JP2007208334A - Mobile communication system, and communication control method and communication control program used for same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication system for preventing the leakage of internal data and the illegal use of auxiliary functions even if a mobile communication terminal, such as a cellular phone, is lost. <P>SOLUTION: Current position information (xk, yk, zk) is exchanged mutually between an own communication terminal and at least another communication terminal by each communication terminals k (k; 1, 2, ..., N); relative distance is detected, based on the current position information; reporting is made to at least one communication terminal when the distance exceeds a preset distance limit; and loss, for example, when a partial communication terminal is taken away and something is left behind, is detected. When the distance exceeds the distance limit, a prescribed function that at least one communication terminal has is stopped. Even if the loss cannot be prevented, the leakage of internal data and the illegal use of auxiliary functions are prevented, thus ensuring security. Also a user does not have any external equipment other than the communication terminal, thus preventing any loss and allowing management to be made easily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication system, a communication control method used in the system, and a communication control program. For example, even when a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone is lost or stolen, internal data leakage or an attached function The present invention relates to a mobile communication system suitable for use in preventing unauthorized use, a communication control method used in the system, and a communication control program.

  In recent years, mobile communication terminals typified by mobile phones have become widespread in recent years with the development of hardware miniaturization and battery technology. The widespread use of mobile communication terminals brings great convenience to users, but on the other hand, the risk of terminal loss or theft is high. In this case, not only is the terminal itself lost, but there is also a risk of leakage or misuse of internal data stored in the terminal. In recent years, technology that incorporates financial functions such as so-called “Osaifu-Keitai” has also been developed, and in the future, loss and theft of mobile communication terminals will cause more serious disadvantages to users, especially in terms of money. May cause. For this reason, measures to prevent this are necessary. Furthermore, among mobile communication terminals, the penetration rate of mobile phones is particularly high, and it is no exaggeration to say that one mobile phone is popular in Japan and other developed countries in the world. By providing such a mobile communication terminal with measures against loss, it can also be applied as measures for missing users such as missing mountaineering parties or lost children during family trips.

Conventionally, this type of mobile communication terminal is disclosed in Patent Document 5, for example.
In the mobile communication terminal described in Patent Document 5, a weak short distance after the accessory unit is separated between the mobile communication terminal body and the accessory unit that is detachable from or attachable to the body. When the wireless communication is performed, it is detected whether or not the weak communication is out of the range, and when it is detected that the weak communication is out of the range, the mobile communication terminal body is in a locked state that restricts its use. Therefore, loss etc. are detected.

In addition to the above mobile communication terminals, conventionally, this type of technology includes those described in the following documents, for example.
In the automatic set discrimination system described in Patent Document 1, the mobile server sequentially polls the terminals in the member list based on the terminal numbers of the members registered in advance, and from the set location of the corresponding terminals. The distance is calculated, and members who cannot reach the meeting place by the meeting time are displayed. When a call is received by the polling by the mobile terminal owned by each member, the current position from the GPS sensor is read out and transmitted to the mobile server. The mobile server automatically contacts the uncollected member by telephone, and the bell of the mobile terminal of the unaggregated member rings. For this reason, the time required for set confirmation is shortened.

  In the group member location recognizing device described in Patent Document 2, the self location information obtained from the GPS receiver is stored in the self location information storage means, and the self location information is wirelessly transmitted by the information transmission means. It is transmitted to all other group members. Further, the location information transmitted from other group members is received by the information receiving means, and stored in the member position information storage means in association with each member. Further, the location of each member is displayed on the display means. Thereby, each member can easily recognize the location of the other member.

  In the position monitoring system described in Patent Document 3, position information is transmitted to the monitoring center by a slave terminal in response to a command from the monitoring center or at predetermined time intervals. The parent terminal transmits position information to the monitoring center in response to a command from the monitoring center or every predetermined time. In the monitoring center, the positional relationship between the parent terminal and the child terminal is determined based on the positional information received from the parent terminal and the positional information received from the child terminal. When the positional relationship satisfies a predetermined condition, an abnormal signal is generated. Sent to the parent terminal. When the parent terminal receives an abnormal signal from the monitoring center, it notifies that fact.

  In the portable terminal device described in Patent Document 4, the current position is calculated from the radio waves of the GPS satellites and transmitted to other portable terminal devices. In other portable terminal devices, the received position information is displayed superimposed on the map.

In the distance information notification device in the bidirectional wireless communication system described in Patent Document 6, a group selected from a plurality of mobile subscriber devices is defined, and a plurality of positions corresponding to members of the group are defined as base stations and Identified by a controller that works with group members. The controller determines at least one distance between the selected members from the plurality of locations and sends a notification when the at least one distance meets a predetermined set of rules.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-071378 (first page, FIG. 1) JP 2002-165258 A (page 3, FIG. 2) JP 2003-018635 A (first page, FIG. 1) JP 2003-264861 A (Abstract, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-151392 (Abstract, FIG. 1) Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2003-502890 (abstract, Fig. 4)

However, the conventional mobile communication terminal has the following problems.
That is, the portable communication terminal described in Patent Document 5 requires a separate external device that can be freely attached or detached in addition to the portable communication terminal. For this reason, complicated device management is required, and there is a problem that convenience during normal use of the terminal is impaired, such as a decrease in portability due to an increase in the total terminal capacity carried by the user. Furthermore, in this mobile communication terminal, if the sensitivity (distance) of loss detection is to be changed, the transmission level of wireless communication must be adjusted. In wireless communication, an obstacle between the transmission side and the reception side is required. For example, even if the transmission side maintains the same transmission level, the receivable distance varies. For this reason, there is a problem that the reliability when detecting loss or the like becomes insufficient.

