JP2004015312A - Cellular telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cellular telephone having a power-saving mode, which can return to a normal operation state by surely detecting the telephone which moves back to a service zone from the outside of the service zone. <P>SOLUTION: Upon receiving an out-zone movement detecting signal from a radio processing section 2, a control section 1 turns off the supply of power voltage from a power supply section 6 to the section 2, thereby allowing the cellular telephone 100 to transit to a power-saving mode. A radio wave detector 8 detects a transmission radio wave 15, emitted from another cellular telephone 14 around the cellular telephone 100, and generates a radio wave detecting signal. Upon receiving the radio wave detecting signal, the section 1 turns on supplying of power voltage from the section 6 to the section 2, and the cellular telephone 100 returns to a normal operation state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and more particularly, to a mobile phone that automatically controls supply of a power supply voltage from a power supply unit to a wireless processing unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a mobile phone driven by a limited power supply voltage, a reduction in power consumption is strongly demanded to enable a long standby time. For example, in a conventional mobile phone, even when the mobile phone is out of a service area where radio waves from a base station do not reach, power is wasted because the receiving operation is performed intermittently. Therefore, when the mobile phone is out of the service area, the power of the mobile phone is turned off (hereinafter, referred to as “power saving mode”), and the power wasted due to the intermittent reception despite the inability to talk is suppressed. It is effective.
[0003]
However, in the mobile phone configured as described above, when the mobile phone returns from the outside of the service area to the service area, it is possible to immediately turn on the power (hereinafter, referred to as “normal operation state”) in order to enable reception. Needed. In order to automatically control the power on / off of the mobile phone, a mobile phone disclosed in, for example, JP-A-10-336093 or JP-A-10-107718 has been proposed.
[0004]
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram for extracting and functionally explaining a portion related to power on / off control in an example of a conventional mobile phone.
[0005]
In the mobile phone 100 shown in FIG. 12, a reception signal received from a base station (not shown) via the antenna 3 is subjected to predetermined reception processing such as amplification and frequency conversion by the wireless processing unit 2, and then demodulated in a subsequent stage (not shown). It is provided to the circuit and to the service area determination unit 102.
[0006]
The service area determination unit 102 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is in the service area or out of the service area based on the reception signal supplied from the wireless processing unit 2. The determination output of the service area determination unit 102 is provided to the control unit 1.
[0007]
The acceleration sensor 101 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is in a stationary state (still mode) or in a moving state (moving mode) based on the acceleration applied to the main body of the mobile phone 100. The determination output of the acceleration sensor 101 is given to the control unit 1.
[0008]
Clock information is input from the clock unit 103 to the control unit 1, and various instruction information input by a user operation is supplied from the input unit 5. On the other hand, the display unit 4 receives the signal from the control unit 1 and displays the state of the mobile phone 100 to the user.
[0009]
The power supply voltage supplied from the battery 7 is constantly supplied to the control unit 1, and is also supplied to the wireless processing unit 2, the service area determination unit 102, the acceleration sensor 101, and the display unit 4 via the power supply unit 6.
[0010]
The control unit 1 includes a power control unit 1a, and power supply from the power supply unit 6 to each of the above units is controlled by a control signal from the power control unit 1a.
[0011]
In the mobile phone 100 having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, when the service area determination unit 102 determines that the mobile phone 100 is out of the service area and the acceleration sensor 101 determines that the mobile phone 100 is in the stationary mode, the control unit 1 performs these determinations. According to the output, it is determined that the mobile phone 100 is left outside the service area. Then, the power supply control unit 1a turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 and the service area determination unit 102, and shifts to the power saving mode. This suppresses waste of power in the idle state.
[0012]
Then, in this state, if the acceleration sensor 101 detects that the mobile phone 100 has shifted from the stationary mode to the mobile mode, there is a possibility that the mobile phone 100 is no longer in the idle state and has returned to the service area. It is assumed that there is, and the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 and the service area determination unit 102 is turned on, and the operation shifts to the normal operation state.
