JP2003022231A - Message delivery service method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a message delivery service for preliminarily collecting the information of the delivery destination or delivery desired date of a message, and for confirming whether or not the message should be delivered to a client based on the information before delivering the message to the delivery destination. SOLUTION: This service method for delivering a message card to a delivery destination instead of a client based on the request comprise a step for inputting client information and delivery destination information to a server, a step for preserving the client information and the delivery destination information in an information storing means 60 by a server 1, a step for transmitting preliminary confirmation information to the client based on the preserved delivery destination information by the server 1, a step for receiving response information to the preliminary confirmation information by the server 1, and a step for preparing a message card to be delivered to the delivery destination based on the response information by the server 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service method and a message sending device for sending a message to a destination based on a request from a client, which can be used, for example, for sending a message to celebrate a birthday. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When attempting to send a congratulatory message using a telegram or e-mail on a specific day such as a birthday or wedding anniversary of an acquaintance or employee, the sender of the message is
On the specific day or immediately before that, the business operator who provides the telegram service requests the telegram to be sent, or creates and sends an electronic mail by himself.

[0003]

However, in order to reliably send a message on a specific day, the sender should either memorize the specific day or always check the memos recorded in advance. The burden on the sender to send a message is heavy. The burden on the sender is further increased when a company or the like sends a message to the company or an employee or family member of a business partner, because the number of recipients increases enormously. It is also a common practice to forget the date when a message should be sent to a specific destination.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and collects information such as a destination of a message and a desired date of delivery in advance according to a request from a sender of the message, and stores the information in the information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a message sending service in which whether or not to send a message to the client is confirmed based on the confirmation before sending the message to the destination.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A service method for sending a message card to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, the step of inputting client information and destination information to a server, the server having the client information and the destination information. Is stored in the information storage means, the server transmits pre-confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, and the server receives response information for the pre-confirmation information. And a step of creating a message card to be sent to a destination based on the response information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service method for sending a message card based on a request, which comprises the step of inputting requester information and destination information to a server, and the server having the requester information. Storing the destination information in the information storage means, the server transmitting the prior confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, and the server response information to the prior confirmation information. Is received, and a step of creating a message card to be sent from the client to the destination based on the response information is characterized.

A third aspect of the present invention is a service method for transmitting a message to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, the step of inputting client information and destination information into a server, and the server. However, the step of saving the requester information and the destination information in the information storage means, the server transmitting the prior confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, the server, The step of receiving response information for the prior confirmation information, the step of the server creating a message to be sent to a destination based on the response information, and the server
And sending the created message to the destination.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3, the message is sent to the destination as an electronic mail. The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the requester information and the destination information are input to the server via a communication network.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the requester information and the delivery destination information are input by a message delivery service provider. The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the destination information includes at least the desired date for sending the message.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 7, the desired date for sending the message is the birthday of the destination. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the response information includes at least the type of message card.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3 or 4, the destination information is input by the destination itself. The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3 or 4, the information already stored in the information storage means is used as the client information and the destination information.

The twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the message card also serves as a recording medium, and a message including voice information is recorded. The invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3, the message comprises voice information.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for sending a message to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, and means for receiving requester information and destination information via a communication network. A means for storing the client information and the destination information, a means for transmitting the preliminary confirmation information to the client terminal via the communication network based on the stored destination information, and a response to the preliminary confirmation information. It is characterized by having means for receiving information via a communication network, means for creating a message to be sent to a destination based on the response information, and means for sending the created message to the destination.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fourteenth aspect, in place of the means for creating a message,
It is characterized in that a means for creating a message card is used, and a means for outputting a message card is used instead of a means for sending a message to a destination.

The sixteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the message comprises voice information. A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the message card also serves as a recording medium, and a message including voice information is recorded.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a message sending service method and a message sending apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, a case will be described as an example where a birthday card is sent to the recipient B's birthday upon receiving a request from the client A.

First, a message sending device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a message sending device according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 indicates an example of a message sending device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "server 1"). The server 1 has therein a request information receiving means 10, a prior confirmation information transmitting means 20, a response information receiving means 30, a message card creating means 40, and a computer file for realizing the required functions described later by computer software or the like. And an information storage means 60 for storing the information and so on. Server 1
There is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer. Further, a message card output means 50 is connected to the server 1. An example of the message card output unit 50 is a print processing device such as a printer device.

