JP5216723B2 - Communication terminal and application acquisition method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a communication terminal that can use a local application downloaded and acquired from a server to execute a predetermined service, and a browser application for executing a predetermined service in the server via a browser; The present invention relates to an application acquisition method in the communication terminal.

  In order to use a service (for example, a game) provided by a content provider in a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, an application is downloaded and acquired from the content provider to the communication terminal. Examples of the application format include a local application such as a Java (registered trademark) application (for example, Patent Document 1) that downloads all data necessary for using the service from the content provider into the communication terminal, and a content provider. A browser application that obtains data such as link information such as an access destination URL for using the service from the server, accesses the data in the server of the content provider via the browser, and uses the service (for example, Patent Document 2) It has been known.

JP 2008-65642 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-247176

  Here, there are cases where a content provider provides both a local application and a browser application related to the same service in order to meet the user's needs. In this case, a situation is considered in which both a local application and a browser application related to the same service are downloaded and held in one communication terminal.

  In such a situation, when a user of a communication terminal uses a predetermined service, in order to use a service such as sequentially confirming whether to use a local application or a browser application held in the terminal There are many inconveniences such as complicated processing and using a useless storage area. It is desirable that the communication terminal holds only one of the local application or the browser application that provides the service for one service.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a communication terminal capable of acquiring a new application so as not to hold a plurality of applications providing the same service, and application acquisition in the communication terminal It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication terminal according to the present invention is provided for executing a predetermined service in a server via a browser and a local application obtained by downloading from the server in order to execute the predetermined service. A communication terminal that can use a browser application, an application holding unit that can hold a local application or a browser application, and an application acquisition unit that newly acquires an application of any type of a local application or a browser application And a service identification unit for identifying a service provided by the application acquired by the application acquisition unit, and a type of the application acquired by the application acquisition unit Application holding when the application holding means holds an application that is the same as the service of the application identified by the type identifying means and the service identifying means and is different from the type of the application identified by the type identifying means. Switching control means for deleting the application held in the means and storing the application acquired by the application acquisition means in the application holding means.

  Similarly, in order to solve the above problem, an application acquisition method according to the present invention includes a local application downloaded and acquired from a server to execute a predetermined service, and a predetermined service in the server via a browser. An application acquisition method in a communication terminal that can use a browser application for execution, which is newly acquired in an application acquisition step for acquiring any type of local application or browser application, and an application acquisition step A service identification step for identifying a service provided by the application, a type identification step for identifying the type of the application acquired in the application acquisition step, In the application holding means that can hold the browser application or the browser application, an application that is the same as the service of the application identified in the service identification step and that is different from the type of the application identified in the type identification step is retained. A switching control step of deleting the application held in the application holding means and storing the application acquired by the application acquisition means in the application holding means.

  According to such a communication terminal and application acquisition method, when a new application is acquired, the service and type provided by the application are identified, and are the same as the service of the application, and the type of the application and When a different application is held in the application holding unit, the application held in the application holding unit is deleted, and the newly acquired application is stored in the application holding unit. Therefore, even if another application that provides the same service as the newly acquired application is already held in the communication terminal, the newly acquired application is switched to the application originally held in the communication terminal and newly As a result, a new application can be acquired so as not to hold a plurality of applications that provide the same service.

  The communication terminal of the present invention further includes an acquirable type identifying unit that identifies an acquirable type of an application that provides the same service as the application acquired by the application acquiring unit, and the switching control unit includes the acquirable type When the applicable type identified by the identifying unit includes the type of the application acquired by the application acquiring unit, the application held by the application holding unit is deleted, and the application acquired by the application acquiring unit Is preferably stored in the application holding means.

  With this configuration, when the server side wants to narrow down the type of application provided to the communication terminal to either the browser application or the local application, only the application to be provided to the communication terminal can be communicated by changing the description of the obtainable type. The application can be stored in the terminal and the application reflecting the server side intention can be distributed, and the convenience on the server side is improved.

