JP2017011474A - Portable information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform sufficient fraudulence prevention function in the case of encountering loss and stealing while securing satisfactory operability.SOLUTION: A lock state switching part 250 switches a lock flag to a lock state L when a lock start condition CL in which "an input operation does not have a prescribed time", or the like is satisfied, and switches the lock flag to an unlock state U when lock release conditions CU1, CU2 in which "a prescribed password is inputted", or the like is satisfied. A neglected state determination part 230 determines to be in a neglected state when a device can be recognized to be continuously in a static state for a prescribed time or more on the basis of an output of an acceleration sensor or the like. A mode switching part 270 usually maintains a mode flag in a first mode M1, and makes a switch to a second mode M2 after determining to be in a neglected state till performing lock release. In the mode M1, a release condition CU1 for requesting a simple password is applied, and in the mode M2, a release condition CU2 for requesting a complicated password is applied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a portable information processing apparatus with a lock function for preventing unauthorized use by others.

  In recent years, portable information processing devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablet electronic terminals, and portable personal computers are rapidly spreading, and are expected to continue to play an increasingly important role as information processing terminals in society. Has been. On the other hand, there are concerns that serious damage may occur due to loss or theft. For example, if a lost mobile phone is used without permission by a third party, damage to the call charge will occur. Recently, the risk of information leakage from these devices has also been pointed out, and in particular today, thorough measures are being demanded in the present day when personal information leakage becomes a major social problem.

  In order to deal with such problems, many portable information processing devices have a lock function, and when an accident such as loss or theft occurs, the device can be locked using this lock function. The device is designed to take measures to prevent unauthorized access by a third party. For example, in many portable information processing devices, if no input operation has been performed for a predetermined time or more, the lock state is automatically shifted to a lock state, and thereafter, a lock release operation such as inputting a specific password is performed. A lock function is employed so that the device cannot be used normally unless it is performed.

  Various ideas for making the lock function more convenient have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology for locking a lost device by a remote lock operation from another communication device when a user notices that the mobile phone is lost. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for automatically shifting to a locked state when a predetermined set time elapses after a casing is opened in a foldable mobile phone.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 recognizes its own position with GPS, and automatically shifts to a locked state if it is outside a predetermined action range set in advance. A process for newly adding a predetermined range centered on the current position as an action range is disclosed. In Patent Document 4, the user's position is recognized by the GPS, and if it is within the safe area, the lock can be released by a simple operation to improve the operability. A technique that can maintain safety by adopting a method of unlocking by operation is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-125305 JP 2004-343677 A JP 2013-005162 A JP 2008-227758 A

  As described above, many portable information processing apparatuses are provided with a lock function in preparation for loss or theft. However, the conventional lock function has a problem that sufficient countermeasures against fraud cannot be taken and operability is impaired.

  For example, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, even if the device can be locked by a remote lock operation, until the owner himself notices that the device has been lost, the remote lock operation is performed. , Will be subject to unauthorized use. Further, if a malicious third party who has picked up the lost device pulls out a communication medium such as a SIM card or brings it into a room where radio waves do not reach, the remote lock operation cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 2 and 3, if an automatic lock function for automatically shifting the device to a locked state based on a certain condition is incorporated, a remote lock operation or the like is not performed. The device can be locked. However, when such an automatic lock function is incorporated, if the condition for shifting to the locked state is not appropriate, frequent unlocking operations are required, resulting in impaired operability.

  As a method for improving the complexity of such an unlocking operation, Patent Document 4 discloses a technique that enables unlocking by a simple operation within a safety area. However, with this technology, it is necessary to set a safety area in advance, and the contents of the unlocking operation are switched according to a simple rule of whether the area is inside or outside the safety area, so that good operability is always obtained. Do not mean. That is, once the user goes out of the safety area, the user cannot perform unlocking by a simple operation.

  Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a portable information processing device capable of fulfilling a sufficient anti-fraud function in the event of loss or theft while ensuring good operability, It is an object of the present invention to provide a program execution control method in a portable information processing apparatus capable of performing such a function.

(1) The first aspect of the present invention is:
An operation input unit for receiving an operator's operation input;
A program storage unit storing a predetermined program;
A program execution unit for executing a program stored in the program storage unit in response to the operation input or in response to a request for the program being executed;
A display for presenting the execution results of the program to the operator;
In a portable information processing device comprising:
The program execution part
A lock flag holding unit that holds a lock flag indicating whether the current state is a locked state or an unlocked state;
A lock start condition setting unit for setting a lock start condition for shifting from the unlocked state to the locked state;
An unlocking condition setting unit for setting unlocking conditions for shifting from the locked state to the unlocked state;
With reference to the lock start condition and the lock release condition, a lock state switching unit that switches the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit when each condition is satisfied,
A mode flag holding unit for holding a mode flag indicating whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode;
A neglected state determination unit that determines whether the portable information processing device is in a neglected state based on a predetermined determination condition;
A mode switching unit that switches the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit according to the determination result of the neglected state determination unit;
A lock control module having
The program execution unit executes any program stored in the program storage unit when the lock flag indicates that the lock flag is in the unlocked state, and when the lock flag indicates that the lock flag is in the locked state, the program execution unit Of the programs stored in the storage unit, only some exception programs are executed,
In the unlock condition setting section, a first unlock condition and a second unlock condition are set,
The lock state switching part
When the lock flag indicates that it is in the unlocked state, a lock start process for switching the lock flag from the unlocked state to the locked state is performed on condition that the lock start condition is satisfied,
When the lock flag indicates the locked state and the mode flag indicates the first mode, the lock flag is unlocked from the locked state on condition that the first unlocking condition is satisfied. Perform the first unlocking process to switch to
When the lock flag indicates the locked state and the mode flag indicates the second mode, the lock flag is unlocked from the locked state on condition that the second unlocking condition is satisfied. The second unlocking process for switching to is performed.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first aspect described above,
When the mode switching unit determines that it is in the neglected state by the neglected state determining unit, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag is set to the second mode. In this case, the process for maintaining the second mode is performed as it is.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first aspect described above,
The lock control module further includes a mode switching weight condition setting unit for setting the mode switching weight condition,
When the mode switching unit is determined to be in the neglected state by the neglected state determining unit, and the mode flag indicates the first mode when the weighting condition for mode switching is satisfied at that time. Is switched to the second mode, and when the mode flag indicates the second mode, processing for maintaining the second mode is performed as it is.

(4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the third aspect described above,
The lock control module includes a current position recognition unit that recognizes the current position of the portable information processing device itself, and an area setting unit that sets a safe area on the map according to an operation input given to the operation input unit. In addition,
In the mode switching weighting condition setting section, “the current position is outside the safety area” is set as the mode switching weighting condition.

(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fourth aspect described above,
As the current position recognition unit, a position recognition system using GPS, or a position recognition system using position information of a wireless LAN base station or a mobile phone base station in communication is used.

(6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fourth aspect described above,
The program storage unit stores a schedule management program that manages a schedule indicating whereabouts every hour,
As the current position recognizing unit, a position recognition system that recognizes the position estimated as the current location at the current time as the current position by referring to the data for the schedule management program is used.

(7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fourth to sixth aspects described above,
In the lock start condition setting unit, a lock start condition that “the current position moves from the inside of the safety area to the outside of the safety area” is set.

(8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fourth to seventh aspects described above,
When the abandoned state determination unit confirms that the current position is within the safe area, it determines whether the current position is outside the safe area by determining whether or not it is left in the first sampling period. If the current position is not confirmed, it is determined whether or not it is left unattended in the second sampling period, so that the second sampling period is shorter than the first sampling period. It is set.

(9) According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fourth to seventh aspects described above,
When the abandoned state determination unit confirms that the current position is within the safety area, it is determined not to determine whether or not the abandoned state is present.

(10) According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to ninth aspects described above,
When the mode switching unit performs unlocking processing in which the lock flag is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode switching unit maintains the first mode as it is, When the mode flag indicates the second mode, processing for switching to the first mode is performed.

(11) According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to tenth aspects described above,
An unlock condition for requesting a specific input operation from the operation input unit is set in the unlock condition setting unit.

(12) According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect described above,
Compared to the first unlocking condition, the second unlocking condition is a condition requiring a more complicated input operation.

(13) According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the twelfth aspect described above,
In the unlock condition setting unit, a condition for requesting that the first password input operation is performed is set as the first unlock condition, and the second password input operation is performed as the second unlock condition. A condition for requesting to be performed is set so that the number of characters of the second password is larger than the number of characters of the first password.

(14) According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect described above,
In the unlock condition setting unit, a condition that does not require the biometric authentication of the user is set as the first unlock condition, and a condition that requires the biometric authentication of the user is set as the second unlock condition. It is what I did.

(15) According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the eleventh aspect described above,
In the unlock condition setting section, set the unlock condition that imposes a limit on the number of possible input operations for unlocking,
If any of the input operations that reach the possible number of trials is wrong, the lock state switching unit determines that the unlock condition is not satisfied for the subsequent input operations regardless of the contents. It is what I do.

(16) According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fifteenth aspect described above,
The number of possible trials for the second unlocking condition is set to be smaller than the number of possible trials for the first unlocking condition.

(17) According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect described above,
The lock state switching unit performs a protection process to protect against fraud when the input operation is performed as many times as possible for unlocking and the input operation is incorrect. It is a thing.

(18) An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the portable information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect described above,
In the unlock condition setting section, a specific input operation is set as a dummy operation,
When the lock state switching unit indicates that the mode flag is the second mode and the input operation performed for unlocking is the dummy operation described above, the lock state switching unit is to protect against fraud The protection process is executed.

(19) According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect described above,
The lock state switching unit executes a process for deleting specific data, a process for encrypting specific data, or a process for notifying the outside that fraud is being performed as a protection process. It is.

(20) According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to nineteenth aspects described above,
The lock start condition setting section has a lock start condition that “the input operation from the operation input section has not been performed for a predetermined time or more”, and “an operation input instructing the transition from the operation input section to the locked state. "Lock start condition" or "Lock start condition" Transition from the first mode to the second mode has been performed ", or a combination of some or all of these lock start conditions A lock start condition is set.

(21) According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to twentieth aspects described above,
The lock flag holding unit and the mode flag holding unit are configured by a nonvolatile memory so that the lock flag and the mode flag are maintained even when the apparatus is turned off.

(22) According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to twentieth aspects described above,
The mode flag holding unit is provided not in the main body of the portable information processing apparatus but in a server accessible by communication from the main body,
The mode switching unit performs processing for accessing the server by communication and switching the mode flag,
If the lock state switching unit performs processing for accessing the server by communication to recognize the state of the mode flag and cannot communicate with the server, the mode flag indicates the second mode. Is to be handled as

(23) According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the first to twenty-second aspects described above,
The neglected state determination unit is configured to determine the neglected state when a period during which the portable information processing apparatus can be recognized as being in a stationary state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time.

(24) According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the twenty-third aspect described above,
The neglected state determination unit
A detection sensor for detecting an acceleration or angular velocity acting on the portable information processing device or an attitude of the portable information processing device;
A moving and static state recognition unit that monitors the output of the detection sensor at a predetermined sampling period and recognizes whether it is a moving state or a stationary state;
A duration determination unit that performs a determination of a neglected state when the period in which the movement and state recognition unit recognizes the static state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time; and
It is made to have.

(25) According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the twenty-fourth aspect described above,
As a detection sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or an attitude sensor is used.
The moving and static state recognizing unit recognizes the stationary state when the temporal variation of the output of the detection sensor is within a predetermined threshold.

(26) According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information processing device according to the twenty-fourth aspect described above,
As a detection sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or an attitude sensor is used.
The moving and static state recognizing unit recognizes the stationary state when the variance of the sampling values of the output of the detection sensor is within a predetermined threshold.

  (27) According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the portable information processing apparatus according to the first to twenty-sixth aspects described above is incorporated into a smartphone, a tablet electronic terminal, or a portable personal computer, by incorporating a lock control program. The lock control module is configured using the lock control program, and at least the lock control program and the program required by the lock control program are exception programs.

  (28) In a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the portable information processing apparatus according to the first to twenty-seventh aspects described above is configured by incorporating a program into a computer.

(29) A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention provides
An operation input unit for receiving an operator's operation input;
A program storage unit storing a predetermined program;
A program execution unit for executing a program stored in the program storage unit in response to the operation input or in response to a request for the program being executed;
A display for presenting the execution results of the program to the operator;
In a portable information processing apparatus comprising: a program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus for controlling the execution of the predetermined program;
To set the lock flag indicating whether the current state is the locked state or the unlocked state, to start the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, and to shift from the locked state to the unlocked state A lock state switching step of switching a lock flag when each condition is satisfied, with reference to the first unlock condition and the second unlock condition;
A neglected state determination step for determining whether the portable information processing device is in a neglected state based on a predetermined determination condition;
A mode switching step of setting a mode flag indicating whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode, and switching the mode flag according to the determination result of the leaving state determination step;
When the lock flag indicates that it is unlocked, an arbitrary program stored in the program storage unit is executed. When the lock flag indicates that it is locked, it is stored in the program storage unit. Program execution step for executing only a part of the exception program among the existing programs,
Is executed by the portable information processing device,
In the lock state switching step,
When the lock flag indicates that it is in the unlocked state, a lock start process for switching the lock flag from the unlocked state to the locked state is performed on condition that the lock start condition is satisfied,
When the lock flag indicates the locked state and the mode flag indicates the first mode, the lock flag is unlocked from the locked state on condition that the first unlocking condition is satisfied. Perform the first unlocking process to switch to
When the lock flag indicates the locked state and the mode flag indicates the second mode, the lock flag is unlocked from the locked state on condition that the second unlocking condition is satisfied. The second unlocking process for switching to is performed.

(30) According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing device according to the twenty-ninth aspect described above,
In the mode switching step, when the neglected state is determined in the neglected state determining step, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag is set to the second mode. In this case, the process for maintaining the second mode is performed as it is.

(31) According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the twenty-ninth aspect described above,
In the mode switching step, in addition to the determination result of the neglected state determining step, the mode flag is switched with reference to the weighting condition for mode switching, and the neglected state is determined by the neglected state determining step. In addition, when the mode switching weighting condition is satisfied at that time, when the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag indicates the second mode. In this case, the process for maintaining the second mode is performed as it is.

