JPH10171729A - Data processing system data transmission processing method for the system and storage medium for storing program readable by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge the action schedule of a receiver, and to automatically distribute a message to an appropriate transmitting medium and address. SOLUTION: An MDA server 2 receives message request data. A schedule database 3 traces and retrieves the action schedule of any receiver stored in a memory resource according to the lapse of time, and selects an optimal transmission destination address to which the message data should be transmitted. Then, the MDA server 2 prepares transmission instruction data optimal to any transmitting means decided according to the selected transmission destination address, and transfers transmission information including both the prepared transmission instruction data and the message data to sub-systems 4-6 being any transmitting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing system for retrieving a schedule of a receiver based on an input transmission message and transmitting the message to a predetermined transmission medium, a data transmission processing method of the data processing system, and a data processing method. The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the development of information communication technology and information communication networks, delivery of messages by various media such as mail, facsimile, electronic mail, and net news has been put to practical use.

[0003] In particular, one computerized information is converted into a format suitable for each of a plurality of media such as facsimile or electronic mail, and a message of the same content can be delivered via any of the media. . For this reason, the difference in the address format depending on each medium is equivalent from the user, and the recipient of "to whom" is generally specified by a name (not a unique address format), and the intended Attempts have been made to indicate the delivery destination.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a message transfer destination designation screen of a receiver designation type in this type of data processing apparatus, corresponding to a state displayed in a window of a display device (not shown).

[0005] As shown in this figure, in a message transfer process of a recipient designation type, a message is expressed in a format depending on a medium for delivering a message via a different medium such as facsimile or e-mail. Addresses are centrally managed in one directory.

For this reason, the user does not need to be aware of the details of the delivery method, but only has to select the "destination" which is the recipient to whom the message is to be delivered.

[0007] In response to this, the data processing apparatus searches the directory using the recipient as a key, selects an appropriate transmission medium and address, and executes delivery processing such as facsimile transmission and e-mail transfer. .

[0008]

However, in the message delivery processing in the above data processing apparatus, for example, when a receiver whose location changes from one place to another in the course of business, such as sales, is intended to be moved, the receiving (1) to (3) because there is no means to track the location of the person
There were the following problems.

(1) Many of the above-mentioned moving recipients move their locations in accordance with their scheduled activities (including time schedules for route services, etc.). The address changes every moment. Therefore, in order to deliver a message to a recipient who is moving away from home, complicated work such as sending a facsimile to an appropriate place of the destination after the secretary etc. confirms the recipient's action schedule in advance Was required, and the burden on the delivery operator became heavy.

(2) When it is impossible to send a facsimile directly to the recipient, for example, when the recipient is staying at a distant hotel on a business trip or the like, an unspecified third party (hotel) Employee) will be handed over to the recipient. In this example, the facsimile sending slip should be addressed to an agent, and an appropriate change must be made to the sending slip format, such as the need to add “notice”.

(3) For example, when the destination of the recipient is another company of the business partner, it is inappropriate to pass an unspecified third party (agent) to deliver the confidential message. Considering this point, it takes time and effort to select an appropriate destination candidate from possible destinations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to nineteenth inventions according to the present invention is to provide a receiver which is designated based on a message transmission request. By tracking and searching the action schedule with the passage of time and selecting the transmission destination address, or by repeatedly tracking and searching the message transmission destination address in consideration of the specified message transmission attribute and the message receiving attribute of the transmission destination address etc. It is possible to automatically deliver a message to an appropriate transmission medium and address by judging a recipient's action schedule, and to automatically generate transmission instruction information for each transmission destination required along with message transmission, Prohibiting the inadvertent selection of a destination via a proxy when delivering confidential messages prohibits system security. Data processing system and data processing system for data transmission processing method and a computer capable of is to provide a storage medium storing a readable program.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium; Storage means for storing; message request data for any of the recipients stored in the storage means; and reception means for receiving message data to be transmitted; and the storage based on the message request data received by the reception means. Selecting means for tracing and retrieving the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the means with the passage of time and selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, and according to the destination address selected by the selecting means Creating means for creating transmission instruction data optimal for any of the determined transmission means; The transmission information includes a transmission instruction data and the message data is one having a transmission control means for delivering to one of the transmission means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium, storage means for storing, for each recipient, scheduled action data of a recipient who performs message transmission, and the storage means Receiving means for receiving message request data and message data to be transmitted to any of the receivers stored in the means, and any one of the storage means stored in the storage means based on the message request data received by the receiving means Selecting means for tracing and searching for the behavior schedule of the receiver over time and selecting an optimum destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted; and optimal for the transmitting means determined according to the destination address selected by the selecting means. Creation means for creating the transmission instruction data, and the transmission instruction data and the message created by the creation means. The transmission information including the Jideta those having a transmission control means for delivering to one of the transmission means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an estimating means for estimating a required transmission time of the message with respect to the transmission destination address selected by the selecting means, including a required transmission time estimated by the estimating means. Determining means for determining whether or not the receiver is located at a point according to the transmission destination address at a time after the required transmission time has elapsed, wherein the selecting means is configured to perform the processing based on the determination result of the determining means. The action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage means is sequentially decremented and traced and searched to reselect an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium; Storage means for storing, for each recipient, message request data in which message transmission attribute information for any one of the recipients stored in the storage means is set, and message data to be transmitted; A means for tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with the passage of time based on the message request data received by the means, and selecting an optimum transmission destination address to transmit the message data; Means, and the message transmission attribute information added to the transmission destination address selected by the selection means Determining means for determining the validity of the destination address selected based on the message reception attribute information set in the message request data; and the destination address selected by the determining means is valid. When it is determined that the transmission instruction data and the message data created by the creation means for creating transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected destination address, And transmission control means for transferring the transmission information including the above to one of the transmission means.

