Browser application software, add-on programs for browser application software

Abstract

To provide browser application software that can easily create an e-mail for transmission that uses a predetermined element included in an e-mail selected by a user who is an operator.SOLUTION: Browser application software causes a computer to execute command determination step S1 of determining whether a key operation input via a keyboard that sends an input signal to the computer is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation in a state in which an e-mail is selected in a browser of a user terminal, and when it is determined that the predetermined command has been input, free creation steps S2 to S4 of extracting a predetermined element specified in advance by program settings from data of the e-mail selected as the predetermined operation based on the predetermined command, and freely creating an e-mail for transmission.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to browser application software executed on a computer and an add-on program for adding browser application software to expand its functions.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a reply email creation device having functional units such as an email sending / receiving unit, an email type selection unit, an email purpose selection unit, a key element extraction unit, a reply email creation unit, a correction screen display control unit, and a reply example storage unit is known (for example, Patent Document 1). And the reply email creation unit had a function of automatically creating a reply email for an inquiry email received by the email sending / receiving unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as long as there is a description that the reply email creation unit of the above-described conventional reply email creation device creates a reply email in accordance with the editing rules described in the rule master, the specific configuration is not clear and the disclosure is insufficient. Therefore, there is a problem that it is unclear how to create a reply email and it is difficult to implement. Furthermore, in a correction screen where the operator displays the input email and the automatically created output email side by side, it is necessary to operate the input unit to correct the output email while comparing the two emails, which places a large burden on the operator.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art described above, and that is, the object of the present invention is to provide browser application software that can easily create a mailing list using predetermined elements contained in an email selected by a user, who is an operator, and an add-on program for the browser application software. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a browser application software that runs on a computer, wherein, in the browser of a user terminal, with email selected, the computer performs a command determination step of determining whether a key operation entered via a keyboard that sends an input signal to the computer is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation, and when it is determined that the predetermined command has been entered, the computer performs a creation step of extracting predetermined elements specified in advance by program settings from the email data selected as a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command, and creating an email for sending. The creation step involves opening a template selection window in the browser, where a template having a definition formula for a predetermined element and a setting that incorporates the predetermined element into a sending email can be selected. When a user selects a template, the system creates a sending email from the selected email based on the settings of the selected template. The definition formula for the predetermined element is based on an equals sign, with an identifier on one side and a predetermined keyword included in the email and the location between that keyword and the newline on the other side. The setting that incorporates the predetermined element into a sending email involves incorporating the identifier on one side of the definition formula into the parameter section of the sending email template. This will solve the aforementioned problems.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the browser application software described in claim 1, Based on the first predetermined command, the creation step allows for the creation of an outgoing email. When an incoming email is selected in the browser's inbox, based on a second predetermined command different from the first predetermined command, a snooze setting window is opened, and if a time is specified by user input, the selected incoming email is deleted from the inbox and the deleted email is held on the server for the specified time. The computer is then instructed to perform a hold step, which determines whether the specified time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the time has elapsed, it displays the email that was deleted and held in the inbox as a new incoming email. This will further resolve the aforementioned issues.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is, An add-on program for browser application software that extends the functionality of browser application software executed on a computer, comprising: an add-on start command determination step that determines whether a key operation entered via a keyboard that sends input signals to the computer is a first step predetermined command for starting the add-on program; an add-on function execution command determination step that determines whether a key operation entered following the first step predetermined command is a second step predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation of the add-on program; and when it is determined that a second step predetermined command has been entered following the first step predetermined command, extracts predetermined elements specified in advance by the program from the email data selected as a predetermined operation based on the second step predetermined command, and The system is configured to have a computer execute an add-on function that allows the creation of outgoing emails. This add-on function execution step opens a template selection window in the browser where the user can select a template that has a definition formula set for a predetermined element and a setting that incorporates the predetermined element into an outgoing email. When the user selects a template, the system creates an outgoing email from the selected email based on the settings of the selected template. The definition formula for the predetermined element is set using an equals sign as the basis, with an identifier on one side and a predetermined keyword included in the email and the location between that keyword and the newline on the other side. The setting that incorporates the predetermined element into an outgoing email is set by incorporating the identifier on one side of the definition formula into the parameter section of the outgoing email template. As a result, the aforementioned challenges Solve It is a matter of determination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The browser application software of the present invention, when installed on a computer, can not only display a browser but also produce the following unique effects.

