JP5496481B2 - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone.

  In recent years, mobile phones have a lock function that prohibits some or all of the operations of mobile phones as a countermeasure against unauthorized use by third parties. By effectively setting the lock function of the mobile phone, the user prevents unauthorized use of various data and functions of the mobile phone by a third party.

However, in order to release the lock function that has been set effectively, it is usually necessary to input a preset password. That is, each time the user uses various data and functions of the mobile phone, it is necessary to release the lock function using the personal identification number, and the lock function is often not effectively set due to the troublesomeness. Therefore, as a countermeasure against loss or theft in a state where the lock function is not set to be effective, a mobile phone capable of remotely enabling the lock function via a communication function has been proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-78663 A

  However, even in the mobile phone of Patent Document 1, if the communication function of the mobile phone is in an unusable state due to reasons such as out of communication range, the lock function of the mobile phone cannot be remotely enabled. There was a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal that can be in a locked state in which use of a predetermined function is restricted even when communication is impossible.

The present invention is a mobile communication terminal having a plurality of functions, comprising a wireless communication unit that communicates with an external device via a communication network, and a control unit that controls the plurality of functions, the control unit, When the a communication is not possible, to limit the operation of the predetermined function of the previous SL multiple functions, among the predetermined function, the continuous function operating continuously from said communication is possible state The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal whose operation is not limited even if the communication is impossible .

Further, the control unit, the operation of the continuous function in a state wherein a communication impossible Ru is terminated, it is preferred to limit the operation of the continuous function.

The control unit, when said communication is impossible state is continued for a predetermined time, it is preferred to limit the operation of the predetermined function.

The control unit may receive an instruction to restrict the operation of the predetermined function by the communication result, it is preferred to limit the operation of the predetermined function.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mobile communication terminal capable of enabling a lock function even when communication is impossible.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, an outline of a communication system S including a mobile phone 1 as a mobile communication terminal will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a communication system S including a mobile phone 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system S includes a communication network N, a base station K that forms the communication network N, and a mobile phone 1.
The communication network N includes a plurality of base stations including the base station K in FIG.
The base station K forms a communication area A in which communication with the mobile phone 1 is possible.
The mobile phone 1 is configured to be able to communicate with a mobile phone or a fixed phone as an external device (not shown) via a communication network N. In the communication area A, the mobile phone 1 can communicate with a mobile phone (not shown) or a fixed phone via the communication network N. Conversely, the mobile phone 1 is in a state where communication with a mobile phone or the like via the communication network N is impossible in the non-communication area G. When the user carrying the mobile phone 1 moves, the mobile phone 1 changes from a communicable state to a non-communicable state, and from a non-communicable state to a communicable state.

  Next, the basic structure of the mobile phone 1 as a mobile communication terminal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view in a state where the mobile phone 1 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 1 includes an operation unit side body 2 and a display unit side body 3. The operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are connected so as to be openable and closable via a connecting part 4 having a hinge mechanism. Specifically, the upper end portion of the operation unit side body 2 and the lower end portion of the display unit side body 3 are connected via a connecting portion 4. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 is configured to be able to relatively move the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 connected via the hinge mechanism. That is, in the mobile phone 1, the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are opened (open state), and the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are folded. (Closed state). Here, the closed state is a state in which both housings are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the open state is a state in which both housings are arranged so as not to overlap each other.

  The outer surface of the operation unit side body 2 includes a front case 2a and a rear case 2b. The operation unit side body 2 is configured such that, on the front case 2a side, an operation key group 11 as input means and a microphone 12 to which a voice uttered by a user of the mobile phone 1 is input are exposed. Is done.

  The operation key group 11 includes a function setting operation key 13 for operating various functions such as various settings, a telephone book function, and a mail function, and an input operation key 14 for inputting a telephone number and characters such as mail. And a determination operation key 15 as an operation member for performing determination in various operations, scrolling in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the like. A predetermined function is assigned to each key constituting the operation key group 11 according to the open / closed state of the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3, various modes, the type of the activated application, and the like. (Key assignment). Then, when the user presses each key, an operation corresponding to the function assigned to each key is executed.

  The microphone 12 is disposed on the outer end side opposite to the connecting portion 4 side in the longitudinal direction of the operation unit side body 2. That is, the microphone 12 is disposed on one outer end side when the mobile phone 1 is in the open state.

  An interface (not shown) for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device) is disposed on one side surface of the operation unit side body 2. A side key to which a predetermined function is assigned and an interface (not shown) through which an external memory is inserted and removed are arranged on the other side surface of the operation unit side body 2. The interface is covered with a cap. Each interface is covered with a cap when not in use.

