Communication startup processing system

A communication startup processing system has an introduction processor which, upon reception of a connection request from a user terminal through a communication path established via a network service provider using a public circuit, transfers destination information as to a user terminal to be connected to, to another user terminal. When information relative to a connection is transmitted from the other user terminal directly or through the introduction processor from the public circuit, a communication processor disconnects a circuit and starts a connection processor according control information included in the transmitted information, and connects again to a user terminal which has issued a connection request through the communication path based on the transmitted information. Since the communication processors of the user terminals make respective connections to the communication path for mutual communications between the user terminals, the expenses of the mutual communications are equalized between the user terminals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(1) Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a communication startup processing system, 
and more particularly to a communication startup processing system for 
beginning communications between user terminals. 
(2) Description of the Related Art 
As computer networks, particularly, the Internet, find widespread usage, 
there have been demands for more complex and diverse modes of use for 
communications through computers at user terminals. One of those modes is 
a one-to-one mutual communication process for use in communication games 
in which users play a game through a communication circuit such as a 
public circuit. 
There have heretofore been servers which provide services to introduce 
registered users to other registered users. Specifically, such a server is 
connected to a public circuit, and a user who desires mutual 
communications with other users accesses the server through the public 
circuit and is registered as a registered member. The server introduces 
registered members to those registered users who want mutual 
communications. To initiate a one-to-one mutual communication process 
between registered members, a registered user uses the computer at its own 
terminal to access the server and acquires information such as the 
telephone number of a registered member. Then, the user dials the acquired 
telephone number through the public circuit. When a connection to the 
registered member is established, they connect their computers to each 
other through the public circuit, and start mutual communications. 
According to the above communication startup process, however, since the 
registered user connects to the other registered member directly through 
the public circuit, the registered user who is the calling party is 
required to bear all the expenses of the established connection through 
the public circuit. The fact that the calling party needs to bear all the 
expenses of the established connection though the connection has been made 
for the mutual communications between the registered members poses 
problems in that the expenses which the calling party has to pay become so 
large that the calling party suffers a large cost bearing imbalance 
especially if the involved registered members is spaced from each other by 
a large geographical distance. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a 
communication startup processing system which is capable of equalizing the 
cost of communications between connected users or parties in mutual 
communications therebetween. 
To achieve the above object, there is provided a communication startup 
processing system for starting mutual communications between at least two 
user terminals through a communication path established via a circuit 
relay apparatus using a public circuit, comprising connecting means at 
each of the user terminals for making a connection required for mutual 
communications with another user terminal to communicate with, 
communication processing means, connected between each of the user 
terminals and the public circuit and responsive to a control message from 
another user terminal, for starting the connecting means according to 
control information included in the control message, and connecting again 
to a user terminal which has issued a connection request through the 
communication path from the public circuit via the circuit relay 
apparatus, based on destination information included in the control 
message as to a user terminal to be connected to, and introduction 
processing means, connected to the public circuit and the communication 
path and responsive to a connection request from another user terminal 
through the communication path, for transmitting a control message 
including control information and destination information of the other 
user terminal, to the communication processing means of the user terminal 
indicated by the connection request. 
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present 
invention will become apparent from the following description when taken 
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred 
embodiments of the present invention by way of example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Prior to describing preferred embodiments of the present invention, the 
principles of the present invention will first be described below with 
reference to FIG. 1. 
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication startup processing system according to 
the present invention generally comprises connecting means 1a, 1b for 
making connections required for mutual communications at respective user 
terminals, communication processing means 2a, 2b for connecting the user 
terminals to a public circuit 3, and an introduction processing means 5 
connected to the public circuit 3 and a communication path 4 established 
from the public circuit 3 through a circuit relay apparatus, for 
introducing user terminals to make connections for mutual communications 
between the user terminals. 
The public circuit 3 may be a circuit such as an analog or digital 
telephone circuit, a CATV circuit, or a satellite communication circuit, 
and indicates an accessible circuit for connection to the communication 
path 4 and a switching circuit capable of effect direct communications 
between the communication processing means 2a, 2b. The communication path 
4 generally represents the Internet, and indicates another switching 
circuit connected to the public circuit 3 at an access point by a circuit 
relay apparatus called a network service provider. 
