JP2008199325A - Information terminal device, and location information notifying method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information terminal device capable of automatically notifying a user of the existence location of the information terminal device regardless of the existence or nonexistence of a battery voltage. <P>SOLUTION: When an operation key 3 is not operated for a predetermined time or a casing is not opened/closed for a prescribed time, a control part 7 determines that the device is forgotten or lost, allows a location information acquiring part 9 to acquire the location where the device exists, and allows an electronic mail transmitting/receiving part 8 to transmit the location by an electronic mail. When the operation key 3 is not operated for a prescribed time or the casing is not opened/closed for a prescribed time after the transmission of the electronic mail, the control part 7 allows the location information acquiring part 9 to acquire the location where the device exists again, and allows the electronic mail transmitting/receiving part 8 to transmit the location by the electronic mail again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal device and a position information notification method thereof, and more particularly to an information terminal device and a position information notification method thereof for notifying a user of the location of the information terminal device.

  In the case of a conventional information terminal device, for example, if the mobile phone is misplaced, lost, stolen, etc. (1) When a certain number of incoming calls are received from a specific phone number within a fixed time, the mobile phone is operated. Restrict (2) Restrict the operation of the mobile phone when an email containing a specific character string is received, or (3) Restrict the operation of the mobile phone remotely by contacting the carrier Measures are taken to prevent misuse by others by the means described above.

  However, in any means, settings such as the number of incoming calls, the number of incoming calls, the number of specific characters of e-mail, and a PIN number are set in advance, and when lost, a call is made, an e-mail is sent, a communication carrier is contacted, etc. A procedure was necessary.

  Conventionally, technologies for adding external devices and sensors have been proposed as devices for preventing misplacement of mobile phones, but they are used due to an increase in the size, weight, and number of parts of the entire device due to the mounting of external devices and sensors. There was a problem that additional costs would be incurred by the person.

  In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' information and communications council released on June 30, 2004 “Development of technical conditions related to the caller location information notification function for emergency calls from mobile phones (partial from the information and communications council). Report) ”has stated that it will require the installation of GPS (global positioning system) for third-generation mobile phone terminals that will be released after April 2007. In the future, mobile phones with a location information acquisition function will be introduced. It is expected that most of them will be general and have an e-mail function.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an apparatus relating to this type of mobile phone misplacement prevention. The device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 determines that the mobile terminal has been lost when the vibration is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery was switched from the main battery to the auxiliary battery, and the position of the mobile terminal is determined electronically. It is sent to other terminals by e-mail.

  In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the requirement is that vibration is not detected, but in this regard, the present invention requires that no operation key is pressed or that the casing is not opened and closed. Since vibration is generated when the operation key is pressed and when the casing is opened and closed, it is similar to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  In addition, other examples of an apparatus related to prevention of misplacement of this type of mobile phone are disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 6.

JP 2004-023573 A (paragraphs 0018 to 0021, 0026 to 0037, 0041 and FIGS. 1 to 4) JP 2002-044230 A JP 2003-284154 A JP 2004-032479 A JP 2004-112126 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-235771

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the battery voltage is reduced to a predetermined value, and there is a problem that it is not applied when the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. In addition, none of Patent Documents 2 to 6 discloses a configuration unique to the present invention.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal device capable of automatically notifying the user of the location of the information terminal device regardless of the presence / absence of a battery voltage, and a position information notification method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information terminal device according to the present invention includes a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, an operation key, and a control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit, the e-mail transmission unit, and the operation key. The control means causes the position information acquisition means to acquire position information when the non-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time, and transmits the position information to the e-mail. It is characterized by making a means transmit.

  Another information terminal device according to the present invention includes position information acquisition means, e-mail transmission means, a foldable or slide-type housing, state information acquisition means for acquiring state information of the housing, and the position information. An information terminal device including an acquisition unit, an electronic mail transmission unit, and a control unit for controlling the state information acquisition unit, wherein the control unit is in a state where the casing is not opened and closed by the state information acquisition unit. When detected and the state exceeds a predetermined time, the position information acquisition unit acquires position information, and the position information is transmitted to the e-mail transmission unit.

  The position information notification method according to the present invention includes an information terminal including a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, an operation key, and a control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit, the e-mail transmission unit, and the operation key. A position information notification method in the apparatus, wherein the control unit causes the position information acquisition unit to acquire position information when the no-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time, and the position information And an e-mail transmission step that causes the control unit to transmit the e-mail transmission unit.