Reference numeral 2 indicates a terminal for the client A to communicate with the server 1. Examples of the terminal 2 include a personal computer, a mobile phone having a data communication function, or a PDA.
(Personal Digital Assistant
nt) etc. The terminal 2 connects to the server 1 via the communication network 5.

Here, as an example of the communication network 5, there is a computer communication network such as the Internet or LAN. The server 1 and the terminal 2 each have a communication line 1-
It connects with the communication network 5 via 5, 2-5. Examples of the communication lines 1-5 and 2-5 include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless telephone network, a CATV network, a satellite communication network, and the like. The server 1 and the terminal 2 communicate using known WEB technology. That is, the terminal 2 connects to a so-called WEB page in the server 1. Of course, data may be transmitted from the server 1 to the terminal 2 like an electronic mail.

Next, a message sending service method according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for accepting a message sending request from the client A, and FIG. 3A is a flowchart for sending a message to the destination B based on the request accepted in FIG.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart for registering requester information and destination information. The client information is information required to send a message on behalf of client A, and the name and email address of client A, and the recipient information is to send the message to recipient B. This information is necessary for this purpose, and includes the name and address of the recipient B, the desired date for sending the message, the body of the message, the type of message card, etc. Information. Note that the requester information and the destination information may include information other than these, and the format of the message is determined in advance by the message delivery service provider.

Here, the body of the message is a message celebrating the birthday written on the message card ("Happy birthday, congratulations"), etc. The server 1 prepares a template in advance and the client A registers the selected or modified one. The body of the message is
Not limited to characters, it may be a figure. A plurality of types of message cards are prepared in advance, and the client A selects from them. In the present embodiment, a birthday card is taken as an example, but in addition to this, New Year's cards, summer greeting cards, etc.
It may be a service that sends various types of messages, and prepares a message body template and a message card corresponding to each type of message.

To use the message delivery service method according to the present invention, the client A first transmits the client information and the destination information to the server 1 using the terminal 2 (S).
1). As a method of transmitting, a server is connected to a WEB page in the server 1 and information is input on the screen, or a file created by the client A based on a predetermined format (eg CSV format) is transmitted to the server 1. You may do it. The server 1 uses the request information receiving means 10 to receive the requester information and the destination information and store them in the information storage means 60 (S2). The server 1 may notify the client A that the storage of the information received from the client A has been completed, that is, the request to send the message to the destination B has been received.

The requester information or the destination information in the information storage means 60 transmitted from the requester A is the requester A.
Be prepared to update yourself. FIG. 2B is a flowchart for updating requester information or transmission destination information. The client A sends the update information to the server 1 (S3). The update information is information required to update the requester information or the destination information stored in the server 1, and includes, for example, addition of the destination or change of the address of the destination. As for the transmission method, you may connect to the WEB page in the server 1 and input the update information on the screen,
Alternatively, the file of update information is sent to the server 1 by e-mail or the like
May be sent to. The server 1 receives the update information using a unit (not shown), and updates the requester information or the destination information in the information storage unit 60 based on the update information (S4).

The registration of the requester information and the destination information shown in FIG. 2A or the update of the requester information and the destination information shown in FIG. Alternatively, the provider of the message sending service may perform it. That is, the provider of the message sending service is the client A
The requester information, the destination information, or the update information is received from and is stored in the information storage means 60 in the server 1 using a means (not shown). By doing so, the client A does not need to input the client information and the destination information or the update information to the server 1, and thus the service can be used easily. In addition, the client information is a medium other than electronic information, for example, a paper medium such as a postcard or a FAX (facsimile),
Alternatively, if it is received orally by telephone or the like, it becomes easier for the client A to use the service.

Next, a method of sending a message will be described with reference to FIG. The server 1 transmits the prior confirmation information to the terminal 2 by the prior confirmation information transmitting means 20 (S10). The advance confirmation information is information for notifying that the desired date for sending the message to the destination B is approaching, and confirming whether or not to send the message, such as the name of the destination B and the desired date for sending. Consists of. The server 1 uses the prior confirmation information transmitting means 20 to periodically, for example, once a day, refer to the desired delivery date of the message in the destination information in the information storage means 60, and immediately before the desired date, for example, When it is confirmed that it is one week before the desired date (using the system date in the server 1 or the like), advance confirmation information is transmitted.