(32) According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the thirty-first aspect described above,
As a weighting condition for mode switching, a condition that “the current position of the portable information processing apparatus itself is outside a predetermined safety area set in advance” is set.

(33) According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the twenty-ninth to thirty-second aspects described above,
When the unlocking process for switching the lock flag from the locked state to the unlocked state is performed by the lock state switching step, the first mode is selected when the mode flag indicates the second mode by the mode switching step. The process of switching to is performed.

(34) According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the twenty-ninth to thirty-third aspects described above,
In the lock state switching step, when the operator performs a specific input operation on the portable information processing device, the lock flag is switched as the first unlock condition or the second unlock condition is satisfied. Is to do.

(35) According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the twenty-ninth to thirty-fourth aspects described above,
In the neglected state determination step, when the period during which the portable information processing apparatus can be recognized as being in a stationary state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time, the neglected state is determined.

  (36) According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to the twenty-ninth to thirty-fifth aspects is executed by incorporating a predetermined control program in a computer. It is a thing.

  In the portable information processing apparatus and the program execution control method according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the apparatus is in the neglected state, and either the first mode or the second mode is determined based on the determination result. Is set. Moreover, the unlocking condition is set separately for each of these modes. If it is determined that the device is left unattended, the device may have been misplaced. In such a case, a different unlocking condition may be applied. Accordingly, a simpler condition can be set as a normal unlocking condition, and a safer condition can be set as the unlocking condition when it is determined that the device is left unattended. Thus, it is possible to perform a sufficient anti-fraud function when a loss or theft is encountered while ensuring good operability.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable information processing apparatus 100 which concerns on fundamental embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the program execution process by the program execution part 130 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the lock state switching process by the lock state switching part 250 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the mode switching process by the mode switching part 270 shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows some examples of the lock start condition CL for setting to the lock start condition setting part 210 shown in FIG. 6 is a table showing some examples of a first unlock condition CU1 and a second unlock condition CU2 to be set in the unlock condition setting unit 220 shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows some examples of the protection process performed by the lock state switching part 250 shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the XYZ local coordinate system defined in the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the NEU global coordinate system where the said apparatus 100 is arrange | positioned. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a neglected state determination unit 230 illustrated in FIG. 1. 10 is a graph showing temporal variation of an X-axis direction component αx of acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 231 shown in FIG. 9. 10 is a graph showing sampling values of an X-axis direction component αx of acceleration output from the acceleration sensor 231 shown in FIG. 9. It is a graph which shows dispersion | distribution of each sampling value shown in FIG. 3 is an event chart showing a specific usage example of the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 100 A of portable information processing apparatuses which concern on the 1st modification of the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable information processing apparatus 100B which concerns on the 2nd modification of the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating an example of an area setting work screen for the area setting unit 281 illustrated in FIG. 15. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of mode switching processing by mode switching units 270A and 270B illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of an operation screen of a schedule management program used by the current position recognition unit 282 shown in FIG. 15. It is a figure which shows the structure of the portable information processing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd modification which provided the mode flag holding | maintenance part 260C in the external server 300 in the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

<<< §1. Configuration of apparatus according to basic embodiment >>
First, the configuration of the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the basic embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As shown in the upper part of the figure, this portable information processing apparatus 100 is an apparatus provided with a program storage unit 110, a display 120, a program execution part 130, and an operation input part 140, and is a block enclosed by a dashed line in the lower part of the figure. In the figure, a detailed configuration of the lock control module 200 which is one component in the program execution unit 130 is shown.

  The portable information processing apparatus 100 is actually configured by incorporating a predetermined program into a portable computer such as a smartphone, a tablet electronic terminal, or a portable personal computer. The program storage unit 110 is a component that stores various programs executed by the computer. In the figure, a state in which four programs P1, P2, P3, and PL are incorporated is shown. In practice, a larger number of programs are generally incorporated, but in the figure, for the sake of convenience, an example in which the above four programs are stored is shown.

  Here, the programs P1, P2, and P3 are configured by an OS program, an application program, and a subroutine program that is called up and used from these programs. On the other hand, the program PL is a lock control program incorporated in order to realize the function that is a feature of the present invention. In the figure, the lock control module 200 depicted in the program execution unit 130 is the lock control program. This function is realized by the program PL. In other words, the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is configured by incorporating the lock control program PL into a smartphone, a tablet electronic terminal, or a portable personal computer.

  Of course, as actual hardware, the program storage unit 110 is realized by a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk device incorporated in the device 100, and the program execution unit 130 is a CPU incorporated in the device 100. And a RAM for developing the program.

  The operation input unit 140 is a component that receives an operator's operation input, and the program execution unit 130 plays a role of executing a predetermined program stored in the program storage unit 110 in response to the operation input. Further, in some cases, the program execution unit 130 may execute another program stored in the program storage unit 110 in response to a request for the program currently being executed (depending on the program currently being executed). If a simple program is called).

  The execution result of the program executed in this way is presented to the operator on the display 120. When the portable information processing apparatus 100 is configured by a smartphone or a tablet electronic terminal, the operation input unit 140 is configured by a touch panel formed on the screen of the display 120. The operator uses the portable information processing apparatus 100 while performing necessary operation inputs on the touch panel functioning as the operation input unit 140 while viewing the display screen of the display 120.

  As described above, the function that characterizes the present invention is realized by the lock control program PL. The lock control program PL can be prepared as a part of the OS program, can be prepared as an application program, or can be prepared as a subroutine program. However, since it is a program for executing processing related to the lock function of this apparatus, it is necessary to make it practically a program that operates in cooperation with the function of the OS program.

  In other words, the lock control program PL is a program for controlling the portable information processing apparatus 100 to be locked or unlocked, so that it is like a general application program. A program that can be freely terminated based on the operator's intention cannot fulfill its task. Therefore, the lock control program PL must start up and start operating together with the OS program when the apparatus 100 is turned on and started, and should continue to operate with the OS program until the power is turned off. .

  In short, the lock control program PL is prepared as a part of the OS program, prepared as a subroutine program used by the OS program, or an application program that continues to run in the background while the OS program is running ( So-called resident software).

  In the figure, for the sake of convenience, only the lock control module 200 realized by the function of the lock control program PL is depicted in the program execution unit 130. Of course, the program execution unit 130 includes a program. There are also other modules realized by the functions of P1, P2, and P3. However, these other modules are modules that are not directly necessary for the description of the present invention, and therefore illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  As shown in the lower part of FIG. 1, the lock control module 200 includes a lock start condition setting unit 210, an unlock condition setting unit 220, a neglected state determination unit 230, a lock flag holding unit 240, a lock state switching unit 250, and a mode flag holding unit. 260 and a mode switching unit 270.

  Each of these components is provided by the function of the lock control program PL as described above, and is realized by the operation of the software using the hardware resources of the device 100. Therefore, the lock start condition setting unit 210, the lock release condition setting unit 220, the lock flag holding unit 240, and the mode flag holding unit 260 are actually realized by a storage device such as a memory built in the device 100, and The functions of the state switching unit 250 and the mode switching unit 270 are provided by the CPU built in the apparatus 100 executing the lock control program PL. Further, as described later, the neglected state determination unit 230 is embodied by a physical sensor built in the device 100 and a CPU that executes determination processing in the lock control program PL using the output of the sensor. Will be converted.

  The role of the lock control module 200 is to perform lock control to lock or release the device 100 as necessary, and to add a lock function to the device 100. Such a lock function itself is a function that has been conventionally used, and a lock function is provided in many portable information processing apparatuses that are currently used. In a general apparatus having a lock function, when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time or longer, a process of automatically shifting to the lock state is performed.

  In this locked state, only some exception programs such as a program for unlocking are allowed to be executed, and other general programs cannot be executed. That is, in order to execute a general program, an unlock operation is required. Therefore, for example, if an operation requesting the input of a specific password is set as the unlocking operation, a third party who does not know the password cannot perform the unlocking operation, so the device is lost or stolen. In addition, unauthorized access by a third party can be prevented.

  The lock function provided by the lock control module 200 according to the present invention is also basically the same as the conventional lock function. When the device 100 is in a locked state, the general function except for some exception programs is applied. The program cannot be executed. In the present application, a normal state in which the locked state is released is referred to as an “unlocked state”. Therefore, the device 100 takes either the “locked state” or the “unlocked state” regarding the lock function.

  The illustrated lock flag holding unit 240 is a component that holds a lock flag indicating whether the current state is a locked state or an unlocked state. Here, the locked state is indicated by a symbol “L”, and the unlocked state is indicated by a symbol “U”. Since this lock flag is a flag indicating one of the two states of the locked state L / unlocked state U, it can actually be composed of 1-bit data, and the lock flag holding unit 240 has 1 It can be constituted by a memory that holds bit data (in practice, 1-byte data).

  As described above, the program execution unit 130 executes a program stored in the program storage unit 110 in response to an operation input input from the operation input unit 140 or in response to a request for a program currently being executed. Fulfills the function. This program execution function is provided by a program execution management module (a module built in the program execution unit 130 based on an OS program or the like) (not shown). At this time, the program execution management module displays a lock flag. With reference to the state of the lock flag held in the holding unit 240, an executable program is selected.

  That is, the program execution management module executes an arbitrary program stored in the program storage unit 110 when the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 indicates the unlocked state U. When the lock flag indicates that the lock state is L, management is performed such that only a part of the exception programs among the programs stored in the program storage unit 110 are executed.

  In this case, at least the lock control program PL and the program required by the program are set as exception programs. Therefore, the illustrated lock control module 200 constructed by the lock control program PL operates even when the lock flag is in the locked state L.

  In practice, in addition to the lock control program PL, a program that accepts an operation input from the operation input unit 140, a program that displays an image on the display 120, a program that performs power management, etc. (usually a subroutine program used by an OS program) It is preferable that the program is set as a part of the exception program so that the lock flag operates even in the lock state L. When the device 100 has a function as a mobile phone, a telephone program for making an emergency call such as a 110th call or a 119 call is set as a part of the exception program, and the lock flag is set. It may be possible to make an emergency call even in the locked state L.

  In the case of the embodiment shown here, the program execution unit 130 displays the display 120 according to the function of the OS program when the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 indicates the unlocked state U. An icon indicating a list of application programs stored in the program storage unit 110 is displayed on the home screen, and a process of starting and executing the application program corresponding to the icon is performed by tapping an arbitrary icon. If the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 indicates that the lock flag is in the locked state L, the lock control program PL (partial exception program) is executed, and the home of the display 120 is On the screen, an unlock screen (the state of the lock state switching unit 250) Display screen) displayed by the results in performing a process of waiting for the unlocking operation.

  As described above, the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 is an important parameter for determining whether or not the program to be executed by the program execution unit 130 is limited to only some exception programs. The lock state switching unit 250 is a component that performs a process of switching the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240.

  That is, when the lock flag is in the unlocked state U, the lock state switching unit 250 has a predetermined lock start condition (hereinafter referred to as “CL” in the meaning of Condition for shifting to the lock state L). It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, a process of switching the lock flag to the lock state L is performed. When the lock flag is in the lock state L, a predetermined unlock condition (hereinafter referred to as unlock condition) is performed. A process for switching the lock flag to the unlocked state U when the condition is satisfied. Do.

  The illustrated lock start condition setting unit 210 is a component that sets a lock start condition CL for shifting from the unlocked state U to the locked state L, and the lock release condition setting unit 220 is changed from the locked state L to the unlocked state. This is a component for setting an unlock condition CU for shifting to U. As will be described later, in the present invention, the first unlocking condition CU1 and the second unlocking condition CU2 are set separately as the unlocking condition CU. The lock state switching unit 250 refers to the lock start condition CL set in the lock start condition setting unit 210 and the lock release conditions CU1 and CU2 set in the lock release condition setting unit 220, and each condition is satisfied. A process of switching the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 is performed.

  An important feature of the present invention is that the lock control module 200 is further provided with a neglected state determination unit 230, a mode flag holding unit 260, and a mode switching unit 270. Here, the mode flag holding unit 260 is a component that holds a mode flag indicating whether the current mode is the first mode M1 or the second mode M2. Based on a predetermined determination condition, it is a component that determines whether the portable information processing device 100 is in a neglected state. The mode switching unit 270 holds a mode flag according to the determination result of the neglected state determination unit 230. This is a component for switching the mode flag held in the unit 260.

  Here, first, the significance of the mode flag will be explained. The role of the mode flag in the present invention is to indicate whether or not the portable information processing apparatus 100 is in the “left behind state”. In the embodiment shown here, the normal state (“non-placed state”, ie, the state that is not the “placed state”) is the first mode M1, and the “placed state” is the second mode M2. The above-described lock flag is a flag indicating whether the locked state is L or unlocked U, whereas the mode flag is a flag indicating whether the first mode M1 or the second mode M2. Both flags have different meanings. That is, the lock flag is a flag indicating an operational instruction as to whether or not the device 100 should be locked, whereas the mode flag is the fact whether or not the device 100 is in a “misplaced state” (sensor This is a flag indicating a detection result obtained by, for example.

  Here, “forgotten state” literally means a state in which the device 100 leaves the user's hand and is left somewhere. The primary point of view of the present invention is that the main cause of the loss or theft of the device 100 originates from the mistake of “forgetting the owner”. Of course, the device 100 may be stolen by snatching or robbery, but most of the loss or theft is attributed to the owner's negligence of misplacement somewhere.

  In the present application, the term “left-behind state” is used together with the term “misplaced state”. As described above, the neglected state determination unit 230 is a component that determines whether or not the portable information processing device 100 is in the “left state”. Therefore, here, the difference between the “misplaced state” and the “left state” will be briefly described.

  First, the “leaving state” in the present application refers to a state in which the device 100 is physically left. For example, if the device 100 is left on the table, the leaving state determining unit 230 The determination of “Left state” is made. However, after that, if the device 100 is picked up from the table and operated, it will be in a “non-left state”. As described above, the “left state” and the “non-left state” are states that are alternately repeated every time the apparatus 100 is placed or picked up.

  On the other hand, the “forgotten state” indicates a case where the process of returning to the normal state (“non-placed state”) has not been executed after the determination of the “left state” has been made even once in the past. Is. In other words, once it is determined as the “left state” by the left state determination unit 230, it shifts from the normal state (“unplaced state”) to the “left state”, and thereafter, the left state determination unit 230 determines “non-left state”. Even when the determination of “state” is made, the “forgotten state” is maintained as it is. As described later, for example, the return process for shifting from the “forgotten state” to the normal state (“non-forgotten state”) is “when an unlock operation is performed”.

