U.S. patent application number 09/059421 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for message processing method, device, system and recording medium.
Invention is credited to OSAWA, TOMOKI, TAKEDA, KENJI.
Application Number | 20010043677 09/059421 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 14614743 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010043677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKEDA, KENJI ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
MESSAGE PROCESSING METHOD, DEVICE, SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM
Abstract
Disclosed is a message processing method which has the steps of:
transmitting a transmit message while adding a unique transmit ID
to identify the transmission of a transmit message to the transmit
message; registering the correspondence between the transmit
message and the transmit ID into a storage when the transmit
message is transmitted; and judging that a receive message is
related with a previously-transmitted transmit message when the
receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in the storage is added is received. Also disclosed is a message
processing device which has: a storage; a transmission-managing
means for adding a unique transmit ID to identify the transmission
of a transmit message to the transmit message, and for registering
the correspondence between the transmit message and the transmit ID
into the storage when the transmit message is transmitted; a
message transmitter for transmitting a transmit message provided
with a transmit ID by the transmission-managing means; and a
transmission-related detector for judging that a receive message is
related with a previously-transmitted transmit message when the
receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in the storage is added is received.
Inventors: |
TAKEDA, KENJI; (TOKYO,
JP) ; OSAWA, TOMOKI; (TOKYO, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD L BERNSTEIN
SUGHRUE MION ZINN MACPEAK & SEAS
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON
DC
200373202
|
Family ID: |
14614743 |
Appl. No.: |
09/059421 |
Filed: |
April 14, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/67.1 ;
379/88.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 47/2441 20130101;
H04L 47/34 20130101; H04L 47/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/67.1 ;
379/88.13 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/64; H04M
011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 1997 |
JP |
113533/97 |
Claims
What is claim is
1. A message processing method, comprising the steps of:
transmitting a transmit message while adding a unique transmit ID
to identify the transmission of a transmit message to said transmit
message; registering the correspondence between said transmit
message and said transmit ID into a storage when said transmit
message is transmitted; and judging that a receive message is
related with a previously-transmitted transmit message when said
receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in said storage is added is received.
2. A message processing method, comprising the steps of: generating
a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message
when said receive message is received; registering the
correspondence between said receive message and said generated
receive ID, judging that a transmit message is related with a
previously-received receive message when said transmit message to
which ID identical with a receive ID registered in said storage is
added is transmitted.
3. A message processing method, comprising the steps of: generating
a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message
when said receive message to which a unique transmit ID is added by
a sender is received; registering said receive message into a
storage while adding said generated receive ID to said receive
message; extracting a transmit ID given by the sender from a
receive message to which a receive ID identical with ID added to a
transmit message is added of receive messages to be registered in
said storage when said transmit message provided with said ID
identical with said receive ID registered in the storage is
transmitted; and transmitting said transmit message while adding
said extracted transmit ID to said transmit message.
4. A message processing method, comprising the steps of:
transmitting a transmit message to a second message processing
device while adding a unique transmit ID to identify the
transmission of a transmit message to said transmit message, and
registering the correspondence between said transmit message and
said transmit ID into a first storage, when, said transmit message
is transmitted, by using a first message processing device; and
generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a
receive message when said receive message is received from said
first message processing device, registering said receive message
into a second storage while adding said generated receive ID to
said receive message, extracting a transmit ID given by said first
message processing device from a receive message to which a receive
ID identical with ID added to a transmit message by the user is
added of receive messages to be registered in said second storage
when said transmit message provided with said ID by the user is
transmitted, and transmitting said transmit message to said first
message processing device while adding said extracted transmit ID
to said transmit message, by using said second message processing
device; wherein said first message processing device judges that a
receive message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit
message when said receive message to which ID identical with a
transmit ID registered in said first storage is added is received
from said second message processing device.
5. A message processing device, comprising: a storage; a
transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit ID to
identify the transmission of a transmit message to said transmit
message, and for registering the correspondence between said
transmit message and said transmit ID into said storage when said
transmit message is transmitted; a message transmitter for
transmitting a transmit message provided with a transmit ID by said
transmission-managing means; and a transmission-related detector
for judging that a receive message is related with a
previously-transmitted transmit message when said receive message
to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered in said storage
is added is received.
6. A message processing device, comprising: a storage; a
reception-managing means for generating a unique receive ID to
identify the reception of a receive message when said receive
message is received, and for registering the correspondence between
said receive message and said generated receive ID into said
storage; and a reception-related detector for judging that a
transmit message is related with a previously-received receive
message when said transmit message to which ID identical with a
receive ID registered in said storage is added is transmitted.
7. A message processing device, comprising: a storage; a
reception-managing means for generating a unique receive ID to
identify the reception of a receive message when said receive
message to which a unique transmit ID is added by a sender is
received, and for registering said receive message into said
storage while adding said generated receive ID to said receive
message; an other's information adding means for extracting a
transmit ID given by the sender from a receive message to which a
receive ID identical with ID added to a transmit message is added
of receive messages to be registered in said storage when said
transmit message provided with said ID identical with said receive
ID registered in the storage is transmitted, and for adding said
extracted transmit ID to said transmit message; and a message
transmitter for transmitting said transmit message provided with
said transmit ID by said other's information adding means.
8. A message processing system, comprising: a first message
processing device which comprises a first storage, a
transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit ID to
identify the transmission of a transmit message to said transmit
message and for registering the correspondence between said
transmit message and said transmit ID into said first storage when
said transmit message is transnitted. a message transmitter for
transmitting a transmit message provided with a transmit ID by said
transmission-managing means to a second message processing device,
and a transmission-related detector for judging that a receive
message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit message
when said receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID
registered in said first storage is added is received from said
second message processing device; and said second message
processing device which comprises a second storage, a
reception-managing means for generating a unique receive ID to
identify the reception of a receive message when said receive
message is received from said first message processing device. and
for registering said receive message into said second storage while
adding said generated receive ID to said receive message, an
other's information adding means for extracting a transmit ID given
by said first message processing device from a receive message to
which a receive ID identical with ID added to a transmit message by
the sender is added of receive messages to be registered in said
second storage when said transmit message is transmitted and for
adding said extracted transmit ID to said transmit message, and a
message transmitter for transmitting said transmit messageprovided
with said transmit ID by said other's information adding means to
said first message processing device.
9. A mechanically-readable recording medium, which stores a program
to operate a computer as a transmission-managing means for adding a
unique transmit ID to identify the transmission of a transmit
message to said transmit message, and for registering the
correspondence between said transmit message and said transmit ID
into a storage when said transmit message is transmitted, a message
transmitter for transmitting a transmit message provided with a
transmit ID by said transmission-managing means, and a
transmission-related detector for judging that a receive message is
related with a previously-transmitted transmit message when said
receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in said storage is added is received.
