Patent ID: 8037138
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A communication apparatus which includes IP (Internet Protocol) communication means and transmits/receives communication data to/from a destination station discriminated by a telephone number, comprising: IP address obtaining means for obtaining an IP address of the destination station from an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) proxy server based on the telephone number of the destination station; facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication to/from the destination station; converting means for converting a signal received/transmitted from/to said facsimile communication means without via a line switching network, into VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) data on an IP network; IP network connecting means for connecting to the IP network; discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the destination station is able to transmit/receive communication data on the IP network based on a predetermined file transmit/receive protocol independent of a facsimile protocol; first IP communication means for transmitting/receiving image data to/from the destination station based on a predetermined file transmit/receive protocol independent of a facsimile protocol in accordance with a discrimination result that the destination station is able to transmit/receive communication data on the IP network based on the predetermined file transmit/receive protocol independent of the facsimile protocol, wherein the image data is transmitted/received via the IP network connecting means without via a line switching network, using the obtained IP address of the destination station; and second IP communication means for transmitting/receiving image data to/from the destination station based on the facsimile protocol by said facsimile communication means, and transmitting/receiving the VoIP data obtained through said converting means to/from a gateway of the destination station, in accordance with a discrimination result that the destination station is not able to transmit/receive communication data on the IP network based on the predetermined file transmit/receive protocol independent of the facsimile protocol, wherein the VoIP data is transmitted/received via the IP network connecting means without via a line switching network, using the obtained IP address of the destination station.