  Moreover, in the automatic set discrimination system described in Patent Document 1, since the mobile server is provided in addition to the mobile terminal owned by each member, the configuration is different from the present invention, and the above problems are not improved.

  The location recognizing device described in Patent Document 2 is such that the location of each member is displayed on the display means, and each member recognizes the location of the other member. The above problems are not improved.

  Since the position monitoring system described in Patent Document 3 is operated by a monitoring center, a parent terminal, and a child terminal, the configuration is different from the present invention, and the above problems are not improved.

  The mobile terminal device described in Patent Document 4 is such that the received position information is displayed superimposed on a map, so that the configuration is different from the present invention, and the above problems are not improved.

  In the distance information notification device described in Patent Literature 6, at least one distance between selected members is determined from a plurality of positions by a controller, and notification is made when at least one distance satisfies a predetermined series of rules. Therefore, although the effect is similar to that of the present invention, the configuration is different because it is limited to the presence of the controller.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. By using a technology that has already been widely used in the mobile communication field without adding new hardware, etc., internal data leakage and additional functions can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication system in which unauthorized use is prevented, a communication control method used in the system, and a communication control program.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 relates to a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network. The mobile communication terminal detects the current position of the own device and generates current position information, and exchanges the current position information between the own device and at least one other device, and Based on the current position information, a relative distance between the own device and each other device is detected, and when the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit, at least one of the mobile communication terminals It is characterized by having a notifying means for notifying that the distance limit has been exceeded.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the notification means is provided between a terminal registration unit for registering another device and the other device registered in the terminal registration unit. A communication unit exchanging the current position information with each other via the mobile communication network, and when the distance based on the current position information exchanged with the communication unit exceeds the distance limit, at least one of the movements It is comprised from the alerting | reporting part which performs the said alerting | reporting with respect to a communication terminal.

  The invention according to claim 3 relates to a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network. Position information generating means for detecting current position and generating current position information, and exchanging the current position information between the own apparatus and at least one other machine, and based on the current position information When the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit, the predetermined function of at least one of the mobile communication terminals is stopped. It is characterized by having a function stop means.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the third aspect, wherein the function stopping means includes a terminal registration unit for registering another device and another device registered in the terminal registration unit. A communication unit exchanging the current position information with each other via the mobile communication network, and when the distance based on the current position information exchanged in the communication unit exceeds the distance limit, at least one of the The mobile communication terminal includes a function control unit that stops the predetermined function.

  The invention according to claim 5 relates to the mobile communication system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the terminal registration unit is configured to register a network address corresponding to the mobile communication network of another device. It is said.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the second aspect, wherein the notification unit is configured to perform the notification acoustically, visually, or tactilely.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the first aspect, wherein a predetermined one of the plurality of mobile communication terminals is set as a parent terminal and another mobile communication terminal is a child terminal. Set as a terminal, each child terminal generates and transmits the current position information to the parent terminal, and the parent terminal performs the notification based on the current position information transmitted from each child terminal It is characterized by being configured.

  The invention according to claim 8 relates to the mobile communication system according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined one of the plurality of mobile communication terminals is set as a parent terminal and another mobile communication terminal is a child terminal. Set as a terminal, each child terminal generates the current position information and transmits it to the parent terminal, and the parent terminal stops the function based on the current position information transmitted from each child terminal It is characterized by being configured.

  A ninth aspect of the invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the first or third aspect, wherein the position information generating means is constituted by a GPS (Global Positioning System) device.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to the mobile communication system according to the ninth aspect, wherein the GPS device receives each signal radio wave emitted from three or more satellites located in outer space and receives each signal radio wave. Measure the current position of the mobile communication terminal including at least latitude and longitude by measuring the distance between each satellite and the mobile communication terminal based on the propagation speed and propagation time of the It is characterized by being configured to generate.

  The invention according to claim 11 relates to a communication control method used in a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network, wherein each mobile communication The terminal detects the current position of the own device and generates current position information, and exchanges the current position information between the own device and at least one other device. A relative position detection process for detecting a relative distance between the own machine and each other machine based on the information, and when the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit, at least one of the above A notification process for notifying the mobile communication terminal that the distance limit has been exceeded is performed.

  The invention according to claim 12 relates to a communication control method used in a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network, wherein each mobile communication The terminal detects the current position of the own device and generates current position information, and exchanges the current position information between the own device and at least one other device. A relative position detection process for detecting a relative distance between the own machine and each other machine based on the information, and when the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit, at least one of the above A function stop process for stopping a predetermined function of the mobile communication terminal is performed.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to a communication control program, and is characterized in that the computer can be read in order to cause the computer to function as the notification means according to the first aspect.

  The invention described in claim 14 relates to a communication control program, and is characterized by being readable by a computer so that the computer functions as the function stop means described in claim 3.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, in each mobile communication terminal, the current position information is exchanged between the own device and the other device by the notification means, and the relative distance is detected based on the current position information. When the distance exceeds a preset distance limit, notification is made to at least one mobile communication terminal. Thereby, when some mobile communication terminals are taken away, loss such as misplacement can be detected. Further, the user can realize loss prevention without having an external device in addition to the mobile communication terminal, and device management becomes easy. When the distance exceeds a preset distance limit, a predetermined function of at least one mobile communication terminal is stopped. As a result, even when loss cannot be prevented, leakage of internal data and unauthorized use of attached functions can be prevented, and high security can be ensured. In addition to the communication control program, a technique that is already widely used in the mobile communication field is used, so that it is not necessary to add new hardware or the like. For this reason, the portability does not decrease due to cost increase or terminal capacity increase, and the convenience of the mobile communication terminal can be ensured.

