U.S. patent application number 10/622089 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for information terminal device, method of acquiring information corresponding to language identification information from server and program thereof, network system, additional function purchasing progam, and program function adding method.
Invention is credited to Fukuoka, Norio, Honma, Masaya, Wada, Toshiaki.
Application Number | 20040133416 10/622089 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32684147 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040133416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fukuoka, Norio ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Information terminal device, method of acquiring information
corresponding to language identification information from server
and program thereof, network system, additional function purchasing
progam, and program function adding method
Abstract
An information terminal device includes an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on a display screen, a storage unit storing address
information of a server, a language identification information
synthesizer synthesizing the language identification information
into the address information, and a transmitter transmitting the
address information to the server.
Inventors: |
Fukuoka, Norio;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Honma, Masaya; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Wada, Toshiaki; (Tama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRAUB & POKOTYLO
620 TINTON AVENUE
BLDG. B, 2ND FLOOR
TINTON FALLS
NJ
07724
US
|
Family ID: |
32684147 |
Appl. No.: |
10/622089 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
704/3 ; 700/83;
707/E17.115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9566 20190101;
H04L 67/02 20130101; G06F 9/454 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
704/003 ;
700/083 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2002 |
JP |
2002-209734 |
Jul 18, 2002 |
JP |
2002-209735 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information terminal device, comprising: an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on a display screen; a storage unit storing address
information of a server; a language identification information
synthesizer synthesizing the language identification information
into the address information; and a transmitter transmitting the
address information to the server.
2. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein
the language identification information is a serial number of
software operating on the information terminal device.
3. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein
the language identification information is a model number or a
serial number of a peripheral device connected to the information
terminal device.
4. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein
the language identification information synthesizer synthesizes the
language identification information which is different from a
domain name or an IP address representing a country of a
transmission source so as to follow the domain name or IP
address.
5. An information terminal device, comprising: an input unit
inputting a user's voice; a use language recognizer recognizing a
use language based on the user's voice; a storage unit storing
address information of a server; an acquisition unit acquiring
language identification information concerning a use language
recognized by the use recognition means; a language identification
information synthesizer reading address information from the
storage unit and automatically synthesizing the language
identification information with the address information, when the
language identification information is acquired; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information to a server.
6. The information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
the language identification information is a serial number of
software operating on the information terminal device.
7. The information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
the language identification information is a model number or a
serial number of a peripheral device connected to the information
terminal device.
8. The information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein
the language identification information synthesizer synthesizes the
language identification information which is different from a
domain name or an IP address representing a country of a
transmission source so as to follow the domain name or IP
address.
9. An information terminal device, comprising: a display unit
displaying link information for linking with a transmission server
on a display screen; a storage unit storing address information of
the transmission server; an acquisition unit acquiring language
identification information concerning a language used on the
display screen; a language identification information synthesizer,
when the link information is selected, reading out the address
information and automatically synthesizing the acquired language
identification information with the address information; a
specification unit specifying a user; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information and user information to the
server.
10. The information terminal device according to claim 9, further
comprising display controller receiving information which can be
displayed in a language corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, and displaying the
information on the display unit in a language corresponding to the
language identification information.
11. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for acquiring language identification information concerning
a language used on a display screen; code means for storing address
information of a server; code means for, when the language
identification information is acquired, reading the address
information and automatically synthesizing the language
identification information with the address information; and code
means for transmitting the address information to the server.
12. A method of transmitting language identification information
recognized by a information terminal device to a registered server
and acquiring information corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, the method comprising:
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on a display screen of the information terminal device;
reading address information from the server; automatically
synthesizing the acquired language identification information with
the read address information; transmitting to the server, address
information obtained by synthesizing the language identification
information and specific information for specifying the address
information transmission user; and receiving information
corresponding to a type of language requested from the information
terminal device.
13. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing address information of a server; code means for
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on a display screen; code means for reading address
information contained in a transmission destination server; code
means for displaying link information for linking with the
transmission destination server on a display screen; code means
for, when the link information is selected, automatically
synthesizing the acquired language identification information with
the read address information.
14. A method of transmitting language identification information
recognized by a information terminal device to a registered server
and acquiring information corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, the method comprising:
displaying link information for linking with a transmission
destination server on a display screen; acquiring language
identification information concerning a language used on a display
screen of the information terminal device; reading address
information from the server; automatically synthesizing the
acquired language identification information with the out address
information, when the link information is selected; transmitting to
the server, address information obtained by synthesizing the
language identification information and specific information for
specifying the address information transmission user; and receiving
information corresponding to a type of language requested from the
information terminal device.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the link information
is an icon, and the icon notifies that a function of the recognized
natural language can be added onto a WEB.
16. A network system comprising: an information terminal device;
and a server for, based on language identification information
transmitted from the information terminal device, transmitting
corresponding information based on the language identification
information, wherein the information terminal device comprises: a
recognizer recognizing a type of natural language used in a local
information terminal device; a determination unit determining a
server targeted for transmission; a storage unit storing language
identification information for identifying the recognized language
in an address corresponding to the server targeted for
transmission; a transmitter transmitting to the server the address
information having stored therein language identification
information; a reception unit receiving information from the
server; and a display unit displaying the received information, and
the server comprises: a storage unit storing a plurality of
information described in a plurality of natural languages
corresponding to the language identification information; a
selector selecting from the storage unit, based on the language
identification information stored in the address information,
information which can be described in a predetermined language
which can be displayed in a language corresponding to the language
identification information and a program corresponding to the
language identification information; and a transmitter transmitting
the selected display information to the information terminal
device.
17. An information terminal device, which is communicable with a
server via a communication line comprising: a storage unit storing
a first program, a plurality of second programs which are allowed
to be activated by a predetermined release key and a plurality of
link information which correspond to the plurality of second
programs; a display unit displaying first link information selected
from the plurality of link information; a transmitter transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the
corresponding program stored in the storage unit, when the first
link information is selected; a reception unit receiving a release
key transmitted from the server as a result of the identification
information having been verified by the server; a controller
selecting a second program corresponding to the release key
received from the server from the storage unit and selecting second
link information corresponding to a second program different from
the selected second program; and a display controller changing the
first link information displayed on the display unit to the second
link information.
18. The information terminal device according to claim 17, wherein
the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to the
first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
19. An information terminal device, which is communicable with a
server via a communication line comprising: a storage unit storing
a first program and first link information; a display unit
displaying the first link information; a transmitter transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program or the first link information, when the first link
information is selected; a reception unit receiving a second
program transmitted from the server and second link information
corresponding to a third program stored in the server after the
identification information has been verified by the server, and a
controller making the storage unit store the second program and the
second link information received from the server and changing the
first link information displayed on the display unit to the second
link information stored in the storage unit.
20. The information terminal device according to claim 19, wherein
the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to the
first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
21. An information terminal device, which is communicable with a
server via a communication line comprising: a storage unit storing
a first program and first link information; a display unit
displaying the first link information; a transmitter transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program, when the first link information is selected; a reception
unit receiving a second program transmitted from the server, second
link information corresponding to an untransmitted third program,
and a release key for allowing the second program to be activated
after the identification information has been verified by the
server; and a controller making the storage unit store the second
program, the second link information and the release key received
from the server and changing the first link information displayed
on the display unit to the second link information stored in the
storage unit.
22. The information terminal device according to claim 21, wherein
the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to the
first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
23. An information terminal device, which is communicable with a
server via a communication line comprising: a storage unit storing
a first program, a plurality of second programs including a
plurality of first link information; a display unit displaying
first link information; a transmitter transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the first program, when
the first link information is selected; a reception unit receiving
a second program transmitted from the server after the
identification information has been verified by the server, and a
display controller selecting second link information for receiving
a third program from the server from the storage unit and changing
the first link information displayed on the display unit to the
second link information.
24. The information terminal device according to claim 23, wherein
the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to the
first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
25. An information terminal device, which is communicable with a
server via a communication line comprising: a storage unit storing
a first program, first link information and a second program; a
display unit displaying the first link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the second program stored in the storage unit, when the
first link information is selected; a reception unit receiving a
release key for allowing the predetermined second program
transmitted from the server to be activated, second link
information for requesting allowing a second program, which is
different from the predetermined program, to be activated, after
the identification information has been verified by the server; and
a controller allowing access to the second program stored in the
storage unit on the basis of the release key received from the
server, and changing the first link information displayed on the
display means to a second link information which corresponds to the
corresponding second program.
