JP2005268983A - Mobile terminal and mobile terminal system with automatic dial lock release function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal that is provided with a touch sensor for recognizing a touch with the mobile terminal by a person, decreases a wait time up to a usable state by starting a lock release sequence processing when a user has the mobile terminal in its hand so as to improve the ease of use and to provide a mobile terminal system with an automatic dial lock function. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile terminal disclosed herein is provided with the touch sensor, carries out the lock release sequence when a person touches with the touch sensor so as to avoid the user from feeling a lock release time. When the user leaves the hand from the touch sensor, since the mobile terminal is automatically locked, unlocking due to leave-behind on the way of operations can be prevented in advance. Thus, in an automatic dial lock system of a conventional mobile terminal, since the lock release sequence takes place at transmission or on the occurrence of an operation request during the operation of the mobile terminal by the user, the user has to await the operation of the mobile terminal until the lock release time is finished. Further, since the lock release state is maintained until the operation of a memory access is finished when the lock is once released, a problem that a third party can use the mobile terminal if the mobile terminal is missing during operations is solved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic dial lock function of a mobile terminal, and more particularly to a mobile terminal that improves user convenience when releasing the automatic dial lock function.

  In recent years, cases in which mobile phones are used by third parties and suffer enormous damages are increasing, and the need for security protection of mobile phones is increasing. Several methods and devices for realizing security protection of mobile phones have been devised, and there is a method generally referred to as an automatic dial lock function as a function for preventing operation of the mobile phone from being accepted. Here, in order to cancel the automatic dial lock function, it is canceled by inputting a personal identification number.

On the other hand, the automatic dial lock system of the conventional mobile phone, which saves the trouble of inputting the PIN code every time it is used and improves the convenience for the user, uses a lock release device that is separate from the mobile phone. When the user holds the handset to use the mobile phone and the input key is used to make a call or perform operations such as memory dialing, the unlock code is read from the code memory circuit and the unlock code is turned into a weak radio wave. The unlocking device performs authentication calculation with the ID stored therein based on the received unlock code, and transmits the authentication calculation result to the mobile phone. There is a system in which the mobile phone compares the authentication calculation result stored in itself with the authentication calculation result received from the lock release device, and releases the lock if the results match. As a result, the user can save the trouble of inputting the password every time it is used, and the convenience is improved. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
JP 2001-245354 A

  However, in the automatic dial lock system for a mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, an unlock sequence for unlocking occurs when a call is issued or when an access operation request for personal information such as a memory dial is generated. That is, since the unlock sequence is started after the user operates the mobile phone, the user waits for the processing time until the unlock sequence is completed. That is, even if the input is started, the mobile phone cannot be used during the unlocking processing time, so that there is a problem that the waiting time until the usable state becomes long and the usability is poor.

  In addition, once the lock is released, the lock release state is maintained until the access operation to the personal information such as the memory dial is completed. If the mobile phone is lost during the operation, it can be used by a third party as it is. There was also the problem of becoming possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a touch sensor for recognizing that a person has touched the mobile terminal in a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal system with an automatic dial lock function, and perform unlocking sequence processing when the user holds the mobile terminal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal and a portable terminal system with an automatic dial lock function that shortens the waiting time until it can be used by starting and improves convenience.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an unlock ID storage unit for storing unlock ID information, an unlock ID transmitter for transmitting a request signal for unlock ID information, and unlock ID information from an external device. A lock release ID receiving unit, a touch sensor that detects that a person has touched, and a control unit that controls the machine, and has a dial lock function, wherein the control unit includes: When the touch sensor detects that the person has touched, the unlock ID transmitting unit transmits a request signal for unlock ID information to the external device, and the unlock ID receiving unit receives the unlock ID from the external device. Information is received, and the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit matches the unlock ID information received by the unlock ID receiver. When the, and controls so as to release the dial lock function of its own mobile terminal.

  Thereby, for example, when the user holds the mobile phone 10, the unlocking sequence processing starts, so that the user can input the mobile phone 10 and input the input device 15 until the user inputs the release processing. Therefore, it is expected that the input operation can be performed immediately, and convenience is improved. In other words, since the unlock sequence occurs when the user holds the mobile phone to use the mobile phone, the lock is released when the user operates the mobile phone. I don't feel time.

  In addition, the control unit operates a dial lock function when the touch sensor does not detect that a person has touched the touch sensor. As a result, when the hand is released from the touch sensor, the lock is automatically applied, and there is an effect that the use by a third party due to loss or misplacement during the operation becomes impossible.

