Unified system for data exchange through telephone network between terminal and access means, access means and terminal

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention is coupled to a line interface coupled to the telephone network, a processor coupled to the line interface, and the processor via a telephone network that includes at least one network memory for storing telephone / fax messages. Includes a terminal including terminal memory, at least one access point coupled to the telephone network, and at least one server having server memory coupled to the access point via a data connection to store data messages. It relates to a system for exchanging data with an access means.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Such systems are generally known in which the terminal is, for example, a personal computer, the access means is formed, for example, by an access provider and a service provider, and the telephone network is, for example, an analog or ISDN network. The line interface includes, for example, a modem card or ISDN board, and the terminal memory includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, or both. The data message includes, for example, an e-mail message, and if the user wants to know whether an e-mail message addressed to him / her has arrived, he / she needs to communicate with the server. If you want to know if you have received a telephone and / or fax message, you need to contact the telephone network.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

This system is inconvenient, especially because it is not user-friendly.

【0004】

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a more user-friendly system than the prior art defined in the preamble.

【0005】

[Means for solving problems]

A system according to the present invention is characterized in that, for the purpose of this purpose, the system includes a binding means for binding the server memory and the network memory and storing information about a message stored in one of the memories in the other memory. To do.

【0006】

By combining both memories and storing information about the message stored in one of the memories in the other memory, the user only needs to communicate with the server or network to know if there is a message addressed to him or her. Good. Such a system is extremely user-friendly.

【0007】

The present invention is, among other things, based on the finding that all types of information can be stored in memory, and therefore information about messages stored separately from the entire message can also be stored in other (type) memory. There is.

【0008】

The present invention solves the problem of making the system more user-friendly by combining different types of memories, and realizes a more integrated system.

【0009】

The first embodiment of the system according to the present invention is characterized in that the terminal memory includes a server code that defines the address of the server.

【0010】

By storing the server code in the terminal memory, the user can communicate with the server and find a message waiting to be viewed by the user, for example, by pressing a button or inputting a short command.

【0011】

A second embodiment of the system according to the present invention is characterized in that the server memory includes a terminal code that defines the address of the terminal.

【0012】

By storing the terminal code in the server memory, the server can attempt to communicate with the terminal, for example, when a certain number of messages have arrived, a certain time limit has passed, or both.

【0013】

A third embodiment of the system according to the present invention is characterized by including a generation means for generating a display signal supplied to the telephone network for the server to transmit to the terminal via a communication signal.

【0014】

In this case, even if the user does not respond, in the case of PSTN, for example, in the form of so-called caller ID display (transmitted between the first call signal and the second call signal), and ISDN In the case of, the user terminal is notified via the communication signal transmitted via the so-called D channel.

【0015】

The present invention is further coupled to a line interface coupled to the telephone network, a processor coupled to the line interface, and the processor via a telephone network including at least one network memory for storing telephone / fax messages. At least one having at least one access point that exchanges data with a terminal that includes terminal memory and is coupled to the telephone network, and a server memory that stores data messages that are coupled to the access point via a data connection. Regarding access means including two servers.

【0016】

The access means according to the present invention is characterized in that the access means combines the server memory and the network memory, and includes a combination means for storing information about a message stored in one of the memories in the other memory.

【0017】

The first embodiment of the access means according to the present invention is characterized in that the server memory includes a terminal code that defines the address of the terminal.

【0018】

A second embodiment of the access means according to the present invention is characterized by including a generation means for generating a display signal supplied to the telephone network for the server to transmit to the terminal via a communication signal.

【0019】

The present invention is further coupled to the access point via a telephone network that includes at least one network memory for storing telephone / fax messages, and at least one access point that is coupled to the telephone network, and via a data connection. It relates to a terminal including a line interface coupled to the telephone network, a processor coupled to the line interface, and a terminal memory coupled to the processor, exchanging data with an access means including at least one server.

