JP2001265681A - Information terminal, information equipment and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal capable of resuming or the like by receiving specified signals generated when a network device receives specified information in the state of being suspended or the like. SOLUTION: This information terminal is provided with first/second interfaces 201 and 202 to first/second network devices for performing first/second notifications by first/second network event generation, a notification propriety setting function 211 for setting whether or not to perform the second notification by the second network event generation and a restart function 210 for starting or restarting the operation of the information terminal by the first or second notification received in the first or second interface. Based on operation control information obtained by communication performed by the first network device following the first notification, the notification propriety setting function is controlled, whether or not to perform the second notification is decided and control is performed on the basis of the decision.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for operating a network device in a suspended or hibernation state in which operation is interrupted and power is almost turned off, by receiving a specific signal issued when a network device receives specific information. Has a communication function that allows the network device to start operation from a state in which the network device receives specific information when the network device receives specific information from a state in which the network device can resume (resume) or not operate. The present invention relates to an information terminal, an information device, and a communication control method thereof. Also, an information terminal and an information device that can connect to a plurality of networks and call an information terminal that can be called from one network side, and control the other network connection based on information given at that time or subsequently, and the information terminal and the information device. The present invention relates to a communication control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to spread mobile computing, it is important that the user be as little as possible aware of the difference between within and outside the communication area, instability of communication quality, communication speed, communication cost, battery life, and the like. One of the means for this is a Wake Up function defined by the standard of MCPC (Mobile Computing Promotion Consortium).

In the Wake Up function, an event occurs when a personal computer or the like is in a suspended state (power is almost turned off, but information necessary for restoring a state immediately before suspending is held). This is a function that sometimes resumes (powers on, restores the state before suspending, and processes events). The Wake Up function currently defined by the MCPC is of two types: when an incoming signal arrives at the terminal (Wakeon Ring) and when the terminal changes from outside the communication range to within range (Wake on Radio). This Wake Up function is based on a Wake on LAN, in which a suspended or powered-off personal computer connected to the LAN resumes or starts by receiving a packet of a special format addressed to the personal computer. Have.

A push mail service can be realized by Wake on Ring. That is, PH
If a mobile device such as S or PDC is connected to a suspended personal computer, the personal computer automatically resumes with an incoming signal from the mail server and can receive mail. Also, Wakeo
With the n Radio function, the user can send an email without being aware of the inside or outside the communication area. That is, the personal computer suspends after the mail is created by the user outside the service area, and automatically sends the mail to the server after resuming in Wake on Radio.

On the other hand, a terminal has a plurality of network devices such as a Vertical Handoff to which Mobile IP is applied, for example, and uses a network having different attributes. There is a proposal to use them properly. Here, even if the network device used by the terminal is changed by the application of Mobile IP, that is, even if the Vertical Handoff is performed, the communication of the application is continued so that the IP address of the terminal viewed from the outside does not change. be able to. Also, a plurality of PC cards such as PHS and wireless LA
If N PC cards are used, a personal computer having a plurality of network devices can be easily configured without having a handoff function based on Mobile IP or the like.

[0006]

When an information terminal has a plurality of network devices for using networks having different attributes, a method of using these network devices more effectively by the Wake up function has been considered. Did not.

As attributes of the network, usage costs,
The throughput, the range of the communicable area, the presence / absence of a function to track the movement of the network device or the information terminal, and to terminate the call when there is an outgoing call to the terminal are considered.
In general, a high-throughput network has a narrow communication range. In addition, it is considered that there is a trade-off in a network having a mobile reception function, such as higher installation and maintenance costs and higher usage costs.

[0008] Taking the incoming mail as an example, consider the request of the user. I want to know the incoming mail as soon as possible,
For that purpose, it is necessary to have the information terminal notify the mobile terminal of the mobile terminal. However, the size of the email can be large, and if the importance or urgency is low, we want to download it when a low-cost network is available. On the other hand, if the degree of importance or urgency is high, you want to download the mail on the spot even if the usage cost is high. Also, I want to turn off the terminal as much as possible to save battery. It is considered that downloading quickly through a high-speed network can save power consumed by the information terminal itself during downloading.

According to the present invention, when an information terminal has a plurality of network devices for using networks having different attributes, the Wake Up function is used to satisfy the user's request as exemplified above as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information terminal and a communication control method capable of controlling a network device.

[0010] Further, when some of the network devices to which the information terminal can be connected do not have an incoming call function, or when some of the network devices are not normally activated, information can be externally received from these network devices. You may want to prompt your device to connect to the network.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal which can use a plurality of networks and which can be called by a mobile call from outside via at least one of the networks, by using the network to call the information terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal, an information device, and a communication control method that can prompt a terminal to make a connection through another network that cannot be called by a mobile call from outside.

Further, communication is not stable especially in a wireless mobile environment. Therefore, even while the information terminal is transmitting or receiving data, the information terminal goes out of the communication range and the transmission or reception of data may be interrupted.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal and a communication control method which complete transmission or reception of temporarily interrupted data as quickly as possible while saving the power of the information terminal without bothering the user. To provide.

