JP2015141548A - Portable information terminal and portable information terminal system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal system capable of ensuring security without hampering convenience.SOLUTION: Provided is a portable information terminal 1 which comprises: a radio communication part 11 for communicating with an external device; a positioning part 12 for acquiring current position data; a recording part 13 for recording use permission range data; and a control part for controlling the state of the portable information terminal 1. When either a first condition in which a current position indicated by the current position data is within a use permission range indicated by the use permission range data or a second condition in which the radio communication part 11 communicates with a radio access point 20 installed within the use permission range is met, the control part 14 controls the portable information terminal 1 so that it can be used. When neither the first condition nor the second condition is met, the control part 14 controls the portable information terminal 1 so that it cannot be used.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal that is a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal system including the portable information terminal.

  In recent years, portable information terminals represented by laptop computers, tablet terminals, smartphones, and the like have become widespread. Since such a portable information terminal is small and can be used without choosing a place, there is an advantage of high convenience.

  However, since the portable information terminal is small, it has a demerit that it is likely to be stolen or lost. When the portable information terminal is stolen or lost, data recorded in the portable information terminal is leaked, or an internal LAN (Local Area Network) in which access is permitted only to the portable information terminal This causes a problem because data on a restricted network such as the above leaks.

  Therefore, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the server acquires data indicating the current position transmitted from the portable information terminal and determines that the current position is a valid position registered in advance, the data is encrypted. A system has been proposed in which key data for decrypting data to be protected is generated and transmitted to the portable information terminal.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, whether or not the portable information terminal has received data indicating use permission that is intermittently broadcast from the server, whether or not the current position is a legitimate position registered in advance, A system has been proposed in which whether or not various conditions such as the above are satisfied is determined, and the function restriction of the portable information terminal is eased as the number of satisfied conditions increases.

JP 2008-134789 A JP 2008-250626 A JP 2012-203757 A

  However, in the systems proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the portable information terminal processes the data to be protected, it is necessary to always decrypt the encrypted data. This is a problem because the process becomes complicated and the convenience of the portable information terminal is reduced and the convenience is reduced.

  In addition, in the system proposed in Patent Document 3, if even one of a plurality of conditions is erroneously determined, the function restriction of the portable information terminal becomes unnecessarily severe, and convenience is impaired. It becomes a problem. Specifically, for example, in the system proposed in Patent Document 3, when GPS (Global Positioning System) is used to obtain the current position, a place where an obstacle exists between the sky around which an artificial satellite orbits ( In a basement, indoors, a place surrounded by a building, etc.), it is difficult to measure the current position correctly due to the characteristics of GPS. Therefore, in such a place, even if the actual current position of the portable information terminal is a valid position, the portable information terminal erroneously determines that the condition is not satisfied, so the function restriction of the portable information terminal is unnecessary. (For example, the portable information terminal is forcibly shut down and no user instruction is accepted).

  Further, the systems proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are configured so that the portable information terminal cannot operate unless predetermined data is acquired from the server. For this reason, if any trouble occurs in the server, all portable information terminals in the system are affected and cannot operate. Therefore, in such a system, since the operation of the portable information terminal is likely to be unstable, the convenience of the portable information terminal is impaired, which is a problem.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal system that ensure security without impairing convenience.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable information terminal, a wireless communication unit that communicates with an external device, a positioning unit that acquires current position data indicating a current position of the portable information terminal, and the portable A recording unit that records use permission range data indicating a use permission range that is a range in which use of the information terminal is permitted, the use permission range data recorded in the recording unit, and the positioning unit A control unit for controlling the portable information terminal to be usable or unusable based on the relationship of the current position data and the communication status of the wireless communication unit; And the control unit satisfies the first condition that the current position indicated by the current position data is included in the use permission range indicated by the use permission range data, or the wireless communication When the second condition that the unit communicates with a wireless access point installed within the use-permitted range is satisfied, the portable information terminal is controlled to be in a usable state, and the first condition and the first When both of the two conditions are not satisfied, the portable information terminal is controlled so as not to be used.

