GB2310343A

GB2310343A - Mobile phone with downloadable modem drivers

Info

Publication number: GB2310343A
Application number: GB9615233A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shin-Ichi Ishimoto
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 1996-02-19
Filing date: 1996-07-19
Publication date: 1997-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-19
Also published as: JPH09223088A; DE19632108A1; GB9615233D0; DE19632108C2; GB2310343B

Description

1 2310343 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION METHOD AND TELEPHONE

APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus, a communication method for use in the communication system, and a mobile telephone apparatus, and in particular, to a communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus with means for transferring a phone driver which is a software program for controlling an operation of a mobile telephone apparatus such as a portable telephone apparatus or the like, and to a communication method for use in the communication system, and a mobile telephone apparatus such a portable telephone apparatus or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a conventional portable telephone apparatus, there has been provided a special connector only for use in performing communication with an external apparatus such as an IC card type modem apparatus or the like which is a so- 2 called modem card to be mounted in a predetermined slot of a note type or laptop type portable type personal computer or microcomputer. The connector is connected to a communication circuit for inputting and outputting a signal from and to the external apparatus as mounted in the portable telephone apparatus. The modem apparatus is herein defined as a modulator and demodulator apparatus which modulates a carrier signal according to an analog telephone signal and then transmit a modulated signal, and which demodulates a received analog telephone signal so as to convert the analog telephone signal into a data signal in order telephone computer order to telephone to perform communication by way of, for example, a line.

When performing communication from a personal by means of a portable telephone apparatus, in directly control the operation of the portable apparatus via a modem card from the personal computer, a phone driver to be used as a software program which is different from the others depending on the system and model of each portable telephone apparatus and controls the operation of the portable telephone apparatus is required to be loaded into a RAM inside the modem card from a floppy disk mounted in a floppy disk drive apparatus or a storage apparatus connected to the personal computer. When the loading of the phone driver into the modem card is completed, communication is allowed to be performed by connecting the modem card with the portable telephone apparatus by way of a special cable, and accessing from the personal computer to, for example, a computer for personal computer communication by means of the portable telephone apparatus.

Therefore, in a communication system provided with a modem card and a portable telephone apparatus, when the portable telephone apparatus is directly controlled from the personal computer via the modem card so that, for example, automatic calling or automatic answering is effected, the phone driver which is different from the others depending on the system and model of each portable telephone apparatus is required to be loaded into the modem card from the personal computer. Therefore, when the portable telephone apparatus for use therein is changed, a phone driver is to be loaded on all such occasions. This has caused such a problem that the phone driver is required to be always stored in the storage apparatus to be mounted in or connected to the personal computer.

SUMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is therefore to provide a communication system which is provided with a mobile telephone apparatus such as a portable telephone apparatus or the like and a modem is is apparatus and which requires no storage of a phone driver in a storage apparatus of a personal computer.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a communication method for use in a communication system provided with a mobile telephone apparatus such as a portable telephone apparatus or the like and a modem apparatus, the communication method requiring no storage of a phone driver in a storage apparatus of a personal computer.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a mobile telephone apparatus which requires no storage of a phone driver in a storage apparatus of the personal computer.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, a communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus, wherein said mobile telephone comprises:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; apparatus is first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means, transferring the phone driver to second storage means of said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and first control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to said second storage means connected to said modem apparatus when said transfer command is inputted by said first input means, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises:

said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and second control means for receiving said at least one phone driver transmitted by said first control means, writing the phone driver into said second storage means, and thereafter controlling the operation of said mobile telephone apparatus based on a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus; 6 wherein said mobile comprises:

one phone said f irst telephone apparatus first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; and third control means for reading out said at least driver stored in said f irst storage means from storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises: said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and fourth control means for transferring the transfer request signal to said third control means of said mobile telephone apparatus in response to the transfer request signal outputted from a control apparatus to said modem apparatus, receiving said at least driver transmitted by said third control means in response to said transfer of the transfer request signal, writing the phone driver into said second storage means, and thereafter controlling the operation of said mobile connected one nhone 7 - telephone apparatus based on a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means.

In the above-mentioned communication system, said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus.

In the above-mentioned communication system, said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.

