JPS60162331A - Composite mail device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transfer facsimile information at a high speed and with high efficiency by using a function which performs a call again after a prescribed period of time elapses in case no answer is given to a composite mail device from a sound terminal of a subscriber even through said terminal is called. CONSTITUTION:A composite mail device 6 handles systematically the sound mails and non-sound mails including a facsimile FAX mail, a text mail, etc. This device 6 is connected to a mail access terminal group 1 via an exchange 2. When the connection to the device 6 from the group 1 is fed together with the type of a FAX mail, a specific number of a calling subscriber, etc., the exchange 2 decides them and connects them to the device 6. A mail control part 7 of the device 6 stores the non-sound mails to a storage part 8 and also reads the registered addressed subscriber numbers and the sound service out of the part 8. Then the part 7 informs through a sound service the arrival of the FAX after calling out the addressed subscriber via the exchange 2. The call is discontinued in case the addressed subscriber is absent or busy. Then the call is tried again repetitively and by prescribed times after a prescribed period of time elapses. A sound mail is sent back to the subscriber in case he/she is absent for a long period of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a composite mail device (related to two) that provides integrated storage and exchange services for all types of mail using voice, facsimile, and text terminals.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Previously, when the person you called was absent or was busy talking, the message was registered in the storage device, and then the storage device automatically called the destination phone. A voice mail system that outputs messages is known.

In addition, in the case of facsimile, a storage device at the center temporarily stores facsimile information sent from facsimile machines installed at each business office, and stores the facsimile information sent from the facsimile machines installed at each business office.
Facsimile mail systems that have functions such as searching and sending are known.

Changes (2 CRT keyboard terminals and word processors fk)
Use the text you created to send the email to the desired destination (
A text-mail system for sending text messages is also being realized.

Now, if we take a closer look at facsimile mail, it is a normal mail service in which facsimile information is simply input into a storage device, and then the storage device automatically calls the destination's fax terminal and outputs the input facsimile information. It is thought that the recipient will input a password agreed upon in advance with the system or the sender, and the facsimile information will not be output unless a match is found. On the other hand, the sender and recipient of facsimile mail are often notified through a message phone or the like that the mail has been sent. However, when the caller makes a call, the recipient may be absent, or may not be able to contact them immediately due to conversation, encounters, etc.Also, even if the recipient does not receive the call from the caller, Places where fax receivers are installed (even if you go to the counter, you may not have received your fax yet.

This is due to the fact that the time from input to output is not certain, as it is affected by the total amount of mail received by the system and the busy state of the line related to output.

In order to eliminate the above-mentioned inconveniences, a voice notification system has been proposed in which the system automatically calls the telephone belonging to the destination FAX terminal to notify that the facsimile mail has arrived.

However, even if this voice notification service is executed, it is not always possible to complete the notification immediately because the recipient is absent. It is not desirable to keep the line on hold until the other party picks up the line, as this will interfere with the execution of other services waiting in line. Furthermore, if the caller does not answer after calling the other party for a predetermined period of time, if the line is once released and the caller continues to call the other party again after the elapse of the predetermined period of time, a large number of unnecessary calls may occur.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above points, this invention suppresses unnecessary calls as much as possible even when the recipient is absent when receiving non-voice mail and performing voice notification chibis, and moreover, it provides a voice that reliably notifies the recipient that the mail has arrived. Notification command and voice notification command can be completed. Therefore, facsimile information can be sent and received quickly, and limited connection lines to mail devices can be used effectively. Repeat the above specified number of times (
For example, if the recipient cannot be notified even after making three attempts, the system will stop calling and the recipient will be able to
：The system automatically registers your voice mail when you access it, so when you return from absence, you can receive a message similar to that of the voice notification service. Then, you will have to go to the facsimile receiver and make sure to obtain the facsimile information.

Like this C: Format C of voice mail waiting for recipient to retrieve it
: Converting all mail types is a very effective method in terms of preventing invalid calls and increasing the efficiency of line usage.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. Telephones T1 and T, and facsimile terminals P1 and F! A group of email access terminals such as (1
) is connected to the exchange (2).

The exchange (2) has a switching circuit (3) and an exchange control section (
4), and is connected to a composite mail device (6) via an interface signal line (5). The composite mail device is composed of a mail control section (7) and a storage section (8).

Here, facsimile terminals (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as FAX) Fl to F! This will be explained from the side that sends a voice notification to telephone T2 to which F2 belongs.

First, a procedure for registering from the facsimile terminal F1 to the facsimile mail device (6) will be described.

It is assumed that the facsimile terminal is connected to the exchange C by a transmission line equivalent to a telephone line of a well-known CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) Gl standard.

At this time, the G1 machine FAX is used by switching between the telephone t1 and a converter (not shown). For example, if you input the telephone number of the other party's facsimile machine from the push-button telephone t1, the exchange (2) interprets the dialing signal and calls the other party's facsimile terminal. If the other party's facsimile terminal has an automatic reception function, an automatic 1: response tone will be sent back to you, so if you listen to it and switch the converter to the facsimile side on the sending side, the facsimile transmission will begin. It is something. However, when carrying out the store-and-forward service according to the present invention, the caller enters a special number for connecting to the storage device instead of inputting the telephone number of the other party's facsimile 19! Enter C2.

