Telephone with electronic mail management function, electronic mail management method, and storage medium storing electronic mail management program

The present invention introduces that E-mails are managed effectively without imposing a burden on a mail server. A memory is provided in a telephone, whereby an E-mail from the mail server can be down-loaded. When this telephone is accessed from plural terminal devices, the mail status is stored in order to be capable of recognizing that a E-mail is down-loaded to which terminal device. With this system, when E-mails are transmitted and received with plural terminal device, it is possible to manage E-mails integratedly by accessing not a mail server but a telephone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an effective technique to be applied to management for transmission-reception of electronic mail (E-mail) in Internet or in a personal computer communication.

2. Background of the Related Art

E-mail is generally used as a communication tool for business or private use. It is general that such a E-mail is transmitted-received by using each computer connected to LAN in a company or by connecting a personal computer with a telephone line for dial-up connection to a provider for private use.

A business person, who goes out many times, uses often plural kinds of electronic information devices in order to transmit-receive E-mails in any environment for transmitting-receiving E-mail, for example, a desk-top personal computer in an office, a personal digital assistants when going out and a notebook personal computer at a home.

However, when one person uses plural electronic information devices in order to transmit-receive E-mails in this way, it is difficult to manage E-mails integratedly. Therefore, for example, there are cases in that an E-mail is down-loaded twice or more and a needed E-mail is down-loaded by another electronic information device, hereby incapable of being used.

To give further concrete explanations of this problem, a prior art is explained with reference to FIG.1.

In this explanation, an user uses three terminal devices. Explanations are given of a case in that the user uses three terminal devices101,102,103and E-mails are transmitted-received via a provider server104and a telephone line106.

It is assumed that the user chooses the device101such as a portable digital assistant carried when going out, the device102such as a notebook personal computer used when moving through rooms, and the device103such as desk-top personal computer used by fixing at a location. All of the devices are respectively provided with memories, and it is possible to store down-loaded E-mails in each of memories.

The user, when down-loading an E-mail arriving at the provider server104, calls the provider server104via the telephone line106from one of the devices101,102or103held at that time, and receives the E-mail by the device101,102or103of which an address is given as a dial-up IP in the E-mail. Further, the E-mail in the provider server104after receiving may be deleted or stored.

It is assumed that the user, when accessing the provider server104, down-loads an E-mail104in the provider server104with the device101, and then deletes the E-mail104afrom the provider server104. After this, through the user is necessary to refer or use the E-mail104awhile using the device202, there is no information of the E-mail104ain the memory of the device202. In other words, the E-mail104aexists only in the memory of the device101, therefore, the user can not refer the E-mail104awhen not keeping the device101at hand.

To prevent such a case, it is necessary to remain the E-mail104awithout deleting the E-mail104afrom the provider server104after down-loading the E-mail104awith one of the devices (101,102or103) in order to keep a situation in that the E-mail104acan be used again.

However, in this use style, enormous E-mail information will remain in the memory of the provider server104, and a large quantity of already-read E-mails obstructs to receive a new E-mail. As a result, there is a possibility in that E-mail management is directly obstructed in the provider server104.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is achieved in views of these problems, and has its object to provide a technique capable of managing E-mails effectively without imposing a burden on the provider server by an environment capable of managing E-mails integratedly even if an E-mail is deleted after being down-loaded from an provider server.

The first aspect of the present invention is a telephone with an electronic mail managing function. The telephone is capable of connecting with at least a mail server and a plurality of terminal devices, and is provided with an access unit for accessing to the mail server, a mail memory for storing an electronic mail down-loaded from the mail server through the access unit, a mail status memory for storing each status of the electronic mail stored in the mail memory unit so as to correspond to each of the terminal devices, and a transmission unit for transmitting the electronic mail stored in the mail memory to one of the terminal devices.

When one person owns several terminal devices, the telephone receives electronic mails integratedly from the mail server (a provider server). It is possible to refer and re-use unread and read mails with the terminal device by accessing the telephone. Further, since the mail status showing whether the E-mail is transmitted or not is managed for each terminal device by the mail status memory, it is possible to manage mails integratedly by referring to the mail status memory Thus, it is possible to prevent to mis-delete an electronic mail and to store unnecessary electronic mails.

