Service providing method and integrated circuit

• US 20040054710A1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Morita, Tadashi, Arisawa, Shigeru, Fukada, Akira, Nakada, Kenji, Yamagata, Akihiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,519,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

An application program relating to a process of an IC 21 is stored in a virtual IC storage area server apparatus 13. Following a mutual authentication between the IC 21 and the virtual IC storage area server apparatus 13 through a portable communication function unit 20, the server apparatus 13 executes the application program and through the IC 21, the portable communication function unit 20, a wireless communication line 17, and a network 18, communicates with an IC_R/W apparatus 11 and performs a process relating to a service in collaboration with each other.

Claims

1. A service providing method wherein a communication apparatus and a processing apparatus communicate with each other in response to a service use request issued from said communication apparatus to provide a service to a user of said communication apparatus, comprising the steps of:

performing communication between a server apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and said communication apparatus to judge if use of said program is permitted or not in response to said service use request;

executing said program by said server apparatus when use of said program is permitted; and

performing communication between said server apparatus and said processing apparatus through said communication apparatus in response to the execution of said program by said server apparatus to provide said service to said user.

2. A service providing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein among storage areas in said server apparatus, the server apparatus stores said program relating to said service to be provided to a user of said communication apparatus in a storage area allocated in advance to said communication apparatus.

3. A service providing method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said communication apparatus transmits said service use request indicating use of said storage area allocated in advance to the communication apparatus to said server apparatus.

4. A service providing system comprising:

a communication apparatus;

a processing apparatus that transfers data with said communication apparatus and used in a service to a user of said communication apparatus; and

a server apparatus that stores a program defining a process relating to said service, wherein

said server apparatus and said communication apparatus communicate with each other in response to a service use request issued from said communication apparatus to judge if use of said program is permitted or not,

said server apparatus executes said program when use of said program is permitted; and

said server apparatus and said processing apparatus communicate with each other through said communication apparatus in response to the execution of said program by said server apparatus to provide said service to said user.

5. A server apparatus communicating with a communication apparatus and a processing apparatus that transfers data with said communication apparatus and used in a service to a user of said communication apparatus, comprising:

a storing means for storing a program defining a process relating to said service;

a receiving means for receiving a service use request from said communication apparatus;

an authentication means for authenticating if said service use request is legitimate or not; and

when it is judged that said service use request is legitimate, a controlling means for reading a program defining a process relating to said service from said storing means, executing the read program, and while communicating with said processing apparatus through said communication apparatus, performing a process for providing a service to said user in collaboration with the processing apparatus in response to the execution of the program.

6. A communication method performed by a server apparatus to communicate with a communication apparatus and a processing apparatus that transfers data with said communication apparatus and used in a service to a user of said communication apparatus, comprising the steps of:

authenticating if said service use request is legitimate or not when a service use request is received from said communication apparatus;

reading a program defining a process relating to said service from said storing means when judged that said service use request is legitimate;

executing the read program; and

while

communicating with said processing apparatus through said communication apparatus in response to the execution of the program, performing a process for providing a service to said user in collaboration with the processing apparatus.

7. A communication method performing communication using a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a processing apparatus that transfers data with said integrated circuit and used in service relating to the integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:

transmitting by said integrated circuit a use request of said program through said communication circuit to a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and executing the same;

executing by said second communication apparatus a program relating to said use request when it is judged that said use request is legitimate; and

while said integrated circuit relays communication between said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus conducted through said communication circuit, performing by said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other in response to the execution of said program by said second communication apparatus.

8. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a step of storing by said second communication apparatus said program relating to said first communication apparatus in a storage area allocated in advance to said first communication apparatus among storage areas in said second communication apparatus.

9. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a step of transmitting by said first communication apparatus said use request indicating use of said storage area allocated in advance to said first communication apparatus to said second communication apparatus.

10. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said first communication apparatus to said second communication apparatus a program select instruction specifying a program to be selected and used after said integrated circuit transmits said use request to said second communication apparatus; and

reading and executing by said second communication apparatus a program specified by said program select instruction.

11. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

outputting said program select instruction specifying said program to be selected and used from said processing apparatus to said integrated circuit;

transmitting said use request together with said program select instruction from said integrated circuit to said second communication apparatus; and

selecting and executing by said second communication apparatus a program specified by said program select instruction.

12. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

when said integrated circuit receives a use permission instruction,

said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus conduct mutual authentication, and

after one another'"'"'s legitimacy is confirmed, said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus communicate through said integrated circuit and said communication circuit to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other.

13. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said first communication apparatus to said second communication apparatus a storage area allocation request requesting that the entire or a portion of the storage area in said second communication apparatus is to be allocated for use for said first communication apparatus; and

allocating by said second communication apparatus a storage area to said first communication apparatus in response to said storage area allocation request.

14. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting intrinsic data of said integrated circuit through said communication circuit from said integrated circuit to said second communication apparatus after said integrated circuit and said second communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy; and

managing by said second communication apparatus in correspondence said intrinsic data and said storage area allocated to said first communication apparatus.

15. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said first communication apparatus is a portable type communication apparatus;

said communication circuit is a wireless communication circuit performing communication using a wireless communication network;

said second communication apparatus is connected to a network; and

said integrated circuit communicates with said second communication apparatus through said communication circuit, said wireless communication network, and said network.

16. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said integrated circuit comprises a first interface for transferring data with said processing apparatus and a second interface for transferring data with said communication circuit.

17. A communication method as set forth in claim 7, wherein said integrated circuit is a tamper-resistant circuit.

18. A communication system comprising:

a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit;

a processing apparatus that transfers data with said integrated circuit and used in a service relating to the integrated circuit; and

a second communication apparatus that stores a program defining a process relating to said service and executes the same, wherein

said integrated circuit transmits said program use request through said communication circuit to said second communication apparatus,

said second communication apparatus executes a program relating to said use request after it has been judged that said use request is legitimate, and

while said integrated circuit relays communication between said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus conducted through said communication circuit, said processing apparatus and said second communication apparatus perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other in response to the execution of said program by said second communication apparatus.

19. A communication apparatus communicating with another communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a processing apparatus that transfers data with said integrated circuit and used in a service relating to the integrated circuit, comprising:

a storing means for storing a program defining a process relating to said service;

a receiving means for receiving a program use request from said integrated circuit through said communication circuit;

an authentication means for authenticating if said use request is legitimate or not; and

when it is judged that said use request is legitimate, a controlling means for reading a program defining a process relating to said service from said storing means, executing the read program, and communicating with said processing apparatus through said communication circuit and said integrated circuit and performing a process relating to said service in collaboration with the processing apparatus in response to the execution of the program.

20. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein among storage areas of said storing means, said program relating to said communication apparatus is stored in a storage area allocated in advance to said communication apparatus

21. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said receiving means receives from said another communication apparatus said use request indicating that said storage area allocated in advance to said another communication apparatus will be used; and

said controlling means transmits to said integrated circuit said use permit instruction indicating that use of said storage area by said another communication apparatus is permitted when judged that said use request is legitimate.

22. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said receiving means receives a storage area allocation request requesting that the entire or a portion of the storage area of said storing means be allocated for use to said another communication apparatus; and

said controlling means allocates a storage area to said another communication apparatus in response to said storage area allocation request.

23. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said receiving means receives intrinsic data of said integrated circuit from said integrated circuit through said communication circuit after said authenticating means authenticates with said integrated circuit one another'"'"'s legitimacy; and

said controlling means manages in correspondence said intrinsic data and said storage area allocated to said another communication apparatus.

24. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein:

said another communication apparatus is a portable type communication apparatus;

said communication circuit is a wireless communication circuit performing communication using a wireless communication network; and

a transmitting means and said receiving means transfers a request and data through a network.

25. A communication method wherein a communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit communicates with a processing apparatus that transfers data with said integrated circuit and used in a service relating to the integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:

receiving a use request of a program from said integrated circuit through said communication circuit;

reading an application program relating to said use request from a storing means;

executing the read program; and

communicating with said processing apparatus through said communication circuit and said integrated circuit in response to the execution of the program and performing a process relating to said service in collaboration with the processing apparatus.

