a2) United States Patent
`US 7,080,154 B1
`(0) Patent No.:
`Jul. 18, 2006
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Inoue etal.
`
`US007080154B1
`
`(54) COMMUNICATION SCHEME FOR
`REALIZING EFFECTIVE DATA
`INPUT/SETUP IN COMPACT SIZE
`PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE USING
`LOCALLY CONNECTED NEARBY
`COMPUTER DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Atsushi Inoue, Kanagawa (JP); Yasuro
`Shobatake, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kawasaki
`(JP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/437,496
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 10, 1999
`
`6,272,545 B1*
`............ 709/228
`8/2001 Flanagin et al.
`8/2001 Krishnan ..........
`.. 345/846
`6,278,454 B1*
`5/2002 Linckeet al.
`..
`... 709/236
`6,397,259 BL*
`7/2002 Okanoue..........
`... 709/245
`6,415,330 BL*
`6,473,609 B1* 10/2002 Schwartz et al.
`........... 455/406
`6,622,174 BL*
`6,694,366 B1*
`
`9/2003 Ukita et al. oe . 709/206
`
`2/2004 Gemert et al. ow. 709/227
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`7-175547 A
`10-021060 A
`10-275 132
`2000-505621 A
`
`7/1995
`1/1998
`10/1998
`5/2000
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Kazuki Kasahara et al., “Detailed Analysis, Windows CE
`Japanese Version”, Mobile PC, Sep. 1997, pp. 42-54, vol. 3,
`No. 9.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 10,1998
`
`(IP)
`
`vesecseesescseseneeseeenees 10-319572
`
`Primary Examiner—William C. Vaughn, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner—Phouc H. Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Foley & Lardner LLP
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 15/16
`(52) US. Ch woe 709/234; 709/217; 379/93.01
`(58) Field of Classification Search........ 709/217-2119,
`709/245, 236, 249, 228, 203, 227, 232, 234;
`345/157, 751, 163; 455/3.01; 379/93.01,
`379/93.24
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,796,394 A *
`8/1998 Wickset al. we 345/751
`
`5,838,926 A *
`........0.00. 709/249
`11/1998 Yamagishi
`5,930,472 A *
`7/1999 Smith nee 709/203
`
`6,065,120 A *
`............ 709/227
`5/2000 Laursen et al.
`
`6,072,468 A *
`6/2000 Hocker et al... 345/157
`
`6,112,244 A *
`8/2000 Moore et al. oe. 709/228
`
`6,137,476 A * 10/2000 Hocker et al... 345/163
`
`
`6/2001 Schwartz et al. 0.00.0... 709/219
`6,243,739 B1*
`......... 370/338
`6,249,516 B1*
`6/2001 Brownrigg et al.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A communication scheme in which it becomespossible to
`improve handling of a user interface or omit tedious opera-
`tions in a portable terminal device by cooperating the
`computer device with the portable terminal device is dis-
`closed. The portable terminal device obtains a prescribed
`information regarding the computer network that is neces-
`sary or utilizable in operating an application program to be
`operated on the portable terminal device by being connected
`to the computer network, from the computer device con-
`nected to the portable terminal device via the local network,
`carries out a prescribed processing for the application pro-
`gram accordingto at least a part of the prescribed informa-
`tion, and executes the application program by using a result
`of the prescribed processing and being connected to the
`computer network.
`
`13 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`GATEWAY
`(IN STATION) 6
`
`
`yr DEVICE 5
`Zasnonat>
`
`NETWORK!
