ITMI992635A1 - POSTAL EXCHANGE DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR ELECTRONIC MAIL EXCHANGE WITH READING OF POSTAL MESSAGES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a postal exchange device for electronic mail exchange simply by reading postal messages and correspondence from a memory medium and for writing postal messages to a memory medium. In particular, the present invention relates to a postal exchange device for reading and writing postal messages using a memory card.

Recently, telecommunications technology has undergone developments. In this situation, e-mail constitutes one of the most available functions on the network. When there is a computer or a terminal unit connected to the network, any person can use electronic mail and exchange messages with other people.

On the other hand, as a method of exchanging messages for children, one of the most popular methods is that of exchanging diaries with each other. In order to implement the above method using electronic mail, it is necessary that any child sharing diaries with others has to acquire computers or the like. Thus, the implementation of the previous method is highly costly. Furthermore, the operation of computers or computers by children is difficult. Therefore, the previous method implemented using electronic mail is not realistic. Since the friends with whom the messages will be exchanged are to some extent limited, there is little need to implement the above method or process over the network. Furthermore, the previous method implemented using electronic mail can be used only in the place where the computer or the like is installed.

If there was an inexpensive device for exchanging messages between children, easily operated by children themselves and portable, then it is believed that children can actually use the device.

The present invention was developed in view of these problems. An object of the present invention is to provide in an economical way the postal exchange device which can read and write postal messages by using a memory card for the operation of the postal exchange device in an easy way and which is endowed with very portability characteristics. satisfactory.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention, the mail exchange device comprises: an insertion opening for inserting and removing a memory card, a writing unit for writing a mail message to the memory card inserted in the insertion opening , and a reading unit for reading the mail message from the memory card inserted into the insertion opening and into which the mail message is written.

According to the present invention, since the postal messages can be exchanged mutually using the memory card, an inexpensive postal exchange device can be provided. Since the mail message is written to the memory card and read from the memory card by inserting the memory card into the insertion slot, there is no need to perform complex operations such as e-mail. Therefore, children can employ the previous mail exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the mail exchange device can easily be made small by using the memory card for the mutual exchange of mail messages, a portable mail exchange device can be provided.

When the memory card where the unread mail message is written is inserted into the insertion slot, preferably, the reader unit automatically reads the mail which has not been read and when the memory card where a mail message that has been read is written is inserted into the insertion opening, preferably the reader unit does not automatically read the mail message that has been read.

According to the present invention, since the postal message which has not been read is read automatically without carrying out the reading operation for postal messages when the memory card is inserted into the insertion opening, postal messages can be exchanged between them. performing simpler operations.

When a mail message has already been written to the memory card inserted in the insert slot, the writer unit can erase the mail message that has already been written to the memory card and write a new mail message to it.

According to the present invention, since postal messages are not written to the memory card one after the other, it is possible to preserve the memory capacity of the memory card and to provide an inexpensive postal message exchange device using a memory card having small memory capacity.

When the writing unit writes a mail message to the memory card, the writing unit can additionally write information of the transmitting part, and when the reading unit reads a mail message from the memory card, the reading unit it can also read the information of the transmitting party.

Since the transmitting party information can be read from the memory card and can be written to the memory card with the mail message, it is possible to identify one transmitting party among others, for example by using the portrait of the transmitting party as the transmitting party information itself. A mail receiver can obtain the information associated with the user of the mail exchange device such as, for example, the information on the date of birth of the transmitting party or the like, as information of the transmitting party.

The writing unit can also write musical data (corresponding to melody data) as the transmitting part information on the memory card.

According to the present invention, since the musical data (melodic data) is written in the memory card as information of the transmitting part, the mail exchange device can provide the user with the great enjoyment of being able to read the mail by reading the musical data for the output or composition of a melody when the mail is read from the memory card.

The mail exchange device may also comprise a point storage unit to add a predetermined point for storage in it when the reading unit reads a mail message from the memory card.

The mail exchange device may further comprise; a point determination unit for evaluating a relationship between a user and a transmitter on the basis of a user information which is preliminarily set and the transmitter information when the reader unit reads a mail message from the memory card and for determining a point based on the relationship, and a point storage unit for adding the point determined by the point determination unit for storage therein.

The mail exchange device may further comprise a game unit for playing a game and for additionally storing a predetermined point in the point storage unit when the game unit judges that a user has won the game.

The mail exchange device may further comprise; a character or character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters therein and a display unit for selecting a character in accordance with the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit and for reading the selected character from the stitch storage unit memorization of the character for its visualization.

According to the present invention, it is possible to display a new character in accordance with the stored point using the mail exchange device. The point can be increased by playing a game. Consequently, it is possible to make the user enthusiastic about using the mail exchange device. In addition, the mail exchange device can provide great enjoyment to the user in employing mail.

The writing unit can also write the character which is stored in the character storage unit in the memory card as information of the transmitting part.

According to the present invention, since the character is written in the memory card as information of the transmitting part, it is possible to provide the user with great fun in reading the mail by displaying the character when the mail is read from the memory card.

The mail exchange device may further comprise a stitch transfer unit for transferring a stitch stored in a stitch memory card inserted into the insertion opening to the stitch storage unit, for transferring a stitch stored in the stitch storage unit. storing the points to the memory card of the points.

According to the present invention, since the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit can be transferred to the stitch memory card the stitch stored in the stitch memory card can be transferred to the stitch storage unit, the stitch can be presented to another user having a mail exchange device. The postal exchange device can be used in various ways.

The mail exchange device may further comprise an acquisition unit for acquiring a character by exchanging the point stored in the stitch storage unit or the stitch stored in the stitch memory card for the character and for storing a character acquisition status. acquired in the stitch memory card, where the display unit reads the acquired character whose acquisition status is stored in the stitch memory card from the character storage unit for its display.

According to the present invention, since the character itself is stored in the character storage unit and the acquisition status is stored in the stitch memory card, it is possible to preserve the memory capacity of the stitch memory card.

Consequently, the cost of the stitch memory card can be lower. When the acquisition status stored in the stitch memory card shows that a specific character has been acquired, then the mail exchange device can display the same specific character by delivering the points memory card to another user having a mail exchange device . Since the same specific font can be displayed, the mail exchange device may be more useful.

The mail exchange device may further comprise a growth or expansion processing unit for character growth stored in the character storage unit in accordance with the point stored in the stitch storage unit or the point stored in the character storage card. points, where the character storage unit further stores the degree of growth of the character amplified by the growth or amplification processing unit and a form of display of the characters, which corresponds to the degree of growth or expansion-amplification, and the display unit displaying the character in accordance with the display form stored in the character storage unit.

The character storage unit can also store a degree of growth or expansion of the character stored therein and a form of display of the character itself, which corresponds to the degree of expansion thereof, the mail exchange device being able to further comprise a unit to change the degree of expansion of the character, which is stored in the character storage unit, in accordance with the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit or with the stitch stored in the stitch memory card , and the character can be displayed by the display unit in accordance with the character display form, which is stored in the character storage unit.

The character storage unit can also store a degree of growth-expansion of the character stored therein and a form of display of the characters, which corresponds to the degree of expansion thereof, the mail exchange device may further comprise a unit of mail production to automatically produce a mail message which is the character stored in the character storage unit appears to transmit as a transmitting part and an expansion variation unit to vary the degree of expansion of the character, which is stored in the character storage unit character storage, based on a mail message that the character appears to be receiving with a receiving party, and the character being able to be displayed by the display unit in accordance with the character display form, which is stored in the storage unit characters.

The character storage unit can also store a degree of expansion of the character stored therein and a form of display of the characters, which corresponds to the degree of expansion thereof, the game unit being able to vary the degree of expansion of the character, which is stored in the character storage unit when the game unit judges that a user has won the game, and the character being able to be displayed by the display unit in accordance with the character display form, which is stored in the character storage unit.

