JP2012227949A - Network system for portable electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system for portable electronic apparatuses, capable of constructing a subordinate relation only between end-to-end terminals mutually and enhancing convenience for managing functional restrictions of such terminals.SOLUTION: A first portable electronic apparatus includes: a first operation part; a first operated part capable of performing an action in accordance with an operation of the first operation part; an authentication part that determines whether a user is a specific individual or not on the basis of the registered and prescribed authentication information, and outputs an authentication signal when the user is determined to be a specific individual; a first control part for permitting an action of the first operated part when the authentication signal is detected; and a first transmission part capable of transmitting the authentication signal to a second portable electronic apparatus. The second portable electronic apparatus includes: a second operation part; a second operated part capable of performing an action in accordance with an operation of the second operation part; a second reception part capable of receiving the authentication signal transmitted from the first transmission part; and a second control part for permitting an action of the second operated part when the authentication signal received by the second reception part is detected.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device and a network system for portable electronic devices.

  In recent years, the spread of portable electronic devices to which functions that enable connection to the Internet or the like and functions that enable commercial transactions using electronic money has increased. For this reason, in addition to the call charge, the user may be charged a packet charge due to the Internet connection or a charge due to the use of electronic money, and the total amount of payment may be high.

  In the case of a mobile phone, for example, a plurality of employees may use a mobile phone provided by an employer for each group. In such a case, an administrator who manages each mobile phone is provided, and the administrator manages each mobile phone. However, since recent mobile phones have various functions as described above, it has been desired that each mobile phone can be managed strictly.

  For this, a technique for registering biometric information such as a fingerprint in a mobile phone and permitting the use of the mobile phone when, for example, the registered fingerprint information matches with the input fingerprint information is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-312476 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used as a substitute for the input of a personal identification number for the user using the Internet to release the lock state of his / her terminal. In other words, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 performs authentication for the user himself to release the lock, and the terminal can be used when the authentication by the user is completed. Therefore, there is a problem that the management by the administrator may not be perfect.

  In the authentication technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to connect to the Internet in order to authenticate the terminal. Therefore, there is a problem that a communication fee for connecting to the Internet is required separately.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable electronic device that improves the convenience in managing the use restrictions of portable electronic devices while establishing a dependency relationship between the portable electronic devices only in the network system of portable electronic devices. An object is to provide a network system.

  A network system for a portable electronic device includes a first portable electronic device and a second portable electronic device, and the first portable electronic device is configured to operate a first operation unit and the first operation unit. Based on the first operated part operable based on the registered predetermined authentication information, it is determined whether or not it is a specific individual, and an authentication signal is output when it is determined to be a specific individual A first control unit that permits operation of the first operated unit when the authentication signal is detected, and a first that can transmit the authentication signal to the second portable electronic device. A second operation unit, a second operated unit operable based on an operation of the second operation unit, and the first transmission. Received by the second receiver and the second receiver capable of receiving the authentication signal transmitted from the receiver And a second control unit for permitting operation of the second operated portion when detecting the serial authentication signal.

  In addition, when the first portable electronic device is determined to be the specific individual by the authentication unit, the first portable electronic device can be operated by operating the first operation unit. Preferably, it is configured.

  In addition, the second portable electronic device has a second transmission unit capable of transmitting an energization state signal output when the second portable electronic device is energized to the first portable electronic device. The first portable electronic device includes a first receiving unit capable of receiving an energization state signal transmitted from the second transmission unit, and the first receiving unit receives the energization state signal. In this case, it is preferable that the authentication signal is transmitted from the first transmission unit to the second reception unit.

  In addition, transmission / reception between the first transmission unit and the second reception unit and transmission / reception between the first reception unit and the second transmission unit are preferably performed by wireless communication. .

  The network system for a portable electronic device of the present invention includes a first portable electronic device and a second portable electronic device, wherein the first portable electronic device includes a first operation unit and the first portable electronic device. A first operated part operable based on an operation of an operation part; an information acquisition part for acquiring predetermined information; converting the predetermined information into a predetermined information signal; and converting the information signal into the second information signal A first transmission unit capable of transmitting to the portable electronic device, and the second portable electronic device is operable based on an operation of the second operation unit and the second operation unit. An operated unit, a second receiving unit capable of receiving the information signal transmitted from the first transmitting unit, and predetermined authentication information in which the information signal received by the second receiving unit is registered. A determination unit for determining whether or not they match, and a determination that the information signal matches the authentication information. And a second control unit for permitting operation of the second operated portion when the.

  In addition, the second portable electronic device has a second transmission unit capable of transmitting an energization state signal output when the second portable electronic device is energized to the first portable electronic device. The first portable electronic device includes a first receiving unit capable of receiving an energization state signal transmitted from the second transmission unit, and the first receiving unit receives the energization state signal. In this case, it is preferable that the information signal is transmitted from the first transmission unit to the second reception unit.

  In addition, transmission / reception between the first transmission unit and the second reception unit and transmission / reception between the first reception unit and the second transmission unit are preferably performed by wireless communication. .

  The portable electronic device includes a first operation unit and a first operated unit operable based on the operation of the first operation unit, and is specified based on the registered predetermined information. It is determined whether or not the user is an individual, and an authentication unit that outputs an authentication signal when it is determined that the user is a specific individual and the operation of the first operated unit are permitted when the authentication signal is detected. When the first control unit, the second operation unit, the second operation unit operable based on the operation of the second operation unit, and the authentication signal are detected, the second operation unit A first transmission unit capable of transmitting the authentication signal to another portable electronic device having a second control unit permitting the operation.