26. The information terminal device according to claim 25, wherein
the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to the
first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
27. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing a first program, a plurality of second programs
which are allowed to be activated by a predetermined release key
and a plurality of link information which correspond to the
plurality of second programs; code means for displaying first link
information selected from the plurality of link information; code
means for transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying a stored program, when the first link information is
selected; code means for receiving a release key transmitted from
the server as a result of the identification information having
been verified by the server; code means for a controller selecting
a second program corresponding to the release key received from the
server and selecting second link information corresponding to a
second program different from the selected second program; and code
means for changing the displayed first link information to the
second link information.
28. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing a first program and first link information; code
means for displaying the first link information; code means for
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program or the first link information, when
the first link information is selected; code means for receiving a
second program transmitted from the server and second link
information corresponding to a third program stored in the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and code means for storing the second program and the
second link information received from the server and changing the
displayed first link information to the stored second link
information.
29. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing a first program and first link information; code
means for displaying the first link information; code means for
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program, when the first link information is
selected; code means for receiving a second program transmitted
from the server, second link information corresponding to an
untransmitted third program, and a release key for allowing the
second program to be activated after the identification information
has been verified by the server; and code means for storing the
second program, the second link information and the release key
received from the server and changing the displayed first link
information to the stored second link information.
30. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing a first program, a plurality of second programs
including a plurality of first link information; code means for
displaying first link information; code means for transmitting to
the server identification information for identifying the first
program, when the first link information is selected; code means
for receiving a second program transmitted from the server after
the identification information has been verified by the server, and
code means for selecting second link information for receiving a
third program from the server from the plurality of link
information and changing the displayed first link information to
the second link information.
31. A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, the computer-readable program comprising: code
means for storing a first program, first link information and a
second program; code means for displaying the first link
information; code means for transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the second program, when
the first link information is selected; code means for receiving a
release key for allowing the predetermined second program
transmitted from the server to be activated, second link
information for requesting allowing a second program, which is
different from the predetermined program, to be activated, after
the identification information has been verified by the server; and
code means for allowing access to the stored second program on the
basis of the release key received from the server, and changing the
first link information displayed on the display means to a second
link information which corresponds to the corresponding second
program.
32. A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, the method comprising:
storing a first program, a plurality of second programs which are
allowed to be activated by a predetermined release key and a
plurality of link information which correspond to the plurality of
second programs; displaying first link information selected from
the plurality of link information; transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying a stored program, when
the first link information is selected; receiving a release key
transmitted from the server as a result of the identification
information having been verified by the server; a controller
selecting a second program corresponding to the release key
received from the server and selecting second link information
corresponding to a second program different from the selected
second program; and changing the displayed first link information
to the second link information.
33. A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, the method comprising:
storing a first program and first link information; displaying the
first link information; transmitting to the server identification
information for identifying the first program or the first link
information, when the first link information is selected; receiving
a second program transmitted from the server and second link
information corresponding to a third program stored in the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and storing the second program and the second link
information received from the server and changing the displayed
first link information to the stored second link information.
34. A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, the method comprising:
storing a first program and first link information; displaying the
first link information; transmitting to the server identification
information for identifying the first program, when the first link
information is selected; receiving a second program transmitted
from the server, second link information corresponding to an
untransmitted third program, and a release key for allowing the
second program to be activated after the identification information
has been verified by the server; and storing the second program,
the second link information and the release key received from the
server and changing the displayed first link information to the
stored second link information.
35. A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, the method comprising:
storing a first program, a plurality of second programs including a
plurality of first link information; displaying first link
information; transmitting to the server identification information
for identifying the first program, when the first link information
is selected; receiving a second program transmitted from the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and selecting second link information for receiving a third
program from the server from the plurality of link information and
changing the displayed first link information to the second link
information.
36. A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, the method comprising:
storing a first program, first link information and a second
program; displaying the first link information; transmitting to the
server identification information for identifying the second
program, when the first link information is selected; receiving a
release key for allowing the predetermined second program
transmitted from the server to be activated, second link
information for requesting allowing a second program, which is
different from the predetermined program, to be activated, after
the identification information has been verified by the server; and
allowing access to the stored second program on the basis of the
release key received from the server, and changing the first link
information displayed on the display means to a second link
information which corresponds to the corresponding second program.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2002-209734, filed Jul. 18, 2002; and No. 2002-209735, filed Jul.
18, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring
information from a server via a network. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a technique for acquiring information
which can be displayed in a language identical to a language of an
application program in use. The present invention further relates
to an information terminal device and a method for upgrading a
program simply and flexibly and an upgraded program.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] When a search is made by using a browser screen, it is
necessary to input a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) such as a
company name, but it is hard to keep a URL such as a company name
in mind.
[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, Jpn. Pat.
KOKAI Publication No. 2001-23430 discloses methods of manually
inputting a server name to a URL, and manually inputting a name
configuring a combination of low-order displays of postal codes and
addresses as a specific ID code which is generally known, and a
telephone number as a URL file name.
[0007] In addition, Jpn. Pat. KOKAI Publication No. 10-171810
discloses determination of a target language from a domain name
allocated to a host of a customer device. In more detail, there is
described storing in advance a language corresponding to a last
portion of domain information in a server and determining a
language from a last element of domain information, i.e., from
information which the customer device has stored in advance as a
located country or types such as company, government, educational
institute.
[0008] On the other hand, in many cases, a program running on a
computer has additional functions prepared separately so that they
can be added to that program as necessary. To use the additional
functions, a user simply purchases a new version of that program
and installs it into his or her own computer.
[0009] In such a case, the user can get a program which contains
the additional functions by purchasing a recording medium, such as
a CD-ROM, on which the program is recorded or by downloading the
program into his or her computer via a communication line.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An information terminal device according to the first aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an
acquisition unit acquiring language identification information
concerning a language used on a display screen; a storage unit
storing address information of a server; a language identification
information synthesizer synthesizing the language identification
information into the address information; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information to the server.
[0011] An information terminal device according to the second
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an
input unit inputting a user's voice; a use language recognizer
recognizing a use language based on the user's voice; a storage
unit storing address information of a server; an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a use
language recognized by the use recognition means; a language
identification information synthesizer reading address information
from the storage unit and automatically synthesizing the language
identification information with the address information, when the
language identification information is acquired; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information to a server.
[0012] An information terminal device according to the third aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a display
unit displaying link information for linking with a transmission
server on a display screen; a storage unit storing address
information of the transmission server; an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on the display screen; a language identification information
synthesizer, when the link information is selected, reading out the
address information and automatically synthesizing the acquired
language identification information with the address information; a
specification unit specifying a user; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information and user information to the
server.
[0013] An information terminal device according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program, a plurality of second
programs which are allowed to be activated by a predetermined
release key and a plurality of link information which correspond to
the plurality of second programs; a display unit displaying first
link information selected from the plurality of link information; a
transmitter transmitting to the server identification information
for identifying the corresponding program stored in the storage
unit, when the first link information is selected; a reception unit
receiving a release key transmitted from the server as a result of
the identification information having been verified by the server;
a controller selecting a second program corresponding to the
release key received from the server from the storage unit and
selecting second link information corresponding to a second program
different from the selected second program; and a display
controller changing the first link information displayed on the
display unit to the second link information.
[0014] An information terminal device according to the fifth aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage
unit storing a first program and first link information; a display
unit displaying the first link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program or the first link information, when
the first link information is selected; a reception unit receiving
a second program transmitted from the server and second link
information corresponding to a third program stored in the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and a controller making the storage unit store the second
program and the second link information received from the server
and changing the first link information displayed on the display
unit to the second link information stored in the storage unit.
[0015] An information terminal device according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage
unit storing a first program and first link information; a display
unit displaying the first link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program, when the first link information is
selected; a reception unit receiving a second program transmitted
from the server, second link information corresponding to an
untransmitted third program, and a release key for allowing the
second program to be activated after the identification information
has been verified by the server; and a controller making the
storage unit store the second program, the second link information
and the release key received from the server and changing the first
link information displayed on the display unit to the second link
information stored in the storage unit.
[0016] An information terminal device according to the seventh
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program, a plurality of second
programs including a plurality of first link information; a display
unit displaying first link information; a transmitter transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program, when the first link information is selected; a reception
unit receiving a second program transmitted from the server after
the identification information has been verified by the server, and
a display controller selecting second link information for
receiving a third program from the server from the storage unit and
changing the first link information displayed on the display unit
to the second link information.
[0017] An information terminal device according to the eighth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program, first link information and a
second program; a display unit displaying the first link
information; a transmitter transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the second program
stored in the storage unit, when the first link information is
selected; a reception unit receiving a release key for allowing the
predetermined second program transmitted from the server to be
activated, second link information for requesting allowing a second
program, which is different from the predetermined program, to be
activated, after the identification information has been verified
by the server; and a controller allowing access to the second
program stored in the storage unit on the basis of the release key
received from the server, and changing the first link information
displayed on the display means to a second link information which
corresponds to the corresponding second program.