【0020】

In the terminal according to the present invention, the terminal memory includes a server code that defines the address of the server, the access means combines the server memory and the network memory, and stores information about the telephone / fax message in the server memory. The server memory includes a terminal code that defines the address of the terminal, and includes a generation means that generates a display signal supplied to the telephone network for the server to transmit to the terminal via a communication signal. It is characterized by.

【0021】

All references, including additional references cited with respect to the reference and / or within the reference, are believed to be incorporated into this patent application.

【0022】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be detailed with the help of embodiments disclosed in the drawings.

【0023】

The system according to the present invention disclosed in FIG. 1 includes a terminal 1 according to the present invention coupled to a telephone network 3 via a telephone line 2 and an access according to the present invention coupled to the telephone network 3 via a telephone line 4. Including means 5. The telephone network 3 includes an exchange 41 controlled by a network processor 42 and coupled to a network memory 43.

【0024】

The terminal 1 according to the present invention disclosed in FIG. 2 is coupled to the telephone line 2, coupled to the processor 12, the terminal memories 13 and 14 and the printer interface 15 via the bus 31, and the telephone means via the connection 32. Includes line interface 11 coupled to 16 (microphone, speaker, etc.). The processor 12 is further coupled to the telephone means 16 via the connection 33, to the display 17 via the connection 34, to the keyboard interface 18 via the connection 35, and the keyboard interface 18 to the display 17 via the connection 36. It is coupled to the telephone keyboard 19 via 37, to the alphanumeric keyboard 20 via connection 38, and to module 21 via connection 39. The printer interface 15 is coupled to the printer 6 via a connection 7.

【0025】

The access means 5 disclosed in FIG. 3 is coupled to the network interface 52 coupled to the telephone network 3 via the telephone line 4, the network interface 52 via the connection 71, and the data interface 54 via the connection 72. A data interface 54 is coupled to a data connection 73, including an access point 51 with a processor 53. The access means 5 further includes a data connection 73 and a server 61 with a processor 63, a conversion means 64, a determination means 65, and a data interface 62 coupled to the server memory 66 via the bus 74.

【0026】

The system disclosed in FIG. 1, including the terminal 1 disclosed in FIG. 2 and the access means 5 disclosed in FIG. 3, functions as follows.

【0027】

Terminal 1 must have installation data before it can be used for all purposes. This is done according to at least three possibilities.

【0028】

According to the first possibility, the user dials a given telephone number through the telephone keyboard 19, which telephone number is connection 37, keyboard interface 18, connection 35, processor 12, bus 31, line interface 11 and telephone. It is transmitted to the telephone network 3 via line 2 as a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal if the terminal 1 is an analog terminal and as a digital signal if the terminal 1 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) terminal. (This should not preclude mixing of both types of signals, such as post-dialing in DTMF for ISDN terminals). In response, telephone network 3 connects telephone line 2 to telephone line 4 under the control of network processor 42, and at access point 51 telephone line 4 data data through network interface 52 and processor 53 and data interface 54. Coupled to connection 73, data connection 73 is coupled to server memory 66 in server 61 via data interface 62 and bus 74, and server memory 66 sends installation data to terminal 1 under the control of processor 63 ( Automatically or in response to installation commands originating from terminal 1). The installation data includes, for example, at least one access code that specifies the address of the access point and at least one server code that specifies the server address and the address of the software and / or commands. This installation data is stored in the terminal memory 13 or the terminal memory 14, or is distributed via the terminal memories 13 and 14. Alternatively, the telephone line 2 is connected to at least one other access point (not shown) or another access means including another server (not shown), or the telephone line 2 receives the installation data. It is also possible to connect only to the network memory 43 just to do so.

【0029】

According to the second possibility, at least a part of the installation data is not transmitted from the server 61 to the terminal 1, but is supplied to the terminal 1 by the user using the alphanumeric keyboard 20.

