WO1999031611A1

WO1999031611A1 - Apparatus and method for electronic mail, and storage medium storing electronic mail program

Info

Publication number: WO1999031611A1
Application number: PCT/JP1998/005624
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eri Inagaki
Original assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-12-12
Filing date: 1998-12-11
Publication date: 1999-06-24
Also published as: JPH11175430A; JP3632416B2; EP0961983A1; TW384598B

Abstract

A received electronic mail is stored in a reception record memory. A classification item setting section sets a classification item for an electronic mail and a number of receptions setting section sets the number of receptions. A determining section reads information (a kind of classification information, for example 'Yamamoto') of the classification item (for example 'a transmitter') from a newly received mail, and there is created a folder storing an electronic mail of 'Yamamoto' and displayed an electronic mail list stored in the folder by activating a folder creating/display section if a given number (the set number of receptions) of an electronic mail having the kind of classification information of 'Yamamoto' is received.

Description

D E S C R I P T I O N

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC MAIL, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING ELECTRONIC MAIL PROGRAM

Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for an electronic mail in which an electronic mail is received and processed by a programmed computer and a storage medium on which a program for an electronic mail is stored.

Background Art Heretofore, electronic mails received by an electronic mail apparatus of this kind are simply stored in a memory called a reception record (a mail box) and a content of this memory (a mail list of received mails) is merely displayed on a screen.

For this reason, if a plurality of electronic mails received in the mail box are to be classified into groups according to purpose, for example among transmitters, the work has exclusively been entrusted to human hands to a troublesome problem.

Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for a electronic mail by which received electronic mails can automatically be classified into groups according to purpose. It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing a program for realizing an automatic classification function for electronic mails by a computer. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail apparatus comprising item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; determining means for determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mail having a kind of classification information pertaining to the classification item set by the item setting means reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; and folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when the determining means determines that the folder creating condition is established.

According to this electronic mail apparatus, a plurality of received electronic mails can be classified according to classification items to compile as a folder.

For example, if a "transmitter" is set as a classifying item for mails, the determining means reads the column of transmitter (data field) of a newly received electronic mail .

For example, assume that a "transmitter" is "Yamamoto." A received mail whose "transmitter" is "Yamamoto" is identified, it is determined whether or not the number of received mails (the number of receptions) reaches the set number of receptions and there is created a list of received electronic mails having "Yamamoto" as (a kind of classification information) as in the form of a folder. In such a way, a folder is automatically created according to classification items.

In the above described case, a "transmitter" is explained as an example, while there can be set an item pertaining to any kind of classification information included in an electronic mail as a classifying item. For example, a classifying item to be set can be a title or a subject and a plurality of classification items can be set.

Further, there can conveniently be provided display means for displaying thus created folder on a screen as an electronic mail list having the same kind of classification information. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail apparatus which comprises item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; determining means for determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mail having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established; and display means for displaying a list of received electronic mails having a kind of classification information of the folder created by the folder creating means.

According to this electronic mail apparatus, when there is created a folder of an electronic mail having the same kind of classification information, it can be recognized with ease what electronic mails are included in the folder.

Further, a folder may be created in such a manner that electronic mails having one kind of classification information are separately stored from electronic mails having other kinds of classification information.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail apparatus which comprises item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing an received electronic mail by the receiving means; determining means for determining whether or not the sum of the number of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means stored in the reception storage area of the storage means and the number of newly received electronic mails having the kind of classification information reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; and folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information by storing an electronic mail having the kind of information in the reception storage area of the storage means and an electronic mail having the kind of information received newly by the receiving means in a different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established.

Further, there can conveniently be provided display means for displaying thus created folder as an electronic mail list having the same kind of classification information.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail apparatus which comprises item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing an received electronic mail by the receiving means ; determining means for determining whether or not a sum of the number of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means stored in the reception storage area of the storage means and the number of newly received electronic mails having the kind of classification information reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information by storing an electronic mail having the kind of information in the reception storage area of the storage means and an electronic mail having the kind of information received newly by the receiving means in a different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established; and display means for displaying a list of electronic mails stored in the different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means by the folder creating means .

