Abstract:
There is provided a handy terminal connected to a cradle in a removable manner, wherein the cradle has a communication function and is connected to a network. The handy terminal includes: a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the handy terminal is connected to the cradle; an identifying unit configured to identify the cradle when the determining unit determines that the handy terminal is connected to the cradle; and an address setting unit configured to set a network terminal address for identifying the handy terminal on the network, depending on the identified cradle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2011-073971, filed on Mar. 30, 2011, and No. 2011-243178, filed on Nov. 7, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     Embodiments described herein relate to a handy terminal and a computer readable medium. 
     2. Related Art 
     Conventionally, a handy terminal which is used for stock management in a store is connected, via a USB (universal serial bus) cable or the like, to a LAN (local area network) cradle (function extender) which is connected to a LAN that is constructed in the store. The handy terminal performs an Ethernet (registered trademark) communication via the LAN cradle. In this communication system, a MAC address (media access control address) which is necessary for Ethernet communication is set in the LAN cradle and an IP address (Internet protocol address) is set in the handy terminal to be mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle. 
     Incidentally, where an IP address is acquired using a server which is compatible with DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol), it is not necessary to set an IP address in each handy terminal. However, where a DHCP server cannot be introduced as in the case of a small store or the like, an IP address is set in each handy terminal in a fixed manner. 
       FIG. 10  shows stores A and B which are connected to different subnets and in which LAN cradles CA and CB are installed in the respective stores A and B. An IP address for the store A is set in a handy terminal H 1  and an IP address for the store B is set in a handy terminal H 2 . 
     In this case, since the different IP addresses are used, even if the handy terminal H 1  is brought to the store B having another network address and is mounted on the LAN cradle CB for the store B, the handy terminal H 1  cannot be used because the IP address for the store A is set therein. It is necessary to newly set the IP address for the store B in the handy terminal H 1 . In order to address such a situation, JP-A-2008-60668 discloses that an IP address to be set in a handy terminal is read from a cradle and a communication is performed, for example. 
     However, in JP-A-2008-60668, it is necessary for a handy terminal side to read an IP address from the cradle and use it and the cradle needs to be provided with a special function of managing IP addresses and enabling reading of an IP address from itself. 
     Furthermore, when a user uses a handy terminal while visiting plural stores, the user is required to call an application process for each store by inputting information of that store manually. However, inputting store information manually every time the user visits a new store is a heavy load on the user. 
     Still further, in a state that a handy terminal is not mounted on a cradle, a user may work using a wireless LAN that is constructed in the store. In view of such a situation, employing different security settings for individual stores is more desirable in terms of security management than employing the same security setting for all stores. However, making security setting every time the user visits a new store and uses a brought handy terminal, there is also a heavy load on the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more illustrative aspects of the present invention are to allow a handy terminal to make a communication with a new network even if a cradle is not provided with any special function and a network terminal address of the handy terminal is not re-set manually every time the handy terminal is connected to a cradle in a different subnet. 
     According to one or more illustrative aspects of the present invention, there is provided a handy terminal connected to a cradle in a removable manner, wherein the cradle has a communication function and is connected to a network. The handy terminal includes: a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the handy terminal is connected to the cradle; an identifying unit configured to identify the cradle when the determining unit determines that the handy terminal is connected to the cradle; and an address setting unit configured to set a network terminal address for identifying the handy terminal on the network, depending on the identified cradle. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a communication network system including a handy terminal  1  according to a first embodiment, which is used for stock management in a store; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing basic components of the handy terminal  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing basic components of a LAN cradle  2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows an address correspondence table M 2  of the handy terminal  1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1  in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication; 
         FIG. 6  shows an address correspondence table M 2  of a handy terminal  1 A according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1 A in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication; 
         FIG. 8  shows an address correspondence table M 2  of a handy terminal  1 B according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1 B in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a related-art communication network system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
     A first embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a communication network system including a handy terminal  1  which is used for stock management in a store. The handy terminal  1  is connected to a stand-type LAN cradle (function extender)  2  in a removable manner. When the handy terminal  1  is mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2 , a state that the handy terminal  1  and the LAN cradle  2  can communicate with each other is established. 
