Patent ID: 8130395

Claim:
A network communication apparatus for performing communication via an IP network, the network communication apparatus comprising: a packet generation unit configured to generate packets for call connection including facsimile communication capability and voice capability; and a communication control unit configured to request a target network communication apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection upon facsimile transmission and establishing a facsimile communication channel and a voice channel so as to perform the facsimile transmission, the communication control unit configured to request the target network communication apparatus for connection using the packets for call connection upon facsimile transmission, the communication control unit is configured to reissue a call, using a second connection request, to the target network communication apparatus and requests the target network communication apparatus for connection of a voice channel so as to establish the voice channel when the target network communication apparatus rejects the connection request which is a first connection request, and the communication control unit is configured to subsequently receive a request for connection of a facsimile communication channel from the target network communication apparatus and establish the facsimile communication channel, wherein the communication control unit operates such that after the voice channel is established, the voice channel is maintained without being immediately disconnected while the facsimile communication channel is used, and the voice channel is disconnected after the facsimile communication has ended.