Communication system and communication method

Abstract

A communication system includes a first network on which a file server and an access point are connected via a first communication link and a second network on which the access point and a terminal are connected via a second communication link. The terminal establishes a connection with the access point to access the file server. The file server stores a file to be downloaded. The terminal accesses the file server through the access point to request the file. The terminal then selects a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process, and executes the download process to download the file from the file server.

1 . In a communication system including a first network on which a file server and an access point are connected via a first communication link and a second network on which the access point and a terminal are connected via a second communication link, wherein the terminal establishes a connection with the access point to access a file on the file server, a download control method comprising: 
 accessing from the terminal to the file server through the access point to request the file;    selecting a download process from one among a foreground process, a background process, and a postponement process each available to download the file from the file server to the terminal; and    executing the download process to download the file from the file server to the terminal.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 accepting an instruction from the terminal; and    selecting the download process according to the instruction.    
   
   
       3 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 selecting the download process based on an urgent level of the file.    
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 notifying a size of the file from the file server to the terminal; and    selecting the download process depending on the size of the file.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process by the file server; and    instructing the terminal to execute the download process for a file to be downloaded to the terminal.    
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 determining a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process by the access point; and    instructing the terminal to execute the download process for a file to be downloaded to the terminal, which is stored in the file server.    
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining whether or not a communication between the terminal and an external computer goes through a screening server.    
   
   
       12 . A communication system comprising: 
 a first network on which a file server and an access point are connected via a first communication link, the file server storing a file; and    a second network on which the access point and a terminal are connected via a second communication link, wherein the terminal establishes a connection with the access point to access the file server, and    wherein the terminal accesses the file server through the access point to request the file, selects a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process, and executes the download process to download the file from the file server.    
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the terminal forcibly selects the download process according to a user instruction.  
   
   
       14 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the terminal selects the download process based on an urgent level of the file.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a screening server configured to protect the terminal from acquiring a virus during at least the background process.    
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the file server notifies a size of the file to the terminal; and    the terminal selects the download process depending on the size of the file.    
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the file server determines a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process; and    the file server instructs the terminal to execute the download process for a file to be downloaded to the terminal.    
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the access point determines a download process from one of a foreground process, background process and postponement process; and    the access point instructs the terminal to execute the download process for a file to be downloaded to the terminal, which is stored in the file server.    
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the terminal determines whether or not a communication between the terminal and an external computer goes through a screening server.