JP2009089104A - Portable terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal device with which an application desired by a user can be used in accordance with battery remaining capacity and needs of the user. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal device which can execute a pluality of applications is provided with a battery 40 as a power source, a remaining amount detection part 41 which detects the remaining capacity of the battery 40, a memory 13 storing the order of priority in which the applications can be executed and a control part 10 which calculates the use frequency of the applications, changes the order of priority in which the applications can be executed in accordance with the use frequency, determines whether the remaining capacity is a predetermined amount or less by the remaining amount detection part and controls in order to set applications which can be executed in order of priority stored in the memory, on the basis of its determination. When the remaining capacity of the battery 40 is the predetermined amount or less, execution of the lower-priority applications is inhibited for reducing the number of executable applications. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to a mobile terminal device that aims to extend the usage time.

  Mobile phones have become multifunctional and are configured to execute various applications in addition to calls. For example, an e-mail function, a function capable of connecting to the Internet (hereinafter simply referred to as a web function), a function capable of capturing a still image with a built-in digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera function), and a function capable of capturing a movie (Hereinafter, simply referred to as a moving image function), and further, there is a function that downloads and executes an application (hereinafter simply referred to as a download application function).

  By the way, mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones are driven using a rechargeable battery, and attempts have been made to extend the usage time by reducing battery consumption.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery remaining amount detecting unit that detects and outputs a remaining battery level, and a function added to the device according to the remaining battery level output from the remaining battery level detecting unit. However, there is disclosed a communication terminal device including additional function control means for performing control to limit the operation of the additional function, which is a function that does not end the call.
JP 2000-253142 A

  As described above, some mobile phones can execute various applications in addition to the call function. The user may desire to use various application functions as much as possible when the remaining battery level is high, and to extend the call time when the remaining battery level is low. In this case, as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is also one method to lengthen the call time by making it impossible to use all applications other than calls.

  However, not all users want to uniformly extend the call, but there are users who prioritize the e-mail function over the call. For such a user, the method of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has a drawback that convenience is deteriorated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal device that can use an application desired by the user in the mobile terminal device according to the remaining battery level and the needs of the user.

  The portable terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device capable of executing a plurality of applications, and stores a battery serving as a power source, a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery, and a priority order in which the application can be executed. Means, a calculation means for calculating the usage frequency of the application, a priority order changing means for changing the priority order that can be executed by the application in accordance with the usage frequency, and the remaining amount detection means lower than a predetermined amount by the remaining amount detection means. Determination means for determining whether or not the battery is low, and a means for setting an application that can be executed in accordance with the priority order stored in the storage means based on the determination means. This is characterized in that the execution of the application is prohibited and the number of applications that can be executed is reduced.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a display means is provided to display the name of an application for which execution of the application is prohibited.

  The plurality of applications are a call function, an e-mail function, a GPS function, a function that can connect to the Internet, a function that can shoot a still image with a built-in digital camera, a function that can shoot a movie, and a function that downloads and executes an application. It is characterized by being.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that when the remaining battery level is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the call function and the e-mail function can be executed, and the execution of other applications is prohibited.

  According to the present invention, since an application that can be used is set according to the user's needs and the remaining battery level, it is possible to lengthen the usage time of the mobile terminal device according to the convenience of the user and the remaining battery level. Can do.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in order to avoid duplication of description. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone as a mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control unit 10 composed of a microcomputer, a memory 13 including a digital camera 12, a flash memory storing image data and various data from the digital camera 12, and various applications. Application processing unit 14, video decoding unit 16, video control unit 17, audio decoding unit 18, audio control unit 19, display 20, and speaker 21.

  The cellular phone 1 includes a mobile communication antenna 51, a mobile communication radio unit 52, a mobile communication modulation / demodulation unit 53, a microphone 54, a voice encoding unit 55, operation keys 56 such as a numeric keypad, and a key input unit 57 as functions of the telephone. Is provided.

  The application processing unit 14 has a ROM that stores programs for performing various application operations. When the user performs an operation for executing various applications using the operation key 56, the application processing unit 14 gives an instruction for performing the application operation designated by the user to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each block in accordance with instructions from the application processing unit 14. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 and the application processing unit 14 are configured as separate blocks. However, the control unit 10 has a function of a power control unit, and the power control unit 42 is not used as a separate block. Anyway.

  The mobile phone 1 in this embodiment has a call function, an e-mail function, a web function, a camera function, a video function, and a download application function of a normal mobile phone.

  The cellular phone 1 according to this embodiment includes a GPS antenna 30 and a position information receiving unit 31 for acquiring the current position of the user.

