Method and apparatus for setting communication parameter in information terminal

A communication parameter delivery server 50b has communication parameters necessary for making each of information terminals 13, 23 and 33 have a dial-up IP connection service. The server 50b delivers the communication parameters via each of networks 12, 22 and 33 responsively to a request from each of the information terminals 13, 23 and 33. The delivered communication terminals are set to Internet connection software installed in each of the information terminal 13, 23 and 33.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for setting a communication parameter for an information terminal to obtain service through a computer network.

2. Background Art

Web service and E-mail service using computer networks such as the Internet are popular.

In order for a user to obtain such a service, the user's terminal should be connected to the Internet through a so-called provider. In this case, communication parameters required to obtain the above-mentioned service through the provider should be set to Internet connection software installed in the user's terminal. These communication parameters include the telephone number of an access point at which the provider relays communication connections, the address of a DNS (Domain Name System) server, the user's mail address, and the name of a mail server.

By the way, different communication parameters are required when user terminals execute different types of Internet connection software products or when users have different circumstances. For example, there is a case in which the notations of the DNS address are different among the different Internet connection software products. Moreover, user's mail addresses are different user by user. Therefore, a user has to do complicated operation, i.e., reading the manual of the Internet connection software and setting the communication parameters which are adapted to the type of software concerned, user's own attributes, and others to the software.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made under such circumstances and has an object to provide a method and apparatus enabling a user to easily set a suitable communication parameter to the software executed by the user terminal.

In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a communication parameter setting method comprising the steps of: transmitting from an information terminal a request signal for requiring a communication parameter to obtain service through a computer network to a server storing the communication parameter; receiving by the server the request signal; transmitting from the server to the information terminal the communication parameter stored in the server in response to the received request signal; receiving the transmitted communication parameter by the information terminal; and setting by the information terminal the received communication parameter to communication software installed in the information terminal.

The present invention enables a user to set communication parameters to communication software in compliance with the type of communication software and/or user's attributes with only simplified operations, even if concrete communication parameters are unknown to the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the step of transmitting the request signal, software identification information to specify the communication software is transmitted together with the request signal, in the step of receiving the request signal, the transmitted software identification information is received together with the transmitted request signal, and in the step of transmitting the communication parameter, a communication parameter corresponding to the received software identification information is extracted among communication parameters stored in the server, and the extracted communication parameter is transmitted to the information terminal.

In another preferred embodiment, in the step of transmitting the request signal, user identification information specifying a user of the information terminal is transmitted together with the request signal, in the step of receiving the request signal, the transmitted user identification information is received together with the transmitted request signal, and in the step of transmitting the communication parameter, a communication parameter corresponding to the received user identification information is extracted among communication parameters stored in the server, and the extracted communication parameter is transmitted to the information terminal.

The user identification information is, for example, identification information to specify a communication apparatus used by the information terminal to communicate with the server.

In this case, the communication apparatus is, for example, a cellular phone served by a portable telephone network.

The present invention further provides an information terminal comprising: a transmitter for transmitting to a server a request signal requiring communication parameters to be set to a communication software installed in the information terminal to connect with a computer network; a receiver for receiving the communication parameter transmitted from the server in response to the transmitted request signal; and setting means for setting the received communication parameter to the communication software.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter transmits software identification information to specify the communication software together with the request signal.

In another preferred embodiment, the transmitter transmits user identification information to specify a user of the information terminal together with the request signal.

The present invention further provides a server comprising: a memory for storing communication parameters to obtain services through a computer network; a receiver for receiving a request signal requiring a communication parameter for an information terminal to obtain service through the computer network, when the information terminal transmits the request signal; extracting means for extracting the communication parameter from the memory in response to the received request signal; and

transmitter for transmitting the extracted communication parameter to the information terminal.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory stores communication parameters corresponding to software identification information to specify the communication software, the receiver receives the software identification information transmitted together with the request signal from the information terminal, and the extracting means extracts the communication parameter corresponding to the received software identification information.