[0013]
Although not shown, as another example of a conventional mobile phone, position information confirmation as to whether the mobile phone is within the service area or outside the service area is performed by wireless communication between the wireless processing unit and the base station at preset time intervals. When outside of the service area, the power supply to the wireless processing unit is automatically turned off. When returning to the service area from outside the service area, the power supply to the wireless processing unit is automatically turned on. Some have the function to do.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional mobile phone shown in FIG. 12, even when the mobile phone main body is out of the service area, if the mobile mode is detected by a slight vibration, the supply of the power supply voltage is not turned off. sell. This suggests that the power saving effect is low for a user who frequently carries a mobile phone.
[0015]
Also, when the radio wave condition is left in an unstable environment, even if the power supply voltage is turned off due to the temporary stop mode and the power supply is turned off because of the stationary mode, May return to the service area again, but there is a concern that the supply of the power supply voltage will not be turned on because of the still mode.
[0016]
On the other hand, in the mobile phone shown in another example (not shown), even when the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless communication unit is turned off because the mobile phone body is out of the service area, the set time for confirming the position information is set. Since it is necessary to turn on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit every time, the transition to the complete power saving mode has not been realized, and the power has been intermittently consumed even outside the service area. .
[0017]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone which automatically shifts to a power saving mode when the mobile phone body moves out of the service area, and ensures that the mobile phone returns to the service area from outside the service area. And to provide a mobile phone capable of automatically returning to a normal operation state.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a mobile phone that communicates in a specific frequency band within a service area, a control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the mobile phone, a wireless processing unit that transmits and receives a wireless signal to and from a base station, A power supply unit that supplies a power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit, and a radio wave detector that detects radio waves in a specific frequency band around the mobile phone and generates a radio wave detection signal. The wireless processing unit detects that the mobile phone has moved from the service area to the outside of the service area, and generates an out-of-service movement detection signal. The control unit turns off the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply unit to the wireless processing unit when receiving the out-of-area movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit, and turns off the power supply from the power supply unit to the wireless processing unit when receiving the radio wave detection signal from the radio wave detector. Turn on the voltage supply.
[0019]
Preferably, the radio wave detector includes a resonance circuit that generates a radio wave detection signal in response to radio waves in a specific frequency band.
[0020]
Preferably, the radio wave detector further includes a logic circuit for digitizing the generated radio wave detection signal.
[0021]
According to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit, activates the radio wave detector, turns on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit, and sets the radio wave detector. Disable.
[0022]
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes timer means for measuring a predetermined time when receiving the out-of-service-area detection signal from the wireless processing unit, and the control unit performs the wireless processing after the predetermined time is measured by the timer means. The power supply to the unit is turned off and the radio wave detector is activated.
[0023]
Preferably, the wireless processing unit generates a service area return signal when detecting that the mobile phone has returned to the service area from outside the service area before the predetermined time is measured, and the timer unit receives the service area return signal, When the predetermined time is stopped and initialized, and the control unit receives the in-range return detection signal, the control unit keeps the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit on with the radio wave detector disabled.
[0024]
Preferably, the radio wave detector includes a resonance circuit that generates a radio wave detection signal in response to radio waves in a specific frequency band.
[0025]
Preferably, the resonance circuit includes switch means for turning on / off the resonance operation, and the control unit activates or disables the radio wave detector by controlling on / off of the switch means.
[0026]
Preferably, the radio wave detector further includes a logic circuit for digitizing the generated radio wave detection signal.
[0027]
Preferably, the logic circuit includes a logic element for turning on / off the digitizing operation, and the control unit activates or disables the radio wave detector by controlling on / off of the logic element.
[0028]
Therefore, according to the present invention, when the mobile phone body moves out of the service area, power supply is automatically turned off to the wireless processing unit to save power, while radio waves in a specific frequency band are Is detected, it is estimated that the vehicle has returned to the service area, the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit is automatically turned on, and the device can return to the normal operation state.
[0029]
Further, according to the present invention, by activating the radio wave detector only in the power saving mode, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection and deterioration of the transmission power caused by the transmission radio wave output from the mobile phone itself wrapping around the radio wave detector. be able to.
[0030]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, by providing a timer means for measuring a predetermined time between the movement outside the service area and the transition to the power saving mode, the mobile phone returns to the service area shortly after the movement outside the service area. Even when the radio wave of the band cannot be detected, the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit is not turned off, and the mobile phone retains the normal operation state, and thus cannot return from the power saving mode to the normal operation state. Problems can be avoided.
[0031]
Further, according to the present invention, since the resonance circuit is used as a radio wave detector for detecting radio waves in a specific frequency band, radio waves in a specific frequency band can be detected without power consumption.