【0030】

According to the third possibility, at least a part of the installation data is not transmitted from the server 61 to the terminal 1 and is not supplied to the terminal 1 by the user using the alphanumeric keyboard 20, but is a card reader. A (smart) card is inserted into the terminal memory 14 and supplied to the terminal 1 by the user.

【0031】

It is natural that the above three possibilities can be combined so that, for example, the insertion of a (smart) card can trigger and replace the dialing of the telephone number. Instead of loading the installation data into terminal 1, at least some or all of the installation data can be pre-stored in terminal memories 13 and 14. This can be achieved at the manufacturing stage.

【0032】

If the installation data stored on or already stored on terminal 1 depends on the user, for example because the user should be able to select their preferred access point and server, then multiple different if the first possibility is used. Phone numbers can be used, multiple different installation commands can be used if there is only one phone number, and the (smart) card needs to be individualized if the third possibility is used. For this reason, it is generally necessary to select at least one access code and / or at least one server code (sold at the manufacturing stage and / or by giving the user a certain (smart) card and / or a certain instruction. The terminal memory 13 (ROM, RAM, etc.), preferably non-mechanical, for the terminal 1 with a given size and price, with the selected access code and server code at the stage (or at the user installation stage). ) And 14 (card reader) must be stored in at least one.

【0033】

For example, by said storage in a highly user-friendly way of said installation data containing at least one access code defining the address of an access point and at least one server code defining the address of a server address and / or software or commands. , Terminal 1 can also be used by, for example, a user who is less skilled than the average user of a personal computer. After said memory, for example with only one command, or with just one key on the keyboards 19 and 20, for example, access the Internet to send data such as email messages, or stored in server memory 66. Sufficient to view received data, such as email messages sent to you, or both.

【0034】

The use of a smart card provides the possibility of storing key signals and computing means on the smart card. These calculation means calculate the response signal in response to the challenge signal and the key signal, and then the response signal is the bus 31, line interface 11, telephone line 2, telephone network 3, telephone line 4, access point 51, It is transmitted to the determination means 65 in the server 61 via the data connection 73, the data interface 62, and the bus 74. The determination means 65 determines whether or not the calculated response signal transmitted from the smart card is correct, for example, by performing the same calculation and comparing the results. The generation of the challenge signal can be realized by the processor 63 including the generation means 82, after which the challenge signal needs to be transmitted to the terminal 1 or can be realized by the processor 12 including the generation means 22, after which the challenge is achieved. Must be sent to server 61 with or separately from the calculated response described above. The smart card may further include a receiving means for receiving the PIN code in which the calculation means is activated only when the PIN code (personal identification number) is correct. This makes it impossible to use the smart card and the terminal including the smart card without authorization. In general, the use of a smart card allows personal information to be stored in the card, which allows general information to be stored in the terminal, and as a result, the terminal is individualized only after the smart card is inserted. The receiving means for receiving the PIN code can be placed inside the terminal 1 or used to prohibit or allow each possible terminal function and / or each possible access to the access means 5. Of course, it is possible, or both. The smart card can further include a payment function and / or a GSM function, and can be used, for example, to encrypt or decrypt certain data to be exchanged, for example, using the key signal. In this case, access hand

【0035】

The system disclosed in Figure 1 is capable of treating each user individually in different ways.

【0036】

According to the first method, the user of the terminal 1 includes a receiving means 83 in which the access means 5 receives, for example, a user-dependent code from the terminal 1, and a configuration memory 84 that stores configuration parameters that define its own screen layout. By already having a processing means for processing the data transmitted to the terminal 1 by a user-dependent method such as the processor 63, the user's own screen layout can be displayed on the display 17. When a user of terminal 1 communicates with access means 5 to receive data, for example because the user has generated its identification and / or address through at least one of the keyboards 19 and 20, eg, that identification or address. Or both are stored in the smart card and automatically read (perhaps after receiving the correct PIN code) when the smart card is inserted, for example, the phone number of terminal 1 is known to phone network 3 and the connection The user's identification and / or address is known to access means 5 because it is automatically supplied to access means 5 when is established. This identification and / or address is received by the receiving means 83, the configuration memory 84 is read in response, and the configuration parameters belonging to this user configure the data so that the user can display his or her own screen layout. Used for. Instead of the identification and / or address, special codes can be used that are generated by the user on at least one of the keyboards 19 and 20 and / or stored in the smart card.