26. A processing apparatus that transfers data with a first communication apparatus and used in a service provided to a user of said first communication apparatus, wherein,

after a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and executing the same, and said first communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by a mutual authentication conducted through said communication circuit, said processing apparatus while communicating with said second communication apparatus through said first communication apparatus, performs a process relating to said service in collaboration with said second communication apparatus.

27. A processing apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein in response to a use request of said program from said first communication apparatus to said second communication apparatus, said processing apparatus transmits to said second communication apparatus through said first communication apparatus an instruction selecting a program relating to said service to be executed by said second communication apparatus when use permission is received from said second communication apparatus through said first communication apparatus.

28. An integrated circuit access apparatus transferring data between an integrated circuit built into a first communication apparatus and a processing apparatus used in a service provided to a user of said first communication apparatus, wherein

after a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and executing the same, and said first communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by a mutual authentication conducted through said communication circuit, transfers data between said integrated circuit and said processing apparatus to relay communication between said second communication apparatus and said processing apparatus performed through said integrated circuit.

29. A processing method transferring data with a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit and used in a service relating to said integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:

conducting mutual authentication of a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and executing the same, and said integrated circuit through said communication circuit, and after one another'"'"'s legitimacy is authenticated by the mutual authentication;

relaying said integrated circuit; and

while communicating with said second communication apparatus executing said program, performs a process relating to said service in collaboration with said second communication apparatus.

30. A communication method performing communication using a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, a second communication circuit used in a service relating to said integrated circuit, and a third communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said integrated circuit and executing the same, comprising the steps of:

transmitting a use request of said program from said integrated circuit to said third communication apparatus through said communication circuit;

conducting mutual authentication between said integrated circuit and said third communication apparatus through said communication circuit; and

conducting mutual authentication between said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus when the legitimacy of said integrated circuit and said third communication apparatus has been authenticated by the mutual authentication thereof, and

when said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by the mutual authentication, executing by said third communication apparatus said program relating to said use request, whereby said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus communicate to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other in response to the execution of said program.

31. A communication method as set forth in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said second communication apparatus to said first communication apparatus a program select instruction for instructing a program to be selected and used;

transmitting by said first communication apparatus on the basis of said program select instruction a program select instruction to said third communication instruction; and

executing by said third communication apparatus a program specified by said program select instruction received from said first communication apparatus.

32. A communication method as set forth in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting from said second communication apparatus to said first communication apparatus a program select instruction for instructing a program to be selected and used;

judging by said integrated circuit if a program to be used in a service performed using said second communication apparatus is stored or not in response to said program select instruction;

when said integrated circuit judges said program is stored, executing by said integrated circuit the program, and performing a process relating to said service by said integrated circuit and said second communication apparatus in collaboration with each other in response to the execution of the program; and

when said integrated circuit judges said program is not stored, transmitting by said first communication apparatus a program select instruction to said third communication apparatus, executing by said third communication apparatus a program specified by a program select instruction received from said first communication apparatus, and performing a process relating to said service by said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus in collaboration with each other in response to the execution of said program.

33. A communication method as set forth in claim 30, wherein:

said first communication apparatus is a portable type communication apparatus;

said communication circuit is a wireless communication circuit performing communication using a wireless communication network;

said second communication apparatus and third communication apparatus are connected to a network;

said integrated circuit communicates with said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus through said communication circuit, said wireless communication network, and said network; and

said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus communicate through said network.

34. A communication system comprising:

a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit;

a second communication apparatus used in a service relating to said integrated circuit; and

a third communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to said service and executing the same, wherein;

a use request of said program is transmitted from said integrated circuit to said third communication apparatus through said communication circuit;

mutual authentication is conducted between said integrated circuit and said third communication apparatus through said communication circuit;

when said integrated circuit and said third communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by the mutual authentication, said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus conducts mutual authentication; and

when said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by the mutual authentication, said third communication apparatus executes said program relating to said use request, and said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus communicate in response to the execution of the program to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other.

