JP2001157269A - Data transmission / reception device, data relay device, and data transmission / reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a data transmission / reception device or the like capable of transmitting / receiving data while suppressing communication cost. SOLUTION: Radio waves are transmitted intermittently to check for a response (step SA1). Based on the presence or absence of this response, it is determined whether a communication partner has been found (step SA2). If a communication partner has been found, a communication path with the partner is established (step SA3). Next, the application IDs are exchanged (step SA4), and it is determined whether or not the communication partner is also an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus having the same proximity mail function as this electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus (step SA5). In the case of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving device having a similar proximity mail function, the proximity mail software is started (step SA6), and the proximity mail communication process is executed (step SA7). As a result, transmission / reception of e-mail is directly performed between the found e-mail transmission / reception devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a data transmitting / receiving device, a data relay device, and a data transmitting / receiving system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, a mail transmission / reception system has been established in which electronic mail can be exchanged anytime and anywhere by using a notebook personal computer or a handheld personal computer with a portable telephone or PHS. With such a system,
Since mail can be exchanged regardless of time and place, it is frequently used not only for remote parties, but also for e-mail exchanges with, for example, close friends who meet every day.

[0003]

However, in the conventional mail transmission / reception system, a connection to a communication line and a connection to an Internet provider are required for sending mail to any other party. Therefore,
Even when sending an e-mail to a close partner or a partner who will soon meet, there is a disadvantage that the same communication cost as a remote partner is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and provides a data transmission / reception device, a data relay device, and a data transmission / reception system capable of transmitting and receiving data while suppressing communication costs. It is intended for.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transmitting apparatus for storing data to be transmitted, and data stored in the storing means. Wireless transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting data, determining means for determining whether or not a partner device to which the data is to be transmitted is within a predetermined distance transmittable by the wireless transmitting means, and this determining means And control means for operating the wireless transmission means to transmit the data stored in the storage means when it is determined that there is a partner device to be transmitted within the predetermined distance. Therefore, when there is a partner device to be transmitted within the predetermined distance, data is transmitted directly, and data can be transmitted without requiring a communication fee.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the data transmitting apparatus, wherein the transmission means transmits the data stored in the storage means via a communication line.
Further prepare. Therefore, data can be transmitted via a communication line only when there is no chance that a partner device to be transmitted exists within a predetermined distance, and communication costs can be reduced while ensuring reliable data transmission. Nature is also secured.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data transmitting apparatus, the control means determines that there is no other apparatus to be transmitted within the transmittable distance by the determining means. And transmitting the data by the transmission means via the line when there is a connection opportunity to the communication line. Therefore, when there is a chance that a partner device to be transmitted exists within a predetermined distance, there is no communication cost due to direct transmission, and there is no partner device to be transmitted within a predetermined distance. If there is no opportunity to connect, the data is transmitted when there is a connection opportunity to the communication line, making effective use of the connection opportunity and transmitting the data while suppressing the increase in the fee due to the increase in the number of connections can do.

The data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise setting means for setting a margin time, wherein the control means sets the margin time within the margin time set by the setting means. When the data transmission by the wireless transmission unit is not performed, the transmission unit via the line is operated to transmit the corresponding data via the communication line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that data transmission is not performed because there is no chance that a partner device to be transmitted exists within a predetermined distance forever.

The data transmitting apparatus according to the invention may further comprise setting means for setting a margin time, wherein the control means sets the margin time within the margin time set by the setting means. If the data is not transmitted by the wireless transmission means, the data is transmitted by the transmission means via the line when there is an opportunity to connect to the communication line. Therefore, if there is no opportunity to have a partner device to be transmitted within a predetermined distance forever, data is transmitted when there is a connection opportunity to a communication line, so that the connection opportunity can be effectively used. In addition, it is possible to reliably transmit data while suppressing an increase in charges due to an increase in the number of connections.

Further, in the data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, a setting means for setting a margin time,
Notification means for notifying that data has not been transmitted by the wireless transmission means within the margin time set by the setting means; and data transmitted by the wireless transmission means within the margin time set by the setting means. If the transmission is not performed, a first option for resetting the margin time by the setting unit and a second option for immediately operating the transmission unit via the line and transmitting the corresponding data via the communication line And selecting means for selecting any of the third options for transmitting the data by the transmission means via the line when there is an opportunity to connect to the communication line, wherein the control means selects by the selection means The control according to the selected option is executed. Accordingly, the communication cost varies depending on the selection of any one of the options according to the user's intention. Therefore, data transmission is performed at a communication cost commensurate with the importance in consideration of the importance of the data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the data transmitted by the wireless transmitting means of the partner apparatus is transmitted to the data transmitting apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. It is provided with receiving means for receiving. That is, this data transmitting / receiving apparatus has not only the transmission function of the data transmitting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 but also a function of receiving transmitted data. Therefore, when a plurality of users carry the data transmission / reception device, direct data transmission / reception and data transmission / reception via a communication line can be mutually performed.

