JP2005057654A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily restrict a prescribed function to be carried out. <P>SOLUTION: A portable information terminal can perform a camera function, a speech communication function, a telephone directory function and an image output function. The portable information table is provided with an instruction receiving means (S02) for receiving instructions for starting respective operations of the plurality of functions, and an inhibiting means (the other instructions in S02) for inhibiting the operations of the speech communication function, the telephone directory function and the image output function when the operation starts of the speech communication function, the telephone directory function and the image output function are received while the camera function operates (S01). Just the operation of the camera function can inhibit the operations of the speech communication function, the telephone directory function and the image output function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal, and more particularly to a portable information terminal capable of executing a plurality of functions.

  Recently, many portable information terminals are equipped with a camera. For this reason, the portable information terminal may be handed over to the other person's hand when requesting another person to take a picture using the camera. In general, a portable information terminal has a telephone directory function in addition to a call function. Since the call function uses a communication network provided by a communication carrier, when the call function is executed, a communication fee is charged according to the call. The telephone directory function stores information related to the communication partner, for example, various personal information such as name, e-mail address, telephone number, and memo.

  Since the portable information terminal has these call functions and phone book functions, anyone who knows how to operate them can execute these functions. For this reason, when the owner of the portable information terminal hands over the portable information terminal to a third party for shooting using the camera function, the call function or the phone book function is not executed by the third party. You may feel anxiety about it.

  For this reason, there are portable information terminals that can be set to prohibit execution of only specific functions such as a phone book function and a call function, but setting operations for restricting only certain functions are complicated. Therefore, there was a problem that it was bothersome and not used much.

For this reason, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-345924 (Patent Document 1) describes a technique for restricting functions that can be used for each user to use in order to prohibit execution of a specific function. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146057 (Patent Document 2) describes a technique for performing personal authentication using voice data or fingerprint data to prevent unauthorized use of a mobile phone.
JP 2001-345924 A JP-A-11-146057

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is necessary to identify a user in order to execute a certain function. In addition, when a third party operates the camera function only for a short time during the execution of the camera function, it is often handed over to the third party after operating the camera function on the portable information terminal. In this case, personal authentication cannot be performed for a third party, and the third party can execute a telephone directory function, a telephone call function, and the like other than the camera function.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal capable of easily restricting execution of a predetermined function. It is.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable information terminal capable of preventing personal information of a user from being known to others.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a portable information terminal is a portable information terminal capable of executing a plurality of functions, and for starting operations of each of the plurality of functions. When the instruction accepting means for accepting the instruction and the start of the second function different from the first function are accepted while the first function of the plurality of functions is in operation, the second function is executed. And prohibiting means for prohibiting the above.

  According to the present invention, when the start of the operation of the second function is accepted while the first function of the plurality of functions is operating, the execution of the second function is prohibited. For this reason, the second function is not executed while the first function is operating. As a result, it is possible to provide a portable information terminal that can easily limit execution of a predetermined function.

  Preferably, identification information input means for receiving input of identification information for identifying an individual, and control for terminating the operation of the first function on condition that predetermined identification information is input by the identification information input means. And a control means for performing.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the first function is terminated on condition that predetermined identification information is input. For this reason, execution of the second function is prohibited until predetermined identification information is input. As a result, users who can release the prohibition of execution of the second function can be limited to predetermined individuals.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes identification information input means for receiving input of identification information for identifying an individual, and setting means for setting whether to prohibit the prohibition means on condition that the identification information is input. Prohibits the execution of the second function on the condition that activation is set by the setting means.

  According to the present invention, whether to activate the prohibition means is set on the condition that identification information for identifying an individual is input. The execution of the second function is prohibited on the condition that activation is set. For this reason, the user who can perform the setting for prohibiting the execution of the second function can be restricted to a predetermined individual.

  Preferably, storage means for storing the second function in advance in association with the first function is further provided.

  Preferably, the first function is a camera photographing function.

  According to the present invention, the operation of other functions is prohibited while the camera photographing function is operating. For this reason, operations other than the camera photographing function can be easily restricted.

  Preferably, the second function includes a function of outputting user personal information.

  According to the present invention, execution of the function for outputting the user's personal information is prohibited while the camera photographing function is in operation. For this reason, for example, even if the portable information terminal is operated by another person while operating the camera photographing function, the personal information of the user is not output. For this reason, the portable information terminal which can prevent a user's personal information being known to others can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a portable information terminal according to one embodiment. The portable information terminal 1 includes a control unit 12 for controlling the entire portable information terminal 1, a wireless unit 11 for wireless communication, a storage unit 13 including a semiconductor memory for storing information, and information. A display unit 14 for displaying, an operation unit 15 for receiving a predetermined operation by a user, an input unit 16 for inputting data from the outside, an output unit 17 for outputting data to the outside, and a mobile phone A power supply unit 18 for supplying power to the information terminal 1, a camera 19 for capturing a subject image, and a microphone 20 for inputting sound are included.

