JPS62155670A - Input and output system for mail box list - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce due for a line by outputting a mail number by a character code in either case of an input of a mail titled from a terminal side or the transmission of the mail titled from a storage exchange. CONSTITUTION:The storage exchange 2 consists of a central processing unit 3, line controllers (NCU)41-4m, facsimile controllers (FCU)51-5m and a memory 6 functioning as a mail box. When a mail is transmitted from an optional facsimile equipment (terminal) 1 to the storage exchange 2, the mail titled is inputted from a keyboard of th terminal 1 and the storage exchange 2 stores it. Then, from the facsimile equipment of the terminal 1, the mail is transmitted, the storage exchange 2 applies the number to the mail and accumulates in the memory. When the mail is requested from the optional terminal 1, the storage exchange 2 outputs the mail titled and the mail number in a character code to the terminal 1 side and in the terminal 1 side, the mail number requiring the reception is inputted. The storage exchange 2 searches the mail corresponding to this mail number and transmits it to the facsimile equipment of the terminal 1 side.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Technical Field The present invention relates to a mailbox list input/output method for a storage device, and particularly to a method for inputting a heading from the mailbox input side,
The mailbox headings are output as a list upon request from a display device or facsimile device. Concerning the input/output method for creating mailbox lists.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As a conventional method for outputting a mailbox list, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 138148/1983 is known. In this method, a facsimile storage and forwarding device having a mailbox service function is configured to edit and compose headings for mailboxes when requested by a facsimile terminal, and send the image information to the terminal. This is what I did.

However, according to this method, since image information is input and output with headings attached, there are problems such as high line usage fees for transmitting the data, and the need to edit and combine data from certain parts of the manuscript. Because of this, there was a problem in that it was necessary to use only certain fixed locations as headings.

Purpose The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a mailbox that solves the above-mentioned problems in the conventional mailbox list input/output method and reduces line usage charges. Its purpose is to provide a list input/output method.

Structure The above object of the present invention is to provide a system in which a plurality of facsimile terminal devices equipped with input/output means and a storage device equipped with a mailbox are connected to a line network. When inputting mail into a mailbox, the heading of the mail is inputted from the input/output means, the mail is inputted from the facsimile terminal device, the heading and mail are stored in the registration device, and another facsimile is sent. When there is a request for a mail list from the terminal device, the storage device outputs the mail list of the mailbox to the input/output means of the facsimile terminal, and the facsimile terminal receives the necessary mail. For example, this is achieved by a mailbox list input/output method characterized in that upon requesting the mail, the storage device side outputs the mail to the facsimile device of the facsimile terminal device that requested the mail.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be explained in more detail based on examples.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a facsimile storage and forwarding system suitable for applying the present invention. In the figure, N represents a line network, 11 to 1o represent a facsimile terminal device having a display and a keyboard, and 2 represents a storage and forwarding device having a mailbox.

The storage and forwarding device 2 includes a central processing unit 32, a line control unit (NCU) 4□ to 4rn, and a facsimile control unit (FC).
U)5. ~5m and a memory 6 which also functions as a mailbox. In the following explanation, the above-mentioned facsimile terminal device, NCU, FCU, etc.
Items with a plurality of components are written as facsimile terminal device 1 without subscripts.

First, a case will be described in which a mail is sent from an arbitrary facsimile terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a "terminal") 1 to the storage and forwarding device 2. FIG. 1 shows the communication sequence in this case.

(1) Call the M product exchange device 2 from the terminal 1.

(2) Store and forward device 2 responds and connects.

(3) Terminal 1 transmits a service command (mail transmission request).

(4) Send a permission signal from the storage/forwarding device 2.

(5) Enter the mail title from the keyboard of the terminal 1. This mail title is a character code.

(6) The storage/exchange device 2 stores the above mail title and creates a mail management table.

(7) Next, send an e-mail from the terminal operator's facsimile machine.

(8) The storage/exchange device 2 assigns a number to the mail and stores it in the memory.

In this way, the mails input from the terminal 1 are sequentially numbered and stored.

Next, a case where an arbitrary terminal 1 requests the storage and forwarding device 2 to send a mail will be explained. FIG. 2 shows the communication sequence in this case.

(1) to (2) Same as in the case of email transmission above.

(3) Terminal 1 transmits a service command requesting mail title reception.

(4) The storage/exchange device 2 outputs the mail title in the mail list file and the above mail number to the terminal 1 side in character code.

On the upper side of the terminal, the mail title and mail number are displayed on the display and wait for the operator's selection.

(5) The operator inputs the mail number that needs to be received from the terminal 1 side.

(6) The storage and forwarding device 2 searches for a mail corresponding to the above mail number and transmits it to the facsimile machine on the terminal 1 side.

In this way, the terminal 1 can receive the mail it needs.

Note that the above reception request can also be made from the facsimile device of the terminal 1. In this case, the facsimile device requests the storage and forwarding device 2 for a mail list using an MF tone or other command. Upon receiving this request, the storage and forwarding device 2 sends the following information to the facsimile device:
Send a mail list file and mail number in character code.

The terminal 1 side has a function of converting the character code into image information, converts the character information from the storage/exchange device 2 into image information, and outputs the mail list and numbers to the facsimile device. The person requesting the email should refer to this image information and send the email number to the above MF.
Notify the storage and forwarding device 2 side using a command such as a tone,
You can receive mail service on your facsimile machine.

Effects As described above, according to the present invention, when inputting a mail title from the terminal side or transmitting a mail title from the storage and forwarding device, the mail number can be output in character code, so that the mail number can be outputted in character code. This has the remarkable effect of being able to realize a mailbox list input/output method that makes it possible to reduce line usage charges compared to the case of transmitting information.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when an arbitrary terminal sends a mail to a storage and forwarding device, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when an arbitrary terminal requests a storage and forwarding device to send a mail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a facsimile storage and forwarding system suitable for applying the present invention. 11 to 1o: facsimile terminal device, 2: storage and forwarding device, 3: central processing unit, 41 to 4IIl two-line control device,
5. ~5IIl=facsimile control device, 6: memory,
N: Line network. Patent Applicant: Ricoh Co., Ltd. - νV Figure 1 Procedures 2 Figures below Gm Procedures Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a system in which a plurality of facsimile terminal devices equipped with input/output means and a storage device equipped with a mailbox are connected to a line network, mail is sent from the facsimile terminal device side to the mailbox of the storage device. When inputting a mail, the heading of the mail is inputted from the input/output means, the mail is inputted from the facsimile terminal, the heading and the mail are stored in the storage device, and the mail list is input from another facsimile terminal. When there is a request, the storage device outputs the mail list of the mailbox to the input/output means of the facsimile terminal, and if there is a necessary mail, the facsimile terminal requests the mail. A mailbox list input/output method characterized in that the storage device outputs the mail to the facsimile device of the facsimile terminal device that requested the mail.