JP5397139B2 - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal driven by a battery.

  A communication terminal such as a mobile phone is equipped with various devices and functions, and functions with large power consumption such as multimedia-related functions are increasing. Development manufacturers, etc. perform various controls to reduce power consumption, but there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the possession of batteries in the market. . For example, the emergency earthquake bulletin reception function that has started to be installed in recent years has meaning in the information received at that moment, and it is not preferable for the user that the information cannot be acquired because the battery has run out. Moreover, although the emergency call function is mounted on the mobile phone of Patent Document 1, it is not preferable that the battery runs out and information cannot be transmitted.

  In view of this, there is also known a mobile phone equipped with a function for performing function restriction according to the remaining battery level (see, for example, Patent Documents 3, 5, and 6). In the mobile phone of Patent Document 3, the remaining usage time calculation unit calculates the remaining usage time based on the battery capacity monitored by the battery capacity monitoring unit. In addition, when the battery capacity becomes a predetermined value or less, the rechargeable time calculation unit specifies a position of the information communication device by a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning unit. Then, based on the identified position of the information communication device, the chargeable time calculation unit calculates the chargeable time until the battery can be charged. The function restriction processing unit compares the remaining use time and the chargeable time, and can restrict the function of the information communication device according to the information stored in the function database based on the comparison result.

  The mobile terminal device of Patent Document 5 includes a first communication unit that performs communication with a base station, a second communication unit that performs short-range communication with a predetermined mobile communication device, and a control unit that performs operations of various functions. The control unit is configured to communicate with the predetermined contact via the first communication unit in a situation where communication between the second communication unit and the predetermined portable communication device is possible when the power OFF operation is detected. When communication is performed and communication with a predetermined portable communication device in the second communication unit is impossible, the power OFF operation is executed. Accordingly, the mobile terminal device can estimate the situation where the user is placed according to the communication status between the mobile terminal device and the mobile communication device, and depending on the status, the function of the mobile terminal device is limited or other communication is performed. Allows notification to the device.

  The composite terminal apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 6 includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication for a wireless telephone function with a predetermined base station, and a first unit that processes data transmitted by the wireless communication unit and received data. The data processing means, the second data processing means for executing a predetermined function other than the wireless communication processing, the operating means for setting the operation mode, and the telephone function stop mode is set by the operating means And a control means for controlling the wireless communication function in the wireless communication means to be in an off state and performing control not to restrict execution of a predetermined function in the second data processing means. As a result, when the remaining battery level is low, the composite terminal device can restrict functions other than emergency notification and notify the emergency call reception center of the location information measured using GPS.

  Patent Document 2 describes a portable terminal that notifies a partner designated by the user before the power is turned off due to the battery being exhausted, because the battery is exhausted and communication is impossible. In this portable terminal, the control unit checks whether the voltage of the battery pack measured by the voltage monitoring unit is αV or less which is a standard for running out of the battery, and if it is αV or less, it is registered in the A memory area. The contents of the B memory area (not able to communicate due to battery exhaustion) are notified to the e-mail address.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 5 describes a mobile phone that can ensure emergency use when the battery is consumed. This cellular phone has a battery voltage detection unit that detects a voltage in the pseudo device power-off state that is higher than a voltage in the device power-off state, a limited function of the cellular phone, and a specific key operation that performs a limited function by key operation. Limited function information holding unit that saves multiple pairs as a pair, and pseudo power supply OFF state that enables power supply from the battery to save power when a voltage in the pseudo apparatus power supply OFF state is detected, enabling execution of the limited function And a limited function control for executing a limited function by extracting a limited function corresponding to a specific key operation for a specific key operation of the mobile phone when the mobile phone is in a pseudo power OFF state. A part.

JP 2004-040733 A JP 2005-018200 A JP 2008-236680 A JP 2008-270929 A JP 2009-017379 A JP 2009-071856 A

  In the mobile phone of Patent Document 4, since it is intended to ensure only emergency use when the battery is consumed, there is a problem that a third party does not know why the user cannot contact the user of the mobile phone and feels uneasy. was there.

  In the portable terminal of Patent Document 2, a notification that communication cannot be performed due to battery exhaustion is performed based on the battery voltage, and since the actual battery exhaustion time is unknown, a third party can There was a problem that anxiety occurred because it was not known whether the user could be contacted.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal that can notify the reason why the third party, which is the problem described above, cannot be contacted, and can eliminate the anxiety that the user cannot be contacted.

  The communication terminal according to the present invention predicts a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy from a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining battery level and a remaining battery level monitored by the battery remaining amount monitoring unit. A battery exhaustion predicting means, a power supply control means for turning off the power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means, and the power supply control means powering on before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means. Information transmission means for transmitting to a specific third party an incommunicable notification for notifying that communication is disabled.