`
`
`——— [LJ
`fa LOCAL COMMUNICATION
`VIA RADIO/AINFRARED
`WIRELESS PORTABLE
`TERMINAL 1
`
`NOTE PC 8
`
`PADIO BASE STATION 2
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 1 of 38
`Apple v. Uniloc
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 1 of 38
`Apple v. Uniloc
`
`

`

`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`Page 2
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WO 97/32439 A2
`
`9/1997
`
`WO
`
`9-190353 A
`
`TN997
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 2 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 2 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
` “IVNIANGAL
`
`SSdTHyuIM
`
`ATaVLaOd
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 3 of 38
`
`ANOHdYTAL
`
`MYOMLAN
`
`3svdOldva
`
`NOILVILS
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 3 of 38
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.2
`
`WIRELESS PORTABLE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`LOCAL NETWORK
`COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`TERMINAL 1 RADIO
`
`VOICE
`INPUT/OUTPUT
`PROCESSING UNIT
`
`VOICE FORMAT
`PROCESSING
`UNIT
`
`TCP/IP
`PROCESSING
`UNIT
`
`14
`
`A/D-D/A
`CONVERSION
`UNIT
`
`DISPLAY
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 4 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 4 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`ANOHOOO
`
`|(forDOOaaays:dnyksawaav]
`
`
`
`d1dHprvwxoo0dJAOWAVIdSIGLIGdATA
`aonvaavad||[><]||~<>aav
`
`YASMOUAAAM-AOVd
`dOLsOVdLXAN||snoiaaNd
`
`
`
`¢Old
`
`ce
`
`NOlOda
`
`AV1dSIC
`
`dDvVd
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 5 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 5 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.4
`
`LIQUID CRYSTAL
`DISPLAY 38
`
`JOG DIAL 36
`
`
`
`
`PUSH BUTTONS 37
`
`
`
`BODY 35
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 6 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 6 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.5
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`NEARBY
`PC
`
`Reply-Web-Browse-Bookmark
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`ESTABLISHING
`
`Get-Web-Browse-Name
`
`Reply-Web-Browse-Name
`
`Get-Web-Browse-Bookmark
`
`APPL-1007/ Page7 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 7 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.6A
`
`FIG.6B
`
`QUERY COMMAND
`
`REPLY COMMAND
`
`UDP. header
`
`UDP header
`
`
`
`[Commandfield]
`Get-Web-Browser-Name:1
`Get-Web-Browser-Bookmark:2
`Get-Web-Browser-Setup:3
`Get-IPtel-Name:4
`Get-IPtel-numbers:5
`Get-Mailer-Name:6
`Get-Mailer-addresses:7
`
`.
`Extension
`
`[Command field]
`Get-Web-Browser-Name: 1
`Get-Web-Browser-Bookmark:2
`Get-Web-Browser-Setup:3
`Get-IPtel-Name:4
`Get-IPtel-numbers:5
`Get-Mailer-Name:6
`Get-Mailer-addresses:7
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 8 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 8 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.7A
`
`APPLICATION LIST NOTIFICATION COMMAND
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UDP header
`
`application]
`
`application2
`
`FIG.7B
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLICATION LIST REPLY COMMAND
`
`UDP header
`
`Name/NULL
`
`Name/NULL
`
`
`
`
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 9 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 9 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 8 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.8A
`
`PARAMETER LIST REQUEST COMMAND
`
`UDP header
`
`Param 1
`
`PARAMETER LIST REPLY COMMAND
`
`UDP. header
`
`
`
`Param-value2
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 10 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 10 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 9 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`ANOHOOO
`
`
`
`addAddSAKOUd:
`
`NOLLDANNOOD
`
`C)Co)
`
`
`
`SSaaddav(LANVULND
`
`fuvaaa](hair[2——Jssauaav
`
`
`WHAYASAAXOUdONISNLHNYALNIOLSSHOOV
`
`TVIO1YOIAXOUdASNLONOd[A
`
`
`UdSMOUdFAM-ADVd
`
`6Old
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 11 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 11 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 10 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.10
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`NEARBY
`PC
`
`Reply-Web-Browse-Setup
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`ESTABLISHING
`
`Get-Web-Browse-Name
`