In the above-mentioned communication system, said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

In the above-mentioned communication system, said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

In the above-mentioned communication system, said mobile telephone apparatus further comprises a mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method for use in a communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus having first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for a modem is apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, and said modem apparatus, said method including the following steps of:

reading out said at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to an inputted transfer command; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the phone driver into said second storage means.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method for use in a communication system comprising a modem apparatus, and a mobile telephone apparatus having first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for a modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparacus connected to said modem apparatus, said method including the following steps:

transferring a transfer request signal outputted from said control apparatus via said modem apparatus to said mobile telephone apparatus; reading out at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to 9 is second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to said transfer request signal; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the 'phone driver into said second storage means.

According to a still more further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means, transferring the phone driver to second storage means of said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and first control means for reading out said at least driver stored in said first storage means from storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus when said transfer command is inputted by said first input means.

one phone said f irst apparatus is According to a more still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control connected to said modem apparatus; and third control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus.

In the above-mentioned mobile telephone apparatus, said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus.

In the above-mentioned mobile telephone apparatus, said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.

In the above-mentioned mobile telephone apparatus, said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

In the above-mentioned mobile telephone apparatus, said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

The above-mentioned mobile telephone apparatus preferably further comprising:

mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.

With the above-mentioned arrangement, the abovementioned control apparatus controls the modem apparatus to allow the operation such as a calling process and an answering process of the mobile telephone apparatus or the like to be controlled. Therefore, even when the mobile telephone apparatus is replaced by, for example, a mobile telephone apparatus of another model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the mobile telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous effect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each model can be obviated.

In each of the above-mentioned communication systems, the phone driver is preferably a program data which is different from the others depending on the system and model of each mobile telephone apparatus. Therefore, 12 is even when the mobile telephone apparatus is replaced by a mobile telephone apparatus of other system and model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the mobile telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous effect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each system and model can be obviated.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, the phone driver is preferably a program data which is different from the others depending on the model of each modem apparatus. Therefore, even when the modem apparatus is replaced by a modem apparatus of another model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the mobile telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous effect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each model can be obviated.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the first storage means preparatorily or previously stores at least one phone driver. Since the phone driver has been stored, there is no need to the first storage means after preparatorily or previously load the phone driver into the manufacturing stage.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and at least 13 - is one phone driver is written into the first storage means by the data writing apparatus of the storage device. Therefore, by virtue of the data writing apparatus, the phone driver can be arbitrarily rewritten.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the mobile telephone apparatus is further provided with a mounting means for detachably mounting the first storage means. Therefore, the first storage means storing the phone driver can be easily replaced with the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings throughout which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a communication system provided with a portable telephone apparatus, an IC card type modem apparatus and a personal computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an appearance view of a communication system shown in Fig. 1, showing a construction of the system; - 14 Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a construction of a communication system provided with a portable telephone apparatus, an IC card type modem apparatus and a personal computer according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a control flowchart showing a control process for transferring a phone driver in the communication system of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 5 is a control flowchart showing a control process for transferring a phone driver in the communication system of the second preferred embodiment; and Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process in each of the IC card modem apparatuses of the f irst and second preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. First nreferred embodiment Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a communication system provided with a portable telephone apparatus, an IC card type modem apparatus and a personal computer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an external view of - is - the. communication system, showing a construction of the system.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the communication system of the first preferred embodiment comprises a portable telephone apparatus 300, an IC card type modem apparatus (referred to as a modem apparatus hereinafter) 200 which is a so-called modem card, and a note type or laptop type portable type personal computer 100. The portable telephone apparatus 300 is characterized in comprising a phone driver ROM 33 which preparatorily or previously stores a plurality of N phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N, and a plurality of N switches SW-1 to SW-N (the symbols collectively referred to as a SW-n (n = 1, 2, N) hereinafter) for indicating which one of the phone drivers PD-1 to PD- N is to be read out from the phone driver ROM 33 and then transmitted to a RAM 12 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to transfer and write the phone driver into the RAM 12. It is to be noted herein that the phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N are software program data for the modem apparatus 200 for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300, and the phone drivers PD1 to PD-N are different from each other depending on the system and model of the portable telephone apparatus 300. In this case, the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300 to be controlled includes a calling process, is 16 - an answering process and so forth, and more concretely, the processes of the on-hook, the off-hook, the selection signal transmission, and so forth.