  The control unit 12 is a central processing unit (CPU) and controls each unit constituting the portable information terminal 1. The wireless unit 11 transmits to a communication line, an access point of an Internet provider, and the like, transmits a data request signal and data, and receives and decodes a call signal including data. The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the control unit 12 and information used when the program is executed. The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays various types of information such as the operating state of the portable information terminal 1. The operation unit 15 is a button switch for operating the portable information terminal 1 and includes a numeric keypad. The operation unit 15 can input alphanumeric characters, kana, katakana, and the like by being operated by the user.

  The input unit 16 is an interface for receiving external data input. The input unit 16 includes an imaging unit for reading a user's fingerprint. The output unit 17 includes a speaker for outputting sound and an interface for outputting data to an externally connected device. The input unit 16 and the output unit 17 are connected to an external information terminal, for example, another portable information terminal or a computer by wire or wirelessly, and input or output data.

  The power source unit 18 is a built-in battery for supplying power for driving each unit constituting the portable information terminal 1. The power supply unit 18 is preferably a secondary battery and has a charging function. The camera 19 is a camera for capturing a subject image, and the captured image may be a still image or a moving image. The microphone 20 accepts voice input.

  The mobile information terminal 1 in the present embodiment normally functions as a mobile phone. The analog sound input from the microphone 20 is converted into digital sound data, and then encoded and output from the wireless unit 11. In addition, the encoded data received from the wireless unit 11 is decoded, the decoded digital audio data is converted into analog audio, and output from the speaker of the output unit 17. Thereby, the call function of the mobile phone is realized.

  The portable information terminal 1 has a telephone book function. The portable information terminal 1 is phonebook data in which destination information for specifying a destination of a communication partner such as a telephone number and an e-mail address is associated with identification information for identifying a communication partner such as a name and a name. Is stored in the storage unit 13. The phone book function includes a browsing function, a search function, and the like in addition to the storage function for storing such phone book data. The browsing function is a function for displaying the phone book data stored in the storage unit 13 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user. For example, when a keyword such as the name or name of a person who is a call partner is input, the search function is a function for outputting destination information of a communication partner that matches the keyword.

  Further, the portable information terminal 1 has a camera function for photographing a subject with the camera 19. The camera function includes an image storage function for storing image data obtained by photographing with the camera 19 in the storage unit 13. This image storage function includes storing image data input from another device connected to the outside via the input unit 16 in the storage unit 13.

  Further, the portable information terminal 1 has an image display function for outputting the image data stored in the storage unit 13 to the display unit 14.

  The portable information terminal 1 in the present embodiment has an unauthorized operation prevention function. This unauthorized operation prevention function is a function that restricts execution of other functions (subordinate functions) when a specific function (specific function) is being executed. In other words, while the specific function is being executed, the subordinate function is prohibited from being executed. For this reason, the storage unit 13 stores a related table in which specific functions and dependent functions are associated with each other. Here, the specific function is a camera function, and all other functions, that is, a phone book function, a call function, and an image display function are stored as subordinate functions associated with the camera function.

  This association table is an example, and the specific function is not limited to the camera function, and other functions may be assigned. The subordinate function may be a function different from the specific function, and is not limited to the number. For example, the specific function may be a camera function and the subordinate function may be a phone book function. Further, the association table may be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the portable information terminal 1 so as not to be rewritten, or may be created by the user of the portable information terminal 1.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the unauthorized operation prevention process executed by the portable information terminal according to the present embodiment. The unauthorized operation prevention process is a process performed by the control unit 12 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 13. Further, the unauthorized operation prevention process is a process while the specific function, here, the camera function is being executed.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the camera function is activated in portable information terminal 1 (step S01). Then, in the next step S02, it is determined whether or not an operation instruction has been input. The operation instruction here means pressing of a camera shutter button included in the operation unit 15 for instructing imaging of a subject by the camera 19, activation operation of a telephone directory function, activation operation of a call function, activation operation of an image display function. , Including an end instruction operation for ending the execution of the camera function. The operation instruction is determined based on detection of a button pressed by the user on the operation unit 15.

  If the operation instruction is an instruction related to the camera function, the process proceeds to step S03. If the operation instruction is an end instruction operation, the process proceeds to step S04. If the operation instruction is any other operation, the process returns to step S02. That is, while the camera function is being executed, operations other than the camera function operation and the camera function end instruction operation are not accepted.