  The mobile phone 1 includes a rechargeable battery 40, a remaining amount detection unit 41 that detects the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 40, and a power control unit 42 that controls power supply to each block.

  Although the cellular phone 1 shown in FIG. 1 incorporates each circuit that realizes a normal telephone function, portions that are not directly related to the present invention are not described in detail for ease of explanation. To do.

  Each of the above blocks may be configured by a dedicated circuit, or may be realized by executing a program for executing each process using a microprocessor or the like built in the mobile phone 1. .

  The rechargeable battery 40 as an internal power source is composed of a lithium ion battery or the like, supplies power to the power control unit 42 and the control unit 10, and supplies power to a predetermined block in the apparatus according to an instruction from the power control unit 42. Supply.

  The remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 40 is detected by the remaining amount detection unit 41. The remaining amount detection unit 41 detects the remaining amount of the battery 40 from the output voltage and current consumption of the battery 40 and notifies the control unit 10 of the detected remaining amount. The power supply control unit 42 controls the output power supplied from the battery 40 to each block according to the control signal from the control unit 10. In this embodiment, the control unit 10 and the power supply control unit 42 are configured as separate blocks. However, the control unit 10 has a function of the power supply control unit, and the power supply control unit 42 is not used as a separate block. May be.

  For example, when the apparatus main body is in a power saving state, the power supply control unit 42 controls the battery 40 to supply power to at least the mobile communication radio unit 52 and the mobile communication modulation unit 53, and monitors incoming calls. It will be in a standby state.

  The video decoding unit 16 generates an image signal by decoding the sent encoded data signal, sends it to the video control unit 17, and controls the display on the display 20 by the video control unit 17, e-mail, Display web images. Also, the audio decoding unit 18 decodes the encoded audio signal that has been sent, sends it to the audio control unit 19, controls the volume etc. by the audio control unit 17, and reproduces the audio from the speaker 21.

  In the mobile phone 1 described above, in this embodiment, an application that can be used is selected according to the remaining battery level. That is, when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value, the control unit 10 operates the application processing unit 14 so as to lengthen the call time and the standby time of the mobile phone 1 with a focus on the original function of the mobile phone 1 as a telephone. Limit.

  In this cellular phone 1, priorities are assigned to operable applications, and when the remaining amount of the battery 40 decreases, the operation is prohibited from the applications with lower priorities.

  The priorities are registered in the memory 13 in advance. The priority can be changed by the user, and the priority is rewritten in consideration of the usage frequency of the user's application.

  When the user changes the priority order, the priority order of the application is switched using the key 56. In addition, in order to change the priority order according to the usage frequency, the control unit 10 stores the number of times of execution in the memory 13 every time the application is executed, and the predetermined number of times of execution, for example, the number of times of execution of the application is 100. When the number of times is exceeded, the control unit 10 reads out the number of times each application has been executed from the memory 13, and the priority order may be rewritten so that the application having a large number of times is registered at the higher priority order.

  Regardless of the number of times, the telephone function may be set as the first priority, the second as the mail function, and the order of other applications may be changed according to the use frequency. This is because the original function of the telephone can be implemented even when the remaining battery level is low.

  FIG. 3 shows discharge characteristics when a lithium ion battery is used as the battery 40. In this embodiment, some of the applications are limited when the voltage V1 is about 40% of the discharge capacity, and when the voltage V2 is about 80% of the discharge capacity, other than the telephone function and the mail function The application is configured to be prohibited.

  It is also possible to configure to limit the execution of one application at a time according to the change in the remaining battery level.

  In this embodiment, the priority order of applications as a default is an e-mail function, a call function, a GPS function, a web function, a camera function, a video function, and a download application function from the top.

  Next, application control processing according to the remaining battery level of the mobile phone 1 configured as described above will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining application control processing by the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the user turns on the main power supply of the mobile phone 1 and puts it into a standby state, first, in step S <b> 1, power is supplied to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 stores the memory 13. Get the priority of execution of the stored application. Initially, the control unit 10 obtains the priority order of the default priority order of the electronic mail function, the call function, the GPS function, the web function, the camera function, the moving image function, and the download application function from the top.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 2, the remaining amount of the battery 40 is detected by the remaining amount detection unit 41, and the detected remaining amount is notified to the control unit 10. According to the present invention, the control circuit 10 selects an application that can be executed according to the remaining battery level, reduces the consumption of the battery 40, reduces power consumption, and allows the user to use the cellular phone 1 that is optimal for the user. In order to perform control, the remaining amount of the battery 40 is detected and notified to the control circuit 10.