[0014]

An information terminal according to the present invention (claim 1) provides a first interface to a first network device capable of making a first notification upon occurrence of a first network event. Means, second interface means to a second network device capable of performing a second notification upon occurrence of a second network event, and whether or not to perform a second notification upon occurrence of the second network event Setting the notification permission / inhibition setting means, and controlling the notification permission / inhibition setting means based on the operation control information obtained by communication performed by the first network device subsequent to the first notification, and And (1) operation control means for performing control based on the determination, and receiving by the first interface means. First first notification from the network device has, or the second from the second network device received by said second interface means
And a start / restart means for starting or resuming the operation of the information terminal in response to the notification.

Preferably, the first network event may be an incoming call. Preferably, the second network event may be a communicable area notification. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises second operation control means for controlling the operation after restarting the operation by the second notification, wherein the first operation control means controls to perform the second notification. After the operation of the information terminal is resumed by the second notification, the operation control performed by the second operation control means is determined based on the operation control information, and then the operation of the information terminal is interrupted. Good. Preferably, when the first operation control means satisfies a certain condition of the content of the operation control information,
Following the notification, the communication performed by the first network device may be continued, and control may be performed so that the second notification is not performed. Preferably, the condition may be based on the importance of communication requested by the operation control information. Preferably, the condition may be based on an information amount of communication requested by the operation control information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control method, comprising the steps of: setting a first network device so as to make a first notification when a first network event occurs; Starting or resuming the operation of the information terminal according to the first notification of the above, and the second network device generating the second network event based on the operation control information obtained by the communication subsequently performed by the first network device. Determining whether or not to make a second notification, and if necessary, temporarily setting or interrupting the processing of the information terminal after setting the second network device based on the determination; and Starting or restarting the operation of the information terminal according to the second notification from And wherein the door.

An information apparatus according to the present invention (claim 3) comprises: a calling unit for calling an information terminal connectable to a network via a first network device and a second network device via a first network device; Whether the information terminal establishes a connection with the second network device as part of the information for the call or as part of the information sent by the network connection established with the information terminal by the call Connection determination information transmitting means for transmitting, to the information terminal, information that can be used to determine the information.

Preferably, a correspondence means for associating a first address which is a destination of information addressed to the information terminal or a user of the information terminal with a second address which can call the first network device. May be further provided.

The communication control method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: calling an information terminal connectable to a network via a first network device and a second network device via the first network device; As part of, or as part of the information sent by the network connection established with the information terminal by the call, used by the information terminal to determine whether to establish a connection with the second network device And transmitting information that can be transmitted to the information terminal.

An information terminal according to the present invention (claim 4) is an incoming call connection means for connecting to a network via the first network device in response to a call to the first network device, and a part of information for the call. Or connection necessity determining means for determining whether or not the information terminal establishes a connection with the second network device based on a part of the information received via the connection established by the incoming connection means; Connecting means for connecting to the network via the second network device at the time or at an appropriate time when it is determined to be necessary.

According to the communication control method of the present invention, there is provided a step of connecting to a network via a first network device in response to a call to a first network device, a part of information for a call, or the terminating connection means. Determining whether the information terminal establishes a connection with the second network device based on a portion of the information received via the connection established by the Connecting to the network via the second network device at an appropriate point in time.

An information terminal according to the present invention (claim 5) provides a restart information storage means for storing information relating to interrupted data transfer and a (third) network device capable of notifying of a communicable state. The information terminal is started or restarted by the (third) interface means and the notification of the communicable state from the (third) network device received by the (third) interface means (second) ) Starting and resuming means, and data transfer resuming means for resuming the interrupted data transfer based on the information on the interrupted data transfer stored in the resuming information storage means after the start and resuming. Features.

The information for resumption includes, for example, a name (URL or the like) for acquiring data from the server, data itself stored in the own device, a file name of data in the own device,
For example, the transfer interruption position.

[0024] A communication control method according to the present invention (claim 6) is a step of storing, when an information terminal suspends data transfer performed via a network, restart information relating to the data transfer, and setting the network device in a communicable state. Setting, to stop or stop the operation of the information terminal, to start or restart the operation of the information terminal by the notification of the communicable state from the network device, Restarting the interrupted data transfer based on the application information.

[0025] The present invention is a recording medium in which a program for causing a processor in the information terminal to execute a procedure constituting the communication control method is recorded so as to be readable from the information terminal.

The present invention relating to the apparatus is also realized as an invention relating to a method, and the present invention relating to a method is also realized as an invention relating to an apparatus.

Further, the present invention relating to an apparatus or a method is provided for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as means corresponding to the present invention, or for causing a computer to correspond to the present invention). The present invention is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of performing the above is recorded.

According to the present invention, even when the processing of the information terminal body is interrupted or stopped to save the battery, an event such as an incoming mail can be known by the first network having the mobile incoming call function. . Further, the user knows the attribute of an event such as an incoming mail via the first network, and receives information such as mail via the first network as it is according to the attribute, for example, importance or urgency. Whether to receive information such as mail after waiting until the network becomes available can be determined automatically according to rules or by user intervention. As a result, a network to be used can be determined, for example, in consideration of the network usage cost and the importance of information. Even when it is determined that the second network is to be used, the processing of the information terminal body can be interrupted until it is notified that the second network is available, so that power can be saved.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the processing of the information terminal body is interrupted or stopped to save the battery, the information terminal is in a communication range without bothering the user. By detecting this, the reception or transmission of previously interrupted data can be promptly resumed.
At this time, if data communication is resumed from the interrupted position, useless data communication is not performed. In other words, while the power and communication band of the information terminal are conserved, the reception or transmission of the temporarily interrupted data can be completed in an automatic and prompt manner.

