JP2006029961A - Mobile terminal, control program for mobile terminal, and computer readable recording medium for recording control program for mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal or the like capable of shortening positioning time by performing positioning in an indoor mode directly without using an outdoor mode, when positioning can not be performed in the outdoor mode, and capable of reducing power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile terminal 20 has an operation mode information storage means for storing indoor mode information representing the indoor mode being an operation mode corresponding to the inside of a house of the mobile terminal 20, and outdoor mode information representing an outdoor mode being an operation mode corresponding to the outdoors of the mobile terminal; an optical power generation means 32 for generating power by light; a generated energy information acquisition means for acquiring information on optically generated electric energy by the generation means 32, an indoor mode corresponding range inside/outside determination means for determining whether or not the optically generated electric energy is within an indoor mode corresponding range which the indoor mode is suitable for; and an operation mode setting means for setting the mobile terminal 20 to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode, on the basis of the determination result of the indoor mode corresponding range inside/outside determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal that performs positioning based on a signal from a position information satellite, a control program for the mobile terminal, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the control program for the mobile terminal.

Conventionally, a positioning method for positioning a current position with a GPS terminal using a satellite navigation system such as GPS (Global Positioning System) has been put into practical use. Some of such GPS terminals have a plurality of operation modes and are configured to switch the operation modes according to the environment of the GPS terminal (for example, Patent Document 1).
When the plurality of operation modes described above are, for example, an outdoor mode corresponding to the outdoor and an indoor mode corresponding to the indoor, it is common to shift to the indoor mode when positioning is not possible in the outdoor mode.
JP 2002-196064 (FIG. 1 etc.)

  However, when the GPS terminal is located indoors and positioning is not possible in the outdoor mode, trying to perform positioning in the outdoor mode wastes time and power. In particular, when the GPS terminal is, for example, a portable small terminal, there is a problem that the operation time of the GPS terminal may be shortened due to wasteful power consumption.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of shortening positioning time and saving power consumption by positioning in the indoor mode without passing through the outdoor mode when positioning is not possible in the outdoor mode. An object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium in which a program and a control program for a mobile terminal are recorded.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal having positioning means for receiving a position-related signal from a position information satellite and positioning a current position, wherein the mobile terminal corresponds to an indoor area of the mobile terminal. Operation mode information storage means for storing indoor mode information indicating an indoor mode that is an operation mode to be performed and outdoor mode information indicating an outdoor mode that is an operation mode corresponding to the outdoors of the mobile terminal, and photovoltaic power generation for generating light by light Power generation amount information acquisition means for acquiring power generation amount information indicating the amount of photovoltaic power generation by the photovoltaic power generation means, and indoor mode support for determining whether the photovoltaic power generation amount is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode An operation mode setting unit for setting the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination result of the range inside / outside determination unit and the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination unit When is accomplished by the mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, since the mobile terminal has the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination means, it is possible to determine whether or not the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within the indoor mode compatible range of the mobile terminal. When the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within the indoor mode compatible range of the mobile terminal, there is a high possibility that the current position of the mobile terminal is indoors.
When the photovoltaic power generation amount is within the indoor mode compatible range and the current position of the mobile terminal is indoor, the mobile terminal cannot perform positioning in the outdoor mode. Nevertheless, when the mobile terminal attempts positioning in the outdoor mode, time and power are wasted. In particular, when the mobile terminal is, for example, a portable small terminal, the operation time of the mobile terminal is shortened due to wasted power consumption.

In this regard, according to the configuration of the first invention, since the mobile terminal has the operation mode setting means, the mobile terminal is set to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination result of the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination means. Can be set to That is, when the result of determination by the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determining means is that the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within the indoor mode compatible range,
The indoor mode is set without going through the outdoor mode.
As a result, when the terminal device cannot perform positioning in the outdoor mode, it can perform positioning in the indoor mode without passing through the outdoor mode, so that positioning time can be shortened and power consumption can be saved. it can.

  According to a second invention, in the configuration of the first invention, a structure information storage means for storing structure information relating to a plurality of structures, and the position corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means from the structure information Current position corresponding structure information acquisition means for acquiring current position corresponding structure information regarding the structure, and a structure for determining whether or not the current position is within the structure indicated by the current position corresponding structure information It is characterized by comprising an inside / outside judging means and an operation mode correcting means for setting the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode based on the judgment result of the structure inside / outside judging means.