35. A communication apparatus communicating with a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to a service and used in a service relating to said integrated circuit, comprising:

an authentication means for authenticating with said second communication apparatus after said integrated circuit and said second communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by a mutual authentication; and

a controlling means for communicating with said second communication apparatus executing said program to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other after one another'"'"'s legitimacy with said second communication apparatus has been authenticated by a mutual authentication through said authentication means.

36. A communication method performed between a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a second communication apparatus storing a program defining a process relating to a service to be provided using said integrated circuit and executing the same, comprising the steps of:

conducting mutual authentication with said second communication apparatus after said integrated circuit and said second communication apparatus have authenticated one another'"'"'s legitimacy by a mutual authentication; and

communicating with said second communication apparatus executing said program to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other after one another'"'"'s legitimacy with second communication apparatus has been authenticated by said mutual authentication with said second communication apparatus.

37. A communication apparatus communicating with a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a second communication apparatus used in a service relating to said integrated circuit, comprising:

a storing means for storing a program defining a process relating to said service;

a receiving means for receiving a use request of said program from said integrated circuit through said communication circuit;

an authentication means for conducting mutual authentication with said integrated circuit through said communication circuit in response to said use request and after one another'"'"'s legitimacy has been authenticated by the mutual authentication, conducting mutual authentication with said second communication apparatus; and

when one another'"'"'s legitimacy with said second communication apparatus has been authenticated by said mutual authentication, a controlling means for reading said program relating to said use request from said storing means and executing the same, and communicating with said second communication apparatus in response to the execution of the program to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other.

38. A communication method wherein a first communication apparatus comprising an integrated circuit and a communication circuit, and a second communication apparatus used in a service relating to said integrated circuit communicates, comprising the steps of:

receiving a use request of a program defining a process relating to said service from said integrated circuit through said communication circuit;

conducting mutual authentication with said integrated circuit through said communication circuit in response to said use request, and after one another'"'"'s legitimacy has been authenticated by the mutual authentication, conducting mutual authentication with said second communication apparatus;

reading a program relating to said use request from a storing means and executing the same when one another'"'"'s legitimacy with said second communication apparatus has been authenticated by said mutual authentication; and

communicating with said second communication apparatus in response to the execution of the program to perform a process relating to said service in collaboration with each other.

39. An integrated circuit transferring data with a communication circuit of a first communication apparatus and a processing apparatus performing a process relating to a predetermined service, comprising:

a first interface for transferring data with said processing apparatus;

a second interface for transferring data with said communication circuit; and

a controlling means for accessing a second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and while communicating with said processing apparatus through said first interface, performs a process relating to said service using a program or data stored in said second communication apparatus.

40. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 39, wherein when said second communication apparatus stores a program defining a process relating to said service and executes the same, said controlling means conducts mutual authentication with said second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and then controls communication of said second communication apparatus executing said program and said processing apparatus performed through said communication circuit so that said first interface and said second interface relays the same.

41. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 39, wherein said controlling means communicates with said second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit to conduct said mutual authentication based on an authentication request received from said second communication through said communication circuit.

42. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 39, further comprising a storage circuit storing a program relating to a service provided using said integrated circuit, wherein

said controlling means judges if said program corresponding to a request received from said processing apparatus through said first interface is stored in said storage circuit or not, and when judged that said program is stored in said storage circuit, executes said program read from said storage circuit and while communicating with said processing apparatus through said first interface in response to the execution of the program, performs a process relating to said service.

43. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 42, wherein when said controlling means judges that said program is not stored in said storage circuit, transmits a use request of said program to said second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit.

44. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 39, wherein:

said first communication apparatus is a portable type communication apparatus;

said communication circuit is a wireless communication circuit performing communication using a wireless communication network;

said second communication apparatus is connected to a network; and

said controlling circuit communicates with said second communication apparatus through said second interface, said communication circuit, said wireless communication network, and said network.

45. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 39, wherein said integrated circuit is a tamper-resistant circuit.