     In the state that the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1  is connected to a server  4  via the LAN cradle  2  and an Ethernet (registered trademark)  3 , whereby data can be exchanged between the handy terminal  1  and the LAN cradle  2 . The LAN cradle  2  is installed in each store. In the example of  FIG. 1 , LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B are installed in respective stores A and B which are connected to different subnets. Although in the embodiment the Ethernet  3  is a wired LAN, the invention is not limited to such a case. The Ethernet  3  may be a wireless LAN. 
     The LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B are stored with MAC addresses as their own unique addresses. For example, the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B are stored with MAC addresses “100” and “200,” respectively. Each of the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B has a function of reading its own MAC address in response to a transmission request from a handy terminal  1  mounted thereon and sending the read-out MAC address to the request source handy terminal  1 . The other functions of each of the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B are commonly known ones and hence will not be described below. In the following description, an appropriate one of the term “LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B” and the generic term “LAN cradle  2 ” will be used for each situation. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing basic components of the handy terminal  1 . The handy terminal  1  has a thin, rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped cabinet, and is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit; core component)  11 , a power unit  12 , a storage unit  13 , a memory  14 , a touch display unit  15 , an operation unit  16 , an image scanner  17 , a communication unit  18 , and a cradle connection unit  19 . The CPU  11  operates on power that is supplied from the power unit (secondary battery)  12 , and controls the entire operation of the handy terminal  1  according to various programs stored in the storage unit  13 . 
     The storage unit  13  includes a ROM, a flash memory, or the like, and is provided with a program memory M 1  which is stored with an operating system (OS), programs for implementing the embodiment according to an operation procedure shown in  FIG. 5  (described later), various applications, etc., an address correspondence table M 2  (described later), a store-by-store application table M 3  (described later). The storage unit  13  may include a detachable, portable memory (recording medium) such as an SD card or an IC card or a storage area of a prescribed external server in a state that the handy terminal  1  is connected to a network via a communication function (not shown). The memory  14  is a work area for temporarily storing various kinds of information that are necessary for operation of the handy terminal  1 , such as time information and flag information. 
     The touch display unit  15  is a large touch display unit which occupies almost all the front surface of the thin, rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped cabinet. The touch display unit  15  includes a touch input device (touch screen) for detecting a touch operation position of a finger, a pen, or the like and thereby allowing input of coordinate data of that position, and employs, as a display panel, a high-resolution liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, for example. The operation unit  16  is equipped with various push-button keys such as a power button (not shown). The CPU  11  performs processing according to an operation signal that is input through the touch display unit  15  or the operation unit  16 . 
     The image scanner  17  is to shoot a code information image by means of an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor. The CPU  11  recognizes code information by analyzing the image data taken by the image scanner  17 . The communication unit  18  performs a data communication with the server  4  via the LAN cradle  2  and the Ethernet  3  in a state that the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 . The cradle connection unit  19  exchanges data with the LAN cradle  2  by a non-contact infrared communication, for example. And the cradle connection unit  19  has a detecting function of detecting whether or not the handy terminal  1  is connected to (mounted on) the LAN cradle  2 , that is, a communication-enabled state is established. When the cradle connection unit  19  has detected mounting of the handy terminal  1  on the LAN cradle  2 , the CPU  11  reads a MAC address from the LAN cradle  2  via the cradle connection unit  19 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing basic components of the LAN cradle  2 . The LAN cradle  2  is equipped with a CPU  21  (core component), a power unit  22 , a storage unit  23 , a memory  24 , a communication unit  25 , and a terminal connection unit  26 . The CPU  21  operates on power that is supplied from the power unit (AC power source)  22 , and controls the entire operation of the LAN cradle  2  according to various programs stored in the storage unit  23 . When receiving a MAC address transmission request from the handy terminal  1 , the CPU  21  reads a unique address (MAC address) of the LAN cradle  2  stored in the storage unit  23  and sends the read-out MAC address to the handy terminal  1  via the terminal connection unit  26 . In a state that the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 , a data communication is performed between them via the terminal connection unit  26  and the communication unit  25 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the address correspondence table M 2  of the handy terminal  1 . The address correspondence table M 2  is an address table in which the MAC address of each of the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B which are connected to the different subnets is correlated with a network terminal address (IP address) and store information for identification of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed. In the example of  FIG. 4 , an IP address “192.168.1.1” and store information “100” are correlated with the MAC address “100” of the LAN cradle  2 A of the store A. And an IP address “192.168.2.1” and store information “200” are correlated with the MAC address “200” of the LAN cradle  2 B of the store B. 