[0012] In a data transmission / reception system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data transmission apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and data for receiving data transmitted from the data transmission apparatus. And a receiving device.
Therefore, according to the present invention, a system capable of mutually transmitting and receiving data directly or via a communication line is constructed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data relay device, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving data wirelessly transmitted from a communication device located within a predetermined communicable distance; Storage means for storing the received data, data transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the data stored in the storage means, and whether or not there is a partner device to which the data is to be transmitted within the predetermined distance. When the determination unit determines that there is a partner device to be transmitted within the predetermined distance, the data transmission unit is operated, and the data stored in the storage unit is transmitted. Control means for transmitting. Therefore, if this data relay device is provided, for example, at an entrance through which a person of a specific organization passes, when a certain user carrying the communication device passes through the entrance, data is stored in the data relay device, and the partner device is connected. When another user carries the vehicle, the data is transmitted from the data relay device. Therefore, data can be transmitted and received without requiring a communication fee.

Further, in the data relay device according to the present invention, when the data stored in the storage means has been transmitted to the partner device, the delivery notification indicating the fact is provided. Information transmitting means for transmitting information; the determining means further determining whether or not the communication device is within the predetermined distance; and the determining means determines whether the communication device is within the predetermined distance. If it is determined that the delivery notification information exists, the control means operates the information transmission means to transmit the delivery notification information. Therefore, when the person carrying the communication device that has deposited the data in the data relay device passes near the data relay device, the delivery notification information is transmitted, and whether or not the data is passed from the relay device to the other party is determined. Can be confirmed.

Further, in the data relay device according to the present invention, when the data stored in the storage means has not been transmitted to the other device, the non-delivery indicating the fact is provided. Further comprising information transmitting means for transmitting notification information, wherein the determining means further determines whether or not the communication device is within the predetermined distance; If it is determined that the non-delivery notification information exists, the control means operates the information transmission means to transmit the non-delivery notification information. Therefore, when the person carrying the communication device that has deposited the data in the data relay device passes near the data relay device, the non-delivery notification information is transmitted, so that the data is not passed from the relay device to the other party. It can be confirmed that the data can be transmitted by another route at an early stage.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data relay device, comprising: detecting means for detecting whether or not the data has been transmitted to the partner apparatus; and transmitting the data by the detecting means. And a deletion unit that deletes the data from the storage unit when the data is detected. Therefore, the memory area of the storage unit is not occupied by unnecessary data, and the memory area is used efficiently.

In the data relay device according to the present invention, the storage means further stores pre-registered identification data, and stores data corresponding to the identification data. Therefore, for example, data of persons other than related persons such as persons of another organization is not stored, and unnecessary data transmission / reception is avoided, and data transmission / reception is performed efficiently.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the data transmission / reception system, the data relay device according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects is further provided with the data relay device within the communicable predetermined distance. A communication device capable of communicating with the device. In the data transmission / reception system according to the invention of claim 15, the data relay device according to any one of claims 9 to 13 can transmit data to the data relay device within the predetermined distance. A data transmission device, and a data reception device capable of receiving data transmitted from the data relay device within the predetermined distance. Therefore, according to the present invention, a system capable of directly transmitting and receiving data via the relay device is constructed.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 sequentially connects a human interface 2, a mail software storage block 3, a mailbox 4, a short-range communication control software storage block 5, a short-range communication device 6, and an antenna 7. It is configured.

The human interface 2 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a touch pen and a display device such as a liquid crystal display. Therefore, it is possible to input the mail by the input device and display the input mail or the received mail on the display device. The mail software storage block 3 stores a program for controlling an e-mail creating procedure, controlling e-mail transmission and reception, displaying received e-mail, and the like. A control program and the like are stored.

The mailbox 4 includes a transmission mailbox and a reception mailbox. The outgoing mailbox contains the user interface 2
The mail created by the input operation in the above is stored together with the address of the transmission destination, and in the illustrated example, "mail 1" and "mail 2" are stored. The received mail box stores the received mail.

