (Stop Display and Return to Original Application) The control unit 32 checks a signal (state signal) from the input unit 31 and displays a screen save program 343 when there is a key operation or mouse movement. The control operation is stopped, and the operation returns to the application operation. However, the screen still state determination operation is continued.

The display example of FIG. 9A is a display example in the case where the number of lines in the texts 1-2, 2-2 and 3-2 of each mail magazine is small. In this example, the mail magazines 1 and 2 are used. , 3
Header 1-1, 2-1 and 3-1 and e-mail magazine 1,
2 text 1-2, 2-2 and email magazine 3 text 3-
2 shows a state where the middle of 2 is displayed. In this example, each header and the mail text are scrolled upward with the passage of time.

FIG. 9B shows a display example in the case where the number of lines of the body 1'-2 of the first e-mail magazine 1 'is larger than the number of displayable lines on the screen. In this example, the e-mail magazine 1' The header information 1'-1 is fixedly displayed at the top of the screen until the mail text 1'-2 scrolls upward. In other words, if the number of lines in the e-mail magazine exceeds the number of lines displayed on the screen, the header information (title, publisher, etc.) of the e-mail magazine is placed at a specific position on the screen.
To be displayed. This allows a user who has viewed the mail magazine to be moved and displayed to write down the title of the mail magazine when he wants to download or delete it. (In the embodiment, when the last mail is displayed, The first mail is displayed from the beginning following the tail (that is, each mail is scrolled endlessly (until interrupted by the operation of the terminal 30-3) in a scrolling manner as information moves within the screen of the mail). But is not limited to this).

According to the above configuration, the mail magazine can be automatically fetched and displayed when the terminal has been activated and has not been used for a predetermined period of time without activating the e-mail program.

Note that steps U6, U7, U in FIG.
8 and U10, each e-mail magazine is edited so as to be scrollable and displayed sequentially as shown in the example of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, but as shown in FIG. You may make it display on a screen. That is, in FIG. 10, the mail magazines A to D are different mail magazines, respectively, and the mail receiving buffer 3
A plurality of mail magazines stored in the mail magazine reception holder A in the received mail storage storage area 346 or a new mail magazine taken into the 3 'may be individually edited and displayed on a multi-screen. . At this time, the mail magazine of a plurality of pages or more is scroll-displayed in each screen.

4-3. Example of Mail Magazine Storage Control Operation In the flowchart of FIG. 7A, when a new mail magazine is fetched in step U2, the mail magazine is fetched into the mail reception buffer 33 ', and the mail magazine is stored in the mail magazine reception holder A in the received mail storage area 346 after editing. As described above, the e-mail magazine in which the screen save function setting program 342 is screen-save displayed is stored in the e-mail magazine reception holder, or the e-mail magazine in which the screen save display is displayed is deleted from the e-mail magazine reception holder as described above. May be added after steps S5 to S8 in FIG. 4 (in this case, step U6).
Then, the storage operation is not performed and step U12 in FIG.
After that, save or delete the displayed e-mail magazine).

That is, steps U13 to U15 shown in FIG. 7B are added after step U12 in FIG. 7A, and when a key operation or the like is performed, it is determined whether or not the save setting has been made. (Step U13) If the save setting is made, the new mail magazine is fetched into the mail receiving buffer 33 ', and at the same time, the mail magazine of the save storage memory 34 is attached with a mail flag having a value meaning "viewed". After saving and recording in the holder, the operation returns to the application operation (step U14). If the deletion setting has been made, all the displayed mail magazines among the mail magazines stored and stored in the mail magazine reception holder are deleted and the application is deleted. It returns to the operation (step U15).

4-4. E-mail display control operation When e-mail control is performed in step T6 in FIG. 6 (that is, e-mail display setting for displaying a normal e-mail as a screen save display method is made by the screen save function setting program 342 in step T5). (When value = “2”) is detected, the e-mail can be screen-save-displayed by the same display control as in the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, the description “e-mail magazine” in the flowchart of FIG. 7 and its description may be replaced with “e-mail”.

