Apparatus and method of automatically delivering E-mail stored in mail server to arbitrary facsimile apparatus

• US 6,411,393 B1
• Filed: 08/11/1998
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Technology Research Incorporated (Ricoh Company Limited)
• Inventors: Wakasugi, Naoki
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pokrzywa, Joseph R.
• Application Number:
  US09/132,298
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/402, 358/403, 358/407, 358/434, 358/442, 358/443, 358/468, 709/206, 709/238, 709/239, 709/240, 709/244, 379/90.01, 379/93.07, 379/93.24, 379/100.01, 379/100.08, 379/100.09, 379/100.12
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0022 Selecting or switching between an image communication mode and a non-image communication mode H04N2201/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence

Abstract

A data terminal which is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network includes first and second communications devices that transmit and receive electronic mails through the local area network and facsimile image information through the public switched telephone network, respectively. The data terminal further includes a memory and a delivery controller. The memory stores a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access a mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user, at least one facsimile number where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required. The delivery controller controls the delivery operation, during which the data terminal accesses the mail server using the user identifiers to receive electronic mails for the user when the flag indicates the electronic-mail delivery operation is required and then the data terminal converts the electronic mails into facsimile image information. The controller then transmits the facsimile image information to at least one communications terminal that has a facsimile communications function using the at least one facsimile number included in the user identifiers.

Claims

1. A data terminal which is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network, comprising:

a first communications device that transmits and receives electronic mails through said local area network;

a second communications device that transmits and receives facsimile image information through said public switched telephone network;

a memory that stores a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access a mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail recipient; and

a delivery controller that controls said first and second communications devices and said memory and that allows said data terminal to perform said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets, wherein during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal periodically accesses the mail server using said user identifiers and downloads electronic mail for the user from said mail server when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required, and said data terminal converts the electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information and transmits the facsimile image information to at least one communications terminal that has a facsimile communications function using said at least one facsimile number included in said user identifiers.

2. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal temporarily holds said electronic mails received from said mail server before converting said electronic mails into facsimile image information for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

3. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one communications terminal only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

4. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one communications terminal only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"'s identification information provided in said electronic mails.

5. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal accesses a mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

6. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

7. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

8. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein said delivery controller changes contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

9. The data terminal of claim 8, wherein said communications terminal is a facsimile apparatus.

10. The data terminal of claim 8, wherein said communications terminal is a telephone.

11. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein said delivery controller performs said electronic-mail delivery operation for the users registered in said electronic-mail delivery control information sets at predetermined time intervals.

12. The data terminal of claim 1, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and, and said data terminal performs said electronic-mail delivery operation at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.

13. A data terminal which is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network, comprising:

first communications means for transmitting and receiving electronic mails through said local area network;

second communications means for transmitting and receiving facsimile image information through said public switched telephone network;

data storing means for storing data representing a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access a mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail recipient; and

delivery controlling means for controlling said first and second communications means and said data storing means and for allowing said data terminal to perform said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets,

wherein during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal periodically accesses the mail server using said user identifiers and downloads electronic mail for the user from said mail server when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required, and said data terminal converts the electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information and transmits the facsimile image information to at least one communications terminal that has a facsimile communications function using said at least one facsimile number included in said user identifiers.

14. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal temporarily holds said electronic mails received from said mail server before converting said electronic mails into facsimile image information for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

15. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one communications terminal only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

16. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one communications terminal only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"'s identification information provided in said electronic mails.

17. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal accesses a mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

18. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

19. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

20. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein said delivery controlling means changes contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

21. The data terminal of claim 20, wherein said communications terminal is a facsimile apparatus.

22. The data terminal of claim 20, wherein said communications terminal is a telephone.

23. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein said delivery controlling means performs said electronic-mail delivery operation for the users registered in said electronic-mail delivery control information sets at predetermined time intervals.

24. The data terminal of claim 13, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and, and said data terminal performs said electronic-mail delivery operation at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.

25. A method of delivering electronic mails at locations of at least one arbitrary communications terminal having a facsimile communications function, said method comprising the steps of:

storing data representing a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access a mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail recipient;

starting said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets;

periodically accessing the mail server using said user identifiers when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required;

downloading electronic mail for the user from said mail server;

converting said electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information; and

transmitting said facsimile image information to said at least one communications terminal using said at least one facsimile number included in said user identifiers.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time, and said method further comprising a step of temporarily holding said electronic mails received from said mail server before said converting step for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and said transmitting step is performed only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and said transmitting step is performed only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"'s identification information provided in said electronic mails.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation, and wherein said accessing step accesses the mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and said receiving step receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein said converting step also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein said converting step also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets are changed in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said communications terminal performs a facsimile communication.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said communications terminal performs a telephone communication.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein said electronic-mail delivery operation is performed at predetermined time intervals.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and said electronic-mail delivery operation is performed at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.

