ATM/POS BASED ELECTRONIC MAIL SYSTEM

摘要

The technical field of the invention generally concerns electronic mail systems. The present invention provides an ATM or POS system having a terminal (22, 24, 26, 28 or 34) and processor (18 or 36) which are connected to an ATM or POS data communications network. The network also includes a store and forward message switch (52) which stores user messages for remote retrieval and use as an electronic mail system (10) on a data communications network (42). Messages can be stored or retrieved through standard ATM or POS terminals, through a service bureau, through touch tone telephones (84) or via modems (76). Messages can be retrieved remotely and sent to a facsimile machine (82), a remote paging device, computer (72) or the like. Message information may include payment of user bills, completion of user financial transaction and transmission of information from a variety of databases. Such message information may be generated and transmitted by the system at times predetermined by the user.