According to the present invention, a plurality of networks can be used, and an information terminal that can be called from outside via at least one of them can be used to call the information terminal without necessarily using the network. The user can be prompted to make a connection through another network that cannot be called from outside. That is, a network having no incoming call function can be provided with a function similar to an incoming call.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) In a first embodiment, W
1 shows an example of an information terminal and a communication control method for controlling two types of network devices having an ake Up function so as to satisfy a user request. Also, for an information terminal that can use a plurality of networks and that can be called by a mobile call from the outside via at least one of them, the information terminal is not necessarily called by the mobile call from the outside by calling using this network. It also shows an example of an information terminal, an information device, and a communication control method that can prompt the user to make a connection through another network that is not possible.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a network system including an information terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The information terminal 101 includes a first network device 102 and a second network device 103
It is connected to the. The information terminal 101 may be a personal computer or a device such as a PDA. First and second network devices 10
2, 103 may be an independent communication device such as a PHS or a mobile phone, or a device such as a PC card, which is a separate device from an information terminal (in this case, a personal computer). It may be used after conversion. Further, the information terminal 101 may be one in which the first or second network device 102, 103 is integrated as a part thereof. When the first or second network device 102, 103 is an independent communication device, they and the information terminal 101 are connected by serial connection, USB, Bluetooth, IEEE13.
94 and so on. In the following, it is assumed that the first and second network devices 102, 103 are wireless network devices.

The first network device 102 is the first
Wireless base station 104 and the second network device 1
03 can communicate with the second wireless base station 105, respectively. However, when the first network device 102 is out of the communicable range with the first wireless base station 104 (out of the communicable area), or the second network device 103 can communicate with the second wireless base station 105 If it is out of the range (out of the communicable area), each communication is naturally impossible.

In the following, it is assumed that the first network device 102 has an incoming call notification function for notifying an incoming call for the sake of a scenario example. When the processing of the information terminal 101 is interrupted or stopped, this corresponds to the Wake on Ring function. In addition to Wake on Ring, the information terminal 101 is collectively referred to as an incoming call notification function, including a notification that the information terminal 101 is operating. It is also assumed that the second network device 103 has a communicable area notification function for notifying a state change from outside the communicable area to the communicable area. If the processing of the information terminal 101 is interrupted or stopped, this is called Wake on
This corresponds to the Radio function. Wake on Rad
In addition to io, including the notification that the information terminal 101 is operating,
It is generically referred to as the communicable area notification function.

[0037] The first wireless base station 104 is accommodated in the first network 106. First network 10
6 has a function of tracking the position of the first network device 102, and a node or network connected to the first network 106, for example, a first server 109.
From the first network device 102 to
An incoming call can be made to the first network device 102 by a method described later. Also, the second server 110
It is assumed that the information terminal 101 has information for identifying a correspondence between the information terminal 101 or the user of the information terminal 101 and the address of the first network device 102.
For example, take a correspondence between the user's email address and the telephone number of the user's first network device 102. In addition, the information terminal 101 receives the Mobile IP Ho
When the user has the me Address, the IP address may correspond to the MAC address of the first network device 102 or the second network device. This correspondence information is stored in the first server 10
9 may have. Also, the second server 110 stores information for authenticating the user or the information terminal 101,
It may have a function to become a LeIP Home Agent.

The second wireless base station 105 is connected to the second network 107. Second network 10
7 need not have a function of tracking the position of the second network device 103. This omission is expected to reduce the cost of building and maintaining the second network 107, while the second network device 10
It is generally not possible to make an incoming call to address 3.

The first network 106 and the second network 107 are interconnected via a third network 108. The third network 108 may itself be an interconnection of multiple networks. That is, they may be connected by an IP router or the like. Generally, the protocol differs between the first network 106 and the third network 108. First server 109 connected to third network 108
However, a relay server 111 may be placed between the first network 106 and the third network 108 for transmitting to the network device 102 accommodated in the first network 106. For example, the first server 109
L2TP (Layer 2)
Tunneling Protocol) is set. Further, it is assumed that the second network 107 and the third network 108 are interconnected by a router 112.

In the following, the communicable range covered by the entire set of the first radio base stations 104 is the second radio base station 10
Assume that the entire set of 5 is generally wider than the coverage area. On the other hand, communication by the first wireless base station 104 is more reliable than communication by the second wireless base station 105.
Assume it is slow or expensive. Therefore, the user of the information terminal 101 may have a motive to select the communication by the second wireless base station 105 instead of the communication by the first wireless base station 104.

FIG. 2 shows an information terminal 101 according to this embodiment.
1 shows an example of the functional block configuration.

The first interface 201 is connected to the first network device 102 and the second interface 20.
2 is the second network device 103 and the information terminal 10
1 is connected. If the first or second network devices 102 and 103 and the information terminal 101 are integrated as one device, the first interface 201
And the second interface 202, the information terminal 101
It becomes an internal interface.

