JP4687151B2 - Portable terminal, communication system including the same, communication method thereof, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a communication system including the same, a communication method thereof, and a control program, and more particularly to a mobile terminal having a device driver providing function, a communication system including the same, a communication method thereof, and a control program.

  In general, a mobile terminal, for example, a mobile phone device is used alone or externally connected to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) via an external interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”). It has a function to connect and communicate. This makes it possible to perform communications such as browsing information on the Internet from an external device via the mobile phone network and accessing the phone book data of the mobile phone from the external device.

  In this way, when a mobile phone is connected to a personal computer, it is possible to communicate with the Internet from the outside via the mobile phone network, but as a preparation, it is necessary to install a device driver dedicated to the mobile phone on the personal computer. There is a case.

  If the device driver for the mobile phone is not installed on the computer, install it using an external storage medium such as a driver disk, or download the device driver for the mobile phone from an external network such as the Internet and install it on the computer. become.

  On the other hand, in order to obtain various information from the Internet, for example, when traveling, it is possible to take a personal computer that is not normally connected to a mobile phone. However, even if the cable necessary for the connection is added to the luggage, the first time I noticed on the go that the device driver for mobile phones is not installed on the computer, I can not use it after connecting the computer to the mobile phone There is a risk of falling into a situation such as.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an invention that avoids such a situation. That is, the mobile phone 1 acquires URL information from the memory 20 of the peripheral device 19, accesses an FTB server on the Internet based on the URL information, and acquires the file name of the driver program.

  Another example of the invention is disclosed in Patent Document 2. That is, a host computer downloads and installs a driver program stored in advance in a peripheral device built-in storage unit.

JP 2003-32381 A (paragraphs 0017 to 0019, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2004-213604 A (Claim 1, paragraph 0005, FIG. 1, FIG. 2)

  As described above, conventionally, when a device driver for a mobile phone is not installed in a personal computer, there is a problem that the personal computer cannot be connected to the mobile phone and used. In addition, as a solution to this problem, it is conceivable to always store the device driver in the mobile phone device and access it from an external device when necessary. There has been a problem that a memory cannot always be secured for a low-frequency function.

  On the other hand, although the example of the solution of this subject is shown by the above-mentioned patent documents 1 and 2, those inventions are that the device which acquires a driver program, and the device which installs the driver program correspond. It is common. That is, in the case of Patent Literature 1, this device is a mobile phone 1, and in the case of Patent Literature 2, this device is a host computer.

  In contrast, in the present invention, the device that acquires the driver program is a mobile phone, whereas the device that installs the driver program is an external device. As described above, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are different inventions that are completely different from the present invention.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of providing a device driver from the mobile terminal to an external device, a communication method thereof, and a control program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a mobile terminal according to the present invention is a mobile terminal having a function of communicating with an external device, and a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal. A driver acquisition unit that the mobile terminal acquires from a file server via a communication network, and a device driver acquired by the driver acquisition unit using a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System) Driver sending means for sending to an external device,
The driver acquisition means has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a successful connection with the external device or a device driver An external communication processing means for detecting a failure caused by being not installed; and a wireless processing means for acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected. Means for storing the device driver acquired by the wireless processing means, and the device driver stored in the data storage means is standardly supported by the OS and allows access from the external device to the data storage means. and a memory processing unit for sending to the external device using a USB memory that allows In addition, the external communication processing means and the memory processing means can simultaneously activate both the external communication processing means and the memory processing means by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. It is characterized by being comprised.

The communication system according to the present invention includes an external device, a mobile terminal connected to the external device, a base station connected to the mobile terminal via a mobile phone network, and a gateway connected to the base station. A communication system including a communication network connected to the gateway and a file server connected to the communication network, the device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal, Acquires a driver from a file server via the mobile phone network, base station, gateway, and communication network, and a USB (Universal Serious) that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System) for the device driver acquired by the driver acquisition unit. and a driver sending means for sending to the external device using the Bus) memory, the driver acquisition means, via the antenna Has a wireless processing function of the mobile phone network, it performs processing related to communication via the wireless processing unit having a wireless communication function, and the external device succeeds in connection with or device driver detects a failure that occurs to not installed External communication processing means, and wireless processing means for acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected, the driver sending means being acquired by the wireless processing means The data storage means for storing the device driver, and the external device using the USB memory that is standardly supported by the OS for the device driver stored in the data storage means and allows the external device to access the data storage means Memory processing means for sending to the device, and further comprising the external communication processing means and The memory processing unit, by connecting to the external device via a USB hub, characterized in that it is configured so that it is possible to start both said memory processing means and the external communication processing means at the same time.

