JP3579955B2 - Mailbox device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a mailbox device using a communication device such as a facsimile device or a host computer such as a personal computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a specific terminal connected to a communication network and provided with a memory has been used as a mailbox device. Information is provided to a specific large number of people by registering (writing) data in the mailbox device, or Information is obtained by extracting data registered in a mailbox device as needed. Since such a mailbox device is used by a large number of people, it is necessary to effectively use the limited memory of the mailbox device by preventing unnecessary data from being stored in the mailbox device forever. .
[0003]
For this purpose, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-41188 discloses a mailbox device which registers data and accompanying data of the data and automatically deletes the data when erasure conditions such as a storage period included in the attached data are satisfied. Is disclosed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described mailbox device always deletes data when the deletion condition set according to the information provider's expectation is satisfied at the time of data registration, regardless of whether there is free space in the memory of the mailbox device. I will.
[0005]
On the other hand, in recent years, there is a service for providing registered data to an unspecified number of people by using a mailbox device like an electronic blackboard. When the above-described mailbox device is used for such a service, it is not possible to obtain the data after a specified time elapses, that is, when there is a person who wants to use the data after erasing the data. There is a problem that data cannot be registered or data must be re-registered.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and has as its object to effectively use the memory of a mailbox device and to provide useful services by storing data as long as possible. I do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 stores dataAt a given resolutionData storage means for storing, and conditions for erasing the dataAnd reduction conditionsA condition setting means for setting the size of the data, and when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage means.And when the free space of the data storage means is less than a predetermined valueData erasing means for erasing data satisfying the erasing condition;Either when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means or when the free capacity of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value, and the data satisfying the erasing condition is not satisfied. Data reduction means for reducing the resolution of data satisfying the reduction condition when there is noIt is characterized by having.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 isIn the above invention, the erasing condition is at least one of an elapse of a storage expiration date, a number of uses of data reaching a predetermined value, and a transfer of data to all designated terminals.It is characterized by the following.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 isIn the above invention, the reduction condition is at least one of the oldest data storage date and time and the importance of data.It is characterized by the following.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data storage means for storing data at a predetermined resolution;Importance and shelf lifeCondition setting means for settingWhen the capacity of the input data is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means;When the free space of the data storage means is less than a predetermined valueWhen either one ofToA data erasing unit for erasing data whose storage period has expired, and when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage unit and when the free space of the data storage unit becomes less than a predetermined value. Least important when there is no expired dataData reduction means for lowering the resolution of data.
[0011]
[Action]
According to the invention described in claim 1, the data isAt a given resolutionData erasure conditions stored in the data storage meansAnd reduction conditionsIs set by the condition setting means.
[0012]
Here, when the input data capacity is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means.And when the free space of the data storage means is less than a predetermined valueThe data erasing means erases data satisfying the erasure condition set by the condition setting means from the data storage means.
[0013]
The erasing of the data by the data erasing means is performed until the free space of the data storage means becomes larger than the capacity of the input data.Or until the free space of the data storage means exceeds a predetermined valueDone.
When there is no data satisfying the erasing condition when the input data capacity is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means or when the free capacity of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value. In (2), the data reduction means lowers the resolution of data satisfying the reduction condition.
The reduction of the resolution of the data by the data reduction unit is performed until the free space of the data storage unit becomes larger than the capacity of the input data, or until the free space of the data storage unit becomes a predetermined value or more.
[0014]
The above-mentioned erasing condition or reduction condition includes that the storage expiration date has passed, that the data storage date and time is the oldest, that the number of times the data has been used has reached a predetermined value, that the data has been transferred to all the specified partner terminals, And the importance of data is low.
Specifically, the erasing conditions include elapse of the storage period, the number of times the data has been used has reached a predetermined value, and the fact that the data has been transferred to all the specified partner terminals.
[0017]
The reduction conditions include the oldest data storage date and time and the importance of the data.
[0020]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the data is stored in the data storage means at a predetermined resolution.Importance and shelf lifeIs set by the condition setting means.