  According to this portable information terminal, either the case where the current position is determined to be valid (first condition satisfaction) or the case where communication is performed with a wireless access point within the permitted use range (second condition satisfaction). Even in this case, it can be in a usable state. Therefore, even when the portable information terminal exists in the use permission range but the current position cannot be measured correctly, it is possible to prevent the function restriction of the portable information terminal from becoming unnecessarily strict. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the convenience from being impaired.

  Furthermore, in this portable information terminal, both the first condition and the second condition for making it usable are indicative of the presence of the portable information terminal within the permitted use range. Is the same. Therefore, even if the condition for making the portable information terminal usable is the logical sum of the two conditions (that is, the OR condition), the substantial condition for making the portable information terminal usable. Can be prevented from expanding. Therefore, security can be ensured.

  Further, in this portable information terminal, it is possible to control whether or not the portable information terminal can be used only by the portable information terminal without being influenced by the server. Therefore, the portable information terminal can operate stably regardless of the state of the server. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the convenience from being impaired.

  Furthermore, in the portable information terminal having the above characteristics, a storage location is set for the portable information terminal, and the control unit determines whether the portable information terminal is returned to the storage location at a predetermined timing. It is preferable that the wireless communication unit transmits the return determination data indicating the determination result.

  According to this portable information terminal, an administrator or the like can confirm whether or not the portable information terminal has been returned to the set storage location. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect theft or loss of the portable information terminal at an early stage.

  Furthermore, in the portable information terminal having the above characteristics, the storage location indicated by the storage location data acquired via the wireless communication unit and the current location indicated by the current location data are close to each other at a predetermined distance or less. In this case, it is preferable that the control unit determines that the portable information terminal has been returned to the storage location.

  According to this portable information terminal, it can be set as a storage place even in any place that is not fixed, such as in a moving body such as a vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the storage location according to the usage mode of the portable information terminal.

  Furthermore, in the portable information terminal having the above characteristics, it is preferable that the wireless communication unit intermittently transmits the current position data.

  According to this portable information terminal, even if the portable information terminal is stolen or lost, the current position of the portable information terminal can be grasped. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily find a portable information terminal.

  Further, in the portable information terminal having the above characteristics, the wireless access point installed in the use permission range is connected to a restricted network that is permitted to be accessed only by the portable information terminal having predetermined electronic certificate data. It is preferable that the recording unit records the electronic certificate data.

  According to this portable information terminal, when theft or loss occurs, there is a possibility of leaking not only data recorded inside but also data recorded in various devices connected to the restricted network. Therefore, it is possible to ensure security for a portable information terminal that can be a particularly serious problem.

  The portable information terminal system of the present invention includes the at least one portable information terminal described above and a monitoring device that monitors whether the portable information terminal has been returned, and the portable information terminal has a storage location. It is set, and the monitoring device determines at a predetermined timing whether or not the portable information terminal has been returned to the storage location.

  According to this portable information terminal system, an administrator or the like can confirm whether or not the portable information terminal has been returned to the set storage location. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect theft or loss of the portable information terminal at an early stage.

  Furthermore, in the portable information terminal system having the above characteristics, the storage location indicated by the storage location data acquired from the outside and the current location indicated by the current location data transmitted from the portable information terminal are equal to or less than a predetermined distance. It is preferable if the monitoring device determines that the portable information terminal has been returned to the storage location when close to each other.

  According to this portable information terminal system, it is possible to set an arbitrary place that is not fixed, such as a moving body such as a vehicle, as a storage place. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the storage location according to the usage mode of the portable information terminal.

  According to the portable information terminal having the above characteristics, when it is determined that the current position is valid (first condition satisfaction), when communicating with a wireless access point within the permitted use range (second condition satisfaction), In either case, it is assumed that it can be used. Therefore, security can be ensured without impairing convenience.

