JPH03132129A - Transmittal process informing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the convenience of a storing and switching system by informing the transmittal process of a message stored in the storing and switching system to an incoming terminal equipment from the storing and switching system to an outgoing terminal equipment automatically and periodically. CONSTITUTION:An output object registration means 200 is provided, which registers whether or not a transmittal process of a stored message to the incoming terminal equipment 3 is to be noticed to a message outgoing terminal equipment 3 in advance. Moreover, a transmittal process informing means 300 is provided, in which the transmittal state of the registered message to the incoming terminal equipment 3 is monitored periodically and the result of monitor is informed to the message outgoing terminal equipment 3. Thus, the outgoing terminal equipment 3 is periodically informed automatically of the transmittal process of the message stored in the storing and switching system 100 to the incoming terminal equipment 3 and proper countermeasure is taken in response to the message transmittal process. Then the convenience of the storing and switching system 100 is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a delivery progress notification method in a store-and-forward system in which messages sent by a calling terminal device are stored once and later delivered to a receiving terminal device, the messages that the sending terminal device has stored in the store-and-forward system are disclosed. The purpose of this system is to automatically and quickly recognize the delivery progress of accumulated messages to the receiving terminal device.
Output target registration means for registering in advance whether or not notification is required to the originating terminal device of the message; and periodically checking the delivery status of messages registered as requiring notification in the output target registration means to the receiving terminal device. A delivery progress notification means for monitoring the message and notifying the sending terminal device of the message of the monitoring result is provided.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a delivery progress notification method in a store-and-forward system that temporarily stores four messages sent by a calling terminal and later delivers them to a receiving terminal.

As one of the services provided by the exchange network, a store-and-forward service (name mail service) is in use, in which various messages such as voice, facsimile, and data sent by a calling terminal are temporarily stored and later delivered to a receiving terminal. ing.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional storage and forwarding system.

In FIG. 9, the accommodation terminal device 3 (individual terminal device 3
-1 to 3-n) switching equipment 1 that connects each other
A mail center 2 is attached to the mail center.

For example, after the terminal device 3-1 makes a call to the exchange 1, dials the number assigned to the mail center 2, and is connected to the mail center 2, the terminal device 3-1 makes a call to the exchange 1, dials the number assigned to the mail center 2, and is connected to the mail center 2. When the message is transmitted to the mail center 2 along with the terminal number etc. of the receiving terminal device 3-2, the main control section 21 in the mail center 2 stores the message received via the line control section 22 in the message storage section 23. Accumulate in a predetermined area.

When the main control unit 21 stores the message in the message storage unit 23, it calls the exchange 1 via the line control unit 22, dials the terminal number of the terminal device 3-2 that receives the stored message, and connects. and if the connection is successful,
After extracting the message stored in the message storage unit 23 and transmitting it to the receiving terminal device 3-2, the communication management unit 2
11, and sends back a delivery completion message to the originating terminal device 3-1, notifying that the delivery of the accumulated message to the terminal device 3-2 has been completed.

Note that if the connection to the receiving terminal device 3-2 is unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 repeatedly tries to connect to the transmitting optical terminal device 3-2 at predetermined intervals, and repeats the connection a predetermined number of times. However, if the connection is not successful, the delivery of the accumulated messages to the terminal device 3-2 is stopped, the communication management unit 211 is started, and the communication of the accumulated messages is sent to the originating terminal device 3-1. A non-delivery message is returned to notify that the delivery of the message to the terminal device 3-2 has been unsuccessful.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As is clear from the above explanation, in the conventional store-and-forward system, the originating terminal device 3-1 reports the delivery status of the message stored in the mail center 2 to the receiving terminal device 3-2, and the mail center 2 reports the completion of delivery. It is only recognized for the first time by the delivery completion message that is returned after the mail center 2 has attempted delivery a predetermined number of times, or the non-delivery message that is sent back after the mail center 2 has attempted delivery a predetermined number of times and has not been able to deliver. There was no notification from the mail center 2 of the progress.

Therefore, appropriate measures can be taken, such as aborting message delivery midway through, or switching delivery to another receiving terminal (e.g., 3-3) without waiting for the reception of an undelivered message regarding the receiving terminal 3-2. No countermeasures could be taken.

