GB2272349A - A message communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system (1) has a controller (2) connected to a security file (6), a central message file (5) and a plurality of user communication files (7). A message may be received from an input port (3) or via a mail interface circuit (8) which automatically generates the message according to processing by processors (9). Text and a count of the addressees are stored in the central message file (5) while the controller transmits a cross reference to the text and an indicator to the relevant user communication files (7) or addressees. Deletion of a message for a user involves decrementing the counter in the central message file record and changing the indicator. Users access the stored text in file (5) instead of circulating the message in full to all addressees. <IMAGE>

Description

"A message communication system" The invention relates to message communications generally.

More particularly, the invention relates to a communication system in a host computer having ports for connection with many nodes.

Some industrial activities require a message communication system which provides for very quick distribution of messages to the destinations and which is easy to use. Such a situation is the activity of storing goods for customers in a bonded warehouse and "just-in-time" delivery to the customers.

This involves monitoring the level of the goods and communicating with various nodes such as those of suppliers, customers, shipping companies, and cargo handling companies.

Such an activity may be referred to as "hub warehousing". In such an environment it is essential that there is quick and efficient message communications between the various parties involved. This is particularly true where there are strict rules as to the manner in which goods are handled in a bonded warehouse.

An example of the prior art in this area is described in European Patent Specification No. 178,473 B1 (IBM). This specification describes a method for broadcasting information in a point-to-point network of message exchanging processors.

In such a network the processors would have stored intelligence and would be capable of transmitting and receiving messages with versatility, according to user instructions. However, in a situation where host processors handle not only message communications, but numerous other processing operations, processing capacity is at a premium and must be optimised. This is also true for memory capacity.

The invention is directed towards providing a message communication system to meet the criteria of providing for quick distribution of messages in a controlled manner.

Another object is to provide versatility to users in the manner in which messages are generated and transmitted.

According to the invention there is provided a communication system comprising: a communication controller; a security file stored on a permanent storage device; a central message file stored on a permanent storage device; a plurality of user communication files stored on a permanent storage device, there being one user communication file for each user; an encryption circuit; connections to a plurality of input/output ports; means in the communication controller for monitoring received messages and for automatically encrypting text of the messages and transmitting them to a record in the central message file; means in the controller for determining a count of all addressees for the message and transmitting the count to the record in the central message file; means for transmitting to the user communication file of each addressee a reference to the record in the central message file and an indicator regarding whether or not the message has been read by the addressee; means in the controller for decrementing the count when an instruction is received from an addressee node that the message has been read; means in the controller for changing the indicator when such an instruction has been received; and means in the controller for automatically recording data relating to the message and the addressee node when the counter is decremented.

Preferably, the communication system comprises a processor interface circuit connected to a plurality of processors, the interface circuit comprising means for automatically generating a message and a list of addressee nodes on receipt of an instruction from a processor regarding value of a particular parameter.

In another embodiment, the interface circuit comprises means for automatically merging parameter values with pre-set text to generate a message.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system which is incorporated in a host computer system; and Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the system.

An electronic mail system 1 of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1. The system 1 is incorporated in a host computer which is connected to 8 GBytes of disk storage devices and which has 192 M Bytes of random access memory. In addition there is a bipolar cache memory of 128 K Bytes capacity. The system 1 comprises a message communications controller 2 which is connected to a bank of input/output ports 3 of the host computer. The controller 2 is connected to an encryption circuit 4 which in turn is connectable with a central message file 5 on a fixed disk storage device. The central message file 5 has a number of message records, 5a, 5b and Sc being illustrated.The controller 2 is also connected to a security file 6, and to a number of user communication files 7, there being one user communication file for each user of the host computer, either local or remote. A dedicated portion of a fixed disk drive is required for these files and may be regarded as part of the communication system. A processor interface circuit 8 is connected to the controller 2 and provides for interfacing with processors 9 of the host computer. In this embodiment the processors 9 are used for carrying out of processing relating to cargo handling and to storage of goods in warehouses and distribution of these goods according to customs regulations and customer's requirements.

Other processors 9 relate to different aspects of cargo handling. An asynchronous fax machine 10 and a telex machine 11 are connected to input/output ports 3.

The communications system 1 is constructed to receive and distribute electronic mail messages in an efficient manner, i.e. in a manner which requires little processing capacity of the host computer. Another requirement is that relatively little disk space be required. It will be appreciated that in the prior art, over a long period of time a message communication system would generate a large number of messages which require a very large amount of disk capacity, thus slowing down fetch cycles of the processors 9 operating in the host computer.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the manner in which these objects are achieved is described in detail. A process 21 for operation of the communication system 1 is illustrated. This comprises initial steps 21, 22 and 23 of setting up the security file, the central message file, and the user communication files.

