JP2000125023A - Method for detecting lost electronic device and preventing device for illegal use of electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detecting method for lost electronic equipment and the preventing device for illegal use of the electronic device. SOLUTION: A product 11 has a PHS(personal handy phone system) circuit 14 which receives origination-side telephone number data, a memory 13 which is able to store prescribed telephone number data, and an actuation control part 11 which compares the received telephone number data with the telephone number data stored in the memory 13 and performs control so that a main system 17 is actuated when they do not match each other. Consequently, use by an illegal user is avoided and the equipment even if lost can be found by detecting the PHS circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device that can be used for design development, office work, leisure, and the like, for example, an information device such as a personal computer, a word processor, an electronic notebook, and a portable information device. The present invention relates to a detection method and an unauthorized use prevention device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, electronic devices (hereinafter, abbreviated as "products") do not select owners or users, and usually, products taken out can be operated without problems even at the place where they are taken out. For example, if another person's VCR is taken out of his / her own and connected to a television in his own home, he / she can use it without any trouble. In addition, it is very difficult to find the product that has been taken out.

[0003]

The fact that it is impossible to search for a product that has been taken out despite being an expensive product, and that it can be used without any problems in the future, means that the damage caused by unreliable removal of the product will be delayed. It is a constant cause.

On the other hand, a method of managing and operating a product from a remote place by using a telephone has already been realized.
For example, there are known a method of turning on a light by a telephone when returning home from outside and a method of controlling air conditioning so that a comfortable room temperature is already maintained when returning home. However, this remote product control method by telephone provides a rather auxiliary, optional, so-called "secondary" method of use rather than the original use of the product, the so-called "primary" control method. As a result, it does not have a control function to prevent the use of the product taken out without permission or to search for a lost product, so that the damage caused by the product taken out without permission is stopped as a result. It could not be a means.

[0005] In recent years, the importance of information has been taken up in recent years, and a method of restricting users with a password in terms of information protection is an excellent means of maintaining confidentiality. It can be used for

[0006] Further, even if a password is excellent in terms of information protection, it has little effect on the maintainability of the product itself. For example, the secret function of an electronic organizer can hide the data of the electronic organizer from others,
He is not interested in the secret data, has no meaning for a person who simply wants to use the electronic organizer, and can erase the secret data and use the electronic organizer as his own.

[0007] As described above, electronic devices are very expensive and, despite storing important data, there is no means for searching for where they are after being taken out without permission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a method for detecting a lost electronic device and a device for preventing unauthorized use of the electronic device.

[0009]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. The invention of claim 1 is
A method for detecting a lost electronic device, in which a PHS circuit capable of transmitting and receiving data is incorporated in the electronic device in advance, and if the electronic device incorporating the PHS circuit is lost, a communication between the PHS circuit and a telephone company is performed. A PHS relay station for relaying the data communication of claim 1, wherein the position of the lost electronic device is narrowed down by specifying the PHS relay station located at the shortest distance from the PHS circuit. Is a method of detecting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a mobile PHS relay station is used as the PHS relay station, and the PHS relay station located at the shortest distance from the PHS attached to the lost electronic device is specified. The method for detecting a lost electronic device according to claim 1.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a PHS circuit for receiving telephone number data of a calling party, a storage medium capable of storing predetermined telephone number data, a telephone number data received and a telephone number stored in the storage medium. A control unit that compares the number data and controls not to activate the electronic device if they do not match, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the electronic device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the PHS has a small power consumption, it has a characteristic that it is necessary to provide a large number of PHS relay stations covering the small range as means for expanding the use range. If the obtained electronic device is close to the PHS relay station and the radio wave condition is good, the position of the PHS relay station located at the shortest distance can be confirmed. The location where the electronic device is located can be limited to the range of the electronic device. So far, the search has been abandoned after the loss due to theft, but the location after the loss can be specified. Therefore, even if the vehicle is stolen, it is possible to search for the product, and as a result, it is known that the product cannot be stolen, and theft can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a mobile PHS relay station, preferably a plurality of mobile PHS relay stations, is prepared, and the mobile PHS relay station can move around the PHS relay station located at the shortest distance. A new PHS relay station is arranged, and the position of the electronic device is confirmed again. As a result, the shortest distance of the PHS relay station changes, and based on the result of the change, the position of the movable PHS relay station is changed. Make a confirmation. By repeating this, the position of the target electronic device can be accurately specified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when receiving the telephone number data of the destination, the control unit compares the telephone number data stored in advance in the recording medium with the telephone number data. Is controlled so that the electronic device does not operate. Therefore, since the electronic device does not start unless there is a call from a specific telephone, the electronic device can be used only by a person who can use the specific telephone permanently. Since there must be a telephone call to activate the electronic device where the member who originally owns the electronic device is located, it is almost impossible to use the electronic device without a fair reason to use it. Impossible. In addition, being able to start means that the electronic device is located where radio waves can reach, which means that position detection can be performed by a so-called position information service. As a result, it is known that the electronic device cannot be used even if it is stolen, which may prevent theft.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Until now, there are various so-called user selection methods that can identify a user, but in the present embodiment, a telephone that has a close connection to communication and is a unique ID (Identification Data) throughout Japan. By using the number, the number of users is limited, and detection of a lost electronic device and unauthorized use of the electronic device are prevented.