Further, the present invention can be applied to an electronic mail method to process an electronic mail by a programmed computer which receives the electronic mail . According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail method which comprises a step of setting classification items for classification of electronic mails; a step of setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items; a step of receiving an electronic mail; a step of determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to the set classification item reaches the set number of receptions as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received; and a step of creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when it is determined that the folder creation condition is established.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to an storage medium storing a processing program for processing an electronic mail by a computer which receives the electronic mail.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a processing program for processing an electronic mail by a computer which receives the electronic mail, the program executing a step of setting classification items for classification of electronic mails in the computer; a step of setting the number of receptions of electronic mails for each of classification items; a step of determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to the set classification item reaches the set number of receptions as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received; and a step of creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when it is determined that the folder creation condition is established.

Moreover, according to the present invention, a folder may be created only by a kind of classification information of an electronic mail pertaining to a set classification item.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail apparatus which comprises receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing a mail received by the receiving means; classification information input means for inputting a kind of classification information for classifying an electronic mail; and folder creating means for creating a folder by storing an electronic mail having a kind of classification information storage by the classification information input means in a different storage area other than the reception storage area of the storage means, retrieving the electronic mail from the reception storage area. According to this electronic mail apparatus, only by inputting a kind of classification information for an electronic mail stored in the receiving mail storage means, an electronic mail having the kind of classification information is automatically retrieved, whereby a folder can automatically be created. Hence, a desired list of electronic mails can properly be attained out of necessity.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention.

The objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Brief Description of Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an electronic mail apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall structure of a mail system including a plurality of the electronic apparatuses shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a main program showing an overall operation of the electronic mail apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a memory map associated with electronic mail processing;

FIG. 5 is a display form presentation showing an example of a reception record display image; FIG. 6 is a display form presentation showing another example of a reception record display image;

FIG. 7 is a display form presentation showing an example of a folder display image;

FIG. 8 is a display form presentation showing an example of a reception record display image;

FIG. 9 is a display form presentation showing an example of a folder display image;

FIG. 10 is a display form presentation showing an example of a setting display image for automatic classification;

FIG. 11 is a display form presentation showing another example of a setting display image for automatic classification;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for reception processing;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for reception processing;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for reception processing; FIG. 15 is a flow chart for reception processing;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for reception processing;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart for reception display processing;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for reception display processing;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart for reception display processing;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for reception display processing; FIG. 21 is a flow chart for reception display processing;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart for reception display processing;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart for reception record image display processing;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart for folder image display processing;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart for classification setting processing; FIG. 26 is a flow chart for classification setting processing;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart for classification setting processing;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart for classification setting processing;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart for mail display processing;

FIG. 30 is a display form presentation showing an example of a mail display image; and

FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram of another electronic mail apparatus according to the present invention.

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention A preferred embodiment of an electronic mail apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings .

A functional block diagram of an electronic mail apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.

The electronic mail apparatus receives an electronic mail 1 at a receiving section 2 and stores it in a reception record memory (a mail box) 6.

The electronic mail apparatus comprises a classification item setting section 3 and a number of receptions setting section 4 as setting means for automatically classifying the mails stored in the reception record memory 6.

The classification item setting section 3 sets a desired classification item (for example, a transmitter or a subject). The number of receptions setting section 4 sets a desired number of receptions of electronic mail for each classification item. When an electronic mail 1 is newly received at the receiving section 2, a determining section 5 determines whether or not a folder 8 is to be created by checking the electronic mail 1.

