JP2008113366A - Mobile communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent battery drain by shifting a device to an active mode only in a substantial time zone during which location information should be transmitted, and shifting the device to a sleep mode on a stage where transmission of the location information becomes unnecessary. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal which is connected to a communication network via a base station so as to transmit location information by wireless IP packet communication. The terminal has a communication terminal platform obtaining by making into module a communication means including a communication protocol for performing wireless data communication and a data transmitting/receiving function and a storage means for storing application software for generating the location information, and equipped with an acceleration sensor for detecting vibration of a device body, wherein ON/OFF of power supply to the communication terminal platform is managed based on a state of a detecting signal outputted from the acceleration sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication system in which the current position of a mobile communication terminal device connected to a communication network via a base station and capable of wireless IP packet communication can be detected. An active mode in which the communication terminal device operates effectively in a substantial time zone that requires communication and a sleep mode in which operation is stopped in a time zone that does not require communication are provided. This invention relates to a mobile communication terminal device that can reduce the amount of consumption and improve the use efficiency of a communication line and functions attached thereto.

  In recent years, with the rapid spread of information and communication networks, commercial services have been provided to ensure safety and improve operational efficiency by searching and confirming the current positions of people and goods using this information and communication network. It has been broken. And in order to implement | achieve this commercial service, it is necessary to detect the present position of a mobile telephone or a mobile communication terminal device. In the case of a mobile communication terminal device, as an example of this detection method, from a base station There is a method of judging from this electric field strength by receiving a transmitted radio wave.

  This is because the mobile communication terminal device selects three base stations, acquires position information and electric field strength information for each base station, determines a triangle having each base station as the apex, and obtains its center of gravity. In addition, three vectors corresponding to the electric field strength from the barycentric point toward each vertex are synthesized, and the direction and position indicated by the synthesized vector are determined as the current position of the mobile communication terminal device (for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, the received field strength (RSSI) of a plurality of base stations measured by the mobile communication terminal apparatus is such that each measured base station identification information (CSID) and the value of the received field strength are transmitted to the server. The position of the mobile communication terminal apparatus is specified by calculating from the position information of the base station in which the mobile communication terminal apparatus is registered in advance based on the plurality of base station identification information and the received electric field strength received on the server side. The server provides the position of the mobile communication terminal device by latitude and longitude. In addition to the above-described method, a method of mounting a GPS function in a mobile communication terminal device and specifying a position based on GPS information acquired by the mobile communication terminal device has been put into practical use.

  There are a call type and a call type as a method of notifying the position of the mobile communication terminal device, and the call type calls the mobile communication terminal device and responds when it wants to know the position of the mobile communication terminal device. This is a method in which a communication terminal apparatus acquires position by transmitting position information. In the calling type, the mobile communication terminal device transmits position information to the server at a constant cycle, and the server stores the position information together with time information. Refer to the stored position information. Get the movement trajectory.

  The location information service that employs the calling type is a PHS system that has a relatively narrow wireless area because the mobile communication terminal device can detect the in-range area where wireless communication is possible and the out-of-range area where wireless communication is possible, and can transmit position information in the area. This has the effect of increasing the probability of acquiring position information.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a position search system that employs such a calling type. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a mobile communication terminal device, which enables data communication with the service provider S via the wireless IP communication network N1. The service provider S includes a location search center 102 connected to the location search server 103 and a communication control device 104 connected to the location calculation server 105. The service provider S can be constructed by a so-called virtual mobile service operator (MVNO) that is a communication carrier that does not have a communication line facility.

  The mobile communication terminal apparatus 101 is wirelessly connected to the base station CH, and is connected to the location search center 102 by the communication control apparatus 104 via the wireless IP communication network N1. The location search center 102 notifies reception location strengths (RSSI) of a plurality of base stations CH measured by the mobile communication terminal device 101 to the location search server 103 as location information together with the base station identification information (CSID) at a constant cycle.

  The plurality of pieces of position information notified to the position search server 103 are transferred from the position search center 102 to the position calculation server 105 via the communication control device 104, and the position calculation server 105 converts the position information into latitude / longitude information. After that, it is transferred again to the position search server 103 and stored in the position search server together with the reception time.

  The user of the mobile phone 106 connects to the location search center 102 of the service provider S via the telephone line network N2, and requests the location information of the mobile communication terminal device 101 of the number registered in advance by the user of the mobile phone 106. To do. When this request is made, the location search center 102 acquires the location information of the mobile communication terminal device 101 corresponding to the registration number requested by the user of the mobile phone 106 from the location search server 103 and provides it.