FIG. 1 is a partial block diagram of an electronic device (hereinafter, abbreviated as “product”) 10 incorporating an unauthorized use prevention device. The device for preventing unauthorized use of the product 10 generally includes a start control unit 11, a power switch 12, a memory 13,
It has a PHS circuit 14, a secondary battery 15, a timer 16, and a main system 17, and a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) circuit 14 is incorporated in a control circuit of a product.

The activation control unit 11 receives the caller number from the PHS circuit 14, compares it with the telephone number registered in the memory 13, and if there is a corresponding one, activates the main system 17 in earnest. This is a control unit for starting.

The power switch 12 is a switch which is used by an operator to interrupt the activation control unit 11 in order to activate the main body.

The memory 13 is a memory for storing a telephone number, and can be accessed only by the activation control unit 11.

The PHS circuit 14 is a circuit having a PHS function for enabling transmission and reception of a call from a specific telephone managing the product. The PHS circuit 14 operates by receiving power from the secondary battery 15 or the main system 17, and can stand by with power from the secondary battery 15 even when the product is in a standby state. Also,
The PHS circuit 14 can be used not only for receiving a call from a specific telephone but also for communication.

When the power supply to the product is stopped, the secondary battery 15 stores the PHS circuit 14 and a timer 1 to be described later.
6 is a power supply for supplying power to the power supply 6. If the product is energized, charging is performed during that time.

The timer 16 is used for managing a standby time in a start-up procedure. The main system 17 is a circuit for realizing the original function of the product.
1. The PHS circuit unit 14 and the memory 12 are taken in the same substrate and cannot be separated.

With the above configuration, the PHS circuit 14
Receives the caller's phone number data,
3 is compared with the received telephone number data. If the telephone number data does not match, the activation control unit 11 controls the product not to be activated even if the power switch 12 is turned on. It is intended to avoid the use of the product by an unusual user.

Here, the PHS circuit 14 and the like are directly disposed on the main substrate of the product as described above, and when the activation control unit 11 is not operating, the product does not operate. Arrange them so that they cannot be separated. It is desirable that the product be broken if the activation control circuit 11 is to be separated from the product body. For example, the activation control unit 11 that controls the standby for receiving the PHS, the confirmation of the caller number, the activation operation of the product, etc. Operation part (Main system 1
7) together with an ASIC (application specific IC), which is directly attached to the board that constitutes the main circuit of the product, and furthermore, a specific telephone number is assigned to the memory 13 which is a flash memory sealed with resin. Remember. And access to this memory 13 is PHS
It can be executed only from the activation control unit 11 that controls the activation of the product by the reception of the circuit 14.