[0032]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.
[0033]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram for extracting and functionally explaining a portion related to on / off control of a power supply of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0034]
Referring to FIG. 1, wireless processing unit 2 transmits and receives various control signals and communication signals to and from a base station (not shown) via antenna 3, and the communication signal data and the mobile phone main body are located within a service area. Data indicating whether the mobile phone is out of the service area is transmitted to the control unit 1 through the wireless processing unit 2.
[0035]
The power supply unit 6 constantly supplies the power supply voltage of the battery 7 to the control unit 1 and also supplies the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2, while the control unit 1 turns on or off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2. Controlled. The input unit 5 and the display unit 4 are the same as those of the conventional mobile phone shown in FIG.
[0036]
The radio wave detector 8 is mounted at a position close to the surface of the mobile phone 100, detects a transmission radio wave 15 output from another mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100, and generates a radio wave detection signal. Here, the fact that it is possible to detect the transmission radio wave 15 output by the other mobile telephones 14 in the vicinity means that the mobile telephone 100 itself is within the service area. Therefore, when receiving the radio wave detection signal, the control unit 1 recognizes that it has returned to the service area, and turns on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 via the power supply unit 6 to return to the normal operation state. .
[0037]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the radio wave detector 8 in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0038]
Referring to FIG. 2, radio wave detector 8 includes a parallel resonance circuit including coil 22 and capacitor 23, Schottky diode 21, and capacitor 24 for smoothing and AC coupling.
[0039]
The radio wave detector 8 is configured to detect a radio wave of a specific frequency band by a resonance operation, and does not need to supply a power supply voltage, so that an electric load is not applied to the power supply unit 6 and the battery 7. Further power saving can be achieved.
[0040]
The resonance frequency is set in the frequency band used by the mobile phone 100 by setting the coil 22, the capacitor 23, and the like, and does not detect radio waves of unnecessary frequencies.
[0041]
In this configuration, the transmission radio wave 15 of the other mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100 is amplified by the resonance circuit and then half-wave rectified by the Schottky diode 21. Further, the half-wave rectified radio wave is smoothed in the capacitor 24 and input to the control unit 1 as a radio wave detection signal A.
[0042]
Here, since the radio wave detection signal A is an analog signal, it is necessary to provide a means for converting the signal into a digital signal for detection determination. Such a conversion process may be configured to be executed by the control unit 1. However, by adding such a conversion process to the radio wave detector 8, the burden on the control unit 1 for detecting an analog signal can be reduced. it can.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of the radio wave detector 8 including the detection determination circuit 30. Referring to FIG. 3, radio wave detector 8 has a configuration in which a detection determination circuit 30 is added to the output side of the configuration (hereinafter referred to as 8a) of the radio wave detector shown in FIG. Detection determination circuit 30 includes a transistor 27 that receives analog output signal A of radio wave detector 8a on the base side via resistors 25 and 26, and a logic circuit 31a. The power supply voltage 32 is supplied to the collector side of the transistor 27 via the resistor 28, and upon receiving the analog radio wave detection signal A input from the base side, the logic of the output signal is determined.
[0044]
In this configuration, when the analog radio wave detection signal A is input to the base of the transistor 27, the base current flows, the transistor 27 is turned on, and a low level signal is output from the collector side. The low-level signal is subsequently inverted through the logic circuit 31a, and becomes a high-level (active state) radio wave detection signal A, which is input to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 recognizes that the transmission radio wave 15 of the other mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100 has been detected from the input signal A. The control unit 1 executes power control by software based on a program stored in a memory (not shown), for example.
[0045]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the power supply voltage of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
At the start, it is assumed that the mobile phone 100 is within the service area.
First, the mobile phone 100 is in a standby state, and performs normal intermittent reception by turning on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S1). Note that the display unit 4 displays that it is in the normal operation state.
[0047]
Here, the wireless processing unit 2 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is within the service area or outside the service area based on the position information obtained by wireless communication with the base station, and determines the result as the control unit 1. (Step S2). For example, when the user moves from the ground to an underground shopping area where radio waves are difficult to reach, and determines that the user is out of the service area, the wireless processing unit 2 generates an out-of-area movement detection signal. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is within the service area, the process returns to step S1, and the standby state is maintained.