[0012] According to the browser application software of the invention according to claim 1, by simply selecting an e-mail and inputting a predetermined command, predetermined elements of the selected e-mail can be extracted and a transmission e-mail can be created. Therefore, the user can easily create a transmission e-mail using the predetermined elements included in the selected e-mail. Furthermore, templates have settings that incorporate specific elements into the outgoing email. Based on these template settings, the selected email is automatically extracted and rearranged, or inserted into blank spaces in pre-configured standard text, creating a so-called dynamic email template. This allows users to easily create outgoing emails tailored to their needs by selecting their desired template. Furthermore, since the output email is determined from the input email by defining a predetermined element using an identifier and a template for the outgoing email that incorporates the identifier, templates can be easily created. Furthermore, you can easily create other templates by editing existing ones.

[0013] According to the browser application software of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effects achieved by the invention according to claim 1, A snooze setting window, which deletes received emails from the inbox and reappears as new emails after a specified time, can be accessed via a keyboard shortcut without using the mouse. Since settings can be freely adjusted via keyboard input, users can snooze emails as needed, then combine the reappeared emails and use dynamic email template processing to create outgoing emails utilizing predefined elements from the received emails. In other words, you can select incoming emails to be processed using dynamic email templates, snooze them to re-receive them at a specified time, process all the re-received emails together using dynamic email templates, and reply at the appropriate time.

[0014] For the invention according to claim 3 According to the add-on program for browser application software, when a predetermined command, so-called shortcut key, is used on the keyboard, the program determines that a predetermined function has been requested and the predetermined action is executed. Therefore, users can quickly and easily perform predetermined actions on the browser using only shortcut keys, without using a mouse. In other words, when the computer determines that the first step predetermined command has been entered, it determines that the user has requested an add-on function. Then, as an add-on function execution step, the computer performs a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command of the second step. Thus, similar to the effect achieved by the invention according to claim 1, by simply selecting an email and entering the predetermined command in the first step and the predetermined command in the second step, predetermined elements of the selected email are extracted, and a mailing list can be created. As a result, the user can easily create a mailing list using predetermined elements contained in the selected email. Furthermore, templates have settings that incorporate specific elements into the outgoing email. Based on these template settings, the selected email is automatically extracted and rearranged, or inserted into blank spaces in pre-configured standard text, creating a so-called dynamic email template. This allows users to easily create outgoing emails tailored to their needs by selecting their desired template. Furthermore, since the output email is determined from the input email by defining a predetermined element using an identifier and a template for the outgoing email that incorporates the identifier, templates can be easily created. Furthermore, you can easily create other templates by editing existing ones.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the concept of a system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A chart diagram showing an operation example of browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a state in which a template selection window is opened by a shortcut key operation of a first predetermined command in a browser of a user terminal of a system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4](A)(B) are diagrams showing a state where a template selection window displays an example of the content of a template and an example of an email for transmission created based on the selected template. [Figure 5] (A)(B) are diagrams showing a state where a snooze setting window is opened by a shortcut key operation of a second predetermined command in a browser of a user terminal of a system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention, and a state where an additional setting field is displayed in the snooze setting window. **Mode for Carrying Out the Invention**