`Reply-Web-Browse-Name
`
`Get-Web-Browse-Setup
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 12 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 12 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 11 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`AVATIONS
`
`
`
`UvaTIouos
`
`AYOM-LLNAWNOOGTTOl] YOSSAOONd
`d13H MOCGNIM‘TOOL-----AVIdSIG«Lida=«AT
`
`
`
`
`TvCOqgovas(aNman[JavlC]
`MOCNIMWhoaGavesolvisAoo
`
`
`
`
`
`[PINAL|EWS]CWSI]WALI[SWELILWaLI|9WALI]
`SIWALI|NOILdO
`TwolmLdaAwinwA
`
`AVTdSICTOEUNWAS
`
`
`INOAYaLLaT
`
`“WIYOLIdH
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 13 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 13 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 12 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.12
`
`Alice 408-254-1667
`
`Bob 408-774-8250
`
`PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`NEARBY PC
`
`Get-IPtel-Name
`
`Reply-IPtel-Name
`
`Get-IPtel-numbers
`
`Reply-IPtel-numbers
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 14 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 14 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 13 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.13
`
`Alice alice@OOO.com
`
`Bob bob@LJLJLJ.com
`
`PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`NEARBY PC
`
`Get-Mailer-Name
`
`Reply-Mailer-Name
`
`Get-Mailer-addresses
`
`Reply-Mailer-addresses
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 15 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 15 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 14 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.14
`
`Parameter for
`-Web browser bookmark
`-Web browser setup
`
`-Mailer addresses
`
`PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`NEARBY PC
`
`Notify-Application-List
`
`Reply-Application-List
`
`Get-Parameter-List
`
`Reply-Parameter-List
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 16 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 16 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 15 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
` N
`
`WIRELESS PORTABLE ~ ~— — ~
`TERMINAL 1
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 17 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 17 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 16 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.16
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`PC#1
`
`PCH2
`
`PC#3
`
`Reply-Web-Browse-Setup
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`ESTABLISHING
`
`Get-Web-Browse-Setup
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 18 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 18 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 17 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.17
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`PC#1
`
`PCH#H2
`
`PC#3
`
`CTTTTTTTTee
`
`(AUTHENTICATION PHASE)
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`ESTABLISHING
`
`Get-Web-Browse-BookmarkSSReply-Web-Browse-Bookmark
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 19 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 19 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 18 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.18
`
`PC#1
`
`PC#2
`
`PC#3
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`
`ESTABLISHING
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 20 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 20 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 19 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.19
`
`PORTABLE
`TERMINAL DEVICE
`
`PC#1
`
`PCH2
`
`PC#3
`
`Reply-Parameter-List
`
`(AUTHENTICATION PHASE)
`
`TRANSFER ROUTE
`ESTABLISHING
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 21 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 21 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 20 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`PC(# 2)
`
`ee
`
`WE
`Le” TRANSFER
`uv” &”
`SETUP DATA
`FROM PORTABLE
`TERMINAL TO
`PC(# 2)
`
`i: } UPLOADING
`iif SETUP DATA
`/
`* TO PORTABLE
`/
`TERMINAL
`;
`‘YY
`rh
`Java
`
`
`
`(MOVE)
`
`1
`
`WIRELESS PORTABLE
`TERMINAL 1
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 22 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 22 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 21 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
` s
`
`LAN, INTERNET, —z2z__
`ETC.