[0021]
here,When the capacity of the input data is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means;When the free space of the data storage means is less than a predetermined valueWhen either one ofInData erasure means erases expired data.
[0022]
The erasing of data by the data erasing means is performed until the free space of the data storage means becomes larger than the capacity of the input data or until the free space of the data storage means becomes a predetermined value or more.
There is no expired data when either the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage means or when the free space of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value. In such a case, the data reduction means reduces the resolution of the data having the lowest importance.
The reduction in data resolution due to this data reduction meansUntil the free space of the data storage means becomes larger than the capacity of the input data, orThe process is performed until the free space of the data storage unit becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value.
[0024]
Further, the above invention may include a notifying means for notifying the administrator of the mailbox device, the information provider, or the like, when the data is erased or the resolution of the data is lowered, to that effect.
[0025]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire mailbox device of the present embodiment. The mailbox device includes a CPU 1 for controlling the entire mailbox device, a ROM 2 for storing a program for controlling the entire mailbox device, a first RAM 3 as a work area used when executing the control program, and a data storage time ( RTC (real-time clock) 4 used for calculating a registration time) and a storage expiration time (erasing time), a keyboard 5 for input operation to a mailbox device, and for displaying input data and the like. A display 6, a modem 8 for modulating a message (data) and attached data sent from the mailbox device to the communication line, and demodulating the message and the attached data received via the communication line; a coded message and attached data RAM 9 for temporarily storing data, etc., and a coder / deco for encoding and decoding telegrams. , A third RAM 11 for temporarily storing the decrypted message, a disk 12 for storing the decrypted message, a fourth RAM 13 used for the reduction process, and a free space of the disk 12 and its lower limit. A fifth RAM 14, a sixth RAM 15, a scanner 16 for reading an original, and a printer 17 for printing electronic messages and the like are interconnected by a system bus 18.
[0027]
The modem 8 is mutually connected to an NCU (line control device) 7 for connecting the mailbox device to a communication line.
[0028]
In the disk 12, a mailbox for storing a message is formed corresponding to each information provider or a plurality of information providers. When a plurality of mailboxes exist in the disk 12, each mail is stored. A mailbox number (or name) for identification is given to the box.
[0029]
The sixth RAM 15 stores, for each mailbox number, file management data for managing the importance of the mailbox and the messages stored in the mailbox. The file management data includes a series of parameters called file blocks formed corresponding to each message, that is, a file number for identifying a file, a message capacity, an accumulation time, a message importance, and a message retention period. , The number of desired uses of the message, the number (address) of the remote to which the message is to be transferred, the reduction time when the resolution is reduced, and other necessary data.
[0030]
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The information provider has previously informed the administrator of the mailbox device that he / she wants to use the mailbox device, and the administrator of the mailbox device has been notified of the newly opened mailbox or the existing mailbox by the information provider. Notify the box number.
[0031]
In addition, the administrator of the mailbox device inputs and sets the lower limit of the free space of the disk 12 and the importance of the mailbox in advance using the keyboard 5.
[0032]
FIG. 2 shows a control routine for writing a message to the mailbox device. In step 100, a telegram such as image information and character information input from the information provider (remote) via the NCU 7 and the modem 8 and its accompanying data are stored in the second RAM 9. Here, the attached data includes the name of the information provider, the remote number of the information provider, the number of the mailbox in which the message is stored, the desired storage period or time limit of the message, the importance of the message, the number of times the message is used, and the number of times the message is used. May be included.
[0033]
At step 102, it is determined whether or not the reception has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 104 from the attached data stored in the second RAM 9 at step 104. Read the mailbox number.
[0034]
In the next step 106, it is determined whether or not the designated mailbox number is stored in the sixth RAM 15. If the determination is affirmative, a message writing operation is performed in step 108, and if the determination is negative, the message writing request is rejected in step 110.
[0035]
Next, a message writing control routine will be described with reference to FIG. In step 112, the electronic message in the second RAM 9 is sent to the coder / decoder 10 and decrypted. In step 114, the decrypted electronic message is stored in the third RAM 11. At the next step 116, it is determined whether or not the decoding has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 112. If the determination is affirmative, the data is stored in the third RAM 11 at step 118. The capacity of the message is read, and the free capacity of the disk 12 stored in the fifth RAM 14 is read.