  According to the present invention, in the network system for portable electronic devices, it is possible to establish a dependency relationship between only the portable electronic devices, and it is possible to improve convenience when managing use restrictions of the portable electronic devices.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system using the infrared communication which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is an external perspective view of a master terminal of a mobile phone that is an example of a mobile electronic device that constitutes the network system according to the embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the master terminal which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the process part with which the master terminal which concerns on the said embodiment is equipped. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slave terminal of the mobile telephone which shows an example of the portable electronic device which comprises the communication system which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the slave terminal which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the process part with which the slave terminal which concerns on the said embodiment is equipped. It is a flowchart which shows the authentication operation | movement of a master terminal and the setting change operation | movement of a slave terminal which concern on the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system using the infrared communication which is wireless communication which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the process part with which the master terminal which concerns on the said embodiment is equipped. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of the process part with which the slave terminal which concerns on the said embodiment is equipped. It is a flowchart which shows the authentication operation | movement of a master terminal and the setting change operation | movement of a slave terminal which concern on the said embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a master terminal 2 that is a first portable electronic device and a slave terminal 3 that is a second portable electronic device. ing. The master terminal 2 and the slave terminal 3 include infrared communication modules 23A and 23B, and the master terminal 2 and the slave terminal 3 are configured to be able to perform infrared communication with each other.

  FIG. 2 shows an external perspective view of the master terminal 2 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the master terminal 2 includes an operation unit side body 10 </ b> A and a display unit side body 20 </ b> A. The operation unit side body 10A and the display unit side body 20A are configured such that the upper end of the operation unit side body 10A and the lower end of the display unit side body 20A are connected via a hinge mechanism 4A. Yes.

  The operation unit side housing unit 10A includes an operation key group 11A as a first operation unit, a microphone 12A, and a fingerprint sensor 16. The operation key group 11A includes a function setting operation button 13A, an input operation button 14A, and a determination operation button 15A. The function setting operation button 13A operates various functions such as various settings, a phone book function, and a mail function. The input operation button 14A is used for inputting numbers such as telephone numbers and characters such as mail. The determination operation button 15A performs determination and scrolling in various operations. The microphone 12A receives a voice uttered by the manager of the master terminal 2 during a call. The fingerprint sensor 16 reads the fingerprint of the user who uses the master terminal 2.

  The display unit side body 20A includes a display 21A, an audio output unit 22A, and an infrared communication unit 23a that is a first transmission unit and a first reception unit. The display 21A displays various information. The voice output unit 22A outputs the voice of the other party on the call. The infrared communication unit 24A performs short-range communication using infrared by the infrared communication module 23A.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the master terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the master terminal 2 has a communication unit 60A that performs wireless communication with a terminal of an external device (base station), an infrared communication module 23A, a processing unit 70A that performs predetermined processing, and a predetermined capacity. A rechargeable battery 80A and a power supply circuit unit 90A are provided.

  The communication unit 60A includes a main antenna 61A that communicates with an external device in a predetermined use frequency band, and a communication processing unit 62A that performs signal processing such as modulation processing or demodulation processing. The main antenna 61A communicates with an external device in a predetermined use frequency band (for example, 800 MHz). The communication processing unit 62A demodulates the signal received by the main antenna 61A, outputs the processed signal to the processing unit 70A, modulates the signal supplied from the processing unit 70A, and passes through the main antenna 61A. Send to external device.

  The infrared communication module 23A includes an IrDA communication processing unit (not shown) and a light emitting / receiving element (not shown). The IrDA communication processing unit modulates the authentication signal processed by the processing unit 70A based on the fingerprint authentication of the administrator who uses the master terminal 2, and transmits it to the slave terminal 3 through the light emitting element. In addition, the IrDA communication processing unit receives an energization state signal transmitted from the slave terminal 3 when the slave terminal 3 is in an energized state through the light emitting element, and performs demodulation processing and outputs it to the processing unit 70A. The energized state refers to a state in which the main power supply of the slave terminal 3 is turned on. For example, when the slave terminal 3 in the key lock state is restarted, the main power on state is changed from the main power off state. Including becoming a state of

  The power supply circuit unit 90A converts the power supply voltage supplied from the rechargeable battery 80A into a predetermined voltage, and supplies the converted voltage to the communication unit 60A, the processing unit 70A, the infrared communication module 23A, and the like.

  Next, the processing unit 70A will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the processing unit 70A provided in the master terminal 2 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit 70A includes a function invalid / valid unit 71A, an information input unit 72A that is a first operated unit, an authentication information storage unit 73A, a fingerprint recognition unit 74A, and an authentication unit. A fingerprint authentication unit 75A, a transmission control unit 79A, and a main control unit 77A that is a first control unit are provided.

  The function invalid / valid portion 71A invalidates a part or all of the predetermined functions in the master terminal 2, that is, activates the lock function. Also, the function invalid / valid portion 71A releases the lock function on condition that it is determined that fingerprint information input by a fingerprint sensor 16 described later matches the registered fingerprint authentication information. Thereby, a part or all of the locked functions can be used.