To send the advance confirmation information, the server 1 creates a WEB page on which the advance confirmation information is posted, and the URL (Uniform Resource L) of the WEB page is transmitted.
This is performed by sending an e-mail describing "Octor" to the registered e-mail address in the requester information and connecting the requester A to the WEB page. As another method of transmitting the prior confirmation information, an electronic mail in which the prior confirmation information itself is described may be transmitted.

Here, it is not always necessary to use the electronic mail to transmit the preliminary confirmation information. For example, the telephone number of the client A is registered as client information, and the server 1 calls the registered telephone number. Alternatively, the client A may be notified that there is advance confirmation information, and the client A who has received the contact may connect to the WEB page on which the advance confirmation information is posted. At that time, if the pre-confirmation information can be browsed by connecting to the predetermined WEB page of the client A, the URL of the WEB page where the pre-confirmation information is posted.
You do not have to call me by phone.

The client A receives an electronic mail from the server 1 in which the URL of the WEB page on which the prior confirmation information is posted is described, and connects to the WEB page of the URL to receive the prior confirmation information. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a WEB page in which the prior confirmation information is posted. Client A
Indicates that the birthday of destination B is 10 according to WEB page P1.
Make sure it is the 8th of the month. However, the fact that the birthday of the destination B is October 8 means that the client A has previously registered in the server 1 as destination information.

After confirming the WEB page P1, the client A sends response information to the server 1 (S20). The response information is information necessary for instructing the server 1 whether or not to send the message to the destination B. Here, the client A sends the response information from the WEB page P1. In other words, on the WEB page P1, it is possible to specify whether or not to send, and when sending, button B
1 or press button B2 if you do not want to send
Response information is transmitted to the server 1.

After receiving the response information, the server 1 uses the message card creating means 40 to perform the information storing means 6
Information necessary for creating a message card, such as the message body, the type of message card, the name of the client A, the name and address of the recipient B, etc., is extracted from the requester information and the recipient information in 0. Message card output means 50
Is used to create a message card (S30). The created message card is sent to destination B based on the desired date of delivery (S40).

According to the embodiment described above, the service method is to send the message card to the destination B on behalf of the client A based on the request, and input the client information and the destination information to the server 1. And the server 1
A step of storing the requester information and the destination information in the information storage means 60, and a step of the server 1 transmitting the prior confirmation information to the client A based on the stored destination information.
Since the server 1 has a step of receiving response information for the preliminary confirmation information and a step of creating a message card to be sent to the destination B based on the response information, the message card is sent to the client A. After confirming in advance whether or not to send, the message card can be sent to the destination B on behalf of the client A based on the destination information registered in advance. Further, the client A does not need to manage a specific date such as the recipient's birthday, and the problem of forgetting to send the message card when necessary can be solved.

In the embodiment described above,
If the server 1 does not receive the response information from the client A, the server 1 does not send the message to the destination B. In that case, the server 1 may transmit the preliminary confirmation information a plurality of times before the desired delivery date. That is, the reception of the response information from the client A is waited for a certain period, and the advance confirmation information is transmitted again after the period. By giving the requester A multiple opportunities to send the response information in this way, it is possible to reduce mistakes in the sending of the response information due to an error of the client A, and to make the message delivery more reliable. You can

Client A, who has received the prior confirmation information
However, the date and time of retransmission of the preliminary confirmation information may be designated. That is, the client A can specify the date and time that he wants to retransmit in the screen of the prior confirmation information shown in FIG. 4A, and the designated date and time can be transmitted to the server 1. The server 1 stores the desired date and time received from the client A in the information storage means 60, and retransmits the preliminary confirmation information at the date and time. In this way, the client A
Since the prior confirmation information can be received at a desired date and time, the message can be reliably sent to the destination B without forgetting to send the response information to the server 1. Here, in order to retransmit the prior confirmation information, the client A can select to resend the prior confirmation information on the birthday of the destination B, that is, on the day of the desired date of transmission, instead of the date and time desired by the client A. You may

Further, even if the response information is not received, the message may be sent to the destination B. In this case, the prior confirmation information is not intended to confirm whether or not to send the message to the client A, but to notify the client A of the message sending in advance. It is a thing. That is, when the message is sent to the destination B without sending the prior confirmation information to the client A, and the destination B who received the message directly contacts the client A to thank the client A,
Client A may not immediately understand the reason for thank-you. For example, there may be a case where the user has forgotten to have registered the destination information regarding the destination B. The transmission of advance confirmation information has a role of preventing such a situation.