The power supply 203 is connected to at least the information terminal 101.
Supplies the power required to operate the first and second network devices 102 and 103 and the information terminal 1
When the device 01 is integrated as a single device or when the device 01 is used, power is also supplied to the first and second network devices 102 and 103. In the information terminal 101 emphasizing portability as exemplified in the present embodiment, the power supply 203 is generally a battery.

The information terminal 101 further includes a processor 20
4. It has a function for executing a program such as the storage device 205. The storage device 205 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk and a flash memory in addition to a volatile memory such as a DRAM.

The basic control program 206 controls the information terminal 101 configured as described above. The basic control program 206 includes the application program 2
In addition to the generally expected functions such as the execution control function 208, a suspend function 209 that suspends processing while maintaining the processing state of the information terminal 101, a resume function that restores the processing state and resumes the suspended processing (resume) A) a function 210 having a notification permission / non-permission setting function 211 for setting whether or not the first network device 102 performs an incoming call notification while the processing is suspended, and whether or not the second network device 103 performs a communication range notification.

The resuming function 210 can be activated by a plurality of types of events that occur while the processing of the information terminal 101 is suspended. This event includes an incoming call notification and a communication range notification. The notification availability setting function 211 sets a mask for this event. The event mask is set in the first and second network devices 102 and 103. Not notified of masked events. Depending on the type of the event that caused the restart, the processing content at the time of restart by the restart function 210 can be selected. That is, at least the incoming call notification operation control program 212 and the in-range notification operation control program 21
3 can be selected and executed. Incoming call notification operation control program 212 and area notification operation control program 213
May be a part of the basic control program 206, a kind of the application program 207, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of the sequence of the present embodiment (the sequence portion of FIG. 4 is a continuation of the sequence portion of FIG. 3).

In step 301, the information terminal 101 enables the incoming call notification from the first network device 102 by setting the notification permission setting function 211.
Using the suspend function 209, the processing is suspended (suspend or hibernation, etc.). In this state, the power supply 20
3 supplies the minimum power required for maintaining information necessary for restoring the processing state later to the information terminal 101 main body, and for operating the first network device 102 if necessary. Supply necessary power. Also, the first network 106 keeps track of the location of the first network device 102.

In step 302, it is assumed that a mail addressed to the information terminal 101 has arrived at the first server 109. here,
The information terminal 101 may be addressed to the address of the information terminal 101, may be addressed to a mail address of a user using the information terminal 101, or may be addressed to another user identifier. The first server 109 includes the information terminal 101
Is transmitted to the first network device 102 connected to. Here, the first server 109 obtains information for obtaining correspondence between the information identifying the information terminal 101 or the user of the information terminal 101 and the address of the first network device 102 by using the second server 109. Server 1
After inquiring about the correspondence to 10 and obtaining an appropriate response, a call is made. Note that this correspondence may be stored in the first server 109 itself.

As a result, a message 401 for making an incoming call request via the first network 106 and the first wireless base station 104 is received by the first network device 102. The first network device 102 returns an incoming response message 402 in response thereto, and a communication line between the relay server 111 and the first network device 102 is established.

In step 303 executed almost simultaneously,
The first network device 102 is an information terminal 101
Notification of incoming call to.

Accordingly, in step 304, the basic control program 206 first gives execution authority to the restart function 210. The resuming function 210 recognizes that the cause of the resumption is an incoming call notification, and activates the incoming call notification operation control program 212.

In step 305, the incoming call notification operation control program 212 communicates with the information terminal 101 using the already established communication line and the L2TP set between the first server 109 and the relay server 111. First server 1
09 to establish a ppp connection. Therefore, the message 403 is exchanged between the information terminal 101 and the first server 109. After the ppp connection is established, the information terminal 101 can perform IP communication with the first server 109.

In step 306, the first server 109 sends the message 40 containing the information for controlling the mail arrival operation.
4 is transmitted to the information terminal 101 via the established ppp connection. In addition, the information for controlling the incoming mail operation is
Outgoing request and incoming request message 4 in step 302
01 may be superimposed.

In step 307, the incoming call notification operation control program 212 of the information terminal 101 analyzes the contents of the received message 404 for controlling incoming mail operation and recognizes the following facts: Is stored as an e-mail number #X in the server 109. -The sender of the mail is Y.・ The importance or urgency of the mail is low (the sender information may be used for this determination).・ The size of the email is large because it is an attached file. According to the storage device management function 214 and the power management function 215, the remaining storage capacity and the remaining battery capacity are sufficient.

Therefore, in accordance with the predetermined rule shown in FIG. 5, it is determined that the operation is controlled according to the following policy: To send the mail text excluding the attached file to the first server 109 Request. Requesting transmission of the remaining attached file portion of the mail when the second network device 103 moves into the communicable area.

As a result, the information terminal 101 is prompted by the information transmitted by the first server 109 to make a connection by the second network device 103.

At step 308, the incoming call notification operation control program 212 transmits a message 405 requesting the mail text to the first server 109. The first server 109 transmits the mail text as a response message 406 to this. The incoming notification operation control program 212 receives the message 406 and stores the mail text in an appropriate part of the storage device 205. Here, the user may be notified by sound or the like. The user can terminate the automatic control by the incoming call notification operation control program 212 and control the subsequent operation by his own judgment. If the user does not intervene, the automatic control by the incoming notification operation control program 212 continues.

