JPH08265362A - Mail box device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To effectively use a memory and to provide useful service by erasing unnecessary data when erasing time is passed and preserving useful data for a long time. CONSTITUTION: The file control information on the mail box of a minimum number is read from the mail box control area of a first RAM 3. Erasing time is read from the block parameter, the present time is read from a RTC 11 and they are compared. When the erasing time is already passed, an access counter is read from the block parameter, the number of times of access reference is read from a system parameter and they are compared. When an access counter is large, extension time is added to the read erasing time, the erasing time is updated and, at the same time, the access counter is initialized. Subsequently, when an extension counter is matched with an extension reference, image information is erased and the file control information corresponding to it is updated. As a result, useful data having many number of times of access can be preserved and data having a few number of times of access is erased after the erasing time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mailbox device using a communication device such as a facsimile device or a host computer such as a personal computer, and more particularly, to automatically use data that is not useful when the erase time has elapsed. The present invention relates to a mailbox device that can erase useful information and save useful data even when a scheduled erase time has passed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a specific terminal connected to a communication network and provided with a memory has been used as a mailbox device. By registering (storing) data in the mailbox device, information can be sent to a large number of specific people. Various information is obtained by providing or retrieving data registered in a mailbox device as needed. Since such a mailbox device is used by many people, it is necessary to effectively use the limited memory of the mailbox device by preventing unnecessary data from being stored in the mailbox device forever. .

For this reason, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-41188 registers data and accompanying data of the data, and automatically deletes the data when a deletion condition such as a storage period included in the accompanying data is satisfied. A mailbox device is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-60388 discloses a mailbox device which erases polling data after a designated time elapses.

[0005]

By the way, in recent years, there is a service for providing registered data to an unspecified number of people by using a mailbox device like an electronic blackboard. In such a service, it is preferable to erase data that has been used less frequently and to store useful data that has been used many times for a long period of time.

However, the above-mentioned mailbox device automatically deletes data regardless of the usefulness of the data when the deletion condition set by the data registrant's expectation at the time of data registration is satisfied. Therefore, after a specified time has passed, that is, when a person who wants to use the data comes out after erasing the data, there arises a problem that the data cannot be obtained or the data has to be re-registered. I will end up.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts. By deleting unnecessary data and storing useful data for a long period of time when the deletion time has passed,
It is an object of the present invention to effectively use the memory of the mailbox device and to provide useful services.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Data storage means for storing the input data, erase time setting means for setting the erase time of the data, access frequency measuring means for measuring the access frequency to the data within a predetermined unit time, and erase time Erasing time extension means for extending the erasing time of the data for a predetermined period when the number of times of access has passed and the number of accesses is a predetermined number or more
Erasing means for erasing the data when the erasing time has elapsed and the number of times of access is less than a predetermined number of times.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the extension number measuring means for measuring the extension number of the erase time of the data, and the data when the extension number reaches a predetermined value. Extension stop means for stopping the extension of the erasing time, and the erasing means erases the data when the extension stopping means stops the extension of the erasing time of the data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the mailbox device according to the first aspect, wherein when the deletion time of the data is extended, the registrant of the data and the administrator of the mailbox device It is characterized by further comprising at least one notifying means for notifying that the erasing time of the data has been extended.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the data storage means stores the data received or input by the registrant of the data. The initial value of the erase time of this data is set by the erase time setting means.

The access number measuring means measures the number of times of accessing the data stored in the data storage means within a predetermined unit time.

The erasing time extension means extends the erasing time of the data for a predetermined period when the erasing time of the data has passed and the number of accesses is a predetermined number or more.

On the other hand, when the access count is less than the predetermined count, the erasing means erases the data from the data storage means.

As described above, useful data that has been accessed many times is saved, and data that is accessed less frequently is erased after the erase time has elapsed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the extension number measuring means measures the extension number when the erasing time extending means extends the data erasing time. And
The extension stop means stops the extension of the data erasing time when the extension count measured by the extension count measuring means reaches a predetermined value. The erasing means erases the data when the extension stopping means stops the extension of the data erasing time.