That is, the determining section 5 reads a kind of classification information (transmitter name and address, for example "Yamamoto") written in a classification item (for example transmitter) space from the newly received electronic mail 1 and identifies the electronic mail (whose transmitter is "Yamamoto") in which a classification item is used as a classification key from the reception record memory 6 using the kind of classification information as a classification key and counts the number of the electronic mails . It is determined whether or not the sum of the count number (the number of electronic mails with "Yamamoto" in the reception record memory 6) and the number (= 1) of the electronic mails with "Yamamoto" which are this time received reaches a desired number of receptions (a number set by the number of receptions setting section 4, for example 5 mails) as whether or not a folder creation condition is established. If the folder creation condition is established, a folder creating/display section 7 is activated to create and display a folder, which is an electronic mail list with a transmitter "Yamamoto". That is, the folder creating/display section 7 creates a folder, which is an electronic mail list with "Yamamoto", using a electronic mail with a transmitter "Yamamoto" in the reception record memory 6 and an electronic mail received this time and display the folder on a screen (not shown).

An overall structures of a system a including plurality of electronic mail apparatuses 20-1, 20-2 in FIG. 2.

The electronic mail apparatuses 20-1, 20-2, ... are respectively terminals of a computer (for example, a personal computer) and connected to a communication server 10 through a system bus 12.

Each of the electronic mail apparatuses 20-1, 20-2, ... comprises a communication control section 21 (including MODEM) for controlling transmission/ reception of an electronic mail between the server 10 and itself, CPU 22 which is a central processing unit, ROM 25 in which various kinds of programs (including a processing program for receiving and processing an electronic mail), RAM 26 as a working memory, a display section 27 displaying visible information such as an electronic mail and the like, a keyboard 23 as an input device, and a mouse 24 and the like.

A main flow chart showing an overall operation of the electronic mail apparatus is shown in FIG. 3. In order to attain a reception time, the present time is always counted (step SI). Reception processing is performed (step S2). It is determined whether or not a reception display switch for seeing a reception mail list which is one of icons on a main screen image (not shown) is ON (step S3) and if the reception display switch is ON, a flag ONF is set to "1"

(step S4). Only when the flag ONF is "1," (step S5), reception display processing is performed (step S6). A memory map associated with an electronic mail is shown in FIG. 4. A received mail is stored in a reception record area 100. A folder area 101 is created when the number of receptions with the same kind of classification information, that is an address or a subject of the same transmitter among received mails reaches a given number and stores corresponding mails by moving the corresponding mails from the reception record memory 100. CODE area 102 is an area which stores a transmitter address and a subject which are key words (classification keys) for creation of a folder and "K" is an area for storing the number of mail receptions (for example 5) which is a condition for folder creation. WA stores data showing a mode of folder creation and BU is an area to store a key word, which a user inputs for setting. FOLDAF is a flag which indicates "1" when a folder has been created, FKF is a flag which indicates "1" when a new folder is created and FK is a pointer designating a folder. A mail data consists of a transmitter address, a subject, a text and FAIFU. KAIFU is a flag which indicates "1" when a mail is unsealed and indicates "0" when a mail is sealed.

FIG. 5 shows a display image of a reception record when a folder is not created in a reception display mode.

FIG. 6 shows a display image of a reception record when a folder is created in a reception display mode. It represents the case when the number of mails having a subject of "the travel" reaches a given number

(for example 5) and a folder with "re: the travel" is automatically created in FOLDA(i) (i = 1 to M) . As can be seen from FIG. 6 in comparison with FIG. 5, the mails with the subject of "the travel" are missing and an icon indicated by "the travel" (folder icon) 200 is displayed.

FIG. 7 shows a display state which is obtained when the folder icon 200 indicated by "the travel" is clicked on the image of FIG. 6. In this case, a mail stored in the folder FOLDA(i) indicated by "the travel" is displayed as a list.

