JP2007019879A - Mobile terminal, wireless communication unit, authentication control method, and authentication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal or the like capable of reducing power consumption while keeping security. <P>SOLUTION: When the state of a small variation in reception power level continues for a prescribed time, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a reset signal for initializing the authentication of a key unit 200 to the key unit 200 to initialize the key unit 200 thereby stopping authentication between the key unit 200 and the mobile terminal 100 itself. For example, in the case of authentication, when the state of the small variation in the reception power level continues for the prescribed time, the mobile terminal 100 determines that the mobile terminal 100 is in an environment needing no all-time authentication and stops the authentication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from a wireless communication unit, a wireless communication unit, an authentication control method, and an authentication control program.

  Conventionally, use restriction functions have been added to mobile phones as a measure for preventing unauthorized use by persons other than the owner due to theft or the like. In general, the use restriction function enables a call by releasing the use restriction by an ID by the owner, that is, a personal identification number. The use restriction by the personal identification number and the cancellation thereof require an operation with the keyboard, and the restriction and the release operation are required every time a call is made. If the use is not restricted after a call, if the mobile phone is stolen, there is a risk that an unlimited number of calls may be made or personal information may be viewed.

Patent Document 1 discloses that when a device such as a mobile phone leaves the owner or the user due to misplacement or theft, the device itself becomes unusable, and the use restriction of the device warns that the device has been separated by a certain distance or more. An apparatus is disclosed.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a use restriction method for restricting use of a mobile terminal device using wireless authentication communication.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the mobile terminal device 10 such as a mobile phone is separated from the user 1 and is out of the authentication distance, the mobile terminal device 10 is disabled and the wireless communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a key) possessed by the user 1 is disabled. (Called unit) 20 sounds a misplacement alarm. Specifically, in a system that performs wireless authentication by receiving a wireless signal between the key unit 20 and the use restriction releasing unit in the mobile terminal device 10, each unit detects that the reception level is below a certain value. Then, the use restriction release unit stops sending the use restriction release signal, thereby restricting the use of the mobile terminal device 10, and the key unit 20 issues an alarm signal. Thereby, misplacement and theft can be prevented.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for realizing the method of restricting use of the mobile terminal device of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the mobile terminal device 10 such as a mobile phone / PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook PC, MP3 player, HDD player, and the mobile terminal device 10 communicate with each other (polling). ), A key unit 20 that automatically locks the mobile terminal device 10 and sounds an alarm when the distance is more than a certain distance, and includes wireless authentication units 11 and 21 for performing wireless authentication with each other. The key unit 20 is driven by a battery 22.

  The wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 and the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 perform authentication using wireless communication. The wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 and the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 perform authentication at all times by grasping that they have a previously associated ID and are paired with each other by wireless communication.

  FIG. 10 is a control sequence diagram illustrating an operation of wireless authentication between the mobile terminal device 10 and the key unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the key unit 20 periodically transmits a search signal. The mobile terminal device 10 that has received the search signal collates the ID of the key unit 20 included in the search signal with the ID of the self (mobile terminal device 10), and responds if the ID is a combination registered in advance. Returns a signal. The key unit 20 also collates the ID of the mobile terminal device included in the response signal with the ID of the self (key unit 20). After confirming each other, the data (authentication signal 1) obtained by encrypting the random number is sent from the key unit 20, and the mobile terminal device 10 sends the data (authentication signal 1 ′) obtained by decrypting the data. Do.