[0018] The browser application software of the present invention causes a computer to execute a command determination step of determining whether a key operation input via a keyboard that sends an input signal to the computer is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation in a state where an email is selected in a browser of a user terminal, and a creatable step of extracting a predetermined element specified in advance by program settings from the data of the email selected as a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command and making it possible to create an email for transmission. As long as the user can easily create an email for transmission using the predetermined elements included in the selected email, the specific implementation mode may be any. Furthermore, the browser application software add-on program of the present invention may have any specific embodiment as long as it causes the computer to execute the following steps: an add-on start command determination step which determines whether a key operation entered via a keyboard that sends input signals to the computer is a first step predetermined command for starting the add-on program; an add-on function execution command determination step which determines whether a key operation entered following the first step predetermined command is a second step predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation of the add-on program; and an add-on function execution step which, when it is determined that a second step predetermined command has been entered following the first step predetermined command, extracts predetermined elements specified in advance by the program from the data of an email selected as a predetermined operation based on the second step predetermined command, and enables the user to easily create an email to send using predetermined elements contained in the selected email.

[0019] For example, the keyboard may be connected to the computer via a wired connection, wirelessly connected via wireless communication, or even displayed on the computer's display screen. Furthermore, the computer can be any device that runs browser application software, including desktop personal computers, notebook personal computers, smartphones, and tablets. Furthermore, the concept of browser application software includes not only the browser application software itself, but also add-on programs for browser application software that extend the functionality of the browser application software (hereinafter referred to as "add-on programs"). [Examples]

[0020] Below, a browser application software, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described based on Figures 1 to 5(B). Here, Figure 1 is a diagram showing the concept of a system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a chart showing an example of operation of browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagram showing how the template selection window 120 is opened by shortcut key operation of a first predetermined command in the browser 100 of the user terminal US of the system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4(A) is a diagram showing how the template selection window 120 displays an example of the contents of a template; Figure 4(B) is a diagram showing an example of an email to be sent created based on the selected template; Figure 5(A) is a diagram showing how the snooze setting window 130 is opened by shortcut key operation of a second predetermined command in the browser 100 of the user terminal US of the system having browser application software which is an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing how the additional setting field 134 is displayed in the snooze setting window 130.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the browser application software, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is installed on a user terminal US, which is an example of a computer. The user terminal US can communicate freely with the server SV, and the server SV may have browser application software installed. In this embodiment, it is described as browser application software, but it may also be an add-on program. Add-on programs extend the functionality of browser application software running on a computer. As a prerequisite, the computer has browser application software installed. Furthermore, additional add-on programs are installed on the computer. The user terminal US is configured to communicate with the server SV to send and receive emails 101, and to display the sent and received emails 101 in a mail browser 100A, which is an example of a browser 100 provided by browser application software.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, in step S1, as a command determination step, the computer determines whether a key operation entered via the keyboard US1 that sends an input signal to the user terminal US is a first step predetermined command, which is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation, while email 101 is selected in the email browser 100A of the user terminal US.

[0023] In the case of an add-on program, as part of the add-on start command determination step, the computer determines whether the key operation entered by the user via keyboard US1, which sends an input signal to the computer, is a predetermined command for starting the add-on program (a first step predetermined command). Specifically, in the first step, it is determined whether the input is "Alt" + "S" (the operation of pressing the "Alt" key while pressing the "S" key), and if it is determined that "Alt" + "S" was entered, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, step S1 is repeated.

[0024] When the computer detects that the "Alt" + "S" keys have been pressed, it determines that the user has requested an add-on function. Of course, in browser application software, if there are available key settings, the setting of the first predetermined command may be omitted, and the application may be configured from the beginning to operate based on the second predetermined command described later.

[0025] Next, in the add-on function execution command determination step, the computer determines whether the key operation entered by the user following the first step predetermined command is a second step predetermined command, which is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation of the add-on program. Specifically, the system determines whether the input following the "Alt" + "S" keys is an example of a command specified in the second step, such as the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys (the operation of pressing the "Alt" key, then the "M" key, and then the "O" key). If it is determined that the input is such as "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys, the system proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it returns to step S1. Note that the "Alt" key should be kept pressed from the input of the predetermined command in the first step to the input of the predetermined command in the second step.

