Message database manipulation using a single command to evoke multiple operations on multiple messages

Abstract

A communication device configured in accordance with the invention enables communication between a user and a message server that holds plural messages for the user. The communication device includes a processor that is responsive to a user's connection signal to establish communication with the message server and to receive a download from the message server of a list of message identifiers for plural messages awaiting a response by the user. The communication device includes a device for displaying the list of message identifiers, along with indications of potential actions which may be taken with respect to each message identifier. The display apparatus is preferably a printer which outputs a media sheet with the list of message identifiers and associated indicated actions. The communication device includes an input device that is adapted to receive user instructions regarding which of the actions is/are to be executed with respect to each message. The processor accumulates all of the user instructions for the plural messages and dispatches a single command message to the message server. The single command message passes the accumulated user instructions to the message server which responds by carrying out the actions instructed by the user. The preferred input device is a scanner which reads user instructions from the media sheet and inputs them to the processor.