  Here, the lock function will be described. The function invalid / valid portion 71A has, for example, a lock function that invalidates an operation on the operation key group 11A. The function invalid / valid portion 71A activates the lock function when a certain operation for setting the lock function is performed. As a result, even if the function invalid / valid unit 71A receives any signal from the information input unit 72A based on the operation on the operation key group 11A, the function invalid / valid unit 71A does not perform the corresponding operation and receives the fingerprint input by the fingerprint sensor 16. Only when it is determined that the information matches the registered fingerprint authentication information, the lock function is released.

  Note that such invalidation of the operation by the lock function is performed when only some of the various functions provided in the master terminal 2 are targeted, and operations are performed for some other functions. The processing unit 70A may perform a corresponding operation. For example, emergency calls (110 and 119) are not locked and are set to be able to make calls at any time.

  72 A of information input parts output the signal of information, such as a character, a figure, a symbol, when the manager who is a user of master terminal 2 operates operation key group 11A.

  The authentication information storage unit 73A stores fingerprint authentication information such as a feature portion of a fingerprint extracted from the administrator's fingerprint registered by the administrator. The fingerprint authentication information may be obtained by taking the administrator's fingerprint as an image and storing the image data as fingerprint authentication information.

  The fingerprint recognition unit 74A extracts characteristic fingerprint information in the fingerprint from the fingerprint information input from the fingerprint sensor 16, and stores the fingerprint information.

  The fingerprint authentication unit 75A performs authentication processing (determination) as to whether or not the fingerprint information input by the fingerprint sensor 16 and recognized by the fingerprint recognition unit 74A matches the fingerprint recognition information stored in the authentication information storage unit 73A. Do.

  Here, the operation of the fingerprint authentication unit 75A will be described. The fingerprint authentication unit 75A determines whether or not it matches the fingerprint recognition information stored in the authentication information storage unit 73A on condition that the fingerprint information input by the fingerprint sensor 16 is recognized by the fingerprint recognition unit 74A. Perform the process. Then, the lock function of the master terminal 2 is released only when the certified fingerprint information matches the registered fingerprint recognition information. Therefore, since the master terminal 2 according to the present invention is required to match the fingerprint information by the administrator when releasing the lock function, it is possible to suppress an illegal act by an unauthorized operator.

  After the fingerprint authentication is performed by the fingerprint authentication unit 75A, the transmission control unit 79A transmits the authorization information to the infrared communication module 23A and causes the infrared communication module 23A to transmit to the slave terminal 3. The main control unit 77A controls each unit. Note that, instead of infrared communication, packet communication via Bluetooth or a server may be used.

  Next, the slave terminal 3 will be described. The slave terminal 3 is mainly different from the master terminal 2 in that it does not have a configuration related to fingerprint authentication. In the following description, what has the same configuration as that of the master terminal 2 is described by changing the code “A” at the end to the code “B”.

  FIG. 5 shows an external perspective view of the slave terminal 3 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the slave terminal 3 includes an operation unit side body 10 </ b> B and a display unit side body 20 </ b> B. The operation unit side body 10B and the display unit side body 20B are configured such that the upper end of the operation unit side body 10B and the lower end of the display unit side body 20B are connected via a hinge mechanism 4B. Yes.

  The operation unit side body unit 10B includes an operation key group 11B that is a first operation unit, and a microphone 12B. The operation key group 11B includes a function setting operation button 13B, an input operation button 14B, and a determination operation button 15B. The function setting operation button 13B operates various functions such as various settings, a phone book function, and a mail function. The input operation button 14B is used for inputting numbers such as telephone numbers and characters such as mail. The determination operation button 15B performs determination and scrolling in various operations. The microphone 12B receives a voice uttered by the manager of the master terminal 2 during a call.

  The display unit side body unit 20A includes a display 21B, an audio output unit 22B, and an infrared communication unit 23b that is a second reception unit and a second transmission unit. The display 21B displays various information. The voice output unit 22B outputs the voice of the other party on the call. The infrared communication unit 23b performs near field communication using infrared rays by an infrared communication module 23B described later.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the slave terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the slave terminal 3 includes a communication unit 60B that performs wireless communication with a terminal of an external device (base station), an infrared communication module 23B that performs infrared communication, a processing unit 70B that performs predetermined processing, A rechargeable battery 80B having a predetermined capacity and a power supply circuit unit 90B are provided.

  The communication unit 60B includes a main antenna 61B that communicates with an external device using a predetermined use frequency band, and a communication processing unit 62B that performs signal processing such as modulation processing or demodulation processing. The main antenna 61B communicates with an external device in a predetermined use frequency band (for example, 800 MHz). The communication processing unit 62B demodulates the signal received by the main antenna 61B, supplies the processed signal to the processing unit 70B, modulates the signal supplied from the processing unit 70B, and passes through the main antenna 61B. Send to external device.

  The infrared communication module 23B includes an IrDA communication processing unit (not shown) and a light emitting / receiving element (not shown). The IrDA communication processing unit receives the authorization signal transmitted from the master terminal 2 via the light emitting element, modulates it, and outputs it to the processing unit 70B. Further, the IrDA communication processing unit demodulates the energization state signal of the slave terminal 3 transmitted in a predetermined case based on the authorization signal transmitted from the master terminal 2, and transmits it to the master terminal 2 via the light emitting element. . Note that, instead of infrared communication, packet communication via Bluetooth or a server may be used.