As described above, when the photovoltaic power generation amount is within the indoor mode compatible range of the mobile terminal, there is a high possibility that the current position of the mobile terminal is indoor. However, for example, when sunlight is insufficient such as at night, even if the current position of the mobile terminal is outdoors, the mobile terminal has the photovoltaic power generation amount within the indoor mode compatible range of the mobile terminal. May be judged. In this case, if the operation mode of the mobile terminal is kept in the indoor mode, the next positioning is performed in the same indoor mode as the previous positioning operation mode.
Here, the indoor mode is a highly sensitive operation mode in which positioning can be performed even when the signal strength of the position-related signal from the position information satellite is weaker than in the outdoor mode, and the power consumption is larger than that in the outdoor mode.
In this regard, in the configuration of the second invention, since there is a structure inside / outside determination means, it can be determined whether or not the current position is within the structure indicated in the current position corresponding structure information. . And since it has an operation mode correction means, based on the determination result of the said structure inside / outside determination means, the operation mode of the said mobile terminal can be set to indoor mode or outdoor mode. For example, if the structure inside / outside determination means determines that the current position of the mobile terminal is outside the structure, even if the previous positioning operation mode is the indoor mode, the operation mode for the next positioning Is set to the outdoor mode.
Accordingly, if the current position of the mobile terminal is outdoor, the next positioning can be performed in the outdoor mode, so that power consumption can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal is located indoors, for example, when sunlight is sufficient, such as in a glass building, the operation mode of the mobile terminal is set to the outdoor mode. However, since the signal strength of the position-related signal is insufficient, the positioning is performed in the indoor mode via the outdoor mode at the time of the previous positioning.
In this regard, in the configuration of the second invention, as described above, since it has the structure inside / outside determination means and the operation mode correction means, the mobile terminal for the next positioning is set to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode. Can do.
As a result, if the current position of the mobile terminal is outdoor, the next positioning can be performed in the indoor mode without going through the outdoor mode, so that the positioning time can be shortened and power consumption can be reduced. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect or the second aspect, in the indoor mode, the mobile terminal receives auxiliary information for positioning from an auxiliary information providing apparatus capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. It is the structure which acquires.

In an indoor area where the indoor mode is planned to be applied, the position-related signal from the position information satellite has a weak signal strength, and positioning may take a long time.
In this regard, according to the configuration of the third invention, in the indoor mode, the mobile terminal acquires auxiliary information for positioning from an auxiliary information providing apparatus that can communicate with the mobile terminal. For this reason, positioning time can be shortened using the auxiliary information.
Thereby, power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal operable in an indoor mode that is an indoor operation mode or an outdoor mode that is an outdoor operation mode acquires power generation amount information indicating the amount of photovoltaic power generation. Power generation amount information acquisition step, the mobile terminal determines whether the photovoltaic power generation amount is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode, and an indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step; An operation mode setting step for setting the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the corresponding range inside / outside determination step, and the mobile terminal receives a position related signal from a position information satellite From the positioning step of positioning the current position, the mobile terminal from the structure information about the plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal, A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step for acquiring current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means; and the mobile terminal, wherein the current position is the current position corresponding structure. A structure inside / outside determination step for determining whether the structure is indicated in the information, and the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode based on a determination result in the structure inside / outside determination step Or an operation mode correction step for setting the outdoor mode. This is achieved by a method for controlling a mobile terminal.