  Another communication terminal according to the present invention includes a remaining battery level monitoring unit that monitors a remaining battery level, a remaining battery level notification unit that notifies the server of the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit, Power control means for turning off the power when the remaining amount of the battery monitored by the battery remaining amount monitoring means is lower than a specified value.

  The server according to the present invention predicts a battery exhaustion time for predicting a battery exhaustion time using up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified remaining battery power of the communication terminal, and the battery predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction means And an information transmitting means for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that the communication terminal is turned off and communication is disabled before the expiration time to a specific third party.

  The communication system according to the present invention includes: a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining battery amount of a communication terminal that communicates with a server; and a battery remaining energy that is monitored by the remaining battery amount monitoring unit. A battery exhaustion predicting means for predicting a battery exhaustion time to be used up, a power supply control means for turning off the power of the communication terminal at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means, and the battery exhaustion predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means Before the time, the power control means includes information transmission means for sending a communication incompatibility notification to notify a specific third party that the communication terminal is turned off and communication is impossible.

  The operation method of the communication terminal according to the present invention includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount, and a battery exhaustion time for using up the battery energy from the remaining battery amount monitored in the remaining battery amount monitoring procedure. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting battery power, a power supply control procedure for turning off power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, and the power supply control procedure before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. And an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party.

  Another method of operating a communication terminal according to the present invention includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount, and a battery remaining amount notification for notifying a server of the remaining battery amount monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure. And a power control procedure for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value.

  The operation method of the server according to the present invention is predicted by a battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified battery remaining power of the communication terminal, and the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. An information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification to notify a specific third party that the communication terminal turns off the power and notifies that communication is disabled is performed before the battery dead time.

  An operation method of a communication system according to the present invention includes: a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount of a communication terminal communicating with a server; and the remaining battery amount monitored by the remaining battery amount monitoring procedure. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time that uses up the energy of the battery, a power supply control procedure for turning off the power of the communication terminal at the battery exhaustion time predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, and a prediction using the battery exhaustion prediction procedure Before the battery exhaustion time, an information transmission procedure is performed in which the communication terminal is turned off by the power control procedure and a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled is transmitted to a specific third party.

  The operation program of the communication terminal according to the present invention includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount, and a battery exhaustion time for using up the battery energy from the remaining battery amount monitored in the remaining battery amount monitoring procedure. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting battery power, a power supply control procedure for turning off power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, and the power supply control procedure before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. The communication terminal is caused to execute an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party.

  An operation program for another communication terminal according to the present invention includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount, and a battery remaining amount notification for notifying a server of the remaining battery amount to be monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure. The communication terminal executes a procedure and a power control procedure for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value.

  The operation program of the server according to the present invention predicts a battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time for using up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified remaining battery power of the communication terminal, and the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. The server is caused to execute an information transmission procedure for transmitting to the specific third party an incommunicable notification for notifying that the communication terminal turns off the power and cannot communicate before the battery dead time.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a communication terminal that can notify the reason why a third party cannot be contacted and can eliminate the anxiety that the user cannot be contacted.

It is a block diagram explaining the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the communication system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the server which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the communication system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the communication terminal which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement method of the server which concerns on this invention. 3 shows a main part of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the transfer process to function restriction mode. (A) and (b) are examples of a normal UI. FIG. 14C shows an example of a UI in the function restriction mode. It is a flowchart explaining automatic mail transmission.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present specification and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication terminal 101 according to this embodiment. The communication terminal 101 in FIG. 1 predicts a battery exhaustion time that uses up the battery energy from the battery remaining amount monitoring unit 11 that monitors the remaining amount of the battery and the remaining amount of the battery that is monitored by the battery remaining amount monitoring unit 11. The battery exhaustion predicting means 12, the power supply control means 13 for turning off the power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means 12, and the power supply control means 13 before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means 12. Is provided with information transmission means 14 for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the communication terminal 101. The operation method of the communication terminal 101 includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring the remaining amount of the battery, and a battery for predicting a time when the battery runs out using the energy of the battery from the remaining amount of the battery monitored in the remaining battery amount monitoring procedure. A power-off prediction procedure, a power-supply control procedure for turning off the power at the battery-out time predicted in the battery-out prediction procedure, and a power-off control step 13 before the battery-out time predicted in the battery-out prediction procedure. An information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying communication failure to a specific third party is performed.

