JP5951393B2 - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for a mobile communication terminal having a tethering function.

  Conventionally, there is a portable communication terminal having a function of performing data communication with a base station (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And, in such a mobile communication terminal, by connecting to an external information device (for example, a personal computer or the like), data between the information device and an external communication network can be used as an external modem of the information device. Some have a tethering function that mediates communication.

JP 2008-182715 A

In general, a mobile communication terminal having a tethering function has a plurality of functions such as a call function, a photographing function, and a moving image reproduction function in addition to the tethering function. Then, a plurality of processes for realizing these functions are executed.
However, since the hardware resources provided in the mobile communication terminal are limited, if the amount of processing in other processes that are subject to execution control increases or decreases when the tethering process is subject to execution control, the process in that tethering process The amount may decrease. As a result, the amount of processing in the tethering process may fall below a desired value.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile communication terminal that appropriately executes a tethering process.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is a mobile communication terminal having a tethering processing unit that performs a tethering process that mediates communication between a base station and an information device. A reception unit that accepts designation of a usage amount used to realize the tethering process for a resource, and a designation of a second usage amount that is larger than the first usage amount is accepted by the reception unit. In the case where the first usage amount is received by the reception unit, the use of the predetermined resource by processing other than the tethering process is suppressed, and the second usage amount is reduced. And a control unit for performing a control process for executing the tethering process.

  The mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can appropriately execute the tethering process.

The schematic diagram which shows the state which the portable communication terminal 100 is performing the tethering process Perspective view of mobile communication terminal 100 Circuit diagram of portable communication terminal 100 Functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting mobile communication terminal 100 Figure showing an example of the tethering mode setting screen Configuration diagram of load table 600 Flow chart of tethering control processing Functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the first modified mobile communication terminal (A), (b) The figure which shows an example of a deformation | transformation tethering setting screen Configuration of time slice table 1000 Flow chart of first modified tethering control process Circuit diagram of second modified mobile communication terminal Functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the second modified mobile communication terminal Flow chart of second deformation tethering control process Circuit diagram of third modified mobile communication terminal Functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the third modified mobile communication terminal Flow chart of third modified tethering control process

<Embodiment>
<Overview>
Hereinafter, as an example of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, a tethering function for performing a tethering process, a call function for performing a call process with another terminal, an input / output function for performing an input / output process using a built-in touch panel, and a built-in function A mobile communication terminal 100 having a shooting function for shooting using a camera and a GPS function for performing GPS (Global Positioning System) processing will be described.

When performing the tethering process, the mobile communication terminal 100 limits the “performance maximum mode” that limits the process to be executed to the tethering process and the process to be executed in parallel to a part of the process including the tethering process. The processing is performed in one of the “performance improvement mode” and the “normal mode” that does not limit the processing to be executed in parallel.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state in which the mobile communication terminal 100 connected to the personal computer 130 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 120 is performing a tethering process.

As shown in the figure, the mobile communication terminal 100 that performs the tethering process communicates with the base station 140 about data used by the personal computer 130 using a mobile phone line. The base station 140 communicates with the Internet 160 via the server 150 to which the data used by the personal computer 130 is connected.
In this way, the personal computer 130 can be connected to the Internet 160 via the mobile communication terminal 100 that performs the tethering process, the base station 140, and the server 150.

Hereinafter, details of the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile communication terminal 100.
As shown in the figure, the mobile communication terminal 100 is a so-called tablet-type smartphone having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing, and the operation surface of the touch panel 230, the receiver hole 220, and the microphone hole are formed on the main surface of the casing. 210 and a USB cable attaching / detaching hole 240 on the side surface of the housing.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the mobile communication terminal 100.
As shown in the figure, the mobile communication terminal 100 includes a touch panel 230, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 300, a 2 GHz band communication LSI (Large Scale Integration) 310, a touch panel controller 320, a GPS communication LSI 330, a memory 340, and a clock. A generator 345, a microphone 350, a receiver 360, a camera module 370, a USB controller 380, a USB port 385, a 2 GHz band antenna 390, and a GPS antenna 391 are included.

The 2 GHz band communication LSI 310 is connected to the CPU 300 and the 2 GHz band antenna 390, is controlled by the CPU 300, uses the 2 GHz band antenna 390, and uses the 2 GHz band signal used for the mobile phone line and the base station 140. It has a function to communicate.
The 2 GHz band antenna 390 is a metal thin film monopole antenna connected to the 2 GHz band communication LSI 310.

The GPS communication LSI 330 is connected to the CPU 300 and the GPS antenna 391, is controlled by the CPU 300, and has a function of receiving a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite using the GPS antenna 391.
The GPS antenna 391 is a metal thin film monopole antenna connected to the GPS communication LSI 330.

The touch panel 230 is connected to the touch panel controller 320, is controlled by the touch panel controller 320, and is configured by overlaying a transparent touch pad on the display surface of the liquid crystal display.
The touch panel controller 320 is connected to the CPU 300 and the touch panel 230, is controlled by the CPU 300, and has a function of displaying an image based on an image signal sent from the CPU 300 on the touch panel 230, and a user using the mobile communication terminal 100 It has a function of converting a user operation performed using the touch panel 230 into an electrical signal and sending it to the CPU 300.

The memory 340 is connected to the CPU 300 and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a detachable flash memory, and stores a program that defines the operation of the CPU 300 and data used by the CPU 300. To do.
The clock generator 345 is connected to the CPU 300, is controlled by the CPU 300, has a function of generating a clock signal for synchronization used by the electronic components constituting the mobile communication terminal 100, and supplying the generated clock signal to each electronic component. .

The microphone 350 is connected to the CPU 300 and controlled by the CPU 300, and has a function of converting sound input from the outside of the mobile communication terminal 100 through the microphone hole 210 into an electrical signal and sending it to the CPU 300.
The receiver 360 is connected to the CPU 300, controlled by the CPU 300, and has a function of converting an electrical signal sent from the CPU 300 into sound and outputting the sound to the outside of the mobile communication terminal 100 through the receiver hole 220.