The introduction processing means 5 generally represents a server on the 
Internet, and serves to introduce users when communications are to be 
started between the connecting means 1a, 1b. The connecting means 1a 
represents a user side for receiving incoming information indicative of 
another party to communicate with, from the introduction processing means 
5, and indicates communication software for making a connection based on 
the acquired information indicative of another party to communicate with. 
The communication processing means 2a represents a device such as a modem 
or TA (Terminal Adapter) which is combined with the connecting means 1a 
for processing communications. The connecting means 1b represents a user 
side for transmitting a connection request to the introduction processing 
means 5, and transmits a connection request to carry out mutual 
communications with the connecting means 1a. The communication processing 
means 2b is combined with the connecting means 1b for processing 
communications, as with the communication processing means 2a. 
In the communication startup processing system shown in FIG. 1, the 
connecting means 1b uses the communication processing means 2b and the 
public circuit 3 to transmit a connection request to the introduction 
processing means 5 through the communication path 4 via the circuit relay 
apparatus. The introduction processing means 5 dials the telephone number 
of the communication processing means 2a, which is contained in the 
information of the connection request, and transmits to the connecting 
means 1a connection information (including the telephone number of an 
access point, an IP address, and a port number) for connection to the 
connecting means 1b. The IP address of the connecting means 1b is acquired 
by the introduction processing means 5 at the time the connecting means 1b 
is connected to the introduction processing means 5. During this time, the 
connecting means 1b remains connected to the communication path 4, waiting 
for a connection from the connecting means 1a. Then, based on the 
connection information indicated by the introduction processing means 5, 
the connecting means 1a dials the telephone number of the access point to 
connect to the communication path 4 for thereby connecting itself to the 
connecting means 1b which has been connected to the communication path 4 
and waited for a connection, making it possible to start communications. 
The connecting means 1a, 1b are now connected to a nearby access point, 
which is provided by the network service provider, on the public circuit 
3, and can carry out mutual communications on the Internet. After the 
connection information is indicated by the introduction processing means 
5, the connecting means 1a connects again to the nearby access point on 
the public circuit 3, with the expenses of communications to be borne by 
the connecting means 1a, 1b to make certain that mutual communications are 
equalized. 
An embodiment of the present invention which is applied to communication 
startup processing if a party to communicate with has been identified will 
be described below. 
FIG. 2 shows in block form an arrangement and an operation procedure of a 
communication startup processing system according to a first embodiment of 
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a first personal computer 11a 
operated by a user is connected to a communication device 12a, and 
similarly a second personal computer 11b operated by another user is 
connected to a communication device 12b. The communication devices 12a, 
12b are connected to a public circuit network 13, and can be connected to 
the Internet 14 through an access point provided by a network service 
provider. A server 15 is provided on the Internet 14. The server 15 has an 
introduction processor 16, and is directly connected to the public circuit 
network 13. 
A communication startup process in which the first personal computer 11a as 
a party to communicate with has been identified and the second personal 
computer 11b issues a connection request, will briefly be described below. 
The second personal computer 11b asks the introduction processor 16 of the 
server 15, as indicated by the arrow 21, to transmit the issuance of the 
connection request to the first personal computer 11a. The second personal 
computer 11b remains connected to the Internet 14 and waits, and its 
connection to the introduction processor 16 is finished. Then, the 
introduction processor 16 transmits information relative to a connection 
to the communication device 12a through the public circuit network 13 as 
indicated by the arrow 22. In response to the information, the 
communication device 12a starts a predetermined application in the first 
personal computer 11a, and transmits the information received from the 
introduction processor 16 to the application as indicated by the arrow 23. 
Based on the transmitted information, the application in the first 
personal computer 11a connects to the Internet 14, and connects to the 
second personal computer 11b that has waited, as indicated by the arrow 
24. The first personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b 
are now capable of carrying out mutual communication as indicated by the 
arrow 25. The first personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 
11b are connected to each other through the Internet 14, and equally bear 
the respective expenses for the connection up to the network service 
provider. 
A communication startup process carried out after the second personal 
computer 11b issues a connection request and until mutual communications 
between the first and second personal computers 11a, 11b are started will 
be described in detail below. 