  Further, the communication terminal 101 performs the operation method of FIG. 2 with the following operation program. The operation program of the communication terminal 101 is a battery remaining capacity monitoring procedure for monitoring the remaining battery capacity, and a battery that predicts the time when the battery runs out using the battery energy from the remaining battery capacity monitored in the remaining battery capacity monitoring procedure. A power-off prediction procedure, a power-supply control procedure for turning off the power at the battery-out time predicted in the battery-out prediction procedure, and a power-off control procedure before the battery-out time predicted in the battery-out prediction procedure. This is a program for causing a communication terminal to execute an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication disabled notification for notifying that a communication is disabled to a specific third party.

  Here, the communication terminal 101 is an electrical appliance having a communication function and driven by a battery. For example, the communication terminal 101 is a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a portable information terminal, a household appliance, or an industrial appliance.

  The battery remaining amount monitoring means 11 monitors the remaining amount of a battery (not shown) mounted on the communication terminal in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure. Specifically, the remaining voltage of the battery is determined by monitoring the voltage value of the battery, the integrated value of the current from the battery, or the time after the battery is charged. In FIG. 2, the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure is step 202.

  The battery exhaustion predicting means 12 predicts the battery exhaustion time when the battery energy is exhausted based on the remaining battery capacity in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. For example, the battery exhaustion predicting means 12 can determine that “the time when the battery runs out of energy is another 10 minutes” when the voltage value of the battery drops below a certain value. In FIG. 2, the battery exhaustion prediction procedure is step 203 and step 208.

  The power control unit 13 can turn on or off the power of the entire communication terminal 101. The power supply control means 13 can automatically turn off the power supply of the entire communication terminal 101 when the battery exhaustion time comes in the power supply control procedure. In FIG. 2, the power control procedure is step 209.

  The information transmission means 14 transmits a communication failure notification to the effect that the communication terminal 101 as a whole is turned off before the time of battery exhaustion in the information transmission procedure and communication cannot be performed to a specific third party. In FIG. 2, the information transmission procedure is step 208. A specific third party is registered in a memory (not shown) of the communication terminal 101. For example, the specific third party is a user's family or lover. For the communication failure notification, an electronic mail function of the communication terminal 101 may be used, or an agent function provided by the operator may be used.

  As described above, the communication terminal 101 suggests that the power may be turned off soon due to a low battery level with respect to a preset target such as a family member or a lover, and cannot reply to an e-mail or the like immediately. Can be notified automatically. The communication terminal 101 can eliminate the anxiety of the third party due to the fact that the communication terminal 101 cannot communicate with the user by notifying the communication failure before the power is turned off.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the communication terminal 102 of the present embodiment. The difference between the communication terminal 102 and the communication terminal 101 of FIG. 1 is that the mode switching means 15 and the information analysis means 16 are further provided. When the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit 11 is less than a set value, the communication terminal 102 is predicted by the mode switching unit 15 that switches to a function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated, and the dead battery prediction unit 12 The information analysis means 16 which collects and analyzes the user information regarding a user before the said battery exhaustion time is further provided.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the communication terminal 102. The difference between the operation method of the communication terminal 102 and the operation method of the communication terminal 101 of FIG. 2 is that the operation method of the communication terminal 102 further performs a mode switching procedure and an information analysis procedure. The operation method of the communication terminal 102 is predicted by a mode switching procedure for switching to a function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is less than a set value, and a predicted battery runoff procedure. An information analysis procedure for collecting and analyzing user information related to the user before the battery exhaustion time is further performed.

  Further, the communication terminal 102 performs the operation method of FIG. 4 with the following operation program. That is, the operation program of the communication terminal 102 is added with a program for performing a mode switching procedure and an information analysis procedure to the operation program of the communication terminal 101. The operation program of the communication terminal 102 is predicted by a mode switching procedure for switching to a function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is less than a set value, and a battery exhaustion prediction procedure. This is a program for causing a communication terminal to further execute an information analysis procedure for collecting and analyzing user information related to a user before the battery exhaustion time.

  The function restriction mode is a mode in which only a predetermined function among many functions of the communication terminal 102 is operated and other functions are stopped. The mode switching unit 15 switches the communication terminal 102 to the function restriction mode in the mode switching procedure. In FIG. 4, the mode switching procedure is step 205 and step 206. Which function is to be stopped may be set in advance, or may be set anew by the user. Therefore, the mode switching means 15 maintains only functions that are considered necessary in an emergency such as an emergency earthquake warning or a call when the remaining battery level falls below a predetermined value, and disables other functions and devices. Thus, it is possible to make the communication terminal 102 capable of preventing the battery from running out and responding as much as possible in an emergency.

  Further, when the mode switching unit 15 switches to the function restriction mode, the battery running out prediction unit 12 may predict the battery dead time in the function restriction mode.