  In addition, the switching control unit deletes the application held by the application holding unit when the function that can be used by the application held by the application holding unit can be used by the application acquired by the application acquiring unit. The application acquired by the application acquiring unit is preferably stored in the application holding unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the function from being restricted when switching between applications of the same service, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  In addition, a receiving unit that receives a switching command from the user of the communication terminal is provided, and the switching control unit deletes the application held in the application holding unit when the switching command from the user is received by the receiving unit, It is preferable to store the application acquired by the acquisition unit in the application holding unit.

  With this configuration, the application holding means is switched only when a switching command is received from the user, so that switching control reflecting the user's intention is possible, and user convenience is improved.

  In addition, the application acquiring unit acquires the function that can be used by the application held by the application holding unit, and the application of the application holding unit is not switched to the application acquired by the application acquiring unit by the switching control unit. When the application can be used, provisional execution means for executing the application acquired by the application acquisition means is provided, and the application executed by the temporary execution means is discarded without being stored in the application holding means after execution. Is preferred.

  With this configuration, even when the switching control unit does not switch the application stored in the application holding unit to the application acquired by the application acquiring unit, the function that can be used by the application held in the application holding unit is acquired by the application acquiring unit. If the application can be used, the application acquired by the application acquisition unit can be temporarily executed without being held.

  According to the communication terminal and the application acquisition method according to the present invention, a new application can be acquired so as not to hold a plurality of applications that provide the same service.

It is a block diagram which shows the communication system containing the mobile communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of B-SDF contained in a browser application. It is a figure which shows an example of B-ADF contained in a browser application. It is a hardware block diagram of a mobile communication terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when a browser application is acquired from a content provider server. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed when a Java application is acquired from a content provider server.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a communication terminal and an application acquisition method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a communication system 10 including a communication terminal according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a content provider server (server) 11 and a mobile communication terminal (communication terminal) 12. The content provider server 11 and the mobile communication terminal 12 are connected in a state in which data communication is possible with each other via a communication network configured by a mobile communication network or an Internet network such as WWW.

  In this communication system 10, the mobile communication terminal 12 requests the content provider server 11 for an application for using a predetermined service provided by the content provider, and the content provider server 11 Is provided to the mobile communication terminal 12. In the present embodiment, the application includes two “types” of “Java application” and “browser application” that have different storage locations of the execution files. The “Java application” is an example of a local application acquired by downloading all data from the content provider server 11 in order to execute a predetermined service. The “browser application” is an application obtained by downloading only a script or information element necessary for executing an application program related to a predetermined service in the content provider server 11 via the browser. The mobile communication terminal 12 of this embodiment can use these Java applications (application A in FIG. 1) and browser applications (application B in FIG. 1).

  Here, in the present embodiment, the application provides a “service” that is a predetermined basic function, and includes at least one additional “function” belonging to this service. That is, a “service” is provided by executing one or more “functions”. Specifically, for example, when the “service” is a game, the “function” includes a communication function, a save data storage function, an acquired content (music, item, etc.) storage function, and the like.

  As specific functions of such a game service, for example, the following specific examples can be considered. The acquired content storage function stores content such as music and items acquired in the Java application version of the game in the mobile communication terminal 12, and when the game is changed to the browser application version, for example, It is a function that can use the content stored in. In the case of a browser application version game, these contents are acquired in the game in the same manner as the Java application, or in other cases, the content provider server 11 and other contents are acquired via the communication function in the game. Can be purchased from a player.

  Further, the save data storage function stores the save data of the game in the terminal when the content provider distributes a trial version game of a browser application such as Flash to the terminal. This is a function that allows the game to be used from the middle using the saved data of the trial version when the game is shifted from the trial version to the full version of the Java application.

  Similarly, for example, a content provider that provides a Java application version game wants to move to the browser application version in order to avoid the trouble of checking the operation for each terminal type and high development costs. In this case, the saved data of the Java application version can be made available to the browser application version.