37. An electronic communications system, comprising:

a plurality of facsimile terminals coupled to a public switched telephone network;

a plurality of domains connected with each other, each domain comprising a mail server and a data terminal which is coupled to a local area network included in said domain and to said public switched telephone network, said data terminal comprising;

a first communications device that transmits and receives electronic mails through said local area network;

a second communications device that transmits and receives facsimile image information through said public switched telephone network;

a memory that stores a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access said mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail receipient; and

a delivery controller that controls said first and second communications devices and said memory and that allows said data terminal to perform said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets,

wherein during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal periodically accesses said mail server using said user identifiers and downloads electronic mail for the user from said mail server when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required, and said data terminal converts the electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information and transmits the facsimile image information to at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminals using said at least one facsimile number included in said-user identifiers.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal temporarily holds said electronic mails received from said mail server before converting said electronic mails into facsimile image information for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminal only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminal only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"' identification information provided in said electronic mails.

41. The system of claim 37, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal accesses a mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

43. The system of claim 37, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

44. The system of claim 37, wherein said delivery controller changes contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein said communications terminal is one of said plurality of said facsimile apparatus.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein said communications terminal is a telephone coupled to said public switched telephone network.

47. The system of claim 37, wherein said delivery controller performs said electronic-mail delivery operation for the users registered in said electronic-mail delivery control information sets at predetermined time intervals.

48. The system of claim 37, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and said data terminal performs said electronic-mail delivery operation at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.

49. An electronic communications system, comprising:

a plurality of facsimile terminals coupled to a public switched telephone network; and

a plurality of domains connected with each other through Internet, each domain comprising;

a mail server receiving and storing electronic mails; and

a data terminal which is coupled to a local area network included in said domain and to said public switched telephone network, said data terminal comprising;

first communications means for transmitting and receiving electronic mails through said local area network;

second communications means for transmitting and receiving facsimile image information through said public switched telephone network;

data storing means for storing a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access said mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail receipient; and

delivery controlling means for controlling said first and second communications means and said data storing means and for allowing said data terminal to perform said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets,

wherein during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal periodically accesses said mail server using said user identifiers and downloads electronic mail for the user from said mail server when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required, and said data terminal converts the electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information and transmits the facsimile image information to at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminals using said at least one facsimile number included in said user identifiers.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal temporarily holds said electronic mails received from said mail server before converting said electronic mails into facsimile image information for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminal only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal transmits said electronic mails to said at least one facsimile terminal among said plurality of said facsimile terminal only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"' identification information provided in said electronic mails.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation and, during said electronic-mail delivery operation, said data terminal accesses a mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

54. The system of claim 49, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

55. The system of claim 49, wherein, when converting said electronic mail for the user into facsimile image information, said data terminal also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

56. The system of claim 49, wherein said delivery controlling means changes contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said communications terminal is one of said plurality of said facsimile apparatus.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein said communications terminal is a telephone coupled to said public switched telephone network.

59. The system of claim 49, wherein said delivery controlling means performs said electronic-mail delivery operation for the users registered in said electronic-mail delivery control information sets at predetermined time intervals.

60. The system of claim 49, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and said data terminal performs said electronic-mail delivery operation at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.

61. A method of delivering electronic mails at locations of at least one arbitrary communications terminal having a facsimile communications function, said method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of electronic-mail delivery control information sets, each information set being uniquely assigned to each user and including user identifiers necessary for the user to access a mail server and to receive electronic mails for the user therefrom, at least one facsimile number indicating where to deliver the electronic mails, and a flag for indicating whether an electronic-mail delivery operation is required, the flag for each control information set capable of being set by its respective assigned user, each assigned user being an electronic mail receipient;

starting said electronic-mail delivery operation in accordance with information of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets;

periodically accessing said mail server using said user identifiers when said flag indicates that said electronic-mail delivery operation is required;

downloading electronic mail for the user from said mail server;

converting the electronic mail downloaded from said mail server into facsimile image information; and

transmitting the facsimile image information to at least one facsimile terminal among a plurality of facsimile terminals using said at least one facsimile number included in said user identifiers.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a transmission time, and said method further comprising a step of temporarily holding said electronic mails received from said mail server before said converting step for a time period until a time becomes equal to said transmission time.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a priority level and said transmitting step is performed only when said priority level of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is below priority information provided in said electronic mails.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a sender'"'"'s identifier and said transmitting step is performed only when said sender'"'"'s identifier of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user is identical to sender'"'"' identification information provided in said electronic mails.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes a mail server designation, and wherein said accessing step accesses a mail server in accordance with said mail server designation of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user and said receiving step receives electronic mails for the user from said designated mail server.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein said converting step also converts a binary data file attached to said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein said converting step also converts information which is included in a header of said electronic mail into facsimile image information.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein contents of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets are changed in accordance with information which are sent from a communications terminal.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said communications terminal performs a facsimile communication.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein said communications terminal performs a telephone communication.

71. The method of claim 61, wherein said electronic-mail delivery operation is performed at predetermined time intervals.

72. The method of claim 61, wherein each of said electronic-mail delivery control information sets further includes an individual interval time and said electronic-mail delivery operation is performed at individual intervals for each user in accordance with said individual interval time of said electronic-mail delivery control information set for the user.