  The information analysis means 16 collects and analyzes user information related to the user in the information analysis procedure before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction means 12. In FIG. 4, the information analysis procedure is step 201 and step 204. The user information includes a factor that the remaining battery level is reduced. In step 201, the communication terminal 102 acquires information such as the relationship between the user's usage history and power consumption, the daily life range, and the state of daily charging, and analyzes these factors to determine the cause of the decrease in the remaining battery level. Can be guessed.

  The user information includes a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed. By analyzing the information acquired in step 201, the communication terminal 102 can estimate the time when the communication terminal 102 will be charged and restored.

  Furthermore, the user information includes the user position of the user before the battery exhaustion time. The communication terminal 102 acquires the user's position information in step 204 using, for example, a GPS function.

  The information transmitting unit 14 can transmit the user information analyzed in step 208 as additional information included in the communication failure notification. The information transmitting means 14 includes this additional information in the communication failure notification so that a third party can feel safe. Note that the user can set the content of the additional information included in the communication failure notification to be changed for each specific third party. A third party registered in advance in the communication terminal 102 may be notified of only the fact that the power is turned off, or the current location information may be notified.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the communication system 171 of the present embodiment. The communication system 171 includes a communication terminal 103 and a server 151. The communication system 171 determines the energy of the battery from the remaining battery level monitoring unit 11 that monitors the remaining battery level of the communication terminal 103 that communicates with the server 151, and the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit 11. The battery exhaustion predicting means 12 for predicting the battery exhaustion time to be used up, the power control means 13 for turning off the power of the communication terminal 103 at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means 12, and the battery exhaustion predicting means 12 predicting the battery exhaustion time. Before the battery exhaustion time, the power supply control means 13 turns off the power of the communication terminal 103, and the information sending means 14 for sending a communication impossible notification for notifying that communication is impossible to a specific third party;
Is provided.

  In FIG. 5, the server 151 includes the battery depletion prediction unit 12 and the information transmission unit 14, but at least one of the battery depletion prediction unit 12 and the information transmission unit 14 may be included in the server 151. . In this case, means not included in the server 151 are included in the communication terminal 103.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the communication system 171. The operation method of the communication system 171 includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring the remaining battery amount of the communication terminal 103 communicating with the server 151, and the remaining battery amount monitored by the remaining battery amount monitoring procedure. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up energy, a power supply control procedure for turning off the power of the communication terminal 103 at the battery exhaustion prediction time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, and the battery exhaustion prediction procedure Before the battery exhaustion time, the communication terminal 103 is turned off by the power control procedure, and an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party is performed. In FIG. 6, the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure is step 202. In FIG. 6, the battery exhaustion prediction procedure and the information transmission procedure are step 203 and step 208. In FIG. 6, the power control procedure is step 209.

  The communication terminal 103 in FIG. 5 includes a remaining battery level monitoring unit 11 that monitors the remaining battery level, and a remaining battery level notification unit 24 that notifies the server 151 of the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit 11. And a power control unit 13 for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit 24 is lower than a specified value.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the communication terminal 103. The operation method of the communication terminal 103 includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring the remaining amount of the battery, a battery remaining amount notification procedure for notifying the server 151 of the remaining amount of the battery monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure, A power control procedure for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value. In FIG. 7, the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure is step 502. In FIG. 7, the battery remaining amount notification procedure is step 501. In FIG. 7, the power control procedure is step 509.

  Further, the communication terminal 103 performs the operation method of FIG. 7 with the following operation program. The operation program of the communication terminal 103 includes a battery remaining amount monitoring procedure for monitoring a remaining battery amount, a battery remaining amount notification procedure for notifying a server of the remaining battery amount monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure, and the battery A program for causing a communication terminal to execute a power control procedure for turning off power when the remaining battery level monitored by a remaining power monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value.

  On the other hand, the server 151 of FIG. 5 predicts the battery exhaustion predicting unit 12 that predicts the battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal 103 from the notified battery remaining power of the communication terminal 103, and the battery exhaustion predicting unit 12 The communication terminal 103 is turned off before the battery exhaustion time, and information transmission means 14 for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party is provided.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation method of the server 151. The operation method of the communication terminal 103 is predicted by a battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal 103 from the notified battery remaining power of the communication terminal 103, and the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. Before the battery exhaustion time, the communication terminal 103 turns off the power and performs an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party. In FIG. 8, the battery exhaustion prediction procedure is step 602. In FIG. 8, the information transmission procedure is step 603.

  Further, the server 151 performs the operation method of FIG. 8 with the following operation program. The operation program of the server 151 predicts a battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal 103 from the notified remaining battery power of the communication terminal 103, and the battery exhaustion prediction procedure. A program for causing the server 151 to execute an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication failure notification to a specific third party to notify that a communication terminal 103 is turned off and cannot communicate before the battery exhaustion time. is there.