  After all, in the case of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the neglected state determination unit 230 determines that it is in the neglected state, the mode switching unit 270 sets the mode flag to the first mode M1 (mode indicating “non-placed state”). Is switched to the second mode M2 (a mode indicating a “misplaced state”). The important point here is that the lock state switching unit 250 refers to different unlock conditions depending on the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260. As described above, in the unlock condition setting unit 220, the first unlock condition CU1 and the second unlock condition CU2 are set separately. The lock state switching unit 250 refers to the first unlock condition CU1 when the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260 indicates the first mode M1, and indicates the second mode M2. If there is, the second unlocking condition CU2 is referred to.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to apply different unlocking conditions depending on whether or not the device 100 is in a “forgotten state”. That is, in the normal state (“non-forgotten state”), the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, and thus unlocking is performed based on the first unlocking condition CU1, but in the “forgotten state” Since the mode flag indicates the second mode M2, the unlocking is performed based on the second unlocking condition CU2.

  As described above, the shift to the “left misplaced state” (second mode M2) is made based on the determination of the “left unattended state” by the unattended state determining unit 230, but the transition to the “left misplaced state” is made. However, this does not necessarily mean that the device 100 is truly misplaced. For example, if the owner intentionally left the apparatus 100 on the table during the meeting, the neglected state determination unit 230 determines “Left state” and shifts to “Left state”. Become. In this case, since the device 100 is still under the control of the owner, it is not really misplaced. However, the device 100 shifts to the “misplaced state” and the unlock condition (second The unlock condition CU2) will be applied.

  As described above, the transition to the “left misplaced state” (second mode M2) in the present invention is not necessarily executed only when the device 100 is really misplaced. If the determination is “state”, the possibility that the device 100 has been misplaced cannot be denied. In the apparatus 100 according to the present invention, based on the basic idea of always standing on the safe side, whether it is intentionally left on the table during the meeting, or if it is accidentally left on the izakaya chair, Without distinguishing (in practice, it is difficult to distinguish between the two), in any case, the unlocking condition is different from the normal condition by shifting to the “forgotten state” (second mode M2). Has been applied.

  In the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, unlocking is performed when it is determined that the device is left unattended while setting a simpler condition as a normal unlocking condition (first unlocking condition CU1). As a condition (second unlock condition CU2), a more secure condition can be set. As described above, in the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, in a normal state (when it is not determined that the device is left unattended), the operability is ensured by the unlocking operation based on the first unlocking condition CU1. When it is suspected that the device has been lost or stolen (when it is determined to be left unattended), it is possible to perform a sufficient anti-fraud function by the unlocking operation based on the second unlocking condition CU2. .

  In the case of the embodiment shown here, the lock flag holding unit 240 and the mode flag holding unit 260 are configured by a nonvolatile memory. Therefore, even if the power supply of the apparatus 100 is turned off, the lock flag and the mode flag are maintained as they are.

  Therefore, even if the power is turned off in the locked state L and then turned on again, the locked state L is maintained as it is. After the power is turned off in the unlocked state U and turned on again, the unlocked state is maintained. U is maintained as it is. Similarly, even if the power is turned off in the first mode M1 and then turned on again, the first mode M1 is maintained as it is, and after the power is turned off in the second mode M2, the power is turned on again. However, the second mode M2 is maintained as it is.

  Of course, for security enhancement, it is also possible to make a setting so that the locked state L is always maintained when the power is turned on. In this case, the locked state is always L when the power is turned on, regardless of the state of the lock flag when the power is turned off. Similarly, for security enhancement, it is possible to perform setting so that the second mode M2 is always set when the power is turned on. In this case, regardless of the state of the mode flag when the power is turned off, the second mode M2 is always set when the power is turned on.

<<< §2. Basic operation of apparatus according to basic embodiment >>
Next, the basic operation of the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the program execution process performed by the program execution unit 130 shown in FIG. As described in §1, the program execution process by the program execution unit 130 is provided by a program execution management module (a module built in the program execution unit 130 based on an OS program or the like) (not shown). The procedure of the program execution process shown in FIG. 2 is a process procedure executed by the program execution management module.

  First, when the operator performs a power-on operation (or a restart operation) on the apparatus 100, a start process in step S11 is performed. Since this startup process is a process dependent on the startup program and the OS program incorporated in the apparatus 100, detailed description thereof is omitted here. Immediately after the device 100 is newly purchased, an initial setting routine such as password setting and user registration is executed subsequent to the activation process S11. However, the description thereof is also omitted here.

  When the activation process is completed, the lock flag is recognized in step S12. That is, processing for recognizing the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 is performed. If the lock flag is in the unlocked state U, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14, and an arbitrary program is executed. Specifically, an icon indicating a list of application programs stored in the program storage unit 110 is displayed on the home screen of the display 120, and the operator inputs an operation input by tapping an arbitrary icon from the operation input unit 140. As a result, the application program corresponding to the icon is executed.

  On the other hand, if the lock flag is in the locked state L, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S15, and the exception program is executed. Specifically, the lock control program PL and a subroutine program associated therewith are executed to display a lock release screen on the home screen of the display 120, and processing for unlocking is executed.

  Thus, in the procedure of the program execution process, the process from step S12 is repeatedly executed until the OS program is terminated in step S16 (normally, until the power of the apparatus 100 is turned off). As will be described later, since the state of the lock flag changes every time a predetermined transition condition is satisfied, the branching process in step S13 is determined according to the state of the lock flag at that time.

  Note that the process of step S14 is not necessarily performed based on the operation input of the operator. For example, when there is a request to execute another program from the currently executing program, Execution will be performed. Further, the process of step S15 is not necessarily limited to the process of executing the lock control program PL and the subroutine program associated therewith. For example, as one of the exception programs, the 110th report, the 119th report, etc. If a telephone program for making an emergency call is set, the telephone program can be executed in step S15 to make an emergency call.

  Thus, when the lock flag indicates that the lock flag is in the unlocked state U, the program execution unit 130 executes an arbitrary program stored in the program storage unit 110 (step S14), and the lock flag is locked. When the status L is indicated, only a part of the exception programs out of the programs stored in the program storage unit 110 are executed (step S15).

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lock state switching process by the lock state switching unit 250 shown in FIG. The lock state switching unit 250 first recognizes the lock flag in step S21. That is, the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 is recognized. Here, when it is recognized that the lock flag is in the unlocked state U, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S23, and the lock start condition is determined. That is, it is determined whether or not the lock start condition CL set in the lock start condition setting unit 210 is satisfied.

  Specifically, as the lock start condition CL, for example, when the condition setting that “the input operation from the operation input unit 140 has not been performed for a predetermined time or longer” has been made, the lock state switching unit 250 In step S23, the operation input state from the operation input unit 140 is checked, and it is determined whether or not the lock start condition CL is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S25, and lock start processing for switching the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 from the unlocked state U to the locked state L is executed. On the other hand, when the condition is not satisfied, the lock flag is not switched. In both cases where the condition is satisfied / not satisfied, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart again, and the processing from step S21 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is recognized in step S21 that the lock flag is in the locked state L, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S26, and this time, the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 240 is recognized. Is done. Here, when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, the process proceeds from step S27 to step S28, and the determination of the first unlock condition CU1 is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not the first unlocking condition CU1 set in the unlocking condition setting unit 220 is satisfied.

  Specifically, as the first unlocking condition CU1, for example, when the condition setting “password“ 1234 ”is input” is set, the lock state switching unit 250 performs the operation input in step S28. It is checked whether or not the character string “1234” is input as the password from the unit 140, and it is determined whether or not the unlock condition CU1 is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds from step S29 to step S30, and the first unlocking process for switching the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 from the locked state L to the unlocked state U is executed. To do. On the other hand, when the condition is not satisfied, the lock flag is not switched. In both cases where the condition is satisfied / not satisfied, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart again, and the processing from step S21 is repeatedly executed.

  If the second mode M2 is indicated as a result of recognizing the state of the mode flag in step S26, the process proceeds from step S27 to step S31, and the second unlock condition CU2 is determined. That is, it is determined whether or not the second unlocking condition CU2 set in the unlocking condition setting unit 220 is satisfied.

  Specifically, as the second unlocking condition CU2, for example, when the condition setting “password“ 12345567890ABCDEF ”is input” is set, the lock state switching unit 250 performs the operation input in step S31. It is checked whether or not the character string “12345567890ABCDEF” has been input from the unit 140 as a password, and it is determined whether or not the unlock condition CU2 is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33, and a second unlocking process for switching the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 from the locked state L to the unlocked state U is executed. To do. On the other hand, when the condition is not satisfied, the lock flag is not switched. In both cases where the condition is satisfied / not satisfied, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart again, and the processing from step S21 is repeatedly executed.

  As described above, the lock state switching process by the lock state switching unit 250 is a process of switching the state of the lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit 240 to the lock state L or the unlock state U. That is, when the lock flag indicates the unlocked state U, the lock state switching unit 250 locks the lock flag from the unlocked state U to the locked state L on condition that the lock start condition CL is satisfied. Start processing is executed. Since the lock start condition CL set in the lock start condition setting unit 210 does not depend on the state of the mode flag, it is not necessary to refer to the mode flag when determining the lock start condition CL.

  On the other hand, in the unlock condition setting unit 220, the first unlock condition CU1 and the second unlock condition CU2 are set, and either one of the conditions depends on the state of the mode flag. Is applied selectively. Therefore, when the lock flag indicates that the lock state is L, the lock state switching unit 250 determines whether the first unlock condition CU1 or the second unlock condition depends on the state of the mode flag at that time. The condition is determined by selecting either CU2.

  That is, when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, the first flag for switching the lock flag from the locked state L to the unlocked state U on condition that the first unlocking condition CU1 is satisfied (step S28). When the lock release process (step S30) is performed and the mode flag indicates the second mode M2, the lock flag is set to the locked state L on condition that the second unlock condition CU2 is satisfied (step S31). The second unlocking process (step S33) for switching from the unlocked state U to the unlocked state U is performed.

  In practice, some message for notifying the operator whether the current mode is the first mode M1 or the second mode M2 is displayed on the screen of the display 120. It is preferable to provide a function for displaying the image. Then, when performing the unlocking process, the operator can perform a necessary operation (an operation for satisfying each unlocking condition) based on the message.

  Finally, the procedure of mode switching processing by the mode switching unit 270 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the mode switching unit 270 recognizes a mode flag in step S41. That is, the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260 is recognized. Here, when it is recognized that the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, the process proceeds from step S42 to step S43, and whether or not the neglected state is determined by the neglected state determination unit 230. It is confirmed.

  If it is determined that the state is left unattended, the mode switching unit 270 proceeds from step S44 to step S45, and the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260 is changed to the first mode. A mode switching process for switching from the state indicating M1 to the state indicating the second mode M2 is executed. On the other hand, when the neglected state determination unit 230 determines that the state is not left, the mode flag is not switched. In either case, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart again, and the processing from step S41 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when it is recognized in step S41 that the mode flag indicates the second mode M2, the process proceeds from step S42 to step S46, and it is confirmed whether or not the unlocking process has been performed. When the unlocking process (the process of step S30 or S33 in FIG. 3) is performed by the lock state switching unit 250, the mode switching unit 270 proceeds from step S47 to step S48, and the mode flag holding unit A mode switching process (return process) for switching the state of the mode flag held in 260 from the state indicating the second mode M2 to the state indicating the first mode M1 is executed. On the other hand, when the unlocking process is not performed, the mode flag is not switched. In either case, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart again, and the processing from step S41 is repeatedly executed.

  After all, in the basic embodiment shown here, the mode switching unit 270 performs the following operation. First, when the neglected state is determined by the neglected state determining unit 230, when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, a mode switching process for switching to the second mode M2 is executed, and the mode flag is set. If indicates the second mode M2, the process for maintaining the second mode M2 is performed as it is.

  Here, the determination result of the neglected state determination unit 230 is used for processing for switching the mode flag from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2, but conversely, the mode flag is changed from the second mode M2 to the first mode M2. It is not used for the process of switching to the mode M1 (return process). In other words, when the neglected state determination unit 230 obtains a determination result of “Left state”, a process of switching the mode flag from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 is performed. Even if the determination result of “non- neglected state” is obtained by the state determination unit 230, a process (return process) for returning the mode flag from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 based on the determination result. Never done.

  This is because, as described in §1, the mode flag plays a role of indicating the “non-placed state” (first mode M1) and the “placed state” (second mode M2). . As described in detail in §5, the neglected state determination unit 230 determines that the device 100 is in the neglected state when a period during which the apparatus 100 can be recognized as being in a stationary state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time. Therefore, after the device 100 is misplaced, the mode flag is switched from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 when a predetermined leaving determination time elapses (step S45).

  After that, when a third party picks up the device 100, the stationary state is not maintained. Therefore, the neglected state determination unit 230 performs the determination of the non-discarded state at that time. And the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2 (when it is in the “forgotten state”), the second mode M2 (“forgotten state”) even if it is determined that it is not left unattended thereafter. ) Is maintained as it is. Therefore, in order to perform the unlocking process, an operation that satisfies the second unlocking condition CU2 is required. As a result, the fraud prevention function in the case of encountering loss or theft works normally.

  In the case of the basic embodiment shown here, the return process for returning the mode flag from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 (the process for returning from the “misplaced state” to the “non-placed state”) is performed by the lock state switching unit. This is performed when a lock release process is performed in which the lock flag is switched from the lock state L to the unlock state U by 250. That is, when the unlocking process by the lock state switching unit 250 is performed, the mode switching unit 270 maintains the first mode M1 as it is when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1. When indicates the second mode M2, a process of switching to the first mode M1 is performed.

  This is because if the unlocking process is properly performed, the apparatus 100 can be estimated to be in the hands of the legitimate owner, and it can be determined that it is no longer in a “misplaced” state.

