JP4891108B2 - Portable terminal device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device having a wireless communication function and a program.

In recent years, mobile phone devices with a camera function and a TV reception function have become widespread or popularized with the increase in the number of mobile phone devices. For example, when a personal mobile phone device is brought into a company, the camera There is a risk of information leakage depending on the function, and if a mobile phone device with a TV tuner is brought in, it may interfere with work by watching TV during working hours. There is known a technique for restricting the use of a mobile phone device (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
That is, when it is detected that an intrusion has been made into a shooting prohibited area, a technique for restricting the camera shooting function (Patent Document 1), and a location is specified based on the current access point, and the location is determined accordingly. A technique (Patent Document 2) that restricts the use of a specific function is known.
JP 2005-33799 A JP 2006-203507 A

   However, in each of the prior arts described above, the communication function is used to automatically limit the current area, so that only the communication function is intentionally performed by a user operation. If it is cut, it is impossible to detect the area itself. When only the communication function is turned off in this way, there is a problem that the restriction according to the area cannot be performed, and it can be freely used even within the restricted area.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a restriction according to an area even when the wireless communication function is turned off when a current area is specified using the wireless communication function and the restriction according to the area is performed. It is to be.

The invention according to claim 1 (first invention) is a portable terminal device having a wireless communication function, wherein a first determination is made as to whether or not the mobile terminal device is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function. A determination unit, a second determination unit that determines an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation, and a case where the first determination unit determines that the wireless communication function is in a specific area The use of the terminal device is restricted when it is determined that the wireless communication function is set to the off state by the first restriction unit that restricts the use of the terminal device and the second determination unit. And determining that the wireless communication function is set to the on state by the second determining means. If the terminal device It characterized in that it was to release the use restriction.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 1 is provided to the computer (invention described in claim 11).

The invention described in claim 1 described above may be as follows.
The first and second restricting means restrict use of the specific function when processing of the specific function provided in the terminal device is selected (the invention according to claim 2).

  The first and second restricting means restrict use of the terminal device itself when the activation of the terminal device is instructed (the invention according to claim 3).

  Message output for outputting a guidance message for inquiring whether or not to change the wireless communication function to the on state when the second determination means determines that the wireless communication function is set to the off state And a changing means for changing the wireless communication function from the off state to the on state when the change instruction is received in response to the output of the guidance message.

The invention according to claim 5 (second invention) is a portable terminal device having a wireless communication function, wherein a first determination is made as to whether or not the mobile terminal device is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function. A determination unit, a second determination unit that determines an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation, and a case where the first determination unit determines that the wireless communication function is in a specific area The first function restricting the use of the specific function and the second function determining unit when the second determining unit determines that the wireless communication function is instructed to be switched from the on state to the off state. Is being executed, a second restricting means for restricting the use of the specific function is provided.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 5 is provided to the computer (the invention described in claim 12).

The invention described in claim 5 described above may be as follows.
A message that outputs a guidance message for inquiring whether or not to cancel the switching when it is determined that the switching from the on state to the off state of the wireless communication function is instructed by the second determining unit An output means is further provided, and the second restricting means restricts the use of the specific function if the specific function is being executed when the switching stop is not instructed (the invention according to claim 6).

  If it is determined by the second determining means that the wireless communication function is instructed to switch from the off state to the on state, if the specific function is interrupted by the second limiting means, the specific function Resuming means for resuming execution of the function is further provided (the invention according to claim 7).

The invention according to claim 8 (third invention) is a portable terminal device having a wireless communication function, wherein a first determination is made as to whether or not the mobile terminal device is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function. A determination means, a second determination means for determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation, and a case where the first determination means determines that the wireless communication function is not within a specific area In addition, when it is determined that the wireless communication function is set to the off state by the first restriction unit that restricts the use of the terminal device and the second determination unit, the use of the terminal device is restricted. And determining that the wireless communication function is set to the on state by the second determining means. If the terminal device It characterized in that it was to release the use restriction.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 8 is provided to the computer (the invention described in claim 13).

The invention described in claim 8 described above may be as follows.
The first and second restricting means restrict use of the specific function when processing of the specific function provided in the terminal device is selected (the invention according to claim 9).