  In step S04, user authentication is executed. In the user authentication, for example, a personal identification number is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 as an identification number for specifying the true owner, and the number input from the operation unit 15 matches the stored personal identification number. In this case, it is determined that the user is the true owner of the portable information terminal 1. The identification number is not limited to numbers, but may be characters or a combination of characters and numbers. Further, the fingerprint of the true owner may be used instead of the password. In this case, the fingerprint is read by the imaging unit of the input unit 16. In addition, as a technology for authenticating the true owner, a technology for inputting a user's voice and authenticating based on the voice, a technology for authenticating based on a combination of keys to be pressed, and authentication based on an input image It is possible to apply a technology for performing authentication and a technology for performing authentication based on information input from an external device via radio.

  In step S05, the result of user authentication in step S04 is determined. If the result of the user authentication is true, the process proceeds to step S06. If the result is false, the process returns to step S02. In other words, the process proceeds to step S06 only when the end instruction is operated by the true owner of the portable information terminal 1.

  In step S06, processing for ending the camera function is executed. Thereby, once the camera function is activated in the portable information terminal 1, the camera function is terminated only when an end instruction is operated by the true owner of the portable information terminal 1.

  On the other hand, in step S03, processing according to the operation instruction of the camera function is executed. The camera function operation instruction is, for example, pressing of a camera shutter button. As a result, image data obtained by capturing a subject image with the camera 19 is stored in the storage unit 13. Further, since the process according to the operation instruction for the camera function does not require user authentication, the operation instruction is accepted and executed regardless of who the operator is. For this reason, even if the portable information terminal 1 is set to the camera function and then handed to the third party, the camera function can be executed.

  Once the camera function is activated, if there is an operation instruction related to a function (subordinate function) other than the camera function (specific function) (“other instructions” in step S02), the operation instruction is accepted. However, execution of dependent functions is prohibited. For this reason, when the portable information terminal 1 is handed over to another person after the camera function is activated on the portable information terminal 1, the telephone book function, the call function, and the image display function are prevented from being activated by others. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the subordinate functions are all functions other than the specific function (camera function). However, the subordinate function may be at least one function selected from functions other than the specific function. Good. In this case, if there is an instruction to activate the dependent function in step S02, the process returns to step S02. This prohibits execution of the dependent function.

  In the present embodiment, the subordinate functions are the phone book function, the telephone call function, and the image display function. However, the subordinate functions may be a telephone book function and an image display function that allow browsing of the owner's personal information. Thus, it is possible to prevent personal information from being known to others. That is, if the portable information terminal 1 is handed over to another person after the camera function is activated, the telephone directory function and the image display function are not executed, so that it is possible to prevent other people from viewing personal information without permission. be able to.

  Execution of the call function usually charges the call charge to the true owner. If the call function is a subordinate function, if the portable information terminal 1 is handed over to another person after the camera function is activated, the call function is not activated without permission by another person, and the call charge is charged for the other person. Can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, when the camera function is executed, the phone book function, the call function, and the image display function are always prohibited from being executed, but only when the function restriction is set. The unauthorized use prevention process described above may be executed. The timing for setting the function restriction may be when the camera function is activated, for example, when the camera is activated, may be set in advance before the camera function is activated, or may be set when the mobile information terminal 1 is turned on. .

  In this case, the function restriction may be released on condition that it is detected that the user by the user authentication is a true owner. In this way, the unauthorized use prevention process is not executed after the function restriction is released. That is, after the function restriction is released, the telephone book function, the call function, and the image display function can be executed even while the camera function is being executed.

<Variation of unauthorized use prevention processing>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of another unauthorized use prevention process executed by the portable information terminal in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the camera function is activated in portable information terminal 1 (step S11). Then, in the next step S12, it is determined whether or not an operation instruction has been input. If the operation instruction is a function restriction setting operation, the process proceeds to step S13. If the operation instruction is a function restriction release operation, the process proceeds to step S16. If the operation instruction is related to a camera function, the process proceeds to step S19. If so, the process proceeds to step S20, and if the operation is other than those, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S13, user authentication is executed, and in step S14, the result of the user authentication is determined. If the result of the user authentication is true, the process proceeds to step S15. If the result is false, the process skips step S15 and returns to step S12. In step S15, function restrictions are set. That is, the function restriction is set only when a function restriction setting operation is performed by the true owner of the portable information terminal 1.

  In step S16, user authentication is executed, and in step S17, the result of the user authentication is determined. If the result of the user authentication is true, the process proceeds to step S18. If the result is false, the process skips step S18 and returns to step S12. In step S18, the function restriction is released. That is, the function restriction is released only when the function restriction release operation is performed by the true owner of the portable information terminal 1.