At step 309, the incoming call notification operation control program 212
However, in order to operate according to the policy determined in step 307, necessary settings are made using the information on the mail incoming operation control obtained in step 307. In particular, the mail to be obtained, the address of the first server 109 holding the mail,
Information such as the mail number #X, the text has been received, and only the attached file has not been received is stored in an appropriate location of the storage device 205. Furthermore, by the notification permission / inhibition setting function 211,
It is set so that the second network device 103 performs communication range notification. First network device 102
The incoming call notification function is still performed. Furthermore, the suspend function 20
9, the processing of the information terminal 101 is interrupted.

In step 310, it is assumed that the second network device 103 has received the beacon message 407 from the second wireless base station 105 and has recognized that it has entered the communicable area. Since the setting is made to perform the communication range notification, the second network device notifies the information terminal 101 of the communication range notification.

At step 311, the basic control program 2
06 gives execution right to the resuming function 210 first. The resuming function 210 recognizes that the cause of the resumption is the communication area notification, and activates the communication area notification operation control program 213.

In step 312, the in-range notification operation control program 213 executes the second network 10 to establish an IP connection via the second network device.
7 exchanges a DHCP message 408 to obtain an IP address. Here, the second wireless base station 105
Has the function of a DHCP server. Further, if necessary, the second server 110 may exchange a message 409 for mobile IP location registration. This includes location registration information and authentication information. In this case, the second
Server 110 of Mobile IP Home Ag
ent, the information terminal 101 is a Mobile node and F
The address acquired by the original Agent and the DHCP becomes the Care of Address, and the information terminal 101 appears to the first server 109 as having the Home Address assigned by the second server 110. The case where Mobile IP is required means that, for example, when the first server uses the IP address of its own subnet circuit as part of the authentication, the second wireless base station 105 moves with the communication while moving. For example. The second network 1
There is also a case where the 07 side prepares an independent Foreign Agent. The procedure is well known and will not be described.

At step 313, the in-service notification operation control program 213 transmits a message 410 requesting the first server 109 to transmit the attached file of the mail number #X. The first server 109 responds by sending a message 411 containing the information of the attached file.
Is transmitted to the information terminal 101. The in-range notification operation control program 213 receives the message 411 and stores the attached file in an appropriate part of the storage device 205. Here, the user may be notified by sound or the like. The user can also terminate or suspend the automatic control by the in-range notification operation control program 213, and control the subsequent operation at his own discretion. The user can also resume the interrupted automatic control.

In step 314, the in-service notification operation control program 213 uses the notification availability setting function 211 to set the second network device 103 so as not to perform communication service notification. First network device 10
The incoming call notification function of No. 2 is still performed. Furthermore, suspend function 2
Using 09, the processing of the information terminal 101 is interrupted.

The following is an operation corresponding to steps 307 to 309 when a mail having another attribute is received (assuming 'is added to the corresponding step number or the like).

In step 307 ', the incoming notification operation control program 212 of the information terminal 101 analyzes the contents of the received message 404' for controlling incoming mail operation and recognizes the following facts: It is stored in the first server 109 as a mail number #X '. The sender of the mail is Y '. -The importance or urgency of the email is high (the sender information may be used for this determination).・ Email size is small. According to the storage device management function 214, the remaining storage capacity is small, but sufficient for the mail. According to the power management function 215, the remaining battery capacity is sufficient.

Therefore, in accordance with the predetermined rule of FIG. 5, it is determined that the operation is performed according to the following policy: Requesting the first server 109 to send the entire mail. -After receiving, the process is interrupted without a communication range notification from the second network device 103.

At step 308 ′, the incoming call notification operation control program 212 sends a message 405 ′ requesting the entire mail to the first server 109. First
Server 109 responds to this
Send the entire mail as 6 '. The incoming call notification operation control program 212 receives this message 406 ',
The mail body is stored in an appropriate part of the storage device 205.
Here, the user may be notified by sound or the like. The user can also terminate or suspend the automatic control by the incoming call notification operation control program 212 and control the subsequent operation at his own discretion. If the user does not intervene, the automatic control by the incoming notification operation control program 212 continues. The user can also resume the interrupted automatic control.

In step 309 ′, the incoming call notification operation control program 212 uses the notification permission setting function 211 to
The second network device 103 is set so as not to perform the communication range notification (if there is no change, it is not necessary to set explicitly). The incoming notification function of the first network device 102 is still performed. Furthermore, the suspend function 209
, The process of the information terminal 101 is interrupted.

As described above, of the rules in FIG.
Urgency = Low, Size = Large, Remaining Storage Capacity = Permitted, Remaining Battery Capacity = Permitted, and Importance / Urgency = High, Size = Small, Remaining Storage Capacity = Permitted, Remaining Battery Capacity = Permitted Explanations have been given for examples. The method of applying the other conditions is almost clear from FIG. In particular, "-" in the column indicates that the value does not affect the selection of the operation. For example, if the sender is rejected and registered, operation D is selected regardless of other conditions.
The operations corresponding to A and B in FIG. 5 have been described. The operation C in FIG. 5 is to notify the user by a ringing tone, for example, and ask the user to determine the content of subsequent processing. The operation D is for not receiving a mail. The operation E is a processing in which a resource such as a storage device or a battery is put in a processing waiting list until the resource becomes available, and the processing is continued when the resource becomes available, and is controlled by the execution control function 208. The rules in FIG. 5 can be set and changed by the user with the rule setting function 216.

