Patent ID: 6498837
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A data terminal which is coupled to a local area network and a public switched telephone network, comprising:a first communications device that transmits and receives electronic mail through said local area network; a second communications device that transmits and receives facsimile image information through said public switched telephone network; a memory; a data entry mechanism that allows alphanumeric data entry; and a controller that performs a first operation each time an instruction is received for transmitting facsimile image information to a facsimile terminal connected to said public switched telephone network through said second communications device and a second operation each time said first communication device receives from a different data terminal connected to said local area network a request with a specific password for browsing information stored in said memory, wherein said first operation requests a user entry of a password through said data entry mechanism, links said password to said facsimile image information upon receiving said user entry of a password, generates a communication history file including information associated with a transmission of said facsimile image information and said password linked to said facsimile image information, and stores said communication history file into said memory, and said second operation searches said specific communication history file by verifying a password included in each of said plurality of communication history files stored in said memory against said specific password, and sends a specific communication history file from said memory to said different data terminal through said first communication device upon finding in said memory said specific communication history file which corresponds with a password identical to said specific password sent from said different data terminal with said request.