  While the portable terminal device 10 and the key unit 20 are mutually authenticated, the portable terminal device 10 can be operated without any problem. When the authentication is not normally performed, the operation of the mobile terminal device 10 is restricted, and the key unit 20 issues an alarm.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a combination of the mobile terminal device 10 and the key unit 20. The key unit 20 is schematically shown in the shape of a key (key). As shown in FIG. 11A, the mobile terminal device 10 can be applied to a PDA shown in FIG. 11B, a notebook PC shown in FIG.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-88499

  However, since such a conventional mobile terminal device that performs wireless authentication is configured to always perform an authentication operation between the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit, power consumption is increased by constantly repeating transmission and reception of wireless signals. Increase. For example, the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 and the wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 shown in FIG. 12 are configured by a communication module that performs bidirectional wireless communication with low power consumption using a weak wireless frequency band. . Nevertheless, an increase in power consumption is inevitable by always performing the authentication operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal device, a wireless communication unit, an authentication control method, and an authentication control program capable of reducing power consumption while maintaining security. To do.

  The present invention provides a mobile terminal device, a wireless communication unit, an authentication control method, and an authentication control program capable of suspending the authentication operation of the wireless communication unit in accordance with the use state of the user and achieving the effect of the wireless authentication. Another purpose.

  A portable terminal device according to the present invention includes a wireless authentication unit that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a wireless communication unit, and a level variation detection that detects a variation in a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit. And a control means for performing control to pause the authentication operation by the wireless authentication means when the state where the fluctuation of the reception level is below a predetermined value continues for a certain time.

  The wireless communication unit of the present invention includes a wireless authentication unit that performs wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a mobile terminal device, a reset signal receiving unit that receives a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, When a reset signal is received, the authentication operation is initialized, and a control unit that performs control to periodically transmit a search signal for requesting start of the authentication operation is employed.

  The authentication control method of the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless communication unit, a step of detecting a change in reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit, and the reception And a step of performing control to suspend the authentication operation when a state where the level fluctuation is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a certain period of time.

  The authentication control method according to the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from a plurality of wireless communication units, and a step of detecting fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication units. And a step of giving a priority to continue authentication to the wireless communication unit based on fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from a plurality of the wireless communication units; A step of performing a control to continue the authentication and to send a reset signal for initializing the authentication operation to the wireless communication unit to which the authentication is not given.

  The authentication control method of the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a mobile terminal device, a step of receiving a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and a step of receiving the reset signal And a step of performing control to initialize the authentication operation and periodically transmit a search signal for requesting the start of the authentication operation.

  From another point of view, the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless communication unit, and a step of detecting a change in reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit. A program for causing a computer to execute a step of performing control to pause an authentication operation when a state in which the fluctuation of the reception level is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a certain period of time.

  The present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a mobile terminal device, a step of receiving a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and an authentication operation upon receiving the reset signal. A program for causing a computer to execute a step of performing control to initialize and periodically transmit a search signal for requesting start of an authentication operation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of both the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit while maintaining security. In addition, the authentication operation of the wireless communication unit that is in a better state for the user is continued, and the authentication operation is suspended for other wireless communication units to prevent meaningless alarms and further reduce power consumption. Can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal device using an authentication control method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which a mobile phone is applied to a mobile terminal device.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is a mobile phone (mobile terminal device) that performs wireless authentication, and 200 is a key unit (wireless communication unit) that performs bidirectional wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 100 for authentication.

  The mobile phone (mobile terminal device) 100 includes a wireless authentication unit 110 that performs wireless authentication with the key unit 200 and outputs a use restriction signal when authentication is not established, and a wireless communication / data processing unit 142 having an antenna 141.

  The wireless authentication unit 110 includes an antenna 111 for performing wireless communication with the key unit 200, a transmission / reception unit 112 that transmits / receives an ID, an authentication ID storage unit 113 that stores an ID for authentication, a stored ID and a received ID collation A wireless authentication control unit 114 that performs measurement, a reception power storage unit 115 that stores a value measured by the power measurement unit 133, a timer 116 that measures a time during which the power level fluctuation is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and a reset for resetting the authentication state A reset signal generation unit 117 that generates a signal is provided.

  The transmission / reception unit 112 includes a transmission unit 123 and a reception unit 134. The transmission unit 123 includes a modulation unit 121 that modulates data and an amplification unit 122 that amplifies the modulation signal, and the reception unit 134 demodulates the reception signal. Unit 131, amplifier 132 for amplifying the received signal, and power measuring unit 133 for measuring the reception level (reception strength) of the received signal.