The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the portable information terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the use restriction control operation | movement by the control part of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. The typical top view shown about the specific example in case a use restriction control operation is performed by the control part of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. The typical top view shown about the specific example in case return determination operation | movement is performed by the control part of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

<Example of overall configuration and operation>
First, an example of the configuration of the portable information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the portable information terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, a recording unit 13, a control unit 14, and a bus 15. The mobile information terminal 1 is a wireless access point connected to a restricted network 30 (for example, an in-house LAN) that is allowed to be accessed by the management server 40 only for the mobile information terminal 1 having predetermined electronic certificate data. 20 and can communicate. The management server 40 is configured by a computer, for example.

  The wireless communication unit 11 includes, for example, a transmitter that modulates data according to a predetermined method and transmits the data as an electromagnetic wave, and a receiver that receives the electromagnetic wave and demodulates the data according to a predetermined method. It is. The wireless communication unit 11 can communicate with various external devices in addition to the wireless access point 20. Data transmitted / received by the wireless communication unit 11 is exchanged with each unit of the portable information terminal 1 via the bus 15.

  The positioning unit 12 measures the current position of the portable information terminal 1 using, for example, GPS. The positioning unit 12 receives a signal from an artificial satellite and the current position of the portable information terminal 1 based on the received data. And an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that measures the position. Further, current position data obtained by the positioning unit 12 and indicating the current position of the portable information terminal 1 is exchanged with each unit of the portable information terminal 1 via the bus 15. Note that the arithmetic device that constitutes a part of the positioning unit 12 may be the same as the arithmetic device that constitutes the control unit 14, or may be different.

  By the way, as described above, the positioning unit 12 that uses the GPS can correctly measure the current position in a place where there is an obstacle (e.g., underground, indoors, a place surrounded by a building). It is difficult and positioning itself may be impossible. Thus, when positioning itself becomes impossible, the positioning part 12 produces | generates the present position data which show that positioning is impossible.

  The recording unit 13 includes a recording device such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory capable of recording data. The recording unit 13 records the above-described electronic certificate data and use permission range data indicating a use permission range that is a range where the use of the portable information terminal 1 is permitted. Furthermore, the recording unit 13 records the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 if necessary. Data recorded by the recording unit 13 is exchanged with each unit of the portable information terminal 1 via the bus 15.

  The control unit 14 includes a calculation device such as a CPU that performs a predetermined calculation based on various data acquired via the bus 15, and a memory that temporarily stores data during the calculation. Moreover, the control part 14 controls the operation | movement by giving a control signal with respect to each part of the portable information terminal 1 via the bus | bath 15 based on a calculation result. The details of the control method of the operation of the portable information terminal 1 by the control unit 14 will be described later.

  Next, an example of the operation when the portable information terminal 1 accesses the restricted network 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The wireless access point 20 transmits a beacon at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 milliseconds). When the portable information terminal 1 enters the communicable range of the wireless access point 20, the beacon transmitted by the wireless access point 20 is received by the portable information terminal 1 via the wireless communication unit 11. Then, the portable information terminal 1 performs authentication by transmitting / receiving predetermined data to / from the wireless access point 20 via the wireless communication unit 11 based on the received beacon. Thereby, communication is established between the portable information terminal 1 and the wireless access point 20.

  Next, electronic certificate data is transmitted from the portable information terminal 1 to the wireless access point 20. When the management server 40 determines that the electronic certificate data is valid, the management server 40 permits the portable information terminal 1 to access the restricted network 30. Thereby, the portable information terminal 1 can access various devices (for example, a database and a computer) connected to the restricted network 30 via the wireless access point 20.

  By the way, when the restricted network 30 is not isolated from the Internet, the portable information terminal 1 having the electronic certificate data is restricted via the Internet (for example, VPN: Virtual Private Network) instead of the wireless access point 20. Attached network 30 can be accessed. Therefore, when the portable information terminal 1 having the electronic certificate data is stolen or lost, not only the data recorded in the portable information terminal 1 but also the data recorded in various devices connected to the restricted network 30. Can be a serious problem.