  The outer surface of the display unit side body 3 includes a front case 3a and a rear case 3d. In the front case 3b of the display unit side body 3, a display unit 21 for displaying various types of information and a speaker 22 as a receiver for outputting the voice of the other party of the call are arranged so as to be exposed. Here, the display unit 21 includes a liquid crystal panel, a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal panel, and a light source unit such as a backlight that emits light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel.

Next, the circuit configuration of the mobile phone 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration in the mobile phone 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone 1 includes a wireless communication unit 200 disposed in the operation unit side body 2, an operation unit 101 including an operation key group 11, a microphone 12, an LCD control unit 42, an audio A processing unit 43, a memory 44, a CPU 45, a power supply unit 46, a control IC 47, a display unit 21 arranged in the display unit side body 3, a speaker 22, and a driver IC 25 are provided.

  The wireless communication unit 200 includes an antenna unit 90 that communicates with an external device using a predetermined use frequency band, and a communication processing unit 201 that performs signal processing such as modulation processing or demodulation processing.

  The antenna unit 90 communicates with the base station K in a predetermined use frequency band (for example, 800 MHz). In other words, the antenna unit 90 communicates with other mobile phones and fixed phones via the communication network N including the base station K in a predetermined use frequency band. In the present embodiment, the predetermined use frequency band is 800 MHz, but other frequency bands may be used. Further, the antenna unit 90 may have a so-called dual band compatible type that can support a second used frequency band (for example, 2 GHz) in addition to a predetermined used frequency band (first used frequency band). Moreover, it may be configured by a multi-band compatible type that can also correspond to the third use frequency band.

  The communication processing unit 201 demodulates the signal received by the antenna unit 90 and supplies the demodulated signal to a predetermined function unit. The communication processing unit 201 also modulates the signal supplied from the predetermined function unit to the base station K via the antenna unit 90. Send.

The LCD control unit 42 performs predetermined image processing on the input image data under the control of the CPU 45 and outputs the image processed image data to the driver IC 25. The driver IC 25 stores the image data input from the LCD control unit 42 in the frame memory, and outputs the image data stored in the frame memory to the display unit 21 at a predetermined timing.
The display unit 21 displays predetermined characters and images based on data input from the driver IC 25.

  The memory 44 stores predetermined data. Specifically, the memory 44 stores an application program that operates various functions and a function that should be in a function lock state in a predetermined state. The memory 44 will be described in detail later.

  The CPU 45 controls the entire mobile phone 1. In particular, the CPU 45 performs predetermined control on the wireless communication unit 200, the LCD control unit 42, and the audio processing unit 43. In addition, the CPU 45 includes a communication determination unit 105 as a function unit described later, a function lock unit 111, and a function control unit 112.

  The audio processing unit 43 performs predetermined audio processing on the signal supplied from the communication processing unit 201 and outputs the audio-processed signal to the speaker 22 according to the control of the CPU 45. The speaker 22 emits sound (outputs) to the outside based on the signal supplied from the sound processing unit 43. The audio processing unit 43 performs predetermined processing on the signal input from the microphone 12 and outputs the processed signal to the communication processing unit 201 according to the control of the CPU 45. The communication processing unit 201 performs predetermined processing on the signal input from the audio processing unit 43 and outputs the processed signal to the antenna unit 90.

  The power supply unit 46 includes a battery 80. The battery 80 is a lithium ion battery having a predetermined capacity. The control IC 47 converts the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 46 into a predetermined power supply voltage, and supplies the converted power supply voltage to each unit (for example, the CPU 45) in the mobile phone 1.

Next, the configuration of the functional unit in the mobile phone 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional unit in the mobile phone 1. FIG. 5 is a setting table of the normal state / function lock state for each function stored in the memory 44.
As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile phone 1 includes a wireless communication unit 200, a timing unit 103, a communication determination unit 105 as a functional unit included in the CPU 45, a functional operation confirmation unit 107, a time determination unit 109, A function lock unit 111, a function control unit 112, and a memory 44 are provided. Here, the mobile phone 1 has a plurality of functions. Specifically, the mobile phone 1 has a call function, an e-mail function, an address book function, a camera function, an electronic payment function, and the like. These functions are functions related to personal information and money, and in a predetermined state, it is preferable to be in a function lock state in which use of the function is restricted.

  As described above, the memory 44 stores an application program for operating various functions and a function to be set to a function locked state in a predetermined state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the memory 44 has a setting table 400 for the normal state / function lock state of each function in the security mode. Note that the security mode means that when the mobile phone 1 (wireless communication unit 200) is unable to communicate with an external device via the communication network N, a predetermined function is set to a function locked state by a process described later. It is a mode to do. The setting table 400 includes a function name column 410 indicating the contents of functions and a security mode column 430. The function for which “function lock” is set in the security mode column 430 indicates that when the mobile phone 1 is moved to the non-communication area G in a state where the security mode is set, the communication becomes impossible. From the normal state, a function lock state in which use is restricted by a function lock unit 111 described later is set.