`
`WIRELESS PORTABLE
`TERMINAL 1
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 23 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 23 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 22 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`NOILVOINNININOD
`
`1ANOHdaTAL 9(NOLLVLSND
`TYDOT— iYYOMLAN
`
`AVMALVD
`
`
`
`
`
`ATAVLYOdSSATAMIM
`
`
`
`
`
`GauVYANI/OIGVaVIA¢NOILVLSdASVd@OI1dVd
`
`IIVNIAYAL
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 24 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 24 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 23 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.23
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`TELEPHONE 230
`
`TELEPHONE 230
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 25 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 25 of 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 24 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
` Davaxoldd
`
`voDIA
`
`AVMALVD
`
`
`
`
`
`CO¢dOIAddwaLNod907(NOILV.LSND
`
`
`
`7ANOHd9TA
`
`7.L,-
`
`
`
`ATAVLYOdSSATAMIMASVaO1GVYOC?ANOHdYTAL
`
`
`
`
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 26 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 26 of 38
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 18, 2006
`
`Sheet 25 of 25
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`FIG.25
`
`82
`
`8]|OTHER NETWORK LOCAL NETWORK [_/
`INTERFACES
`INTERFACE
`
`TCP/IP PROCESSING
`UNIT
`
`LOCAL NETWORK
`COMMAND
`PROCESS UNIT
`
`85 86
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`|AESICATION ee.sson)APPLICATION|AESICATION ee.sson)PROCESSOR) (MAILER)
`
`
`
`87
`
`APPL-1007/ Page 27 of 38
`
`APPL-1007 / Page 27 of 38
`
`

`

`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`1
`COMMUNICATION SCHEME FOR
`REALIZING EFFECTIVE DATA
`INPUT/SETUP IN COMPACT SIZE
`PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE USING
`LOCALLY CONNECTED NEARBY
`COMPUTER DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a communication scheme
`using a portable terminal device and a computer device
`having application program execution functions, and more
`particularly, to a communication scheme using a portable
`terminal device which is capable of carrying out data
`communications by being connected to a first computer
`network via a wireless telephone network, a radio base
`station or a gateway server while carrying out data commu-
`nications by being connected to a second computer network
`formed with a nearby computer device, and a computer
`device that communicates with the portable terminal device
`through the second computer network.
`2. Description of the Background Art
`Due to the spread of portable telephones (cellular tele-
`phones) and PCS (Personal Communication System) termi-
`nals, communication services utilizing radio communication
`systems are widely in use recently. Using these portable
`telephones (cellular telephones) and PHS terminals, com-
`munication services are provided by carrying out radio
`communications with radio base stations and being multiply
`connected to wired communication networks through these
`base stations.
`On the other hand, due to the spreading use of the
`worldwide computer network called “Internet”, various
`information services on the Internet have been developed
`recently.
`telephone (IP telephone) in
`the Internet
`In particular,
`which IP (Internet Protocol) packets are formed from tele-
`phone voice (speech) data and communications are carried
`out through the Internet by taking an advantage of the fact
`that a communication cost is extremely low on the Internet
`compared with the conventional telephone network has been
`a focus of much attention. Typically, as shown in FIG. 23,
`Internet telephone gateways 206 for relaying between a
`voice telephone network 3 and the Internet 4 are provided
`inside telephonestations, for example, and communications
`between these gateways 206 are carried out via the Internet
`4 such that even long distance calls can be realized by
`incurring only a fee required for connection to a nearest
`telephone station (or a nearest
`location of the Internet
`telephone gateway).
`Also, it is easily expanded into a schemein which cellular
`telephones or PHSterminals are operated as terminal nodes
`for IP communications, i.e., wireless portable Internet ter-
`minals. For instance, as shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to
`realize an IP communication system in which a router device
`205 for managing a plurality of radio base stations 202 is
`provided and data exchanges with the Internet 4 are carried
`out as this router device 205 functions as a gateway to the
`Internet 4.
`
`By constructing communication systems as described
`above,
`it becomes possible to transfer multimedia data in
`various formats including voice telephone. In particular, in
`the Internet, it is possible to transfer voices, still images,
`video images, data files of a specific application, etc., by
`forming IP packets according to the standardized protocol
`called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Pro-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`tocol), and it is also possible to operate existing Internet
`applications (such as Web browser) on a wireless portable
`terminal.
`
`in the case of using various applications on a
`Now,
`wireless portable terminal in such an environment, because
`the wireless portable terminal generally has a compact or
`very compact body size, there arises a problem stemming
`from the compact or very compactbodysizethat a data input
`interface for setting up application configuration data or
`entering input data (such as URL (Uniform Resource Loca-
`tor) of a web site) has poor characteristic regarding its
`convenience in use and handling. Obviously,it is impossible
`to support a keyboard and a pointing device (such as mouse)
`similar to those of the ordinary PC. In orderto rectify such
`a drawback, in the case of a portable telephone, for example,
`a measure for enabling a single hand operation of a compact
`terminal without requiring key operations has been provided
`by supporting a special user interface such as jog dial.
