JP2004234077A - Network connection equipment, portable terminal equipment and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible for a user to effectively recognize the decrease of the residual resources to be consumed of network connection equipment by using a communication network. <P>SOLUTION: When residual resources such as its own battery or storage capacity are decreased to the predetermined amount, network connection equipment 50 transmits a warning message (for example, an electronic mail) to notify the decrease of the residual resources through a communication network 15 to a portable terminal 10 as the preliminarily decided destination of notification. The network connection equipment 50 periodically transmits the warning message until the residual resources reach the predetermined amount. After receiving the warning message, the portable terminal 10 periodically transmits the warning message until it is obstructed by a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system including a network connection device connectable to a communication network and a mobile terminal device represented by a mobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various devices driven by a battery include a notebook personal computer (notebook computer), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, an audio-visual device (music recording / reproducing device, recording / reproducing device, and the like). Exists.
[0003]
These devices are usually provided with means for detecting the remaining battery level, and the user can recognize the remaining battery level by displaying an indicator or the like indicating the remaining battery level on a display unit. There is also known a device that warns a user with an alarm sound or the like at a stage before the device becomes unusable. Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of calculating a remaining capacity of a battery and a talkable time and notifying the talkable time by voice.
[0004]
In recent years, various devices other than a personal computer (PC) have been connected to a communication network so that information can be exchanged with the outside.
[0005]
Some PCs and audiovisual devices have a function of detecting the remaining capacity of a storage device such as a hard disk device or a recordable tape. These storage devices are also known to have a function of automatically recording and the like in accordance with reserved program information, keywords, and the like.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-313833
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Even in a battery-powered device, even if the above-described indicator function is provided, the battery may run out at the start of use or may run out during use without noticing a decrease in the remaining battery level. Further, even if the user notices that the battery has run out, the user may not be in an environment in which the battery can be charged immediately because he is out of the office or the like, and may forget that it is necessary to charge the battery after returning home. Furthermore, since it takes a considerable amount of time to charge the battery, it may not be possible to use it if the battery is charged after the battery is exhausted.
[0008]
Regarding the capacity of the storage device, for example, there is a possibility that the remaining capacity of the storage device may become insufficient before the end of the program to be recorded after the automatic recording starts.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to effectively recognize a decrease in the remaining amount of consumed resources of a network-connected device using a communication network. To provide a network connection device, a portable terminal device, and a computer program.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A network connection device according to the present invention is a network connection device having consumed resources, and sequentially detects a resource remaining amount, a storage unit for storing a predetermined warning message and a notification destination thereof, Message transmission means for transmitting, to the notification destination, a warning message for notifying the reduction of the resource remaining amount to the notification destination when the resource remaining amount has decreased to a predetermined amount. I do.
[0011]
The network connection device checks the remaining resource amount by sequentially detecting the remaining resource amount, and when the remaining resource amount decreases to a predetermined amount, automatically issues a warning message to a predetermined notification destination. Send. As a result, the user at the notification destination can quickly recognize the decrease in the remaining resource amount of the network-connected device.
[0012]
It is preferable that the message transmitting unit periodically transmits a warning message until the remaining resource exceeds a predetermined amount. This serves to prevent the user from forgetting once the warning message has been received. However, the periodic warning may be suppressed by the user's intention.
[0013]
The consumed resource is, for example, the capacity of a battery or the capacity of a storage device.
[0014]
The network connection device receives a request for notification of the remaining resource amount via the communication network, detects the remaining resource amount by the detection unit in response to the request, and determines the detected remaining resource amount by the request source. May be provided. This allows the user to check the current resource remaining amount of the network-connected device via the network at any time.
[0015]
A portable terminal device according to the present invention includes: a unit that receives a warning message regarding the remaining amount of resources from a network connection device via a communication network; a unit that periodically issues a warning after receiving the warning message; And means for inhibiting. In this portable terminal device, once the warning message is received, the portable terminal device periodically issues a warning until the warning is suppressed. In this case, it is sufficient for the network connection device to issue a warning message once when the decrease in the remaining resource amount is detected.
[0016]
The portable terminal device may further include means for requesting the network connection device to notify the remaining amount of resources, and means for displaying a message responding to the request from the network connection device. . This allows the mobile terminal to check the remaining amount of resources of the network-connected device at any time.