  Therefore, as will be described below, in the portable information terminal 1, security is ensured by the control unit 14 performing a use restriction control operation.

<Usage restriction control operation>
Next, an example of the use restriction control operation by the control unit of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the use restriction control operation by the control unit of the portable information terminal shown in FIG.

  The use restriction control operation illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is performed when, for example, a predetermined event occurs (for example, when the portable information terminal 1 is instructed to completely start an OS (Operating System), Repeatedly when power is supplied from the outside to the portable information terminal 1 for operation) or at a predetermined timing (for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous use restriction control operation). It is. In the portable information terminal 1, it is natural that the OS is completely activated (for example, a state where application software can be executed), but the OS is not completely activated (for example, the system software is Even if the application software is not executable, each part of the portable information terminal 1 operates and the use restriction control operation described below is performed.

  Further, in the use restriction control operation of this example, the control unit 14 satisfies whether the first condition is satisfied based on the relationship between the use permission range data recorded in the recording unit 13 and the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12. On the basis of whether or not the second condition is satisfied based on the communication status of the wireless communication unit 11, the mobile information terminal 1 is controlled to be usable or unusable. To do. Hereinafter, specific contents of the use restriction control operation of this example will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the first condition that the current position indicated by the current position data is included in the use permission range indicated by the use permission range data is satisfied. (Step # 1).

  For example, the use permission range data is created in advance by an administrator or the like and recorded in the recording unit 13. Note that each time the use restriction control operation is performed, the control unit 14 may read and obtain the use permission range data from the recording unit 13, or may use the use permission range data read from the recording unit 13 as one of the control units 14. It may be stored in a memory constituting the unit and held for a certain period.

  In addition, for example, the current position data is acquired by the positioning unit 12 immediately before Step # 1 is performed, or is most recently acquired by the positioning unit 12 among those recorded in the recording unit 13. The control unit 14 acquires current position data from the positioning unit 12 or the recording unit 13 every time the use restriction control operation is performed. In addition, when the current position data acquired by the control unit 14 in step # 1 indicates that positioning is impossible, the control unit 14 determines that the first condition is not satisfied.

  When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (step # 1, YES), the control unit 14 controls the portable information terminal 1 to be in a usable state (step # 2). Then, the control unit 14 ends the current use restriction control operation.

  Here, the control of the control unit 14 so that the portable information terminal 1 can be used means that the portable information terminal 1 performs control so that the instruction (operation) by the user can be received. . Specifically, for example, if the control unit 14 is in a state where the OS is completely activated in the portable information terminal 1 and can receive an instruction from the user, the current state is determined unless a termination instruction is separately input from the user or the like. Control to be maintained. Further, for example, when the OS is not completely activated, when the control unit 14 inputs an instruction for completely starting the OS from a user or the like, the control unit 14 performs control so that the OS is completely started according to the instruction. It is to be.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 14 determines that the first condition is not satisfied (step # 1, NO), next, the wireless access point 20 in which the wireless communication unit 11 is installed within the permitted use range (for example, with restrictions) It is determined whether or not the second condition of communicating with the wireless access point 20) connected to the network 30 is satisfied (step # 3).

  Here, the requirement that the second condition is satisfied, that the wireless communication unit 11 communicates with the wireless access point 20 is that some data exchange occurs between the wireless communication unit 11 and the wireless access point 20. It is. Specifically, for example, when the second condition is satisfied, the wireless communication unit 11 may receive a beacon transmitted by the wireless access point 20 or communicate between the portable information terminal 1 and the wireless access point 20. May be established.