A dial, for example Dmm-, for connecting to the facsimile terminal F and the Vimail device is input from the attached telephone t1. The exchange (2) receives a dial signal input T and analyzes the input signal in an exchange control section (4). If the result is determined to be RORORO, connection is made to the composite mail device (6). FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mail control section (7) for explaining the connection between the exchange (2) and the composite mail device (6).

The mail control section (7) can be realized by a normal minicomputer or a microcomputer. A control bus σ0 is connected to the arithmetic control unit α, and this bus C memory α■ and the mail data processing unit (IQI
, α4 are connected. This mail data processing section is provided with a Chivis signal processing section (9), Ql) for analyzing Chibis requests of mail.

A plurality of signal lines corresponding to telephone lines (2) are provided between the exchange (2) and the composite mail device (6). Fig. 2 shows an example of two lines α7) and a8, but there are many more signal lines. A line may also be provided. When a special number for connecting a mail device (in this example, CrU port) is input to the exchange (2), an unused line among the connection lines with the mail device (6) is selected and connected. For example, a signal It is assumed that the line side is connected to the mail device.After this, a signal indicating a request for facsimile mail, for example, RORORO, is input using the button type telephone t1 on the facsimile terminal side.
(Enter the type of Chibis mail. For example, if it is a confidential mail, enter the Chibis type. For example, if it is a confidential mail, it will be 口国口, if it is a regular mail, it will be Rororo.) It is detected by the processing unit (9), and the result is notified to the mail data processing unit (11). The calculation control unit α4 is notified of the request, and a response signal indicating that the reception of this request is complete is sent to the signal line σ7). In addition, the arithmetic control section I secures an area for storing data in a storage section (8) (2) realized by a magnetic disk device, etc., and runs a mail data processing section. (Wait for power to data from I).

On the other hand, the facsimile terminal side hears the response signal indicating completion of reception from the mail device, and sends the facsimile F from the telephone t1.
Toggle knee connection. From now on, the mail data processing section α
After a predetermined procedure is completed between [ and facsimile F1], image signal transfer begins.

The mail data processing section a0 sequentially delivers the received image signals to the storage section under the control of arithmetic control for each predetermined data length. This operation is repeated until the end of the document. The facsimile data stored in the storage section is managed in files according to items such as sender information and recipient information by mail management software built into the memory. According to this file management ζ2, a voice notification is performed to notify the arrival of the mail. For example, if the type of mail is confidential mail, the voice notification service is immediately implemented. This is because the confidential mail service does not output unless the recipient accesses the system for collection.

Here, the voice notification service will be explained. In order to realize this service, it is necessary to arrange in advance for each facsimile terminal or a telephone number that corresponds to the destination information (2).In other words, from the destination information of the facsimile mail, it is necessary to determine the corresponding voice terminal (2) corresponding to the destination information (2). The arithmetic control unit (141) is equipped with a function that allows you to call the number of the address (which can normally be used with a telephone).The arithmetic control unit α of the mail device
Xun sends the number of the corresponding phone to the mail data processing section (1
Output to 21. The mail data processing section converts this destination information into a dial signal and sends it to the exchange (2). The exchange (2) analyzes the dial signal and calls the telephone T.

When the exchange detects that telephone T is off-hook, it stops the ringing tone that was being sent to the mail data processing unit α3. At this timing, the mail data processing unit a requests the arithmetic control unit α4C to output a message. The message is stored in advance in the storage section (8) as a voice as a digital code. As a digital code, it can be easily realized using a well-known technique such as an 8-bit PCM code or a DPCM code.

You can create a message that says, ``You have received a confidential facsimile e-mail.'' Furthermore, it is also possible to add the destination number, caller information, etc. using voice synthesis or voice editing technology.

The digital signal of such a message is stored in the storage section (8
) and passed to the mail data processing unit C:
Here, it is decoded and further converted from a digital signal to an analog signal and sent out as an audible signal.Such a voice notification Chibis 1:Thus, when the recipient learns of the arrival of the confidential mail, he goes to facsimile F and retrieves the mail. At this time as well, use the attached telephone t2 for facsimile 9Fxl
After connecting to the mail device by inputting ``rororo'' from ``rororo'', key operations such as password input may be performed according to a predetermined sequence for withdrawing confidential mail.