10. A mechanically-readable recording medium, which stores a
program to operate a computer as a reception-managing means for
generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a
receive message when said receive message is received and for
registering the correspondence between said receive message and
said generated receive ID into a storage, and a reception-related
detector for judging that atransmit message is related witha
previously-received a receive message when said transmit message to
which ID identical with a receive ID registered in said storage is
added is transmitted.
11. A mechanically-readable recording medium, which stores a
program to operate a computer as a reception-managing means for
generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a
receive message when said receive message to which a unique
transmit ID is added by a sender is received and for registering
said receive message into a storage while adding said generated
receive ID to said receive message, an other's information adding
means for extracting a transmit ID given by the sender from a
receive message to which a receive ID identical with ID added to a
transmit message is added of receive messages to be registered in
said storage when said transmit message provided with said ID
identical with said receive ID registered in the storage is
transmitted and for adding said extracted transmit ID to said
transmit message, and a message transmitter for transmitting said
transmit message provided with said transmit ID by said other's
information adding means.
12. A mechanically-readable recording medium, which stores a a
program to operate a computer for a first message processing device
as a transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit ID to
identify the transmission of a transmit message to said transmit
message and for registering the correspondence between said
transmit message and said transmit ID into a first storage when
said transmit message is transmitted, a message transmitter for
transmitting a transmit message provided with a transmit ID by said
transmission-managing means to a second message processing device,
and a transmission-related detector for judging that a receive
message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit message
when said receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID
registered in said first storage is added is received from said
second message processing device, and to operate a computer for
said second message processing device as a reception-managing means
for generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a
receive message when said receive message is is received from said
first message processing device, and for registering said receive
message into a second storage while adding said generated receive
ID to said receive message, an other's information adding means for
extracting a transmit ID given by said first message processing
device from a receive message to which a receive ID identical with
ID added to a transmit message by the sender is added of receive
messages to be registered in said second storage when said transmit
message is transmitted and for adding said extracted transmit ID to
said transmit message, and a message transmitter for transmitting
said transmit message provided with said transmit ID by said
other's information adding means to said first message processing
device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a message communication technique,
and more particularly to, a technique for detecting the reception
or transmission of a message related with a previously-transmitted
or -received message.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, such a technique is used to manage the
reception of a reply message to a request message, to manage the
transmission of a circular message and to provide an additional
service function as to the relation between messages, in the
utilization manner that several messages are communicated being
related with each other, e.g., a reciprocative message and a
circular message. For example, Japanese patent application
laid-open No. 9-8839(1997) discloses an electronic message service
technique for confirming a reply message to a transmit message
which is provided with a transmit message managing means for
storing and managing the content of a transmit message, and means
for comparing the content of reply message with the content of
transmit message managed by the transmit message managing means.
When it receives a message, the comparing means searches transmit
messages managed by the transmit message managing 25 means by using
a title and a sender to be described in the received message. When
a transmit message with a title and a receiver that are identical
with the title and sender in the received message is found as the
result of researching, it is judged that the received message is
the reply message to the transmit message. When no corresponding
transmit message is found, it is judged that the received message
is not any reply message to a previously-transmitted message.
[0003] However, there are problems in the conventional electronic
message service technique. The first problem is that an unrelated
receive message may be erroneously judged as the related message.
This is because the relation between messages is judged on the
basis of the message-dependent values, such as a title and a
sender, that even an unrelated message can have the same
values.
[0004] The second problem is that even a related message may be
erroneously judged as an unrelated message. This is because the
relation between messages is judged on the basis of the message
title that the receiver can edit. Namely, when the receiver makes a
reply message, he may edit a title such as "reply to (original
title)". In this case, the reply message must be judged as
unrelated message to the transmit message in the conventional
electronic message service technique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
message processing method by which a message related with a
previously-transmitted or -received message can be securely
detected.
[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide a message
processing device by which a message related with a
previously-transmitted or -received message can be securely
detected.
[0007] It is a still furtherobject of the invention to provide
amessage processing system by which a message related with a
previously-transmitted or -received message can be securely
detected.
[0008] It is a still yet further object of the invention to provide
a recording medium by using which a message related with a
previously-transmitted or -received message can be securely
detected.
[0009] According to the invention, a message processing method,
comprises the steps of:
[0010] transmitting a transmit message while adding a unique
transmit ID to identify the transmission of a transmit message to
the transmit message;
[0011] registering the correspondence between the transmit message
and the transmit ID into a storage when the transmit message is
transmitted; and
[0012] judging that a receive message is related with a
previously-transmitted transmit message when the receive message to
which ID identical with a transmit ID registered in the storage is
added is received.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing method, comprises the steps of:
[0014] generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of
a receive message when the receive message is received;
[0015] registering the correspondence between the receive message
and the generated receive ID;
[0016] judging that a transmit message is related with a
previously-received receive message when the transmit message to
which ID identical with a receive ID registered in the storage is
added is transmitted.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing method, comprises the steps of:
[0018] generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of
a receive message when the receive message to which a unique
transmit ID is added by a sender is received;
[0019] registering the receive message into a storage while adding
the generated receive ID to the receive message;
[0020] extracting a transmit ID given by the sender from a receive
message to which a receive ID identical with ID added to a transmit
message is added of receive messages to be registered in the
storage when the transmit message provided with the ID identical
with the receive ID registered in the storage is transmitted;
and
[0021] transmitting the transmit message while adding the extracted
transmit ID to the transmit message.
[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing method, comprises the steps of:
[0023] transmitting a transmit message to a second message
processing device while adding a unique transmit ID to identify the
transmission of a transmit message to the transmit message, and
registering the correspondence between the transmit message and the
transmit ID into a first storage, when the transmit message is
transmitted, by using a first message processing device; and
[0024] generating a unique receive ID to identify the reception of
a receive message when the receive message is received from the
first message processing device, registering the receive message
into a second storage while adding the generated receive ID to the
receive message, extracting a transmit ID given by the first
message processing device from a receive message to which a receive
ID identical with ID added to a transmit message by the user is
added of receive messages to be registered in the second storage
when the transmit message provided with the ID by the user is
transmitted, and transmitting the transmit message to the first
message processing device while adding the extracted transmit ID to
the transmit message, by using the second message processing
device;
[0025] wherein the first message processing device judges that a
receive message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit
message when the receive message to which ID identical with a
transmit ID registered in the f irst storage is added is received f
rom the second message processing device.
[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing device, comprises:
[0027] a storage;
[0028] a transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit
ID to identify the transmission of a transmit message to the
transmit message, and for registering the correspondence between
the transmit message and the transmit ID into the storage when the
transmit message is transmitted;
[0029] a message transmitter for transmitting a transmit message
provided with a transmit ID by the transmission-managing means;
and
[0030] a transmission-related detector for judging that a receive
message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit message
when the receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID
registered in the storage is added is received.
