JP5258059B2 - Communication terminal device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal device and a program, and more particularly to a communication terminal device and a program suitable for a mobile phone capable of handling a plurality of types of electronic mail.

  Mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones have become increasingly multifunctional and are equipped with various applications. In addition, mobile phones that are used in personal computers and the like, for example, operating on an OS (Operating System) such as Linux (trademark) are also being realized, and processing that has been performed in personal computers and the like has been implemented. But it has become feasible.

  Furthermore, for example, a general-purpose interface that can be adopted in a mobile phone such as MicroUSB (USB3.0) is becoming widespread, and an environment in which a mobile phone can be connected to an external device by high-speed data transfer is being prepared. For this reason, by connecting a display device or an input device (for example, a full-size keyboard or pointing device) provided as a general-purpose device to a mobile phone, it can be used with the same operability as a personal computer.

  As a result, there is no separate usage between the conventional personal computer and the mobile phone, and the mobile phone can be used as a personal computer only by having one mobile phone. In other words, when a mobile communication terminal is used alone, it becomes a form of use as a mobile phone utilizing the same portability as before, and it can be used as a personal computer by connecting various external devices in homes and offices. A usage form can be realized.

  In such a mobile communication terminal, an application for use as a mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as “mobile application”) and an application for use as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC application”) are mixed. It will be. Among these, for example, a message transmission / reception function (hereinafter referred to as “mail function”) such as e-mail and SMS (Short Messaging Service) is the same function, but is different for each mobile phone and personal computer. It becomes the function prepared by the method.

  That is, in a mobile phone, in particular, SMS or the like is transmitted through a network (so-called cellular network) provided for each communication carrier, while a mail function using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC mail”). ) Is usually transmitted via a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) based open network. That is, since SMS operates with a unique protocol for each communication carrier, the specification differs from PC mail that operates with a general-purpose protocol.

  Due to such differences in specifications, there is often no compatibility between the mailer of the mobile application (especially the application for SMS) and the mailer of the PC application. Therefore, even if both mobile phones and personal computers can be used with a single mobile communication terminal, the mail function and the like must be handled separately, which may hinder convenience.

  From such a situation, a technique for transferring an electronic mail received by a personal computer or the like to a mobile phone has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-256340 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, a message received by one of the methods is transferred so that it can be received by a mailer of another method, and both cannot be handled by one application (mailer). Also, if this technology is applied to a mobile communication terminal that uses both mobile phones and personal computers, each mailer in the mobile communication terminal will have duplicate messages with the same content and store it. In addition to pressing the capacity of the area more than necessary, there are inconveniences such as occurrence of unnecessary transmission / reception operations to be charged in some cases.

  In addition, the difference in the method in the mail function has the disadvantages described above, but may be a merit from the viewpoint of security. In other words, there are restrictions on the message capacity and attached files, and SMS transmitted via the cellular network has a relatively low possibility of being damaged by spam mail or virus mail. And virus mail are often included. For this reason, the form which uses SMS and PC mail intentionally intentionally from the point of security is also considered.

  In such a case, if the mailer of the PC application and the SMS mailer of the mobile application are simply integrated, the SMS address information etc. is illegal due to malware contained in the virus mail mixed in the PC mail. There is a risk of being acquired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve convenience of mail use in a communication terminal device while ensuring security.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication terminal apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail,
First application means for sending and receiving e-mail in a first e-mail format;
Second application means for performing an e-mail transmission / reception operation in a second e-mail format different from the first e-mail format;
First memory means for storing first electronic mail data transmitted and received by the first application means, and access from the second application means is prohibited;
Second memory means that is separated from the first memory means and constitutes a virtual file system;
Memory control means for storing, in the second memory means, first electronic mail data stored in the first memory means and second electronic mail data transmitted and received by the second application means; With
The second application means accesses the second memory means to obtain the first mail data and the second mail data;
It is characterized by that.

In the communication terminal device,
The memory control means receives the first e-mail data received by the first application means and stored in the first memory means in response to the reception operation by the second application means. It is desirable to convert it into an electronic mail format and store it in the second memory means.