Note that the communication management unit 211 notifies the delivery status of messages accumulated by the sending terminal device 3-1 when a predetermined management information adjustment instruction is transmitted from the sending terminal device 3-1 to the mail center 2. Although the transmitting terminal device 3-1 is equipped with this function, it is necessary for the transmitting terminal device 3-1 to perform a predetermined timing operation in order to obtain the delivery status.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable an originating terminal device to automatically and quickly recognize the delivery progress of messages stored in a store-and-forward system.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 100 is a store and forward system to which the present invention is applied, and 3 is a terminal device accommodated in the store and forward system 100.

200 is an output target registration means provided in the storage and forwarding system 100 according to the present invention.

300 is a delivery progress notification means provided in the store and forward system 100 according to the present invention.

[Effect]

The store-and-forward system 100 temporarily stores messages sent by the calling terminal device 3 and delivers them to the receiving terminal device 3 later.

The output target registration means 200 registers in advance whether the delivery progress of the accumulated messages to the receiving terminal device 3 needs to be notified to the sending terminal device 3 of the message.

The delivery progress notification means 300 periodically monitors the delivery status of messages registered as requiring notification in the output target registration means 200 to the receiving terminal device 3, and sends the monitoring results to the sending terminal device 3 of the message. Notice.

Therefore, the originating terminal device is automatically and periodically notified by the store and forwarding system of the progress of delivery of the message stored in the store and forwarding system to the receiving terminal device.
Tracks the delivery progress of messages accumulated in the store-and-forward system.
As with instant communication, it becomes possible to grasp the information at an early stage, and it becomes possible to take appropriate measures according to the progress of delivery, thereby improving the convenience of the store-and-forward system.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a store-and-forward system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an output terminal management table in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an output terminal management table in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a management table; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery status management table in FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery progress notification process in FIG. 2. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the figures.

In FIG. 2, the storage and exchange system 1 in FIG.
00, the exchange 1 with the mail center 2 is shown as in FIG. 9, and as the output target registration means 200 in FIG. 1, the output terminal management table 241, the output message management table 242, and the delivery status management table 243 A delivery progress information storage section 24 is provided, and a delivery progress notification management section 212 is provided within the main control section 21 as the delivery progress notification means 300 in FIG.

The output terminal management table 241 shows each terminal device 3-1 to 3-n (terminal number DN) accommodated in the exchange 1.

to DNfi) to request notification of the delivery progress of messages accumulated in the mail center 2 to the receiving terminal device, and the notification corresponding to the terminal number DN assigned to each terminal device 3. Setting the request information A to logic "0" registers that notification is not required, and setting request information A to logic "1" registers that notification is required.

Also, if notification request information A is set to logic "l",
The output terminal number TN and notification cycle P of the delivery progress notification message are registered.

Note that the output terminal management table 241 is registered in advance before the mail center 2 starts operating.

The output message management table 242 also includes the output terminal management table 2.
41, the terminal device 3 which has set the notification request information A to logic "1" further registers whether or not to request notification of delivery progress for each message accumulated in the mail center 2, and each terminal number The DN and each terminal device 3 set the notification request information B corresponding to the message number MN given to the message stored in the mail center 2 (a message to which a message number MN is given is referred to as a message MN) to logic "0". If it is set to logic "°l", notification is registered as unnecessary.

Note that the output message management table 242 is the output terminal management table 2.
When the terminal device 3 which has set the notification request information A to logic "1" in step 41 stores the message in the mail center 2, it registers the notification request information B to be transmitted as additional information.

Furthermore, the delivery status management table 243 contains various information necessary for notifying the delivery progress, namely, calling terminal number SA, message input time TM, message number MN, and receiving terminal number D.
A, and the delivery status ST (i.e., delivery attempt in progress, delivery completed,
The sending terminal number SA, message input time TM, message number MN, and receiving terminal number DA are set when the mail center 2 receives the message, and the delivery status ST is stored at the mail center 2. is updated when attempting to deliver to the receiving terminal device 3.

As described above, in the store-and-forward system shown in FIG. 2, each terminal device 3-1 to 3-
n allows specifying for each terminal device and for each message whether or not notification of the progress of delivery of messages accumulated in the mail center 2 to the receiving terminal device is requested.