The camera module 370 is connected to the CPU 300 and is controlled by the CPU 300 to incorporate a camera having a lens that collects light and an image sensor that converts the collected light into an electrical signal, and uses the built-in camera. A function to send the image data of the taken image to the CPU 300.
The USB port 385 is a connection port into which the connector of the USB cable inserted from the USB cable attaching / detaching hole 240 is connected to the USB controller 380.

The USB controller 380 is connected to the USB port 385 and the CPU 300, is controlled by the CPU 300, and is connected to an external information device (for example, the personal computer 130) connected via the USB cable connected to the USB port 385. And a function of performing communication based on the USB standard.
CPU 300 is connected to 2 GHz band communication LSI 310, touch panel controller 320, GPS communication LSI 330, memory 340, clock generator 345, microphone 350, receiver 360, camera module 370, and USB controller 380, and stored in memory 340. By executing the program, the 2 GHz band communication LSI 310, the touch panel controller 320, the GPS communication LSI 330, the memory 340, the clock generator 345, the microphone 350, the receiver 360, the camera module 370, and the USB controller 380 are controlled. The two functions are realized.

Smartphone control function: A function that causes the mobile communication terminal 100 to realize a function equivalent to a general function as a smartphone of a conventional smartphone, for example, a tethering function, a call function, a photographing function, a GPS function, and the like.
Tethering process control function: Based on an operation on the operation surface of the touch panel 230 from a user using the mobile communication terminal 100, the mobile communication terminal 100 is set to any one of the maximum performance mode, the performance improvement mode, and the normal mode. A function to perform tethering processing in the operation mode. This tethering process control function is realized by the CPU 300 executing a program stored in the memory 340 and causing the mobile communication terminal 100 to perform a tethering control process described later.

With respect to the mobile communication terminal 100 having the above circuit configuration, a functional configuration viewed from the functional aspect will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the mobile communication terminal 100.
As shown in the figure, the mobile communication terminal 100 communicates with the tethering processing unit 410 in addition to the touch panel 230, the microphone 350, the receiver 360, the camera module 370, the USB port 385, the 2 GHz band antenna 390, and the GPS antenna 391. The processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 430, the camera control unit 440, the GPS processing unit 450, the load control unit 460, the load table holding unit 470, the transmission / reception unit 490, the post-modulation unit 491, the reception unit 492, and the demodulation unit 493 are configured. The

  The transmission / reception unit 490 is realized by the 2 GHz band communication LSI 310, connected to the 2 GHz band antenna 390 and the post modulation unit 491, and a 2 GHz band signal transmitted from the external base station 140 using the 2 GHz band antenna 390. And a function of transmitting the signal transmitted from the remodulation unit 491 to the external base station 140 using the 2 GHz band antenna 390.

  The post-modulation unit 491 is realized by a 2 GHz band communication LSI 310 and is connected to the transmission / reception unit 490, the tethering processing unit 410, and the call processing unit 420, and the signal sent from the transmission / reception unit 490 is based on a predetermined algorithm. The function of demodulating and sending to the tethering processing unit 410 or the call processing unit 420 and the signal sent from the tethering processing unit 410 or the call processing unit 420 are modulated based on a predetermined algorithm, and the transmission / reception unit 490 The function to send to.

The reception unit 492 is realized by the GPS communication LSI 330, is connected to the GPS antenna 391 and the demodulation unit 493, receives the GSP signal transmitted from the external GPS satellite using the GPS antenna 391, and receives the demodulation unit 493. The function to send to.
The demodulation unit 493 is realized by the GPS communication LSI 330, is connected to the reception unit 492 and the GPS processing unit 450, demodulates the signal transmitted from the reception unit 492 based on a predetermined algorithm, and performs GPS processing. A function of outputting to the unit 450.

The tethering processing unit 410 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program and the USB controller 380, and is connected to the post-modulation unit 491, the USB port 385, the touch panel control unit 430, and the load control unit 460, and has the following tethering functions.
Tethering function: a signal based on the USB standard sent from an external device connected via the USB port 385 is converted into a signal of a predetermined format, output to the rear modulation unit 491, and sent from the rear modulation unit 491 A function of converting a signal of a predetermined format that has been received into a signal based on the USB standard and transmitting it to an external device connected via the USB port 385.

The call processing unit 420 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, and is connected to the post-modulation unit 491, the microphone 350, the receiver 360, the touch panel control unit 430, and the load control unit 460, and has the following three functions.
Call function: A voice signal is generated from a call signal included in the signal sent from the rear modulation unit 491 and output to the receiver 360. The voice signal sent from the microphone 350 is converted into a call signal, A function of outputting to the rear modulation unit 491.

  Incoming call function: When the signal sent from the rear modulation unit 491 includes a connection request signal sent from another mobile communication terminal, an audio signal for outputting the incoming call sound is output to the receiver 360. And a function of sending a transmission source telephone number display request signal for causing the touch panel 230 to display the transmission source telephone number indicated by the connection request signal.

Calling function: When a signal indicating that a connection request signal is transmitted from another touch panel control unit 430 to another mobile communication terminal is generated, a connection request signal having the mobile communication terminal as a transmission destination is generated, Function to send to the rear modulation unit 491.
The camera control unit 440 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, is connected to the camera module 370, the touch panel control unit 430, and the load control unit 460, and has the following camera control functions.

Camera control function: Takes an image by controlling the camera module based on a shooting operation signal sent from the touch panel control unit 430 and indicating an operation related to shooting performed by the user of the mobile communication terminal 100 using the touch panel 230. Function to do.
The GPS processing unit 450 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, is connected to the demodulation unit 493, the touch panel control unit 430, and the load control unit 460, and has the following GPS functions.

GPS function: The position of the terminal itself is estimated from the GPS signal included in the signal sent from the demodulator 493, and the terminal position display request signal for displaying the estimated position on the touch panel 230 is controlled by the touch panel. Function to send to the part 430.
The touch panel control unit 430 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program and the touch panel controller 320, and is connected to the touch panel 230, the tethering processing unit 410, the call processing unit 420, the camera control unit 440, the GPS processing unit 450, and the load control unit 460. And has the following three functions.