According to the configuration of the fourth invention, as in the configuration of the first invention, the terminal device can perform positioning in the indoor mode without passing through the outdoor mode when positioning is not possible in the outdoor mode. Time can be shortened and power consumption can be reduced.
Similarly to the configuration of the second invention, if the current position of the mobile terminal is outdoor, positioning can be started in the outdoor mode without going through the indoor mode, so the positioning time can be shortened, In addition, power consumption can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal capable of operating in an indoor mode that is an indoor operation mode or an outdoor mode that is an outdoor operation mode according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a power generation amount information indicating a photovoltaic power generation amount. A power generation amount information acquisition step of acquiring, an indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the photovoltaic power generation amount is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode, and the mobile terminal, An operation mode setting step for setting the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step, and the mobile terminal receives a position related signal from a position information satellite. A positioning step for receiving and positioning the current position; and a plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal by the mobile terminal A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step for acquiring current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means from the structure information; and the mobile terminal, wherein the current position is the current position The inside / outside structure determining step for determining whether the structure is indicated in the position corresponding structure information, and the operation of the mobile terminal based on the determination result in the inside / outside structure determining step. An operation mode correction step for setting the mode to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode is executed, and this is achieved by a control program for a mobile terminal.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the mobile terminal capable of operating in an indoor mode, which is an indoor operation mode, or an outdoor mode, which is an outdoor operation mode, has the computer generate power generation amount information indicating the amount of photovoltaic power generation. A power generation amount information acquisition step of acquiring, an indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the photovoltaic power generation amount is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode, and the mobile terminal, An operation mode setting step for setting the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step, and the mobile terminal receives a position related signal from a position information satellite. A positioning step for receiving and positioning the current position; and a plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal by the mobile terminal A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step for acquiring current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means from the structure information; and the mobile terminal, wherein the current position is the current position The inside / outside structure determining step for determining whether the structure is indicated in the position corresponding structure information, and the operation of the mobile terminal based on the determination result in the inside / outside structure determining step. The present invention is achieved by a computer-readable recording medium storing a control program for a mobile terminal, wherein an operation mode correction step for setting the mode to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode is executed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a terminal 20 and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a terminal 20 that is a mobile terminal is a positioning unit that receives position-related signals from GPS satellites 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d that are position information satellites and measures the current position. For example, it has a GPS device 34.
The terminal 20 includes, for example, a solar battery panel 32 that is a photovoltaic power generation means for generating power using sunlight S from the sun 1. Note that the solar cell panel 32 can generate power not only with the sunlight S from the sun 1 but also with other light. That is, sunlight S is an example of light.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the terminal 20 is located in the building 15, the sunlight S <b> 1 does not reach the terminal 20, so that the amount of power generated by the solar panel 32 is greater than the case where the terminal 20 is located outside the building 15. small.
The terminal 20 has an antenna 20a, and is information that provides assist information, for example, assist information for positioning to the terminal 20 via the base station 50 and the communication network, for example, the Internet network 60. Communication with the distribution server 70 is possible. This information distribution server 70 is an example of an auxiliary information providing device. The assist information includes a satellite number such as a GPS satellite 12a, orbit information, and the like.

The terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance _), or the like, but is not limited thereto.
In the present embodiment, the number of GPS satellites 12a and the like is four, but is not limited to this, and the number of GPS satellites 12a and the like may be five or more.

(Main hardware configuration of terminal 20)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a main hardware configuration of the terminal 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 20 has a computer, and the computer has a bus 22.
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24 and a storage device 26 are connected to the bus 22. The storage device 26 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory).

In addition, an input device 28 for inputting various information and the like, a battery 30 as a power supply device, a solar cell panel 32, and a GPS device 34 are connected to the bus 22.
Further, a communication device 36 for communicating with the information distribution server 70 and the like in FIG. 1 and a display device 38 for displaying various information are connected to the bus 32.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and the like of the solar cell panel 32 of FIG.
As shown to Fig.3 (a), the solar cell panel 32 is comprised by the several photovoltaic cell 32a. The solar battery cell 32a is a photoelectric conversion element having the property that electricity is generated when light such as sunlight S hits it. The solar cell panel 32 is connected to the battery 30 via the power generation amount measuring unit 33 and configured to supply the generated power to the battery 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the solar cell 32a includes, for example, an N-type semiconductor 32aa and a P-type semiconductor 32ab, and an electrode L1 and an electrode L2 for communicating with the outside. When light strikes, the N-type semiconductor 32aa is negatively charged (−), the P-type semiconductor 32ab is positively (+) charged, and each solar cell 32a is powered via the electrodes L1 and L2. Is supplied to the outside of the solar cell panel 32 as a direct current.