However, the voice notification service described above cannot be completed in just one attempt. Even if the system automatically makes two calls, it is the same as when a subscriber makes a telephone call, and the other party may be absent or busy.In this case, in the present invention, the line is temporarily released and Wait for time to pass.During this time,
Other mail services can be executed via the interface signal line (5) with the exchange, allowing effective line utilization. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the destination voice terminal is called again and an attempt is made to execute the voice notification chibis. The number of repetitions is usually 3 to 5, although not limited to the present invention.
This number is considered appropriate in terms of suppressing the occurrence of invalid calls. However, there are cases where it is not possible to give a voice notification to the other party even though this is repeated repeatedly. In such a case, in the present invention, the system automatically stops calling the destination voice terminal from now on, and assumes that the voice mail containing the voice notification chibis described above has been delivered to the corresponding destination. When this process is performed, the corresponding receiver (N
When someone came back from outside to retrieve their voice mail, C Yu said,
I have received a confidential facsimile email. ”, etc., you will receive an email. The sequence for retrieving a voice mail is almost the same as the method used for a button-type telephone when sending a facsimile, and an outline will be described here. In other words, when sending a facsimile, for example, instead of inputting ``Figure Roro'', input ``Figure Roro'', and inform the mail device I that the request is for a voice mail, and then inform the mail device that it is a Chibis request for retrieving mail from now on. A desired voice mail can be retrieved by inputting information indicating whether to retrieve mail, etc., according to a sequence predetermined by the system. However, it goes without saying that the subscriber may perform such operations from any terminal. Also, at this time, the configuration may be such that all subscribers can inquire about the status of mail arrival from each terminal. For example, when a terminal inquires about the arrival status using a specific number, the system identifies this and then searches for the existence of an email sent from the terminal that corresponds to the individual's email number. This result is sent to the terminal in an output format suitable for the terminal. This allows the terminal operator to know the arrival status of mail addressed to him/her.

In this way, the recipient who learns of the arrival of the facsimile as a voice mail only has to go to the facsimile F2 and request the output of the facsimile's confidential mail as described above.

[Other embodiments of the invention]

In the above explanation, the exchange and the compound mail device are connected by a telephone line (2 equivalent lines), and the mail chibis signal, etc. is detected as a signal from a button-type telephone by the compound mail device. However, there is also a method in which these signals are processed on the exchange side and the result is notified to the compound mail device side.In order to achieve the object of the present invention, it is necessary to connect the exchange device and the compound mail device. The method is not limited.

In addition, the coding format used when storing mail data in the storage unit has been described as PCM code or DPCM code for audio, but in order to achieve the purpose of the present invention, it is not dependent on the encoding method, but can be any code format. Encoding methods can be adopted. Furthermore, although I explained using the G1 machine as a facsimile machine, the G1 machine, GI[
It is clear that the present invention can be realized even if the facsimile machine does not conform to all or such CCITT standards.

Furthermore, when outputting the voice mail to the terminal C2, it is also effective to send a message for the corresponding call to the subscriber C to whom the voice mail is to be sent. In other words, a message for calling the subscriber is registered in the storage device of the voice mail device, and when outputting the voice mail (2) the message is output and the subscriber who receives the call receives the message. This is effective when multiple subscribers use one terminal.

In addition, although the explanation has been made in the case of confidential mail as a type of facsimile mail, the present invention can also be implemented when performing voice notification chibis for mail in a format that is unilaterally output by the system to the destination terminal. It is not limited to the Chibis type.

As explained in detail above (2. When performing voice notification chibis, even if the other party is absent or busy, retries will be repeated a predetermined number of times after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, so if the other party is absent for a short period of time, etc. There is a high possibility of notification.

Therefore, facsimile information can be exchanged quickly and efficiently. In addition, if the notification cannot be sent despite repeating the above steps (secondly, it will be registered as a voice mail, so when the recipient returns from a long absence (when the recipient retrieves the voice mail addressed to the duplicate), the voice notification chibis The contents of the information can be heard all at once, which has the effect of ensuring that facsimile information is sent and received.

Furthermore, it is clear that the present invention can be applied not only to facsimile mail but also to text mail, which is non-voice mail.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining the present invention in detail,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining in detail the control section of the multi-bud mail device. Engineering: mail chibis scrap wood group, 2: exchange, 3: switch circuit, 4: exchange control section, 5: signal line for interface, 6
...Multiple mail device, 7...Mail control unit, 8...
・Storage unit, 9.1...Chivis signal processing unit, 10.12...Mail data processing unit, 13...Memory, 14...Calculation control unit, Step 5...Storage unit connection line , 16... control bus, 17.18... line. Agent: Patent attorney Noriyuki Chika (and 1 other person) Figure 1 J

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Unified handling of voice mail, facsimile mail, non-voice mail such as text mail, etc. I: Composite mail device C2 that handles non-voice mail such as the facsimile mail or text mail addressed to any destination is stored. a means for detecting sound; a means for calling the terminal or a voice terminal to which the subscriber belongs; and a means for outputting a voice message to notify that the non-voice mail has arrived, As a result, if there is no response, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (: a function to call again. If the voice message cannot be output even after repeating this a predetermined number of times, a voice mail with the content of the voice message Z will be sent to the destination. A composite mail!i device characterized by having a function of registering for. (2) A voice message registered in response to a call request from a voice terminal? )? 2. A composite mail device according to claim 1, characterized in that a voice mail with I-content is outputted.