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the communication startup 
processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, 
the second personal computer 11b effects circuit connection processing to 
connect to the server 15 in a step S1, thereby connecting to an access 
point on the Internet 14. Then, the second personal computer 11b issues a 
connection request to the first personal computer ha in a step S2. The 
connection request is received by the introduction processor 16 of the 
server 15 in a step S3. At this time, the connection request received by 
the introduction processor 16 includes a message relative to information 
(such as a telephone number) of a destination, i.e., a party to 
communicate with, of the first personal computer 11a, control information 
(such as the name of an application to be started by the first personal 
computer 11a and the names of parameters of the application) of the first 
personal computer 11a, and a port number of the second personal computer 
11b, which is required when a connection to the second personal computer 
11b is to be made. After having issued the connection request, the second 
personal computer 11b ends its connection to the introduction processor 16 
of the server 15, remains connected to the Internet 14, and waits for a 
connection from the first personal computer 11a. 
The introduction processor 16 of the server 15 acquires the IP address of 
the second personal computer 11b at the time it has been connected, in a 
step S4. Then, based on the information received from the second personal 
computer 11b, the introduction processor 16 dials the destination of the 
first personal computer 11a and transmits information to the destination 
in a step S5. At this time, the introduction processor 16 transmits the 
telephone number of the access point on the Internet, the IP address (or 
URL: Uniform Resource Locator) of the second personal computer 11b, the 
port number thereof, and the control information of the first personal 
computer 11a which has been received from the second personal computer 
11b. The telephone number of an access point which is owned by the first 
personal computer 11a may be used as the telephone number of the access 
point on the Internet. In this case, the telephone number of the access 
point on the Internet may not be transmitted to the first personal 
computer 11a, or even if the telephone number of the access point on the 
Internet is transmitted to the first personal computer 11a, it may not be 
used by the first personal computer 11a. 
The communication device 12a has been waiting for an incoming call from the 
introduction processor 16 of the server 15. When an incoming call arrives, 
the communication device 12a receives the information from the 
introduction processor 16 in a step S6. Then, based on the control 
information received from the introduction processor 16, the communication 
device 12a outputs a command to start an application to the first personal 
computer 11a in a step S7. In response to the command, the first personal 
computer 11a starts the application in a step S8. Then, the communication 
device 12a transfers the control information to the first personal 
computer 11a in a step S9. In response to the control information in a 
step S10, the first personal computer 11a transfers the IP address of the 
second personal computer 11b, the port number thereof, the telephone 
number of the access point, and other parameters to the application. 
Instead of starting the application in response to the command from the 
communication device 12a, the application may be active in the first 
personal computer 11a at all times. 
Then, the first personal computer 11a issues a circuit connection command 
based on the transmitted telephone number of the access point of the 
second personal computer 11b in a step S11. In response to the circuit 
connection command, the communication device 12a makes a circuit 
connection to the access point on the Internet 14 in a step S12. Then, the 
first personal computer 11a issues a connection command for connection to 
the second personal computer 11b in a step S13. The communication device 
12a transfers a message relative to the IP address of the second personal 
computer 11b and the port number thereof in a step S14. In response to the 
message, the second personal computer 11b receives a connection in a step 
S15. The first personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b 
are now connected to each other, and can effect mutual communications 
therebetween. 
The communication device 12b connected to the second personal computer 11b 
only transfers a message, and is omitted from illustration in the 
flowchart shown in FIG. 3. 
Another embodiment of the present invention which is applied to 
communication startup processing if a party to communicate with has been 
identified will be described below. 
FIG. 4 shows in block form an arrangement and an operation procedure of a 
communication startup processing system according to a second embodiment 
of the present invention. Those parts in FIG. 4 which are identical to 
those shown in FIG. 2 are indicated by identical reference numerals and 
representations and will not be described in detail below. 
A communication startup process in which the first personal computer 11a as 
a party to communicate with has been identified and the second personal 
computer 11b issues a connection request will briefly be described below 
with reference to FIG. 4. 