[0026] In step S2, as a creation-free step, predetermined elements specified in advance by program settings are extracted from the data of email 101, which is selected as a predetermined operation based on a predetermined command, and the email for sending is created freely. In the case of an add-on program, the computer performs a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command in the second step as an add-on function execution step.

[0027] Specifically, when the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys are pressed, as shown in Figure 3, an example of an received email, which is email 101, is selected and displayed in the email browser 100A, which is the webmail screen displayed in the tab of browser 100. Then, before the first step predetermined command is entered, for example, if the reply button 102 on the screen where a received email is selected and displayed in the email browser 100A is operated, the sending email window 110, which is also for replies, is opened. Furthermore, it is acceptable for the reply field to be displayed on the same screen as the received email in the email browser 100A, without a new sending email window 110 being opened.

[0028] The outgoing mail window 110 has the text TX1 of the incoming mail, which is the selected original email 101, automatically or by the user. In this state, if the first step predetermined command is entered, and then the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys are entered as the second step predetermined command, the program will extract predetermined elements from the text TX1 data of the selected email 101 and create an email for sending. This allows users to easily create an email for sending simply by selecting email 101 and entering a predetermined command, which extracts the necessary elements from the selected email 101. As a result, users can easily create outgoing emails using predetermined elements included in the selected email 101.

[0029] More specifically, when the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys are pressed, for example, template selection window 120 will open. The template selection window 120 includes template items 121, an "Edit" button 122, and an "OK" button 123. The template selection window 120 is configured to allow users to freely select templates that have definition formulas set for predetermined elements and settings that incorporate the predetermined elements into the outgoing email. If you select one template item from 121 and operate the "Edit" button 122, the contents of the selected template will be displayed in the template selection window 120, as shown in Figure 4(A).

[0030] More specifically, the template selection window 120 displays a setting field 124 for defining the specified element, a setting field 125 for incorporating the specified element into the outgoing email, and a "Save" button 126. For example, in the definition setting field 124, the following is entered: "##[$$ company $$]="'Company Name'","EOR" (the parentheses surrounding the company name are black brackets; the same applies below). This is the definition for "[$$ company $$]", and its content is the part to the right of the equals sign: "'Company Name'", "EOR" The part to the right of the equals sign represents everything from "'Company Name'" to the end of that line. Similarly, in the definition formula setting field 124, the following is entered: "##[$$ name1 $$]="'Your Name'"," "" (the parentheses surrounding the name are black brackets; the same applies below). This is the definition for "[$$ name1 $$]", and its content is the part to the right of the equals sign, "'Name'", " ". The text to the right of the equals sign represents everything from "Your Name" to the next half-width space symbol.

[0031] For example, a website's contact form may have input fields for "company name," "department / position," "name," "phonetic spelling of name," "telephone number," and "email address," and the so-called inquiry email sent by the recipient after they submit the form will contain information from these fields. If the selected email 101 is an inquiry email, and the selected email 101 contains "[Company Name]", then using the template "1. Inquiry Reply 1 (Sales Team)" from template item 121, "ABC Corporation" will be extracted from "[Company Name] ABC Corporation" in the text TX1 of the selected email 101, based on the definition of "[$$ company $$]".

[0032] Similarly, based on the definition for [$$ name1 $$], "Tanaka" is extracted from "'Your Name' Jiro Tanaka" in the text TX1 of the selected email 101. Furthermore, in setting field 125, which incorporates specified elements into the outgoing email, an example is displayed: "[$$ name1 $$]@[$$ company $$] This is Suzuki from XXX Corporation. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for your inquiry. Regarding your inquiry, [$$ name1 $$]... (omitted)..." The settings in this setting field 125 configure the system to insert the extracted information based on the definition into the corresponding parameter locations in the outgoing email template, thereby creating the outgoing email text TX2.