  In addition, since a predetermined one of the plurality of mobile communication terminals is set as a parent terminal and another communication terminal is set as a child terminal, calculation of the distance between the terminals and determination of loss Are concentrated on the parent terminal, and the location information of each mobile communication terminal is transmitted only from the child terminal to the parent terminal. For this reason, in addition to the above effects, communication traffic can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary for the child terminal to calculate the distance between the terminals and to perform the loss determination process, the processing amount of the entire mobile communication system can be reduced. Furthermore, since the start of the loss monitoring process is performed by the parent terminal, the process of synchronizing the start timing between terminals can be simplified. Further, since the current position information is generated by the GPS device, loss or the like can be detected with high accuracy, and reliability can be improved.

  Each mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone exchanges current position information between itself and another machine, detects a relative distance based on the current position information, and sets the distance in advance. A mobile communication system in which, when the distance limit is exceeded, at least one mobile communication terminal is notified that the same distance has exceeded the distance limit and the function is stopped, so that loss or unauthorized use is prevented, and the system A communication control method and a communication control program used for the above are provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used.
The mobile communication system of this example has a mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as “communication terminal”) k (k; 1, 2,..., N) such as a mobile phone, as shown in FIG. The communication terminals k are wirelessly connected to each other via a mobile communication network (for example, a mobile phone communication network). The cellular phone communication network includes a radio base station BS that is wirelessly connected to the communication terminal k and transmits / receives the radio wave WS, a not-shown visited mobile communication exchange, a gateway mobile communication exchange, a general telephone line network, and the like.

  Further, the communication terminal k has position information generating means for detecting the current position including the latitude, longitude and altitude of the communication terminal k at predetermined time intervals and generating current position information. The position information generating means is composed of, for example, a GPS device. The GPS device receives signal radio waves W emitted from, for example, four GPS satellites A, B, C, and D (shown as one satellite in FIG. 1) located in outer space. By measuring the distance between each GPS satellite A, B, C, D and the communication terminal k based on the propagation speed and propagation time of each signal radio wave W, the communication including latitude, longitude and altitude The current position of the terminal k is measured, and three-dimensional current position information is generated. In this case, the current position information (x1, y1, z1) represented in three dimensions for the communication terminal 1, the current position information (x2, y2, z2) for the communication terminal 2, and the communication terminal N Current position information (xN, yN, zN) is generated.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the communication terminal k exchanges current position information with the communication terminal k and at least one other communication terminal, and is based on the current position information. Informing means for detecting the distance and notifying at least one communication terminal that the distance limit has been exceeded when the distance has exceeded a preset distance limit is provided. Further, the communication terminal k exchanges current position information between the communication terminal k and at least one other communication terminal and detects a relative distance based on the current position information. When the distance exceeds a preset distance limit, function stop means for stopping a predetermined function of at least one communication terminal is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of the communication terminal 1 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a bus 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a work memory 14, and a setting memory 15. , Microphone 16, receiver 17, speaker 18, LED (Light Emitting Diode) 19, vibrator 20, key input unit 21, operation key 22, display control unit 23, and display unit 24. And a communication control unit 25, a communication transmitting / receiving unit 26, a GPS control unit 27, a GPS receiving unit 28, and a timer 29. The CPU 11 is connected to each unit in the communication terminal 1 via the bus 12 and controls the communication terminal 1 as a whole. The ROM 13 stores a communication control program readable by the CPU 11 for causing the CPU 11 to function as the notification means. The ROM 13 stores a communication control program that can be read by the CPU 11 for causing the CPU 11 to function as the function stopping unit.

  The working memory 14 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), stores data temporarily required when the CPU 11 executes the communication control program, and is erased when the power is turned off. The setting memory 15 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and stores individual adjustment values (for example, setting values such as positioning timing and notification conditions by the GPS device) and a telephone book for suitably operating the communication terminal 1. Stored and does not disappear even when the power is turned off. In particular, in this embodiment, the setting memory 15 constitutes a terminal registration unit for registering other communication terminals, and a network address (for example, a mail address or a telephone number) corresponding to the mobile phone communication network is registered. The

  The operation key 22 includes, for example, a transmission key, an English / Kana / Kanji / number conversion key, a power on / off key, a cross key for cursor operation, an end key, and the like. An operation for creating a message for transmission is performed. The key input unit 21 is an input circuit that receives an input signal from the operation key 22. The display control unit 23 controls display on the display unit 24. The display unit 24 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or organic EL (electrofluorescence), and displays the operation state of the communication terminal 1, personal information stored in the setting memory 15, and the like. The communication transmitting / receiving unit 26 is controlled by the communication control unit 25, and includes a circuit and an antenna that wirelessly transmit / receive data such as voice, mail, video, and position information. In particular, in this embodiment, the communication transmitting / receiving unit 26 and the communication control unit 25 mutually communicate with other communication terminals registered in the setting memory 15 (terminal registration unit) via the mobile phone communication network. A communication unit for exchanging position information is configured.