(About main software configuration of terminal 20)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main software configuration of the terminal 20.
As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 includes a terminal control unit 100 that controls each unit, a power supply unit 102 corresponding to the battery 30 in FIG. 2, a solar power generation unit 104 corresponding to the solar cell panel 32 in FIG. 2, and a GPS in FIG. It has the positioning part 106 corresponding to the apparatus 34, the communication part 108 corresponding to the communication apparatus 36 of FIG. 2, and the display part 110 corresponding to the display apparatus 38 of FIG.
The terminal 20 also includes a first storage unit 120 that stores various programs, a second storage unit 150 that stores various types of information in advance, and a third storage unit 170 that stores various types of information acquired or generated by the terminal 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 stores a positioning interval progress determination program 122 in the first storage unit 120. The positioning interval progress determination program 122 is information for determining whether or not the time interval for the terminal control unit 100 to perform positioning of the current position of the terminal 20 by the positioning unit 106 of FIG. 4 has elapsed. This time interval is indicated in the positioning interval information 154 stored in the second storage unit 150 of FIG. 4 and is, for example, 10 minutes.
When determining that the time interval for performing positioning has elapsed, the terminal control unit 100 performs positioning of the current position by the positioning unit 106 and stores the current position information 174 indicating the positioning result in the third storage unit 170.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 stores a photovoltaic power generation amount measurement program 124 in the first storage unit 120. The photovoltaic power generation amount measurement program 124 is information for the terminal control unit 100 to acquire the photovoltaic power generation amount information 176 indicating the photovoltaic power generation amount by the solar power generation unit 104 in FIG. That is, the photovoltaic power generation amount measurement program 124 and the terminal control unit 100 are examples of power generation amount information acquisition means.
Specifically, the terminal control unit 100 determines the amount of photovoltaic power generation (W) based on the voltage (V) and current (I) generated by the solar power generation unit 104 based on the photovoltaic power generation amount measurement program 124. Is generated. Then, the terminal control unit 100 stores the generated photovoltaic power generation amount information 176 in the third storage unit 170.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 includes a photovoltaic power generation amount threshold determination program 126. In the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold judgment program 126, the terminal control unit 100 determines whether or not the photovoltaic power generation amount indicated by the photovoltaic power generation amount information 176 is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value indicated by the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156. It is information for judging.
This photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156 is information indicating a range in which the terminal 20 is allowed to operate in an indoor mode described later.
That is, the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold determination program 126 and the terminal control unit 100 are an example of an indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination means.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156 is information indicating the photovoltaic power generation amount PS (W) corresponding to each operation mode corresponding to the photovoltaic power generation amount PS (W). Specifically, if the photovoltaic power generation amount PS (W) is 0 watt (W) or more and 1 watt (W) or less, the terminal 20 is set in the power saving mode, and the photovoltaic power generation amount PS (W) is 1. If it is larger than watts (W), it indicates that the outdoor mode is set. That is, 1 watt (W) is a photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value, and within 1 watt (W) is an example within the indoor mode compatible range.
The contents of the normal operation mode and the like described above are shown in the operation mode information 158 stored in the second storage unit 150 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation mode information 158.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation mode information 158 is information indicating the operation conditions of each operation mode of the outdoor mode 158a and the indoor mode 158b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the number of GPS satellites 12a to be searched (searched), etc. (see FIG. 1), the frequency range to be searched, and the search until the search is stopped when the GPS satellite cannot be acquired. It includes information relating to whether or not to request assist information from the information distribution server 70 (see FIG. 1), a search timeout time indicating time.
The operating conditions of the outdoor mode 158a described above are defined so as to be suitable for positioning when the signal strength of the position-related signal from the GPS satellite 12a or the like (see FIG. 1) is sufficient. Therefore, if the signal strength of the position-related signal is insufficient, such as indoors, positioning cannot be performed.
On the other hand, the operating condition of the indoor mode 158b is defined so that positioning is possible even when the strength of the position-related signal from the GPS satellite 12a or the like is insufficient. Therefore, for example, the search frequency range is wider than that of the outdoor mode 158a, and the search timeout time is longer than that of the outdoor mode 158a. For this reason, in the indoor mode 158b, the power consumption from the start of positioning until the positioning result is acquired is larger than that in the outdoor mode 158a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 20 has an operation mode setting program 130. The operation mode setting program 130 is information for setting the terminal 20 to the above-described outdoor mode 158a or indoor mode 158b based on the determination result determined by the terminal control unit 100 using the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold determination program 126. . That is, the operation mode setting program 130 and the terminal control unit 100 are examples of operation mode setting means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode setting method.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the terminal 20 is located outside the building 15 and receives direct sunlight S from the sun 1, the amount of solar power generated by the solar panel 32 is, for example, 1. 2 watts (W). In this case, the terminal control unit 100 in FIG. 4 sets the operation mode to the outdoor mode 158a in FIG. 6 based on the operation mode setting program 130, and sets the flag of the operation mode flag information 172 in the storage unit 170 to 1. .
The terminal control unit 100 can determine the current operation mode with reference to the operation mode flag information 172.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the terminal 20 is located in the building 15 and the sunlight S does not reach from the sun 1, the solar power generation amount by the solar cell panel 32 is, for example, 0.5 watts (W). In this case, the terminal control unit 100 in FIG. 4 sets the operation mode to the indoor mode 158b in FIG. 6 based on the operation mode setting program 130, and sets the flag of the operation mode flag information 172 in the storage unit 170 to 0. .