  Note that the return process for returning the mode flag from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 does not necessarily have to be performed when the unlocking process is performed. When the operation input for giving an instruction to return the second mode M2 to the first mode M1 (return operation input) ”is performed, the above-described return processing may be performed. That is, instead of step S46 in FIG. 4, it is confirmed whether or not the return operation input has been performed, and the branch from step S47 to step S48 is processing when the return operation input is performed. become. In this case, since the return processing for returning the mode flag to the first mode M1 is not automatically performed only by performing the lock release processing, the operator wishes to return to the first mode M1. It is necessary to input the return operation.

<<< §3. Specific condition setting variation >>>
In the portable information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the lock start condition CL is set in the lock start condition setting unit 210, and the lock release conditions CU1 and CU2 are set in the lock release condition setting unit 220. As described above, the lock state switching unit 250 determines whether or not each of these conditions is satisfied and performs a process of switching the lock flag in the lock flag holding unit 240. Therefore, here, some specific variations of the lock start condition CL and the lock release conditions CU1 and CU2 will be described.

<3-1. Variations of lock start conditions>
FIG. 5 is a table showing some examples of the lock start condition CL to be set in the lock start condition setting unit 210 shown in FIG.

  First, the lock start condition described in Example 1 that “the input operation from the operation input unit has not been performed for a predetermined time or more” is an example of the typical lock start condition CL described in the above description. . When the lock start condition CL shown in this example 1 is set, the lock state switching unit 250 monitors the operation of the operation input unit 140, and if there is no operator input for a predetermined time or more, the lock state switching unit 250 It is determined that the start condition CL is satisfied. For example, when a touch panel is adopted as the operation input unit 140 and the time setting of 5 minutes is set as the predetermined time, when the operator's touch operation is interrupted for 5 minutes, the lock state L is entered. In general smartphones and tablet electronic terminals currently used, the lock start condition CL as shown in this example 1 is often set.

  The lock start condition described in Example 2 that “the operation input instructing the shift from the operation input unit to the lock state has occurred” is a condition that is set when the shift to the lock state L is entrusted to the operator's instruction. . When the lock start condition CL shown in the second example is set, the lock state switching unit 250 determines that the lock start condition CL is present when the operation input unit 140 receives an “operation input instructing transition to the lock state”. It is determined that the above is satisfied. Actually, for example, a function for displaying a lock instruction icon or the like on the home screen or the like is added, and the tap operation on the icon is handled as “operation input for instructing transition to the lock state”. Good. When the operator determines that the lock is to be applied, the operator performs the above operation and manually shifts to the lock state L.

  The lock start condition described in Example 3 that “the transition from the first mode to the second mode has been performed” is a condition for performing the setting for interlocking the switching of the lock flag with the switching of the mode flag. . When the lock start condition CL shown in this example 3 is set, the lock state switching unit 250 monitors the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260, and the second mode is changed from the first mode M1 to the second mode. When switching to the mode M2 is performed, it is determined that the lock start condition CL is satisfied. In short, when shifting to the “misplaced state”, the state shifts to the locked state L at the same time.

  The lock start condition described in Example 4 that “the current position moves from the inside of the safety area to the outside of the safety area” is the condition set in “variation example in which an area is set as a weighting condition” described later in §7-2. Yes, it is a condition for automatically shifting to the locked state L when the vehicle exits the preset safety area. This will be described in detail in §7-2.

  Of course, Example 1 to Example 4 shown in FIG. 5 are some examples of conditions that can be set as the lock start condition CL. In executing the present invention, the lock start condition CL is the same as those of Examples 1 to 4. It is not limited. Further, as long as there is no logical contradiction, it is possible to set a composite lock start condition by combining some or all of the lock start conditions shown in Examples 1 to 4. For example, a lock start condition CL based on a logical operation such as “condition of example 1” or “condition of example 2” can be set.

  What kind of lock start condition CL is set may be determined in advance by the designer of the apparatus 100, or a plurality of lock start conditions CL are prepared in advance and presented to the user. The user may select and set preferred conditions as appropriate.

<3-2. Variations in unlock conditions>
FIG. 6 is a table showing some examples of the lock release conditions CU1 and CU2 to be set in the lock release condition setting unit 220 shown in FIG. Examples 1 to 3 each show a combination of the first unlocking condition CU1 and the second unlocking condition CU2, and the corresponding CU1-CU2 is set as a combination.

  The unlock conditions exemplified here are conditions that require a specific input operation from the operation input unit 140. Therefore, the lock state switching unit 250 satisfies the lock release condition by checking whether the input operation performed on the operation input unit 140 matches the input operation set as the lock release condition. It is determined whether or not it has been done.

  The “specific input operation” set as the unlocking condition is not limited to an operation for inputting a password made up of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. For example, a plurality of passwords displayed on the display screen An operation of tapping an image in a specific order or an operation of tracing a predetermined route on the image with a single stroke may be used. Alternatively, as will be described later, in the case of a device provided with an attitude sensor (tilt sensor), an operation of sequentially tilting the device in a predetermined direction may be performed. Of course, the operation is not limited to an operation performed by an operator using a finger or a hand. For example, the biometric authentication set as the second unlocking condition CU2 in Example 2 is a condition that requires an image input operation for confirming a fingerprint, an iris, etc., and an audio input operation for confirming a voiceprint, etc. It has become.

  In Example 1, the condition setting “password“ 1234 ”is input” as the first unlocking condition CU1 is set, and “password“ 12345567890ABCDEF ”is input as the second unlocking condition CU2.” Each condition setting is made. As described above, the unlock condition for requesting the input of the password is the most typical condition required for releasing the lock. When such an unlocking condition is adopted, the owner (operator) of the apparatus 100 needs to perform a password setting operation in advance.

  In the case of the above example, the owner of the device 100 sets a 4-character password “1234” as the first unlock condition CU1, and sets a 16-character password “12345567890ABCDEF” as the second unlock condition CU2. Will do. When the conditions shown in Example 1 are set, the lock state switching unit 250 satisfies the unlock conditions CU1 and CU2 when the operation input unit 140 receives a character string corresponding to the set password. It will be judged that it is doing. That is, when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, the match with the character string “1234” set as the first unlock condition CU1 is determined, and the mode flag indicates the second mode M2. Is determined to match the character string “12345567890ABCDEF” set as the second unlocking condition CU2.

  As described above, the first mode M1 indicates the normal state (“non-placed state”), and the second mode M2 indicates the “placement left state”. Therefore, in general, the first unlock condition CU1 is satisfied. In comparison, it is preferable that the second unlock condition CU2 is set so as to be a condition that requires a more complicated input operation. For example, as in the above example, as the first unlocking condition CU1, a condition for requesting the input operation of the first password is set, and as the second unlocking condition CU2, the second password When setting a condition for requesting that an input operation be performed, it is preferable to set so that the number of characters of the second password is greater than the number of characters of the first password.

  In that case, in a normal state in which the mode flag indicates the first mode M1 (“non-forgotten state”), that is, a state in which the possibility of fraud by a third party is low, a password with a small number of characters is used. Since unlocking can be performed with a simple input operation, good operability can be ensured. On the other hand, in a state where the mode flag indicates the second mode M2 (“misplaced state”), that is, in a state where there is a high possibility that an illegal act by a third party is performed, a password having a large number of characters is input. Since it is necessary to perform unlocking by a complicated input operation, when a loss or theft is encountered, a sufficient anti-fraud function can be achieved, and safety can be improved.

  Actually, in the above example, in a normal state, the lock can be released by a simple input operation of inputting a 4-digit number “1234”, and the operability is good. However, a password consisting of four digits is never safe from a security point of view, and it is safe by a fraudulent act of sequentially entering a numeric string from “0000” to “9999” by a so-called brute force attack. Sex is broken. On the other hand, a password consisting of 16 characters “12345567890ABCDEF” is much safer, and the operability is sacrificed, but the safety can be ensured.

  In practice, it is preferable that the lock state switching unit 250 has a function of notifying the operator which password is requested after confirming the state of the mode flag. For example, in the case of the above example, if the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, a message such as “Please enter a 4-digit password” is displayed on the screen of the display 120, and the mode flag Indicates the second mode M2, a message such as “Please enter a 16-digit password” may be displayed on the screen of the display 120.

  Example 2 is an example in which a condition that does not require the user's biometric authentication is set as the first unlocking condition CU1, and a condition that requires the user's biometric authentication is set as the second unlocking condition CU2. It is. Specifically, as the first unlocking condition CU1, a condition setting “password“ 1234 ”is input” is set as in the case of the first example. On the other hand, as the second unlocking condition CU2, a condition setting “success in biometric authentication” is set. In FIG. 6, “Fingerprint / voice print / iris / retina / vein / face image authentication” is given as a specific example of biometric authentication.

  However, in order to set such biometric authentication as a condition, the operation input unit 140 needs to incorporate a device for performing such biometric authentication. For example, a fingerprint reading device is required to perform biometric authentication for fingerprints, and a recording device is required to perform biometric authentication for voiceprints. Since these specific biometric authentication methods are known techniques, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Of course, in order to perform biometric authentication, it is necessary for a legitimate owner to register authentication sample data in advance using his / her own biometric. The registered sample data is stored in the unlock condition setting unit 220 as a part of data constituting the second unlock condition CU2. The lock state switching unit 250 determines that the second unlocking condition is satisfied when the registered sample data matches the biometric authentication data newly acquired by the operation input unit 140. become.

  In the case of this example 2, since the first unlocking condition CU1 is a condition that does not require biometric authentication, the condition may be satisfied by an unauthorized input operation by a third party. Since the unlocking condition CU2 is a condition that requires biometric authentication, it is very unlikely that the condition will be satisfied by an unauthorized input operation by a third party, which can be said to be safer. In this example 2, biometric authentication is required in a state in which the mode flag indicates the second mode M2 (“misplaced state”), that is, in a state where there is a high possibility that a third party performs fraud. Therefore, it is possible to perform a sufficient anti-fraud function and improve safety.

  Example 3 is an example in which a lock release condition that imposes a limit on the number of possible input operations for unlocking is set. Specifically, both the first unlocking condition CU1 and the second unlocking condition CU2 are based on the condition that “password“ XXX ”is input” as in the case of Example 1. However, different limit values are set for the number of possible input operations. That is, in the first unlock condition CU1, “the correct password“ XXX ”must be entered within five attempts” is a condition, whereas in the second unlock condition CU2, “correct” The password “XXX” must be entered within 2 attempts ”.

  In this way, when the unlock condition CU that imposes a limit on the number of possible input operations for unlocking is set, even if a correct password is input for the first time by an input operation exceeding the possible number of attempts, Is not satisfied. Therefore, if any of the input operations that reach the possible number of trials set as a condition is incorrect, the lock state switching unit 250 releases the lock regardless of the content of the subsequent input operations. It will be judged that the condition is not satisfied.

  In practice, if any of the input operations that reach the possible number of trials is incorrect, the lock state switching unit 250 causes the display 120 to display, for example, “The unlocking operation failed. It is preferable that a message such as “Please” is presented, and thereafter no input operation for unlocking is accepted. When such a state is reached, the device 100 no longer functions normally and needs repair.

  A point to be noted in this example 3 is that the number of possible trials for the second unlocking condition CU2 is set smaller than the number of possible trials for the first unlocking condition CU1. In other words, the latter is set more severely than the former. That is, in the example shown in the figure, the first unlocking condition CU1 is given up to five trial graces, whereas the second unlocking condition CU2 is given up to two trial graces. It is not done.

  Such a setting is effective in achieving a sufficient anti-fraud function when a loss or theft is encountered while ensuring good operability. In other words, in the normal state corresponding to the first mode M1 (“non-forgotten state”), a trial grace period of up to five times is given, so even if the password is entered somewhat violently, it is fully redone. Therefore, good operability can be obtained. On the other hand, in the “forgotten state” corresponding to the second mode M2, the possibility of unauthorized use has increased, so by restricting the number of trial grace times to two, a careful input operation is required, but it is safe. Can increase the sex.

  In Example 3, the password is set to the same character string as “XXX”. Of course, the password for the first unlock condition CU1 and the password for the second unlock condition CU2 are changed. It doesn't matter.

  Of course, Examples 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 6 are some examples of conditions that can be set as the unlock conditions CU1 and CU2, and the unlock conditions CU1 and CU2 are the examples 1 when the present invention is executed. -It is not limited to Example 3. Further, as long as there is no logical contradiction, it is possible to set a composite unlock condition by combining some or all of the unlock conditions shown in Examples 1 to 3.

  In addition, what kind of unlock conditions CU1 and CU2 are set may be determined in advance by the designer of the apparatus 100, or a plurality of unlock conditions CU1 and CU2 are prepared in advance. It may be presented to the user so that the user can select and set the desired conditions as appropriate. Of course, a unique character string constituting the password and sample data to be registered in advance for biometric authentication are set by the user in the initial use process of the apparatus 100.

  Note that the unlock condition is not limited to a condition for requesting a specific input operation from the operation input unit 140. For example, an unlocking condition such as “a specific external signal is given via communication means” can be set, or an unlocking condition such as “time is 10:00” can be set.

<<< §4. Protection against fraud >>
Here, in order to further strengthen the fraud prevention function of the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the basic embodiment described so far, an embodiment will be described in which a function for executing a protection process against fraud is added. This protection process is a safety measure that is added to the portable information processing apparatus 100 on the assumption that an illegal act by a third party is performed. Therefore, the protection process is a process that is executed on the condition that a situation suspected of an illegal act by a third party has occurred. In the embodiment described here, the lock state switching unit 250 has a function for executing the protection process. It is added.

  Specifically, in the case of the embodiment described here, as the unlock conditions CU1 and CU2, for example, as shown in Example 3 of FIG. 6, a condition that imposes a limit on the number of possible trials for unlocking is set. deep. Then, the lock state switching unit 250 performs an input operation for the number of trials possible for unlocking, and performs a protection process to protect against fraud when both of these input operations are incorrect. Has a function to be executed. Therefore, in the condition setting shown in Example 3 of FIG. 6, when the mode flag indicates the first mode M1, protection processing is executed when an incorrect password is input five times, and the mode flag is When the second mode M2 is indicated, the protection process is executed when an incorrect password is input twice.

  In general, in the case where the operation for unlocking fails many times, it is suspected that the unlocking operation is being performed by an unauthorized act by a third party rather than the authorized owner. Therefore, in the case of the embodiment described here, an improper act is performed when a limit is imposed on the number of trials that can be unlocked in advance, and all the input operations for the number of trials that can be made are incorrect. It is determined that the protection process is executed.

