JP2003060563A - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication terminal wherein consumption power is reduced when battery residual charge is little, waiting state is maintained as long as possible, and utility performance can be improved, since the conventional mobile communication terminal has the problem that a time until a power source is turned off is short from sounding battery residual charge warning, and the power source is turned off suddenly during communication and operation, so that all functions become impossible to be used until charge is performed. SOLUTION: In this mobile communication terminal, in a control unit 3, when a battery residual charge flag is set as 'ON' and a function is restricted by a restriction function table, in the case that a command for executing the function is produced by a command from an operation part 9, call incoming, etc., the function is not executed, and a warning wording which indicates that battery residual charge is little is displayed.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to reducing power consumption when a battery level becomes low, and waiting for a little longer. And a mobile communication terminal that can improve convenience. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a mobile communication terminal is provided with a number of functions in addition to a basic communication function in order to improve usability and convenience. Some of these functions have high power consumption. [0003] Further, as a conventional mobile communication terminal, there is a mobile communication terminal that detects a remaining battery level and reports that the remaining battery level becomes low. Specifically, the remaining battery level is detected, the approximate remaining battery level is displayed with a small icon or the like, and a battery level warning sound is sounded immediately before the battery level runs out, and the user is notified of the alarm. I was to tell you. [0004] The prior art of portable terminals is disclosed in
Published Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-209953, entitled "Power Saving Control Method for Portable Wireless Telephone Device" (Applicant: NEC Ic Microcomputer Systems, Inc .; Inventor: Hideki Negishi)
There is. This conventional technique selects and limits the communication function according to the remaining power of the battery power or the output voltage level. When the remaining battery power is large, the normal communication function is executed, and the intermittent reception cycle is Normal time interval, when the remaining battery power is medium, only the incoming call processing is performed, and the intermittent reception cycle is a medium time interval that is slightly longer than normal.When the remaining battery power is low, only the incoming call recording is performed. Is longer than a normal time interval, which can reduce the consumption of battery power and save power. [0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional mobile communication terminal, the time from the sounding of the battery level warning sound to the power supply 0FF is short, and the power supply is suddenly turned off during communication or user operation. Thus, there is a problem that all functions of the mobile communication terminal cannot be used until charging is performed. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reduces power consumption when the remaining battery power is low.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal capable of maintaining a standby state for a little longer time and improving convenience. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention for solving the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example is a mobile communication terminal having a plurality of functions, which is used when the remaining battery power becomes low. The function to be restricted is stored in advance, and when the execution of the function is instructed in a state where the remaining battery power is less than a preset specified value,
A mobile unit that determines whether a designated function matches a stored limited function, and if the determined function matches the limited function, does not execute the function and displays a warning indicating that the remaining battery power is low. As a communication terminal, it can reduce power consumption when the remaining battery power is low, can maintain the standby state for a little longer, and charge the user immediately by using a warning display to avoid unnecessary operations. Can be encouraged, and convenience can be improved. Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The function realizing means described below may be any circuit or device as long as the function can be realized, and some or all of the functions may be realized by software. is there. Further, the function realizing means may be realized by a plurality of circuits, or the plurality of function realizing means may be realized by a single circuit. In the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, the control means detects the remaining battery level, and when the remaining battery level falls below a specified value, restricts or stops the execution of a function set by the user in advance. At the same time, a warning warning is displayed to urge the user to charge, reducing the power consumption and extending the stand-by time even a little. It can improve convenience by preventing it. A configuration of a mobile communication terminal (this apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
1 is a configuration block diagram of a mobile communication terminal (this device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a radio unit 1,
A communication circuit unit 2 that performs conversion processing such as modulation / demodulation and codec decoding associated with communication; a control unit 3 that controls the entire apparatus and restricts the execution of functions that are a feature of the apparatus; A processing unit 4, a speaker 5 for outputting sound, a microphone 6 for inputting sound, a display unit 7 for displaying a message, a menu, and the like; an LCD driver 8 for driving the display unit 7; The operation unit 9 includes a ROM 10 for storing a program, a RAM 11 for storing telephone directory data and received messages, and a battery 12 for supplying power to the apparatus. Each component will be specifically described. Specific features of the present device will be described specifically. Radio unit 1
Has an antenna and transmits and receives radio signals. The communication circuit unit 2 performs conversion processing such as modulation / demodulation and code decoding accompanying communication. [0012] The voice processing unit 4 is adapted to output A
/ D conversion and D / A conversion.