The above is the configuration of the terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of the operation will be mainly described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation example of the terminal 20 according to the present embodiment.

The following description will be made on the assumption that the terminal 20 is located in the building 15 as shown in FIG. 7B and the photovoltaic power generation amount of the solar battery panel 32 is 0.5 watts (W).
First, the terminal 20 determines whether the activation interval of the GPS device 34 has elapsed (step ST1 in FIG. 8), and determines that the activation interval of the GPS device 34 has elapsed, the solar power generation amount by the solar cell panel 32 is determined. Measurement is performed, and photovoltaic power generation amount information 176 (see FIG. 4) indicating the photovoltaic power generation amount is acquired (step ST2). That is, step ST2 is an example of a power generation amount information acquisition step.

Subsequently, the terminal 20 determines whether or not the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation threshold value (1 watt (W)) indicated in the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156 (see FIG. 5) ( Step ST3). This step ST3 is an example of an indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step.
As described above, since the terminal 20 is located in the building 15 of FIG. 7B and the amount of photovoltaic power generation is 0.5 watts (W), the terminal 20 has the amount of photovoltaic power generation equal to the amount of photovoltaic power generation. It is determined that it is below the threshold value.

Subsequently, the terminal 20 sets the indoor mode 158b (see FIG. 6) based on the determination result that the amount of photovoltaic power generation in step ST4 is equal to or less than the threshold value of photovoltaic power generation (step ST4).
If it is determined in step ST3 that the amount of photovoltaic power generation is greater than 1 watt (W), which is the threshold value for photovoltaic power generation, the outdoor mode 158a is set (step ST31).
That is, step ST4 and step ST31 are an example of an operation mode setting step.

Subsequently, the terminal 20 measures the current position by the positioning unit 106 (see FIG. 4), and generates current position information 174 indicating the current position (step ST5). That is, step ST5 is an example of a positioning step.
Subsequently, the terminal 20 outputs the positioning result and displays it on the display device 38 of FIG.

As described above, the terminal 20 determines whether the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold indicated by the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156 based on the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold determination program 126. be able to. When the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value, there is a high possibility that the current position of the terminal 20 is indoors.
If the current position of the terminal 20 is indoors and the signal strength of the position-related signal from the GPS satellite 12a or the like (see FIG. 1) is insufficient, positioning cannot be performed in the outdoor mode 158a (see FIG. 6). . Nevertheless, when the terminal 20 attempts positioning in the outdoor mode 158a, time and power are wasted. In particular, when the terminal 20 is, for example, a portable small terminal, the operation time of the terminal 20 is shortened due to wasteful consumption of power.

In this regard, the terminal 20 determines that the operation mode setting program 130 (see FIG. 4) determines the operation mode when the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold based on the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold determination program 126. Can be set to the indoor mode 158b (see FIG. 6). That is, the indoor mode 158b is set without going through the outdoor mode 158a.
Thereby, since the terminal 20 can perform positioning in the indoor mode 158b without passing through the outdoor mode 158a when positioning cannot be performed in the outdoor mode 158a, the positioning time can be shortened and power consumption can be saved. be able to.
Further, as described above, the terminal 20 is automatically set to the indoor mode 158b and the outdoor mode 158a depending on the configuration of the terminal 20 itself without depending on information from an external device such as the information distribution server 70 of FIG. Therefore, an appropriate operation mode can be set regardless of the presence of an external device such as the information distribution server 70.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the terminal 21 (refer FIG. 1) of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. Since the configuration of the terminal 21 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the terminal 20 of the first embodiment, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following differences will be described. The explanation will be focused on.