As a result, the data erase time is extended up to a predetermined number of times. According to the invention of claim 3, when the erasing time extending means extends the erasing time of the data, the notifying means extends the erasing time of the data to at least one of the registrant of the data and the administrator of the mailbox device. Notify that it was done.

[0018]

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

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire mailbox device of this embodiment. This mailbox device is a CPU that performs control processing of the entire mailbox device.
1, a ROM 2 storing a program for controlling the entire mailbox device, a first RAM 3 as a work area used when the control program is executed, a storage (registration) time of image information, an erase time calculation, and an image information ( Or, RTC (real time clock) 4 for measuring the unit time for calculating the number of times of access to text and voice information, keyboard 5 for input operation to the mailbox device, display of input data, etc. Display 6, a modem 8 for modulating image information sent from the mailbox device to the communication line and demodulating image information received via the communication line, and a second mode for temporarily storing encoded image information. RAM 9, coder / decoder 10 for encoding and decoding image information, third RAM 11 for storing the decoded image information, Scanner 1 for reading the manuscript
2 and a printer 13 for printing image information and the like, which are mutually connected by a system bus 14.

The modem 8 is also directly and mutually connected to an NCU (line control unit) 7 for connecting the mailbox device to a communication line.

In the third RAM 3, one or more mailboxes are formed for each data registrant or for a plurality of data registrants. As shown in FIG. 3, each mailbox is given a mailbox number for identifying the mailbox, and a file in which image information is stored is formed, and each file is identified. File number is added. This mailbox is managed by the mailbox management area formed in the first RAM 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the mailbox management area, the number of mailboxes formed in the third RAM 3 is stored, and the mailbox number and the mailbox are accessed. A password to be used and file management information for managing files formed in the mailbox are stored for each mailbox.

As shown in FIG. 4, the file management information includes the number of files existing in the mailbox, and is updated as the number of files is deleted or increased. Further, in this file management information, a series of block parameters called a file block formed for each file, that is, a file number, a file size (capacity),
It includes an accumulation time (registration time), an erasing time (storing time limit), an access counter that measures the number of times of access within a unit time, an extension counter that measures the number of times the erasing time of a file is extended, and other necessary data.

Further, in the above-mentioned mailbox management area, a series of system parameters called system management information, that is, a file accumulation time (save time), a unit time serving as a reference for measuring the number of times of access, and an extension of the deletion time are set. An access count criterion that is a comparison value for determining whether or not to perform, an extension time when the erase time is extended, an extension count criterion that is a limit value of the erase time extension count, and the like are stored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The administrator of the mailbox device inputs and sets system parameters in advance using the keyboard 5. In addition, the data registrant has offered to the administrator of the mailbox device that he wants to use the mailbox device, and the administrator of the mailbox device can notify the data registrant of the newly opened mailbox or the mail of the existing mailbox. Notify the box number and password.

FIG. 5 shows a control routine for registering image information in the mailbox device. In step 100 of FIG. 5, the data registrant (remote) sends an NC
Whether the mailbox number was received via U7,
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the mailbox number is input from the data registrant via the keyboard 5, and if the determination is negative, the process waits, and if the determination is affirmative, it is received or input in step 102. It is determined whether the stored mailbox number is stored in the mailbox management area in the first RAM 3. If the decision is positive,
In step 104, it is determined whether the password is received via the NCU 7 within a predetermined time or whether the password is input via the keyboard 5. If the determination is affirmative, is the password received or entered in step 106 matched with the password stored in the mailbox management area corresponding to the mailbox number received or entered in step 100? Determine whether or not.

If the determination in step 106 is affirmative, the image information is received via the NCU 7 in step 108, or the information is read via the scanner 12, and the mailbox of the mailbox number received or input is received. Create a new file that stores (registers) image information in. Next, in step 110, the file management information is updated. Specifically, the number of files included in the file management information is updated (counted up), and a file block corresponding to the newly created file is created. That is, the file number is set, the capacity used for storing the image information is read, and the file size is registered.
Read the current time from to register the storage time of the image information,
The storage time read from the system parameters is added to this storage time to calculate and register the file deletion time, the access counter and extension counter are initialized, and other parameters are set if necessary. Next, in step 112, the file number is notified to the data registrant via the NCU 7 or the display 6.