  In addition, the save data storage function can be used even when, for example, a content provider that provides a Java application version game produces a battle-type version using the communication function in the same game in the browser application version. Can be made available to the browser application version.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the Java application includes an SDF (Security Descriptor File) 31 that is a policy file in which the content provider authority (for example, functions that can be provided) is described in the data held in the mobile communication terminal 12. , An application descriptor file (ADF) 32 in which information such as the size of the application, the URL of the download source, and the update date / time is described. Similarly, the browser application includes B-SDF 33 having the same role as SDF 31 and B-ADF 34 having the same role as ADF 32. The B-SDF 33 and the B-ADF 34 are text files in which keys as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are described, for example. The configurations of the SDF 31 and ADF 32 are the same as those of the B-SDF 33 and B-ADF 34 shown in FIGS.

  Here, particularly in the present embodiment, when a new application is acquired from the content provider server 11 in the mobile communication terminal 12, an application for using the same service is already held in the mobile communication terminal 12. If the mobile communication terminal 12 has been deleted, the application originally held in the mobile communication terminal 12 is deleted, and switching control for newly holding the application acquired from the content provider server 11 in the mobile communication terminal 12 is performed. This switching control is executed when a switching condition that is a predetermined determination criterion is satisfied. The switching condition will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the mobile communication terminal 12. The mobile communication terminal 12 physically includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 123, which are main storage devices, and operation units such as input keys which are input devices. 124, a display 125, a wireless communication unit 126, and the like. Each function of the mobile communication terminal 12, which will be described later, has an operation unit 124, a display 125, and wireless communication under the control of the CPU 121 by reading predetermined computer software on hardware such as the CPU 121 and the RAM 122 shown in FIG. This is realized by operating the unit 126 and reading and writing data in the RAM 122 and the ROM 123.

  Next, functions of the mobile communication terminal 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal 12 includes an application holding unit (application holding unit) 21, an application acquisition unit (application acquisition unit) 22, a service identification unit (service identification unit) 23, a type identification unit (type identification unit). ) 24, an acquirable type identifying unit (acquisable type identifying unit) 25, a switching command receiving unit (receiving unit) 26, a function identifying unit 27, a switching control unit (switching control unit) 28, and an application executing unit (temporary executing unit) ) 29.

  The application holding unit 21 is a part that holds a Java application or a browser application acquired from the content provider server 11. The application holding unit 21 holds either a Java application or a browser application as an application that provides the same service. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a Java application is held as an application A related to a certain service, and a browser application is held as an application B related to another service.

  The application acquisition unit 22 newly acquires an application of any type of Java application or browser application from the content provider server 11. Whether a Java application or a browser application is acquired is determined by the user of the mobile communication terminal 12, for example.

  The service identification unit 23 identifies a service provided by the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22. Specifically, the service identification unit 23 includes the “AppDownLoadURL” key (URL address indicating the application download source) of the ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 included in the acquired application, or the “ScriptID” key (SDF31 or B-SDF33). The service type is identified based on the value assigned to the management ID of the script. Although not illustrated in B-ADF 34 in FIG. 3, the service type may be identified based on PIN (PIN) information that can be described in ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 or the value of identification information of the content provider. .

  The type identifying unit 24 identifies whether the type of the application acquired by the application acquiring unit 22 is a Java application or a browser application. For example, the type identifying unit 24 identifies the type of application using a content-type or an extension.

  The acquirable type identification unit 25 identifies an acquirable type of an application that provides the same service as the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22. Specifically, the acquirable type identification unit 25 confirms the acquirable type by looking at the content of the “ServiceType” key (provided service type) of the ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 included in the acquired application. In “ServiceType”, one of “browser (can acquire only browser application)”, “app (can acquire only Java application)”, or “browser, app (can acquire both browser application and Java application)” Have been described.

  The switching command receiving unit 26 receives a switching command from the user of the mobile communication terminal 12 via the operation unit 124 such as a numeric keypad.