A fifth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the selecting means sequentially decrements the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means based on the judgment result of the judging means, and performs a tracking search. This is for re-selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, a proxy flag or a proxy flag is set in which a transmission destination address of a transmitted message permits proxy reception. The message includes a confidential flag indicating whether or not the proxy reception for the message at this time involves confidentiality.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the message transmission attribute information includes a different transmission request flag set for a message to be transmitted.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the transmission request flag includes an urgent flag indicating the urgency of the message to be transmitted.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the transmission request flag includes a confidential flag indicating confidentiality for a message to be transmitted.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the creation means determines that the destination address selected by the determination means is valid, and includes in the message reception attribute information for each destination address. If it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted has set the proxy flag allowing the proxy reception, any one of the transmission means determined according to the selected transmission destination address has an agent according to a predetermined format. This is to create predetermined transmission instruction data indicating reception.

In an eleventh aspect according to the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the determination means sets a confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each destination address. And, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, if it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted has set a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected The transmission destination address is determined to be invalid.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention based on the fourth aspect, the determining means sets an urgent flag indicating an urgency level for a message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. And, in the message receiving attribute information for each of the transmission destination addresses, if the transmission destination address of the transmitted message has a proxy flag set to allow proxy reception, the selected transmission destination address is valid. It is determined that there is not.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, when the determining means determines that the transmission destination address is not valid, the selecting means stores the destination address in the storage means. The action schedule of any of the stored recipients is sequentially deferred and traced and searched to reselect an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium,
A data transmission processing method for a data processing system, comprising: storage means for storing, for each recipient, scheduled action data of a recipient who performs message transmission, wherein the message request data for any one of the recipients stored in the storage means and transmitted. Receiving the message data to be received;
A selecting step of tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with time based on the received message request data and selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted; And determining whether the selected destination address is valid based on the message transmission attribute information added to the selected destination address and the message reception attribute information set in the message request data. Process and
A creating step of creating transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected destination address when the selected destination address is determined to be valid in the determining step; And a transmission step of transmitting transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data to any transmission means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the action schedule data of a recipient who performs message transmission is stored in a storage means for each recipient, and a message is transmitted in response to a message request input via a plurality of transmission means. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling transmission, the method comprising: receiving a message request data for one of recipients and message data to be transmitted stored in the storage means; A selection step of tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means over time based on the message request data and selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, The message transmission attribute information and the message request data added to the selected transmission destination address A judging step of judging the validity of the destination address selected based on the set message reception attribute information, and a case where the judging step judges that the selected destination address is valid Creating a transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected transmission destination address, and transmitting the transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data And a transmitting step of transmitting the program to any one of the transmission means.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention based on the fourteenth aspect, in the determining step, a confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted is set in the message receiving attribute information for each destination address. And, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, if it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted has set a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected The transmission destination address is determined to be invalid.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention based on the fifteenth aspect, in the determining step, a confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted is set in the message receiving attribute information for each destination address. And, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, if it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted has set a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected The transmission destination address is determined to be invalid.

In an eighteenth aspect of the present invention based on the fourteenth aspect, the determining means sets an urgent flag indicating an urgency level for the message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. And, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, if it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted is set a proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected transmission destination address is It is determined that there is no validity.

[0031] In a nineteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, the judging means sets an urgent flag indicating the urgency of the message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. And, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, if it is determined that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted is set a proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected transmission destination address is It is determined that there is no validity.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a message delivery support system to which a data processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an existing personal computer system (may be a workstation)
Is a client that can be configured with the main unit (CPU, RAM,
ROM, an input device such as a keyboard, a display device for displaying messages and the like, an external storage device for storing data, and the like, and performs data processing including a message delivery request process. Note that the number of clients 1 may be plural.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a message delivery support server (MDA server) which can be constituted by an existing personal computer system, receives a delivery request and a message from the client 1, selects a message delivery subsystem 4 to 6, selects an address, and selects an envelope. Executes a control program stored in a memory resource including an external storage device (not shown) for processing such as creation of data (to be described in detail later) and transmission of the created envelope data and message to the message delivery subsystems 4 to 6. Do it.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a schedule database which can be constituted by an existing personal computer system. The schedule database 3 receives an inquiry from the MDA server 2 and relates to a plurality of recipients which are manageably registered in a memory resource including an external storage device (not shown). The action schedule information of the designated recipient is returned from the action schedule information.

The message delivery subsystem 4 among the message delivery subsystems 4 to 6 which can be configured by an existing personal computer system functions as an electronic mail subsystem, and is, for example, a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). A message is transmitted to a transmission medium (not shown) as an e-mail conforming to a protocol called "Email". Further, the message delivery subsystem 5 functions as a facsimile transmission subsystem, and facsimile-transmits the given envelope data and message as electronic information converted into a bitmap image via a transmission medium (public line). Further, the message delivery subsystem 6 functions as a remote printer subsystem, and is installed in any remote place, for example, a department (mail room) for collecting and delivering postal matter in the company, and records given envelope data and messages. Perform print output processing to the medium.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of schedule data managed on an individual basis in the schedule database 3 shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to a state in which a window is displayed on a display device in the schedule database 3 with the personal name as a key. I do. Note that the schedule database 3 in the present system holds and manages, in chronological order, an action schedule of an individual to be a message recipient. The present invention can be applied to windows that are controlled according to the OS of each personal computer.

In the figure, TE is a time area, and the schedule can be managed from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and an individual's action schedule in each time zone is further divided into four parts of one hour and scheduled in 15 minute units. Is configured to be able to set the division.

C1 is a schedule setting column in which a detailed schedule for each individual time zone is set, and a moving band and a location-determined band (a band staying during that time) can be displayed in different colors. I have. That is, if the time of the system is the mobile band, the message transmission is postponed until the next fixed band is reached.

A location setting column C2 is used to set detailed locations for each individual time zone. C3 is a contact setting column. The contact can be set as a pair of a transmission medium and an address indicating a contact method at the location for each time band. : Ki @ ... "is a facsimile, and" FAX: 03 ... "can be set as a set of a facsimile and its facsimile telephone number.

C4 is a setting column for each proxy, in which a check box is secured, and whether or not the message delivery to the contact is via an agent can be individually set. C5 is a confidentiality setting column in which a check box is secured, and if the route is through an agent, whether or not the route has confidentiality for the individual can be individually set.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission message input screen displayed on the display device of the client 1 shown in FIG. 1. For example, a transmission message input window (G
This corresponds to the state displayed on the screen as (UI).