The second aspect of the present invention carries out to store whether or not the electronic mail is down-loaded to each of the terminal devices in the first aspect.

With this second aspect, it is possible to know that the electronic mail is loaded to which terminal device, and it is possible to prevent to mis-delete an electronic mail certainly.

The third aspect of the present invention is provided with a process table for storing a process to be applied to the electronic mail after down-loading for each of the terminal devices in addition to the first aspect.

The process to be applied to the electronic mail after down-loading includes to delete the electronic mail and to keep the electronic mail.

For example, it may be set that an electronic mail at the telephone side is deleted when the electronic mail is down-loaded to a specified terminal device. In this way, when an terminal device finally managing electronic mails is specified, it becomes certain to manage electronic mails integratedly.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with an emergency process unit for judging whether or not a priority process is necessary based on the electronic mail received from each of the terminal devices and for executing an access to the mail server when the priority process is executed in addition to the first aspect.

A flag showing a priority or the like is used, whereby it is possible to determine a priority of that the telephone deals with the electronic mail transmitted from the terminal device. Accordingly, for example, when the telephone receives an electronic mail in which an emergency process flag is set, this electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server promptly. When no priority is set in an electronic mail, this electronic mail is transmitted to the mail server from the telephone at a time for the access to the mail server, the time specified by a timer.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is provided with an identifier memory for storing an identifier of an terminal device to be connected in addition to the first aspect. In this aspect, it is permitted to access from the terminal device of which an identifier coincides with the stored identifier.

With the fifth aspect, it is possible to improve security of the telephone dealing with electronic mails.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is a mail managing method in a mail managing apparatus capable of transmitting/receiving mail data to/from at least a mail server and a plurality of terminal devices. In this method, a mail stored in the mail server is read, the read mail is stored, a status of the stored mail is displayed for each of the terminal devices, and the stored mail is transmitted to one of the terminal devices.

With this method, it is possible to manage electronic mails integratedly, and it is also possible to prevent to mis-delete electronic mails and to store unnecessary electronic mails, similarly to the first aspect.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program used for a mail managing apparatus capable of transmitting/receiving mail data to/from at least a mail server and a plurality of terminal devices. This program includes a reading step of reading a mail stored in the mail server, a storing step of storing the mail read in the reading step, a display step of displaying a status of the mail stored in the storing step for each of the terminal devices, and a transmission step of transmitting the mail stored in the storing step to one of the terminal devices.

The seventh aspect is a storage medium storing a program carrying out the steps of the sixth aspect. As storage media, it is possible to use all types of storage media capable of storing program such as CD-ROM, CD-R, a memory card based on PCMCIA, a magnetic disk unit. When a memory card is used, a memory card storing this program is attached to a multi-function telephone, whereby it is possible to carry out a telephone with the mail managing function described in the first aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, explanations will be given of an embodiment according to the present invention with reference to drawings.

FIG. 2shows a system configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention.

This system shown inFIG. 2has a function in that a telephone201manages a E-mail104bin the provider server104integratedly. A detail description will be given of this telephone201.

It is assumed that one user uses three terminal devices (including electronic devices and information devices) similarly to the prior art shown in FIG.1. The user uses the devices101,102and103, so as to transmit-receive a E-mail via the provider server104and the telephone line106.

For example, it is assumed that the user chooses the device101such as a portable digital assistant to be carried when going out, the device102such as a notebook personal computer used when moving through rooms, or a device103such as a desk-top personal computer to be used at a fixed position. Each of these devices is provided with a memory, and it is possible to store the down-loaded E-mail in the memory.

Next, explanations will be given of a configuration of the telephone201according to this embodiment with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The telephone201is provided with a telephone line connecting part301, a line signal processing part302, a receiver303, a process controlling part304, a memory305, a infrared communicating part306, a display307, a voice synthesizing part308, a speaker309, a timer310, radio communicating part311, an antenna312, a button switch313, and a power source314.

The telephone line connecting part301is used to connect with a connector cable of a public line (a digital line or an analog line), and is shown as a modular jack in FIG.2.