Next, another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In this embodiment, the message card created based on the request from the client A is
Instead of sending it to the destination B, it is sent to the client A. FIG. 3B is a flowchart of message transmission in this embodiment. Server 1
The message card created by is sent to the client A (S41). Here, the sender address of the message card is registered in advance by the client A as client information. The client A sends the received message card to the destination B (S42).

The above-described embodiment is a service method for sending a message card based on a request, and a step of inputting requester information and destination information to the server 1; The step of storing the destination information in the information storage means 60, the step of the server 1 transmitting the preliminary confirmation information to the client A based on the stored destination information, and the server 1 transmitting the response information to the preliminary confirmation information. It has a step of receiving and a step of creating a message card to be sent from the client A to the destination B based on the response information. That is, the service provider creates a message card after confirming in advance whether to send the message card to the client A, and the created message card is sent to the client B by the client A himself. To send. With this configuration, the client A can add a handwritten signature or comment to the message card to be sent to the destination B.

The message card sent to the client A may not be printed with the address and / or name of the recipient, but may be written by the client A himself. In this case, the destination information registered in the server 1 may include only the message card type, the message body, and the desired delivery date, that is, the destination B's birthday.
The name or address of destination B is unnecessary. That is, the client A can receive the message card to be sent to the destination B just before the birthday of the destination B, and the name and address of the destination B can be written on the message card. Become. Therefore, for example, when the client A is a company and the destination B is a client of the client A,
The client A does not need to send the customer's name or address to the server 1, and can prevent the customer's information from leaking to the outside.

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In the present embodiment, the prior confirmation information is transmitted not at each destination but at regular intervals. That is, in the embodiment described above, FIG.
As shown in (a), the advance confirmation information is transmitted one week before the desired delivery date of destination B, but in the present embodiment, for example, at the end of every month, as shown in FIG. Make sure to notify the destination where the desired date is registered.

The example shown in FIG. 4B is the WEB page P2.
Is an example in which a person who has a birthday in October is displayed, and the client A selects a person to whom a message is to be sent from the list posted on WEBP2. According to this embodiment, the frequency of sending and receiving the prior confirmation information and the response information can be reduced, and the processing load on the server 1 and the client A can be reduced. Here, on the WEB page P2, the results of whether or not a message was sent last year are posted for each destination listed, so that the client A can refer to whether or not to send a message this year. I am doing it. By the way, FIG. 4B shows an example of requesting the recipients B and C to send a message again to the recipient B who sent the message last year.

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In this embodiment, when the client A sends the response information, the message card to be sent can be selected. Figure 5
It is a flowchart of message transmission according to the present embodiment. The server 1 transmits the prior confirmation information (S1
1). Here, in addition to the information on the destination B, the information for selecting the message card is also transmitted. That is, the WEB in which the information necessary for selecting the message card is posted in the email sent by the server 1.
The URL of the page is also listed.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a WEB page for confirming the message card. On the WEB page P3, three types of message cards that the client A can select are posted. The client A is W in FIG.
After confirming the type of message card on the EB page P3, the user connects to the WEB page P4 on which the destination is posted to select the destination of the message card, and also selects the type of message card (S15). The response information is transmitted (S21).

According to the above-described embodiment, the client A sends the response information without registering the message card type when registering the destination information (see FIG. 2). That is, the message card can be selected when actually sending the message. That is, even when a new message card is added, the server 1 can always present the latest message card type to the client A.

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention will be described focusing on parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In the present embodiment, when the prior confirmation information is transmitted, the body of the registered message is also transmitted so that the client A can correct the body of the message when transmitting the response information. Figure 7
(A) is a flowchart of message transmission according to the present embodiment. When transmitting the preliminary confirmation information (S12), the server 1 also transmits the text of the message registered in the destination information in the information storage unit 60. Figure 7
(B) is the figure which showed the example of the WEB page in which the prior confirmation information was posted. The body of the registered message is also posted on the WEB page P5, and the client A confirms the body of the registered message (S16), corrects it if necessary, and sends it to the server 1 together with the response information. Yes (S2
2).

Here, the present embodiment may be combined with the previous embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 6.
That is, when transmitting the prior confirmation information, the body of the registered message and the information for selecting the message card are transmitted together. In this way, the client A can select the type of message card when sending the response information and can also correct the body of the message. It can be confirmed on the screen of 2.

