JPH09270857A - Electronic mail output method and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the user to recognize a content of an electronic mail addressed to itself at a visiting location or the like, by providing an electronic read-out section or the like outputting a content of an electronic mail storage means from a telephone number in voice via a voice modem, based on a discrimination result of an ID password management section to the device. SOLUTION: An electronic mail service section 12 stores an electronic mail sent from one user to other user into a mail storage file 14. Then an ID password management section 16 retrieves an ID password stored in an ID password file section from a telephone reply section 15 to collate whether or not the given password is correct. An electronic mail read-out section 17 generates a pulse signal denoting the content of the electronic mail stored in the mail storage file 14 and sends the signal to a voice modem 18, which converts the signal into a voice signal, which is outputted from a telephone set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for outputting the contents of electronic mail exchanged on a computer network from a telephone by voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in computer networks, users have exchanged electronic mail with each other. The use of electronic mail as a means of communication is superior to other means in terms of communication cost and convenience, and is becoming popular worldwide, especially as seen on the Internet.

Electronic mail is stored as a file in a host computer on a network or a server on the Internet or the like.

[0004]

However, in order to know the contents of the electronic mail sent to itself, conventionally, it was necessary to connect a computer to a communication line to take in the electronic mail. Therefore, in order to know the contents of the electronic mail from the place where the user is away from home or on a business trip, it is necessary to always carry a system including a computer and a modem for connecting lines. In recent years, portable computers have become widespread, and mobile phones have come to be used for connection with communication lines, and it has become possible to connect computers from outside.

[0005] However, it is inconvenient to carry a computer with me whenever I go out or make a business trip. Further, even when a battery is used as a power source for driving the computer, it is necessary to take care so that the battery does not rise during use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to know the contents of an electronic mail sent to oneself from a destination while traveling without a computer or a modem. It is an object to provide an output method and its device.

[0007]

An electronic mail output device of the present invention is an electronic mail for receiving and storing an electronic mail transmitted from one user to another user in a network connecting a plurality of computers. Mail storage means,
ID / password storing means for storing the ID number and password of each user in advance, and a telephone response section or an electronic mail reading section for converting a voice signal input by the user via the telephone into a pulse signal. A voice modem that outputs the signal to the user or converts the pulse signal output by the telephone response unit or the e-mail reading unit into a voice signal and transmits the voice signal to the user via the telephone; and a message for the user to read the e-mail. Is input from the telephone and this message is received via the voice modem,
A message prompting the user to enter his / her own ID number and password is output from the telephone via the voice modem and transmitted to the user, and the ID number and password entered by the user via the telephone are transferred to the voice modem. When given via the telephone response unit, which outputs the ID number and password, and the ID number and password output by the telephone response unit, the ID / password storage means is searched and collated, and the password If the ID / password management unit determines that the password is correct, the contents of the electronic mail stored in the electronic mail storage unit are changed to the voice / password management unit. It is characterized by including an e-mail reading unit for outputting a voice from a telephone via a modem. .

Further, according to the electronic mail output method of the present invention, in a network in which a plurality of computers are connected, an electronic mail transmitted from one user to the other user is received and stored in the electronic mail storage means. Steps,
When the user inputs a message requesting the reading of an electronic mail from a telephone by a voice signal, a step of converting the voice signal into a pulse signal by a voice modem and receiving by the telephone response unit, the telephone response unit, Transmitting a message to the user via the voice modem prompting the user to enter his or her ID number and password; and when the user inputs the ID number and password from the telephone, the user will receive the message via the previous voice modem. The step of retrieving each user's ID number and password stored in advance in the ID / password storage means and collating the entered ID number and password, and the collation result showing that this password is correct. If judged, the content of the email sent to this user and stored in the email storage means E-mail reading unit is characterized by comprising the step of transmitting to the user from the telephone via the voice modem.

If it is determined that the password is correct as a result of the collation, the title of at least one e-mail transmitted to the user and stored in the e-mail storage means is set to the voice modem. To prompt the user to specify an e-mail to be read aloud, and to prompt the user to judge whether the specification of this e-mail is correct and, if not, specify the e-mail again. If the specification of the electronic mail is correct, the electronic mail reading unit may notify the user of the content of the specified electronic mail from the telephone via the voice modem to the user.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an e-mail once stored in a server on a network is output by voice through a public telephone or a mobile telephone to notify the recipient of the content. . Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an electronic mail output device according to this embodiment. The electronic mail server 11 is a server for receiving electronic mail provided on a computer network, and includes an electronic mail service unit 12, an ID / password file 13, a mail storage file 14, a telephone response unit 15, and an ID / password management unit. 16 and an e-mail reading part 17.