  Unlike the terminal 20 of the first embodiment, the terminal 21 in the second embodiment is set to the outdoor mode 158a or the indoor mode 158b based on the amount of photovoltaic power generation, as described below. The terminal 21 has a configuration for confirming whether or not the position of the terminal 21 is actually indoors.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main software configuration of the terminal 21 according to the second embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, the terminal 21 stores building information 160 in the second storage unit 150. The building information 160 is information relating to a plurality of buildings including the building 15 in FIG. 1, and includes building identification information 160a for identifying each building, building name information 160b indicating the name of each building, and the position of each building. The building position information 160c to be shown is included. The building 15 and the like are examples of structures, the building information 160 is an example of structure information, and the second storage unit 150 is an example of structure information storage means.
The building position information 160c is, for example, information indicating the center position of the range occupied by the building 15 etc. and the spread of the range occupied by the building 15 etc., or information indicating each vertex of the range occupied by the building 15 etc. is there.

  The terminal 21 also stores a building location information acquisition program 132 in the first storage unit 120 as shown in FIG. The building position information acquisition program 132 is information for the terminal control unit 100 to acquire, for example, building information related to the building 15 corresponding to the current position indicated by the current position information 174 from the building information 160 described above. Building information related to the building 15 is an example of current position corresponding structure information, and the building position information acquisition program 132 and the terminal control unit 100 are examples of current position corresponding structure information acquisition means.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the terminal 21 also stores a current position building range determination program 134 in the first storage unit 120. The current position building range determination program 134 is information for the terminal control unit 100 to determine whether or not the current position indicated in the current position information 174 is within the building 15. That is, the current position building range determination program 134 and the terminal control unit 100 are an example of a structure inside / outside determination means.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method in which the terminal 21 determines whether the current position is in a building.
When the building position information 160c is information indicating the center position of the range that the building 15 occupies on the ground and the spread of the range that the building 15 occupies on the ground, as shown in FIG. By comparing the distance d between the current position P1 (x1, y1) and the building center position Q1 (x2, y2) shown in 174 with the radius r of the circle T centered on the building center position Q1, Is in the building 15 or not. The radius r is defined based on the extent of the range that the building 15 occupies on the ground.

  On the other hand, when the building position information 160c is information indicating each vertex of the range that the building 15 occupies on the ground, as shown in FIG. 10B, each vertex A (x3, y3), A reference point Q2 (x7, y7) is provided in a region outside the polygon V formed by B (x4, y4), C (x5, y5) and D (x6, y6), and the reference point Q2 and current position information Whether or not the current position is in the building 15 is determined based on the number of sides where the line segment P2Q2 connecting the current position P2 (x8, y8) indicated by 174 intersects the polygon V.

  The terminal 21 has an operation mode modification program 136 as shown in FIG. The operation mode correction program 136 is information for the terminal control unit 100 to set the operation mode to the indoor mode 158b or the outdoor mode 158a (see FIG. 6) based on the determination result by the current position building range determination program 134. . That is, the operation mode correction program 136 and the terminal control unit 100 are examples of operation mode correction means.

As described above, when the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value indicated in the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold information 156, there is a high possibility that the current position of the terminal 21 is indoors. However, for example, when the sunlight S is insufficient such as at night, the terminal 21 determines that the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold even if the current position of the terminal 21 is outdoors. There is.
As described above, the indoor mode 158b is a highly sensitive operation mode capable of positioning even when the signal strength of the position-related signal from the GPS satellite 12a or the like is weaker than the outdoor mode, but consumes more power than the outdoor mode 158a. large.
Therefore, if the current position of the terminal 21 is outdoor, the next positioning is performed in the outdoor mode 158a, which requires less power.

In this regard, the terminal 21 can determine whether or not the current position indicated in the current position information 174 is within the building 15 based on the current position building range determination program 134. Based on the operation mode correction program 136, the operation mode can be set to the indoor mode 158b or the outdoor mode 158a. For example, when the terminal 21 determines that the current position of the terminal 21 is outside the building 15 based on the current position building range determination program 134, the operation mode is set to the outdoor mode 158a.
Thereby, if the current position of the terminal 21 is outdoor, the next positioning can be performed in the outdoor mode 158a, so that power consumption can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the solar power generation amount is larger than the solar power generation amount threshold value indicated in the solar power generation amount threshold information 156, there is a high possibility that the current position of the terminal 21 is outdoors. However, for example, when sunlight is sufficient, such as in a glass building, even if the current position of the terminal 21 is indoors, the terminal 21 determines that the solar power generation amount is larger than the solar power generation threshold value. There is.
If the current position of the terminal 21 is indoor, there is a high possibility that the positioning result cannot be obtained even if the positioning is started in the outdoor mode 158a. Starting with a shorter positioning time and lower power consumption.