The short-distance communication control software storage block 5 stores short-distance communication control software shown in a flowchart described later. The short-range communication control software is used to operate the short-range communication device 6 intermittently, for example, in order to continuously search for a partner with which communication can be performed nearby.
It is a program for controlling. That is, the short-range communication device 6 includes a communication function unit and a control unit including a CPU and the like, and intermittently transmits radio waves via the antenna 7 to determine whether or not there is a communication partner based on the response. It has a function to determine whether

The short-range communication device 6 may use a radio wave as described above or may use an infrared ray. In the case of radio waves, Bl is being standardized
uetooth may be used, and in the case of infrared rays, standardized IrDA may be used. Further, another communication device that is not standardized, for example, when a handshake is performed, a weak electric signal is transmitted through the human body, and it may be determined that a communication partner can be made based on the electric signal.

In the present embodiment having the above configuration, the short-range communication device 6 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 based on short-range communication control software. That is, a radio wave is transmitted intermittently via the antenna 7 to check for a response (step SA1). Based on the presence or absence of this response, it is determined whether a communication partner has been found (step SA2). If a nearby communication partner can be found, a communication path with the partner is established (step SA3).

Next, the application IDs are exchanged (step SA4). Based on the exchanged application IDs, it is determined whether the communication partner is an e-mail transmission / reception device having the same proximity mail function as the e-mail transmission / reception device 1. Is determined (step SA5). If the communication partner is not an electronic mail transmitting / receiving device having the similar proximity mail function, a communication end process is executed (step SA8), and the process returns to step SA1. In the case of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving device having a similar proximity mail function, the proximity mail software stored in the mail software storage block 3 is started (step SA6).
A proximity mail communication process, which is a process of transferring mail software and data, is executed (step SA7). Thereafter, a communication end process is executed (step SA8), and
Return to 1.

When the proximity mail software is started in step SA6, the process is started according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, and the mail address is exchanged with the partner who has established the communication path in step SA3 (step SB1).
Next, it is determined whether this is to be transmitted first (step SB2). The determination in step SB2 is performed in accordance with a preset order determination procedure. For example, the exchanged mail addresses may be arranged in numerical and alphabetical order to determine the side to be transmitted first, or a communication path may be established. At this time, if the master side and the slave side are determined, the information may be taken over and the order may be determined.

If the transmission order is first, the mail transmission process described later is executed (step S
B5), execute mail receiving processing (step SB6),
Conversely, if the other party is first, after performing the mail receiving process (step SB3), the mail transmitting process is performed (step SB4).

The mail transmission processing (steps SB4, S
B5) is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
It is checked whether or not the mail to be sent to the destination address is stored in the mailbox 4 (step SC
1). If it is stored, it sends out the mail reception request information (step SC3). This information includes fixed data indicating the desire to send the mail, size information of the mail data, and the like.

Next, in response to the mail reception request information, it is checked whether or not an acknowledgment has been received from the other party (step SC4). If there is no acknowledgment, error processing is executed (step SC5). .
If there is an acknowledge, the mail data of the mail to be sent to the destination address is transmitted (step SC).
6) Return to step SC1. Then, step SC1
Then, it is checked whether or not the mail to be sent to the destination address is stored in the mailbox 4 as described above. If the mail to be sent remains, the processing from step SC3 described above is executed, and if not, no request information is sent (step SC3).
2) The transmission operation is completed.

Therefore, if "mail 1" and "mail 2" are stored in the mailbox 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and both mails are to be transmitted to the same destination address, "mail 1" ”And“ mail 2 ”to complete the transmission operation. Also, if only "Mail 1" should be sent to the destination address that established the transmission path,
Only "mail 1" is transmitted, and the transmission operation is completed.

On the other hand, the mail receiving process (step SB)
3, SB6) is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and receives request information transmitted from the other party (step SD). Next, it is determined whether or not the received request information is the request information transmitted in step SC3 described above (step SD2). And
If the received information is not the request information but the no-request information transmitted in step SC2, the reception is completed.

If the received information is request information, a reception check is performed to determine whether or not a necessary memory space is available in the reception mailbox in the mailbox 4, and if reception is possible, a reception acknowledge is received. It is sent (step SD3). Continuing with step SC
The mail data sent from the other party in the processing of step 6
Upon reception (step SD4), the processing from step SD1 is repeated until no request information is received.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, users U1 and U2 who carry the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment in the pocket P or the bag B as shown in FIG.
However, when the communication distance is approached, mail data is transmitted and received without connection to a communication line and connection to an Internet provider. As a result, transmission and reception of mail can be performed without requiring communication costs.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
Comprises a human interface 2, a mail software storage block 3, a mailbox 4, a short-range communication control software storage block 5, a short-range communication device 6, and an antenna 7, as in the first embodiment.