[0018] The functions of each of the information terminal devices
can be implemented as a program running on the information terminal
device or a method of adding a subprogram to a program running on
the information terminal device.
[0019] Advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means
of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiment of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment
given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a
network system to which the present invention is applied;
[0022] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views illustrating a basic function
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an
information terminal device according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a
server according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a method for selecting page
information contained in service information database (DB);
[0027] FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of configuration of a
server when an additional program is added to an information
terminal device;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an
information terminal device according to a third embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a
server according to the third embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an
information terminal device according to a fourth embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a view of a schematic configuration of an
information terminal device according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a
server according to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration of a network system
which is applied to an information terminal device according to a
sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 15 shows a specific processing example in the sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration of a network system
which is applied to an information terminal device according to a
seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 18 shows a specific processing example in the seventh
embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration of a network system
which is applied to an information terminal device according to a
eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 21 shows a specific processing example in the eighth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration of a network system
which is applied to an information terminal device according to a
ninth embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 24 shows a specific processing example in the ninth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
ninth embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration of a network system
which is applied to an information terminal device according to a
tenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 27 shows a specific processing example in the tenth
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0048] FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
tenth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a
network system to which the present invention is applied.
[0051] The network system to which the present invention is applied
comprises a network 50 for connecting an information terminal
device 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an "information terminal")
and a server 60 to each other. The information terminal 10
comprises a peripheral device 40 for adding a variety of functions
to the information terminal. In addition, the server 60 comprises a
database 90 for supplying predetermined data to the information
terminal 10.
[0052] In the configuration as described above, in the embodiments
of the present invention, information from the server 60 is
provided to the information terminal 10 in a predetermined
language, and a technique for purchasing a program in a
predetermined language is provided. Therefore, a home page address
has been specified in a URL conventionally, and however, in the
present invention, language information is added to the URL,
whereby a home page can be displayed in a predetermined language
and a program can be purchased based in a predetermined language.
Specifically, this can be done as follows.
[0053] For example, conventionally, in the case of displaying a
home page, an address of that home page is directly specified to
display the home page having the address. As shown in FIG. 2A and
FIG. 2B, if an address is specified in a format (domain
name/directory/file name) of
[0054] www.olympus.co.jp/service/etc/ (a file name is
eliminated.),
[0055] the home page matched with that address is displayed. In
this case, instead of the domain name, an IP address may be
assigned. The IP address is allocated to computers over a network.
However, for a user (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as a
"customer") of the information terminal 10, a language of the home
page displayed by that address is not always a language currently
displayed on the information terminal. That is, for example, even
in the case where the home page is currently displayed in Japanese
and the Japanese home page is present in the address specified home
page, it is not identified whether or not the home page is
displayed as a Japanese home page.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
2A, following a domain name (IP address), JP (Japanese) being a
language ID of the currently displayed language is added to URL,
that is,
[0057] www.olympus.co.jp/sevice/etc.jsp?langid=JP
[0058] is specified, whereby the home page in the information
terminal 10 can be displayed in Japanese. In addition, even in the
case where a program is purchased or a version is upgraded, when a
program in multiple languages is provided as languages of the
program, a user selects which language the program is downloaded
after displaying the home page for downloading the program. In
another embodiment of the invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
2B, if a product serial number is 12345, for example,
[0059] www.olympus.co.jp/service/etc.jsp?serial=12345
[0060] is specified, and a language of the program according to the
serial number is specified on the server side, whereby the program
according to the specified language can be provided.
[0061] Now, specific embodiments of the present invention will be
described here.
[0062] (First Embodiment)
[0063] A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
3 to FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a view showing a schematic configuration of
an information terminal device 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an
"information terminal") according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing a schematic
configuration of a server 60 according to the first embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The
first embodiment shows an example in which, when application
software is provided in a language by language basis, software
upgrading is carried out in that language.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 10 comprises: a
memory 11; a message reader 12; a display controller 13; a display
14; a pointing device 15; an input unit 16; a controller 17; an
address synthesis unit 18; and a communication interface 19.
[0065] The memory 11 stores application software (hereinafter,
referred to as "software"). The application software includes, for
example, a program A (and an additional program B), an address
database (DB), a serial number A, a message database (DB), a
pattern image database (DB) or the like. The serial number A is a
software serial number, i.e., a unique number assigned on the
software by software basis. In addition, the message DB stores a
message in a predetermined language (Japanese).
[0066] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the server 60 comprises: a
reception communication interface 61; a URL analyzer 62; a product
management database 63; a service information database (DB) 64; a
page creator 65; and a transmission communication interface 66. The
communication interfaces 61 and 66 may be configured single
communication interface having transmission and reception
function.
[0067] An operation of the information terminal 10 configured as
described above and the server 60 will be briefly described. In the
following description, as shown in FIG. 3, assume that two types of
software are provided in the English and Japanese versions, and
that the information terminal 10 uses the Japanese version.
[0068] The Japanese message for display in the message DB stored in
the memory 11 is read out with the reader 12. The Japanese message
read out with the reader 12 is sent to the display controller 13
together with a pattern image read out from the pattern image DB.
Then, under the control of the display controller 13, the Japanese
message is superimposed with the screen image, and is displayed on
the display 14. In addition, the information displayed on the
screen of the display 14 can be operated, for example, by selecting
it by the pointing device 15, and the operated information is sent
to the controller 17. The controller 17 reads out a software serial
number from the memory 11 in addition to input of the operated
information from the pointing device 15, and receives input data
from the input unit 16. In addition, the controller 17 reads out
and executes a program.
[0069] When the controller 17 reads out a serial number from the
memory 11 based on an event generated by operation of the pointing
device 15, the controller outputs this serial number to the address
key code creator 18. Then, the controller outputs a transmission
message to the communication interface 19. The address synthesis
unit 18 adds the serial number to the server address and page
address read out from the memory 11, and outputs it as a URL to the
communication interface 19. The communication interface 19
transmits the transmission message from the controller 17 and the
URL from the address synthesis unit 118 to the server 60.
[0070] When a reception communication interface 61 of the server 60
receives the URL and transmission message from the information
terminal 10, the interface outputs URL information to a URL
analyzer 62. The URL analyzer 62 extracts a product serial number
from the URL information, outputs it to a product management DB 63,
and outputs the URL page address to a service information DB 64.
The product management DB 63 extracts a language ID from the
product serial number, and outputs it to the service information DB
64. The service information DB 64 generates display information
based on the page address from the URL analyzer 62 and the language
ID from the product management DB 63. In this case, the service
information DB 64 generates display information according to a
predetermined language based on the language ID. Then, in
accordance with this display information and a page transmission
request from the communication interface 61, a page creator 65
generates transmission page data, and transmits the page data from
the transmission communication interface 66 to the information
terminal 10.
[0071] The information terminal 10 receives the page data
transmitted from the server 60 via a communication interface 19,
and transmits a receiving message (additional program data if any)
to the controller 17. The controller 17 outputs the receiving
message to the display controller 13, and causes the display to
display the receiving message (for example, web data or home page
information). In addition, in the case where the communication
interface 19 has received an additional program, the controller 17
stores the additional program in the memory 11.
[0072] An operation of the system configured as described above
will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0073] First, an icon displayed on the display 14 is selected by
the pointing device 15 or the like, whereby operation starts. When
the icon is selected, the software serial number is read out from
the memory 11 (step A1). Next, the address of the server 60 and the
page address of a page in which the software is present in the
server 60 are read out (step S2).
[0074] Then, URL is synthesized at the address key code creator 18
by using the address and serial number of a connection destination
(step S3). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a serial number is
added to a general URL. Then, the synthesized URL is transmitted
from the communication interface 19 to the server 60. In addition,
a page display request signal is transmitted together with URL
(step A11).
[0075] When connection to the server 60 specified by the URL
specified by the information terminal 10 is established (step A5),
the server 60 causes the URL analyzer to analyze the URL received
via the communication interface 61, and extracts the serial number
and page address from the URL (step A6). Then, a display language
is identified from the serial number (step A7), and a language ID
is generated (step A8). Next, information corresponding to the page
address and language ID is read out from a service information DB
64 (step A9). Then, in accordance with a page display request (step
A11), the information according to the step A9 is processed and
generated so as to be page displayed (step A10).
[0076] When the page generated in the server 60 is transmitted to
the information terminal 10, the terminal starts up a web browser
(step A13). Then, in accordance with the transmitted page data, the
display controller 13 constructs a display page (step A14), whereby
the page is displayed on the display 14, and processing is
terminated.