  The function identifying unit 27 identifies the function of the application acquired by the application acquiring unit 22. Specifically, the function identifying unit 27 identifies the function of the application with reference to a key that defines whether each function included in the SDF 31 or the B-SDF 33 is usable. For example, the “Browser” key in FIG. 2 is a key for setting whether or not the browser application can be used. In the example of FIG. 2, “Browser = yes” is described, and the browser application can be used.

When the application control unit 28 holds an application that is the same as the service of the application identified by the service identification unit 23 and is different from the application type identified by the type identification unit 24, in the application holding unit 21. In addition, under the predetermined switching condition, the application holding unit 21 is deleted, and the switching control for storing the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in the application holding unit 21 is performed. Specifically, the switching condition is to satisfy all of the following conditions.
(1) The type of acquired application is included in the acquireable type identified by the acquireable type identifying unit 25. (2) The function of the acquired application identified by the function identifying unit 27 is currently held. (3) The switching command receiving unit 26 receives a switching command from the user.

  The application execution unit 29 is a case where the switching control unit 28 does not perform application switching control, and the application function of the application holding unit 21 includes all the application functions acquired by the application acquisition unit 22. Execute the acquired application. The application after execution is discarded without being held in the application holding unit 21.

  Next, processing executed in the mobile communication terminal 12 of the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and an applicon acquisition method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed when a browser application is acquired from the content provider server 11, and FIG. 6 shows processing executed when a Java application is acquired from the content provider server 11. It is a flowchart.

  First, with reference to FIG. 5, the process performed when a browser application is acquired from the content provider server 11 is demonstrated.

  When the browser application is acquired from the content provider server 11 by the application acquisition unit 22 (S101: application acquisition step), the service provided by the browser application acquired in step S101 is identified and switched by the service identification unit 23. The control unit 28 checks whether or not an application that provides the same service as the browser application is held in the application holding unit 21 (S102: service identification step).

Specifically, the service identification unit 23 and the switching control unit 28 determine the same service using, for example, one of the following determination criteria.
(1) The acquired B-ADF 34 of the browser application and the “AppDownLoadURL” of the application ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 held in the application holding unit 21 are the same. (2) The B-SDF 33 of the acquired browser application. And the “ScriptID” of the application SDF 31 or B-SDF 33 held in the application holding unit 21 is the same. (3) The B-ADF 34 of the acquired browser application and the application held in the application holding unit 21 The application that provides the same service as the browser application that the PIN (personal identification number) information described in the ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 and the identification information of the content provider are the same Deployment is when it is determined to be held in the application holding unit 21 moves to step S103. If it is determined that the application of the same service is not held in the application holding unit 21, the browser application is saved in the application holding unit 21 (S104), and the process ends.

  Next, the type identifying unit 24 identifies the type of the application acquired in step S101, and confirms whether or not it is the same as the type of the application of the same service held in the application holding unit 21 (S103: type Identification step). In the flow shown in FIG. 5, since the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S101 is a browser application, it is confirmed whether or not the application of the same service held in the application holding unit 21 is a Java application. The If the application held in the application holding unit 21 is a Java application, the process proceeds to S105.

  If the application held in the application holding unit 21 is not a Java application, that is, if it is a browser application, whether or not the browser application needs to be upgraded is confirmed by the user (S106). When an instruction to upgrade is given, the browser application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S101 is overwritten and saved in the application holding unit 21 (S107), and an instruction not to upgrade is issued. If given, the browser application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S101 is discarded without being overwritten in the application holding unit 21 (S108), and the process ends.

  Next, the type of applicability (acquisition type) that can be acquired from the content provider server 11 that can use the same service as the browser application acquired in step S101 is identified by the acquirable type identification unit 25, and the switching control unit 28 confirms whether or not a browser application is included in the types of applications that can be acquired from the content provider server 11 (S105). Specifically, whether “Browser (can acquire only browser application)” or “browser, app (can acquire both browser application and Java application)” is described in “ServiceType” of B-ADF34 It is confirmed. If a browser application is included in the obtainable type, the process proceeds to step S109. If no browser application is included, the process proceeds to step S111.