11 and 12 show the headers 1 "-1 to 4" -1 and the mails 1 "to 1" of each mail 1 "to 4".
In this example, the body 1 "-2 to 4" -2 of the 4 "body is displayed. In this example, each header and the body of the mail are both moved upward and scroll-displayed with the passage of time. Even if the mail program is not started, the mail is automatically taken in, and the mail taken in a time when the terminal is started and not used for a predetermined time can be automatically displayed.

In the examples of FIGS. 11 and 12, steps U6, U7, U8 or U8 in the flowchart of FIG.
10 is an example in which the header information of the e-mail and the body of two lines are edited so as to be continuously displayed as a set, and dynamically displayed in a step U11. The editing method and display of the displayed e-mail The method is not limited to this. For example,
Only the header may be displayed so that the contents of the mail are not inadvertently known to others, or only the incoming message such as "How many new mails have been received" may be continuously moved and displayed. . Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the header and the entire text of the mail are displayed, and a plurality of received e-mails are individually edited and displayed on a multi-screen as in the example shown in FIG. May be.

The screen save program 343 set in step S2 of FIG. 4A has the same display operation as the flowchart shown in the case of the display method = mail + mail magazine (value = “3”). Save display can be performed. In other words, the electronic mail may be displayed first, and the mail magazine may be displayed when the display of the received electronic mail is completed. Also,
When the value of the display method setting program constant of the screen save program 343 (or the display method setting area defined by the screen save program 343) set in step S2 of FIG. In the method (pattern display), a screen save operation can be executed by continuously displaying a pattern corresponding to the pattern value set in step S9 of FIG.

The screen save program 343
Mail receiving buffer 3 of temporary storage memory 33 used in
3 'and the mail magazine reception holder A of the storage memory 34 are matched with the received mail buffer area and the received mail storage area used in the e-mail program, so that the mail magazine and the mail fetched by the screen save program 343 can be stored. It can be browsed, downloaded to the FD, or deleted using an e-mail program. As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.

[0090]

As described above, according to the e-mail receiving terminal of the first invention, the e-mail is dynamically displayed automatically when the terminal has not been operated for a predetermined time or more. Can be prevented from being thrown away as old topics or information. Also, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to check the mail and reading important information or urgent mail.

Further, according to the electronic mail display system of the second invention, the electronic mail is issuance information (e-mail magazine or e-mail news) composed of specific topics and information distributed periodically, and is increasing. Can be automatically streamed and read in the spare time of the terminal without the hassle of starting up the e-mail program, so that it can be prevented from being thrown away as old topics or information that could not be read as in the past, and interest The chance to find interesting topics or information.

Further, according to the e-mail display method of the third invention and the e-mail display systems of the fifth to twelfth inventions, if the e-mail display setting is made on the terminal, the terminal can be displayed on a stationary screen for a predetermined time or more. Since the e-mail (e-mail magazine or e-mail) is automatically dynamically displayed on the screen when the display remains as it is, there is no need to start an e-mail program to view the e-mail as in the related art.

That is, it is possible to easily perform a screen save display of distribution information addressed to each individual handled by the electronic mail system, and to display the entire text of the received electronic mail. Even if you do not start the mail program and read the e-mail,
You can view the incoming call at the same time.

According to the e-mail display system of the eighth invention, the e-mail can be selectively restricted and displayed when the screen is saved, so that unnecessary e-mail is not displayed, and the necessary e-mail is not displayed. Since the user can browse only the information, it is possible to maintain the news property (freshness) and improve the actual reading rate.

Further, according to the electronic mail display system of the ninth invention, only new electronic mails can be displayed at the time of screen save by setting, so that a new one is selected from the stored electronic mails and browsed as in the related art. It is not necessary to do so, and the actual reading rate can be improved.

Further, according to the e-mail display system of the tenth aspect, by setting in advance, only unread e-mails can be displayed at the time of screen save.
Unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to select a new one that has not been browsed from among the accumulated e-mails and browse it, thereby improving the actual reading rate.

Further, according to the electronic mail display system of the eleventh aspect, only the electronic mail within the date set at the time of screen saving can be displayed by setting in advance, so that the new one with the new date can be easily displayed. Inconvenience that all received e-mails are displayed does not occur.