The ID / password file 13 stores the ID number and password given to each user.

The mail storage file 14 temporarily stores an electronic mail sent from the sender so as to transfer it to the recipient's computer.

The e-mail service unit 12 stores the e-mail sent from one user to the other user in the e-mail save file 14 or takes out the stored e-mail from the e-mail save file 14 and sends it to the other party. It performs processing necessary for exchanging electronic mail on the line, such as sending to.

The telephone response section 15 acts as an intermediary for messages between the user side and the electronic mail server 11 side. Specifically, the user inputs a message via the telephone, the voice modem 18 receives the converted pulse signal and responds to this message, and if necessary, the message on the electronic mail server 11 side. Is generated and output to the voice modem 18, converted into a voice signal and transmitted to the user.

The voice modem 18 includes an analog voice signal which can be heard by the user and the electronic mail server 1.
1 mutually converts a digital signal for processing, and has a PCM reproduction function and a tone / pulse determination function.

The ID / password management unit 16 is given an ID number and a password from the telephone response unit 15, and searches the ID number and the password stored in the ID / password file 13, so that the given password is correct. It is to check whether or not.

The electronic mail reading unit 17 generates a pulse signal indicating the contents of the electronic mail stored in the mail storage file 14 based on the instruction from the telephone response unit 15, and transmits the pulse signal to the voice modem 18 to output a voice signal. It is converted to and output from the telephone.

The operation of the electronic mail output device having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 100, the voice modem 18 is ready to receive a call from the user.
In this state, when the user dials a predetermined telephone number that provides reading of e-mail using a public telephone or a mobile phone, the telephone response indicates that the request was made via the public line or the voice modem 18. The unit 15 is notified.

In step 102, the telephone response unit 15 generates a pulse signal for transmitting a message prompting the input of the ID number and transmits it to the voice modem 18. The voice modem 18 converts this pulse signal into a voice signal and sends it to the user via the public line.

In step 104, the process waits for the input of an ID number, during which the user inputs his or her ID number using the button on the telephone.

In step 106, the telephone answering unit 15 generates a pulse signal and outputs it to the voice modem 18 in order to convey a message prompting the user to enter the password.
The voice modem 18 generates a voice signal based on this signal and transmits it to the user. This results in step 108
Enter the password waiting state in.

When the user inputs the password by using the button on the telephone, it is determined whether the password input in step 110 is correct. Specifically, the password received by the telephone response unit 15 is transferred to the ID / password management unit 16. ID / password management unit 16
Is the ID stored in the ID password file 13
The number and password are searched to determine whether the password for the input ID is correct. If the password is incorrect, the ID password management unit 16 notifies the telephone response unit 15 of that fact. In step 112, the telephone answering unit 15 notifies the user of a message indicating that the password is incorrect through the voice modem 18.

Thereafter, as a step 114, the telephone response section 15 disconnects the line. Here, if the first password input is incorrect, the line is cut off immediately after notifying that the password is incorrect. However, the password may be input again, for example, up to three times. After disconnecting the line, the process returns to step 100 and waits for an incoming call from the user.

In step 110, when the ID / password management unit 16 determines that the password is correct, the ID / password
・ Password management unit 116 reads email reading unit 17
An instruction to read the e-mail is issued to and the process proceeds to step 116.

At step 116, the electronic mail reading section 17 searches the electronic mail of the user stored in the mail storage file 14. Then, the e-mail reading section 17 generates a message notifying the title of the e-mail for each number added to the number of saved e-mails and the number of stored e-mails, and the voice modem Communicate to the user via 18. As a result, the process waits for the user to input the mail number in step 118. Here, in addition to the title of the electronic mail, the time when the electronic mail is input may be transmitted together.

When the user inputs the mail number, the process proceeds to step 120 and it is judged whether or not the mail number is correct. That is, the mail number is input to the telephone response unit 15 via the voice modem, and the telephone response unit 15 instructs the electronic mail reading unit 17 to read the electronic mail of the designated mail number. E-mail reading part 1
7 determines whether or not there is an electronic mail corresponding to the designated mail number, and if there is no corresponding electronic mail, it notifies the telephone response unit 15 of the fact and proceeds to step 122. In step 122, the telephone response unit 15 generates a message prompting the user to enter the mail number again, and informs the user through the voice modem 18. Then, the process returns to step 116 to notify each number and title of the mail again, and in step 118 the mail number input waiting state is entered.

