Electronic mail message checking system

• US 6,510,455 B1
• Filed: 09/01/1999
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zhigu Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Guan-Hua, Bian, Yong-Cai, Lai, Cheng-Shing, Cao, Jing
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, David Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/388,187
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/207, 709/213, 709/217
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

A system, a device and their relative methods for displaying the latest messages from an E-mail account under the conditions where there is no need to take the initiative in turning on a computer are disclosed. The incoming E-mail displaying system comprises: a displaying device for displaying new mails arrived from an E-mail box; a mail message service device responsive for searching a mail message in Internet, and responsive for transmitting the mail message through a transmission path; and a switching device responsive to the transmission path for receiving the mail message from the mail message service device and transmitting the mail message to the displaying device. Moreover, the displaying device can be further designed to comprise an input module, a telephone interface end, a displaying module, and a modem having embedded TCP/IP and E-mail client application et cetera functions. That is, enabling the displaying device to make a direct connection to Internet.

Claims

1. An incoming electronic mail (email) checking system, which is capable in displaying the newest messages from an email account under the conditions where there is no need to take the initiative in turning on a computer and in getting on internet, said incoming email displaying system comprising:

a personal computer, which is used for accomplishing client registration and sending/receiving electronic messages, both through a first network system;

a displaying module, which comprises a light emitting indicator for indicating the arrival of a new mail from an email box, and a displaying screen for displaying relative messages of said new mail;

a mail message service device responsive to said first network system for searching a mail message in said first network system, and responsive to a transmission path for transmitting said mail message through said transmission path;

a database, which provides a storage space for said mail message service device;

a stored program control system responsive to said transmission path for receiving said mail message from said mail message service device and transmitting said mail message to said displaying module by passing through a second network system, said stored program control system is established in between said displaying module and said mail message service device.

2. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said displaying module further comprises the followings:

input means for inputting an internet service provider'"'"'s account and password and a mail message service device'"'"'s account and password, as well as for setting an automatic checking time;

a telephone interface end, which provides a connection gateway to an internet service provider;

data handling means responsive to said internet service provider'"'"'s account and password, said mail message service device'"'"'s account and password, and said connection gateway for receiving said mail message, moreover, said data handling means comprise a modem; and

a displaying interface for accomplishing a displaying function and a displaying control for said mail message.

3. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said displaying interface further comprise a light emitting diode indicator.

4. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said modem is a short form of modulator/demodulator, which comprises the following functions:

an application protocol;

a transmission control protocol (TCP);

an internet protocol (IP);

a point-to-point protocol (PPP);

a data correction/compression protocol; and

a data pump.

5. The checking system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said application protocol comprises an application software.

6. The checking system in accordance with claim 4, wherein to realize said functions comprises a central processing unit.

7. The checking system in accordance with claim 4, wherein to realize said functions comprises a plurality of central processing unit.

8. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said input means comprises system keyboard.

9. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said input means comprises mouse facility.

10. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said input means comprises voice recognition system and any other devices for achieving input purpose.

11. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said telephone interface end comprises an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter.

12. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said connection gateway comprises a wired system.

13. The checking system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said wired system comprises a public switch telephone network.

14. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said connection gateway comprises a wireless system.

15. The checking system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said wireless system comprises a satellite communication system.

16. The checking system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said displaying control of said mail message comprises:

browsing the header of said mail message;

browsing the full text of said mail message; and

deleting said mail message.

17. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said client registration can be accomplished by using any other registration channel, which comprises on phone registration and paper registration.

18. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first network system comprises an internet system.

19. The checking system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said internet system comprises transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).

20. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second network system comprises a wired system.

21. The checking system in accordance with claim 20, wherein said wired system comprises a public switch telephone network.

22. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second network system comprises a wireless system.

23. The checking system in accordance with claim 22, wherein said wireless system comprises a satellite communication system.

24. The checking system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said public switch telephone network adopts a transmission protocol, which comprises voiceband data transmission interface.

25. The checking system in accordance with claim 23, wherein said satellite communication system adopts a transmission protocol, which comprises voiceband data transmission interface.

26. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transmission path comprises transport layer.

27. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transmission path comprises application layer.

28. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transmission path comprises physical layer.

29. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said database is a readable/writable recording medium and its recording comprises:

a client full name;

a client email box address; and

a client telephone number.

30. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching means comprises a readable/writable recording medium and at least recording said mail message.

31. The checking system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said switching means comprises a dialing function.

32. The checking system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said dialing function comprises a time-set redialing function.

33. An incoming electronic mail (email) displaying device, which is capable in displaying the newest messages in an email account under the conditions where there is no need to take the initiative in turning on a computer supply, said incoming email displaying device comprising:

an input unit, which is used for inputting an internet service provider'"'"'s account and password and a mail message service device'"'"'s account and password, as well as for setting an automatic checking time;

a telephone interface end, which provides a connection gateway to an internet service provider;

a data handling unit responsive to said internet service provider'"'"'s account and password, said mail message service device'"'"'s account and password, and said connection gateway for receiving a message, said data handling unit comprises a modulator/demodulator (modem) having embedded transmission control protocol (TCP), internet protocol (IP), and point-to-point protocol (PPP); and

a displaying unit for accomplishing a displaying function and a displaying control of said message.

34. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said modulator/demodulator further comprises the following functions:

an application protocol;

a data correction/compression protocol (MNP or ITU-T V.42 series); and

a data pump.

