Patent ID: 7783707
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A communication terminal for providing broadcast communication using electronic mail via a network, the communication terminal comprising: a facsimile function complying with ITU-T Recommendation T.37 for full mode; a storing unit configured to store an entry including a mail address and a function mode corresponding to the mail address in an electronic directory, the function mode being one of the full mode and simple mode; a determining unit configured to determine, based on the entry in the electronic directory, a function mode of a receiver communication terminal; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit image information in a form of broadcast mail to the receiver communication terminal when the determined function of the receiver communication terminal is the simple mode, and to transmit image information in a form of individual mail to the receiver communication terminal when the determined function mode is the full mode; a receiving unit configured to receive a receipt confirmation mail from the receiver communication terminal, and configured to obtain capability information and mail address of the receiver communication terminal; a searching unit configured to search the entry in the electronic directory, by utilizing the mail address of the receiver communication terminal; a checking unit configured to check whether the capability information of the receiver communication terminal is the full mode or the simple mode; and an updating unit configured to update the electronic directory when the function mode of the receiver communication terminal is set as the full mode, and when the function mode of the receiver communication terminal is set as the simple mode, not update the electronic directory, wherein when the communication terminal receives a receipt confirmation mail from the receiver communication terminal, the communication terminal obtains capability information of the receiver communication terminal, analyzes the receipt confirmation mail, and updates the electronic directory, and wherein the communication terminal updates the electronic directory when the function mode of the receiver communication terminal is set as the full mode, and does not update the electronic directory when the function mode of the receiver communication terminal is set as the simple mode.