JPH1198254A - Information communication system, information communication terminal, and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication system for easily and quickly using an information communication service provided by a server device. SOLUTION: A flash memory for storing identification information beforehand and connection information required in requesting connection from a membership terminal 1 to a common server device 2 is integrated into the membership terminal 1. At the time of requesting connection from the membership terminal 1 to the common server device 2, a connection request for the common server device 2 is formed by using the identification information and connection information stored beforehand in the flash memory of the membership terminal 1, and this is transmitted so that a communication path can be connected with the common server device 2. When the request from the membership terminal 1 is received by the common server device 2, the common server device 2 executes a processing corresponding to the received request, and provides a data communication service corresponding to the request to the user of the membership terminal 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information communication system for providing a communication service such as facsimile communication, e-mail communication or information providing service in response to a request from an information communication terminal. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, with the spread of portable wireless communication terminals such as PHS terminals and the increase in transmission speed of data communication using these portable wireless communication terminals, not only voice communication but also text data and image data, for example, have been developed. Wireless data communication services for wirelessly communicating various types of data have attracted attention.

For example, in a case where a PHS terminal is used, data communication at a transmission speed of 32 kbit / sec becomes possible, and the transmission speed of 28.8 kbit / sec or 33.3 kbit / sec when a modem is used on an analog telephone line. The transmission speed is about the same as 6 kbits / sec.
The environment where facsimile communication and the like can be performed from outdoors using a portable wireless communication terminal has been established.

For example, recently, various kinds of information provided on the Internet are often acquired by a personal computer via a modem and reproduced on a monitor screen or a speaker. But,
Some portable information processing display terminals are provided with a function of adding information and information on the Internet by adding a modem and a data communication function or connecting to a PHS terminal.

[0005] When receiving an information providing service through the Internet, generally, a user of an information communication terminal such as a personal computer or a portable information processing display terminal is instructed by a specific Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as a "Internet service provider"). , ISP) must apply for a connection contract.

[0006] An application for a connection contract is made to the ISP.
For example, this is performed by mailing a connection contract application form.
In response to the application, the ISP assigns a user ID and a password to each information communication terminal user who has applied for the connection contract. Then, the ISP mails the assigned user ID and password, and other documents describing information such as the address of the ISP to the user of the information communication terminal that has applied for the application, and assigns the assigned user ID and password, or , The information such as the address of the server device of the ISP.

[0007] The user of the information communication terminal operates the keyboard of the information communication terminal used by himself / herself while referring to the document mailed from the ISP, and the user ID, password, or ISP of the ISP assigned to the user. Information such as the address of the server device is sequentially input, and all the information necessary for connection with the server device of the ISP is registered in the memory of its own information communication terminal. This user ID
Information such as passwords and passwords is also managed in the server device of the ISP. In this way, the connection environment is set up between the information communication terminal of the user who has applied for the connection contract and the server device of the ISP.

When the information communication terminal is connected to the Internet after the connection environment has been prepared as described above, the information communication terminal uses the user ID and password registered in its own memory and the server device. A connection request is generated and transmitted using information such as an address, and a connection is requested to the ISP server device.

[0009] The server device of the ISP, based on the user ID and password included in the transmitted connection request,
The information communication terminal checks whether the information communication terminal has a connection contract with the server device of the ISP, and if the information communication terminal has the connection contract, authenticates the connection. As a result, the information communication terminal is connected to the Internet through the server device of the ISP, and can receive an information providing service through the Internet.

Some ISPs provide a method called online sign-up as a method for applying for a connection contract to the ISP. This method of online sign-up is used for confirming whether or not an information communication terminal has a contract relationship, and is required when the information communication terminal requests a connection of a communication path to the ISP side. Even without using a user ID or password,
An information communication terminal for which a connection contract is to be made can be provisionally connected to a target ISP server device with so-called guest qualification.

[0011] Then, a connection contract application screen is displayed on the display screen of the provisionally connected information communication terminal, and the keyboard of the information communication terminal is operated on the displayed application screen. By inputting necessary information such as the address, name, and credit number of the user of the information communication terminal and transmitting the input information to the ISP, a connection contract is applied.

[0012] Thereby, the user of the information communication terminal can obtain the I
It is possible to apply for a connection contract to the SP at any time, and after the connection contract is made, at the earliest several minutes later, and at the latest the day after the application is made, The ISP server device that has applied for the connection contract can be connected.

[0013]

However, as described above, the user ID, password,
Alternatively, the address of the server device of the ISP is sequentially input by operating the keyboard of the information communication terminal,
The operation of registering in the memory of the own information communication terminal is complicated, time-consuming, time-consuming and troublesome.

[0014] In addition, the user of the information communication terminal mistakes the information described in the document mailed from the ISP or mistakes the operation of the keyboard of the information communication terminal. There is a possibility that an error may occur due to the user of the information communication terminal, such as that the information communication terminal has not been registered. As described above, when the information registered in the information communication terminal is incorrect, it is necessary to re-enter accurate information based on the information described in the document from the ISP, and time and labor are required. It will take more.

Also, using online sign-up,
When applying for a connection agreement, as described above,
It is necessary to temporarily connect the information communication terminal to the server of the ISP, and to input and send necessary information. However, these operations are often complicated, and accurate connection by online sign-up is required. It often takes time and effort to apply for a contract.

As described above, when trying to obtain various information provided on the Internet using the information communication terminal, processing such as registration of information in the information communication terminal must be performed. However, simply purchasing an information communication terminal does not make it possible to obtain desired information. In particular, for users unfamiliar with the operation of information communication terminals,
Registering information in the information communication terminal as described above is a troublesome operation, and even if you purchase an information communication terminal,
Sometimes it is not possible to make it usable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and enables a user of an information communication terminal to connect the information communication terminal to a server device without performing any complicated operation for setting a connection environment. An object of the present invention is to provide an information communication system, an information communication method, and an information communication terminal used for the information communication method, which enable use of a communication service that can be provided by a server device using the information communication terminal. And

[0018]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information communication system in which a server device and an information communication terminal are connected through a network.
The server device is an information communication system that provides a communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal, wherein the information communication terminal includes identification information predetermined for each information communication terminal, A storage unit in which connection information for connecting to the server device is recorded in advance is incorporated, and the request to the server device includes the identification information and the connection information stored in the storage unit. The server device includes a request sending unit that generates and sends the request, the server device receives the request from the information communication terminal, and a process corresponding to the request from the information communication terminal received by the receiving unit. And a processing execution means for executing

According to the information communication system of the first aspect of the present invention, the information communication terminal has information required when the information communication terminal requests a connection to the server device. A storage unit in which the identification information and the connection information are stored in advance is incorporated.

The identification information is information such as a user ID and a password for identifying whether or not the information communication terminal is an information communication terminal that has made a connection contract with the server device. The connection information is, for example, address information of the server device requesting the connection.

When a request for connection is made from the information communication terminal to the server device, the request transmission means of the information communication terminal uses the identification information and the connection information stored in advance in the storage means incorporated in the information communication terminal. Thus, a connection request to the server device is formed, and the request is sent to request a connection to the server device. The request sending means of the information communication terminal generates and sends various requests to the server device, such as a request for providing information, in addition to the connection request.

[0022] When a request from the information communication terminal is received by the receiving means of the server device, processing corresponding to the received request is executed by the processing executing means. Thereby, the data communication service according to the request is provided to the information communication terminal.

As described above, since the information communication terminal is provided with the storage means in which the identification information and the connection information necessary when requesting the connection to the server device are mounted, the information communication terminal is purchased. Immediately after obtaining the data, the server device accesses the server device to obtain the received data of facsimile or e-mail addressed to itself, or transmits the data of facsimile or e-mail specified to the other party, or And data communication services such as receiving various electronic information.

Accordingly, the user of the information communication terminal does not need to perform troublesome operations such as setting identification information and connection information on his / her own information communication terminal, and establishes a connection contract with the server device. Does not take a long time from the time the application is made to the time when the connection to the server device becomes actually possible.