【0037】

According to the second method, when the user of the terminal 1 communicates with the access means 5 to receive data such as an e-mail message, the title for the user to confirm the summary and each e-mail message. It is interesting to receive only part of the data, such as the sender's address, or because the terminal memory 13 is too small to contain the entire contents of the data, it sends only part of the data to terminal 1. You need, or both. This is done using any or a combination of the identifications, addresses, or special codes that indicate that at least one of them needs to partially send data addressed to the terminal, and perhaps which part to send. realizable. When receiving an additional portion, the user either generates and transmits, for example, an additional code received by the receiving means 83, or the additional code is automatically performed by terminal 1 or access means 5, for example, after a certain time interval has elapsed. Is generated. If additional code is generated by the user, it may be a short command or, for example, one of the keys 19 and 20 of the keyboard. Of course, it should not be ruled out that, for example, the special code may be (temporarily) stored in, for example, server memory 66, resulting in the terminal 1 automatically receiving only a predetermined portion of the data.

【0038】

The system disclosed in FIG. 1 can be activated due to the self-triggering mechanism. This self-trigger mechanism is in the arranged terminal 1 (pulling) or access means 5 (pushing).

【0039】

In the case of the self-trigger mechanism 85 arranged in the access means 5, for example, it constitutes a part of the processor 63 and functions as follows.

【0040】

When there is no connection between terminal 1 and access means 5, for example server 61 receives new information stored in server memory 66, such as a new weather forecast, the comparators that form part of the self-trigger mechanism 85 receive new information. Compare the code belonging to terminal 1 with the code stored in, for example, the server memory 66, and notify terminal 1 if they are equal, or the clock that forms part of the self-trigger mechanism 85 is assigned to terminal 1. Determines to notify terminal 1 at some moment after perhaps reference to the code that belongs and is stored in server memory 66. In either case, for example, a display signal including the address or telephone number of terminal 1 is generated by the generation means 86 which forms a part of the processor 63. This display signal is supplied to the telephone network 3 via the bus 74, the data interface 62, the data connection 73, the access point 51, and the telephone line 4. The telephone network 3 then displays this display signal in the form of a calling number display (transmitted between the first and second call signals of the call) if the user terminal is an analog terminal. In the case of an ISDN terminal, it is transmitted to terminal 1 via the D channel. The terminal 1 constitutes a part of the processor 12, receives (a part of) the display signal via the telephone line 2, the line interface 11, and the bus 31, and then the display signal is displayed via the display 17. Includes receiving means 23, thereby notifying the user of the arrival of new information on the server. It is natural that the terminal 1 may further include an automatic connection mechanism for establishing a data connection for automatically receiving the new information stored in the terminal memory 13 in response to the reception of the display signal.

【0041】

For example, if a connection exists between terminal 1 and access means 5 via a generation means 24 that forms part of processor 12, terminal 1 sends an update code to access means 5, which causes itself within server 61. A comparer that forms part of the trigger mechanism 85 compares this update code with the code stored in the server memory 66, for example, if the two are not equal, the server 61 sends software update information to terminal 1. It decides or decides to send software update information to terminal 1 at some moment, perhaps after reference to the update code belonging to terminal 1, the clocks that make up part of the self-trigger mechanism 85 in server 61. In either case, for example, the software update information stored in the server memory 66 is transmitted to the terminal 1 together with an update signal notifying the terminal 1 of what to do with the update (for example, which old part should be replaced).