  In addition, another position information notification method according to the present invention includes a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, a foldable or slide-type housing, a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information of the housing, A position information notification method in an information terminal device including the position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, and a control unit that controls the state information acquisition unit, wherein the state information acquisition unit opens and closes the casing. A position information acquisition step in which the control unit acquires position information when the state exceeds a predetermined time and the control unit acquires the position information. And an e-mail transmission step to be transmitted.

  Further, the program according to the present invention provides a position in an information terminal device including a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, an operation key, and a control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit, the e-mail transmission unit, and the operation key. An information notification method program for causing a computer to acquire position information when the no-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time, and to acquire the position information from the position information acquisition unit. It is a program for executing an e-mail transmission step to be transmitted to a mail transmission unit.

  Another program according to the present invention includes a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, a foldable or slide type housing, a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information of the housing, and the position information. A position information notification method program for an information terminal device including an acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, and a control unit for controlling a state information acquisition unit, wherein the computer detects that the casing is not opened or closed In order to execute a position information acquisition step for causing the position information acquisition unit to acquire position information when the state exceeds a predetermined time and an e-mail transmission step for transmitting the position information to the e-mail transmission unit. It is the program of this.

  Here, the operation of the present invention will be described. An information terminal device according to the present invention includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the device, an e-mail transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives e-mails, a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information such as opening and closing of a housing, An operation key and a control unit for controlling each of these units are included.

  If the operation key is not operated for a predetermined time or the case is not opened / closed for a predetermined time, the control unit determines that the device has been misplaced or lost, and the position information acquisition unit determines the position where the device exists. The position is acquired, and the e-mail transmission / reception unit transmits the position by e-mail.

  In addition, if the operation key is not operated for a predetermined time after the e-mail is transmitted or the case is not opened / closed for a predetermined time, the control unit causes the position information acquisition unit to acquire the position where the device exists again, and the e-mail The transmission / reception unit transmits the position by e-mail again.

  According to the present invention, since the above configuration is included, it is possible to automatically notify the user of the location of the information terminal device regardless of the presence or absence of the battery voltage.

  Embodiments of an information terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an information terminal device according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an information terminal device according to the present invention is a mobile phone as an example, and includes a status information acquisition unit 1, a clock 2, an operation key 3, a display 4, a RAM (random). (Access memory) 5, ROM (read only memory) 6, control unit (CPU: central processing unit) 7, e-mail transmission / reception unit 8, position information acquisition unit 9, and antenna 10. .

  The control unit 7 is connected to the state information acquisition unit 1, the clock 2, the operation key 3, the display 4, the RAM 5, the ROM 6, the e-mail transmission / reception unit 8 and the position information acquisition unit 9, and controls them. An antenna 10 is provided in the e-mail transmission / reception unit 8. The ROM 6 stores a program for a position information notification method in advance.

  The control unit 7 performs a control operation according to a program stored in the ROM 6. By this control operation, the notification mail destination address is set using the display 4 and the operation key 3, the e-mail is transmitted by the e-mail transmission / reception unit 8, or the program shown in FIGS. Control operations.

  The state information acquisition unit 1 detects opening / closing of a housing in a folding or slide type mobile phone, and thus the control unit 7 can know the state of the mobile phone.

  The clock 2 is for generating a reference clock pulse. With this reference clock pulse, the control unit 7 can know the current time.

  The operation keys 3 are used to input numbers, characters, and the like, and the format includes button keys and dial keys. By this input, necessary operations such as adjustment of the current time, setting of the notification mail destination address, creation of e-mail, operation for sending and receiving e-mail, and operations in the programs shown in FIGS. Can be performed.

  The display 4 displays the current time, the notification mail destination address, the contents of the received e-mail, the contents during or after the creation of the e-mail to be transmitted, and the like. And a liquid crystal display or the like.

  The RAM 5 secures a work area required when the control unit 7 performs a control operation. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of information stored in the RAM 5. Referring to the figure, the RAM 5 includes, as an example, a notification mail destination e-mail address M1, a monitoring start time M2, a no-operation monitoring time M3, and a notification mail used in the programs of FIGS. A storage area including the transmission time M4 and the notification mail transmission interval time M5 is secured. Further, the content of the received electronic mail, the content of the created electronic mail, and the like are also stored in the RAM 5.

  The e-mail transmission / reception unit 8 transmits / receives e-mails via the antenna 10.