In the figure, L1 to L6 are delivery request setting areas, and a "destination" to be delivered can be input, for example, as a name in the delivery request setting area L1.
The delivery request setting area L2 is configured so that the "subject" of the message to be delivered can be input. Further, the delivery request setting area L3 is configured so that the "date and time" of the custody of the message to be delivered can be input.

The delivery request setting area L4 is a check box for individually setting the “attribute” of the message to be delivered to, for example, “urgent”, “confidential”, “transmission result report”, and “file copy”. Is secured.

Further, the delivery request setting area L5 is configured so that the "source" of the message to be delivered can be input, for example, as a name. In addition, the delivery request setting area L6
Has an area for setting "contents" which is the text to be delivered.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to thirteenth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transmission means (subsystems 4 to 6) for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium (network, public line), and a behavior schedule data of a receiver for transmitting the message are stored. Storage means (memory resources of the schedule database 3) for storing for each recipient;
Receiving means for receiving message request data and message data to be transmitted to any of the recipients stored in the storage means (received by the MDA server 2 via a predetermined interface); A selection means (schedule database 3) for tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means over time based on the message request data and selecting an optimal transmission destination address to transmit the message data. CPU executes the control program stored in the memory resource to select), and a creating unit that creates optimal transmission instruction data for any of the transmission units determined according to the transmission destination address selected by the selection unit ( MD
The transmission information including the transmission instruction data and the message data created by the creation unit is sent to any of the transmission units by the CPU of the A server 2 executing the control program stored in the memory resource. Transfer control means (the CPU of the MDA server 2 executes the control program stored in the memory resource to transfer), and
Based on the received message request data, the DA server 2 searches the schedule database 3 for an action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the memory resource over time and searches for an optimal transmission destination to transmit the message data. An address is selected, the MDA server 2 creates transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined in accordance with the selected transmission destination address, and the transmission includes the created transmission instruction data and the message data. Since the information is delivered to any of the subsystems 4 to 6 as a transmission means, the time when the message transmission request is received and the schedule of the registered recipient are tracked and searched in real time, and the recipient receives the message without fail. One of the possible transmission destinations is specified, and a transmission instruction is automatically given to the specified transmission destination. The request message can be transmitted via any transmission media suitable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a transmission means (one of subsystems 4 to 6) for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium, and action schedule data of a recipient who performs message transmission are classified by recipient. Storage means for storing (memory resources of the schedule database 3), and receiving means for receiving message request data and message data to be transmitted to any of the receivers stored in the storage means (the MDA server 2 has a predetermined interface). And the message data should be transmitted by tracking and retrieving the action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage means with the passage of time based on the message request data received by the receiving means. Selection means for selecting an optimum transmission destination address (CP in the schedule database 3)
U executes the control program stored in the memory resource to select), and creating means (schedule database 3) for creating transmission instruction data optimal for the transmitting means determined according to the destination address selected by the selecting means. CPU executes the control program stored in the memory resource) and transfers the transmission information including the transmission instruction data and the message data generated by the generating unit to any of the transmission units. Means (MD
A server 2 executes and delivers the control program stored in the memory resource), and the MDA server 2
Based on the message request data received, the schedule database 3 traces and searches over time the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the memory resources and selects the optimal destination address to which the message data should be transmitted. MDA according to the selected transmission destination address
The server 2 creates transmission instruction data optimal for the transmission means to be determined, and the MDA server 2 transmits transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data to one of the subsystems 4 to 6. , So that the time at which the message transmission request was received and the schedule of the registered recipients are tracked and searched in real time, and any one of the transmission destinations where the recipient can surely receive the message is specified, and the specified destination is specified. The transmission instruction can be automatically given to the transmission destination, and the requested message can be transmitted via the transmission medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an estimating means (CPU of the MDA server 2) for estimating a time required for transmitting the message for the destination address selected by the selecting means.
Is estimated by executing a control program stored in a memory resource), and a point at which the receiver follows the transmission destination address at a time after the required transmission time has elapsed, including the required transmission time estimated by the estimating means. (The CPU of the schedule database 3 executes a control program stored in a memory resource to determine whether or not the MDA server 2 is located at the transmission destination address selected by the MDA server 2). Estimate the required transmission time of the message, determine whether the recipient is located at a point according to the destination address at a time after the required transmission time, including the estimated required transmission time, Based on the determination result, the schedule database 3 sequentially decrements the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the memory resources and traces the schedule. And re-selecting the optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, the time after the estimated required transmission time has elapsed, taking into account the received message transmission request time and the time to complete the transmission of the message. If the message cannot be received at the same time, the next message transmission address can be tracked and searched in sequence to find the optimal transmission address automatically. You can choose.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transmission means (subsystems 4 to 6) for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium (network, public line), and a schedule data of a receiver for transmitting the message are stored. Storage means (memory resources of the schedule database 3) for storing for each recipient together with message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address;
Receiving means for receiving message request data in which message transmission attribute information for one of the recipients stored in the storage means is set and message data to be transmitted (received by the MDA server 2 via a predetermined interface) An optimal transmission destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted by tracing and searching for an action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage means with time based on the message request data received by the reception means. Selection means (schedule database 3)
CPU executes the control program stored in the memory resource to select), the message transmission attribute information added to the transmission destination address selected by the selection means, and the message set in the message request data. Judgment means for judging the validity of the destination address selected based on the reception attribute information (C of the MDA server 2)
The PU executes the control program stored in the memory resource to determine), and when the determination unit determines that the selected destination address is valid, the determination is made according to the selected destination address. Creation means (created by the CPU of the MDA server 2 executing a control program stored in a memory resource) for creating transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means, and the transmission instruction created by the creation means Transmission control means (CPU of the MDA server 2 executes and executes a control program stored in a memory resource) for transferring transmission information including data and the message data to any one of the transmission means. Any one of the recipients whose schedule database 3 is stored in the memory resource based on the message request data received by An action schedule is tracked and searched over time to select an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, and an optimal transmission instruction to one of the transmission means for which the MDA server 2 is determined according to the selected destination address. Since data is created and the created transmission information including the transmission instruction data and the message data is delivered to any of the subsystems 4 to 6, the schedule of the searched recipient is set at the received message transmission request time. If the message cannot be received, the next message transmission address can be searched sequentially to automatically search for the optimal transmission address. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the schedule database 3 transmits the message data by sequentially deferring the action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the memory resource based on the determination result of the MDA server 2 and tracking and searching. Since the optimal transmission destination address to be selected is re-selected, if the retrieved recipient's schedule cannot receive the message at the received message transmission request time, the next message transmission address destination is tracked and searched sequentially to determine the optimal transmission destination address. The transmission address destination can be automatically searched any number of times, and the transmission destination address that can be reliably received can be selected while tracking the schedule of the message recipient.