  When the communication terminal 103 and the server 151 operate as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the communication system 171 operates as shown in FIG. By performing the battery exhaustion prediction and information transmission by the server 151, it is possible to suppress the battery consumption of the communication terminal 103.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the communication system 172 of the present embodiment. The difference between the communication system 172 and the communication system 171 in FIG. 5 is that the communication terminal 104 is provided as an alternative to the communication terminal 103 and the server 152 is provided as an alternative to the server 151. The communication terminal 104 further includes a mode switching unit 15, a mode switching notification unit 42, an information notification unit 43, and a power-off notification reception unit 41 in the communication terminal 103 of FIG. The server 152 further includes information analysis means 16 and power-off notification transmission means 45 in the server 151 of FIG.

  The function of the communication terminal 104 will be described. The power-off notification receiving unit 41 receives a power-off notification indicating that the power can be turned off from the server 152. At this time, the power control unit 13 turns off the power after the power-off notification receiving unit 41 receives the power-off notification.

  The mode switching unit 15 switches to a function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery level monitoring unit 11 is less than a set value. The mode switching notification means 42 notifies the server 152 that the mode has been switched to the function restriction mode. The information notification unit 43 collects user information related to the user and notifies the server 152 of the user information.

  Next, the function of the server 152 will be described. The power-off notification transmission unit 45 transmits a power-off notification indicating that the power can be turned off to the communication terminal 104 after the information transmission unit 14 transmits the communication failure notification to a specific third party. In addition, when the communication terminal 104 is notified that the remaining battery level of the communication terminal 104 is less than the set value and the function is switched to the function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated, The battery dead time in the function restriction mode switched by the means 15 is predicted. The information analysis unit 16 causes the communication terminal 104 to collect user information related to the user of the communication terminal 104 before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction unit 12, and analyzes the user information.

  Note that, as described in connection with the communication terminal 102, the user information includes a factor that the remaining amount of the battery has decreased, a communication restart time at which communication is resumed, and a user position of the user before the battery exhaustion time.

  The operation method of the communication system 172 can be described by the operation method of the communication terminal 104 and the server 152. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the communication terminal 104. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of the server 152.

  The difference between the operation method of the communication terminal 104 and the operation method of the communication terminal 103 of FIG. 7 is that the operation method of the communication terminal 104 further performs a power-off notification reception procedure, a mode switching procedure, a mode switching notification procedure, and an information notification procedure. That is.

  In the power-off notification reception procedure, a power-off notification indicating that the power can be turned off is received from the server 152. In the power control procedure, the power is turned off after receiving the power off notification in the power off notification receiving procedure. In FIG. 10, the power-off notification receiving procedure is step 507.

  In the mode switching procedure, when the remaining battery level monitored in the remaining battery level monitoring procedure is less than a set value, the mode switching procedure switches to a function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated. In FIG. 10, the mode switching procedure is step 504 and step 505. In the mode switching notification procedure, the server 152 is notified of switching to the function restriction mode. In FIG. 10, the mode switching notification procedure is step 506.

  The information notification procedure collects user information about the user and notifies the server before the power control procedure. In FIG. 10, the information notification procedure is step 501 or step 506.

  The difference between the operation method of the server 152 and the operation method of the server 151 in FIG. 8 is that the operation method of the server 152 further performs a power-off notification transmission procedure and an information analysis procedure.

  The power-off notification transmission procedure transmits a power-off notification indicating that the power can be turned off to the communication terminal 104 after transmitting the communication failure notification to a specific third party in the information transmission procedure. In FIG. 11, the power-off notification transmission procedure is step 604. The information analysis procedure causes the communication terminal to collect user information related to the user of the communication terminal before the battery expiration time predicted in the battery expiration prediction procedure, and analyzes the user information. In FIG. 11, the information analysis procedure is step 601.

  Further, when the communication terminal 104 is notified that the remaining battery level of the communication terminal 104 is less than the set value and the function is switched to the function restriction mode in which only a predetermined function is operated, the battery exhaustion prediction procedure (step 602). The battery dead time in the function restriction mode switched by the mode switching procedure is predicted.

  Note that, in the information transmission procedure, the additional information included in the communication failure notification is transmitted by changing for each specific third party, as described in the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 5)
The case where the communication terminals (101 to 104) are mobile phones will be described in more detail. FIG. 12 shows a main part of the configuration of the mobile phone 105 of this embodiment. The cellular phone 105 of this embodiment is equipped with a CPU (central processing unit) 72, and the CPU 72 is connected to each unit in the apparatus via a bus 73. Of these, the ROM 74 is a read-only memory that stores fixed data such as various control programs to be executed by the CPU 72. The work memory 75 is constituted by a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores data temporarily required for the CPU 72 to execute the program.