In FIGS. 2 to 6, a terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DN) housed in the exchange 1 requests notification of the progress of delivery of messages stored in the mail center 2 to the receiving terminal device. , the notification request information A corresponding to the terminal number DN in the output terminal management table 241 is set to logic "1°°, the own terminal number DN is registered as the output terminal number TN, and the period is set as the notification period P. It is assumed that T p i is registered.

In this state, after the terminal device 3-i connects to the mail center 2 via the exchange 1, a message requesting delivery to the terminal device 3-1 is sent to the terminal device 3-1 at the message input time TM=time t1.
At the same time, notification request information B set to logic "1" is transmitted as additional information.

In the mail center 2, the main controller 21 assigns a message number M to the message received via the line controller 22.
N t + is given and accumulated in a predetermined area within the message storage unit 23, and the delivery progress notification management unit 212 is activated.

The activated delivery progress notification management unit 212 refers to the output terminal management table 241 in the delivery progress information storage unit 24, and determines whether the notification request information A corresponding to the originating terminal device 3-i (terminal number DN) is logical. When it is determined that the notification request information B added to the message is set to logic "1", the terminal number DN and the message in the output message management table 242 are Number MN
Notification request information B set to logic “1” corresponding to 11
Also, in the delivery status management table 243, the terminal number DN is stored as the sending terminal number SA, and the message input time TM is stored.
As time point 1. as the message number MN.
i+, and then the terminal number D N as the receiving terminal number DA.
+ are respectively stored, and a delivery status ST indicating that delivery is in progress is stored as a delivery status ST.

On the other hand, the main controller 21 controls the line controller 2 at time f-isl.
A call is made to exchange 1 via 2, and the called terminal number DA
= DN, and attempts to connect to the receiving terminal device 3-1, and the message MNB extracted from the message storage unit 23.
Attempt first delivery of .

If the first delivery is unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 updates the delivery status management table 243 such that the receiving terminal number DA=terminal number DN,
and the delivery status S T corresponding to the message number MN.
, , during delivery, and at time L ill after a predetermined retransmission period T has elapsed from time ill ,
A second delivery to the receiving terminal device 3-1 is attempted in the same process as described above.

If the second delivery is also unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 maintains the delivery status s'r in the delivery status management table 243 during delivery, and repeats the re-delivery at every retransmission period T, as described above. Try.

On the other hand, the delivery progress notification management unit 212 uses the output terminal management table 24
1, and it is identified that the notification cycle P of the terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DN) is the cycle Tpi, it is stored in the delivery status management table 243 corresponding to the terminal number DN and the message number MNi. Message input time TM = time period T, time point tip+ after i has elapsed
After editing the delivery progress notification message R91 based on various information including the delivery status ST, 1 extracted from the delivery status management table 243 at (""ti +Tp+), referring to the output terminal management table 241, the terminal device 3- 1 (terminal number DN,
), after extracting the output terminal number TN=terminal number D N i, a call is made to the exchange 1 via the line control unit 22,
The output terminal number TN=terminal number DN is sent and connected to the terminal device 3-i, and the edited delivery progress notification message Ri
Return I.

Next, the delivery progress notification management unit 212 repeats the same process as described above, and when the period Tp has elapsed, the delivery progress notification management unit 212
(=1127..), the second delivery progress notification message Rt is edited based on various information extracted from the delivery status management table 243, and sent back to the originating terminal device 3-i. In order to calculate the second and subsequent delivery times, the number of times the delivery progress notification message Ril has been notified is stored by a method not shown.

- When the sumo wrestler control unit 21 successfully delivers the message MNi as a result of executing the χth delivery attempt at time Li5x, or as a result of the main control unit 21 executing a predetermined number of delivery attempts, the message MN.

If the delivery is not successful, the delivery status S Ti of the delivery status management table 243 is set to delivery completed or undelivered, and the delivery progress notification management unit 212 is immediately activated.

The activated delivery progress notification management unit 212 immediately edits the delivery progress notification message Ri including the delivery status ST,
The message is returned to the originating terminal device 3-i, and the notification request information B corresponding to the terminal number DN and message number MNi in the output message management table 242 is set to logic "0".

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present embodiment, the sending terminal device 3-i whose notification request information A is set to logic "1" sends the message MN stored in the mail center 2,
By setting the notification request information B added to the message MNi to logic "1," the delivery status ST□ of the message MNi is returned to the originating terminal device 3-1 at predetermined intervals T2. by the delivery progress notification message R1l. Therefore, the message M
It becomes possible to recognize the delivery progress of = +.