  In addition, a portable terminal system is provided in which the external device is a ring type RFID. As a result, the external device, which is a lock release device, can be miniaturized and fit on a finger, so that it is convenient to carry and the lock release device is not lost. Further, by using the RFID chip, it is not necessary to prepare a power source for the unlocking device, and the size can be reduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable terminal which improved the convenience, and the portable terminal system with an automatic dial lock function can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a mobile phone will be described as an example of a mobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a PDA, a PHS, and the like are also examples of mobile terminals.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone system with an automatic dial lock release function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a mobile phone, and 20 is a lock release device. In the mobile phone 10, reference numeral 11 denotes a control unit that controls the entire mobile phone 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives voice or data to / from the radio base station, and 113 denotes a transmission / reception control unit that controls the transmission / reception unit 12. 13 is a display unit for displaying various information from the control unit 11 so as to be understood by the user, and 15 is provided with a keyboard or the like. When the user presses the keyboard, operation control information or This is an input device for notifying data such as a calling party number. Reference numeral 16 denotes a touch sensor that is arranged at a position to be touched when a person holds the mobile phone 10 and detects that the person has touched. A CPU 110 reads out a program from a ROM (Read Only Memory) 111 storing a program and executes the program using a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 which is a data processing area in order to realize various functions of the mobile phone 10. (Central Processing Unit). Reference numeral 17 denotes an unlock ID storage unit in which unlock ID information used as authentication when unlocking is recorded. Reference numeral 18 denotes an unlock request transmission unit that transmits an unlock request signal using weak radio waves. Reference numeral 19 denotes an unlock ID receiving unit that receives unlock ID information transmitted from the unlock device 20 using weak radio waves. In the unlock device 20, reference numeral 22 denotes an unlock ID information recording unit in which the same unlock ID information as the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit 17 is recorded. Reference numeral 23 denotes an unlock request receiving unit that receives the unlock request signal transmitted by the weak radio wave from the unlock request transmitting unit 18. Reference numeral 24 denotes an unlock ID transmitting unit that transmits the unlock ID information from the unlock ID information recording unit 22 by weak radio waves. A power supply unit 14 supplies power to each unit of the mobile phone 10. A power supply unit 21 supplies power to each unit of the lock release device 20.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the automatic dial lock according to the present invention will be described. Here, the mobile phone 10 is described as being equipped with an automatic dial lock function and is set to operate the automatic dial lock function. When the CPU 110 receives a detection signal notifying that a person has touched the touch sensor 16, the CPU 110 instructs the unlock request transmission unit 18 to transmit the unlock request signal. Upon receiving this command, the lock release request transmission unit 18 transmits a lock release request signal to the lock release device 20 using a weak radio wave.

  In the unlocking device 20, when the unlock request receiving unit 23 receives the unlock request signal on the weak radio wave from the unlock request transmitting unit 18 of the mobile phone 10, the unlock request receiving unit 23 digitally receives the weak radio signal. Convert to electrical signal. When receiving the unlock request signal converted into an electrical signal, the unlock ID information storage unit 22 stores the same unlock ID information as the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit 17 of the mobile phone 10 in advance. When the unlock request signal is received from the unlock request receiver 23, the unlock ID information storage unit 22 sends the recorded unlock ID information to the unlock ID transmitter 24. Receiving the unlock ID information, the unlock ID transmitting unit 24 transmits the unlock ID information to the mobile phone 10 using a weak radio wave.

  The lock release ID reception unit 19 of the mobile phone 10 receives the lock release ID information on the weak radio wave transmitted from the lock release ID transmission unit 24 of the lock release device 20. The unlock ID receiving unit 19 converts the received weak radio signal into a digital electric signal, and outputs the unlock ID information converted into the electric signal to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 compares the unlocking ID information received from the unlocking device 20 with the unlocking ID information stored in advance in the unlocking ID storage unit 17 of the mobile phone 10, and if they match, the automatic dialing of the mobile phone 10 is performed. Release the lock function (for example, key lock, fixed setting screen display). As a result, the unlocking sequence process starts when the user holds the mobile phone 10, and thus the unlocking process is completed before the user can input the mobile phone 10 and input from the input device 15. In addition, it is expected that an input operation can be performed immediately, and convenience is improved. If the unlock ID information does not match, the automatic dial lock function is not released.

  In this embodiment, the unlocking sequence process is within one second, and it usually takes one second or more to hold the mobile phone 10 in touch with the hand, so that the unlocking sequence process ends. It is possible to perform an input operation immediately.