First, the second personal computer 11b transmits information relative to a 
connection to the communication device 12a connected to the first personal 
computer 11a directly through the public circuit network 13 as indicated 
by the arrow 31. Then, the second personal computer 11b transmits a desire 
to connect to the first personal computer 11a to the introduction 
processor 16 of the server 15, and waits for the first personal computer 
11a to be connected to the introduction processor 16 as indicated by the 
arrow 32. Based on the information transmitted from the second personal 
computer 11b, the communication device 12a starts a predetermined 
application in the first personal computer 11a, and transmits the 
information received from the second personal computer 11b to the 
application as indicated by the arrow 33. Based on the indicated 
information, the first personal computer 11a connects to the Internet 14, 
and connects to the introduction processor 16 of the server 15 based on 
the information received from the communication device 12a, as indicated 
by the arrow 34. The first personal computer 11a and the second personal 
computer 11b are connected to each other through the introduction 
processor 16 for mutual communications therebetween as indicated by the 
arrow 35. In this arrangement, first personal computer 11a and the second 
personal computer 11b are connected to each other through the Internet 14, 
and equally bear the respective expenses for the connection up to the 
network service provider. 
A communication startup process carried out after the second personal 
computer 11b issues a connection request and until mutual communications 
between the first and second personal computers 11a, 11b are started will 
be described in detail below. 
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the communication startup 
processing system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, 
the second personal computer 11b effects circuit connection processing to 
connect directly to the communication device 12a in a step S21. After a 
call to the communication device 12a is confirmed in a step S22, the 
second personal computer 11b transmits connection request information in a 
step S23, and the communication device 12a receives the transmitted 
connection request information in a step S24. The connection request 
information contains the IP address (or the URL) of the server 15, the 
port number of the introduction processor 16, and the control information 
of the first personal computer 11a. At this time, the second personal 
computer 11b may simultaneously transmit the telephone number of the 
access point to the communication device 12a. 
Then, the second personal computer 11b disconnects its circuit from the 
communication device 12a in a step S25, and makes a circuit connection to 
the access point of the server 15 on the Internet 14 in a step S26. The 
second personal computer 11b connects to the introduction processor 16 of 
the server 15, issues a connection request for connection to the first 
personal computer 11a, and waits until the first personal computer 11a is 
connected to the introduction processor 16 in a step S27. The introduction 
processor 16 receives a call from the second personal computer 11b, and, 
after it has received the call, receives the connection request from the 
second personal computer 11b for communications with the first personal 
computer 11a in a step S28. 
Based on the control information received from the first personal computer 
11b, the communication device 12a outputs a command to start an 
application to the first personal computer 11a in a step S29. In response 
to the command, the first personal computer 11a starts the application in 
a step S30. The communication device 12a may instead issue a command to 
turn on the power supply of the first personal computer 11a. Then, the 
communication device 12a transfers the control information to the first 
personal computer 11a in a step S31. The first personal computer 11a 
receives the control information in a step S32. The message of the control 
information contains the IP address of the server 15, the port number of 
the introduction processor 16, the telephone number of the access point, 
and other parameters, and is transferred to the application in the first 
personal computer 11a. Instead of starting the application in response to 
the command from the communication device 12a, the application may be 
active in the first personal computer 11a at all times. 
Then, the first personal computer 11a issues a circuit connection command 
in a step S33. In response to the circuit connection command, the 
communication device 12a makes a circuit connection to the access point on 
the Internet 14 in a step S34. Then, the first personal computer 11a 
issues a connection command to the introduction processor 16 based on the 
IP address and the port number received from the communication device 12a 
in a step S35. In response to the connection command, the communication 
device 12a transfers the message and also information indicative of the 
desire to communicate with the second personal computer 11b to the 
introduction processor 16 in a step S36. 
The introduction processor 16 has received the connection request from the 
second personal computer 11b in the step S28, and the second personal 
computer 11b remains connected to the introduction processor 16. 
Therefore, when there is a reply from the first personal computer 11a, the 
introduction processor 16 connects the first personal computer 11a and the 
second personal computer 11b to each other for mutual communications 
therebetween in a step S38. The mutual communications between the first 
personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b are carried out 
through the introduction processor 16. However, after the introduction 
processor 16 has transmitted IP addresses and port numbers of the first 
and second personal computers 11a, 11b to each other, mutual 
communications may be carried out directly between the first personal 
computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b. 
Still another embodiment of the present invention which is applied to a 
communication startup process if a party to communicate with has not been 
identified will be described below. 