The mail exchange device may further comprise a sound emitting unit for outputting a sound corresponding to the character stored in the character storage unit.

According to the present invention, the display form of the character can be variously changed by character expansion. The degree of expansion of the character can be varied by exchanging the postal message or by playing a game. A sound can be emitted. Therefore, a mail exchange device adapting to the user's preferences can be realized. The postal exchange device can be applied in various ways.

The mail exchange device may further comprise: a music data storage unit for storing music data, and a correlation unit for correlating the music data stored in the music data storage unit, with the character stored in the unit. character storage unit, in which the sound-out unit outputs a sound corresponding to the character stored in the character storage unit, based on the musical data correlated with the character by the correlation unit.

According to the present invention, since a musical theme corresponding to the character can be selected and output, the user can make the postal exchange device work with fun in a diversified manner.

The postal exchange device may further comprise a time and date specific postal message production unit to automatically produce a postal message that the character stored in the character storage unit appears to be transmitting as a transmitting party, at a predetermined time.

According to the present invention, the user can be extremely familiar with the font by automatically preparing a mail message on the specific day, such as Christmas, the user's birthday or the like. Since the postal message is produced automatically in the time designated by the user, a function such as an alarm or clock alarm can be added to the mail exchange device.

The external form of the mail exchange device may have the shape of a portable telephone.

According to the present invention, since the mail exchange device has the shape of a portable telephone, children can have the virtual experience of using a real portable telephone.

The mail exchange device may cause children to want to acquire the mail exchange device and want to use it.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the postal exchange device for exchanging postal messages by writing a postal message to a memory card and reading the postal message from the memory card, character data is transmitted and received through the memory card .

According to the present invention, since mail or postal messages can be exchanged using the memory card, it is not necessary to perform complex operations such as electronic mail. Therefore, children can employ the previous mail exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the character data is transmitted and received through the memory card, favorite characters can be exchanged between friends having the mail exchange devices. In addition, the font can be displayed using each mail exchange device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the mail exchange device comprises: an insertion opening for inserting and withdrawing a memory card, a structure unit for writing a mail message to the memory card inserted in the insertion opening, a reading unit for reading the postal message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion opening and in which the postal message is written, and a character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters therein, in which the writing unit further writes transmitting part information when the mail message is written to the memory card, the writing unit further writing the character stored in the character storage unit to the memory card as the transmitting part information , and the reading unit further reading the information of the transmitting party when the mail message is read from the card memory.

According to the present invention, since the mail can be exchanged using the memory card as a memory card, it is possible to provide an inexpensive mail exchange device. Since a mail is written to the memory card and read from the memory card by inserting the memory card into the insertion slot, there is no need to perform complex operations such as e-mail. Children can then use the aforementioned postal exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the mail exchange device can be easily reduced in size by using the memory card to exchange mail between them, the portable mail exchange device can be realized.

Also, since the character is written to the memory card as sender information, a sender can be identified among others easily based on the written character. It is possible to give the user the enormous pleasure of reading mail by automatically displaying the character when the mail is read from the memory card.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the postal exchange device for exchanging postal messages by writing a postal message to a memory card and by reading the postal message from the memory card, a predetermined point is added by reading the postal message, and a character is displayed in accordance with the added period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the postal exchange device comprises: an insertion opening for inserting and extracting a postal message, a writing unit for writing a postal message to the memory card inserted in the insertion opening, a reading unit for reading the postal message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion opening and into which the postal message is written, a point storage unit for adding a predetermined point for its storage in it when the The reading unit reads the mail message from the memory card, a character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters therein, and a display unit for selecting a character in accordance with the point stored in the storage unit points and to read the selected character from the character storage unit for its display.

According to the present invention, it is possible to display the character in accordance with the stored point by exchange of postal messages. It is possible to ensure that the user has to acquire enthusiasm in the use of the postal exchange device. In addition, the mail exchange device can provide the user with great fun in using mail.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the postal exchange device for exchanging postal messages by writing a postal message to a memory card and by reading the postal message from the memory card, a character is obtained in accordance with the result of a game, and the character obtained is displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the postal exchange device comprises: an insertion opening for inserting and extracting the postal message, a writing unit for writing the postal message into the memory card inserted in the insertion opening, a the reading unit for reading the postal message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion opening and into which the postal message is written, and the character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters in a state wherein character is allowed to be displayed in a state where the character is not allowed to be displayed, and a game unit for playing a predetermined game, wherein a predetermined character that is selected from the plurality of characters stored in the Character memorization is allowed to be displayed in accordance with the predetermined game outcome that is played by means of the uni ty for games.

According to the present invention, since the character can be obtained in accordance with the outcome of the game play, in other words the character or character can be displayed, the user can have not only the fun of exchanging postal messages but also that of display the character by playing the game. The game includes a group game, a game to decide a winner or a loser, a quiz game, a chemistry evaluation game, or the like.

The mail exchange device can vary the degree of expansion or amplification of the character according to the outcome of the game.

A degree of expansion of the character stored in the character storage unit can be varied in accordance with the outcome of the predetermined game being played by the game unit.

According to the present invention, the mail exchange device can not only display the character by playing the game but can also vary the degree of expansion of the character or character. For example, when the user loses the game, the character or character becomes "sick". When the user gets "a drug to heal the character" by playing a game of groups or lots, the character heals.

The mail exchange device can emit a sound corresponding to a character.

According to the present invention, since the sound corresponding to the character or character is output, for example, by emitting the musical theme of the character, the user can visually and acoustically appreciate the character or character. The user can use the mail exchange device in various ways.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description hereinafter provided and the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of illustration only and therefore do not need to define the limits of the present invention and in which:

Figure 1A is a view illustrating the appearance of the postal exchange device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1B is a view illustrating the appearance of the memory card; Figure 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the postal exchange device, that of the postal memory card and that of the staple memory card;

Figure 3A is a view illustrating a tabular structure of the character storage table stored in the character storage unit;

Figure 3B is a view illustrating a table structure of the character acquisition table stored in the acquisition table storage unit;

Figures 4A to 4C are views illustrating examples of the characters stored in the character storage table and of each point which may be required to display each character;

Figure 5 is a view illustrating data flow between functional blocks and command signal flow between them in the mail writing process according to the first embodiment;

Figure 6 is a view illustrating flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of command signals between them in the process of reading mail or mail messages according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 is a view illustrating data flow between the functional blocks and the control signal flow between them in the point transfer process according to the first embodiment;

Figure 8 is a view illustrating flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of control signals between them which are related to the steps for acquiring the character in the process of acquiring the characters according to the first embodiment;

Figure 9 is a view illustrating flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of control signals between them, which are related to the steps for displaying the acquired character in the character acquisition process according to the first embodiment;

Figures 10A and 10B are views illustrating an example of a group or batch game displayed on the display part according to the first embodiment;

Figure 11 is a view illustrating the appearance of the mail exchange device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating data flow between the functional blocks and the command signal flow between them in the postal message writing process according to the second embodiment; and Figure 13 is a view illustrating flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of command signals between them in the process of reading mail messages according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the mail exchange device applied to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 2 to 9, 10A and 10B. In the explanation of the present invention, the same elements are indicated by the same reference numbers. The explanation of them will be left out.

First, the structure of the device for postal exchange or postal messages will be illustrated.

Figure 1A is a view illustrating the appearance of the mail exchange device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A illustrates that a memory card is attached to the mail exchange device.