[0017]
The present invention can be understood as a computer program (or a recording medium storing the computer program) for realizing the functions of the above-described devices and apparatuses.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a communication system to which the present invention is applied. In this communication system, a mobile terminal device (also simply referred to as a mobile terminal) 10, which is often carried by a user, and various network connection devices 50a to 50d (collectively, 50) are wireless or wired or a mixture thereof. Communication network (wireless / wired network) 15. The mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone in the present embodiment, but may be another mobile terminal such as a PDA having a data communication function. The network connection device 50 is a variety of information devices having a network connection function typically owned by the portable terminal holder, such as an audio / visual device, a data storage, a home server, a set-top box, and a car navigation system. Equipment (vehicle equipment), as well as refrigerators, cooking appliances, household appliances, and the like.
[0020]
The resource consumed is the capacity of a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery built in these devices, or the capacity of a storage device. The present invention can be applied to any resource whose remaining amount is detected other than these capacities.
[0021]
In the system of FIG. 1, when it is detected that the remaining resource amount is lower than a predetermined amount in any of the network connection devices 50, a warning message notifying the mobile terminal 10 of the lowering of the resource amount is issued from the device. Sent. The warning message in the present embodiment is assumed to be an electronic mail, but may be in another form, for example, a so-called short message, an automatic voice call, or the like. The received message is temporarily stored in the mobile terminal, so that even if the user cannot immediately see the message when the warning message is issued, the user can surely check the content of the message. The detailed operation of this system will be described later.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 10 of FIG. The control unit 30 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 10 and includes a processor and an interface with each unit. The control unit 30 is connected to the operation unit 16 and the display unit 23, the audio input / output unit 22, the communication unit 31, the memory 33, and the battery remaining amount detection unit 35.
[0023]
The operation unit 16 and the display unit 23 are as described above with reference to FIG. The audio input / output unit 22 is connected to the microphone 14 and the speaker 20 described above, and performs input / output of sound (including voice and music). The communication unit 31 performs wireless voice and data communication with a base station (not shown) via an antenna. The memory 33 is a storage device that stores, in addition to fixed information such as a system program and font data, additional application program telephone directory data, mail data, a warning message, and the like. The memory 33 includes a ROM that stores fixed information in advance, a rewritable nonvolatile memory (such as a flash memory) that stores additional information, and a RAM that provides a temporary storage area and a work area for information. sell.
[0024]
The remaining battery level detection unit 35 sequentially detects the remaining battery level (remaining capacity) of the battery 37 (secondary battery in this example). The specific detection method itself may be any conventional one. The battery 37 is charged via a charging unit 38, and power is distributed to each unit of the apparatus via a power supply unit 36.
[0025]
The battery-driven network connection device 50 also basically has a configuration as shown in FIG. However, there may be no part (14, 20, 22) related to audio input / output, or there may be another part related to input / output (for example, an imaging unit) although not shown. The interface of the communication unit 31 is not limited to wireless, but may be wired.
[0026]
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the network connection device 50 that uses storage capacity as a resource. The network connection device 50 is basically similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and includes a control unit 130, an operation unit 116, a display unit 123, an audio input / output unit 122, a communication unit 131, and a memory 133. , And a storage device 137. The storage device 137 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a recording tape whose storage capacity is consumed by storing (or recording) data or the like. In this configuration, the power supply unit is not shown, but may be battery-driven or non-battery-driven. The interface of the communication unit 131 may be wireless or wired.
[0027]
Next, a description will be given of a system operation in which a battery remaining amount is mainly used as an example of a resource remaining amount.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a basic system operation in the present system. The network connection device performs a battery level detection operation periodically or periodically (301 to 306). This cycle or time may be a time or time preset by the network connection device. It is considered appropriate that the frequency is several times to several tens of times a day, but is not limited thereto. This cycle or time may be variably set by the user. For example, the detection time may be set so that the detection is performed at a time when there is a high possibility that the user has returned home. Further, although not essential, the execution of a process predetermined for each network-connected device is set as an event, and the operation of detecting the remaining battery level is performed at any time such as at the start of execution, at the end of execution, or during execution. Is also good. The detection cycle may be different from the warning cycle (the warning cycle may be made longer).