35. The displaying device in accordance with claim 34, wherein said application protocol comprises an application software.

36. The displaying device in accordance with claim 34, wherein to realize said functions comprises a central processing unit.

37. The displaying device in accordance with claim 34, wherein to realize said functions comprises a plurality of central processing unit.

38. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said input unit comprises system keyboard.

39. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said input unit comprises mouse facility.

40. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said input unit comprises voice recognition system and any other devices for achieving input purpose.

41. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said telephone interface end comprises an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter.

42. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said connection gateway comprises a wired system.

43. The displaying device in accordance with claim 42, wherein said wired system comprises a public switch telephone network.

44. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said connection gateway comprises a wireless system.

45. The displaying device in accordance with claim 44, wherein said wireless system comprises a satellite communication system.

46. The displaying device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said message comprises an electronic mail (email).

47. The displaying device in accordance with claim 46, wherein said displaying control of said message comprises:

browsing the header of said email;

browsing the full text of said email; and

deleting said email.

48. An incoming electronic mail (email) displaying method, which is capable in displaying the newest messages in an email account under the conditions where there is no need to take the initiative in turning on a computer and in getting on internet, said incoming email displaying method comprising:

registering a client information;

storing said client information into a database;

using said client information in time searching for a new mail message in a first network system;

downloading said new mail message;

storing said new mail message into said database;

sending a corresponding data to a stored program control system by passing through a transmission path; and

using said corresponding data to make dial-up connection to an end display through a second network system, and transmitting said new mail message to said end display, said end display emits light to indicate the arrival of said new mail message and also displays said new mail message.

49. The method in accordance with claim 48, wherein said client information comprises:

a client full name;

a client email box address; and

a client telephone number.

50. The method in accordance with claim 48, wherein said database comprises a readable/writable recording medium.

51. The method in accordance with claim 48, wherein said stored program control system comprise a readable/writable recording medium and at least recording said corresponding data.

52. The method in accordance with claim 49, wherein said corresponding data comprises said client telephone number and said new mail message.

53. The method in accordance with claim 48 further comprises the following steps for said end display to communicate with an internet service provider:

inputting an internet service provider'"'"'s account and password, as well as a mail message service device'"'"'s account and password;

connecting to a modem of said internet service provider through a communication system;

logining to a post office protocol server on internet after been authenticated by said internet service provider;

transmitting said mail message service device'"'"'s account and password into said post office protocol server and acquiring for a corresponding authentication;

receiving an analog message sent from said internet service provider, where said analog message has already been packeted by transmission control protocol (TCP), internet protocol (IP) and point-to-point protocol, and also been modulated;

demodulate said analog message to a digital message;

carrying out a message unpacketing procedure against said digital message; and

displaying the unpacketed message.

54. The method in accordance with claim 53 even further comprises a step for setting automatic checking time.

55. The method in accordance with claim 53, wherein said message unpacketing procedure comprises:

applying point-to-point protocol to analyze and unpacket, then passing to its upper layer protocol;

applying internet protocol to analyze and unpacket, then passing to its upper layer protocol; and

applying transmission control protocol to remove the header of said digital message.

56. The method in accordance with claim 55, wherein the communication method between said protocol and its upper protocol comprises:

accepting a request primitive from its upper protocol;

indicating its upper protocol for received said request primitive;

waiting for a response from its upper protocol; and

confirming said request primitive generated from its upper protocol.

57. The method in accordance with claim 53, wherein said message comprises an electronic mail (email).

58. An incoming electronic mail (email) displaying method, which is capable in establishing a communication between an end user and an internet service provider, said incoming email displaying method comprising:

inputting an internet service provider'"'"'s account and password, as well as a mail message service device'"'"'s account and password;

connecting to a modem of said internet service provider through a communication system;

logining to a post office protocol server on internet after been authenticated by said internet service provider;

transmitting said mail message service device'"'"'s account and password into said post office protocol server and acquiring for a corresponding authentication;

receiving an analog message sent from said internet service provider, where said analog message has already been packeted by transmission control protocol (TCP), internet protocol (IP) and point-to-point protocol, and also been modulated;

demodulate said analog message to a digital message;

carrying out a message unpacketing procedure against said digital message; and

displaying the unpacketed message.

59. The method in accordance with claim 58 further comprises a step for setting automatic checking time.

60. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said message unpacketing procedure comprises:

applying point-to-point protocol to analyze and unpacket, then passing to its upper layer protocol;

applying internet protocol to analyze and unpacket, then passing to its upper layer protocol; and

applying transmission control protocol to remove the header of said digital message.

61. The method in accordance with claim 60, wherein the communication method between said protocol and its upper protocol comprises:

accepting a request primitive from its upper protocol;

indicating its upper protocol for received said request primitive;

waiting for a response from its upper protocol; and

confirming said request primitive generated from its upper protocol.

62. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said inputting procedure comprises system keyboard.

63. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said inputting procedure comprises mouse facility.

64. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said inputting procedure comprises voice recognition system and any other devices for achieving input purpose.

65. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said communication system comprises a wired system.

66. The method in accordance with claim 65, wherein said wired system comprises a public switch telephone network.

67. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless system.

68. The method in accordance with claim 67, wherein said wireless system comprises a satellite communication system.

69. The method in accordance with claim 58, wherein said message comprises an electronic mail (email).