[0033] More specifically, the content of the outgoing mail window 110 is configured to be created or rewritten as shown in Figure 4(B), such as: "To Tanaka@ABC Corporation, This is Suzuki from XXX Corporation. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for your inquiry. Regarding your inquiry, Mr. / Ms. Tanaka... (omitted)...". Furthermore, if you modify at least one of the setting fields 124 for the definition expression of a predetermined element or the setting field 125 for incorporating the predetermined element into the outgoing email in the template selection window 120 shown in Figure 4(A), and then operate the "Save" button 126, the changes will be reflected in that template, and you will return to the template selection window 120 showing the template items 121 shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, while we explained how to create the body of an outgoing email based on the template settings, you can also freely create and change the recipient's address, the recipients including carbon copies and blind carbon copies, and the title of the outgoing email. For example, if you simply try to reply to an inquiry email sent through a website's contact form, the recipient will be the web server, the company's inquiry email address, etc., rather than the email address of the person who submitted the inquiry form. Therefore, if the website's contact form has an "E-mail" input field, and the user's selected contact email contains "E-mail" information, then the recipient of the outgoing email is set in the setting field 124 of the definition expression that shows the template settings and the setting field 125 that incorporates the predetermined elements into the outgoing email. Specifically, if you enter "##SET_TO = [$$ email $$]" in the definition expression setting field 124, the value assigned to [$$ email $$] will be set in the recipient TO field of the outgoing email. Similarly, if you enter "SET_CC = [$$ email $$]" in the definition formula setting field 124, the value assigned to [$$ email $$] will be set in the recipient CC field of the outgoing email. Furthermore, if you enter "##SET_BCC = [$$ email $$]" in the definition formula setting field 124, the value assigned to [$$ email $$] will be set in the recipient BCC field of the outgoing email. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, even if you simply try to reply to an inquiry email sent through the website's contact form, the company name and name of the person who entered the inquiry form will not be displayed in the subject line. Therefore, if the website's contact form has input fields for "Company Name" or "Name," and the user's selected contact email contains "Company Name" or "Name" information, the template settings should be configured so that the "Company Name" or "Name" information is displayed in the title of the outgoing email. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(B), the setting field 124 of the definition formula and the setting field 125, which incorporates the specified elements into the outgoing email, are configured so that the title of the outgoing email is displayed as "[Inquiry] ABC Co., Ltd.". If you enter "##SET_SUBJECT = [$$ company $$]" in the definition expression setting field 124, the value assigned to [$$ company $$] will be set in the email subject field.

[0034] In step S3, as a customizable step, the computer determines whether or not the user has made a template selection operation. For selecting a template, you can not only move the cursor over the shaded area indicating the selection and select it, then click the "OK" button, but you can also use the Enter key or double-click with the mouse. If it is determined that an operation has occurred, proceed to step S4; otherwise, if it is determined that no operation has occurred yet, repeat step S3.

[0035] In step S4, as a custom creation step (execution step), an outgoing email is created from the selected email 101 based on the settings of the selected template. Specifically, based on the template settings described above, the content of the outgoing email text TX1 shown in Figure 3 is rewritten to the content of the outgoing email text TX2 shown in Figure 4(B). Regarding the selection of the original email 101 text TX1, it is sufficient if one or more emails 101 are selected. For example, as shown in Figure 3, it is acceptable if only one received email is displayed in the email browser 100A.

[0036] In other words, it's fine if the reply button 102 has been pressed and the sending email window 110 has been opened, or it's fine if the sending email window 110 has not been opened. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(A), the system may be configured to allow the creation of an outgoing email when, with the received emails displayed in a list in the email browser 100A, one or more emails 101 are selected by checking the selection checkbox 103, and the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys are entered as a predetermined command in the second step.