  The wireless communication / data processing unit 142 is a carrier communication unit and a data processing unit of the mobile terminal device 100. Since this embodiment is an example in which the mobile terminal device 100 is applied to a mobile phone, the communication function of the mobile phone body is shown, but the mobile terminal device 100 is a PDA, notebook PC, MP3 player, HDD player. In this case, this part becomes a main body function part of these portable devices. The main body function can be used by receiving the use restriction release signal from the wireless authentication unit 110, and when the use restriction release signal is not received or when the use restriction signal is received, use of a part or all of the main body function is restricted.

  Although not illustrated, the mobile terminal device 100 further includes an LCD display unit, an LED light emitting unit, a speaker, a vibrator, a voice synthesis output unit using a PCM codec, and the like as an external output unit.

  On the other hand, the key unit 200 performs wireless authentication with the antenna 211 for performing wireless communication with the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100 and the wireless authentication unit 212 that performs wireless authentication with the mobile terminal device 100 and outputs an alarm signal when authentication is not established. And an alarm notification unit 213 for notifying the user of the authentication status with an LED or the like, and alerting the user with an alarm / light emission when the authentication is not established, and a battery 214 for supplying power to each unit. The wireless authentication unit 212 includes a transmission / reception unit 221 that transmits and receives an ID, an authentication ID storage unit 222 that stores an ID for performing authentication, and a wireless authentication unit control unit 223 that compares the stored ID with a received ID. Configured.

  The wireless authentication unit 212 of the key unit 200 and the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100 are configured by a communication module that performs bidirectional wireless communication with low power consumption using, for example, a weak wireless frequency band of 300 MHz band.

  Hereinafter, an authentication control operation of the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit configured as described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the key unit 200 periodically transmits a search signal. The mobile terminal device 100 that has received the search signal collates the ID of the key unit 200 included in the search signal with the ID of the self (mobile terminal device 100) and responds if the ID is a combination registered in advance. Returns a signal. The key unit 200 also collates the ID of the mobile terminal device 100 included in the response signal with the ID of the self (key unit 200). Thereafter, data (authentication signal 1) in which a random number for authentication is encrypted is transmitted from the wireless authentication unit 222 in the key unit 200 to the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100, and the mobile terminal device 100 combines the data. Authentication is performed by sending converted data (authentication signal 1 ′). Therefore, the wireless authentication units 110 and 212 of the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 individually execute the authentication control process by transmitting and receiving the search signal and the reset signal.

  Note that the wireless authentication method is not necessarily performed by this method, and may be performed by another known method as long as confidentiality is maintained.

  Hereinafter, a specific operation will be described with reference to the authentication control flow of FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the authentication control operation of the mobile terminal device 100, where S denotes each step of the flow.

  First, in step S1, the reception unit 134 of the transmission / reception unit 112 receives the authentication signal from the key unit 200, and measures the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S2. Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the received power fluctuation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the received power fluctuation is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the timer 116 is reset in step S4 and the process proceeds to step S5. When the received power fluctuation is smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S5 as it is.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the long-term received power fluctuation is small. If the long-term received power fluctuation is not small, it is determined that the mobile phone is in a normal use state, and an authentication signal is transmitted to the key unit 200 in step S6. The process returns to step S1 to receive the next authentication signal.

  When the reception power fluctuation is small for a long time in step S5, it is determined that the reception power fluctuation is small for a long time and the portable terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 exist together, and the authentication signal is reset in step S7. A signal is added and transmitted to the key unit 200. By the transmission of the authentication signal and the reset signal, the subject of the authentication control shifts to the key unit 200.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the authentication control operation of the key unit 200.

  First, in step S11, a reset signal is received. In step S12, the authentication state is reset by the reset signal, and the initial state is restored. After resetting and returning to the initial state, a search signal is periodically transmitted in step S13 (see FIG. 10).

  Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not a response signal responding to the search signal is received from the mobile terminal device 100. If a response signal is received, an authentication signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal device 100 in step S15, and this flow is performed. Exit. As a result, the process proceeds to the authentication control flow of the mobile terminal device 100 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the response signal is not received in step S14, the search signal is transmitted again in step S16, and the process returns to step S14 to wait for the response signal. In this case, the process proceeds to the authentication control flow of the mobile terminal device 100 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the authentication control operation of the mobile terminal device 100.

  First, in step S21, the reception unit 134 of the transmission / reception unit 112 receives the search signal from the key unit 200, and measures the reception power of the search signal received in step S22. Next, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the received power fluctuation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When the received power fluctuation is smaller than the predetermined value, the process returns to step S21 to continue receiving the search signal.

  When the received power fluctuation is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, an authentication signal is transmitted in step S24, and this flow ends.

  By executing the above flow, the following effects can be obtained.

  There is a case where the portable terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are left together in a safe place for a long time. For example, it may be stored in a valuable box or in a safe locker, or may be placed on a desk at home.

  When the portable terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are left together for a long time, the power level of the received signal of the portable terminal device 100 is stable. In the present embodiment, mobile terminal apparatus 100 includes reception power storage unit 115 and timer 116 that store measurement values for detecting power level fluctuations, and the amount of power level fluctuations within a predetermined value by timer 116. The time when it is within the range is measured, and if the preset time is exceeded, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are together.

  At this time, the mobile terminal device 100 transmits the authentication signal with a reset signal added thereto. The key unit 200 that has received the reset signal resets the authentication state and returns to the initial state. In the initial state, an authentication signal is not transmitted unless a response signal is returned only by transmitting a search signal periodically.

  The mobile terminal device 100 measures the power level of the search signal periodically sent from the key unit 200, and does not return a response signal if there is no fluctuation in the power level. Only when the fluctuation of the power level of the search signal becomes a predetermined value or more, a response signal is returned and authentication is started.

  As described above, when the state in which the variation of the reception power level is small continues for a certain period of time, the key unit 200 returns to the initial state by the reset signal from the mobile terminal device 100 and enters the state of periodically transmitting the search signal. That is, according to the present embodiment, if a state in which the reception power level does not change during a authentication operation continues for a certain period of time, it is determined that there is no need to always authenticate and the authentication operation is stopped. Specifically, the key unit 200 is initialized by sending a reset signal that initializes the authentication operation of the wireless communication unit to the key unit 200, thereby stopping the authentication operation of the key unit 200 and the mobile terminal device 100. In this respect, the conventional wireless authentication unit that always performs the authentication operation is greatly different from the function and operation. Therefore, since transmission / reception of the authentication signal between the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 is suspended, power consumption can be greatly reduced for both the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200.

  In this embodiment, after the authentication between the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 is canceled, the key unit 200 periodically sends a search signal, but this timing is lengthened (for example, doubled). May be. Thereby, the power consumption of the key unit 200 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, after the reset signal is transmitted, the authentication between the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 is canceled, but the mobile terminal device 100 knows the timing and power level at which the key unit 200 transmits the search signal. Therefore, even if it is not in the authentication state, it can be determined that the key unit 200 is in a safe state in the vicinity.

  Further, since the key unit 200 knows the timing and power level at which the search signal is transmitted, it can be distinguished even if signals from other key units are mixed.

  In the present embodiment, the received power level change and the elapsed time are detected by the received power storage unit 115 and the timer 116. However, if the received power level change and the elapsed time are detected, a memory can be used. -Not limited to the timer configuration.

  For example, the power level fluctuation may be viewed as a difference from the previous measurement value or as a deviation from the average value.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is an example in the case where there are a plurality of key units for one mobile terminal device.