Further, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 11
Has a communication control software storage block 8 and a mobile phone interface device 9. The mobile phone interface device 9 has a configuration in which a mobile phone 12 can be connected via a connector 10.
Stores a program for controlling the mobile phone 12 to send and receive mail.

In the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 11, the processing according to the flow shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is executed, so that the inside of the pocket P or the bag B is executed as shown in FIG. U1 and U2 owned by
However, when the communication distance is approached, mail data is directly transmitted and received. In addition, a remote party is connected to a communication line by controlling the mobile phone 12 by a program stored in the communication control software storage block 8, and via the provider 13 as shown in FIG. You can send and receive mail.

Therefore, when "mail 1" and "mail 2" are stored in the mailbox 4 of the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 11 possessed by the user U1, the communication with the partner user U1 which may approach the communicable distance is performed. “Mail 1” is transmitted in a direct communication form shown in FIG. 6A, and “Mail 2” to a remote party is in an indirect communication form via a provider 13 shown in FIG. 6B. You can send mail.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 21 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 11 includes a human interface 2, a mail software storage block 3, a mailbox 4, a short-range communication control software storage block 5, Distance communication device 6 and antenna 7, communication control software storage block 8, mobile phone interface device 9
, And the mobile phone interface device 9 is configured to be connectable to the mobile phone 12 via the connector 10.

In the mailbox 4, a standby time storage section 14 is formed corresponding to each stored mail. Each standby time storage unit 14 stores a remaining standby time that is input by a user operation on the human interface 2 and that is subtracted every predetermined time.

In the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 21, when a user creates a mail and stores it in the mailbox 4, the user inputs a standby time to the corresponding standby time storage unit 14. The standby time is a time during which the user can approach the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 21 of the mail transmission partner and wait for a chance to directly transmit mail without having to connect to a communication line and an Internet provider. When the mail is stored in the mailbox 4 and the standby time is input to the standby time storage unit 14 in this manner, the timer interrupt processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. The standby time in the storage unit 14 is decremented, and the remaining standby time is updated (step SF1).

The electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 21 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 based on short-range communication control software and communication control software. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, the processing of steps SF1 to SF8 is performed in step SA1 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
To SA8. When the proximity mail software is activated in step SF6, the processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the users U1 and U2 holding the e-mail transmitting / receiving device 21 according to the present embodiment in the pocket P or the bag B are approaching a communicable distance. In this case, "mail 1" or "mail 2" is transmitted without requiring connection to a communication line and connection to an Internet provider.

However, if there is no chance to approach the mail transmission partner and the communication partner cannot be found, the process proceeds from step SF2 to step SF9. Then, with reference to the standby time storage unit 14, it is determined whether or not there is a mail with “remaining standby time = 0” (step SF9).
If there is no mail with "remaining standby time = 0", the process returns to step SF1, and if so, the communication control software of the communication control software storage block 8 is activated (step SF10). Further, the mobile phone 12 is controlled by the activated communication control software to connect to the communication line, and the mail with "remaining standby time = 0" is transmitted through this communication line (step SF11).

That is, in this embodiment, if there is a chance to approach the mail transmission partner within the expected time, it is possible to directly connect to the communication line and the Internet provider without the need for connection. If the e-mail is transmitted and there is no chance to approach the e-mail transmission partner within the expected time, the communication line is automatically connected and the e-mail is transmitted by connecting to the Internet provider via the communication line. Therefore, it is possible to send mail within a predetermined time limit while enabling mail transmission without requiring communication costs.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. That is, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 21 shown in FIG. 8 operates according to this flowchart based on short-range communication control software and communication control software. In this flowchart, step SG
The processing of 1 to SG9 is the same as the processing of steps SF1 to SF9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, when the proximity mail software starts in step SG6,
The processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is executed. Therefore, the e-mail transmitting / receiving device 21
The pocket P as shown in FIG.
When the users U1 and U2 who are in the bag or in the bag B approach a communicable distance, there is no need to connect to a communication line and a connection to an Internet provider.
"Mail 1" or "mail 2" is transmitted.

However, if there is no chance to approach the mail transmission partner and the communication partner cannot be found, the standby time storage unit 14 is consulted to determine whether there is any mail with “remaining standby time = 0”. Is determined (step SG9).
If there is no mail with “remaining standby time = 0”, the process returns to step SG1. Also, the remaining standby time = 0 ”
If there is an e-mail, it is determined whether or not the communication line is connected (step SG10). If the communication line is not connected, the process returns to step SG1, and all the mails in the mailbox 4 are transmitted via the communication line when the communication line is connected (step SG1).
1).