`As described, in the case of utilizing applications such as
`Internet telephone, Web browser, email, etc., or other appli-
`cations such as word processor in order to receive Internet
`services that handle Internet telephone, multimedia data,
`etc., by using a wireless portable terminal, when a wireless
`portable telephonethat is generally in a compactsize is used
`as a terminal,
`it has been very difficult to carry out the
`input/setup operations for data input/setup of Internet home
`page address (URL) data or various setup information,
`optional setup information of a word processor, etc., because
`of the poor handling of the input interface such as keyboard.
`Also, as such a terminal is to be utilized while moving, there
`are cases whereit is necessary to update information such as
`network parametersat a visited site, but it has also been very
`difficult to carry out operationsrelated to this because of the
`poor handling caused by the inability to freely use keyboard
`or mouse.
`
`there are cases where applications to be
`In addition,
`operated on a wireless portable terminal are required to
`make special parameter setups because of limitations on
`resources such as size and resolution of a display that are
`imposed by the wireless portable terminal, unlike the stan-
`dard applications on a portable note PC or a desk top PC. For
`this reason, when a user who normally uses the standard
`applications on the ordinary PC is going to shift to appli-
`cations for the wireless portable terminal, even thoughit is
`desirable to make setups as close to those in the usual
`utilization environment as possible, there have been cases
`whereit is impossible to shift between platforms smoothly
`by copying the setup information directly.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a communication scheme for enabling improvement of
`handling of a user interface or omission of tedious opera-
`tions in a portable terminal device which has a function for
`connecting to a prescribed computer network anda function
`for executing application programs(especially those that are
`to be used by being connected to the prescribed computer
`network) but which is also associated with a poor handling
`of a user interface because of its compact or very compact
`body size.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`communication scheme for a computer device that supports
`a portable terminal device in order to enable improvement of
`handling of a user interface or omission of tedious opera-
`tionsin the portable terminal device whichhasa function for
`executing application programs but whichis also associated
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`with a poor handling of a user interface because of its
`compact or very compact body size.
`According to one aspect of the present invention there is
`provided a portable terminal device, comprising: a network
`connection unit configured to establish a connection to a
`computer network; a local network connection unit config-
`ured to establish a connection to a local network different
`
`the local network being a
`from the computer network,
`network locally defined amongthe portable terminal device
`and at least one other computer device; and a processing unit
`configured to obtain a prescribed information regarding the
`computer networkthat is necessary or utilizable in operating
`an application program to be operated on the portable
`terminal device by being connected to the computer net-
`work, from said at least one other computer device con-
`nected to the portable terminal device via the local network
`through the local network connection unit, carry out a
`prescribed processing for the application program according
`to at least a part of the prescribed information, and execute
`the application program by using a result of the prescribed
`processing and being connected to the computer network
`through the network connection unit.
`According to another aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a computer device, comprising: a local network
`connection unit configured to establish a connection to a
`local network that is locally defined among the computer
`device and a portable terminal device; and a processing unit
`configured to return a reply containing an identification
`information for identifying a specified type of application
`program that exists in the computer device, or a prescribed
`information related to said specified type of application
`program, in response to a request received from the portable
`terminal device via the local network through the local
`network connection unit.
`According to another aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a communication methodof a portable terminal
`device having a function for executing application programs
`and a function for establishing a connection to a computer
`network; establishing a connection to a local network dif-
`ferent from the computer network, the local network being
`a network locally defined among the portable terminal
`device andat least one other computer device; and obtaining
`a prescribed information regarding the computer network
`that is necessary or utilizable in operating an application
`program to be operated on the portable terminal device by
`being connected to the computer network, from said at least
`one other computer device connected to the portable termi-
`nal device via the local network, and carrying out a pre-
`scribed processing for the application program according to
`at least a part of the prescribed information.
`According to another aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a communication method of a computer device,
`comprising: establishing a connection to a local network that
`is locally defined among the computer device and a portable
`terminal device; and returning a reply containing an identi-
`fication information for identifying a specified type of
`application program that exists in the computer device, or a
`prescribed information related to said specified type of
`application program, in response to a request received from
`the portable terminal device via the local network.