  The protection process executed here may be any process that can protect the portable information processing apparatus 100 from damage caused by fraud. FIG. 7 is a table showing some examples of protection processing executed by the lock state switching unit 250.

  The protection processing shown as Example 1 in this table is “processing for erasing specific data”. For example, the owner's personal data set under the management of the OS program or a specific application program (for example, If data used by a program that handles an address such as the address of another person) is set in advance as “specific data”, the lock state switching unit 250 sets the data by executing the protection process. It is possible to delete “specific data”.

  On the other hand, the protection processing shown as Example 2 is “processing for encrypting specific data”. In the protection process of Example 1, the process of deleting “specific data” set in advance is performed, whereas in the protection process of Example 2, “specific data” set in advance is encrypted. Will be processed. From the viewpoint of the safety of information leakage, the erasure process of Example 1 is preferable, but “specific data” that has been erased is lost unless there is a backup. In the case of the encryption processing of Example 2, “specific data” is not erased but only encrypted, so that data can be restored as long as it can be decrypted. Therefore, from the viewpoint of information recoverability, the encryption processing of Example 2 is preferable.

  The protection processing shown as Example 3 is “processing for notifying outside that fraud is being performed”. Specifically, a report may be sent from the portable information processing apparatus 100 to an external server using a telephone line or a wireless LAN. This process is not a process that directly protects the information in the portable information processing apparatus 100, but there is a possibility that secondary damage can be prevented by reporting to the outside. For example, if a password for accessing any system is stored in the portable information processing apparatus 100, it is possible to take measures such as changing the password for the system before an illegal act is performed on the system. is there. Of course, if the portable information processing apparatus 100 is equipped with position recognition means such as GPS, it is possible to report data indicating the current position to the outside.

  As described above, there is a limit on the number of attempts that can be made for unlocking, and when all the input operations for the number of attempts that can be made are incorrect, it is determined that fraud has been performed, and protection processing is executed. Although an example of doing this has been described, of course, another method can be adopted as a method of judging fraud.

  For example, a specific input operation is set as a dummy operation in the unlocking condition setting unit 220, the lock state switching unit 250 indicates that the mode flag is the second mode M2, and unlocking is performed. For example, when the input operation performed for the purpose is the dummy operation, a protection process for protecting from an illegal act may be executed. This method can be said to be a method of setting a trap against a person who performs an illegal act.

  Specifically, for example, let us consider a case where “operation for inputting the owner's own telephone number” is set as a dummy operation in advance. Here, it is assumed that the belongings including the portable information processing apparatus 100 have been put in the hands of a third party due to the misplacement of the bag. In this case, if an item with a phone number such as a business card is included in the belongings, a third party who intends to cheat enters the phone number as a password and tries to unlock it. Probability is high. In the case of the above example, the dummy operation of “telephone number input operation” is exactly the trap that the owner has set up. The protection process as illustrated is executed.

  In the case of the above example, as a condition for executing the protection process, a double condition of “the dummy operation is performed” and “the mode flag is the second mode M2” is imposed. This is to eliminate the risk that the owner himself will be trapped. That is, since the owner himself may unconsciously perform “phone number input operation”, it is determined that the mode flag is in the first mode (that is, not the “misplaced state”). In such a case, even if the “phone number input operation” (dummy operation) is mistakenly performed, the protection process is not performed.

  As described above, when the mode flag is the second mode M2, it is a special state of “forgotten state”, and is different from the normal unlocking operation (operation satisfying the first unlocking condition CU1). An operation (operation satisfying the second unlock condition CU2) is required. Therefore, when the mode flag is the second mode, the owner is expected to perform the unlocking operation more carefully. Therefore, in the case of the above example, even in a situation where such a careful unlocking operation is required, if a dummy operation is performed, there is a very high possibility that an illegal act by a third party is being performed. Therefore, the protection process is executed.

  In addition, when a dummy operation is performed, a fake screen that appears to have successfully authenticated the correct password can be displayed on the display screen so that an unauthorized person can be relieved. In this case, for example, if a fraudulent person makes an action such as making a phone call somewhere, the phone number can be reported as the destination of the fraudulent person as part of the protection process. You can get clues to identify.

<<< §5. Specific configuration of the neglected state determination unit >>>
Here, a specific configuration example of the neglected state determination unit 230 in the portable information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. As described in §1, the neglected state determination unit 230 is a component that determines whether or not the portable information processing apparatus 100 is in the neglected state based on a predetermined determination condition. The mode switching unit 270 The mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260 is switched according to the determination result of the state determination unit 230.

  As will be described later, the neglected state determination unit 230 incorporates a physical sensor used for recognizing whether or not the portable information processing device 100 is in a stationary state. When the period in which it can be recognized that the camera is in a stationary state continues for a predetermined period of time for determining whether to leave, it is determined that the device is left.

  Here, in order to explain the basic operation of the physical sensor incorporated in the neglected state determination unit 230, the coordinate system will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the NEU global coordinate system in which the portable information processing device 100 according to the present invention is arranged and the XYZ local coordinate system defined on the input device 100. Both coordinate systems are three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate systems having three coordinate axes, but are coordinate systems fixed on the earth so that the former can indicate geographical east, west, north, south, and up and down directions. On the other hand, the latter is a coordinate system fixed to the portable information processing apparatus 100.

  That is, the NEU global coordinate system is a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system having three axes orthogonal to each other, ie, an N axis indicating the north direction, an E axis indicating the east direction, and a U axis indicating the upward direction, and the origin O. In considering the operation of the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention on the assumption of the above use, it can be handled as a universal coordinate system in which no change in position or orientation occurs. Here, the N axis is an acronym for “North”, the E axis is an acronym for “East”, and the U axis is an acronym for “Up”. A vertical direction D (downward direction) shown in the figure is a direction in which gravity acts, and corresponds to the negative direction of the U axis, and the NE plane constitutes a horizontal plane. Further, the south direction indicated by a broken line in the figure corresponds to the negative direction of the N axis, and the west direction indicated by a broken line in the figure corresponds to the negative direction of the E axis.

  Of course, it is possible to use the S axis indicating the south direction instead of the N axis, the W axis indicating the west direction instead of the E axis, or the D axis indicating the downward direction instead of the U axis. It is. These variations are problems on which side the positive direction of the coordinate axis is taken, and no matter what coordinate axis is taken, there is no substitute for the essence of the global coordinate system. Therefore, in the following description, as described above, an example using the NEU global coordinate system in which the N axis, the E axis, and the U axis are defined will be described.

  The three-dimensional coordinate space indicated by the NEU global coordinate system corresponds to the real space on the earth. If the origin O is set at an arbitrary position on the real space, the arbitrary position on the real space is determined. P can be represented as a coordinate point P (n, e, u) on the NEU global coordinate system. Here, n, e, and u are coordinate values on the N-axis, E-axis, and U-axis, respectively.

  On the other hand, the XYZ local coordinate system is also a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system having three axes orthogonal to each other such as the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, and the origin P, but is fixed to the apparatus housing of the portable information processing apparatus 100. Therefore, it is a transitional coordinate system. That is, when the user moves or rotates the portable information processing apparatus 100, the XYZ local coordinate system also moves or rotates together. In the case of the illustrated example, a smartphone is used as the portable information processing apparatus 100, and the origin P of the XYZ local coordinate system is set at the center point of a flat rectangular parallelepiped apparatus housing. Further, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are defined in directions along each side of the apparatus casing.

  Next, a specific configuration example of the neglected state determination unit 230 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the neglected state determination unit 230 includes an acceleration sensor 231, an angular velocity sensor 232, and an attitude sensor 233 as physical sensors, and further includes a movement state recognition unit 234 and a duration determination unit 235. Have.

  The acceleration sensor 231 is a sensor that detects accelerations αx, αy, αz acting on the portable information processing apparatus 100. Here, the accelerations αx, αy, αz are components in the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction of acceleration in the XYZ local coordinate system shown in FIG. The detected values of the accelerations αx, αy, αz are values indicating the forces in the coordinate axis directions that act on the portable information processing device 100, and whether the portable information processing device 100 is in a motion state or in a stationary state. , Function as a parameter for determining.

  On the other hand, the angular velocity sensor 232 is a sensor that detects angular velocities ωx, ωy, and ωz acting on the portable information processing apparatus 100. Here, the angular velocities ωx, ωy, and ωz are components of the angular velocities around the X, Y, and Z axes in the XYZ local coordinate system shown in FIG. The detected values of the angular velocities ωx, ωy, and ωz are values indicating the rotational motion around each coordinate axis that has acted on the portable information processing apparatus 100. Whether the portable information processing apparatus 100 is in a motion state or in a stationary state. It functions as a parameter for judging whether or not there is.

  The posture sensor 233 is a sensor that detects the posture of the portable information processing apparatus 100. Specifically, the zenith angle θ and the azimuth angle φ that indicate the posture are detected. Here, the zenith angle θ can be defined, for example, as an angle formed by the X axis with respect to the horizontal plane NE, and the azimuth angle φ is, for example, an angle formed by the projection image of the X axis on the horizontal plane NE and the N axis. (A magnetic sensor may be used for detection of the N axis). In other words, the attitude of the portable information processing apparatus 100 is defined as the X-axis direction in the NEU global coordinate system, and the attitude sensor 233 is a tilt sensor that detects the X-axis direction. Become. The zenith angle θ and the azimuth angle φ indicating the posture also function as parameters for determining whether the portable information processing apparatus 100 is in a moving state or a stationary state.

  Since the acceleration sensor 231, the angular velocity sensor 232, and the attitude sensor 233 that perform the above-described functions are commercially available based on various principles, a detailed description of the mechanism is omitted here. Many smartphones and tablet electronic terminals that are currently on the market incorporate such physical sensors. FIG. 9 shows an example in which all of the three types of sensors 231, 232, and 233 are incorporated. Of course, the neglected state determination unit 230 may be configured using only one of the sensors. It doesn't matter.

  The moving and static state recognizing unit 234 is a component that monitors the output of each of the detection sensors 231, 232, and 233 at a predetermined sampling period and performs a process of recognizing whether it is a moving state or a stationary state. In addition, this is a component that determines the state of being left when the moving state recognition unit 234 recognizes that the state is still longer than the predetermined determination time.

  Here, an example of a specific processing method in a case where the moving / static state recognition unit 234 monitors the output of the acceleration sensor 231 at a predetermined sampling period and recognizes whether the moving state or the stationary state will be described. For example, if the dynamic state recognition unit 234 samples the detection value at 20 Hz, the detection values of accelerations αx, αy, and αz are captured as digital data every 50 ms.

  Usually, a smartphone, a tablet-type electronic terminal, and the like are operated by holding them, and minute vibrations are generated in the space during the operation. On the other hand, in the case of a portable personal computer, it is generally operated while placed on a table or the like. However, due to operation of the keyboard or the like, minute vibrations are also generated in the space during use. Become.

  As described above, when the user is using the device 100, the moving and static state recognizing unit 234 is set to recognize this as an exercise state. Specifically, the moving / static state recognition unit 234 recognizes the stationary state when the temporal variation of the sensor output is within a predetermined threshold value, and recognizes the moving state when the threshold value is exceeded. I do. In the case of the above example, since sampling is performed at 20 Hz, it is determined whether or not the amount of fluctuation with respect to time exceeds a predetermined threshold for each detection value obtained every 50 ms.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing a specific recognition method performed by the moving and static state recognition unit 234 based on the above policy. The horizontal axis of the graph represents time t, and the vertical axis represents the acceleration αx detected by the acceleration sensor 231. In the case of the illustrated example, the acceleration value 231 of the acceleration sensor 231 includes a gravitational acceleration component gx and a vibration acceleration component (acceleration component generated by vibration). Here, the gravitational acceleration component gx is a bias component, and always maintains a constant value (a value corresponding to the X-axis direction component of the gravitational acceleration g) as long as the posture of the apparatus 100 does not change. When the value of the acceleration αx is collected at a sampling rate of about 20 Hz, a vibration waveform graph centering on the gravitational acceleration component gx is usually obtained as in this example.

  Here, when the apparatus 100 is placed on a table or the like and is in a stationary state, the vibration acceleration component becomes very small, so that the amplitude value of the vibration waveform as shown in FIG. 10 falls within a predetermined threshold Δ. However, when the user picks up the device 100 and performs an operation while holding it in the hand, the user enters a motion state, and a phenomenon in which the amplitude value exceeds the threshold value Δ is recognized. Therefore, if an appropriate threshold value Δ is set in advance, it can be recognized as an exercise state when the amplitude value of the detection value αx exceeds the threshold value Δ, and a rest state in other cases.

  In the case of the illustrated example, the amplitude value from time t0 to t1 is within the threshold Δ, but during the period from time t1 to t2, the amplitude value exceeds the threshold Δ, and after time t2, the amplitude value is again within the threshold Δ. Is in the range. Therefore, regarding the determination of the X-axis direction component αx of acceleration, it can be recognized that the period from time t0 to t1 is a stationary state, the period from time t1 to t2 is an exercise state, and the period from time t2 to a stationary state.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since the amplitude of the acceleration αx is a vibration waveform centered on the value of the gravitational acceleration component gx, in the case of the embodiment shown here, the upper limit value is expressed as gx + Δ / 2. A lower limit value is defined as gx−Δ / 2, and a determination method is adopted in which the amplitude value exceeds the threshold value Δ when the acceleration αx value exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value. Yes. If such a determination method is employed, the acceleration αx can be determined based only on individual sampling values.

  Of course, the value of the gravitational acceleration component gx changes as the posture of the device 100 changes. This is because, as shown in FIG. 8, since the gravitational acceleration g always acts in the vertical direction D (down), for example, if the posture is changed so that the X-axis is directed downward based on the illustrated state, The acceleration component gx increases. If the posture is changed so that the X axis is directed upward, the gravitational acceleration component gx decreases.

  However, since the posture of the apparatus 100 usually changes gently on the time axis as compared with the frequency of the vibration component, the sampling value of the detection value αx at a certain time t falls within the threshold Δ. For example, a predetermined reference period tr is set in advance, and an average value of sampling values obtained from time t-tr to time t is used as the gravitational acceleration component gx. It is only necessary to determine whether or not the sampling value of the detection value αx at time t is between the upper limit value gx + Δ / 2 and the lower limit value gx−Δ / 2.

