Patent ID: 6043902
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A communication apparatus connected to a local area network including a plurality of communication terminals connected thereto, comprising:means for receiving transmission data from a transmitter, the transmission data including data to be distributed to a communication terminal of the plurality of communication terminals connected to the local area network;means for judging, based on the received transmission data sent from the transmitter, whether or not there is a receiving notification included in the transmission data;means for performing a search to determine whether or not the communication terminal which is to receive the transmission data, has logged on to the local area network, when it is judged that the receiving notification is included in the transmission data;means for pre-setting a proxy communication terminal corresponding to each of the plurality of communication terminals connected to the local area network at a receiver's side;means for making an inquiry of the transmitter as to what action is to be taken to notify the communication terminal that the transmission data for distribution has been received, if the communication terminal, which is receive the transmission data, has not logged on; andmeans for processing the transmission data in accordance with the action to be taken, when the communication terminal which is to receive the transmission data, has not logged on to the local area network,wherein said means for processing the transmission data pre-sets the proxy communication terminal, corresponding to each of the plurality of communication terminals, as an object to be notified which is to receive the transmission data based on a response to the inquiry to the transmitter, andwherein the action to be taken, when a designated communication terminal is not logged on, is to notify the proxy communication terminal that transmission data exists for the designated communication terminal which is not logged on to the local area network.