 The first and second restricting means restrict use of the terminal device itself when the activation of the terminal device is instructed (the invention according to claim 10).

  In the first to third aspects of the invention, when an area that is currently located is specified using a wireless communication function and restriction is performed according to the area, the wireless communication function is turned off intentionally or carelessly, and the area itself is specified. Even if it becomes impossible, the inconvenience that the restriction function does not work can be avoided.

Example 1
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system of a mobile phone device applied as a mobile terminal device.
The cellular phone device 1 is equipped with a wireless LAN module (wireless communication function), and can be connected to a WLAN (wireless LAN) 2 constructed on the premises (for example, in a company), and installed at a plurality of locations on the premises. VoIP (Voice over IP) that can be used as an extension telephone when connected to the local server 4 by performing high-speed wireless communication with the nearest access point 3 among the APs (access points) 3 ) It works as a compatible Internet phone.

  In addition, the mobile phone device 1 is equipped with a Web browser function, and is connected to the Internet 7 via a public mobile phone network (mobile communication network) 6 from outside the premises and via a wireless LAN network from the premises. By connecting to the Internet 7, a desired Web page can be arbitrarily accessed. In addition to the WLAN 2 built in the company, for example, a hot spot (not shown) that provides a public Internet service using a wireless LAN in a home, a public facility, a shopping facility, etc. It may be connectable.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing basic components of the mobile phone device 1.
In addition to a mobile phone communication function, an electronic mail function, a Web browser function, and a wireless LAN communication function, the mobile phone device 1 is equipped with a camera function and a television broadcast receiving function. The CPU 11 is a central central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the mobile phone device 1 in accordance with various programs in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is an internal memory, and has a program area and a data area. In this program area, a program for realizing the present embodiment according to an operation procedure shown in FIGS. Stored. Further, a restriction table RT described later is provided in the data area. The external recording medium 13 is a removable portable memory that supplies various data programs such as recorded contents to the outside. The external recording medium 13 is composed of, for example, an SD card or an IC card. The memory 14 is an internal memory having a work area, and various data in the memory 14 is saved in the storage unit 12 as necessary.

  The telephone communication unit 15 takes in a signal from the reception side of a transmission / reception unit (baseband unit) connected to an antenna that constitutes a radio unit, demodulates it into a reception baseband signal, and then receives a reception speaker via the acoustic control unit 16. The sound is output from 17. Further, the telephone communication unit 15 takes in the audio data input from the transmission microphone 18 from the acoustic control unit 16, encodes it into a transmission baseband signal, gives it to the transmission side of the transmission / reception unit, and outputs the output from the antenna. . On the other hand, the video content received / acquired via the telephone communication unit 15 by the Internet connection function or the like or the television broadcast content received by the television reception output function is given to the main display unit 20 via the display control unit 19 and displayed and output. The

  The main display unit 20 displays characters, videos and the like with high quality, and is used as a television screen during the operation of the television reception output function. The sub display unit 21 displays the current date and time, simple messages, icons, and the like. . The key operation unit 22 performs dial input, character input, command input, and the like. The key operation unit 22 includes numeric / character input keys, dial keys, camera keys, TV keys, and the like, as well as the wireless LAN described above. A communication on / off switch button TB for switching the communication function to an operable state (on state) or an inoperable state (off state), and an application menu button for instructing menu display of various application (app) names AB and the like are provided, and the CPU 11 executes processing according to a key input signal from the key operation unit 21.

  The notification unit 23 includes a speaker for notification of incoming calls, an LED (light emitting diode), and a vibration motor. The notification unit 23 is driven when an incoming call / mail is received, and is also driven when an alarm is notified. The camera imaging unit 24 can shoot moving images in addition to still images. In addition to a photographing lens, a mirror / lens block such as a mirror, an imaging device, and a driving system thereof, a distance measuring sensor, a light amount sensor, an analog processing circuit A signal processing circuit, a compression / decompression circuit, and the like, adjust and control the optical zoom, and control drive control during autofocus, shutter drive control, exposure, white balance, and the like.