That is, in this embodiment, if there is a chance to approach the mail transmission partner within the expected time, it is possible to directly connect to the communication line and the Internet provider without the need for connection. If an e-mail is transmitted and there is no chance to approach the e-mail transmission partner within the expected time, all e-mails in the mailbox 4 are transmitted when the user makes a line connection for some reason. Therefore, the number of times of connection to the line can be reduced as compared with the above-described third embodiment, and the communication charge can be further reduced.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. That is, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 21 shown in FIG. 8 operates according to this flowchart based on short-range communication control software and communication control software. In this flowchart, step SH
The processing of 1 to SH9 is the same as the processing of steps SF1 to SF9 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, when the proximity mail software starts in step SH6,
The processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is executed. Therefore, the e-mail transmitting / receiving device 21
The pocket P as shown in FIG.
When the users U1 and U2 who are in the bag or in the bag B approach a communicable distance, there is no need to connect to a communication line and a connection to an Internet provider.
"Mail 1" or "mail 2" is transmitted.

However, if there is no chance to approach the mail transmission partner and the communication partner cannot be found, the standby time storage unit 14 is referred to to determine whether there is any mail with “remaining standby time = 0”. Is determined (step SH9).
If there is no mail with “remaining standby time = 0”, the process returns to step SH1. Also, the remaining standby time = 0 ”
Is displayed on the display device of the human interface 2 (step SH10).

Next, it is determined whether or not the time has been extended by the operation on the human interface 2 by the user who has visually recognized the message display (step SH).
11) If the time is extended, the "remaining standby time =
The remaining standby time of the standby time storage unit 14 that is 0 "is extended (step SH12). However, if the time is not extended, the communication line is connected as in the fourth embodiment. It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed (step SH).
13) When the communication line is connected, mailbox 4
Send all mails in the network via the communication line (Step SH
14).

That is, in this embodiment, if there is a chance to approach the mail sending partner within the expected time, the mail is directly sent without the need for connection to the communication line and connection to the Internet provider. Is transmitted, and if there is no chance to approach the mail transmission partner within the expected time, the time can be extended (first option). If the time is not extended, if the line connection is to be made immediately (second option), all the mails in the mailbox 4 are transmitted at that time, or the user later connects the line for some reason. Is performed (second option), all the mails in the mailbox 4 are transmitted at that time.

FIG. 13 shows an arrangement example of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes an entrance through which a person of a specific organization such as an office, factory, school, hospital or the like passes.
2 are arranged. This e-mail relay device 32
The short-range communication device 3 erected on the side of the entrance 31
3 and a computer device 34 connected to the short-range communication device 33.

As shown in FIG. 14, the computer device 34 includes a mail relay software storage block 35, a mailbox 36, and a short-range communication control software storage block 3.
7 is provided. The mail relay software storage block 35 and the short-range communication control software storage block 37 store mail relay software and short-range communication control software for controlling the short-range communication device 33. The mailbox 36 is a storage device such as a hard disk in the computer device 34, and is capable of storing a plurality of mails, and registering address data of a person who can store mails in the mailbox 36. A registration unit 38 is provided. The short-range communication device 33 has a configuration capable of communicating with the short-range communication device 1 of the mail transmitting / receiving device 1 shown in FIG.

As described above, this short-range communication device 3
Reference numeral 3 may be one using radio waves or one using infrared rays.

In this embodiment having the above configuration, the short-range communication device 33 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 based on short-range communication control software. That is, a radio wave is intermittently transmitted via the antenna 39 to check for a response (step SI).
1). It is determined whether or not the communication partner has been found based on the response (step SI2).
Is established, a communication path with the other party is established (step SI3).

Next, the application IDs are exchanged (step SI4). Based on the exchanged application IDs, it is determined whether or not the communication partner is the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 having the proximity mail function described in the above embodiment. A decision is made (step SI5). If the device is not the e-mail transmitting / receiving device 1 having the proximity mail function, a communication end process is executed (step SI8), and
Return to 1. In the case of the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 1, the mail relay software stored in the mail relay software storage block 35 is started (step SI).
6) A proximity mail communication process, which is a process of transferring mail software and data, is executed (step SI7). Thereafter, a communication end process is executed (step SI8), and the process returns to step SI1.

When the proximity mail software is started in step SI6, the process is started according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, and the mail address of the partner who has established the communication path in step SI3 is obtained (step SJ1).
Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired mail address is a mail address registered in advance in the address data registration unit 38 (step SJ2). The notification information is sent (step SJ3).