46. An electronic circuit having a communication means and an integrated circuit mounted on a substrate, wherein said integrated circuit comprises:

a first interface transferring data with a processing apparatus performing a process relating to a predetermined service;

a second interface transferring data with said communication means; and

a controlling means for accessing a second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and while communicating with said processing apparatus through said first interface, performs a process using a program or data stored in said second communication apparatus.

47. An electronic circuit as set forth in claim 46, wherein when said second communication apparatus stores a program defining a process relating to said service and executes the same,

said controlling means conducts mutual authentication said second communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and then controls communication of said second communication apparatus executing said program and said processing apparatus performed through said communication circuit so that said first interface and said second interface relays the same.

48. A communication apparatus comprising a communication circuit and an integrated circuit, wherein said integrated circuit comprises:

a first interface for transferring data with a processing apparatus performing a process relating to a predetermined service;

a second interface for transferring data with said communication circuit; and

a controlling means for accessing another communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and while communicating with said processing apparatus through said first interface, performs a process using a program or data stored in said another communication apparatus.

49. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein:

said communication circuit comprises a storage circuit for storing a program or data; and

said controlling means accesses said storage circuit through said second interface, and performs a process while communicating with said processing apparatus through said first interface using a program or data stored in said storage circuit.

50. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein when said another communication apparatus stores a program defining a process relating to said service and executes the same,

said controlling means conducts mutual authentication said another communication apparatus through said second interface and said communication circuit, and then controls communication of said another communication apparatus and said processing apparatus performed through said communication circuit so that said first interface and said second interface relays the same.

51. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 48, wherein:

said communication circuit comprises a controlling means for controlling a process of the communication circuit, and

said controlling means of said communication circuit and said controlling means of said integrated circuit communicate through said second interface to thereby collaborate and perform a process.

52. An integrated circuit transferring data with a communication circuit of a first communication apparatus, comprising:

an interface for communicating with said communication circuit; and

a controlling means for conducting mutual authentication with a second communication apparatus through said interface and said communication circuit if an authentication request from said communication circuit is received through said interface.

53. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 52, wherein a result of said mutual authentication is used for determining whether said second communication apparatus and a third communication apparatus for performing a process relating to a service using said integrated circuit should communicate to perform a process relating to said service or not.

54. A integrated circuit as set forth in claim 53, further comprising a storage circuit for storing a program relating to a service provided using said integrated circuit, wherein

said controlling means judges if said program corresponding to a request received from said communication circuit through said interface is stored in said storage circuit or not, and when judged that said program is stored in said storage circuit,

executes said program read from said storage circuit and while communicating with said third communication apparatus through said interface and said communication circuit in response to the execution of the program, performs a process relating to said service.

55. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 54, wherein when said controlling means judges that said program is not stored in said storage circuit, transmits a use request of said program to said second communication apparatus through said interface and said communication circuit.

56. An integrate circuit as set forth in claim 53, wherein:

said first communication apparatus is a portable type communication apparatus;

said communication circuit is a wireless communication circuit performing communication using a wireless communication network;

said second communication apparatus and said third communication apparatus are connected to a network; and

said controlling means communicates with said second communication apparatus through said interface, said communication circuit, said wireless communication network, and said network.

57. An integrated circuit as set forth in claim 52, wherein said integrated circuit is a tamper-resistant circuit.

58. A communication apparatus comprising a communication circuit and an integrated circuit, wherein said integrated circuit comprises:

an interface for transferring data said communication circuit;

a controlling means for conducting mutual authentication with another communication apparatus through said interface and said communication circuit if an authentication request from said communication circuit is received through said interface.

59. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 58, wherein a result of said mutual authentication is used for determining whether a first communication apparatus serving as said another communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus for performing a process relating to a service using said integrated circuit should communicate to perform a process relating to said service or not.

60. A communication apparatus as set forth in claim 59, wherein:

said communication circuit comprises a storage circuit for storing a program or data, and

said controlling means accesses said storage circuit through said interface, and performs a process while communicating with said second communication apparatus through said interface and said communication circuit using a program or data stored in said storage circuit.