Radio communication apparatus capable of updating menu data listing information services

• US 6,397,060 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1999
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Oikawa, Kazuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/318,746
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418,419,420,466,564,566,550
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/274 with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time , e.g. using toothed disc
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A mobile terminal 4 sends updating history data to a communication apparatus 1 when the user of the terminal 4 turns on the power supply, when the user reads an information dial service menu, or when a preselected period of time elapses. With the updating history data, the terminal 4 inquires the communication apparatus 1 whether or not the information dial service menu stored in the terminal 4 has been altered. In response, the communication apparatus 1 compares a date of updating included in the received updating history data and the date of updating of an information dial service menu stored therein. If the received date of updating is earlier than the stored date of updating, the communication apparatus 1 sends data including the latest information dial service to the terminal 4. The terminal 4 replaces the menu stored therein with the latest menu received from the communication apparatus 1.

Claims

1. A radio communication apparatus comprising:

receiving means for receiving a radio signal;

storing means for storing an information dial service menu;

transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for inquiring whether or not the information dial service menu should be updated;

deciding means for determining whether or not to update the information dial service menu on the basis of a signal received by said receiving means as an answer to said request signal;

updating means for automatically updating the information dial service menu on the basis of a result of decision made by said deciding means; and

sending means for sending updating history data, said deciding means making said decision on the basis of whether or not said receiving means receives a signal answering said updating history data within a preselected period of time.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal answering said updating history data includes a latest information dial service menu.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said updating means replaces the information dial service menu stored in said storing means with said latest information dial service menu.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signal answering said updating history data includes only a content of the information dial service menu to be updated.

5. A radio communication apparatus comprising:

receiving means for receiving a radio signal;

storing means for storing an information dial service menu;

transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for inquiring whether or not the information dial service menu should be updated;

deciding means for determining whether or not to update the information dial service menu on the basis of a signal received by said receiving means as an answer to said request signal;

updating means for automatically updating the information dial service menu on the basis of a result of decision made by said deciding means;

counting means for counting time, said deciding means making the decision when said counting means counts a preselected period of time; and

recognizing means for determining whether or not a communication is being held on said apparatus, said deciding means making, if said recognizing determines that a communication is being held when said counting means counts the preselected period of time, the decision when said communication ends.

6. A radio communication system comprising:

a base station apparatus; and

a radio communication apparatus;

said radio communication apparatus comprising;

storing means for storing an information dial service menu;

sending means for sending updating history data to said base station apparatus at any suitable timing;

deciding means for determining whether or not said radio communication apparatus has received a signal answering said updating history data within a preselected period of time; and

updating means for updating the information dial service menu on the basis of a result of decision of said deciding means;

said base station apparatus comprising;

receiving means for receiving said updating history data sent from said radio communication apparatus;

comparing means for comparing said updating history data and updating history data stored in said base station apparatus; and

sending means for sending said signal to said radio communication apparatus.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the any suitable timing is at least one of a time when a user of said radio communication apparatus turns on a power supply, a time when the user reads the information dial service menu, and a time when a preselected period of time elapses.

8. A method of controlling an updating of an information dial service menu stored in a radio communication apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing the information dial service menu;

(b) determining whether or not to update the information dial service menu;

(c) automatically updating the information dial service menu on the basis of a result of decision made in step (b);

(d) sending updating history information, step (b) comprising determining whether or not to update the information dial service menu on the basis of whether or not a signal answering aid updating history data is received with in a preselected period of time.