  The GPS receiving unit 28 is controlled by the GPS control unit 27 and includes a circuit and an antenna that receive each signal radio wave W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D. The timer 29 measures a waiting time until the notification unit or the function stop unit operates. The microphone 16 and the receiver 17 are used during a call. The speaker 18, the LED 19, and the vibrator 20 are used at the time of an incoming call, the speaker 18 performs an auditory (sounding) notification, the LED 19 performs a visual (flashing) notification, and the vibrator 20 performs the notification. Tactile (vibration). In particular, in this embodiment, when the relative distance based on the current position information exchanged by the communication unit exceeds the preset distance limit by the CPU 11, the speaker 18, the LED 19, and the vibrator 20, at least one A notification unit that performs the above notification to the communication terminal is configured. Further, when the relative distance based on the current position information exchanged by the communication unit exceeds the preset distance limit, the predetermined function of at least one communication terminal is stopped by the CPU 11 and the setting memory 15 A function control unit is configured. Further, the other communication terminals have the same configuration as that of the communication terminal 1.

3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication terminal k, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the mail address registered in the setting memory 15, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the communication terminal k, FIG. Is a flowchart for explaining another operation of the communication terminal k, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a relative distance between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal is detected, and FIG. 8 is a communication terminal. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the communication terminal has been stolen, and FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are diagrams between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the determination method when a relative distance is detected.
With reference to these drawings, processing contents of the communication control method used in the mobile communication system of this example will be described.
In this mobile communication system, each communication terminal k (k; 1, 2,..., N) detects the current position of the communication terminal and generates current position information (position information generation processing). Current position information is exchanged with at least one other communication terminal, a relative distance is detected based on the current position information (relative position detection processing), and this distance is preset. When the distance limit is exceeded, at least one communication terminal is notified that the distance has exceeded the distance limit (notification process). Further, when loss cannot be prevented and the same distance exceeds a preset distance limit, a predetermined function of at least one mobile communication terminal is stopped (function stop processing).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user operates the operation key 22, another communication terminal is registered in each communication terminal k (step A1). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the mail address of another communication terminal is registered. The e-mail address is directly entered by the operation key 22 or inputted by calling from the telephone directory. The input mail address is stored in the setting memory 15. Also, the monitoring start time T1, the total monitoring time T2, the monitoring time interval T3, and the monitoring distance (threshold) X are set (step A2). This setting is input by the operation key 22. These setting values are set by the users in consultation with each other. After this setting is completed, at time T1, a monitoring operation for detecting loss is started (step A3). At this time, the timer 29 starts measuring the monitoring time.

  In each communication terminal k, when the monitoring operation is started, each signal radio wave W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D is received by the GPS device including the GPS receiving unit 28 and the GPS control unit 27 (GPS information). Reception, step A4), current position information (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), ..., (xN, yN, zN) are generated (step A5). Each communication terminal k exchanges its own current location information with an e-mail (for example, MMS, Multimedia Messaging Service, multimedia data such as a photo, etc., via a mobile phone) to a mail address stored in the setting memory 15. As a protocol and service) for transmission to other communication terminals (step A6), and receives current position information of other communication terminals (step A7). Then, each distance Lmn (m; 1, 2,..., N−1, n; 2, 3,..., N) between the own communication terminal and another communication terminal is calculated (step A8). It is determined whether or not the maximum value is greater than or equal to the monitoring distance X (step A9).

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the maximum value of the distances Lmn between the users M1, M2,..., MN of the mobile terminals 1, 2,. It is determined whether or not the time T2 is exceeded (step A10). If the value of the timer 29 is less than or equal to the total monitoring time T2, after resting for the monitoring time interval T3 (step A11), the process returns to step A4 and the monitoring operation is continued. In step A10, if the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2, the speaker 1 sounds an alarm 1 indicating that the program is to be terminated without detecting loss (notification, for example, the sounding of the speaker 18, The LED 19 blinks or the vibrator 20 vibrates) (step A12), and the process ends. On the other hand, in step A9, when the maximum value of the distance Lmn is equal to or greater than the monitoring distance X, an alarm 2 indicating that a loss (for example, misplacement shown in FIG. 8 or theft by the thief BG shown in FIG. 9) is detected ( Notification (for example, ringing of the speaker 18, blinking of the LED 19, or vibration of the vibrator 20) is performed (step A13), and the user is notified of the loss.

  Further, after step A1 in FIG. 3, the process does not proceed to step A2, but as shown in FIG. 5, a set value is input at any one of the communication terminals k (step B2), and is the same as step A6 in FIG. Is transmitted to another communication terminal (step B3). When the other communication terminal receives this set value (step B1), the set value is received (step B4) and stored in the setting memory 15. (Step B5), the setting is completed, and the process proceeds to Step A3 in FIG. The input of the set value in step A2 or step B2 may be a process in which a part or all of the set value is written in the ROM 13 as a fixed value and is read from the ROM 13.

  Further, after step A2 in FIG. 3, the process does not proceed to step A3, the set value T1 is eliminated, the monitoring start procedure is displayed on the display unit 24, and the user operates the operation key 22 at an arbitrary timing. Monitoring may be started. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the monitoring operation can be started simultaneously after the setting in step A2 is completed in all the communication terminals k. That is, each communication terminal k transmits a setting completion notification indicating that the setting in step A2 is completed to the mail addresses of all registered communication terminals (step C1), and the setting completion notification of other communication terminals. Is received (step C2). When it is confirmed in step C2 that the setting has been completed in all the communication terminals, the monitoring start procedure is displayed on the display unit 24 (step C3).