【0042】

When the self-trigger mechanism 25 is in the terminal 1, this mechanism constitutes, for example, a part of the processor 12 and functions as follows.

【0043】

If there is a connection between terminal 1 and access means 5, for example via a generator 87 that forms part of processor 63, server 61 sends an update code to terminal 1 thereby self-triggering within terminal 1. A comparator that forms part of mechanism 25 compares this update code with the code stored in terminal memory 13, for example terminal 1 decides to obtain software update information if they are not equal, or the terminal. It is determined that the clock forming a part of the self-trigger mechanism 25 in 1 notifies the terminal 1 of the software update information at a certain moment after probably referring to the update code transmitted from the server 61. In either case, for example, the software update information stored in the server memory 66 is transmitted to the terminal 1 together with an update signal notifying the terminal 1 of what to do with the update (for example, which old part should be replaced).

【0044】

When there is no connection between the terminal 1 and the access means 5, for example, under the control of the self-trigger mechanism 25, for example, the automatic connection mechanism is used to automatically perform a data connection in order to automatically receive the new information or the like. Can be established.

【0045】

According to a very advantageous embodiment, the first self-triggering mechanism (a form of hardware and / or software) is located somewhere in access means 5, and the first self-triggering mechanism results in software. It is sent to terminal 1, and after the software is stored in terminal 1, for example, it examines all the software stored in terminal 1, decides which software to replace, and performs the replacement to perform a second self-trigger. Functions as a mechanism.

【0046】

Using the system disclosed in Figure 1, terminal 1 users can get an overview of all different types of messages waiting to be viewed, such as telephone messages, fax messages, and data messages. To achieve this, for example, network memory 43 and server memory 66 are combined via telephone line 4, access point 51, data connection 73, data interface 62 and bus 74 or another connection not shown. To store the summary in the server memory 66, the network memory 43 needs to send information to the server 61, and if the summary needs to be stored in the network memory 43, the server memory 66 sends the information to the telephone network 3. Need to send. In either case, the transmission of the information can be carried out by the self-trigger mechanism and / or automatic connection mechanism described above.

【0047】

For example, if the terminal memory 13 contains a server code that specifies the address of the server 61 (and perhaps an access code that specifies the address of the access point 51), for example a summary code that specifies that a summary of all messages is required. A user of terminal 1 can obtain this overview in a very user-friendly way, for example by pressing one key or typing a short command through at least one of both keyboards 19 and 20, after which terminal 1 is a server. Connected to 61, the server memory 66 transmits the summary to terminal 1 to display this summary, for example via display 17.

【0048】

Instead of the user taking the initiative, the server 61 stores in server memory 66, for example with respect to telephone and / or fax messages stored in network memory 43, or data messages stored in server memory 66, for example. When receiving new information, the comparators that form part of the self-trigger mechanism 85 belong to terminal 1 with the first and second codes that belong to the new information, for example the first and second codes stored in the server memory 66. Compared to the code (for example, the first code indicates whether new information is addressed to terminal 1 and the second code indicates, for example, whether or not terminal 1 has been notified of the new information), if they are equal. Decide to notify terminal 1 if it is not equal to, or notify terminal 1 after perhaps referencing the code that belongs to terminal 1 and is stored in server memory 66 with the clocks that make up part of the self-trigger mechanism 85. Decide that. In either case, for example, a display signal including the address or telephone number (terminal code) of terminal 1 is generated by the generation means 86 which forms a part of the processor 63. This display signal is supplied to the telephone network 3 via the bus 74, the data interface 62, the data connection 73, the access point 51, and the telephone line 4. The telephone network 3 then displays this display signal in the form of a calling number display (transmitted between the first and second call signals of the call) if terminal 1 is an analog terminal. In the case of an ISDN terminal, it is transmitted to terminal 1 via the D channel. The terminal 1 constitutes a part of the processor 12, receives (a part of) the display signal via the telephone line 2, the line interface 11, and the bus 31, and then the display signal is displayed via the display 17. Includes receiving means 23, thereby notifying the user of the arrival of new information on the server. An automatic connection mechanism for establishing a data connection for the terminal 1 to respond after receiving the display signal and automatically receive the new information stored in the terminal memory 13.