  The TV broadcast receiving unit 25 is connected to a TV antenna and extracts a broadcast signal (analog circuit unit). The received broadcast signal is demodulated by OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) or multiplexed. It has a digital circuit part that separates and decodes video, audio, and data from signals, decompresses compressed data, etc., and TV video data and character data are displayed and output from the main display unit 20, The TV sound data is output from the sound speaker 26. The wireless LAN module 27 constitutes a wireless LAN communication function, and is connected to the WLAN 2 to perform high-speed wireless communication. For example, the wireless LAN module 27 has a standard with a use frequency of 2.4 GHz and a communication speed of up to 11 Mbit / sec. Is used. The CPU 11 switches the wireless LAN module 27 to the on / off state by operating the “wireless on / off key” described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the restriction table RT.
The restriction table RT is a table for restricting the use of a specific function (application) in a specific area, and its contents are arbitrarily set by a user operation, and are “restricted application” and “restricted access point”. Are stored in association with each other. In other words, the use of the TV broadcast reception function is restricted throughout the company, and the use of the camera function is restricted in the development research building. Here, the “restricted access point” is information for specifying an area where use of the “restricted application” is restricted, and a plurality of “restricted access points” can be set corresponding to the “restricted application”. It has a configuration. The CPU 11 specifies an area where the user is present by performing wireless communication with the nearest access point 3, and uses the application associated with the area by referring to the restriction table RT based on this area. Try to limit.

 Here, as a result of determining the on / off state of the wireless LAN module 27, the CPU 11 prohibits the activation of the “restricted application” when it is “off” and the area itself cannot be identified. Like to do. That is, in the example shown in the figure, “restricted apps” are “research building” corresponding to “camera function (A)”, “entire company”, “ Assuming that “Company-wide” is set in correspondence with the “Web browser function (E)”, if the wireless LAN module 27 is “off”, it is set in the restriction table RT regardless of where it is currently located. The launching of any “restricted apps” that are being made is prohibited. In the illustrated example, the other functions B and D are functions that are not restricted.

Next, the operation concept of the mobile phone device in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. In addition, the operation according to the above-described program code transmitted via the transmission medium can be sequentially executed. This also applies to other embodiments described later, and in addition to the recording medium, an operation peculiar to this embodiment can be executed using a program / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.
4, 5, and 6 are flowcharts showing an outline of the operation of the characteristic part of the present embodiment, out of the overall operation of the mobile phone device, and are omitted from the flow of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. When this occurs, the process returns to the main flow (not shown) of the overall operation and enters a standby state.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an access point check process that is periodically started every predetermined time (for example, every 1 second) in a state where the “communication flag” is set to “ON”.
First, the CPU 11 activates the wireless LAN module 27 to search for surrounding access points 3 (step A1), and determines whether a specific area (restricted area) such as a company depends on whether or not radio waves are caught from the nearest access point 3. It is checked whether or not the user is inside (step A2). Here, when the user is not in a specific area (for example, a company), the radio wave from the access point 3 cannot be caught (NO in step A2). Since it is determined that there is a catch when in the specific area (YES in step A2), it is checked whether or not the access point detected this time is a new access point (step A3).

  That is, the access point detected last time is compared with the access point detected this time, and as a result, if they match, it is in the radio wave arrival area of the point. If not, the process moves to step A7, and a range display indicating that the user is in a specific area (inside the company) is executed. If a mismatch is detected (YES in step A3), the access point detected this time is determined to be a new access point, and the process proceeds to step A4. Here, the restriction table RT is referred to, and it is checked whether or not the “restriction target application” associated with the point is currently activated, and if it is activated, the guidance indicating that the application is to be canceled. In addition to outputting a message (step A5), the application is instructed to end the operation (step A6). And after execution of the above-mentioned area display (Step A7), it returns to the standby state of the above-mentioned main flow. Such an access point check process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, every 1 second).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing that is started when the application menu button AB on the key operation unit 22 is operated.
First, the CPU 11 reads various application names in response to the operation of the application menu button AB and displays them on the application menu screen (step B1). When an arbitrary application is selected and designated as a processing target from the application menu screen (step B2), the restriction table RT is referred to and it is checked whether the selected application corresponds to a “restriction target application” (step B3). If it is not a restriction target (NO in step B3), this selected application is activated and the process is executed. If it is a restriction target (YES in step B3), the work area in the memory 14 is accessed, It is checked whether or not the “communication flag” indicating whether the wireless LAN module 27 is operating is “ON” (step B4).