  When a monitoring start operation is performed with the operation key 22 at any one of the communication terminals k (step C5), the monitoring start notification indicating that the monitoring start operation has been performed is addressed to the mail addresses of all the communication terminals registered. Transmitted (step C6), the monitoring operation starts. In other communication terminals, when the monitoring start notification is received (step C4), the monitoring start notification is received (step C7), and the monitoring operation is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A4 in FIG.

  Further, in step A9 in FIG. 3, the maximum value of the distance Lmn between the terminals is used as the determination material. As shown in FIG. 10, this determination material is the minimum value or the average value of the distance Lmn between the terminals. From other statistical values such as the statistical value of the distance LmP from the predetermined absolute position P to each communication terminal as shown in FIG. 11, or the position of the center of gravity G of all the communication terminals as shown in FIG. A statistical value of the distance LmG to each communication terminal may be used. In this case, the calculation in step A8 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the determination material.

  In addition, when the statistical value of the distance LmP from the predetermined absolute position P to each communication terminal k shown in FIG. 11 is used as the determination material, the absolute position P is added to one of the set values in step A2 and is a fixed value. May be written in the ROM 13 in each communication terminal k. Further, as the determination condition in step A9, the determination is made using the lower limit threshold value X (determination when YES or higher; YES). This determination condition is, for example, when the threshold value X is the upper limit threshold value (lower than the threshold value). Determination; YES), or two or more thresholds (determination: YES when X is less than or equal to Y), or match determination (determination if the value matches the predetermined value X; YES) And so on.

  In step A13, notification is performed, but a predetermined function may be stopped together with the notification. Stopping the function may stop all the functions of the communication terminal k, or may stop some predetermined functions (for example, a display function of internal data). In the latter case, the function to be stopped may be written in the ROM 13 as a fixed value in addition to the set value in step A2.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, each communication terminal k (k; 1, 2,..., N) allows the current position information to be mutually exchanged between the communication terminal and at least one other communication terminal. (Xk, yk, zk) are exchanged and a relative distance is detected based on the current position information. When the distance exceeds a preset distance limit, a predetermined distance is set for at least one communication terminal. Is notified. As a result, when some of the communication terminals are taken away or lost such as being left behind is detected. Further, the user can realize loss prevention without having an external device in addition to the communication terminal k, and device management becomes easy. Further, when the same distance exceeds a preset distance limit, a predetermined function of at least one communication terminal is stopped. As a result, even when loss cannot be prevented, leakage of internal data and unauthorized use of attached functions are prevented, and high security is ensured.

  In addition to the communication control program recorded in the ROM 13, a technique that has already been widely used in the mobile communication field is used, so that it is not necessary to add new hardware or the like. For this reason, the portability does not decrease due to an increase in cost or terminal capacity, and the convenience of the communication terminal is not impaired. In addition, when performing group actions such as climbing and shopping with multiple people, each member owns the communication terminal k, and when it is detected that a specific communication terminal leaves the group, the member is missing Is prevented.

  In the mobile communication system of the second embodiment, a predetermined one of the plurality of communication terminals k in FIG. 1 is set as a parent terminal and another communication terminal is set as a child terminal. . Each child terminal generates current position information and transmits it to the parent terminal, and the parent terminal performs notification based on the current position information transmitted from each child terminal. Further, the parent terminal stops a predetermined function based on the current position information transmitted from each child terminal.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the parent terminal, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the child terminal.
With reference to these drawings, processing contents of the communication control method used in the mobile communication system of this example will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 13, when the user of the parent terminal operates the operation key 22, another communication terminal (child terminal) is registered in the parent terminal (step D1). In this case, the email address is registered as in the first embodiment. The input mail address is stored in the setting memory 15. Next, the monitoring start time T1, the total monitoring time T2, the monitoring time interval T3, and the monitoring distance (threshold) X are set (step D2). These set values are input by the operation keys 22. After the setting is completed, the setting value set in step D2 is transmitted to the mail addresses of all registered child terminals (step D3). At time T1, a monitoring operation for detecting loss is started (step D4). At this time, the timer 29 starts measuring the monitoring time.

  When the monitoring operation is started, the parent terminal receives the signal radio waves W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D by the GPS device including the GPS receiver 28 and the GPS controller 27 (GPS information reception, Step D5), the current position information of the own terminal is detected (Step D6). The parent terminal receives the current position information of each registered child terminal (step D7), calculates the distance Lmn between the parent terminal and each child terminal (step D8), and the maximum value of the distance Lmn is It is determined whether or not the monitoring distance is greater than or equal to X (step D9). If the maximum value of the distance Lmn between the terminals is not equal to or greater than the monitoring distance X, it is determined whether or not the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2 (step D10). If the value of the timer 29 is less than or equal to the total monitoring time T2, after resting for the monitoring time interval T3 (step D11), the process returns to step D5 and the monitoring operation is continued. If the value of the timer 29 is greater than or equal to the total monitoring time T2 in step D10, the speaker 1 sounds an alarm 1 indicating that the program is to be terminated without detecting loss (notification, for example, the sound of the speaker 18, the LED 19). Or the vibration of the vibrator 20) (step D12), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the maximum value of the distance Lmn between the terminals is greater than or equal to the monitoring distance X in step D9, a loss detection notification indicating that loss has been detected is sent to the mail addresses of all registered child terminals. (D13) The alarm 2 indicating that the loss has been detected is sounded (step D14), and the user is notified of the loss.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the child terminal receives the registered terminal information transmitted from the parent terminal in step D3 in FIG. 13 and the set value in step D2 (step E1). At time T1, a monitoring operation for detecting loss is started (step E2). The timer 29 starts measuring the monitoring time at this point. When the monitoring operation is started, the slave terminal receives the signal radio waves W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D by the GPS device including the GPS receiver 28 and the GPS controller 27 (GPS information reception, Step E3), the current position information of the own communication terminal is detected (step E4). Each child terminal transmits the current position information to the parent terminal (step E5).

