Upgrading an application software to be used, by communication
First Claim
1. A communication device which sends a predetermined signal to an external communication device, and wherein when the external communication device receives the predetermined signal, the external communication device sends the first-mentioned communication device a releasing signal to release the first-mentioned communication device from inhibition of fulfillment of a function, the first-mentioned communication device comprising:
- a function storage section which contains data on a function to be fulfilled in the first-mentioned communication device;
a use status storage section which stores use status data representing the status of use of the first-mentioned communication device;
communication executing means for executing communication with the external communication device;
sending means responsive to said communication executing means executing communication for sending the external communication device the use status data on the first-mentioned communication device stored in said use status storage section; and
control means, responsive to the releasing signal which the external communication device sends in response to the use status data sent by said sending means, for reading the function data stored in said function storage section and for fulfilling a corresponding function.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication device sends use status data representing a state of use thereof to an external communication device. Receiving the use status data, the external communication device sends the first-mentioned communication device a releasing signal to release the first-mentioned communication device from inhibition of fulfillment of a function stored beforehand. In response to the releasing signal, the first-mentioned communication device reads and fulfills the stored function.
21 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A communication device which sends a predetermined signal to an external communication device, and wherein when the external communication device receives the predetermined signal, the external communication device sends the first-mentioned communication device a releasing signal to release the first-mentioned communication device from inhibition of fulfillment of a function, the first-mentioned communication device comprising:
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a function storage section which contains data on a function to be fulfilled in the first-mentioned communication device; a use status storage section which stores use status data representing the status of use of the first-mentioned communication device; communication executing means for executing communication with the external communication device; sending means responsive to said communication executing means executing communication for sending the external communication device the use status data on the first-mentioned communication device stored in said use status storage section; and control means, responsive to the releasing signal which the external communication device sends in response to the use status data sent by said sending means, for reading the function data stored in said function storage section and for fulfilling a corresponding function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A communication system in which a first communication device communicates with a second communication device in such a manner that the first communication device sends a predetermined signal to the second communication device and the second communication device sends back a releasing signal to the first communication device in response to the predetermined signal, the releasing signal being for releasing the first communication device from inhibition of addition of a new function, wherein:
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said first communication device comprises; a function storage section which contains data on at least one function to be fulfilled in the first communication device; a use status storage section which stores use status data representing the status of use of the first communication device; communication executing means for executing communication with the second communication device; sending means, responsive to said communication executing means executing communication with the second communication device, for sending the second communication device the use status data on the first communication device stored in said use status storage section; and control means, responsive to the releasing signal which the second communication device sends in response to the use status data sent by said sending means, for reading the function data stored in said function storage section and for fulfilling a corresponding function; and said second communication device comprises; receiving means for receiving the use status data sent by said first communication device; level determining means for determining whether the use status data received by the receiving means has reached a predetermined level; and sending means, responsive to said level determining means determining that the use status data has reached the predetermined level, for sending the releasing signal to said first communication device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication system in which a first communication device communicates with a second communication device in such a manner that the first communication device sends a predetermined signal to the second communication device and the second communication device sends back program data to the first communication device in response to the predetermined signal, wherein:
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said first communication device comprises; a use status storage section which stores the use status data representing the status of use of the first communication device; communication executing means for executing communication with the second communication device; sending means, responsive to said communication executing means executing communication with the second communication device, for sending the second communication device the use status data on the first communication device stored in said use status storage section; program storage means for storing program data received from the second communication device in response to the use status data sent by said sending means; and control means for reading and executing the program stored in said program storage means; and said second communication device comprises; receiving means for receiving the use status data sent by said first communication device; level determining means for determining whether the use status data received by the receiving means has reached a predetermined level; and sending means, responsive to said level determining means determining that the use status data has reached the predetermined level, for sending program data to said first communication device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A communication method in which a communication device sends a predetermined signal to an external communication device, and wherein when the external communication device receives the predetermined signal, the external communication device sends the first-mentioned communication device a releasing signal to release the first-mentioned communication device from inhibition of fulfillment of a function, the method comprising:
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storing use status data representing the status of use of the first-mentioned communication device; executing communication with the external communication device; sending the external communication device the use status data on the first-mentioned communication device stored in said storing step, in response to said communication executing step; and fulfilling the function in response to the releasing signal which the external communication device has sent in response to the use status data sent in said sending step.
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21. A recording medium which contains a communication program by which a communication device sends a predetermined signal to an external communication device, wherein when the external communication device receives the predetermined signal, the external communication device sends the first-mentioned communication device a releasing signal to release the first-mentioned communication device from inhibition of fulfillment of a function, the communication program causing a computer to operate as the first-mentioned communication device comprising:
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a function data storage device which contains data on at least one function to be fulfilled in the first-mentioned communication device; a use status storage device which stores use status data representing the status of use of the first-mentioned communication device; communication executing means for executing communication with the external communication device; sending means responsive to said communication executing means executing communication for sending the external communication device the use status data on the first-mentioned communication device stored in said status storage device; and control means responsive to the releasing signal which the external communication device has sent in response to the use status data sent by said sending means for reading the function data stored in said function storage device and for fulfilling a corresponding function.
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Specification