  Next, it progresses to step S3 and the control part 10 judges whether the residual amount of the battery 40 is more than predetermined value. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the voltage V1 at which the discharge capacity is 40% is reached. When the discharge capacity of the battery 40 reaches 40%, it is determined that the battery 40 has a sufficient margin, and the process proceeds to step S4, where all the applications can be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

  On the other hand, if the discharge capacity falls below the voltage V1 of 40% in step S3, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the battery 40 is greater than or equal to the second remaining amount. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the voltage V2 at which the discharge capacity is 80% is reached. When the voltage V2 at which the discharge capacity is 80% is not reached, that is, when the discharge capacity is between 40% and 80%, the remaining amount of the battery 40 is low, but there are still applications other than the original functions of the telephone. Therefore, it is determined that the application with the lower priority is not executed and the application with the group with the higher priority can be executed. In this embodiment, the priority order of the camera function, the video function, and the download application function restricts the execution of the lower group applications, and the application execution of the email function, call function, GPS function, and web function of the higher priority group is performed. Set it to a possible state. In step S7, an unusable application is displayed on the display 20. The display 20 displays that the camera function, the video function, and the download application function cannot be used. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

  On the other hand, when the control unit determines that the discharge capacity in step S5 has reached 80%, the process proceeds to step S8, and since the remaining battery level is low, the priority order is set so that only the application of the original function of the telephone is executed. Set to a state that can execute applications of higher group. In this embodiment, the priority order of GPS function, web function, camera function, video function, and download application function restricts the execution of lower-level group applications, and the higher-priority group e-mail function and call function application Set to a state where execution is possible. In step S9, an application that cannot be used is displayed on the display 20. The display 20 displays that the GPS function, web function, camera function, video function, and download application function cannot be used. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, there is an instruction for calling, receiving, or executing an application, and the control unit 10 determines whether or not the application is used by driving the application processing unit 14 of the mobile phone 1. This determination does not execute the application specified by the instruction by the key 56, but determines whether or not the specified application is executable, determines whether or not the application is set as an executable application, If the application is included, the process proceeds to step S11, the application to be used is registered in the memory 13, the number of times is added, the process proceeds to step S12, the application to be used is executed, and the process proceeds to step S13. Processing of the application continues until it is finished.

  On the other hand, if there is no instruction to use or an application that can be executed even if there is an instruction and an application that is not set, the process returns to step S2 and the above-described operation is repeated.

  When processing of the application to be used is completed, the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined whether or not the number of executions of the application has been completed a predetermined number of times, and if it has been completed, the process proceeds to step S15 in order to change the priority order.

  If the priority order is not changed, the process proceeds to step S16, where it is determined whether or not the power off key is pressed. When the power off key is pressed, the power is turned off and the operation is terminated. If the power off key has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the above operation.

In the case of changing the priority order, in step S15, the control unit 10 reads out the number of times each application has been executed from the memory 13, registers the application with the highest number of times in the higher priority order, and rewrites the priority order. Subsequent application executable states are selected in accordance with the rewritten priority order. When executed, the process proceeds to step S12, where the used application is registered in the memory 13, and the number of times is added. And
In this way, the priority order can be rewritten in consideration of the usage frequency of the application of the user, the battery consumption is reduced according to the remaining battery level, and the execution of the application preferred by the user can be ensured.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone as a portable terminal device by 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining application control processing by the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the discharge characteristic at the time of using a lithium ion battery as a battery.

Explanation of symbols

  1 mobile phone, 10 control unit, 12 camera, 13 memory, 14 application processing unit, 16 video decoding unit, 17 video control unit, 18 audio decoding unit, 19 audio control unit, 20 display, 21 speaker 2, 30 GPS antenna, 31 position information reception unit, 32 position information storage unit, 40 rechargeable battery, 41 remaining amount detection unit, 42 power control unit.

Claims (4)

  In a portable terminal device capable of executing a plurality of applications, a battery serving as a power source, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of the battery, a storage unit storing priority orders that can be executed by the application, and the usage frequency of the application Calculating means for calculating; priority order changing means for changing the priority order that can be executed by the application in accordance with the use frequency; and determining means for determining whether or not the remaining amount has become a predetermined amount or less by the remaining amount detecting means; And setting means for setting applications that can be executed according to the priority order stored in the storage means based on the determination means, and prohibiting the execution of lower priority applications when the remaining battery level is below a predetermined amount, A portable terminal device that reduces the number of applications that can be executed.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display an application name for which execution of the application is prohibited.   The plurality of applications are a call function, an e-mail function, a GPS function, a function that can connect to the Internet, a function that can shoot a still image with a built-in digital camera, a function that can shoot a movie, and a function that downloads and executes an application. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal device is provided.   4. The mobile terminal device according to claim 3, wherein when the remaining battery level is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the call function and the e-mail function can be executed, and execution of other applications is prohibited.

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