Server device and communication method

• US 7,072,062 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Machinery Limited (Muratec)
• Original Assignee: Murata Machinery Limited (Muratec)
• Inventors: Eguchi, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Madeleine A V
• Application Number:
  US09/908,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20020054365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,813 Days
• Field of Search: 358/405, 358/407, 358/434, 358/442, 358/1.15, 358/402, 709/206, 709/207, 709/203, 380/243, 380/255, 380/246
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• 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 1/00912 Arrangements for controlling a still picture apparatus or components thereof not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/33307 prior to start of transmission, input or output of the picture signal only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4486 using digital data encryption

Abstract

A server device (20) which receives, from a channel, electronic mail including information of a transfer destination, an authentication number to an authentication device and data, responds to the electronic mail, requests authentication to the authentication device, and transfers the data to the transfer destination when the authentication number is confirmed by the authentication device. The server device (20) rejects the transfer of the data when the authentication number is not received by the server device (20), and sends a reply to that effect to the transmission source of the data by using electronic mail. Moreover, when the authentication number is not received by the server device (20), the server device (20) requests authentication to the authentication device by using a predetermined authentication number.

Claims

1. A server device comprising:

receiving means for receiving, from a channel, electronic mail including information of a transfer destination, an authentication number to an authentication device and data; and

transfer means for responding to the electronic mail, requesting authentication to the authentication device and transferring the data to the transfer destination when the authentication number is confirmed by the authentication device,

wherein the authentication device is a switchboard of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and

wherein the authentication number is a personal identification number (PIN).

2. The server device according to claim 1, further including reply means for rejecting the transfer of the data when the authentication number is not received by the server device, sending a reply to that effect to the transmission source of the data by using electronic mail.

3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer means requests authentication to the authentication device by using a predetermined authentication number when the authentication number is not received by the server device.

4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication number is encrypted.

5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the information of the transfer destination is a telephone number or a facsimile number.

6. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the data is character data, image data, or program data.

7. A communication method, comprising the steps of:

receiving electronic mail which includes information of a transfer destination, an authentication number to an authentication device, and data; and

responding to the received electronic mail, requesting authentication to the authentication device by using the authentication number, and transferring the data to the transfer destination after the authentication number is confirmed by the authentication device,

wherein the authentication device is a switchboard of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and

wherein the authentication number is a personal identification number (PIN).

8. The communication method according to claim 7, further including the step of requesting authentication to the authentication device by using a predetermined authentication number when the authentication number is not received by the server device.

9. The communication method according to claim 7, further including the step of rejecting the transfer of the data when the authentication number is not received, and sending a reply to that effect to the transmission source of the data.

10. The communication method according to claim 7, further including the step of decrypting the encrypted authentication number when the authentication number is encrypted.

11. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the information of the transfer destination is a telephone number or a facsimile number.

12. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the data is character data, image data, or program data.

13. A recording medium recording a program to be executed by a computer, comprising:

first program code means for receiving electronic mail which includes information of a transfer destination, an authentication number to an authentication device and data; and

second program code means for responding to the received electronic mail, requesting authentication to the authentication device by using the authentication number, and transferring the data to the transfer destination when the authentication number is confirmed by the authentication device,

wherein the authentication device is a switchboard of a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and

wherein the authentication number is a personal identification number (PIN).

14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the information of the transfer destination is a telephone number or a facsimile number.

15. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the data is character data, image data, or program data.