If the acquired e-mail address is registered, it is determined whether or not there is delivery notification information addressed to the destination of the e-mail address (step SJ4). Here, the delivery notification information is information indicating that the mail stored by the person of the mail address in the mailbox 36 of the electronic mail relay device 32 has been transmitted to the transmission destination. If there is, the delivery notification information is transmitted (step SJ1).
1).

If there is no delivery notification information, it is determined whether there is any non-delivery notification information addressed to the other party of the mail address (step SJ5). Here, the non-delivery notification information means that the person of the mail address is the e-mail relay device 32.
This is information indicating that the mail stored in the mail box 36 has not been delivered yet, and if there is non-delivery notification information, the non-delivery notification information is transmitted (step SJ12).

Thereafter, after receiving the mail control command transmitted from the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 in which the communication path has been established (step SJ6), the type of the received mail control command is determined. That is, first, it is determined whether or not the received mail control command is a mail transmission / reception end command (step SJ7). If the received mail control command is a mail transmission / reception end command, the mail relay control according to this flow is ended.

If the command is not a mail transmission / reception end command, it is determined whether the command is a non-delivery mail deletion request command (step SJ8). Then, when a non-delivery mail deletion request command for deleting a mail remaining in the mailbox 36 without being delivered to the other party is transmitted from the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 1 in which the communication path is established, Mailbox 36 for the specified non-delivery mail
(Step SJ13).

If the command is not a non-delivery mail deletion request command, it is determined whether the command is a mail transmission request command (step SJ9). If the command is a mail transmission request command, a mail transmission process described later is executed. (Step SJ14). Further, if the command is not a mail transmission request command, it is determined whether or not the command is a mail reception request command (step SJ10). If the command is a mail reception request command, a mail reception process is executed (step SJ10).
J15).

This mail receiving process (step SJ15)
Is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, only the mail address information of the mail destination is received (step SK1). Next, it is determined whether or not the received destination mail address information is registered in the address data registration section 38 of the mailbox 36 (step SK2). If the destination e-mail address is not registered in the address data registration section 38, reception refusal information is sent out (step SK3), and this e-mail reception processing ends without receiving e-mail.

If the destination mail address is registered in the address data registration section 38, a reception acknowledge is sent out (step SK4). Then, after receiving the mail data transmitted from the e-mail transmitting and receiving apparatus 1 with the established communication path and storing it in the mailbox 36 (step SK5), the process proceeds to step SK1.
Is repeated.

Therefore, the entrance 31 shown in FIG.
Is passed, the mail is registered in the address data registration unit 38 of the electronic mail relay device 32 among the mails stored in the mailbox 4 of the electronic mail transmitting / receiving device 1 carried by the user U in the bag K. All the mails addressed to the mail address are in the mail box 36 of the mail relay 32.
Is stored in

On the other hand, the mail transmission processing (step SJ)
14) is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether or not there is a mail to be sent to the destination address, that is, whether or not there is mail to be sent to the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 in which the communication path has been established, in the mailbox 36 (step SL1). If there is no mail to be sent to the electronic mail transmission / reception device 1 in the mailbox 36, transmission end information is sent (step SL).
2), end the mail transmission process.

If the mail to be sent to the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 with the established communication path is in the mail box 36, the mail ID information is sent (step S).
L3), a response is received (step SL4), and it is determined whether or not the received response is a delivery unnecessary response (step SL5). At this time, if the same e-mail transmitting / receiving device 1 receives the same e-mail via another route, the e-mail transmitting / receiving device 1 transmits a non-delivery response. Therefore,
If the delivery-unnecessary response is received, it is determined that the same mail has been received through another route, the corresponding mail is deleted without being transmitted (step SL6), and the processing from step SL1 is repeated.

If the response is not a delivery unnecessary response, the mail data of the corresponding mail is transmitted to the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 in which the communication path is established (step SL7), and the processing from step SL1 is repeated. . Therefore, the processing from step SL1 is repeated until there is no more mail to be sent to the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 of the other party whose communication path has been established in the mailbox 36. Therefore, when passing through the entrance 31 shown in FIG.
All mail addressed to the user U carrying the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 is transmitted to the electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus 1 carried by the user U. When the mail addressed to the user U disappears from the mailbox 36, the process proceeds from step SL1 to step SL2 as described above.
The mail transmission processing ends.

In this embodiment, an e-mail relay device 32 composed of a short-distance communication device 33 and a computer device 34 connected to the short-distance communication device 33 is arranged at one entrance / exit 31. I did it.
However, when there are a plurality of entrances and exits, a short-range communication device 33 is arranged at each entrance and each short-range communication device 33 is connected to a single computer device 34, and a plurality of near-field communication devices are connected in the computer device 34. The short-range communication software may be operated, and the short-range communication devices 33 may be controlled by the mail relay software. Thereby, while the system configuration is simplified, it is possible to send and receive e-mails regardless of which doorway the user carrying the e-mail transmission / reception device 1 passes.