The communication terminal device
When the second application means performs transmission in the first e-mail format, it is desirable to further include virtual communication means for performing a virtual transmission operation.
The virtual communication unit causes the second application unit to perform a transmission operation using the virtual communication unit as a mail server, and causes the first application unit to perform substantial transmission.
The second application means stores the e-mail sent to the virtual communication means in the second memory means,
Preferably, the memory control means converts the e-mail stored in the second memory means by the second application means into the first e-mail format and stores it in the first memory means. .

In the communication terminal device,
The second application means transmits and receives both e-mail in the first e-mail format and e-mail in the second e-mail format based on e-mail data stored in the second memory means. It is desirable to manage the history.

In the communication terminal device,
It is desirable that the memory control means erases the e-mail data stored in the second memory means when the second application means ends.

The communication terminal device is preferably a mobile phone terminal. In this case,
The first e-mail format is an e-mail format defined by a communication carrier related to the mobile phone terminal,
The second email format is preferably a general-purpose email format.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
In a computer that controls a communication terminal device that can send and receive e-mails,
A first application function for sending and receiving e-mail in a first e-mail format;
A second application function for performing an e-mail transmission / reception operation in a second e-mail format different from the first e-mail format;
A first memory function for storing first e-mail data transmitted / received by the first application function in a first memory means and prohibiting access from the second application function;
A second memory function that constitutes a virtual file system in a second memory means separated from the first memory means;
First electronic mail data stored in the first memory means by the first application function and second electronic mail data transmitted and received by the second application function are stored in the second memory means. Memory control function to store,
A function of allowing the second application function to access the second memory means to acquire the first email data and the second email data;
Is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience when using electronic mail while maintaining security.

It is a figure which shows typically the mobile communication terminal implement | achieved as a communication terminal device concerning this invention, the cradle connected to a mobile communication terminal, an external display apparatus, and an external input device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure implement | achieved by the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "mail integration process" concerning embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a “virtualization conversion process” executed in the “mail integration process” shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a “reception process” executed in the “mail integration process” shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a “virtual transmission process” executed in the “mail integration process” shown in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a “normalization conversion process” executed in the “mail integration process” shown in FIG. 4.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a mobile communication terminal as a communication terminal device used in a mobile phone or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System).

  The mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a mobile communication terminal having a display unit 132 as shown in FIG. In addition, a predetermined charging stand (cradle, stand, etc.) is used for charging a battery as an operation power source of the mobile communication terminal 100 or driving the mobile communication terminal 100 with a commercial power source. Cradle 200 ") is used. In this embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 100 is placed on the cradle 200 as shown in FIG.

  The mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is assumed to be a foldable type using, for example, a biaxial hinge or the like, and when placed on the cradle 200, as shown in FIG. The mobile communication terminal 100 is folded so that the portion 132) is exposed, and the display screen (display portion 132) is placed facing the front side of the cradle 200.

  In this case, the connector that connects the mobile communication terminal 100 and the cradle 200 is disposed on the side surface of the mobile communication terminal 100 on the mobile communication terminal 100 side. On the cradle 200 side, a connector is disposed on the placement surface of the cradle 200, and each connector is engaged when the mobile communication terminal 100 is placed on the cradle 200.

  The internal configuration of such a mobile communication terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 100. As illustrated, the mobile communication terminal 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication control unit 120, an output unit 130, an input unit 140, a memory unit 150, a connector unit 160, a storage unit 170, and the like.

  The control unit 110 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various drivers, and controls each unit of the mobile communication terminal 100 and is stored in the storage unit 170. Each process to be described later is executed based on a predetermined operation program. In addition, each structure of the mobile communication terminal 100 mentioned later is each connected with the control part 110, and data transmission / reception between each structure shall be performed via the control part 110. FIG.

  The communication control unit 120 includes, for example, a wireless communication circuit for cellular communication, and performs wireless communication via the antenna unit 123. The communication control unit 120 further includes a voice communication unit 121, a data communication unit 122, and the like.

  The voice communication unit 121 controls communication related to the voice call function of the mobile communication terminal 100. Here, for example, the antenna unit 123 is controlled to perform wireless communication for a voice call via a telephone line network such as a mobile communication network (cellular network), and perform voice encoding processing, decoding processing, and the like. Do it.