  The location information acquisition unit 9 acquires the current location of the mobile phone based on the base station information and the like, so that the control unit 7 can know the current location information.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the first embodiment of the information terminal device according to the present invention. The program shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 is executed by the control unit 7, and the program of FIG. 3 and the program of FIG. 4 are executed alternately.

  First, the program of FIG. 3 will be described. The control unit 7 initializes the monitoring start time M2 stored in the RAM 5 so as not to be set (step S1).

  Next, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the operation key 3 has been pressed (step S2). If it has been pressed ("YES" in step S2), the control unit 7 returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 7 determines that the operation key 3 has not been pressed (in the case of “NO” in step S2), the information of the state information acquisition unit 1 has been acquired and the case has been opened or closed. It is determined whether or not (step S3).

  When the casing is opened and closed (in the case of “YES” in step S3), the control unit 7 returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 7 determines that the casing has not been opened or closed (in the case of “NO” in step S3), it determines whether or not the monitoring start time M2 is set (step S4). If not set (if “NO” in step S4), the current time is acquired from the clock 2, set to the monitoring start time M2 stored in the RAM 5 (step S5), and the process returns to step S2. .

  On the other hand, when the monitoring start time M2 is set (when “YES” in step S4), the control unit 7 adds the no-operation monitoring time M3 to the monitoring start time M2 (step S6), and the value is If the current time acquired from the clock 2 has been exceeded (“YES” in step S6), the program in FIG. 3 is terminated.

  If the value is less than the current time acquired from the clock 2 (“NO” in step S6), the control unit 7 returns to step S2.

  As described above, in the program shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 7 operates while checking the status of the status information acquisition unit 1 and the operation key 3, and ends the operation when the no-operation monitoring time M <b> 3 set in the RAM 5 is exceeded. To do.

  Next, the program of FIG. 4 will be described. The program of FIG. 4 is executed following the program of FIG.

  The control unit 7 acquires the position information from the position information acquisition unit 9 (step S7), and transmits the position information as an e-mail with the position information to the notification mail destination e-mail address M1 stored in the RAM 5. (Step S8).

  Next, the control unit 7 acquires the current time from the clock 2, and sets the current time to the notification mail transmission time M4 stored in the RAM 5 (step S9).

  Next, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the operation key 3 has been pressed (step S10). If the operation key 3 has been pressed ("YES" in step S10), the program of FIG. finish.

  On the other hand, when the operation key 3 is not pressed (in the case of “NO” in step S10), the control unit 7 acquires the information of the state information acquisition unit 1 and determines whether the casing has been opened or closed. Judgment is made (step S11).

  When the casing is opened and closed (in the case of “YES” in step S11), the control unit 7 ends the program of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 7 determines that the casing has not been opened or closed (“NO” in step S11), the notification mail transmission interval time M5 is added to the notification mail transmission time M4 (step S12). ) If the addition result is less than the current time acquired from clock 2 (“NO” in step S12), the process returns to step S10.

  On the other hand, when the addition result exceeds the current time acquired from the clock 2 (in the case of “YES” in step S12), the control unit 7 returns to step S7 and transmits the e-mail with position information again. Is repeated.

  As described above, when the no-operation time of the mobile phone exceeds the no-operation monitoring time M3 by alternately operating the programs of FIGS. 3 and 4, an e-mail with location information is sent as a notification e-mail destination e-mail. The e-mail with location information is sent to the e-mail address M1 with the notification mail at the time interval set as the e-mail transmission interval time M5 until it is sent to the e-mail address M1 and the mobile phone is operated again. Can continue to send. Thereby, the position information is automatically notified to the user.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a mobile phone is left behind or lost, an e-mail with location information is automatically transmitted so that the user can use the mobile phone. It is possible to provide useful information when searching.

  In addition, if a mobile phone is left behind or lost, an e-mail with location information is sent at regular intervals until the user or a third party finds and operates the mobile phone and continues to carry it. It becomes possible to provide information on the location of the telephone.

  Furthermore, the e-mail transmission function and the position information acquisition function of the mobile phone are functions implemented in many mobile phones, and can be realized easily and inexpensively without using an external device or the like.

  Of the information stored in the RAM 5, a configuration is also possible that allows the user to change the setting of the no-operation monitoring time M3 and the notification mail transmission interval time M5 (see FIG. 2). As an example, there is a configuration in which the user operates the operation key 3 to update the information in the no-operation monitoring time M3 and the notification mail transmission interval time M5.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, e-mail with unnecessary location information is used when the mobile phone is not used for a long time at the office by increasing the no-operation monitoring time M3. Transmission and a decrease in the remaining battery level of the mobile phone can be suppressed. On the other hand, by shortening the no-operation monitoring time M3, it becomes possible to quickly know the position when it is left behind or lost.