  As described above, the specific method for recognizing the stationary state / motion state with respect to the acceleration αx shown in FIG. 10 has been described. It is preferable to use all of them. For example, when at least one component has an amplitude value exceeding the threshold value Δ, it is recognized as a motion state, and when all three components have amplitude values within the threshold value Δ, it is recognized as a stationary state. The method can be taken.

  Actually, the acceleration sensor 231 may output an irregular detection value due to various factors. It is not preferable that such an irregular detection value is recognized as a motion state although it is originally in a stationary state. Therefore, practically, for example, even if only one sampling value exceeds the threshold value Δ, it is not immediately recognized as an exercise state, and several subsequent sampling values are monitored, and a predetermined number of samplings or more are monitored. Similarly, when the value similarly exceeds the threshold value Δ, it is preferable to recognize the movement state.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 does not determine whether each sampling value itself is within a predetermined threshold Δ, but determines whether the variance of each sampling value is within a predetermined threshold δ. It is a graph which shows a method. The horizontal axis of this graph is time t, and the vertical axis is acceleration αx. The apparatus 100 is left on the table during the period from time t0 to t1, and the apparatus 100 is picked up and operated during the period from time t1 to t2. The time change of the detected value αx when the apparatus 100 is again placed on the table at time t2 is shown. More specifically, the acceleration αx is sampled at a period of 20 Hz, and each sampling value is plotted as a black dot.

  As can be seen from FIG. 11, the distinction between the stationary state / motion state is represented on the graph as a difference in the degree of dispersion of the plotted individual black dots. Therefore, when this method is adopted, the moving and static state recognition unit 234 is in a stationary state when the variance of each sampling value is within the predetermined threshold δ, and in an exercise state when the variance exceeds the threshold δ, Will be recognized.

Specifically, when determining the stationary state / exercise state at a certain time t, the moving / static state recognition unit 234 sets a predetermined reference period tr, and the acceleration αx during the period from the time t-tr to the time t. N total sampling values are obtained, and a variance value s ² of the n sampling values is obtained.
s ² = 1 / n · Σ _{i = 1 to n} αx _i ² −αx _m ²
(Αx _m is an average value of n sampling values), and if the variance value s ² is within a predetermined threshold value δ, it is recognized as a stationary state, and if it exceeds the threshold value δ, it is recognized as a motion state. can do.

For example, when the determination at an arbitrary time t is performed, if the immediately preceding 0.5 seconds is set as the reference period tr, the acceleration αx is based on the variance value for 10 samples each sampled at a cycle of 20 Hz. Then, the determination of the stationary state / motion state is performed. FIG. 12 is a graph showing an example of the temporal change of the dispersion value s ^{2 with} respect to the acceleration αx thus obtained, in which the horizontal axis represents time t and the vertical axis (logarithmic scale) represents the dispersion value s ² . In this example, by setting the threshold as shown [delta] (level indicated by the dashed line), during the period from time t1~t2 variance value s ² exceeds the threshold value [delta] motion state, before time t1, and After time t2, it is determined that the camera is stationary.

  Actually, the acceleration is obtained as the detected value of each axial direction component αx, αy, αz. Therefore, the dynamic state recognition unit 234 has the variance of the detected value αx and the variance of the detected value αy for a predetermined reference period tr. When at least one of the value and the dispersion value of the detection value αz exceeds a predetermined threshold δ, it may be determined as an exercise state, and otherwise it is determined as a stationary state. Of course, even when the determination using this variance value is performed, it may be determined that the state of motion is due to the irregular acceleration detection value. When it exceeds, it is preferable to determine that it is an exercise state.

  As described above, the moving / static state recognition unit 234 shown in FIG. 9 recognizes whether the apparatus 100 is in a stationary state or an exercise state based on the sampling values of the accelerations αx, αy, and αz that are the outputs of the acceleration sensor 231. The specific method to do was described. Actually, the neglected state determination unit 230 shown in FIG. 9 further includes an angular velocity sensor 232 and an attitude sensor 233 in addition to the acceleration sensor 231. Therefore, the moving and static state recognition unit 234 uses the sampling values of the angular velocities ωx, ωy, and ωz that are the outputs of the angular velocity sensor 232 and the sampling values of the zenith angle θ and the azimuth angle φ that are the outputs of the attitude sensor 233. It is also possible to recognize whether it is a stationary state or an exercise state. The specific method is the same as the recognition method based on acceleration, and it may be determined whether or not the temporal variation and variance of each sampling value are within a predetermined threshold.

  In any case, the moving and static state recognizing unit 234 shown in FIG. 9 performs a process of recognizing whether each time point on the time axis is a moving state or a stationary state. On the other hand, the duration determination unit 235 receives the report of the recognition result of the motion state or the rest state sequentially from the motion state recognition unit 234 (in the above example, with a sampling period of 20 Hz), and the motion state recognition unit When the period 234 has been recognized as a stationary state continues for a predetermined leaving determination time or more, it is determined as a leaving state, and when not, it is determined as a non-leaving state. The determination result of the leaving state / non-leaving state by the duration determination unit 235 is given to the mode switching unit 270 as a determination result as the leaving state determination unit 230.

  As already described, the “leaving state” referred to in the present application refers to a state in which the apparatus 100 is physically left, and is a “leaving state” from the leaving state determination unit 230 to the mode switching unit 270. When it is transmitted, the mode switching unit 270 switches the mode flag to the second mode M2, and thereafter, the apparatus 100 is handled as the “misplaced state”. Thereafter, the mode flag is maintained in the second mode M2 even if it is transmitted from the neglected state determination unit 230 to the mode switching unit 270 that the “non- neglected state” is transmitted, as described above. is there.

  In other words, once the neglected state determination unit 230 determines that the “discarded state”, the apparatus 100 continues to the second mode until it returns to the first mode M1 by, for example, an unlocking operation or the like. Mode M2 (misplaced state) is set. Therefore, in practice, the neglected determination time necessary for the duration determination unit 235 to determine that it is in the “left state” is set to a time sufficient to estimate that the apparatus 100 is actually in the left state. It is preferable to do this.

  If the neglected determination time is set too short, even if the user temporarily places the apparatus 100 on the table, it is determined as “discarded” and the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2. Become. In this case, for unlocking, for example, a password of 16 characters instead of 4 characters is required (in the case of Example 1 in FIG. 6), and the operability is lowered. On the other hand, if the neglected determination time is set too long, even if the user forgets to leave the device 100 in an izakaya or the like and picks it up by a third party, it is not determined as “discarded state” and the mode flag is set to the first mode. Switching to M1 is not possible. In this case, since a password of 4 characters is sufficient for unlocking (in the case of Example 1 in FIG. 6), it is impossible to perform a sufficient anti-fraud function.

  Of course, the optimum neglect determination time will vary depending on the usage mode and usage environment of individual users. Therefore, if necessary, the user may set an appropriate neglect determination time in advance. For example, by presenting options such as 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, etc., and allowing the user to select a desired time and set the neglect determination time, individual use It is possible to set an optimum neglect determination time for a person.

  Here, although an example in which the neglected state is determined based on the recognition of the motion state / still state by the moving / static state recognition unit 234 has been described, the neglected state determination method by the neglected state determination unit 230 is not necessarily the motion state / The method is not limited to a method based on recognition of a stationary state. For example, using the value of the zenith angle θ of the attitude sensor 233, when the state in which the value of θ indicates near 0 ° (the state where the X axis faces the horizontal direction) continues for a predetermined time or longer, It is also possible to take a method for making the determination. That is, in the case of a flat type device such as a smartphone, if the X axis is defined as shown in FIG. 8, if the period in which the X axis is oriented in the horizontal direction continues for a long time, it is left on a horizontal surface such as a table surface. Therefore, it is possible to make a determination as a neglected state using this.

<<< §6. Specific usage example >>
Here, a specific usage example of the portable information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described using the event chart of FIG. The vertical direction of this event chart shows the flow of time. The “location of owner” column describes the current location of the user (regular owner) of the device 100, and the “owner action” column lists Describes the current action of the user of the device 100, the “device position” column describes the current position of the device 100, and the “lock flag” column lists the current lock of the device 100. The state of the flag (locked state L / unlocked state U) is described, and the current mode flag state of the device 100 (first mode M1 / second mode M2) is described in the “mode flag” column. Has been.

  Here, the case where the said apparatus 100 is a smart phone is demonstrated for convenience. First, a usage example of the first half will be described with reference to the event chart of FIG.

  First, let's assume that the user activates this smartphone and uses some application program at the head office. The smartphone is held by the user's hand, the lock flag is in the unlocked state U, and the mode flag is in the first mode M1. Subsequently, it is assumed that the user is in the pocket while the power is on while the user is seated in his / her seat.

  Here, as a lock start condition, if the condition setting that “the input operation from the operation input unit has not been performed for a predetermined time ta or more” is set, the time ta (lock start determination time) after the pocket is held After the elapse of only the lock start condition is satisfied, the lock flag is switched to the lock state L. Therefore, when the user takes out the smartphone again and uses it, an unlocking operation is required. In the figure, the black single arrow described in the “lock flag” column indicates that the user has performed an unlock operation that satisfies the first unlock condition.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the setting of Example 1 in FIG. 6 has been made as each unlocking condition. In this case, the unlocking operation that satisfies the first unlocking condition is an input operation of the password “1234”. When the correct password is input, the unlocking process is performed and the lock flag is switched to the unlocked state U. Thereby, the user can use this smart phone freely.

  Now, let's assume that this user is going from the head office to the branch office. That is, the user puts the smartphone in the pocket while the power is on, and follows the movement path from the head office to the branch office. In this case as well, the lock start condition is satisfied and the lock flag is switched to the locked state L when the time ta has elapsed since the pocket was placed. On the other hand, since the smartphone in the pocket is in a vibrating state during movement, it is assumed that the neglected state determination unit 230 has never determined whether or not it is left. In this case, the mode flag maintains the first mode M1 (normal state).

  Subsequently, it is assumed that the user who arrives at the conference room of the branch office takes out the smartphone from the pocket and uses it. Of course, since the lock flag has already been switched to the locked state L when arriving at the conference room, the user needs to enter the password “1234” to perform the unlock operation when using the smartphone. (See black single arrow). By this unlocking operation, the lock flag is switched to the unlocked state U, and the user can freely use the smartphone in the conference room of the branch office.

  Let's assume that the user left the smartphone on the table during the meeting. Then, when the time ta elapses after being left on the table, the lock start condition is satisfied and the lock flag is switched to the lock state L. In addition, in the state of being left on the table, the moving state recognition unit 234 recognizes that it is in a stationary state, and when the stationary state continues for a predetermined leaving determination time tb, the duration determination unit 235 sets the “leaving state”. Is determined. As a result, the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2. FIG. 13 shows an example where ta <tb is set. However, when ta> tb is set, the mode flag is first switched to the second mode M2, and then the lock is performed. The flag is switched to the lock state L.

  As described above, the second mode M2 is a mode that originally indicates the “misplaced state”. However, in the above example, the user is merely attending the meeting with the smartphone placed on the table, and is not actually left behind. In other words, the smartphone is still under the user's control, and the user will normally carry it by picking up the smartphone on the table at the end of the conference and putting it in a pocket. However, in the case of the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, in such a situation, it is determined that the state is “forgotten” and the process of switching the mode flag to the second mode M2 is performed.

  Next, a usage example in the latter half will be described with reference to the event chart of FIG. Assume that the meeting from the first half continues in this second half. The user is in the conference room of the branch office, and the smartphone is placed on the table in the conference room. At this time, as described above, the lock flag is in the locked state L and the mode flag is in the second mode M2.

  Here, consider a case where the user tries to pick up and use the smartphone on the table during the meeting. For that purpose, it is necessary to perform the unlocking operation. However, since the mode flag is the second mode M2, in order to perform the unlocking, the second unlocking condition can be satisfied “12345567890ABCDE It is necessary to input a password of 16 characters. Actually, when the user tries to perform the unlocking operation, a message such as “Please enter a 16-digit password” is displayed on the display screen. The user who has seen this message can recognize that the smartphone is currently in a “misplaced state”.

  Of course, in the “normal state”, the lock can be unlocked by a simple operation of inputting a four-digit password “1234”. Since a 16-digit password input is required, operability is reduced. However, in order to ensure sufficient fraud prevention function even in the event of loss or theft, in the present invention, even in the case of the above example, it is judged as “misplaced state”, and the more safe side Processing is performed.

  In the figure, the black double arrow described in the “lock flag” column indicates that the user has performed an unlock operation that satisfies the second unlock condition (in the above example, a 16-digit password input). Is shown. As a result, the lock flag is switched to the unlocked state U, and at the same time, the mode flag is switched to the first mode M1. That is, the mode flag has returned from the “misplaced state” to the “normal state”.

  Now, let's assume that the morning meeting is over and that the user is heading to the restaurant for lunch from the branch office meeting room. The user puts the smartphone in the pocket while the power is on, and follows the movement route from the branch office to the restaurant. In this case as well, the lock start condition is satisfied and the lock flag is switched to the locked state L when the time ta has elapsed since the pocket was placed. On the other hand, since the smartphone in the pocket is in a vibrating state during movement, it is assumed that the neglected state determination unit 230 has never determined whether or not it is left. In this case, the mode flag maintains the first mode M1 (normal state).

  It is assumed that the user who has arrived at the restaurant has taken out the smartphone from his pocket and left it on the restaurant table. At this time, the lock flag remains in the locked state L, and the mode flag remains in the first mode M1. However, in the state of being left on the table, the moving / static state recognition unit 234 recognizes the stationary state, and when the stationary state continues for the predetermined leaving determination time tb, the duration determination unit 235 sets the “leaving state”. Is determined. As a result, the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2 (forgotten state).

  Here, it is assumed that a user who has finished a meal leaves the restaurant and heads for work in the afternoon, but at this time, the user has left the smartphone on the restaurant table. If the user does not notice the misplacement, the misplaced smartphone will eventually be picked up by a third party. If the third party you picked up was a malicious person, you might want to use this smartphone fraudulently.

  However, at this time, since the smartphone is in the locked state L and the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2 (forgotten state), a sufficient anti-fraud function is activated. In other words, as indicated by a white double arrow in the “Lock Flag” column in the figure, in order for a malicious third party to perform an illegal act, the lock flag is unlocked by performing an unlock operation. It is necessary to switch to the locked state U (in this case, the mode flag is switched to the first mode M1 at the same time).