  As described above, the wireless communication unit 200 includes the antenna unit 90 and the communication processing unit 201 and communicates with other mobile phones and the like via the communication network N including the base station K in the communication area A (see FIG. 1). I do. The wireless communication unit 200 can communicate with another mobile phone or the like via the communication network N in the communication area A. In other words, the wireless communication unit 200 can receive communication from another mobile phone or the like in the communication area A. In addition, the wireless communication unit 200 cannot communicate with other mobile phones or the like via the communication network N in the non-communication area G. In other words, in the non-communication area G, the wireless communication unit 200 cannot receive communications from other mobile phones or the like.

  The time measuring unit 103 measures the time from the time when the communication determining unit 105 determines that communication is impossible. Specifically, the time measuring unit 103 measures the time during which communication is impossible from the time when the communication determination unit 105 determines that communication is not possible. Furthermore, the time measuring unit 103 measures the time from when the function that was operating in a state where communication is impossible is completed.

  The communication determination unit 105 as a determination unit determines whether or not the mobile phone 1 (wireless communication unit 200) can communicate with an external device via the communication network N. Specifically, the communication determination unit 105 determines whether the mobile phone 1 is in the communication area A and can communicate with another mobile phone or a fixed phone via the communication network N, or the mobile phone 1 is not communicating. It is determined whether it is in a state where it is in area G and it is impossible to communicate with another mobile phone 1 via the communication network N.

  The function operation confirmation unit 107 confirms the operation state of a predetermined function. Specifically, the function operation confirmation unit 107 confirms whether the function to be set in the function lock state is in an operation state or a non-operation state.

  The time determination unit 109 determines whether or not the time measured by the time measuring unit 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined time set in advance.

The function lock unit 111 can put all or some of the plurality of functions into a function lock state in which use is restricted.
Based on the content of communication from other mobile phones or fixed phones via the communication network N, the function lock unit 111 can set a function lock state in which a predetermined function is restricted from being used. When the wireless communication unit 200 receives an instruction to limit the operation of the predetermined function, the function lock unit 111 sets the predetermined function to the function lock state. For example, the function lock unit 111 is used when an incoming call satisfies a predetermined pattern, when a predetermined password is input in a communication state, or when a predetermined content is included in a received e-mail. Is configured to put a predetermined function into a function locked state.

  The function lock unit 111 is a function whose use of a predetermined function is restricted when the communication determination unit 105 determines that the mobile phone 1 (wireless communication unit 200) is in a state incapable of communication. Make it locked. Specifically, when the time determined by the time determining unit 109 determines that the time determined by the communication determining unit 105 to be in a state where communication is impossible is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the function lock unit 111 To the function lock state. When the communication determination unit 105 determines that the mobile phone 1 is in a state incapable of communication for a predetermined time, the function lock unit 111 continuously sets the setting table 400 included in the memory 44 to the function control unit 112 described later. Instruct to restrict the use of a predetermined function based on

  In addition, the function lock unit 111 continues to operate from a state in which the predetermined function that is the target of the function lock state is determined by the communication determination unit 105 to be communicable with the mobile phone 1. If the communication determination unit 105 determines that the communication is impossible, the predetermined function is not locked and the operation is continued. Thereafter, when the operation of the predetermined function is terminated in a state where communication is impossible, the function lock unit 111 puts the predetermined function into the function lock state. Specifically, after the function operation confirmation unit 107 confirms that the operation of the predetermined function has ended, the time determination unit 109 continuously determines that the communication determination unit 105 is in a communication disabled state. Is determined to be equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the function lock unit 111 puts the predetermined function into the function lock state.

  Here, the function in the function lock state may be arbitrarily set, or may be fixedly set in the initial setting. Moreover, the function lock part 111 may be comprised so that a predetermined function may be put into a function lock state not only in a predetermined security mode but in a normal mode. In this case, in the setting table 400 in FIG. 5, the setting in the normal mode column 420 for a predetermined function is in the function lock state.

  The function control unit 112 controls each function. The function control unit 112 restricts the use of a predetermined function among a plurality of functions based on an instruction from the function lock unit 111. The function control unit 112 restricts the use of functions that are set in the function lock state in the setting table 400 stored in the memory 44.

Next, the operation of the mobile phone 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mobile phone 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, first, the CPU 45 determines whether or not the mobile phone 1 is set to the security mode (ST1).
If the CPU 45 determines that the mobile phone 1 is not set to the security mode (ST1, NO), the process ends.

  When the CPU 45 determines that the mobile phone 1 is set to the security mode (ST1, YES), the wireless communication unit 200 in the mobile phone 1 checks the communication state at predetermined intervals. Then, the communication determination unit 105 determines whether or not communication is possible (ST3).