Image display function: a function of generating an image based on a display request signal sent from another connected functional block and displaying it on the touch panel 230.
Operation reception function: a function of generating an operation signal based on a user operation performed by the user of the mobile communication terminal 100 using the touch panel 230 and sending the generated operation signal to a function block corresponding to the operation signal.

Tethering mode reception function: When the touch panel 230 receives an operation to start the tethering process by the user of the mobile communication terminal 100, the tethering mode setting screen is displayed on the touch panel 230, and the user executes the tethering process. A function that accepts specification of the operation mode.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tethering mode setting screen displayed on the touch panel 230.

  As shown in the figure, in the tethering mode setting screen, the character string “tethering mode setting” is displayed in the display area 540, and the first icon 510 in which the character string “performance maximum mode” is written and “ A second icon 520 in which a character string “performance improvement mode” is written and a third icon 530 in which a character string “normal mode” is written are displayed.

A user using the mobile communication terminal 100 can specify the tethering mode by touching any one of the first icon 510, the second icon 520, and the third icon 530.
Returning to FIG. 4 again, the description of main functional blocks constituting the mobile communication terminal 100 will be continued.

The load table holding unit 470 is realized as a part of the storage area of the memory 340, is connected to the load control unit 460, and has a function of storing the load table 500.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the load table 600 stored in the load table holding unit 470.
In the figure, a tethering processing unit 610, a call processing unit 620, a touch panel control unit 630, a camera control unit 640, and a GPS processing unit 650 are functional blocks constituting the mobile communication terminal 100, respectively. This is information indicating each of the call processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 430, the camera control unit 440, and the GPS processing unit 450. Each of the maximum performance mode 660, the performance improvement mode 670, and the normal mode 680 is an operation mode in the case where the mobile communication terminal 100 performs the tethering process, and each of the performance maximum mode, the performance improvement mode, and the normal mode. It is information to show.

  As shown in the figure, the load table 600 includes a tethering processing unit 610, a call processing unit 620, a touch panel control unit 630, a camera control unit 640, and a GPS processing unit 650, a performance maximum mode 660, and a performance improvement mode. 670 is a table in which each of the normal mode 680 is associated with each other in a matrix, and for each function block, whether the function of the function block is a target to be stopped in the associated operation mode It is a table which shows whether or not.

  The load control unit 460 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, and is connected to the tethering processing unit 410, the call processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 430, the camera control unit 440, the GPS processing unit 450, and the load table holding unit 470. It has the following function stop function. Here, the function stop function includes a part of functions realized by the OS that performs multitask processing.

Function stop function: a function of referring to the load table 600 stored in the load table holding unit 470 and stopping the function of the function block to be stopped by the load table 600.
Here, stopping the function of the function block means that the time slice value assigned to execute the program for realizing the function of the target function block is set to 0 in the CPU 300 that executes the program in the multitask method ( (Excluded from the execution control target).

Hereinafter, the operation performed by the mobile communication terminal 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Operation>
Here, a tethering control process which is a characteristic operation among the operations performed by the mobile communication terminal 100 will be described.

<Tethering control processing>
The tethering control process is a process that is performed when an operation for starting the tethering process is received from a user who uses the mobile communication terminal 100. The operation mode specification is received from the user, and the mobile terminal is portable in the received operation mode. This is a process for controlling the mobile communication terminal 100 so that the communication terminal 100 executes the tethering process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the tethering control process.
The tethering control process is started when the touch panel 230 receives an operation to start the tethering process by the user.
When the tethering control process is started, the touch panel control unit 430 displays a tethering mode setting screen (see FIG. 5) on the touch panel 230 (step S700), and receives designation of an operation mode during the tethering process from the user. (Step S710: No is repeated).

  In the process of step S710, when the designation of the operation mode at the time of the tethering process is received from the user (step S710: Yes), the touch panel control unit 430 determines that the designated operation mode is the normal mode (“first” in FIG. "Mode"), performance improvement mode (indicated as "second mode" in FIG. 7), or maximum performance mode (indicated as "third mode" in FIG. 7). (Step S720).

  When the designated operation mode is the normal mode in the process of step S720 (step S720: first mode), the load control unit 460 refers to the load table 600 stored in the load table holding unit 470. In the normal mode, since the function blocks of the tethering processing unit 410, the call processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 430, the camera control unit 440, and the GPS processing unit 450 are not targeted to be stopped, tethering The function blocks of the processing unit 410, the call processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 430, the camera control unit 440, and the GPS processing unit 450 are not stopped. Then, the tethering processing unit 410 starts the tethering process (step S730) and continues the tethering process until the tethering process ends (step S740: repeats No).

  In the process of step S720, when the designated operation mode is the performance improvement mode (step S720: second mode), the load control unit 460 refers to the load table 600 stored in the load table holding unit 470. In the performance improvement mode, the functions other than the incoming call function of the call processing unit 620, the functions other than the image display function of the touch panel control unit 630, the functions of the camera control unit 640 and the GPS processing unit 650 are stopped. Therefore, the functions other than the incoming call function of the call processing unit 620, the image display function of the touch panel control unit 630, and the functions of the camera control unit 640 and the GPS processing unit 650 are stopped (step S750).

  In the process of step S720, when the designated operation mode is the maximum performance mode (step S720: third mode), the load control unit 460 refers to the load table 600 stored in the load table holding unit 470. In the maximum performance mode, since the call processing unit 620, the touch panel control unit 630, the camera control unit 640, and the GPS processing unit 650 are targets to be stopped, the call processing unit 620, the touch panel control unit 630, The functions of the camera control unit 640 and the GPS processing unit 650 are stopped (step S760).

When the process of step S750 ends, or when the process of step S760 ends, the tethering processing unit 410 starts the tethering process (step S770) and repeats the tethering process (step S780: No). ) Continue the tethering process.
In the process of step S780, when the tethering process ends (step S780: Yes), the load control unit 460 releases the suspension of the function (step S790).