On the other hand, if the determinations at steps 102, 104 and 106 are negative, error processing is performed at step 116. The error processing specifically means releasing the communication line or displaying an error message on the display 6.

FIG. 6 shows a control routine for reading out image information from the mailbox device. In step 118 of FIG. 6, the data user (remote) sends an NC
Whether the mailbox number was received via U7,
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the mailbox number has been input from the data user via the keyboard 5. If the determination is negative, the process waits. If the determination is positive, it is determined whether the mailbox number received or input in step 120 is stored in the mailbox management area in the first RAM 3. to decide. When the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step 122 whether the password has been received via the NCU 7 within a predetermined time or whether the password has been input via the keyboard 5. If the determination is affirmative, whether the password received or input in step 124 matches the password stored in the mailbox management area corresponding to the mailbox number received or input in step 118. Determine whether or not.

If the determination in step 124 is affirmative, it is determined in step 126 whether the file number has been received via the NCU 7 within a predetermined time, or whether the file number has been input via the keyboard 5. To judge. If the determination is affirmative, in step 128, the file number received or input corresponds to the file management information stored in the mailbox management area corresponding to the mailbox number received or input in step 118. Judge whether it is included or not.

If the determination in step 128 is affirmative, in step 130 the image information stored in the file having the received or input file number is read out,
It is transmitted to the other party's remote via the NCU 7 or displayed on the display 6. If there is an instruction, the printer 13 outputs this image information. Then step 1
At 32, necessary file management information, specifically, an access counter, which is one of the block parameters of the corresponding file number, is counted up.

Steps 120, 122, 124, 12
If the determinations at 6 and 128 are negative, error processing is performed at step 134.

Next, a control routine for erasing the registered image information from the mailbox device by the data registrant's erasing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

In step 136, it is determined whether the mailbox number has been received via the NCU 7 or the mailbox number has been entered via the keyboard 5. If the determination is negative, the process waits, and if the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step 138 whether the received or input mailbox number is stored in the mailbox management area in the first RAM 3. To judge. If the determination is affirmative, it is determined in step 140 whether the password is received via the NCU 7 within a predetermined time period,
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not a password has been input via the keyboard 5. If yes, step 1
In step 42, the password received or entered is the same as in step 1
At 36, it is determined whether or not the password matches the received or input mailbox number and the password stored in the mailbox management area.

If the determination at step 142 is affirmative, then at step 144 it is determined whether the file number has been received via the NCU 7 or the file number has been input via the keyboard 5. To judge. When the determination is affirmative, in step 146, the file number received or input corresponds to the file management information stored in the mailbox management area corresponding to the mailbox number received or input in step 136. Judge whether it is included or not.

If the determination at step 146 is affirmative, at step 148, the image information is erased by erasing the file having the received or input file number from the third RAM 11 and received or input. The file management information of the mailbox number is updated, specifically, the number of files is counted down and the file block corresponding to the deleted file is deleted.

Steps 138, 140, 142, 14
If the determinations at 4 and 146 are negative, error processing is performed at step 150.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a control routine for automatically deleting the registered image information. In step 152 of FIG. 8, the automatic erasing operation is performed according to FIG. 10, and when the erasing time has elapsed and the access counter described later is equal to or greater than the reference value, the erasing time of the file is extended and the erasing time elapses. If the access counter described later is less than the reference value, the file is deleted. In the next step 154, the access counter used for determining whether or not the file deletion time can be extended is updated according to FIG. The processing of these steps 152 and 154 is periodically performed for each unit time stored in the mailbox management area.

First, the control routine for updating the access counter will be described with reference to FIG.

At step 155, the number of mailboxes stored in the mailbox management area of the first RAM 3 is read out and i for counting the number of mailboxes is read.
Is set to 1. In step 156, the file management information of the mailbox with the smallest mailbox number is read out, and in step 157, it is judged from the read file management information whether the number of files is 0 or not. If the determination is negative, in step 158, the block parameter of the mailbox with the smallest file number in this mailbox is read, the access counter is initialized, and j for counting the number of files is set to 1. Set.