[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing device, comprises:
[0032] a storage;
[0033] a reception-managing means for generating a unique receive
ID to identify the reception of a receive message when the receive
message is received, and for registering the correspondence between
the receive message and the generated receive ID into the storage;
and
[0034] a reception-related detector for judging that a transmit
message is related with a previously-received receive message when
the transmit message to which ID identical with a receive ID
registered in the storage is added is transmitted.
[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing device, comprises:
[0036] a storage;
[0037] a reception-managing means for generating a unique receive
ID to identify the reception of a receive message when the receive
message to which a unique transmit ID is added by a sender is
received, and for registering the receive message into the storage
while adding the generated receive ID to the receive message;
[0038] an other's information adding means for extracting a
transmit ID given by the sender from a receive message to which a
receive ID identical with ID added to a transmit message is added
of receive messages to be registered in the storage when the
transmit message provided with the ID identical with the receive ID
registered in the storage is transmitted, and for adding the
extracted transmit ID to the transmit message; and
[0039] a message transmitter for transmitting the transmit message
provided with the transmit ID by the other's information adding
means.
[0040] According to another aspect of the invention, a message
processing system, comprises:
[0041] a first message processing device which comprises a first
storage, a transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit
ID to identify the transmission of a transmit message to the
transmit message and for registering the correspondence between the
transmit message and the transmit ID into the first storage when
the transmit message is transmitted, a message transmitter for
transmitting a transmit message provided with a transmit ID by the
transmission-managing means to a second message processing device,
and a transmission-related detector for judging that a receive
message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit message
when the receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID
registered in the first storage is added is received from the
second message processing device; and
[0042] the second message processing device which comprises a
second storage, a reception-managing means for generating a unique
receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message when the
receive message is received from the first message processing
device, and for registering the receive message into the second
storage while adding the generated receive ID to the receive
message, an other's information adding means for extracting a
transmit ID given by the first message processing device from a
receive message to which a receive ID identical with ID added to a
transmit message by the sender is added of receive messages to be
registered in the second storage when the transmit message is
transmitted and for adding the extracted transmit ID to the
transmit message, and a message transmitter for transmitting the
transmit message provided with the transmit ID by the other's
information adding means to the first message processing
device.
[0043] Further, provided according to another aspect of the
invention is a mechanically-readable recording medium which stores
a program to operate a computer as a transmission-managing means
for adding a unique transmit ID to identify the transmission of a
transmit message to the transmit message, and for registering the
correspondence between the transmit message and the transmit ID
into a storage when the transmit message is transmitted, a message
transmitter for transmitting a transmit message provided with a
transmit ID by the transmission-managing means, and a
transmission-related detector for judging that a receive message is
related with a previously-transmitted transmit message when the
receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in the storage is added is received.
[0044] Also, provided according to another aspect of the invention
is a mechanically-readable recording medium which stores a program
to operate a computer as a reception-managing means for generating
a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message
when the receive message is received and for registering the
correspondence between the receive message and the generated
receive ID into a storage, and a reception-related detector for
judging that a transmit message is related with a
previously-received receive message when the transmit message to
which ID identical with a receive ID registered in the storage is
added is transmitted.
[0045] Also, provided according to another aspect of the invention
is a mechanically-readable recording medium which stores a program
to operate a computer as a reception-managing means for generating
a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message
when the receive message to which a unique transmit ID is added by
a sender is received and for registering the receive message into a
storage while adding the generated receive ID to the receive
message, an other's information adding means for extracting a
transmit ID given by the sender from a receive message to which a
receive ID identical with ID added to a transmit message is added
of receive messages to be registered in the storage when the
transmit message provided with the ID identical with the receive ID
registered in the storage is transmitted and for adding the
extracted transmit ID to the transmit message, and a message
transmitter for transmitting the transmit message provided with the
transmit ID by the other's information adding means.
[0046] Also, provided according to another aspect of the invention
is a mechanically-readable recording medium, which stores a program
to operate a computer for a first message processing device as a
transmission-managing means for adding a unique transmit ID to
identify the transmission of a transmit message to the transmit
message and for registering the correspondence between the transmit
message and the transmit ID into a first storage when the transmit
message is transmitted, a message transmitter for transmitting a
transmit message provided with a transmit ID by the
transmission-managing means to a second message processing device,
and a transmission-related detector for judging that a receive
message is related with a previously-transmitted transmit message
when the receive message to which ID identical with a transmit ID
registered in the first storage is added is received from the
second message processing device, and
[0047] to operate a computer for the second message processing
device as a reception-managing means for generating a unique
receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message when the
receive message is received from the first message processing
device, and for registering the receive message into a second
storage while adding the generated receive ID to the receive
message, an other's information adding means for extracting a
transmit ID given by the first message processing device from a
receive message to which a receive ID identical with ID added to a
transmit message by the sender is added of receive messages to be
registered in the second storage when the transmit message is
transmitted and for adding the extracted transmit ID to the
transmit message, and a message transmitter for transmitting the
transmit message provided with the transmit ID by the other's
information adding means to the first message processing
device.
[0048] First, in this invention, it can be judged whether a receive
message is a reply to a previously-transmitted message or not when
the receive message is received. This is achieved by transmitting a
message while adding a transmit ID to identify the transmission
thereof, registering the correspondence between the transmit ID and
the message into a storage, and judging whether the receive message
is related with a previously-transmitted or not based on the
transmit ID registered in the storage and ID added to the receive
message when receiving the message.
[0049] Second, in this invention, it can be judged whether a
transmit message is related to a previously-received message or not
when the transmit message is sent. This is achieved by generating a
receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message,
registering the correspondence between the receive ID and the
receive message into a storage, and judging whether the transmit
message is related with a previously-received or not based on the
receive ID registered in the storage and ID added to the transmit
message when sending the transmit message.