  In step S19, processing in accordance with the operation instruction for the camera function is executed. The camera function operation instruction is, for example, pressing of a camera shutter button. As a result, image data obtained by capturing a subject image with the camera 19 is stored in the storage unit 13. Further, since the process according to the operation instruction for the camera function does not require user authentication, the operation instruction is accepted and executed regardless of who the operator is. For this reason, even if the portable information terminal 1 is set to the camera function and then handed to the third party, the camera function can be executed.

  In step S20, it is determined whether or not the function restriction is set. If it is set, the process returns to step S12, and if it is not set, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, processing for ending the camera function is executed. Thereby, in the portable information terminal 1, once the camera function is activated and the function restriction is set, the camera function is not finished unless the function restriction is released.

  In step S22, it is determined whether or not function restriction is set. If it is set, the process returns to step S12. If not set, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, processing according to the input operation instruction is executed. That is, when the function restriction is not set, the telephone book function, the telephone call function, and the image display function can be executed.

  In the modified unauthorized use prevention process, the true owner can arbitrarily switch between setting and releasing the function restriction. For this reason, whether or not to prohibit a specific function, that is, a function other than the camera function, can be determined by the intention of the true owner. As a result, it is possible to limit users who can perform settings for prohibiting the execution of functions other than the camera function to predetermined individuals.

  As described above, the mobile information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment has the phone book function and the call function when the start of the phone book function, the call function and the image display function is accepted while the camera function is operating. And the execution of the image display function is prohibited. For this reason, it is possible to easily limit the execution of the phone book function, the call function, and the image display function during the execution of the camera function.

  The operation of the camera function is terminated on condition that the true owner is identified by the user authentication. For this reason, the phone book function, the call function, and the image display function are prohibited from being executed until the true owner is identified by the user authentication. As a result, it is possible to limit users who can cancel the prohibition of execution of the telephone directory function, the telephone call function, and the image display function to true owners.

  In addition, it is possible to set the function to be restricted on the condition that the true owner is identified by the user authentication, and to execute the phone book function, the call function, and the image display function on the condition that the function restriction is set. Is prohibited. For this reason, the user who can perform the function restriction setting for prohibiting the execution of the telephone directory function, the telephone call function, and the image display function can be restricted to the true owner.

  Further, the telephone directory function and the image display function for outputting the user's personal information are prohibited from being executed while the camera function is operating. For this reason, even if the portable information terminal 1 is operated by another person while operating the camera function, personal information of the user is not output. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the personal information of the user from being known to others.

  Further, since the relationship between the specific function and the dependent function is stored in the storage unit 13 in the storage unit 13, a function prohibited from being used by a third party can be set in advance. For example, by using the specific function as a camera function and the subordinate functions as a call function and a telephone directory function, it is possible to restrict access to personal information while using the camera function. On the other hand, the image display function for browsing images can be set to be unrestricted. For example, if the specific function is an image output function and the subordinate functions are a camera function, a phone book function, and a call function, execution of the camera function, the phone book function, and the call function is prohibited during the execution of the image display function. be able to.

  In addition, since the relationship between the specific function and the dependent function stored in the storage unit 13 can be changed, the function that prohibits execution can be changed by the user's intention.

  Furthermore, according to the portable information terminal 1 of the present embodiment, when there is a need for a third party to operate, functions other than the function that the user needs to operate without performing complicated work are provided. It can be restricted so that it cannot be used.

  In addition, although the portable information terminal 1 in this Embodiment demonstrated the example provided with a camera function, a telephone call function, a telephone directory function, and an image output function, the function with which the portable information terminal 1 is provided is not limited to this, There may be fewer functions than these, and in addition to these functions, other functions such as a function of storing and outputting contents such as voice and music, an e-mail transmission / reception function, and the like may be provided.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points 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.

It is a figure which shows the whole portable information terminal outline | summary in one of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the unauthorized use prevention process performed with the portable information terminal in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of another unauthorized use prevention process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information terminal, 11 Wireless part, 12 Control part, 13 Storage part, 14 Display part, 15 Operation part, 16 Input part, 17 Output part, 18 Power supply part, 19 Camera, 20 Microphone

Claims (6)

A portable information terminal capable of performing a plurality of functions,
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction for starting the operation of each of the plurality of functions;
Prohibition of prohibiting execution of second function when start of operation of second function different from first function is accepted during operation of first function of the plurality of functions And a portable information terminal. Identification information input means for receiving input of identification information for identifying an individual;
2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs control to end the operation of the first function on condition that predetermined identification information is input by the identification information input unit. Identification information input means for receiving input of identification information for identifying an individual;
Further comprising setting means for setting whether to activate the prohibition means on condition of input of the identification information;
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the prohibiting unit prohibits execution of the second function on condition that activation is set by the setting unit.   The portable information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for previously storing the second function in association with the first function.   The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first function is a camera photographing function.   The portable information terminal according to claim 5, wherein the second function includes a function of outputting personal information of the user.

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