[0037] This results in a so-called dynamic email template, where a template has settings that incorporate specific elements into the outgoing email, and based on these template settings, the specified elements are extracted from the selected email 101, rearranged, or inserted into blank spaces in pre-configured standard text. As a result, users can easily create emails for sending by selecting their desired template. In other words, with just a few touches, the user first selects email 101, then selects a template, and the system extracts the necessary elements from the selected email 101, inserts those elements into the template, and creates an email ready to send. As a result, users can easily create emails to send (or reply to) with just a few touches.

[0038] In step S2, the template selection window 120 is displayed, and in step S3, it is determined whether a template selection operation has been performed. However, if only one template is set, as intended by the "free creation of emails for sending" feature, the display of the template selection window 120 and the determination of whether a selection operation has been performed may be omitted, and step S4 may be executed after step S1. In other words, in step S2, you can either have the email ready to be sent already created, or you can have the email ready to be sent.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the definition formula for a predetermined element is set by specifying an identifier ID on one side, based on an equals sign, and a predetermined keyword KW included in email 101 on the other side, as well as specifying the location between the predetermined keyword KW and a newline character as an example of a predetermined special character. A concrete example is "##[$$ company $$]="(company name)","EOR"". An example of an identifier ID is "[$$ company $$]", and the other side, to the right of the equals sign, specifies everything from "(company name)" to the end of the line. Alternatively, the other side may be specified by specifying the area between the designated keyword KW and the space symbol, which is an example of a designated special character.

[0040] Furthermore, the setting that incorporates the specified elements into the outgoing email is one in which the identifier ID of one side of the definition expression is incorporated into the parameter section of the outgoing email template. A concrete example is: "[$$ name1 $$]@[$$ company $$] This is Suzuki from XXX Corporation. Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for your inquiry. Regarding your inquiry, [$$ name1 $$]... (omitted)..."

[0041] This allows the output outgoing email to be determined from the input email 101 by defining a predetermined element using an identifier ID and a template for the outgoing email that incorporates the identifier ID. As a result, templates can be easily created. Furthermore, you can easily create other templates by editing existing ones. Then, when you press the "Send" button 111, the email will be sent.

[0042] In addition, for the first and second step commands used to create an outgoing email using a template, it is not limited to selecting an incoming email in the email browser 100A; it is sufficient if the target for extracting elements is identified in browser 100, such as by selecting text in browser 100 (including other tabs).

[0043] Next, I will explain the snooze setting. As shown in Figure 5(A), received emails are displayed in a list format in the email browser 100A. Then, for example, the user selects one or more incoming emails by checking the selection checkbox 103 in the email browser 100A. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3, you can select an email from a list of received emails to display its contents.

[0044] As mentioned above, based on the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key combination, which is an example of the first predetermined command as the second predetermined command, the creation steps S2 to S4 are designed to allow users to freely create emails for sending. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a received email is selected in the inbox of the email browser 100A, the computer determines, as a command determination step, whether or not the "Alt" + "S" + "B" keys, which is an example of a second predetermined command different from the first predetermined command as the second predetermined command, have been entered.

[0045] If input is detected, the snooze setting window 130 is opened in the email browser 100A, as shown in Figure 5(A). The snooze settings window 130 includes snooze setting items 131, an "Add snooze timing" button 132, and an "OK" button 133. If the desired setting is found in the snooze setting items 131, the user selects that setting and operates the "OK" button 133.

[0046] On the other hand, if the desired setting is not available in the snooze setting items 131, the user operates the "Add snooze timing" button 132. Then, as shown in Figure 5(B), the snooze settings window 130 displays an additional settings field 134 and an "Add" button 135. Then, by selecting the desired item, entering the desired value in the blank field, and operating the "Add" button 135, the input information is registered in the computer, the snooze time and date are set, and the snooze setting window 130 displays the snooze setting items 131, including the added settings, as shown in Figure 5(A). Furthermore, the user selects the desired setting from the newly added snooze setting item 131 and operates the "OK" button 133.