  Next, the function identifying unit 27 identifies the function of the browser application acquired in step S101, and the switching control unit 28 checks whether or not the switching condition is satisfied (S109). Specifically, the function identifying unit 27 refers to the B-SDF 33 of the browser application and identifies functions that can be used by the browser application. The switching condition is that the acquired application functions identified by the function identifying unit 27 include all the functions of the currently held application. If it is determined that the switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that the switching condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S111.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the user's switching command is received by the switching command receiving unit 26 (S110). When the switching command is accepted, the process proceeds to step S114, and when the switching command is not accepted, the process proceeds to step S111.

  When the browser application is not included in the obtainable type in step S105 described above, when it is determined in step S109 that the switching condition is not satisfied, or when the switching command is not accepted in step S110, the switching control unit 28 confirms whether or not the browser application acquired in step S101 satisfies the execution condition (S111). Specifically, the usable conditions defined in the SDF 31 of the Java application held in the application holding unit 21 are defined in the B-SDF 33 of the browser application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 as the execution condition. It includes all available functions. That is, when the browser application is temporarily used and then returned to the Java application, it is determined that the execution condition is met when the usable functions are not reduced. If it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, the application execution unit 29 executes the browser application acquired in step S101 (S112), and then discards the executed browser application without performing switching control. The process is terminated (S113). If it is determined that the execution condition is not satisfied, the browser application is discarded without being executed (S113), and the process is terminated.

  When a switching instruction is accepted in step S110, the switching control unit 28 saves the browser application acquired in step S101 in the application holding unit 21, and the Java application originally held in the application holding unit 21. Is deleted (S114: switching control step).

  Next, processing executed when a Java application is acquired from the content provider server 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When a Java application is acquired from the content provider server 11 by the application acquisition unit 22 (S201: application acquisition step), the service provided by the Java application acquired in step S201 is identified and switched by the service identification unit 23. The control unit 28 checks whether or not an application that provides the same service as the Java application is held in the application holding unit 21 (S202: service identification step).

Specifically, the service identification unit 23 and the switching control unit 28 determine the same service using, for example, one of the following determination criteria.
(1) The acquired ADF 32 of the Java application and the “AppDownLoadURL” of the application ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 stored in the application storage unit 21 are the same. (2) The SDF 31 of the acquired Java application and the application storage The “ScriptID” of the application SDF 31 or B-SDF 33 held in the unit 21 is the same. (3) The acquired ADF 32 of the Java application and the ADF 32 or B-ADF 34 of the application held in the application holding unit 21 The described PIN (personal identification number) information and content provider identification information are the same. An application that provides the same service as the Java application When it is determined to be held in the publication holding unit 21 proceeds to step S203. If it is determined that the application of the same service is not held in the application holding unit 21, the Java application is saved in the application holding unit 21 (S204), and the process ends.

  Next, the type identifying unit 24 identifies the type of the application acquired in step S201, and confirms whether or not it is the same as the type of the application of the same service held in the application holding unit 21 (S203: Type Identification step). In the flow shown in FIG. 6, since the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S201 is a Java application, it is confirmed whether or not the application of the same service held in the application holding unit 21 is a browser application. The When the application held in the application holding unit 21 is a browser application, the process proceeds to S205.

  If the application held in the application holding unit 21 is not a browser application, that is, if it is a Java application, whether or not the Java application needs to be upgraded is confirmed (S206). If an instruction to upgrade is given, the Java application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S201 is overwritten and saved in the application holding unit 21 (S207), and an instruction not to upgrade is issued. If given, the browser application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 in step S201 is discarded without being overwritten in the application holding unit 21 (S208), and the process ends.