  The power supply circuit unit 90B converts the power supply voltage supplied from the rechargeable battery 80B into a predetermined voltage, and supplies the converted voltage to the communication unit 60B, the processing unit 70B, the infrared communication module 23B, and the like.

  Next, the processing unit 70B will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing functions of the processing unit 70B provided in the slave terminal 3 according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the processing unit 70B includes a function invalid / effective unit 71B, an information input unit 72B that is a second operated unit, a recognition unit 76, a transmission control unit 79B, and a second control unit. A main control unit 77B.

  The function invalidation / validation unit 71B invalidates part or all of the predetermined functions in the slave terminal 3, that is, activates the lock function. In addition, the function invalid / valid portion 71B releases the lock function on condition that a certain operation for releasing the lock function is performed.

  Here, the lock function will be described. The function invalid / valid portion 71B has a lock function for invalidating the operation on the operation key group 11B, for example. The function invalid / valid portion 71B activates the lock function when a certain operation for setting the lock function is performed. As a result, even if the function invalid / valid unit 71B receives any signal from the information input unit 72B based on the operation on the operation key group 11B, the function invalid / valid unit 71B does not perform an operation corresponding to this and does not perform a certain function for releasing the lock function. Only when the operation is performed, the lock function is released.

  It should be noted that such invalidation of the operation by the lock function is performed when only some of the various functions of the slave terminal 3 are targeted and the operation is performed on some other functions. The processing unit 70B may perform a corresponding operation. For example, emergency calls (No. 110 and No. 119) are not locked and are set so that a call can be made at any time.

  The information input unit 72B outputs a signal of information such as characters, figures, symbols, and the like when the user of the slave terminal 3 operates the operation key group 11B.

  The recognizing unit 76 recognizes that the authentication information transmitted from the master terminal 2 has been received.

  The transmission control unit 79B transmits an energization state signal to the infrared communication module 23B and causes the master terminal 2 to transmit when the slave terminal 3 is energized due to restart or the like. The main control unit 77B controls each unit.

  Next, the operations of the master terminal 2 and the slave terminal 3 when the user who uses the slave terminal 3 requests use permission from the administrator will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following, in the master terminal 2, it is assumed that the lock function is activated by the function invalid / effective unit 71A.

  The administrator who has requested the use permission of the slave terminal 3 from the user who requests use permission of the slave terminal 3 first performs fingerprint authentication in the master terminal 2. That is, the administrator's fingerprint is input to the master terminal 2 via the fingerprint sensor 16 of the master terminal 2 (step S10).

  When the administrator's fingerprint is input through the fingerprint sensor 16, the main control unit 77A starts recognition of the input fingerprint in the fingerprint recognition unit 74 and stores it as fingerprint information (step S15). Specifically, the fingerprint recognition unit 74 extracts a feature portion of the fingerprint from the input fingerprint, and stores the feature portion as fingerprint information. When the fingerprint recognizing unit 74 stores the fingerprint information, the main control unit 77A extracts fingerprint authentication information, which is information on the characteristic part of the administrator's fingerprint, from the authentication information storage unit 73A (step S20).

  When the fingerprint authentication information is extracted from the authentication information storage unit 73A, the main control unit 77A causes the fingerprint authentication unit 75A to determine whether or not the fingerprint information and the fingerprint authentication information match (step S25).

  If the fingerprint authentication unit 75A determines that the fingerprint information matches the fingerprint authentication information (Y), the process proceeds to step S30. If the fingerprint authentication unit 75A determines that the fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint authentication information (N), the main control unit 77A terminates the authentication operation, assuming that someone other than the administrator has input the fingerprint. To do.

  If the fingerprint authentication unit 75A determines that the fingerprint information matches the fingerprint authentication information, the fingerprint authentication unit 75 outputs an authentication signal (step S30). When the main control unit 77A detects the authentication signal from the fingerprint authentication unit 75, the main control unit 77A releases the lock function in the function invalid / valid unit 71A. Thereby, the master terminal 2 can be used (step S35).

  Next, the main control unit 77A activates the infrared communication module 23A of the master terminal 2 and switches the master terminal 2 to the infrared communication mode (step S40). When the switching of the master terminal 2 to the infrared communication mode is completed, the main control unit 77A instructs the transmission control unit 79A to transmit an authentication signal.

  The transmission control unit 79A that has received the instruction to transmit the authentication signal from the main control unit 77A transmits the authentication signal to the infrared communication module 23A. The infrared communication module 23A that has received the authentication signal demodulates the authentication signal and transmits it to the slave terminal 3 via the light emitting element (step S45).

  Here, in step S50, when the infrared communication module 23A that transmitted the authentication signal receives an energization state signal from the slave terminal 3 (details will be described later) (Y), the lock function of the slave terminal 3 is transmitted when the authentication signal is transmitted. Is in the activated state (hereinafter referred to as “locked state”) and returns to step S45 to indicate that infrared communication could not be performed. That is, the main control unit 77A causes the transmission control unit 79A to transmit the authentication signal to the slave terminal 3 again.

  When the infrared communication module 23A that has transmitted the authentication signal does not receive the energization state signal from the slave terminal 3 (N), the main control unit 77A ends the activation of the infrared communication mode (step S55). Thereby, the authentication operation of the master terminal 2 ends.