The signal processing part302controls input-output of this telephone201. The receiver303is shown as a hand set having an earpiece and a mouthpiece in FIG.2. The process controlling part304is a CPU controlling reception of E-mail and the memory305. The memory305is a nonvolatile memory, dynamic RAM or the like, and stores programs such an access program to the provider server104, the E-mail104bdown-loaded from the provider server104, and the like. The memory305can also store voice data such as a message. The memory305also keeps an ID of an terminal device capable of communicating with this telephone201. The process controlling part304reads the ID stored in the memory305in order to judge whether or not the terminal device103communicating with the infrared communication part306is permitted for data communication.

Further, the memory305is provided with a mail state table501shown inFIGS. 5 through 7. The mail status table501show that the E-mail stored in the memory305is transmitted to which terminal device.FIG. 5shows that the E-mail104bis already transmitted to the terminal device101, and is not yet transmitted to the terminal devices102and103.FIG. 6shows that the E-mail104bis already transmitted to the terminal devices101and102, and is not yet transmitted to the terminal device103.

FIG. 7shows that the E-mail104bis already transmitted to all the terminal devices101,102and103.

The infrared communicating part306is a port communicating with the external terminal device103or the like. The display307is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information such as a extension number, a transmitted outside line number, and a receiving telephone number when the telephone201is used normally. In this embodiment, the display307displays that an E-mail is received from the provider server104.

In the memory305, a process table801shown inFIG. 8is established. The process table801shows a process after the E-mail stored in the memory305of the telephone201is transmitted to each terminal device. In other words, it is possible to set whether or not the transmitted E-mail is stored in the memory or deleted.FIG. 8shows a sample in that E-mail data is stored in the memory305when the E-mail is transmitted to the terminal devices101and102and a E-mail is deleted when the E-mail is transmitted to the terminal device103. This is suitable to a case in that the user can read the E-mail with the terminal devices101and102while managing the E-mail only with the terminal device103.

It is also possible to delete an E-mail in the memory305directly by an instruction from the user, regardless of contents in the process table801.

The voice synthesizing part308executes voice synthesis so as to read a received E-mail aloud. The voice synthesizing part308converts a character code of the E-mail read from the memory305into a voice signal, and outputs contents of the E-mail as voice information through the speaker309.

The timer310executes an automatic access to the provider server104regularly, namely, a so-called timer access. In other words, the timer310generates a trigger signal at a predetermined interval or at a predetermined time, and an interrupt instruction is given to the process controlling part304. Then, the access program stored in the storage305starts, and the telephone201starts an access to the provider server104. Thereafter, the E-mail104bin the provider server104is down-loaded.

The radio communicating part311is capable of communicating with the sub-device202or the terminal devices101,102and103by the radio signal through the antenna312.

The button switch313includes a ten-key group used to input a calling number, and an alphabet key group or a kana key group used to input characters.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing an internal function structure of the sub-device202when the telephone is used as a main-device.

The sub-device202, as shown inFIG. 4, is provided with a process controlling part415, a memory416, an infrared communicating part417, a receiver418, a battery419, a radio communicating part420, an antenna412, and a button switch422.

The process controlling part415is a CPU controlling the reception/transmission of the E-mail and controlling the memory416.

The memory416is a nonvolatile memory, a dynamic RAM or the like. The memory416keeps a process program such as an access program to the provider server104, E-mails down-loaded from the provider server104, or the like. The memory416also keeps voice data such as a message. Further, in the memory416, a status table shown inFIGS. 5 through 7is set, similarly to the main-device.

Additionally, the sub-device202is capable of accessing the provider server104by radio communication through the telephone201, which is the main-device. When the sub-device202accesses the provider server104, the E-mail down-loaded from the provider server104may be stored in the memory305of the telephone201which is the main-device or may be stored in the memory416of the sub-device202.

The infrared communicating part417is a port communicating with the external terminal device103or the like. The receiver418is provided with a mouthpiece and an earpiece.

The battery419supplies an actuation voltage to the sub-device202, and is a dry battery or a charged battery.

The radio communicating part420is capable of communicating with the telephone201and the terminal devices101,102,103by a radio signal through the antenna421.

The button switch422is provided with a ten-key group used to input a calling number, and an alphabet key group or a kana key group used to input characters.