[0036]
In the next step 120, it is determined whether or not the free space of the disk 12 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the message. If the determination is affirmative, the message is written to the mailbox specified in step 124 at a predetermined resolution. Create a new file. If the determination is negative, a free space increasing process, which will be described later, for increasing the free space of the disk 12 is performed in step 122, and the process returns to step 118. Repeat the increase process.
[0037]
In the next step 126, a file block corresponding to the newly written message is created in the file management data stored in the sixth RAM 15 and corresponding to the designated mailbox number. Specifically, a file number is set, the capacity used to store the message is read and written, the current time is read from the RTC 4 and the storage time of the message is written, and the importance of the message, Read and write the storage period, the desired number of uses of the message, the number of the remote to be transferred, and other necessary data.
[0038]
In the next step 128, the free space stored in the fifth RAM 14 is updated based on the free space of the disk 12 after writing the message, and in step 130, the updated free space and the lower limit are read from the fifth RAM 14. In the next step 132, it is determined whether or not the free space of the disk 12 is equal to or larger than the set lower limit. If the determination is affirmative, the routine ends. If the determination is negative, the free space increasing process is performed in step 134, and the process returns to step 130. Repeat the increase process.
[0039]
Next, the free space increasing process will be described with reference to FIG. In step 136, a target message for performing the free space increasing process is searched according to FIG. 5 described later, and it is determined whether or not the message specified in step 138 can be deleted. If the determination is affirmative, the message specified in step 140 is deleted from the mailbox, and if the determination is negative, the message specified in step 142 is read from the mailbox to the fourth RAM 13 and read out. To reduce the resolution of the message. As an example, when a message having a resolution of 400 dpi is converted to a message having a resolution of 200 dpi, the capacity of the message after reduction is one fourth of the capacity of the message before reduction. The reduced telegram is written from the fourth RAM 13 to the original mailbox in the disk 12. Thus, the free space of the disk 12 increases.
[0040]
After the deletion of the message in step 140 or the reduction of the message in step 142, the free space stored in the fifth RAM 14 is updated based on the free space of the disk 12 in step 144. In the next step 146, the file management data stored in the sixth RAM 15 is updated. Specifically, when the message is deleted, the file block corresponding to the file number in which the deleted message is stored is deleted from the file management data, and when the message is reduced, The capacity of the message included in the file block is updated based on the capacity of the message, and the current time is read from the RTC 4 and the time is written to the file block as the reduced time.
[0041]
Next, an example of a control routine for searching for a target message for performing the free space increasing process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0042]
At step 148, the storage expiration date is read from the file management data stored in the sixth RAM 15, the current time is read from the RTC 4, and all the files included in all the mailboxes are searched for messages whose storage expiration date has passed. At 150, it is determined whether there is a message whose storage period has expired. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step 152 whether or not there are a plurality of messages whose retention period has expired. If the determination is affirmative, the mailbox in which the corresponding message is stored is determined in step 154. From the numbers, it is determined whether or not those messages exist in the same mailbox. If the determination is affirmative, in step 156, the importance of the telegrams in the file management data stored in the sixth RAM 15 is read out and compared with each other. The electronic message is searched, and the electronic message with the lowest importance searched in step 162 is designated as an erasable electronic message.
[0043]
If the determination in step 154 is negative, in step 158, the importance of the mailbox in which the corresponding message is stored is read out from the sixth RAM 15, these are compared, and the corresponding message is stored. A mailbox having the lowest importance is searched for and specified from the mailbox, and it is determined in step 160 whether or not a plurality of messages whose storage period has expired exist in the specified mailbox. If the determination is affirmative, in step 156, a message having the lowest importance is searched from the corresponding messages in the mailbox specified. If the determination in step 160 is negative, the corresponding message in the mailbox specified in step 162 is designated as an erasable message.