`According to another aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a computer usable medium having computer
`readable program codes embodied therein for causing a
`computer to function as a portable terminal device,
`the
`computer readable program codes include: a first computer
`readable program code for causing said computer to estab-
`lish a connection to a computer network; a second computer
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`readable program code for causing said computer to estab-
`lish a connection to a local network different from the
`
`the local network being a network
`computer network,
`locally defined among the portable terminal device and at
`least one other computer device; and a third computer
`readable program code for causing said computer to obtain
`a prescribed information regarding the computer network
`that is necessary or utilizable in operating an application
`program to be operated on the portable terminal device by
`being connected to the computer network, from said at least
`one other computer device connected to the portable termi-
`nal device via the local network, carry out a prescribed
`processing for the application program according to at least
`a part of the prescribed information, and execute the appli-
`cation program byusing a result of the prescribed processing
`and being connected to the computer network.
`According to another aspect of the present invention there
`is provided a computer usable medium having computer
`readable program codes embodied therein for causing a
`computer to function as a computer device, the computer
`readable program codes include: a first computer readable
`program code for causing said computer to establish a
`connection to a local network that is locally defined among
`the computer device and a portable terminal device; and a
`second computer readable program code for causing said
`computer to return a reply containing an identification
`information for identifying a specified type of application
`program that exists in the computer device, or a prescribed
`information related to said specified type of application
`program, in responseto a request received from the portable
`terminal device via the local network.
`
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent from the following description taken
`in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary
`basic configuration of a network system according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG.2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary internal
`configuration of a wireless portable terminal in the network
`system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of a
`typical Web browserthat can be used in the network system
`of FIG. 1.
`FIG.4 is a diagram showing an exemplary input interface
`that can be provided on the portable terminal device of FIG.
`2.
`
`FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an exemplary message
`exchange sequence for obtaining bookmark data according
`to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing general formats
`and exemplary commandfield values of a query command
`and a reply commandthat can be used in one embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing general formats
`and exemplary commandfield values of an application list
`notification command andan application list reply command
`that can be used in one embodimentofthe present invention.
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing general formats
`and exemplary command field values of a parameter list
`request commandand a parameter list reply command that
`can be used in one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of an
`information setup for Internet connection in a typical Web
`browser that can be used in the network system of FIG. 1.
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`FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing an exemplary mes-
`sage exchange sequence for obtaining Web browser setup
`data according to one embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of an
`option setup for a word processor that can be used in the
`network system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing an exemplary mes-
`sage exchange sequence for obtaining Internet telephone
`numbers according to one embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing an exemplary mes-
`sage exchange sequence for obtaining email addresses
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 14 is a sequence chart showing an exemplary mes-
`sage exchange sequencefor obtaining data for a plurality of
`applications collectively according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary
`case where the portable terminal device carries out message
`exchanges with a plurality of nearby PCs according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 16 is a sequence chart showing one exemplary
`message exchange sequence for carrying out message
`exchanges with a plurality of nearby PCs according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 17 is a sequence chart showing another exemplary
`message exchange sequence for carrying out message
`exchanges with a plurality of nearby PCs according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 18 is a sequence chart showing another exemplary
`message exchange sequence for carrying out message
`exchanges with a plurality of nearby PCs according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 19 is a sequence chart showing another exemplary
`message exchange sequence for carrying out message
`exchanges with a plurality of nearby PCs according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary
`case of message transfer between two PCsusing the portable
`terminal device according to one embodimentofthe present
`invention.
`FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary
`case of message transfer to a plurality of PCs using the
`portable terminal device according to one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining a coopera-
`tion of the portable terminal device and another computer
`device according to one embodimentof the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conven-
`tional Internet telephone network.
`FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explaining a conven-
`tional Internet wireless telephone network.
`FIG.25is a block diagram showing an exemplary internal
`configuration of a personal computer in the network system
`of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1 to FIG. 22, one embodiment of
`the communication scheme according to the present inven-
`tion will be described in detail.
`
`6
`a wireless portable terminal according to this embodiment.