In this regard, the terminal 21 can determine whether or not the current position indicated in the current position information 174 is within the building 15 based on the current position building range determination program 134. Based on the operation mode correction program 136, the operation mode can be set to the indoor mode 158b or the outdoor mode 158a. For example, when the terminal 21 determines that the current position of the terminal 21 is in the building 15 based on the current position building range determination program 134, the operation mode is set to the indoor mode 158b.
Thereby, if the current position of the terminal 21 is indoor, the next positioning can be performed in the indoor mode 158a without passing through the outdoor mode 158a, so that the positioning time can be shortened and the power consumption can be reduced. it can.

The above is the configuration of the terminal 21 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of the operation will be described mainly using FIG.
FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation example of the terminal 21 according to the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the current position of the terminal 21 is outside the building 15 in FIG. 1 but there is no sunlight S at night.

The terminal 21 first sets the flag of the operation mode flag information 172 in FIG. That is, the operation mode is set to the indoor mode 158b (see FIG. 6) (step ST51 in FIG. 11).
Subsequently, the terminal 21 determines whether the activation interval of the GPS device has elapsed (step ST52), and determines that the outdoor mode flag is not 1 (step ST53). And the terminal 21 measures the amount of photovoltaic power generation (step ST54), and judges whether the amount of photovoltaic power generation is below a photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value (step ST55). Here, as described above, since it is nighttime and there is no sunlight S1 in FIG. 1, the terminal 21 determines that the photovoltaic power generation amount is equal to or less than the photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value.
Subsequently, the terminal 21 sets the operation mode to the indoor mode 158b (see FIG. 6) (step ST56). Then, the flag of the operation mode flag information 172 is set to 0.
Subsequently, the terminal 21 measures the current position (step ST57), outputs the current position information 174, and displays it on the display device 38 of FIG.

Subsequently, the terminal 21 acquires, for example, building information related to the building 15 corresponding to the current position indicated by the current position information 174 (step ST59). This step ST59 is an example of a current position corresponding structure information acquisition step.
Subsequently, the terminal 21 determines whether or not the current position is within the building 15 based on the building information and the current position information 174 (step ST60). This step ST60 is an example of a structure inside / outside determination step. As described above, since the terminal 21 is located outside the building 15, it is determined in step ST60 that the current position is not inside the building 15.

  Subsequently, terminal 21 sets the operation mode to outdoor mode 158a (step ST160). This step ST160 is an example of an operation mode correction step.

  As described above, if the current position of the terminal 21 is outdoor, the next positioning can be performed not in the indoor mode 158a but in the outdoor mode 158a, so that power consumption can be reduced.

(About programs and computer-readable recording media)
In the computer, the power generation amount information acquisition step of the above-described operation example, the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step, the operation mode setting step, the positioning step, the current position corresponding structure information acquisition step, the structure inside / outside determination step, It can be set as the control program of the mobile terminal for performing operation mode correction etc.
Further, a computer-readable recording medium in which such a mobile terminal control program is recorded can be used.

  A program storage medium used for installing the control program of the mobile terminal in the computer and making it executable by the computer is a flexible disk such as a floppy (registered trademark), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only), or the like. Semiconductor memory in which programs are temporarily or permanently stored as well as package media such as Memory, CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disc-Rewriterable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc. It can be realized with a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other.