  For example, the control unit 14 records the identification information (for example, ID number) of the wireless access point 20 acquired when the wireless communication unit 11 communicates with the wireless access point 20 in the recording unit 13 in advance. If it matches the identification information of the wireless access point 20 installed in the use permission range, it is determined that the second condition is satisfied, and if it does not match, it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied. Further, for example, if the position information of the wireless access point 20 acquired when the wireless communication unit 11 communicates with the wireless access point 20 is included in the use permission range indicated by the use permission range data, It is determined that the second condition is satisfied, and if it is not included, it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied.

  If it determines with the 2nd condition being satisfied (step # 3, YES), the control part 14 will control so that the portable information terminal 1 will be in a usable state (step # 2). Then, the control unit 14 ends the current use restriction control operation.

  On the other hand, when determining that the second condition is not satisfied in addition to the first condition (step # 3, NO), the control unit 14 performs control so that the portable information terminal 1 becomes unusable (step # 4). ). Then, the control unit 14 ends the current use restriction control operation.

  Here, the control of the control unit 14 so that the portable information terminal 1 is in an unusable state means that the portable information terminal 1 is controlled so as not to accept a user instruction (operation). . Specifically, for example, if the control unit 14 is in a state where the OS is completely activated in the portable information terminal 1 and can accept the user's instruction, the control unit 14 is forcibly executed even if no termination instruction is input from the user or the like. Control is performed so that the OS is not completely activated. Further, for example, when the control unit 14 is in a state where the OS is not completely activated in the portable information terminal 1, even if an instruction to completely activate the OS is input from a user or the like, the instruction is not followed. In other words, the OS is controlled so as not to be completely started.

  A specific example of the case where the use restriction control operation is performed by the control unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a specific example when the use restriction control operation is performed by the control unit of the portable information terminal shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a use permission range S is set for the entire site of a facility such as a plant, and a plurality of wireless access points 20-1 to 20-3 are installed in the site S. The case is illustrated. Moreover, the broken-line circle centering on the wireless access points 20-1 to 20-3 indicates the communicable range of each of the wireless access points 20-1 to 20-3.

  In FIG. 3, the current position of the portable information terminals 1 a and 1 b is included in the use permission range S. For this reason, the control unit 14 determines that the first condition is satisfied, and performs control so that the portable information terminals 1a and 1b can be used. Here, when the portable information terminals 1a and 1b are compared, the portable information terminal 1a is included within the communicable range of the wireless access point 20-1, and the portable information terminal 1b can communicate with the wireless access point 20-2. There is a difference that it is not included in the range. However, as described above, in the use restriction control operation of this example, if the first condition or the second condition is satisfied, the control unit 14 controls the mobile information terminal 1 to be in a usable state. The use restriction control operation by the control unit 14 is not different due to the difference.

  In FIG. 3, the mobile information terminal 1c is located in the building B although the current position is included in the use-permitted range S. Therefore, the positioning unit 12 cannot correctly measure the current position, It becomes impossible. Therefore, in the portable information terminal 1c, the control unit 14 may determine that the first condition is not satisfied. However, the portable information terminal 1c is included within the communicable range of the wireless access point 20-3. For this reason, the control unit 14 determines that at least the second condition is satisfied, and performs control so that the portable information terminal 1c can be used.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the portable information terminal 1 d has a current position that is not included in the use permission range S and that is within a communication range of the wireless access points 20-1 to 20-3 installed in the use permission range S. Not included. For this reason, the control unit 14 determines that the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, and controls the portable information terminal 1d to be in an unusable state.

  As described above, in portable information terminal 1, when it is determined that the current position is valid (first condition satisfaction), and when communicating with a wireless access point within use permission range S (second condition satisfaction), In any case, it can be in a usable state. Therefore, even when the portable information terminal 1 exists in the use permission range S but the current position cannot be measured correctly (in the case of the portable information terminal 1c in FIG. 3), the function restriction of the portable information terminal 1 Can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily severe. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the convenience from being impaired.