At the next step 160, it is judged whether or not j matches the number of files. If the judgment is negative, at step 162 the block parameter of the mailbox having the next smallest file number is read out, The access counter is initialized, j is incremented, and step 1
Return to 60.

If the determinations at steps 157 and 160 are affirmative, it is determined at step 164 whether i matches the number of mailboxes. If the determination is negative, the mailbox is determined at step 166. The file management information of the mailbox having the next smallest number is read, i is incremented, and the process returns to step 157. If the determination in step 164 is affirmative, the routine ends.

Next, the automatic erasing operation will be described with reference to FIG. In step 167, the number of mailboxes stored in the mailbox management area of the first RAM 3 is read out, and i for counting the number of mailboxes is set to 1
Set to. In step 168, the file management information of the mailbox with the smallest mailbox number is read out, and in step 170, it is judged from the read file management information whether the number of files is 0 or not. If the determination is negative, in step 172, the erase time is read from the block parameter of the mailbox having the smallest file number in this mailbox and the current time is read from the RTC 4 to count the number of files. Set j to 1.

In the next step 174, it is judged whether or not the erase time has elapsed from the read erase time and the current time. If the determination is affirmative, step 176 is performed.
Then, the access counter is read from the block parameters, and the access count reference is read from the system parameters. In the next step 178, it is determined whether or not the read access counter is equal to or more than the access count reference. If the determination is affirmative, the extension set in the erase time read in step 172 in step 180 is set. The erasing time is updated by adding time, the extension counter is counted up, the access counter is initialized, the extension counter is read out from the block parameter, and the extension reference is read out from the system parameter.

In the next step 182, it is judged whether or not the number of times of extension measured by the extension counter matches the extension reference, and if the determination is affirmative, step 184
The image information is erased and the file management information corresponding to the erased file is updated. Specifically, the number of files is counted down and the file block corresponding to the erased file is deleted.

At the next step 186, it is judged whether or not j matches the number of files. If the judgment is negative,
At step 188, the erase time is read from the block parameter of the file having the file number, and the current time is read from the RTC 4, and j is counted up.
Return to 4.

If the determination at step 186 is affirmative, it is determined whether i matches the number of mailboxes. If the determination is negative, at step 192 the mailbox number is changed to the next. Read the file management information of a small mailbox, and count up i,
Return to step 170. If the determination in step 190 is affirmative, the routine ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 182 is negative, the administrator of the mailbox device is notified in step 194 that the deletion time of the image information has been extended, and the process proceeds to step 186. This notification is performed by displaying on the display 6, outputting a report such as a mailbox management report or a stored document list by the printer 13, and the like. If the remote telephone number (notification destination number) of the data registrant is registered in the first RAM 3, a mailbox management report is sent to the data registrant's remote via the NCU 7, or a voice notification is sent. You may notify by message.

If the determination in step 170 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 190, and if the determination in step 174 is negative, the process proceeds to step 186.

As described above, the mailbox device according to the present embodiment extends the erase time of the image information that is frequently used among the registered image information, and the erase time of the image information that is less frequently used has passed. Since the data is erased later, the memory of the mailbox device, specifically, the third RAM 11 can be effectively used and useful image information can be stored.

Further, the mailbox device of this embodiment is
Since the extension time limit is set, it is possible to prevent old image information from being stored forever.

Furthermore, the mailbox device of this embodiment notifies the data registrant and the administrator of the mailbox device that the erasure time has been extended when the erasure time has been extended. Also, it is possible to facilitate the storage management of the image information by the administrator of the mailbox device.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of mailboxes in the mailbox device. However, if there is only one mailbox in the mailbox device, the mailbox number should be omitted. You can

Further, although the system parameters are set by the administrator of the mailbox device in the above embodiment, they may be stored in the ROM 2 as fixed parameters that cannot be changed. Further, although one system parameter is set for the entire mailbox device, the system parameter may be set for each mailbox or file. When the system parameters are set for each file, some or all of the system parameters may be set or changed by the data registrant.