FIG. 6 shows in block form an arrangement and an operation procedure of a 
communication startup processing system according to a third embodiment of 
the present invention. Those parts in FIG. 6 which are identical to those 
shown in FIG. 2 are indicated by identical reference numerals and 
representations and will not be described in detail below. As shown in 
FIG. 6, the introduction processor 16 of the server 15 in the 
communication startup processing system according to the third embodiment 
has a registering unit 17 for registering a connection request if there is 
no party to communicate with when a connection is requested. 
A communication startup process carried out by the communication startup 
processing system according to the third embodiment is a process in which 
a personal computer as a party to communicate with has not been 
identified. In this process, a certain personal computer registers a 
connection request in the introduction processor 16 of the server 15, and 
a personal computer which sends a connection request after the 
registration is regarded as a party to communicate with. This 
communication startup process is useful for determining a party to compete 
with in a communication game. A communication startup process in which no 
party to communicate with is identified will briefly be described below 
with reference to FIG. 6. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first 
personal computer 11a first issues a connection request, and then the 
second personal computer 11b issues a connection request. 
First, the first personal computer 11a connects to the access point on the 
Internet and transmits a connection request to the introduction processor 
16 of the server 15 as indicated by the arrow 41. Then, the first personal 
computer 11a disconnects its circuit from the access point. Then, the 
second personal computer 11b connects to the access point on the Internet 
and transmits a connection request to the introduction processor 16 of the 
server 15 as indicated by the arrow 42. At this time, the second personal 
computer 11b simultaneously transmits conditions for a party to 
communicate with. The second personal computer 11b remains connected to 
the Internet 14, and waits for a reply from a party to communicate with or 
the introduction processor 16. The introduction processor 16 searches the 
registering unit 17. If the first personal computer 11a meets the 
conditions which have been transmitted from the second personal computer 
11b, then the introduction processor 16 transmits information indicative 
of the connection request from the second personal computer 11b to the 
first personal computer 11a through the public circuit network 13 as 
indicated by the arrow 43. Based on the information from the introduction 
processor 16, the communication device 12a starts a predetermined 
application in the first personal computer 11a, and transmits the 
information received from the second personal computer 11b to the 
application as indicated by the arrow 44. Based on the transmitted 
information from the introduction processor 16, the first personal 
computer 11a connects to the Internet 14, connecting again to the 
introduction processor 16 of the server 15 as indicated by the arrow 45. 
The first personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b are 
now connected to each other through the introduction processor 16 for 
mutual communication as indicated by the arrow 46. The first personal 
computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b are connected to each 
other through the Internet 14, and equally bear the respective expenses 
for the connection up to the network service provider. 
A communication startup process carried out after the first personal 
computer 11a first issues a connection request, and then the second 
personal computer 11b issues a connection request and until the first 
personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b start mutual 
communications will be described in detail below. 
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a processing sequence of the communication startup 
processing system according to the third embodiment. When the first 
personal computer 11a issues a circuit connection command in a step S41, 
the communication device 12b effects a circuit connection to connect to 
the access point on the Internet in a step S42. When the first personal 
computer 11a issues a connection request in a step S43, the communication 
device 12b transfers a message to the introduction processor 16 of the 
server 15 in a step S44, and the introduction processor 16 receives the 
connection request from the first personal computer 11a in a step S45. At 
this time, the message from the first personal computer 11a includes 
conditions for a party to be connected to, other than the connection 
request. After having transmitted the connection request, the first 
personal computer 11a issues a circuit disconnection command in a step 
S46, and the communication device 12a disconnects its circuit from the 
introduction processor 16 in a step S47. After the circuit is 
disconnected, the power supply of the first personal computer 11a may be 
turned off in a step S48. After having received the connection request 
from the first personal computer 11a, the introduction processor 16 
registers the first personal computer 11a in the registering unit 17 in a 
step S49. 