It is to be noted in the present specification that the CPU is a central processing unit, the ROM is a read only memory, and the RAM is a random access memory.

The modem apparatus 200 has its circuit formed inside an IC card type package, and as shown in Fig. 2, a connector W1 of the modem apparatus 200 is directly connected to a connector W2 of the personal computer 100, or the control apparatus.

mounted in the personal computer 100. telephone with the cable CB1 is personal The IC card type package is The portable apparatus 300 having an antenna 25 is connected modem apparatus 200 by way of a communication having connectors CN3 and W4 at its both ends.

Referring to Fig. 1, the connector W2 of the computer 100 is connected to the bus of the personal computer 100 via an interface circuit (not shown), and the personal computer 100 is connected with a keyboard 101 for inputting data or command data and a CRT display 102 for displaying a processed result and so forth of the personal computer 100.

A modem circuit 10 is a control circuit provided with a CPU for controlling the operation of the modem apparatus. The modem circuit 10 is connected with a ROM 11 17 - is which stores a program for controlling the operation of the modem apparatus and data required for executing the program, a RAM 12 which is used as a work area in executing the program and stores a phone driver for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300, a personal computer interface (referred to as a PC interface hereinafter) 13, a network control circuit (referred to as an NW circuit hereinafter) 14, and a portable telephone interface 15.

The connector CN2 of the personal computer 100 is connected to a personal computer interface (referred to as a PC interface hereinafter) 13 via the connector W1 of the modem apparatus 200. The PC interface 13 is a circuit for executing an interfacing process such as signal conversion between the personal computer 100 and the modem circuit 10 and the like. The PC interface 13 receives control data such as an AT command for controlling the modem circuit 10 or the like and a signal data to be transmitted from the personal computer 100 via the connectors CN2 and W1, and thereafter outputs the control data to the modem circuit 10. The PC interface 13 also outputs the signal data received by the modem circuit 10 and the response data generated in the modem circuit 10 in response to the control data to the personal computer 100 via the connectors CN1 and W2.

Furthermore, the NCU circuit 14 is connected to a paired telephone line 16 connected to a telephone exchange unit of a common carrier. When performing communication from the personal computer 100 using the modem apparatus 200, the personal computer 100 is not on the desk top but taken out for portable use, and therefore, it is not connected to the telephone line 16. The portable telephone interface 15 is a circuit which executes an interfacing process such as signal conversion between the modem circuit 10 and the portable telephone apparatus 300 or the like, and is connected to a CPU 20 via the connector CM, the communication cable CB1, the connector CN4, and an IC card interface 35 inside the portable telephone apparatus 300.

The modem circuit 10 provided in a form of, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) executes a control setting process in the modem circuit 10 in response to control data inputted from the personal computer 100 via the connectors CN2 and M1 and the PC interface 13, and outputs a response data and a control data corresponding to a line control signal such as a ringing signal (calling signal) from the NCU circuit 14 or the portable telephone apparatus 300 to the personal computer 100 via the PC interface 13 and the connectors CNi and W2, or the like. Further, the modem circuit 10 modulates a carrier wave signal in accordance with a signal data inputted from the 19 is personal computer 100 via the connectors W2 and W1 and the PC interface 13 using a digital modulation method such as FSK, PSK, QAM, or the like so as to convert the signal data into a modulated signal, and then transmits the modulated signal to the telephone line 16 via the NCU circuit 14 or to the portable telephone apparatus 300 via the portable telephone interface 15. Reversely, the modem circuit 10 demodulates a modulated signal received from the telephone line 16 via the NCU circuit 14 or a modulated signal received from the portable telephone apparatus 300 via the portable telephone interface 15 so as to convert the modulated signal into a signal data, and thereafter outputs the demodulated signal to the personal computer 100 via the PC interface 13 and the connectors W1 and W2.

The NCU circuit 14 provided in a form of, for example, an IC is connected between the modem circuit 10 and the telephone line 16 and operates to automatic response to comnuter 100 1 execute off-hook or on-hook to the telephone line 16 in control data inputted from the personal via the PC interface 13 and the modem circuit 10, generate a selection signal, i.e., a dial pulse signal (DP signal) or a push-button signal (PB signal or DTMF signal) and transmit the signal to the telephone line 16.