[0047] Then, as a pending step (execution step), the computer deletes the selected incoming mail from the inbox and holds the deleted incoming mail on the server SV for a specified time or until a specified date and time. Then, in the elapsed time determination step, the computer determines whether the specified time has elapsed or whether the specified date and time have arrived. When the computer determines that the time has elapsed or the specified date and time has arrived, as a redisplay step, the computer displays email 101, which was previously deleted and held in the inbox, as a new incoming email in the inbox.

[0048] This allows the snooze settings window 130, which allows you to delete received emails from your inbox and then reappear as new emails in your inbox after a specified time has elapsed, to be displayed via a shortcut key without using the mouse, and the settings can be freely adjusted using keyboard input. As a result, users can snooze emails as needed, then combine the redisplayed emails and use dynamic email template processing to create outgoing emails that utilize predetermined elements included in the received emails. In other words, you can select incoming emails to be processed using dynamic email templates, snooze them to re-receive them at a specified time, process all the re-received emails together using dynamic email templates, and reply at the appropriate time.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, the browser application software obtained in the browser 100 of the user terminal US performs the following steps: a command determination step S1 determines whether the key operation entered via the keyboard US1 that sends an input signal to the computer is the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key, which is an example of a first predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation, while email 101 is selected in the browser 100 of the user terminal US; and when it is determined that the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key, which is an example of a first predetermined command, has been entered, the computer performs creation steps S2 to S4, which extract predetermined elements specified in advance by program settings from the data of email 101 selected as a predetermined operation based on the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key, which is an example of a first predetermined command, and enable the creation of an email for sending. As a result, the user can easily create an email for sending using predetermined elements contained in the selected email 101.

[0050] Furthermore, the creation-flexible steps S2 to S4 open a template selection window 120 in the browser 100, which allows the user to select a template that has definition formulas for predetermined elements and settings that incorporate the predetermined elements into the outgoing email. When the user makes a template selection operation, the system creates an outgoing email from the selected email 101 based on the settings of the selected template. This configuration allows the user to easily create an outgoing email according to their purpose by selecting the desired template.

[0051] Furthermore, the definition formula for a given element is set using an equals sign as the basis, with an identifier ID on one side and a given keyword KW included in email 101 and the location between the keyword KW and the newline character on the other side. The setting for incorporating a given element into an outgoing email is done by incorporating the identifier ID on one side of the definition formula into the parameter section of the outgoing email template. As a result, templates can be easily created, and furthermore, other templates can be easily created by editing the template.

[0052] Furthermore, based on the "Alt" + "M" + "O" keys, which is an example of a first predetermined command, the creation steps S2 to S4 allow the creation of an outgoing email. When an incoming email is selected in the browser 100's inbox, based on the "Alt" + "S" + "B" keys, which is an example of a second predetermined command different from the first predetermined command, the snooze setting window 130 opens. If a time is specified by the user's input, the selected incoming email is deleted from the inbox, and the deleted email is held on the server SV for the specified time. This is followed by a hold step, where the server SV determines whether the specified time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the time has elapsed, it displays the email 101 that was deleted and held in the inbox as a new incoming email. By having the computer execute these steps, the user can set the snooze as appropriate, and then combine the displayed incoming emails and perform dynamic email template processing to create an outgoing email using predetermined elements contained in the incoming emails.