  The “communication flag” is turned on / off in response to an operation of the communication on / off switch button TB that switches the wireless LAN module 27 to an operable state (on state) or an inoperable state (off state). If the “communication flag” is “ON”, the wireless LAN module 27 is in an operable state, and if it is “OFF”, the wireless LAN module 27 is in an inoperable state. If the CPU 11 checks the ON / OFF state of this “communication flag” and if it is “ON” (YES in step B4), it searches for the access point 3 (step B5), and the nearest access It is checked whether the radio wave is caught from point 3 (step B6).

  Here, if the radio wave from the access point 3 is not caught, it is not in the specific area (NO in step B6), so this selected application is started and the process is executed. When the radio wave is caught, since it is in the specific area (YES in step B6), the CPU 11 refers to the restriction table RT, and the access point (current access point) detected this time is selected in the above-described step B2. It is checked whether it is a “restricted access point” corresponding to the selected application (step B7).

  In addition, when a plurality of “restricted access points” are set corresponding to the “restricted application”, any one of them may be applicable. If the current access point does not correspond to the “restricted access point” corresponding to the selected application (NO in step B7), the selected application is activated and the process is executed. If this is the case (YES in step B7), in order to prohibit the execution of the selected application, a warning message indicating that the selected application cannot be activated is displayed (step B8), and then the process returns to the standby state of the main flow described above.

 On the other hand, if the “communication flag” is “off” and the wireless LAN module 27 is in an inoperable state (NO in step B4), execution of the selected application is prohibited regardless of where it is currently. Therefore, a warning message indicating that the selected application cannot be activated is displayed (step B9). Thus, even when the wireless LAN module 27 is “off” and the area cannot be specified, the activation of the selected application is restricted. Then, in addition to the warning message described above, a guidance message indicating that a request to change communication to ON can be received is displayed (step B10), and then the presence or absence of the change request is checked (step B11).

  As a result, if there is no change request for communication ON (NO in step A11), the process returns to the standby state of the main flow, but when the change request is received (YES in step B11), the “communication flag” is set to “OFF”. “ON” is changed to “ON” (step B12), and the wireless LAN module 27 is changed to an operable state (ON state) (step B13). Then, the access point 3 is searched (step B14). As a result, if the radio wave is not caught from the access point 3 (NO in step B15), the main flow is returned to the standby state. If YES in B15), the process proceeds to step B7 described above, and it is checked whether the current access point 3 is a “restricted access point” corresponding to the selected application. In the same manner as described above, if the current access point is a “restricted access point” (YES in step B7), a warning message indicating that the selected application cannot be activated is displayed (step B8).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing that is started when the communication on / off switch button TB on the key operation unit 22 is operated.
First, in order to turn on / off the “communication flag” in response to the operation of the communication on / off switch button TB, the CPU 11 turns on the “communication flag” before the switch button TB is operated. (Step C1). Here, when the “communication flag” is “on” and the communication on / off switch button TB is operated (YES in step C1), the “restriction target application” corresponding to the current access point is: It is checked whether or not it is being activated (step C2).

  If the “restricted application” corresponding to the current point is not activated (NO in step C2), the process switches the “communication flag” from “on” to “off” in response to the operation of the switch button TB. On the other hand (step C8), if the “restriction target application” corresponding to the current point is being activated (YES in step C2), a message indicating whether communication is continued is displayed (step C3). This continuation necessity message is a message screen for inquiring whether or not to continue the ON state of the “communication flag”. When a continuation request is received from the user in response thereto (YES in step C4), In order to invalidate the operation of the current communication on / off switch button TB, the process returns to the standby state of the main flow.

  If no continuation request is received from the user (NO in step C4), a guidance message for interrupting the currently activated app is displayed (step C5). In addition to setting an “interrupt flag” corresponding to the app (step C6), giving an interrupt instruction to the app and temporarily terminating the process (step C7), the “communication flag” is set. Switching from “on” to “off” (step C8).