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the mobile communication terminal device 101 for realizing the above-described position search system. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1 is a communication terminal platform formed as a board module, and interface 1a is device management. Necessary switches are connected. Reference numeral 1b is application software for executing a communication function, reception field strength measurement, and the like, and is stored in a semiconductor memory. The communication terminal platform 1 includes TCP / IP protocol software 1e and PPP protocol software 1f necessary for wireless IP packet communication, and communication over the Internet via an API (Application Program Interface) 1c. It is made possible.

  In addition to the above, as communication management elements, communication application software 1h that performs connection processing with an information communication network of a PHS or a cellular phone, wireless packet software 1i that generates packet signals, L1 / L2 software 1j, a base A band converter 1k and an RF converter 1l are provided to enable communication with the outside. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a communication process performed by the mobile communication terminal apparatus 101.

In the communication terminal control module 1 configured in this way, each functional element is controlled by a common CPU 1m, and application processing and communication control processing are performed. Therefore, the component configuration for achieving both functions is minimized. Can do. In addition, since the mobile communication terminal device 101 incorporating the communication terminal control module 1 is a portable device, the battery 120 is required, and the power supply control unit 130 that controls the voltage at the time of transmission and reception and the device are used for a long time. A switch PS is provided for preventing the consumption of electricity when not.
JP 2004-356755 A

  The mobile communication terminal device 101 in which the communication terminal module 1 is incorporated is not intended for a call but transmits position information indicating the current position of the owner of the mobile communication terminal device 101 at a predetermined time interval. It is. Then, the service provider S accumulates the position information in the position search server 103, so that the current position of the owner of the mobile communication terminal apparatus 101 can be known through access from the mobile phone 106.

  In addition, since the mobile communication terminal apparatus 101 transmits position information at predetermined time intervals, the service provider S that has received the position information immediately displays the current position of the owner of the mobile communication terminal apparatus 101 on a map. This message can be transmitted to the mobile phone 106 in the form of an e-mail to notify the current position.

  For example, when an infant attends elementary school, the mobile communication terminal device 101 is carried by a school attendant or the like, so that a high time is received each time an e-mail is received indicating that he is heading to school without leaving the school route. Can be confirmed with accuracy. In addition, even when the user moves off the school road and moves in an unexpected direction, the user can quickly recognize it by receiving an e-mail. This is preferable.

  In any case, in the above example, the communication terminal module 1 of the mobile communication terminal device 101 is surely activated by the battery 120 and is in the active mode during the substantial time zone between home and school. A state where communication is possible must be maintained. However, since the position information after arriving at the school is completely useless, it is necessary to turn off the switch PS and prevent the consumption of electricity until leaving the school. This is the same even after returning home, and it is desirable to enter a sleep mode in which the power is cut off during all time periods when the acquisition of position information is not required.

  However, it is very difficult for children to have the habit of turning off the device when they go to school, turning it on when they leave school, and turning it off again when they go home. Not realistic. Because of this, if there is no response, the power is not turned off after going to school or after returning home, so the device is in active mode even during times when it is not necessary to acquire location information. Since the battery 120 is consumed with electricity, the battery is frequently replaced or repeatedly charged.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of infants carry the mobile communication terminal device 101 of the above-described method of transmitting position data and go to school, a plurality of mobile communication terminal devices 101 are gathered in one place. In such a situation, the location information is transmitted concentratedly to the base station in the area, and the line congestion state is continued. In addition, when the mobile phone 106 receives the location information in the form of an e-mail even during a time period when the acquisition of the location information is not necessary, a troublesome response is required, and furthermore, the reception of the e-mail is subject to billing. Will result in unnecessary expenses and lack of economic rationality.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems by means described below. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal device connected to a communication network via a base station and capable of transmitting and receiving position information by wireless IP packet communication. A communication terminal platform in which a communication means having a communication protocol and a data transmission / reception function enabling storage and a storage means for storing application software for generating position information are modularized, and vibration of the apparatus main body is An acceleration sensor for detecting is provided, and on / off of power supplied to the communication terminal platform is managed based on a state of a detection signal output from the acceleration sensor.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the mobile communication terminal device includes a first holding circuit that holds a detection signal output from the acceleration sensor, and the first holding circuit is an acceleration. The power supplied to the acceleration sensor itself is cut off while the operation of the sensor is held, and the power supply to the acceleration sensor itself can be supplied when the first holding circuit is reset by the communication terminal platform. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal device according to the first or second aspect further includes a timer circuit in which a timer value is set by the communication terminal platform, and the first power-on condition is , Supplying power to the communication terminal platform at a period set by the timer circuit, and as a second power-on condition, the acceleration sensor is activated, the first holding circuit is turned on, and the communication terminal platform controls the second A power control circuit that supplies power to the communication terminal platform when the holding circuit is off and receives an instruction to disconnect the power from the communication terminal platform when processing of the communication terminal platform ends; The communication terminal platform receiving the supply detects that the first holding circuit is on. Set on the second holding circuit as an active mode when the first holding circuit is set off a second holding circuit as a sleep mode upon detecting a turned off to determine the active mode and a sleep mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication terminal apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, transmission of position information is stopped in the sleep mode.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile communication terminal apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the position information transmission cycle can be changed between the active mode and the sleep mode.