  The display control unit 78 is a control circuit. The display unit 79 is disposed in the apparatus main body and is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (electrofluorescence). The FUEL GAUGE IC 80 is connected to the rechargeable battery 81 and is a battery management IC capable of measuring the remaining battery level.

  The GPS 76 is a device that measures position information, and can measure the location where the mobile phone 105 is present. This is an example of the embodiment, and in some cases, various sensors capable of measuring acceleration, geomagnetism, temperature, and the like may be provided and used.

  A series of situations from when the remaining battery level decreases to stop functions other than the minimum necessary functions (emergency call, telephone) and automatic mail transmission will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 201, the position status is periodically acquired from the GPS 76, and the data is stored in the ROM 74.

  Next, in step 202, the remaining battery level is monitored. Although this monitoring is continuously performed, when the remaining battery level falls below a preset value (hereinafter referred to as a specified value) or when a preset time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 203. If the remaining battery level is not below the specified value in step 203, the process returns to step 201. If the remaining battery level is less than the specified value in 203, the process proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the latest information from various sensors is acquired, stored in the ROM 74, and the process proceeds to step 205. If it is determined in step 205 that the setting for shifting to the function restriction mode is ON, step 206 is performed to move to the function restriction mode.

  If the function restriction mode is OFF in step 205, the process moves to step 207 without performing the process of shifting to the restriction mode. In step 207, it is determined whether or not the setting for sending an e-mail when the remaining battery level is low is ON. If ON, the battery exhaustion time is predicted based on the information measured in step 201 and step 204, and the battery is Step 208 for sending the broken mail is executed. After the series of processing is completed, the mobile phone 105 is turned off (step 209).

  Next, the transition process to the function restriction mode in step 206 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the transition process to the function restriction mode. In order to shift to the function restriction mode, the currently running application is first terminated. At this time, a message indicating that the activated application is to be terminated is displayed (step 301), and if necessary, it is selected whether or not to save the application data etc. at that time (step 302). If the application data is to be saved, it is saved in the ROM 74 at step 303 and the application is terminated (step 304). If the application data is not saved, the application is directly terminated (step 304).

  After the application is terminated, functions that are operating in the background that are not required in the function restriction mode or various devices such as GPS and the like are stopped to reduce power consumption (step 305). However, if the latest various device information is required while the function restriction mode is activated (for example, there will be a need to send location information to the outside in the event of an earthquake disaster), a mechanism for temporarily using the device remains. You can keep it. When these operations are completed, the function restriction mode UI (user interface) is activated to finish the processing (step 306). The UI for the function restriction mode is kept to the minimum necessary so that the user cannot access unnecessary applications. Since a graphical screen consumes a large amount of power, a simple character-based operation screen is desirable. FIGS. 14A and 14B are examples of a normal UI. FIG. 14C shows an example of a UI in the function restriction mode.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining automatic mail transmission in step 208. First, analysis is performed to obtain information necessary for outgoing mail from information measured in advance (step 401). As an example of analysis of information, for example, the time of battery exhaustion is predicted from the daily usage situation including the time variation of the remaining battery level and the application information used at each timing and the time series change of the position information (step 402). ). In addition, from the timing of charging, the prediction of the expected time for the mobile phone 105 to be charged and recovered may be analyzed.

  For automatic outgoing mail triggered by the remaining battery level, it is necessary to set in advance a transmission destination of the mail and a disclosure information range for each transmission destination, and according to the preset transmission destination and disclosure information, The analysis content here is changed.

  Based on the information obtained by the analysis, the contents of the mail including the disclosure information range are automatically generated for each destination set in advance (step 403). This may be generated using a format stored in advance.

  Except when mail destinations are grouped in advance, emails are basically created individually and sent out for privacy. These series of operations are performed in the background, and the user does not need to be aware of them, but when the processing is completed, the fact that the processing has been performed is displayed on the display unit 79 (step 404). Further, when the function restriction mode is activated, the related steps are immediately terminated after the mail is transmitted.

  When the setting of the function restriction mode is on, the remaining battery level when shifting to the function restriction mode is displayed as 0%, so that the user can grasp the remaining battery level until the mode is shifted.

  The mobile phone 105 can respond in an emergency by performing function restriction when the remaining battery level is low. By setting automatic mail transmission for people who are in good contact with each other, such as family members, lovers, etc., it is possible to automatically notify that there is a possibility that mail or the like cannot be replied due to battery exhaustion. In addition, when a normal action record or the like is registered in the mobile phone 105 as information, it is also possible to provide as additional information how much time communication cannot be performed from the charging timing.