  On the other hand, when the communication on / off switch button TB is operated when the “communication flag” is “off”, that is, the switch button TB is used to switch the “communication flag” from “off” to “on”. When operated (NO in step C1), the presence / absence of the “interrupt flag” described above is checked (step C9). If there is an app (interrupt app) with the “interrupt flag” set, it is restarted. Let That is, as a result of checking whether or not there is an interruption, if there is no interruption application (NO in step C9), a process of switching the “communication flag” from “off” to “on” in response to the operation of the switching button TB (step C14). Move on.

  If there is an interrupted application (YES in step C9), the result of searching for the access point 3 (step C10). If the radio wave is not caught from the access point 3 (NO in step C11), the “communication flag” is set to “ The process proceeds to the process of switching from “off” to “on” (step C14). However, when the radio wave is caught (YES in step C11), the access point (current access point) detected this time is interrupted with reference to the restriction table RT. It is checked whether it is a “restricted access point” associated with the application (step C12).

  In this case, when a plurality of “restricted access points” are set corresponding to the “restricted application”, any one of them may be satisfied. If the current access point is not a “restricted access point” corresponding to the suspended application (NO in step C12), the process proceeds to a process of switching the “communication flag” from “off” to “on” (step C14). If it is “access point” (YES in step C12), the interrupted application is instructed to restart (step C13). Then, after switching the “communication flag” from “off” to “on” (step C14), the process returns to the standby state of the main flow.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the CPU 11 specifies the specific area based on the received content of the wireless LAN module 27 when specifying the area currently located using the wireless LAN module 27 and performing restriction according to the area. As a result of determining whether or not the user is in a company (for example, a company), not only when the user is in a specific area, but also when the wireless LAN module 27 is determined to be on or off and is turned off. However, it is possible to perform restrictions according to the area. In other words, when it is determined that the wireless LAN module 27 is in the specific area and the wireless LAN module 27 is set to the on state, the restriction corresponding to the area can be released. Therefore, even if the wireless LAN module 27 is intentionally or carelessly turned off and the area itself cannot be identified, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the restriction function does not work, and the restriction can be strengthened. .

  Since the use of the restriction target application is restricted when the restriction target application is selected, the restriction can be made for each application like the camera function and the television broadcast reception function. In this case, since the correspondence between the “restricted application” and the “restricted access point” can be arbitrarily set in the restricted table RT, the restricted area can be changed for each application.

  When the restriction target application is selected, if the wireless LAN module 27 is “off”, a guidance message indicating that a change request from “off” to “on” can be accepted is displayed and responded to it. When the change instruction is received, the “communication flag” is changed from “off” to “on”, and the wireless LAN module 27 is changed to an operable on state. Can be activated.

  When switching from “On” to “Off” of the wireless LAN module 27 is instructed, if the restriction target application corresponding to the current access point is being executed, the application is suspended. Even if the wireless LAN module 27 is turned off unintentionally or carelessly, an inconvenience that the restriction function does not work can be avoided even if the area itself cannot be specified, and the restriction can be strengthened.

  When the wireless LAN module 27 is instructed to switch from “on” to “off”, a guidance message for inquiring whether or not to stop the switching (whether or not to continue communication on) is output. If the application to stop switching is not instructed (if it does not continue), if the restricted app corresponding to the current access point is running, the app is suspended, so the operation can be confirmed and the wrong operation Can be easily canceled.

When an instruction to switch the wireless LAN module 27 from “off” to “on” is given, if there is an interrupted application, execution of the interrupted application is resumed. It can be reliably restarted.
(Example 2)

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the wireless LAN module 27 is activated, the surrounding access points 3 are searched, and a specific area (restriction) such as a company is determined depending on whether or not radio waves are caught from the nearest access point 3. The use of a specific application is restricted by determining whether it is in the area), but in the second embodiment, a restriction signal is received from a transmitter (illustrated) placed in the company or the like. Whether or not the user is in a specific area (restricted area) is determined depending on whether or not the user is using the specific application.
Here, the same or the same names in both embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the second embodiment. .