[0029]
No warning message is issued while the remaining battery charge exceeds the predetermined amount, but when it is detected that the battery level has dropped to the predetermined amount (303), a warning message is transmitted to the portable terminal (311). The mobile terminal receiving this displays the received warning message in response to the user's operation (321). In the present embodiment, a warning message is transmitted using electronic mail. FIG. 5 shows a display example of a warning message on the mobile terminal. From the information of the sender (From) of the received mail, it is possible to recognize the device whose battery level is low. In addition, it can be understood from the subject (Subject) that this notification is a warning relating to “out of battery”. The body of the email is not required, but in this example it includes the message "The battery is about to run out." It is assumed that such a warning message e-mail is prepared in advance in each network connection device as an e-mail template in which the notification destination is the e-mail address of the mobile terminal and the subject and the text are set to the above contents.
[0030]
If the remaining battery level remains low (304), a warning message is also transmitted upon detection of the next remaining battery level (312) and displayed on the portable terminal (322), as described above. Thereafter, the battery of the network-connected device is charged (305), and if the remaining battery power exceeds a predetermined amount, no warning message is transmitted when the next remaining battery power is detected (306).
[0031]
Once the warning message is received, the warning message is issued intermittently until the battery is charged, so that the user can recognize the necessity of charging each time.
[0032]
However, even before the battery is charged, if the user determines that the subsequent warning message is unnecessary, it is preferable that the warning message can be suppressed via the communication network by the user's will. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing such an operation example.
[0033]
In FIG. 7, as in the case of FIG. 5, no warning message is issued while the battery remaining amount exceeds the predetermined amount (401, 402). 404), and sends a warning message to the portable terminal (411, 412). The portable terminal receiving this displays the received warning message according to the operation of the user (421, 422). Thereafter, when the portable terminal receives the warning suppression operation 423 by the user (405), the portable terminal transmits a warning suppression instruction to the network connection device (413). The network connection device receiving this turns on the warning suppression flag. When the warning suppression flag is turned ON, the network connection device does not issue a warning message thereafter. After turning on the warning suppression flag, a warning suppression completion notification is transmitted to the portable terminal (414). This notification is displayed on the mobile terminal (424). Thereafter, even if the remaining battery level is detected to be equal to or less than the predetermined level by the remaining battery level detection (406), no warning message is issued. For the warning suppression instruction and the completion notification, an electronic mail can be used in the same manner as the above warning message. However, it is possible to perform a remote operation and a response reception in real time from the mobile terminal by any known method. preferable.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows a display example on the portable terminal when the warning is suppressed. The user can display this screen by menu operation or the like, select a device to be suppressed, and give an instruction to suppress the warning. As the device displayed in this screen, a device registered in advance by the user may be displayed, or the device information may be displayed based on the source information of an e-mail with the subject of "battery exhausted" as shown in FIG. The device name may be automatically extracted.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing still another operation example of the present system. In a device that is warned of a low battery level, if the status of the device setting can be changed, and thereby the consumption of the battery can be reduced or reduced, the device setting can be changed according to a user instruction. The instruction can be made via a network. As the device setting change, for example, a power-off, a change in an operation mode with lower power consumption, and the like are considered.
[0036]
In FIG. 8, when a low battery level is detected by detecting the remaining battery level (501), and after a warning message is transmitted (511), when the user performs a device setting change instruction operation on the network connected device (FIG. 8). 521), the mobile terminal issues a device setting change instruction to the network connection device (512). In response to this, the network connection device changes its own device setting (502), and returns this completion notification to the portable terminal (513). This notification is displayed on the mobile terminal (523).
[0037]
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating another operation example of the present system. There may be a case where the user wants to check the current battery level at an arbitrary time, independently of the spontaneous battery level detection time (601, 602, 604) in the network connection device. In this operation example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the user performs an operation of requesting a remaining battery level notification for an arbitrary network-connected device at an arbitrary time on the mobile terminal (621), the mobile terminal changes the network-connected device. A request for notification of the remaining battery level is transmitted to (611). In response to this, the network connection device immediately performs the remaining battery level detection process (603), and notifies the portable terminal of the resulting remaining battery level (612). This battery remaining amount is, for example, converted into the operable time of the network-connected device, and is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal as shown in FIG. 10B (622).
[0038]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a battery remaining amount detection process in a network connection device having a built-in battery according to the present embodiment.