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In the present embodiment, a part of the process related to sending a message is
This is done on another terminal. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the message sending device according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 1-1 represents an example of a message sending device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "server 1-1"). The server 1-1 is internally provided with the request information receiving means 1
0, advance confirmation information transmitting means 20, response information receiving means 3
0, print information extraction means 35, print information transmission means 36, and information storage means 60. Request information receiving means 10,
The prior confirmation information transmission means 20, the response information reception means 30, and the information storage means 60 are the same means as the server 1 shown in FIG. Code 4
1 shows a terminal for creating and outputting a message card, in which the terminal shown in FIG.
It has a message card creating means 40 and a message card output means 50 similar to those of the server 1 shown in FIG. The server 1-1 and the terminal 4 are connected to the communication network 5 via communication lines 1-1-5 and 4-5, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for sending a message according to this embodiment. After receiving the response information, the server 1-1 extracts the print information (S25). The print information is the information necessary to print and send the message card, including the body of the message, the type of the message card, the name of the client A, the name and address of the recipient B, and the desired date of sending the message card. Consists of server 1-1
Uses the print information extraction means 35 to extract such information from the information storage means 60. The server 1-1 uses the print information transmitting means 36 to output the extracted print information to the terminal 4
(S26). As a transmission method, it may be transmitted every time the print information is extracted, that is, every time the response information is received, or may be transmitted periodically, for example, once a day. In addition, from the terminal 4 to the server 1-
The print information may be received by connecting to No. 1.

The terminal 4 receiving the print information creates a message card using the message card creating means 40 and the message card output means 50 based on the received print information (S30). The created message card is
It is sent to the destination B based on the desired delivery date (S4
0). The created message card may be sent to the client A as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, and the client A itself may send it to the destination B. .

According to the embodiment described above, since the message transmission can be distributed and processed by the server 1-1 and the terminal 4, the registration of the destination information is increased and the message card to be created. It is possible to reduce the processing load of the server 1-1, for example, when the number of is increased. That is,
It is up to the printer or courier to create and send the message card, and the server 1-1 performs processing with the client A (registration of client information and destination information, transmission of pre-confirmation information). , Reception of response information, etc.).

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In the present embodiment, the message to be sent to the destination B is to be sent not as a message card but as an electronic mail.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a message sending device according to this embodiment. Reference numeral 1-2 indicates
A message sending device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "server 1-
2 ”). The server 1-2 has therein the request information receiving means 10, the prior confirmation information transmitting means 20, the response information receiving means 30, and the message creating means 70.
And a message transmission means 80 and an information storage means 60. The request information receiving means 10, the prior confirmation information transmitting means 20, the response information receiving means 30, and the information storing means 60 are the same means as those included in the server 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the above-described embodiment. Reference numeral 3 indicates a destination B terminal. An example of the terminal 3 is a personal computer, a mobile phone having a data communication function, a PDA, or the like, which is an information processing terminal capable of receiving electronic mail. The server 1-2 and the terminal 3 are connected to the communication network 5 via communication lines 1-2-5 and 3-5, respectively.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart for registering requester information and destination information in the present embodiment.
This is for accepting a request to send a congratulatory message on behalf of client A on the birthday of addressee B.
The client A transmits the client information and the destination information from the terminal 2 to the server 1-2 (S101). The requester information is the name and email address of the client A, and the destination information is the name of the destination B, the email address, the desired date of delivery, the message text, and the decoration information of the email (a background image of the message or Sound effects, etc.), but some of these pieces of information are also client information or destination information. Here, the body of the message includes not only characters and figures but also voices and images (still images and moving images). Note that the requester information and the destination information may include information other than these, and the format of the message is determined in advance by the message delivery service provider. The server 1-2 stores the received requester information and destination information in the information storage means 60 (S
102).

Here, the requester information and the destination information in the information storage means 60 can be updated as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (a). As described in the above embodiment, the requester information and the addressee information are registered or updated by the message sending service provider, not by the requester A. Good.

The server 1-2 sends the message to the destination B based on the registered requester information and destination information. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of message transmission in this embodiment. The server 1-2 transmits the preliminary confirmation information (S10). The prior confirmation information to be transmitted is shown in FIG.
As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, for each destination (Fig. 4 (a))
Alternatively, it may be periodically (FIG. 4B). Upon receiving the response information, the server 1-2 creates a message using the message creating means 70 (S1).
30). Here, the message is created as an email. The server 1-2 uses the message sending unit 80 to send the created e-mail to the destination B based on the desired date of delivery (S140).