  However, since the mode flag is switched to the second mode M2, the unlocking operation must satisfy the second unlocking condition (in the above example, a 16-digit password input). In other words, a malicious third party cannot release the lock by inputting the 4-digit simple password “1234”, but must input the 16-digit password “12345567890ABCDE”. For this reason, unauthorized use by a third party becomes extremely difficult. Of course, after that, when the smartphone is successfully discovered and returned to the original user, the user can continue to use it by inputting a 16-digit password.

  In the above example, because the smartphone was left on the restaurant table, the abandonment determination time tb starts from the time when the smartphone is placed on the table. If it is misplaced in an environment in which the motion is generated, the stationary state recognition unit 234 does not recognize the stationary state and does not determine whether it is left unattended. In such a case, for example, after the taxi returns to the garage and the stationary state recognition unit 234 recognizes the stationary state, the abandonment determination time tb is counted, so the mode flag is The timing for switching to the second mode M2 is slightly delayed.

  As described above, the example in which the power supply of the smartphone is always on has been described. However, as described above, since the lock flag and the mode flag are stored in the nonvolatile memory, even if the power is turned off halfway, Since the state of each flag is maintained as it is, the basic operation is the same as the example shown in FIG. Note that when the power is turned off halfway, the clocking process of the lock start determination time ta and the leaving determination time tb may be stopped, and the time may be restarted from 0 after the power is turned on. If the value is stored in the non-volatile memory, it is possible to continue the time measurement from the value when the power is turned off after the power is turned on.

<<< §7. Some variations >>>
Finally, some modifications based on the embodiments described so far will be described.

<7-1. Modified example of setting weighting condition>
In the case of the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when the leaving state determining unit 230 determines that it is in the leaving state, the mode switching unit 270 sets the mode flag to the first mode. The mode is switched from M1 to the second mode M2. In other words, the condition for switching to the second mode M2 is a single condition that “the determination of the neglected state is performed by the neglected state determination unit 230”. In the modification described here, another weighting condition is added as a switching condition to the second mode M2.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable information processing device 100A according to a modification example in which such weighting conditions are set. This device 100A is obtained by adding a mode switching weight condition setting unit 280 for setting a mode switching weight condition CM to the lock control module 200 in the device 100 shown in FIG. The mode switching unit 270A shown in FIG. 14 is a component that performs processing for switching the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260, similar to the mode switching unit 270 shown in FIG. Slightly different.

  Specifically, the mode switching unit 270A sets the mode flag to the first when the neglected state determining unit 230 determines that the neglected state is satisfied and the mode switching weighting condition CM is satisfied at that time. When the mode M1 indicates the second mode M2, the second mode M2 is switched. When the mode flag indicates the second mode M2, the second mode M2 is maintained as it is.

  In other words, the mode switching unit 270A performs exactly the same processing as the mode switching unit 270 shown in FIG. 1 regarding the switching processing from the second mode M2 to the first mode M1, but the first mode M1. The process of switching from the second mode M2 to the second mode M2 is performed under the condition “the determination of the neglected state is performed by the neglected state determination unit 230” and the weighting condition “the weighting condition CM for mode switching is satisfied”. It is executed only when both are satisfied.

  For example, if the device 100A is a smartphone provided by a company, and it is prohibited to take it outside on a holiday and is required to be stored in an in-house locker, The possibility of theft will be very low. In such a case, for example, if a condition “not Saturday or Sunday” is set as the weighting condition CM for mode switching, the mode switching unit 270A causes the second mode to change from the first mode M1 to the second mode on Saturday and Sunday. The switching process to the mode M2 is not performed.

  Alternatively, it is possible to set a condition such as “the setting for enabling the second mode M2 is made by the operator” as the mode switching weighting condition CM. This is based on the concept of selecting whether to use a safety measure that introduces the concept of “mode”, which is a feature of the present invention, based on the user's free will. When performing the above setting, for example, a “valid / invalid flag” for indicating the validity / invalidity of the second mode M2 is provided, and the state of the flag is set by the user based on free will. It is sufficient to be able to switch.

  When the user uses the safety measure according to the present invention, the user may make the flag valid. In this case, for example, a four-digit password is requested in the “normal state”, and a 16-digit password is requested in the “misplaced state”. On the other hand, if not used, the flag may be disabled. In this case, a 4-digit password is always requested.

  As the mode switching weighting condition CM, a condition regarding the position of the device A can be set. Since the modified example for setting the weighting condition regarding this position is a very practical modified example, it will be described in detail in the next section 7-2.

<7-2. Modified example of setting an area as a weighting condition>
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information processing device 100B that is positioned as a variation of the portable information processing device 100A according to the modification shown in FIG. This device 100B is obtained by adding an area setting unit 281 and a current position recognition unit 282 to the lock control module 200A in the device 100A shown in FIG. As with the mode switching unit 270A shown in FIG. 14, the mode switching unit 270B shown in FIG. 15 has a “leaving state determination unit 230 as a condition for performing the switching process from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2. In addition to the condition that “determination of the neglected state is performed”, a weighting condition that “the weighting condition CM for mode switching is satisfied” is requested.

  In the case of the apparatus 100B, the mode switching weighting condition setting unit 280 is set with a mode switching weighting condition CM that “the current position is outside the safety area”. In order to determine such weighting conditions, the lock control module 200B includes an area setting unit 281 that sets a predetermined safety area on the map in accordance with an operation input given to the operation input unit 140, and an apparatus And a current position recognizing unit 282 for recognizing the current position of 100B itself.

  The area setting unit 281 has a function of displaying a map as illustrated in FIG. 16 on the screen of the display 120 and setting a safe area on the map based on an operation of an operator (user). Have. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a work screen for this area setting work. In this example, the operator inputs an arbitrary designated point Q and an arbitrary designated radius r on the map, thereby setting a region in the circle having the designated radius r as the safety area around the designated point Q. be able to.

  Specifically, in the case of the illustrated example, the first point Q1 in the main office where the user works is designated as the first designated point, and the first designated radius r1 is input to perform the first operation. A safety area A1 is set. Similarly, the second safety area A2 is set by performing an operation of designating one point Q2 in the user's home as the second designated point and inputting the second designated radius r2. Eventually, two safety areas A1 and A2 are set as circular areas in the area setting unit 281.

  Of course, the method of setting the safety area is not limited to such a method, and a rectangular area can be set, and an arbitrary shape can be obtained by performing an operation of inputting an arbitrary contour shape. It is also possible to set a specific area. In addition, if data indicating the range of the administrative district on the map is used, it is possible to automatically set an area within the administrative district by inputting characters such as “Shinjuku-ku”.

  In this way, the user can set an arbitrary safety area with respect to the area setting unit 281 in advance. The safety area set here is used to determine whether or not the mode switching weighting condition CM that “the current position is outside the safety area” is satisfied. In other words, when the “current position is within the safety area”, the weighting condition CM is not satisfied, and the switching process from the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 is not performed.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 16, even if the device 100B is left unattended for a long time around the head office (safe area A1) or around the home (safe area A2), the “misplaced state (second mode M2)” Will not migrate. In general, even if the device 100B is left for a long time at a user's work place or home, it is considered that the device 100B is not in a “forgotten state” that may be lost or stolen. It is very effective in improving. For example, even when the condition for requesting the input of a 4-digit password as the first unlocking condition and the condition for requesting the input of a 16-digit password as the second unlocking condition are set, Around home, unlocking is always possible by entering a 4-digit password.

  The current position recognizing unit 282 is a component for recognizing the current position of the device 100B itself in order to perform the condition determination that “the current position is outside the safety area”. The NEU global coordinate system illustrated in FIG. This is a component that recognizes the position of the point P (n, e, u) above. Specifically, a position recognition system using GPS or a position recognition system using position information of a wireless LAN base station or a mobile phone base station in communication can be used.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of mode switching processing by mode switching units 270A and 270B shown in FIGS. The procedure of the mode switching process by the mode switching unit 270 shown in FIG. 1 has already been described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 17 shows each step for replacing the steps S43 to S45 in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, in the mode switching process by the mode switching units 270A and 270B, when branching to the first mode M1 occurs in step S42 in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S51 in FIG. The condition CM is determined. Here, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds from step S52 to step S53, and the neglected state is recognized. That is, it is determined whether the neglected state determination unit 230 indicates the neglected state. Here, in the case where the neglected state is indicated, the process proceeds from step S54 to step S55, and a mode switching process for switching the first mode M1 to the second mode M2 is executed. In any case, after the step shown in FIG. 17 is completed, the process returns to step S41 in FIG.

  Note that the current position recognizing unit 282 does not necessarily need to use a physical position recognizing system, and any system can be used as long as it can acquire information on the current position of the apparatus 100B by some method. It doesn't matter.

  For example, when a smartphone is used as the device 100B, the program storage unit 110 often stores a schedule management program for managing a schedule indicating the whereabouts of each user. In such a case, as the current position recognition unit 282, it is possible to use a position recognition system that recognizes, as the current position, the position estimated as the whereabouts at the current time by referring to the data for the schedule management program. .

  FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of an operation screen of a schedule management program that can be used by the current position recognizing unit 282. In this example, the user's whereabouts information is shown for each time zone. In this example, the information of each whereabouts is shown as character information. However, if a reference table that associates the character information indicating the whereabouts with the position on the map is prepared, the data for this schedule management program is displayed. By referring, the character information indicating the whereabouts is acquired, and further, by referring to the reference table, the position of the user for each time zone can be recognized.

  Note that the schedule management program data and the reference table data are not necessarily prepared in the apparatus 100B, and may be stored in an external server. Necessary data can be obtained as appropriate by making an inquiry to this external server as necessary.

  According to the schedule illustrated in FIG. 18, the user is estimated to be at the head office during the time period from 10:00 to 10:30, and is estimated to be at home during the time period after 20:00. Therefore, the current position recognition unit 282 recognizes the position within the first safety area A1 for the time zone from 10:00 to 10:30 based on the schedule data in FIG. With respect to the time zone, position recognition within the second safety area A2 is performed.

  Therefore, for example, when the safety area as illustrated in FIG. 16 is set in the area setting unit 281, the mode switching unit 270 </ b> B is in the time zone from 10:00 to 10:30 and the time after 20:00 For the belt, since the mode switching weighting condition CM that “the current position is outside the safety area” is not satisfied, even if the neglected state determination unit 230 determines that the neglected state, the mode is switched. There is no processing.

  Of course, the position recognition method referring to the data for the schedule management program as described above is a method based on the premise that the user performs the action according to the schedule, so the physical position recognition method using GPS or the like. It cannot be denied that it lacks accuracy compared to. However, the recognition result of the current position by the current position recognition unit 282 is only used as a determination material in performing the mode switching process by the mode switching unit 270B. Does not occur (at best, an unnatural operation is only required as an unlocking operation). Therefore, the position recognition method that refers to the data for the schedule management program described above is a position recognition method that is sufficiently practical in the present invention.

  In the case of a device including an area setting unit 281 and a current position recognizing unit 282 as in the device 100B illustrated in FIG. 15, the lock start condition setting unit 210 indicates that “the current position moves from within the safety area to outside the safety area. It is possible to set a lock start condition CL, which is “to do”. In the case of the above example, when the user who owns the device 100B moves out of the safety area A1 from the vicinity of the head office, or moves out of the safety area A2 from the vicinity of the home, the lock state switching unit 250 works. As a result, the apparatus 100B shifts to the locked state L. The condition that “the current position moves from the inside of the safety area to the outside of the safety area” shown in Example 4 of FIG. 5 includes an area setting unit 281 and a current position recognition unit 282 as in the device 100B shown in FIG. This is the lock start condition CL set on the premise of the device.

  Further, in the case of a device that sets a safety area, such as the device 100B illustrated in FIG. 15, it is possible to take measures to reduce the processing load of the neglected state determination unit 230. For example, when it is confirmed that the current position is within the safety area, it may not be determined by the leaving state determination unit 230 whether or not it is in a leaving state. As described above, the mode switching process by the mode switching unit 270 is not performed even if it is determined that the device is in the neglected state as long as the device is in the safe area. The determination result of whether or not the state does not affect the mode switching process. Therefore, in the safety area, even if the function of the neglected state determination unit 230 is stopped, no problem occurs.

  Alternatively, the operation of the neglected state determination unit 230 may be performed in the power saving mode in the safety area without stopping the function. For example, if the abandoned state determination unit 230 confirms that the current position is within the safety area, it determines whether or not the current position is left in the first sampling period, and the current position is outside the safe area. If it is confirmed or if the current position cannot be confirmed, it is determined whether or not it is left unattended in the second sampling period, and the second sampling period is more than the first sampling period. It is also possible to operate with a short setting.

  As shown in the graphs of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the moving / static state recognition unit 234 in the neglected state determination unit 230 samples the detection output of each sensor at a predetermined sampling period and takes it in as digital data, and the motion state / static state Recognize In §5, an example in which the sampling period is set to 20 Hz is shown. If this sampling period is set shorter, the determination accuracy of the exercise state / still state is improved, and conversely if it is set longer, the determination accuracy is lowered.

  As described above, if the device is in the safe area, the determination result as to whether or not the device is in the neglected state does not affect the mode switching process. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the current position is within the safety area, even if the determination accuracy is lowered, priority is given to the operation in the power saving mode. Therefore, a longer first sampling cycle is set, and the current position is If it is confirmed that the current position is out of the safe area, or if the current position cannot be confirmed, it is reasonable to operate to set a shorter second sampling period in order to improve the determination accuracy.

<7-3. Modified example of holding mode flag in server>
The portable information processing apparatus 100 and the modifications thereof according to the basic embodiments described so far are all examples in which all the constituent elements are incorporated in the apparatus main body (inside the apparatus housing). Accordingly, some components may be provided not in the apparatus main body but in an external server.

  The portable information processing apparatus according to the modification shown in FIG. 19 includes a portable information processing apparatus main body 100C and a mode flag holding unit 260C provided in the external server 300. Portable information processing apparatus main body 100 </ b> C and server 300 can communicate with each other via network 400.