     The store information (related information relating to the LAN cradle  2 ) is information relating to an area where the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed is located, that is, information for identification of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed. The store information is not limited to a character string such as a store name or an address and may be a numeral string such as a telephone number or a serial number. When the cradle connection unit  19  has detected that the handy terminal  1  has been mounted on the LAN cradle  2 , the CPU  11  reads the IP address and the store information corresponding to the MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the MAC address and sets them in the handy terminal  1 . The CPU  11  reads application specifying information corresponding to the thus-set store information by searching the store-by-store application table M 3  using the store information and executes the corresponding application process. In the store-by-store application table M 3 , pieces of application specifying information are correlated with respective pieces of store information. 
     Next, the operation concept of the handy terminal  1  according to the embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 5 . Each step of the flowchart is stored in the form of program code, and the steps are executed sequentially according to the program code. The steps may be executed sequentially according to the program code that is transmitted over a transmission medium such as a network. This also applies to the other embodiments to be described later; the process of each embodiment can be executed according to programs and data that are either stored in the storage medium or transmitted externally via a transmission medium. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart that outlines the entire process of the handy terminal  1 . Upon exiting the process of  FIG. 5 , the CPU  11  returns to a main process (not shown). 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1  in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication. 
     First, at step S 1 , the CPU  11  checks whether or not the handy terminal  1  is connected to (mounted on) the LAN cradle  2  on the basis of a detection result of the cradle connection unit  19 . If the handy terminal  1  is not mounted on the LAN cradle  2  (S 1 : no), the process of  FIG. 5  is finished to invalidate the communication start operation. If the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2  (S 1 : yes), at step S 2  the CPU  11  sends a MAC address transmission request to the LAN cradle  2  and acquires a MAC address that is transmitted from the LAN cradle  2  in response the request. For example, when the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 A, the CPU  11  reads and acquires the MAC address “100” of the LAN cradle  2 A. When the handy terminal  1  is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 B, the CPU  11  reads and acquires the MAC address “200” of the LAN cradle  2 B. 
     At step S 3 , the CPU  11  searches the address correspondence table M 2  using the MAC address acquired from the LAN cradle  2 . At step S 4 , the CPU  11  reads an IP address corresponding to the MAC address and sets it as a network terminal address of the handy terminal  1 . Furthermore, the CPU  11  reads store information corresponding to the MAC address and sets it. In this state, at step S 5 , the CPU  11  reads application specifying information corresponding to the thus-set store information by searching the store-by-store application table M 3  using the store information and establishes a state that the corresponding application process is executable. At step S 6 , the CPU  11  starts a data communication with the server  4  via the LAN cradle  2  using the thus-set IP address. At step S 7 , the CPU  11  judges whether or not ending (disconnection) of the communication has been commanded by a user operation or automatic detection. At step S 8 , the CPU  11  judges whether or not the handy terminal  1  has been removed (disconnected) from the LAN cradle  2 . 