In another preferred embodiment, the memory stores communication parameters corresponding to user identification information to specify a user of the information terminal, the receiver receives the user identification information transmitted together with the request signal from the information terminal, and the extracting means extracts the communication parameter corresponding to the received user identification information.

The working of the present invention includes not only the use of the above-described method for setting communication parameter, the production of the above-described information terminal or server, or the transfer of the same, but also the following act. First, the present invention can be worked as the distribution of a program which the information terminal executes to receive the communication parameter from the server and set the parameter to the communication software to ordinary users through a electric communication circuit or the distribution of recording medium storing such a program to ordinary users. Second, the present invention can be worked as the distribution of a program which the server executes to transmit an appropriate communication parameter to the information terminal in response to the request signal to ordinary users through a electric communication circuit or the distribution of recording medium storing such a program to ordinary users.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but variations maybe made within the scope of technical concepts of the present invention.

(1) Entire Configuration of Network

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing the whole network configuration of an embodiment. In this figure, a reference10designates a well-known cellular phone served by a cellular-phone network12such as a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) network. The cellular phone10can perform wireless data communication by transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from a base station11of the cellular-phone network12.

A reference13designates an information terminal, such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) and a notebook-sized personal computer. Both of the information terminal13and the cellular phone10are connected to each other by inserting a digital data communication card connected to the cellular phone10into a not-shown card slot equipped with the information terminal13. The information terminal13performs data communication at, for example, a maximum transmission speed of 9.6 kbps through the cellular-phone network12by using the radio communication function of the cellular phone10.

A reference20designates a well-known cellular phone served by a mobile packet communication network22. The cellular phone20transmits and receives radio signals to and from a base station21of the mobile packet communication network22, so that the cellular phone obtains packet data transmission service of the mobile packet communication network22.

FIG. 1shows a configuration in which the cellular-phone network12and the mobile packet communication network22are depicted as different communication networks, but they physically share the same network facilities.

A reference23represents an information terminal such as PDA, like the information terminal13. The information terminal23is connected to the cellular phone20through a not-shown digital data communication card. The information terminal23uses a packet communication function of the cellular phone20to perform packet data communication at a maximum transmission speed of 22.8 kbps via the mobile packet communication network22.

A reference30designates a well-known personal handyphone system served by a personal handyphone system network32called as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System). The personal handyphone system30transmits and receives radio signals to and from a base station31of the personal handyphone system network32, obtaining telephone call service of the personal handyphone system network32.

A reference33designates an information terminal such as a PDA, like the information terminal13. The information terminal33is connected to a personal handyphone system30through a not-shown PIAFS (PHS Internet Access Forum Standard) card. The information terminal33is able to perform data communication at a maximum transmission speed of 32 kbps or 64 kbps via the personal handyphone system network32by using the radio communication function of the personal handyphone system30.

When making reference to the foregoing cellular phones10and20and personal handyphone system30in a generalized manner, without paying attention to individualities of the phones, they are referred to as portable devices10,20and30.

A reference50designates a center managed by a provider which provides dial-up IP connection service to the Internet40to the information terminals13,23, and33, and includes a variety of servers50bto50fand a high-speed digital line50gconnecting those servers to each other. The center50is connected to the Internet40via a not-shown router, to the cellular-phone network12through an access point50a-1, to the mobile packet communication network22through another access point50a-2, and to the personal handyphone system network32through another access point50a-3.

Each of the access points50a-1to50a-3is made up of devices including a router and access server, which are not shown, and relays connections for communication between each information terminal13,23or33and the center50.

For example, the information terminal13accesses to the center50by calling the access point50a-1via the cellular phone10and cellular-phone network12, and obtains provider's dial-up IP connection service. Similarly, the information terminal23accesses to the center50by calling the access point50a-2via the cellular phone20and mobile packet communication network22, and obtains dial-up IP connection service. Further, the information terminal33accesses to the center50by calling the access point50a-3via the personal handyphone system30and personal handyphone system network32, and obtains dial-up IP connection service.

