Software updating method and radio communication apparatus

In a radio communication system comprising a radio communication apparatus having a communication function to be changed by changing software and a license server for supplying execution-allowing key information for canceling a limitation in the communication function, a method of updating software having:

• a step for the radio communication apparatus to download software data limited in communication function which is read from a media connected;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to reconfigure the communication function by use of the software data downloaded;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to test for a communication function reconfigured;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to request execution-allowing key information for canceling the limitation to the license server in a case determining the test result normal;
• a step for the license server to supply the execution-allowing key information to the radio communication apparatus in response to the request;
• and
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to cancel the limitation by use of the execution-allowing key information supplied.

A method of updating software having:

• a step for a radio communication apparatus having a communication function to be changed by changing software to download software data limited in communication function which is read out of a first media connected;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to reconfigure the communication function by use of the software data downloaded;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to test for a communication function reconfigured;
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to read execution-allowing key information for canceling the limitation out of a second media in a case determining the test result normal;
• and
• a step for the radio communication apparatus to cancel the function limitation by use of the execution-allowing key information.

A radio communication apparatus having a communication function to be changed by changing software, the radio communication apparatus characterized by comprising:

• a download control section for downloading software limited in part of communication function and execution-allowing key information for canceling the limitation;
• a software radio section for storing software downloaded by the download control section and updating the communication function by use of software stored;
• and
• a test section for determining whether the communication function reconfigured is normal or not;
• whereby, when the test section determines it normal, the download control section downloads the execution-allowing key information and cancels the limitation to the software radio section.

A radio communication apparatus having a communication function to be changed by changing software, the radio communication apparatus characterized by comprising:

• an interface section for having a connection with a media storing software;
• a first download control section for downloading software limited in communication function from the media through the interface section;
• a software radio section for updating the communication function by use of software downloaded by the download control section;
• a second download control section for having a connection to a license server for supplying execution-allowing key information to cancel the limitation through a wireless communication channel connected with the software radio section;
• and
• a test section for determining whether the communication function reconfigured by the software data is normal or not;
• whereby, when the test section determines it normal, the second download control section downloads the execution-allowing key information and cancels the limitation to the software radio section.

A radio communication apparatus having a communication function to be changed by changing software, the radio communication apparatus characterized by comprising:

• an interface section for having a connection with a media storing at least one of software data and execution-allowing key information for canceling communication function limitation;
• a download control section for downloading, from the media, the software data limited in communication function and the execution-allowing key information through the interface section;
• and
• a test section for determining whether the communication function reconfigured by the software is normal or not;
• whereby, when the test section determines it normal, the download control section downloads the execution-allowing key information and cancels the limitation to the software radio section.