Patent ID: 6097797
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An electronic communications system, comprising:a sending facsimile terminal connected to a public switched telephone network; anda plurality of domains each including:at least a destination client terminal connected to a local area network; andat least a relaying data terminal connected to said destination client terminal via the local area network and connected to the sending facsimile terminal via the public switched telephone network;wherein said relaying data terminal includes:a first sub-address generator configured to generate a sub-address based on an electronic mail address;a data table generator configured to generate an address conversion table that correlates a plurality of sub-addresses generated by said first sub-address generator to corresponding electronic mail addresses such that each of said plurality of sub-addresses is uniquely coupled with a corresponding electronic mail address that is uniquely assigned to said destination client terminal;a memory storing said address conversion table; anda terminal controller checking an incoming call from said sending facsimile machines containing facsimile image information and a sub-address representing said destination client terminal, and upon receiving such incoming facsimile image information and sub-address said controller determines an electronic mail address corresponding to said received sub-address using said address conversion table and relays said facsimile image information to said destination client terminal at said determined electronic mail address; andwherein said sending facsimile terminal includes:a second sub-address generator configured to generate a sub-address based on an electronic mail address for a destination client terminal; anda facsimile controller controlling the transmission of facsimile image information and the sub-address generated by said second sub-address generator to said relaying data terminal.