Note that FIGS. 2 to 6 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and for example, the delivery progress notification message R1 is specified by the sending terminal device 3-i using the notification request information B (=logic "l"). The present invention is not limited to the one corresponding to the message M N t I, and many other modifications may be considered, but the effects of the present invention remain the same in any case.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a store-and-forward system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery progress notification process in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, the output target registration means 2 in FIG.
00, a delivery progress information storage unit 24 having an output terminal management table 241 and a delivery status management table 243 is provided, and a delivery progress notification management unit 213 as the delivery progress notification means 300 in FIG. It differs from FIG. 2 in that it is provided within 21. Note that the output terminal management table 241 and the delivery status management table 243 are as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, respectively, and the output terminal management table 241 is registered prior to operation, as in FIG. 2. ing.

As described above, in the store-and-forward system shown in FIG. 7, each terminal device 3-1 to 3-
n is the total number of messages accumulated in the mail center 2.
Specify whether to request notification of delivery progress to the receiving terminal device.
It can be specified for each terminal device.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DN) housed in the exchange 1 requests notification of the progress of delivery of messages stored in the mail center 2 to the receiving terminal device. , the notification request information A corresponding to the terminal number DN in the output terminal management table 241 is set to logic "'1", the own terminal number DN is registered as the output terminal number TN, and the period is set as the notification period P. It is assumed that T1 is registered.

In this state, after the terminal device 3-i connects to the mail center 2 via the exchange 1, a message requesting delivery to the terminal device 3-1 is sent to the mail center 2 at the message input time TM=time tm1. introduce.

In the mail center 2, the main controller 21 assigns a message number M to the message received via the line controller 22.
N t + is given and accumulated in a predetermined area within the message storage unit 23, and the delivery progress notification management unit 213 is activated.

The activated delivery progress notification management unit 213 refers to the output terminal management table 241 in the delivery progress information storage unit 24, and determines that the notification request information A corresponding to the originating terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DN) is logical. 1", the terminal number DN is entered in the delivery status management table 243 as the originating terminal number SA and the time j as the message input time TM.
jl, the MNth message number MN, and the terminal number DN as the called terminal number DA,
Furthermore, delivery status 5Tit indicates that delivery is in progress as delivery status ST.
Store.

On the other hand, the main control unit 21 controls the line control unit 22 at time ji+□.
A call is made to exchange 1 via , and the called terminal number DA=
Sends DN+ and tries to connect to the receiving terminal device 3-1,
Message MNi extracted from the message storage unit 23,
Attempt first delivery of .

If the first delivery is unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 updates the delivery status management table 243 from the called terminal number DA to the terminal number DN.
and delivery status S corresponding to message number MN, .
T, , is maintained during delivery, and at time Lil□ after a predetermined retransmission period T has elapsed from time tiItI, the second transmission is sent to the receiving terminal device 3-1 in the same process as described above. Attempt delivery.

If the second delivery is also unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 updates the delivery status ST in the delivery status management table 243 as described above.
is maintained during delivery, and re-delivery is attempted every retransmission period T5.

Subsequently, after the terminal device 3-i connects to the mail center 2 via the exchange 1, it transmits a message requesting delivery to the terminal device 3-n to the mail center 2 at message input time TM=time tAII.

In the mail center 2, the main control section 21 assigns message numbers MN and fi to the messages received via the line control section 22, as described above, and stores the messages in the message storage section 2.
3 and activates the delivery progress notification management unit 213.

The activated delivery progress notification management unit 213, as described above, refers to the output terminal management table 241 in the delivery progress information storage unit 24 and issues a notification request corresponding to the originating terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DN). When it is determined that the information A is set to logic "1", the terminal number DN is entered as the originating terminal number SA in the delivery status management table 243, and the message input time T is
Let M be the time Lia, and message number MN be MN.
, fi, and the terminal number DN as the receiving terminal number DA,
, and further stores a delivery status STi indicating that delivery is in progress as a delivery status ST.

On the other hand, the main control unit 21 makes a call to the exchange 1 via the line control unit 22 at time L 1fisl, sends the called terminal number DA=DN, and attempts to connect to the called terminal device 3-n. Message MN extracted from message storage unit 23
Attempt the first delivery of , , .