According to a sixth aspect, in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted is a proxy flag permitting proxy reception or the message when the proxy flag is set. Since a confidential flag indicating whether or not proxy reception of the message involves confidentiality is included, a message transmission environment intended for various message transmission destinations can be freely set.

According to a seventh to a ninth inventions, in the fourth invention, the message transmission attribute information includes a different transmission request flag (an urgency for the message to be transmitted) set for the message to be transmitted. An urgent flag (set by checking the urgent check box in FIG. 3) and a confidential flag indicating confidentiality for the message to be transmitted (set by checking the confidential check box in FIG. 3) are included. According to the attribute of the requested message, the schedule of the recipient can be searched to specify the optimum destination address.

In a tenth aspect, the MDA server 2 determines that the selected transmission destination address is valid, and includes the transmission destination of the transmitted message in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. When it is determined that the proxy flag that permits the proxy reception is set, predetermined transmission instruction data indicating proxy reception according to a predetermined format to any transmission means determined according to the selected destination address. Therefore, optimal transmission information including transmission instruction data such as a header accompanying a message transmission or a delivery note can be automatically generated.

According to an eleventh aspect, in the fourth aspect, M
The DA server 2 sets a confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, and transmits the message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. If it is determined that the non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception is set for the destination address of the destination address, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid, so that the message to be transmitted is confidential. , It is possible to reliably prevent a message from being transmitted to a transmission destination address that is a transmission destination address that can be transmitted on a schedule and has a non-confidential proxy flag set. .

According to a twelfth aspect, in the fourth aspect, M
The DA server 2 sets an urgent flag indicating the degree of urgency for the message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, and transmits the message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. If the destination address of the destination address is set to a proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid, so that the message to be transmitted does not require urgency. Even if a transmission destination address that can be transmitted on the schedule is selected, it is possible to reliably prevent the message from being transmitted to the transmission destination address for which the proxy flag is set.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, when the MDA server 2 determines that the transmission destination address is not valid, the schedule database 3 stores any one of the schedule addresses stored in the memory resources. Since the recipient's action schedule is sequentially deferred and traced and searched to reselect the optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, an invalid destination address that can be transmitted according to the schedule of the recipient is selected. In this case, the transmission destination address can be automatically tracked and searched for according to the schedule and selected with good reproducibility.

Hereinafter, the message delivery processing operation in the data processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure of the data processing system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the MDA server 2 shown in FIG.
Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, it waits for a delivery request and a message to be sent from the client 1 (1). When the delivery request information and the message are received from the client 1, in step (2), the destination information is obtained from the delivery request information. Identify. Next, in step (3), the schedule database 3 is inquired about the action schedule of the recipient to be the destination, and a response from the schedule database 3 is received. In step (4), a transmission medium and an address are selected. In step (5), a process of determining the validity of the selected transmission medium and address is performed (details will be described later). If it is determined that the pair of the selected transmission medium and address is valid,
Proceeding to step (6), if it is determined that it is not appropriate, the process returns to step (3) to search for the next action schedule of the receiver and to select the next candidate of the “transmission medium, address” pair. repeat.

In step (6), a process for creating envelope data based on a format suitable for the attribute included in the delivery request in an expression format suitable for the selected transmission medium is performed.

In the present embodiment, the envelope data differs depending on the transmission medium or the like. For example, when the transmission medium is a facsimile, it corresponds to the bitmap image data of the facsimile car-bar sheet, and when the transmission medium is an e-mail. If the transmission medium is a remote printer installed in a mail room (not shown), the transmission medium corresponds to bitmap image data of a sending slip in a predetermined format.

The format used to create the envelope data is stored in advance in a storage device (not shown) in the MDA server 2 and is used for the “attribute” of the message included in the delivery request (the delivery shown in FIG. 3). An appropriate format is selected according to the request setting area L4) and the destination specific information inquired from the schedule database 3 (whether or not the proxy setting column C4 in FIG. 2 is checked and whether or not the confidential setting column C5 is checked). Is done. Therefore, for example, when a message is delivered to a destination where an agent intervenes, envelope data to which "notice" is attached can be automatically generated.

Further, in step (7), connection is made to any of the selected transmission medium subsystems 4 to 6, the envelope data including the selected address information and the message content are transmitted, and the process is terminated. .

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the detailed procedure of the validity determination processing routine shown in FIG. 4. The validity of the "transmission medium, address" selected in step (4) shown in FIG. This corresponds to the determination process. In addition,
(1) to (8) show each step.

First, in step (1), the required delivery time is estimated as a function of the set of “transmission medium, address”. The required delivery time is estimated by holding a table for searching for the required time using a transmission medium and an address as a key in a storage device (not shown) inside the MDA server 2, and estimating the table by searching this table. And