It is the schematic which shows the terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the main hardware constitutions of a terminal. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of a solar cell. It is the schematic which shows the main software structures of a terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of photovoltaic power generation amount threshold value information. It is a figure which shows an example of operation mode information. It is the schematic which shows an example of the setting method of an operation mode. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the operation example of a terminal. It is the schematic which shows the main software structures of a terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of determining whether the present position is in a building. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the operation example of a terminal.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... The sun, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d ... GPS satellite, 20 ... Terminal, 32 ... Solar cell panel, 34 ... GPS apparatus, 36 ... Communication apparatus, 40 .. -Clock, 50 ... Base station, 60 ... Internet network, 70 ... Information distribution server, 122 ... Positioning interval progress judgment program, 124 ... Solar power generation amount measurement program, 126 ... Photovoltaic power generation amount threshold judgment program, 130 ... operation mode setting program, 132 ... building position information acquisition program, 134 ... current position building range judgment program, 136 ... operation mode correction program

Claims (6)

A mobile terminal having positioning means for receiving a position-related signal from a position information satellite and positioning a current position,
The mobile terminal
Operation mode information storage means for storing indoor mode information indicating an indoor mode that is an operation mode corresponding to the indoor of the mobile terminal and outdoor mode information indicating an outdoor mode that is an operation mode corresponding to the outdoor of the mobile terminal;
Photovoltaic power generation means for generating electricity by light;
Power generation amount information acquisition means for acquiring power generation amount information indicating the amount of photovoltaic power generation by the photovoltaic power generation means;
An indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determining means for determining whether the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode;
Based on the determination result of the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination means, the operation mode setting means for setting the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode;
A mobile terminal characterized by comprising: Structure information storage means for storing structure information regarding a plurality of structures;
Current position corresponding structure information acquisition means for acquiring current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position determined by the positioning means from the structure information;
A structure inside / outside determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within the structure indicated by the current position corresponding structure information;
Based on the determination result of the structure inside / outside determination means, an operation mode correction means for setting the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode;
The mobile terminal according to claim 1, comprising:   The said mobile terminal is a structure which acquires the auxiliary information for the said positioning from the auxiliary information provision apparatus which can communicate with the said mobile terminal in the said indoor mode. The mobile terminal according to any one of the above. A mobile terminal capable of operating in an indoor mode that is an indoor operation mode or an outdoor mode that is an outdoor operation mode, and a power generation amount information acquisition step for acquiring power generation amount information indicating a photovoltaic power generation amount; and
The indoor terminal compatible range inside / outside determining step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode;
An operation mode setting step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step;
A positioning step in which the mobile terminal receives a position-related signal from a position information satellite and positions a current position;
From the structure information related to a plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal by the mobile terminal, the current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step to acquire;
A structure inside / outside determination step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the current position is within the structure indicated in the current position corresponding structure information; and
An operation mode correction step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode based on the determination result in the structure inside / outside determination step;
A method for controlling a mobile terminal, comprising: On the computer,
A mobile terminal capable of operating in an indoor mode that is an indoor operation mode or an outdoor mode that is an outdoor operation mode, and a power generation amount information acquisition step for acquiring power generation amount information indicating a photovoltaic power generation amount; and
The indoor terminal compatible range inside / outside determining step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode;
An operation mode setting step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step;
A positioning step in which the mobile terminal receives a position-related signal from a position information satellite and positions a current position;
From the structure information related to a plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal by the mobile terminal, the current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step to acquire;
A structure inside / outside determination step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the current position is within the structure indicated in the current position corresponding structure information; and
An operation mode correction step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode based on the determination result in the structure inside / outside determination step;
A control program for a mobile terminal, characterized in that On the computer,
A mobile terminal capable of operating in an indoor mode that is an indoor operation mode or an outdoor mode that is an outdoor operation mode, and a power generation amount information acquisition step for acquiring power generation amount information indicating a photovoltaic power generation amount; and
The indoor terminal compatible range inside / outside determining step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the amount of photovoltaic power generation is within an indoor mode compatible range suitable for the indoor mode;
An operation mode setting step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to the indoor mode or the outdoor mode based on the determination in the indoor mode compatible range inside / outside determination step;
A positioning step in which the mobile terminal receives a position-related signal from a position information satellite and positions a current position;
From the structure information related to a plurality of structures stored in the structure information storage means of the mobile terminal by the mobile terminal, the current position corresponding structure information related to the structure corresponding to the current position measured by the positioning means A current position corresponding structure information acquisition step to acquire;
A structure inside / outside determination step in which the mobile terminal determines whether the current position is within the structure indicated in the current position corresponding structure information; and
An operation mode correction step in which the mobile terminal sets the operation mode of the mobile terminal to an indoor mode or an outdoor mode based on the determination result in the structure inside / outside determination step;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a control program for a mobile terminal is recorded.

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