When the communication determination unit 105 determines that communication is possible (ST3, YES), the mobile phone 1 confirms whether there is an instruction from the outside to set a predetermined function in a function locked state (ST7). ).
When the communication determination unit 105 determines that communication is not possible (ST3, NO), the functional operation confirmation unit 107 confirms whether or not a predetermined function is operating (ST4).

When the function operation confirmation unit 107 determines that the predetermined function is operating (ST4, YES), the operation of the predetermined function is continued and the communication determination unit 105 is in a communicable state. Return to the determination (ST3).
When it is determined by the function operation check unit 107 that the predetermined function is not operating (ST4, NO), the time determination unit 109 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since communication is impossible. (ST5).

When it is determined by the time determination unit 109 that communication is impossible and the predetermined time has not elapsed (ST5, NO), the communication determination unit 105 returns to the determination of whether or not communication is possible ( ST3).
When it is determined by the time determination unit 109 that communication is impossible and a predetermined time has elapsed (ST5, YES), the function lock unit 111 sets a predetermined function to the function control unit 112 in the function lock state. (ST6).

  In addition, when it is determined by the communication determination unit 105 described above that communication is possible (ST3, YES), and there is no instruction from the outside to set the function locked state for a predetermined function (ST7, NO), the communication determination unit 105 returns to the determination of whether or not communication is possible (ST3).

  Further, when it is determined by the communication determination unit 105 described above that communication is possible (ST3, YES), and there is an instruction from outside to set a function lock state for a predetermined function (ST7, YES), the function lock unit 111 instructs the function control unit 112 to put a predetermined function into the function lock state (ST6).

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a mobile phone that can be in a locked state in which use of a predetermined function is restricted even when communication is impossible.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, not only can a predetermined function be set to a function locked state by an external instruction in a communicable state, but also a predetermined function is set to a function locked state in a state where communication is not possible. Therefore, a mobile phone with improved security can be provided.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, even when communication is not possible, the function that has been operating from the communicable state is not put into the function lock state, so that a mobile phone with improved security and excellent usability is provided. can do.
If there is a function that has been operating from the communicable state when communication is not possible, other functions will also function until the operation of the function ends (or a predetermined time elapses after the function is completed). You may make it not lock.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, a predetermined function is locked after a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication becomes impossible. Thereby, for example, when moving on a train or an automobile, it is possible to avoid a predetermined function from being locked when a communication is temporarily disabled due to passage through a tunnel or the like. Thereby, it can suppress that a predetermined function will be in a function locked state when it is unnecessary. In addition, this can avoid the trouble of performing the unlocking operation for each predetermined function that is unnecessarily locked in the function lock state.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment was described, this invention can be implemented with a various form, without being limited to embodiment mentioned above. For example, in the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is described as a mobile communication terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. A personal computer etc. may be sufficient.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 that can be folded by the connecting portion 4 is described. However, it is not such a foldable type, and the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are overlapped. One of the cases is slid in one direction from the closed state, and one case is rotated around an axis along the overlapping direction of the operation unit side case 2 and the display unit side case 3 A rotation (turn) type, or a type (straight type) in which the operation unit side body 2 and the display unit side body 3 are arranged in one housing and do not have a connecting portion may be used. The mobile phone 1 may be a so-called biaxial hinge type that can be opened and closed and rotated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1 (wireless communication unit 200) is determined to be in a state where communication is impossible by the communication determination unit 105 due to being in the non-communication area G, but is not limited thereto. For example, the communication determination unit 105 may determine that communication is not possible even when a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module Card) is removed.

1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a communication system S including a mobile phone 1. FIG. The external appearance perspective view in the state where cellular phone 1 was opened is shown. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration in the mobile phone 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a functional unit in the mobile phone 1. FIG. 4 is a setting table of normal state / function lock state for each function stored in a memory 44; FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mobile phone 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile phone 2 Operation part side housing | casing 3 Display part side housing | casing 11 Operation key group 44 Memory 45 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Time measuring part 105 Communication determination part 107 Function operation confirmation part 109 Time determination part 111 Function lock part 200 Wireless communication part N Communication network

Claims (4)

A mobile communication terminal having a plurality of functions,
A wireless communication unit that communicates with an external device via a communication network;
A control unit for controlling the plurality of functions,
The controller is
When the communication is impossible, when restricting operations of a plurality of predetermined functions among the plurality of functions,
A mobile communication terminal that does not limit the operation of a continuous function that is a part of the plurality of predetermined functions and that continues to operate from a state where communication is possible even if the communication is impossible. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the operation of the continuation function is terminated in a state where the communication is impossible, the control unit restricts the operation of the continuation function. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit restricts the operation of the predetermined function when the state in which the communication is impossible continues for a predetermined time. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit restricts the operation of the predetermined function when receiving an instruction to restrict the operation of the predetermined function through the communication.

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