Further, according to the electronic mail display system of the twelfth aspect, only a specific electronic mail is dynamically displayed at the time of screen save, so that information of particular interest or mail from a specific partner is not missed. . Also, it is possible to prevent screen save display of information that one does not want others to see.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication network terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a terminal.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a screen save function setting operation of the terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a screen save function setting screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a screen save operation of the terminal 30-3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a screen save operation by a terminal mail magazine.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method of editing a mail magazine in a memory at the time of screen saving.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example (screen saver example) of a mail magazine at the time of screen saving.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example (screen saver example) of a mail magazine at the time of screen save.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a method of editing an e-mail in a memory at the time of screen save.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example (screen saver example) of an e-mail at the time of screen save.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-3 mail magazine (e-mail) 1 "-4" mail (mail information) 1-1-3-1 header of mail magazine 1 "-1-4" -1 header of mail 1-2-3-2 mail Body of magazine 1 "-2 to 4" -2 Body of mail 10 Mail server 20 Internet (communication network) 30 Terminal 30-1 Source terminal of mail magazine 30-2 Source terminal of mail 30-3 Destination terminal ( E-mail receiving terminal) 31 Input unit 32 Control unit (E-mail display control means, storage control means) 33 Temporary storage memory 33 'Mail reception buffer (E-mail reception means) 34 Storage storage memory 35 Display unit 300 Screen save start time Setting screen 301 Setting time selection fields 310, 310 'Display method setting screen 320 Display content setting screen 322 Specific mail Magazine designation input screen 330 Pattern selection screen 341 E-mail reception program (e-mail reception means) 342 Screen save function setting program 343 Screen save program (screen save means) 346 Received mail storage storage area 346-1 Receive holder A 346-2 Receive Holder B (specific storage area)

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail receiving terminal, comprising: a screen saving means for detecting that no operation has been performed for a predetermined time or more to perform screen save display; an electronic mail receiving means; An e-mail receiving terminal, comprising: means for displaying. 2. The electronic mail receiving terminal according to claim 1, wherein said electronic mail is a mail magazine or mail news. 3. In a network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, a step of detecting whether a display means of a terminal among the plurality of terminals is in a still display state for a predetermined time or more. A step of detecting whether or not an e-mail display setting is made as a screen save display method when the display means detects that the display means is in the still display state for a predetermined time or more by this step; And performing a screen save by dynamically displaying the received e-mail on the display means when it is detected that the e-mail display setting has been made. . 4. A network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, wherein the display means of a terminal among the plurality of terminals remains in a static display state for a predetermined time or more. A step of detecting that the terminal has not been operated for a predetermined time or more, and that the display means is in a still screen display state for a predetermined time or more by this step. Detecting whether or not an e-mail display setting is made as a screen save display method when the e-mail display setting is detected; and receiving an e-mail when the e-mail display setting is detected by this step. Performing a screen save by dynamically displaying an e-mail on the display means; Recording medium of the display program, characterized in that recording the example was displayed program. 5. In a network system including a plurality of terminals connected to a communication network and a mail server, screen saving means capable of setting display of an e-mail at the time of screen saving, and displaying a terminal among the plurality of terminals. Means for detecting whether or not the display means is in the still display state for a predetermined time or more; and receiving when the display means detects that the display means is in the still display state for a predetermined time or more. An electronic mail display system, comprising: display control means for dynamically displaying electronic mail on the display means. 6. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein the received electronic mail is stored in the mail server. 7. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein the received electronic mail is stored in the terminal. 8. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein said display control means includes a display restricting means for selectively restricting an electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save. 9. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein said display restricting means is means for restricting an electronic mail to be displayed at the time of screen save to only newly arrived electronic mail. 10. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein said display restricting means is means for restricting an electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save to only unviewed electronic mail. 11. The electronic mail display system according to claim 5, wherein said display restricting means is means for restricting an electronic mail displayed at the time of screen save to an electronic mail received within a receiving date limit. 12. A storage control means for selecting a specific e-mail from received e-mails and storing the selected e-mail in a specific storage area, wherein the display control means is provided by the storage control means in a specific storage area. 6. An e-mail display system according to claim 5, further comprising means for displaying the e-mail stored in the screen at the time of screen save.