Electronic mail message checking system

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to Internet communication system, and more particularly, relates to 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. 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Internet is a globalized wide area network (WAN), in which telephone lines or dedicated lines are used among connections within global users. In virtue of convenient, concealed, prompt, and low cost predominance provided by Internet, the rate of expansion of Internet and the rate of growth of the user group are respectably incredible. Internet is also becoming a living essential for humans, wherein the main services that have been put to use are electronic mail (E-mail) and file transfer protocol (FTP).

[0005] E-mail is taking advantage of computer to accomplish the work of sending and receiving messages, where it is very different to the conventional way of composing mails by pen and paper. When an user want to send a letter to another user or other users, the sender can simply use any text editor to type the letter into a computer, and using the computer network as a medium to send the letter to other user(s). The receiver(s) does not need to be on Internet for the time being, that is, no need to be inside this computer network. In fact, this E-mail is kept on Internet, at a place called “mail server”. When the next time the receiver(s) enters this computer network, opens the mailbox, and takes out the letter, the message can be obtained easily.

[0006] In accompanying with the popularized E-mail service, E-mail and human living are becoming more and more close to each other that lead to an inseparable relationship. In general, one need to login to Internet in order to go a step further for sending/receiving E-mails. In the present day, the ways of connecting to Internet by E-mail clients can be separated into two types, which are: (1) clients make active dialup connections to Internet service provider (ISP); and (2) clients themselves having Internet Protocol (IP) addresses with fully function connections. Regardless of which, clients need to be on the initiative to get on the net for opening mailboxes, in order to be able to check through E-mails in time. Apart from it, how would those PC users to obtain the latest messages in their mailboxes without turning on the PC power source, these are all the unsolvable problems for the existing products.

[0007] In accordance with the above description of the prior art, the present invention provides solutions to all the drawbacks of the conventional Internet end products that have been introduced. The present invention provides an electronic mail (E-mail) checking system and method, which automatically download a client's latest E-mail messages from Internet. Wherein, the E-mail messages are delivered to the client end by passing through an existing communication network system.

[0008] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic E-mail checking system that automatically downloads new mails from the client's E-mail box (E-mail account) and sends those mails to the client end displaying device. The arrival of any new mail will be indicated by a viewing signal at the client end, which enables the client to check through E-mails in time.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an E-mail checking system that doesn't need to be on the initiative to turn on the computer and to get on the net by users, thus, saving resources and saving time.

[0010] Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide an E-mail checking system that comes with a time setting function for users to set their preferable time for automatic E-mail checking and searching through Internet for new E-mail messages.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a selection of oneself and reading function for users to handle their E-mail messages instantaneously, therefore, enhances working efficiency.

[0012] According to the above objects, the E-mail checking system been provided by the present invention comprises the followings: a displaying device for displaying new mails arrived from an E-mail box; a mail message service device responsive to a network system for searching a mail message in the network system, and responsive to a transmission path for transmitting the mail message through the 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 by passing through another network system. Wherein the switching device is established in between the displaying device and the mail message service device.

[0013] Moreover, the displaying device further comprises an input module, a telephone interface end, a displaying module, and a data handling module having embedded modem transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) and E-mail client application et cetera functions.

[0014] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a network architectural diagram of a network capable of utilizing an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram of showing the relationship between a mail message service device and Internet;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a flowchart summarizing the steps executed by the stored program control system shown in the network architectural diagram of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of showing the possible protocols been used in the network architectural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of showing the application of an incoming E-mail checking device of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of showing an incoming E-mail checking device of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating different levels of protocol in the data handling layer of the incoming E-mail checking device of another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 8 shows the way of communication between two protocols in the data handling device; and

[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart summarizing the steps executed by another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a network architectural diagram of a network capable of utilizing an embodiment of the present invention, it not only shows the main devices required by the entire embodiment as well as the relationships between those devices. The incoming electronic mail (E-mail) displaying system of the present embodiment is capable of displaying the latest 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. The incoming E-mail displaying system comprises a personal computer (PC) 100, an E-mail message displaying end 110, a mail message service device 120, and a stored program control system 130.

[0025] The PC 100 is used for accomplishing client registrations and sending (and/or receiving) electronic messages, wherein client registrations can also be accomplished by using any other registration channels, such as, on phone registration and paper registration. The content of client registrations required for E-mail message service includes client's full name, email box address, telephone number, et cetera.