  Further, when the user releases the mobile phone 10 during the access operation to the personal information such as the memory dial after the automatic dial lock function is released, the detection signal from the touch sensor 16 disappears, so the CPU 110 performs the automatic dial lock. Activate the function. This has the effect of making it impossible for a third party other than a specific user (such as an authorized owner) of the mobile phone to use it due to loss or misplacement.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the communicable distance of the weak radio wave is about 1 to 2 m. This is because the authorized owner releases the automatic dial lock function when the mobile phone is held in his / her hand, and the lock release device is often in a pocket or a bag held in the hand. Was set to 1 to 2 m. Needless to say, the communicable distance is not limited to this, and may be any distance longer or shorter than 1 to 2 m.

  Further, the communication medium for signals exchanged between the mobile phone 10 and the lock release device 20 is not limited to radio waves, and for example, electromagnetic induction, infrared rays, visible light, or the like may be used.

  The flow of operation processing of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic dial lock system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a specific user (authorized owner) or a service provider of the mobile phone 10 uses predetermined unlock ID information set in advance for the unlock ID storage unit 17 and the unlock device 20 of the mobile phone 10. The lock release ID information storage unit 22 is stored using a writing means such as a personal computer (not shown), a dedicated writing tool, or a ROM writer. The unlocking ID information may be input to the unlocking ID storage unit 17 and the unlocking ID information storage unit 22 via the input device 15. In addition, when the mobile phone 10 is turned on, the mobile phone 10 is in an automatic dial function operating state (hereinafter, locked state).

  The case where the authorized owner has the unlocking device 20 will be described. The mobile phone 10 is normally in a standby state when the power is turned on, communication is in an OFF state, information displayed on the display unit 13 is displayed as preset screen information, and input from a keyboard or the like excluding the power key is performed. The key input of the device 15 is invalidated and the mobile phone 10 is locked (step S1). When a person is not using the mobile phone 10, since the person is not touching the touch sensor 16, a touch signal is not generated from the touch sensor 16, and the mobile phone 10 maintains a locked state and waits for input of a touch signal. Is maintained (step S2). When a person has the mobile phone 10, a touch signal is sent from the touch sensor 16 to the CPU 110. When the CPU 110 receives the contact signal from the touch sensor 16, it transmits a lock release request signal from the lock release request transmission unit 18 to the lock release device 20 using a weak radio wave (step S3). When the unlock request receiving unit 23 of the unlock device 20 receives the weak radio wave transmitted from the unlock request transmitting unit 18 of the mobile phone 10, the unlock device 20 stores the lock stored in the unlock ID information storage unit 22. The release ID information is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 via the lock release ID transmission unit 24 using weak radio waves (step S4). The cellular phone 10 receives the unlocking ID information of the weak radio wave transmitted from the unlocking ID transmission unit 24 of the unlocking device 20 by the unlocking ID receiving unit 19 and converts the unlocking ID information into a digital electric signal. The cellular phone 10 compares the unlock ID information received from the unlock device 20 with the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit 17 by the CPU 110 (step S5). In addition to releasing the lock, the display unit 13 is enabled and information is displayed (step S6). As a result, the user can operate the mobile phone 10 with the key lock and the display screen unlocked. Here, while operating the mobile phone 10, the user always touches the touch sensor 16, and the contact signal from the touch sensor 16 is always input to the CPU 110. Continue to maintain (step S7). Thereby, it can be expected that an input operation can be performed immediately after being held in the hand, and convenience is improved.

  In the above description, the unlocking ID information of the mobile phone 10 and the unlocking ID information of the unlocking device 20 are described without performing processing such as computation, but processing such as computation is performed on the unlocking ID information. You may do it.

  When the user releases the hand from the mobile phone 10 that is unlocked in step S6, the hand is released from the touch sensor 16 of the mobile phone 10, and the contact signal from the touch sensor 16 disappears. When the contact signal is not detected (step S7) and the mobile phone 10 is in the communication state, the communication is turned off, the information displayed on the display unit 13 is set to a fixed screen display set in advance, and the input device 15 such as a keyboard is used. Key input is disabled and the mobile phone 10 is locked (step S10). Then, the mobile phone 10 waits for a contact signal from the touch sensor 16 (step S2).

  Here, when the lock state is set in step S10, information up to that time may be stored in the RAM 112 or the like. By doing in this way, since the previous information can be utilized when a regular user uses again, the convenience improves.