In the process of step S740, when the tethering process ends (step S740: Yes) or when the process of step S790 ends, the mobile communication terminal 100 ends the tethering control process.
<Discussion>
According to the mobile communication terminal 100 configured as described above, when the tethering process is performed in the maximum performance mode or the performance improvement mode, a part of the processes performed by the CPU 300 other than the tethering process is not executed. As a result, the processing amount of the tethering process processed per unit time is increased as compared with the case where the tethering process is performed in the normal mode. Therefore, performing the tethering process in the maximum performance mode or the performance improvement mode increases the possibility that the data transfer rate in the tethering process becomes larger than when the tethering process is performed in the normal mode.
<Embodiment 2>
<Overview>
Hereinafter, as an example of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, a first modified mobile communication terminal obtained by modifying a part of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

The first modified mobile communication terminal has the same hardware configuration as that of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1, but a part of the software to be executed and stored. Part of the data is modified from the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the first embodiment.
When performing tethering processing, the mobile communication terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1 accepts designation of an operation mode from the user in the maximum performance mode, performance improvement mode, or normal mode, and tethering in the accepted operation mode It was an example of the structure which processes. On the other hand, when performing the tethering process, the first modified mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment accepts designation of the range of the data transfer rate in the tethering process from the user, and tethering within the accepted transfer rate range. This is an example of a configuration for performing processing.

Hereinafter, the first modified mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings with a focus on differences from the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the first embodiment.
<Configuration>
The second modified mobile communication terminal has a hardware configuration similar to that of mobile communication terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description is omitted here.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the first modified mobile communication terminal.
As shown in the figure, in the first modified mobile communication terminal, the tethering processing unit 410 is transformed into the tethering processing unit 810 from the mobile communication terminal 100 (see FIG. 4) according to Embodiment 1, and the touch panel control unit 430 is used. Is transformed into the touch panel control unit 830, the load control unit 460 is transformed into the load control unit 860, and the load table holding unit 470 is transformed into the time slice table holding unit 870.

The tethering processing unit 810 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes the program and the USB controller 380, and is connected to the post-modulation unit 491, the USB port 385, the touch panel control unit 430, and the load control unit 860, and the tethering according to the first embodiment. In addition to the tethering function of the processing unit 410, the following data transfer rate measurement function is provided.
Data transfer rate measurement function: a function of measuring a data transfer rate at a predetermined time T1 (for example, 1 s) when a tethering process is being executed, and sending the measured data transfer rate to the load control unit 860. Here, the tethering processing unit 810 measures the data transfer rate by, for example, counting the number of packets transmitted / received per unit time.

  The touch panel control unit 830 is realized by a CPU 300 that executes a program and a touch panel controller 320, and is connected to the touch panel 230, the tethering processing unit 810, the call processing unit 420, the camera control unit 440, the GPS processing unit 450, and the load control unit 860. In addition to the image display function and the operation reception function of the touch panel control unit 430 according to the first embodiment, the following modified tethering mode reception function is provided.

Modified tethering mode reception function: When the touch panel 230 receives an operation to start tethering processing by the user of the first modified mobile communication terminal, the modified tethering mode setting screen is displayed on the touch panel 230, and the user tethering. A function that accepts specification of the range of data transfer rates during processing execution.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of a modified tethering setting screen displayed on the touch panel 230.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the modified tethering setting screen, a character string “setting tethering mode” is displayed in the display area 900, and a character string “low speed (−10 Mbps)” is written. A second icon 920 in which a character string of one icon 910 and “medium speed (10-50 Mbps)” is written, a third icon 930 in which a character string of “high speed (50 Mbps˜)” is written, and “arbitrary (numerical value) A fourth icon 940 on which the characters “input” ”are written is displayed.

FIG. 9B shows an example of a modified tethering mode setting screen that is updated and displayed when the user using the first modified mobile communication terminal touches the fourth icon 940.
As shown in the figure, in the updated modified tethering mode setting screen, a character string “arbitrary setting” is displayed in the display area 950, an input area 960 for inputting a lower limit value, and an upper limit value are input. An input area 970 is displayed.

  A user using the first modified mobile communication terminal touches any one of the first icon 910, the second icon 920, the third icon 930, and the fourth icon 940 on the modified tethering setting screen. The range of the data transfer rate when executing the tethering process can be specified. Here, when the user touches the fourth icon 940, the range of the data transfer rate is set by inputting the lower limit value and the upper limit value on the updated modified tethering mode setting screen that is updated and displayed. Can be specified.

Returning to FIG. 8 again, description of main functional blocks constituting the first modified mobile communication terminal will be continued.
The time slice table holding unit 870 is realized as a part of the storage area of the memory 340, is connected to the load control unit 860, and has a function of storing the time slice table 1000.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the time slice table 1000 stored in the time slice table holding unit 870.
In the figure, a tethering processing unit 1010, a call processing unit 1020, a touch panel control unit 1030, a camera control unit 1040, and a GPS processing unit 1050 are functional blocks constituting the first modified mobile communication terminal, respectively. 810, a call processing unit 420, a touch panel control unit 830, a camera control unit 440, and a GPS processing unit 450. Each of the first pattern 1061 to the Nth pattern 1065 is information indicating an operation pattern when the first modified mobile communication terminal performs the tethering process.

  As shown in the figure, the time slice table 1000 includes a tethering processing unit 1010, a call processing unit 1020, a touch panel control unit 1030, a camera control unit 1040, and a GPS processing unit 1050, and first patterns 1061 to Nth. A table in which each of the patterns 1065 is associated with each other in a matrix, and a table showing the time slice value of the CPU 300 assigned to the realization of the function block in each of the associated operation patterns. It is.

Returning to FIG. 8 again, description of main functional blocks constituting the first modified mobile communication terminal will be continued.
The load control unit 860 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, and is connected to the tethering processing unit 810, the call processing unit 420, the touch panel control unit 830, the camera control unit 440, the GPS processing unit 450, and the time slice table holding unit 870. Have the following two functions.

Data transfer rate range storage function: A function of storing the accepted data transfer rate range when the touch panel control unit 830 accepts designation of the data transfer rate range.
Function block control function: Time slice value determined from the range of data transfer rates to be stored, the data transfer rate sent from the tethering processing unit 810, and the time slice table 1000 stored in the time slice table holding unit 870 The function that realizes the function of each functional block.

Hereinafter, an operation performed by the first modified mobile communication terminal having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Operation>
Here, the first modified tethering control process, which is a characteristic operation among the operations performed by the first modified mobile communication terminal, will be described.