  Next, the obtainable type identifying unit 25 identifies the type of application (acquisable type) that can be used from the content provider server 11 and can use the same service as the browser application obtained in step S201, and the switching control unit. 28 confirms whether or not a Java application is included in the types of applications that can be acquired from the content provider server 11 (S205). Specifically, it is confirmed whether “App (can only acquire Java application)” or “browser, app (can acquire both browser application and Java application)” is described in “ServiceType” of ADF32. The If a Java application is included in the obtainable type, the process proceeds to step S209. If no Java application is included, the process proceeds to step S211.

  Next, the function identifying unit 27 identifies the function of the Java application acquired in step S201, and the switching control unit 28 confirms whether the switching condition is satisfied (S209). Specifically, the function identifying unit 27 refers to the SDF 31 of the Java application, and identifies functions that can be used by the Java application. The switching condition is that the acquired application functions identified by the function identifying unit 27 include all the functions of the currently held application. If it is determined that the switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S210. If it is determined that the switching condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S211.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not a user switching command is received by the switching command receiving unit 26 (S210). When the switching command is accepted, the process proceeds to step S214. When the switching command is not accepted, the process proceeds to step S211.

  When the Java application is not included in the obtainable type in step S205 described above, when it is determined in step S209 that the switching condition is not satisfied, or when the switching command is not accepted in step S210, the switching control unit 28 confirms whether or not the Java application acquired in step S201 satisfies the execution condition (S211). Specifically, the usable conditions defined in the B-SDF 33 of the browser application held in the application holding unit 21 are defined in the SDF 31 of the Java application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 as the execution condition. It includes all available functions. That is, when the Java application is temporarily used and then returned to the browser application, it is determined that the execution condition is met when the usable functions are not reduced. When it is determined that the execution condition is satisfied, the application execution unit 29 executes the Java application acquired in step S201 (S212), and then discards the executed Java application without performing switching control. The process is terminated (S213). If it is determined that the execution condition is not satisfied, the Java application is not executed and is discarded as it is (S213), and the process is terminated.

  When a switching command is accepted in step S210, the Java application acquired in step S201 is saved in the application holding unit 21 by the switching control unit 28, and the browser application originally held in the application holding unit 21 is stored. Is switched (S214: switching control step).

  As described above, according to the mobile communication terminal 12 and the application acquisition method in the mobile communication terminal 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when an application is newly acquired from the content provider server 11 by the application acquisition unit 22, The service identification unit 23 and the type identification unit 24 identify the service and type provided by the application. When an application that is the same as the service of the application and is different from the type of the application is held in the application holding unit 21, the application held in the application holding unit 21 is changed by the switching control unit 28. The deleted application newly acquired is stored in the application holding unit 21. For this reason, even if another application providing the same service as the newly acquired application is already held in the mobile communication terminal 12, the newly acquired application is switched to the application originally held in the mobile communication terminal 12. As a result, a new application can be acquired so as not to hold a plurality of applications that provide the same service.

  Further, the acquirable type identification unit 25 identifies an acquirable type of an application that provides the same service as the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22, and the switching control unit 28 identifies the acquirable type identification unit 25. When the acquired type of the acquired application includes the type of application acquired by the application acquisition unit, the application stored in the application storage unit 21 is deleted, and the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 is changed to the application. Store in the holding unit 21. Thereby, when the content provider server 11 wants to narrow down the type of application provided to the mobile communication terminal 12 to one of the browser application or the Java application, the content provider server 11 changes the description of the acquirable type to the mobile communication terminal 12. Only the application to be provided can be stored in the mobile communication terminal 12, and the application reflecting the intention on the server side can be distributed, and the convenience on the server side is improved.

  In addition, the switching control unit 28 is held in the application holding unit 21 when the function that can be used by the application held in the application holding unit 21 can be used in the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22. The application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 is stored in the application holding unit 21. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the function from being restricted when switching between applications of the same service, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  Further, when the switching command receiving unit 26 receives a switching command from the user of the mobile communication terminal 12 and the switching control unit 28 receives the switching command from the user by the switching command receiving unit 26, the switching command receiving unit 26 receives the switching command from the user. The held application is deleted, and the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 is stored in the application holding unit 21. With this configuration, the application holding unit 21 is switched only when a switching command is received from the user. Therefore, switching control reflecting the user's intention is possible, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  Further, the application execution unit 29 is not switched by the switching control unit 28 to the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 and can be used by the application stored in the application storage unit 21. When the function can be used even with the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22, the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 is executed, and the application executed by the application execution unit 29 is the application holding unit 21 after execution. It is discarded without being stored in.