Further, the communication method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention is a communication method of a mobile terminal having a function of communicating with an external device, and a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal. A driver acquisition step that the mobile terminal acquires from a file server via a communication network, and a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System) for the device driver acquired in the driver acquisition step A driver sending step for sending to the external device, wherein the driver obtaining step has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a failure that occurs for success or device driver connected with the external device is not installed An external communication processing step to be issued; and a wireless processing step of acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected. The driver sending step is acquired by the wireless processing step. A data storage step for storing the device driver, and a device driver stored in the data storage step using a USB memory that is standardly supported by the OS and enables access to the data storage means from the external device. A memory processing step for sending to an external device,
Further, the external communication processing step and the memory processing step are configured such that both the external communication processing step and the memory processing step can be activated simultaneously by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. It is characterized by being.

A control program according to the present invention is a control program for a communication method of a portable terminal having a function of communicating with an external device, and is necessary for a computer to communicate with the portable terminal. A driver acquisition step in which the mobile terminal acquires a device driver from a file server via a communication network, and a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System) for the device driver acquired in the driver acquisition step A driver sending step for sending to the external device using the wireless communication function , and the driver obtaining step has a wireless processing function of a cellular phone network via an antenna and a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function. success or device driver was performs processing related to communication, and connection with the external device An external communication processing step for detecting a failure caused by being not installed, and a wireless processing step for acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected, and sending the driver The step includes a data accumulation step for accumulating the device driver acquired in the wireless processing step, and the device driver accumulated in the data accumulation step is supported by the OS as a standard, and the external device accesses the data accumulation unit. A memory processing step of sending to the external device using a USB memory to be enabled, and further, the external communication processing step and the memory processing step are connected to the external device via a USB hub, External communication processing step and the memory processing step Characterized in that it is configured to both the-up time can be activated.

  According to the present invention, a mobile terminal acquires a device driver necessary for an external device from a file server via a communication network, and sends it to the external device.

  The first effect is that when a device driver for communication with a mobile phone is not installed in an external device such as a personal computer, the device driver is downloaded from the mobile phone via the mobile phone network, and the device driver is downloaded to the external device. It is possible to provide to.

  The second effect is that a mobile phone cannot always have enough memory to store a device driver for an external device, but in order to secure free memory, an operation mode whose function is limited from the normal mode is provided. It is possible to secure a memory for temporary storage.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In recent years, USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory is standardly supported by an operating system (OS) such as a personal computer. The USB memory is a USB device that conforms to the USB Mass Storage class specification standardized by the USB Implementers Forum. Since the USB memory is standardly supported by the OS, the user can use it immediately by simply connecting the USB memory to a personal computer, for example.

  According to the present invention, a device driver of an external device is acquired from a file server via the Internet in the mobile terminal, and the acquired device driver is transferred from the mobile terminal to a storage disk in the external device using the function of the USB memory. It is characterized by preservation.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection between a portable terminal and an external device according to the present invention. Referring to the figure, a portable terminal 1 according to the present invention is connected to an external device 2 via a USB 3. The mobile terminal 1 is a mobile phone device as an example, and the external device 2 is a personal computer as an example. Assume that the OS of the external device 2 supports USB memory as standard. The USB 3 is an I / F that connects the mobile terminal 1 and the external device 2. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal 1 is displayed as the mobile phone device 1.

  The mobile phone device 1 has a function of connecting to a wireless communication system such as a mobile phone network having a multi-call function for simultaneously performing packet-switched calls, circuit-switched calls, or both, and an external device 2 via an external I / F. Has a function to connect.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of a communication system including a mobile terminal according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 100 includes an external device 2, a mobile phone device 1 that is a mobile terminal, a base station 41, a gateway 42, a communication network such as the Internet network 43, and a file server 44. Composed.

  The external device 2 is connected to the mobile phone device 1, and the mobile phone device 1 is connected to the base station 41 via the mobile phone network. The base station 41 is connected to the Internet network 43 through a gateway 42, and a file server 44 is connected to the Internet network 43.