[0048]
When it is determined in step S2 that the mobile station is out of the service area and receives the out-of-service movement detection signal from the wireless processing section 2, the control section 1 instructs the power supply section 6 to turn off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing section 2. (Step S3).
[0049]
Thereby, the power supply unit 6 turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S4), and the mobile phone 100 shifts from the normal operation state to the power saving mode. The display unit 4 displays that the mode has been shifted to the power saving mode.
[0050]
Further, as the mobile phone 100 shifts to the power saving mode, the radio wave detector 8 detects a transmission radio wave 15 output from another mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100 (step S5). For example, when the user of the mobile phone 100 moves from the underground shopping mall to the ground again, the radio wave detector 8 transmits the transmission radio wave 15 output from another mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100, which is communicating with the base station. Can be detected. Here, the detection of the transmission radio wave 15 output from the other mobile phone 14 in the vicinity can be estimated that the mobile phone 100 has returned to the service area.
[0051]
Therefore, the radio wave detector 8 generates a radio wave detection signal when detecting the transmission radio wave 15. The radio wave detection signal is digitized by the detection determination circuit 30 and input to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 recognizes that the vehicle has returned to the service area by the signal, and instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S6), thereby returning to the normal standby state. Return (step S1).
[0052]
On the other hand, when the radio wave detector 8 cannot detect the transmission radio wave 15, it is determined that the mobile phone 100 is still out of the service area, and the power saving mode is maintained (steps S4 and S5).
[0053]
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in the power saving mode, by detecting the transmission radio waves output from other nearby mobile phones and estimating the return to the service area, the normal operation state is achieved. Can be more reliably performed.
[0054]
In addition, since a resonance circuit is used as the radio wave detection circuit, no extra power is consumed.
[0055]
[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram for extracting and functionally explaining a portion related to on / off control of the power supply of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0056]
The configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is different from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a radio wave detector which can externally select activation or deactivation instead of radio wave detector 8 of the mobile phone. The configuration is different from that of the first embodiment in that 80 is provided, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.
[0057]
In this configuration, when the control unit 1 receives the out-of-service movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit 2, the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2. A control signal is input to the detector 80 to activate the radio wave detector 80. Thereafter, when receiving the radio wave detection signal from the activated radio wave detector 80, the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2, A control signal is input to the detector 80 to disable the radio wave detector 80.
[0058]
Here, if the radio wave detector 80 is always active irrespective of the normal operation state or the power saving mode, the transmission radio wave output from the mobile phone 100 itself wraps around the radio wave detector 80, Problems such as erroneous detection and deterioration of transmission power may occur. Therefore, the radio wave detector 80 is activated only when the mobile phone 100 is in the power saving mode, and the radio wave detector 80 is disabled when the mobile phone 100 is in the normal operation state, thereby preventing such deterioration of the transmission power and erroneous detection. be able to.
[0059]
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a first configuration example of the radio wave detector 80 of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0060]
In the radio wave detector 80 shown in FIG. 6, a signal B from the control unit 1 is input to the logic circuit 31b of the detection determination circuit 30a in addition to the radio wave detection signal A.
[0061]
Here, by setting the signal B to the Low level, the detection determination circuit 30a is disabled, and erroneous detection due to the radio wave output from the mobile phone 100 wrapping around the radio wave detector 80 can be prevented.
[0062]
On the other hand, by making the signal B high, the detection determination circuit 30a is activated, and the signal A is digitized and sent to the control unit 1.
[0063]
As described above, the on / off of the digitizing operation is controlled by the signal B, and the radio wave detector 80 can be activated or disabled.
[0064]
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a second configuration example of the radio wave detector of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0065]
In the radio wave detector 80 shown in FIG. 7, the switch 33 can simultaneously turn on and off two switches inserted between the coil 22 and the capacitor 23 constituting the resonance circuit of the main part 8b of the radio wave detector 80. . The switch 33 may be configured by an electric switching element or a mechanical switching device. By providing the switch 33 outside the mobile phone 100, control by a mobile phone user becomes possible. Alternatively, by providing the inside of the mobile phone 100, control by an electric signal by the control unit 1 is also possible.
[0066]
Therefore, in the service area, the resonance operation is turned off by the user's manual operation or automatically turning off the switch 33, and the radio wave detector 80 is disabled, so that the transmission power output from the mobile phone 100 is deteriorated. Communication can be performed without causing a problem.