At the same time, the subscriber subscribes to a location information service for the PHS circuit 14 built in the product and functions to notify the caller ID of a specific telephone.

With such a configuration, a function has been added to prevent a product taken out without permission from being operated by anyone other than an authorized operator. Therefore, even if the product is taken out without permission, the product is not used and the product is not used. The meaning of taking out can be eliminated.

The telephone that holds the basis of the management method of the present system is preferably a stationary telephone. In the case of a mobile phone, the telephone number and the telephone are integrated so that they can be stolen. However, if a stationary telephone (for example, a company) is a specific telephone, the telephone number (telephone line) is stolen even if the telephone is stolen. However, if another telephone is connected to the line, the telephone can manage the product 10 having the PHS circuit.

Next, a description will be given of a search means when the product 10 having the above-described PHS circuit 14 is stolen. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the operating PHS (product with a built-in PHS circuit) 21 is transmitted through the nearest PHS relay station 22 to
The information on the PHS itself 21 and the nearest PHS relay station 22 is transmitted to the telephone company 23. Thus, the telephone company 23 knows which PHS relay station 22 is the master station of all the PHSs 21. When a call is made from the other telephone set 24 to the target PHS 21, a call process is performed to the PHS relay station 22 based on the above information. If the subscriber has subscribed to the location information service for the PHS 21, the location information of the PHS relay station 22 is provided 25. As a result, even if the product 10 (PHS21) is taken out of its own accord, the nearest PHS relay station of the product (PHS21) is used by using the function of identifying the location of the PHS (location checking service) incorporated therein. 22 can be confirmed. Unless dumped in the mountains,
There is a possibility that the location can be confirmed. First, the location can be confirmed in an urban area. In the future, the number of relay stations will increase, and PHS relay stations will be installed indoors in various buildings.

As shown in FIG. 3, even if the power supply to the product main body 31 is stopped, the PHS circuit 32 keeps the product main body 31
Since the operation such as standby is performed by the electricity stored in the secondary battery 33, the information of the PHS circuit itself 32 and the nearest PHS relay antenna 34 is transmitted to the telephone company 35 through the nearest PHS relay station 34. Sending. Therefore, even in such a case, by using the position information service, it is possible to obtain the position information of the nearest PHS relay station of the target product 31 and confirm the approximate position.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a means for specifying the range of the location of the target product when the nearest PHS relay station is found. When the nearest PHS relay station 41 is found, the range up to the middle of the PHS relay station 42 within a specific periphery of the nearest PHS relay station 41 can be estimated as the range 43 of the place where the product is located. However, because the range of the target is still wide (it is quite possible that the radius is more than 100 meters), a mobile PHS relay station is installed within that range,
Procedures for narrowing the search range and enabling the accurate position of the product to be determined will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the nearest known PHS.
A mobile PHS relay station 52 is arranged around three relay stations 51.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile (for example, on-vehicle) PHS relay station 61 is closer to the target product 63 than the nearest PHS relay station 62 so far.
The mobile PHS relay station 61 is nearby and the information is transmitted to the telephone company 64.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for confirming a new nearest PHS relay station 71 using the location information service and narrowing down the target range 72 based on the information. That is, if the nearest PHS relay station 71 among the three PHS relay stations can be determined, the target range 72 is set to the new nearest PHS relay station from the relative positional relationship of the three PHS relay stations in the same manner as described above.
It is uniformly required to be within a certain range around the HS relay station 71.

FIG. 8 shows a state where the movable PHS relay station 81 is moved to the range 72 narrowed down in FIG. 7 and the target range 82 is further narrowed down based on the information. P that can be moved to the above target range (for example, for in-vehicle use)
By moving the HS relay station 61 and repeating the operation of identifying a new nearest PHS relay station, the target range can be narrowed down to a very narrow range.