Next, in step (2), the required time and the current time (managed in the system) are added to calculate an estimated delivery time, and the calculated estimated delivery time is compared with the action schedule of the receiver. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the receiver is located at the destination point at the estimated delivery time, and if it is determined that the receiver does not already exist at the estimated delivery time, the process proceeds to step (8). The set of "transmission medium, address" selected in step (4) shown in FIG. 4 is determined to be invalid, and the process returns to step (3) in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the recipient is scheduled to exist at the estimated delivery time,
Proceeding to step (3), it is determined whether or not the characteristic of "transmission medium, address" is a route via an agent (from whether or not the check box is checked for the agent-specific setting column C4 on the personal schedule screen shown in FIG. 2). Judgment), if it is determined that the route is through an agent, step (4)
To determine whether the “urgent” flag of the attribute included in the delivery request is true or false (whether or not the “urgent” checkbox is checked in the delivery request setting area L4 of the transmission message screen shown in FIG. 3), and If it is determined that the message does not require urgency, the process proceeds to step (8) in order to avoid selection of a dangerous route involving an agent, and the process returns to FIG. Return to the indicated step (3).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the message requires urgency, the flow advances to step (5) to determine the setting state of the attribute indicating whether or not the message requires confidentiality. That is, it is determined based on the presence / absence of a check in the “Confidential” check box in the delivery request setting area L4 of the transmission message screen shown in FIG. In this case, the process proceeds to step (7), the selection is determined to be valid, the process returns, and the process proceeds to step (6) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that confidentiality is required, the process proceeds to step (6),
Whether or not the set of “transmission medium, address” is a route where confidentiality can be expected is determined based on the response information from the schedule database 3, that is, in the confidentiality setting column C5 of the action schedule screen shown in FIG. Judgment is made based on the presence or absence of the check box (presence or absence of the "confidential" flag)
If the "confidentiality" flag is determined to be "true", the process proceeds to step (7), the selection is determined to be valid, the process returns, and the process returns to step (6) shown in FIG. Transition.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the "confidentiality" flag is "false", the process proceeds to step (8), the selection is determined to be invalid, and the process returns, and FIG. Return to step (3) shown in FIG.

Thus, for example, when a message corresponding to the transmission message screen shown in FIG. 3 is received from the client 1 shown in FIG. 1, the delivery request setting area L3
Is set to “12:05 pm” in the “date and time”, and a check mark is set for a check box for “urgent” and a check box for “confidential” in the delivery request setting area L4. That is, the time is “12:05 pm” and the attribute is “urgent”.
In addition, the client 1 requests the delivery of a message which is “confidential”. The MDA server 2 inquires the schedule database 3 of the schedule data for the recipient specified as the destination, and receives the behavior schedule data corresponding to the recipient shown in FIG. 2 from the schedule database 3 in response to the inquiry.

In this example, the recipient is “lunch / moving” at the time, is in a place where it cannot be contacted, and a meeting is scheduled from 1:00 pm in order to get the fastest contact. It turns out that it is sufficient to send a message as a facsimile to the existing customer, and the contact "FAX: 0
... ”(Step (4) in FIG. 4).

However, as shown in FIG. 3, the message has a check mark for the “Confidential” check box in the delivery request setting area L4. As shown in the figure, the facsimile which is the selected medium and the facsimile number which is the selected address are "unreasonable" as a result because the route is through an agent and confidentiality is not secured. (Step (8) in FIG. 5).

Therefore, the next schedule is searched from the schedule database 3, and the transmission medium and the address are selected again. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of the transmission medium and the address selected next is “email,.
p ", and this selection is determined to be" valid "by the same determination processing as described above. In response, the MDA server 2 creates envelope data in a format addressed to the user in an electronic mail expression format, and passes the created envelope data and message to the message delivery subsystem 4 as an email server.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the data structure of an electronic mail in the data processing system according to the present invention.

In the figure, ED is an e-mail header,
This is the envelope data created based on the delivery request passed from the client 1, and em
It is created corresponding to ail. MD is the message data body, and corresponds to “contents” of the delivery request setting area L6 of the transmission message screen shown in FIG. Note that the last line of the message data body MD is data representing the signature of the sender, and is automatically added by the MDA server 2.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between the present embodiment and the respective steps of the fourteenth to nineteenth aspects of the invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transmission means (subsystems 4 to 6) for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium (network, public line), and a schedule data of a receiver for transmitting a message are stored. In a data transmission processing method of a data processing system having storage means (memory resources of a schedule database 3) for storing for each recipient, message request data for one of the recipients and message data to be transmitted stored in said storage means Receiving step (step (1) in FIG. 4)
Tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with the passage of time based on the received message request data, and selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted. The selection is performed based on a selection step (step (4) in FIG. 4), the message transmission attribute information added to the selected transmission destination address, and the message reception attribute information set in the message request data. Judgment step for judging the validity of the transmission destination address (Step (5) in FIG. 4)
And, if it is determined in the determining step that the selected destination address is valid, create transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected destination address. Creation step (Step (6) in FIG. 4) and transmission step (Step (7) in FIG. 4) of transmitting the created transmission information including the transmission instruction data and the message data to any transmission means. The MDA server 2 and a CPU (not shown) of the schedule database 3 execute a control program stored in a memory resource such as a ROM or an external storage device, and receive a message transmission request reception time and a registered recipient's schedule. In real time to identify one of the destinations where the recipient can reliably receive the message, and The message requesting the transmission instruction automatically assigned to be transmitted via one transmission medium appropriate.

According to a fifteenth aspect, the action schedule data of a receiver performing message transmission is stored in a storage means (memory resources of the schedule database 3) for each receiver, and a message request input via a plurality of transmission means is stored. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling transmission of a message in response thereto, the receiving step of receiving message request data for one of recipients and message data to be transmitted stored in the storage means (Step (1) in FIG. 4) and, based on the received message request data, search for the behavior schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means over time and transmit the message data. A selection step (step (4) in FIG. 4) for selecting an optimal transmission destination address to be selected; A judging step of judging the validity of the transmission destination address selected based on the message transmission attribute information added to the transmission destination address and the message reception attribute information set in the message request data (FIG. 4) Step (5)), and, when the selected destination address is determined to be valid in the determining step, optimal transmission for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected destination address. Creation process for creating instruction data (step (6) in FIG. 4)
And a transmission step (step (7) in FIG. 4) for transmitting transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data to any transmission means. It is stored in a storage medium. That is, a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the MDA server 2 and the CPU (not shown) of the schedule database 3 are stored from the storage medium storing the program code. Is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect,
The determination step (step (5) in FIG. 4, specifically, steps (1) to (7) shown in FIG. 5) includes the confidentiality of a message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. Confidential flag indicating
And, when it is determined in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted is set with a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected transmission Since the destination address is determined to be invalid, if the message to be transmitted requires confidentiality, the transmission destination address is a transmission destination address that can be transmitted on a schedule and the proxy flag with no confidentiality is set. It is possible to reliably prevent the message from being transmitted to the destination address.