[0039]
First, it is checked whether a predetermined battery remaining amount detection cycle has arrived, whether a predetermined battery remaining amount detection event has occurred, and whether there has been a battery remaining amount notification request from the user (S11, S12, S13).
[0040]
When the user issues a battery remaining amount detection instruction, the battery remaining amount is detected (S14), and the result is notified to the portable terminal (S15).
[0041]
When either of the conditions in steps S11 and S12 is satisfied, the remaining battery level is detected (S16), and it is checked whether the remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S17). If it exceeds the predetermined amount, if the warning suppression flag is currently ON, it is changed to OFF (S20), and the process proceeds to step S21. The warning suppression flag is initially OFF. If it is equal to or less than the predetermined amount and the warning suppression flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S21. If the warning suppression flag is OFF, a warning message is transmitted to the mobile terminal (S19).
[0042]
In a succeeding step S21, it is checked whether or not a device setting change instruction has been received. When the device setting change instruction is received, the device setting change is performed according to the instruction, and a completion notification is returned (S22).
[0043]
In step S23, it is checked whether a warning suppression instruction has been received. When the warning suppression instruction is received, the warning suppression flag is turned ON according to the instruction, and the completion notification is returned (S24). Then, the process returns to step S11.
[0044]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an operation example of the mobile terminal corresponding to the operation of the network connection device of FIG.
[0045]
When the user operates the battery remaining amount notification request to an arbitrary network connected device (S31, Yes), the device transmits a battery remaining amount notification request to the network connected device (S32). When the notification or the warning message is received (S33, Yes), the notification or the warning message is displayed according to the operation of the user or automatically (S34). When a warning suppression instruction operation is performed by the user (S35, Yes), an instruction to turn on the warning suppression flag of the network connected device is transmitted to the network connected device (S36). Whether the received message is a warning message can be determined based on the content of the subject of the e-mail as shown in FIG. If there is a device setting change instruction operation by the user (S37, Yes), a device setting change instruction is transmitted (S38). Thereafter, the process returns to step S31.
[0046]
In the above-described embodiment, when the remaining battery power drops below a predetermined amount, the network-connected device periodically transmits a warning message. However, the warning message is transmitted only once, and the receiving-side mobile phone transmits the warning message only once. A warning may be periodically issued on the terminal side. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the network connection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The system configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment.
[0047]
First, it is checked whether a predetermined battery remaining amount detection cycle has arrived, whether a predetermined battery remaining amount detection event has occurred, and whether there has been a battery remaining amount notification request from the user (S41, S42, S43).
[0048]
When the user issues a battery remaining amount detection instruction, the battery remaining amount is detected (S44), and the result is notified to the portable terminal (S45).
[0049]
When either of the conditions in steps S41 and S42 is satisfied, the remaining battery level is detected (S46), and it is checked whether the remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S47). If it exceeds the predetermined amount, the warning flag is checked (S48). The warning completion flag is initially OFF, and is turned ON after a warning message is once transmitted. If the warning completion flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S52. If the warning completion flag is OFF, a warning message is transmitted to the portable terminal (S49), and the warning completion flag is turned ON (S50).
[0050]
In step S47, when the remaining battery charge exceeds the predetermined amount, if the warning completion flag is ON, it is turned OFF (S51), and the process proceeds to step S52.
[0051]
In a succeeding step S52, it is checked whether or not a device setting change instruction has been received. When the device setting change instruction is received, the device setting change is performed according to the instruction, and a completion notification is returned (S53). Then, the process returns to step S41.
[0052]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an operation example of the mobile terminal corresponding to the operation of the network connection device of FIG.
[0053]
When the user operates the battery remaining amount notification request for an arbitrary network connected device (S61, Yes), the device transmits a battery remaining amount notification request to the network connected device (S62). When the notification message is received (S63, Yes), the notification message is displayed according to the operation of the user or automatically (S64). When the warning message is received (S65), the warning message is displayed in response to the operation of the user or automatically (S66), and the warning flag is turned on (S67). When the warning flag is ON, the mobile terminal operates to periodically issue a warning. Whether or not the received message is a warning message can be determined based on the contents of the subject of the electronic mail as shown in FIG. Even when the message is not an electronic mail, it can be determined based on the presence or absence of a keyword such as “warning” in the text.