     If ending (disconnection) of the communication has not been commanded (S 7 : no) and the handy terminal  1  is kept mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  (S 8 : no), the communication process is continued. If ending of the communication has been commanded (S 7 : yes) or the handy terminal  1  has been removed from the LAN cradle  2  (S 8 : yes), at step S 9  the CPU  11  cancels the IP address setting used in the current communication to invalidate the IP address and also cancels the store information setting. Then, the CPU  11  exits the process of  FIG. 5 . 
     As described above, in the first embodiment, when connected to a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1  identifies the LAN cradle  2  and sets an IP address of the handy terminal  1  itself according to the identified LAN cradle  2 . Therefore, it is not necessary to re-set an IP address of the handy terminal itself manually every time a cradle  2  having a communication function that is connected to a new subnet is used. The convenience is thus enhanced. 
     The handy terminal  1  sets, according to an identified LAN cradle  2 , an IP address of the handy terminal  1  itself and store information for identification of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed. Therefore, it is not necessary to re-set an IP address of the handy terminal  1  and store information manually every time the handy terminal  1  is connected to a cradle  2  having a communication function in a new subnet. The convenience is thus enhanced. 
     A state that an application process corresponding to a store in which a LAN cradle  2  is installed can be executed is established merely by connecting the handy terminal  1  to the LAN cradle  2 . Therefore, the application settings can be changed so as to be suitable for each store. 
     When mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1  reads and sets an IP address and store information corresponding to a MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the read-out MAC address. Therefore, an IP address and store information can be set for each LAN cradle  2  merely by preparing the address correspondence table M 2 . 
     The handy terminal  1  cancels the IP address setting and the store information setting when removed (disconnected) from the LAN cradle  2 . This makes it possible to set an IP address and store information easily for each LAN cradle  2 . 
     In the above-described first embodiment, store information for identification of a store in which a LAN cradle  2  is installed is set as related information relating to the LAN cradle  2 . Alternatively, information for identification of a selling area, a selling corner, or the like may be set. 
     Embodiment 2 
     A second embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     In the above-described first embodiment, when mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1  reads and sets an IP address and store information corresponding to a MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the read-out MAC address. In contrast, in the second embodiment, when mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , a handy terminal  1 A also sets security information of a wireless LAN that is constructed in the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed. An essential part of the second embodiment will mainly be described below. Items having basically the same items or items having the same names in the first embodiment will be given the same reference symbols as the latter and will not be described in detail. 
     In the second embodiment, in a non-connection state that the handy terminal  1 A is separated from the LAN cradle  2 , data exchange between the handy terminal  1 A and the server  4  is performed over a wireless LAN (not shown). In such a store, when mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  installed therein, the handy terminal  1 A sets not only an IP address and store information but also security information of the wireless LAN. Security information of the wireless LAN is set in such a manner that an encryption key (security key) that is required in performing connection setting of an encryption method (e.g., WEP) of the wireless LAN is set. In a state that the handy terminal  1 A is not mounted on the LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 A prohibits an encryption key of the wireless LAN from being set from a job menu. That is, setting of an encryption key of the wireless LAN is permitted only when the handy terminal  1 A is mounted on the LAN cradle  2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an address correspondence table M 2  of the handy terminal  1 A. The address correspondence table M 2  is an address table in which the MAC address of each of the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B which are connected to the different subnets is correlated with not only a network terminal address (IP address) and store information for identification of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed but also an encryption key (security key) that is required in performing connection setting of an encryption method (e.g., WEP) of the wireless LAN. In the example of  FIG. 6 , not only an IP address “192.168.1.1” and store information “100” but also an encryption key “111111” of the store A is correlated with the MAC address “100” of the LAN cradle  2 A of the store A. And not only an IP address “192.168.2.1” and store information “200” but also an encryption key “22222” of the store B is correlated with the MAC address “200” of the LAN cradle  2 B of the store B. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1 A according to the second embodiment in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication. 