Is for outputting sound, and the microphone 6 is for inputting sound. The display unit 7 is a liquid crystal display (LC).
D; Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying menus and messages. LCD driver 8
Drives the display unit 7, reads data from the ROM 10 or the RAM 11 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 3, and outputs the data to the display unit 7. The operation unit 9 has a plurality of input keys for inputting data such as instructions from a user.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the entire apparatus. The ROM 10 stores a processing program in the control section 3, data of warning wording, and the like. The RAM 11 is a working area of the control section 3 and stores telephone directory data and received messages. Things. Further, as a feature of the present apparatus, the RAM 11 stores a battery remaining amount flag indicating that the battery remaining amount is low. When the battery remaining amount is less than the specified value, the battery remaining amount flag is set to “ON”. Is set to “OFF” when the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a specified value. In addition, the RAM 11 stores a limited function table that defines functions that are limited when the remaining battery power is low. The control section 3 controls the entire apparatus, and includes a battery remaining amount detecting means 31 and a processing means 32. The battery remaining amount detecting means 31 periodically detects the remaining amount of the battery 12 (battery remaining amount), and when the battery remaining amount becomes less than a predetermined value, the battery remaining amount detecting means 31 sends the battery remaining amount to the processing means 32. Output a specific signal indicating that the number is small. The processing means 32 controls the entire apparatus in the same manner as in the prior art, and controls outgoing / incoming calls, lighting of a backlight, memory registration in the RAM 11, display control, and the like. At the same time, as a feature of the present apparatus, control for restricting the execution of functions when the remaining battery level is low is performed. Specifically, when a signal notifying that the remaining battery level has fallen below the specified value is input from the remaining battery level detecting means 31, the battery remaining level flag of the RAM 11 is set to “ON”.
If an event occurs due to an incoming call or an input from the operation unit 9, the battery remaining amount flag is referred to, and if “ON” is set, the RAM 11 is set.
The function is restricted according to the restricted function table. The processing in the control unit 3 will be described later in detail. Next, a limited function table which is a characteristic part of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 2 shows the RAM
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a restricted function table stored in 11. As described above, the limited function table is stored in the RAM 1
1 and defines a function of restricting or stopping the execution when the remaining battery power is low. As shown in FIG. 2, in the restricted function table, seven types of functions such as incoming call, screen display, clock display, melody reproduction, memory registration, LED lighting, and backlight lighting are preliminarily defined as "functions". In the area. For each function, whether or not the function is restricted is stored according to an instruction from the user. In other words, among these functions, the one in which the flag “1” is stored in the “restriction” area corresponding to the “function” is a function that is restricted when the battery level becomes low. The function in which “0” is stored is a function that is not limited even when the remaining battery level is low. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, "incoming call" is set as a restricted function, so that the control unit 3 determines that there is an incoming call in a state where the remaining battery power is less than the specified value. , The caller is displayed, and the incoming call can be rejected according to the instruction from the user. Also, "Memory registration"
Is not limited, the control unit 3 executes a function in accordance with the instruction if a memory registration instruction is input even when the remaining battery level is low. The setting in the restriction function table is as follows:
The user can arbitrarily perform a function restriction setting from a menu such as “function restriction setting”. When a function to be restricted is selected on the screen of the function restriction menu, the control unit 3 controls the restricted function table of the RAM 11 in accordance with a user instruction. Is stored with a flag ("0" or "1") corresponding to the function. By allowing the user to select any,