As shown in Figure 1A, the mail exchange device 1 has the shape of a portable telephone. The mail exchange device 1 comprises a part of an entrance 20 and a display part 30 as external structural elements thereof. As shown in Figure 2, the mail exchange device 1 comprises a processing part 40, a storage part 50, a card data input / output part 60 or the like as internal structural elements thereof. The input part 20 includes input parts for entering a number and a character, a determination key for determining operations and cursor keys for indicating items or the like that are displayed on the display part 30. A signal generated by pressing a key is output to a control processing unit 41 shown in Figure 2, to carry out a predetermined process corresponding to the signal generated by pressing a key. The display part 30 comprises a liquid crystal display panel or the like. The display part 30 displays data applied in input from the input part 20, a character which will be described below or the like based on the command signal output from the control processing unit 41 shown in Figure 2.

In Figure 1, an insertion opening 10a for inserting the memory card 100 is provided on the right side of the slot 10 of the mail exchange device 1. The insertion opening 10a is formed to fit the memory card 100 in it. Figure 1B shows what the memory card 100 looks like

The memory card 100 comprises a memory 100a for storing not only identification data to identify the type of memory card 100 but also a mail message, a dot and a character acquisition table for showing character acquisition information which will be explained. thereafter, in accordance with the type of card or memory card 100 or the like. The memory 100a is constituted by intelligent means or "smart media" that is a thin memory means which can be incorporated in a thin plate such as a card, or the like. Although the type of memory card 100 is described in detail below, a postal memory card 110 is provided for storing the postal messages and a dot memory card 120 for storing the dot and a character acquisition table.

When the memory card 100 is inserted into the insertion opening 10a and is fixed to the mail exchange device 1, a data input / output part 60 of the card (shown in Figure 2) of the mail exchange device 1 is connected to the memory 100a. Data, such as mailing, dot or similar data, which is stored in memory 100a is read from memory 100a through the data input / output portion 60 of the card. Further, data such as a mail message entered from the input part 20 or the like is written to the memory 100a through the data input / output part 60 of the card.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the construction of the postal exchange device 1, that of the postal memory card 110 and that of the dot memory card 120.

In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, first a point which is stored in a stitch storage unit 55 of the storage part 50, a stitch which is stored in a stitch storage unit 121 of the memory card 120 points, a character storage table 57a (shown in Figure 3A) stored in the character storage unit 57 of the storage unit 50 and a character acquisition table 123a (represented in Figure 3B) stored in the character storage unit 123 storage of the acquisition table of card 120 of the memory points will be explained below.

The chemistry or tune evaluation unit 43 determines the point by evaluating a "chemistry or tune" between a transmitter and a user on the basis of the mail preparation date fixed to a mail message to be transmitted to a user who is a recipient, a date of birth or birthday of the transmitter associated with the postal message and a date of birth or birthday of a user previously stored in a user information storage unit 71 each time the postal message is read. The chemistry evaluation or tuning unit 43 selects the point between 1 and 6 in accordance with the tuning. The point selected by the tuning evaluation unit 43 is integrated by the point storage unit 55 to store the integrated point in the point storage unit 55. In the stitch transfer process (shown in Figure 7) which will be described below, the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit 55 is transferred to the stitch storage unit 121 of the stitch memory card 120 for storage in it, or the point stored in the card point storage unit 121 is transferred to the points storage unit 55 for its integration with the point stored in the points storage unit 55 and to store the point integrated in the point storage unit 55. stitch storage unit 55.

Figure 3A illustrates a tabular structure of the character storage table 57a. The character storage table 57a is stored in the character storage unit 57, and is a table for storing each identifying information relating to each character, such as a character name or the like, which corresponds to each character, a character which must be displayed on the display part 30 and a display permission identifier to indicate whether or not a character is allowed to be displayed on the display part 30. The display permission identifier is preliminarily stored as an "OFF" signal. "indicating that a character is not allowed to be displayed. The viewing permission identifier is reset as an "ON" signal indicating that a character is allowed to be displayed, based on an acquisition identifier of a character acquisition table 124a which corresponds to a character to be acquired by exchange between the integrated dot and the character in a character acquisition process (represented in Figures 8 and 9) which will be explained later. The character to which the acquisition flag which is set as the "ON" signal corresponds can be altered in accordance with the command signals input from the input part 20 to display the character on the display part 30. In Figures 4A to 4C, they are illustrated examples of the characters stored in the character storage table 57a and each dot to be requested to display each character being represented.

In Figure 3B, the table structure of the character acquisition table 123a is shown. The character acquisition table 123a is stored in the acquisition table storage unit 123 of the memory card 120 of points, and is a table for storing each acquisition identifier corresponding to each character identification information, such as a signal "ON" indicating that a character has been acquired or an "OFF" signal indicating that a character has not been acquired. The character identification information stored in the character acquisition table 123a is the same as that of the storage table 57a The acquisition identifier is previously memorized with an "OFF" signal. The acquisition identifier is reset as an "ON" signal indicating that a character is acquired, by exchanging the point stored in the card point storage unit 121 and the character in a character acquisition process (represented in the figures 8 and 9) which will be explained later. In the preceding character acquisition process, the display permission identifier of the character storage table 57a is reset as an "ON" signal based on the acquisition identifier reset as an "ON" signal in order to display the character on display part 30.

With reference to Figure 2, each functional block of the mail exchange device 1 will be explained, the mail exchange device 1 comprises an input part 20, a display part 30, a processing part 40, a storage part 50 and a card data input / output part 60. The processing part 40 comprises a control processing unit 41 of a tuning evaluation unit 43. The storage part 50 comprises a user information storage unit 51, a temporary mail storage unit 53, a stitch storage unit 55 and a character storage unit 57.

The control processing unit 41 performs a process of writing postal messages (represented in Figure 5), a process of reading mail or postal messages (represented in Figure 6), a process of transferring points (represented in Figure 7). ) and a character acquisition process (shown in Figures 8 and 9), which will be explained below, in accordance with the command signal entered into the input part 20 and with the type of memory card 100 inserted in the insertion opening 10a or the like. In the process of writing postal messages, the control processing unit 41 associates the user name and a user birth date which have been previously entered in the user information storage unit 51 and a message preparation date postal message relating to a postal message which is entered from the input part 20 and which is stored in the temporary storage unit of postal messages 53, to the postal message as information of the transmitting party or of you. The control processing unit 41 writes them to a postal message storage portion 111 of the memory card 110 in the postal messages inserted into the insertion opening 10a through the data input / output portion 60 of the card.

In the process of reading the postal messages, the control processing unit 41 evaluates whether the postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 of the postal message memory card 110 has been read or not, when the memory card 110 of postal messages is inserted into the insertion slot 10a. In other words, the control processing unit 41 judges whether the postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 has been read or not on the basis of identification information relating to a postal message which has been read and which it is stored in the postal message temporary storage unit 53, such as the name of a user, a preparation date of the postal message that has been read or the like. When the control processing unit 41 judges that the mail message has not been read, then the control processing unit 41 reads the mail message from the mail storage part 11 through the data input / output part 60 of the card to output it to the tuning evaluation unit 43 and to display the mail message read by the control processing unit 41 or the like on the display part 30.

In the stitch transfer method, the control processing unit 41 performs a method in which the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit 55 is transferred to a stitch storage unit 121 of the inserted stitch memory card 120 in the insertion opening 10a, or the point stored in the stitch storage unit 121 of the card is transferred to the stitch storage unit 55 in accordance with the command signal applied in input from the input part 20.

In the character acquisition method, the control processing unit 41 restores an acquisition identifier corresponding to the character stored in the acquisition table storage unit 123 of the stitch memory card 120 inserted into the insertion opening 10a as a "ON" signal indicating that the character has been acquired by exchange between the character and the point which is stored in the card point storage unit 121 and which is required to acquire the character in accordance with the command signal for the character acquisition, which is applied at the input from the input portion 20. The display permission identifier of the character storage table 57a is reset as an "ON" signal indicating that the character is allowed to be displayed, based on the acquisition identifier which is reset as an "ON" signal.