[0067]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart when the power supply voltage control method in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention is executed by software.
[0068]
At the start, it is assumed that the mobile phone 100 is within the service area.
First, the mobile phone 100 is in a standby state and performs normal intermittent reception (step S1). In addition, the display unit 4 displays that it is in the normal operation state.
[0069]
Here, the control unit 1 disables the radio wave detector 80 (Step S10). Specifically, this is realized by inputting a low-level signal B to the logic circuit 31b shown in FIG. 6, or by turning off the switch 33 shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to prevent the radio wave detector 80 from deteriorating the transmission power of the mobile phone 100 itself and from erroneous detection.
[0070]
Next, the wireless processing unit 2 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is within the service area or outside the service area based on the position information obtained by wireless communication with the base station (step S2).
[0071]
As a result, when it is determined that the wireless processing unit 2 is out of the service area and the out-of-service movement detection signal is received from the wireless processing unit 2, the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2. (Step S3). The power supply unit 6 turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S4). Thereby, the mobile phone 100 shifts from the normal operation state to the power saving mode. The display unit 4 displays that the mode has been shifted to the power saving mode.
[0072]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is within the service area, the process returns to step S1, and the standby state is maintained.
[0073]
Further, when the mobile phone 100 shifts to the power saving mode, the control unit 1 activates the radio wave detector 80 (Step S40). Specifically, this is realized by inputting a high-level signal B to the logic circuit 31b shown in FIG. 6 or turning on the switch 33 shown in FIG. This makes it possible to detect the transmission radio wave 15 output from another mobile phone 14 around the mobile phone 100.
[0074]
The activated radio wave detector 80 detects the transmitted radio wave 15 output from the other mobile phone 14 in the vicinity. When detecting the transmission radio wave 15, the radio wave detector 80 generates a radio wave detection signal. Here, as described in the first embodiment, it can be estimated that mobile phone 100 has returned to the service area by detecting transmission radio wave 15. Therefore, when receiving the radio wave detection signal (step S5), the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S6), thereby setting the normal standby state. Return to (Step S1). In response, the radio wave detector 80 is disabled again (step S10).
[0075]
On the other hand, if the transmission radio wave 15 is not detected, it is determined that the mobile phone 100 is still out of the service area, and the mobile phone 100 holds the power saving mode (steps S4, S40, S5).
[0076]
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the transmission radio wave output from the mobile phone itself is detected by disabling the radio wave detection function in the normal operation state and activating it only in the power saving mode. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection and deterioration of transmission power caused by sneaking around the device.
[0077]
[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram functionally illustrating a mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 9, this mobile phone is obtained by adding timer means to the mobile phone according to the second embodiment, and counts a predetermined time and a time set in advance by the control unit 1. The storage device includes a storage unit 12 for storing the data, and a comparator 11 for comparing a clock value and a set value.
[0079]
In this configuration, when receiving the out-of-area movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit 2, the counting unit 10 starts counting time. The comparator 11 compares a predetermined time set in the storage unit 12 with the counted value, and outputs a comparison match signal to the control unit 1 when the two numerical values match. When receiving the comparison coincidence signal, the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 and activates the radio wave detector 80.
[0080]
Also, after the counting unit 10 receives the out-of-coverage movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit 2 and starts counting time, and before the two numerical values match in the comparator 11, the wireless processing unit 2 performs wireless communication with the base station. When detecting that the mobile phone 100 has returned to the service area, the wireless processing unit 2 generates an area return detection signal, stops the timekeeping operation of the counting unit 10 and initializes it. Thus, the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 is kept on while the radio wave detector 80 is disabled.
[0081]
This is because, for example, if the user of the mobile phone 100 moves out of the service area such as in a tunnel while driving in a car or the like, it is highly likely that the mobile phone 100 will return to the outside of the tunnel again after a certain period of time. When the telephone set 100 moves out of the service area, the counting section 10 does not immediately shift to the power saving mode, but starts the timing operation of the counting section 10 and turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing section 2 after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is configured.
[0082]
As a result, even when the mobile phone 100 returns to the service area shortly after moving out of the service area, the mobile phone 100 is in the power saving mode even when the transmission radio wave 15 cannot be detected because no other mobile phone 14 is present in the vicinity. Since the normal operation state is maintained without shifting, the problem that the normal operation state cannot be returned from the power saving mode can be avoided.