  The data communication unit 122 controls communication related to the data communication function of the mobile communication terminal 100. In this embodiment, for example, data communication via a communication network (cellular network) prepared by an entity (communication carrier) that provides mobile communication terminal communication service to the mobile communication terminal 100 is performed. The data communication unit 122 controls the antenna unit 123 to perform wireless connection and data transmission / reception.

  The voice communication unit 121 and the data communication unit 122 perform wireless communication with a base station installed and operated by a communication carrier that provides the mobile communication terminal 100 with a mobile communication service.

  The output unit 130 includes an audio output unit 131, a display unit 132, and the like, and performs various information output operations by the mobile communication terminal 100.

  The voice output unit 131 is configured by, for example, a speaker and outputs a ring tone or a received voice during a voice call.

  The display unit 132 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays various screens related to the function of the mobile communication terminal 100.

  The input unit 140 includes an operation unit 141, a voice input unit 142, and the like, and functions as an interface for user input to the mobile communication terminal 100.

  The operation unit 141 includes a keypad (character key (ten key), cross key, etc.) operated by a user, function buttons, and the like, and generates an input signal corresponding to the user operation and inputs the input signal to the control unit 110.

  The voice input unit 142 is composed of, for example, a microphone and inputs a user uttered voice during a voice call.

  The memory unit 150 is a so-called RAM (Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for various arithmetic processes in addition to loading a program executed by the control unit 110. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to functioning as a buffer memory for the mail function, a virtual file system (virtual drive) called a so-called RAM disk is constructed in the memory unit 150. In this case, the storage area used for the buffer memory (hereinafter referred to as “buffer area BF”) and the storage area used for the virtual drive (hereinafter referred to as “virtual drive RD”) are the same storage device (storage). Although it may be classified by addressing in the element), it is desirable to be classified by a physically different storage device (storage element).

  The connector unit 160 is a connector for connection with the cradle 200, and receives a commercial power source connected to the cradle 200 and transmits / receives a signal to / from an external device connected via the cradle 200. In this case, the connector part 160 shall be comprised by the connector etc. based on MicroUSB (USB3.0), for example.

  In this case, external devices such as the external display device 300 and the external input device 400 as shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the mobile communication terminal 100 via the cradle 200 by external interface means such as MicroUSB (USB3.0). Shall be. In the present embodiment, the cradle 200 is provided with a connection port, and signal transmission / reception with an external device connected to the connection port is performed via the connector unit 160.

  In the present embodiment, an external display device 300 and an external input device 400 as shown in FIG. 1 are assumed as external devices connected via the cradle 200.

  The external display device 300 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and is a display device capable of displaying an image signal transmitted by an external interface standard (for example, MicroUSB (USB3.0)) adopted by the connector unit 160. It shall be.

  The external input device 400 is assumed to be a character input device such as a keyboard, for example, and an input device capable of outputting an input signal according to an external interface standard (for example, MicroUSB (USB3.0)) adopted by the connector unit 160. Suppose that

  The storage unit 170 is configured by a predetermined storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, for example, and in addition to an operation program (application) executed by the control unit 110, data necessary for execution of each process, Stores data generated by execution of processing.

  The operation program stored in the storage unit 170 is an operation program for realizing each process to be described later in addition to an arbitrary basic program (that is, OS (Operating System)) that controls the basic operation of the mobile communication terminal 100. (Application programs, etc.) are stored. Processing performed by the mobile communication terminal 100 to be described later is realized by the control unit 110 executing these operation programs.

  In the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, an OS (hereinafter referred to as “PC OS”) that is also used in a personal computer such as Linux (trademark) is used.

  Further, by executing the operation program stored in the storage unit 170, the control unit 110 functions as a configuration as shown in FIG. As illustrated, the control unit 110 functions as an application execution unit 111, a memory control unit 112, a virtual communication unit 113, and the like.

  The application execution unit 111 executes various application programs stored in the storage unit 170. In the present embodiment, for example, an application related to a message transmission / reception function (mail function) such as e-mail or SMS (Short Messaging Service) is executed by the application execution unit 111.

  In addition, since the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment is operated by the OS for PC as described above, it can be used not only as a mobile phone but also as a personal computer (PC). That is, when the mobile communication terminal 100 is used alone, it is used in a usage form as a mobile phone, and when the external display device 300 or the external input device 400 is connected through the cradle 200 or the like. Is used in a usage form as a PC.