  In addition, by reducing the notification mail transmission interval time M5, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the remaining battery level of the mobile phone. On the other hand, by shortening the notification mail transmission interval time M5, it becomes possible to send an e-mail with location information sooner when the notification mail transmission interval time M5 is changed from outside the communicable area to within the communication area, etc. .

  The third embodiment relates to a program for a position information notification method. As described above, the ROM 6 (see FIG. 1) stores in advance a program for the position information notification method. The program is a program shown in flowcharts in FIGS.

  The computer (the control unit 7 in FIG. 1) reads the program from the ROM 6 and controls the parts 1 to 5 and 8 to 9 according to the program. Since the contents of the control have already been described, the description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a program that can automatically notify the user of the location of the information terminal device regardless of the presence or absence of the battery voltage.

It is a block diagram of 1st Example of the information terminal device which concerns on this invention. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a RAM 5. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 1st Example of the information terminal device which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of 1st Example of the information terminal device which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 status information acquisition unit 2 clock 3 operation keys 4 display 5 RAM
6 ROM
7 Control unit 8 E-mail transmission / reception unit 9 Location information acquisition unit 10 Antenna

Claims (12)

An information terminal device including position information acquisition means, e-mail transmission means, operation keys, and control means for controlling the position information acquisition means, e-mail transmission means and operation keys,
The control means causes the position information acquisition means to acquire position information when the non-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time, and causes the position information acquisition means to transmit the position information to the e-mail transmission means. Terminal device. Position information acquisition means, e-mail transmission means, foldable or slide-type casing, status information acquisition means for acquiring status information of the casing, position information acquisition means, e-mail transmission means, and status information An information terminal device including control means for controlling the acquisition means,
The control means detects a state where the casing is not opened and closed by the state information acquisition means, and causes the position information acquisition means to acquire position information when the state exceeds a predetermined time, and the position information acquisition means An information terminal apparatus, characterized in that information is transmitted to the e-mail transmission means.   The control means causes the position information acquisition means to acquire the position information again when the operation key is not operated or the opening / closing of the housing is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the position information. 3. The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the position information is transmitted again to the e-mail transmission means.   The information terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal device is a mobile phone. A position information notification method in an information terminal device including a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, an operation key, and a control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit, the e-mail transmission unit, and the operation key,
A position information acquisition step for causing the position information acquisition unit to acquire position information when the non-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time; and
An e-mail transmission step for causing the control unit to transmit the position information to the e-mail transmission unit. A position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, a foldable or slide-type housing, a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information of the case, the position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, and state information A position information notification method in an information terminal device including a control unit that controls an acquisition unit,
A position information acquisition step in which the state information acquisition unit detects a state in which the casing is not opened and closed, and the control unit acquires position information when the state exceeds a predetermined time. When,
An e-mail transmission step for causing the control unit to transmit the position information to the e-mail transmission unit. If the operation key is not operated or the opening / closing of the housing is not detected after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the position information, the control unit causes the position information acquisition unit to acquire the position information again. A position information reacquisition step;
The position information notification method according to claim 5, further comprising: an e-mail retransmission step in which the control unit transmits the position information to the e-mail transmission unit again.   The position information notification method according to claim 5, wherein the information terminal device is a mobile phone. A program for a position information notification method in an information terminal device including a position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, an operation key, and a control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit, the e-mail transmission unit, and the operation key. ,
A position information acquisition step for causing the computer to acquire position information when a non-operation state of the operation key exceeds a predetermined time;
An e-mail transmission step for causing the e-mail transmission unit to transmit the position information. A position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, a foldable or slide-type housing, a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information of the case, the position information acquisition unit, an e-mail transmission unit, and state information A program for a location information notification method in an information terminal device including a control unit for controlling an acquisition unit,
A position information acquisition step for causing the computer to acquire position information when the state where the casing is not opened and closed is detected and the state exceeds a predetermined time;
An e-mail transmission step for causing the e-mail transmission unit to transmit the position information. Position information re-acquisition that causes the position information acquisition unit to acquire position information again when the operation key is not operated or the opening / closing of the housing is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the position information. Steps,
11. The program according to claim 9, further comprising: an e-mail retransmitting step for causing the e-mail transmitting unit to retransmit the position information.   12. The program according to claim 9, wherein the information terminal device is a mobile phone.

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