These are set up in a portion of the storage device to which writing operations are "mirrored" to another portion. In step 24 the controller 22 receives a message via the input port 3.

These may be in "electronic mail" format from either a local or remote terminal connected to a port 3, from the fax machine 10 (in asynchronous format), or from the telex machine 11. If in electronic mail format, it comprises the text (and data) of a message, and an indication of the addressees for the message. The controller 2 then directs encryption of the text using the encryption circuit 4 in step 26 and transmits the encrypted text in step 27 to the central message file 5 in an independent record. Before transmitting the encrypted text, the controller 2 makes a count of the number of addressees of the message and inserts this count in the message record in the message file 5.In parallel with this, the controller 2 transmits to the user communication file of each addressee references to the message record 5a, 5b or 5c, and also an indicator which is used for display at the addressee's terminal. This indicator has a value of "1" or "0", indicating whether or not a message has been previously read by the user, i.e. if it has been displayed at the terminal.

In step 28, the controller 2 directs the user's terminal to display a prompt indicating that a new message has been received and the reference to the relevant record. In response to this prompt either immediately, or at some later stage, the controller 2 receives via the relevant input port 3 instructions from the user in step 29 as to the fact that the message has been read and is to be "deleted". As far as the user is concerned, deletion of the message means that it is deleted from the system. What the controller 2 actually carries out on receipt of this instruction is to record in step 30 in the security file 6 the fact that the message has been read and the time and other data relating to reading of the message.Subsequently to this, in step 31, the controller 2 changes the indicator in the user communication file to indicate that the message has been read and is to be deleted and finally, in step 32 the controller 2 decrements the count in the record of the central message file.

Accordingly, over a period time as each user reads the message and indicates what is to be deleted, the count is gradually decremented until it reaches "0". On reaching "0", the controller 2 automatically erases the record from the central message file. The controller 2 also monitors transmission of a message to a terminal not addressed in the central message record and logs additional security data in the security file.

It will be appreciated that because the text message is only stored once in the central message file, relatively little storage capacity is required. In addition, because operation of the controller is so simple and does not require transmission of full text to a number of different addressee nodes, distribution of "messages" (indications that messages are available for reading) is extremely quick and efficient.

This is very important where there are many addressees, such as parties involved in "hub warehousing for just-in-time goods delivery. Further, because the security file 6 is automatically updated it is possible to obtain a log of message distribution.

The process 20 has been described for messages received from terminals in which an indication is given as to the addressees. However, messages may also be generated by the processor interface circuit 8 in response to instructions from a processor 9. Each processor 9 includes pre-set levels for various parameter values involved in its processing operations. For example, a processing value may be the stock level for a certain goods item in a hub warehouse. When the parameter value reaches the pre-set level, the relevant processor 9 automatically transmits an instruction to the interface circuit 8 which subsequently retrieves the pre-set message related to that action. This is automatically merged with parameter values and transmitted to the controller 2, together with an indication of the addressees.The user addressees are pre-set, as is the text according to the parameter value which is monitored. In this way, personnel may be immediately alerted as to actions which are taking place in the transaction processing. Thus, the communication system 1 handles all messages which are relevant to host processing, not only traditional text messages which are inputted by users but also automatically generated messages to allow for immediate rectification of problems. Further, telex or fax messages are monitored and controlled. Because the fax machine 10 operates asynchronously, it is capable of interfacing with the ports 10 and any data switches.

Operation of the interface circuit 8 effectively integrates communication between users and processors to enable comprehensive information distribution to occur.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (4)

1. A communication system comprising: a communication controller; a security file stored on a permanent storage device; a central message file stored on a permanent storage device; a plurality of user communication files stored on a permanent storage device, there being one user communication file for each user; an encryption circuit; connections to a plurality of input/output ports; means in the communication controller for monitoring received messages and for automatically encrypting text of the messages and transmitting them to a record in the central message file; means in the controller for determining a count of all addressees for the message and transmitting the count to the record in the central message file;; means for transmitting to the user communication file of each addressee a reference to the record in the central message file and an indicator regarding whether or not the message has been read by the addressee; means in the controller for decrementing the count when an instruction is received from an addressee node that the message has been read; means in the controller for changing the indicator when such an instruction has been received; and means in the controller for automatically recording data relating to the message and the addressee node when the counter is decremented.

2. An communication system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a processor interface circuit connected to a plurality of processors, the interface circuit comprising means for automatically generating a message and a list of addressee nodes on receipt of an instruction from a processor regarding value of a particular parameter.

3. A communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface circuit comprises means for automatically merging parameter values with pre-set text to generate a message.

4. A communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.