  With this configuration, the cellular phone device 1 can access the file server 44 via the base station 41, the gateway 42, and the Internet network 43.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of the cellular phone device 1 according to the present invention. Referring to the figure, the mobile phone device 1 includes an operation mode management unit 11, a connection destination data storage unit 12, an external I / F management unit 13a, an external communication processing unit 13b, a data storage unit 14a, and a USB. A memory processing unit 14b, an MMI unit 15, a control unit 16, a wireless processing unit 17, an audio processing unit 18 having a microphone 18a and a speaker 18b, a program storage unit 19, a display unit 20, and an antenna 21. Including.

  The program storage unit 19 stores a control program for causing a computer (control unit 16 in the present invention) to execute the communication method according to the present invention. The display unit 20 displays necessary information. The control unit 16 controls each of the above units (excluding the antenna 21).

  The operation mode management unit 11 manages the operation mode of the mobile phone device 1, and when requested to change the operation mode by the control unit 16, stops the currently operating mode and controls the control unit 16 for related functions. The processing request necessary for the mode transition is made through this, and the operation mode is changed.

  The connection destination data storage unit 12 has a function of storing connection destination information for downloading a device driver. The stored information is, for example, a list of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) in which device drivers for each OS of external devices are registered.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the connection destination data storage unit 12. Referring to the figure, as an example, the file server address for the first OS and the storage folder name “www.abc/xyz/drv/xp” are stored in the address 1001 of the connection destination data storage unit 12 and the address 1002 is used for the second OS. “Www.abc/xyz/drv/2000” is stored as the file server address and the save destination folder name of the file server. These data can be read and edited at the request of the control unit 16. Further, the connection destination information can be updated according to a request from the control unit 16.

  The external I / F management unit 13a is connected to the external device 2 connected to the mobile phone device 1 via an external I / F (for example, USB, IrDA (Infrared Data Association), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.). It has a function to manage information. Further, when the external communication processing unit 13b is notified of a connection failure with the external device 2 via the control unit 16, processing related to mobile phone device driver download is performed on the related functions via the control unit 16.

  The data storage unit 14 a is a memory of the mobile phone device 1, for example, a work memory that temporarily stores an image taken by a camera or an external memory card attached to the mobile phone device 1. In the device driver providing function, the data storage unit 14a can be accessed as a USB memory from the external device 2 while the USB memory processing unit 14b is activated via the control unit 16. The data storage unit 14a can be configured by a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) as an example.

  The external communication processing unit 13b communicates between the external device 2 connected via the external I / F and the mobile phone device 1 (communication via the wireless processing unit 17, memory such as a phone book in the mobile phone device 1). Access). The external device 2 has a function of detecting whether the external device 2 is physically connected to the mobile phone device 1 via the external I / F, whether the connection is established, and whether the connection is released.

  The USB memory processing unit 14b provides a USB memory function that enables the external device 2 to access the data storage unit 14a in response to a USB memory function start / end request from the control unit 16. The USB memory processing unit 14b is connected to the external device 2 via the USB cable 3, and performs data transfer conforming to the USB Mass Storage class specification.

    The MMI unit 15 has an application function and is a function of confirming the user's intention from input information from a keypad or the like. The control unit 16 controls the mobile phone device unit 1. The wireless processing unit 17 has a wireless processing function such as a mobile phone network via the antenna 20, and has a wireless communication function. The audio processing unit 18 performs processing for the microphone 18a and the speaker 18b.

  By utilizing the above functions and configuration, the present invention can realize a function of providing a device driver to the external device 2 when the mobile phone device 1 detects a connection failure with the external device 2.

  Although the configuration of the first embodiment has been described in detail above, the communication function of the mobile phone device 1 with the mobile phone network, the communication function when connected to the external device 2 and its connection method, the USB memory function, and the external The communication system in FIG. 2 used for connection to the network and the network configuration on the Internet are well known to those skilled in the art and are not directly related to the present invention, and thus detailed configuration is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the first embodiment. This figure shows a procedure for providing a device driver from the mobile phone device 1 to the external device 2.

  The figure shows an example in which the external communication processing unit 13b, the USB memory processing unit 14b of the mobile phone device 1 and the external device 2 are connected by USB3. Here, it is assumed that the functions of the external communication processing unit 13b and the USB memory processing unit 14b exclusively use one USB device function.

  In the figure, step S51 (hereinafter referred to as S51. The same applies to other steps) shows a sequence for detecting a connection failure with the external device 2. S51 is operating in the normal mode.