In the information communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, a server device and an information communication terminal are connected via a network, and the server device provides a communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal. An information communication system according to claim 1, wherein said information communication terminal is a recording medium in which identification information predetermined for each user of said information communication terminal and connection information for connecting to said server device are recorded in advance. And a request sending unit for generating and sending a request to the server device including the user identification information and the connection information stored in the recording medium loaded in the loading unit. Receiving means for receiving the request from the information communication terminal; and responding to the request from the information communication terminal received by the receiving means. Characterized in that it comprises a process execution means for executing management.

According to the information communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the information communication terminal is provided with a loading section for a recording medium such as a card memory. The recording medium loaded in the loading section includes user identification information of a user of the information communication terminal, which is information required when the information communication terminal loaded with the recording medium requests connection to the server device. , And connection information are stored in advance.

The user identification information is information such as a user ID and a password for identifying whether or not the user of the information communication terminal is a user who has connected to the server device. That is, the user identification information here is not information set for each information communication terminal, but is identification information for each user who uses the information communication terminal using a recording medium on which the user identification information is recorded. The connection information is, for example, address information of the server device requesting the connection.

When using the information communication terminal, each user loads his / her recording medium, in which user identification information and connection information are stored in advance, into the loading section. When requesting a connection from the information communication terminal to the server device, the request transmitting means of the information communication terminal uses the user identification information and the connection information stored in advance in a storage medium loaded in the loading section of the information communication terminal. Is used to form a connection request to the server device, which is sent out to request a connection to the server device.

Then, as in the information communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the server device receives the request from the information communication terminal by the receiving means, the processing corresponding to the received request is performed by the processing unit. This is executed by the execution means, and the data communication service according to the request is provided to the information communication terminal.

As described above, the user identification information and the connection information required when requesting the connection to the server device are stored in advance in the recording medium loaded in the loading section of the information communication terminal. The user of the communication terminal has user identification information,
By loading its own recording medium in which the connection information is stored into the information communication terminal, it accesses the server device,
Various data communication services can be provided.

Therefore, in this case, since the information necessary for requesting the connection to the server device is stored in the recording medium used by loading the information communication terminal, the recording medium is stored in the information communication terminal. Just by loading, the server device can be accessed. Further, the user of the information communication terminal does not need to perform a troublesome operation on the information communication terminal for setting the connection environment of the information communication terminal, such as setting identification information and connection information.

Further, since the information communication terminal can be freely inserted and removed from the recording medium, one information communication terminal can be shared by a plurality of users who own the recording medium.
A more convenient information communication system can be provided.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an information communication system, an information communication method and an information communication terminal according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, an information communication system is constructed by connecting a plurality of information communication terminals having a contractual relationship with this server device to one common server device via a network.

In the case of this embodiment, the information communication terminal
It is configured as a portable wireless communication terminal and has a function to receive provision services such as an information provision service from a common server device, and a telephone function of a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) and a data communication function of facsimile and e-mail. The configuration is also provided. The information providing service, the facsimile communication, and the e-mail communication are configured to be performed by cooperation of the individual portable wireless communication terminals and the server device.

[Explanation of Network System] First, a communication network system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conceptual configuration of a communication network system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a portable wireless communication terminal having a contract relationship with a common server device; Is a common server device. A plurality of portable wireless communication terminals 1 and a common common server device 2 include a network 3 for portable wireless communication terminals,
This network 3 is connected through a dedicated backbone network 5 connected through one or more access points 4.

The portable wireless communication terminal network 3 includes:
Other portable wireless communication terminals that are not in contract with the common server device 2 are also connected. However, the portable wireless communication terminals that can receive a data communication service from the common server device 2 as described later must Only the portable wireless communication terminal 1 contracted with the device 2. In order to avoid confusion with a portable wireless communication terminal having no contractual relationship with the common server device 2, in the following description, a portable wireless communication terminal having a contractual relationship with the common server device 2 will be referred to as a member terminal.

When the contract relationship between the common server device 2 and the member terminal 1 is established, the member is also given member identification information and a password in this embodiment. Address information for connection is also provided.

However, in this embodiment, a member who has made a contract is provided with a member in which a memory in which connection information such as identification information such as the member identification information and the password and address information of the server device are stored in advance. By handing over the terminal, the member does not need to be aware of these identification information and connection information. Then, as in the related art, there is no need for the member to input these identification information and connection information to his / her own terminal.

That is, a terminal ID for identifying each terminal is assigned to each of the member terminals 1, and the terminal ID becomes member identification information.

On the other hand, a terminal ID is registered in the member management server of the common server device 2 in advance, and a member contract is made. When the terminal is handed over to the member and becomes the member terminal 1, the member terminal is transferred to the member management server. To be registered.

The password is commonly assigned to all member terminals. Of course, each member terminal may be individually set and managed. The common server device 2 also manages this password.

The address information of the common server device 2 is commonly stored in the memories of all the member terminals. However, as will be described later, the communication path connected to the common server device 2 may be different depending on the member terminal, and in such a case, the address of the server device or the like passing through the route differs depending on the member terminal.

As described above, the member terminal of this embodiment has the user ID (in this case, the information communication terminal) required when requesting connection of the communication path from the member terminal to the common server device. A memory in which connection information such as identification information such as ID, password, and the like, and address information of the server device is stored. The common server manages these as member information.

This simplifies the process of applying for a connection contract with the common server device, which is required when a member contract is made. This eliminates the need for the member to input the user ID, password, and address information of the server device that must be used.

As soon as the member acquires the member terminal, the member can use the member terminal to access the common server device and use all the data communication services that can be provided by the common server device. It has been like that.

Each of the plurality of member terminals 1 and other portable wireless communication terminals of the same type is wirelessly connected to a wireless base station 6 provided in a predetermined area unit in consideration of, for example, a range where radio waves can reach. In the network 3 for a portable wireless communication terminal such as a connection between the wireless base stations 6, an optical cable is used, for example.

The dedicated backbone network 5 is connected to a network management server device 7 for managing the network 5. This network management server device 7
Manages so-called routing between the common server device 2 and the member terminal 1. Therefore, from the viewpoint of routing management in the network management server device 7, the common server device 2 can be positioned as one of the terminal devices connected to the dedicated backbone network 5. In this case, the network management server device 7 is also connected to the Internet 8.

The address information stored in the member terminal 1 described above includes the address of the network management server 7.

In this embodiment, the network management server device 7 is also directly connected to the common server device 2 and authenticates the member terminal 1 on behalf of the common server device 2. At the same time, the network management server device 7 transmits the access history from the member terminal 1 to the common server device 2 to the common server device 2. That is, in the present embodiment, the common server device 2 is configured to perform general member management such as charging log collection of the member terminal 1.

That is, in the case of this embodiment, the member terminal 1 has a contract relationship with the common server device 2 and
It does not have a contract relationship with the network management server device 7. The common server device 2 manages the member terminal 1 on the network connection by using the network management server device 7.
And there is also a contract relationship between the common server device 2 and the network management server device 7. Therefore, the common server device 2 can be connected to another dedicated backbone network and its network management server device in exactly the same relationship as the dedicated backbone network 5 and the network management server device 7 described above. .

Therefore, it is possible to assign a network management server to each member terminal in consideration of the area of the member to which the member terminal is distributed. However, since the address of the network management server is also written in the memory of the member terminal in advance, the member himself does not recognize it.

That is, in the case of this embodiment, when viewed from the common server device 2, a specific dedicated backbone network is allocated to each member terminal 1, and the common server device 2 from each member terminal 1 is assigned. Is always managed so as to pass through the dedicated backbone network allocated for the member terminal. However, when viewed from the member terminal 1, the access between the common server device 2 and the network management server device 7 Is completely irrelevant, the member terminal 1 simply accesses the common server device 2 and is managed by the common server device 2 only.

