Communication terminal device

Details Communication terminal device Communication terminal device

1998-06-01

2001-06-19

Coles, Edward (Department: 2722)

Facsimile and static presentation processing

Facsimile

Electronic mailbox

C358S001160, C358S400000, C358S403000, C358S404000, C358S434000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06249356

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved communication terminal device provided with confidential reception capability or the like utilizing a memory mailbox.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, some of facsimile machines, (which is one type of communication terminal device) are provided with confidentiality capability whereby after receipt of a confidential reception request received image data is stored directly in a designated memory mailbox without being printed out. After output of notification indicating that confidential mail has been received, the stored data can be read-out and output onto a recording sheet when the predetermined secret code corresponding to that memory mailbox is entered by someone who confirms the notification. Thus, only the designated user who knows the secret code can learn the contents of the confidential image data in the corresponding box, so the secrecy of the data is maintained.
Confidential reception notification indicating receipt of confidential mail is output each time confidential data is received. Therefore, if date in a particular memory mailbox is left unattended for an extended period and confidential data continues to be received by the same memory mailbox, recording paper is wasted.
Particularly, if there is constraint on the receiving side that received data is stored in a memory mailbox as confidential data based on, for example, a dial-in number dialed by a remote device, all reception is treated as confidential whether or not the sender intended it to be sent confidentially, and so confidential reception notification messages are output more frequently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention, taking into account the state of the conventional technology, to provide a communication terminal device that stores incoming data in a memory mailbox without printing out notification every time such data arrives.
In order to accomplish this object, in a communication terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention, if data is received and stored in a memory mailbox while the memory mailbox contains data that has yet to be output, the newly received data is stored in the memory mailbox without displaying or outputting additional information indicating such reception. On the other hand, if data is received when there is no unprinted data in the memory mailbox, reception notification is displayed or output and the data is stored in the memory.
In other words, a fact that the memory mailbox contains data which has yet to be printed out means that a reception notification message has already been displayed or printed, and there is a possibility that this notification has not yet been seen. The communication terminal device on the receiving side does not print or display a similar notification this time. The communication terminal device waits for an authorized person on the receiving side to see the printed or displayed notification and enter his or her password or secret code for printing of the already received data.
If a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since reception notification was output but the data still has not been output, the same reception notification may be printed or displayed again upon receiving new confidential data. In other words, a fact that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed without the received data being output means that the receipt notification output at the time the first data was received may have disappeared, gotten lost, or have been forgotten about. Therefore, if new data is received after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, reception notification will again be displayed or printed.
When the received data is stored in a memory mailbox designated by the remote device, reception notification may be displayed or printed regardless of whether or not unprinted data is already stored in the mailbox. When the received data is stored in a memory mailbox based on conditions determined by the communication terminal device on the receiving side, reception notification may not be displayed or output if unprinted data is already stored in the mailbox, but reception notification may be displayed or output if unprinted data is not already stored in the mailbox. Designation of the mailbox by the remote device may be such that a mailbox number is designated at the time a confidential reception request or broadcast request is detected prior to reception of data. The predetermined conditions set by the communication terminal device on the receiving side may include those such that the memory mailbox into which received data is stored is determined or no memory box is allotted based upon a dial-in number or telephone number of the remote device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5127047 (1992-06-01), Bell et al.
patent: 5155601 (1992-10-01), Toyama
patent: 5224156 (1993-06-01), Fuller et al.
patent: 5225826 (1993-07-01), DeLuca et al.
patent: 5283665 (1994-02-01), Ogata
patent: 5291302 (1994-03-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5555346 (1996-09-01), Gross et al.
patent: 0586906 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 0773664 (1997-05-01), None
patent: WO 94/24808 (1994-10-01), None

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