While FIG. 8, too, is a display image of a reception record, in this case the display image shows a state in which another mail is sent from "Yamamoto", mails with "Yamamoto" are stored to a given number and as a result, a folder FOLDA(i) indicated by "Yamamoto" is automatically created. Even in this case, mails of a transmitter "Yamamoto" disappear from the reception record and a folder icon 200 indicated by "Yamamoto" is displayed, which shows a folder of "Yamamoto" has been created, FIG. 9 is a display state which is obtained by clicking the folder icon 200 indicated by "Yamamoto". There is displayed a list of mails which have been moved into a folder indicated by "Yamamoto" from the reception record by the clicking. FIGS. 10 and 11 show setting images for performing automatic folder creation (automatic classification of reception record mails). FIG. 10 shows the mode in which a folder is not automatically created. When a radio button "B" is clicked, it is set that automatic classification is not performed, that is, there is set a mode that a folder is not automatically created. On the contrary, when a radio button "A" is clicked and there thereby are input the number of receptions and a classification item for folder creation (in the embodiment, a transmitter "address" or "subject"), a folder automatic creation mode is set (FIG. 11). FIGS. 12 to 16 are detailed flow charts for reception processing (step S2 of FIG. 3) of the electronic mail apparatus .

First of all, it is determined whether or not a mail is received inquiring the server 10 (step Rl ) and when a mail is received, the mail is stored in a mail buffer (step R2 ) . It is determined whether or not a folder is automatically created from a state of FOLDAF (step R3 ) and if the folder has not been created, the received mail is stored in a free area which is searched for in the reception record. If a free area is not available, a free area is created erasing a mail with an earliest reception time for storage (steps R4 to R7). Since the received mail is sealed, a corresponding KAIFU is set to "0" and a reception time is also stored (steps R8 and R9 ) . It is determined whether or not WA is "0", that is, a mode of no automatic creation of a folder (step RIO). If WA is "0", a mode is not of automatic creation of a folder and therefore the processing is terminated at this point. But if WA is "1" or "2", this means an automatic creation mode and therefore it is required to be determined by referring previously received mails whether or not mails in the reception record satisfy a folder creation condition. At step Rll (FIG. 13), if WA is "1", there has been set a mode that a folder is automatically created according to a transmitter address. In this state, the number of mails of the same transmitter for folder creation is set in "K" . Then, a "transmitter address" of a received mail is read and it is counted the number of mails with the same transmitter address as that of the mail received this time in the reception record memory 100 (steps R12 and R13). If the mails with the same transmitter address does not reach a given number, the processing is terminated at this point, but when it is determined that the mails with the same transmitter address reaches the given number, flags FOLDAF and FKF are both set to "1" (step R14). In succession, "M" which stores the number of created folders is incremented ( "M" assumes 0 in its initial state) and FK which indicates a number of a folder to be indicated is set to a value of "M" (step R15).

Then, a transmitter address which is a classification key for the folder is stored in CODE(M) (step R16) and mails with the same address as a transmitter address stored in the CODE(M) are moved to the FOLDA(M) area from the reception record memory 100. As a result, mails with the same address are stored in the folder FOLDA(M) and the residual mails are left behind in the reception record memory 100 (steps R17 to R24). In FIG. 13, processing of steps R12 and R13 constitutes determining means for a folder creation condition when a transmitter is used as a classification item and processing from steps R14 to R24 constitutes folder creating means 300 based on the transmitter.

In the case where WA is "2", processing goes to a flow of FIG. 14. In this case, a mode is of automatic folder creation by "subject". In this flow, a subject (for example, the travel) of a mail received this time is read and then it is determined whether or not the number of mails with the same subject as that of the mail received this time reaches a given number. If yes, a folder is automatically created and the corresponding mails are moved to the folder (steps R25 to R37). In FIG. 14, processing of steps R25 and R26 constitutes determining means for a folder creation condition when the subject is used as a classification item, and processing from steps R29 to R36 constitutes folder creating means 310 based on the subject.