     First, if the handy terminal  1 A is not mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  (S 11 : no), the process of  FIG. 7  is finished to invalidate the communication start operation. If the handy terminal  1 A is mounted on the LAN cradle  2  (S 11 : yes), at step S 12  the CPU  11  sends a MAC address transmission request to the LAN cradle  2  and acquires a MAC address that is transmitted from the LAN cradle  2  in response the request. 
     At step S 13 , the CPU  11  searches the address correspondence table M 2  using the MAC address acquired from the LAN cradle  2 . At step S 14 , the CPU  11  reads an IP address corresponding to the MAC address and sets it as a network terminal address of the handy terminal  1 A. Furthermore, the CPU  11  reads store information and an encryption key (security key) corresponding to the MAC address and sets them. In this state, at step S 15 , the CPU  11  reads application specifying information corresponding to the store information by searching the store-by-store application table M 3  using the store information and establishes a state that the corresponding application process is executable. At step S 16 , the CPU  11  starts a data communication with the server  4  via the LAN cradle  2  using the thus-set IP address. 
     If ending (disconnection) of the communication has not been commanded (S 17 : no) and the handy terminal  1 A is kept mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  (S 18 : no), the communication process is continued. If ending of the communication has been commanded (S 17 : yes) or the handy terminal  1  has been removed from the LAN cradle  2  (S 18 : yes), the CPU  11  exits the process of  FIG. 7 . 
     In the second embodiment, the set IP address, store information, and encryption key are canceled by a person in charge by manual operations when he or she leaves the store. Alternatively, the handy terminal  1 A may be configured to make new settings after canceling current settings when it is mounted on the LAN cradle  2  of the same store or another store. 
     As described above, in the second embodiment, when connected to a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 A identifies the LAN cradle  2  and sets an IP address of the handy terminal itself, store information, and a wireless LAN encryption key according to the identified LAN cradle  2 . Therefore, it is not necessary to re-set an IP address of the handy terminal itself, store information, and a wireless LAN encryption key manually every time the handy terminal  1 A is connected to a cradle  2  having a communication function in a new subnet. The convenience is thus enhanced. 
     In a state that the handy terminal  1 A is not mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 A prohibits a wireless LAN encryption key from being set from a job menu. Therefore, to change the wireless LAN security setting, it is necessary to mount the handy terminal  1 A on the LAN cradle  2 . This contributes to security enhancement. 
     When mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 A reads and sets an IP address, store information, and a wireless LAN encryption key corresponding to a MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the read-out MAC address. Therefore, an IP address, store information, and a wireless LAN encryption key can be set for each LAN cradle  2  merely by preparing the address correspondence table M 2 . 
     In the above-described second embodiment, an encryption key (wireless LAN security information) is set when the handy terminal  1 A is mounted on a LAN cradle  2 . Alternatively, wireless LAN log-in information may be set. 
     Embodiment 3 
     A third embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     In the above-described first embodiment, when mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1  reads and sets an IP address and store information corresponding to a MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the read-out MAC address. In contrast, in the third embodiment, when mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , a handy terminal  1 B also sets a password of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed. An essential part of the third embodiment will mainly be described below. Items having basically the same items or items having the same names in the first embodiment will be given the same reference symbols as the latter and will not be described in detail. 
       FIG. 8  shows an address correspondence table M 2  of the handy terminal  1 B. The address correspondence table M 2  is an address table in which the MAC address of each of the LAN cradles  2 A and  2 B which are connected to the different subnets is correlated with not only a network terminal address (IP address) and store information for identification of the store in which the LAN cradle  2  is installed but also a password of the store. In the example of  FIG. 8 , not only an IP address “192.168.1.1” and store information “100” but also password “111111” of the store A is correlated with the MAC address “100” of the LAN cradle  2 A of the store A. And not only an IP address “192.168.2.1” and store information “200” but also a password “22222” of the store B is correlated with the MAC address “200” of the LAN cradle  2 B of the store B. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a communication process which is executed by the handy terminal  1 B according to the third embodiment in response to an operation that commands a start of a communication. 