In the above embodiment, the access counters of all the files contained in all the mailboxes are updated and whether or not the image information can be erased is determined by a series of steps. However, the access counter is updated and the image information is deleted. The erasability determination may be performed separately for each mailbox or each file.

Further, in the above embodiment, the access counter is updated every unit time, but from the time of registration to the erase time (if the erase time is extended, it is extended from the erase time when not extended). The number of accesses per unit time can be obtained by measuring the number of accesses up to the later erasing time) and dividing this by the accumulation time (extension time if the erasing time is extended).

In the above embodiment, the case where one image information is registered by one operation is explained, but after step 112 in FIG. 5, the image information is continuously registered in response to the data registrant. A step of determining whether or not to carry out is provided, and if image information is continuously registered, step 108 is carried out.
You may return to.

Similarly, in the above embodiment, the case where one image information is taken out by one access (FIG. 6) and the one image information is erased by one access (FIG. 7) will be explained. However, even if multiple file numbers are specified with one access and the image information stored in all the specified files is transmitted or displayed or deleted, all the necessary file management information is updated. Good. In addition, all image information included in the mailbox having the designated mailbox number may be transmitted or displayed by one access.

Immediately after step 102 of FIG. 5, step 120 of FIG. 6, step 138 of FIG. 7, step 106 of FIG. 5, step 124 of FIG. 6, step 1 of FIG.
Immediately after 42, a display for prompting the input of the password and the file number may be displayed.

In the above embodiment, the data registrant and the administrator of the mailbox device are notified that the deletion time has been extended. However, the mailbox device is not a file server but the original image information is provided as information. The notification as described above may be omitted because it is stored by the person. Furthermore, the usage status of the image information being saved, the extension count, the scheduled deletion time, and the like may be notified at any time in response to a request from the data registrant or the administrator of the mailbox device.

Further, when the erasing operation of the data registrant or the automatic erasing operation of the image information is completed, the fact may be notified to the data registrant.

Needless to say, the data (text or the like) to be registered may be input to the mailbox device by the keyboard 5.

[0063]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the number of times data is accessed within a predetermined unit time is equal to or greater than the predetermined number when the data deletion time has elapsed, the data deletion time is extended. In addition, when the number of accesses is less than the predetermined number of times, the data is erased, so that it is possible to effectively use the memory of the mailbox device and save the data as much as possible. Produce an effect.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the data is erased when the extension number of the data erase time reaches a predetermined value, it is possible to prevent old data from being stored in the mailbox device forever. It has the excellent effect of being able to

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the data erasing time is extended, at least one of the data registrant and the mailbox device administrator is notified that the data erasing time is extended. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the data registrant and the administrator of the mailbox device can easily manage the data.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a mailbox management area included in the mailbox device of FIG.

3 is a configuration diagram of a mailbox included in the mailbox device of FIG.

4 is a diagram showing parameters included in file management information in the mailbox management area of FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine for registering image information in a mailbox.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine for extracting image information from a mailbox.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control routine for deleting image information from a mailbox by a data registrant's deletion operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control routine for automatically deleting image information from a mailbox.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control routine for updating an access counter.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control routine for automatically deleting image information from a mailbox based on an access counter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 3 First RAM 6 Display 7 NCU 11 Third RAM 13 Printer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data storage means for storing input data, an erase time setting means for setting an erase time of the data, and an access count measuring means for measuring the access count to the data within a predetermined unit time. And an erase time extending means for extending the erase time of the data for a predetermined period when the erase time has passed and the access count is a predetermined number or more, and the erase time has passed and the access count is less than the predetermined count. And a erasing means for erasing the data in the case of ??? 2. An extension number measuring means for measuring the extension number of the erase time of the data, and an extension stop means for stopping the extension of the erase time of the data when the extension number reaches a predetermined value. The mailbox device according to claim 1, further comprising: the erasing means erasing the data when the extension stopping means stops extending the erasing time of the data. 3. A notification means for notifying at least one of the registrant of the data and the administrator of the mailbox device that the deletion time of the data has been extended when the deletion time of the data has been extended. Claim 1 further comprising
The described mailbox device.