[0044]
If the determination in step 152 is negative, the process proceeds to step 162, and the corresponding message is designated as an erasable message.
[0045]
On the other hand, if the determination in step 150 is negative, in step 164, the importance levels of all the mailboxes stored in the sixth RAM 15 are read out and compared with each other. Search for and specify the lowest mailbox. In the next step 166, the importance of the message is read out from the file management data corresponding to the designated mailbox number, and these are compared, and the significance is selected from all the messages stored in the designated mailbox. Search for the lowest message in. In the next step 168, the corresponding message is specified as a message that can be reduced.
[0046]
As described above, the mailbox apparatus of the present embodiment automatically deletes unnecessary messages satisfying the deletion condition when the capacity of the message input from the information provider is larger than the free space of the disk 12. Since the free space of the disk 12 is increased by reducing the resolution of a message that satisfies the reduction condition, the situation in which writing of the message is rejected due to lack of free space can be avoided. . On the other hand, even if there is a message that satisfies the erasing condition, the message can be stored until the input message becomes larger than the free space of the disk 12 or the free space of the disk 12 becomes less than the lower limit. it can. As described above, in the mailbox device of the present embodiment, the memory for electronic messages, that is, the disk 12 is effectively used.
[0047]
Further, in the mailbox device of the present embodiment, even if there is no message satisfying the erasing condition and the capacity of the message input from the information provider is larger than the free space of the disk 12, the message Since the free space of the disk 12 is increased by lowering the resolution, a new message can be written. This reduction in resolution, that is, reduction, is particularly effective for electronic messages containing many images.
[0048]
Furthermore, when the free space of the disk 12 becomes less than the lower limit, the mailbox device of the present embodiment erases unnecessary messages that satisfy the erasing condition, or lowers the resolution of messages that satisfy the reducing condition, and By keeping the free space of the disk 12 equal to or more than a certain value, when a message having a capacity equal to or less than the lower limit is input, the message can be immediately written, and the waiting time and the line usage fee for writing the message can be reduced. Can be reduced.
[0049]
In the above embodiment, whether or not deletion is possible is determined based on the elapse of the storage expiration date, the importance of the mailbox, and the importance of the message. Other examples include that the number of times the message has been used has reached a predetermined value, that the message has been transferred to all remotes to be transferred, and that the storage time is the oldest. , May be used in combination as in the above embodiment.
[0050]
Further, in the above embodiment, whether or not reduction is possible is determined based on the importance of the mailbox and the importance of the message. However, the reduction conditions include the importance of the mailbox and the importance of the message, as well as the expiration date of the storage period. That the remaining period until the storage expiration date is the shortest, that the number of times the message has been used has reached the predetermined value, that the message has been transferred to all remotes to be transferred, and that the storage time is the oldest, etc. And these may be used alone or in combination as in the above embodiment.
[0051]
For example, a message whose storage period has expired is preferentially reduced, and if there are a plurality of messages whose storage period has passed, the importance of the message (if the corresponding message is not stored in the same mailbox, a further mail In the case where there is no message whose retention period has expired in consideration of the importance of the box and the importance of the mailbox and the importance of the message, it is determined whether or not reduction is possible. If there is a sent message, it may be deleted. In this way, if there is only a reduced electronic message that satisfies the erasing condition, and this is deleted, the actual storage period of the electronic message can be further lengthened.
[0052]
If there is only one mailbox on the disk 12, the mailbox number and the importance of the mailbox can be omitted.
[0053]
In addition, the desired storage period included in the attached data is used as the storage period as the erasing condition or reduction condition, or the desired storage period included in the attached data plus the storage time is used as the deletion condition or reduction condition as it is. The storage period may be used, or a desired storage period or a value obtained by adding a storage time to a desired storage period and a predetermined period may be set as a storage period as an erasing condition or a reduction condition.