A reference50bdesignates a communication parameter delivery server. This server50bholds various parameters (hereinafter, referred to as communication parameters) required to make each information terminal13,23or33obtains dial-up IP connection service and delivers the communication parameters through the networks12,22or32in response to a request from the information terminal12,23or33. The communication parameters include a DNS (Domain Name System) address, a mail server name, a mail address, and others, which will be descried later.

A reference50cdesignates a DNS server, which holds host names and IP addresses which are assigned to the information terminals13,23and33, the host names and IP addresses being correlated with each other, and the DNS server performs bi-directional conversion between the host names and IP addresses. The DNS server50cfunctions as the primary DNS server, while there is also provided a secondary DNS server (not-shown) in the center50, other than the primary DNS server50c. The secondary DNS server duplicates contents memorized in the primary DNS server50cat intervals, and serves as a buck-up server for the primary DNS server50cwhich might be down.

A reference50ddesignates a SMTP server that adopts a SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), which transmits an electronic mail that has been transmitted from any of the information terminals13,23and33to a destination of the mail via the Internet40.

A reference50edesignates a POP server that adopts a POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3). A reference50fshows an IMAP server employing an IMAP4 (Internet Massage Access Protocol version 4). Both POP server50eand IMAP server50fcooperate to receive an electronic mail destined to the information terminals13,23and33via the Internet40and deliver the mail to the destination.

(2) Configuration of Information Terminal

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal13. In this figure, the information terminal13has a CPU (Central Processing Unit)13a, ROM (Read Only Memory)13b, RAM (Random Access Memory)13c, hard disk unit13d, user interface13e, data input/output interface13f, and card slot13g, which are mutually connected through a bus.

The ROM13bis a read-only program memory. The CPU13areads control programs from the ROM13band executes them to control each component of the information terminal13. The RAM13cis used by the CPU13aas a work area when the CPU executes control programs including various types of software which will be described later.

The hard disk unit13dstores various types of software installed for the information terminal13and various kinds of information utilized by a user. Software stored in the hard disk unit13dincludes data communication software for communicating data through the cellular phone10, known type of software such as Internet connection software for making a communication link to the Internet40via a provider, and communication parameter setting software (hereinafter, this is referred to as an “autoconf”) for setting communication parameters to the Internet connection software.

The user interface13eincludes a display for displaying a variety of information, such as Web pages and electronic mails, and a key operation device used by a user to enter information.

The data input/output interface13fis used for inputting and outputting data from and to external devices such as the cellular phone10. Into the card slot13g, a digital data communication card connected to the cellular phone10is inserted.

Like the information terminal13described above, the other information terminals23and33are provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk unit, user interface, data input/output interface, and card slot, respectively. The functions of these components are the same as those described above, so their explanations are omitted.

(3) Configuration of Communication Parameter Delivery Server

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication parameter delivery server50b. As shown therein, the communication parameter delivery server50bis provided with a CPU51, ROM52, RAM53, communication unit54, hard disk unit55which are mutually connected via a bus.

The ROM52is a read-only program memory. The CPU51reads control programs from the ROM52and executes them to control each component of the communication parameter delivery server50b. The RAM53is used as a working area by the CPU51when the CPU executes various type of programs.

The communication unit54is connected to the high speed digital line50gin the center50, and transmits and receives data through the line.

The hard disk unit55has three memory areas, i.e., a program memory part55a, user information memory part55b, and template information memory part55c. The program memory part55astores a communication parameter delivery program for delivering communication parameters to each of the information terminals13,23and33. The user information memory part55bstores user information for each user. The user information is used as a communication parameter dependent on user's attributes. The template information memory part55cstores templates which correlate communication parameter names with communication parameter values. The templates are prepared for the Internet connection software installed in each of the information terminals13,23and33. Each template defines communication parameters for the Internet connection software. The template will be detailed later.