  Next, the setting change operation of the slave terminal 3 to which the authentication signal is transmitted by the master terminal 2 will be described.

  In step S45, when the authentication signal is transmitted from the master terminal 2 to the slave terminal 3, the infrared communication module 23B of the slave terminal 3 detects the transmission of the authentication signal from the master terminal 2 (step S60). Note that the slave terminal 3 is configured to be able to detect only the transmission of the authentication signal from the master terminal 2 even when the switching to the infrared communication mode is not performed in relation to the master terminal 2.

  When the infrared communication module 23B detects the transmission of the authentication signal from the master terminal 2 and the main control unit 77B detects the transmission of the authentication signal from the master terminal 2, the main control unit 77B indicates that the slave terminal 3 is in the locked state. Whether or not (step S65). When it is determined that the slave terminal 3 is not in the locked state (Y), the main control unit 77B activates the infrared communication mode of the slave terminal 3 (step S70).

  When the main control unit 77B activates the infrared communication mode of the slave terminal 3, the slave terminal 3 receives the authentication signal from the master terminal 2 (step S75). Specifically, the infrared communication module 23 </ b> B of the slave terminal 3 demodulates the authentication signal and transmits it to the recognition unit 76. When the recognition unit 76 receives the authentication signal, it transmits a signal indicating that the authentication signal has been received, and the main control unit 77B detects this.

  When the main control unit 77B detects a signal indicating that the authentication signal has been received, the main control unit 77B changes the setting so that the slave terminal 3 can be used (step S80).

  When the setting change of the slave terminal 3 is completed, the main control unit 77B restarts the slave terminal 3 to validate the setting change (step S85), and the setting change ends. Thereby, the slave terminal 3 becomes usable.

  In step S65, when the main control unit 77B determines that the slave terminal 3 is in the locked state (N), since the infrared communication mode cannot be activated due to the locked state, the main control unit 77B Then, the slave terminal 3 is restarted (step S90).

  Here, the slave terminal 3 is temporarily unlocked (for example, for 10 seconds) at the time of restart. That is, the slave terminal 3 is temporarily released from the locked state when it is restarted.

  When the locked state of the slave terminal 3 is temporarily released, the main control unit 77B cancels the setting of the locked state of the slave terminal 3 when the lock is released. Specifically, the main control unit 77B cancels the setting of the lock function for the function invalid / effective unit 71B. Thereby, even after restarting, the locked state of the slave terminal 3 is released (step S95).

  When the locked state of the slave terminal 3 is released and the restart is completed, the main control unit 77B transmits an energization state signal to the master terminal 2. Specifically, the transmission control unit 79B causes the master terminal 2 to transmit an energization state signal via the infrared communication module 23B (step S100). In addition, instead of temporarily unlocking by restarting, the infrared communication with the master terminal 2 may be always unlocked.

  In step S50, the master terminal 2 that has received the energization state signal determines whether or not the energization state signal has been received. If it is determined that the energization state signal has been received (Y), the master terminal 2 returns to step S45, Transmit to the slave terminal 3.

  Since the slave terminal 3 that has re-detected the authentication signal is in the unlocked state, the process proceeds to step S70, and the infrared communication mode is activated. When the infrared communication mode is activated, the main control unit 77B receives an authentication signal (step S75) and changes the setting of the slave terminal 3. When the setting of the slave terminal 3 is changed (step S80), the slave terminal 3 is restarted (step S85) to make the setting change effective. As a result, the slave terminal 3 becomes usable, and the change of the setting of the slave terminal is completed.

  Thus, according to the network system 1 of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment, the master terminal 2 possessed by the administrator can restrict and release the use of the slave terminal 3 possessed by the user. It becomes possible. That is, the user himself / herself who uses the slave terminal 3 does not cancel the use of the slave terminal 3, but allows the administrator to cancel the use of the slave terminal 3. Therefore, the administrator can strictly manage the slave terminal 3, and can improve the convenience when managing the use restriction of the terminal. At that time, since the master terminal 2 and the slave terminal 3 directly transmit and receive the authentication signal without interposing the personal authentication device on the network system 1, unlike the case where the personal authentication device is arranged on the system. , Security is improved.

  Further, according to the network system 1 of the portable electronic device according to the embodiment, the management of the slave terminal 3 by the administrator is performed based on the fingerprint authentication of the administrator. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent a person other than the manager from using the master terminal 2 illegally to make the slave terminal 3 usable. As a result, the administrator can strictly manage the slave terminal 3, and can improve convenience when managing the use restriction of the terminal.

  Moreover, according to the network system 1 of the portable electronic device according to the embodiment, the master terminal 2 manages use restrictions of the slave terminal 3 using infrared communication. Therefore, it becomes possible to establish a subordinate relationship such as a master and a slave only between terminals. That is, for example, it is not necessary to manage usage restrictions via a predetermined server or the Internet. As a result, for example, a communication fee for accessing the server and a communication fee for connecting to the Internet are not generated, and the communication cost can be reduced.

[2] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of a network system 1A using infrared communication which is wireless communication according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, a network system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a master terminal 2A that is a first portable electronic device and a slave terminal 3A that is a second portable electronic device. ing.

  In the network system 1A according to the second embodiment, whether or not the fingerprint information input to the master terminal 2A matches the fingerprint authentication information is determined not by the master terminal 2A but by the slave terminal 3A. Mainly different.