The embodiment described above is a service method of sending a message to the destination B on behalf of the client A based on a request, and inputs the client information and the destination information to the server 1-2. Steps, as the operation steps of the server 1-2, a step of storing the requester information and the destination information in the information storage means 60, a step of transmitting the prior confirmation information to the client A based on the stored destination information, The method includes a step of receiving response information for the preliminary confirmation information, a step of creating a message to be sent to the destination B based on the response information, and a step of sending the created message to the destination B. Therefore, after confirming in advance whether or not to send the message to the client A, the message can be sent to the destination B on behalf of the client A based on the destination information registered in advance. Further, the client A does not need to manage a specific date such as the recipient's birthday, and the problem of forgetting to send the message card when necessary can be solved.

The client A may send the body of the message together with the response information to the server 1-2. At that time, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the text of the message or the decoration information of the email registered by the client A in advance when the destination information is registered is sent to the client A together with the preliminary confirmation information. Alternatively, it may be inquired whether or not the registered contents are corrected.

Next, still another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention will be described focusing on the parts different from the above-mentioned embodiments. In this embodiment,
The message is sent according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 11, and the desired date of delivery, for example, the birthday, is designated by the destination B itself.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart in which the destination B itself registers the destination information. That is, the client A wants to send a congratulatory message on the birthday of the destination B, but if the sender B does not know the birthday of the destination B, the confirmation request information is transmitted to the server 1-2. (S
110). The confirmation request information is information necessary for confirming the destination information to the destination B, and includes the requester A and the destination B.
Is information for identifying (for example, name and electronic mail address) and information for which confirmation is requested (here, desired date of delivery, that is, birthday of destination B). Note that, of the destination information, the client A registers information other than the information for which confirmation is requested. Here, the confirmation request information is transmitted (S110).
May be simultaneous with the transmission of the requester information / destination information (S101) or after the transmission of the requester information / destination information (S101).

The server 1-2 receives the confirmation request information and transmits the registration request information using a means (not shown) (S111). The registration request information is information necessary for prompting destination B to register a birthday. Server 1-2
The client A has received a request to send a congratulatory message on the birthday of the destination B, but an email requesting the birthday is sent to the email address of the destination B. The URL of the WEB page for registering the destination B's birthday is also described in the e-mail. When the destination B connects to the WEB page for registering the birthday of the server 1-2, inputs the birthday, and transmits (S112), the server 1-2 receives the registration information received from the destination B. The destination information is stored together with the destination information already received from the client A. The registration information here is the birthday of destination B, and is stored as the desired date of delivery.

The server 1-2 registers the destination information (S1
When step 13) is completed, registration completion information is transmitted using a means (not shown) (S114). The registration completion information is information for inquiring the destination B of the birthday based on the confirmation request information and notifying the client A that the destination B has registered the birthday. It consists of your name and birthday. However, the information notified to the client A may be other information.

Here, registration of the destination information by the destination B in FIG. 11B in the server 1-2 (S112 to S11).
3) may be performed by the provider of the message sending service instead. In that case, the destination information to be registered may be received not only as an electronic medium via the communication network 5 but also as a paper medium using a postcard, a fax, or the like, or by a verbal reception such as a telephone call. Further, the communication network 5 exchanges confirmation request information, registration request information, and registration completion information.
In addition to the electronic medium via the, it may be performed by a paper medium or verbal.

According to the embodiment described above, the destination B itself inputs the desired delivery date into the server 1-2, so that even if the client A does not register the desired delivery date. , The message can be sent on the desired delivery date specified by destination B. The destination itself is the server 1
The delivery destination information registered in −2 is not limited to the desired delivery date, and may be other delivery destination information.

Here, the server 1-2 may prompt the destination B to send a message from the destination B to the client A as well. That is, when the client A requests the destination B to send a message such as a birthday card, the server 1-2 sends the message to the destination B and asks "Mr. B, do you want to register as a member?" You can send a message such as a birthday card to Mr. A. " As a result, if the destination B registers as a member, the information of the client A and the information of the destination B are sent to the server 1-2.
You can register at.