  The transmitter that transmits the restriction signal transmits a restriction signal by, for example, an infrared communication method or a Bluetooth communication method, and an area where the restriction signal reaches is a restriction area that restricts the use of a specific application. In addition to arranging one transmitter in a company or the like, a plurality of transmitters of the same or different types may be arranged. In addition, the mobile phone device 1 is provided with a receiving unit (not shown) that receives a restriction signal from the transmitter. Although the restriction table RT of the second embodiment is not shown, a “restriction signal” indicating the type of transmitter is provided instead of the “restricted access point”, and this “restriction signal” is set as the “restricted application”. It is the structure which matches and memorize | stores.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process that is started when the application menu button AB is operated in the second embodiment.
First, the CPU 11 reads various application names in response to the operation of the application menu button AB and displays them on the application menu screen (step D1). When an arbitrary application is selected and designated as a processing target from the application menu screen (step D2), the CPU 11 refers to the restriction table RT to check whether the selected application is a restriction target application ( Step D3).

  If it does not correspond to any “restriction target application” (NO in step D3), the selected application is activated and the process is executed. If it is a “restriction target application” (in step D3, YES), it is checked whether the “communication flag” is “ON” (step D4). If the selected application is a “restricted application” and the “communication flag” is “ON” (YES in step D4), the restriction table RT is referred to and this selected application (restricted application) is supported. It is checked whether the attached “restriction signal” has been received (step D5).

  If the “restriction signal” corresponding to the selected application is not received (NO in step D5), the selected application is activated and the process is executed. However, the use of the application is restricted in the area where the restriction signal reaches. Therefore, when the “restriction signal” is received (YES in step D5), an activation impossible message is displayed to prohibit activation of the selected application (step D6), and the standby state of the main flow described above is displayed. Return to. If the selected application is a “restricted application” and the “communication flag” is “off” (YES in step D4), the process proceeds to step D6 regardless of whether or not a “restriction signal” has been received. Display disabled message.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user is in a specific area (restricted area) based on whether or not a limited signal is received from a transmitter (illustrated) arranged in the company or the like. In addition to having the same effect as the first embodiment described above, there is no need to construct a large-scale wireless LAN on the premises (for example, in a company), and cost is reduced. Is also advantageous.

In the second embodiment, the mobile phone device 1 receives the restriction signal transmitted from the transmitter by the infrared communication method or the Bluetooth communication method. However, the mobile phone device 1 has an electronic money payment function, a transportation facility. In addition to the entrance / exit function when using other stations, an entry / exit contactless communication IC processing function that can be used as a time recorder function to manage company entrance / exit is provided. You may make it discriminate | determine.
(Example 3)

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the above-described first and second embodiments, the use of a specific function (specific application) is restricted within a specific area (restricted area) such as a company. In the area, use of the mobile phone device itself (terminal itself) is restricted.
Here, in the first and third embodiments, the same or the same names in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will be focused on the characteristic portions of the third embodiment. It shall be.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an “area restriction flag” and a “terminal restriction point”.
The “area restriction flag” is a flag indicating whether or not use of the mobile phone device itself (terminal itself) is restricted within a specific area, and can be arbitrarily set by a user operation. The “terminal restriction point” indicates the access point 3 for specifying an area where use of the terminal itself is restricted, and a plurality of “terminal restriction points” can be arbitrarily set.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation when the power is turned on, which is started when the terminal is turned on.
First, the CPU 11 refers to the “area restriction flag” shown in FIG. 8 to check whether or not the setting for restricting terminal use is performed according to the area (step E1), and the “area restriction flag” is set. Otherwise, after displaying a message permitting use of the terminal (step E7), the process proceeds to the standby processing as usual, but if the “area restriction flag” is set (YES in step E2), “communication It is checked whether the “flag” is “ON” (step E2). If the “communication flag” is “ON” (YES in step E2), the wireless LAN module 27 is activated to search for the surrounding access point 3 (step E3), and radio waves are transmitted from the nearest access point 3. It is checked whether or not the user is in a specific area (restricted area) such as a company depending on whether or not he / she has caught (step E4).