Information received by the information terminal 101 from the first server 109 is not limited to mail. For example, information terminal 1
It may be a newspaper or magazine to which the user No. 01 subscribes, or an unspecified or specific advertisement.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment, an information terminal having a network device having a communicable area notification function temporarily suspends data reception for reasons such as going out of the area, and then returns to the area again. Then, the reception of the data of the unreceived portion is restarted.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a network system including an information terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The information terminal 131 is connected to the network device 132. Specific examples of the information terminal and the network device and the connection form between them are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Network device 132 can communicate with one or more wireless base stations 133. However, if the network device 132 is out of the communicable range with the wireless base station 133 (out of the communicable area), the communication becomes naturally impossible. The network device 131 has a communicable area notification function for notifying a state change from outside the communicable area to the communicable area. When the processing of the information terminal 131 is interrupted or stopped, this corresponds to the Wake on Radio function. Wak
In addition to e on Radio, the information terminal 131 is generically referred to as a communicable area notification function, including a notification that the information terminal 131 is operating. Further, the network device 131 may further have a communication-possible out-of-service-area notification function for notifying a state change from a communication-capable state to a communication-out-of-service area. The wireless base station 133 is accommodated in the network 134. The network 134 itself may be a network in which a plurality of networks are interconnected by an IP router or the like. Network 1
One or more servers 135 are connected to 34. The information terminal 131 can communicate with the server 135 via the network 134. The second server 136 also connected to the network 134 includes information for authenticating the user or the information terminal 131, Mobil.
It may have a function for becoming an e-IP Home Agent.

FIG. 7 shows an information terminal 131 according to this embodiment.
1 shows an example of the functional block configuration.

The interface 231 connects the network device 132 and the information terminal 131. When the network device 132 and the information terminal 131 are integrated as one device, it becomes an interface inside the information terminal 131.

The power supply 232 is connected to at least the information terminal 131.
When the first and second network devices 132 and the information terminal 131 are integrated as one device, or when they are used at the same time, The power is also supplied to the first and second network devices 132. In the information terminal 131 emphasizing portability as exemplified in the present embodiment, the power supply 232 is generally a battery.

Further, the information terminal 131 is
3. The storage device 234 has a function for executing a program. The storage device 234 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk and a flash memory in addition to a volatile memory such as a DRAM.

The basic control program 235 controls the information terminal 131 configured as described above. The basic control program 235 includes the application program 2
In addition to functions generally expected such as the execution control function 237 of the information terminal 131, an interruption function 238 for interrupting the processing while maintaining the processing state of the information terminal 131, and a resume function for restoring the processing state and resuming the interrupted processing (resume) And 239) a function 239 and a notification permission setting function 240 for setting whether or not the network device 132 performs communication range notification.

The restart processing function 239 operates similarly to the first embodiment. However, the restart by the incoming call notification may or may not be performed. At the time of restart, an appropriate program can be selected and executed from one or more programs including the area notification operation control program 241.

FIG. 8 / FIG. 9 show an example of the sequence of the present embodiment (the sequence part of FIG. 9 is a continuation of the sequence part of FIG. 8).

At step 331, the user requests the data acquisition program 242 to acquire data held by any of the servers 135. At this point, it is assumed that the network device 132 is out of the communication range. The data acquisition program 242 registers itself in the in-range notification operation control program 241 so that the in-range notification operation control program 241 calls itself when it is within the communication range. In response to this, the in-range notification operation control program 241 sets the network device 132 using the notification availability setting function 240 so that the network device 132 performs communication range notification. Note that the in-area notification here is not limited to Wake on Radio performed when the information terminal 131 interrupts or stops processing,
Information terminal 131 performs during processing of another program.
Service Report may also be included. Further, the data acquisition program 242 stores the name of data to be acquired when the vehicle enters the communicable area. The name of the data may include the name or address of the server 135. That is, it may be something like a URL.

At step 332, the user's information terminal 13
Information terminal 13 for some reason, for example, once the use of
It is assumed that the processing of No. 1 is interrupted (suspend or hibernation, etc.). The interruption function 238 is used for this interruption processing.

At step 333, it is assumed that the network device 132 has received the beacon message 431 from the radio base station 133 and has recognized that it has entered the communicable area. The network device 132 notifies the information terminal 131 of the communication range because the communication range is set to perform the communication range notification.

Thus, in step 334, the basic control program 235 first gives the resuming function 239 the execution right. The resuming function 239 recognizes that the cause of the resumption is the in-service notification, and activates the in-service notification operation control program 241.