As a method for the server 1-2 to prompt the destination B to send a message to the client A,
For example, the URL of the WEB page for registering the requester information and the destination information may be described in the electronic mail (S111) when transmitting the registration request information shown in FIG. Alternatively, the destination B sends the registration information (S
112) after that, the server 1-2 sends an e-mail indicating that the registration information has been received to the destination B, and describes the requester information and the URL of the WEB page for registration of the destination information in the e-mail. You may keep it. Further, an electronic mail to be sent on the birthday of the destination B shown in FIG. 12 (S140).
The URL of the WEB page for registering the client information and the destination information may be described in the above.

The destination B connects to the WEB page for registration described in the e-mail received from the server 1-2, and the client information with the client B as the client and the client A.
Register the destination information with the destination as. At that time, the name and email address of the client A and the name and email address of the destination B are already registered as client information and destination information by the client A (S101). B does not need to input these pieces of information.
That is, the destination B is information that allows the server 1-2 to identify the destination B such as the name of the destination B or the email address by connecting to the WEB page for registration of the requester information and the destination information (that is, the destination B). When the information registered as information) is input, the server 1-2 causes the information storage means 60 to
Search the client information and the recipient information saved in
Extract the requester A requesting to send the message to the destination B, and send the name and e-mail address of the requester A,
And the name and e-mail address of destination B are displayed on the WEB page. Destination B is displayed Client A
It is only necessary to confirm the information of the destination B and input the remaining destination information, that is, the desired date of delivery such as the birthday of the client A, the body of the message, and the e-mail decoration information.

Although only the requester A requests the destination B to send the message here, if there are a plurality of requesters, the server 1-2 sends the information of all the requesters. It is displayed on the WEB page so that the recipient B can select it as the recipient. Furthermore, destination B
Can also register destinations other than the client A.

In this way, when the destination B itself, which receives the message from the client A, requests the server 1-2 to send the message to the client A, it is already stored in the server 1-2. Since the stored information of the client A and the information of the destination B are used, the destination B can easily register the client information and the destination information in the server 1-2.

As another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention, the client A may be allowed to select a message sending method. That is, the client A selects whether to use a message card or an electronic mail for each destination. The choice is
The registration may be performed at the destination information or the response information may be transmitted. Further, the method of sending the message is not limited to the message card or the electronic mail, and any method capable of sending the message may be used.

As mentioned before, the message is not limited to a letter such as a postcard or a letter, or an electronic mail, and the message card is a card that also serves as a recording medium. May be recorded. As a card which doubles as a recording medium, a reading device of a personal computer, for example, C
It can be read by a drive device such as D-ROM, DVD-ROM, or audio / video (AV).
Card-type CD-ROM that can be read by the device,
It can be a DVD-ROM. In short, it is desirable to use a card that also serves as a recording medium and that can be read by a drive device that is generally popular.

[0070] Card creating means that doubles as the recording medium
Is the message card creating means 40 shown in FIGS.
At the same time, it is provided in the server as a recording medium creating means. Record
As the medium creating means, for example, a writable CD-
It consists of a ROM and a DVD-ROM drive unit.
CD-R that can be read / written by a live device
When audio information is written to OM and DVD-ROM
Good. Alternatively, use a memory card as the recording medium
You may write and read with a reader.
Yes. In addition, as voice information, "○○, birthday
Congratulations Voice message such as
Can be recorded in real voice, or when using a voice synthesizer.
It may be recorded as a sound. In addition, for example, celebrity fa
In a club, etc., by voice from a famous person to a specific fan
When sending a message, the voice of the celebrity
You may record the message.

When the message is sent by electronic mail, the message may be sent by voice. For example,
A file containing a voice message is attached to an e-mail and sent, and the voice information recorded in the file is played back by playback software.

[0072]

According to the invention of claim 1, after confirming in advance whether or not to send the message card to the client, instead of the client based on the destination information registered in advance. You can send the message card to the destination.

According to the invention described in claim 2, after confirming in advance whether or not the message card is to be sent to the client, the message card is created, and the created message card is sent by the client himself. By sending the message first, the client can add a handwritten signature and comments to the message card sent to the destination.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, after confirming in advance whether or not to send the message to the client, the message is sent on behalf of the client based on the destination information registered in advance. You can send it first.

According to the invention described in claim 7, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the destination information is
By including at least the desired date for sending the message,
It is possible to send a message on a previously registered desired delivery date.

According to the invention of claim 10, claim 3
Alternatively, in the invention described in 4, the destination information is input by the destination itself, so that the message can be sent according to the wishes of the destination itself.