[0083]
FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing a method of controlling the power supply voltage of the mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0084]
At the start, it is assumed that the mobile phone 100 is within the service area.
First, the mobile phone 100 is in a standby state and performs normal intermittent reception (step S1).
[0085]
Here, the control unit 1 sets a predetermined time in the storage unit 12 (step S11).
[0086]
Further, the control unit 1 disables the radio wave detector 80 (Step S10). As a result, deterioration of the output power of the mobile phone 100 itself by the radio wave detector 80 and erroneous detection are prevented.
[0087]
Next, the wireless processing unit 2 determines whether the mobile phone 100 is within the service area or outside the service area based on the position information obtained by wireless communication of the base station (step S2). For example, when it is determined that the user of the mobile phone 100 has moved out of the service area due to moving in a tunnel while driving in a car or the like, an out-of-area movement detection signal is generated. The counting unit 10 starts a timekeeping operation according to the out-of-service-area detection signal from the wireless processing unit 2 (step S20).
[0088]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is within the service area, the process returns to step S1, and the standby state is maintained.
[0089]
When the counting operation is started in the counting unit 10 (Step S20), the comparator 11 compares the counted value of the counting unit 10 with the set value of the storage unit 12 (Step S21), and determines whether the two numerical values match. Is checked (step S22). Here, when it is confirmed that the two numerical values match, the comparator 11 generates a comparison match signal. When receiving the comparison match signal, the control unit 1 instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S3).
[0090]
The power supply unit 6 turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2 (step S4), and the mobile phone 100 shifts from the normal operation state to the power saving mode. The display unit 4 displays that the mode has been shifted to the power saving mode.
[0091]
Further, when the control unit 1 activates the radio wave detector 80 (step S40), the radio wave detector 80 detects the transmission radio wave 15 output from the other mobile phone 14 in the vicinity (step S5).
[0092]
As a result, when the transmission radio wave 15 is detected, the control unit 1 receives the radio wave detection signal from the radio wave detector 80 and instructs the power supply unit 6 to turn on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit 2. Then, the process returns to the normal standby state (step S1).
[0093]
On the other hand, if the transmission radio wave 15 is not detected, it is determined that the radio wave is still out of the service area, and the power saving mode is maintained (steps S4, S40, S5).
[0094]
By the way, when the time value of the counting section 10 does not match the set value of the storage section 12 in the above-mentioned step S22 (before a predetermined time has elapsed), the following operation is performed.
[0095]
In parallel with the time counting operation in the counting unit 10, the wireless processing unit 2 searches for a base station (step S23), and determines whether or not the mobile phone 100 has returned to the service area by confirming the position by wireless communication with the base station. A determination is made (step S24). For example, when it is determined that the user of the mobile phone 100 has returned to the outside of the tunnel shortly after moving into the tunnel and is within the service area, the wireless processing unit 2 generates an area return signal. When receiving the return-to-area signal, the counting unit 10 stops the timing operation and initializes it (step S25). As a result, when it is determined that the mobile phone 100 has returned to the service area before the elapse of the predetermined time, the mobile phone 100 maintains the normal operation state without shifting to the power saving mode (step S1).
[0096]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S24 that the user of the mobile phone 100 is still in the tunnel and thus outside the service area, the timer operation is continued (step S21).
[0097]
As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, by providing the timer means for measuring a predetermined time between the movement outside the service area and the transition to the power saving mode, the service area is provided shortly after the movement outside the service area. However, even in a situation where transmitted radio waves output from other nearby mobile phones cannot be detected, the mobile phone retains the normal operation state and cannot return from the power saving mode to the normal operation state. Can be avoided.
[0098]
The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[0099]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the main body of the mobile phone moves out of the service area and shifts to the power saving mode, the radio wave transmitted by the other mobile phones around the mobile phone is detected, whereby the radio processing is performed. By turning on the supply of the power supply voltage to the unit, it is possible to reliably return to the normal operation state.
[0100]
In addition, the radio wave detection function is disabled in the normal operation state and activated only in the power saving mode, thereby preventing erroneous detection and deterioration of the transmission power that may be caused by detecting the transmission radio wave output from the mobile phone itself. It becomes possible.