  As a result, when the user is not in a specific area (for example, a company), the radio wave from the access point 3 cannot be caught (NO in step E4), and a message permitting terminal use is displayed (step E7). . When a radio wave is caught in the specific area (YES in step E4), it is checked whether the access point detected this time corresponds to one of the “terminal restriction points” shown in FIG. 8 (step E5). If it is not within the restricted area indicated by this “terminal restriction point” (NO in step E5), a message permitting terminal use is displayed (step E7), but it falls under “terminal restriction point” and is within the restricted area. In step E5, a message indicating that the terminal cannot be used is displayed to prohibit use of the terminal (step E6), and then a power OFF process for forcibly shutting off the power is performed. On the other hand, if the “communication flag” is “off” (NO in step E2), an unusable message is displayed to prohibit the use of the terminal regardless of whether or not it corresponds to the “terminal restriction point”.

As described above, in the third embodiment, since the use of the terminal itself (the mobile phone device itself) is restricted within the specific area, the third embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment described above. For example, private use during working hours and nuisance use in public facilities can be reliably prevented.
Example 4

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment described above, the use of a specific application is restricted within a specific area such as a company. However, in the fourth embodiment, the use of the specific application is permitted in the specific area, In other areas, its use is restricted.
Here, in the first and fourth embodiments, the same or the same names are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the fourth embodiment. It shall be.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the restriction table RT of the fourth embodiment.
The restriction table RT is a table for permitting the use of a specific application in a specific area and restricting the use of the specific application in other areas. The content of the restriction table RT is arbitrarily set by a user operation. The “target application” and the “permitted access point” are stored in association with each other. Even in this case, a plurality of “restricted access points” can be set corresponding to the “restricted application”.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process that is started when the application menu button AB is operated in the fourth embodiment.
First, the CPU 11 reads various application names in response to the operation of the application menu button AB and displays them on the application menu screen (step F1). When an arbitrary application is selected and designated as a processing target from the application menu screen (step F2), the restriction table RT is referred to, and it is checked whether the selected application corresponds to a “restriction target application” (step F3). If the application is not restricted (NO in step F3), the selected application is activated and the process is executed. If the application is restricted (YES in step F3), the “communication flag” is “ON”. It is checked whether it has been performed (step F4).

  If the “communication flag” is “ON” (YES in step F4), the access point 3 is searched, and the access point detected this time (current access point) corresponds to the selected application selected in step F2 described above. Whether it is a “permitted access point” (step F5). Here, if the current access point is “permitted access point”, that is, if it is within the permitted area, the selected application is started and the process is executed. Since the user is outside the permission area, an activation impossible message is displayed in order to inhibit activation of the selected application (step F6), and the process returns to the standby state of the main flow described above. On the other hand, if the “communication flag” is “off” (NO in step F4), an activation impossible message is displayed in order to inhibit activation of the selected application regardless of whether or not it is within the permitted area ( Step F6).

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the use of a specific application can be permitted in a specific area, and the use can be restricted in other areas. In other words, if the wireless LAN module 27 is turned on when in a specific area, the restriction corresponding to the area can be released. Therefore, even if the wireless LAN module 27 is intentionally or carelessly turned off and the area itself cannot be specified, the inconvenience that the restriction function does not work can be avoided, and the restriction can be strengthened. . In addition, it is possible to perform restriction according to the area for each application.

  In the fourth embodiment, the activation of the specific application is prohibited in the specific area, and the activation of the specific application is prohibited in the other areas. However, as in the third embodiment, the mobile phone The use of the device itself (terminal itself) may be permitted or restricted. Thus, for example, public use during working hours can be permitted, and use other than that can be surely restricted.

  In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone device has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a mobile terminal device such as a PDA, an electronic camera, an electronic wristwatch, or a music player. .

The block diagram which showed the network system of the mobile telephone apparatus 1 applied as a portable terminal device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing basic components of the mobile phone device 1. The figure for demonstrating the restriction | limiting table RT. The flowchart which showed the access point check process regularly started for every predetermined time (for example, 1 second interval) in the state in which "communication flag" is set to "on". The flowchart which showed the process started when the application menu button AB on the key operation part 22 is operated. The flowchart which showed the process started when the communication on / off switch button TB on the key operation part 22 is operated. The flowchart which showed the process started when application menu button AB is operated in 2nd Example. The figure for demonstrating an "area restriction flag" and a "terminal restriction point." The flowchart which showed the operation | movement outline | summary at the time of the power-ON started execution according to terminal power activation. The figure for demonstrating the restriction | limiting table RT of 4th Example. The flowchart which showed the process started when application menu button AB is operated in 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 Mobile phone device 2 WLAN
3 Access point 4 On-site server 11 CPU
12 storage unit 15 telephone communication unit 22 key operation unit 24 camera imaging unit 25 TV broadcast reception unit 27 wireless LAN module RT restriction table TB communication on / off switch button AB application menu button