According to such a network management configuration, for example, by making the common server device 2 have all the service functions of the individual network management server devices 7, the user of the member terminal 1 In order to receive various services provided by the network management server device 7 of
Instead of making a contract with the common server device 2, various services provided by the common server device 2 can be received only by creating a contract relationship with the common server device 2, which is very convenient.

The common server device 2 is connected to a public line network 9 and, as described later, the member terminal 1 is connected to a communication terminal 10 such as a facsimile terminal or a personal computer connected to the public line network 9. A function is provided for enabling transmission and reception of communication data between the devices.

Further, in this embodiment, the common server device 2 includes a storage unit serving as a part of a provided information database in order to provide the member terminal 1 with an information providing service. Further, the common server device 2 is connected to the content providing device 11, and acquires information from the content providing device 11, which is a part of a database of information provided to the member, and provides the acquired information to the member terminal 1. To

The content providing device 11 is provided by a providing company having unique providing information, and provides the information to the member terminal 1 through the common server device 2 according to a contract with a service company having the common server device 2. Is what you do. In FIG. 1, the content providing device 11
Although only the number is shown, a plurality of content providing apparatuses 11 may be connected to the common server apparatus 2.

The connection between the common server device 2 and the content providing device 11 may be connected through a dedicated line or connected through a network such as the Internet.

In the case of this embodiment, information from the content providing device 11 connected to the common server device 2 through the dedicated line or the network is
However, when there is a service provision request from the member terminal 1, the content providing device 11 is accessed and acquired, and is provided to the requesting member terminal 1.

It is also conceivable to obtain information from the content providing device 11 as needed and store it in the internal memory of the common server device 2 to keep the content of the internal memory up to date. When the number of providing devices 11 increases and the amount of provided information increases, there is a problem that the memory unit of the common server device 2 must be enlarged.

On the other hand, as in this embodiment,
When the common server device 2 acquires only the requested information from the content providing device 11 and provides it to the member terminal 1 when a request is made from the member terminal 1, the memory of the common server device 2 can be obtained. The size of the department will not be large.
If the information provided in the content providing device 11 is constantly updated, the common server device 2 can always provide the latest information to the member terminal 1 simply by acquiring the information from the content providing device 11. it can.

In this embodiment, the common server device 2 is connected to one or a plurality of content providing devices 11 and collects information from these content providing devices 11 in a concentrated manner to form a member terminal. 1, the member terminal 1 does not need to make a contract with each of the content providing devices 11, and regardless of the format of information from the plurality of content providing devices 11, etc. Necessary information can be received from the common server device 2.

As a method of providing content to the common server device 2 by a provider having unique provided information, the content is not provided to the common server device 2 by connecting through a dedicated line or a network as described above. There is also a mode in which a content provider provides a recording medium such as a CD-ROM to the common server device 2 and stores the recording medium in the storage unit of the common server device 2.

In this embodiment, when a contract is made between the user of the portable radio communication terminal 1 and the company that owns the common server device 2, as described above, the portable radio communication terminal 1
Becomes the member terminal 1. For example, the purchase of the member terminal 1 by the user can be regarded as the occurrence of a contract relationship with the common server device 2.

In this embodiment, as described above, it is indicated that the terminal is a member terminal, and identification information (member identification information) such as a member ID and a password including a member terminal number, and each terminal. Connection information such as address information of the common server device 2 through a specific dedicated backbone network for each member is registered in the nonvolatile memory of the member terminal 1 in advance and distributed. Then, the common server device 2,
The ISP server device 7I manages such information.

Therefore, the purchase of the member terminal 1 causes a contract relationship with the common server device 2, and the purchaser of the member terminal 1 can use the member terminal 1 stored in the nonvolatile memory of the purchased member terminal 1 in advance. The common server device 2 is automatically accessed using the identification information and the connection information, and all services that the common server device 2 can provide can be provided via the member terminal 1. I have.

Of course, when the member terminal 1 is purchased, information necessary after the user's address, name, credit card number, etc. for payment of fees such as the line usage fee and the usage fee of the common server device 2 is required. Is provided to the common server device 2 by, for example, writing in an application form. As described above, since the member identification information and the connection information are already registered in the member terminal 1, the common server device 2 Connection to is allowed.

In this case, as described above, the operation of inputting the member ID, the password, and the address used for connection with the common server device 2 is not required at all. The member terminal 1 can be used without being conscious.

In this embodiment, the member terminal 1
Is excellent in portability, and can be provided with various information providing services simply by accessing the common server device 2 at any time and from any place.

Further, in this embodiment, the member terminal 1 realizes its facsimile communication and e-mail communication functions and related functions by cooperating with the common server device 2. That is, the member terminal 1 does not have a large-capacity memory for these communications. Instead, the common server device 2 includes a memory or a memory area for receiving data of each member terminal 1. Member terminal 1
, The application for realizing various functions except the application for the minimum required processing (software of the microcomputer), for example, the application for the display application, is left to the common server device 2. . That is, in the member terminal 1, when the user performs a key operation, for example, corresponding to a request for obtaining a target function, the request is sent to the common server device 2, and the common server device 2 The application runs. Then, the processing result of the application is sent to the member terminal 1.

The above is the outline of the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention. A more specific configuration will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows the concept of the communication network system shown in FIG. 1 more concretely. In this case, the member terminal 1 has a multifunction peripheral configuration of a PHS telephone terminal and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) having a data communication function. In addition to the PHS telephone function, the member terminal 1 has a facsimile communication It has a function and an e-mail communication function, and also has a function of receiving an information providing service from the common server device 2.

In this example, the network 3 for the portable radio communication terminal to which the radio base station 6 is connected is a PHS / ISD
N network 3n. Therefore, the member terminal 1 can perform telephone communication with another member terminal 1 or a non-member PHS terminal through the wireless base station 6-PHS / ISDN network 3n-wireless base station 6, and also has the wireless base station 6-PHS / ISDN.
Telephone communication can be performed with a general subscriber telephone terminal through the network 3n.

In this example, the dedicated backbone network 5
The network is managed by an ISP (Internet Service Provider). That is, 5N is the ISP backbone, that is, a network such as a LAN, and the ISP backbone 5N and the PHS / I
The SDN network 3n is PIAFS (PHS Int), which is an industry standard method of 32 Kbit / s transmission rate for PHS.
ernet Access Forum Standa
rd) through the access point 4P.

Reference numeral 5N denotes a router for the ISP, through which an ISP backbone 5N and an ISP server 7 corresponding to the network management server 7 are connected.
I and the common server device 2 are connected.

As described above, the ISP server device 7I authenticates the access from the member terminal 1 by the trust of the common server device 2 side. That is,
The ISP server device 7I includes the ISP server device 7I
Terminal 1 that accesses common server device 2 via
Is registered in advance by entrustment from the common server device 2, and the ISP server device 7I has access to a terminal connected to the ISP backbone 5N. Sometimes, the terminal accessing the IS
Authentication is performed to determine whether or not the member terminal 1 is to be connected to the common server device 2 through the P backbone 5N.
If so, the access is sent to the common server device 2 through the router 5R.

Then, the ISP server device 7I stores the access history (log) of the member terminal 1 in the common server device 2.
Send to The common server device 2 receives access history information of each of the plurality of member terminals from the one or more ISP server devices 7I, and comprehensively manages the billing of each of the member terminals.

In this example, the content providing device 11
It is connected to the common server device 2 via the Internet 8, and when the common server device 2 is needed, information to be provided from the content providing device 11 is acquired via the Internet 8 and provided to the member terminal 1. As described above, the content providing device 11 can be connected to the common server device 2 not through the Internet 8 but through a dedicated line. Further, the ISP server device 7I can also be a content providing device.

[Configuration of Common Server Device 2] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the common server device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the common server device 2 includes a master server 21, a mail server 22, a facsimile server 23, an incoming call notification server 24, and an HTTP (H
hyper Text Transfer Protocol
ol) A D server 25, a content server 26, and a content proxy server 27 are connected by a LAN (local area network). This LAN is also connected to the Internet 8.