A ringing signal detecting circuit provided in the NCU circuit 14 detects a ringing signal inputted via the - telephone line 16, generates a detection signal having, for example, High level and outputs the detection signal to the modem circuit 10 in response to this, so that the ringing signal detecting circuit informs the modem circuit 10 of the event of the call in. In response to this, the modem circuit 10 outputs a control data representing the call of the ringing signal to the personal computer 100 via the PC interface 13.

The portable telephone apparatus 300 comprises a CPU 20 for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300, a microphone 21, a loudspeaker 22, a modulator and demodulator 23, a transmitter and receiver 24, and an antenna 25. The CPU 20 is connected to a ROM 31 for storing a program for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300 and data required for executing the program, a RAM 32 which is used as a work area in executing the program, an IC card interface 35, a key interface 36, a phone driver ROM 33, and a ROM writer interface 34. In this case, the IC card interface 35 is a circuit for executing an interfacing process such as signal conversion between the CPU 20 and the modem apparatus 200, or the like. The interface is a predetermined serial interface such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) or the like. The key interface 36 is grounded via the switches SW-1 to SW-N for deciding which 21 - one of the phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N is to be read out from the phone driver ROM 33 and then transmitted to the RAM 12 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to transfer and write the phone driver into the RAM 12. When one switch SW-n is turned on, the key interface 36 informs the CPU 20 of the event that the switch Sw-n is turned on.

The phone driver ROM 33 is implemented by, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable programmable read only memory: Electrically Erasable ROM), and the phone driver ROM 33 preparatorily or previously stores a plurality of N phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N which are different from each other depending on the of each portable telephone apparatus 300.

ROM 33 is connected via the ROM writer connector CNS, a communication cable CB2 CN6 to a ROM writer circuit 50 of a ROM 400 which is a data writing apparatus for this case, the ROM writer interface executing an interfacing process such between the ROM writer circuit 50 and system and model The phone driver interf ace 34, a and a connector writer apparatus the ROM 33. In 34 is a circuit for as signal conversion the phone driver ROM 33, or the like. The phone driver ROM 33 is detachably mounted in a ROM socket 33s which is a mounting means of the ROM. When the program data in the phone driver ROM 33 is desired to be rewritten, the ROM can be subjected to electrical erasing or writing by the ROM writer apparatus 22 is 400 as described in detail later, or the phone driver ROM 33 can be removed to be replaced by a ROM for storing another phone driver.

The ROM writer circuit 50 is connected to a keyboard 51 for inputting such data as a program data and a command data to the ROM writer circuit 50 and a liquid crystal display 52 for displaying the operation and the input data of the ROM writer circuit 50. In response to a command inputted by means of the keyboard 51, the ROM writer circuit 50 erases a predetermined one or plurality of phone drivers out of the phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N via the ROM writer interface 34, and transmits another phone driver to the phone driver ROM 33 so as to transfer and write the phone driver into the ROM 33.

The operations of 23 and the transmitter and the CPU 20. The modulator carrier wave signal having a predetermined modulation the modulator and demodulator receiver 24 are controlled by and demodulator 23 modulates a an intermediate frequency using method such as FM, PSK or the like in accordance with an audio signal of a sound or speech inputted via the microphone 21 so as to convert the audio signal into a modulated intermediate signal, and further demodulates a received intermediate frequency signal outputted from the transmitter and receiver 24 using the predetermined demodulation system so as to convert the - 23 is receivedsignal into an audio signal and output the audio signal to the loudspeaker 22. The transmitter and receiver 24 f requency- converts the modulated intermediate frequency signal outputted from the modulator and demodulator 23 into a radio signal having a predetermined radio frequency to subsequently effect power amplification and radiate the radio signal from the antenna 25, and effects low-noise amplification of a radio signal received by the antenna 25 and frequency-conversion of the signal into an intermediate frequency signal having a predetermined intermediate frequency to output the resulting intermediate signal to the modulator and demodulator 23.

A loading process of the phone driver PD-n according to the first preferred embodiment constructed as above will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. First of all, when one switch SW-n is turned on, the key interface 36 informs the CPU 20 of the event that the switch SW-n is turned on. In response to this, the CPU 20 reads out the phone driver PDn corresponding to the switch SW-n from the phone driver ROM 33, and transmits the phone driver to the modem circuit 10 via the IC card interface 35, the connector CN4, the communication cable CB1, the connector CN3 and the portable telephone interface 15. Subsequently, the modem circuit 10 Writes the received phone driver PD-n into the RAM 12 and uses the phone driver 24 is PD-n as the program of the modem apparatus 200 for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300.

