Data transfer system and handheld terminal device used therefor

Abstract

In the handheld terminal device, when a message reception unit receives from a host computer a new arrival message indicating a new arrival of a file (or electronic mail), a control unit analyzes the new arrival message to obtain identifier information for identifying the file (or electronic mail) and a telephone number of the host computer. After a line connection to the host computer is established by a handheld phone transceiver unit, a fetch request command for fetching the file (or electronic mail) is transmitted to automatically fetch the file (or electronic mail) from the host computer and make the user know the contents of the file (or electronic mail) by using a display unit. A FAX transmitting user designates a destination handheld terminal device and transmits FAX image data to a communication server (CS). CS stores the received FAX image data and transmits a FAX arrival message to a pager connected to the destination handheld terminal device. A user of the handheld terminal device informed of a FAX arrival by the pager confirms the FAX brief image data contained in the message, and if necessary, calls CS by a handheld phone connected to the handheld terminal device to make CS transmit the FAX image data and refer to the detailed contents thereof.