Patent ID: 6088127
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A device for receiving and forwarding electronic messages which each comprise at least a section containing coded control information and other information, which control information comprises at least one group of destination address information and which device is provided with:a memory;decoding means connected to the memory for receiving the electronic messages and for decoding the coded control information and for storing, for each electronic message, the decoded control information together with the other information in the memory; andforwarding means connected to the memory for reading, for each electronic message, the decoded control information together with the other information out of the memory and for forwarding at least the said other information of the electronic message via a communication link selected on the basis of at least the one group of destination address information, after a time interval to be controlled automatically by the forwarding means, wherein the device is equipped to receive a transmission priority code added to each item of destination address information and, during operation, the forwarding means automatically select a cheaper or more expensive communication link at least on the basis of the transmission priority code from a multiplicity of communication links and determine the instant in time of forwarding the electronic message also in dependence on the transmission priority code, wherein, the instant in time is within a maximum time interval determined by the transmission priority code.