Electronic mail remote data transfer system

Apparatus for providing remote initiation of a data transfer with a local computer via a communications line, comprising:

• means for sensing a ringing signal on communication line;
• means responsive to said sensed ringing signal for providing an answer condition after a selected number of rings wherein the ringing signal terminates and said communication line is in condition to transfer data thereon;
• a password decoder for providing an enable signal upon receipt of a selected password comprising a first data sequence;
• a local ringing signal generated for providing a local ringing signal to said local computer in response to said enable signal;
• and
• a power switch adapted to cause said local computer to become powered in response to said enable signal, wherein
• said local computer includes means responsive to said local ringing signal for providing an answer condition,
• said local ringing signal generator terminates said local ringing signal, when said means responsive to said local ringing signal answers so as to provide data transfer between said local computer and said communications line.

A method of providing data transfer between a local computer and a remote computer, comprising the steps of:

• establishing communications between said local computer and a remote computer control unit;
• transmitting a selected password from said local computer to said remote computer control unit;
• providing power to said remote computer upon receipt of said selected password;
• providing a local ringing signal to said remote computer from said remote computer control unit;
• answering said local ringing signal;
• executing a selected program in said remote computer to service said communications between said local computer and said remote computer upon answer of local ringing signal;
• respectively providing a selected alphanumeric ID password from said local computer after a carrier link is established and a prompt is issued by said remote computer;
• and
• providing a transfer of data between said local computer and said remote computer.

A method of determining the status of a remotely located computer via a communication link, comprising the steps of:

• establishing communications with a remotely located computer control unit via said communications link;
• signalling said remotely located computer control unit with a selected password;
• signalling said remotely located computer control unit with a selected inquiry code;
• and
• returning a status signal in response to said selected inquiry code by said remotely located computer control unit,
• wherein the step of signaling comprises the step of signaling an interactive-mode password comprising on of a status and a command.

A signalling protocol for establishing a data route between a data sender and a data receiver via a communication path, comprising the steps of:

• providing a ringing signal from a first one of said data sender and said data receiver to a second one of said data sender and said data receiver;
• answering said ringing signal by said second one of said data sender and said data receiver;
• sending a selected password from said first one to said second one;
• responding to said selected password by a control unit at said second one by generating a ringing signal voltage and by sending an audible ringback signal to said first one;
• answering said ringing signal at said second one;
• sending an identification request prompt from said second one to said first one;
• responding to said prompt with a selected alphanumeric ID and password combination sent by said first one;
• and
• transferring data between said first one and said second one of said data sender and said data source.

A method of providing selective signal transfer of data between a first and second computer, comprising the steps of:

• operating said first computer according to a data transfer initiate program;
• operating said second computer according to a data transfer response program;
• and
• installing a programmed controller between said first and second computers, wherein
• said programmed controller is responsive to signals provided by said first computer produced by said data initiate program, and
• said programmed controller provides access control in response to said signals produced by said data transfer initiate program by sending selective signals and power control to said second computer.

For use with a computer having a modem for providing data transfer over a telephone line medium, apparatus for providing file data transfer comprising:

• means responsive to a telephone line ring signal providing an answer mode after a selected number of rings and providing a telephone line connection in said answer mode;
• means responsive to a password signal from said telephone line communication providing a control signal upon receipt of a selected password;
• and
• means responsive to said control signal to provide a local ringing signal to said modem in response to said control signal, wherein
• said modem becomes operable to receive data via said telephone line connection, upon modem answer of said local ringing signal, and
• said computer is adapted to provide a local data file and enable a file data transfer upon receipt of a selected alphanumeric ID and password combination.