A control process to be executed by the modem circuit 10 of the modem apparatus 200 will be described next with reference to Fig. 6. It is to be noted that data input and output processes of the modem circuit 10 are executed in an interrupt process of the above-mentioned process.

First of all, in step Si, the modem circuit 10 decides whether or not a phone driver is loaded in the RAM 12. When no phone driver is loaded, the personal computer 100 is informed of the fact in step S2, and the process abnormally terminates. When a phone driver is loaded (YES in step Si), it is decided in step S3 whether or not the selection signal is received from the personal computer 100, and the program waits until the occurrence of reception. When the selection signal is received, an offhook signal and the selection signal are transmitted to portable telephone apparatus 300 in step S4. That those data are transmitted from the modem circuit 10 the is, via the portable telephone interface 15, the connector CN3, the communication cable CBI, the connector CN4, and the IC card interface 35 to the CPU 20 so as to be transferred. In this case, as shown in a response step NI, in response to - this, the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 dispatches a call by the received selection signal to achieve connection with the modem apparatus of the other party. Therefore, the modem apparatus 200 connected to the portable telephone apparatus 300 is connected to the modem apparatus of the other party by way of the line of the portable telephone apparatus 300. Then, in step S5, the modem circuit 10 performs communication with the modem apparatus of the other party. Then, in step S6, it is decided whether or not the communication is completed. When the communication is not completed, the process of the step SS is repeated. When the communication is completed in step S6, an on-hook signal is transmitted to the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 in step S7. In response to this, the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 effects on-hook in a response step N2 to complete the control process.

In the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment, the phone driver is not supplied from the personal computer 100 to the modem apparatus 200, but the phone driver is stored in a memory of the portable telephone apparatus 300. In concrete, a plurality of N phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N are preparatorily or previously stored in the phone driver ROM 33, and when the switch SW-n is turned on, the phone driver PD-n corresponding to the switch SW-n is read out from the phone driver ROM 33 and is transmitted or transferred to the RAM 12 inside the modem apparatus 200 so as to be transferred and loaded, so that the personal computer 100 controls the modem circuit 10 to allow the operation such as a calling process and an answering process of the portable telephone apparatus 300 or the like to be controlled. Therefore, even when the portable telephone apparatus 300 is replaced by a portable telephone apparatus of another model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the portable telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous effect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each model can be obviated.

In the above-mentioned first preferred embodiment, with regard to the phone driver in the phone driver ROM 33, phone drivers which are different from each other depending on the system and model of the portable telephone apparatus are stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is acceptable to store a plurality of phone drivers in the phone driver ROM 33 according to the model of the modem apparatus 200 and provide switches SW-n corresponding to these phone drivers. With this arrangement, by turning on the switch SW-n corresponding to the modem apparatus 200 which is desired to be loaded, the phone driver corresponding to the switch Sw-n is read out from the phone driver ROM 33 and then is transmitted or transferred to the RAM 12 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to be transferred and written into the RAM 12. In this case, even when the modem apparatus 200 is replaced with the other, the phone driver conforming to the modem apparatus 200 can be loaded into the P-AM 12 because the phone driver is stored in a memory of the portable telephone apparatus 300. Furthermore, the above-mentioned phone driver may be different from the others depending on the system and model of the portable telephone apparatus and be different from the others depending on the modem apparatus 200.

Second preferred embodiment Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a construction of a communication system provided with a portable telephone apparatus, an IC card type modem apparatus and a personal computer according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3, the same romponents as those of Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