[0050] Third, in this invention, a transmit ID added to a transmit
message can be securely added to a reply message to the transmit
message. This is achieved by generating a receive ID to identify
the reception of a message, adding the generated receive ID to the
receive message and registering the receive message in a storage,
and adding a transmit ID given to the receive message to a transmit
message when the transmit message has the same ID as the receive ID
registered in the storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] The invention will be explained in more detail in
conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:
[0052] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a message processing
device in a first preferred embodiment according to the
invention,
[0053] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an example of a
message,
[0054] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
message-transmitting process of message processing units 100-1 to
100-n,
[0055] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
message-receiving process of the message processing units 100-1 to
100-n,
[0056] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a message processing
device in a second preferred embodiment according to the
invention,
[0057] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
message-transmitting process of message processing units 100-1' to
100-n',
[0058] FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an example of
message-transmitting operation in the message processing device of
the first or second embodiment,
[0059] FIG. 8 is an illustration showing an example of
message-receiving operation in the message processing device of the
first or second embodiment,
[0060] FIG. 9 is an illustration showing an operation in
transmitting a reply message in the message processing device of
the first embodiment,
[0061] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing an operation in
transmitting a message in the message processing device of the
first or second embodiment,
[0062] FIG. 11 is an illustration showing an operation in receiving
a message in the message processing device of the first or second
embodiment,
[0063] FIG. 12 is an illustration showing an operation in
transmitting a circular message in the message processing device of
the first embodiment,
[0064] FIG. 13 is an illustration showing an operation in
transmitting a reply message in the message processing device of
the second embodiment,
[0065] FIG. 14 is an illustration showing an operation in
transmitting a circular message in the message processing device of
the second embodiment, and
[0066] FIG. is a block diagram showing a hardware composition of
the message processing unit 100-1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREDERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0067] Message processing method and device including system and
recording medium in the first preferred embodiment will be
explained in FIG. 1. As shown, several message processing units
100-1 to 100-n are connected through a communication line 200.
[0068] The message processing unit 100-1 is provided with a
controller 1 and a storage 2. The other message processing units
are also implemented like the message processing unit 100-1.
[0069] The storage 2 is provided with a transmit message storage
21, a transmit task information storage 22, a receive task
information storage 23 and a receive message storage 24.
[0070] The copy of a transmit message is registered in the transmit
message storage 21.
[0071] An identification code, which is hereinafter referred to as
ID, (transmit ID) to identify the transmission of a transmit
message and a message ID of the transmit message are registered in
the transmit task information storage 22 while being related to
each other.
[0072] ID (receive ID) to identify the reception of a receive
message and a message ID of the receive message are registered in
the receive task information storage 22 while being related to each
other.
[0073] The copy of a receive message is registered in the receive
message storage 24.
[0074] The controller 1 is provided with a message input means 11,
a reception-related detector 12, a transmit task manager 13, a
message transmitter 14, a message receiver 15, a
transmission-related detector 16, a receive task manager 17 and an
additional service processor 18.
[0075] The message input means 11 serves to make a message
according to the operation of a user. The message made by the
message input means 11, as shown in FIG.2, includes a receiver 41,
a sender 42, a title 43, a message ID 44 and a content 45.
[0076] The functions of the reception-related detector 12 are to
inspect whether a first ID identical with a receive ID registered
in the receive task information storage 23 is added to the transmit
message made by the message input means 11 or not, and to send the
first ID and the message ID 44 of the transmit message to the
additional service processor 18 when the first ID is added to the
transmit message. Herein, first ID means ID to be added to a
transmit message by the user when he makes the transmit message
related to a previously-received message, and corresponds with a
receive ID to be added to the receive message.
[0077] The functions of the transmit task manager 13 are to
register a copy of transmit message into the transmit message
storage 21, to generate a unique transmit ID to identify the
transmission of a transmit message, to register the generated
transmit ID and the message ID of the transmit message into the
transmit task information storage 22 while relating to each other,
and to add the generated transmit ID to the transmit message.
[0078] The functions of the message transmitter 14 are to transmit
a transmit message to the communication line 200 to send it to the
receiver 41 set in the transmit message and to send a transmit
message, to the message receiver 15 of its own unit. Namely, when
the receiver 41 is the user of another message processing unit, the
transmit message is sent to the communication line 200, and, when
the receiver 41 is the user of its own unit, the transmit message
is sent to the message receiver 15 of its own unit.
[0079] The function of the message receiver 15 is to receive a
message sent through the communication line 200 from another
message processing unit and a message sent from the message
transmitter 14 of its own unit.
[0080] The functions of the transmission-related detector 16 are to
inspect whether a second ID identical with a transmit ID registered
in the transmit task information storage 22 is added to the receive
message received by the message receiver 15 or not, and to send the
second ID and the message ID of the receive message to the
additional serviceprocessor 18when the second ID is added to the
receivemessage. Herein, second ID means ID to be added to a
transmit message by the user when he makes the transmit message
related to a previouslyreceived message, and corresponds with a
transmit ID to be added to the receive message by the sender.
[0081] The functions of the receive task manager 17 are to generate
a unique receive ID to identify the reception of a receive message
when receiving the receive message, to register the generated
receive ID and the message ID of the receive message into the
receive task information storage 23 while relating to each other,
and to register the receive message into the receive message
storage 24 while adding the generated receive ID to the receive
massage.
[0082] The functions of the additional service processor 18 are to
inform the user of the reception of a message related to a
previously-transmitted message by, e.g., displaying a proper
message on a display (not shown) when it receives the notification
from the transmission-related detector 16, and to determine the
receiver of the transmit message according to the receiver of a
previously received message registered in the receive message
storage 24 to be related with the transmit message when it receives
the notification from the reception-related detector 12. Thus, it
conducts the corresponding additional service when the
transmission-related detector 16 or reception-related detector 12
detects the reception or transmission of a message to be related
with a previously-transmitted transmitted or -received message.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operations of the message
processing method and device in the first embodiment will be
explained below. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the
messagelo transmitting operation in the message processing units
100-1 to 100-n, and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of
the message-receiving operation in the message processing units
100-1 to 100-n.
[0084] First, the message-transmitting operation will be explained
taking the example that the message processing unit 100-1 transmits
a message.
[0085] A transmit message is made using the message input means 11
according to user's operation, and then the transmit message made
is sent to the reception-related detector 12 (FIG. 3, S1). Only
when making the transmit message to be related with a
previously-received message, the user adds a receive ID given to a
previously-received message to be related with the transmit message
as a first ID to the transmit message, and adds a transmit ID,
which is given to a previously-received message to be related with
the transmit message by the originally-transmitting message
processing unit, as a second ID to the transmit message.
[0086] The reception-related detector 12 inspects whether a first
ID identical with a receive ID registered in the receive task
information storage 23 is added to the transmit message sent from
the message input means 11 or not (S2).
[0087] When it is judged that the first ID is not added (`No` at
S2), the reception-related detector 12 sends the transmit message
to the transmit task manager 13.
[0088] On the contrary, when it is judged that the first ID is
added (`Yes` at S2), the first ID added to the transmit message is
deleted from the transmit message (S3), and then the message ID 44
of the transmit message and the first ID added to the transmit
message are notified to the additional service-processor 18
(S4).
[0089] Receiving this notification, the additional service
processor 18 determines the receiver of the transmit message
according to the receiver corresponding to a receive message
identified by the first ID (receive message with a receive ID
identical with the first ID) of receive messages stored in the
receive message storage 24, and sends the determined receiver to
the reception-related detector 12 (S5). Then, the reception-related
detector 12 assigns the receiver sent from the additional service
processor 18 to the transmit message, and then sends the transmit
message set with the receiver to the transmit task manager 13.
