Patent ID: 6389121
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
A data terminal apparatus coupled to a local area network and to a telephone network, comprising:a first communications mechanism exchanging electronic mail with other data terminals and a mail server on said local area network; a second communications mechanism exchanging image information with facsimile terminals on said telephone network; a memory that stores said image information received from one of said facsimile terminals through said telephone network using said second communications mechanism; a printer that reproduces said image information; a first controller that generates electronic mail which includes said image information when said printer is in an inoperative condition, sends said electronic mail to said mail server through said local area network using said first communications mechanism, and erases said image information from said memory, wherein at least a source address and a destination address of said electronic mail correspond to an electronic mail address of said data terminal apparatus; and a second controller that retrieves said electronic mail from said mail server when said printer recovers from said inoperative condition and instructs said printer to reproduce said image information included in said electronic mail.