According to the communication system of the second preferred embodiment, its portable telephone apparatus 300a is provided with neither the key interface 36 nor the switches SW-1 to SW-N as compared with the first preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The reading-out and - 28 is loading of the phone driver PD-n from the phone driver ROM 33 are executed by inputting a command data by means of the keyboard 101 of the personal computer 100, so that a phone driver transfer request signal including a loading command data of a phone driver PD-n is transmitted to the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 via the modem circuit 10 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to be transferred. In response to this, the CPU 20 reads out the phone driver PDn from the phone driver ROM 33. After the phone driver PDn is transmitted to the modem circuit 10 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to be transferred, the modem circuit 10 writes the received phone driver PD-n into the RAM 12 and uses the phone driver PD-n as the program of the modem apparatus 200 for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300. Each different point will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 5, by inputting a command data for reading out the phone driver PD-n in the phone driver ROM 33 and transmitting the phone driver to the RAM 12 so as to transfer and load the same by means of the keyboard 101 of the personal computer 100, the phone driver transfer request signal including the loading command data of the phone driver PD- n is transmitted via the PC interface 13 to the modem circuit 10 of the modem apparatus 200 to be transferred. In response to this, the modem circuit 10 29 transmits the phone driver transfer request signal to the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 via the portable telephone interface 15 and the IC card interface 35 so as to transfer the signal. In response to this, the CPU 20 reads out the phone driver PD-n from the phone driver ROM 33, and transmits the phone driver to the modem circuit 10 via the IC card interface 35, the connector W4, the communication cable CB1, the connector CN3 and the portable telephone interface 15 so as to transfer the phone driver. Subsequently, the modem circuit 10 writes the received phone driver PD-n into the RAM 12 and uses the received phone driver PD-n as the program of the modem apparatus 200 for controlling the operation of the portable telephone apparatus 300.

In the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment, the phone driver is not supplied from the personal computer 100 to the modem apparatus 200, but the phone driver is stored in a memory of the portable telephone apparatus 300. In concrete, by preparatorily or previously storing a plurality of N phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N in the phone driver ROM 33 and inputting a command data by means of the keyboard 101 of the personal computer 100, the phone driver transfer request signal for commanding the reading-out and loading of the phone driver PD-n corresponding to this is transmitted from the personal - 30 is computer 100 to the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 via the modem circuit 10 so as to be transferred. In response to this, by reading out the phone driver PD-n corresponding to this from the phone driver ROM 33 and transmitting the phone driver to the RAM 12 inside the modem apparatus 200 so as to transfer and load the phone driver PD-n, the personal computer 100 controls the modem circuit 10 to allow the operation such as a calling process and an answering process of the portable telephone apparatus 300 or the like to be controlled. Therefore, even when the portable telephone apparatus 300 is replaced by a portable telephone apparatus of another model, the phone driver is merely required to be loaded from the portable telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous effect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each model can be obviated.

In the above-mentioned second preferred embodiment, with regard to the phone driver in the phone driver ROM 33, phone drivers which are different from each other depending on the system and model of the portable telephone apparatus are stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is acceptable to store a plurality of phone drivers which are different from each other depending on the model of the modem apparatus 200 into the phone driver ROM 33 and generate the phone 31 - driver transfer request signal by inputting a command data corresponding to any of the phone drivers by means of the keyboard 101. With this arrangement, the phone driver transfer request signal including a predetermined code for requesting the transmission for transfer of one phone driver PD-n corresponding to the model of the modem apparatus 200 is transmitted from the personal computer 100 via the modem circuit 10 to the CPU 20 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 so as to be transferred. In response to this, the phone driver corresponding to this is read out from the phone driver ROM 33 and transmitted to the RAM 12 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to be transferred and written into the RAM 12. In this case, even when the modem apparatus 200 is replaced with the other, the phone driver conforming to the modem apparatus 200 can be loaded into the RAM 12 because the phone driver is stored in a memory of the portable telephone apparatus 300. Furthermore, the phone driver may be different from the others depending on the system and model of the portable telephone apparatus and be different from the others depending on the modem apparatus 200.

Modification examDle The above-mentioned preferred embodiments each employ the IC card type modem apparatus 200 which is the so-called modem card and executes communication by way of 32 is the telephone line 16. However, the present invention is not limited to this, i.e., is not limited to the IC card type modem apparatus, and may be a so-called box type modem apparatus to be placed on desk top. Furthermore, the modem apparatus may be a communication apparatus which is a socalled digital communication card which executes communication by way of a digital communication line such as the ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, the DDX (Digital Data Exchange) line, or the like.

Furthermore, the portable telephone apparatus 300 may be a simple type portable telephone apparatus such as a personal handy phone system (PHS) or the like, or may be a mobile telephone apparatus of another type such as a land mobile radiotelephone, a shoulder suspension type telephone apparatus, or the like.