When the postal message which is read from the postal message storage part 111 of the postal message memory card 110 through the data in / out part 60 of the card by the control processing unit 41 is input into the Tuning Evaluation Unit 43, Tuning Evaluation Unit 43 collects the mail message preparation date associated with the mail message and the sender's day of birth from the mail message. Further, the tuning evaluation unit 43 reads the user's (recipient's) birthday from the user information storage unit 51 (a signal line not being represented). The tune evaluation unit 43 evaluates and judges the tune between the sender and the user based on the mail preparation date, the sender's day of birth, and the user's day of birth. The tuning evaluation unit 43 selects the point between 1 and 6 in accordance with the tuning in order to display the point on the display part 30 for its integration with the point stored in the point storage unit 55 and for storing the point integrated in the point memorization unit 55. The tuning evaluation unit 43 outputs the inputted postal message to the postal message temporary storage unit 53 for display on the display part 30 in accordance with the command signal output from the processing unit. control 41.

The structure of the storage part 50 will now be explained.

The user information storage unit 51 stores a plurality of information elements relating to a user having the postal exchange device 1, i.e. the user's name, the user's date of birth, which are applied at the input in the mail exchange device 1 when mail exchange device 1 is used for the first time. Further, the user information storage unit 51 stores a clock for associating a mailing message preparation date to the mailing message therein.

The postal message temporary storage unit 53 is an intermediate memory or buffer for storing the content of a postal message entered by the input part 20 and a postal message read from the postal message memory card 110 through the evaluation unit of the tune 43 or the like, temporarily. When the mail message entered and the mail message that has been read are displayed on the display part 30, the mail buffer 53 stores an identifying information about the mail message that has been read, such as the name of a sender, the date of preparation or the like, in it to judge whether the mail message was read in the process of reading mail messages or not.

The point storage unit 55 fully stores the point that is selected by the tuning evaluation unit 43 therein. The character storage unit 57 stores the character storage table 57a therein.

The functional block construction of the postal message memory card 110 and that of the dot memory card 120 will now be illustrated.

The postal message storage part 111 of the postal message memory card 110 is integrated into the memory 100a of the postal message memory card 110. The postal message storage portion 111 stores the postal message output from the postal message exchange device 1 through the data input / output portion 60 of the card therein. The points storage unit 121 of the points memory card 120 and the storage unit 123 of the acquisition table thereof are integrated in the memory 100a of the postal message memory card 120. The card point storage unit 121 stores the point in it. The acquisition table storage unit 123 stores the character acquisition table 123a therein.

The operations of the postal exchange device 1 will now be illustrated, which are a postal message structure process, a postal message reading process, a point transfer process and a character acquisition process.

The process of writing postal messages will be illustrated by referring to Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates data flow between functional blocks and command signal flow between them in the process of writing postal messages. In the process of writing the postal messages, when the postal message memory card 110 is inserted into the insert opening 10a, the memory 100a of the postal message memory card 110 is connected to the data input / output part 60 of the card . (This connection operation is not represented in the figure). When the user uses the postal exchange device 1 for the first time, the user's name and the user's date of birth are entered from the input part 20 as a plurality of pieces of information relating to the user. In addition, the present time and date are entered from input part 20. The entered data is stored in the

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the user information storage unit 51. When the content of a postal message and an address thereof are entered from the input part 20 by the user, they are temporarily stored in the postal message temporary storage unit 53. When a command signal for the structure of the postal message in the postal message memory card 110 is entered from the input portion 20, the control processing unit 41 associates the name and date of birth which are stored in the unit 51 of storage of user information and the date of preparation of the postal message to the postal message stored in the temporary storage unit 53 of the postal messages, as sender information. The control processing unit 41 writes the postal message into the postal message storage portion 111 of the postal message memory card 110 through the data input / output portion 60 of the card. The process described above is the process of writing mail messages.

After the reading process which will be explained below has been carried out, the writing process of the postal messages can be carried out for the memory card 110 of the postal messages in the following manner. When the new mail is written to the mail storage part 111 of the mail memory card 110, a mail that has been read is deleted in order to write the new mail into it. Such a process, since the new postal message is substituted for the postal message that has been read, a postal message can be exchanged with another using a postal message memory card between a plurality of users each having a message exchange device 1 postal. Since the memory capacity of the postal message memory card 110 can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the cost of the postal message exchange device 1 or mail exchange device in accordance with the reduction of the memory capacity of the memory card itself.

The process of reading postal messages will now be illustrated with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a view illustrating the flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of command signals between them in the process of reading mail messages. In the process of reading the postal messages, when the postal message memory card 110 is inserted into the insert opening 10a, the memory 100a of the postal message memory card 110 is connected to the data input / output part 60 of the card . (This connection operation is not represented in the figure). The control processing unit 41 judges whether the postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 of the postal message memory card 110 has been read or not. In other words, an identification information relating to a postal message that has been read is read by the unit 53 for the temporary storage of postal messages. (This reading operation is not represented in the figure). Whether the postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 has been read or not is judged on the basis of the identification bias. When the mail message has not been read, the control processing unit 41 reads the mail message stored in the mail storage part 111 through the data in / out part 60 of the card to output it to unit 41 of tuning evaluation.

When it is judged that the postal message stored in the postal message storage portion 111 of the postal message memory card 110 has been read, the control processing unit 41 does not output the postal message to the mail evaluation unit 43. tunes and emits a message or the like to the display unit 30 in order to inform the user whether the mail message which has been read will be read again. Then, the reading of the mail is completed.

The tuning evaluation unit 43 collects a sender's birth date and a mail message preparation date which are the sender information associated with the mail message entered by transmitting to a user who is a recipient. In addition, the tuning evaluation unit 43 reads the user's date of birth from the user information storage unit 51 (a signal line is not shown in the figure). The tuning evaluation unit 43 judges the tuning between the sender and the user based on the mail preparation date, the sender's day of birth, and the user's day of birth in order to calculate a point. The tuning evaluation unit 43 outputs the entered mail message to the mail buffer 53 to display the entered mail message on the display part 30.

Furthermore, the tuning evaluation unit 43 outputs the calculated point to the point storage unit 55 to integrate the calculated point with the point stored in the point storage unit 55 and to store the point integrated in the unit. 55 for storing points. The process described above is the process of reading the mail.

Although it has been explained that the attunement assessment unit 43 performs the prior attunement assessment using the day of birth, the attunement assessment can be performed using the blood type or the like or using both the blood type and the day or date of birth. In this case, the user's blood type is also stored as information to be stored in the user information storage unit 51. The user's blood type is written with the mail during the mail writing process. The user's blood type is read along with the mail during the mail reading process. Therefore, the assessment of attunement can be performed using the blood type. Various tuning evaluations can be applied to the present invention.

The point transfer process will now be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a view illustrating the flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of control signals between them in the process of transferring the points. In the staple transfer process, when the staple memory card 120 is inserted into the insertion opening 10a, the staple memory card 120 memory 100a is connected to the data input / output part 60 of the card. (This connection operation is not represented in the figure). When a command signal for transferring the point stored in the stitch storage unit 55 to the stitch memory card 120 is input from the input part 120 by the user, the control processing part 41 outputs the point stored in the stitch storage unit 55 to the stitch storage unit 121 of the stitch memory card 120 through the data input / output part 60 of the card. When the point has been stored in the card point storage unit 121, the emitted point is embedded in the point that was stored in the card point storage unit 121 to store the integrated point in the card point storage unit 121. points on the board. On the other hand, when a command signal for transferring the point stored in the card point storage unit 121 to the point storage unit 55 is input from the input part 20, the control processing part 41 outputs the point stored in the card point storage unit 121 to the point storage unit 55 through the data input / output part 60 of the card. When the point has been stored in the point storage unit 55, the output point is integrated into the point that was stored in the point storage unit 55 to store the built-in point in the point storage unit 55. The process described above is the point transfer process.