  When the external communication processing unit 13b of the cellular phone device 1 detects that the external device 2 is connected via the external I / F (S1), the external communication processing unit 13b starts a timer and the connection with the external device 2 is within a certain time. Monitor whether established.

  The external device 2 reads device information from the mobile phone device 1 as an initial process when the device is connected. If the device driver has already been installed in the external device 2, the external device 2 loads it onto the memory. When the device driver is not installed, the external device 2 prompts the user to install the device driver, and when the user completes the installation using a driver disk or the like, the external device 2 continues the connection with the mobile phone device 1. .

  On the other hand, when the user cannot prepare the device driver, the connection with the mobile phone device 1 fails, and the function of the mobile phone device 1 cannot be used.

  When the connection between the mobile phone device 1 and the external device 2 fails, the external communication processing unit 13b of the mobile phone device 1 detects that the connection has not been established when the previously started timer has elapsed for a certain period of time. (S2). Here, whether or not the connection has been established can be determined by monitoring whether or not a specific request defined by, for example, the USB core specification or the class specification is issued from the external device 2. As an example, a request to transition to a state in which communication can be performed with the configuration of “SET_CONFIGURATION (N): number N” in the USB core specification can be used as a detection unit for detecting whether or not a connection has been established.

  When the external communication processing unit 13b detects an external device connection failure, the external communication processing unit 13b notifies the external device connection failure to the external I / F management unit 13a via the control unit 16 (S3). The external I / F management unit 13a that has received the external device connection failure notification requests the MMI unit 15 via the control unit 16 to check whether the user needs to download a device driver ( S4).

  The MMI unit 15 confirms whether or not the user needs to provide a device driver by an application or the like by a key input from the user (S5). If the provision is not necessary, the MMI unit 15 is connected to the external device 2. The process is stopped with the failure (S6), and the result is notified to the external I / F management unit 13a. When it is confirmed that the device driver needs to be provided, the OS corresponding to the device driver is confirmed, and the result is obtained as a device driver download confirmation result to the external I / F management unit 13a via the control unit 16. (S7).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the display unit 20 that inquires whether or not to download the device driver due to a connection failure. It is a screen corresponding to S3-S5.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the display unit 20 that requests confirmation of the OS corresponding to the device driver. It is a screen corresponding to S7.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data storage unit (not shown) of the external device 2. Referring to the figure, as an example, data relating to the version of the OS on which the external device 2 is activated (first OS as an example in this embodiment) is stored at the address 2001 of the data storage unit. Therefore, the user can confirm the OS of the external device 2 by reading this data.

  Here, when confirming to the user, it is considered that the user does not notice only by displaying the confirmation screen on the mobile phone device 1, and therefore the sound ( It is also possible to convey that there are confirmation items by means such as making a voice).

  The external I / F management unit 13a that has received the confirmation result that the device driver (device driver for the first OS in this embodiment) needs to be downloaded from the MMI unit 15 can provide the device driver from the normal mode as the operation mode. The operation mode management unit 11 is requested via the control unit 16 to change the mode to the DL mode (S8).

  Receiving the operation mode change request from the normal mode to the DL mode, the operation mode management unit 11 stops some functions (for example, the digital camera function) activated in the normal mode, and the data storage unit 14a is free. A capacity capable of downloading the device driver is secured in the memory, and the external I / F management unit 13a is notified of the transition to the DL mode (S9).

  S52 represents a sequence for providing a device driver to the external device 2. S52 is operating in the DL mode.

  The external I / F management unit 13a confirming that the operation mode has changed to the DL mode makes a connection destination information confirmation request to the connection destination data storage unit 12 via the control unit 16 in order to download the device driver ( S10).

  In the above confirmation, it may be possible to specify the corresponding OS and specify the connection destination information. The connection destination data storage unit 12 notifies the external I / F management unit 13a of the requested connection destination information from the stored connection destination data (S11).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data storage unit (not shown) of the file server 44. Referring to the figure, as an example, the address 3001 of the data storage unit is set to http: // www. A set of files of the device driver for the first OS is stored under the folder abc / XYZ / drv / xp, and the address 3002 of the data storage unit is http: // www. A set of files of a device driver for the second OS is stored under the folder abc / XYZ / drv / 2000.

  The external I / F management unit 13a requests the wireless processing unit 17 via the control unit 16 to download the device driver from the URL of the connection destination information and store it in the data storage unit 14a (S12).