  The hardware configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. Further, the authentication control operation of the portable terminal device and the key unit is the same as the flow of FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 100 performs authentication with a plurality of key units 200, authentication is performed with priority given to key units with little variation in reception power. A reset signal is transmitted to the key unit 200 not prioritized, and the authentication state is released. Detailed control will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The following can be considered as scenes assumed when a plurality of key units 200 can be authenticated for one mobile terminal device 100.

  Assumed scene 1 A user carries around one key unit 200A. The other key unit 200B is placed at home (where safety is ensured).

  Assumed scene 2 When the portable terminal device 100 is carried around at home.

  5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the specific operation of the authentication control of the mobile terminal device and the key unit. FIG. 5 shows the authentication control operation of scene 1 and FIG. 6 shows the authentication control operation of scene 2.

  5 and 6, the ■ mark is a portable terminal device, the □ mark is a plurality of key units A and B, the key unit A is carried by the user, and the key unit B is placed at home. To do. Further, circles in the figure are authenticable areas 301 to 304, 401 to 404, and here, the authenticable areas are expressed with key units A and B as the center. When the portable terminal device and the key unit are in the same authenticable area, the authenticable areas of the priority key units are the authenticable areas 303, 401, 402, and 404 indicated by the hatching portion.

  First, the wireless authentication operation of scene 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, consider a scene in which a mobile phone (mobile terminal device) is placed at home, the user moves, and the authenticable area moves from the authenticable area 301 to the authenticable area 302. Conventionally, the portable terminal device authenticates with each of the key units A and B, but then moves further, the authenticable area moves from the authenticable area 302 to the authenticable area 304, and the key unit A leaves the portable terminal device. In this case, since the mobile terminal device performs wireless authentication with the key unit B, the use of the mobile terminal device is not restricted, but the wireless authentication with the key unit A is interrupted, so that an alarm is issued.

  Next, the wireless authentication operation of scene 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, consider a scene in which a user is carrying a mobile terminal device and a key unit A and moving near a key unit B placed at home. Conventionally, when the user moves and the authenticable area moves from the authenticable area 401 to the authenticable area 402, the mobile terminal device authenticates with the key units A and B, respectively. Thereafter, when the mobile terminal device moves further and the mobile terminal device moves out of the authenticable area of the key unit B from the authentication area 402 to 404, the mobile terminal device performs wireless authentication with the key unit A. Although the device is not restricted in use, the wireless authentication with the key unit B is interrupted, so that an alarm is issued.

  In this way, every time a user moves, the wireless authentication with any key unit is interrupted and an alarm is generated, which is very troublesome. To avoid this, the authenticated key unit and the mobile terminal device are connected. All had to be in one place.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment in FIG. 5, when the mobile terminal device 100 is in an authenticated state with a plurality of key units 200 </ b> A, 200 </ b> B, the mobile terminal device 100 sees power fluctuations when receiving the authentication signal, A priority is given to the key unit 200B having the least fluctuation. The mobile terminal device 100 continues authentication with the key unit 200B that has been given priority, and transmits a reset signal to the key unit 200A that has not been given to reset the authentication state. That is, in the state like the scene 1, the received power fluctuations from the key units 200A and 200B are compared, and priority is given to the key unit 200B with less fluctuations. Since the mobile terminal device 100 cancels the authentication state with respect to the key unit 200A, an alarm does not sound even if the key unit 200A moves away thereafter, and the convenience of the user can be improved. After that, the key unit 200B and the mobile terminal device 100 operate as in the first embodiment, and the authentication is suspended until the received signal from the key unit 200A changes again.

  Further, in the present embodiment in FIG. 6, since the reception power from the key unit 200A carried by the user with the portable terminal device 100 is less varied, priority is given to the key unit 200A. Since the authentication state is reset for the key unit 200B to which priority is not given, no alarm is given even if the user moves and leaves the authenticable area 403 with the key unit 200B.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the priority setting control operation.