  Furthermore, in this portable information terminal 1, both of the first condition and the second condition for making it available for use indicate that the portable information terminal 1 exists within the use permission range S. Is substantially the same. Therefore, even if the condition for making the portable information terminal 1 usable is the logical sum of the two conditions (that is, the OR condition), the condition for making the portable information terminal 1 usable is substantial. Expansion of various conditions can be prevented. Therefore, security can be ensured.

  Moreover, in this portable information terminal 1, it is possible to control whether or not the portable information terminal 1 can be used only by the portable information terminal 1 without being affected by the server. Therefore, the portable information terminal 1 can operate stably regardless of the state of the server. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the convenience from being impaired.

  Therefore, in the portable information terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to ensure security without impairing convenience.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, after determining whether or not the first condition is satisfied, whether or not the second condition is satisfied is determined. However, the order of performing these determinations may be reversed. However, it may be simultaneous.

  Further, in the plan view shown in FIG. 3, the communicable range of the wireless access points 20-1 to 20-3 installed in the use permission range S remains within the use permission range S (excess from the use permission range S). Not) is preferable.

  If comprised in this way, it can prevent that the place where the portable information terminal 1 may be in the usable state is formed outside the use permission range S. Therefore, the security of the portable information terminal 1 can be further strengthened.

  Also, the wireless access points 20-1 to 20-20 are included so that at least places where the positioning unit 12 cannot correctly measure the current position (for example, inside the building B in FIG. 3) are included in the communicable range. -3 is preferably installed within the permitted use range S.

  If comprised in this way, the place where the portable information terminal 1 may be in a usable state can be brought close to the entire use permission range S. Therefore, the convenience of the portable information terminal 1 can be further improved.

  Further, in the plan view shown in FIG. 3, the case where the use permission range S is one simple rectangle is illustrated, but the use permission range S may be a shape other than a rectangle or may be plural. (It may be an enclave), and an area that is not permitted to be used may be included therein (the inside of the permitted use range S may be partially missing).

<Deformation, etc.>
[1] In preparation for theft or loss of the portable information terminal 1, the wireless communication unit 11 may be configured to intermittently transmit the current position data. At this time, the current position data transmitted from the wireless communication unit 11 is accumulated in the management server 40, for example. Note that the device that accumulates the current position data is not necessarily connected to the restricted network 30.

  With this configuration, even if the portable information terminal 1 is stolen or lost, the current position of the portable information terminal 1 can be grasped. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily find the portable information terminal 1.

  Even when the portable information terminal 1 is taken out of the permitted use range, the wireless communication unit 11 uses some communication means (for example, a surrounding wireless access point or base station) to You may comprise so that data may be transmitted.

  Further, the management server 40 detects the portable information terminal 1 whose current position is out of the permitted use range and manages the presence of such portable information terminal 1 by the same method as the first condition determination method described above. You may comprise so that a person may be contacted (for example, an email is transmitted and an alarm is issued).

[2] Further, in preparation for theft or loss of the portable information terminal 1, a storage location is set for the portable information terminal 1, and the control unit 14 returns the portable information terminal 1 at a predetermined timing (for example, at the end of work). The wireless communication unit 11 may be configured to determine the presence / absence and transmit return determination data indicating the determination result. At this time, the return determination data transmitted from the wireless communication unit 11 is accumulated in the management server 40, for example. Note that the device for accumulating return determination data does not necessarily have to be connected to the restricted network 30.

