JPH0344139A - Multi-operation system for mail system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the user to operate the system as one mail system without notifying each mail equipment by providing an exchange switch between an external network and each mail equipment. CONSTITUTION:Line interfaces 30-3m with mail equipments 20-2n and an external network are accommodated in an exchange switch matrix 10. A control signal reception circuit 12 and a control information transmission circuit 13 are similarly accommodated in the exchange switch matrix 10. A central controller 11 of an exchange connects to the exchange switch matrix 10, the control signal reception circuit 12, the control information transmission/reception circuit 13, a mail equipment database 14 and an information transmission line controlling the line interfaces 30-3m to control the entire system. Thus, the user operates the system as one mail system without notifying each mail equipment.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an operating method of a mail system that stores various information such as voice and facsimile information, and particularly relates to a multi-operating method of a mail system that operates multiple mail devices in conjunction with each other. .

[Conventional technology]

Conventional mail systems were created with the assumption that they would be operated as a single system, and if the storage capacity exceeded the system, they would be used as separate systems for operational purposes. Also,
It provides functions such as file transfer between multiple mail systems and operates them as if they were a single mail system.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional method described above, operating it as a separate system reduces the convenience for actual users.
As the number of systems increases, the number of errors increases, making it practically unusable. In addition, although it is possible to transfer information to a user connected to another system using functions such as file transfer between mail systems, as the number of systems increases, securing information transfer paths between mail systems and file management ( (e.g. which mail system stores which user's information, etc.) becomes complicated, and the limit is considered to be about 2 to 4 systems.

[Means to solve the problem]

The multi-operation method of the mail system of the present invention accommodates a plurality of mail devices and a communication line from an external network used for connection with these mail devices in a switching device,
In the mail system in which the plurality of mail devices are operated in conjunction with each other, the exchange device includes means for receiving and identifying mail control information from the external network, means for transmitting and receiving control information between the mail devices, and the mail device. and means for controlling the entire switching device, and the switching device connects the communication line and necessary mail devices based on mail control information from the external network. This is the tank bottom that is selectively connected and operated.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 showing one embodiment, mail devices 20 to
2n and external network line interface 3
0 to 3 m are accommodated in the exchange device switch matrix 10. A control signal receiving circuit 12 and a control information transmitting/receiving circuit 13 are similarly accommodated in the exchange device switch matrix 10. The central control unit 11 of the switching equipment is connected to the switching equipment switch matrix 10. Control signal receiving circuit 12° Control information transmitting/receiving circuit 13. It is connected to the mail device database 14 and the line interfaces 30 to 3n via an information transmission line for control, and performs overall control.

In this configuration, the operation of a voice mail mailbox service will be explained as an example. When a mailbox user accesses this mail system via an external network, the line interface 3 with the external network
The line interface 30 where the call arrives on an empty line among 0 to 3n is connected to the control signal receiving circuit 12 via the switching device switch matrix 10, and the mailbox user receives control information such as designation of the mailbox to be used. The transmitted information is received by the control signal receiving circuit 12 and transferred to the central control unit 11.

Based on this information, the central control device 11 refers to the usage information of each mail device stored in the mail device database 14 and selects the corresponding mail device, and also connects the control information transmitting/receiving circuit 13 and the corresponding mail device 20 (temporarily). 20) are connected via the switch matrix 10. Next, the central control device 11 controls the control information transmitting/receiving circuit 13 and transmits control information such as mailbox designation and operating conditions to the mail device 20.
0 is prepared for use, the line interface 30 and the mail device 20 are directly connected via the switch matrix 10. After that, necessary operations are performed between the user and the mail device, and after completion, the line interface 3
The switch matrix 11 that connects the mail device 20 and the mail device 20 opens the path, returns to the initial information, and the series of processing ends.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, by providing an exchange switch between an external network and each mail device, the user can operate it as one mail system without being aware of each mail device, and On the operating side, each mail device can be used properly according to its capabilities, making it possible to construct a highly flexible and economical system even when the number of users increases and services are added. Furthermore, each mail device does not need to provide functions such as file transfer for multi-operation, and can be operated using a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 10: exchange device switch matrix, 11: central control device, 12: control signal receiving circuit, 13: control information transmitting and receiving circuit, 14: mail device database, 20 to 20n;
Mail device, 30-30m: Line interface with external network.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a mail system in which a plurality of mail devices and a communication line from an external network used for connection with these mail devices are accommodated in a switching device, and the plurality of mail devices are operated in conjunction with each other, means for receiving and identifying mail control information from a network; means for transmitting and receiving control information to and from the mail device; means for storing usage status of each of the mail devices; and controlling the entire exchange device. 1. A multi-operation method for a mail system, characterized in that the switching device selectively connects and operates the communication line and necessary mail devices based on mail control information from the external network.