[0090] The process in S5 will be detailed below. When user A sends
a message to request user B to reply, the receiver 41 of the
transmit message is set to be "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-A". Also,
when sending a message to request user B to circulate it through
users C, D, the receiver is set to be
"user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-C.sup..fwdarw.user-D". For example, when
the receiver 41 assigned to the receive message identified by the
first ID added to the transmit message is "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-
-A", the receiver of the transmit message is determined to be
"user-A". Also, for example, in case of "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-C
.sup..fwdarw.user-D", the receiver of the transmit message is
determined to be "user-C.sup..fwdarw.user-D". Thus, the receiver of
the transmit message is determined deleting a top user name from
the receiver 41 given to a receive message.
[0091] The transmit task manager 13 registers the transmit message
sent from the reception-related detector 12 into the transmit
message storage 21 (S6), then generating a transmit ID to identify
the transmission of the transmit message (S7). Thereafter, the
transmit task manager 13 registers the message ID and transmit ID
of the transmit message into the transmit task information storage
22 while relating to each other (S8), further adding the transmit
ID to the transmit message, then sending it to the message
transmitter 14 (S9)
[0092] Then, the message transmitter 14 transmits the transmit
message sent from the transmit task manager 13 through the
communication line 200 to another message processing unit or the
message receiver 15 of its own unit according to the receiver 41 of
the transmit message (S10).
[0093] Next, the message-receiving operation will be explained in
FIG. 4.
[0094] The message receiver 15 receives a message through the
communication line 200 or from the message transmitter 14 of its
own unit, then sending it to the transmission-related detector 16
(S1).
[0095] The transmission-related detector 16 inspects whether a
second ID identical with a transmit ID registered in the transmit
task information storage 22 is added to the receive message or not
(S12).
[0096] When it is judged that the second ID is not added (`No` at
S12), the transmission-related detector 16 sends the receive
message to the receive task manager 17.
[0097] On the contrary, when it is judged that the second ID is
added (`Yes` at S12), the transmission-related detector 16 deletes
the second ID added to the receive message (S13), then sending the
second ID and the message ID of the receive message to the
additional service processor 18 as well as sending the receive
message to the receive task manager 17 (S14).
[0098] The additional service processor 18 informs the user of the
reception of a message related to a previously-transmitted message
by, e.g., displaying the second ID and the message ID of the
receive message on a display (not shown) (S15).
[0099] The receive task manager 17 generates a unique receive ID to
identify the reception of the transmit message when the receive
message is sent from the transmission-related detector 16 (S16).
then registering the generated receive ID and the message ID of the
receive message into the receive task information storage 23 while
relating to each other (S17). Further, the receive task manager 17
adds the receive ID generated at S16 to the receive message, then
registering it into the receive message storage 24 (SB1. S19).
[0100] Next, operations conducted when user A of the message
processing unit 100-1 transmits a message to request a reply from
user B of the message processing unit 100-2 will be explained.
[0101] User A makes the transmit message by using the message input
means 11 (FIG. 3, S1). In this case, the receiver 41 of the
transmit message is set to be "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-A". Also,
the first and second IDs are not given as the transmit message made
is not related to any one of previously-received messages.
[0102] The reception-related detector 12 inspects whether a first
ID is added to the transmit message or not when the transmit
message is made by the message input means 11 (S2). In this case,
the reception-related detector 12 sends the transmit message made
by the message input means 11 to the transmit task manager 13 as no
first ID is added to the transmit message.
[0103] The transmit task manager 13 registers the transmit message
sent from the reception-related detector 12 into the transmit
message storage 21, then generating a transmit ID to identify the
transmission of the transmit message (S6, S7). Thereafter, the
transmit task manager 13 registers the message ID of the transmit
message and the transmit ID generated in S7 into the transmit task
information storage 22 while relating to each other, further adding
the transmit ID to the transmit message, then sending it to the
message transmitter 14 (SB, S9).
[0104] Then, the message transmitter 14 transmits the transmit
message sent from the transmit task manager 13 through the
communication line 200 to the message processing unit 100-2
according to the receiver 41 of the transmit message (S10).
[0105] The message receiver 15 of the.message processing unit 1002
2 receives the message (receive message) transmitted from user A,
then sending it to the transmission-related detector 16 (FIG. 4,
S11).
[0106] The transmission-related detector 16 sends the receive
message to the receive task manager 17 as no second ID is added
(`No` at S12) to the receive message sent from the message receiver
15.
[0107] The receive task manager 17 generates a unique receive ID to
identify the reception of the receive message when the receive
message is sent from the transmission-related detector 16, then
registering the generated receive ID and the message ID of the
receive message into the receive task information storage 23 while
relating to each other (S16, 517). Further, the receive task
manager 17 adds the receive ID generated at S16 to the receive
message, then registering it into the receive message storage 24
(S16, S19).
[0108] User B reads the message from user A registered in the
receive message storage 24, judging that a reply message needs to
be sent to user A, then making the reply message by using the
message input means 11 (FIG. 3, S1) . In this case, user B adds the
receive ID given to the message from user A as a first ID to the
reply message as well as adding the transmit ID given to the
message from user A as a second ID to the reply message.
[0109] The reception-related detector 12 deletes the first ID from
the reply message as the judgement at S2 becomes "Yes" when the
reply message is made by the message input means 11, then informing
the additional service processor 18 of the message ID of the reply
message and the first ID that was given to the reply message (S3,
S4).
[0110] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
10 determines the receiver of the reply message to be "user-A"
according to "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-A" set as the receiver 41 in
the message sent from user A, and sends the determined receiver to
the reception-related detector 12 (S5). Then, the reception-related
detector 12 assigns "user-A" to the receiver 41 of the reply
message, and then sends it to the transmit task manager 13.
[0111] The transmit task manager 13 registers the reply message
sent from the reception-related detector 12 into the transmit
message storage 21, then generating a transmit ID to identify the
transmission of the reply message, further registering the transmit
ID and the message ID of the reply message into the transmit task
information storage 22 while relating to each other (S6 to S8).
Thereafter, transmit task manager 13 adds the transmit ID generated
at S7 to the reply message (S9), then transmitting it through the
message transmitter 14 to the message processing unit 100-1
(S10).
[0112] The message receiver 15 of the message processing unit 100-1
receives the reply message transmitted from user B, then sending it
to the transmission-related detector 16 (FIG. 4. S11).
[0113] The transmission-related detector 16 deletes the second ID
in the reply message as the judgement at S12 becomes Yes, then
sending the second ID and the message ID of the reply message to
the additional service processor 18 as well as sending the reply
message to the receive task manager 17 (S13, S14).