The function to be restricted can be freely selected according to each user's usage of the mobile communication terminal. The function restriction setting screen will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the present apparatus can limit not only a so-called additional function which is essentially unrelated to a call but also an "incoming call" related to the call itself. It is characterized by the fact that it can be done. Since "call" consumes a large amount of power, unnecessary calls from the user can be prevented when the remaining battery power is low.However, incoming calls are irrelevant to the user's intention, so incoming calls from unimportant parties By rejecting the incoming call, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption and extend the standby state, and it is also conceivable to reserve the remaining battery level for important communication. Next, the operation of the present apparatus will be described. The basic operations involved in telephone communication and data communication in the present apparatus are the same as those of a conventional mobile communication terminal, and thus description thereof is omitted. The operation of the characteristic portion of the present apparatus will be described. The battery remaining amount detecting means 31 of the control section 3 periodically detects the battery remaining amount based on the power supply voltage supplied from the battery 12 and sets the battery remaining amount in advance. When the value falls below the specified value, a control signal is output to the processing means 32. And processing means 3
When the control signal is input from the battery remaining amount detecting means 31, the battery 2 sets the battery remaining amount flag of the RAM 11 to "ON". When an event such as an incoming call from the communication circuit unit 2 or an input from the operation unit 9 occurs, the control unit 3
When executing the function of the event, the processing unit 32 checks whether the event is set as a function restricted in the restricted function table of the RAM 11, and does not immediately execute the restricted function. , A warning warning is displayed. Thus, in the present apparatus, when the remaining battery power becomes low, the execution of some functions is restricted, the consumption of the battery is prevented, and the standby state can be maintained for a little while. . In addition, the warning can prompt the user to charge the battery, thereby preventing sudden use of the battery. Next, the processing of the control unit 3 when the power of the apparatus is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the control unit 3 when the power of the apparatus is turned on. As shown in FIG. 3, when the power is turned on, the control unit 3 of the present apparatus checks the remaining battery level and determines whether the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a specified value (100). When the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the specified value (in the case of Yes), the control unit 3 sets the remaining battery level flag of the RAM 11 to "OFF" (106) and shifts to a standby state. If the remaining battery level is less than the specified value in step 100 (No), the control unit 3
11 with the battery remaining amount flag set to “ON” (10
4) Output an instruction to the LCD driver 8 to display the warning word (A) shown in FIG. 4 (104), and shift to the standby state. Here, the warning warning (A) displayed when the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of warning warning (A). As shown in FIG. 4, the warning wording (A) is a warning displayed when the remaining battery level is less than a specified value when the power is turned on. Thus, the warning indicates that the user needs to be charged immediately. Next, the processing of the control unit 3 in the standby state of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the control unit 3 in the standby state. The control unit 3 periodically detects the remaining battery level in the standby state, and determines whether the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a specified value (200). If the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the specified value, the control unit 3 sets the remaining battery level flag in the RAM 11 to “OFF” (202) and shifts to a standby state. If the remaining battery level is less than the specified value in the process 200, the control section 3 sets the remaining battery level flag of the RAM 11 to "ON" (210) and refers to the limited function table of the RAM 11. Then, it is determined whether or not the function restriction is set (212). If the function restriction is not set, a warning word (B) "Do you want to restrict the function?" Is displayed. An instruction is output to the LCD driver 8 (214). Then, the control section 3 determines whether or not "restrict function" is selected on the display screen of the warning wording (B) (216). Then, an instruction is output to the LCD driver 8 to display the function restriction menu shown in FIG. 7 (218), and in accordance with the input from the operation unit 9, the function to be restricted is set in the restriction function table of the RAM 11 (220), and standby is performed. Transition to the state. If the function is already restricted in the process 212 and if "no function restriction" is selected in the process 216, the control unit 3 shifts to the standby state. Thus, the control unit 3 in the standby state
Is performed. Here, a display example of the warning warning (B) displayed in the process 214 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the warning wording (B). As shown in FIG. 6, the warning wording (B) is a warning displayed when the remaining battery level is low in the standby state, such as "No battery level! Do you want to limit functions?" The content prompts the user to restrict functions. Next, a display example of the function restriction menu displayed in the process 218 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the function restriction menu. As shown in FIG. 7, on the screen of the function restriction menu,