At this point, program flow returns to step R3 of FIG. 12. If FOLDAF is "1", that is if a folder has been created, the mail received this time may not be stored in the reception record memory 100 but directly in the folder according the transmitter address or subject (folder content update processing). In addition, at this point, the situation is different according to whether a condition for folder creation is classification by "transmitter address" or by "subject". If WA is "1", classification by "transmitter address" is to be performed(step R38 of FIG. 15). Since a transmitter address for use in folder creation is stored in CODE(n), it is determined whether or not a transmitter address of the mail received this time is stored in a code area CODE(n) (steps R39 to R42) and thereby, it is determined whether or not a folder with a transmitter of the mail received this time as a key has been created. If not stored, program flow goes back to step R4 since the mail received this time is to be stored in the reception record memory 100 once. If a transmitter address of the mail received this time is present in the code area, a folder, which uses the transmitter address as a classification key, is already present. Therefore, the folder is retrieved, data and the like of the mail received this time are stored in a free area and a content of the folder is updated. A way of storage is same as in the reception record (steps R43 to R47). Steps R43 to R47 of FIG. 15 constitute folder update means for updating a folder by transmitter address using a newly received mail.

At this point (step R38), if WA is "2", classification by "subject" is to be performed. Since a subject whereby a folder is created is stored in CODE(n), it is determined whether or not a subject of the mail received this time is stored in the CODE(n) (steps R48 to R51) . If not stored, since the mail should be stored in the reception record, program flow goes back to step R4. If a subject of the mail received this time is that of a folder which has been created, data of the mail received this time is stored in a free area of the folder of the subject. A way of storage is same as in the reception record (steps R52 to R56). Steps R52 to R56 of FIG. 16 constitute folder update means for updating a folder by using a newly received mail.

FIGS. 17 to 24 shows details of reception display processing (step S6 in FIG. 3).

First of all, a reception display image frame is displayed (step HI) and then it is determined whether or not FOLDAF is "1" (step H2 ) . If "0", it shows that a folder has not been created. Hence, reception record image display processing (steps Ml to M7 of

FIG. 23) is performed and there are sequentially shown a transmitter address, a subject, a reception date/time and identification of unseal or seal in the written order of each mail data in the reception record memory 100 (step H3). Thereby, the reception record display image as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

If FOLDAF is "1", there is displayed an icon (folder icon, for example the icon 200 of FIG. 6) corresponding to a folder which has been created (a folder of classification key CODE(n) (steps H4 to H7)) and FKF is checked (step H8). At this point, if FKF is "1", it means that a new folder has been created in a previous reception processing (step S2 of FIG. 3). Therefore, at this point, after it is set as FKF = 0 (step H9 ) , there is displayed a content of a folder which has a keyword (classification key) stored in CODE(FK) using FK as a pointer by folder image display processing (step H10, steps FI to F7 of FIG. 24). Thereby, there is presented a display image of FIG. 7 or FIG. 9.

At step H8, if FKF is "0", program goes to step H3 and a content of a reception record is displayed.

Thereby, there is obtained a reception record display image as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 8.

After a mail list is displayed by reception record image display processing (step H3) or folder image display processing (step H10), the uppermost row spaces of a displayed mail list is reversed (steps Hll and H12). Then, a cursor is displayed (step H13) and the cursor (not shown) is moved in accordance with movement of a mouse 24 while displaying (steps H14 and H15). At this point, if the mouse 24 is clicked (step H16) and a cursor is positioned on a reception record icon mark (for example, icon 201 of FIG. 7), mail data displayed are erased and a content of the reception record is displayed. If a cursor is at the position of on a folder icon mark (for example, icon 200 of FIGS. 6 and 8), a mail data display is erased and a folder number of a cursor position is used as FK and there is displayed mail data in a folder corresponding to the folder number (steps H17 to H23). If a cursor is at the position of a transmission SW (for example, icon 202 of FIG. 202), mail creation process is performed and then transmission follows (steps H24 to H26 of FIG. 19). If a cursor is at the position of a cancellation SW (icon 203 of FIG. 7), a display image is cleared, ONF is set to "0" (steps H27 to H29) and the reception display processing is terminated. Then, if a cursor is on a classification SW, classification setting processing is performed (steps H30 and H31) .