<First modified tethering control process>
The first modified tethering control process is a process performed when an operation for starting the tethering process is received from a user who uses the first modified mobile communication terminal, and includes a range of data transfer rates in the tethering process from the user. In the process of controlling the first modified mobile communication terminal by accepting the designation and adjusting the time slice value of each functional block so that the first modified mobile communication terminal executes the tethering process at the received data transfer rate. is there.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the first modified tethering control process.
The first modified tethering control process is started when the touch panel 230 receives an operation by the user to start the tethering process.
When the first modified tethering control process is started, the touch panel control unit 830 displays a first modified tethering mode setting screen (see FIGS. 9A and 9B) on the touch panel 230 (step S1100). Wait until the specification of the range of the data transfer rate during the tethering process is received from the user (step S1110: No is repeated).

  In the process of step S1110, when the designation of the data transfer rate range in the tethering process is received from the user (step S1110: Yes), the load control unit 860 stores the received data transfer rate range (step S1120). Then, the tethering processing unit 810 starts the tethering process (step S1130), measures the data transfer rate (step S1135), and sends it to the measured load control unit 860.

When the data transfer rate is sent, the load control unit 860 checks whether or not the sent data transfer rate is within the range of the stored transfer rate (step S1140).
In the process of step S1140, when the data transfer rate sent is not within the range of the transfer rate to be stored (step S1140: No), when it is larger than the range of the data transfer rate (step S1150: Yes), load control The unit 860 refers to the time slice table 1000 held in the time slice table holding unit 870, selects a pattern in which the time slice value of the tethering processing unit 810 is reduced by one step from the current, and determines the pattern based on the selected pattern. The function of each functional block is realized with the time slice value of each functional block (step S1160).

  In the process of step S1140, when the data transfer rate sent is not within the range of the transfer rate to be stored (step S1140: No), when it is smaller than the range of the data transfer rate (step S1150: No), load control The unit 860 refers to the time slice table 1000 held in the time slice table holding unit 870, selects a pattern in which the time slice value of the tethering processing unit 810 is increased by one step from the current, and is determined by the selected pattern. The function of each functional block is realized with the time slice value of each functional block (step S1170).

  In the process of step S1140, when the data transfer rate sent is within the range of the transfer rate to be stored (step S1140: Yes), the process of step S1160 is completed, and the process of step S1170 is completed In step S1180: No to step S1190: No are repeated until the predetermined time T1 elapses after the data transfer rate is sent from the load control unit 860 (step S1180: Yes). The first modified mobile communication terminal returns to the process in step S1135 and repeats the processes in and after step S1135.

In the process of step S1190, when the tethering process ends (step S1190: Yes), the first modified mobile communication terminal ends the first modified tethering process.
<Discussion>
According to the first modified mobile communication terminal configured as described above, when the data transfer rate in the tethering process falls below the data transfer rate range specified by the user, the first modified mobile communication terminal assigns the time slice of the CPU 300 to be allocated to the tethering processing unit implementation. The value will increase. This increases the data transfer rate in the tethering process unless the communication line with the base station is a bottleneck. Further, when the data transfer rate in the tethering process exceeds the data transfer rate range specified by the user, the first modified mobile communication terminal reduces the time slice value of the CPU 300 assigned to the realization of the tethering processing unit. This reduces the data transfer rate.

As described above, the first modified mobile communication terminal executes the tethering process so that the data transfer rate falls within the data transfer rate range specified by the user by adjusting the time slice value of the CPU 300 assigned to each functional block. To do.
<Embodiment 3>
<Overview>
Hereinafter, as an example of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, a second modified mobile communication terminal obtained by modifying a part of the first modified mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

In the second modified mobile communication terminal, a part of the hardware configuration, a part of executed software, and a part of stored data are modified from the first modified mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment. Has been.
The first modified mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 adjusts the time slice value of each functional block to execute the tethering process so that the data transfer rate falls within the data transfer rate range specified by the user. It was an example of configuration. On the other hand, the second modified mobile communication terminal according to the third embodiment adjusts the operation clock frequency of the CPU 300 to perform the tethering process so that the data transfer rate falls within the data transfer rate range specified by the user. This is an example of a configuration to be executed.

Hereinafter, the second modified mobile communication terminal according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on differences from the first modified mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment.
<Configuration>
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the second modified mobile communication terminal.
As shown in the figure, in the second modified mobile communication terminal, the clock generator 345 is transformed into a clock generator 1245 from the first modified mobile communication terminal (see FIG. 3) according to the second embodiment.

The clock generator 1245 is connected to the CPU 300 and controlled by the CPU 300, and has the following frequency changing function in addition to the function of the clock generator 345 according to the first embodiment.
Frequency changing function: A function of changing the frequency of each clock signal supplied to each electronic component based on a control signal from the CPU 300.

The second modified mobile communication terminal having the above circuit configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings with respect to the functional configuration viewed from the functional aspect.
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the second modified mobile communication terminal.
As shown in the figure, in the second modified mobile communication terminal, the load control unit 860 is transformed into the load control unit 1360 from the first modified mobile communication terminal (see FIG. 8) according to the second embodiment, and the time slice. The table holding unit 870 is transformed into a clock frequency adjusting unit 1370.

The load control unit 1360 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program, is connected to the tethering processing unit 810, the touch panel control unit 830, and the clock frequency adjustment unit 1370, and has a data transfer rate that the load control unit 860 according to the second embodiment has. In addition to the range storage function, the following clock frequency setting function is provided.
Clock frequency setting function: When the data transfer rate sent from the tethering processing unit 810 is below the range of the stored data transfer rate, the data transfer rate in the tethering processing unit 810 is within the range of the stored data transfer. When the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 is set to a value higher than the current frequency and the data transfer rate sent from the tethering processing unit 810 exceeds the stored data transfer rate, A function of setting the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 to a value lower than the current frequency so that the data transfer rate in the tethering processing unit 810 is within the range of stored data transfer.