[0053] Furthermore, an add-on program for adding browser application software, which is an embodiment of the present invention, includes an add-on start command determination step S1 which determines whether the key operation entered via keyboard US1 that sends an input signal to the computer is the "Alt" + "S" key, which is an example of a first step predetermined command for starting the add-on program; an add-on function execution command determination step S1 which determines whether the key operation entered following the "Alt" + "S" key, which is an example of a first predetermined command as a second step predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation of the add-on program, is the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key; and a first step predetermined command When it is determined that the "Alt" + "S" key combination, an example of a command, is followed by the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key combination, an example of a command in the second step, the computer is instructed to execute add-on function steps S2 to S4, which extract predetermined elements specified in advance by the program from the data of the email 101 selected as a predetermined operation based on the "Alt" + "M" + "O" key combination, an example of a command in the second step, and enable the creation of an email for sending. As a result, the user can easily create an email for sending using the predetermined elements contained in the selected email 101, and the effect is enormous. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100 ··· Browser 100A... Email browser 101 ··· (Selected) Email 102 ··· Reply button 103... Selection checkbox 110 ··· Sending Mail Window 111... "Send" button TX1 ··· (Selected) Original email text TX2... Text of an email created using a template 120 ··· Template Selection Window 121 ··· Template item 122 ··· "Edit" button 123... The "OK" button (in the template selection window) 124 ··· Field for setting the definition formula for a given element 125... A setting field that incorporates specified elements into the outgoing email. 126... "Save" button 130... Snooze settings window 131... Snooze setting item 132... "Add snooze timing" button 133... The "OK" button (in the snooze settings window) 134... Additional settings section 135 ··· "Add" button KW ··· Designated keyword ID ··· Identifier US ··· User terminal (computer) US1... Keyboard SV ··· Server (computer)

Claims

1. Browser application software that runs on a computer, A command determination step in which, with email selected in the user terminal's browser, a key operation entered via the keyboard that sends input signals to the computer is determined to determine whether or not it is a predetermined command for executing a predetermined action, When it is determined that the predetermined command has been entered, the computer is instructed to perform a creation step that extracts predetermined elements specified in advance by the program settings from the email data selected as a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command, and also enables the creation of an email to be sent. The aforementioned creation step opens a template selection window in the browser, which allows the user to select a template having a definition formula for the predetermined element and a setting that incorporates the predetermined element into the email to be sent. When a user selects a template, the system is configured to create an outgoing email from the selected email address based on the settings of the selected template. The definition formula for the aforementioned predetermined element is set by specifying an identifier on one side, based on an equals sign, and a predetermined keyword included in the email, as well as the location between that keyword and the line break, on the other side. Browser application software characterized in that the setting for incorporating the aforementioned predetermined elements into an outgoing email is one in which the identifier of one side of the definition expression is incorporated into the parameter section of the outgoing email template.

2. Based on the first predetermined command as the predetermined command, in the creation step, the email to be sent can be created freely. When an incoming email is selected in the browser's inbox, a snooze setting window is opened based on a second predetermined command that is different from a first predetermined command, and a time is specified by user input, the selected incoming email is deleted from the inbox, and the deleted email is held on the server for the specified time in a holding step. The browser application software according to claim 1, characterized in that it causes a computer to perform a further step of determining whether the specified time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the time has elapsed, displaying the email that was deleted from the inbox and held in reserve as a new received email in the inbox.

3. An add-on program for browser application software that extends the functionality of browser application software running on a computer, An add-on start command determination step determines whether a key operation entered via a keyboard that sends an input signal to the computer is a first step predetermined command for starting an add-on program, An add-on function execution command determination step determines whether the key operation entered following the first step predetermined command is a second step predetermined command for executing a predetermined operation of the add-on program, When it is determined that a predetermined command for the second step has been entered following the predetermined command for the first step, the computer is instructed to execute an add-on function step which extracts predetermined elements specified in advance by the program from the email data selected as a predetermined operation based on the predetermined command for the second step, and enables the creation of an email for sending. The add-on function execution step opens a template selection window in the browser, which allows the user to select a template having a definition formula for the predetermined element and a setting that incorporates the predetermined element into the outgoing email. When a user selects a template, the system is configured to create an outgoing email from the selected email address based on the settings of the selected template. The definition formula for the aforementioned predetermined element is set by specifying an identifier on one side, based on an equals sign, and a predetermined keyword included in the email, as well as the location between that keyword and the line break, on the other side. An add-on program for browser application software, characterized in that the setting for incorporating the aforementioned predetermined elements into the outgoing email is one in which the identifier of one side of the definition expression is incorporated into the parameter section of the outgoing email template.

Images