[0077] The information contained in the service information DB 64
is selected in accordance with the method as shown in FIG. 6.
[0078] For example, the service information DB 64 has display
information from page 1 to page N, and languages such as Japanese,
English, . . . Chinese are provided for the information on page 1,
which are the display information with the same contents. In the
case where a language ID and a page address are inputted to the
thus configured service information DB 64, the language ID and page
address are inputted to a decoder 641 for language ID and a decoder
642 for page address, respectively. Then, the ID and address are
converted into a signal for specifying a position on a DB by
respective decoders. A signal for selecting a language (for
example, a signal for selecting Japanese) is outputted from the
decoder 641 for the language ID, and a signal for specifying a page
(for example, a signal for selecting page 1) is outputted from the
decoder 642. In accordance with these signals, for example,
information of page 1 which is Japanese information is extracted
from the service information DB 64, and is outputted to the page
creator 65.
[0079] As described above, in the first embodiment, type of
language displayed on the display 14 of the information terminal 10
is specified according to the software serial number, thus making
it unnecessary for a user to select type of language displayed on
the information terminal.
[0080] (Second Embodiment)
[0081] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a language ID is
generated from a serial number, and a home page is displayed in
accordance with the language ID. The second embodiment can be
applied similarly when a program is added. FIG. 7 is a view showing
an example of configuration of a server 60 when an additional
program is added to an information terminal 10. In FIG. 7, like
elements in FIG. 4 are designated by like reference numerals. A
detailed description is omitted here. In addition, a configuration
of the information terminal 10 is similar to that according to the
first embodiment. An illustration and description are omitted
here.
[0082] In FIG. 7, an additional program database (DB) 67 is added
to the configuration of FIG. 4. Upon receiving a URL and
transmission message from the information terminal 10, a reception
communication interface 61 outputs an address of an additional
program to the additional program DB 67. Then, the additional
program DB 67 outputs the additional program extracted by the
address to a transmission communication interface 66.
[0083] In such a case of the present embodiment, before
transmitting an additional program, in general, user authentication
is carried out by a user ID and password, for example. In the case
where user authentication is normally carried out, for example, a
release key is issued to make a program available. This flow of
operation will be exemplified in a fifth embodiment, for
example.
[0084] In the second embodiment, as described above, a language in
accordance with a serial number is automatically displayed based on
the serial number, as in the first embodiment. For an additional
program, an additional program having a language used in an
original program is automatically downloaded from an address of the
additional program. This makes it unnecessary for a user to worry
about a language to be displayed.
[0085] (Third Embodiment)
[0086] A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
8 and FIG. 9. FIG. 8 is a view showing a schematic configuration of
an information terminal 10 according to the third embodiment. FIG.
9 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a server 60
according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, like
elements in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 are designated by like reference
numerals. A detailed description is omitted here.
[0087] In the third embodiment, software is provided on a multiple
language basis, not on a language by language basis. Messages in a
plurality of languages are included in a message DB stored in a
memory 11. That is, in the third embodiment, a desired language in
a display message is selected by a language ID in order to display
a software language.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 8, a language selection register 20 is
provided for the information terminal 10. In FIG. 8, the language
selection register 20 registers a language ID from a controller 17.
A reader 12 reads out from the memory 11 a message in a language
corresponding to the language ID registered in the language
selection register, and outputs a display message to a display
controller 13. In addition, an address synthesis unit 18
synthesizes a URL obtained by adding the language ID read out from
the language selection register 20 to a server address and a page
address, and outputs it to a communication interface. Another
operation of the information terminal 10 is identical to that
according to the first embodiment. A duplicate description is
omitted here.
[0089] FIG. 9 is a view showing a configuration of the server 60
according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 9, the product
management DB 63 of FIG. 4 is omitted here. This is because,
although the product management DB 63 has extracted a language ID
from a product serial number in the first embodiment, when the URL
analyzer 62 has analyzed a URL in the third embodiment, the
language ID is extracted, and thus, a language of display
information can be specified by the extracted language ID. Another
configuration is identical to that according to the first
embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.
[0090] In the present embodiment, although a program itself
supports multiple languages, in this case as well, advantageous
effect similar to that of the first embodiment can be achieved.
[0091] (Fourth Embodiment)
[0092] A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
10. FIG. 10 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an
information terminal 10 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG.
10, like elements in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 are designated by like
reference numerals. A detailed description is omitted here.
[0093] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of configuration of the
information terminal 10 when voice recognition is carried out.
[0094] The information terminal 10 in FIG. 10 comprises a voice
input unit 16' instead of an input unit 16 in FIG. 8, and comprises
a voice recognizing portion 21 for recognizing a voice. The voice
input unit 16' may be added as one aspect of the input unit 16. The
voice inputted by the voice input unit 16' is inputted to the voice
recognizing portion 21, and type of language according to the voice
is recognized as Japanese or English and the like by the voice
recognizing portion 21. Then, when this recognition result is
inputted to a controller 17, the language ID is outputted from the
controller 17 to a language selection register 20. In this manner,
the language ID in accordance with a predetermined language is
added to a URL. Another configuration is identical to that
according to the third embodiment. A duplicate description is
omitted here.
[0095] In the fourth embodiment, the user's use language is
recognized by a voice, and thus, it is particularly effective in
such a case of the information terminal with such a configuration
that voice input is made.
[0096] (Fifth Embodiment)
[0097] A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
11 to FIG. 13. FIG. 11 is a view showing a schematic configuration
of an information terminal device 10 according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a view showing a
schematic configuration of a server 60 according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing
an operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention. The fifth embodiment is an embodiment according to
upgrading of control software of a peripheral device. In addition,
in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, like elements in FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 are
designated by like reference numerals. A detailed description is
omitted here.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 11, the information terminal 10 comprises a
peripheral device interface 22 for making communication with a
peripheral device 40. The peripheral device 40 comprises an
interface 41 for making communication with the information terminal
10. The peripheral device 40 comprises a device number (model
number) and serial number (manufacture number) or the like for each
product.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 12, in addition to FIG. 4, the server 60
further comprises: a user ID/password extractor 68; a customer
authentication unit 69; a customer management database (DB) 70; a
page address selector 71; a key code creator 72; and a sales
management database (DB) 73. The user ID/password extractor 68
extracts a user ID and a password from a transmission message, and
outputs them to the customer authentication unit 69 and sales
management DB 73. The customer authentication unit 69 carries out
authentication of whether the target is an authorized user based on
the user ID and password. In the case where the determination
result is negative, a page address 2 is outputted to the page
address selector 71. In addition, in the case where the
determination result is affirmative, the customer authentication
unit 69 requests the key code creator 72 to issue a release key. In
addition, the key code creator 72 outputs information for
generating the release key to the sales management DB 73. Then, the
sales management DB 73 records the information for generating the
release key together with a user ID. The page address selector 71
outputs the page address 2 in the case where the page address 2 is
outputted from the customer authentication unit 69. Otherwise, this
selector outputs a page address 1 outputted from a URL analyzer
62.
[0100] In this manner, the service information DB 64 outputs
different display information according to the user authentication
result. When URL information is analyzed, the URL analyzer 62
extracts a model number of the peripheral device 40 (or serial
number. Hereinafter, referred to as only a model number), and the
product management DB 63 outputs a language ID in accordance with
the model number. Then, when display information is outputted from
a service information DB 64, a language according to control
software of the peripheral device 40 is selected in accordance with
this language ID.
[0101] An operation of the system configured as described above
will be described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0102] First, an icon displayed on a display 14 is selected by the
pointing device 15 or the like, whereby operation starts. When the
icon is selected, a predetermined purchase information display
message is read out from the memory 11, and is displayed on a
display 14 (step S1). In accordance with this message screen, a
user inputs a user ID and a password for user authentication from
an input unit 16 (step B2). This input data is outputted to a
communication interface 19 via a controller 17. In addition, an
address synthesis unit 18 inputs via the controller 17 a peripheral
device model number read out from the peripheral device 40, and
adds the model number to a server address and a page address read
out from the memory 11, thereby generating a URL (step S3), and
outputting the URL to the communication interface 19. The
communication interface 19 transmits a transmission message to the
server 60 with the URL being specified as an address (step B4).
[0103] A reception communication interface 61 of the server 60
having received a message from the information terminal 10 outputs
URL information to a URL analyzer 62. The URL analyzer 62 extracts
a model number and a page address 1 (step B5). The model number
extracted by he URL analyzer 62 is outputted to a product
management database 63 and a key code creator 72, a display
language ID is selected from the product management database 63
based on the model number (step B6), and the selected ID is
outputted to a service information DB 64.