At step 335, the in-service notification operation control program 241 transmits the IP address via the network device.
D establishes a connection with network 134 to establish a connection.
Exchange the HCP message 432 to obtain the IP address. Here, it is assumed that the wireless base station 133 has a DHCP server function. Further, if necessary, the second server 136 may exchange a message 433 for mobile IP location registration. This includes location registration information and authentication information. In this case, the second server 136
home Agent of obile IP, information terminal 1
31 is Mobile node and Foreign Ag
ent, the address acquired by DHCP is Care of
Address, and to the first server 135, the information terminal 131 appears to have the Home Address given by the second server 136.
The case where Mobile IP is required means that, for example, when the first server uses the IP address of its own subnet circuit as part of the authentication, the wireless base station 133 is switched with the movement while continuing the communication. And so on.
It should be noted that the network 134 side has an independent Foreign
An Agent may be prepared. The procedure is well known and will not be described.

At step 336, the in-service notification operation control program 241 calls the data acquisition program 242 according to the registration performed at step 331. The data acquisition program 242 transmits a message 434 requesting transmission of data to the server 135 according to the name of the data stored in step 331. For example, HTTP or FTP is used as the requesting protocol. At the same time, the data acquisition program 242 sets the network device 132 by the notification availability setting function 240 so that the network device 132 performs the out-of-communication-range notification. Alternatively, the status of the network device 132 is periodically acquired until the data acquisition is completed, so that it can be determined whether the network device 132 is in or out of service.

At step 337, transmission of the data message 435 from the server 135 to the information terminal 131 is started, and it is attempted to continue until the end. As a protocol for transmission, for example, HTTP or FTP is used as required.

In step 338, it is assumed that the network device 132 has left the communicable area. For example, it is detected that a beacon that the wireless base station 133 should transmit periodically cannot be received. Since the setting is made to perform the out-of-communications notification, the network device 13
2 notifies the information terminal 131 of the out-of-communication range. From the information terminal 131, the data transmission from the server 135 appears to be stopped.

At step 339, the data acquisition program 242 receives a communication out-of-service notification. The data acquisition program 242 registers itself in the in-range notification operation control program 241 so that the in-range notification operation control program 241 calls itself when it is within the communication range. Upon receiving the notification, the in-range notification operation control program 241 uses the notification permission / inhibition setting function 240 to
Network device 13 so that
Set 2. Further, the data acquisition program 242
The name of the data whose acquisition is to be resumed when the vehicle is in the communicable area, the position where the data reception is stopped, and the file name in the storage device 234 corresponding to the data are stored.

At step 340, the user's information terminal 13
Information terminal 13 for some reason, for example, once the use of
It is assumed that the processing of No. 1 is interrupted (suspend or hibernation, etc.). If the information terminal 131 is not used except for the stopped data reception, step 33
Immediately after the end of Step 9, Step 340 is processed. The interruption function 238 is used for this interruption processing.

It is assumed that in step 341, the network device 132 receives the beacon message 436 from the radio base station 133 and recognizes that it has entered the communicable area again. The network device notifies the information terminal 131 of the communication range because the communication range notification is set.

Thus, in step 342, the basic control program 235 first gives the resuming function 239 the execution right. The resuming function 239 recognizes that the cause of the resumption is the in-service notification, and activates the in-service notification operation control program 241.

In step 343, an IP connection of the information terminal 131 to the network 134 is established in the same procedure as in step 335.

At step 344, the in-service notification operation control program 241 calls the data acquisition program 242 according to the registration performed at step 339. The data acquisition program 242 transmits a message 437 requesting the server 135 to transmit a part of the data that has not been received, according to the name of the data stored in step 339 and the position where the reception of the data has stopped. For example, HTTP or FTP is used as the requesting protocol. HT
By specifying Byte Ranges in the GET of TP1.1, such partial data can be requested to the server 135. Similar re in FTP
There is a start (restart) function. The FTP restart position is a mark that the server periodically inserts into the transmission data.
er (marker) information. At the same time, the data acquisition program 242 uses the notification availability setting function 240
The network device 132 is set so that the network device 132 issues an out-of-communication-range notification. Or
Until data acquisition ends, network device 1
The state of 32 is acquired so that it can be determined whether the area is within or outside the service area.

At step 345, transmission of data message 438 from server 135 to information terminal 131 is started. The data to be transmitted is the data of the part after the previous transmission was completed. As a protocol for transmission, for example, HTTP or FTP is used as required. The received data is added to the file specified by the file name in the storage device 234 stored in step 339. It is assumed that the transmission of the entire data has been completed this time.

In step 346, the reception of the entire data is completed. The completion may be notified to the user by means such as sound. If there is no further need, the processing of the data acquisition program 242 ends.

[0098] If the network device 132 enters the communicable area before the processing of the information terminal 131 is interrupted in step 340, the procedure is almost the same. Also, the case where the information terminal 131 receives data has been described as an example, but the same applies to the case where the information terminal 131 transmits data. It is also apparent that the present invention can be applied to the restart of the operation example of the first embodiment when the mail reception is stopped. Further, the server to which data transmission is requested may be different before and after the interruption.

Further, means for supplying program codes of software supplied to an information terminal or an information device (server) for realizing the above-described embodiment, for example, a storage medium storing the program codes to be executed constitutes the present invention. Examples include a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a memory card, and a ROM.

Note that each of the above functions can be implemented as software.