  In this case, the SMS that can be used in the mobile communication terminal 100 uses, for example, unique identification information (such as a telephone number) as a mobile phone as address information, and uses a cellular network provided by a communication carrier. Send and receive. In other words, a method (protocol) specific to the usage form as a mobile phone is used, and an application (mailer) executed when performing communication by such SMS is an application specific to the usage form as a mobile phone. (Mobile app).

  On the other hand, a general-purpose mailer (application) can be arbitrarily used for electronic mail (PC mail) when the mobile communication terminal 100 is used as a PC, and a TCP / IP-based open network (such as the Internet) is used. It is assumed that data is transmitted / received via the network. In other words, an application (mailer) that operates by a general-purpose protocol different from SMS and is executed when sending and receiving PC mail is a PC application (PC application).

  That is, the mobile communication terminal 100 includes a mobile application used in a usage form as a mobile phone and a PC application used in a usage form as a PC. In particular, the mail function as described above has substantially the same function contents, but different applications are prepared for the mobile phone and the PC. The application execution unit 111 selectively executes these applications. In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of security, it is assumed that SMS and PC mail are used separately.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 170 includes a mobile application area 171 that stores a program and data for a mobile application and a PC application area 172 that stores a program and data for a PC application. It is assumed that each is managed separately. Here, the mobile application area 171 and the PC application area 172 may be divided by being created in different areas (such as directories) in the same storage device. Since PC mail is properly used, it is desirable that the PC mail is physically separated. In addition, it is assumed that at least access restriction that restricts applications that can access the mobile application area 171 is performed.

  The memory control unit 112 controls the file system of the memory unit 150 and the storage unit 170. The memory control unit 112 constructs a virtual drive RD (RAM disk) in the memory unit 150 and inputs data to the virtual drive RD. Control the output. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the application execution unit 111 executes a PC application mailer (hereinafter referred to as “PC mailer”), an SMS mailer (hereinafter referred to as “SMS mailer”) of the mobile application is provided. It is assumed that the file system to be used is managed and the operation for constructing the virtual drive RD is performed. Such an operation is realized by a file image generation application (hereinafter referred to as “image generation application”) executed by the memory control unit 112.

  In this case, the memory control unit 112 also performs conversion of the message format between the PC mail and the SMS. Note that the operations related to the construction of the virtual drive RD and the message conversion use a known technique, and are realized by an image generation application executed by the memory control unit 112. Further, it is assumed that only the SMS mailer and the image generation application are permitted to access the mobile application area 171 due to the access restriction applied to the mobile application area 171.

  The virtual communication unit 113 cooperates with various drivers of the mobile communication terminal 100 as middleware, for example, so that when an SMS message (that is, a short message) is transmitted by the PC mailer, a virtual mail server ( Functions as a dummy communication middle). In this case, the virtual communication unit 113 functions as a transmission destination from the PC mailer, but the loopback address to the mobile communication terminal 100 is set in the virtual communication unit 113, so that the PC mailer can be sent to the outside. Short messages are not sent. That is, a virtual transmission operation is performed from the PC mailer. In this case, the virtual communication unit 113 controls the communication control unit 120 to perform a substantial transmission operation by transmitting the short message virtually transmitted from the PC mailer using the SMS protocol. .

  Each of the above functions realized by the control unit 110 is necessary when executing an application installed in the mobile communication terminal 100 by using a known technique such as an API (Application Programming Interface). File control, communication control, and the like are realized by cooperation with a shared module configured in the mobile communication terminal 100 such as an OS, middleware, or driver.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is logically realized by the control unit 110. For example, these are configured by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). These functions may be realized by a physical configuration.

  Each configuration of the mobile communication terminal 100 described above is a configuration necessary for realizing the present invention, and other configurations necessary for basic functions as the mobile communication terminal and configurations necessary for various additional functions. Etc. shall be provided as necessary.

  The operation of the mobile communication terminal 100 having the above configuration will be described below. Here, it is assumed that the external display device 300 and the external input device 400 are connected to the mobile communication terminal 100 and used as a PC (hereinafter referred to as “PC mode”). Further, it is assumed that the SMS mailer as a mobile application of the mobile communication terminal 100 performs a short message transmission / reception operation, and the mailer (PC mailer) as a PC application performs a PC mail transmission / reception operation.