  The wireless processing unit 17 is connected to the file server 44 at the specified connection destination URL via the mobile phone network, and executes downloading of the device driver and storage in the specified area of the data storage unit 14a (S14, S15).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the display unit 20 indicating that the device driver is being downloaded. It is a screen corresponding to S14 and tS15.

  When the device driver download / data storage process ends, the wireless processing unit 17 ends the connection with the mobile phone network. Also, a device driver download completion notification is sent to the external I / F management unit 13a via the control unit 16 (S17).

  Receiving the device driver download completion notification, the external I / F management unit 13a sends the USB device to the external communication processing unit 13b via the control unit 16 as a preparation for accessing the device driver from the external device 2. The connection function stop is requested (S17).

  After confirming that the USB communication by the external communication processing unit 13b has been stopped, the external I / F management unit 13a makes a USB memory function activation request to the USB memory processing unit 14b via the control unit 16 (S18). Upon receiving the USB memory function activation request, the USB memory processing unit 14 b provides a function to the external device 2. After establishing the connection with the USB memory function (S19), the external device 2 stores the device driver from the USB memory (data storage unit 14a) of the mobile phone device 1 in a storage disk such as a hard disk in the external device 2 (S20). .

  In order to inform the mobile phone device 1 that the external device 2 has completed saving the device driver, as an example, the USB cable is disconnected (not shown). The USB memory processing unit 14b that has detected that the USB cable has been disconnected notifies the external I / F management unit 13a (S21), and the external I / F management unit 13a requests the USB memory processing unit 14b to stop the USB memory function. After confirming that the USB memory function has stopped, the external I / F management unit 13a activates the USB communication function to the external communication processing unit 13b (S22), while the user connects the USB cable again. (Not shown).

  The external device 2 detects the connection with the mobile phone device 1 (S23), reads the device driver for the mobile phone device 1 from the location of the stored storage disk, and installs it (S24). If the installation is successful, the external device connection establishment notification (such as SET_CONFIGURATION (N) of the USB core protocol described above) is notified to the mobile phone device 1 (S25).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the display unit 20 indicating that the installation of the device driver in the external device 2 is completed. This is a screen corresponding to S25.

  The external communication processing unit 13b that has detected the connection establishment with the external device 2 notifies the external I / F management unit 13a of the connection establishment (S26). The external I / F management unit 13a requests the operation mode management unit 11 to change the operation mode from the DL mode to the normal mode via the control unit 16 (S27).

  The operation mode management unit 11 that has received the request for changing the operation mode from the DL mode to the normal mode releases the memory of the data storage unit 14a used in the DL mode and confirms that the USB memory function is stopped before using the normal mode. The function to be restarted is notified to the external I / F management unit 13a that the mode has been changed to the normal mode (S28).

  S53 returns to the normal operation mode and indicates normal operation.

  As described above, the mobile phone device 1 can provide the mobile phone device driver to the external device 2 when the connection with the external device 2 fails.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the cellular phone device 1 according to the present invention. This figure is obtained by adding a USB hub 21 to the configuration of FIG. 3, and the other configuration is the same as that of FIG. Further, components unnecessary for the description of the second embodiment are omitted from FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the external communication processing unit 13 b and the USB memory processing unit 14 b are connected to the external device 2 through one USB 3 via the USB hub 21.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 3, in the mobile phone device 1 according to the first embodiment, the external communication processing unit 13b and the external device 2 and the USB memory processing unit 14b and the external device 2 are connected by separate USBs 3, respectively. It was.

  First, in the normal mode, processing for confirming the necessity of downloading the device driver via the USB 3 between the external communication processing unit 13b and the external device 2 was performed (steps S1 to S8 in the normal mode in FIG. 5). reference).

  However, since the USB memory processing unit 14b is not activated at this time (the USB memory processing unit 14b is activated in step S19), the presence of the data storage unit 14a from the external device 2 via the USB memory processing unit 14b is confirmed. I can't confirm. That is, at this time, the data storage unit 14a is not visible from the external device 2.

  Therefore, at this time, the external device 2 may designate the data storage unit 14a in the mobile phone device 1 in advance as the storage destination of the device driver that will be received from the mobile phone device 1 in step S20 in the DL mode. I couldn't.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, first, the external communication processing unit 13b is activated (see step S1 in FIG. 5), and then the external communication processing unit 13b is stopped (see step S17 in FIG. 5). Since the configuration is such that the unit 14b is activated (see step S19 in FIG. 5), both the external communication processing unit 13b and the USB memory processing unit 14b could not be activated at the same time.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the external communication processing unit 13 b and the USB memory processing unit 14 b are connected to the external device 2 through the USB hub 21 with one USB 3. Therefore, it is possible to activate both the external communication processing unit 13b and the USB memory processing unit 14b at the same time, and the external device 2 uses the data in the mobile phone device 1 as a storage destination of the device driver from the mobile phone device 1. The storage unit 14a can be designated in advance.