Then, the second personal computer 11b carries out a circuit connection to 
connect to the access point on the Internet 14 in a step S50, and 
transmits a connection request to the introduction processor 16 in a step 
S51. At this time, the second personal computer 11a simultaneously 
transmits conditions for a party to be connected to. After having received 
the connection request from the second personal computer 11b in a step 
S52, the introduction processor 16 searches the registering unit 17 for a 
personal computer which meets the conditions in a step S53. If there is no 
such personal computer, then the introduction processor 16 waits for a 
next connection request. If there is a personal computer which meets the 
conditions, then the introduction processor 16 regards the personal 
computer as a party to communicate with. It is assumed here that the 
conditions of the first and second personal computers 11a, 11b meet each 
other. When the conditions are met, the second personal computer 11b 
remains connected to the Internet 14, and waits for a reply from the party 
to communicate with or the introduction processor 16. 
Then, the introduction processor 16 connects to the first personal computer 
11a through the public circuit network 13. After having transmitted the 
connection request from the second personal computer 11b in a step S54, 
the introduction processor 16 disconnects its circuit from the public 
circuit network 13 in a step S55. At this time, the introduction processor 
16 may simultaneously transmit the control information of the first 
personal computer 11a as well as the connection request from the second 
personal computer 11b, and also may simultaneously transmit the 
destination connection information such as the IP address of the second 
personal computer 11b. 
The communication device 12a receives the information from the introduction 
processor 16 in a step S56. If the received information contains the 
control information of the first personal computer 11a, then the 
communication device 12a carries out a process according to the control 
information, i.e., issues a start command, in a step S57. At this time, 
the communication device 12a may turn on the power supply of the first 
personal computer 11a. 
Based on the start command from the communication device 12a, the first 
personal computer 11a is turned on, if necessary, and starts an 
application in a step S58. Then, the communication device 12a transfers 
the control in formation to the first personal computer 11a in a step S59. 
The first personal computer 11a acquires the control information in a step 
S60. The control information includes a message relative to parameters of 
the application. 
Based on the information transmitted from the introduction processor 16, 
the first personal computer 11a issues a circuit connection command in a 
step S61. In response to the circuit connection command, the communication 
device 12a connects to the access point on the Internet 14, connecting 
again to the introduction processor 16 in a step S62. Thereafter, the 
first personal computer 11a issues a connection request for connection to 
the second personal computer 11b in a step S63. The communication device 
12a transfers the message of the connection request to the introduction 
processor 16 in a step S64. 
Upon reception of the connection request for connection to the second 
personal computer 11b from the first personal computer 11a in a step S65, 
the introduction processor 16 connects the second personal computer 11b, 
which has remained connected to the Internet and waited after having 
issued the connection request, and the first personal computer 11a to each 
other for mutual communications therebetween in a step S66. The first 
personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b are now capable 
of mutual communications with each other. The mutual communications 
between the first personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 
11b are carried out through the introduction processor 16. However, after 
the introduction processor 16 has transmitted IP addresses and port 
numbers of the first and second personal computers 11a, 11b to each other, 
mutual communications may be carried out directly between the first 
personal computer 11a and the second personal computer 11b. 
Yet still another embodiment of the present invention which is applied to a 
communication startup process when control information is held by a 
personal computer will be described below. 
FIG. 8 shows in block form an arrangement and an operation procedure of a 
communication startup processing system according to a fourth embodiment 
of the present invention. Those parts in FIG. 8 which are identical to 
those shown in FIG. 2 are indicated by identical reference numerals and 
representations and will not be described in detail below. As shown in 
FIG. 8, a personal computer 50 has a control information acquisition unit 
51, an associated information storage unit 52 for storing a table of 
control information identifiers (ID) and control information associated 
therewith, and a connection processor 53, and is connected to a 
communication device 60. 
When the control information acquisition unit 51 receives a control 
information identifier 70 as control information transmitted from another 
personal computer, it refers to the associated information storage unit 52 
using the received control information identifier 70 as a key, and 
acquires the control information of the personal computer 50. The 
connection processor 53 makes a connection based on control information 
received from the control information acquisition unit 51. 
In the first through third embodiments, information for controlling the 
first personal computer 11a is basically transmitted from another personal 
computer. According to the fourth embodiment, however, the control 
information of the personal computer 50 is stored in the associated 
information storage unit 52 of its own, and the personal computer 50 
receives only the control information identifier 70 from another personal 
computer. Based on the received control information identifier 70, the 
personal computer 50 searches the associated information storage unit 52 
for associated control information. Based on the acquired control 
information, the connection processor 53 carries out its own process to 
make a connection. 