The communication parameter delivery server50bexecutes the communication parameter delivery program in response to a request from any of the information terminals13,23and33. Through processing of the program, the server50bloads user information extracted from the user information memory part55bonto a template extracted for the template information memory part55c, then delivers the template including the user information as an electronic mail to any of the information terminals13,23and33from which the request was issued.

(4) Memory Contents of User Information Memory

Contents stored in the user information memory part55bwill now be described.

FIG. 4is a table exemplifying contents stored in the user information memory part55b. As shown therein, the user information memory part55bstores a variety of types of user information, i.e., a user ID, password, portable device type code, mail ID, mail address, mail password, and mail protocol, each user information being correlated with an originator number.

The originator number is a phone number assigned to each portable device10,20or30. A request signal transmitted to the communication parameter delivery server50bfrom any of the information terminals13,23and33via any of the portable devices10,20and30has the originator number of the portable device which transmitted the request. Adding the originator number to the request is realized by a known originator number informing function owned by each portable device10,20or30, so details about its function will be omitted here. Using the originator number added to the request, as a retrieval key, the communication parameter delivery server50bextracts user information corresponding to a user of information terminal13,23or33which has transmitted the request signal.

The user's ID is an identification code used for identifying the user when the user obtains dial-up IP connection service by providers. The password is an authentication code used for user authentication when the user obtains the above connection service.

The portable device type code is identification showing which one of the portable devices10,20and30is used by a user when obtaining the above connection service. The portable device type code having a communication parameter value “1” expresses the cellular phone10, that having another value “2” expresses the cellular phone20capable of carrying out packet data communication, and that having another value “3” expresses the personal handy-phone system30, respectively.

The mail ID is an identification to specify a user to whom electronic mail service is offered, and in this embodiment, the foregoing user ID is used as the mail ID. The mail address is an address assigned to each user obtaining the electronic mail service. The mail password is information used for user authentication when a user utilizes the electronic mail service. The mail protocol is information indicating which one of the mail protocols POP3 and IMAP4 is used by each information terminal13,23or33.

(5) Contents Stored in Template Information Memory Part

Contents stored in the template information memory part55cwill now be explained.

FIG. 5exemplifies a format of contents stored in the template information memory part55c. As shown therein, the template information memory part55cmemorizes templates assigned to each of sets of the Internet connection software. In each template, communication parameter names and the communication parameter values, which are comprehensible by each Intent connection software, are described. The template is added to an electronic mail by means of MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) when the mail is transmitted from the communication parameter delivery server50bto any of the information terminals13,23and33.

Using the template for the Internet connection software SF1shown inFIG. 5, as an example, each communication parameter will now be descried.

First, “Content-Type” is header information to specify the type of the MIME added to an electronic mail. Communication parameter values of “application/autoconf” that correspond to this “Content-Type” are used for commanding the activation of the communication parameter setting software “autoconf” installed in each of the information terminals13,23and33. That is, the information terminal13,23or33which has received a MIME header “Content-type: application/autoconf” activates the communication parameter setting software “autoconf,” and through the procedure of the software the information terminal set communication parameters which will successively be received to Internet connection software.

Communication parameters named “DialupNumber,” “DNSIAddress1,” “DNSIAddress2,” “SmtpServerName,” “PopServerName,” “ImapServerName,” “UserID,” “UserPassword,” “DialupType,” “MailUserID,” “MailAddress,” “MailPassword,” and “MailProtocol,” all of which follow “Content-Type,” are individually made up of a series of characters comprehensible as communication parameter names by Internet connection software SF1. In other words, these communication parameter names are inherent to each set of communication software. For example, Internet connection software SF1differs from Internet connection software SF2in the communication parameter names.

“DialupNumber” expresses the phone numbers of the access points50a-1to50a-3, and “DialupNumber” having parameter value “#111” indicates the access point50a-1of the cellular-phone network12, that having “#222” indicates the access point50a-2of the mobile packet communication network22, and that having “#333” indicates the access point50a-3of the personal handyphone system network32.