The master server 21 performs management of member data, application for content options, etc., cancellation processing, and management and maintenance of the entire network. The master server 21 includes a memory 21M that stores member data (user information) including member identification information such as the above-described member ID and password.

The mail server 22 mainly manages and operates a mail service.
Office Protocol) or IMAP
(Internet Message Access
(Protocol) server function, and performs interface processing with the member terminal 1. The mail server 22 includes a memory 22M called a mailbox for member terminals. The mail box 22M has a memory area divided for each of the member terminals 1, and stores received data of an e-mail addressed to each of the member terminals for each of the member terminals.

In this embodiment, as will be described later, one member terminal transmits a message to another member terminal.
Facsimile data in text data format that does not include image data (image data) is also stored in this mailbox 2
It is stored as e-mail data in the 2M memory area for the other member terminal.

The facsimile server 23 executes an application of the facsimile communication function. A mail server function is implemented for the interface with the member terminal 1, and a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) for G3 facsimile
It also has a communication line function and is connected to the ISDN 9. Further, a memory 23M called a facsimile box (hereinafter referred to as a facsimile box) for storing image data as facsimile data is provided. The FAX box 23M also has a memory area divided for each member terminal, and stores facsimile reception data including image data addressed to each member terminal for each member terminal 1.

The incoming call notification server 24, when an electronic mail or facsimile is received to the member terminal,
This is for notifying each member terminal 1 of the incoming call through an N line (ISDN network 9).

The HTTPD server 25 controls an interface with the member terminal 1. All processes when the member terminal 1 is connected to the common server device 2 are as follows:
Via the server 25, each functional server is connected.

The content server 26 is a server for content information processing provided by the common server device 2. The server 26 uses 2 for content information to be provided.
And two information storage memories 26A and 26B. The one memory 26A is for holding information to be provided in the server 26 in advance. Another memory 2
6B does not hold information to be provided in the common server device 2 and temporarily stores data obtained from the content providing device 11 via the Internet 8 in use in the embodiment of FIG. belongs to.

The content proxy server 27 is used to acquire content data from the external content providing device 11 via the Internet 8. The proxy server 27 functions in conjunction with a firewall (not shown) to create an environment in which the outside can be freely accessed from the inside of the firewall while preventing unauthorized access from the outside.

Then, the common server device 2 stores the member terminal 1
When a request accompanied by information to permit the addition of an advertisement arrives from the side, the advertisement information managed by the content server 26 is added to the requested information and provided. Member terminal 1
The advertisement information provided to the user is managed as a part of the content data.

[Regarding Member Terminal 1] Next, the member terminal 1
Will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the external appearance of the member terminal 1, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the internal circuit configuration of the member terminal 1. As described above, the member terminal 1 of this example
Has a configuration of a composite terminal having a PHS telephone function, a facsimile communication, an e-mail communication, and a data communication function for receiving an information providing service.

The member terminal 1 according to this embodiment is different from that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG.
4A with the cover 101 openable and closable, and in a state of FIG. 4A in which the cover 101 is closed, a telephone mode operates as a PHS telephone terminal, and in a state of FIG. , A data communication mode in which a facsimile communication function, an e-mail communication function, and an information providing service receiving function can be obtained. Although not shown, a sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the lid 101 is provided for this mode switching.

As this sensor, for example, a projection is provided inside the lid 101 and a pressing switch is provided at a position corresponding to the projection on the main body 100 side. Using a mechanical sensor that presses

Also, one of the lid 101 and the main body 100
A sensor switch having a configuration in which a magnet is provided and a switch made of a magnetic sensitive element is provided on the other side may be used.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a numeric keypad 102 for telephone (for dialing) is provided on the front side of the lid 101. 103 is an antenna for PHS.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the member terminal 1 has a main body 10 that appears when the lid 101 is opened.
On the 0-side surface, a large LCD (liquid crystal display) 105
The display screen of the LCD 105 can display a communication message, a function list menu, a provided information list list, a received facsimile list, a received e-mail list, and the like. When a menu or list cannot be displayed on one screen, the entire screen can be displayed by scrolling the screen or switching to the next page.

In the state of FIG. 4A with the lid 101 closed,
LCD window 104 made of, for example, a transparent plastic plate
The display surface of the LCD 105 can be seen through.
In this case, with the lid 101 closed, the LCD display window 1
LC so that the display is performed only on the part that can be seen from 04
D105 is display-controlled.

In the member terminal 1 of this embodiment,
A transparent touch panel 106 is affixed to the surface of the LCD 105, and has a function of receiving a touch operation by a pen 107 detachably attached to the back side of the lid 101 as shown in FIG. I am preparing for it.

On the back side of the lid 101, a plurality of key buttons 108 such as a menu key K1, an online connection key K2, a function key K3, etc. are provided as direct keys. Further, on the right side of the LCD 105, a jog dial key 109 having two functions of a rotation key and a push button key is provided. When the jog dial key 109 is rotated as a rotation key, for example, an item selection operation in a menu or the like can be performed.
When a push operation is performed as a push button key, it is handled as meaning to determine and input the selected item.

Next, a circuit block of the member terminal 1 in FIG. 5 will be described. The member terminal 1 of this example is roughly divided into a communication function unit 110 and a control unit 120.

The communication function unit 110 includes an antenna 111,
An RF processing unit 112, a transmission / reception data processing unit 113, a microphone amplifier 114, a speaker amplifier 115,
It comprises a microphone 100MC and a speaker 100SP.

The control unit 120 is constituted by a microcomputer, and includes a system control unit 121 constituted by a CPU, a ROM 122, and a DRAM 123.
And a flash memory 124 as a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

The system control section 121 has a cover 1
A switch SW that is turned on and off in response to opening and closing of the cover 101 is connected. The system control unit 121 detects whether the lid 101 is in an open state or a closed state by turning on or off the switch SW. In the state, the member terminal 1 is controlled as a PHS telephone terminal. When the lid 101 is open, the member terminal 1 is controlled as an information communication terminal, a facsimile communication terminal, or a mail communication terminal.

The system control unit 121 receives information indicating the state of the key switch group of the numeric keypad 102 and the switch group of the key button 108 provided on the back side of the lid 101. When a user performs a key operation, the control unit 121 detects whether the key operation is one of the numeric keypad 102 and the key button 108, and executes a process corresponding to the detected key.

An LCD driver 125 is connected to the system control unit 121, and a ROM (to be described later)
LCD1 using the program 122 and display data
At 05, information provided from the common server device 2 is displayed, and other display images are displayed.

The system control unit 121 includes a buzzer 127 and an LED for notifying the user of an incoming call, facsimile and mail.
(Light emitting diode) 126 is connected.

The ROM 122 stores a program for controlling a sequence for connection with the common server device 2 and a PH.
Members such as a control program for S telephone communication, a control program for receiving an information providing service, a control program for facsimile transmission, a control program for mail transmission, a control program for receiving facsimile data and mail data, etc. A communication application program necessary for communication with the terminal 1 and an LCD
A display control program 105, display data such as a menu, and the like are stored.

As will be described later, the DRAM 123 is provided with an area for temporarily storing received data obtained from the common server apparatus 2 and for using a memory as a work area.

As described above, the flash memory 124 stores the member ID information such as the terminal ID and the password as the member ID, and the ISP for the common server 2.
Connection information such as address information on a network for automatic connection from the member terminal 1 through the server device 7I is stored in advance. That is, as described above, in this embodiment, the member identification information set in advance,
The member terminal 1 on which the flash memory 124 storing the connection information is mounted is provided to the end user.

[0108] The member identification information indicates that the member terminal 1 is a terminal having a contract relationship with the common server device 2 and that a data communication service such as a facsimile communication service, an e-mail communication service, and an information providing service is transmitted from the common server device 2. This is information for indicating that the terminal is an acceptable terminal and for identifying the user of each member terminal.

The member information such as the member identification information is stored in the memory 21 of the main server 21 of the common server device 2.
M and is also managed in the common server device 2. Further, the member identification information is also managed in the ISP server device 7I, and the ISP server device 7I
Performs authentication based on the member identification information as to whether or not the member has accessed the member.