  In short, the portable information processing apparatus according to this modified example communicates the mode flag holding unit 260 in the portable information processing apparatus 100 according to the basic embodiment shown in FIG. 1 from the main body instead of the main body of the apparatus. It can be said that the server 300 accessible as described above is provided as the mode flag holding unit 260C. In this case, the mode switching unit 270 performs processing for accessing the server 300 via the network 400 by communication and switching the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260C.

  Similarly, the lock state switching unit 250 accesses the server 300 via the network 400 by communication, and performs processing for recognizing the state of the mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit 260C. In addition, when it is not possible to communicate with the server 300 for some reason, the lock state switching unit 250 indicates that the mode flag indicates the second mode M2 from the viewpoint of taking further safety measures. Should be handled as.

100: Portable information processing apparatus (basic embodiment)
100A: Portable information processing apparatus (first modification)
100B: Portable information processing apparatus (second modification)
100C: Portable information processing apparatus main body (third modification)
110: Program storage unit 120: Display 130, 130A, 130B: Program execution unit 140: Operation input unit 200, 200A, 200B: Lock control module 210: Lock start condition setting unit 220: Unlock condition setting unit 230: Leave state determination Unit 231: acceleration sensor 232: angular velocity sensor 233: posture sensor 234: moving and static state recognition unit 235: duration determination unit 240: lock flag holding unit 250: lock state switching unit 260, 260 C: mode flag holding units 270, 270 A, 270 B : Mode switching unit 280: Mode switching weighting condition setting unit 281: Area setting unit 282: Current position recognition unit 300: Server 400: Network A1, A2: Safety area CL: Lock start condition CM: Mode switching weighting condition CU1: First unlock condition U2: Second unlocking condition D: Coordinate axis of NEU global coordinate system E: Coordinate axis of NEU global coordinate system gx: Gravitational acceleration component in the X-axis direction L: Lock flag locked state M1: Mode flag first mode state M2: second mode state of mode flag N: coordinate axis of NEU global coordinate system O: origin P1 to P3 of NEU global coordinate system: program PL: lock control program P (n, e, u): XYZ local coordinate system Origins Q1, Q2: designated points r1, r2: designated radii S11 to S55: steps t, t0, t1, t2 in the flowchart: time ta: lock start judgment time tb: neglected judgment time U: lock flag unlocked state / NEU global coordinate system coordinate axis X: XYZ local coordinate system coordinate axis Y: XYZ local coordinate system coordinate axis : XYZ local coordinate system coordinate axis αx: acceleration X-axis direction component αy: acceleration Y-axis direction component αz: acceleration Z-axis direction component δ: reference dispersion value Δ: reference fluctuation range θ: zenith angle component of posture φ: Azimuth angle component ωx of posture: X-axis direction component of angular velocity ωy: Y-axis direction component of angular velocity ωz: Z-axis direction component of angular velocity

Claims (36)

An operation input unit for receiving an operator's operation input;
A program storage unit storing a predetermined program;
A program execution unit for executing a program stored in the program storage unit in response to the operation input or in response to a request for the program being executed;
A display for presenting the execution results of the program to the operator;
In a portable information processing device comprising:
The program execution unit is
A lock flag holding unit that holds a lock flag indicating whether the current state is a locked state or an unlocked state;
A lock start condition setting unit for setting a lock start condition for shifting from the unlocked state to the locked state;
An unlocking condition setting unit for setting unlocking conditions for shifting from the locked state to the unlocked state;
With reference to the lock start condition and the unlock condition, a lock state switching unit that switches a lock flag held in the lock flag holding unit when each condition is satisfied,
A mode flag holding unit for holding a mode flag indicating whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode;
A neglected state determination unit that determines whether the portable information processing device is in a neglected state based on a predetermined determination condition;
A mode switching unit that switches a mode flag held in the mode flag holding unit according to a determination result of the neglected state determination unit;
A lock control module having
When the lock execution flag indicates that the lock flag is in the unlocked state, the program execution unit executes an arbitrary program stored in the program storage unit, and indicates that the lock flag is in the locked state. When the program is stored in the program storage unit, only a part of the exception program is executed,
In the unlock condition setting unit, a first unlock condition and a second unlock condition are set,
The lock state switching unit is
When the lock flag indicates that it is in the unlocked state, a lock start process for switching the lock flag from the unlocked state to the locked state on condition that the lock start condition is satisfied,
The lock flag indicates that the lock flag is in the locked state, and when the mode flag indicates the first mode, the lock flag is locked on the condition that the first unlocking condition is satisfied. Perform the first unlocking process to switch from to unlocked state,
When the lock flag indicates a locked state and the mode flag indicates a second mode, the lock flag is locked on the condition that the second unlocking condition is satisfied. A portable information processing apparatus that performs a second unlocking process for switching from an unlocked state to an unlocked state. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
When the mode switching unit determines that it is in the neglected state by the neglected state determining unit, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag is set to the second mode. In the portable information processing apparatus, the second mode is maintained as it is. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The lock control module further includes a mode switching weight condition setting unit for setting a mode switching weight condition,
When the mode switching unit is determined to be in the neglected state by the neglected state determining unit, and the mode flag indicates the first mode when the weighting condition for mode switching is satisfied at that time In the portable information processing apparatus, the second mode is switched to, and when the mode flag indicates the second mode, the second mode is maintained as it is. The portable information processing device according to claim 3,
A lock control module, a current position recognition unit for recognizing the current position of the portable information processing apparatus itself, an area setting unit for setting a safety area on a map in accordance with an operation input given to the operation input unit, Further comprising
The portable information processing apparatus, wherein the mode switching weight condition setting unit sets "the current position is outside the safety area" as the mode switching weight condition. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
A portable information processing apparatus using a position recognition system using GPS or a position recognition system using position information of a wireless LAN base station or a mobile phone base station in communication as a current position recognition unit. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
The program storage unit stores a schedule management program that manages a schedule indicating whereabouts every hour,
A portable information processing apparatus using a position recognition system that recognizes, as a current position, a position estimated as a current location by referring to data for the schedule management program as a current position recognition unit. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
A portable information processing apparatus, characterized in that a lock start condition is set in the lock start condition setting unit, which is “the current position moves from inside the safe area to outside the safe area”. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
When the abandoned state determination unit confirms that the current position is within the safe area, it determines whether the current position is outside the safe area by determining whether or not it is left in the first sampling period. If the current position is not confirmed, it is determined whether or not it is left unattended in the second sampling period, and the second sampling period is set shorter than the first sampling period. A portable information processing apparatus characterized by the above. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein when the abandoned state determination unit confirms that the current position is within the safety area, the determination is not made as to whether or not the abandoned state is left. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
When the mode switching unit performs unlocking processing in which the lock flag is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode switching unit maintains the first mode as it is, A portable information processing apparatus that performs a process of switching to a first mode when a mode flag indicates a second mode. The portable information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein the unlock condition setting unit sets a unlock condition for requesting a specific input operation from the operation input unit. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 11,
A portable information processing apparatus characterized in that the second unlock condition is a condition that requires a more complicated input operation than the first unlock condition. The portable information processing device according to claim 12,
The unlock condition setting unit sets a condition that requires the first password input operation to be performed as the first unlock condition, and the second password is input as the second unlock condition. A portable information processing apparatus, wherein a condition for requesting operation is set, and the number of characters of the second password is set to be larger than the number of characters of the first password. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 11,
In the unlock condition setting unit, a condition that does not require user biometric authentication is set as the first unlock condition, and a condition that requires user biometric authentication is set as the second unlock condition. A portable information processing apparatus. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 11,
In the unlock condition setting section, an unlock condition that imposes a limit on the number of possible input operations for unlocking is set,
If any of the input operations that reach the possible number of trials is incorrect, the lock state switching unit determines that the unlocking condition is not satisfied for the subsequent input operations regardless of the contents. A portable information processing apparatus. The portable information processing device according to claim 15,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein the possible number of trials for the second unlocking condition is set smaller than the possible number of trials for the first unlocking condition. The portable information processing device according to claim 15 or 16,
The lock state switching unit performs a protection process to protect against fraud when the input operation is performed as many times as possible for unlocking, and any of these input operations is incorrect. A portable information processing apparatus. The portable information processing apparatus according to claim 11,
In the unlock condition setting section, a specific input operation is set as a dummy operation,
When the lock state switching unit indicates that the mode flag is the second mode and the input operation performed for unlocking is the dummy operation, the lock state switching unit is to protect against fraud A portable information processing apparatus that performs a protection process. The portable information processing device according to claim 17 or 18,
The lock state switching unit is characterized in that, as a protection process, a process of erasing specific data, a process of encrypting specific data, or a process of notifying the outside that an illegal act is being performed is characterized. Portable information processing device. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
The lock start condition setting section has a lock start condition that “the input operation from the operation input section has not been performed for a predetermined time or more”, and “an operation input instructing the transition from the operation input section to the locked state. "Lock start condition" or "Lock start condition" Transition from the first mode to the second mode has been performed ", or a combination of some or all of these lock start conditions A portable information processing apparatus, wherein a lock start condition is set. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
A portable information processing device, wherein the lock flag holding unit and the mode flag holding unit are configured by a nonvolatile memory, and the lock flag and the mode flag are maintained even when the power of the device is turned off. . The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
The mode flag holding unit is provided not in the main body of the portable information processing apparatus, but in a server accessible by communication from the main body,
The mode switching unit performs processing for switching the mode flag by accessing the server by communication,
The lock state switching unit performs a process of recognizing the state of the mode flag by accessing the server by communication, and when the communication with the server cannot be performed, the mode flag indicates the second mode. A portable information processing device characterized by being handled as being. The portable information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 22,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein the neglected state determination unit determines that the portable information processing apparatus is in a neglected state when a period during which the portable information processing apparatus can be recognized as being in a stationary state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time. The portable information processing device according to claim 23,
The neglected state determination unit
A detection sensor for detecting an acceleration or angular velocity acting on the portable information processing device or an attitude of the portable information processing device;
Monitoring the output of the detection sensor at a predetermined sampling period and recognizing whether it is a movement state or a stationary state;
A duration determination unit that performs a determination of a neglected state when the period in which the moving and static state recognizing unit recognizes the static state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time; and
A portable information processing apparatus comprising: The portable information processing device according to claim 24,
As a detection sensor, it has an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, or posture sensor,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein a moving state recognition unit recognizes a stationary state when a temporal variation in the output of the detection sensor is within a predetermined threshold. The portable information processing device according to claim 24,
As a detection sensor, it has an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, or posture sensor,
A portable information processing apparatus, wherein the moving and static state recognizing unit recognizes a stationary state when a variance of each sampling value of the output of the detection sensor is within a predetermined threshold.   27. The portable information processing device according to claim 1 is configured by incorporating a lock control program into a smartphone, a tablet electronic terminal, or a portable personal computer, and is locked using the lock control program. A portable information processing apparatus comprising a control module, wherein at least the lock control program and the program required by the lock control program are exception programs.   A program causing a computer to function as the portable information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 27. An operation input unit for receiving an operator's operation input;
A program storage unit storing a predetermined program;
A program execution unit for executing a program stored in the program storage unit in response to the operation input or in response to a request for the program being executed;
A display for presenting the execution results of the program to the operator;
In a portable information processing apparatus comprising: a control method for controlling execution of the predetermined program,
To set the lock flag indicating whether the current state is the locked state or the unlocked state, to start the lock from the unlocked state to the locked state, and to shift from the locked state to the unlocked state A lock state switching step of switching the lock flag when each condition is satisfied, with reference to the first unlock condition and the second unlock condition;
A neglected state determination step for determining whether the portable information processing device is in a neglected state based on a predetermined determination condition;
A mode switching step of setting a mode flag indicating whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode, and switching the mode flag according to the determination result of the neglected state determination step;
When the lock flag indicates an unlocked state, an arbitrary program stored in the program storage unit is executed, and when the lock flag indicates a locked state, the program is stored A program execution step for executing only a part of the exception programs among the programs stored in the section;
Have
The lock state switching step, the neglected state determination step, the mode switching step, and the program execution step are all executed by the portable information processing device,
In the lock state switching step,
When the lock flag indicates that it is in the unlocked state, a lock start process for switching the lock flag from the unlocked state to the locked state on condition that the lock start condition is satisfied,
The lock flag indicates that the lock flag is in the locked state, and when the mode flag indicates the first mode, the lock flag is locked on the condition that the first unlocking condition is satisfied. Perform the first unlocking process to switch from to unlocked state,
When the lock flag indicates a locked state and the mode flag indicates a second mode, the lock flag is locked on the condition that the second unlocking condition is satisfied. A program execution control method in a portable information processing apparatus, wherein a second unlocking process for switching from an unlocked state to an unlocked state is performed. The program execution control method according to claim 29,
In the mode switching step, when the neglected state is determined in the neglected state determining step, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag is set to the second mode. , The program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus is characterized in that the second mode is maintained as it is. The program execution control method according to claim 29,
In the mode switching step, in addition to the determination result of the neglected state determining step, the mode flag is switched with reference to the weighting condition for mode switching, and the neglected state is determined by the neglected state determining step. In addition, when the mode switching weighting condition is satisfied at that time, if the mode flag indicates the first mode, the mode is switched to the second mode, and the mode flag indicates the second mode. If so, a program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus is characterized in that the second mode is maintained as it is. The program execution control method according to claim 31,
As a weighting condition for mode switching, a condition of “the current position of the portable information processing device itself is outside a predetermined safety area set in advance” is set. Execution control method. In the execution control method of the program in any one of Claims 29-32,
When the unlocking process for switching the lock flag from the locked state to the unlocked state is performed by the lock state switching step, the first mode is selected when the mode flag indicates the second mode by the mode switching step. A program execution control method in a portable information processing apparatus, characterized in that a process for switching to a portable information processing apparatus is performed. The program execution control method according to any one of claims 29 to 33,
In the lock state switching step, when the operator performs a specific input operation on the portable information processing device, the lock flag is switched as the first unlock condition or the second unlock condition is satisfied. A program execution control method in a portable information processing apparatus. In the execution control method of the program in any one of Claims 29-34,
A program in a portable information processing apparatus characterized in that, in the neglected state determination step, when the period during which the portable information processing device can be recognized as being in a stationary state continues for a predetermined neglected determination time or more, the determination as the neglected state is performed Execution control method.   36. A control program for causing a computer to execute the program execution control method in the portable information processing apparatus according to claim 29.

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