[0082] A seventeenth invention is a method according to the fifteenth invention, wherein
The determination step (step (5) in FIG. 4, specifically, steps (1) to (7) shown in FIG. 5) includes the confidentiality of a message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. Confidential flag indicating
And, when it is determined in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address that the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted is set with a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected transmission The destination address is determined to be invalid.

The eighteenth invention is the fourteenth invention, wherein
The determining means (step (5) in FIG. 4, specifically steps (1) to (7) shown in FIG. 5) includes an urgent message for the message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. The emergency flag indicating the degree is set,
And when it is determined in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address that the transmission destination address of the transmitted message has a proxy flag set to allow proxy reception, the selected transmission destination address is valid. If the message to be transmitted does not require urgency, the message is transmitted to the destination address for which the proxy flag is set, even if a transmittable destination address is selected on the schedule. This can be reliably avoided.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect,
The determining means (step (5) in FIG. 4, specifically steps (1) to (7) shown in FIG. 5) includes an urgent message for the message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. The emergency flag indicating the degree is set,
And when it is determined in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address that the transmission destination address of the transmitted message has a proxy flag set to allow proxy reception, the selected transmission destination address is valid. It is determined that there is no sex.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the case where a message is directly transferred from a data processing system such as a personal computer via a transmission medium has been described as an example, the present invention is also applied to a system constructed via a network that can communicate via so-called various LANs. can do. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a message delivery support system to which a data processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. I have. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

In the figure, a client 1 realized by a personal computer (or a workstation or the like) is running a client application of a message delivery support system. Input the delivery request and message.

When the user inputs a delivery request and a message to the client 1, the client 1
00 to the MDA server 2. The MDA server 2 receives a delivery request and a message from the client 1, and inquires of the schedule database 3 via the network 100 about an action schedule of a recipient who is a delivery destination. The MDA server 2 determines an appropriate transmission medium and address by an algorithm described later, creates envelope data suitable for the transmission medium in accordance with the same processing procedure as described above, and selects the contents of the created envelope data to select a transmission medium. Subsystem 10 for delivery according to
Hand over to any of 1, 106 and 107.

The sub system 101 functions as an e-mail server, and transmits e-mail by SMTP via the router 102 and the external network 103. The subsystem 106 functions as a facsimile spooler, and performs a process of transmitting and receiving image information to and from a facsimile machine of the other party via a modem unit 105 and a public line network 104 having an NCU or the like (not shown). Subsystem 1
Reference numeral 07 functions as a remote printer, is installed at a delivery destination or a relay location such as a “mail room”, and prints given output information on a recording medium.

As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, in order to process a delivery request and a message sent from a client, it is appropriate to inquire the schedule database 3 of the action schedule of the recipient to be the destination. By selecting the transmission medium and the address, creating envelope data according to the characteristics of the selected transmission medium and the attributes of the message, and passing the created envelope data and the message to the selected transmission medium, the location of the receiver is determined. The requested message can be automatically delivered to the appropriate location searched and tracked in association with the current time.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described as an example where the data processing system is composed of three different subsystems of e-mail, facsimile, and remote printer as the transmission medium of the message. It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained by adding or replacing the medium.

For example, as a transmission medium of another message,
Telephone that reads out text information by synthetic voice, a system that combines it with voice mail on the receiving side, pager with short text display function, so-called net news and electronic bulletin board, World Wide Web (WWW),
Registration in an information transmission type database such as a facsimile server, a chat function to a login terminal of a receiver, and the like are provided.

The present invention is not limited to the transmission medium described in each embodiment, and the present invention can be applied to other transmission media.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the data processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the data processing system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is applicable even when a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0104]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, based on the message request data received by the receiving means, the selecting means traces and searches the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with time and transmits the message data. Selecting an optimal transmission destination address to be transmitted, creating optimal transmission instruction data for any of the transmission means whose creation means is determined according to the selected transmission destination address, and generating the transmission instruction data and the message data. The transmission control means transfers the transmission information containing the message to any one of the transmission means, so that the time at which the message transmission request was received and the schedule of the registered recipient are tracked and searched in real time, and the recipient can surely retrieve the message. A message requested by specifying one of the receivable transmission destinations and automatically adding a transmission instruction to the specified transmission destination It can be transmitted via the appropriate one of the transmission medium.

According to the second invention, based on the message request data received by the receiving means, the selecting means traces and searches for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storing means with the passage of time, and Selecting an optimal transmission destination address for transmitting the message data, creating optimal transmission instruction data for the transmission means whose creation means is determined according to the selected transmission destination address; Since the transmission control means transfers the transmission information including the message data to the transmission means, the time at which the message transmission request was received and the schedule of the registered recipient are tracked and searched in real time, and the recipient receives the message reliably. One of the possible transmission destinations is specified, a transmission instruction is automatically given to the specified transmission destination, and the requested message is transmitted. It can be transmitted through a medium.

According to the third invention, the estimating means estimates the required transmission time of the message for the destination address selected by the selecting means, and the receiver includes the estimated required transmission time. The determination unit determines whether or not the user is located at a point according to the transmission destination address at a time after the required transmission time has elapsed, and based on the determination result, the selection unit determines whether any one of the recipients is stored in the storage unit. Since the action schedule is sequentially deferred and traced and searched to reselect the optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, it is estimated in consideration of the received message transmission request time and the time until the transmission of the message is completed. If the message cannot be received at the time after the required transmission time elapses, the next message transmission address destination is traced and searched in order to determine the optimal transmission address. The can automatically search, it can be selected surely receivable transmission destination address while tracking the scheduling of the message recipient.

[0107] According to the fourth invention, based on the message request data received by the receiving means, the selecting means traces and searches the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with the passage of time, and Selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, creating optimal transmission instruction data for any of the transmission means whose creation means is determined according to the selected destination address; Since the transmission control means transfers the transmission information including the data and the message data to any of the transmission means, at the time of the received message transmission request time, if the retrieved recipient's schedule cannot receive the message, the next Automatically search for the optimal transmission address by tracking and searching the message transmission address sequentially, and schedule the message recipients It can be selected securely receivable transmission destination address with marks.