A communication startup process at the time a connection request is 
received from another device such as a personal computer or the 
introduction processor 16 of the server 15 will be described below. 
FIG. 9 illustrates in block form an arrangement and an operation procedure 
at the time a connection request is transmitted. In FIG. 9, a personal 
computer 80 is connected to a communication device 82, which is connected 
through the public circuit network 13 to another device 90 such as a 
personal computer or the introduction processor 16 of the server 15. 
A process of connecting a circuit in response to a call from the other 
device 90 will be described below. The other device 90 transmits a call 
signal as indicated by the arrow 111. When the transmitted call signal is 
received by the communication device 82, the communication device 82 sends 
a start/call notice to the personal computer 80 as indicated by the arrow 
112. In response to the start/call notice, the personal computer 80 starts 
a predetermined application, and then issues a call sound as indicated by 
the arrow 113. In response to the call sound, the operator 100 of the 
personal computer 80 enters a connection command into the personal 
computer 80 as indicated by the arrow 114. In response to the connection 
command, the personal computer 80 sends a connection command to the 
communication device 82 as indicated by the arrow 115. The communication 
device 82 makes a circuit connection to connect to the other device 90 as 
indicated by the arrow 116. 
A communication startup process at the time a connection request is 
received from the other device will be described in detail below. 
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a processing sequence at the time a connection 
request from the other device is received. First, the other device 90 
transmits a call signal (on a telephone circuit, the other device 90 dials 
the telephone number of the communication device 82) in a step S71. When 
the communication device 82 receives the call signal from the other device 
90 (on a telephone circuit, a ringing tone from the other device 90) in a 
step S72, the communication device 82 transmits a start command and a call 
reception signal to the personal computer 80 in a step S73. Before 
establishing a circuit connection (on a telephone circuit, an off-hook 
condition for conversation), the communication device 82 waits for a 
command for a circuit connection from the personal computer 80. 
In response to the start command and the call reception signal from the 
communication device 82, the personal computer 80 starts an application 
for making a connection in a step S74, and then generates a ringing tone 
in a step S75. The ringing tone is generated through a built-in speaker of 
the personal computer 80 or an external speaker connected to the personal 
computer 80. The operator 100 of the personal computer 80 now recognizes 
that an incoming call has arrived based on the ringing tone in a step S76. 
Thereafter, the operator 100 enters a keyboard input or the like to apply 
a circuit connection command in a step S77. In response to the circuit 
connection command in a step S78, the personal computer 80 transmits the 
circuit connection command to the communication device 82 in a step S79. 
When the communication device 82 receives the circuit connection command 
from the personal computer 80 in a step S80, the communication device 82 
carries out a circuit connection, connecting its circuit to the other 
device 90 in steps S81, S82. When the communication device 82 issues a 
circuit connection command in a step S83, the other device 90 checks if 
the circuit connection command is received or not in a step S84. If the 
circuit connection command from the communication device 82 is received, 
the other device 90 disconnects its circuit from the communication device 
82 in steps S85, S86, and prepares itself for a circuit connection from 
the personal computer 80. 
After having transmitted the call signal, the other device 90 checks the 
time that has elapsed in a step S87. If no circuit connection is achieved 
within a preset period of time after the transmission of the call signal, 
the other device 90 interrupts the communication startup process. 
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a personal 
computer and a communication device may be combined with each other. 
Specifically, while the personal computer and the communication device 
have been illustrated as separate from each other in the above 
embodiments, they may be united into a unitary structure for carrying out 
a communication startup process. 
According to the present invention, as described above, for starting mutual 
communications between at least two user terminals, one of the user 
terminals receives a connection request from the other user terminal 
through a public circuit network, and thereafter disconnects its circuit. 
Then, the user terminal connects again a nearby access point to establish 
a connection between the user terminals on the Internet. Therefore, it is 
possible to carry out mutual communications between the user terminals 
through the Internet while the user terminals are being connected to 
respective nearby access points on the Internet. As a result, the expenses 
of mutual communications can be equalized between the user terminals. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
present invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will 
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and applications shown and described, 
and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be 
regarded as falling within the scope of the invention in the appended 
claims and their equivalents.