  In this case, the SMS mailer and the PC mailer normally perform message transmission / reception operations independently, but in this embodiment, the PC mailer performs short message transmission / reception and history management in the PC mode. It is assumed that a “mail integration mode” is available. This “mail integration mode” is set arbitrarily by the user of the mobile communication terminal 100 to be valid or invalid, and setting information indicating which mode is set is, for example, , And stored in the PC application area 172.

  Here, it is assumed that the setting information indicating that the “mail integration mode” is “valid” includes mail server information used in virtual communication by the virtual communication unit 113. That is, a mailer (such as a PC mailer) realized by the application execution unit 111 includes mail server information including information indicating a port or an address different from the normal used in the transmission operation in the mail integration mode. When performing a transmission / reception operation, performs transmission / reception based on the mail server information.

  The “mail integration process” executed when the PC mailer is used in such a mobile communication terminal 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This “mail integration process” is started when any mailer (SMS mailer or PC mailer) is activated by the application execution unit 111.

  If the activated mailer is a PC mailer (step S101: Yes), the application execution unit 111 refers to the setting information stored in the PC application area 172, so that the “mail integration mode” is enabled. It is determined whether or not (step S102).

  Here, if the “mail integration mode” is enabled (step S102: Yes), the application execution unit 111 notifies the memory control unit 112 accordingly. In response to the notification from the application execution unit 111, the memory control unit 112 executes “virtualization conversion processing” (step S200). Here, the “virtualization conversion process” is performed by the memory control unit 112 executing the image generation application. This “virtualization conversion process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the process is started, the memory control unit 112 accesses the PC application area 172 of the storage unit 170, and acquires transmission / reception mails and the like (hereinafter referred to as “PC mail data”) accumulated so far by the PC mailer. The data is expanded in the buffer area BF of the memory unit 150 (step S201).

  When the PC mail data is expanded in the buffer area BF, the memory control unit 112 accesses the mobile application area 171 of the storage unit 170 and transmits / receives short message transmission / reception messages (hereinafter “short message data”) accumulated by the SMS mailer. ) Is acquired (step S202). The short message data acquired here is only a transmission / reception message, and the address book data for SMS stored in the mobile application area 171 is not acquired.

  The memory control unit 112 converts the acquired short message data into PC mail and adds it to the PC mail data developed in the buffer area BF of the memory unit 150 (step S203). In this case, on the buffer, for example, the messages are sorted in order of transmission / reception date and time, and identification information (for example, a flag) for distinguishing whether the message is a PC mail or a short message is attached to each message. .

  The memory control unit 112 newly constructs a virtual drive RD (RAM disk) in the memory unit 150, and integrates data (hereinafter referred to as “integrated mail data”) in which the short message and the PC mail in the buffer are integrated. Save to the virtual drive RD (step S204). When the integrated mail data is stored in the virtual drive RD, the memory control unit 112 notifies the application execution unit 111 (PC mailer) to that effect.

  The application execution unit 111 (PC mailer) displays the integrated message data stored in the virtual drive RD on the display screen of the PC mailer as sent / received mail so far (step S205), and displays “mail integration processing” (FIG. Return to the flow of 4).

  Through the “virtualization conversion process” as described above, a transmission / reception history such as a short message that must be handled separately for different protocols can be managed on the PC mailer in the same way as PC mail. In this case, since the file system directly referred to by the PC mailer is on the virtual drive RD (RAM disk) temporarily built in the memory unit 150, for example, the PC mailer is used for an illegal program such as a virus. Even if the situation is controlled, the mobile application area 171 storing the original data of the short message is not accessed. For this reason, the possibility that the address book data for SMS is accessed illegally can be reduced, and the security level when SMS and PC mail are used separately for security reasons can be maintained.

  In such a state, when a reception operation is performed by the PC mailer (step S103: Yes), the application execution unit 111 (PC mailer) executes “reception processing” (step S300). This “reception process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When a reception operation (manual or automatic reception every predetermined time) occurs in the PC mailer under the mail integration mode, the application execution unit 111 (PC mailer) communicates with the dummy communication middle realized by the virtual communication unit 113. Is performed (step S301). That is, communication for reception request is performed to the dummy communication middle which is a virtual mail server.