[0101]
Also, by providing a timer means for measuring a predetermined time from the time when the mobile phone moves out of the service area to the time when the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit is turned off, the service can be performed immediately after the mobile phone body moves out of the service area. Even if the mobile phone returns to the area, but cannot detect the transmitted radio wave output from other nearby mobile phones, it can save power by maintaining the normal operation state without turning off the power supply. It is possible to avoid the problem that the power mode cannot return to the normal operation state.
[0102]
Note that the radio wave detector is constituted by a resonance circuit and does not require supply of a power supply voltage, so that a power load is not applied to the power supply unit and the battery, and further power saving can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for extracting and functionally describing a part related to on / off control of a power supply of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a configuration of a radio wave detector in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a radio wave detector including a detection determination circuit in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a power supply voltage in the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for extracting and functionally describing a portion related to power on / off control of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a first configuration example of a radio wave detector in a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a second configuration example of the radio wave detector in the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a power supply voltage in a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram for extracting and functionally describing a portion related to turning on / off a power supply of a mobile phone according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first half of a power supply voltage control method in the mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the power supply voltage control method in the mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram for extracting and functionally describing a portion related to power on / off control of an example of a conventional mobile phone.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 control unit, 2 radio processing unit, 3 antennas, 4 display unit, 5 input unit, 6 power supply unit, 7 battery, 8 radio wave detector, 8a, 8b radio wave detector main unit, 80 radio wave with detection judgment circuit Detector, 10 counting unit, 11 comparator, 12 storage unit, 14 other mobile phones around the mobile phone 100, 15 transmission radio waves output from the other mobile phones 14, 21 Schottky diode, 22 coils, 23, 24 capacitors, 25, 26, 28 resistors, 27 transistors, 30, 30a detection and determination circuit, 31a logic circuit, 31b logic circuit, 32 power supply voltage, 33 switch, 100 mobile phone, 101 acceleration sensor, 102 service area determination unit, 103 clock unit, 1a Power control unit.

Claims (10)

A mobile phone that communicates in a specific frequency band within a service area,
A control unit for controlling the operation of each unit of the mobile phone,
A radio processing unit that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the base station,
A power supply unit for supplying a power supply voltage to at least the wireless processing unit;
A radio wave detector that detects radio waves in the specific frequency band around the mobile phone and generates a radio wave detection signal,
The wireless processing unit detects that the mobile phone has moved from the service area to the outside of the service area, and generates an out-of-service movement detection signal.
The control unit turns off the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply unit to the wireless processing unit when receiving the out-of-service movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit, and turns off the power supply when receiving the radio wave detection signal from the radio wave detector. A cellular phone for turning on supply of a power supply voltage from the unit to the wireless processing unit. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave detector includes a resonance circuit that generates the radio wave detection signal in response to a radio wave in the specific frequency band. The mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein the radio wave detector further includes a logic circuit for digitizing the generated radio wave detection signal. The control unit turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit and activates the radio wave detector, and disables the radio wave detector while turning on the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit. The mobile phone according to claim 1. Further comprising timer means for measuring a predetermined time when receiving the out-of-service movement detection signal from the wireless processing unit,
5. The mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein after the predetermined time is measured by the timer unit, the control unit turns off the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit and activates the radio wave detector. The wireless processing unit generates a service area return signal when detecting that the mobile phone has returned to the service area from outside the service area before the predetermined time is measured,
The timer means, upon receiving the service return signal, stops measuring the predetermined time and initializes it.
6. The mobile phone according to claim 5, wherein, when receiving the return-to-area detection signal, the control unit keeps the supply of the power supply voltage to the wireless processing unit on while keeping the radio wave detector disabled. The mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein the radio wave detector includes a resonance circuit that generates the radio wave detection signal in response to a radio wave in the specific frequency band. 8. The resonance circuit includes switch means for turning on and off the resonance operation, and the control unit activates or disables the radio wave detector by controlling on / off of the switch means. A mobile phone according to claim 1. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the radio wave detector further includes a logic circuit for digitizing the generated radio wave detection signal. The logic circuit includes a logic element for turning on / off the digitizing operation,
The mobile phone according to claim 9, wherein the control unit activates or disables the radio wave detector by controlling on / off of the logic element.

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