The above-mentioned preferred embodiments each employ the phone driver ROM 33 implemented by an EEPROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be an EPROM whose internal data can be erased by an ultraviolet ray or an nonvolatile memory such as a ROM or the like whose data cannot be erased.

In each of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the phone drivers PD-1 to PD-N are preparatorily or previously stored in the phone driver ROM 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, is and the phone driver ROM 33 may have a blank state in which no phone driver program data is stored in the manufacturing stage. In this case, it is acceptable to provide the portable telephone apparatus 300 with a ROM writer apparatus and transmit a phone driver from the personal computer 1 telephone 00 to the phone driver ROM 33 of the portable apparatus 300 via the modem circuit 10 of the modem apparatus 200 so as to transfer and write the phone driver after the portable telephone apparatus 300 is manufactured. Otherwise, it is acceptable to provide the portable telephone apparatus 300 with a ROM writer apparatus and transmit a phone driver to the phone driver ROM 33 of the portable telephone apparatus 300 by way of the radio communication line of the portable telephone apparatus from a storage device such as a phone driver ROM of the portable telephone apparatus of the other party or the like which is in communication with the portable telephone apparatus 300 so as to transfer and write the phone driver after the portable telephone apparatus 300 is manufactured.

In each of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the interface between the portable telephone interface 15 and the IC card interface 35 may be implemented by, for example, an RS-232C interface.

- 34 In each of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, one phone driver is transmitted so as to be transferred. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of phone drivers may be transmitted to the RAM 12 so as to be transferred and written into the RAM 12.

With the above-mentioned arrangement, the abovementioned control apparatus controls the modem apparatus to allow the operation such as a calling proced-s and an answering process of the mobile telephone apparatus or the like to be controlled. Therefore, even when the mobile telephone apparatus is replaced by, for example, a mobile telephone apparatus of another model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the mobile telephone apparatus, that the model can systems, which is and model and this lead to such an advantageous effect need of carrying about the phone driver of each be obviated.

In each of the above-mentioned communication the phone driver is preferably a program data different from the others depending on the system of each mobile telephone apparatus. Therefore, even when the mobile telephone apparatus is replaced by a mobile telephone apparatus of other system and model, the phone driver is only required to be loaded from the mobile telephone apparatus, and this lead to such an advantageous - ef f ect that the need of carrying about the phone driver of each system and model can be obviated.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the first storage means preparatorily one phone driver. Since preparatorily or previously load the phone driver into the manufacturing stage.

Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and at least one phone driver is written into the first storage means by the data writing apparatus of the storage device. Therefore, by virtue of the data writing apparatus, the phone driver can be arbitrarily rewritten.

or previously stores at least the phone driver has been stored, there is no need to the first storage means after 36 Furthermore, in each of the above-mentioned communication systems, it is preferable that the mobile telephone apparatus is further provided with a mounting means for detachably mounting the first storage means. Therefore, the first storage means storing the phone driver can be easily replaced with the other.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

Claims

CLAIMS is 1. A communication system comprising a mobile telephone

apparatus and a modem apparatus, wherein said mobile telephone apparatus comprises:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means, transferring the phone driver to second storage means of said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and first control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storaqe means and transmitting the phone driver to said second storage means connected to said modem apparatus when said transfer command is inputted by said first input means, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises:

said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and 38 second control means for receiving said at least one phone driver transmitted by said first control means, writing the phone driver into said second storage means, and thereafter controlling the operation of the mobile telephone apparatus based on a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means. a mobile
2. A communication system comprising telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus; wherein said mobile telephone apparatus comprises:

for storing at least one program data for said modem for controlling operation of said mobile apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control connected to said modem apparatus; and third control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises: said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and first storage meanE phone driver which is a apparatus telephone annaratus 39 fourth control means for transferring the transfer request signal to said third control means of said mobile telephone apparatus in response to the transfer request signal outputted from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus, receiving said at least one phone driver transmitted by said third control means in response to said transfer of the transfer request signal, writing the phone thereafter controlling the operation of said telephone apparatus based on a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means.
3. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus.
4. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.
5. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

driver into said second storage means, and mobile - 40
6. The communication system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.
7. The communication system as claimed in Claim 1, is wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.
8. The communication system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.
9. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said mobile telephone apparatus further comprises a mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.
10. A communication method for communication system comprising a use in a mobile telephone 41 is apparatus having first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for a modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, and said modem apparatus, said method including the following steps of:

reading out said at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to an inputted transfer command; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the phone driver into said second storage means.
11. A communication method for use in a communication system comprising a modem apparatus, and a mobile telephone apparatus having first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for a modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus, said method including the following steps:

transferring a transfer request signal outputted from said control apparatus via said modem apparatus to said mobile telephone apparatus; 42 - is reading out at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to said transfer request signal; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the phone driver into said second storage means.
12. A mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means, transferring the phone driver to second storage means of said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and first control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus 43 when said transfer command is inputted by said first input means.