If the first delivery is unsuccessful, the main controller 2 will check the delivery status management table 243 so that the receiving terminal number DA=terminal number DN,
and delivery status STi corresponding to message number MN1
, during delivery, and at a time tinst after a predetermined retransmission period Ts has elapsed from the time tinsl,
A second delivery to the receiving terminal device 3-n is attempted in the same process as described above.

If the second delivery is also unsuccessful, the main control unit 21 maintains the delivery status STi in the delivery status management table 243 during delivery, and attempts re-delivery at every retransmission cycle T5, as described above.

On the other hand, the delivery progress notification management unit 213 uses the output terminal management table 24
1, and identify that the notification period P of the terminal device 3-1 (terminal number DNi) is the period T pi, the time t, □, LLebstiPC, Lip ip for each period TpM
d, refer to the delivery status management table 243,
Incoming terminal number DA and delivery status ST corresponding to all message numbers MN stored corresponding to terminal number DN5, that is, incoming terminal number DN + and delivery status ST corresponding to message number MNi, , , the message number MN, the receiving terminal number DN corresponding to R, and the delivery status ST, , the delivery progress notification message R is sent.
, and then refers to the output terminal management table 241 and extracts the output terminal number TN-terminal number DN corresponding to the terminal device 3-i (terminal number DN). Call l, output terminal number TN = terminal number D
Ni is sent to connect to the terminal device 3-i, and the edited delivery progress notification message R8 is returned.

It should be noted that the main control unit 21 controls the message MN, or MN
! If the delivery of fi is successful or not, the delivery status S in the delivery status management table 243 is
T = + or ST, is set to a delivery completed or undelivered state, and the delivery progress notification management unit 213 is immediately activated.

The activated delivery progress notification management unit 213 immediately edits the delivery progress notification message R, including the delivery status ST□ and ST, and sends it back to the originating terminal device 3-i.
Message input time TM, message number MN, called terminal number DA, and delivery status S in the delivery status management table 243
Delete T.

Furthermore, the output terminal number TN of the delivery progress notification message R is not limited to one that registers the own terminal number DN (the same output terminal number can be used for multiple terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n). By registering the TN (for example, terminal number DN), the delivery progress notification messages R2 to R, of the plurality of terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n can be centrally managed in the terminal device 3-1. Although many other modifications may be considered, such as taking into account the following, the effects of the present invention remain the same in any case.
It goes without saying that the configuration of 00 is not limited to the illustrated exchange 1 and mail center 2.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in the store-and-forward system, the originating terminal device is automatically and periodically notified by the store-and-forward system of the progress of delivery of the message stored in the store-and-forward system to the receiving terminal device. This makes it possible to quickly grasp the progress of delivery of messages accumulated in the store and forward system, just like instant communication, and to take appropriate measures according to the progress of delivery, thereby increasing the convenience of the store and forward system. will improve.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a store-and-forward system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the output terminal management table in FIG. 2, and FIG. The figure is the second
Figure 5 showing an example of the output message management table in Figure 5.
Figure 6 shows an example of the delivery status management table in Figure 2, Figure 6 shows an example of the delivery progress notification process in Figure 2, and Figure 7 shows a storage and forwarding system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery progress notification process in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional storage and forwarding system. In the figure, 1 is an exchange, 2 is a mail center, 3 is a terminal device, 21 is a main control unit, 22 is a line control unit, 23 is a message storage unit, 24 is a delivery progress information storage unit, 100 is a store and forward system, 200 211 is a communication management unit, 212 and 213 are delivery progress notification management units, 241 is an output terminal management table, 242 is an output message management table, 243 is a delivery status management table, and 300 is a delivery progress notification incomplete Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A store-and-forward system (100) that temporarily stores messages sent by a calling terminal device (3) and later delivers them to a called terminal device (3), comprising: Output target registration means (2) for registering in advance whether or not notification of the delivery progress to the message sending terminal device (3) is required.
00) and the message registered as requiring notification in the output target registration means (200), the delivery status to the receiving terminal device (3) is periodically monitored, and the monitoring results are sent to the sending terminal of the message. A delivery progress notification method characterized by comprising a delivery progress notification means (300) for notifying the device (3).