The character acquisition process will now be illustrated with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 are views illustrating the flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of control signals between them in the character acquisition process. The character acquisition process is roughly divided into two steps which are a step to acquire the character and a step or phase to view the acquired character. Figure 8 is a view illustrating the step or step of acquiring the character. Figure 9 is a view illustrating the step or step for displaying the acquired character.

Referring to Figure 8, the step for acquiring the character will now be illustrated. When the stitch memory card 120 is inserted into the insertion slot 10a, the memory 100a of the stitch memory card 120 is connected to the data input / output part 60 of the card. (This connection operation is not represented in the figure). When a command signal for acquiring an unscanned and desired character among the characters which can be acquired using a point stored in the card point storage unit 121 is input from the input part 20 by the user, the input unit 41 control processing sets the acquisition identifier corresponding to the character to be acquired as an "ON" signal indicating that the character has been acquired. A predetermined point corresponding to the character to be acquired is subtracted from the point stored in the card point storage unit 121. Although it has been explained that the character is acquired only by using the point stored in the point storage unit 121 of the card in the present embodiment, the same step can be carried out using the point stored in the point storage unit 55.

The step for displaying the acquired character will now be illustrated with reference to Figure 9. The control processing unit 41 reads the character acquisition table 123a stored in the acquisition table storage unit 123 of the stitch memory card 120 to collect the character identification information corresponding to the acquisition identification which is an "ON" signal indicating that the character has been acquired. When a command signal for displaying a desired character is input from the input part 20 by the user and the acquisition identifier corresponding to the character to be displayed is an "ON" signal, the display permission identifier of table 57a stored in the character storage unit 57, which corresponds to the character to be displayed, is set as an "ON" signal indicating that the character can be displayed.

A desired character is displayed on the display portion 30 among the characters corresponding to the display permission identifiers which are stored in the character storage table 57a and which are "ON" signals. The process described above is the character acquisition process.

In the character acquisition process, it has been explained that when the acquisition identifier of the character acquisition table 123a stored in the acquisition table storage unit 123 of the dot memory card 120 changes from an "OFF" signal. at an "ON" signal indicating that the character has been acquired, the "ON" signal is not changed into the "OFF" signal. However, when the display permission identifier of the character storage table 57a stored in the character storage unit 57 of the mail exchange device 1 is set from an "OFF" signal to an "ON" signal indicating that the character can be displayed, that is, when the mail exchange device 1 is set so as to allow the display of the acquired character, the acquisition identifier of the character acquisition table 123a can be, set from an "ON" signal to a "signal" OFF ".

In this case, since the character which is stored in the stitch memory card 120 which has been acquired is restored as a character not acquired by displaying the character on the mail exchange device 1, the character which the same of the restored character cannot be displayed on another mail exchange device 1 even if the memory card 120 is handed over to another user. Therefore, the difficulty of displaying the character can be increased.

As previously described, the mail exchange device 1 has the shape of a portable telephone. A user of the mail exchange device 1 exchanges mail messages with another by writing the mail message into the mail memory card 110 and reading the mail message written by the mail mail memory card 110. When the postal message is written to the postal message memory card 110, the birthday of the user that was previously set in the mail exchange device 1 and the preparation date of the mail message are associated with the mail message and are written in the memory card 110 for postal messages. When the mail message is read, the tune between the sender and the receiver is evaluated or judged on the basis of the user's day of birth and the recipient's day of birth which is set in the receiver's mail message exchange device at the order to determine the point. After the stitch has been stored in the stitch storage unit 55, the character acquisition process is conducted using the stitch memory card 120. Therefore, a desired character can be displayed on the display part 30.

Since postal messages are thrown using the postal message memory card 110, it is possible to provide an inexpensive mail exchange device. Since a postal message is written to the postal message memory card 110 and is read from the postal message memory card 110 by inserting the memory card 110 into the insertion slot 10a, there is no need to perform complex operations such as those of the postal message memory card 110. email. Therefore, children can employ the previous mail exchange device by performing simple operations.

Since the mail exchange device 1 has the shape of a portable telephone, children can have the virtual experience of using a real portable telephone. The mail exchange device 1 can cause the children to feel the desire to acquire the mail exchange device and have the desire to use it. Since new characters can be displayed in accordance with the stored point using the mail exchange device 1, it is possible to induce in the users a desire to use the mail. Therefore, the user can enjoy using the mail.

In the stitch transfer process, since the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit 55 can be transferred to the stitch memory card 120 and the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit 121 of the stitch memory card 120 can be transferred to the point storage unit 55, it is possible to present the point of another user having a mail exchange device 1. The mail exchange device 1 can be used in various ways.

Since the character itself to be displayed on the display part 30 is stored in the character display table 57a of the character storage unit 57 and the character acquisition table 123a for storing only acquisition identifiers is stored in the storage unit 123 of the character acquisition table of the stitch memory card 120, you can reduce the memory capacity of memory 100a. Consequently, the cost of the stitch memory card 120 can be reduced.

When the acquisition identifier stored in the storage unit 123 of the acquisition table of the point memory card 120 is an "ON" signal indicating that a specific character has been acquired, the device for exchanging two postal messages can postpone the the same identifier for displaying permission or enabling an "ON" signal by entrusting the memory card 120 of the points to another user having a mail exchange device. Therefore, the same specific character can be displayed. The postal exchange device 1 can thus be more useful.

The present invention is not limited to the previous embodiment. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the function to predict the suitable date for preparing postal messages and the suitable date for obtaining many points by preliminary evaluation of the attunement between two users can be added to the mail exchange device 1. It is not necessary that the character capable of being acquired in accordance with the point is fixed. The acquirable trait can be randomly varied to provide a "rare" trait. The mail exchange device 1 not only displays the acquirable character but can also output a sound and can expand the character according to a certain degree of expansion or amplification of the character, which corresponds to the point stored in the point storage unit 55 or stored in the stitch memory card 120. In other words, the mail exchange device 1 may comprise an expansion processing unit for expanding the character or varying the degree of expansion of the character in accordance with the point. The character storage unit 57 stores the degree of expansion of the character and the display form of the character, which corresponds to the degree of expansion therein. The display part 30 displays the character in accordance with the display form of the character on it: Instead of

re a character, a function for playing the game, i.e. a game unit, can be added to the mail exchange device 1. When the user wins in the game, the user can get a predetermined point. The point obtained is integrated with the point stored in the point storage unit 55 to store the point integrated in the point storage unit 55. The type of game, the amount of it, the difficulty of it or the like can be varied in accordance with the point. A new character or character may be displayed. When the user wins the game, the degree of expansion of the character that is stored in the character storage unit 57 can be varied. The hero of the game or its heroine can evolve and can be transformed. Therefore, it is possible to expand the applicability of the mail exchange device 1. In addition, as the sender information, the character stored in the character storage unit 57 is written to the memory card 100. The degree of expansion of the character and the display form of the character corresponding to the degree of expansion are written in the memory card 100.

The mailing memory card 110 may have a password or "password". A postal message memory card 110 can be provided capable of storing a plurality of postal messages.