Furthermore, the flash memory 124 has a D
There is also provided an area for storing, among the received data temporarily stored in the RAM 123, data that is particularly desired to be stored. The operation of the member terminal 1 having the above configuration will be described below, including the operation of the related common server device.

First, the PHS telephone mode will be described. When the telephone number of the other party is dialed in using the numeric keypad 102 with the lid 101 closed, a call is made. In addition, when the member terminal 1 as a PHS telephone terminal receives an incoming call with the lid 101 closed, the user is notified by a buzzer 127, and when the user answers, the incoming call is received. Can be made, and it becomes a call state.

When a call is received with the lid 101 opened, a call can be made at any time by pressing a call key (not shown) provided on the main body 100 side. However, the call is performed with the lid 101 closed.

In the PHS telephone call, the member terminal 1 transmits a transmission signal and receives a reception signal while the transmission / reception data processing unit 113 receives control from the system control unit 121.

That is, the audio signal from the microphone 100MC is transmitted to the transmission / reception data processing unit 1 via the amplifier 114.
13 to be converted into transmission data and transmitted to the RF processor 1
12, data is transmitted to the wireless base station 6 via the antenna 111, and voice data from the other party is received by the antenna 111 from the wireless base station 6, and the received data is processed by the transmission / reception data processing unit 113. Being
The call voice signal of the other party is restored, and it is supplied to the speaker 100SP through the amplifier 115 and is emitted.

Next, the data communication mode will be described. In the data communication mode, the member terminal 1 is configured to realize a facsimile function, an electronic mail function, a WWW browser function, a memo function, and the like. A list menu of these functions is displayed on the screen of the LCD 105 by operating a menu key of the key buttons 108. Then, the user operates the LCD 1
By selecting and determining a desired function by rotating and pressing the jog dial key 109 from the function list menu displayed on the screen 05, the member terminal 1 is brought into a state of a mode for executing the function. Become.

In the member terminal 1 of this embodiment, when transmitting and receiving facsimile data,
The transmission and reception of electronic mail are all processed via the common server device 2.

The data exchange between the member terminal 1 and the common server device 2 is performed by a communication method compatible with the networks 3 and 5 irrespective of a predetermined communication method as a facsimile communication method. To do. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the facsimile data and the e-mail data
SMTP (Simple Mail), a standard procedure used to transfer e-mail over the Internet
Transfer Protocol (Transfer Protocol), and information provided from the common server device 2 in the WWW browser function is HTTP (Hyper Text Tr).
The transmission data and the reception data are exchanged between the member terminal 1 and the common server device 2 according to the PIAFS method using the PHS network by using the transfer protocol.

In this case, in the member terminal 1, the transmission data is temporarily stored in the DRAM 123 as described above, and the system control unit 121
And the transmission / reception data processing unit 113 and the RF processing unit 11 in the communication protocol and data format described above.
2. Wireless transmission is performed sequentially via the antenna 111.

The data received from the common server device 2 is received by the antenna 111, and is temporarily stored in the DRAM 123 by the system control unit 121 through the RF processing unit 112 and the transmission / reception data processing unit 113. Then, under the control of the system control unit 121, L
The data is sent as display data to the LCD 105 through the CD driver 125, and the display content based on the received data is displayed.

The memo function includes a “handwritten memo” for inputting using the pen 107 and the touch panel 106, and an LCD.
There is a "type memo" in which a keyboard is displayed on the screen 105 and a document is created using the display keyboard. In both cases of the handwritten memo and the type memo, the created image or document can be transmitted as facsimile data.

That is, in either the handwritten memo mode or the type memo mode, a menu bar including a “FAX transmission (facsimile transmission)” icon is displayed on the screen of the LCD 105, and the “FAX transmission” is displayed.
Is selected with, for example, a pen, an input mode screen for a telephone number of a destination terminal to be transmitted or a facsimile title is displayed. Then, after inputting the telephone number and title of the partner terminal and selecting the "send" icon displayed in this mode, the image or document created by the handwritten memo or the type memo is transmitted as facsimile data. .

In this case, the member terminal 1 automatically generates a connection request using the member identification information and the connection information stored in the flash memory 124 and transmits the request to the common server device 2 to transmit the request. Connect and send facsimile data.

However, as described above, in this case, the facsimile data is transmitted to the common server device 2 as e-mail data, so that the image data and the document data are not bitmap data of facsimile communication, but
The image data is, for example, GIF (Graphics In)
(Change Format), and the document data is in a text data format.

When the destination is other than the member, the common server device 2 executes a process of converting the received data into bitmap data and transmitting the data to a terminal other than the member by facsimile. When the destination is the member terminal 1, the common server device 2 stores the received data in the mailbox 22 M or the FAX box 23 M, and sends the data to each member terminal 1 via the incoming call notification server 24. Notify that there was an incoming call. This incoming call notification is performed not only when facsimile data is received but also when e-mail data is received.

When the facsimile function is selected and the online connection key K2 of the key buttons 108 is pressed, the member terminal 1 automatically performs a process for connecting to the common server device 2. That is, the member terminal 1 stores the member identification information stored in the flash memory 124 in advance,
Using the connection information, a connection request to the common server device 2 is generated and transmitted. Then, the ISP server 7I, which is a network management server, authenticates whether the accessed terminal is a member terminal, and if it is a member terminal, performs a process of connecting to the common server device 2.

The common server device 2 recognizes the connected member terminal, creates a list of facsimile reception data received to the member terminal, and sends the list to the member terminal 1. Therefore, in this example, the online connection key K2
Also has the role of a request key for the received information list.

The member terminal 1 receives a request from the common server 2
The data of the list is received and temporarily stored in the DRAM 123, and the list is displayed on the screen of the LCD 105. The user can use the jog dial key 109 or the pen 10
7, the user can select desired facsimile reception data from this list. When the desired facsimile reception data is selected and the “capture” icon is selected, the member terminal 1 transmits a request to acquire the reception data to the common server device 2.

When this request is received, the common server 2
Extracts the requested facsimile reception data and sends it to the member terminal 1 by e-mail SMTP. The member terminal 1 temporarily stores the received data in the DRAM 123 and uses the data by displaying it on the LCD 105 or the like.

When the e-mail function is selected and the online connection key K2 of the key buttons 108 is pressed, the flash memory 124 is stored in advance similarly to the case where the facsimile function is selected. A connection request is generated and transmitted using the member identification information and the connection information. That is, the member terminal 1 is connected to the common server device 2
Automatically performs the process for connecting to Then, the common server device 2 creates a list of received data of the e-mail and sends it to the member terminal 1.

The member terminal 1 receives the data of the list, and displays the list on the screen of the LCD 105. Then, the user can use the jog dial key 109 and the pen 107 to select the received data of the e-mail to be provided from the list. The e-mail data to be provided is selected,
When the "Import" icon is selected, the member terminal 1
Transmits a request to acquire the received data of the e-mail to the common server device 2.

In response, common server device 2 extracts the received data of the requested e-mail and sends it to member terminal 1 by SMTP. The member terminal 1 temporarily stores the received data in the DRAM 123 and stores it in the LCD 105.
Use it by displaying it on

As described above, by selecting the received data of the e-mail from the list of the received data of the e-mail and selecting the “capture” icon,
As in the case of the facsimile reception data described above, the reception data of the e-mail addressed to the user stored in the common server device 2 can be captured in the DRAM 123 of the member terminal 1.

In this embodiment, the LCD 1
05 from the function list menu displayed on the display screen of
When the WW browser function is selected, the member terminal 1
Can be operated as an information reproducing terminal capable of acquiring and reproducing information provided from the common server device 2. At this time, the exchange of data between the common server device 2 and the member terminal 1 is performed by HTTP (Hyper
Text Transfer Protocol) is used, and is performed by a PIAFS method using a PHS network. The data format of the information provided from the common server device 2 is HTML (Hyper Text Maker).
p Language).