[0054]
When a warning suppression instruction operation is performed by the user (S68, Yes), the warning flag is turned off (S69). This suppresses subsequent warnings.
[0055]
When the warning cycle has come (S70), if the warning flag is ON (S71, Yes), a warning message is issued (S72). FIG. 15 shows a display example. In this example, an “inhibit” button 151 is provided on the screen for the warning inhibition instruction operation in step S68. When the user designates this button, the warning flag is turned off.
[0056]
If there is a device setting change instruction operation by the user (S73, Yes), a device setting change instruction is transmitted (S74). Thereafter, the process returns to step S61.
[0057]
The battery capacity has been described as the consumed resource, but the same applies to other resources such as the storage capacity.
[0058]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, various modifications and changes other than those described above are possible.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the decrease in the remaining resource amount of the network-connected device can be transmitted as a warning message via the communication network, so that the user of the network-connected device can reduce the remaining resource amount even in a place away from the device. Can be quickly recognized. Further, the occurrence of the periodic warning prevents the user from forgetting to cope with the decrease in the remaining resource amount.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal or a network connection device having a built-in battery in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a network connection device that uses storage capacity as a resource in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a basic system operation in the system of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a warning message on the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example for suppressing a warning on the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing another operation example in the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing still another operation example of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing another operation example of the system of FIG. 1;
10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the mobile terminal in the operation example of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a battery remaining amount detection process in a network connection device having a built-in battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an operation example of the mobile terminal corresponding to the operation of the network connection device of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a network connection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a flowchart of an operation example of the portable terminal corresponding to the operation of the network connection device of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the mobile terminal regarding the operation in FIG. 13;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable terminal device, 15 ... Wireless / wired network (communication network), 30 ... Control part, 31 ... Communication part, 33 ... Memory, 35 ... Battery remaining amount detection part, 36 ... Power supply part, 37 ... Battery, 38 ... Charging unit, 50, 50a to 50d: Network connection device

Claims (14)

A network connection device having consumed resources,
Detecting means for sequentially detecting the remaining amount of resources;
Storage means for storing a predetermined warning message and its notification destination,
When the remaining resource amount has decreased to a predetermined amount, a message transmitting unit that transmits a warning message for notifying the lowering of the remaining resource amount via the communication network to the notification destination,
Network connection equipment equipped with. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the message transmission unit periodically transmits the warning message until the resource remaining amount exceeds a predetermined amount. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the message transmitting unit periodically transmits a warning message until receiving a warning suppression instruction. 4. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the consumed resource is a capacity of a battery. 4. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the consumed resource is a capacity of a storage device. Means for receiving a request for notification of the remaining resource amount via the communication network,
Means for detecting the resource remaining amount by the detecting means in response to the request, and returning the detected resource remaining amount to the request source;
The network connection device according to claim 1, further comprising: Means for receiving a warning message regarding the remaining amount of resources from a network connection device via a communication network;
Means for periodically issuing a warning after receiving the warning message,
Means for suppressing the warning,
Mobile terminal device provided with. Means for requesting notification of the remaining resource amount to the network-connected device,
Means for displaying a message responding to the request from the network connection device;
The portable terminal device according to claim 7, comprising: A computer program running on a network connected device having consumed resources,
Sequentially detecting the remaining resources;
When the resource remaining amount has decreased to a predetermined amount, a step of transmitting a warning message for notifying the decrease of the resource remaining amount to a predetermined notification destination via a communication network,
Computer program with 10. The computer program according to claim 9, wherein in the step of transmitting the message, the warning message is transmitted periodically until the remaining resource exceeds a predetermined amount. 10. The computer program according to claim 9, wherein, in the step of transmitting the message, the warning message is periodically transmitted until an instruction to suppress a warning is received. Receiving a request for notification of the remaining resource amount via the communication network;
Detecting a resource remaining amount by the detection means in response to the request, and returning the detected resource remaining amount to the request source;
The computer program according to claim 9, further comprising: A computer program operating on a mobile terminal device,
Receiving a warning message about the remaining amount of resources from a network connection device via a communication network;
Issuing the warning periodically after receiving the warning message;
Suppressing the warning;
Computer program with Requesting a notification of the remaining resource amount to the network connection device;
Displaying a message responding to the request from the network connection device;
14. The computer program according to claim 13, further comprising:

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