In step 120, when the electronic mail reading part 17 determines that the mail number is correct, the process proceeds to step 124. In step 124, the electronic mail reading section 17 generates a pulse signal indicating the content of the electronic mail corresponding to the mail number and transmits it to the voice modem 18. The voice modem 18 generates a voice signal from this pulse signal and outputs it from the user's telephone. This allows the user to know the content of the email by voice.

When the reading of the electronic mail is completed, the electronic mail reading section 17 notifies the telephone response section 15 of the fact.
To step 126. Telephone answering unit 15
Asks the user whether to read another e-mail, or whether to read the same e-mail again. When multiple e-mails are stored, the user may want to read other e-mails. Further, even if only one e-mail is stored, the user may want to read the e-mail again. Therefore, it is necessary to inquire whether or not to continue. By providing such steps, it is possible to reduce the operation of re-inputting the ID number and the password by the user and the collation operation on the device side again.

When there is a user's intention in response to this inquiry, it is judged in step 128 whether or not to continue the reading operation of the electronic mail. If there is an intention to continue, the process returns to step 116. If there is an intention to continue, the process returns to step 100.

According to the above-described embodiment, the contents of the electronic mail addressed to the user can be known by voice from a destination such as a public telephone. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure a system such as a computer or a modem each time you go out or travel,
Further, since it is not necessary to pay attention to the consumption of the battery for operating the computer, the usability of the electronic mail for the user can be further enhanced.

[0033]

As described above, according to the electronic mail output method and apparatus of the present invention, the contents of the electronic mail transmitted to the user can be easily voiced by a public telephone, a mobile telephone or the like. Since the user can know the information, it is not necessary to carry a computer, a modem, or the like, and the usability of electronic mail can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic mail output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the electronic mail output device, that is, an electronic mail output method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 E-mail server 12 E-mail service part 12 13 ID / password file 14 Mail storage file 15 Telephone answering part 16 ID / password management part 17 E-mail reading part 18 Voice modem

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail storing means for receiving and storing an electronic mail sent from one user to another user in a network connecting a plurality of computers, and an ID number of each user. ID / password storing means for storing a password given in advance, and converting a voice signal input by a user through a telephone into a pulse signal and outputting the pulse signal to a telephone response section or an electronic mail reading section, or the telephone response Section or a voice modem that converts the pulse signal output by the e-mail reading unit into a voice signal and transmits it to the user via the telephone, and the user inputs a message requesting that the e-mail be read out from the telephone,・ A message prompting you to enter your ID number and password when you receive this message via the modem. Is transmitted from the telephone via the voice modem to the user, and when the user is given the ID number and password input via the telephone via the voice modem, the ID number and password are output. An ID that is given a telephone answering unit and the ID number and password output by the telephone answering unit, searches the ID / password storage means and compares them, and determines whether this password is correct
When the password management unit and the ID / password management unit determine that the password is correct, the content of the electronic mail stored in the electronic mail storage unit is output by voice from the telephone via the voice modem. An electronic mail output device, comprising: 2. In a network in which a plurality of computers are connected, a step of receiving an e-mail sent from one user to another user and storing the e-mail in an e-mail storage means; When a message requesting the reading of is input from the telephone as a voice signal, the voice response unit converts the voice signal into a pulse signal and the telephone response unit receives the pulse signal. A message prompting you to enter your number and password
The step of notifying the user through the modem, and when the user inputs the ID number and the password from the telephone, the user receives them through the previous voice modem and stores the ID of each user stored in the ID / password storage means in advance. A step of retrieving the number and password and collating the entered ID number and password; and when the collation result shows that this password is correct, it is sent to this user and stored in the e-mail storage means. And a step in which an e-mail reading section conveys the contents of the e-mail to the user from the telephone via the voice modem, the e-mail output method comprising: 3. In a network connecting a plurality of computers, a step of receiving an e-mail sent from one user to another user and storing the e-mail in an e-mail storage means; When a message requesting the reading of is input from the telephone as a voice signal, the voice response unit converts the voice signal into a pulse signal and the telephone response unit receives the pulse signal. A message prompting you to enter your number and password
The step of notifying the user through the modem, and when the user inputs the ID number and the password from the telephone, the user receives them through the previous voice modem and stores the ID of each user stored in the ID / password storage means in advance. A step of retrieving the number and password and collating the entered ID number and password; and when the collation result shows that this password is correct, it is sent to this user and stored in the e-mail storage means. At least one email title,
Prompting the user to specify the e-mail to be read aloud via the voice modem, and determining whether the e-mail specification is correct and prompting the user to specify again if it is not correct And a step of prompting the user to inform the user of the contents of the specified e-mail from the telephone via the voice modem to the user when the specification of the e-mail is correct. How to output e-mail.