Then, when the WWW browser function is selected, the online connection key K2 of the key buttons 108
Is pressed, the member terminal 1 uses the member identification information and the connection information stored in the flash memory 124 in the same manner as when the facsimile function or the e-mail function is selected. A connection request is generated and transmitted, and processing for connecting to the common server device 2 is automatically performed.

Then, the common server device 2 provides a list of information providing services that can be provided by the common server device 2 to the member terminal 1 that has requested connection.

The member terminal 1 receives the list of information providing services from the common server device, and
5 is displayed on the display screen. The user of the member terminal 1 uses the jog dial key 109 and the pen 107 to
The user of the member terminal 1 can select an information providing service that the user of the member terminal 1 can provide from the list of information providing services displayed on the display screen 05.

Here, when a desired information providing service is selected from the list of information providing services displayed on the display screen of the LCD 105, the member terminal 1
A request to provide the selected information providing service is transmitted to the common server device 2.

[0138] In response to this, the common server device 2 acquires the content information according to the requested information providing service, and sends it to the requesting member terminal 1. The member terminal 1 receives the content information from the common server device 2 and temporarily stores the received content information in the DRAM 123.

If the requested content information is display information such as map information or news, the member terminal 1 converts this into display data and displays it on the LCD 105.

When the content information provided from the common server device 2 is, for example, an application such as a game, the application temporarily stored in the DRAM 123 is executed by the system control unit 121, and the member terminal 1 is operated. It can be used to enjoy games and the like.

As described above, the member terminal 1 stores the member identification information such as the member ID and the password stored in the flash memory 124 in advance and the flash memory 124
By generating and transmitting a connection request using connection information such as address data for connecting to the common server device 2 through the ISP server 7I stored in advance in the server, the connection request with the common server device 2 is established. To connect the communication path, as described above, facsimile function, e-mail function, WWW
It is configured so that various data communication services can be provided from the server device using the browser function.

Accordingly, as described above, the user of the member terminal 1 connects the communication path with the common server device 2 by a simple operation of pressing the online connection key K2, and responds to the function selected by the user. Data communication services can be provided.

[Operation when Member Terminal Receives Information Provided from Common Server Device] First, the member terminal 1 requests the common server device 2 to connect a communication path, and the member terminal stored in the common server device 2 1 about the operation of the member terminal 1 and the common server device 2 when receiving the facsimile reception data and the e-mail reception data addressed to the member who is the user or the information providing service that the common server device 2 can provide. This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As described above, the member terminal 1 is set to the data communication mode, and one of the facsimile function, the e-mail function, and the WWW browser function is selected from the function list menu displayed on the display screen of the LCD 105. At this time, when the online connection key K2 of the key buttons 108 is pressed (procedure S1), the member terminal 1 automatically performs a process for connecting to the common server device 2.

That is, in this embodiment, as described above, the own member identification information stored in advance in the flash memory 124 and the address data for connecting to the common server device 2 through the ISP server device 7I. Is used to generate a connection request for requesting connection with the common server device 2 (step S2). This connection request includes information for identifying the function selected in the member terminal 1 and the like. Then, the member terminal 1 transmits the generated connection request (step S3).

In response to this connection request, the ISP server 7I, which is the network management server, authenticates whether or not the accessed terminal is a member terminal, and determines whether or not the terminal is a member terminal included in the connection request. This is performed using the information (procedure S4), and if it is a member terminal, the common server device 2
Is performed (step S5).

Then, the common server device 2 sets the member terminal 1
, And recognizes which member terminal is the connected member terminal (step S6). Then, the common server device 2 creates a list according to the function selected in the member terminal 1 (step S7).

That is, when the connection request is transmitted when the facsimile function is selected, the common server device 2 transmits the connection request to the member terminal 1 which has transmitted the connection request.
A list of facsimile reception data addressed to the member who is the user of the user is created, and when the connection request is transmitted when the e-mail function is selected, use of the member terminal 1 which has transmitted the connection request is performed. Creates a list of received data of e-mail addressed to the member who is the recipient. When the connection request is transmitted when the WWW browser function is selected, the common server 2
Creates a list of information providing services that can be provided.

Then, the common server device 2 transmits the list created in step S7 according to the function selected by the member terminal 1 to the member terminal 1 that has transmitted the connection request.

The member terminal 1 receives the list from the common server device 2 (step S9), and displays this list on the LCD 105.
(Step S10). Then, the member terminal 1 receives a selection input by the user of the member terminal 1 for selecting information or a service to be provided from the list displayed on the LCD 105 (step S11).

Therefore, in this step S11,
By selecting the facsimile function, when the list of facsimile reception data addressed to the user is being sent, the selection input of the facsimile reception data destined to the user to be provided is accepted, and the e-mail function is selected. When the list of the received data of the electronic mail addressed to the user is transmitted, the selection input of the received data of the electronic mail addressed to the user to be provided is accepted. In addition, when a list of information providing services that can be provided by the common server device 2 is transmitted by selecting the WWW browser function, a selection input of an information providing service to be provided is received.

Next, the member terminal 1 generates an information or service provision request based on the received information or service selection input and transmits it to the common server device 2 (step S12).

The common server device 2 receives the provision request from the member terminal 1 (procedure S13), and acquires the requested information (procedure S14). That is, this procedure S1
4, when the provision request requests facsimile reception data, the common server device 2 transmits the requested facsimile reception data to the facsimile server 2.
The common server device 2 obtains the requested e-mail reception data from the memory 22M of the mail server 22 when the provision request requests the reception data of the e-mail. When the provision request is for requesting provision of an information provision service, the common server device 2 acquires the content information corresponding to the request from the memory 26A of the content server 26 or an external content information provision device. Then, the information acquired in step S14 is transmitted to the requesting member terminal 1 (step S15).

Then, the member terminal 1 is connected to the common server 2
Receives the information corresponding to its own request transmitted from the device (step S16), stores it in the DRAM 123, and
The information taken into the AM 123 is displayed on the LCD 105 and used (step S17).

As described above, in this embodiment,
Connection information such as member identification information given in advance and address data of a server device necessary for connection of a communication path is stored in the flash memory 124 of the member terminal 1 in advance and provided to the user.

As described above, immediately after becoming a member by purchasing the member terminal 1 as described above, the user of the member terminal 1 transmits the member identification information and the address data to the common server device 2 to the member terminal 1. By using the purchased member terminal 1, facsimile reception data and e-mail reception data can be received, and an information providing service can be provided, without performing a complicated operation for registering the information to the user.

[Transmission of Facsimile Information from Member Terminal 1] Also, when a member transmits facsimile information or electronic mail via the member terminal 1, information stored in the flash memory 124 is also used. Automatically connects the communication path with the common server device 2 and, upon request,
It is possible to send facsimile information or e-mail specifying the destination.

In this embodiment, the facsimile transmission can be performed in cooperation with the common server device 2 as follows.

The procedure of the facsimile transmission process from the member terminal 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this case, FIG. 8 shows a flow of the processing operation in the member terminal 1. 9 and 10 show the flow of the processing operation in the common server device 2.

[0160] As shown in FIG.
As described above, in the memo function, information to be transmitted by facsimile is input as a handwritten memo or a type memo (step S21). When the input of the text to be transmitted is completed, the main LCD 1
On the 05M screen, the “FAX transmission” icon is operated (step S22). Then, the screen of the LCD 105 becomes an input screen of the title of the destination and the transmission data, so that the destination telephone number and the title text are input (step S23). After that, the “transmit” icon is operated on the screen of the LCD 105 (step S24).

Then, the member terminal 1 determines whether or not it is already connected to the common server device 2 (step S25).
When not connected to the common server device 2 yet, for connection with the common server device 2, the member identification information stored in advance in the flash memory 124 of the member terminal 1 and the address data such as the address data of the common server device 2. A connection request is generated using the connection information (step S26), and the generated connection request is transmitted (step S27). As a result, IS
Automatic connection to the common server device 2 is performed through the P server device 7I.