[0054]
Furthermore, the administrator of the mailbox device sets the storage period of the message and the importance of the message in advance, and when the attached data input from the information provider includes the storage period or the storage period and the importance of the message, Only the deletion condition and the reduction condition corresponding to the message may be set based on the attached data.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the telegram and the attached data are input via the NCU 7, but may be input via the keyboard 5 or the scanner 17. In these cases, the rejection of the request in step 110 in FIG. 2 specifically means release of the communication line or display of an error message on the display 6 or the remote of the other party.
[0056]
After writing the message in step 108 of FIG. 2, the information provider may be notified that the message has been written.
[0057]
Also, when a message is deleted or reduced, the information provider or the administrator of the mailbox device is notified that the message has been deleted or reduced by transmitting a mailbox management report or a report such as a stored document list or by voice message. May be. This makes it easier for the information provider and the administrator of the mailbox device to save and manage the electronic messages. The contents of the notification include the number of the mailbox and file in which the message was stored, the storage time of the message, the contents of the deleted or reduced message, the contents of the attached data, the time of deletion or reduction, the number of times the message was used, If the notification destination number of the remote to be transferred is specified, the transfer status such as the number of transferred remotes and the number is given.
[0058]
It should be noted that the number of times of use of the stored message, the reduction time, the storage period, and the like may be notified at any time in response to a request from the information provider or the administrator of the mailbox device.
[0059]
In the above embodiment, the lower limit of the disk 12 is set by the administrator of the mailbox device, but may be stored in the ROM 2 or the like in advance.
[0060]
In the above embodiment, the decrypted message is written to the mailbox, but the encoded message may be written to the disk 12 as it is. In this case, the coder / decoder 10, the third RAM 11, the printer 16, The scanner 17 can be omitted.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
BookAccording to the present invention, when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage means, unnecessary data satisfying the erasing condition is automatically erased, so that the input data cannot be written (stored). Can be avoided, and even if there is data that satisfies the erasure condition, this data can be stored until the capacity of the input data becomes larger than the free capacity of the data storage means. An excellent effect that the period data can be stored is exhibited.Alternatively, by setting the lower limit value of the free space to an appropriate value, the input data can be written immediately, thereby reducing the waiting time and the line usage fee when storing the data. In addition, even when there is data that satisfies the erasing condition, there is an excellent effect that this data can be stored until the free space of the data storage unit becomes less than a predetermined value. In the above case, when there is no data that satisfies the erasing condition, the resolution of the data that satisfies the reducing condition is reduced, so that it is possible to avoid a situation in which input data cannot be written, Even if there is data to be satisfied, this data is stored at the original resolution until the capacity of the input data becomes larger than the free capacity of the data storage means or the free capacity of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value. And the data can be saved even after the reduction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mailbox device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control routine for writing a message to a mailbox device.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control routine for writing an input telegram;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control routine of a free space increasing process.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine for searching for a target message for performing a free space increasing process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
12 disks
13 4th RAM
14 Fifth RAM
15 Sixth RAM

Claims (4)

Data storage means for storing data at a predetermined resolution ;
Condition setting means for setting an erasing condition and a reducing condition for the data;
Either when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage means or when the free space of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value , the data satisfying the erasing condition is deleted. Data erasing means;
Either when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means or when the free capacity of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value, and the data satisfying the erasing condition is not satisfied. Data reduction means for reducing the resolution of data satisfying the reduction condition when there is no
Mailbox device equipped with. 2. The mailbox device according to claim 1, wherein the erasing condition is at least one of an elapse of a storage expiration date, a number of times the data has been used has reached a predetermined value, and that the data has been transferred to all designated terminals. . 3. The mailbox device according to claim 1, wherein the reduction condition is at least one of the oldest data storage date and the data importance . Data storage means for storing data at a predetermined resolution;
Condition setting means for setting the importance and retention period of the data,
Either when the capacity of the input data is larger than the free space of the data storage means or when the free space of the data storage means becomes less than a predetermined value, erase the expired data. Data erasing means,
Data whose input data capacity is larger than the free capacity of the data storage means and / or when the free capacity of the data storage means is less than a predetermined value, and the data whose storage expiration date has expired. When there is no data reduction means to reduce the resolution of the least important data,
Mailbox device equipped with.

Images