  The third embodiment relates to a control program for a communication method in a portable terminal. In the first embodiment described above, it is described that the program storage unit 19 in FIG. 3 stores a control program for causing a computer (the control unit 16 in the present invention) to execute the communication method according to the present invention. . This control program is a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the communication method shown in FIG.

  The control unit 16 of the cellular phone device 1 reads the control program stored in the program storage unit 19 and controls the units 11 to 15 and 17 to 20 according to the program. Since the contents of the control have already been described, description thereof is omitted here.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the external communication function in the normal mode is described as being connected by USB. However, other external I / Fs such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. It is also possible to connect.

  In the first and second embodiments, the device driver for the mobile phone device 1 required by the external device 2 is obtained from the file server 44 by the mobile phone device 1 and provided to the external device 2. However, it is also possible for the mobile phone device 1 to obtain a device driver required for the external device 2 other than that for the mobile phone device 1 from the file server 44 and provide it to the external device 2.

It is a figure which shows an example of the connection of the portable terminal which concerns on this invention, and an external apparatus. It is a block diagram of an example of the communication system containing the portable terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of an example of the mobile telephone apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a connection destination data storage unit 12. FIG. It is a sequence chart which shows an example of operation | movement of 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the display part 20 which inquires whether a connection fails and downloads a device driver. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the display part 20 which requests | requires confirmation about OS corresponding to a device driver. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the data storage part which the external apparatus 2 does not illustrate. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the data storage part which the file server 44 does not illustrate. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the display part 20 which shows that a device driver is being downloaded. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the display part 20 which shows that the installation of the device driver to the external apparatus 2 was completed. It is a block diagram of 2nd Example of the mobile telephone apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile terminal (mobile phone device)
2 External device 3 USB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Operation mode management part 12 Connection destination data storage part 13a External I / F management part 13b External communication processing part 14a Data storage part 14b USB memory processing part 15 MMI part 16 Control part 17 Wireless processing part 18 Voice processing part 18a Microphone 18b Speaker DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Program storage part 20 Display part 21 USB hub 41 Base station 42 Gateway 43 Internet network 44 File server 100 Communication system

Claims (25)