A list of the functions that can be restricted stored in the restricted function table of FIG. 2 is displayed. In the display example of FIG. 7, when the remaining battery power becomes low, "which function is to be turned off"
Is displayed in words that are easy for the user to select. In the example of FIG. 7, "incoming call", "screen display",
The four functions of “clock display” and “ringing sound” are selected to be restricted, and the control unit 3 sets the restriction in the restricted function table of the RAM 11 based on the selection. When the user himself / herself wants to check which functions have been restricted, the restricted function and the functions that can be restricted can be displayed in a list by displaying a function restriction menu. . Further, when it is desired to release the restriction of the function once set as the function to be restricted, the function restriction menu may be displayed and the setting may be reset so as to remove the check. Next, the processing of the control unit 3 when an event occurs due to a user operation such as melody reproduction or memory registration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the control unit 3 when an event occurs due to a user operation. As shown in FIG. 8, when an event occurs due to a user operation from the standby state (300), the control unit 3
It is determined whether the battery remaining amount flag of the RAM 11 is "ON" (302). If the battery remaining amount flag is "OFF", it means that the battery remaining amount is sufficient. Execute If the battery remaining amount flag is "ON" in the process 302, the control unit 3
It is determined whether the event function specified by the user operation is restricted by referring to the restricted function table (304). If the event function is restricted (in the case of Yes), the control unit 3 issues a warning wording (C) indicating that the event cannot be executed due to the restriction (see FIG. 9). ) Is output to the LCD driver 8 to display () (306), and the process shifts to a standby state. If the event function is not restricted in the process 304 (No), the control unit 3 executes the event execution to confirm whether the function is executable although the remaining battery level is low. An instruction is output to the LCD driver 8 to display a confirmation wording (see FIG. 10) (310). Then, the control section 3 determines whether or not "event execution" is selected on the event execution confirmation wording screen (312). If "event execution" is selected, the control section 3 shifts to event processing. Yes (32
0). If "not execute event" is selected in the process 312, the control unit 3 does not execute the event and shifts to the standby state. In this way, the processing when an event occurs due to a user operation is performed. Here, the display screen of the warning wording (C) displayed in the process 306 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of warning warning (C). As shown in FIG. 9, the warning warning (C) display screen indicates that the function is restricted and cannot be executed, such as "This operation is restricted! Please charge!" It is a content that appeals to the need. This allows the user to recognize that the remaining battery level is low, and to pay attention to charging as soon as possible while avoiding unnecessary operations. Next, a display example of the function execution confirmation wording displayed in the process 310 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the function execution confirmation wording. As shown in FIG. 10, the user is strongly asked to confirm the function execution, such as “The battery level is low! Do you want to execute?”, And the user can select either “Execute” or “Cancel”. Or to choose. Next, the processing of the control unit 3 when an event occurs due to an incoming call will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows the control unit 3 when an event occurs due to an incoming call.
It is a flowchart figure which shows a process. As shown in FIG. 11, when data indicating that there is an incoming call is input from the communication circuit unit 2 (400), the control unit 3 checks the battery remaining amount flag in the RAM 11 (402), Is "OFF" (No), the remaining battery level is sufficient, so that the line is connected as usual, and the process proceeds to the process 430 to perform the call process. In the process 402, the battery remaining amount flag is set to "O".
N ”(in the case of Yes), the control unit 3
By referring to the restriction function table of the RAM 11, it is checked whether the incoming call restriction is set (404). If the incoming call is restricted, the line is not connected and the caller ID and the date and time of the incoming call are not recorded as the incoming call history. The data is acquired and stored in a specific area of the RAM 11 (420), and the communication is disconnected (42).
2), transition to a standby state. When the incoming call restriction is not set in the restriction function table in the process 404, the control unit 3 executes the processing shown in FIG.
The incoming response confirmation wording shown in FIG.