The clock frequency adjustment unit 1370 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes a program and the clock generator 1245, and has a function of supplying a clock signal to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 at a frequency set by the load control unit 1360.
Hereinafter, the operation performed by the second modified mobile communication terminal having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Operation>
Here, the second modified tethering control process, which is a characteristic operation among the operations performed by the second modified mobile communication terminal, will be described.
<Second modified tethering control process>
The second modified tethering control process is a process performed when an operation for starting the tethering process is received from a user who uses the second modified mobile communication terminal, and includes a range of data transfer rates in the tethering process from the user. The second modified mobile communication is received by adjusting the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 so that the second modified mobile communication terminal executes the tethering process at the received data transfer rate. This is a process for controlling the terminal.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the second modified tethering control process.
The second modified tethering control process is started when the touch panel 230 accepts an operation for starting the tethering process by the user.
In the second modified tethering control process, steps S1400 to S1450 and steps S1480 to S1490 are respectively performed in steps S1100 to S1100 in the first tethering control process (see FIG. 11) according to the second embodiment. This process is equivalent to each process in step S1150 and each process in steps S1180 to S1190. Therefore, description of these processes is omitted here.

  In the process of step S1440, when the data transfer rate sent is not within the range of the transfer rate to be stored (step S1440: No), when it is larger than the range of the data transfer rate (step S1450: Yes), load control The unit 1360 sets the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 to a value lower than the current frequency so that the data transfer rate in the tethering processing unit 810 is within the range of stored data transfer. . Then, the clock frequency adjusting unit 1370 changes the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 to the set frequency (step S1460).

  In the process of step S1440, when the transmitted data transfer rate is not within the range of the transfer rate to be stored (step S1440: No), when it is smaller than the range of the data transfer rate (step S1450: No), load control The unit 1360 sets the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 to a value higher than the current frequency so that the data transfer rate in the tethering processing unit 810 is within the range of stored data transfer. . Then, the clock frequency adjusting unit 1370 changes the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 to the set frequency (step S1470).

<Discussion>
According to the second modified mobile communication terminal configured as described above, when the data transfer rate in the tethering process falls below the data transfer rate range specified by the user, the second modified mobile communication terminal is designated with the data transfer rate in the tethering process. Therefore, the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 is increased so as to fall within the data transfer rate range. When the data transfer rate in the tethering process exceeds the data transfer rate range specified by the user, the second modified mobile communication terminal is connected to the CPU 300 so that the data transfer rate in the tethering process falls within the specified data transfer rate range. The frequency of the clock signal supplied to the USB controller 380 is reduced.

As described above, the second modified mobile communication terminal adjusts the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 300 and the USB controller 380 so that the data transfer rate falls within the data transfer rate range specified by the user. Execute the process.
<Embodiment 4>
<Overview>
Hereinafter, as an example of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, a third modified mobile communication terminal obtained by modifying a part of the first modified mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

In the third modified mobile communication terminal, a part of the hardware configuration, a part of executed software, and a part of stored data are modified from the mobile communication terminal 100 according to the first embodiment. Yes.
The third modified mobile communication terminal is connected to an external information device to be subjected to tethering processing through three connection paths of USB connection, Wi-Fi connection, and BT (Bluetooth) connection. Then, when there are a plurality of connection paths that can perform the tethering process within the range of the data transfer rate specified by the user, the tethering process is performed using the connection path that minimizes the power consumption.

Hereinafter, the third modified mobile communication terminal according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings with a focus on differences from the first modified mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment.
<Configuration>
FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram of the third modified mobile communication terminal.
As shown in the figure, the third modified mobile communication terminal is different from the first modified mobile communication terminal (see FIG. 3) according to the second embodiment in Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510, BT communication LSI 1520, and Wi-Fi. An antenna 1511 and a BT antenna 1521 are added.

Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510 is connected to CPU 300 and Wi-Fi antenna 1511, is controlled by CPU 300, uses a Wi-Fi antenna, and uses an external signal using a predetermined signal used for Wi-Fi communication. It has a function of communicating with information equipment.
The Wi-Fi antenna 1511 is a metal thin film monopole antenna connected to the Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510.

The BT communication LSI 1520 is connected to the CPU 300 and the BT antenna 1521, controlled by the CPU 300, and has a function of communicating with an external information device using a predetermined signal used for BT communication using the BT antenna. .
The BT antenna 1521 is a metal thin film monopole antenna connected to the BT communication LSI 1520.

The functional configuration viewed from the functional aspect of the third modified mobile communication terminal having the above circuit configuration will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing main functional blocks constituting the third modified mobile communication terminal.
As shown in the figure, the third modified mobile communication terminal is different from the first modified mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 (see FIG. 8) in addition to the addition of the Wi-Fi antenna 1511 and the BT antenna 1521. The tethering processing unit 810 is transformed into the tethering processing unit 1610, the load control unit 860 is transformed into the power consumption measuring unit 1660, the time slice table holding unit 870 is deleted, the remodulation unit 1611, the transmission / reception unit 1612, and the remodulation unit 1621 and a transmission / reception unit 1622 are added.

  The transmission / reception unit 1612 is realized by the BT communication LSI 1520, is connected to the BT antenna 1521 and the post-modulation unit 1611, and receives a BT communication signal transmitted from an external information device using the BT antenna 1521. It has a function to send to the rear modulation unit 1611 and a function to send a signal sent from the rear modulation unit 1611 to an external information device using the BT antenna 1521.

  The post-modulation unit 1611 is realized by the BT communication LSI 1520, is connected to the tethering processing unit 1610 and the transmission / reception unit 1612, demodulates the signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 1612 based on a predetermined algorithm, and performs tethering It has a function of sending to the processing unit 1610 and a function of modulating the signal sent from the tethering processing unit 1610 based on a predetermined algorithm and sending it to the transmitting / receiving unit 1612.

  The transmission / reception unit 1622 is realized by the Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510, is connected to the Wi-Fi antenna 1511 and the post-modulation unit 1621, and uses the Wi-Fi antenna 1511 to transmit Wi-Fi transmitted from an external information device. A function of receiving a signal of Fi communication and transmitting it to the remodulation unit 1621; and a function of transmitting a signal transmitted from the remodulation unit 1621 to an external information device using the Wi-Fi antenna 1511. Have.