is
13. A mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; and third control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus.
14. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus.
15. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.

- 44 is
16. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.
17. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.
18. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.
19. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.
20. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising:

mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.
21. A communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
22. A communication method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A mobile telephone apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

23. A mobile telephone apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

( _ L, - Amendments to the claims have been f lied as follows CLAIMS is 1. A communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus, wherein said mobile telephone apparatus comprises:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said f irst storage means f rom said f irst storage means, transferring the phone driver to said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and f irst control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said f irst storage means from said f irst storaqe means and transmitting the phone driver to said Second storage means connected to said modem apparatus when said transfer command is inputted by said first input means, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises:

said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and k is second control means for receiving said at least one phone driver transmitted by said first control means, writing the phone driver into said second storage means, and thereafter controlling the operation of the mobile telephone apparatus based an a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means.

2. A communication system comprising a mobile telephone apparatus and a modem apparatus; wherein said mobile telephone apparatus comprises:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; and - third control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus, and wherein said modem apparatus comprises:

said second storage means for storing at least one phone driver; and 1, C4 t-l,' 0 j fourth control means for transferring the transfer request signal to said third control means of said mobile telephone apparatus in response to the transfer request signal outputted from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus, receiving said at least one phone driver transmitted by said third control means in response to said transfer of the transfer request signal, writing the phone driver into said second storage means, and thereafter controlling the operation of said mobile telephone apparatus based on a predetermined control data from said control apparatus according to the phone driver written in said second storage means.

The communication system as claimed in Claim 1 ' wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus. 4. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.

5. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

_7 2, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

7. The communication system as claimed in Claim LL,-_i 6. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

8. The communication system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

9. The communication system as claimed in Claim wherein said mobile telephone apparatus further comprises a mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.

10. A communication method for use in a communication system comprising a mobile telephone -50 is apparatus one phone apparatus telephone apparatus apparatus having first storage means for storing at least driver which is a program data for a modem for controlling operation of said mobile apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control connected to a modem apparatus, and said modem said method including the following steps of:

reading out said at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to an inputted transfer command; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the p hone driver into said second storage means.

11. A communication method for use in a communication system comprising a modem apparatus, and a mobile telephone apparatus having first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for a modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus, said method including the following steps:

transferring a transfer request signal outputted from said control apparatus via said modem apparatus to said mobile telephone apparatus; 6A is reading out at least one phone driver from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to said transfer request signal; and receiving said at least one transmitted phone driver and writing the phone driver into said second storage means.

12. A mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; first input means for inputting a transfer command for reading out said at least one phone driver stored n said first storage means from said first storage means, transferring the phone driver to said modem apparatus, and writing the phone driver into said second storage means; and first control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus 511 is when said, transfer command is inputted by said first input means.

13. A mobile telephone apparatus connected to a modem apparatus, comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one phone driver which is a program data for said modem apparatus for controlling operation of said mobile telephone apparatus via said modem apparatus from a control apparatus connected to said modem apparatus; and third control means for reading out said at least one phone driver stored in said first storage means from said first storage means and transmitting the phone driver to second storage means connected to said modem apparatus in response to a transfer request signal outputted from said modem apparatus.

14. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 1-2, wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a system and model of said mobile telephone apparatus.

15. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said phone driver is a program data which differs depending on a model of said modem apparatus.

15,3 16. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

17. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said first storage means preparatorily stores said at least one phone driver.

18. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

19. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said first storage means is a nonvolatile storage device, and wherein said at least one phone driver is written into said first storage means by an apparatus for writing data into a storage device.

20. The mobile telephone apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising:

51. 1+ mounting means for detachably mounting said first storage means.

21. A communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A communication method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.