[0026] The E-mail message displaying end 110 comprises a light emitting indicator, preferably light emitting diode (LED), for indicating the arrival of a new mail from an client's E-mail box, and a displaying screen for displaying the relative messages of the new mail, such as, the E-mail address of origin, the title, et cetera. Beyond all questions, the entire mail can be downloaded to the client's end, automatically receiving E-mails for the client. The corresponding messages of new mails are transmitted from the stored program control system 130 to the E-mail message displaying end 110 through an existing communication network system, such as, Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) wired system or satellite communication wireless system.

[0027] Stored program control system 130 is established in between the E-mail message displaying end 110 and the mail message service device 120, where the existing communication network system mentioned above acts as the connection bridge between the stored program control system and the E-mail message displaying end. Inside this stored program control system there includes a readable/writable recording medium and at least recording the mail messages, a dialing function, and a time-set redialing function.

[0028] The mail message service device 120 of the present embodiment is used for searching and downloading new mail messages from Internet system, and responsive to a transmission path for transmitting the already downloaded mail messages and the client's telephone number to the stored program control system 130. FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram of showing the relationship between the mail message service device 120 and Internet, wherein the mail message service device 120 searches through Internet for the latest messages in a registered client's E-mail box according to a set time. The searched messages are downloaded and stored into a database 210 straight away. This database is also a readable/writable recording medium and its recording apart from clients' mail messages further comprises the content of client registrations, which includes client's full name, email box address, telephone number, et cetera. Moreover, the mail message service device 120 recalls the content of the client registrations stored in the database 210 for accomplishing the above procedure of searching the latest messages in a registered client's E-mail box.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a flowchart summarizing the steps executed by the stored program control system shown in the network architectural diagram of FIG. 1. Under the illustration in coordinating with this flowchart, an incoming E-mail displaying method of the present embodiment, which is capable in 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 and in getting on internet. The incoming E-mail displaying method comprises: Firstly, an E-mail client needs to register for E-mail message automatic displaying service at the mail message service device, the content of client registrations required for E-mail message service includes client's full name, email box address, telephone number, et cetera. The mail message service device will then store the content of the client registrations into the database. Consequentially, the mail message service device will recall the content of the client registrations stored in the database to search and download the latest messages from registered clients' E-mail boxes according to a set time.

[0030] The downloaded messages are stored into the database as well, where these messages are send to the stored program control system in accompanying with client's telephone number. After the stored program control system received the mail messages send from the mail message service device 300, determining a registered client or not 310. If not, no further action will be taken. If is a registered client then detecting whether the client's phone line is busy 320, if not busy, transmitting the mail messages to the E-mail message displaying end 340. If the phone line is busy then set a waiting time, redial and transmit the mail messages afterward 330. Finally, the success of data transmission will be indicated by a light emitter at the E-mail messages displaying end for indicating the arrival of the new mail messages, and the new mail messages are displayed on the E-mail messages displaying end.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of showing the possible protocols been used in the network architectural diagram of the present embodiment of the present invention. The connection between the mail message service device 120 and Internet adopts the TCP/IP group. The TCP/IP group include hundred of different protocols, wherein Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) provide the common use network data transmission means. Protocols used in the application layer are responsible for providing E-mail and its corresponding services.

[0032] The application layer protocol between the mail message service device 120 and the stored program control system 130 can be defined by the data transmitting functions that required to realize the present embodiment. The protocols used between the mail message service device 120 and the stored program control system 130 comprise application layer protocol, transport layer protocol, and physical layer protocol. The existing common use protocols are Dedicated Data Link Interface (DDLI), Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and PSTN message service.

[0033] The application layer protocol between the stored program control system 130 and the E-mail message displaying end 110 can be defined by the data transmitting functions that required to realize the present embodiment. The transmission protocol used in between the stored program control system 130 and the E-mail message displaying end 110 is Voiceband Data Transmission Interface (VDTI).

[0034] In the system of the present invention, the E-mail message displaying end 110 having embedded TCP/IP protocols is able to make a direct contact to Internet for automatically downloading the mail messages, and this is where we begin an another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of showing the application of an incoming E-mail checking device of the present embodiment. The E-mail message displaying end 500 makes an dialup connection, through PSTN 510, to an mail message service device 520 on Internet for checking the latest mail messages. Clients can browse through the E-mail headers to determine the necessity of reading the mails, and the entire messages of those mails can be obtained through an E-mail message receiving end 530. The E-mail message displaying end 500 also has the functions of authenticating and call-waiting, which are accomplished by connecting to a plain telephone set 540.