In addition, if a cursor is positioned on a cancellation SW (for example, icon 205 of FIG. 7) and a mail displayed now is a mail in the reception record, a mail of the reception record area corresponding to the number of a mail reversed in display is deleted and a content of the reception record area is sorted. As a result, mails displayed reversed so far disappear from the display image (steps H32 to H36 of FIG. 20). If a mail of a folder is displayed when the cancellation SW is clicked, data of a mail displayed reversed is deleted from the folder, and data in the folder is sorted (steps H37 to H39 of FIG. 21). At this point, there may arises the case where the number of mails in the folder is short relative to a predetermined number by the deletion of a mail. If the shortage arises, the folder is automatically deleted and all mails have to be returned into the reception record memory 100. For this reason, at first, it is determined whether or not the number of mails in each folder is the predetermined number "K" (step H40). If all folders have the predetermined number, nothing is done, but if the number of mails comes to be smaller than the predetermined number, mails in the folder are moved into the reception record memory 100 (step H41) and the folder and CODE are cleared and sorted

(steps H42 and H43). If there is no folder (M = 0) after this folder deletion, FOLDAF is reset to 0 (steps H44 and H45) .

If a cursor is on an unseal SW (for example, icon 206 of FIG. 7) when the mouse is clicked, mail display processing (FIG. 20) is performed (steps H46 and H47 of FIG. 22) .

If a cursor is positioned on a mail list, a display of a mail item on which the cursor is positioned is revered (steps H48 to H50). Thereafter, program flow returns to step H14.

FIG. 23 is a detailed flow chart for reception record image display processing (step H3 of FIG. 17 and step H19 of FIG. 18). At step Ml, a reception record mark on the reception display screen is displayed in reverse. A pointer n for designating a mail stored in the reception record area 100 of FIG. 4 is set to "1" (step M2 ) . The mail data of MAIL(n) indicated by this pointer n is displayed as the mail list (step M3). It is determined at step M4 whether or not KAIFU data of MAIL(n) is "0", i.e., sealed. If KAIFU data is "0", i.e., sealed, seal mark is displayed in the mail list (step M5 ) and the flow goes to step M6. If KAIFU data is "1", i.e., unsealed, the flow goes to step M6 by skipping step M5. At step M6 , the pointer n is incremented by one. It is determined at step M7 whether or not the pointer n is larger than the number of mails N in the reception record area 100. If no in step M7 , the flow returns to step M3 and if yes in step M7, the flow ends.

Thus, the mail data stored in the reception record area 100 is displayed in the mail list on the reception display screen.

FIG. 24 is a detailed flow chart for folder image display processing (step H10 of FIG. 17 and step H23 of FIG. 18). At step FI, a folder mark of CODE(FK) on the reception display screen is displayed in reverse. A pointer n for designating a mail stored in the folder area 101 of FIG. 4 is set to "1" (step F2 ) . The mail data of MAIL(n) of FOLDA(FK) indicated by this pointer n is displayed as the mail list (step F3) . It is determined at step F4 whether or not KAIFU data of

MAIL(n) of FOLDA(FK) is "0", i.e., sealed. If KAIFU data is "0", i.e., sealed, seal mark is displayed in the mail list (step F5) and the flow goes to step F6. If KAIFU data is "1", i.e., unsealed, the flow goes to step F6 by skipping step F5. At step F6, the pointer n is incremented by one. It is determined at step F7 whether or not the pointer n is larger than the number of mails P in FOLDA(FK) . If no in step F7, the flow returns to step F3 and if yes in step F7, the flow ends. Thus, the mail data stored in the designated FOLDA area is displayed in the mail list on the reception display screen.

FIGS. 25 to 28 are detailed flow charts for classification setting processing (step H31 of FIG. 19).

