Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-21
2001-07-24
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C710S010000, C710S062000, C713S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266711
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a control method, and a control apparatus used in a communication apparatus that communicates with portable electronic data communication appliances, and also a storage medium for storing a control program of such a control apparatus. More specifically, the present invention is directed to such a control apparatus arranged by an apparatus main body, and a connection apparatus capable of providing an additional function, while connecting a separate module to an electronic data communication appliance. Also, the present invention is directed to a control method for realizing such an additional function, and further to a storage medium for storing a control program used to realize such an additional function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Very recently, various sorts of communication services have been proposed while using public lines. These communication services are realized by connecting, for example, a communication modem functioning as an external expansion unit to a personal computer so as to establish a connection between this personal computer and an external line.
Similar to the personal computer, even in a portable electronic information apparatus typically known as a PDA (personal Digital Assistants), a main body of this PDA is connected via a communication modem (external expansion unit) separately connectable with this PDA to a public line, so that various sorts of communication services are accessible.
Since the protocol for these various sorts of communication services differs from each other, depending upon these sorts, different sorts of communication software (programs) are required. The communication software is needed to execute auto-log-in operations. In the auto-log-in operation, complex sequential operations are automatically processed in which data transmission/reception are controlled, the transmitted/received data are displayed, files are transferred, and desirable communication services are received.
Therefore, in the conventional PDA, several sorts of communication programs suitable to several sorts of communication services have been previously installed in a ROM built in a main body of this PDA. A communication modem functioning as an external expansion unit is mounted on this PDA so as to select a desirable communication service, so that the communication program corresponding to this desirable communication program is initiated to control a CPU provided in this main body, and also a circuit operation of the communication modem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve the above described problems, and therefore, has an object to provide a control apparatus constituted by an apparatus main body and a connection apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium for storing a control program. In accordance with such a control apparatus, even when an expansion process operation of an adding function which requires a program not preinstalled in the apparatus main body is carried out, such an expansion process operation added with a desirable function can be readily performed without requiring such a cumbersome operation that after a program has been installed by using an external memory, an expansion unit is connected to the apparatus main body.
To achieve the above-described object, a control apparatus, according to an aspect of the present invention, is featured by such a control apparatus in which an external unit is connected to an apparatus main body so as to add a function to the apparatus main body and the external unit is provided outside the apparatus main body, wherein:
the external unit is comprised of a program storage means for previously storing thereinto a program used to control operation of a circuit built in the external unit; and
the apparatus main body does not store the program, but is comprised of a control means for controlling the operation of the circuit provided in the external unit in accordance with the program previously stored in the program storage means within the external unit.
Also, a control method, according to another aspect of the present invention, is featured by such a control method in which an external unit is connected to an apparatus main body so as to add a function to the apparatus main body while the external unit is provided outside the apparatus main body, comprising:
a step for detecting that the apparatus main body is connected to the external unit; and
a step for controlling an operation of a circuit employed in the external unit in accordance with a program previously stored in a storage unit of the external unit.
Furthermore, a storage medium, according to another aspect of the present invention, is featured by such a storage medium for storing thereinto a control program used to add a function to an apparatus main body while an external unit is connected to the apparatus main body wherein:
the control program causes a computer to be operated as:
detecting means for detecting that the external unit is connected to the apparatus main body; and
control means for controlling operation of a circuit employed in the external unit in accordance with a program previously stored into the external unit under such a condition that the detecting means detects that the external unit is connected to the apparatus main body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4815034 (1989-03-01), Mackey
patent: 5386567 (1995-01-01), Lien et al.
patent: 5550861 (1996-08-01), Chan et al.
patent: 5815682 (1998-09-01), Williams et al.
patent: 6012113 (2000-01-01), Tuckner
patent: 04213715 (1992-08-01), None
Ishikawa Ryo
Yanagisawa Masaaki
Casio Computer Co. Ltd.
Du Thuan
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Lee Thomas
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