[0036] In accordance with FIG. 6, a block diagram of showing an incoming E-mail checking device that is made up of the E-mail message displaying end 500 and the E-mail message receiving end 510 of FIG. 5. This block diagram not only shows the main devices required by the present embodiment as well as the relationships between those devices. The incoming E-mail checking device of the present embodiment is capable of displaying the latest messages from an E-mail account under the conditions where there is no need to take the initiative in turning on the computer supply, wherein the checking device comprises an input module 600, a telephone line interface 610, a data handling module 620, and a displaying module 630.

[0037] In the above mentioned input module 600 can be a system keyboard, a mouse facility, a voice recognition system, or any other devices for achieving input purposes. The telephone line interface 610 comprises an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog dual-way converter.

[0038] Inside the data handling module 620, there at least include a MOdulator/DEModulator (modem), and a diagram illustrating different levels of protocol in the data handling device is shown in FIG. 7. Apart from the conventional data pump layer 700 and data correction/compression layer (MNP series protocols or ITU-T V.42 series protocols) 710 included within the data handling device, there even embeds a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) layer 720, an Internet Protocol (IP) layer 730, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layer 740, and an E-mail client end communication software 750. A single central processing unit (CPU) or a plurality of CPUs can be used to realize all the functions of the above protocols.

[0039] The data pump 700 is the lowest level in the modem, whereon is the data correction/compression protocol layer 710. The data correction/compression protocol layer uses MNP2-4 to define data error correction and uses MNP5 to compress information dynamically, or uses ITU-T V.42 to define data error correction and uses V.42 bis to compress information dynamically. On top of the data correction/compression protocol layer is the PPP layer 720, which establishes a connection between an Internet user and its Internet Service Provider (ISP). The IP layer 730 is on top of the PPP layer, which is mainly used to control the flowing direction of information on Internet. The TCP layer 740 is on top of the IP layer, which is used to guarantee an error-free message transmission and to control the flow rate in transmission paths. The PPP layer 720 and the IP layer 730 work in coordination with the TCP layer 740 for accomplishing data transmissions on Internet. The topmost layer of the data handling device is the E-mail client end communication software 750, which is used for the application of sending/receiving E-mails.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows the way of communication between two protocols in the data handling device of the present embodiment, wherein the usage of primitives between a high level protocol 810 and a low level protocol 820 is illustrated. The high level protocol requests for a service by sending a “request primitive” 830 to the low level protocol. The low level protocol then uses an “indication primitive” 840 to indicate its upper level protocol. A “responsive protocol” 850 then passes back from the high level protocol and the low level protocol uses a “confirm primitive” 860 to answer the requested service, i.e. request success or request failure.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a flowchart summarizing the steps executed by an incoming E-mail checking method of the present embodiment. First of all, user inputs its Internet service provider's account and password, as well as mail message service device's account and password 900 from the input module. Apart from those, the user also inputs an automatic checking time. Next, the incoming E-mail checking device will provide a choice of checking E-mails or not 910 for the user. If the user want to check its E-mails or the automatic checking time is up, the incoming E-mail checking device will automatically make a dialup connection to the net from the telephone line interface and through a communication system onto an ISP's modem 920. The connecting route comprises a wired route, such as PSTN, or a wireless route, such as satellite communication network.

[0042] After obtaining an authentication from the ISP 930, which clearly represents the connection to Internet is been established, logining to a mail message service device (POP3 is used) on Internet 940 straight away. The mail message service device's account and password are transmitted into a Post Office Protocol (version 3) server and acquiring for a corresponding authentication 950. Subsequently, an analog message sent from the Internet service provider is received, where the analog message has already been packeted by transmission control protocol, internet protocol and point-to-point protocol, and also been modulated. The modem at the user end demodulates the analog message into a digital message soon after the analog message is received. The demodulated message will be firstly analyzed and unpacketed by the point-to-point protocol then passes to its upper layer protocol, that is to analyze and unpacket again by the Internet protocol. Finally, the message is passed to the transmission control protocol for removing its header. The E-mail message that has been deal with is then sent to the E-mail client end communication software layer, the display of this E-mail, is accomplished on the displaying module 960 afterward. On this display module, user can chose whether to browse the header of the E-mail, to browse the full text of the E-mail, or to delete the E-mail. If all E-mail accounts have been checked 970 then go offline and release the connection 980, otherwise connect to another Post Office Protocol (version 3) server on Internet.

[0043] Althougt specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from what is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.