  With this configuration, even when the switching control unit 28 does not switch the application stored in the application storage unit 21 to the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22, the functions that can be used by the application stored in the application storage unit 21 If the application acquired by the unit 22 can be used, the application acquired by the application acquisition unit 22 can be provisionally executed without being held.

  The mobile communication terminal and the application acquisition method according to the present invention have been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the present invention is applicable to applications other than games.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the Java application was illustrated as an example of a local application, as long as it is an application acquired by downloading all the data to a communication terminal, the application created in languages other than Java may be sufficient.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Communication system, 11 ... Content provider server (server), 12 ... Mobile communication terminal (communication terminal), 21 ... Application holding part (application holding means), 22 ... Application acquisition part (application acquisition means), 23 ... Service identification Unit (service identification unit), 24 ... type identification unit (type identification unit), 25 ... acquirable type identification unit (acquisable type identification unit), 26 ... switching command reception unit (acceptance unit), 27 ... function identification unit, 28: switching control unit (switching control unit), 29 ... application execution unit (temporary execution unit).

Claims (6)

A communication terminal capable of using a local application downloaded and acquired from a server to execute a predetermined service and a browser application for executing a predetermined service in the server via a browser,
Application holding means capable of holding the local application or the browser application;
Application acquisition means for newly acquiring any type of local application or browser application;
Service identification means for identifying a service provided by the application acquired by the application acquisition means;
Type identifying means for identifying the type of application acquired by the application acquiring means;
When the application holding unit holds an application that is the same as the service of the application identified by the service identifying unit and is different from the type of the application identified by the type identifying unit A switching control means for deleting the application held in the holding means and storing the application acquired by the application acquisition means in the application holding means;
A communication terminal comprising: An acquirable type identifying unit that identifies an acquirable type of an application that provides the same service as the application acquired by the application acquiring unit;
The switching control unit is held in the application holding unit when the type of application acquired by the application acquisition unit is included in the acquisition type of the application identified by the acquisition type identification unit. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein an application is deleted, and the application acquired by the application acquisition unit is stored in the application holding unit.   The switching control unit is configured to use an application held in the application holding unit when a function that can be used by the application held in the application holding unit is usable in the application acquired by the application acquisition unit. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein an application acquired by the application acquisition unit is stored in the application holding unit. Comprising a receiving means for receiving a switching command from a user of the communication terminal;
The switching control unit deletes the application held in the application holding unit when the user receives a switching instruction from the receiving unit, and the application acquired by the application acquisition unit is transferred to the application holding unit. It stores, The communication terminal of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Functions that can be used by the application held in the application holding unit are not switched by the switching control unit to the application acquired by the application acquisition unit by the application holding unit. When the acquired application is also usable, provisional execution means for executing the application acquired by the application acquisition means is provided,
The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the application executed by the provisional execution unit is discarded without being stored in the application holding unit after execution. An application acquisition method in a communication terminal that can use a local application downloaded and acquired from a server to execute a predetermined service and a browser application for executing a predetermined service in the server via a browser There,
An application acquisition step for newly acquiring an application of either a local application or a browser application,
A service identification step for identifying a service provided by the application acquired in the application acquisition step;
A type identifying step for identifying the type of the application acquired in the application acquiring step;
The application holding means capable of holding a local application or browser application is the same as the service of the application identified in the service identification step, and is different from the type of the application identified in the type identification step. A switching control step of deleting the application held in the application holding means and storing the application acquired by the application acquisition means in the application holding means when an application to be held is held;
An application acquisition method comprising:

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