[0104] On the other hand, a message is outputted from the reception
communication interface 61 to a user ID/password extractor 68, and
the user ID and password are extracted by a user ID/password
extractor 68 (step B7). Based on the user ID and password extracted
by the user ID/password extractor 68, a customer database (DB) 70
is referred to by the customer authentication unit 69, and user
authentication is carried out (step B8). In the case where user
authentication is normally carried out (Y of step B9), a customer
authentication unit requests a key code creator 72 to issue a
release key, and the key code creator 72 outputs the release key
(step B10). This release key is recorded in a sales management
database 73 together with the user ID. In the step B9, in the case
where user authentication is not normally carried out, a page
address 2 is outputted to a page address selector 71 (step
B11).
[0105] Then, in the case where the page address selector 71 does
not receive the page address 2 from the customer authentication
unit 69, it is determined that user authentication is normally
carried out, and the page address 1 is outputted. Otherwise, the
page address 2 is outputted, indicating that authentication is not
normally carried out. The service information DB 64 outputs
predetermined display information to a page creator 65 in
accordance with an output of a page address selector 71. Then, the
page data generated by the page creator 65 is transmitted to the
information terminal 10 via a transmission communication interface
66 (step B12).
[0106] The information terminal 10 displays received page data
(step B13). In addition, a program is released by the received
release key (step B14), and the program downloaded by the
information terminal 10 can be used.
[0107] As described above, in the present embodiment, a model
number is extracted, and a language ID is selected. Thus, there is
no need for a user to specify an upgrading program having a
language identical to the language used in a control program of a
peripheral device, and such an upgrading program can be
downloaded.
[0108] (Sixth embodiment)
[0109] The sixth embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration
of a network system which is applied to an information terminal
device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows a specific processing example in the sixth embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the
operation of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 14, the network system to which the present
invention is applied has an information terminal device
(hereinafter referred to as an information terminal) 1, a network
2, and a server 3.
[0111] The information terminal 1 according to the sixth
embodiment, which is, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter
referred to as PC) owned by a user, includes a first memory 11, a
second memory 12, an upgrade management database (DB) 13, an input
unit 14, a controller 15, a display controller 16, a display 17,
and a communication interface 18.
[0112] The first memory 11 stores a main program and subprograms A
through Z. The second memory 12 stores icons A through Z which
correspond to the subprograms A through Z, respectively, which are
stored in the first memory 11. The first and second memories 11 and
12, which are nonvolatile memories, external storage devices, such
as magnetic disks, and so on., retain data even when the power to
the information terminal 1 has been switched off. The upgrade
management database 13 manages the upgrading states of the
subprograms A through Z.
[0113] The input unit 14, which is an input device for the
information terminal 1, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or the like,
receives inputs from the user.
[0114] The controller 15 controls the overall operation of the
information terminal 1.
[0115] The display controller 16 controls the display 17 so as to
display various pieces of information.
[0116] Communication interface 18 communicates to the server 3
through the network 2 and other information terminal devices (not
shown in the figure).
[0117] The network 2 may be of any configuration provided that it
is compatible with mutual communications. The network 2 may be of
any of networks compatible with mutual communications, such as
internets, intranets, etc.
[0118] The server 3 includes a communications interface 31, a user
authentication unit 32, a customer database (DB) 33, a release key
creator 34, and a key issue database 35.
[0119] The communication interface 31 provides communications with
another device (for example, the information terminal 1) connected
to the network.
[0120] The user authentication unit 32 authenticates a user ID by
comparison with user data in the customer DB 33 in order to
determine right of access made by the user at the information
terminal 1.
[0121] The release key creator 34 issues a release key to the user
whose identity has been established by the user authentication unit
32 on the basis of data in the key issue database (DB) 35.
[0122] The operation of the network system thus configured will be
described briefly with reference to FIG. 15.
[0123] First, if no additional function is used, only the main
program can be run on the information terminal 1. Therefore, the
icon A is displayed on the display screen 17a of the display 17 of
the information terminal 1 to prompt the user to purchase the
subprogram A. Let us suppose in this specification that the icon A
functions as link information for upgrading the main program A.
That is, each of the icons A through Z functions as an icon in
which link information is embedded which makes available (or
prompts the user to purchase) a corresponding respective one of the
subprograms A through Z. In this specification, the acquisition of
a release key for making available a subprogram will also be
described as the purchase of a program. Suppose, for example, that
the user clicks the mouse on the icon A to indicate his or her
intention to purchase the subprogram A. Then, the program ID "S100"
of the subprogram A corresponding to the icon A and the icon ID "A"
are read from the upgrade management DB 13 and then transmitted to
the server 3 together with the program ID "M123456789" of the main
program and the user ID and password for identifying the user.
[0124] Upon receipt of the ID information in the communications
interface 31, the server 3 determines whether or not the user has
been duly registered in the user authentication unit 32. If the
identity of the user has been established, the key code of the
release key (hereinafter referred to simply as the release key) for
the subprogram A is created in the release key creator 34 and then
sent to the information terminal 1.
[0125] Based on the received release key, the information terminal
1 releases the subprogram A and makes it available, then increments
a pointer indicating the version of the subprogram which is an
object of purchase. To prompt the user to purchase the subprogram B
prepared as the next version of the subprogram A, the icon B is
displayed on the display 17 in place of the icon A.
[0126] The operation when the icon B is selected by clicking the
mouse on it is the same as when the icon A is selected. After the
subprogram B has been released, the icon C is displayed to prompt
the user to purchase the subprogram C.
[0127] Reference is now made to the flowchart in FIG. 16 to
describe the flow of processing when the user purchases a
subprogram prepared in the information terminal 1.
[0128] First, when the on-screen icon (icon A in this example) is
selected, a browser is activated to issue a request for connection
to the server 3 (step A1). After connection to the server 3 has
been established in response to this request (step A2), an entry
page of user ID and password prepared in the server 3 is
transmitted to the information terminal 1 (step A3).
[0129] Upon receipt of the entry page, the information terminal 1
displays it on the display 17 (step A4). The user enters the user
ID and the password through the input unit 14 according to an entry
request of the entry page (step A5). These data are transmitted to
the server 3 for user authentication in the user authentication
unit 32. When the identity of the user has been established, the
server 3 requests the information terminal 1 to send the program ID
"S100" of the subprogram A corresponding to the icon A and the
program ID "M123456789" of the main program (step A6). If, on the
other hand, the identity of the user has not been established in
step A6, the server 3 notifies the information terminal 1 to that
effect with a request for reentry of user information.
[0130] The information terminal 1 transmits the program ID of the
subprogram A corresponding to the icon A and the program ID of the
main program to the server 3 (step A7). Based on the received data,
the server 3 creates a release key (step A8) and transmits it to
the information terminal 1.
[0131] Upon receipt of the release key, the information terminal 1
releases the restriction of use of the subprogram A so that it
becomes available on the information terminal (step A9). The record
pointer in the upgrade management DB 13 is incremented (step
A10).
[0132] The information terminal 1 erases the icon A displayed on
the display 17 (step A11) and then displays the icon B on the
display so as to prompt the user to purchase the subprogram B (step
A12).
[0133] Thus, since the design of the icon as link information
displayed on the display is updated each time the program is
upgraded, it becomes easy to understand states of upgrading.
Moreover, the program can be upgraded simply by selecting an icon,
allowing ease of program upgrading.
[0134] (Seventh embodiment)
[0135] The seventh embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration
of a network system which is applied to an information terminal
device according to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 18 shows a specific processing example in the
seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a flowchart
illustrating the operation of the seventh embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, corresponding parts to
those in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are denoted by like reference
numerals and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0136] Unlike the sixth embodiment in which subprograms and icons
have been prepared beforehand in the information terminal, in the
seventh embodiment, both the subprograms and the icons have been
prepared in the server and a subprogram and an icon are downloaded
from the server into the information terminal each time the program
is upgraded.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 17, although the information terminal 1
remains unchanged in basic configuration from that in FIG. 14, the
server 3 is provided with a subprogram selector 36 and an icon
selector 38 in place of the release key creator 34 shown in FIG.
14. Accordingly, a subprogram database (DB) 37 and an icon database
(DB) 39 are provided in place of the key issue database 35.
[0138] In FIG. 17, the subprogram selector 36 selects and extracts
a subprogram requested by the information terminal 1 from the
subprogram DB 37. The icon selector 38 selects and extracts from
the icon database 39 the icon corresponding to the subprogram B to
be purchased next to the subprogram selected by the subprogram
selector 36 and upgrade DB additional data.