  A case where a third party who does not have the lock release device 20 tries to use the mobile phone 10 will be described. At this time, since the third party touches the touch sensor 16 in an attempt to use the mobile phone 10, a contact signal is sent from the touch sensor 16 to the CPU 110. When the CPU 110 detects this contact signal (step S2), a lock release request signal is transmitted from the lock release request transmission unit 18 with a weak radio wave (step S3). However, since the third party does not have the unlocking device 20, the unlocking ID information is not transmitted to the mobile phone 10. Therefore, the unlock ID receiving unit 19 of the mobile phone 10 cannot receive the unlock ID information, and a mismatch occurs when compared with the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit 17 (step S5). . When a mismatch of unlock ID information has occurred, if the mismatch of unlock ID is less than five times, the process returns to step S2 again to perform an unlock ID confirmation operation (step S8). If the mismatch of the unlock ID information reaches five times, the CPU 110 invalidates all the contact signals input from the touch sensor 16 and stops the authentication process (step S9). In this state, the mobile phone 10 is in a fully locked state in which it does not respond to any input from the input device 15 other than the power key, and the user cannot use the mobile phone 10. This has the effect of making it impossible for a third party other than a specific user (such as an authorized owner) of the mobile phone to use it due to loss or misplacement.

  Next, the unlocking method by the password input from the input device 15 when the authentication process is stopped in step S9 and all locks are established will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order for the user to perform the full unlocking operation of the mobile phone 10 again, it is necessary to press the power key of the input device 15. By pressing the power key of the input device 15, the mobile phone 10 is turned off (step S11). The user turns the mobile phone 10 into a power-on state by releasing the full lock state (step S13) by long pressing the power key of the mobile phone 10 from the power-off state (step S11) (step S12). After that, when the power key is pressed in a short time in step S14, the process proceeds to the unlocking sequence process (steps S14 and (1)) for performing the authentication process, and the touch signal waiting state from the touch sensor 16 in step S2 of FIG. If the power key is pressed for a long time in step S14, the CPU 110 detects that the power key is pressed for a long time from the input device 15 (step S14, Yes) and waits for a password input by the input key from the input device 15 (Step S15). The user inputs the password by typing the input device 15. The input password is compared with the password stored in advance in the unlock ID storage unit 17 by the CPU 110 (step S16). If they match (step S16, (2)), the locked state is released and the display unit 13 is released. And the key input of the input device 15 are validated (step S6 in FIG. 2). If the passwords do not match in step S16, if the number of mismatches is less than 5 (step S17), the process returns to step S16 to accept the password input again. However, if the password mismatch reaches five times (steps S17 and (3)), the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. 2, and the CPU 110 invalidates all the contact signals input from the touch sensor 16 and stops the authentication process. In this state, the mobile phone 10 is locked so as not to respond to any input from the input device 15 other than the power key, and the user cannot use the mobile phone 10.

  The installation location of the touch sensor 16 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an installation location of the touch sensor. As shown in FIG. 4, two touch sensors 16 are installed on the side surface of the mobile phone 10. This position is a part that is most easily held when a user or a person such as a third party uses the mobile phone 10, and is a part that is naturally touched when the user is holding the mobile phone 10. Accordingly, when a person uses the mobile phone 10, the touch sensor 16 is naturally touched, and a touch signal is generated from the touch sensor 16. In this embodiment, two touch sensors 16 are arranged on both sides of the operation key side housing, but the number of arrangements is not limited to this. For example, you may provide in one place on one side or the side surface of a display side housing | casing.

  The preset screen information displayed in step S1 or S10 will be described with reference to FIG. 5A shows the address book screen when the address book function is used, and FIGS. 5B, 5C and 5D show clear screens (1), (2) and (3) which are examples of display screens in the locked state. Show. No display as shown in FIG. 5 (b), calendar as shown in FIG. 5 (c), or preset screen information such as a clock, picture, or photo as shown in FIG. 5 (d) in the locked state. Is displayed on the display unit 13. In particular, in step S10, the communication is turned off regardless of the operation state of the mobile phone 10 and the display screen is not displayed, so that it is possible to protect information for a third party.