The ISP server device 7I authenticates whether or not the accessing terminal is the member terminal 1 from the connection request, confirms that the terminal is the member terminal 1, and then connects to the common server device 2. .

After the common server 2 and the member terminal 1 are connected, the member terminal 1 converts the facsimile transmission data into a mail format and transmits the data to the common server 2 (step S27). If the member terminal 1 and the common server device 2 have already been connected, the procedure S26, the procedure S26
27 is bypassed, and the procedure S28 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the common server device 2 receives the mail from the member terminal 1, expands the user information (member information), and confirms whether or not the user is a member (step S).
31). Then, in this step S31, when it is confirmed that the user is a member, the access history of the member who is the user of the member terminal 1 that has transmitted the mail is recorded.

Next, the transmission destination is confirmed (step S32), and if the transmission destination is a member terminal, it is converted to a mail format and determined to be transmitted as an electronic mail (step S32).
33). Then, it is determined whether the facsimile data includes only text data or image data (step S3).
4) If it is only text data, it is stored as mail in the received mail storage area of the member terminal designated as the destination of the mailbox 22M (step S35).
If image data is included, it is stored as a facsimile in the reception facsimile storage area of the member terminal designated as the transmission destination of the facsimile box 23M (procedure S36) and added to the reception log of the member terminal. Then, the member terminal 1 is notified of the incoming call (step S3).
7).

If it is determined in step S32 that the destination is a member other than a member, the header information is edited (step S38), and then the facsimile transmission data is converted to a mail format and transmitted in SMTP. Is transmitted to the facsimile server 23 (step S3).
9).

As shown in FIG. 10, the facsimile server 23 receives the mail from the mail server 22 and judges the extension header (step S41). Then, the facsimile data is developed into a header and a body (procedure S
42), the developed data is developed into bitmap data (procedure S43). That is, the text data and the image data in the GIF format are converted into bitmap data for the facsimile communication system.

Then, data such as the expanded header and body is synthesized to generate facsimile transmission data (step S44), and facsimile transmission is performed to the destination terminal (step S45). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the transmission has been completed (step S46), and if the transmission has been completed, the process is terminated as it is. If the transmission failed, the non-delivery mail is transmitted to the mail server 22 (step S47), and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user of member terminal 1 inputs information to be transmitted by facsimile on the display screen of LCD 105,
By operating the “FAX transmission” and “transmission” icons indicating transmission, facsimile transmission can be performed wirelessly.

Also in this case, when the member terminal 1 requests connection to the common server device 2, the member identification information, I.sub.
The connection can be automatically established by generating and sending a connection request using connection information such as address data of the SP server 7I and the common server device 2.

In this case, there is no need for the user to perform any input operation for connecting to the common server device 2 through the ISP server device 7I, and the user can perform facsimile transmission directly to the other party. recognize. That is, the user can perform facsimile transmission from the portable wireless communication terminal in the same procedure as when transmitting from a general facsimile terminal.

As described above, in the flash memory 124 of the member terminal 1, the connection information necessary for connection including the member identification information given in advance and the address data of the common server device 2 is registered in advance. As soon as 1 is purchased, the user can use data communication services such as provision of information from the common server device 2 and transmission of information specifying a destination via the common server device 2.

That is, the user of the member terminal 1 sends a member ID, a password, or
It is not necessary for the user to register the address data of the common server device 2 or the like. Of course, there is no need to input member identification information or connection information when requesting a connection.

The user of the member terminal 1 is shown in FIGS.
When the information is provided from the common server device 2 as described with reference to FIG. 8, the destination is designated from the member terminal 1 through the common server device 2 as described with reference to FIGS. Even when transmitting such information, it is possible to connect to the common server device 2 and receive various data communication services without being conscious of the member identification information, the address of the ISP server device 7I, and the address of the common server device 2 at all. Can be.

The flash memory 12 of the member terminal 1
4, the member identification information and the connection information are described as information stored in advance.
Has a function as a PHS terminal,
Of course, the telephone number assigned to the member terminal 1 can be stored in the flash memory 124 in advance.

In this embodiment, information such as member identification information and connection information is stored in the flash memory 12.
4 is stored in advance, but such information may be stored in the ROM 122 in advance. In this case, when generating a connection request,
The member identification information and the connection information stored in the ROM 122 in advance may be used.

A dedicated nonvolatile memory in which only the member identification information and the connection information are stored in advance is provided.
Alternatively, the member terminal 1 may be mounted in advance as a memory different from the memory 22 or the flash memory 124.

[Second Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the member identification information and the connection information given in advance by the common server device 2 are stored in the flash memory 124 mounted on the member terminal 1 in advance. did. Therefore, as the member ID of the member identification information, the terminal ID of the member terminal 1 is used.
Is used. For example, in the case where the member terminal 1 is accidentally destroyed and it takes time to repair, the user of the member terminal 1 can use the member terminal 1 until the repair is completed.
, The data communication service cannot be used.

Therefore, it is conceivable to borrow a member terminal of another member such as a friend. However, if the member terminal is borrowed by another member, facsimile data or e-mail specifying the destination, transmission of information, Even if the user can use the provided service, he or she cannot easily receive facsimile reception data or e-mail reception data addressed to the user.
As described above, facsimile reception data and e-mail reception data are extracted in the common server device 2 based on the member identification information.

[0180] Also, since billing is performed based on the member identification information, when facsimile or e-mail is transmitted by borrowing a member terminal of another member, or when an information providing service is used, The line usage fee and the usage fee of the common server device 2 will be charged to the user of the member terminal.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, as described below, a memory card which is an external recording medium stores member identification information unique to the user of each member terminal and a common server as described above. Connection information such as address data of the device 2 is registered in advance. That is,
In this case, the card ID of each memory card is the member ID
Then, the memory card in which the member identification information and the connection information of each member are stored in advance is distributed to each member who is a user of the member terminal.

Then, by loading the memory card into an arbitrary member terminal, a communication path is connected between the member terminal loaded with the memory card and the common server device 2 to receive the facsimile reception data or the like addressed to itself. It is possible to receive received data of an e-mail, receive content information according to a request, or transmit information specifying a destination. Also, regardless of which member terminal is used, billing can be performed for each individual member.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the appearance of the member terminal 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the internal circuit configuration of the second member terminal 1. . As described above, in the second embodiment, the member identification information and the connection information are registered in advance, and the memory card 300 is distributed to each member who is a user of the member terminal for a fee or free of charge. Is done. In other words, this second
In the embodiment of the present invention, by purchasing the member terminal 1, the member identification information to be inserted and used in the member terminal 1,
And a memory card 300 in which connection information is registered in advance.
Is provided. It is also possible to purchase only this memory card 300.

The member terminal according to the second embodiment has a memory card reader 12 for acquiring member identification information and connection information stored in the memory card 300.
9 is provided, the terminal body 100
As shown in (A) and (B), the memory card reader is provided with a loading port 129K for loading the memory card 300, and the memory card 3
By inserting “00”, the member memory card can be loaded into the memory card reader 129.

That is, as shown in FIG.
In the case of the member terminal according to the embodiment, a memory card reader 129 is connected to the system control unit 121. The system control unit 121 reads connection information such as member identification information stored therein and address data for automatically connecting to the common server device 2 from the memory card 300 loaded in the memory card reader 129, and , And a connection request can be formed and transmitted using these.

As described above, in the member terminal of the second embodiment, the memory card reader 129 is provided, and the memory card reader 129 is provided with the loading port 129K for loading the memory card 300. Except for this, it has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

However, in the case of the member terminal according to the second embodiment, the member identification information and connection information are stored in the memory card 30.
0 is registered in advance in the flash memory 124
Does not register such member identification information and connection information.

When the member terminal according to the second embodiment is used, as described above, the member identification information and the connection information are registered in advance, and the memory card distributed to each user of the member terminal is used. 300 is loaded in the member terminal and used. Then, the member terminal 1 loaded with the memory card 300 reads out the member identification information and the connection information from the loaded memory card 300, and a connection request is generated and transmitted using the information.