“DNSIAddress1” is an IP address of the primary DNS server50c, whilst “DNSIAddress2” is an IP address of the secondary DNS server not shown. In addition, “SmtpServerName” is the server name of the SMTP server50d, “PopServerName” is the server name of the POP server50e, “ImapServerName” is the server name of the IMAP server50f.

The communication parameter values “%% user ID %%,” “%% password %%,” “%% portable device type code %%,” “%% mail user ID %%,” “%% mail address %%,” “%% mail password %%,” and “%% mail protocol %%,” are respectively set for the communication parameter names “UserID,” “UserPassword,” “DialupType,” “MailUserID,” “MailAddress,” “MailPassword,” and “MailProtocol,” These communication parameter values are replaced by values dependent on user's attributes.

This replacement will be performed as follows. First, as stated before, user information is extracted from the user information memory part55bby using the originator number as a retrieval key. Then, a series of characters of any of the foregoing “%% user ID %%” to “%% mail protocol %%,” which correspond to the extracted user information, are replaced by the extracted user information. For example, if a user ID of “user00123” is extracted from the user information memory part55b, the “%% user ID %%” on the template is replaced by the “user00123.”

B : Operation

An operation of the present embodiment configured as above will now be described. First, when any of the information terminals13,23and33requests the communication parameter delivery server50bto deliver communication parameters, the communication parameter delivery server50bdelivers communication parameters to the information terminal which has requested. In the information terminal13,23or33, the delivered communication parameters are set to the Internet connection software.

Hereinafter, (1) one operation of requesting and setting of communication parameters carried out by the information terminals13,23and33and (2) the other operation of delivering the communication parameters carried out by the communication parameter delivery server50bwill now be described separately.

(1) Requesting and Setting of Communication Parameters

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a communication parameter setting program executed by the CPU13aof the information terminal13.FIGS. 8A,8B,8C,8D and8E exemplify a series of screens which are displayed on a monitor of the information terminal13during the above setting processing.

InFIG. 7, when a user operates a given key, the CPU13aloads a communication parameter setting program from the hard disk unit13dinto the RAM13c, and starts the execution of the program from step Sa1. At step Sa1, the CPU13adisplays a screen shown inFIG. 8Ain order to urge a user to enter a command of setting communication parameters.

Then, the processing of the CPU13aproceeds to step Sa2, wherein the CPU13ascans the key operation panel and determines whether or not a key operation instructing the setting communication parameters has been made.

If such key operation is not found, the determination at step Sa2is “No,” then this determination will be repeated.

In contrast, the key operation instructing the setting is found, the determination at step Sa2is “Yes” and the processing proceeds to step Sa3.

At step Sa3, the CPU13aobtains the software name of an Internet connection software stored in the hard disk unit13d. For instance, when the software is stored in the file format, the CPU13areads a file management table in which attribute information of files stored in the hard disk unit13dis written, and obtains the software name of the Internet connection software. At both of this step Sa3and the next step Sa4, the CPU13adisplays a screen shown inFIG. 8B.

The processing of the CPU13athen proceeds to step Sa4. At this step Sa4, the CPU13aproduces a request signal requesting delivery of communication parameters. The request signal includes the software name of the Internet connection software obtained at Step Sa3.

The processing of the CPU13athen proceeds to step Sa5. At this step Sa5, the CPU13acommands the cellular phone10to call the access point50a-1, connects the communication line to the center50, and transmits the request signal generated at step Sa4to the center50. A phone number “#1111” to call the access point50a-1is entered by a user's key operation. Further, as stated before, when the cellular phone10transmits the request signal to the center50, an originator number of the cellular phone10is added to the request signal.

At step Sa5, the CPU13adisplays a screen shown inFIG. 8C.

After the transmission of the request signal, the processing of the CPU13aproceeds to step Sa6, where time counting is started. This time counting is prepared for executing timeout processing, which will be described later and is carried out when no communication parameter values have been received from the center50during a certain period of time.

