Communication device communication method, and communication terminal device

• US 6,930,987 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fukuda, Kunio, Ukita, Yoshitaka, Kawashima, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAH, CHIRAG G
• Application Number:
  US09/763,833
• Time in Patent Office: 1,881 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/349, 370/400, 370/401, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/328, 370352-356, 370/363, 370/366, 370/383, 370/465, 370/466, 370/329, 709/227, 709/230, 709/249, 709/250
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16145 the bodies being stacked
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45144 Gold (Au) as principal constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48465 the other connecting portion not on the bonding area being a wedge bond, i.e. ball-to-wedge, regular stitch
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00012 Relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15311 being a ball array, e.g. BGA
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/15331 being a ball array, e.g. BGA
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/181 Encapsulation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2283 mounted in or on the surface of a semiconductor substrate as a chip-type antenna or integrated with other components into an IC package
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5602 Bandwidth control in ATM Networks, e.g. leaky bucket
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5619 Network Node Interface, e.g. tandem connections, transit switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/562 Routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5638 Services, e.g. multimedia, GOS, QOS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5665 Interaction of ATM with other protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 : including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 : Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

A radio communication CPU controls each section of a radio communication device included in a short distance radio communication network by using network setting information in a network setting storage section. A connection relation with a communication network (for example, the Internet) is set and transmission/reception of data to/from equipment included in the communication network via the short distance radio communication network is controlled. Thus, the network setting or the like for connecting to the Internet or the like is simplified for each portable equipment existing in the short distance radio communication network.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising:

wired communication means for providing/receiving data via physical connection means to/from a mounted host equipment;

short distance radio communication means for transmitting/receiving data to/from an external communication network via a short distance radio communication network;

storage means in which communication setting information as information related to the communication network, and at least protocols of an upper protocol layer and protocols of a lower protocol layer are stored; and

communication control means for setting a connection relation with the communication network via the short distance radio communication network using the protocols of the lower protocol layer based upon the communication setting information stored in the storage means, and controlling transmission/reception of data between the communication network and the host equipment using at least one protocol of the upper protocol layer, wherein

the lower protocol layer includes protocols for communication in the short distance radio communication network; and

the upper protocol layer includes at least one protocol of point to point (PPP), Internet protocol (IP), and transport control protocol (TCP) for communication with the external communication network.

2. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein individual information is stored in the storage means as information related to a user operating the host equipment, and

wherein the communication control means sets the connection between the host equipment and the communication network by using the communication setting information and the individual information stored in the storage means.

3. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising discrimination means for discriminating whether to set the connection between the host equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol of PPP (point to point protocol), IP (Internet protocol), and TCP (transport control protocol) stored in the host equipment and carry out transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network, or to set the connection between the host equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the storage means and carry out transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network,

wherein in accordance with a result of discrimination that the connection between the host equipment and the communication network is set by using at least one protocol stored in the storage means and that transmission/reception of data is carried out between the host equipment and the communication network, the communication control means sets the connection between the host equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the storage means and controls transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network.

4. The communication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication control means discriminates whether the individual information stored in the storage means is usable by using password information inputted from the host equipment, and sets the connection between the host equipment and the communication network on a basis of a result of discrimination.

5. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage means temporarily stores data inputted from the host equipment via the wired communication means, and

wherein the communication control means carries out control so as to transmit/receive the data temporarily stored in the storage means to/from the communication network.

6. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the communication control means sets a connection relation between a public communication network and the host equipment and controls transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the public communication network.

7. A communication method for a communication device having a wired communication section for supplying/receiving data to/from a host equipment via physical contact means and a short distance radio communication section for transmitting/receiving data to/from an external communication network via a short distance radio communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

storing communication setting information as information related to the communication network, protocols of an upper protocol layer, and protocols of a lower protocol layer in the communication device;

using protocols of the lower protocol layer to set a connection relation between the radio communication section and the communication network via the short distance radio communication network based upon the communication setting information stored in the communication device as information related to a communication network outside the short distance radio communication network; and

carrying out transmission/reception of data between the communication device and the communication network by using the connection relation between the communication device and the communication network, and carrying out supply/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication device using at least one protocol of the upper protocol layer to control transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network, wherein

the lower protocol layer includes protocols for communication in the short distance radio communication network; and

the upper protocol layer includes at least one protocol of point to point (PPP), Internet protocol (IP), and transport control protocol (TCP) for communication with the external communication network.

8. The communication method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a connection relation between the host equipment and the communication network is set by using individual information stored in the communication device, wherein

The individual information is information related to a user operating the host equipment.

9. The communication method as claimed in claim 7, wherein

it is discriminated whether to set the connection relation between the host equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol of PPP (point to point protocol), IP (Internet protocol), and TCP (transport control protocol) stored in the host equipment and carry out transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network, or to set the connection relation between the host equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the communication device and carry out transmission/reception of data between the host equipment and the communication network, and

wherein in accordance with a result of discrimination that the connection relation between the host equipment and the communication network is set by using at least one protocol stored in the communication device and that transmission/reception of data is carried out between the host equipment and the communication network, the connection relation between the host equipment and the communication network is set by using at least one protocol stored in the communication device and transmission/reception of data is carried out between the host equipment and the communication network.

10. The communication method as claimed in claim 8, wherein it is discriminated whether the individual information is usable by using password information inputted from the host equipment to the communication device, and

wherein the connection relation between the communication device and the communication network is set on a basis of a result of discrimination.

11. The communication method as claimed in claim 7, wherein data inputted from the host equipment to the communication device is stored, and

wherein transmission/reception of the stored data is carried out between the communication device and the communication network.