  Next, an embodiment of a mobile phone with an automatic dial lock release function using a ring type RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) as a lock release device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. To do.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a configuration of a ring type RFID according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a ring type RFID attached to a finger. As shown in FIG. 6A, a structure in which the RFID chip 61 is embedded in the surface of the ring is taken, and the ring-type RFID 30 is attached to the finger as shown in FIG. 6B. Any finger can be used to wear the ring. In this embodiment, a weak radio wave system is used as the communication means, but either an electromagnetic induction (magnetic field) system or a radio wave system may be used.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of a mobile phone system with an automatic dial lock release function using a ring type RFID 62 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the mobile phone 10 has already been described with reference to FIG. 1, the ring-type RFID 30 will be described. When the ring type RFID 30 receives a weak radio wave from the unlock request transmitting unit 18 of the mobile phone 10 by the antenna 35, an electromotive force is generated by a resonance action by electromagnetic induction or the like at the power rectifying unit 31, and this ring type RFID 30 is used as a power source. . On the other hand, the weak radio wave of the unlock request information received by the antenna 35 is converted into an electrical signal by the receiving unit 33. When the ID storage unit 32 receives the electrical signal of the unlock request information from the receiving unit 33, the ID storage unit 32 converts the unlocking ID information stored in the ID storage unit 32 into an electrical signal and transmits the unlocking ID information from the transmitting unit 34 via the antenna 35. Is transmitted as a weak radio wave. The weak radio wave transmitted from the antenna 35 of the ring type RFID 30 is received by the lock release ID receiver 19 of the mobile phone 10. The unlock ID receiving unit 19 converts the received weak radio signal into a digital electrical signal, and outputs the unlock ID information converted into the electrical signal to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 compares the unlocking ID information received from the ring-type RFID 30 with the unlocking ID information stored in advance in the unlocking ID storage unit 17 of the mobile phone 10, and if they match, the automatic dial lock function of the mobile phone 10 is found. (For example, key lock, setting screen display fixed) is released. As a result, the lock release device can be miniaturized and fitted to the finger, so that it is convenient to carry and the lock release device is not lost. Further, by using the RFID chip, it is not necessary to prepare a power source for the unlocking device, and the size can be reduced. Further, since the unlocking sequence process starts when the user holds the mobile phone 10, the unlocking process ends until the user inputs the input from the input device 15 so that the mobile phone 10 can be input. Therefore, it is expected that an input operation can be performed immediately, and convenience is improved.

  According to the above embodiment, in the portable terminal and the portable terminal system with an automatic unlocking function, the touch sensor that recognizes that the person has touched the portable terminal is provided, and the lock is performed every time the portable terminal is touched to operate the portable terminal. Since the release sequence process is configured to start, the waiting time until the usable state can be shortened and the convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, there is an effect of making it impossible for a third party other than a specific user (such as a regular owner) of the mobile terminal to use it due to loss or misplacement of the mobile terminal during operation.

1 is a block diagram of a system configuration showing a first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | movement process of 1st Example by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Example of this invention. The figure which shows one Example of the installation location of a touch sensor It is one Example of the display screen of the display apparatus in a locked state. It is one Example of the block diagram of the ring type RFID which is the 2nd Example by this invention. It is a block diagram of the system configuration using the ring type RFID which is the 2nd example by the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile phone, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Transmission / reception part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Power supply part,
15 ... input device, 16 ... touch sensor, 17 ... unlock ID storage unit,
18 ... Unlock request transmission unit, 19 ... Unlock ID reception unit, 20 ... Unlock device,
21 ... Power supply unit, 22 ... Unlock ID information storage unit, 23 ... Unlock request receiving unit,
24 ... Unlock ID transmission unit, 30 ... Ring type RFID, 31 ... Power supply rectification unit,
32 ... ID storage unit, 33 ... receiving unit, 34 ... transmitting unit, 35 ... antenna,
110 ... CPU, 111 ... ROM, 112 ... RAM, 113 ... transmission / reception control unit 61 ... RFID chip

Claims (3)

An unlock ID storage unit that stores unlock ID information, an unlock ID transmission unit that transmits a request signal for unlock ID information, an unlock ID receiver that receives unlock ID information from an external device, A portable terminal having a dial lock function, comprising a touch sensor for detecting touch and a control unit for controlling the device;
The controller is
When the touch sensor detects that a person has touched, the unlock ID transmission unit transmits a request signal for unlock ID information to the external device,
The unlock ID receiving unit receives the unlock ID information from the external device;
When the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit matches the unlock ID information received by the unlock ID receiver, control is performed to cancel the dial lock function of the mobile terminal. Mobile terminal. The mobile terminal according to claim 1,
The control unit operates a dial lock function when the touch sensor does not detect that a person has touched the mobile terminal. It has a mobile terminal and a ring-type RFID,
The mobile terminal includes an unlock ID storage unit that stores unlock ID information, an unlock ID transmitter that transmits a request signal for unlock ID information, and an unlock ID that receives unlock ID information from a ring-type RFID. It has a receiving part, a touch sensor that detects that a person has touched, and a control part that controls this machine, and has a dial lock function.
When the control unit detects that the touch sensor has touched a person, the unlocking ID transmission unit transmits a request signal for unlocking ID information to the ring type RFID, and the unlocking ID receiving unit Receive unlock ID information from the ring-type RFID,
When the unlock ID information stored in the unlock ID storage unit matches the unlock ID information received by the unlock ID receiver, control is performed to cancel the dial lock function of the mobile terminal. Mobile terminal system with automatic dial unlock function.

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