     First, if the handy terminal  1   b  is not mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  (S 21 : no), the process of  FIG. 9  is finished to invalidate the communication start operation. If the handy terminal  1 B is mounted on the LAN cradle  2  (S 21 : yes), at step S 22  the CPU  11  sends a MAC address transmission request to the LAN cradle  2  and acquires a MAC address that is transmitted from the LAN cradle  2  in response the request. 
     At step S 23 , the CPU  11  searches the address correspondence table M 2  using the MAC address acquired from the LAN cradle  2 . At step S 24 , the CPU  11  reads an IP address corresponding to the MAC address and sets it as a network terminal address of the handy terminal  1 A. Furthermore, the CPU  11  reads store information and a password corresponding to the MAC address and sets them. At step S 25 , a password input waiting state is established. If a password is input (S 25 : yes), the input password is compared with the password that was set at step S 24 . If the input password is not the regular one (S 26 : no), at step S 27  the CPU  11  performs processing of displaying an error message. Then, the CPU  11  exits the process of  FIG. 9 . 
     On the other hand, if the input password is the regular one (S 26 : yes), at step S 28  the CPU  11  reads application specifying information corresponding to the thus-set store information by searching the store-by-store application table M 3  using the store information and establishes a state that the corresponding application process is executable. At step S 29 , the CPU  11  starts a data communication with the server  4  via the LAN cradle  2  using the thus-set IP address. If ending (disconnection) of the communication has not been commanded (S 30 : no) and the handy terminal  1 B is kept mounted on (connected to) the LAN cradle  2  (S 31 : no), the communication process is continued. If ending of the communication has been commanded (S 30 : yes) or the handy terminal  1  has been removed from the LAN cradle  2  (S 31 : yes), at step S 32  the CPU  11  cancels the IP address setting used in the current communication is canceled to invalidate the IP address and also cancels the store information setting and the password setting. Then, the CPU  11  exits the process of  FIG. 9 . 
     As described above, in the third embodiment, when connected to a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 B identifies the LAN cradle  2  and sets an IP address of the handy terminal itself, store information, and a password according to the identified LAN cradle  2 . Therefore, it is not necessary to re-set an IP address of the handy terminal itself, store information, and a password manually every time a cradle  2  having a communication function that is connected to a new subnet is used. The convenience is thus enhanced. Furthermore, it becomes possible to prevent a third person who does not know the password of a store from using the LAN cradle  2  installed therein. 
     When mounted on a LAN cradle  2 , the handy terminal  1 B reads and sets an IP address, store information, and a password corresponding to a MAC address that is read from the LAN cradle  2  by searching the address correspondence table M 2  using the read-out MAC address. Therefore, an IP address, store information, and a wireless LAN encryption key for each LAN cradle  2  can be set for each LAN cradle  2  merely by preparing the address correspondence table M 2 . 
     The handy terminal  1  cancels the IP address setting, the store information setting, and the password setting when removed (disconnected) from the LAN cradle  2 . This makes it possible to set an IP address, store information, and a password easily for each LAN cradle  2 . 
     Although each of the above embodiments is directed to the case that the handy terminal  1 ,  1 A, or  1 B is a handy terminal, the invention is not limited to such a case. The handy terminal may be a portable computer, a cell phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a music player, or the like. 
     Each of the “devices” and “units” used in each embodiment need not always be provided in a single cabinet and may be divided into parts which are to perform different functions and are provided in plural respective cabinets. Furthermore, the steps of each flowchart need not always be executed in time-series order. There may be steps that are executed in parallel or independently. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is aimed, therefore, to cover in the appended claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.