  The post-modulation unit 1621 is realized by the Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510, is connected to the tethering processing unit 1610 and the transmission / reception unit 1622, and demodulates the signal transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 1622 based on a predetermined algorithm. , A function of sending to the tethering processing unit 1610 and a function of modulating the signal sent from the tethering processing unit 1610 based on a predetermined algorithm and sending it to the transmitting / receiving unit 1622.

The tethering processing unit 1610 is realized by a CPU 300 that executes a program, a USB controller 380, a Wi-Fi communication LSI 1510, and a BT communication LSI 1520, and a post-modulation unit 491, a USB port 385, a touch panel control unit 430, and a load control unit 860. Are connected to the rear modulation unit 1611 and the rear modulation unit 1621 and have the following two functions.
Modified tethering function: a function of performing tethering processing with an external information device using a connection path designated by the power consumption measuring unit 1660 among the USB connection path, the Wi-Fi connection path, and the BT connection path.

  Modified data transfer rate measurement function: Using predetermined test data, (1) Using a USB connection path, a period of a predetermined time T2 (for example, 100 ms) (hereinafter referred to as “first period”) external information equipment Tethering processing is performed, and the first data transfer rate in the first period is sent to the power consumption measuring unit. (2) A period of a predetermined time T2 (hereinafter referred to as “second” using the Wi-Fi connection path). The period is referred to as a “period”.) A tethering process is performed with an external information device, the second data transfer rate in the second period is sent to the power consumption measuring unit, and (3) a predetermined time T2 using the BT connection path. A function of performing tethering processing with an external information device (hereinafter referred to as “third period”) and sending the third data transfer rate in the third period to the power consumption measuring unit.

The power consumption measurement unit 1660 is realized by the CPU 300 that executes the program, is connected to the tethering processing unit 1610 and the touch panel control unit 830, and in addition to the data transfer rate range storage function of the load control unit 860 according to the second embodiment. And has the following two functions.
Power consumption measurement function: In synchronization with the tethering process using predetermined test data performed by the tethering processing unit 1610, the first power consumption of the third modified mobile communication terminal in the first period and the first power consumption in the second period A function of measuring the second power consumption amount of the third modified mobile communication terminal and the third power consumption amount of the third modified mobile communication terminal in the third period.
It has the following two functions.

  Connection routing function: When the first data transfer rate, the second data transfer rate, and the third data transfer rate are sent from the tethering processing unit 1610, the data transfer rate to be stored among these transfer rates A function for specifying a data transfer rate that minimizes the corresponding power consumption for the data transfer rate falling within the range, and designating a connection path corresponding to the specified data transfer rate to the tethering processing unit 1610.

Hereinafter, the operation performed by the third modified mobile communication terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Operation>
Here, the third modified tethering control process, which is a characteristic operation among the operations performed by the third modified mobile communication terminal, will be described.

<Third modified tethering control process>
The third modified tethering control process is a process performed when an operation for starting the tethering process is received from a user who uses the third modified mobile communication terminal, and includes a range of data transfer rates in the tethering process from the user. When there is a connection method that accepts designation and can perform tethering processing within the range of the accepted data transfer rate, tethering processing is performed using the connection method that consumes the least amount of power among those connection methods. This is a process for controlling the third modified mobile communication terminal to be executed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the third modified tethering control process.
The third modified tethering control process is started when the touch panel 230 receives an operation by the user to start the tethering process.
In the third modified tethering control process, the processes in steps S1700 to S1710 are the same as the processes in steps S1100 to S1110 in the first tethering control process (see FIG. 11) according to the second embodiment. Therefore, description of these processes is omitted here.

In the process of step S1710, when the specification of the data transfer rate range in the tethering process is received from the user (step S1710: Yes), the power consumption measuring unit 1660 stores the received data transfer rate range (step S1720). .
When the power consumption measuring unit 1660 stores the range of the data transfer rate, the tethering processing unit 1610 uses the USB connection path, the Wi-Fi connection path, and the BT connection path, and predetermined test data for each predetermined time T2. Is executed (step S1730), and the data transfer rate in the tethering process using each connection path is measured and sent to the power consumption measuring unit 1660. In addition, the power consumption measuring unit 1660 performs the tethering processing using each connection route in synchronization with the execution of the tethering processing using the predetermined test data performed by the tethering processing unit 1610. Measure power consumption.

When each data transfer rate is sent from the tethering processing unit 1610, the power consumption measuring unit 1660 determines whether at least one of these data transfer rates is within the range of the stored data transfer rate. It investigates (step S1740).
In the process of step S1740, when at least one is within the range of the data transfer rate to be stored (step S1740: Yes), the power consumption measuring unit 1660 is within the range of the data transfer rate to be stored. As for the data transfer rate, the data transfer rate corresponding to the smallest amount of power consumption is specified, and the connection route corresponding to the specified data transfer rate is designated to the tethering processing unit 1610. Then, the tethering processing unit starts the tethering process using the designated connection path (step S1750), and continues the tethering process until the tethering process ends (step S1760: repeats No).

In the process of step S1740, when none of the data transfer rates are within the range of the stored data transfer rate (step S1740: No), the touch panel control unit 830 performs the tethering process at the designated data transfer rate. An error message indicating that it cannot be performed is displayed on the touch panel 230 (step S1770).
In the process of step S1760, when the tethering process ends (step S1760: Yes) or when the process of step S1770 ends, the third modified mobile communication terminal ends the third modified tethering control process.

<Discussion>
The third modified mobile communication terminal having the above configuration uses a connection path that consumes the least amount of power when there are a plurality of connection paths that can perform tethering processing within the range of the data transfer rate specified by the user. Then, tethering processing is performed.
As a result, the tethering process can be realized using the connection path that is most efficient in terms of power consumption.
<Supplement>
As described above, as one embodiment of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, in Embodiments 1 to 4, the mobile communication terminal 100, the first modified mobile communication terminal, the second modified mobile communication terminal, and the third modified mobile communication. Although the terminal has been described as an example, it can be modified as follows, and the present invention is of course not limited to the mobile communication terminal according to the above-described embodiment.