  Here, it is determined whether or not the loss detection notification in step D13 in FIG. 13 has been received from the parent terminal (step E6), and if not received, whether or not the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2. Determination is made (step E7). If the value of the timer 29 is less than or equal to the total monitoring time T2, after resting for the monitoring time interval T3 (step E8), the process returns to step E3 and the monitoring operation is continued. If the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2 in step E7, an alarm 1 is sounded from the speaker 18 to end the program without detecting loss (notification, for example, the sound of the speaker 18 or the LED 19). Blinking and vibration of the vibrator 20) (step E9), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the loss detection notification is received in step E6, the alarm 2 indicating that the loss has been detected is sounded (notification, for example, the sound of the speaker 18, the blinking of the LED 19, or the vibration of the vibrator 20) (step E10). The user is notified of the loss.

  In step D9 in FIG. 13, the loss determination material is the maximum distance Lmn between the parent terminal and each child terminal. Since the parent terminal obtains the current position information of all terminals, Each determination material shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 of one embodiment may be used.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a predetermined one of the plurality of communication terminals k is set as a parent terminal and another communication terminal is set as a child terminal. The calculation of the distance between them and the determination process of the loss are concentrated on the parent terminal, and the location information of each communication terminal only needs to be transmitted from the child terminal to the parent terminal. For this reason, in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, communication traffic is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary for the child terminal to calculate the distance between the terminals and to perform the loss determination process, the processing amount of the entire system is reduced. Furthermore, since the start of the loss monitoring process is performed by the parent terminal, the process of synchronizing the start timing between terminals is also simplified.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a receiver 40 used in combination with each portable terminal k constituting the mobile communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In this receiver 40, as shown in FIG. 15, a CPU 41, a bus 42, a ROM 43, a work memory 44, a setting memory 45, a speaker 46, an LED 47, a vibrator 48, and a communication control unit. 49, a communication receiving unit 50, a GPS control unit 51, a GPS receiving unit 52, and a timer 53. The CPU 41 is connected to each part in the receiver 40 via the bus 42 and controls the receiver 40 as a whole.

  The ROM 43 stores a communication control program that can be read by the CPU 41 for causing the CPU 41 to function as notification means. The work memory 44 is constituted by a RAM, stores data temporarily required when the CPU 41 executes the communication control program, and is erased when the power is turned off. The setting memory 45 is composed of a non-volatile memory, and stores individual adjustment values (for example, setting values such as positioning timing and notification conditions by a GPS device) for suitably operating the communication terminal k to be monitored. Even if the power is turned off, it will not disappear. In particular, in this embodiment, the setting memory 45 constitutes a terminal registration unit for registering the communication terminal k to be monitored, and a network address (for example, a mail address or a telephone number) corresponding to the mobile phone communication network. ) Is registered.

  The speaker 46 performs auditory (sounding) notification, the LED 47 performs notification (visually), and the vibrator 48 performs tactile (vibration) notification. The communication receiving unit 50 is controlled by the communication control unit 49 and includes a circuit and an antenna that are wirelessly connected to the communication terminal k and receive data such as position information. The GPS receiving unit 52 is controlled by the GPS control unit 51 and includes a circuit and an antenna that receive each signal radio wave W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D. The timer 53 measures the waiting time until the notification means (speaker 46, LED 47, or vibrator 48) operates.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication terminal k, FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the receiver 40, and FIG. 18 shows the detection of the relative distance between the communication terminal k and the receiver 40. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which the communication terminal k is misplaced.
With reference to these drawings, processing contents of the communication control method used in the mobile communication system of this example will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 16, in the communication terminal k (k is 1 for example), when the user operates the operation key 22, the monitoring start time T1, the total monitoring time T2, the monitoring time interval T3, and the monitoring A distance (threshold value) Lm is set (step F1). These set values are transmitted to the receiver 40 (step F2). At time T1, a monitoring operation for detecting loss is started (step F3). At this time, the timer 29 starts measuring the monitoring time.

  When the monitoring operation is started, the communication terminal 1 receives the signal radio waves W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D by the GPS device including the GPS receiver 28 and the GPS controller 27 (GPS information reception). Step F4), the current position information of the terminal itself is detected (Step F5). This current position information is transmitted to the receiver 40 (step F6). It is determined whether or not the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2 (step F7). If the value of the timer 29 is equal to or less than the total monitoring time T2, after resting for the monitoring time interval T3 (step F8), Returning to step F4, the monitoring operation is continued. In step F7, if the value of the timer 29 is equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2, the process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 17, in the receiver 40, the monitoring start time T1, the total monitoring time T2, the monitoring time interval T3, and the monitoring distance (threshold) Lm transmitted from the communication terminal 1 in step F2 in FIG. A set value is received (step G1). At time T1, the loss monitoring operation in step F3 is started on the communication terminal 1 side, and the receiver 40 receives the current position information transmitted from the communication terminal 1 in step F6 (step G2). The timer 53 starts measuring the monitoring time at the time T1. Furthermore, in the receiver 40, each signal radio wave W from the GPS satellites A, B, C, and D is received by the GPS device including the GPS receiver 52 and the GPS controller 51 (GPS information reception, step G3). The position information of the receiver 40 is detected (step G4).