Therefore, when the second member terminal loaded with its own memory card 300 is used to receive facsimile reception data or e-mail reception data addressed to itself, or the common server device 2 can provide it. 6 and 7 when receiving the provision of the information providing service
A processing operation substantially similar to the processing operation described above is performed using the flowchart of FIG.

However, in the second embodiment, in step S2 which is the process of the member terminal 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG.
, The member identification information and the connection information are read out, and a connection request is generated using the information read out from the memory card 300.

Except for the procedure S2 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.
With the use of the member terminal loaded with, information can be received from the common server device 2 in response to a request.

When transmitting facsimile data or e-mail specifying a destination using this second member terminal loaded with its own memory card 300, the flowcharts of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are used. , A processing operation substantially similar to the processing operation described above is performed.
In step S26, which is the process of the member terminal 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the member identification information and the connection information are read from the loaded memory card 300, and the connection information is generated using the information read from the memory card 300. To be.

Except for step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the same processing as in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.
Using the member terminal loaded with 00, it is possible to transmit facsimile data and e-mail data specifying the other party through the common server device 2.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the memory card 300 is distributed to each member, and the member identification information stored in each memory card 300 identifies each member. Is what you can do.

Therefore, no matter which member terminal is used, each member can use the member terminal as his / her own member terminal by loading his / her memory card 300.

As described above, upon receiving the distribution of the memory card 300 in which the member identification information and the connection information necessary for requesting the connection to the common server device 2 are distributed,
By loading the memory card 300 into the member terminal according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the member server 1 is used to immediately access the common server device 2 and perform various operations. Can be used.

Therefore, also in the case of the second embodiment, each member who is a user of the member terminal uses his / her member identification information and address data necessary for connection of the communication path to the member terminal used by the member. Without performing complicated operations such as registering connection information such as, etc., simply load a memory card 300 in which member identification information and connection information are registered in advance into a member terminal and perform a simple operation such as pressing a transmission key. Thus, a communication path is connected between the member terminal loaded with the memory card 300 and the common server device 2 so that various data communication services can be used.

Further, by loading its own memory card 300 into a member terminal, any member terminal 1 can be used to receive information addressed to itself, and can also transmit information specifying a destination. It can be carried out. Billing can also be performed for each member based on the member's own identification information.

In addition, a telephone number is provided for each member, not for each terminal, and a telephone number for each member is also registered as member information in the memory card. It may be included. In this case, the member terminal can be used by any member having the memory card 300, and telephone charges can be charged for each member.

[0200]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information communication terminal previously stores identification information and connection information necessary for connecting a communication path to a server device. The information storage terminal user does not need to perform troublesome operations such as setting identification information and connection information on the information communication terminal, and the information communication terminal can be connected to the information communication terminal. Immediately after the purchase and acquisition, the server device can be accessed and various data communication services can be used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recording medium loaded in the loading section of the information communication terminal includes user identification information required for connecting a communication path with the server device, Since the connection information is stored in advance, there is no need to perform troublesome operations such as setting identification information and connection information on the information communication terminal. By loading the medium into the information communication terminal, the communication path can be immediately connected to the server device, and the common server device can be accessed and various data communication services can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an entire network configuration to which an information communication system according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a network configuration in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the information communication terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information communication terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when an information communication terminal receives provision of information from a server device in an embodiment of the information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing when an information communication terminal transmits information through a server device in an embodiment of the information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart following FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the appearance of another example of the information communication terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of another example of the information communication terminal according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable wireless communication terminal (member terminal), 2 ... Common server apparatus, 3 ... Network for portable wireless communication terminals, 4 ... Access point, 5 ... Private backbone network, 6 ... Wireless base station, 7 ... Network management server apparatus, 11: content providing device, 21: master server, 21M: memory,
22: mail server, 23: facsimile server, 24
... Incoming notification server, 100 ... Portable wireless communication terminal body, 1
01: lid, 102: numeric keypad, 103: antenna, 10
5 LCD, 106 touch panel, 108 key buttons,
121: System control unit, 122: ROM, 1
23 ... DRAM, 124 ... Flash memory, 129 ...
Memory card reader, 300… Memory card

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04B 7/26 109S

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information communication system in which a server device and an information communication terminal are connected via a network, and wherein the server device provides a communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal. The communication terminal incorporates a storage unit in which identification information predetermined for each information communication terminal and connection information for connecting to the server device are incorporated in advance, and is stored in the storage unit. A request sending unit that generates and sends a request to the server device that includes the identification information and the connection information, wherein the server device receives the request from the information communication terminal; An information communication system comprising: a process execution unit that executes a process according to a request from the information communication terminal received by a reception unit. . 2. An information communication system, wherein a server device and an information communication terminal are connected via a network, and wherein the server device provides a communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal. The communication terminal includes: a loading unit of a recording medium in which identification information predetermined for each user of the information communication terminal and connection information for connecting to the server device are recorded in advance; and the loading unit loaded in the loading unit. A request sending unit that generates and sends a request to the server device, the request including the user identification information and the connection information stored in a recording medium, and the server device sends the request from the information communication terminal. A receiving unit for receiving the request; and a process executing unit for executing a process in response to the request from the information communication terminal received by the receiving unit. Information and communication systems that. 3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the request to the server device includes information for authentication as to whether or not the terminal is a terminal capable of obtaining the service of the server device. 3. The information communication system according to 2. 4. The network in which the information communication terminal and the server device are connected includes a network for a portable telephone terminal, and the information communication terminal is a wireless base station for the portable telephone terminal. 4. The information communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication unit for performing communication through the communication system. 5. An information communication terminal connected to a server device via a network and receiving a communication service provided by the server device in accordance with its own request, comprising: identification information predetermined for each information communication terminal; A storage unit in which connection information for connecting to the device is pre-recorded is incorporated, and a request for the server device including the identification information and the connection information stored in the storage unit is generated. An information communication terminal, comprising: a request sending means for sending. 6. An information communication terminal which is connected to a server device via a network and receives a communication service provided by the server device in accordance with its own request, wherein a user predetermined for each user of the information communication terminal is provided. A loading section of a recording medium in which identification information and connection information for connecting to the server device are recorded in advance, and the user identification information stored in the recording medium loaded in the loading section and the connection And a request sending means for generating and sending a request to the server device, the request including the information. 7. The server according to claim 5, wherein the request to the server device includes information for authentication as to whether or not the terminal is a terminal capable of obtaining the service of the server device. 7. The information communication terminal according to 6. 8. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein said network includes a network for a portable telephone terminal, and further includes wireless communication means for communicating through a wireless base station for the portable telephone terminal. The information communication terminal according to claim 6 or 7. 9. An information communication method for connecting a server device and an information communication terminal via a network, wherein the server device provides a communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal. The terminal incorporates a storage unit in which identification information predetermined for each information communication terminal and connection information for connecting to the server device are recorded in advance, and the information communication terminal is provided in the storage unit. A request for the server device including the stored identification information and the connection information is generated and transmitted, and the information communication terminal is distributed to a user, and the distributed information communication terminal is transmitted to the user. Requesting a connection to the server device, wherein the server device is transmitted from the information communication terminal through a communication path connected in response to the connection request. An information communication method, characterized by executing a process according to the request. 10. An information communication method in which a server device and an information communication terminal are connected via a network to provide a data communication service in response to a request from the information communication terminal. Prepare a storage medium in which identification information predetermined for each and connection information for connecting to the server device are recorded in advance, and when the information communication terminal is used, the recording medium is provided in a loading unit provided in the information communication terminal. The information communication terminal generates a request for the server device, including the user identification information and the connection information stored in the storage medium loaded in the loading unit,
The recording medium is distributed to a user who uses the information communication terminal, the distributed recording medium is loaded in the loading unit of the information communication terminal, and a connection to the server device is established. An information communication method, wherein a request is made, and the server device executes a process according to the request transmitted from the information communication terminal through a communication path connected in response to the connection request.