Further, the present embodiment is a computer in which a program for causing a computer to execute predetermined means (or for causing a computer to function as predetermined means or for causing a computer to realize predetermined functions) is recorded. It can also be implemented as a readable recording medium.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope.

[0103]

According to the present invention, even when the processing of the information terminal body is interrupted or stopped to save the battery, it is possible to know the event such as the arrival of the mail by the first network having the mobile incoming call function. Can be. Furthermore, knowing the attributes of an event such as an incoming mail via the first network,
Depending on the attribute, for example, importance or urgency, information such as e-mail is received via the first network as it is, or information such as e-mail is received after the second network becomes available. Can be determined automatically according to rules or by user intervention.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the processing of the information terminal body is interrupted or stopped to save the battery, the information terminal is in a communication range without bothering the user. By detecting this, the reception or transmission of previously interrupted data can be promptly resumed.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of networks can be used, and an information terminal that can be called from outside via at least one of them can be used to call the information terminal. The user can be prompted to make a connection through another network that cannot be called from outside.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a configuration example of an information terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of an operation sequence according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing an example of an operation sequence of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing a rule example according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a network configuration example according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the information terminal according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an operation sequence according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing an example of an operation sequence of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 131 Information terminal 102 First network device 103 Second network device 104 First wireless base station 105 Second wireless base station 106 First network 107 Second network 108 Third network 109, 135 ... first server 110, 136 ... second server 111 ... relay server 112 ... router 132 ... network device 133 ... wireless base station 134 ... network 201 ... first interface 202 ... second Interfaces 203 and 232 Power supplies 204 and 233 Processors 205 and 235 Storage devices 206 and 235 Basic control programs 207 and 236 Application programs 208 and 237 Execution control functions 209 and 238 Interruption functions 210 and 239 Restart functions 211, 240: Notification availability setting function 212: Incoming notification operation control program 213, 241: In-range notification operation control program 214: Storage device management function 215: Power supply management function 216: Rule setting function

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/66 H04L 11/20 B 12/54 101B 12/58 (72) Inventor Tetsu Ozaki Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa No. 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Toshiba R & D Center (72) Inventor Mitsuru Kanda No. 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kochi-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan Toshiba R & D Center (72) 1 Toshiba Research and Development Center, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Jun Inoue 1 Toshiba Research and Development Center, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki City, Kawasaki Prefecture F-term ( (Reference) 5B011 EA02 EA04 MA13 MB07 5B089 GA04 GA21 GB01 KA04 KC28 MB01 5K030 GA16 GA20 HA06 HC01 HC09 HD03 HD05 JT02 JT09 LD13 5K067 AA25 BB04 BB21 DD13 DD23 DD51 E E02 FF17 GG11 KK05 9A001 BB04 CC03 CC05 HH34

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first interface means for a first network device capable of performing a first notification when a first network event occurs, and a second notification when a second network event occurs. A second interface device to a second network device capable of performing the notification, a notification permission / prohibition setting device for setting whether or not to perform a second notification in response to the occurrence of the second network event; and following the first notification. Determining whether or not to perform the second notification by controlling the notification enable / disable setting means based on operation control information obtained by communication performed by the first network device, and performing control based on the determination. Control means; a first notification from a first network device received by the first interface means, or An information terminal, comprising: start / resume means for starting or restarting the operation of the information terminal according to a second notification from the second network device received by the second interface means. 2. A step of setting a first network device to perform a first notification upon occurrence of a first network event, and starting an operation of the information terminal by the first notification from the first network device. Or restarting, and, based on the operation control information obtained by the communication performed by the first network device, determining whether the second network device issues a second notification due to the occurrence of the second network event. And, if necessary, temporarily setting or interrupting the processing of the information terminal after setting the second network device based on the determination; and operating the information terminal by the second notification from the second network device. Starting or resuming the communication. 3. A calling means for calling an information terminal connectable to a network via a first network device and a second network device via a first network device, and as a part of information for calling, As part of the information sent by the network connection established with the information terminal by the call, the information terminal
An information apparatus, comprising: a connection determination information transmitting unit that transmits, to an information terminal, information that can be used to determine whether to establish a connection with a network device. 4. Incoming connection means for connecting to a network via the first network device in response to a call to the first network device, a part of information for the call, or a connection established by the incoming connection means Connection necessity determining means for determining whether or not the information terminal establishes a connection with the second network device based on a part of the information received via the communication terminal; At any point in time, a connection means for connecting to a network via a second network device. 5. A resumption information storage means for storing information relating to interrupted data transfer, an interface means to a network device capable of notifying of a communicable state, and a response from the network device received by the interface means. Start / restart means for starting or restarting the operation of the information terminal in response to the notification of the communicable state, and the data which has been interrupted based on the information on the interrupted data transfer stored in the restart information storage means after the start / restart. An information terminal, comprising: data transfer restart means for restarting transfer. 6. A step of storing, when an information terminal interrupts a data transfer performed via a network, resumption information relating to the data transfer, a step of setting a network device to be notified of a communicable state, and Suspending or stopping the operation of the terminal, starting or resuming the operation of the information terminal by a notification of a communicable state from the network device, and, based on the stored restart information, suspending the data transfer. Restarting the communication control method.