  (1) In the first embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 100 is configured to switch the time slice value of the CPU 300 assigned to execute a program for realizing each functional block according to an operation mode specified by the user. It was an example. However, if the configuration is such that the amount of resources of the own terminal allocated to realize each functional block is switched according to the operation mode specified by the user, the resource to be switched is not necessarily the time slice value of the CPU 300. It is not limited to a certain configuration. As an example, a configuration that is an amount of a storage area in the memory 340 that is allocated to realize a storage area used by a program for realizing each functional block may be considered.

Generally, if the allocation amount of a storage area used by a program for realizing a functional block is increased, the processing amount of processing realized by the functional block tends to be further improved.
(2) In the first embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 100 is an example of a configuration having three operation modes of “maximum performance mode”, “performance improvement mode”, and “normal mode”. However, if the mobile communication terminal 100 has a plurality of operation modes including an operation mode that restricts execution of a part of the processing other than the tethering processing, the mobile communication terminal 100 is not necessarily configured with these three operation modes. Not limited.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 100 is an example of a configuration that communicates with an external base station using a 2 GHz band signal. However, as long as it can communicate with an external base station using a signal in a predetermined frequency band, the configuration is not necessarily limited to using a signal in the 2 GHz band. As an example, an example of a configuration in which an 800 MHz band signal is used to communicate with an external base station can be considered.

(4) In the first embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 100 is an example of a configuration including the touch panel 230 as means for accepting an operation by the user. However, the configuration including the touch panel 230 is not necessarily limited as long as an operation by the user can be received. As an example, a configuration including a numeric keypad for accepting a user operation can be considered.
(5) In Embodiment 1, although the example in case the portable communication terminal 100 is a tablet-type smart phone was demonstrated, if it is a terminal provided with a tethering function, it is not necessarily restricted to a tablet-type smart phone, for example, a telephone call It may be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant: portable information terminal) having a function.

(6) The above embodiment and the above modifications may be combined.
(7) Hereinafter, the configuration of the mobile communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention, its modification, and each effect will be described.
(A) A mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is a mobile communication terminal having a tethering processing unit that performs a tethering process that mediates communication between a base station and an information device, A reception unit that accepts designation of a usage amount used to realize the tethering process for a resource, and a designation of a second usage amount that is larger than the first usage amount is accepted by the reception unit. In the case where the first usage amount is received by the reception unit, the use of the predetermined resource by processing other than the tethering process is suppressed, and the second usage amount is reduced. And a control unit for performing a control process for executing the tethering process.

The mobile communication terminal according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration can appropriately execute the tethering process.
(B) The predetermined resource may include a processor, and the usage amount may include an execution time of the processor.
Thereby, the mobile communication terminal can include the execution time of the processor in the usage amount.

(C) The control unit may perform the control process by adjusting an execution time of a tethering process performed by the processor.
As a result, the mobile communication terminal can realize control of the resource usage level by processing other than tethering processing by adjusting the execution time of tethering processing performed by the processor.

(D) In addition, a processing information storage unit that stores processing information for specifying a predetermined process other than the tethering process is provided, and the control unit is specified by the processing information stored in the processing information storage unit The execution time may be adjusted by controlling whether or not the processor executes a predetermined process.
Accordingly, the mobile communication terminal can realize the control of the resource usage level by the process other than the tethering process by controlling whether or not the processor executes a specific process other than the tethering process.

(E) Further, the usage amount received by the reception unit has a range, and the control unit reduces power consumption consumed by the terminal within the range of the usage amount received by the reception unit. In addition, the operating frequency of the processor may be adjusted.
Thereby, the portable communication terminal can reduce the power consumption when performing the tethering process.

(F) The value indicating the usage amount may include a data communication rate.
Thereby, the mobile communication terminal can include the data transfer rate in the usage amount.
(G) The tethering processing unit includes a first communication unit that communicates with the information device using a first communication method, and a second communication unit that communicates with the information device using a second communication method. The tethering processing unit may perform the tethering process by using a communication unit that consumes less power consumed by the terminal among the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

  Thereby, the portable communication terminal can reduce the power consumption when performing the tethering process.

  The present invention can be widely used for portable communication terminals having a tethering function.

100 Mobile communication terminal 230 Touch panel 230
350 Microphone 360 Receiver 370 Camera module 385 USB port 390 2 GHz band antenna 391 GPS antenna 391
410 tethering processing unit 420 call processing unit 430 touch panel control unit 440 camera control unit 450 GPS processing unit 460 load control unit 470 load table holding unit 490 transmission / reception unit 491 remodulation unit 492 reception unit 493 demodulation unit

Claims (6)

A mobile communication terminal having a tethering processing unit that performs a tethering process that mediates communication between a base station and an information device,
An accepting unit that accepts designation of a usage amount used for realizing the tethering process for a predetermined resource in the terminal;
When the specification of the second usage amount that is larger than the first usage amount is received by the reception unit, than when the specification of the first usage amount is received by the reception unit, A control unit that performs control processing to suppress use of the predetermined resource by processing other than the tethering processing and to execute tethering processing at the second usage amount ;
The controller is
When the specification of the range of the data transfer rate in the tethering process is received by the reception unit and the measured data transfer rate exceeds the range of the received data transfer rate,
A portable communication terminal that adjusts the use of the predetermined resource by the tethering process within a range of a usage amount received by the reception unit . The predetermined resource includes a processor;
The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount includes an execution time of the processor. The controller is
The mobile communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the use of the predetermined resource by the tethering process is adjusted by adjusting an execution time of the tethering process performed by the processor. A processing information storage unit for storing processing information for specifying a predetermined process other than the tethering process;
The control unit controls whether or not to cause the processor to execute a predetermined process specified by the process information stored in the process information storage unit, so that the predetermined resource generated by a process other than the tethering process is determined. 4. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 3, wherein use is suppressed . The usage amount received by the reception unit has a range,
Wherein, within the scope of usage accepted by the accepting section, so that the power consumed by the terminal itself is reduced, according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting the operating frequency of the processor Mobile communication terminals. The tethering processing unit
A first communication unit that communicates with the information device using a first communication method; and a second communication unit that communicates with the information device using a second communication method.
The tethering processing unit performs the tethering process using a communication unit that consumes less power by the terminal among the first communication unit and the second communication unit. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1.

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