A mobile terminal having a function of communicating with an external device,
A driver acquisition means for acquiring a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal from the file server via the communication network;
Driver sending means for sending the device driver obtained by the driver obtaining means to the external device using a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System),
The driver acquisition means has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a successful connection with the external device or a device driver An external communication processing means for detecting a failure caused by being not installed;
Wireless processing means for obtaining the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected;
The driver sending means includes data storage means for storing the device driver acquired by the wireless processing means,
The device driver stored in the data storage means is standardly supported by the OS.
And memory processing means for sending to the external device using a USB memory that enables access to the data storage means from the external device ,
Further, the external communication processing means and the memory processing means are configured to be able to start both the external communication processing means and the memory processing means simultaneously by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. A portable terminal characterized by being made.   The external communication processing unit needs to acquire a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device, and the memory processing unit needs to acquire a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is not.   3. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the memory processing unit is configured in conformity with a USB mass storage class specification.   The driver acquisition unit includes an external I / F management unit that confirms with a user whether or not to acquire a device driver when a connection failure is detected by the external communication processing unit. The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The driver acquiring unit includes an MMI unit that confirms a device driver corresponding OS (OS of the external device) necessary for a user and identifies a device driver to be acquired. The portable terminal as described in. The driver acquisition means includes connection destination data storage means in which connection destination information is registered in advance,
6. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein a device driver is acquired from the file server based on the connection destination information.   The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the connection destination information is updateable.   The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the data storage unit includes a RAM. An external device, a mobile terminal connected to the external device, a base station connected to the mobile terminal via a mobile phone network, a gateway connected to the base station, and a communication network connected to the gateway And a communication system including a file server connected to the communication network,
A driver acquisition means for acquiring a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal from the file server via the mobile phone network, base station, gateway and communication network;
Driver sending means for sending the device driver obtained by the driver obtaining means to the external device using a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System),
The driver acquisition means has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a successful connection with the external device or a device driver An external communication processing means for detecting a failure caused by being not installed;
Wireless processing means for obtaining the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected;
The driver sending means includes data storage means for storing the device driver acquired by the wireless processing means,
The device driver stored in the data storage means is standardly supported by the OS.
And memory processing means for sending to the external device using a USB memory that enables access to the data storage means from the external device ,
Further, the external communication processing means and the memory processing means are configured to be able to start both the external communication processing means and the memory processing means simultaneously by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. A communication system. A communication method of a mobile terminal having a function of communicating with an external device,
A driver acquisition step in which the mobile terminal acquires a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal from a file server via a communication network;
A driver sending step of sending the device driver obtained in the driver obtaining step to the external device using a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System),
The driver acquisition step has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a successful connection with the external device or a device driver An external communication processing step for detecting a failure caused by being not installed;
A wireless processing step of acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected;
The driver sending step includes a data accumulation step for accumulating the device driver acquired by the wireless processing step;
A memory processing step of sending the device driver stored in the data storage step to the external device using a USB memory that is standardly supported by an OS and enables access to the data storage means from the external device;
Further, the external communication processing step and the memory processing step are configured such that both the external communication processing step and the memory processing step can be activated simultaneously by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. A communication method for a portable terminal, characterized in that:   The external communication processing step requires acquisition of a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device, and the memory processing step requires acquisition of a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device. The mobile terminal communication method according to claim 10, wherein the mobile terminal communication method is not performed.   12. The mobile terminal communication method according to claim 10, wherein the memory processing step is configured in conformity with a USB mass storage class specification.   The driver acquisition step includes an external I / F management step for confirming with a user whether or not to acquire a device driver when a connection failure is detected in the external communication processing step. The communication method of the portable terminal in any one of Claim 10 to 12.   14. The driver acquiring step includes an MMI step of confirming a device driver corresponding OS (OS of the external device) necessary for a user and specifying a device driver to be acquired. The communication method of the portable terminal of description. The driver acquisition step includes a connection destination data storage step in which connection destination information is registered in advance,
The mobile terminal communication method according to claim 10, wherein a device driver is acquired from the file server based on the connection destination information.   The mobile terminal communication method according to claim 15, wherein the connection destination information is updateable.   The mobile terminal communication method according to claim 10, wherein the data storage step includes a RAM. A control program for a communication method of a mobile terminal having a function of communicating with an external device,
A driver acquisition step in which the mobile terminal acquires a device driver required when the external device communicates with the mobile terminal to the computer from a file server via the communication network;
A driver sending step for sending the device driver obtained in the driver obtaining step to the external device using a USB (Universal Serious Bus) memory that is standardly supported by an OS (Operation System);
The driver acquisition step has a wireless processing function of a mobile phone network via an antenna, performs processing related to communication via a wireless processing means having a wireless communication function, and a successful connection with the external device or a device driver An external communication processing step for detecting a failure caused by being not installed;
A wireless processing step of acquiring the device driver from a file server via the communication network when the failure is detected;
The driver sending step includes a data accumulation step for accumulating the device driver acquired by the wireless processing step;
A memory processing step of sending the device driver stored in the data storage step to the external device using a USB memory that is standardly supported by an OS and enables access to the data storage means from the external device;
Further, the external communication processing step and the memory processing step are configured such that both the external communication processing step and the memory processing step can be activated simultaneously by connecting to the external device via a USB hub. A control program.   The external communication processing step requires acquisition of a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device, and the memory processing step requires acquisition of a device driver on the external device side when connecting to the external device. The control program according to claim 18, wherein the control program is not executed.   20. The control program according to claim 18, wherein the memory processing step is configured in conformity with a USB mass storage class specification.   The driver acquisition step includes an external I / F management step for confirming with a user whether or not to acquire a device driver when a connection failure is detected in the external communication processing step. The control program according to any one of claims 18 to 20.   The driver acquisition step includes an MMI step of confirming a device driver corresponding OS (OS of the external device) necessary for a user and specifying a device driver to be acquired. The control program described in 1. The driver acquisition step includes a connection destination data storage step in which connection destination information is registered in advance,
23. The control program according to claim 18, wherein a device driver is acquired from the file server based on the connection destination information.   The control program according to claim 23, wherein the connection destination information is updateable.   The control program according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the data accumulation step is constituted by a RAM.

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