[0069]

As described above, the data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention determines whether or not a partner apparatus to be transmitted exists within a predetermined transmittable distance. Since the transmitted data is wirelessly transmitted, the data can be transmitted without a communication fee when the partner device exists within a predetermined distance. Therefore, when data is sent to a close partner or a partner who will meet soon, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of requiring the same communication cost as a remote partner.

Further, since the transmission means via the communication line for transmitting via the communication line is also provided, the communication line is set only when there is no chance that a partner device to be transmitted exists within a predetermined distance. It is possible to transmit data via a communication line, and it is possible to reduce the communication cost and also ensure the reliability of data transmission.

When it is determined that there is no other device to be transmitted within the transmittable distance, data is transmitted via the communication line when there is an opportunity to connect to the communication line. Therefore, if there is no opportunity that there is a partner device to be transmitted within a predetermined distance, data is transmitted when there is a connection opportunity to the communication line, and the connection opportunity is effectively used, It is possible to transmit data while suppressing an increase in charges due to an increase in the number of connections.

If the data is not transmitted wirelessly within the set margin time, the corresponding data is transmitted via the communication line. The inconvenience that data is not transmitted due to the absence of the device can be prevented beforehand.

Further, when data is not wirelessly transmitted within the set margin time, the data is transmitted when there is an opportunity to connect to the communication line.
If there is no chance that there is a partner device to be transmitted within a predetermined distance, data is transmitted when there is a connection opportunity to the communication line, so that the connection opportunity is used effectively, and the number of times of connection is increased. It is possible to reliably transmit data while suppressing an increase in charges due to an increase in the number of charges.

When data is not wirelessly transmitted within the set margin time, a first option for resetting the margin time and a second option for immediately transmitting the corresponding data via the communication line. It is now possible to select one of the options and a third option for transmitting data when there is an opportunity to connect to a communication line. Therefore, since the communication cost varies depending on which option is selected, data transmission can be performed at a communication cost commensurate with the importance in consideration of the importance of the data.

Further, the data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to the present invention further includes a receiving means for receiving data transmitted by the wireless transmitting means of the partner apparatus.
When a plurality of users carry the data transmission / reception device, direct data transmission / reception and data transmission / reception via a communication line can be mutually performed.

Further, the data transmitting / receiving system according to the present invention comprises the data transmitting device and a data receiving device for receiving data transmitted from the data transmitting device. A system capable of mutually transmitting and receiving data and transmitting and receiving data via a communication line can be constructed.

Further, the data relay device according to the present invention comprises:
This data relay device receives and stores data wirelessly transmitted from a communication device located within a predetermined distance, and transmits the stored data when a partner device to be transmitted exists within the predetermined distance. Is provided at an entrance or the like, data can be transmitted and received without requiring a communication fee.

When the stored data has been transmitted to the partner device, delivery notification information indicating that fact is transmitted, so that whether the data has been transferred from the relay device to the partner device is determined. Can be confirmed.

When the stored data has not been transmitted to the partner device, non-delivery notification information indicating that fact is transmitted, so that no data has been passed from the relay device to the partner device. It can be confirmed that the data can be transmitted by another route at an early stage.

Further, since it is detected whether or not data has been transmitted to the partner device, and when the data has been transmitted, the data is deleted from the storage means.
The memory area of the storage means is not occupied by unnecessary data, and the memory area can be used efficiently.

Further, since the identification data registered in advance is stored and the data corresponding to the identification data is stored, the data of the persons other than the related parties is not stored, and unnecessary data transmission / reception is performed. And data transmission and reception can be performed efficiently.