  First, in step S31, the reception unit 134 of the transmission / reception unit 112 receives an authentication signal from the key units 200A and 200B, and determines whether or not it is in an authentication state with a plurality of key units in step S32. If it is not in an authenticated state with a plurality of key units, it is determined that there is no priority setting, an authentication signal is transmitted in step S37, and this flow ends. When it is in the authentication state with a plurality of key units, the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S33 is measured, and the power fluctuation is compared in step S34. In step S35, it is determined whether or not the key unit currently in the authenticated state is a key unit having priority. If the key unit has priority, authentication is continued in step S36 and an authentication signal is sent in step S37. Send this to end this flow.

  On the other hand, if the key unit is not a priority key unit in step S35, a reset signal is transmitted to the key unit without priority in step S38, and the authentication is canceled in step S39. The authentication cancellation operation by reset signal transmission is the same as in the first embodiment. Next, the search signal is monitored in step S40, and the process returns to step S33. When the reception power between the key unit 200A to which the priority is granted and the mobile terminal device 100 subsequently varies, and the variation becomes larger than the reception power of the search signal from the key unit 200B to which the priority is not granted. Returns a response to the search signal from the key unit 200B, and executes from step S31.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the key unit 200A that receives the authentication signals from the plurality of key units 200A and 200B and has the least fluctuation in the reception level of the signal transmitted from the key units 200A and 200B is used. Since the priority to continue authentication is given, authentication is continued for the key unit 200A to which the priority is given, and a reset signal for initializing the authentication operation is sent to the key unit 200B to which the authentication is not given. While the key unit in a good state and the authentication operation are continued, the power consumption is stopped while the wireless authentication is suspended for the key unit that tends to be out of the authenticable areas 401, 402, and 404 to prevent a meaningless alarm. Can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the priority is given by looking at the power fluctuation of the key unit 200A and the key unit 200B, but the user sets the priority order of the key units in advance and is in an authenticated state with a plurality of key units. Sometimes, authentication is performed with the key unit having the highest priority, and a reset signal may be transmitted to the other key units. In this case, when the authentication with the key unit 200A to which the priority is granted is expired, a response signal is transmitted to the search signal from the key unit 200B to which the priority is not given, and the authentication operation is performed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the reset signal is added to the control signal. However, any method may be used for transmitting the reset signal to the key unit. For example, it may be transmitted to the key unit side asynchronously with the authentication signal.

  In addition, since it is conceivable that the portable terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are left together, it is also possible to have the password input when there is a change in power level after the authentication reset.

  The above description is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as a mobile terminal device has been described. However, the mobile terminal is not limited to a mobile phone, and a portable information terminal such as a PDA, a personal computer or a combined device thereof, and a portable device such as an MP3 player or an HDD player. Applicable to equipment.

  Further, the authentication operation examples in FIGS. 5 and 6 are merely examples, and any setting example may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the names of the mobile terminal device, the wireless communication unit, and the transmission control method are used. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and it may be a mobile phone, a device use restriction device, a wireless authentication method, or the like. Of course it is good.

  Further, the types, numbers, connection methods, and the like of each circuit unit, for example, a wireless authentication unit, which constitute the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  Further, the mobile terminal device and the authentication control method described above are also realized by a program for causing the mobile terminal device and the authentication control method to function. This program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The portable terminal device, the wireless communication unit, and the authentication control method according to the present invention are useful for applications such as a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit, and an authentication control system. is there. Further, the authentication control program can be incorporated into a portable device such as a cellular phone or a key unit.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the authentication control operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. The flowchart which shows the authentication control operation | movement of the communication terminal unit which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the authentication control operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. The figure explaining the specific operation | movement of the authentication control of the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and a radio | wireless communication unit. The figure explaining the specific operation | movement of the authentication control of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 2, and a radio | wireless communication unit. Flow chart showing control operation of priority setting of portable communication terminal according to the second embodiment The figure explaining the use restriction method which places a use restriction on a portable terminal device using wireless authentication communication The block diagram which implement | achieves the usage restriction method of the portable terminal device of FIG. Control sequence diagram showing operation of wireless authentication The figure which shows the combination of a portable terminal device and a wireless communication unit