  Here, the specific example of said return determination operation | movement by the control part 14 is demonstrated with reference to drawings. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating a specific example when the return determination operation is performed by the control unit of the portable information terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the storage location 50a is set for the portable information terminal 1a, the storage location 50b is set for the portable information terminal 1b, and the storage location 50c is set for the portable information terminal 1c. The case where the storage location 50d is set for the terminal 1d is illustrated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, in the portable information terminals 1a to 1d, the recording units 13 record storage location data indicating the storage locations 50a to 50d. And each control part 14 in personal digital assistant 1a-1d has a predetermined distance (for example, by positioning of positioning part 12) between the current position which current position data shows, and storage places 50a-50d which storage place data show It is determined that the portable information terminals 1a to 1d have been returned to the storage locations 50a to 50d when they are close to each other below the upper limit distance that can be considered to exist in the same location in consideration of errors and the like.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, each control unit 14 in the portable information terminals 1a and 1b determines that the portable information terminals 1a and 1b have been returned to the storage locations 50a and 50b. On the other hand, each control unit 14 in the portable information terminals 1c and 1d determines that the portable information terminals 1c and 1d have not been returned to the storage locations 50c and 50d. And the radio | wireless communication part 11 in each of portable information terminal 1a-1d transmits the return determination data which show the determination result in each control part 14 with respect to the management server 40 as needed. At this time, it may be configured such that only the return determination data indicating that it has been returned is transmitted to the management server 40, or only the return determination data indicating that it has not been returned is transmitted. You may comprise, and you may comprise so that the return determination data which show both these determination results may be transmitted.

  If comprised in this way, an administrator etc. can confirm whether the portable information terminal 1 is returned to the set storage place. Therefore, it is possible to detect theft or loss of the portable information terminal 1 at an early stage.

  The storage location data is not necessarily recorded in the recording unit 13 and may be input from the outside via the wireless communication unit 11, for example. However, in this case, a device for transmitting storage location data is installed. Specifically, for example, for a storage location, a positioning device that acquires storage location data by positioning the storage location using GPS or the like, a transmission device that transmits storage location data acquired by the positioning device, and Is installed.

  When configured in this way, any place that is not fixed, such as a moving body such as a vehicle (for example, a vehicle for traveling around a facility such as a plant), can be set as a storage location. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the storage location according to the usage mode of the portable information terminal 1.

  Moreover, the control part 14 may determine the presence or absence of return of the portable information terminal 1 by a method different from the method using the current position data and the storage location data as described above. For example, the control unit 14 detects that a specific device (for example, a dedicated plug inserted into a charger, a predetermined jack, or the like) installed in the storage location is connected to the portable information terminal 1. Thus, it may be determined that the portable information terminal 1 has been returned to the storage location. Further, for example, the control unit 14 determines that the portable information terminal 1 has been returned to the storage location by detecting that the specific signal transmitted from the storage location is received via the wireless communication unit 11 or the like. Also good.

  Even if the portable information terminal 1 is taken out of the permitted use range, the wireless communication unit 11 makes a return determination using some communication means (for example, a surrounding wireless access point or base station). You may comprise so that data may be transmitted.

  Further, the management server 40 detects the portable information terminal 1 that has not been returned to the storage location based on the accumulated return determination data, and notifies the administrator of the existence of such a portable information terminal 1 ( For example, it may be configured to send an e-mail or issue an alarm).

[3] In the above [2], the case where the control unit 14 of the portable information terminal 1 executes the return determination operation has been described. In addition to (or instead of) the control unit 14 of the portable information terminal 1, the portable information A device outside the terminal 1 (monitoring device) may be configured to execute a return determination operation.

  For example, the management server 40 (monitoring device) may be configured to execute the return determination operation described above. For example, in this case, the management server 40 records the storage location data or obtains it from the outside, and acquires the current position data that the portable information terminal 1 transmits via the wireless communication unit 11, and then performs the control described above. The return determination operation is executed by the same method as the unit 14.

  In this case, the management server 40 detects the portable information terminal 1 that has not been returned to the storage location based on the result of the return determination operation, and determines the presence of such portable information terminal 1 to the administrator. You may comprise so that it may contact (for example, send mail, issue an alarm).

  Further, for example, a return determination device (monitoring device) may be installed at a storage location, and the return determination device may be configured to execute the above-described return determination operation. In this case, the return determination device may execute the return determination operation in the same manner as when the management server 40 executes the return determination operation. However, this return determination device transmits return determination data to, for example, the management server 40 in the same manner as when the control unit 14 of the portable information terminal 1 executes the return determination operation described in [2] above.