The data transmission / reception system according to the present invention may further comprise: a communication device capable of communicating with the data relay device within a predetermined distance; or a data communication device within the predetermined distance. And a data receiving device capable of receiving data transmitted from the data relay device, it is possible to construct a system capable of directly transmitting and receiving data via the relay device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure associated with activation of short-range communication software.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a mail transmission process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a mail receiving process.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an example of mail transfer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic mail transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state and an external configuration of a mail relay device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mail transmitting / receiving device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure associated with the activation of the mail relay software.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a mail receiving process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a mail transmission process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 E-mail transmission / reception device 2 Human interface 3 Mail software storage block 4 Mailbox 5 Short-distance communication control software storage block 6 Short-distance communication device 11 E-mail transmission / reception device 21 E-mail transmission / reception device 32 E-mail relay device 33 Short-distance communication device 34 Computer unit 35 Mail relay software storage block 36 Mailbox 37 Short-range communication control software storage block 38 Address data registration unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/58 H04L 11/20 101B 5K101 H04M 11/00 303 F term (Reference) 5B089 GA25 HA13 JA31 KA16 LA11 5K012 AC08 AC10 BA02 BA04 5K030 GA16 GA20 HA06 HB01 HC09 JL01 JT09 KA04 KA05 LB02 LB15 5K033 AA04 AA09 BA13 CB01 CB02 DA06 DA19 DB16 EA07 5K067 AA41 BB04 BB21 DD17 DD51 EE02 EE06 EE12 EE25 KK

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing data to be transmitted, a wireless transmission unit for wirelessly transmitting the data stored in the storage unit, and a storage unit for storing the data within a predetermined distance transmittable by the wireless transmission unit. Determining means for determining whether there is a partner apparatus to be transmitted; and determining that there is a partner apparatus to be transmitted within the predetermined distance by operating the wireless transmitting means. Control means for transmitting the data stored in the storage means. 2. The data transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit via a line for transmitting the data stored in said storage unit via a communication line. 3. The control means according to claim 1, wherein:
When it is determined that there is no partner device to be transmitted within the transmittable distance, and when there is an opportunity to connect to the communication line, the data is transmitted by the transmission unit via the line. The data transmission device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: setting means for setting a margin time, wherein the control means determines that the data is not transmitted by the wireless transmission means within the margin time set by the setting means. 3. The data transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein data is transmitted via the communication line by operating a transmission unit via the line. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: setting means for setting a margin time, wherein the control means determines that the data is not transmitted by the wireless transmission means within the margin time set by the setting means. 3. The data transmission apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data transmission unit transmits the data when there is a connection opportunity to a communication line. 6. A setting unit for setting a margin time, a notifying unit for notifying that data has not been transmitted by the wireless transmission unit within the margin time set by the setting unit, If data transmission by the wireless transmission unit is not performed within the set margin time, a first option for resetting the margin time by the setting unit, and immediately operating the via-line transmission unit, Selecting means for selecting one of a second option for transmitting corresponding data via a communication line and a third option for transmitting the data by the via-line transmitting means when there is a connection opportunity to the communication line; 3. The data transmission method according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes control according to the option selected by the selection unit. Communication device. 7. A data transmission / reception device according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit for receiving data transmitted by a wireless transmission unit of the partner device. . 8. A data transmission / reception system, comprising: the data transmission device according to claim 1; and a data reception device that receives data transmitted from the data transmission device. 9. Receiving means for receiving data wirelessly transmitted from a communication device located within a predetermined communicable distance, storing means for storing data received by the receiving means, and storing in the storing means. Data transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the selected data; determining means for determining whether there is a partner device to which the data is to be transmitted within the predetermined distance; And control means for operating the data transmission means to transmit the data stored in the storage means when it is determined that there is a partner apparatus to be transmitted to the data relay apparatus. . 10. When the data stored in the storage means has been transmitted to the partner device, the information transmission means further transmits delivery notification information indicating the fact, and the determination means comprises: Further, it is determined whether or not the communication device is within the predetermined distance. If the determination unit determines that the communication device is within the predetermined distance, the control unit transmits the information transmission information. 10. The data relay device according to claim 9, wherein the means is operated to transmit the delivery notification information. 11. When the data stored in the storage unit has not been transmitted to the partner device, the information transmission unit further transmits non-delivery notification information indicating the fact, and the determination unit includes: Further, it is determined whether or not the communication device is within the predetermined distance. If the determination unit determines that the communication device is within the predetermined distance, the control unit sets the information 10. The data relay device according to claim 9, wherein a transmission unit is operated to transmit the non-delivery notification information. 12. A detecting means for detecting whether or not the data has been transmitted to the counterpart device, and when the detecting means detects that the data has been transmitted, the data is deleted from the storage means. The data relay device according to claim 9, further comprising: a deletion unit. 13. The data relay device according to claim 9, wherein said storage means further stores identification data registered in advance, and stores data corresponding to the identification data. 14. A data transmission / reception system, comprising: the data relay device according to claim 9; and a communication device capable of communicating with the data relay device within the predetermined distance. . 15. The data relay device according to claim 9, further comprising: a data transmission device capable of transmitting data to the data relay device within the predetermined distance; A data receiving device capable of receiving data transmitted from the data relay device.