  According to the mobile communication terminal device of the present invention, the device is set to the active mode only in a substantial time zone in which the location information must be transmitted, and the device is set to the sleep mode when transmission of the location information becomes unnecessary. Battery consumption can be prevented. In addition, even when a plurality of mobile communication devices are gathered at a specific location, it is possible to provide a location information service that avoids congestion of the base station line and does not impair economic efficiency.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as the above-mentioned structure, and the specific description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a mobile communication terminal apparatus A according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the communication terminal platform described above. The configuration which is an element of the present invention is connected to the interface 1a of the communication terminal platform 1 and exchanges control signals. Reference numeral 2 denotes an acceleration sensor that receives a vibration and outputs a detection signal. Power is supplied from the battery 3 via the sensor power supply control circuit 4, and the detection signal G is output to the signal shaping circuit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the signal shaping circuit 5 includes comparators 5a and 5b for inputting the detection signal G of the acceleration sensor 2, and the detection signal G is compared with threshold values Vref + and Vref− and exceeds the threshold value. The signals DET1 and DET2 are input to the OR gate 5c. FIG. 3 shows the signal generation state in such a configuration in time series, and the detection signal G of the acceleration sensor 2 shows no output when stationary in the period from point A to point J, which is a moving point on the time series. Assume that the data is output on the + side and the − side as shown in the figure.

  Since the detection signal G exceeds the threshold value Vref + between the points D and E, the comparison signal DET1 is output from the comparator 5a. Further, since the detection signal G exceeds the threshold value Vref− between the points I and J, the comparison signal DET2 is output from the comparator 5b. When the comparison signals DET1 and DET2 are output in this way, both signals are input to the inverter 5d via the OR gate 5c, inverted, and output as the output signal DET.

  The signal shaping circuit 5 that generates the signal in this way is provided in order to change the detection position with respect to the output voltage of the signal shaping circuit 5 by changing the values of the threshold values Vref + and Vref−. It is. This is a function that can adjust the sensitivity of the signal shaping circuit 5, and the sensitivity can be set according to the purpose of use of the position detection service. In addition, although the acceleration sensor described the example of one direction (X-axis), when the acceleration sensor is multi-axis (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis), two sets of comparators 5a and 5b are added as a pair. However, it can be configured by increasing the number of inputs of the OR gate.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a first holding circuit. When the output signal DET output from the signal shaping circuit 5 is input, the holding signal GET is continuously output even after the input of the output signal DET is turned off. When the communication terminal platform 1 detects and reads the holding signal GET, the reset signal R1 is output from the communication terminal platform 1 as shown in FIG. 4, and the output of the holding signal GET is turned off.

  During the period in which the first holding circuit 6 outputs the holding signal GET, it is not necessary to input the detection signal G from the acceleration sensor 2, so the sensor power supply control circuit 4 is driven by the holding signal GET to the acceleration sensor 2. Interrupt the supply of power. Then, when the communication terminal platform 1 reads the holding signal GET and outputs the reset signal R1, and the output of the holding signal GET is turned off, the power is supplied again from the sensor power supply control circuit 4 to the acceleration sensor 2, and the acceleration sensor 2 The detection signal G can be output. Therefore, since the power is supplied to the acceleration sensor 2 according to the output state of the holding signal GET, it is possible to prevent the battery from being consumed.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a second holding circuit, which is controlled by the communication terminal platform 1 in order to output a signal VC for controlling the operation of the power supply control unit 9. In other words, the output signal HET transmitted with the start of supply of the power supply Vcc to the communication terminal platform 1 is input, and the signal VC is output. However, since this signal VC depends on the input of the output signal HET sent after the power source Vcc is turned on to the communication terminal platform 1 and the circuit starts to operate normally, the signal VC is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 as shown in FIG. There will be a slight delay after the power supply Vcc is turned on. Note that the signal VC output from the second holding circuit 7 is turned off by a reset signal R3 that is sent based on a determination based on a logical condition based on the holding signal GET of the first holding circuit 7 and the output signal HET.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a timer circuit for determining a cycle for turning on the power to the communication terminal platform 1. The timer circuit 8 is a signal for instructing the power supply control unit 9 to turn on the power with a timer value set in the communication terminal platform 1. Output TS / TL. The power control unit 9 stably operates the communication terminal platform 1 with the power supplied from the battery 3 and performs on / off control of the power Vcc supplied to the communication terminal platform 1. The communication terminal platform 1 that has been supplied with the power supply Vcc from the power supply control unit 9 performs an initialization process after power-on and then executes the application contents, and then instructs the power supply control unit 9 to disconnect the power supply Vcc. The signal R2 is output.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the power controller 9 includes an AND gate 9a, an inverter 9b, an OR gate 9c, a latch circuit 9d, a switch circuit 9e, and a DC / DC converter 9f. While the holding signal GET output from the first holding circuit 6 is input to the AND gate 9a, the signal VC output from the second holding circuit 7 is input via the inverter 9b.