  In the following, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, parts that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the numbers given in the drawings if they are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, when substantially the same, “′” is added to the end of the reference numeral.

  First, the master terminal 2A will be described. The functional block diagram showing the external configuration of the master terminal 2A and the functions of the master terminal 2A is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the processing unit 70A 'to be described later, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the processing unit 70A ′ provided in the master terminal 2A. As shown in FIG. 9, the processing unit 70A ′ includes a function invalid / valid unit 71A, an information input unit 72A that is a first operated unit, a fingerprint recognition unit 74A that is an information acquisition unit, and a transmission control unit 79A. And a main control unit 77A ′ that is a first control unit.

  The function invalid / valid unit 71A invalidates a predetermined function in the master terminal 2A, that is, activates a lock function. In addition, the function invalid / valid portion 71A releases the lock function on condition that a certain operation for releasing the lock function is performed.

  Here, the lock function will be described. The function invalid / valid portion 71A has, for example, a lock function that invalidates an operation on the operation key group 11A. The function invalid / valid portion 71A activates the lock function when a certain operation for setting the lock function is performed. Thus, even if the function invalid / valid unit 71A receives any signal from the information input unit 72A based on the operation on the operation key group 11A, the function invalid / valid unit 71A does not perform an operation corresponding to this and does not perform a certain function for releasing the lock function. Only when the operation is performed, the lock function is released.

  72 A of information input parts output the signal of information, such as a character, a figure, a symbol, when the manager who is a user of master terminal 2A operates operation key group 11A which is the 1st operation part.

  The fingerprint recognition unit 74A extracts characteristic fingerprint information in the fingerprint from the fingerprint information input from the fingerprint sensor 16, and stores the fingerprint information.

  After the fingerprint information is recognized by the fingerprint recognition unit 74A, the transmission control unit 79A transmits the fingerprint information to the infrared communication module 23A and causes the infrared communication module 23A to transmit to the slave terminal 3A. The main control unit 77A 'controls each unit.

  Next, the slave terminal 3A will be described. In the functional block diagram showing the external configuration of the slave terminal 3A and the function of the slave terminal 3A, the description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the processing unit 70B 'described later.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the processing unit 70B ′ provided in the slave terminal 3A. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the processing unit 70B ′ includes a function invalid / valid unit 71B, an information input unit 72B that is a second operated unit, an authentication information storage unit 73B, and a fingerprint authentication unit 75B that is a determination unit. And a transmission control unit 79B and a main control unit 77B ′ as a second control unit.

  The function invalid / valid unit 71B invalidates a predetermined function in the slave terminal 3A, that is, activates a lock function. In addition, the function invalid / valid portion 71B releases the lock function on condition that a certain operation for releasing the lock function is performed.

  Here, the lock function will be described. The function invalid / valid portion 71B has a lock function for invalidating the operation on the operation key group 11B, for example. The function invalid / valid portion 71B activates the lock function when a certain operation for setting the lock function is performed. As a result, even if the function invalid / valid unit 71B receives any signal from the information input unit 72B based on the operation on the operation key group 11B, the function invalid / valid unit 71B does not perform an operation corresponding to this and does not perform a certain function for releasing the lock function Only when the operation is performed, the lock function is released.

  The information input unit 72B outputs information signals such as characters, figures, symbols, and the like when the user of the slave terminal 3A operates the operation key group 11B as the second operation unit.

  The authentication information storage unit 73B stores fingerprint authentication information such as a feature portion of a fingerprint extracted from the administrator's fingerprint registered by the administrator. The fingerprint authentication information may be obtained by taking the administrator's fingerprint as an image and storing the image data as fingerprint authentication information.

  The fingerprint authentication unit 75B performs an authentication process (determination) to determine whether the fingerprint information transmitted from the master terminal 2A matches the fingerprint recognition information stored in the authentication information storage unit 73B.

  Here, the operation of the fingerprint authentication unit 75B will be described. The fingerprint authentication unit 75B performs a process of determining whether or not it matches the fingerprint recognition information stored in the authentication information storage unit 73B on condition that the fingerprint information is transmitted from the master terminal 2A. Only when the transmitted fingerprint information matches the registered fingerprint recognition information, the setting of the slave terminal 3A is changed. In other words, the setting change of the slave terminal 3A according to the second embodiment is based on the condition that the fingerprint information matches in the slave terminal 3A of the administrator who manages the slave terminal 3A.

  The transmission control unit 79B transmits an energization state signal to the infrared communication module 23B and causes the master terminal 2A to transmit the energization state signal when the slave terminal 3A becomes energized due to restart or the like. The main control unit 77B 'controls each unit.

  Next, the operations of the master terminal 2A and the slave terminal 3A when the user who uses the slave terminal 3A makes a license request to the administrator will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The administrator who has requested the use permission of the slave terminal 3A from the user who requests the use permission of the slave terminal 3A first performs fingerprint authentication in the master terminal 2A. That is, the administrator's fingerprint is input to the master terminal 2A via the fingerprint sensor 16 of the master terminal 2A (step S110).

  When the administrator's fingerprint is input through the fingerprint sensor 16, the main control unit 77A 'starts recognition of the fingerprint input to the fingerprint recognition unit 74A and stores it as fingerprint information (step S115). Specifically, the fingerprint recognition unit 74A extracts a feature portion of the fingerprint from the inputted fingerprint, and stores the feature portion as fingerprint information.