[0139] The operation of the network system thus configured will be
described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 18, clicking on the icon A causes the
program ID "S100" of the subprogram A associated with the icon A to
be read. The program ID "M123456789" of the main program, the
program ID of the subprogram A and the user ID and password for
identifying the user are transmitted to the server 3. If the
identity of the user has been established, the server 3 selects the
subprogram A, the icon B to prompt the user to purchase the
subprogram B and upgrade DB additional data on the basis of the
program ID of the main program and the program ID of the subprogram
A and then transmits them to the information terminal 1.
[0141] The information terminal 1 stores the subprogram A into the
first memory 11, then adds a record for the subprogram B
corresponding to the next version to the upgrade management DB 13
and enters the version number "2", the program name "subprogram B",
the program ID "S200" and the icon ID "B" into that record. In
addition, the pointer indicating the version is incremented and the
display is changed from the icon A to the icon B associated with
the subprogram B.
[0142] Reference is made to the flowchart in FIG. 19 to describe
the flow of processing of purchasing a subprogram prepared in the
server 3.
[0143] First, the processing from the step of selecting the icon to
purchase the subprogram through the step of providing user
authentication (from step A1 through step A6) remains unchanged
from that in the sixth embodiment and description thereof is
omitted. After the identity of the user has been established by the
authentication in the server 3, the information terminal 1
transmits the program ID of the subprogram corresponding to the
icon (for example, icon A) and the program ID of the main program
(step A7). Upon receipt of these transmit data, the server selects
a new subprogram (subprogram A) requested by the information
terminal 1 (step B1) and then selects.a new icon (icon B)
corresponding to a subprogram (subprogram B) to be purchased next
(step B2). The server transmits the subprogram A, the icon B, and
upgrade DB additional data to the information terminal 1 (step
B3).
[0144] Upon receipt of the subprogram A and the icon B, the
information terminal 1 stores the subprogram A into the first
memory 11 (step B4), stores the icon B into the second memory 12
(step B5), and adds a record to the upgrade management DB and
increments the record pointer (step B6).
[0145] The display controller 16 erases the icon A displayed on the
display 17 (step A11) and displays the icon B on the display 17 so
as to prompt the user to purchase the new subprogram B (step
A12).
[0146] In the seventh embodiment, as described above, since a new
subprogram is downloaded from the server 3 as necessary, there is
no need of storing unnecessary subprograms in the information
terminal 1. In the seventh embodiment, since a subprogram is
downloaded at the time of purchase, there is no need of releasing
the downloaded subprogram using the release key.
[0147] (Eighth embodiment)
[0148] The eighth embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 20, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration
of a network system which is applied to an information terminal
device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 shows a specific processing example in the eighth
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a flowchart
illustrating the operation of the eighth embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 20, FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, corresponding parts to
those in FIG. 14 through FIG. 19 are denoted by like reference
numerals and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0149] The eighth embodiment, which is an extension of the seventh
embodiment, is configured to download subprograms which will be
purchased in future at the same time the subprogram A is
downloaded. The information terminal 1 and the server 3 store
subprograms and icons which are not released. Although the seventh
embodiment is configured such that, each time an icon is selected,
the subprogram corresponding to the selected icon and the icon
corresponding to the next subprogram are sent to the information
terminal 1, the eighth embodiment is configured such that two or
more subprograms and two or more icons are transmitted in a single
operation. The eighth embodiment will be described below more
specifically.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 20, the eighth embodiment is a combination
of the sixth embodiment of FIG. 14 and the seventh embodiment of
FIG. 17. Thus, each component in the information terminal 1 and the
server 3 is identical in function to the corresponding component in
the first and seventh embodiments and hence description thereof is
omitted.
[0151] The operation of the network system thus configured will be
described with reference to FIG. 21.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 21, clicking on the icon A causes the
program ID "S100" of the subprogram A associated with the icon A to
be read. The program ID "M123456789" of the main program, the
program ID "S100" of the subprogram A and the user ID and password
for identifying the user are transmitted to the server 3. If the
identity of the user has been established, the server 3 selects the
subprogram A and issues a key for releasing the subprogram A on the
basis of the data transmitted from the information terminal 1. The
subprogram A, the icon B, the release key and upgrade DB additional
data are sent from the server 3 to the information terminal 1. In
addition, the subprograms B through M, the icons B through M and
upgrading additional data therefor are also transmitted to the
information terminal in expectation of future purchase of these
subprograms.
[0153] The information terminal 1 stores the subprograms A through
M into the memory and displays the release key for the subprogram A
on the WEB browser on the display 17. The user enters the release
key into application software to thereby release the subprogram A.
Next, the upgrading DB additional data is added to the upgrade
management DB 13. In this additional data, not only the subprogram
A but also the subprograms B through M are batch-entered. In
addition, the version pointer is incremented by one and the display
icon is changed from the icon A to the icon B associated with the
subprogram B in order to prompt the user to purchase the next
subprogram B. When the user next selects the icon B to purchase the
subprogram B, he or she simply obtains the release key only from
the server 3 to make the subprogram B available as in the sixth
embodiment because the subprogram B has been already stored in the
information terminal 1.
[0154] Reference is next made to the flowchart of FIG. 22 to
describe the flow of processing of purchasing a subprogram prepared
in the information terminal 1.
[0155] First, the processing from the step of selecting an icon to
purchase a subprogram through the step of providing user
authentication (from step A1 through step A6) remains unchanged
from that in the sixth embodiment and description thereof is
omitted. After the identity of the user has been established by the
user authentication in the server 3, the information terminal 1
transmits the program ID of a subprogram (for example, the
subprogram A) corresponding to the icon (the icon A) and the
program ID of the main program (step A7). Upon receipt of these
transmit data, the server selects the subprogram (subprogram A)
requested by the information terminal 1 (step B1) and moreover
selects the subprograms B through M prepared for future purchase.
The server further selects new icons (icons B through M)
corresponding to the subprograms B through M (step Cl). In the
eighth embodiment, unlike the seventh embodiment, the subprograms
and the icons are batch-transmitted to the information terminal;
thus, the release key for the purchased subprogram A is created
(step C2). The subprograms A through M, the icons B through M, the
release key for the purchased subprogram A and additional data to
add records corresponding to the subprograms B through M to the
upgrade management DB are transmitted to the information terminal 1
(step C3).
[0156] The information terminal 1 stores the received new
subprograms and the received new icons into the first memory 11 and
the second memory 12, respectively (step C4). The restriction of
use of the purchased subprogram A is released by the release key
(step A9). Furthermore, the records are added to the upgrade
management DB and the record pointer is incremented (step C5).
[0157] The display controller 16 erases the icon A displayed on the
display 17 (step A10) and instead displays the icon B on the
display 17 to prompt the user to purchase the subprogram B (step
A11).
[0158] According to the eighth embodiment, as described above, when
the user notifies the server of his or her intention to purchase a
subprogram, two or more subprograms and two or more icons are
concurrently transmitted to the information terminal. Thus, the
batch transmission of two or more subprograms prepared in the
server 3 at the time of purchase of a subprogram eliminates the
need of transmitting a subprogram and an icon anew at each time the
main program is upgraded although the amount of data transmitted to
the information terminal at one time increases. For example, once a
mobile terminal has been upgraded in a state of wired connection,
the user will not suffer from stress even at the time of upgrading
in a state of wireless connection where the transmission rate is
lower.
[0159] (Ninth embodiment)
[0160] The ninth embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 23, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25. FIG. 23 is a schematic configuration
of a network system which is applied to an information terminal
according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24
shows a specific processing example in the ninth embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the
operation of the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
23, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, corresponding parts to those in FIG. 14
through FIG. 22 are denoted by like reference numerals and detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0161] The ninth embodiment is a modification of the seventh
embodiment configured such that only the icons have been prepared
in the information terminal 1 and only the subprograms to be
purchased are obtained from the server 3. Thus, although the
information terminal 1 is identical in basic configuration to that
in FIG. 17, the sever 3 is not provided with the icon selector 38
and the icon DB 39 as shown in FIG. 23.
[0162] The operation of the network system thus configured will be
described with reference to FIG. 24.
[0163] As shown in FIG. 24, clicking on the icon A allows the
program ID of the main program, the icon ID and the user ID and
password for identifying the user to be transmitted to the server
3. If the identity of the user has been established, the server 3
specifies and selects the subprogram A on the basis of the program
ID of the main program and the icon ID and sends it to the
information terminal 1.
[0164] The information terminal 1 stores the subprogram A into the
first memory 11 and enters a record for it into the upgrade
management DB 13. The subprogram version indicating pointer is
incremented and the display icon is changed to the icon B
associated with the subprogram B so as to prompt the user to
purchase it.