Explanation of symbols

100 Mobile phone (mobile terminal device)
110, 212 Wireless authentication unit 111, 141, 211 Antenna 112 Transmission / reception unit 113, 222 Authentication ID storage unit 114 Wireless authentication control unit 115 Reception power storage unit 116 Timer 117 Reset signal generation unit 121 Modulation unit 122, 132 Amplification unit 123 Transmission Unit 131 demodulation unit 133 power measurement unit 134 reception unit 142 wireless communication / data processing unit 213 alarm notification unit 214 battery 223 wireless authentication unit control unit

Claims (16)

Wireless authentication means for performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Level fluctuation detection means for detecting fluctuations in the reception level of the signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit;
A mobile terminal device comprising: control means for performing control to pause the authentication operation by the wireless authentication means when a state where the fluctuation of the reception level is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a certain period of time.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the level fluctuation detecting means detects a fluctuation in the reception level of the authentication signal.   The mobile terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the level fluctuation detecting means detects a fluctuation in a reception level of a search signal periodically transmitted from the radio communication unit.   The level fluctuation detection means detects a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit, and detects a fluctuation in the reception level of the signal when the detected reception level is a predetermined value or more. Item 4. The mobile terminal device according to any one of Items 3 to 4.   The control means according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control to send a reset signal for initializing an authentication operation of the wireless communication unit when a state where the fluctuation of the reception level is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a predetermined time. Mobile terminal device.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit restarts the authentication operation when a variation in a reception level of the signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control to send a response signal in response to a search signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit when a variation in reception level of the signal is a predetermined value or more. Furthermore, based on fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from a plurality of wireless communication units, the wireless communication unit includes priority setting means for giving priority to continue authentication.
2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to continue authentication for a wireless communication unit to which priority is given and to send a reset signal for initializing an authentication operation to a wireless communication unit to which authentication is not given. Terminal device. Wireless authentication means for performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the mobile terminal device;
Reset signal receiving means for receiving a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device;
A wireless communication unit comprising: a control unit configured to initialize an authentication operation upon receiving the reset signal and to periodically transmit a search signal for requesting the start of the authentication operation.   10. The wireless communication according to claim 9, wherein, when receiving a response signal in response to the search signal, the control unit performs control to start an authentication operation by the wireless authentication unit with the mobile terminal device that has returned the response signal. unit. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Detecting a variation in a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit;
An authentication control method comprising: performing a control to suspend the authentication operation when a state in which the fluctuation of the reception level is equal to or less than a predetermined value continues for a certain period of time. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from a plurality of wireless communication units;
Detecting fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from a plurality of the wireless communication units;
Giving a priority to continue authentication to the wireless communication unit based on fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from a plurality of the wireless communication units;
An authentication control method comprising: performing a control to continue authentication for a wireless communication unit to which priority is given and to send a reset signal for initializing an authentication operation to a wireless communication unit to which authentication is not given. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the mobile terminal device; and
Receiving a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device;
An authentication control method comprising: performing control to initialize an authentication operation and periodically transmit a search signal for requesting the start of the authentication operation when receiving the reset signal.   A step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless communication unit, a step of detecting a variation in a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit, and a variation in the reception level of a predetermined value or less A program for causing a computer to execute a step of performing control to pause an authentication operation when a state continues for a certain period of time.   Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from a plurality of wireless communication units; detecting fluctuations in reception levels of signals transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication units; and a plurality of the wireless communication units A step of giving a priority to continue authentication to the wireless communication unit based on a change in a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit, and the wireless communication unit to which the priority is given continues to be authenticated and the authentication is given A program for causing a computer to execute a control to send a reset signal for initializing an authentication operation to a wireless communication unit that is not performed.   A step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a mobile terminal device, a step of receiving a reset signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and an authentication operation when the reset signal is received, A program for causing a computer to execute a step of periodically sending a search signal for requesting an operation start.

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