  When the fingerprint recognition unit 74A stores the fingerprint information, the main control unit 77A 'activates the infrared communication module 23A of the master terminal 2A and switches the master terminal 2A to the infrared communication mode (step S120). When the switching of the master terminal 2 to the infrared communication mode is completed, the main control unit 77A 'instructs the transmission control unit 79A to transmit fingerprint information.

  The transmission control unit 79A that has received an instruction to transmit an authentication signal from the main control unit 77A 'transmits fingerprint information to the infrared communication module 23A. The infrared communication module 23A that has received the fingerprint signal modulates the fingerprint information and transmits it as a fingerprint information signal to the slave terminal 3A via the light emitting element (step S125).

  Here, in step S130, when the infrared communication module 23A that has transmitted the fingerprint information signal receives an energization state signal from the slave terminal 3A (details will be described later) (Y), when the fingerprint information signal is transmitted, In order to indicate that the lock function has been activated (hereinafter referred to as “lock state”) and infrared communication could not be performed, the process returns to step S125. That is, the main control unit 77A 'causes the transmission control unit 79A to transmit the fingerprint information signal to the slave terminal 3A again.

  If the infrared communication module 23A that has transmitted the fingerprint information signal does not receive the energization state signal from the slave terminal 3A (N), the main control unit 77A 'ends the activation of the infrared communication mode (step S135). Thereby, the authentication operation of the master terminal 2A ends.

  Next, the setting change operation of the slave terminal 3A to which the fingerprint information signal is transmitted by the master terminal 2A will be described.

  In step S125, when the fingerprint information signal is transmitted from the master terminal 2A to the slave terminal 3A, the infrared communication module 23B of the slave terminal 3A detects the transmission of the authentication signal from the master terminal 2A (step S140). Note that the slave terminal 3A is configured to be able to detect only the transmission of the fingerprint information signal from the master terminal 2A even when the switching to the infrared communication mode is not performed in relation to the master terminal 2A.

  When the infrared communication module 23B detects the transmission of the fingerprint information signal from the master terminal 2A and the main control unit 77B ′ detects the transmission of the fingerprint information signal from the master terminal 2A, the main control unit 77B ′ It is determined whether or not it is in a locked state (step S145). When it is determined that the slave terminal 3A is not in the locked state (N), the main control unit 77B 'activates the infrared communication mode of the slave terminal 3A (step S150). Even in the locked state, the slave terminal 3A may be set to always communicate with only the master terminal 2A.

  When the main control unit 77B 'activates the infrared communication mode of the slave terminal 3A, the slave terminal 3A receives the fingerprint information signal from the master terminal 2A (step S155). Specifically, the infrared communication module 23B of the slave terminal 3A demodulates the fingerprint information signal to obtain fingerprint information and transmits it to the fingerprint authentication unit 75B. When the fingerprint authentication unit 75B receives the fingerprint information, the fingerprint authentication unit 75B transmits a signal indicating that the fingerprint information has been received to the main control unit 77B '.

  When the main control unit 77B ′ detects a signal indicating that the fingerprint information has been received from the fingerprint authentication unit 75B, the main control unit 77B ′ causes the authentication information storage unit 73B to extract fingerprint authentication information that is information on a characteristic part of the administrator's fingerprint (step S160). ).

  When the fingerprint authentication information is extracted from the authentication information storage unit 73B, the main control unit 77B 'causes the fingerprint authentication unit 75B to determine whether or not the fingerprint information and the fingerprint authentication information match (step S165).

  If the fingerprint authentication unit 75B determines that the fingerprint information matches the fingerprint authentication information (Y), the process proceeds to step S170. If the fingerprint authentication unit 75B determines that the fingerprint information and the fingerprint authentication information do not match, the main control unit 77B ′ determines that the person other than the administrator has input the fingerprint and the authentication operation of the slave terminal 3A Exit.

  If the fingerprint authentication unit 75B determines that the fingerprint information and the fingerprint authentication information match, the main control unit 77B 'changes the setting so that the slave terminal 3A can be used (step S170).

  When the setting change of the slave terminal 3A is completed, the main control unit 77B 'restarts the slave terminal 3A to validate the setting change (step S175), and the setting change ends. Thereby, the slave terminal 3A becomes usable.

  In step S145, when the main control unit 77B ′ determines that the slave terminal 3A is in the locked state (Y), since the infrared communication mode cannot be activated due to the locked state, the main control unit 77B 'Restarts the slave terminal 3A (step S180).

  Here, the slave terminal 3A is temporarily unlocked (for example, for 10 seconds) when restarted. Therefore, when the slave terminal 3A is restarted, the locked state is temporarily released. In addition, instead of temporarily unlocking by restarting, the infrared communication with the master terminal 2A may be always unlocked.

  When the locked state of the slave terminal 3A is temporarily released, the main control unit 77B 'cancels the setting of the locked state of the slave terminal 3A when the lock is released. Specifically, the main control unit 77B 'releases the lock function to the function invalid / valid unit 71B. As a result, the locked state of the slave terminal 3A is released (step S185).

  When the locked state of the slave terminal 3A is released, the main control unit 77B 'transmits an energization state signal to the master terminal 2A by infrared communication. Specifically, the transmission control unit 79B causes the master terminal 2A to transmit an energization state signal via the infrared communication module 23B (step S190).