[0114] The additional service processor 18 informs the user of the
reception of the message related to the previously-transmitted
message by, e.g., displaying the second ID sent from the
transmission-related detector 16 and the message ID of the reply
message on a display (not shown) (S15). Also, the receive task
manager 17 conducts like operation described earlier to the reply
message sent from the transmission-related detector 16 Message
[0115] Message processing method and device including system and
recording medium in the second preferred embodiment will be
explained in FIG. 5. As shown, several message processing units
100-1' to 100-n' are connected through a communication line
200.
[0116] The message processing unit 100-1' is provided with a
controller 1' and a storage 2. The storage 2 has the same
composition as that in FIG. 1. The controller 1' is different from
the controller 1 in FIG. 1 in that it has an other's task
information adding means 19, a reception-related detector 12'
replacing the reception-related detector 12, and a transmit task
manager 13 replacing the transmit task manager 13'.
[0117] The functions of the other's task information adding means
19 are to search the content of a receive message registered in the
receive message storage 24 when a transmit message made by using
the message input means 11 relates to the receive message
registered in the receive message storage 24, to extract the
transmit ID of the receive message to be given by the original
transmitter, and to add the extracted transmit ID as a second ID to
the transmit message.
[0118] The reception-related detector 12 has the same function as
the reception-related detector 12, except that it sends the
transmit message to the other's task information adding means 19
not the transmit task manager 13 when the transmit message made by
the message input means 11 is provided with a first ID identical
with a transmit ID registered in the transmit task information
storage 22.
[0119] The transmit task manager 13' has the same function as the
transmit task manager 13, except that it receives the transmit
message from not only the reception-related detector 12 but also
the otherIs task information adding means 19.
[0120] Referring to FIG. 6, the operations of the message
processing method and device in the second embodiment will be
explained below.
[0121] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the
message-transmitting operation in the message processing units
100-1' to 100-n'. In the message processing units 100-1' to 100-n',
operations at S61, S62 are conducted other than the operations at
S1 to S10 in FIG. 3 when transmitting a message. Meanwhile, the
message-receiving operations of the message processing units 100-1'
to 100-n' are similar to those of the message processing units
100-1 to 100-n.
[0122] Namely, the message-receiving operations of the message
processing units 100-1' to 100-n' are conducted as shown in FIG.
4.
[0123] The message-transmitting operations of the message
processing units 100-1' to 100-n' will be explained below.
Meanwhile, explained is only the case that a message related to a
previously-received message is transmitted because the other
operations are similar to those of the message processing units
100-1' to 100-n shown in FIG. 1.
[0124] Now, for example, user B of the message processing unit
100-2' reads a message from user A of the message processing unit
100-1' to be registered in the receive message storage 24, judging
that a reply message needs to be sent to user A.
[0125] Then, user B makes the reply message by using the message
input means 11 of the message processing unit 100-1' (FIG. 6, S1).
In this case, user B adds the receive ID given to the message from
user A by the receive task manager 17 as a first ID to the reply
message.
[0126] The reception-related detector 12 deletes the first ID from
the reply message as the judgement at S2 becomes "Yes" when the
reply message is made by the message input means 11, then informing
the additional service processor 18 of the message ID of the reply
message and the first ID that was given to the reply message (S3,
S4).
[0127] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
18 determines the receiver of the reply message to be "user-A" as
described earlier, setting "user-A" as the receiver 41 in the reply
message by using the reception-related detector 12' (S5).
[0128] Then, the reception-related detector 12' sends the reply
message and the first ID given to the reply message to the other's
task information adding means 19 (S61). Then, the other's task
information adding means 19 extracts the transmit ID to be given by
the original transmitter from a receive message provided with a
receive ID identical with the first ID of receive messages
registered in the receive message storage 24, adding the extracted
transmit ID as a second ID to the reply message (S62). The reply
message with the second ID is transmitted to user A as described
earlier (S6 to S1O) . Also, user A receives the reply message as
described earlier (FIG. 4, S11 to S19).
[0129] In the second embodiment, a correct second ID can be surely
added to a transmit message such as a reply message to be related
to a previously-received message.
[0130] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 to l2, themessage
processing method and device in the first preferred embodiment will
be detailed.
[0131] First, the case that user A of the message processing unit
100-1 transmits a message to request a reply from user B of the
message processing unit 100-2 will be explained.
[0132] User A makes a message M1 shown in FIG. 7 by operating the
message input means 11 (FIG. 3, S1). At this time, a transmit ID T1
is not set in the content 45. The sender 41 of the message M1 is
set as "user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-A".
[0133] When the message M1 shown in FIG. 7 is made by using the
message input means 11, the reception-related detector 12 sends the
message M1 to the transmit task manager 13 as no first ID is added
to the message M1(`No` at S2).
[0134] The transmit task manager 13 receives the message M1,
registering it into the transmit message storage 21 (S6),
generating the transmit ID T1 (S7). The transmit ID T1 is,
forexample, generated by combining ID, e.g., MS1, to be assigned to
the message processing unit 100-1 with a serial number that is
increased by +1 every message transmission.
[0135] The transmit task manager 13 registers the generated
transmit ID T1 and the message ID m1 of the message M1 into the
transmit task information storage while relating to each other
(S8), further adding the transmit ID T1 generated at S7 to the
message M1 as shown in FIG. 7 (s9).
[0136] Then, the message transmitter 14 transmits the message M1
with the transmit ID T1 through the communication line 200 to the
message processing unit 100-2 (S10).
[0137] The message receiver 15 of the message processing unit 100-2
receives the message M1 from user A, then sending it to the
transmission-related detector 16 (FIG. 4, S11).
[0138] The transmission-related detector 16 sends the message M1 to
the receive task manager 17 as no second ID is added to the message
M1 sent from the message receiver 15 (`No` at S12). Receiving the
message M1, the transmission-related detector 16 first generates a
receive ID (T2) to identify the reception of the message M1 (S16)
Here, the receive ID is generated by combining ID to be assigned to
the message processing unit 100-2 with a serial number that is
increased by +1 every message reception.
[0139] Then, the receive task manager 17, as shown in FIG. 8,
registers the receive ID T2 generated at S16 and the message ID m1
of the message M1 into the receive task information storage 23
while relating to each other (S17), further adding the receive ID
T2 to the message M1, registering it into the receive message
storage 24 (S19).
[0140] The receive ID T2 can be added to the message M1 by
overwriting it into the sender 42. In most cases, a reply to a
receive message is returned to the sender of the receive message.
Thus, by overwriting as described above, the transmit message
(reply message) can be made including more surely the receive ID T2
added to the receive message M1. However, in this case, the receive
task manager 17 needs to set "user-A", which was set into the
sender 42, into, e.g., the content when it adds the receive ID T2
to the message M1.
[0141] User B reads the message M1 registered in the receive
message storage 24, judging that a reply message needs to be sent
to user A, then making a reply message M2 shown in FIG. 9 by using
the message input means 11 (FIG. 3, S1). In this case, user B adds
the transmit ID T1 given to the message M1 as a second ID into the
content of the reply message M2 as well as adding the receive ID T2
given to the sender 42 of the message M1 as a first ID to the
receiver 41 of the reply message M2.