Although the mail exchange device 1 has the shape of a portable telephone, the mail exchange device 1 can have any shape, for example the shape of a small personal computer such as "notebook" or diary, that of a portable information terminal or similar, if the mail exchange device 1 is capable of inputting data into the memory card and capable of extracting data from the memory card

The character can be expanded by exchanging mail messages between the character or character and the user. In other words, the postal exchange device 1 may comprise a postal message preparation unit for automatically preparing a postal message including a message of the type "I'm sorry" or the like, in which the character appears to be transmitted as a sender. The user who receives the mail from the character exchanges mail messages with the character by sending a mail message including a message like "are you all right?" or similar to the character. Consequently, the character can be expanded or amplified by exchange of postal messages. The degree of expansion of the character can be varied based on the number of times postal messages are exchanged or a specific word included in a postal message the user transmits to the character, such as a "Fighti" message, " I like you very muchi "or similar. In other words, the mail exchange device 1 may comprise a growth or expansion change unit for varying the degree of growth or expansion of the character which is stored in the character storage unit 57 on the basis of a mail message which the character appears to receive as a receiver. In this case, the user can expand the character while the user is familiar with the character. The user can enjoy exchanging mail messages with the character only without exchanging mail messages with a friend of the user.

A function for informing the user that the mail message is received by the character can be provided in the display part 30. A function can be provided for forcibly displaying the content of the mail message on the display 30 when the mail message is received by the character. A function may be provided to inform the user that the mail message is received by the character, using a melody or the like.

The postal exchange device 1 may comprise a time and date specifying postal message preparation unit for automatically preparing a postal message which the character appears to send as a sender, on the specific day, such as New Year's Day, Christmas, day of birth or birthday of the user stored in the user information storage unit 51 and the like. In this case, the user can become very familiar with the font by preparing a mailing message including a message corresponding to the specific day such as ("Happy birthday to you!" enjoy exchanging mail with the character to an even greater extent.

The postal message that the character seems to convey as the sender can be prepared at the time and date previously set by the user. In this case, although the user is visually informed, the mail exchange device 1 comprises the function which is the same as that of a clock alarm. Since the character looks like sending mail to the user, the user can have an amicable finding towards the alarm itself.

A character display method other than the character space method or character with only a mail exchange device 1 can be implemented by preparing a memory card for storing various display forms in accordance with the degree of expansion of the character therein for reading the characters. display forms from the memory card.

As a game installed in the mail exchange device 1, it can be prepared in game to invest the stored point, such as a poker game, a slot machine, a lotto game or the like. Figures 10A and 10B are views illustrating an example of a so-called "lot game" displayed on display part 30. When a lot is drawn from four lots as shown in Figure 10A, the result of the lot game is displayed on display part 30 When a lot is subtracted from four lots as shown in Figure 10A, the result of the lottery game is displayed as shown in Figure 10B. As the gift of such games, an article to vary the degree of growth of the character or character, such as "a medicine to heal the character", "bread to make the character not sad" or the like, can be presented at the 'user. In this case, the user can find some fun in growing the character. A game memory card can be prepared, in which these games are stored. These games can be read from the memory card by inserting the memory card into the insert slot 10A. In this case, as a giveaway, the new character stored in the game memory card can be stored in the character storage unit 57 to display the new character via the mail exchange device 1.

Subsequently, with reference to Figures 11 to 13, the second embodiment of the postal exchange device applied to the present invention will be illustrated.

According to the second embodiment, the mail exchange device 2 comprises not only the same functions as those of the mail exchange device 1 of the first embodiment, but also a unit for producing and outputting a melody (a music). The unit can associate a prepared melody to a mail message as a sender information. When the memory card is inserted to read mail, the unit can output a favorite melody.

Subsequently, the postal exchange device 2 from the second embodiment will be illustrated in detail. In the explanation of the present invention, the same reference name has been applied to the elements corresponding to those of the device 1 of the first embodiment. The explanation of them will therefore be left out. In order to clarify the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, explanations for the tuning evaluation unit 43, the point storage unit 55, the character storage unit 57 of the stitch memory card 120. In Figures 12 and 13 this unit is not represented.

Figure 11 is the view illustrating the appearance of the mail exchange device which conforms to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mail exchange device 2 comprises an input part 20 and a display part 30 as external structural elements thereof. In order to be able to conveniently enter a melody, an indication of a musical scale, such as for example do, re, possible mi, that of a time of a music, that of a semitone and the like, are printed on the portions 20a. . which are located below each key of the input part 20. As shown in Figure 12, the mail exchange device 2 comprises a processing part 40, a storage part 50, an input / output part 60 of card data, a melody output part 70 and the like, acting as internal structural elements thereof.

The storage part 50 comprises a user information storage unit 51, a mail or postal message temp action number unit 53, a melody data storage unit 59 which consists of a semiconductor memory and similar. The explanation of the user information storage unit 51 and that of the postal message temporary storage unit 53 are omitted since the two units are the same as those of the postal exchange device 1 of the first embodiment.

The melody data storage unit 59 comprises memorized music data storage unit 591 consisting of a ROM (Read Only Memory) read-only memory or the like and musical composition data storage unit 593 consisting of a RAM ( Random Access Memory) or random access memory or similar. In the memorized music data storage unit 591, melody data relating to four melodies which are a rhythmic melody, successive rhythms or the like are preliminarily stored. Melody data is data in which a tempo information for setting a musical tempo, a musical scale information for setting a musical scale such as C, D, E or the like, a note information for setting a length of a note or the like are written and consist of the beginning of the melody in the order. In melody data for a melody, data can be written to output a melody for up to 10 seconds.

Music composition data storage unit 593 includes a memory capacity for storing melody data for four melodies. Music composition data storage unit 593 stores melody data in it, which is related to a melody composed by the user and which is input from input part 20. The number of melodies that can be stored as melody data and their length may vary in accordance with the memory capacity of the melody data storage unit 59.

The output part 70 comprises a signal conversion unit for converting input melody data into an acoustic signal, in a loudspeaker for emitting a sound based on the acoustic signal generated by converting the input melodic data. Not only melodic data stored in stored music data storage unit 591 and music composition data storage unit 593 but also melodic data which is read from the mail message memory card 110 in a message reading process which will be described below are applied in input into the output part 70 of the memory.

A long sound is emitted by emitting a plurality of the same short sounds successively. In other words, for example, all sounds are assumed to be written by eight notes. When the sound which is indicated by a quarter note is input into the mail exchange device 2, the same two sounds which are indicated by eight notes are written in succession. The melody output part 70 can output the sound indicated by a fourth note, outputting the two sounds indicated by eight notes in a short interval for which a person cannot hear the sounds as split sounds.

The operation of the postal exchange device 2 will now be illustrated.

Figure 12 is a view illustrating flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of command signals in the process of writing postal messages according to the second embodiment.

In figure 12, the contents of a postal message and its address are entered from the input part 20 by the user. Melody data to be associated with the mail message is selected by the melody data storage unit 59. The control processing unit 41 stores the content applied at the input of the postal message, its address, a selection information relating to the data of selected melodies or the like in the temporary storage unit 53 of the postal messages, temporarily.

When a command signal for writing the postal message into the postal message memory card 110 is input from the input portion 20, the control processing unit 41 associates the name and day of birth which are stored in the storage of information, preparation date and selected melody data by melody data storage unit 59 to mail stored in mail temporary storage unit 53, as sender information. The control processing unit 41 writes the postal message into the postal message storage portion 111 of the postal message memory card 110 via the data in / out portion of the card. The process described above is the process of writing mail messages.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating the flow of data between the functional blocks and the flow of command signals between them in the process of reading the postal messages according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 13, the control processing unit 41 judges whether a postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 of the postal message memory card 110 inserted into the insertion opening 10a has been read or not.

When the postal message has not been read, the control processing unit 41 reads the postal message stored in the postal message storage part 111 to output the postal message to the postal message buffer unit 53 and to display a mail message on the display part 30. Further, the control processing unit 41 judges whether melody data is associated with the mail message read from the mail message storage part 111 or not. When the melody data is associated with the mail message, the control processing unit 41 outputs the melody data to the memory output part 70 to output a melody (a music). The process described above is the process of reading mail or postal messages.