  The master terminal 2A that has received the energization state signal in step S130 determines whether or not the energization state signal has been received. If it is determined that the energization state signal has been received, the master terminal 2A returns to step S125, and again sends the fingerprint information signal to the slave terminal 3A. Send to.

  Since the slave terminal 3B that has re-detected the authentication signal is in the unlocked state, the process proceeds to step S150 and performs the same operation as described above.

  In this way, according to the network system 1A for portable electronic devices according to the second embodiment, the use of the slave terminal 3A possessed by the user can be restricted and released in the master terminal 2A possessed by the administrator. It becomes possible. That is, the user himself / herself who uses the slave terminal 3A does not cancel the use of the slave terminal 3A, but allows the administrator to cancel the use of the slave terminal 3A. Therefore, the administrator can strictly manage the slave terminal 3A, and can improve convenience when managing the use restriction of the slave terminal 3A. In that case, since the master terminal 2A and the slave terminal 3A directly transmit and receive the authentication signal without interposing the personal authentication device on the network system 1A, it is different from the case where the personal authentication device is arranged on the system. , Security is improved.

  Further, according to the network system 1A for portable electronic devices according to the embodiment, the management of the slave terminal 3A by the administrator is performed based on fingerprint authentication in the master terminal 2A of the administrator. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent a person other than the manager from using the master terminal 2A illegally to make the slave terminal 3A usable. As a result, the administrator can strictly manage the slave terminal 3A, and can improve convenience when managing the use restriction of the slave terminal 3A.

  Further, according to the network system 1A of the portable electronic device according to the embodiment, the master terminal 2A manages use restrictions of the slave terminal 3A using infrared communication. Therefore, it becomes possible to establish a subordinate relationship such as a master and a slave only between terminals. That is, for example, it is not necessary to manage usage restrictions via a predetermined server or the Internet. As a result, for example, a communication fee for accessing the server and a communication fee for connecting to the Internet are not generated, and the communication cost can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, a mobile phone as a mobile electronic device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The portable electronic device used in the present invention may be any device having an infrared communication function and a fingerprint recognition function. For example, a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable navigation device, a laptop computer, etc. There may be.

  In the above embodiment, a so-called foldable mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As a form of the cellular phone according to the present invention, one casing is slid in one direction from the state where the operation section side casing sections 10A and 10B and the display section casing sections 20A and 20B are overlapped. Slide type or rotary type (turn type) in which one casing is rotated around an axis along the overlapping direction of the operation unit side casings 10A, 10B and the display unit side casings 20A, 20B. Alternatively, the operation unit side housing units 10A and 10B and the display unit side housing units 20A and 20B may be arranged in one housing and may have a type (straight type) that does not have a connecting unit.

  In the embodiment, the master terminals 2 and 2A have been described using one slave terminal 3 and 3A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the master terminal may be configured to be able to manage a plurality of slave terminals.

  In the above embodiment, the master terminal is configured to perform personal authentication using fingerprint authentication, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, what uses biometric information, such as authentication with a cornea or a vein, may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated using infrared communication as radio | wireless communication, this invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure which performs radio | wireless communication via communication part 60A, 60B. For example, the master terminals 2 and 2A and the slave terminals 3 and 3A may be configured to directly communicate with each other without using a personal authentication device arranged on a server or an Internet system.

  In the first embodiment, the slave terminal 3 is configured to be usable when a fingerprint authentication signal is received from the master terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The slave terminal 3 according to the present invention may be configured to be remotely operated from the master terminal 2 after receiving the authentication signal.

1, 1A Network system 2, 2A Master terminal 3, 3A Slave terminal 11A, 11B Operation key group 16 Fingerprint sensor 23A, 23B Infrared communication module 72A, 72B Information input unit 73A, 73B Authentication information storage unit 74 Fingerprint recognition unit 74 Fingerprint recognition 75A, 75B Fingerprint authentication unit 77A, 77B, 77A ', 77B' Main control unit

Claims (3)

A network system for a portable electronic device including a first portable electronic device and a second portable electronic device,
The first portable electronic device includes: a first operation unit; a first operated unit operable based on an operation of the first operation unit; an information acquisition unit that acquires predetermined information; A first transmitter capable of converting predetermined information into a predetermined information signal and transmitting the information signal to the second portable electronic device;
The second portable electronic device includes a second operation unit, a second operated unit operable based on an operation of the second operation unit, and the information transmitted from the first transmission unit. A second receiving unit capable of receiving a signal, a determining unit for determining whether or not the information signal received by the second receiving unit matches registered predetermined authentication information, and the information signal A network system of a portable electronic device, comprising: a second control unit that permits an operation of the second operated unit when it is determined that the authentication information matches. The second portable electronic device has a second transmission unit capable of transmitting an energization state signal output when the second portable electronic device is energized to the first portable electronic device,
The first portable electronic device has a first receiving unit capable of receiving an energization state signal transmitted from the second transmission unit, and the first receiving unit receives the energization state signal The network system for portable electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein the information signal is transmitted from the first transmission unit to the second reception unit.   The transmission / reception between the first transmission unit and the second reception unit and the transmission / reception between the first reception unit and the second transmission unit are performed by wireless communication. Portable electronic device network system.

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