  In this case, the memory control unit 112 is excited by the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113), PC mail data is acquired from the PC application area 172 of the storage unit 170, and is expanded in the buffer area BF of the memory unit 150 (step). S302).

  Subsequently, the memory control unit 112 accesses the portable application area 171 of the storage unit 170, acquires short message data, and adds it to the PC mail data on the buffer (step S303). That is, the integrated mail data is developed in the buffer area BF by the same operation as that of Step S201 to Step S203 of the “virtualization conversion process” (FIG. 5).

  Next, the memory control unit 112 acquires the existing integrated mail data stored in the virtual drive RD of the memory unit 150 (step S304), and compares it with the integrated mail data expanded in the buffer (step S305). .

  The memory control unit 112 determines whether there is a difference as a result of the comparison (step S306). Here, although the PC mailer is executed, it is assumed that the SMS reception operation is performed in the background by the SMS mailer. In this case, if there is an incoming short message after the above-mentioned “virtualization conversion process” before this process (reception process) is performed, the short message data acquired in step S303 is newly received. A message (new message) is included.

  In this case, the data amount of the integrated mail data expanded in the buffer is larger than the existing integrated mail data in the virtual drive RD, resulting in a difference. In this case (step S306: Yes), the memory control unit 112 determines a difference message (new message) based on the identification information (flag) attached to each message of the integrated mail data developed on the buffer. ) Is a short message (step S307).

  If the new message is a short message (step S307: Yes), the memory control unit 112 notifies the virtual communication unit 113 (dummy communication middle) to that effect. In response to the notification from the memory control unit 112, the virtual communication unit 113 (dummy communication middle) virtually transmits a new arrival message to the application execution unit 111 (PC mailer) (step S308). As a result, the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) virtually receives the short message received by the SMS mailer.

  At this time, the virtual communication unit 113 (dummy communication middle) activates the SMS mailer (application execution unit 111), and adds a read mark to the new message (step S309).

  The PC mailer (application execution unit 111) that has virtually received the new short message stores the new message in the file system on the virtual drive RD (memory unit 150) (step S310), and stores the new message in the virtual drive RD. Is displayed and output (step S311). Thereby, a short message is also displayed as a new message in the PC mailer. At this time, for example, if the text of a new arrival message is automatically displayed, it is in a read state, so that it matches the read mark assigned on the SMS mailer.

  With such an operation, it is possible to substantially receive a short message by a receiving operation with the PC mailer. However, since the actual receiving operation is performed by the SMS mailer, the PC mailer is short-circuited by a virtual receiving operation. The message has been received. That is, the PC mailer does not participate in actual short message reception, and the newly received short message is referred to on the virtual disk temporarily built in the memory unit 150, so that the security independent Even with a PC mailer, it is possible to handle a message format unique to a mobile phone such as a short message.

  When there is no difference between the integrated mail data acquired by the PC mailer receiving operation and the existing integrated mail data in the virtual drive RD, that is, when no new message is received (step S306: No), the virtual drive The RD integrated mail data is not rewritten. In this case, the same state as before the reception operation is displayed by the PC mailer (step S311).

  If the new message is a PC mail (step S307: No), a normal reception operation is performed by the PC mailer (application execution unit 111). Here, the received PC mail is stored in the PC application area 172. In addition to storing, the integrated mail data of the virtual drive RD is also stored (step S310). In this case, the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) displays the integrated mail data of the virtual drive RD (step S311).

  After the above operation, the “reception process” is terminated, and the flow returns to the “mail integration process” (FIG. 4). If there is no reception operation on the PC mailer (step S103: No), the “reception process” (step S300) is not executed.

  If a short message transmission operation is performed using the PC mailer (step S104: Yes), a “virtual transmission process” is executed (step S400). This “virtual transmission process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When a short message transmission operation is performed, the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) writes the transmission message in the virtual drive RD (RAM disk) of the memory unit 150 (step S401), and performs a transmission operation. The transmission is based on the mail server information included in the setting information of the mail integration mode. Here, it is assumed that the mail server information includes a port number and an address destined for the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113). Therefore, the transmission operation by the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) is addressed to the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) (step S402), and is not actually transmitted to the outside of the mobile communication terminal 100.

