Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing – Network resources access controlling
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-09
2003-08-12
Coulter, Kenneth R. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing
Network resources access controlling
C709S202000, C709S227000, C382S187000, C713S152000, C713S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06606662
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable terminal apparatus and a communication method for use therein and, more particularly, to a portable terminal apparatus comprising information input means, such as a pen input apparatus, and means for communicating with external apparatuses, and a communication method for use therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable terminal apparatuses are convenient information processing apparatuses which can be carried along and used by a user, and recently there has been an increasing number of such apparatuses which can be used in combination with a server.
When a portable terminal apparatus is used in combination with a server, the construction is formed such that the server has the data, and when the portable terminal apparatus uses the data of the server, communications are performed between them and the data is downloaded to the portable terminal apparatus and used. It is a matter of course that when the amount of data is small, there is no need to use the server, and the portable terminal apparatus can perform processing by itself.
FIG. 7
is a flowchart of processing typical of such apparatuses.
Initially, when it is determined in step S
701
that the power of the apparatus has been switched on, the process proceeds to step S
702
, where the apparatus awaits the input of a password. Various forms of password input are possible, such as text being simply keyed in or handwritten data being input. When a password has been input, the process proceeds to step S
703
, where a password determination process is performed. This process is a technology which is well known to a person skilled in the art, and description thereof has been omitted.
Next, a check is made in step S
704
to determine whether the password matches. When the current user is an authorized user of the apparatus, the apparatus becomes operable. The above process may be performed when a specific application is initiated rather than when the power of the apparatus is switched on. Further, there is a case in which a password is input only on the first occasion and stored, and on the second occasion and later, the password is input and determined automatically, so that the apparatus can be used even if the user does not actually input a password.
Next, in step S
705
, the process awaits a request for communication with a server. Here, when the user initiates such a communication request, the process proceeds to step S
706
, where the communication means is initiated for the first time, and communication with the server is performed. That is, for the first time the server becomes aware of the fact that at this point the portable terminal apparatus is being used.
However, in the above-described conventional communication procedure, in the case where the terminal apparatus has been left outdoors or stolen, and the terminal apparatus passes into the possession of another person and is used illegally, there is the problem that unless the unauthorized user attempts to access the server in order to download data from the server, the authorized person who owns the apparatus is not aware of the unauthorized use. Of course, in the case where the password must be input after the power is switched on, the terminal apparatus cannot be used illegally unless the proper password is somehow input. However, in the case where the password is input when a specific application is initiated or a password automatic input is set, the apparatus may be used freely.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention, which has been achieved in view of the above-described points, is to provide a portable terminal apparatus which notifies an authorized user of use by an unauthorized user, and a communication method for use therein.
To achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal apparatus, comprising: information input means, and communication means for performing communication with an external apparatus over a network, wherein there is further provided: determination means for determining whether a current user is an authorized user; and control means for performing control in such a way that the communication means is activated to perform communications with the external apparatus according to a determination result by the communication means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method for use in a portable terminal apparatus comprising information input means and communication means for performing communication with an external apparatus over a network. The communication method comprises: a determination step for determining whether a current user is an authorized user; and a control step for performing control in such a way that the communication means is activated to perform communication with the external apparatus according to the determination result obtained in the determination step.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5657459 (1997-08-01), Yanagisawa et al.
patent: 5715174 (1998-02-01), Cotichini et al.
patent: 5802280 (1998-09-01), Cotichini et al.
patent: 5825283 (1998-10-01), Camhi
patent: 5928363 (1999-07-01), Ruvolo
patent: 5969433 (1999-10-01), Maggiora et al.
patent: 5982928 (1999-11-01), Shimada et al.
patent: 6006332 (1999-12-01), Rabne et al.
Coulter Kenneth R.
Kang Paul
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