`In this configuration of FIG. 22, the case where a wireless
`portable terminal 1 carries out some communications with a
`correspondent (not shown) will be considered.
`The wireless portable terminal 1 has a function for
`carrying out communications and other processing indepen-
`dently, but in this embodiment, the wireless portable termi-
`nal 1 also has a function for supporting a user interface by
`utilizing another computer. Another computerto be utilized
`can be a note PC (or may be a laptop PC or a desktop PC)
`carried aroundby a user whois carrying around the wireless
`portable terminal 1 as well, or a note PC, a laptop PC or a
`desktop PC that is located at a home, an office, or a public
`location at a visited site. The wireless portable terminal and
`PC are capable of carrying out local communications using
`a medium such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network),
`point-to-point wireless device (such as Bluetooth), or infra-
`red (IrDA), for example. In addition, it is also possible to
`carry out IP communications.
`This wireless portable terminal 1 exchangesvarious appli-
`cation setup information with a nearby PC through a local
`communication network in order to realize setup or con-
`figuration of applications operating on the own device, so as
`to enable smooth operations. Here, however, the exchanged
`data are further processed in order to accountfor a difference
`in a setup information format between applications operat-
`ing on an ordinary PC and applications operating on the
`wireless portable terminal or to match a special user inter-
`face of the wireless portable terminal. For example, a
`prescribed processing for setup or configuration is carried
`out by using information obtained by carrying out a pre-
`scribed procedure with the nearby PC as follows.
`(1) A mutual authentication is carried out with the coop-
`erating PC.
`(2) A type of application to be used is notified to the
`cooperating PC.
`(3) A set of data necessary in activating the application
`such as standard application setup data, addresslist, etc., on
`the cooperating PC for the notified application type, that are
`transmitted from the cooperating PC, are received.
`(4) The received application activation information such
`as setup data and addresslist is converted into a formatthat
`matches with the own setup scheme or interface, and a
`control for automatic setup is carried out.
`In this way, the handling of the wireless portable terminal
`can be supplemented. In particular, it becomes possible to
`provide an improved handling by taking full advantage of
`the input/output device unique to the wireless portable
`terminal.
`
`In the following, this embodiment will be described in
`further detail.
`
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`FIG. 1 shows an exemplary basic configuration of a
`network according to this embodiment.
`A wireless network, which is generally operated by a
`radio communication service provider or the like, accom-
`modates wireless portable terminals 1 (1a to 1 in FIG. 1)
`using radio base stations 2 (2a@ to 2m in FIG. 1), and provides
`a service of communications among the wireless portable
`terminals 1 as well as a service of communications between
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`First, with reference to FIG. 22, the basic configuration of
`this embodiment will be described.
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`FIG. 22 shows an exemplary network configuration
`assumed in this embodiment, and a mannerofutilization of
`
`the wireless portable terminal 1 and a telephone (not shown)
`accommodated in a telephone network 3. In addition, a
`router device 5 is provided, and a service of packet transfer
`from a wireless portable terminal 1 to an IP network such as
`Internet 4 and packet transfer from the IP network such as
`Internet 4 to the wireless portable terminal is provided by
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`7
`this router device 5 for packets containing voice data and
`other multimedia data that are transmitted from the wireless
`
`US 7,080,154 B1
`
`8
`the user is
`Note that, as already mentioned above,
`assumed to be carrying around oneora plurality of PCs 8a
`to 84 along with the wireless portable terminal 1 in this
`portable terminal 1.
`embodiment. Here, a problem regarding security may arise
`On the other hand, the telephone network 3, which is
`if communicationsare carried out unconditionally whenever
`generally operated by a communication service provider or
`they are connected by the wireless/infrared network. Forthis
`the like, accommodates telephones (not shown), and pro-
`reason, it is preferable for the wireless portable terminal 1
`vides a service of communications between a telephone and
`and the PC 8 to carry out communicationsafter carrying out
`the wireless portable terminal 1. There are also cases where
`the mutual authentication according to a cryptographic
`an Internet telephone gateway (not shown) is providedin the
`scheme and establishing an authenticated communication
`telephone network 3, in which cases the Internet