[0108] According to the fifth aspect, the selecting means sequentially decrements the action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage means based on the result of the judgment by the judging means, and traces and searches for the message data. In the case where the searched recipient's schedule cannot receive the message at the received message transmission request time, the next message transmission address destination is sequentially tracked and searched. It is possible to automatically search for an optimum transmission address any number of times, and to select a transmission destination address that can be reliably received while tracking the schedule of the message recipient.

According to the sixth invention, the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address includes a proxy flag indicating whether the transmission destination address of the message to be transmitted permits proxy reception or the proxy flag when the proxy flag is set. Since a confidential flag indicating whether or not the proxy reception for the message involves confidentiality is included, the intended message transmission environment can be set freely for various message transmission destinations.

According to the seventh to ninth aspects, the message transmission attribute information includes a different transmission request flag (an urgent flag indicating the urgency level of the message to be transmitted, (A confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted), it is possible to search the schedule of the recipient according to the attribute of the requested message and specify the optimal destination address.

According to the tenth aspect, the creation means includes:
The judging means judges that the selected transmission destination address is valid, and in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, a proxy flag indicating that the transmission destination address of the transmitted message allows proxy reception is included. If it is determined that the setting is made, predetermined transmission instruction data indicating reception of an agent in accordance with a predetermined format is created in one of the transmission means determined according to the selected transmission destination address. Optimal transmission information including transmission instruction data such as a header or a delivery note can be automatically generated.

[0112] According to the eleventh aspect, the determining means includes:
A confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, and the transmission destination address of the transmitted message is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. When it is determined that the non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception is set, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid, so the message to be transmitted requires confidentiality. With this, it is possible to reliably prevent a message from being transmitted to a transmission destination address that is a transmission destination address that can be transmitted on a schedule and has a non-confidential proxy flag set.

[0113] According to the twelfth aspect, the determining means includes:
An urgent flag indicating the degree of urgency for a message to be transmitted is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, and the transmission destination address of the transmitted message is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. If it is determined that the proxy flag that allows proxy reception is set, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid, so if the message to be transmitted does not require urgency, the schedule Even if an upper transmission destination address is selected, it is possible to reliably prevent the message from being transmitted to the destination address for which the proxy flag is set.

According to the thirteenth aspect, when the determining means determines that the destination address is not valid, the selecting means determines that the determining means determines that the destination address is not valid. In this case, the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means is sequentially decremented and traced and searched to reselect an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted. When an invalid transmission destination address that can be transmitted is selected, the transmission destination address can be automatically tracked and searched in accordance with the schedule, and the transmission destination address can be selected with good reproducibility.

According to the fourteenth and fifteenth aspects, message request data and message data to be transmitted to any one of the recipients stored in the storage means are received, and based on the received message request data. The action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means is tracked and searched over time to select an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted, and the destination address to be added to the selected destination address is selected. The validity of the destination address selected based on the message transmission attribute information and the message reception attribute information set in the message request data is determined, and the selected destination address is valid. If it is determined, the optimum transmission for any of the transmission means determined according to the selected transmission destination address is performed. The instruction data is created, and the transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data is transmitted to any one of the transmission units, so that the time at which the message transmission request is received and the schedule of the registered receiver are transmitted. In real-time, a search is performed to identify any destination to which the recipient can reliably receive the message, and to automatically attach a transmission instruction to the identified destination to appropriately send the requested message. It can be transmitted via any transmission medium.

According to the sixteenth and seventeenth aspects, in the determining step, the confidential flag indicating the confidentiality of the message to be transmitted is set in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address, and the transmission destination If it is determined in the message reception attribute information for each address that the non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception is set for the transmission destination address of the transmitted message, the selected transmission destination address is valid. If the message to be transmitted requires confidentiality, the message is sent to a destination address that can be transmitted on a schedule and has a non-confidential proxy flag set. Can be reliably prevented from being transmitted.

According to the eighteenth and nineteenth aspects, the judging means sets an urgent flag indicating an urgency level for a message to be transmitted in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address; In the message reception attribute information for each address, when it is determined that the destination flag of the destination address of the message to be transmitted is set as a proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected destination address is not valid. If the message to be transmitted does not require urgency, the message will be transmitted to the destination address for which the proxy flag is set, even if a destination address that can be transmitted is selected on the schedule. Can be reliably avoided.

Therefore, it is possible to determine the action schedule of the receiver and automatically deliver the message to an appropriate transmission medium and address.

Further, it is possible to automatically generate necessary transmission instruction information for each transmission destination in accordance with the transmission of the message.

Further, it is possible to prevent an inadvertent selection of a destination via an agent when delivering a confidential message, thereby providing an excellent effect of improving the security of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a message delivery support system to which a data processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of schedule data managed on an individual basis in the schedule database shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a transmission message input screen displayed on the display device of the client shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure of the data processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed procedure of a validity determination processing routine illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an electronic mail in the data processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a message delivery support system to which a data processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the data processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a message transfer destination designation screen of a recipient designation type in this type of data processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Client 2 MDA Server 3 Schedule Database 4 Subsystem 5 Subsystem 6 Subsystem