Then, at step Sa7, the CPU13adetermines if the communication parameter values have been received or not within a certain period of time.

If the communication parameter values have not been received yet, the determination at step Sa7becomes “No” and the processing proceeds to step Sa8wherein an error screen as shown inFIG. 8Dindicating the occurrence of the timeout error is displayed. The processing then terminates.

On the other hand, when the communication parameter values have been received within a certain period of time, the determination at step Sa7becomes “Yes,” so that the processing proceeds to step Sa9.

Then, at step Sa9, the CPU13asets the received communication parameter values to the Internet connection software. This setting is performed by writing the received communication parameter values at given locations in the Internet connection software.

After completing this setting, the CPU13adisplays a screen noticing the end of setting, as shown inFIG. 8E, and terminates the processing.

(2) Delivery of Communication Parameters in Communication Parameter Delivery Server50b

With reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 9, the description will be given with respect to an operation in which communication parameters are delivered from the CPU51of the communication parameter delivery server50bto the information terminal13.

As stated before, the request signal for setting communication parameters is transmitted to the communication parameter delivery server50btogether with an originator number of the cellular phone10. In response to this transmission, the CPU51of the communication parameter delivery server50bactivates a communication parameter delivery program, and starts the program from the processing of step Sb1inFIG. 9. At step Sb1, the CPU51retrieves the user information memory part55bof the hard disk unit55using the received originator number as a retrieval key, and acquires the user information corresponding to the key.

Then the processing proceeds to step Sb2. At step Sb2, the CPU51retrieves the template information memory part55cof the hard disk unit55using the software name of the Internet connection software as a retrieval key, which is included in the received request number, and acquires the template corresponding to the key.

The processing of the CPU51then proceeds to step Sb3. At step Sb3, the CPU51substitutes the user information obtained at step Sb1for series of characters of “%% user ID%%” to “%% mail protocol##” on the template obtained at step Sb2.

The processing of the CPU51then proceeds to step Sb4. At step Sb4, the CPU51adds, to an electronic mail destined for the cellular phone10, the template in which the communication parameter values have been written, transmits the mail to its destination, and terminates the processing.

According to the foregoing embodiment, a user is able to set communication parameters to Internet connection software in compliance with the type of Internet connection software and/or user's attributes with only simplified operations, even if concrete communication parameter values are unknown to the user.

C : Modifications

As described before, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but it is still possible to modify the embodiment as follow.

(1) As to Configurations of Information Terminal and Portable Device

In the above embodiment, the information terminals13,23and33and the portable devices10,20and30are configured in a manner that the digital data communication card or PIAFS card connected to the portable devices10,20and30is inserted into the card slot13gof the information terminals13,23and33, but the present invention is not confined to such a connection. For example, the digital data communication card or PIAFS card can be incorporated into either the information terminal13(23and33) or the portable device10(20and30), with each information terminal13(23and33) and each portable devices10(20and30) connected to each other through a dedicated cable.

Further, the information terminals13,23and33in which Internet connection software is installed and the portable devices10,20and30are configured as separate units in the foregoing embodiment, but the present invention is not restricted such a configuration. Both of the information terminal13(23and33) and the portable device10(20and30) can be united physically. That is, the information terminal may include a wireless data communication function which can be used to connect to the provider's center50.

Still further, the data transmission path between the information terminals13,23and33and the center50is not limited to the wireless path such as a cellular phone network, but a wired path such as a fixed-line telephone network. In this case, a fixed-line telephone can be used instead of the portable device10,20or30.

(2) Types of Communication Parameters

The types of communication parameters delivered from the communication parameter delivery server50bto the information terminal13,23or33are not limited to those described in the embodiment. Alternatively, various other communication parameters such as the name of proxy server can be included.

(3) Form of Internet

The foregoing embodiment has used the Internet as an object to which information terminals are communicably connected. Instead, a computer communication network such as Intranet can be adopted.