Explanations will be given of the management procedure by the above-described system with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

In this embodiment, explanations will be given of a case in that E-mail data is communicated between the telephone201as a main device and the terminal device103. Then, no explanation will be given of a case in that E-mail data is communicated between the sub-device202and the terminal device103, since this case is similar to the above-mentioned case.

First, it is assumed that an E-mail104baddressed to an user is received by the provider server104.

The telephone201accesses to the provider server104through the telephone line106, when it is time designated by an instruction from the timer (Step S901).

The telephone201, when being connected with the provider server104, checks whether or not a mail addressed to itself arrives at the provider server104(Step S902). When the E-mail104barrives at the provider server104, the E-mail104bin the provider server104is down-loaded (Step S903), and stored in the memory305(Step S904).

Then, the display307displays that the down-loaded E-mail104bis stored in the memory305, such as “there is a received mail”. Further, the display307may display titles or contents of an unread mail (a mail downloaded to none of terminal devices) (Steps908,909). It is also possible to notify a destination shown in the memory305that there is an E-mail.

When an E-mail104bis stored, a status table concerning this E-mail104bis established as shown inFIGS. 5 through 7.

Then, the process controlling part304of the telephone201determines whether there is a transmission mail (a mail to be transmitted) in the memory305or not (Step905). When there is a transmission mail in the memory305, the process controlling part304transmits this transmission mail to the provider server104(Step906) and finishes to access the provider server104(Step907). The provider server104transmits this transmission mail to another server (not shown) based on TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

Next, an explanation will be given of a case in that the E-mail104bstored in the memory305of the telephone201is used from an external terminal device.

First, the terminal device101calls the telephone201through the telephone line106(Step1001). Then, the E-mail104bin the memory305is read by the data communication function of the telephone201, namely, by the control of the process controlling part304, and this E-mail104bis taken in the terminal device101through the telephone line106. At this time, the process controlling part304compares an access ID transmitted from the terminal device101with an authorization ID stored in the memory305(Step1002). Then, it is checked whether or not there is an E-mail unread by the terminal device101by referring the mail status table501(Step1003).

In this embodiment, since there is an unread E-mail104b,this E-mail104bis taken in the terminal device101(Step1004).

When the E-mail104bin the telephone201is read by the terminal device in this way, the status table501is rewritten as shown in FIG.5.

Then, it is judged whether or not there is an E-mail transmitted to all of the terminal devices registered in the status table501(Step1005). When there is such a E-mail in the status table, this E-mail is deleted (Step1006).

Continuously, it is judged whether or not there is a transmission mail in the terminal device101(Step1008). When there is a transmission mail (a mail to be transmitted), this transmission mail is transmitted to the telephone201(Step1009). The transmission mail from the terminal device101has an emergency flag at the header thereof. When the emergency flag stands, namely, the transmission mail is an emergency mail (Step1010), the telephone201receiving this emergency mail deals with this emergency mail by giving priority (Step1012). In other words, when an emergency mail is received, this emergency mail is stored in the memory305once, and the telephone201accesses the provider server104so as to execute a process transmitting this emergency mail to the provider server104.

The telephone201, when being instructed by the terminal device so as to deal with a mail though this mail is not an emergency mail (Step1011), deals with this mail by giving priority.

The process controlling part304judges whether or not there is another unread mail (Step1013). When there is another unread mail, the processes of the steps1004through1014are repeated. When there is no unread mail, the terminal device101finishes the access to the telephone201(Step1014).

Next, an explanation will be given of a case in that the E-mail104bin the telephone201is used with another terminal device102or103.

First, the terminal device102or103(the electronic equipment103inFIG. 2) is arranged at a position facing to the infrared communication part306, and the E-mail104bin the memory305is down-loaded to the terminal device102or103by the infrared-ray communication. As the results, the status table501varies as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. When the E-mail104bis finally down-loaded by the terminal device103, the process controlling part304refers to the process table801, recognizes that the process mode of the terminal device103is “deletes”, and deletes the E-mail104bin the memory305.

According to the present invention, though one person transmits and receives E-mails with plural terminal devices, it is possible to manage E-mails integratedly without imposing a burden on the provider server. Thus, it is possible to deal with E-mails effectively.

This invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in various ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications would be obvious for one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.