(Embodiment 6)
Instead of accumulating various sensor measurement data such as GPS in the mobile phone, a mechanism for accumulating data on a specific server in consideration of power consumption may be prepared. At this time, considering that the server can secure a large amount of power consumption, computing capacity, and storage capacity at a lower price than the mobile phone, the usage time of the used application acquired on the mobile phone and the load on the mobile information terminal are applied. Such information may be periodically stored in the server for more detailed analysis. When using an external server, it is possible to save the power consumption of the mobile phone by leaving the automatic transmission step of the mail to the external server.

  In addition, by storing information on the server, it is possible to have a mechanism that automatically reports the status etc. on the server side whenever a mail is received from a specific partner when the function restriction mode is entered. good. In the case of a portable information terminal using a thin client, the thin client side of the server may automatically perform the above operation in the function restriction mode.

  The operation of the communication system that processes the information of the mobile phone with an external server will be described with reference to FIGS. In step 501, the cellular phone measures each sensor information such as the remaining battery level and position information, and transmits it to an external server. The mobile phone monitors the remaining battery level in step 502, and if it does not fall below the specified value (step 503), it further performs step 501. On the other hand, if the remaining battery level is below the specified value (step 503), it is confirmed whether or not the function restriction mode is to be used (step 504). If the function restriction mode is to be used, the function restriction mode is entered (step 505). After shifting to the function restriction mode or when not using the function restriction mode, the mobile phone performs Step 506. In step 506, whether or not the function restriction mode is used and the latest sensor information are transmitted to the external server. When the automatic mail transmission function is on, the mobile phone receives a notification that the automatic mail transmission processing has been completed from the external server (power-off possible notification) and displays that fact on the display unit (step 507). Thereafter, the mobile phone is turned off (step 509).

  The external server receives and stores each sensor information including the remaining battery level from the mobile phone (step 601). The external server predicts a battery exhaustion time from these pieces of sensor information (step 602). If the remaining battery level is lower than the specified value on the mobile phone, the external server automatically generates mail contents for each mail destination information set in advance, and sends a mail to each mail destination (step) 603). After the mail ends, the external server notifies the mobile phone that the process of automatic mail transmission has been completed (power-off possible notification) (step 604).

  As mentioned above, when sending an automatic status report when the function is limited when the battery level is low, it was described on the assumption that the email function is used, but instead of email, various information can be notified through the agent function provided by the operator. Anyway.

  In addition, when the power is turned off once the battery has run out, a mechanism for re-notifying that the mail is ready for the other party who has sent the automatic mail before the battery runs out may be set. When a remaining battery level is improved by connecting a charger, replacing a spare battery, or adding a battery, it may be possible to notify that the battery can be normally used.

  Such a communication system can extend the time during which an essential function can be used in a mobile phone in an emergency. Furthermore, the registered partner can be notified of the situation preferentially even when the function is restricted. Also, by automatically sending a message that mail cannot be replied due to battery exhaustion, the other party's anxiety can be eased.

11: Remaining battery monitoring means 12: Out of battery prediction means 13: Power supply control means 14: Information transmission means 15: Mode switching means 16: Information analysis means 24: Remaining battery notification means 41: Power off notification reception means 42: Mode Switching notification means 43: Information notification means 45: Power off notification transmission means 72: CPU
73: Bus 74: ROM
75: Work memory 76: GPS
77: Key input unit 78: Display control unit 79: Display unit 80: FUEL GAUGE IC (IC for battery management)
81: Rechargeable battery 101-104: Communication terminal 105: Mobile phone 151, 152: Server 171, 172: Communication system

Claims (15)

Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level;
A battery exhaustion predicting unit that predicts a battery exhaustion time that uses up the energy of the battery from the remaining amount of the battery monitored by the battery residual amount monitoring unit;
Power supply control means for turning off the power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction means;
Information transmitting means for transmitting to a specific third party an incommunicable notification notifying that the power control means turns off the power and cannot communicate before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means,
Information analysis means for collecting and analyzing user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining amount of the battery has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery dead time predicted by the battery deadening prediction means. When,
A communication terminal comprising: When the remaining amount of the battery monitored by the battery remaining amount monitoring unit is less than a set value, it further comprises a mode switching unit that switches to a function restriction mode that operates only a predetermined function,
The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the battery exhaustion predicting unit predicts the battery exhaustion time in the function restriction mode switched by the mode switching unit. 2. The communication terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the information transmitting unit transmits the analyzed user information as additional information included in the communication failure notification. The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the user information analyzed by the information analysis unit includes a user position of the user before the battery exhaustion time. The information transmitting means is
The communication terminal according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the additional information included in the communication failure notification is transmitted for each specific third party. Battery level monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery level;
Battery remaining amount notification means for notifying a server of the remaining amount of the battery monitored by the battery remaining amount monitoring means;
Power control means for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the remaining battery power monitoring means is lower than a specified value;
Collecting user information relating to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the server battery depletion predicting means, Information notification means for notifying to,
A communication terminal comprising: A battery exhaustion predicting means for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified battery remaining amount of the communication terminal,
Information transmitting means for transmitting to a specific third party an incommunicable notification for notifying that the communication terminal is turned off and cannot communicate before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the out-of-battery predicting means;
Collecting and analyzing from the communication terminal user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the battery depletion prediction unit Information analysis means to
A server comprising Battery remaining capacity monitoring means for monitoring the remaining battery capacity of the communication terminal communicating with the server;
A battery exhaustion predicting unit that predicts a battery exhaustion time that uses up the energy of the battery from the remaining amount of the battery monitored by the battery residual amount monitoring unit;
Power supply control means for turning off the power of the communication terminal at the time of battery exhaustion predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction means;
Information for transmitting to a specific third party an incommunicable notification notifying that the power control means turns off the power of the communication terminal and becomes incapable of communication before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion predicting means. Sending means;
Information analysis means for collecting and analyzing user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining amount of the battery has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery dead time predicted by the battery deadening prediction means. When,
A communication system comprising: A battery level monitoring procedure for monitoring the battery level,
A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the energy of the battery from the remaining battery capacity to be monitored in the battery residual quantity monitoring procedure,
A power control procedure for turning off the power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure;
Before the battery exhaustion time predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, turn off the power in the power supply control procedure, an information transmission procedure to send a communication impossible notification to notify that communication is disabled to a specific third party,
An information analysis procedure for collecting and analyzing user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication restart time at which communication is resumed before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure When,
The operation method of the communication terminal which performs. A battery level monitoring procedure for monitoring the battery level,
A battery remaining amount notification procedure for notifying a server of the remaining amount of the battery monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure;
A power control procedure for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the battery remaining power monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value;
Collecting user information about a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining amount of the battery has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the server battery depletion prediction procedure, Information notification procedure to notify
The operation method of the communication terminal which performs. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified battery remaining power of the communication terminal;
Before the battery exhaustion time predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, the communication terminal is turned off, and an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication disable notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party,
Collect and analyze from the communication terminal user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the battery depletion prediction procedure. Information analysis procedure to
Server operation method. A battery level monitoring procedure for monitoring the battery level of the communication terminal communicating with the server;
A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the energy of the battery from the remaining battery capacity to be monitored in the battery residual quantity monitoring procedure,
A power control procedure for turning off the power of the communication terminal at the time of battery exhaustion predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure;
Information for transmitting to a specific third party an incommunicable notification for notifying that communication is disabled by turning off the power of the communication terminal in the power control procedure before the battery exhaustion time predicted in the out-of-battery prediction procedure Calling procedure,
An information analysis procedure for collecting and analyzing user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication restart time at which communication is resumed before the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure When,
A method for operating a communication system. A battery level monitoring procedure for monitoring the battery level,
A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the energy of the battery from the remaining battery capacity to be monitored in the battery residual quantity monitoring procedure,
A power control procedure for turning off the power at the battery exhaustion time predicted by the battery exhaustion prediction procedure;
Before the battery exhaustion time predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, turn off the power in the power supply control procedure, an information transmission procedure to send a communication impossible notification to notify that communication is disabled to a specific third party,
An information analysis procedure for collecting and analyzing user information relating to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the battery depletion prediction procedure When,
An operation program for a communication terminal for causing the communication terminal to execute. A battery level monitoring procedure for monitoring the battery level,
A battery remaining amount notification procedure for notifying a server of the remaining amount of the battery monitored in the battery remaining amount monitoring procedure;
A power control procedure for turning off the power when the remaining battery level monitored by the battery remaining power monitoring procedure is lower than a specified value;
Collecting user information relating to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted by the server battery depletion prediction procedure, Information notification procedure to notify
An operation program for a communication terminal that causes the communication terminal to execute. A battery exhaustion prediction procedure for predicting a battery exhaustion time to use up the battery energy of the communication terminal from the notified battery remaining power of the communication terminal;
Before the battery exhaustion time predicted in the battery exhaustion prediction procedure, the communication terminal is turned off, and an information transmission procedure for transmitting a communication disable notification for notifying that communication is disabled to a specific third party,
Collect and analyze from the communication terminal user information related to a user including at least one of a factor that the remaining battery level has decreased and a communication resumption time at which communication is resumed before the battery depletion time predicted in the battery depletion prediction procedure. Information analysis procedure to
Server operation program that causes the server to execute.

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