[0165] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 25, a description is
given of the flow of processing of purchasing a subprogram prepared
in the server 3.
[0166] First, the processing from the step of selecting an icon to
purchase a subprogram through the step of providing user
authentication (from step A1 through step A6) remains unchanged
from that in the sixth embodiment and description thereof is
omitted. After the identity of the user has been established by the
user authentication in the server 3, the information terminal 1
transmits the icon ID and the main program ID to the server 3 (step
D1). Upon receipt of these transmit data, the server 3 selects a
new subprogram (step D2) and sends it to the information terminal 1
(step D3). Upon receipt of the new subprogram, the information
terminal 1 stores it into the first memory 11 (step C3). The record
pointer in the upgrade management DB is incremented (step A10).
[0167] The display controller 16 erases the icon A displayed on the
display 17 (step A11) and instead displays the icon B on the
display 17 so as to prompt the user to purchase the subprogram B
next (step A12).
[0168] (Tenth embodiment)
[0169] The tenth embodiment will be described with reference to
FIG. 26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28. FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration
of a network system which is applied to an information terminal
according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27
shows a specific processing example in the tenth embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the
operation of the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
26, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, corresponding parts to those in FIG. 14
through FIG. 25 are denoted by like reference numerals and detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0170] The tenth embodiment is a modification of the seventh
embodiment configured such that subprograms have been prepared in
the information terminal 1 and icons corresponding to upgrading
subprograms other than the subprogram to be purchased first are
obtained from the server 3. Thus, although the information terminal
1 is identical in basic configuration to that in FIG. 17, the sever
3 is configured so as not to have the subprogram selector 36 and
the subprogram DB 37 as shown in FIG. 26.
[0171] The operation of the network system thus configured will be
described with reference to FIG. 27.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 27, clicking on the icon A allows the
program ID of the subprogram A to be read. The program ID
"M123456789" of the main program, the program ID "S100" of the
subprogram A and the user ID and password for identifying the user
are transmitted to the server 3. If the identity of the user has
been established, the server 3 creates a release key for purchasing
the subprogram A on the basis of the program ID of the main program
and the subprogram ID and selects the icon B for purchasing the
subprogram B. The server 3 then sends the release key for the
subprogram A and the icon B to the information terminal 1.
[0173] The information terminal 1, upon receiving the release key,
releases the subprogram A, stores the icon B, increments the
version pointer, and changes the display icon from the icon A to
the icon B associated with the subprogram B so as to prompt the
user to purchase it next.
[0174] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 28, a description is
given of the flow of processing of purchasing a subprogram prepared
in the information terminal 1.
[0175] First, the processing from the step of selecting an icon to
purchase a subprogram through the step of providing user
authentication (from step A1 through step A6) remains unchanged
from that in the sixth embodiment and description thereof is
omitted. After the identity of the user has been established by the
user authentication in the server 3, the information terminal 1
transmits the program ID of the subprogram A corresponding to the
icon A and the main program ID of the main program to the server 3
(step A7). Upon receipt of these transmit data, the server 3
creates the release key (step A8). The sever next selects a new
icon (icon B) (step E1) and sends it together with the release key
to the information terminal 1 (step E2).
[0176] Upon receipt of the release key and the new icon, the
information terminal 1 first stores the new icon into the second
memory 12 (step B5), then displays the release key on the display
17 (step E3) and releases the restriction of use of the subprogram
A so that it becomes available (step A9). The icon ID of the new
icon is entered into the upgrade management DB and the record
pointer is incremented (step E4).
[0177] The display controller 16 erases the icon A displayed on the
display 17 (step A10) and instead displays the icon B on the
display 17 so as to prompt the user to purchase the subprogram B
next (step A11).
[0178] The following invention is extracted from the embodiments
described above.
[0179] An information terminal device according to the first aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an
acquisition unit acquiring language identification information
concerning a language used on a display screen; a storage unit
storing address information of a server; a language identification
information synthesizer synthesizing the language identification
information into the address information; and a transmitter
transmitting. the address information to the server.
[0180] An information terminal device according to the second
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an
input unit inputting a user's voice; a use language recognizer
recognizing a use language based on the user's voice; a storage
unit storing address information of a server; an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a use
language recognized by the use recognition means; a language
identification information synthesizer reading address information
from the storage unit and automatically synthesizing the language
identification information with the address information, when the
language identification information is acquired; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information to a server.
[0181] In the above-mentioned first or second aspect, the following
modes are preferable. The above-mentioned aspects may be applied
independently or may be properly applied in combination.
[0182] (1) The language identification information is a serial
number of software operating on the information terminal
device.
[0183] (2) The language identification information is a model
number or a serial number of a peripheral device connected to the
information terminal device.
[0184] (3) The language identification information synthesizer
synthesizes the language identification information which is
different from a domain name or an IP address representing a
country of a transmission source so as to follow the domain name or
IP address.
[0185] An information terminal device according to the third aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a display
unit displaying link information for linking with a transmission
server on a display screen; a storage unit storing address
information of the transmission server; an acquisition unit
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on the display screen; a language identification information
synthesizer, when the link information is selected, reading out the
address information and automatically synthesizing the acquired
language identification information with the address information; a
specification unit specifying a user; and a transmitter
transmitting the address information and user information to the
server. With this configuration, it is preferable to further
comprise display controller receiving information which can be
displayed in a language corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, and displaying the
information on the display unit in a language corresponding to the
language identification information.
[0186] A computer-readable program according to the fourth aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: code means
for acquiring language identification information concerning a
language used on a display screen; code means for storing address
information of a server; code means for, when the language
identification information is acquired, reading the address
information and automatically synthesizing the language
identification information with the address information; and code
means for transmitting the address information to the server.
[0187] A method of transmitting language identification information
recognized by a information terminal device to a registered server
and acquiring information corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, according to the fifth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:
acquiring language identification information concerning a language
used on a display screen of the information terminal device;
reading address information from the server; automatically
synthesizing the acquired language identification information with
the read address information; transmitting to the server, address
information obtained by synthesizing the language identification
information and specific information for specifying the address
information transmission user; and receiving information
corresponding to a type of language requested from the information
terminal device.
[0188] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the sixth aspect of the present
invention is characterized by comprising: code means for storing
address information of a server; code means for acquiring language
identification information concerning a language used on a display
screen; code means for reading address information contained in a
transmission destination server; code means for displaying link
information for linking with the transmission destination server on
a display screen; code means for, when the link information is
selected, automatically synthesizing the acquired language
identification information with the read address information.
[0189] A method of transmitting language identification information
recognized by a information terminal device to a registered server
and acquiring information corresponding to the language
identification information from the server, according to the
seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by
comprising: displaying link information for linking with a
transmission destination server on a display screen; acquiring
language identification information concerning a language used on a
display screen of the information terminal device; reading address
information from the server; automatically synthesizing the
acquired language identification information with the out address
information, when the link information is selected; transmitting to
the server, address information obtained by synthesizing the
language identification information and specific information for
specifying the address information transmission user; and receiving
information corresponding to a type of language requested from the
information terminal device. With this configuration, it is
preferable that the link information is an icon, and the icon
notifies that a function of the recognized natural language can be
added onto a WEB.
[0190] A network system according to the eighth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: an information
terminal device; and a server for, based on language identification
information transmitted from the information terminal device,
transmitting corresponding information based on the language
identification information, in which the information terminal
device comprises: a recognizer recognizing a type of natural
language used in a local information terminal device; a
determination unit determining a server targeted for transmission;
a storage unit storing language identification information for
identifying the recognized language in an address corresponding to
the server targeted for transmission; a transmitter transmitting to
the server the address information having stored therein language
identification information; a reception unit receiving information
from the server; and a display unit displaying the received
information, and the server comprises: a storage unit storing a
plurality of information described in a plurality of natural
languages corresponding to the language identification information;
a selector selecting from the storage unit, based on the language
identification information stored in the address information,
information which can be described in a predetermined language
which can be displayed in a language corresponding to the language
identification information and a program corresponding to the
language identification information; and a transmitter transmitting
the selected display information to the information terminal
device.
[0191] An information terminal device according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage
unit storing a first program, a plurality of second programs which
are allowed to be activated by a predetermined release key and a
plurality of link information which correspond to the plurality of
second programs; a display unit displaying first link information
selected from the plurality of link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the corresponding program stored in the storage unit,
when the first link information is selected; a reception unit
receiving a release key transmitted from the server as a result of
the identification information having been verified by the server;
a controller selecting a second program corresponding to the
release key received from the server from the storage unit and
selecting second link information corresponding to a second program
different from the selected second program; and a display
controller changing the first link information displayed on the
display unit to the second link information.