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/44

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium; a storage means for storing, for each recipient, scheduled action data of a recipient who performs message transmission; Receiving means for receiving the message request data and the message data to be transmitted to the recipient; and, based on the message request data received by the receiving means, the action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means. Selecting means for tracing and searching over time to select an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted; and optimal transmission instruction data for one of the transmitting means determined according to the destination address selected by the selecting means. Creating means for creating, the transmission instruction data and the message data created by the creating means Data processing system characterized by having a transmission control means for delivering any of the transmission means a transmission information including the. 2. A transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium; a storage means for storing, for each recipient, scheduled action data of a recipient who performs message transmission; Receiving means for receiving message request data for the recipient and message data to be transmitted; and elapse of the action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage means based on the message request data received by the receiving means. Selecting means for tracing and searching and selecting an optimum destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted; and generating the optimum transmission instruction data for the transmitting means determined according to the destination address selected by the selecting means. Means, transmission including the transmission instruction data and the message data created by the creation means Data processing system characterized by having a transmission control means for delivering to any transmission means distribution. 3. An estimating means for estimating a transmission time of the message for the transmission destination address selected by the selection means, and the receiver including the transmission time estimated by the estimating means, A determination unit for determining whether or not the user is located at a point according to the transmission destination address at a time after a lapse of time, wherein the selection unit is stored in the storage unit based on a determination result of the determination unit 3. The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the action schedule of the recipient is sequentially deferred and traced and searched to reselect an optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted. 4. A plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium, and storage means for storing, for each recipient, scheduled action data of a recipient performing message transmission together with message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. Receiving means for receiving message request data in which message transmission attribute information for one of the recipients stored in the storage means is set and message data to be transmitted; and the message request data received by the receiving means Selecting means for tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means over time based on the time, and selecting an optimum transmission destination address to transmit the message data; and The message transmission attribute information and the message request data added to the A determination unit that determines the validity of the destination address selected based on the message reception attribute information set in the message reception attribute information, and the determination unit determines that the selected destination address is valid. A transmission unit that generates transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission units determined according to the selected transmission destination address; and a transmission including the transmission instruction data and the message data generated by the generation unit. A data processing system, comprising: transmission control means for transferring information to any transmission means. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting means sequentially decrements the action schedule of any one of the recipients stored in the storage means based on the determination result of the determining means and performs a tracking search to transmit the message data. 5. The data processing system according to claim 4, wherein the transmission destination address is reselected. 6. The message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address includes a proxy flag indicating whether the transmission destination address of the transmitted message allows proxy reception or proxy reception for the message when the proxy flag is set. The data processing system according to claim 4, further comprising a confidential flag indicating whether confidentiality is involved. 7. The data processing system according to claim 4, wherein the message transmission attribute information includes a different transmission request flag set for a message to be transmitted. 8. The data processing system according to claim 7, wherein said transmission request flag includes an urgent flag indicating urgency of a message to be transmitted. 9. The data processing system according to claim 7, wherein said transmission request flag includes a confidential flag indicating confidentiality of a message to be transmitted. 10. The creating means determines that the destination address selected by the determining means is legitimate, and the destination of the message to be transmitted is included in the message receiving attribute information for each destination address. When it is determined that the proxy flag that permits the proxy reception is set, predetermined transmission instruction data indicating proxy reception according to a predetermined format to any transmission means determined according to the selected destination address. 5. The data processing system according to claim 4, wherein 11. The message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address is set with a confidential flag indicating confidentiality for a message to be transmitted, and the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address is set in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
When it is determined that the destination address of the message to be transmitted is set with a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid. The data processing system according to claim 4, wherein 12. The message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address is set with an urgent flag indicating an urgency level of a message to be transmitted, and the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address is set in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
5. The data according to claim 4, wherein the selected destination address is determined to be invalid if the destination flag of the transmitted message has a proxy flag that allows proxy reception. Processing system. 13. When the determination unit determines that the transmission destination address is not valid, the selection unit sequentially decrements an action schedule of one of the recipients stored in the storage unit and performs a tracking search. 13. The data processing system according to claim 11, wherein an optimum destination address to which said message data is to be transmitted is reselected. 14. A data transmission process for a data processing system, comprising: a plurality of transmission means for transmitting a message via a predetermined transmission medium; and a storage means for storing, for each recipient, action schedule data of a recipient who performs message transmission. A receiving step of receiving message request data and message data to be transmitted to any of the recipients stored in the storage means; and storing any of the message request data stored in the storage means based on the received message request data. Selecting the optimal destination address to which the message data is to be transmitted by tracing and searching the behavior schedule of the recipient with the passage of time, and the message transmission attribute information added to the selected destination address; Based on the message reception attribute information set in the message request data A determining step of determining the validity of the selected transmission destination address; and determining, according to the selected transmission destination address, that the selected transmission destination address is valid in the determining step. A transmission step of transmitting transmission information including the generated transmission instruction data and the message data to any one of the transmission units; A data transmission processing method for a data processing system, comprising: 15. A computer which controls the transmission of a message in response to a message request input via a plurality of transmission means, storing action schedule data of a recipient performing message transmission in a storage means for each recipient. A receiving medium for storing message request data and message data to be transmitted to any of the recipients stored in the storage means, based on the received message request data. A selection step of tracing and searching for an action schedule of any of the recipients stored in the storage means with time and selecting an optimal destination address to which the message data should be transmitted; and adding the selected destination address to the selected destination address. Message transmission attribute information and the message set in the message request data. A determining step of determining the validity of the destination address selected based on the message receiving attribute information, and determining that the selected destination address is valid by the determining step, Creating transmission instruction data optimal for any of the transmission means determined according to the transmission destination address; and transmitting any transmission information including the created transmission instruction data and the message data to any of the transmission means. And a transmitting step of transmitting the program to a computer-readable storage medium. 16. The determining step includes setting a confidential flag indicating confidentiality for a message to be transmitted in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address, and setting the confidential flag in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
When it is determined that the destination address of the message to be transmitted is set with a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid. The data transmission processing method of the data processing system according to claim 14, wherein 17. The message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address is set with a confidential flag indicating confidentiality for a message to be transmitted, and the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address is set in the message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
When it is determined that the destination address of the message to be transmitted is set with a non-confidential proxy flag that allows proxy reception, the selected destination address is determined to be invalid. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to claim 15. 18. The message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address is set with an urgent flag indicating an urgency level for a message to be transmitted, and the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
The method according to claim 14, wherein the selected destination address is determined to be invalid when it is determined that the destination flag of the transmitted message has a proxy flag that allows proxy reception. A data transmission processing method of the data processing system described in the above. 19. The message receiving attribute information for each transmission destination address is set with an urgent flag indicating an urgency level for a message to be transmitted, and the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address is set in the message reception attribute information for each transmission destination address. ,
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: determining that the selected destination address is invalid if the destination address of the transmitted message is set to a proxy flag that allows proxy reception. A storage medium storing the computer-readable program according to the above.