Next, a flowchart for starting the product according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Step 91: The startup control unit 11 in the standby state monitors the power switch 12 being pressed. The standby state continues until it is pressed. Step 92: Check the contents of the timer 16 and store the current time. Step 93: Wait for an incoming call. Step 94: Branch depending on the presence or absence of the telephone. Step 95: Timer 1 if no call is received
After confirming the contents of step 6, the process proceeds to step 96. Step 96: If the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to the telephone waiting step 93, and if it has passed, the process returns to the standby state step 91. Step 97: If a call arrives (Step 9
4) receiving and storing the telephone number of the caller from the PHS circuit 14; Step 98: The telephone number stored in the memory 13 is read. Step 99: If the telephone number of the caller is not stored in the memory 13, the call is cut off and the process returns to the telephone waiting step 93. Step 910: If the telephone number of the caller corresponds to the number stored in the memory 13, the main system 17
Start to start.

According to the configuration described above, even if a product provided with a PHS circuit is stolen or lost, first, the location of the product is determined by the fact that the PHS relay station is nearby and the radio wave condition. If the location is good, the location of the nearest PHS relay station can be confirmed using the location information service, and the location of the product can be limited.

Also, several mobile PHS relay stations are prepared, and a mobile PHS relay station is provided around the nearest PHS relay station.
Place a relay station and confirm the location again. From the result of the change of the nearest PHS relay station, the position of the target product can be more accurately specified by changing the position of the movable PHS relay station and repeating the position confirmation again. Becomes

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the position of an electronic device taken out without permission can be roughly grasped by the position information service of the PHS. PHS nearby
The location cannot be confirmed where there is no relay station or where the radio wave hardly reaches when brought into the room.However, there is a possibility that the electronic device may move to a location where the radio wave can reach. There is a risk that your hands will be close to you. Further, since the stolen product cannot be used without a call from a specific telephone, there is no merit of stealing. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention
If the functionality of the present invention is known, it will not be stolen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system for realizing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of functions of a PHS according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a nearest P of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a position information obtaining unit of the HS relay station.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a range of a place where an electronic device is located based on position information of a PHS relay station according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in which a mobile relay station according to an embodiment of the present invention is arranged around a nearest PHS relay station.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in which a movable relay station according to an embodiment of the present invention is a PHS relay station nearest to a target electronic device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a range of a place where a target electronic device is located, which is limited by a change in a nearest PHS relay station according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a range of a location of a target electronic device, which is further limited by relocating a mobile PHS relay station according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating activation of the target electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Product 11 Start-up control part 12 Power switch 13 Memory 14, 32 PHS circuit 17 Main system 21, 31, 63 PHS product 22, 34, 41, 42 PHS relay station 23, 35, 64 Telephone company 24 Telephone

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04M 1/725 H04B 7/26 109M 109R F-term (Reference) 5K027 AA11 BB09 CC08 HH23 5K036 AA07 BB18 EE13 5K067 AA32 BB04 BB36 DD13 DD20 DD57 EE02 EE10 EE16 FF03 FF07 FF31 HH12 JJ53 JJ54 JJ65 JJ68 5K101 LL11 PP03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for detecting a lost electronic device, comprising:
A PHS circuit capable of transmitting and receiving data is incorporated in the electronic device in advance, and if the electronic device incorporating the PHS circuit is lost, the PHS relay station relays data communication between the PHS circuit and a telephone company. And identifying a PHS relay station located at the shortest distance from the PHS circuit to narrow down the position of the lost electronic device. 2. A PHS relay station, wherein a mobile PHS relay station is used as the PHS relay station, and a PHS relay station located at the shortest distance from the PHS attached to the lost electronic device is specified. The method for detecting a lost electronic device described in 1. 3. PH for receiving caller's telephone number data
S circuit, a storage medium capable of storing predetermined telephone number data, and comparing the received telephone number data with the telephone number data stored in the storage medium, and controlling not to start the electronic device if they do not match. And a control unit for preventing unauthorized use of an electronic device.