0), “Receive incoming call” is selected on the screen (41)
In the case of 2), the process proceeds to the process 430 to perform the call process. If "not respond" is selected on the incoming response confirmation wording screen in process 412, control unit 3 proceeds to process 420, stores the incoming call history, and disconnects the line. . In this way, the incoming call control unit 3
Is performed. Here, the incoming response confirmation wording displayed in the process 410 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the incoming response confirmation wording. As shown in FIG. 12, the incoming call response confirmation wording indicates that the user has no remaining battery power, such as “The battery is low! Do you want to answer the call?” It is displayed so that it is possible to select whether or not to receive a call. Thus, the user can select whether or not to receive a call depending on the other party, such as whether to call back later after confirming the caller, or to receive a call because it is an emergency call. Yes, it can greatly improve convenience. In the processing of FIG. 11, when the incoming call function is restricted, the communication is simply cut off. May be cut. By doing so, power consumption can be reduced without making the other party feel unpleasant and without calling. According to the mobile communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, a function for limiting when the remaining battery power is low is set in the limiting function table of the RAM 11, and the control unit 3 periodically sets the function. When the remaining battery level is less than the specified value, the battery level flag is set to “ON”, and when an instruction to execute the function is generated by an instruction from the operation unit 9 or an event such as an incoming call. If the battery level flag is set to “ON” and the function corresponding to the event is restricted by the restriction function table, the function is not executed,
A warning warning is displayed to alert the user, and when the battery runs low, the functions to be executed can be limited to reduce power consumption and maintain the standby state for a little longer time. In addition, it is possible to prevent useless operation by the warning wording, to prompt the user to charge, and to prevent sudden power-off, thereby improving convenience. Further, according to the present apparatus, the function to be restricted can be arbitrarily selected and set by the user from a plurality of functions prepared in advance, and the function to be restricted according to the usage of each user. Can be freely selected and the convenience can be improved. Further, various ways of limiting the functions are available. For example, when the remaining amount of the battery is less than the specified value and the “screen display” is restricted, the screen display is turned off during normal standby. However, when an event such as a user operation or an incoming call occurs, it is also possible to display a screen so that the caller ID can be confirmed. Further, at this time, the backlight is turned on, and if there is no operation for a certain period of time, the screen display is turned off again. For example, the function is restricted so as to reduce the power consumption without significantly impairing the convenience. You may make it relax. Further, the priorities of the functions to be restricted may be stored in the restricted function table, and the functions may be restricted in a stepwise manner depending on the remaining battery level. Even in this case, it is possible to reduce the power consumption without impairing the convenience as much as possible. According to the present invention, a mobile communication terminal having a plurality of functions, in which functions limited when the remaining battery power becomes low, is stored in advance and the remaining battery power is stored. When the execution of the function is instructed in a state in which the amount is less than a preset specified value, it is determined whether the instructed function matches the stored restricted function, and the If they match, the function is not executed, and the mobile communication terminal displays a warning that the remaining battery power is low.Therefore, the power consumption when the remaining battery power is low is reduced, and the standby state is slightly reduced. This can be maintained for a long time, and the warning display can prompt the user to avoid unnecessary operations and promptly charge the battery, thereby improving the convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a mobile communication terminal (this device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a restricted function table stored in a RAM 11; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a control unit 3 when the power of the apparatus is turned on. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of warning warning (A). FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a control unit 3 in a standby state. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of warning warning (B). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a function restriction menu. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the control unit 3 when an event occurs due to a user operation. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of warning warning (C). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a function execution confirmation wording. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control unit 3 when an event due to an incoming call occurs. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of incoming response confirmation warning; [Description of Signs] 1 ... Wireless unit, 2 ... Communication line unit, 3 ... Control unit, 4 ...
Voice processing unit, 5 speaker, 6 microphone, 7 display unit, 8 LCD driver, 9 operation unit, 10 R
OM, 11 RAM, 12 battery, 31 remaining battery level detecting means, 32 processing means

Claims (1)

Claims 1. A mobile communication terminal having a plurality of functions, wherein a function limited when a remaining battery level is low is stored in advance, and the remaining battery level is determined in advance. When the execution of the function is instructed in a state where the value is less than the set specified value, it is determined whether the instructed function matches the stored limited function, and the determined function matches the limited function. Then, the mobile communication terminal does not execute the function and displays a warning that the remaining battery power is low.