In the process of reading the postal messages, when the melody data are not associated with the postal message, the postal message exchange device 2 can be set in such a way as to output a melody which is preliminarily selected by the unit 59 for storing the messages. melody data. By preliminary setting a melody corresponding to the name of a friend, when a mail message that is received by the friend (sender) is read, the corresponding melody can be output. Even if a melody to be output is set in advance, when melody data is associated with the mail message, the associated melody data is read to output the melody corresponding to the associated melody data before the set melody.

As described above, the mail exchange device 2 of the second embodiment can not only prepare a melody to output it, but it can also associate the prepared melody to a mail message as information of a sender to output the associated melody when the mail is read.

Therefore, the postal exchange device 2 can provide the user with great fun in creating a melody, and that of reading the mail. Furthermore, the postal exchange device 2 can judge and evaluate whether the postal message has been read or not, immediately. By preliminarily setting a melody corresponding to a sender, when a mail message received by the sender is read, the corresponding melody can be output. Consequently, it is possible to know immediately who is sending the mail.

In the second embodiment, although it is explained that the melody data which is read from the mail message memory card 110 is output to the melody output part 70 for outputting a melody (a music), the melody data may be stored in the music composition data storage unit 593. In this case, even if there is no postal message memory card 110, the user can enjoy using only the mail exchange device 2 by writing the melody composed by a friend in the mail exchange device 2.

It was explained that only when the postal message has been read are the melody data associated with the postal message read to output the melody. However, regardless of whether the postal message has been read or not, the melody data can be read to emit the melody when the main memory card 110 is inserted into the insertion opening 10a.

The mail exchange device 2 can have a structure in which the melody output part 70 outputs a melody corresponding to the character stored in the character storage unit 57. The mail exchange device 2 may further comprise a correlation unit for correlating the melody data selected by the user from a plurality of melody data stored in the melody data storage unit 59 with the subject stored in the unit 57 character storage · Consequently, the melody output part 70 is able to output the musical theme corresponding to the character or character on the basis of the melody data correlated with the character or character.

Similar to the mail exchange device 1 of the first embodiment, the mail exchange device 2 can comprise a game function. The memory card for games can be prepared. As a game giveaway, new characters can be stored in the mail exchange device 2 and be displayed on the display part 30. In this case, furthermore, the mail exchange device 2 can have a construction in which the melody corresponding to the character can be obtained as a "gadget" or prize.

Although it has been explained that the mail exchange device 2 associates the melody with the mail message as sender information, the mail exchange device 2 can associate the character stored in the character storage unit 57 or the character obtained by the game function to the mail as the sender information to display the associated character when the mail is read.

According to the present invention, since postal messages can be exchanged with each other using the memory card, the inexpensive postal exchange device can be realized. Since a mail message is written to the memory card and read from the memory card by inserting the memory card into the insertion slot, there is no need to perform complex operations such as e-mail. Therefore, children can employ the former mail exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the postal message exchange device can be easily reduced in size by using the memory card to exchange postal messages among themselves, a portable postal exchange device can be provided.

Since the unread mail is automatically read without performing the mail read operation when the memory card is inserted into the insert slot, mail messages can be exchanged with each other by performing simple operations.

Since the postal messages are not written to the memory card one after the other, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity of the memory card and create an inexpensive mail exchange device using a memory card with a small memory capacity.

Since the sender information can be read from the memory card and written to the memory card with the mail message, it is possible to identify a sender among others, for example by using a sender's portrait as sender information. A mail receiver can obtain information associated with the user in the mail exchange device such as information on the sender's day of birth or the like as the sender information. Since the music data (melody data) is written in the memory card as sender information, the mail exchange device can provide the user with great enjoyment of reading the mail by reading the music data to play a melody when the mail is read from the memory card.

It is possible to display a new character in accordance with the stored point or score using a mail exchange device. The point can be increased by playing a game. Consequently, it is possible for the user to have fun using the mail exchange device. In addition, the mail exchange device can provide the user with great fun in using mail.

Since the character is written into the memory card as sender information, it can provide the user with great fun in reading mail by displaying the character when the mail is read from the memory card.

Since the point or score stored in the point storage unit can be transferred to the points memory card and the point stored in the points memory card can be transferred to the point storage unit, it is possible to present the point to a another user having a mail exchange device. The postal exchange device can be used in various ways.

Since the font is often stored in the character storage unit and the capture status is stored in the staple memory card, the memory capacity of the staple memory card can be reduced or preserved. Consequently, the cost of the stitch memory card can be reduced. When the acquisition status stored in the stitch memory card highlights that a specific character has been acquired, the mail exchange device can display the same specific character by activating the points memory card to another user having the mail exchange device. Since the same specific font can be displayed, the mail exchange device can be more useful.

The display form of the character can be varied differently by growth or expansion of the character or character. The degree of character growth can be varied by exchanging stakes or by playing a game. A sound can be emitted. Therefore, a mail exchange device adapting to the shells of the users can be realized. The postal exchange device can be applied in various ways.

Since a musical theme corresponding to the character or character can be selected and output, the user can enjoy using the mail exchange device in various ways.

The user can become strongly familiar with the font by automatically preparing a mail message on the specific day, such as Christmas, the user's birthday or the like. Since the postal message is automatically made in the time designated by the user, it is possible to add a function with a clock alarm to the mail exchange device.

Since the mail exchange device has the shape of a mobile phone, children can have the virtual experience of using a real mobile phone. The mail exchange device can cause the child to feel the desire to acquire the mail exchange device and the desire to use it.

Since postal messages can be exchanged using the memory card, there is no need to perform complex operations such as e-mail. Therefore, children can employ the previous mail exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the character data is transmitted and received via the memory card, favorite characters can be exchanged between friends having the mail exchange devices. In addition, the font can be viewed using each small mail exchange device.

Since postal messages can be exchanged using the memory card, a cost-effective postal exchange device can be realized.

Since a mail message is written to the memory card and read from the memory card by inserting the memory card into the insertion slot, there is no need to perform complex operations such as e-mail. Therefore, children can employ the previous mail exchange device by performing simple operations. Since the mail exchange device can be easily reduced in size by using the memory card to exchange mail messages with each other, a portable mail exchange device can be provided.

Also, since the character is written to the memory card as sender information, it is possible to identify a sender among others easily based on the written character. It can provide the user with great pleasure in reading the mail by automatically displaying the font when the mail is read from the memory card.

It is possible to display the character in accordance with the stored score by exchange of postal messages. It is possible for the user to have fun using the mail exchange device. In addition, the mail exchange device can give the user great fun in using the mail.

Since the character can be obtained in accordance with the game result of the game, i.e. the character can be displayed, the user can receive not only great fun in exchanging mail messages but also that of viewing the character by playing the game.

The mail exchange device is unable to display the character by playing the game but the degree of growth of the character or character can also vary. For example, when the user loses the game, the character gets sick. When the user gets a "medicine to heal the character" by playing a lottery game, the character will recover.

Since the sound corresponding to the character is output, for example, by emitting the same musical theme as that of the character, the user can perceive with pleasure the character both visually and acoustically. The user can have various fun using the mail exchange device.

The entire teachings of TokuganHei Japanese Patent Applications 10-361273 filed December 18, 1998, 11-196466 filed July 9, 1999, and 11-291544 filed October 13, 1999, including description, claims, drawings and summary are hereby fully incorporated by way of title. of reference.