According to the invention described in claims 12, 13, 16 and 17, a message can be sent by voice, and a message transmission effect different from that of a character message can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claims 14 and 15, after confirming in advance whether or not to send the message card to the client, instead of the client based on the destination information registered in advance. You can send the message card to the destination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a message sending device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram for accepting a message request from a client in an embodiment of a message sending service method according to the present invention using the message sending device of FIG. ) Is for updating.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of message transmission,
(A) is a case of sending on behalf of the client, and (b) is a case of sending by the client himself.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a WEB page on which advance confirmation information is posted, where (a) is for each destination and (b) is for periodical transmission.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of message delivery in another embodiment of the message delivery service method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is an example of a WEB page for confirming the type of message card in the above embodiment,
(B) is a figure which shows the example of the WEB page which publishes prior confirmation information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of (a) message sending in another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention, and (b) W for posting prior confirmation information.
It is a figure which shows the example of an EB page.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a message sending device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of message delivery in still another embodiment of the message delivery service method according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the message sending device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of registration of requester information and destination information in yet another embodiment of the message sending service method according to the present invention, in which (a) is a case where the requester registers all the information. , (B) is when the destination information is registered by the destination itself.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of message transmission in the above-described embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1-1, 1-2 Message sending device 2 according to the present invention 2 Client's terminal 3 Destination's terminal 4 Message card creating terminal 5 Communication network 10 Request information receiving means 20 Prior confirmation information sending means 30 Response information Receiving means 40 Message card creating means 50 Message card outputting means 60 Information storing means 70 Message creating means 80 Message sending means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takaki Munakata             3-10-21 Honmachi, Toda City, Saitama Prefecture 102

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A service method for sending a message card to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, comprising the steps of inputting client information and destination information to a server, wherein the server is the client. Storing the information and the destination information in the information storage means, the server transmitting the preliminary confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, and the server responding to the preliminary confirmation information. A message sending service method comprising: a step of receiving response information; and a step of creating a message card to be sent to a destination based on the response information. 2. A service method for sending a message card based on a request, comprising the step of inputting requester information and destination information to a server, and the server providing information about the requester information and destination information. Storing in a storage means, the server transmitting pre-confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, the server receiving response information to the pre-confirmation information, And a step of creating a message card to be sent from the client to a destination based on the response information. 3. A service method for sending a message to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, the step of inputting client information and destination information to a server, wherein the server sends the client information. And a destination information in the information storage means, the server transmits the preliminary confirmation information to the client based on the stored destination information, and the server responds to the preliminary confirmation information. Characterized in that it comprises a step of receiving information, a step of the server creating a message to be sent to a destination based on the response information, and a step of the server sending the created message to the destination. And the message sending service method. 4. The message sending service method according to claim 3, wherein the message is sent to the destination as an electronic mail. 5. The message sending service method according to claim 1, wherein the requester information and the sending destination information are input to the server via a communication network. 6. The message delivery service method according to claim 1, wherein the requester information and the delivery destination information are input by a message delivery service provider. 7. The message delivery service method according to claim 1, wherein the delivery destination information includes at least a desired delivery date of the message. 8. The message sending service method according to claim 7, wherein the desired sending date of the message is the birthday of the sending destination. 9. The message sending service method according to claim 1, wherein the response information includes at least the type of message card. 10. The message delivery service method according to claim 3, wherein the delivery destination information is entered by the delivery destination itself. 11. The message sending service method according to claim 3, wherein the requester information and the destination information use the information already stored in the information storage means. 12. The message sending service method according to claim 1, wherein the message card also serves as a recording medium, and a message consisting of voice information is recorded therein. 13. The message sending service method according to claim 3, wherein the message comprises voice information. 14. A device for sending a message to a destination on behalf of a client based on a request, comprising means for receiving client information and destination information via a communication network, and the client information. And means for storing the destination information, means for transmitting the preliminary confirmation information to the client terminal via the communication network based on the stored destination information, and response information for the preliminary confirmation information, which is stored in the communication network. A message sending device comprising: a means for receiving the message via the sending destination; a means for creating a message to be sent to a destination based on the response information; and a means for sending the created message to the destination. 15. Instead of means for creating a message,
The message sending device according to claim 14, wherein the means for creating a message card is a means for outputting a message card, instead of a means for sending a message to a destination. 16. The message sending device according to claim 14, wherein the message comprises voice information. 17. The message sending device according to claim 15, wherein the message card also serves as a recording medium, and a message consisting of voice information is recorded therein.