Claims (13)

A mobile terminal device having a wireless communication function,
First determination means for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
Second determination means for determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A first restricting means for restricting use of the terminal device when it is determined by the first determining means to be in a specific area;
A second restricting means for restricting the use of the terminal device when the second determining means determines that the wireless communication function is set to an off state;
And when it is determined by the first determination means that the wireless communication function is set to the on state, and the second determination means determines that the wireless communication function is set to the on state. A portable terminal device, wherein use restrictions on the terminal device are released. The first and second restricting means restrict use of the specific function when processing of the specific function provided in the terminal device is selected.
The portable terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. The first and second restriction means restrict the use of the terminal device itself when the activation of the terminal device is instructed.
The portable terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured as described above. Message output for outputting a guidance message for inquiring whether or not to change the wireless communication function to the on state when the second determination means determines that the wireless communication function is set to the off state Means,
Changing means for changing the wireless communication function from an off state to an on state when receiving the change instruction in response to the output of the guidance message;
The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: A mobile terminal device having a wireless communication function,
First determination means for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
Second determination means for determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A first restricting means for restricting use of a specific function when it is determined by the first determining means to be in a specific area;
If it is determined by the second determination means that the wireless communication function is instructed to be switched from the on state to the off state, the use of the specific function is restricted if the specific function is being executed. A second limiting means;
A portable terminal device comprising: A message that outputs a guidance message for inquiring whether or not to cancel the switching when it is determined that the switching from the on state to the off state of the wireless communication function is instructed by the second determining unit Further providing an output means,
The second restriction unit restricts use of the specific function if the specific function is being executed when the switching stop is not instructed.
The mobile terminal device according to claim 5, which is configured as described above.   If it is determined by the second determining means that the wireless communication function is instructed to switch from the off state to the on state, if the specific function is interrupted by the second limiting means, the specific function 6. The portable terminal device according to claim 5, further comprising restarting means for restarting execution of the function. A mobile terminal device having a wireless communication function,
First determination means for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
Second determination means for determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A first restricting means for restricting use of the terminal device when it is determined by the first determining means that the terminal device is not in the specific area;
A second restricting means for restricting the use of the terminal device when the second determining means determines that the wireless communication function is set to an off state;
The terminal is determined to be within the specific area by the first determination unit, and the wireless communication function is determined to be on by the second determination unit A portable terminal device, wherein the use restriction of the device is released. The first and second restricting means restrict use of the specific function when processing of the specific function provided in the terminal device is selected.
The portable terminal device according to claim 8, which is configured as described above. The first and second restriction means restrict the use of the terminal device itself when the activation of the terminal device is instructed.
The portable terminal device according to claim 8, which is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
A function of determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A function that restricts the use of the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device is in the specific area;
A function for restricting the use of the terminal device when it is determined that the wireless communication function is set to an off state;
A function of canceling the use restriction of the terminal device when it is determined that the wireless communication function is determined to be in the ON state, and determined not to be in the specific area;
A program to realize Against the computer,
A function for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
A function of determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A function that restricts the use of a specific function when it is determined that the user is in the specific area;
When it is determined that switching from the on state to the off state of the wireless communication function is instructed, if the specific function is being executed, a function that restricts use of the specific function;
A program to realize Against the computer,
A function for determining whether or not the user is in a specific area based on the received content of the wireless communication function;
A function of determining an on / off state of the wireless communication function arbitrarily set by a user operation;
A function for restricting the use of the terminal device when it is determined that the terminal device is not in the specific area;
A function for restricting the use of the terminal device when it is determined that the wireless communication function is set to an off state;
A function of canceling the use restriction of the terminal device when it is determined that the wireless communication function is determined to be in the on-state when it is determined to be in the specific area;
A program to realize

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