  When the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) receives the short message virtually transmitted from the PC mailer (application execution unit 111), the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) activates the memory control unit 112 and is written in the virtual drive RD in step S401. The transmission message is stored in the mobile application area 171 (step S403). Here, since it is written in the virtual drive RD in the PC mail format, the memory control unit 112 converts it into the short message format and stores it in the mobile application area 171.

  At the same time, the virtual communication unit 113 activates the SMS mailer (application execution unit 111) to execute substantial transmission of the transmission message stored in the mobile application area 171 in step S403 (step S404). That is, the SMS mailer (application execution unit 111) controls the communication control unit 120 to perform a transmission operation using the SMS protocol.

  When the transmission is completed, the SMS mailer (application execution unit 111) returns a transmission completion notification to the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) (step S405). In this case, the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) notifies the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) of a transmission completion notification (step S406).

  The PC mailer (application execution unit 111) records that the transmission mail written in the virtual disk (memory unit 150) has been transmitted based on the transmission completion notification from the dummy communication middle (virtual communication unit 113) (step S1). S407), the flow returns to the "mail integration process" (FIG. 4).

  If a PC mail transmission operation is performed by the PC mailer (application execution unit 111) (step S105: Yes), a normal transmission operation is performed by the PC mailer. However, for the transmitted mail, the virtual drive RD is used. It is stored in (memory unit 150) (step S106).

  The above operation is repeated until the end of the PC mailer is instructed (step S107: No). When the termination of the PC mailer is instructed (step S107: Yes), the application execution unit 111 notifies the memory control unit 112 accordingly. In response to the notification from the application execution unit 111, the memory control unit 112 converts the integrated mail data in the virtual drive RD (memory unit 150), that is, the virtualized message data, for each message function (PC mail and mobile mail). (SMS)) is executed to return to the predetermined storage area (step S500). The “normalized conversion process” will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The memory control unit 112 accesses the virtual drive RD (RAM disk) constructed in the memory unit 150, and extracts the PC mail from the stored integrated mail data (step S501).

  When the extracted PC mail is stored in the PC application area 172 of the storage unit 170 (step S502), the memory control unit 112 deletes the data of the virtual drive RD (step S503) and ends the process.

  By such processing, a virtual drive RD (RAM disk) is constructed in the memory unit 150 only while PC mail is being executed, and a short message that is originally transmitted and received by the SMS mailer is stored. Then, the PC mailer operates so as to be able to access only the short message existing in the virtual drive RD, and the data in the virtual drive RD is erased when the PC mailer is terminated, so that security can be maintained.

  When the “normalization conversion process” ends, the process returns to the flow of “mail integration process” (FIG. 4), and the process ends.

  In the “mail integration process” flow, when the executed mailer is an SMS mailer (step S101: No), the process is ended as it is, and a normal operation by the SMS mailer is performed. That is, an operation in which the SMS mailer handles only mobile mail such as a short message is performed.

  If the mail integration mode is not set (step S102: No), even if the PC mailer is activated (step S101: Yes), the processing is terminated as it is. In this case, a normal operation by the PC mailer is performed. That is, an operation for handling only PC mail is performed, and the processing for integrating short messages as described above is not performed.

  As described above, by applying the present invention as in the above-described embodiment, different types of e-mails (for example, SMS unique to mobile phones and general-purpose e-mails) can be maintained while maintaining security. The convenience of a mobile phone terminal that can be handled by one application and can also function as a PC can be improved.

  The said embodiment is an example and the application range of this invention is not restricted to this. That is, various applications are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the external display device 300 and the external input device 400 are connected to the mobile communication terminal 100 via the cradle 200, but may be configured to be directly connected to the mobile communication terminal 100. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the read mark was given to the mail received by the SMS mailer, and the received mail was automatically displayed by the PC mailer, the example in which the read state was matched was shown. The method for managing the state of sent and received e-mails is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, the mail received by the SMS mailer while the PC mailer is activated is left in an unread state, and when the received mail is opened by the PC mailer, status information is transmitted via the virtual communication unit 113 or the like. The SMS mailer may be changed to a read state.

  In the above embodiment, an example of a transmission / reception operation in a state where the PC mailer is executed has been described. However, for example, the PC mailer is not activated by applying a technology such as cooperation between applications using an API. In this state, when the SMS mailer receives a short message, the PC mailer may be automatically activated to handle the received short message. Further, such an operation may be performed when the mobile communication terminal 100 is in the PC mode.