12. The communication method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a connection relation between a public communication network and the communication device is set, and

wherein transmission/reception of data is carried out between the public communication network and the host equipment.

13. A communication device comprising:

wired communication means for providing/receiving data via physical contact means to/from a mounted host equipment;

short distance radio communication means for providing/receiving data to/from an external communication network via a short distance radio communication network;

storage means in which communication setting information as information related to the communication network and at least protocols of an upper protocol layer and protocols of a lower protocol layer are stored; and

communication control means for setting a connection relation with the communication network via the short distance radio communication network using protocols of the lower protocol layer based upon the communication setting information stored in the storage means, and controlling transmission/reception of data between the communication network and the host equipment using at least one protocol of the upper protocol layer, wherein

the wired communication means, the short distance radio communication means, the storage means, and the communication control means are housed in a single casing;

the wired communication means is arranged on one side of the communication control means, and the short distance radio communication means is arranged on the other side of the communication control means

the lower protocol layer includes protocols for communication in the short distance radio communication network; and

the upper protocol layer includes at least one protocol of point to point (PPP), Internet protocol (IP), and transport control protocol (TCP) for communication with the external communication network.

14. The communication device as claimed in claim 13, wherein

the casing is substantially rectangular, having a height greater than a width, and a thickness smaller than the width, and

wherein the short distance radio communication means is arranged on a first end of the casing, and the wired communication means is arranged on a second end of the casing.

15. The communication device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a thickness of the casing is greater on the second end than on the first end.

16. A communication device comprising, in a casing constituted to have a predetermined outer dimension that allows free attachment/detachment of at least a part thereof to/from a recessed connection part provided in a mounted host equipment:

wired communication means for providing/receiving data via physical contact means to/from the host equipment;

short distance radio communication means for providing/receiving data to/from an external communication network via a short distance radio communication network;

storage means in which communication setting information as information related to the communication network, and at least protocols of an upper protocol layer and protocols of a lower protocol layer are stored; and

communication control means for setting a connection relation with the communication network via the short distance radio communication network using the protocols of the lower protocol layer based upon the communication setting information stored in the storage means, and controlling transmission/reception of data between the communication network and the host equipment using at least one protocol of the upper protocol layer, wherein

the lower protocol layer includes protocols for communication in the short distance radio communication network; and

the upper protocol layer includes at least one protocol of point to point (PPP), Internet protocol (IP), and transport control protocol (TCP) for communication with the external communication network.

17. The communication device as claimed in claim 16, wherein

the casing is substantially rectangular, having a height greater than a width, and a thickness smaller than the width, and

wherein the short distance radio communication means is arranged on a first end of the casing, and the wired communication means is arranged on a second end of the casing.

18. The communication device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the casing is connected to the recessed connection part of the host equipment, with the other end exposed outside from the host equipment.

19. The communication device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the short distance radio communication means includes a chip antenna shaped in a thin, substantially rectangular form and carries out transmission/reception of data to/from the short distance radio communication network via the chip antenna.

20. The communication device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the chip antenna is housed in the second end of the casing having a protrusion with its thickness greater at the second end than the first end.

21. A communication terminal device comprising:

public communication connection means operated by a user so as to be connected to a public communication network for providing/receiving data;

short distance radio communication means for transmitting/receiving data to/from an equipment included in a short distance radio communication network via the short distance radio communication network;

communication setting information storage means in which communication setting information is stored as information related to an external communication network to be connected via the public communication network along with protocols of an upper protocol layer and protocols of a lower protocol layer;

communication connection setting means for setting connection with the communication network via the public communication network by using protocols of the lower protocol layer based upon the communication setting information stored in the communication setting information storage means; and

control means for controlling transmission/reception of data between the equipment and the communication network by using the connection with the communication network set by the communication connection setting means and by using at least one protocol of the upper protocol layer, wherein

the lower protocol layer includes protocols for communication in the short distance radio communication network; and

the upper protocol layer includes at least one protocol of point to point (PPP), Internet protocol (IP), and transport control protocol (TCP) for communication with the external communication network.

22. The communication terminal device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising

individual information storage means in which individual information is stored as information related to the user,

wherein the communication connection setting means sets the connection between the short distance radio communication means and the communication network by using the communication setting information stored in the communication setting information storage means and the individual information stored in the individual information storage means.

23. The communication terminal device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising

discrimination means for discriminating whether to set the connection between the short distance radio communication means and the communication network by using at least one protocol of PPP (point to point protocol), IP (Internet protocol), and TCP (transport control protocol) stored in the equipment and carry out transmission/reception of data between the equipment and the communication network, or to set connection between the short distance radio communication means and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the communication setting information storage means and carry out transmission/reception of data between the equipment and the communication network,

wherein in accordance with a result of discrimination that the connection between the short distance radio communication means and the communication network is set by using at least one protocol stored in the communication setting information storage means and that

transmission/reception of data is carried out between the equipment and the communication network, the communication connection setting means sets the connection between the short distance radio communication means and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the communication setting information storage means, and the control means controls transmission/reception of data between the equipment and the communication network by using at least one protocol stored in the communication setting information storage means.

24. The communication terminal device as claimed in claim 22, further comprising

password processing means for discriminating whether the individual information stored in the individual information storage means is usable by using a password inputted from the equipment,

wherein the communication connection setting means sets the connection with the communication network via the public communication network on a basis of a result of discrimination from the password processing means.

25. The communication terminal device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising

data storage means for storing data inputted from equipment via the short distance radio communication means,

wherein the control means controls transmission/reception of the data stored in the data storage means to/from the communication network.

26. The communication terminal device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the control means controls processing to set the connection again, in response to discrimination that the communication connection setting means cannot establish setting of connection with the communication network, and transmits/receives the data stored in the data storage means to/from the communication network.