[0192] An information terminal device according to the tenth aspect
of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a storage
unit storing a first program and first link information; a display
unit displaying the first link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program or the first link information, when
the first link information is selected; a reception unit receiving
a second program transmitted from the server and second link
information corresponding to a third program stored in the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and a controller making the storage unit store the second
program and the second link information received from the server
and changing the first link information displayed on the display
unit to the second link information stored in the storage unit.
[0193] An information terminal device according to the eleventh
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program and first link information; a
display unit displaying the first link information; a transmitter
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the first program, when the first link information is
selected; a reception unit receiving a second program transmitted
from the server, second link information corresponding to an
untransmitted third program, and a release key for allowing the
second program to be activated after the identification information
has been verified by the server; and a controller making the
storage unit store the second program, the second link information
and the release key received from the server and changing the first
link information displayed on the display unit to the second link
information stored in the storage unit.
[0194] An information terminal device according to the twelfth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program, a plurality of second
programs including a plurality of first link information; a display
unit displaying first link information; a transmitter transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program, when the first link information is selected; a reception
unit receiving a second program transmitted from the server after
the identification information has been verified by the server, and
a display controller selecting second link information for
receiving a third program from the server from the storage unit and
changing the first link information displayed on the display unit
to the second link information.
[0195] An information terminal device according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a
storage unit storing a first program, first link information and a
second program; a display unit displaying the first link
information; a transmitter transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the second program
stored in the storage unit, when the first link information is
selected; a reception unit receiving a release key for allowing the
predetermined second program transmitted from the server to be
activated, second link information for requesting allowing a second
program, which is different from the predetermined program, to be
activated, after the identification information has been verified
by the server; and a controller allowing access to the second
program stored in the storage unit on the basis of the release key
received from the server, and changing the first link information
displayed on the display means to a second link information which
corresponds to the corresponding second program.
[0196] In each of ninth to thirteenth aspects, it is preferable
that the second program is an upgrading program to add functions to
the first program, the link information corresponding to the second
program includes an icon, and the icon indicates the possibility of
addition of another upgrading program to add further different
functions.
[0197] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the fourteenth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: code means for
storing a first program, a plurality of second programs which are
allowed to be activated by a predetermined release key and a
plurality of link information which correspond to the plurality of
second programs; code means for displaying first link information
selected from the plurality of link information; code means for
transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying a stored program, when the first link information is
selected; code means for receiving a release key transmitted from
the server as a result of the identification information having
been verified by the server; code means for a controller selecting
a second program corresponding to the release key received from the
server and selecting second link information corresponding to a
second program different from the selected second program; and code
means for changing the displayed first link information to the
second link information.
[0198] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the fifteenth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: code means for
storing a first program and first link information; code means for
displaying the first link information; code means for transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program or the first link information, when the first link
information is selected; code means for receiving a second program
transmitted from the server and second link information
corresponding to a third program stored in the server after the
identification information has been verified by the server, and
code means for storing the second program and the second link
information received from the server and changing the displayed
first link information to the stored second link information.
[0199] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the sixteenth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: code means for
storing a first program and first link information; code means for
displaying the first link information; code means for transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the first
program, when the first link information is selected; code means
for receiving a second program transmitted from the server, second
link information corresponding to an untransmitted third program,
and a release key for allowing the second program to be activated
after the identification information has been verified by the
server; and code means for storing the second program, the second
link information and the release key received from the server and
changing the displayed first link information to the stored second
link information.
[0200] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the seventeenth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: code means for
storing a first program, a plurality of second programs including a
plurality of first link information; code means for displaying
first link information; code means for transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the first program, when
the first link information is selected; code means for receiving a
second program transmitted from the server after the identification
information has been verified by the server, and code means for
selecting second link information for receiving a third program
from the server from the plurality of link information and changing
the displayed first link information to the second link
information.
[0201] A computer-readable program operating on an information
terminal device, which is communicable with a server via a
communication line, according to the fifteenth aspect of the
present invention is characterized by comprising: code means for
storing a first program, first link information and a second
program; code means for displaying the first link information; code
means for transmitting to the server identification information for
identifying the second program, when the first link information is
selected; code means for receiving a release key for allowing the
predetermined second program transmitted from the server to be
activated, second link information for requesting allowing a second
program, which is different from the predetermined program, to be
activated, after the identification information has been verified
by the server; and code means for allowing access to the stored
second program on the basis of the release key received from the
server, and changing the first link information displayed on the
display means to a second link information which corresponds to the
corresponding second program.
[0202] A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device, which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, according to the nineteenth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:
storing a first program, a plurality of second programs which are
allowed to be activated by a predetermined release key and a
plurality of link information which correspond to the plurality of
second programs; displaying first link information selected from
the plurality of link information; transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying a stored program, when
the first link information is selected; receiving a release key
transmitted from the server as a result of the identification
information having been verified by the server; a controller
selecting a second program corresponding to the release key
received from the server and selecting second link information
corresponding to a second program different from the selected
second program; and changing the displayed first link information
to the second link information.
[0203] A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device, which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, according to the twentieth
aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:
storing a first program and first link information; displaying the
first link information; transmitting to the server identification
information for identifying the first program or the first link
information, when the first link information is selected; receiving
a second program transmitted from the server and second link
information corresponding to a third program stored in the server
after the identification information has been verified by the
server, and storing the second program and the second link
information received from the server and changing the displayed
first link information to the stored second link information.
[0204] A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device, which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, according to the
twenty-first aspect of the present invention is characterized by
comprising: storing a first program and first link information;
displaying the first link information; transmitting to the server
identification information for identifying the first program, when
the first link information is selected; receiving a second program
transmitted from the server, second link information corresponding
to an untransmitted third program, and a release key for allowing
the second program to be activated after the identification
information has been verified by the server; and storing the second
program, the second link information and the release key received
from the server and changing the displayed first link information
to the stored second link information.
[0205] A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device, which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, according to the
twenty-second aspect of the present invention is characterized by
comprising: storing a first program, a plurality of second programs
including a plurality of first link information; displaying first
link information; transmitting to the server identification
information for identifying the first program, when the first link
information is selected; receiving a second program transmitted
from the server after the identification information has been
verified by the server, and selecting second link information for
receiving a third program from the server from the plurality of
link information and changing the displayed first link information
to the second link information.
[0206] A method of adding a predetermined program to a program
operating on an information terminal device, which is communicable
with a server via a communication line, according to the
twenty-third aspect of the present invention is characterized by
comprising: storing a first program, first link information and a
second program; displaying the first link information; transmitting
to the server identification information for identifying the second
program, when the first link information is selected; receiving a
release key for allowing the predetermined second program
transmitted from the server to be activated, second link
information for requesting allowing a second program, which is
different from the predetermined program, to be activated, after
the identification information has been verified by the server; and
allowing access to the stored second program on the basis of the
release key received from the server, and changing the first link
information displayed on the display means to a second link
information which corresponds to the corresponding second
program.
[0207] The above inventions have been described as the information
terminal device; however, this is not restrictive. The present
invention may also be implemented as an additional function
purchasing program, a program function adding method, and a network
system including an information terminal device and a server.
[0208] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments of the present invention.
[0209] An information terminal, a program, and a program purchasing
method have been described as the invention according to the first
to fifth embodiments. However, it is a matter of course that the
present invention can be applied to a system, as described in the
above-mentioned embodiments, and further, can be applied to a
server for acquiring language information by URL analysis.
[0210] In the first to fifth embodiments, type of display language
has been determined by a software serial number or a peripheral
device model number. However, in the case where a user has
specified a language in particular, such a configuration that the
language is given higher priority may be provided. In addition, a
language applied to a current display screen may be defined as a
display language.
[0211] For example, although the sixth to tenth embodiments have
been described as upgrading a program by clicking on an on-screen
icon, a banner or text-based link information may be used instead
of the icon.
[0212] Although the subprograms have been described as ones for
upgrading the main program, they may be any other program related
to the main program; for example, if the main program is a word
processing program, the subprograms may be a graphics program, a
spreadsheet program, a map drawing program, and so on.
[0213] Further, it is a matter of course that various modifications
can be carried out without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0214] According to the first to fifth embodiments of the present
invention, information which can be displayed in a language
identical to a language of an application program in use can always
be obtained from a server.
[0215] According to the sixth to tenth embodiments, when a user
desires to obtain a new program from a recording medium or
communications circuit, a display related to that program is made
so that the user can select it on the display. Thus, the user is
allowed to select a desired program at once and obtain it with
certainty.
[0216] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in
its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative devices and illustrated examples shown and described
herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept
as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *
References