  In the above embodiment, SMS is exemplified as an e-mail using a protocol specific to a mobile phone. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the format is different from a general-purpose e-mail, and a mobile phone communication carrier provides a service. May be an email. In addition, the present invention may be applied to the mobile communication terminal 100 that can send and receive three or more types of e-mails, and two or more of the same type of e-mails may be included therein.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to control of an application related to transmission / reception of an electronic mail has been illustrated, but the present invention may be applied to an application other than electronic mail. That is, a secure file system can be realized by controlling access to a memory area used by one application and controlling the other application to use a temporary and separated memory area such as a virtual drive.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the communication terminal device according to the present invention is realized by a mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to the mobile communication terminal and is applied to various communication terminal devices. can do.

  Moreover, it can be made to function as a communication terminal device concerning this invention by applying a program not only to the communication terminal device previously provided with the structure concerning this invention but the existing communication terminal device. That is, the same program as the program executed by the control unit 110 exemplified in the above embodiment is applied to an existing communication terminal device, and the computer of the communication terminal device executes the program, so that the same program as the control unit 110 is executed. The function is realized and can function as a communication terminal device according to the present invention.

  The application method of such a program is arbitrary. For example, the program can be applied by being stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, or can be applied via a communication medium such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Mobile communication terminal 110 ... Control part 111 ... Application execution part 112 ... Memory control part 113 ... Virtual communication part 120 ... Communication control part 121 ... Voice communication part 122 ... Data communication part 130 ... Output unit 131... Audio output unit 132 132 display unit 140 input unit 141 operation unit 142 audio input unit 150 memory unit BF buffer area RD virtual drive (RAM disk) 160 ... Connector unit, 170 ... Storage unit, 171 ... Mobile application area, 172 ... PC application area, 200 ... Cradle, 300 ... External display device, 400 ... External input device

Claims (7)

A communication terminal device capable of sending and receiving electronic mail,
First application means for sending and receiving e-mail in a first e-mail format;
Second application means for performing an e-mail transmission / reception operation in a second e-mail format different from the first e-mail format;
First memory means for storing first electronic mail data transmitted and received by the first application means, and access from the second application means is prohibited;
Second memory means that is separated from the first memory means and constitutes a virtual file system;
Memory control means for storing, in the second memory means, first electronic mail data stored in the first memory means and second electronic mail data transmitted and received by the second application means; With
The second application means accesses the second memory means to obtain the first mail data and the second mail data;
A communication terminal device. The memory control means receives the first e-mail data received by the first application means and stored in the first memory means in response to the reception operation by the second application means. Converted into an e-mail format and stored in the second memory means;
The communication terminal device according to claim 1. Virtual communication means for performing a virtual transmission operation when the second application means transmits in the first e-mail format;
The virtual communication unit causes the second application unit to perform a transmission operation using the virtual communication unit as a mail server, and causes the first application unit to perform substantial transmission.
The second application means stores the e-mail sent to the virtual communication means in the second memory means,
The memory control means converts the e-mail stored in the second memory means by the second application means into the first e-mail format and stores it in the first memory means.
The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The second application means transmits and receives both e-mail in the first e-mail format and e-mail in the second e-mail format based on e-mail data stored in the second memory means. Manage history,
The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The memory control means erases the e-mail data stored in the second memory means when the second application means terminates;
The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The communication terminal device is a mobile phone terminal,
The first e-mail format is an e-mail format defined by a communication carrier related to the mobile phone terminal,
The second e-mail format is a general-purpose e-mail format.
The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is a device. In a computer that controls a communication terminal device that can send and receive e-mails,
A first application function for sending and receiving e-mail in a first e-mail format;
A second application function for performing an e-mail transmission / reception operation in a second e-mail format different from the first e-mail format;
A first memory function for storing first e-mail data transmitted / received by the first application function in a first memory means and prohibiting access from the second application function;
A second memory function that constitutes a virtual file system in a second memory means separated from the first memory means;
First electronic mail data stored in the first memory means by the first application function and second electronic mail data transmitted and received by the second application function are stored in the second memory means. Memory control function to store,
A function of allowing the second application function to access the second memory means to acquire the first email data and the second email data;
A program characterized by having executed.

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