【0049】

The system disclosed in FIG. 1 further includes a function of communicating with the terminal 1 connected to the printer 6 via the connection 7. On the other hand, for example, the processor 63 in the server 61 has a conversion means 64 that converts the data to be printed into printer data, and a receiving means 88 that receives an instruction code transmitted from the terminal 1 and instructing which data to convert. A generation means 89 for generating a printer code that defines the address of the printer 6 is provided. The processor 12 in the terminal 1 includes, for example, a generation means 26 for generating the instruction code addressed to the server 61 and a receiving means 27 for receiving the printer code transmitted from the server 61. Generally, the user using the terminal 1 determines when to print the data. Compared to a personal computer that has a sufficient memory capacity and can convert data to be printed into printer data using a software printer driver, the terminal 1 has a predetermined size and price, and therefore has a small memory capacity. In order to prevent such a software printer driver from occupying too much memory area of the terminal 1, for example, a conversion means 64 including such a software driver is arranged in the server 61. The user orders the terminal 1 to print a certain amount of data via at least one of the keyboards 19 and 20, and the generation means 26 generates the instruction code, which is the bus 31, the line interface 11, the telephone line 2, and the instruction code. It is transmitted to the processor 63 via the network 3, the telephone line 4, the access point 51, the data connection 73, the data interface 62, and the bus 74, and the receiving means 88 receives the instruction code in the processor, and the constant data is transmitted. The server memory 66 and the conversion means 64 are controlled in such a way that they are converted into printer data. The printer data is then returned to the terminal 1 via the bus 74, the data interface 62, the data connection 73, the access point 51, the telephone line 4, the network 3, and the telephone line 2. Is the printer data at terminal 1 line interface 11 via bus 31? Is sent to the printer interface 15, and then supplied to the printer 6 via the connection 7. Therefore, the printer interface need not include the software printer driver, but generally includes only the hardware printer driver.

【0050】

At the terminal 1, the line interface 11, the bus 31, and the printer interface 15 together form an exchange means for exchanging the printer data without passing through the processor 12. For example, the printer code generated by the generation means 89 and transmitted from the server 61 to the terminal 1 before (immediately) the printer data is transmitted to the processor 12 needs to be put into transparent mode for the printer data. Can be notified that there is. The instruction code can generally include the identification, address, type, trademark, or combination thereof of the printer 6 in order to prevent the information of the server 61 from being overloaded, for example.

【0051】

It goes without saying that the access point 51 can be fully or partially integrated with at least telephone network 3 and / or server 61. In addition, components can be fully or partially integrated within terminal 1, access point 51, and server 61.

【0052】

In addition, all of the above embodiments and / or possibilities can be combined with new embodiments and / or possibilities with additional invention concepts.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a figure which disclosed the system by this invention including the terminal by this invention and the access means by this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a figure which disclosed the terminal by this invention which exchanges data with an access means.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which disclosed the access means by this invention which exchanges data with a terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 terminal 2, 4 telephone lines 3 Telephone network 5 Access method 6 printer 7 Connection 11 line interface 12, 53, 63 processors 13, 14 terminal memory 15 Printer interface 16 Telephone means 17 display 18 keyboard interface 19 phone keyboard 20 alphanumeric keyboard 21 modules 22, 24, 26, 82, 86, 87, 89 Generating means 23, 27, 83, 88 Receiving means 25 Self-trigger mechanism 31 bus 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 connections 41 switchboard 42 network processor 43 network memory 51 Access point 52 Network interface 54, 62 data interface 61 server 64 Conversion means 65 Judgment means 66 Server memory 71, 72 connections 73 Data connection 74 bus 84 Configuration memory 85 Self-trigger mechanism