First of all, a classification setting image is displayed (step Jl). Thereby, a display image as shown in FIGS. 10 or 11 is shown. At this point, a value of WA is checked (step J2 ) . If a value of WA is "0", a radio button "A" is set to OFF but a radio button "B" ON and there is cleared input areas of the number of receptions and a classification item (steps J3 to J5). When WA is "1" or "2", the radio button "A" is set to ON but the radio button "B" OFF and a value is displayed in the number of receptions area (steps J6 , 31 , J9 , and J10). If WA is "1", "address" (transmitter) is displayed in the classification item area (step J8) and if "2", "subject" is displayed (step Jll).

Thereafter, a character cursor and a cursor are displayed (steps J12 and J13) and the cursor is moved in accordance with the movement of the mouse 24 (steps J14 and J15). At this point, if the mouse is clicked (step J16) and the cursor is positioned on the input area, the character cursor is moved to the input area (steps J17 to J20 of FIG. 26). If the cursor is on the cancellation SW (for example, icon 400 of FIG. 20), the classification setting image is cleared (steps J21 and J22) and the classification setting processing is terminated. If the cursor is positioned on OK SW (for example, icon 401 of FIG. 12) and in addition the radio button "B" is ON, WA is set to "0" and a classification setting image is cleared, and the classification setting processing is terminated (steps J23 to J26). On the contrary, if the radio button "A" is ON and in addition a content of a classification item BU is "subject", then WA is set to " 2 " . If a content of a classification item BU is "address" (transmitter), WA is set to "1", the number of receptions is stored in K and the classification setting image is cleared, whereby the setting processing is terminated (steps J27 to J31 of FIG. 27).

On the other hand, a cursor is positioned on the radio button "A", the radio button "A" is set to ON whereas the radio button "B" is set to OFF. If a cursor is positioned on the radio button "B", the radio button "B" is set to ON, whereas the radio button "A" is set to OFF (steps J32 to J35 of FIG. 26).

Then, if data input has been made, (step J36 of FIG. 28), data input is made in an input area on which a character cursor is positioned (steps J37 to J41) . At this point, if a determination SW (enter key on the keyboard 23) is set to ON and the input data does not have a content which meets a regulating condition for the input area, then the display is cleared and an error is displayed (steps J42 to J49), and if the data is proper, then the data is registered in a corresponding register (the number of receptions, classification item) (steps J45 and J46).

FIG. 29 is a detailed flow chart for mail display processing (step H47 of FIG. 22) and FIG. 30 shows a mail image displayed by this flow.

First of all, a mail frame image is displayed and desired data is further displayed in the frame (steps LI to L4) .

In succession, an unseal flag is set to "1" (step L5). Besides, a cursor is displayed on the screen and the cursor is moved in accordance with movement of the mouse (steps L6 to L8 ) . At this point, if the mouse is clicked (step L9 ) and the cursor on the clicking is positioned on the cancellation SW (icon 30 of FIG. 30) , a display is cleared (steps L10 to Lll) and the mail display is terminated.

In an electronic mail shown in FIG. 30, a data field 501 shown on the right of "From" is a space of "transmitter address" and in this case the transmitter is "Yamamoto". A data field shown under the field 501 of the transmitter address is a space for "subject" and in this case, the subject is "the travel".

As described above, the electronic mail apparatus reads information of a classification item (a content of the data field 501 of the transmitter address or a content of the subject data field of the mail) as a kind of classification information when a new electronic mail is received and each time when the given number of electronic mails having the same kind of classification information is received, the electronic mails are classified as a folder. Accordingly, automatic classification (sorting) of received mails is efficiently performed, which is a benefit for an electronic mail user.

In FIG. 31, there is shown a functional block diagram of another electronic mail apparatus according the present invention.

The electronic mail apparatus receives an electronic mail 1 at a receiving section 2, and stores the mail in a reception record memory (mailbox) 6. A user inputs information which is a desired kind of classification information

(for example, that a transmitter is Yamamoto or a subject is the travel) in order to attain a desired mail list out of necessity through classification information input section 30.

With this input, a folder creating/display section 31 is operated and the section 31 creates and displays a list (a folder) of an electronic mail having the same kind of classification information. That is, the folder creating/display section 31 accesses a reception record memory 6 for retrieving an electronic mail having the kind of classification information which is input (for example, an electronic mail with a transmitter of "Yamamoto") and creates a folder 8 and displays a content on a screen (not shown) .