Claims (31)

CLAIMS 1. Postal exchange device comprising; an insertion slot for inserting and removing a memory card, a writing unit to write a mail message on the memory card inserted through the insertion opening, e a reader for reading the mail message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion slot and where the mail message is written. Mail exchange device according to claim 1, wherein when the memory card to which an unread mail message is written is inserted into the insertion opening, the reader unit automatically reads the mail message which has not been read, and when the memory card in which a mail message that has been read is written is inserted into the insert slot, the reader unit does not automatically read the mail message that has been read. Mail exchange device according to claim 1, wherein when a mail message has already been written to the memory card inserted into the insert opening, the writing unit erases the mail message that has already been written to the memory card and writes a new mail message in it. The mail exchange device according to claim 1, wherein when the writing unit writes a mail message to the memory card, the writing unit further writes information of a sender, and when the reading unit reads a mail message from the memory card, the reader unit also reads the sender information. The mail exchange device according to claim 4, wherein the writing unit further writes musical data as sender information to the memory card. 6. Postal exchange device according to claim 1, further comprising a point storage unit for adding a predetermined point for its storage therein when the reading unit reads a postal message from the memory card. 7. A mail exchange device according to claim 4, further comprising; a point determination unit for judging a "chemistry" or tune between a user and a sender on the basis of a user information that is preliminarily set and the sender information when the reader unit reads a mail message from the memory card, and to determine a point based on tuning, e a point storage unit for adding the point determined by the point determination unit for its storage therein. 8. Mail exchange device according to claim 6, further comprising a game unit for playing a game for additionally storing a predetermined point in the points storage unit when the game unit judges that the user wins in the game. A mail exchange device according to claim 6, further comprising; a character or character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters or characters therein, and a display unit for selecting a character in accordance with the point stored in the point storage unit and for reading the selected character or character from the point storage unit for its display. 10. A mail exchange device according to claim 8, further comprising; a character or character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters therein, and a display unit for selecting a character or character in accordance with the point stored in the point storage unit and for reading the selected character or character from the character or character storage unit for its display. Mail exchange device according to claim 9, the writing unit further writing the character or character which is stored in the character or character storage unit in the memory card. The mail exchange device of claim 6, further comprising a stitch transfer unit for transferring a stitch stored in a stitch memory card inserted in the insertion opening to the stitch storage unit and for transferring a stitch stored in the stitch storage unit to the stitch memory card. 13. A mail exchange device according to claim 9, further comprising a stitch transfer unit for transferring a stitch stored in a stitch memory card inserted in the insertion opening to the stitch storage unit, and for transferring a stitch stitch stored in the stitch storage unit to the stitch memory card. A mail exchange device according to claim 13, further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring a character or character by exchanging the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit or the stitch stored in the stitch memory card for the character or character , and to memorize an acquisition status of the character or character acquired in the memory card of the points, in which the display unit reads the character or character acquired whose acquisition status is stored in the memory card of the points by the memorization of characters or characters for its display. A mail exchange device according to claim 13, further comprising a growth processing unit for growth of the character or character stored in the character storage unit in accordance with the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit or with the stitch stored in the stitch memory card, wherein the character storage unit further stores the degree of growth of the character or character grown by the growth processing unit and a form of display of the character or character that corresponds to the degree of growth, and the display unit displays the character or character in accordance with the display form stored in the character or character storage unit. A mail exchange device according to claim 13, wherein the character or character storage unit further stores a degree of growth of the character or character stored therein and the display form of the character or character that corresponds to the degree of growth its, the mail exchange device further comprising a growth processing unit for varying the degree of growth of the character or character that is stored in the character storage unit in accordance with the stitch stored in the stitch storage unit; or the point stored in the point memory card, the character or character being displayed by the display unit in accordance with the display form of the character or character that is stored in the character or character storage unit. 17. Mail exchange device according to claim 9, wherein the character or character storage unit further stores a degree of growth of the character or character stored therein and a display form of the character or character, which corresponds to the degree of growth of it, the postal exchange device further comprising a postal message production unit to automatically produce the postal message that the character or character stored in the character storage unit or characters appears to transmit as a sender and a growth variation unit to vary the degree of growth of the character or character, which is stored in the character or character storage unit, based on a mail message that the character or character appears to receive as a receiver, and the character or character being displayed by the display unit in accordance with the display form of the character or character, which is stored in the character or character storage unit. 18. Mail exchange device according to claim 10, wherein the character or character storage unit further stores a degree of growth of the character or character stored therein and a display form of the character or character, which corresponds to the degree of growth of it, the game unit varies the degree of growth of the character or character, which is stored in the character or character storage unit when the game unit judges that the user wins the game, and the character or character being displayed by the game unit. display unit in accordance with the display form of the character or character which is stored in the character or character storage unit. 19. Postal exchange device according to claim 9, further comprising a sound emission unit to output a tone corresponding to the character or character stored in the character or character emorizing unit. 20. A mail exchange device according to claim 19, further comprising; a music data storage unit for storing music data, e a correlation unit for correlating the music data stored in the music data storage unit with the character or character stored in the character storage unit or characters wherein the sound-emitting unit outputs a sound corresponding to the character or character stored in the character or character storage unit based on the musical data correlated with the character or character by the correlation unit. 21. A postal exchange device according to claim 9, further comprising a time and date specific postal message production unit for automatically producing the postal message that the character stored in the character storage unit appears to be transmitting. as a sender, at a predetermined time. A mail exchange device according to claim 1, wherein an external form of the mail exchange device is the shape of a portable telephone. 23. Postal exchange device for exchanging postal messages by writing a postal message to a memory card and by reading the postal message from the memory card, in which data of a character or character is transmitted and received through the memory card 24. Postal exchange device comprising; an insertion slot for inserting and removing a memory card, a writing unit for writing a mail message to the memory card inserted in the insertion slot, a reader for reading the mail message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion slot and into which the mail message is written, and a character storage unit to store the plurality of characters in it, where the writing unit also writes the sender information when the mail message is written to the memory card, the writing unit also writes the character or character stored in the character storage unit or characters to the memory card as sender information, and the reader unit also reads the sender information when the mail message is read from the memory card. 25. Mail exchange device for exchanging mail messages by writing a mail message to a memory card and reading the mail message from the memory card, where a predetermined point is added by reading the mail message, and a character or character is displayed accordingly with the dot added. 26. Postal exchange device comprising; an insertion opening for inserting and extracting a postal message, a writing unit for writing a mail message to the memory card inserted in the insertion slot, a reader for reading the mail message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion opening and where the mail message is written, a point storage unit for adding a predetermined point for its storage therein when the reader unit reads the mail message from the memory card, a character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters or characters therein, and a display unit for selecting a character or character in accordance with the point stored in the point storage unit and for reading the selected character or character from the character storage unit or characters for its display. 27. Mail exchange device for exchanging mail messages by writing a mail message to a memory card and by reading the mail message from the memory card, in which a character is obtained in accordance with a result of a game and the character or obtained character is displayed. 28. Postal exchange device comprising; an insertion opening for inserting and extracting a postal message, a writing unit for writing a mail message to the memory card inserted in the insertion slot, a reader unit for reading the mail message from the memory card which is inserted into the insertion slot and into which the message is written, a character or character storage unit for storing a plurality of characters or characters in a state in which the character or character is permitted to be displayed or in a state in which the character or character is not permitted to be displayed, and a 'game unit to play a predetermined game, wherein a predetermined character or character which is selected from the plurality of characters or characters stored in the character storage unit is permitted to be displayed in accordance with a predetermined game result which is played by the game unit. 29. Mail exchange device according to claim 27, wherein the mail exchange device varies the degree of growth of the character in accordance with the outcome of the game. 30. Postal exchange device according to claim 28, in which the degree of growth of the character or character stored in the character or character storage unit is varied in accordance with the result of the predetermined game that is played by the game unit. 31. Mail exchange device according to claim 23, wherein the mail exchange device outputs a sound corresponding to a character or character