Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer conferencing – Demand based messaging
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-18
2001-10-23
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer conferencing
Demand based messaging
C709S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308200
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer network and, particularly, to a method for connecting terminals to a host computer and a host computer therefor, in a computer network that includes the host computer and a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines.
2. Related Arts
An on-line system which provides various kinds of services from a host computer to terminal operators, registered to use the host computer, in a computer network which includes the host computer and a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines, has been known. A system commonly referred to as a “personal computer communication” system, which allows a number of people to communicate with each other using data communication between the host computer and the terminals is an example of such an on-line system. In such a system, for example, personal computers are used as terminals and telephone lines are used as the communication lines. As typical usage of the personal computer communication system, the electronic mail system (hereinafter simply referred to as an e-mail system) that transmits a message from a user to one or more of other designated users, the electronic bulletin board that allows users to read and write messages on the board to one another, and the like, are provided. The electronic bulletin boards are provided for different kinds of groups, called forums, each having a plurality of users interested in a particular theme.
The query whether or not an e-mail message has been received has been done as follows: first, an operator of a terminal, namely, a user of a host computer makes a telephone call to the host computer to connect the telephone communication line when the user asks whether or not mail to his or her address has been received. Then, the user inputs his or her identification ID number and a password, thereby enabling the user to use the host computer and at the same time starting to count the charge for making use of the host computer. It is called a log-in process to enable a terminal user to start to use the host computer, while it is called a log-out process to end the use of the host computer. After carrying out the log-in process, the user can search for an e-mail addressed to him or her by manipulating the host computer. The user downloads the message from the host computer to his or her terminal when the user finds mail, while the user stops using the host computer when the user does not find mail.
However, the above explained query of whether or not mail has been received cannot be answered until the user finishes a mail search operation after executing the log-in process. The users are required to manipulate the mail search operation, and the on-line service charge for making use of the host computer is counted during the search operation, resulting in increased network traffic. Furthermore, when a terminal operator that made registration to a plurality of host computers asks whether or not his or her mail has been received by each respective host computer, the operator, namely, the user of the host computers is required to repeatedly operate a similar mail search operation corresponding to each of the host computers. This is time consuming and inefficient in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for connecting terminals to a host computer, and a host computer therefor, in a computer network in which the network includes the host computer and a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines, wherein a user having made a registration to the host computer can confirm whether or not a mail addressed to the user has been received by a simple operation, the terminal can be connected to the host computer and the charge for making use of the host computer, namely, the on line service charge starts only when the mail has been received, thereby improving the efficiency in operation and reducing the network traffic.
FIG. 1
is a flowchart showing a basic process of a first connecting method of the present invention. From
FIG. 1
, the number after S indicates a step number. In order to accomplish the above object, a first method for connecting terminals to a host computer in a computer network that includes the host computer and a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines is characterized in that it comprises the following steps.
Step
1
: An identification number and a password of a user of the host computer are input from one of the terminals to the host computer after connecting a communication line between the terminal and the host computer (S
1
).
Step
2
: An execution of a process, for example, transmitting whether forecast or road traffic information, or the like, is started for the user by the host computer, in which the process corresponding to the input password is selected from a plurality of processes, each process respectively corresponds to each password and is previously defined by the host computer (S
2
).
FIG. 2
is a flowchart showing a processing sequence according to a second connecting method of the present invention. In order to accomplish the above object, a second method for connecting terminals to a host computer in a computer network that includes the host computer and a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines is characterized in that it comprises the following steps.
Step
21
: An identification number and a password of a user of the host computer are input from one of the terminals to the host computer (S
21
).
Step
22
: It is determined whether or not the password is the one for confirming that information addressed to the user has been stored in the host computer (S
22
). The process proceeds to step S
23
if it is determined yes, whereas the process ends if it is determined no.
Step
23
: It is determined whether or not information addressed to the user has been stored in the host computer when it is determined in the step S
22
that the password is input for the confirmation (S
23
). The process proceeds to step S
24
if it is determined yes, whereas the process ends if it is determined no.
Step
24
: The user is enabled to use the host computer when it is determined that the information has been stored in the host computer (S
24
).
In the first or second method for connecting terminals to a host computer, the password may be replaced by a prefix or a suffix placed in front of or at the back of the identification number respectively.
In the second method for connecting terminals to a host computer, the information received by the host computer may be one or more of electronic mails addressed to the user.
FIG. 3
is a flowchart showing a processing sequence according to a third connecting method of the present invention. In order to accomplish the above object, a third method for connecting terminals to a host computer in a computer network that includes the host computer a plurality of terminals connected to the host computer via communication lines is characterized in that it comprises the following steps.
Step
31
: An identification number of a user of the host computer and a forum name are input from one of the terminals to the host computer, to which forum the user belongs (S
31
).
Step
32
: It is determined whether or not the forum name is input for confirming that information addressed to the forum has been stored in the host computer (S
32
). The process proceeds to step S
33
if it is determined yes, whereas the process ends if it is determined no.
Step
33
: It is determined whether or not information addressed to the forum has been stored in the host computer when it is determined in the step S
32
that the forum name is input for the confirmation (S
33
). The process proceeds to step S
34
if it is determined yes, whereas the process ends if it is determined no.
Step
34
Burgess Glenton B.
Edelman Bradley
Fujitsu Limited
Staas & Halsey , LLP
LandOfFree
Method for connecting terminals to a host computer and a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for connecting terminals to a host computer and a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for connecting terminals to a host computer and a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613549