According to this constitution, a desired electronic mail list can be attained out of necessity, and management and orderly arrangement of electronic mails are very easy for a user.

As a kind of classification information, only a classification item like "transmitter" may be designated and in that case, the folder creating/ display section 31 creates an electronic mail list according to "transmitter" (when there are received mails from, for example, "Yamamoto", "Suzuki" and "Takahashi" ) , electronic mail lists classified among three transmitters are to be created in a plurality of folders) .

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and illustrated examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents .

Industrial Applicability According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for a electronic mail by which received electronic mails can automatically be classified into groups according to purpose. There is also provided a storage medium storing a program for realizing an automatic classification function for electronic mails by a computer.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. An electronic mail apparatus comprising: item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; determining means for determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mail having a kind of classification information pertaining to the classification item set by the item setting means reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; and folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when the determining means determines that the folder creating condition is established.

2. An electronic mail apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folder creating means comprises storage means for storing an electronic mail having the kind of classification information in the created folder among electronic mails received by the receiving means .

3. An electronic mail apparatus comprising: item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; determining means for determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mail having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means ; folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established; and display means for displaying a list of received electronic mails having a kind of classification information of the folder created by the folder creating means .

4. An electronic mail apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said folder creating means comprises storage means for storing an electronic mail having the kind of classification information in the created folder among electronic mails received by the receiving means, and said display means displays a list of electronic mails stored in the storage means .

5. An electronic mail apparatus comprising: item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing an received electronic mail by the receiving means; determining means for determining whether or not the sum of the number of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means stored in the reception storage area of the storage means and the number of newly received electronic mails having the kind of classification information reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; and folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information by storing an electronic mail having the kind of information in the reception storage area of the storage means and an electronic mail having the kind of information received newly by the receiving means in a different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established.

6. An electronic mail apparatus comprising: item setting means for setting a classification item for classification of electronic mails; number of receptions setting means for setting the number of receptions of electronic mail for each of classification items set by the item setting means; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing an received electronic mail by the receiving means ; determining means for determining whether or not the sum of the number of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to a classification item set by the item setting means stored in the reception storage area of the storage means and the number of newly received electronic mails having the kind of classification information reaches the number of receptions set by the number of receptions setting means as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received by the receiving means; folder creating means for creating a folder which has the kind of classification information by storing an electronic mail having the kind of information in the reception storage area of the storage means and an electronic mail having the kind of information received newly by the receiving means in a different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means when the determining means determines that the folder creation condition is established; and display means for displaying a list of electronic mails stored in the different storage area than the reception storage area in the storage means by the folder creating means .

7. An electronic mail method comprising: a step of setting classification items for classification of electronic mails; a step of setting the number of receptions for each of classification items; a step of receiving an electronic mail; a step of determining whether or not the number of received electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to the set classification item reaches the set number of receptions as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received; and a step of creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when it is determined that the folder creation condition is established.

8. A storage medium storing a processing program for processing an electronic mail by a computer which receives the electronic mail, the program executing: a step of setting classification items for classification of electronic mails in the computer; a step of setting the number of receptions for each of classification items; a step of determining whether or not the number of receptions of electronic mails having a kind of classification information pertaining to the set classification item reaches the set number of receptions as a folder creation condition while reading the kind of classification information from a new electronic mail when the new electronic mail is received; and a step of creating a folder which has the kind of classification information when it is determined that the folder creation condition is established.

9. An electronic mail apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving an electronic mail; storage means having a reception storage area for storing a mail received by the receiving means; classification information input means for inputting a kind of classification information for classifying an electronic mail; and folder creating means for creating a folder by storing an electronic mail having a kind of classification information input by the classification information input means in a different storage area other than the reception storage area of the storage means, retrieving the electronic mail from the reception storage area.