[0142] The reception-related detector 12 deletes the first ID T2
from the receiver 41 of the reply message as the first ID T2
identical with the receive ID registered in the receive message is
added into the receiver 41 of the reply message M2 ("Yes" at S2)
when the reply message M2 shown in FIG. 9 is made by the message
input means 11, then informing the additional service processor 18
of the message ID m2 of the reply message M2 and the first ID T2
given to the reply message M2 (S3, S4).
[0143] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
18 determines the receiver of the reply message M2 to be "user-A"
as described earlier, setting "user-A" as the receiver 41 in the
reply message M2 by using the reception-related detector 12
(S5).
[0144] Then, the transmit task manager 13 registers the reply
message M2 into the transmit message storage 21, then generating a
transmit ID (T3) to identify the transmission of the reply message
M2. Further the transmit task manager 13 registers the transmit ID
T3 and the message ID m2 of the reply message M2 into the transmit
task information storage 22 while relating to each other, adding
the transmit ID T3 generated at S7 to the reply message M2 (S8, S9)
. As a result, the reply message M2 is processed into a message M2'
in FIG. 9.
[0145] Then, the reply message is transmitted through the
communication line 200 to the message processing unit 100-1 for
user A by the message transmitter 14 (S10).
[0146] The message receiver 15 of the message processing unit 100-1
receives the reply message M2' transmitted from user B, then
sending it to the transmission-related detector 16 (FIG. 4,
S11).
[0147] The transmission-related detector 16 deletes the second ID
T1 in the reply message M2' as the second ID identical with the
transmit ID T1 registered in the transmit task information storage
22 is added to the reply message M2' (`Yes` at S12), then sending
the second JD T1 and the message ID m2 of the reply message M2' to
the additional service processor 18 as well as sending the reply
message M2' to the receive task manager 17 (S13, 914).
[0148] The additional service processor 18 informs user A of the
reception of the message related to the previously-transmitted
message by, e.g., displaying the second ID T1 sent from the
transmission-related detector 16 and the message ID m2 of the reply
message M2' on a display (not shown) (S15). Also, the receive task
manager 17 conducts like operation described earlier to the reply
message M2 sent from the transmission-related detector 16.
[0149] Next, operations in the case that user A of the message
processing unit 100-1 sends amessage to request user B of the
message processing unit 100-2 to circulate it through users C, D
and A.
[0150] User A makes a message M11 shown in FIG. 10 by using the
message input means 11 (FIG. 3, S1). The receiver 41 of the message
M11 is set to be
"user-B.sup..fwdarw.user-C.sup..fwdarw.user-Duser-A", which means
that the message is circulated in the order of user B, C, D and
A.
[0151] When the message M11 shown in FIG. 10 is made through the
message input means 11, the operations of S6 to S10 are conducted
as no first ID is not added to the message M11 (`No` at S2).
[0152] As a result, the message M11 is stored in the transmit
message storage 21, a transmit ID T11 to identify the transmission
of the message M11 is generated, the message ID m11 and transmit ID
T11 of the message M11 are registered into the transmit task
information storage 22, and the message M11 is transmitted to the
message processing unit 100-2 for user B.
[0153] The message receiver 15 of the message processing unit 100z
2 receives the message M11, sending it to the transmission-related
detector 16 (FIG. 4, S11).
[0154] The processes of S16 to S19 are conducted as no second ID is
not added to the message M11 sent to the transmission-related
detector 16 (`No` at S12). As a result, a receive ID T12 to
identify the reception of the message M11 is generated, the message
ID m11 and receive ID T12 of the message M11 are registered into
the receive task information storage 23, and the message M11 is
registered into the receive message storage 24 while adding the
receive ID T12 (FIG. 11).
[0155] User B reads the message M11 registered in the receive
message storage 24, judging that a circular message needs to be
sent to user C, D and A, then making a message M12 shown in FIG. 12
by using the message input means 11 (FIG. 3, S1). In this case,
user B adds the transmit ID T11 given to the message M11 as a
second ID into the content 45 of the message M12 as well as adding
the receive ID T12 given to the sender 42 of the message M11 as a
first ID to the receiver 41 of the message M12.
[0156] The reception-related detector 12 deletes the first ID T12
from the receiver 41 of the message M12 as the first ID T12
identical with the receive ID registered in the receive message is
added into the receiver 41 of the message M12 ("Yes" at S2) when
the message M12 shown in FIG. 12 is made by the message input means
11, then informing ID the additional service processor 18 of the
message ID m12 of the message M12 and the first ID T12 given to the
message M12 (S3, S4).
[0157] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
18 determines the receiver of the reply message M12 to be "user-C
.sup..fwdarw.user-D.sup..fwdarw.user-A" as described earlier,
setting "user-C.sup..fwdarw.user-D .sup..fwdarw.user-A" as the
receiver 41 in the message M12 by using the i reception-related
detector 12 (S5). As a result, the message M12 is processed into a
message M12 in FIG. 12. The other processes to follow are similar
to those in the reply message.
[0158] In the first embodiment, informationto indicate the original
sender(user A in user-B user-A in FIG. 7) is included in the
receiver 41 of the message to request a reply message or a circular
message so that the receiver of the reply message or circular
message can be automatically determined by the additional service
processor 18. However, such information is not necessary to include
when the user to send the reply message or circular message sets
the receiver by himself.
[0159] Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14, the
message processing method and device in the second preferred
embodiment will be detailed.
[0160] First, the case that userAof themessage processing unit
10-1' transmits a message to request a reply from user B of the
message processing unit 100-2' will be explained.
[0161] User A makes the message M1 shown in FIG. 7 by operating the
message input means 11 (FIG. 6, S1). At this time, the transmit ID
T1 is not set in the content 45.
[0162] When the message M1 shown in FIG. 7 is made by using the
message input means 11, the reception-related detector 12 sends the
message M1 to the transmit task manager 13 as no first ID is added
to the message M1(`No` at S2).
[0163] After receiving the message M1, the transmit task manager
13' conducts the processes of S6 to S9. As a result, the message M1
is registered into the transmit message storage 21, a transmit ID
T1 is generated, the transmit ID T1 and the message ID m1 of the
message M1 are registered into the transmit task information
storage 22, and the transmit ID T1 is added to the message M1.
[0164] Then, the message transmitter 14 transmits the message M1
with the transmit ID T1 through the communication line 200 to the
message processing unit 100-2 for user B (S10).
[0165] After receiving the message M1, the message processing unit
100-2 conducts like operations as described earlier (FIG. 4, S1,
S12, S16 to S19). As a result, the receive ID T2 is generated, the
message ID m1 and receive ID T2 of the message M1 are registered
into the receive task information storage 23, and the message M1 is
registered into the receive message storage 24 while adding the
receive ID T2 (FIG. 8).