  Therefore, when the holding signal GET is on and the signal VC is off, a signal is input to the latch circuit 9d via the OR gate 9c, and the latch circuit 9d is turned on. This realizes a second condition described later for supplying the power supply Vcc to the communication terminal platform 1. The output of the timer circuit 8 is connected to the OR gate 9c, and when the timer circuit 8 reaches the set time limit, a signal for turning on the power is output, so that the latch circuit 9d is turned on. This realizes a first condition described later for supplying the power supply Vcc to the communication terminal platform 1.

  The switch circuit 9e is for connecting the battery 3 to the DC / DC converter 9f. The battery 3 is connected to the DC / DC converter 9f when the output of the latch circuit 9d is turned on, and is disconnected when the output is turned off. Further, the latch circuit 9d is disconnected by the switch circuit 9e in response to the signal R2 sent from the communication terminal platform 1. When the switch circuit 9e connects the battery 3, the DC / DC converter 9f converts the battery voltage into a voltage required by the communication terminal platform 1 and supplies the power source Vcc. When the switch circuit 9e disconnects from the battery 3, the DC / DC converter stops supplying power to the communication terminal platform 1.

  Next, the first condition for the power supply control unit 9 to supply the power supply Vcc to the communication terminal platform 1 is to receive a power-on instruction signal from the timer unit 8. When the unit 9 receives it, the power Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1. The second condition is that when the acceleration sensor 2 is activated and the output signal DET is output from the signal shaping circuit 5, the GET of the first holding circuit 6 is on and the VC of the second holding circuit 7 is off. The power supply Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1. As a result, even when the power supply Vcc is not supplied under the first condition, the power supply Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1.

  When the communication terminal platform 1 to which the power supply Vcc is supplied under the second condition determines that the holding signal GET of the first holding circuit 6 is on and the signal VC output from the second holding circuit 7 is off, 2 The holding circuit 7 is held in the ON state, and it is detected that the acceleration sensor 2 has started operation. With this mechanism, position information can be notified when the acceleration sensor 2 is operated, and a timer value at the time when the acceleration sensor 2 is operated can be set in the timer circuit 8.

  Even if the acceleration sensor 2 continuously operates after the second holding circuit 7 is held in the on state, the power supply controller 9 determines whether the first holding circuit is on and the second holding circuit 7 is on. Since the second condition is not satisfied, the power supply to the communication terminal platform 1 is not performed. When the timer value set when the second condition is satisfied is reached, the power supply control unit 9 supplies the power supply Vcc to the communication terminal platform 1 by a signal from the timer circuit 8. With this operation, the position information can be transmitted at a cycle set in the timer circuit 8 while the acceleration sensor is continuously operating.

  The communication terminal platform 1 to which the power supply Vcc is supplied from the power supply controller 9 determines that the first holding circuit 6 is on and the second holding circuit 7 is on to detect that the acceleration sensor 2 is in operation, Position information notification corresponding to the operation of the acceleration sensor 2 is performed, and a timer value when the acceleration sensor 2 operates is set in the timer circuit 8. Further, when the first holding circuit 6 is turned off and the second holding circuit 7 is turned on, the acceleration sensor 2 is not in operation and the position information corresponding to the fact that the acceleration sensor 2 is not in operation. And a timer value when the acceleration sensor 2 is not operating is set in the timer circuit 8.

  As described above, immediately after the acceleration sensor 2 is operated, power is immediately supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 to report position information. When the acceleration sensor 2 is continuously operated, the timer circuit 8 is set. It is possible to notify the position information at a certain cycle. When the first holding circuit 6 is turned off and the second holding circuit 7 is turned on, the second holding circuit 7 is turned off and the sleep mode is set. In the sleep mode, a long timer value TL is set in the timer circuit 8. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce the battery consumption by stopping the notification of the position information until the acceleration sensor 2 operates with the timer circuit 8 set as the operation prohibition setting.

  FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an operation example of the present invention. The detection signal G of the acceleration sensor 2 becomes the output signal DET of the signal shaping circuit 5 and is held by the first holding circuit 6. When the holding signal GET of the first holding circuit 6 is on and the signal VC of the second holding circuit 7 is off, the power supply Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 and the communication terminal platform 1 starts operating. When the first holding circuit 6 is turned on by the processing of the communication terminal platform 1, the signal VC is turned on and a short timer value TS is set in the timer circuit 8. Further, the communication terminal platform 1 turns off the holding signal GET at the end of the process, and instructs the power control unit 9 to turn off the power.

  Further, even when the signal VC is on and the hold signal GET is turned on, the power Vcc is not supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 and the power Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 when the timer circuit 8 times out. . When the power Vcc is supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 and starts operation, if the hold signal GET is off, the communication terminal platform 1 turns off the signal VC and sets a long timer value TL in the timer circuit 8. By setting the timer circuit 8 to the long timer value TL, the power source Vcc is not supplied until the detection signal G of the acceleration sensor 2 is detected. Therefore, when the mobile communication terminal device A is stopped at a certain place, It is possible to prevent a plurality of pieces of position information from being transmitted from the same place and to enter a sleep mode.

  When the position information of the mobile communication terminal device A is not required until the detection signal G of the acceleration sensor 2 is detected, the communication terminal platform 1 performs control to stop the operation of the timer circuit 8 when the holding signal GET is off. Do. Thereafter, the power source Vcc is not supplied to the communication terminal platform 1 until the detection signal G is detected, so that the consumption of the battery 3 can be further prevented. In addition, the flow of the communication processing of the mobile communication terminal apparatus A of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 as a flowchart.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since the battery power is supplied only during a substantial time period in which data transmission is necessary, the power consumption is extremely low, and the troublesome power management is eliminated. And high economic effects can be obtained. In addition, although the case where the mobile communication terminal device according to the present invention is carried by an infant has been described as an embodiment, in addition to this, it is carried by an elderly person who needs nursing management or attached to a long-distance carrying baggage etc. It can be managed and its usage is very wide.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole mobile communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a signal shaping circuit. It is a figure which shows the production | generation state of the signal in a signal shaping circuit. It is a figure which shows the state of the signal processing in the mobile communication terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a power supply control part. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the signal processing in the apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the position search system which employ | adopted the calling type. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of a mobile communication terminal device. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the signal processing in the apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Mobile communication terminal device 1. Communication terminal platform 2. Acceleration sensor 3. Battery 4. Sensor power supply control unit 5 .... Signal shaping circuit 6 .... First holding circuit 7 .... Second holding circuit 8 .... Timer circuit 9 .... Power supply control Part

Claims (5)

A mobile communication terminal device connected to a communication network via a base station and capable of transmitting and receiving position information by wireless IP packet communication.
An apparatus having a communication terminal platform in which a communication means having a communication protocol and data transmission / reception function enabling wireless data communication and a storage means for storing application software for generating position information are modularized It has an acceleration sensor that detects the vibration of the main body,
A mobile communication terminal device that manages on / off of power supplied to the communication terminal platform based on a state of a detection signal output from the acceleration sensor.   A first holding circuit for holding a detection signal output from the acceleration sensor, and the power supplied to the acceleration sensor is cut off while the first holding circuit holds the operation of the acceleration sensor; 2. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the first holding circuit is reset by the communication terminal platform, power can be supplied to the acceleration sensor itself.   A timer circuit in which a timer value is set by the communication terminal platform is provided, and as a first power-on condition, power is supplied to the communication terminal platform at a period set by the timer circuit, and as a second power-on condition, When the acceleration sensor is activated, the first holding circuit is on, and the second holding circuit controlled by the communication terminal platform is off, power is supplied to the communication terminal platform, and power is supplied from the communication terminal platform at the end of processing of the communication terminal platform. A power control circuit for cutting off the power supply to the communication terminal platform in response to an instruction to disconnect the power supply, and when the communication terminal platform receiving the power supply detects that the first holding circuit is on, the second holding is performed as the active mode. When the circuit is set to ON and the first holding circuit detects OFF Set off a second holding circuit as a sleep mode, the mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that so as to determine the active mode and a sleep mode.   4. The mobile communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein transmission of position information is stopped in the sleep mode.   The mobile communication terminal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a transmission cycle of position information can be changed between an active mode and a sleep mode.

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