In the receiver 40, the distance L between the receiver 40 and the communication terminal 1 is calculated using the following equation (step G5), and it is determined whether or not the maximum value of this distance is greater than or equal to the monitoring distance Lm (step G6). ).
Distance L
= SQRT {(x2-x1) ^ 2 + (y2-y1) ^ 2 + (z2-z1) ^ 2}
However,
(X1, y1, z1); position information of the receiver 40
(X2, y2, z2); current position information of the communication terminal 1 As shown in FIG. 18, when the maximum value of the distance L is not equal to or greater than the monitoring distance Lm (during monitoring), is the value of the timer 53 equal to or greater than the total monitoring time T2? It is determined whether or not (step G7). If the value of the timer 53 is less than or equal to the total monitoring time T2, the process returns to step G2 and the monitoring operation is continued. If the value of the timer 53 is greater than or equal to the total monitoring time T2 in step G7, an alarm 1 is output from the speaker 46 to end the program without detecting loss (notification, for example, the speaker 46 or the LED 19 Blinking and vibration of the vibrator 20) (step G8), and the process ends. On the other hand, in step G6, as shown in FIG. 19, when the maximum value of the distance L is greater than or equal to the monitoring distance Lm, an alarm 2 is sounded to indicate that the communication terminal 1 has been lost (lost) (step G9). The user is notified of the loss.

  As described above, in this third embodiment, the user must carry the receiver 40 in addition to the communication terminal 1, but uses the position information detection using the GPS device. Even if there is an obstacle between the receiver 1 and the receiver 40, if the receiver 40 is in a state where the current position information of the communication terminal 1 can be received, loss or the like is detected with high accuracy and reliability is improved. improves. The receiver 40 has good portability because the hardware scale is smaller than that of the communication terminal 1.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiment, and even if there is a design change without departing from the gist of the present invention, Included in the invention.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the mobile communication network is a cellular phone communication network, but may be a wireless LAN (local area network), for example. In this case, a network address corresponding to the wireless LAN is registered in the terminal registration unit. The mobile communication network may be a short-range wireless communication means such as Bluetooth or IrDA (Infrared Data Association), or a license-free station communication means such as a civilian radio. Also in this case, the network address corresponding to each communication means is registered in the terminal registration unit. In addition to the mobile phone, the mobile communication terminal may be, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) including a mobile phone function, a notebook computer, a car navigation system, an aircraft phone, a ship phone, or the like.

  In the first embodiment, each communication terminal k transmits the current location information as an MMS to another communication terminal. However, the telephone number of the other communication terminal is assigned to the terminal registration unit (setting memory 15). The current location information may be registered and transmitted to other communication terminals as SMS (Short Message Service, short message service, service that enables short text between mobile phones). In addition, when registering the telephone number of another communication terminal, a mail address may be subtracted from the telephone number and the telephone book data, and the current location information may be transmitted as MMS using the mail address. Further, each communication terminal k may be connected to each other by PoC (Push to Talk over Cellular). In this case, since one communication terminal registers the network address of the other communication terminal so that communication is established between all the communication terminals, it is possible to save the trouble of individually registering each communication terminal. . In addition, when each communication terminal k registers another communication terminal, each communication terminal k sends an IM (Instant Messenge, a short text document to each other in real time and displays it on the screen of the partner computer. ) You may connect.

  In each of the above embodiments, the GPS device receives the signal radio waves W of the four GPS satellites A, B, C, and D and generates three-dimensional current position information. Even if the two-dimensional current position information is generated using a GPS satellite, the operation and effect according to the above embodiment can be obtained. In each of the above embodiments, a GPS device is used as the position information generating means. For example, “Galileo” planned in Europe and “Quasi-Zenith Satellite” planned in Japan are put into practical use. In this case, position information generating means corresponding to these may be used.

  The present invention is attached to the mobile communication terminal such as misplacement of the mobile communication terminal, loss during the movement, loss of theft, etc. and leakage of personal information associated therewith, or voice call, data communication, electronic money, credit card settlement, etc. The present invention can be applied to a case where it is preferable to prevent unauthorized use of the function without impairing convenience during normal use of the mobile communication terminal. Moreover, it can also be applied as a management tool for protecting the user himself or his belongings by attaching each mobile communication terminal to a predetermined group including the user (for example, a participant of group behavior, livestock, etc.).