[0166] User B reads the message M1 registered in the receive
message storage 24, judging that a reply message needs to be sent
to users C, D and A, then making a reply message M2a shown in FIG.
13 by using the message input means 11 (FIG. 6, S1). In this case,
no second ID is added to the content 45 of the reply message M2a,
which is different from the message M2 shown in FIG. 9.
[0167] The reception-related detector 12' deletes the first ID T2
from the receiver 41 of the reply message M2a as the first ID T2
identical with the receive ID registered in the receive message
detector 24 is added into the receiver 41 of the reply message M2a
("Yes" at S2) when the reply message M2a shown in FIG. 13 is made
by the message input means 11, then informing the additional
service processor 18 of the message ID m2 of the reply message M2a
and the first ID T2 that was given to the reply message M2a (S3,
S4).
[0168] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
is 18 determines the receiver of the reply message to be "user-A"
as described earlier, setting "user-A" into the receiver 41 of the
reply message M2a by using the reception-related detector 12'
(S5)
[0169] Then reception-related detector 12' sends the first ID T2
and reply message M2a to the other's task information adding means
19 (S61)
[0170] Then, the other's task information adding means 19 extracts
the transmit ID T1from the receive message M1 provided with the
receive ID T2 identical with the first ID T2 of receive messages
registered in the receive message storage 24, adding the extracted
transmit ID as a second ID to the reply message M2a (S62).
[0171] After the other's task information adding means 19 completes
the operations, the transmit task manager 13 and message
transmitter 14 conduct the operations of S6 to S10. As aresult, the
reply message M2a ' shown in FIG. 13 is transmitted to the message
processing unit 100-1 for user A. Then, the message processing unit
100-1 receives the reply message M2a ', conducting like operations
as described earlier.
[0172] Next, operations in the case that user A of the message
processing unit 100-1' sends amessage to request user B of the
message processing unit 100-2' to circulate it through users C, D
and A.
[0173] User A makes a message M11 shown in FIG. 10 by using the
message input means 11 of the message processing unit 100-1 (FIG.
6, S1). At this time, the transmit ID T11 is not added to the
message M11.
[0174] When the message M11 shown in FIG. 10 is made through the
message input means 11, the operations of S6 to S1O are conducted
as no first ID is not added to the message M11 (`No` at S2).
[0175] As a result, the message M11 is stored in the transmit
message storage 21, the transmit ID T11 to identify the
transmission of the message M11 is generated, the message ID m11
and transmit ID T11 of the message M11 are registered into the
transmit task information storage 22, and the message M11 is
transmitted to the message processing unit 100-2 for user B. The
message processing unit 100-2 receives the message M11 from user A,
then conducting the operations of S11, S12 and S16 to S19 shown in
FIG. 4. As a result, the receive ID T12 is generated, the message
ID m11 and receive ID T12 of the message M11 are registered into
the receive task information storage 23, and the message M11 is
registered into the receive message storage 24 while adding the
receive ID T12 (FIG. 11).
[0176] User B reads the message M11 registered in the receive
message storage 24, judging that a circular message needs to be
sent to user C, D and A, then making a message M12a shown in FIG.
14 by using the message input means 11 (FIG. 6, S1). In this case,
no second ID is added to the content 45 of the message M12a, which
is different from the message M12 shown in FIG. 12.
[0177] The reception-related detector 12' deletes the first ID T12
from the receiver 41 of the message M12a as the first ID T12
identical with the receive ID registered in the receive message is
added into the receiver 41 of the message M12a ("Yes" at S2) when
the message M12a shown in FIG. 14 is made by the message input
means 11, then 1O informing the additional service processor 18 of
the message ID m2 of the message M12a and the first ID T12 given to
the message M12a (S3, S4).
[0178] Receiving this information, the additional service processor
18 determines the receiver of the reply message M12a to be "user-C
.sup..fwdarw.user-D.sup..fwdarw.user-A" as described earlier,
setting "user-C.sup..fwdarw.user-D.sup..fwdarw.user-A" as the
receiver 41 in the message M12a by using the reception-related
detector 12 (S5).
[0179] Then reception-related detector 12' sends the first ID T12
and reply message M12a to the other's task information adding means
19 (S61).
[0180] Then, the other's task information adding means 19 extracts
the transmit ID T11 from the receive message M1 provided with the
receive ID T12 identical with the first ID T12 of receive messages
registered in the receive message storage 24, adding the extracted
transmit ID as a second ID to the reply message M12a (S62).
[0181] After the other's task information adding means 19 completes
the operations, the transmit task manager 13' and message
transmitter 14 conduct the operations of S6 to S10. As a result,
the reply message M12a ' shown in FIG. 14 is transmitted to the
message processing unit 100-1 for user A. Then, the message
processing unit 100-1 receives the reply message M12a', conducting
like operations as described earlier.
[0182] Although, in the above embodiment, the receiver of the reply
message M2a is set by the additional service processor 18, it may
be set by the reception-related detector 12.
[0183] In this case, when receiving the message M1 as shown in FIG.
8, the receive ID T2 to identify the reception of the message M1,
the message ID m1 of the message M1 and sender user-A are
registered into the receive task information storage 23 while being
related to one another. Thereafter, when the reply message M2a
shown in FIG. 13 is made by user B, the reception-related detector
12 deletes the first ID T2 set in the receiver 41 of the reply
message M2a, further setting the receiver 41 into `user-A` who is
registered in the receive task information storage 23 while being
related to the first ID T2.
[0184] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the hardware composition
of the message processing unit 100-1 in FIG. 1. which is composed
of a computer 150 and a recording medium 151.
[0185] The recording medium 151 provided for the computer 150
stores a program for processing messages. The recording medium 151
can be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory or the like.
[0186] The message-processing program stored in the recording
medium 151 is read out by the computer 150, and the computer 150 is
thereby so controlled that the message input means 11,
reception-related detector 12, transmit task manager 13, message
transmitter 14, message receiver iS, transmission-related detector
16, transmit task manager 17 and additional service processor 18 in
FIG. 1 can be set up on the computer 150.
[0187] The message processing unit 100-1' also has a hardware
composition like this. Thus, the message-processing program stored
in the recording medium 151 is read out by the computer 150, and
the 5 computer 150 is thereby so controlled that the message input
means 11, reception-related detector 12', transmit task manager 13,
message transmitter 14, message receiver 15, transmission-related
detector 16, transmit task manager 17, additional service processor
18 and other's task information adding means in FIG. 5 can be set
up on the computer 150.
[0188] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiment for complete and clear disclosure, the appended
claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as
embodying all modification and alternative constructions that may
be occurred to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the
basic teaching here is set forth.
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