  In this case, the management server 40 detects the portable information terminal 1 that has not been returned to the storage location based on the accumulated return determination data, and indicates the presence of such portable information terminal 1 to the administrator. You may comprise so that it may contact (for example, send mail, issue an alarm).

[4] In the above-described portable information terminal 1, when the control unit 14 communicates with surrounding wireless access points (not limited to those installed within the permitted use range) via the wireless communication unit 11. In addition, the current position of the portable information terminal 1 may be measured based on the position information of the wireless access point acquired from the wireless access point with which it is communicating, the signal strength during communication, and the like.

  The current position measured in this way can be used for various purposes. For example, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the current position data by correcting the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 based on the current position measured by communicating with the wireless access point.

  Further, the camouflage of the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 (for example, that the positioning unit 12 has been modified so that current position data indicating the current position within the permitted use range is always generated) is detected. be able to.

  For example, in this case, the control unit 14 compares the current position measured by communicating with the wireless access point and the current position indicated by the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 and is significantly different (for example, The present position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 is disguised when the distance is more than the lower limit distance that can be regarded as not clearly showing the same place even if positioning errors are taken into account Is detected.

  When the current position data is camouflaged, for example, the control unit 14 replaces the current position data acquired by the positioning unit 12 with the current position data indicating the current position measured by communicating with the wireless access point. May be. For example, the control unit 14 may make the portable information terminal 1 unusable. Further, for example, the wireless communication unit 11 may transmit data indicating that the current position data has been camouflaged to the management server 40 or the like.

  The present invention can be used for a portable information terminal which is a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal system including a portable information terminal.

1, 1a to 1d: portable information terminal 11: wireless communication unit 12: positioning unit 13: recording unit 14: control unit 15: bus 20, 20-1 to 20-3: wireless access point 30: restricted network 40: management Server (monitoring device)
50, 50a to 50d: Storage location

Claims (7)

A portable information terminal,
A wireless communication unit that communicates with an external device;
A positioning unit for acquiring current position data indicating a current position of the portable information terminal;
A recording unit that records use-permitted range data indicating a use-permitted range that is a range in which use of the portable information terminal is permitted;
The portable information terminal can be used based on the relationship between the use permission range data recorded in the recording unit and the current position data acquired by the positioning unit, and the communication status of the wireless communication unit. A control unit for controlling to be in a state of being in an unusable state,
The controller is
When the first condition that the current position indicated by the current position data is included in the use permission range indicated by the use permission range data is satisfied, or the wireless communication unit is installed in the use permission range. If the second condition of communicating with a wireless access point is satisfied, the mobile information terminal is controlled to be usable,
When both the first condition and the second condition are not satisfied, control is performed so that the portable information terminal becomes unusable. A storage location is set for the portable information terminal,
The control unit determines whether or not the portable information terminal is returned to the storage location at a predetermined timing, and the wireless communication unit transmits return determination data indicating the determination result. Item 2. A portable information terminal according to Item 1. When the storage location indicated by the storage location data acquired via the wireless communication unit and the current location indicated by the current location data are close to each other at a predetermined distance,
The portable information terminal according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines that the portable information terminal has been returned to the storage location.   The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit transmits the current position data intermittently. The wireless access point installed within the use permission range is connected to a restricted network that is allowed to be accessed only by the portable information terminal having predetermined electronic certificate data,
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the electronic certificate data. At least one portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A monitoring device for monitoring the presence or absence of return of the portable information terminal,
A storage location is set for the portable information terminal,
The mobile information terminal system, wherein the monitoring device determines at a predetermined timing whether or not the mobile information terminal has been returned to the storage location. When the storage location indicated by the storage location data acquired from the outside and the current location indicated by the current location data transmitted from the portable information terminal are close to each other at a predetermined distance,
The portable information terminal system according to claim 6, wherein the monitoring device determines that the portable information terminal has been returned to the storage location.

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