It is a schematic diagram which shows the environment where the mobile communication system which is 1st Example of this invention is used. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the principal part of the communication terminal 1 in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the communication terminal k. It is a figure which shows the mail address registered into the memory 15 for a setting. It is a flowchart explaining other operation | movement of the communication terminal k. It is a flowchart explaining other operation | movement of the communication terminal k. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state in which the relative distance between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal is detected. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state in which the misplacement of the communication terminal occurred. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state which theft of the communication terminal generate | occur | produced. It is a figure which shows the determination method when the relative distance between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal is detected. It is a figure which shows the determination method when the relative distance between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal is detected. It is a figure which shows the determination method when the relative distance between the communication terminal k and another communication terminal is detected. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the parent terminal used for the mobile communication system which is 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a child terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the receiver 40 used in combination with each portable terminal which comprises the mobile communication system which is the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the communication terminal k. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the receiver 40. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state in which the relative distance between the communication terminal k and the receiver 40 is detected. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state in which the misplacement of the communication terminal occurred.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, ..., N Communication terminal (mobile communication terminal)
11 CPU (central processing unit, part of notification unit, part of function stop means, part of function control unit)
13 ROM (Read Only Memory, part of mobile communication terminal)
14 Working memory (part of mobile communication terminal)
15 Setting memory (part of terminal registration part, part of function control part)
18 Speaker (part of the notification unit)
19 LED (light emitting diode, part of the notification unit)
20 Vibrator (part of the notification unit)
21 Key input part (part of mobile communication terminal)
22 Operation keys (part of mobile communication terminal)
23 Display control unit (part of mobile communication terminal)
24 Display (part of mobile communication terminal)
25 Communication control unit (part of communication unit)
26 Communication transceiver (part of the communication unit)
27 GPS controller (part of location information generating means)
28 GPS receiver (part of location information generating means)
29 Timer (part of mobile communication terminal)
40 Receiver (part of mobile communication terminal)
41 CPU (central processing unit, part of notification unit)
43 ROM (part of receiver)
44 Working memory 45 Setting memory (terminal registration unit)
46 Speaker (part of the notification unit)
47 LED (part of the notification unit)
48 Vibrator (part of the notification unit)
49 Communication control part (part of communication part)
50 Communication receiver (part of communication unit)
51 GPS control unit (part of position information generating means)
52 GPS receiver (part of location information generating means)
53 Timer (part of mobile communication terminal)
A, B, C, D GPS satellite BS wireless base station (part of mobile communication network)

Claims (14)

A mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network,
Each of the mobile communication terminals is
Position information generating means for detecting the current position of the own machine and generating current position information;
The current position information is exchanged between the own machine and at least one other machine, and the relative distance between the own machine and each other machine is detected based on the current position information. When the relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit, the mobile communication terminal has notification means for notifying that the distance limit has been exceeded to at least one of the mobile communication terminals. Mobile communication system. The notification means includes
A terminal registration unit for registering other devices;
A communication unit for exchanging the current position information with each other through the mobile communication network with other devices registered in the terminal registration unit;
When the distance based on the current position information exchanged by the communication unit exceeds the distance limit, the notification unit is configured to notify the at least one mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication system according to claim 1. A mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network,
Each of the mobile communication terminals is
Position information generating means for detecting the current position of the own machine and generating current position information;
The current position information is exchanged between the own machine and at least one other machine, and the relative distance between the own machine and each other machine is detected based on the current position information. And a function stop means for stopping a predetermined function of at least one of the mobile communication terminals when the relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit. The function stopping means is
A terminal registration unit for registering other devices;
A communication unit for exchanging the current position information with each other through the mobile communication network with other devices registered in the terminal registration unit;
A function control unit configured to stop the predetermined function in at least one of the mobile communication terminals when the distance based on the current position information exchanged by the communication unit exceeds the distance limit; 4. The mobile communication system according to claim 3, wherein The terminal registration unit
5. The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein a network address corresponding to the mobile communication network of another device is registered. The notification unit
The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein the notification is made audibly, visually, or tactilely. A predetermined one of the plurality of mobile communication terminals is set as a parent terminal and another mobile communication terminal is set as a child terminal,
Each of the child terminals generates and transmits the current position information to the parent terminal, and the parent terminal performs the notification based on the current position information transmitted from each of the child terminals. The mobile communication system according to claim 1. A predetermined one of the plurality of mobile communication terminals is set as a parent terminal and another mobile communication terminal is set as a child terminal,
Each of the child terminals generates and transmits the current position information to the parent terminal, and the parent terminal stops the function based on the current position information transmitted from each of the child terminals. The mobile communication system according to claim 3, wherein: The position information generating means includes
4. The mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication system comprises a GPS (Global Positioning System) device. The GPS device
Receiving each signal radio wave emitted from three or more satellites located in outer space and measuring the distance between each satellite and the mobile communication terminal based on the propagation speed and propagation time of each signal radio wave The mobile communication system according to claim 9, wherein the mobile communication terminal is configured to measure a current position of the mobile communication terminal including at least latitude and longitude and generate the current position information. A communication control method used for a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network,
Each mobile communication terminal is
Position information generation processing for detecting the current position of the aircraft and generating current position information;
Relative position detection for exchanging the current position information between the own machine and at least one other machine and detecting a relative distance between the own machine and each other machine based on the current position information Processing,
And performing a notification process for notifying at least one of the mobile communication terminals that the distance limit has been exceeded when the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit. Control method. A communication control method used for a mobile communication system comprising a mobile communication network and a plurality of mobile communication terminals wirelessly connected to each other via the mobile communication network,
Each mobile communication terminal is
Position information generation processing for detecting the current position of the aircraft and generating current position information;
Relative position detection for exchanging the current position information between the own machine and at least one other machine and detecting a relative distance between the own machine and each other machine based on the current position information Processing,
A communication control method, comprising: a function stop process for stopping a predetermined function of at least one of the mobile communication terminals when the detected relative distance exceeds a preset distance limit.   A computer-readable communication control program for causing a computer to function as the notification means according to claim 1.   A computer-readable communication control program for causing a computer to function as the function stop means according to claim 3.

Images