JP2001025059A - Utilization limiting system for mobile terminal and utilization limiting method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A mobile phone or PH within a limited area
A mobile terminal use restriction system and a mobile terminal use restriction method in which the use of an S terminal is restricted, a call can be received even during the use restriction, and the user can operate the use restriction function without operating a mobile phone or a PHS terminal. I will provide a. SOLUTION: A PHS terminal 3 installed in a normal area 6 is provided.
Use restriction notification device 1 for transmitting a use restriction signal (OUT) 11 for notifying that PHS terminal 3 has approached restricted area 5, and use for notifying that PHS terminal 3 installed in restricted area 5 has entered restricted area 5. The PHS terminal 3 is provided with a use restriction notifying device 2 that transmits a restriction signal (IN) 21. If the PHS terminal 3 identifies that the terminal has entered the restriction area 5 by receiving the use restriction signal (IN) 21, it restricts outgoing calls and terminates incoming calls. Restrict usage to turn off the sound.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for restricting the use of mobile terminals and a method for restricting the use thereof, and more particularly to a PHS.
(Personal Handy-phone System), PDC (Personal
Digital Cellular), IMT-2000 (Internationa
l Mobile Telecommunications-2000)
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal usage restriction system and a usage restriction method suitable for starting a usage restriction process according to a state transition upon receiving a usage restriction signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of mobile phones and PHS,
Troubles caused by use in public places such as trains and theaters are increasing. Therefore, a restriction on use of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS in a specific area is required to prevent inconvenience in a public place. However, at present, measures such as turning off the terminal and preventing ringtones are being called for in places that may be annoying as users' manners. It is not a standard measure.

As a conventional example of the above-mentioned system for restricting the use of a portable telephone, a technique described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-331576 has been proposed. This publication aims to restrict the use of mobile phones in public places and the like. Referring to FIG. 10, the use restriction method described in the publication discloses a restriction area 101 in which the use is restricted.
A call prohibition restriction station 102 for transmitting a use restriction signal is provided,
When the mobile terminal 103 receives the use restriction signal 104 within a range where the signal from the call prohibition restriction station 102 reaches, the use of the mobile terminal 103 is restricted. As a method of restricting the use, the calling from the corresponding terminal is prohibited, and the incoming call is rejected on the exchange side when receiving the call to the corresponding terminal.

[0004]

However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.

[0005] The first problem is that the current mobile phones and PHS
The only way to restrict usage on the terminal is to turn off the mobile phone or PHS terminal or set the phone so that it does not ring.
In order to restrict the use of the S terminal, the user must be conscious.

A second problem is that if a device for transmitting a use restriction signal is placed at one place and the use is restricted within a range where the use restriction signal reaches, the size of the area that can be restricted is determined. This means that the size of the restricted area cannot be changed freely.

[0007] A third problem is that if a device for transmitting a use restriction signal is provided at one location and the use is restricted within a range where the use restriction signal can reach, the use restriction is restricted when the use restriction signal is blocked by an obstacle. This means that the boundary of the restricted area cannot be clearly separated.

The fourth problem is that whether or not to set the use restriction function depends on the user's consciousness, and the effect cannot be surely obtained. In addition, mobile phones and PHS terminals already have a very large number of settings. Although it has functions and operation functions, since few users know or use all functions, adding a function to set usage restrictions to mobile phones and PHS terminals will increase terminal operations. That is.

An object of the present invention is to restrict the use of a mobile phone or a PHS terminal in a limited area and to enable incoming calls even during the use restriction, so that the user can use the mobile phone or the PHS terminal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a use restriction system and a use restriction method for a mobile terminal, in which the use restriction function can be operated without operating the S terminal.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a use restriction system of a mobile terminal for restricting use of a mobile terminal in a restricted area, wherein the system is installed in a normal area and detects that the mobile terminal approaches the restricted area. A first usage restriction notifying device that transmits a first usage restriction signal to be notified, and a second usage restriction signal that is installed in the restricted area and notifies that the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area. A second use restriction notifying device.

The present invention also relates to a method of restricting the use of a mobile terminal in which the use of the mobile terminal in a restricted area is restricted. A signal is transmitted in a specific direction from the first use restriction notifying device, and when the mobile terminal enters the restricted area, a second use restriction signal notifying the fact is sent from the second use restriction notifying device in the specific direction. Send to
When the mobile terminal receives the second use restriction signal, the mobile terminal itself restricts outgoing calls and performs use restriction to turn off a ringtone.

In addition, the mobile terminal usage restriction system of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIG. 1, is a mobile terminal (3 in FIG. 1) that restricts the use of the mobile terminal in a restricted area (5 in FIG. 1). In the terminal use restriction system, a first use restriction signal (1 in FIG. 1) installed in a normal area (6 in FIG. 1) and reporting that the mobile terminal has approached the restricted area.
First use restriction notification device that transmits 1) (1 in FIG. 1)
And a second use restriction notifying device (2 in FIG. 1) that transmits a second use restriction signal (12 in FIG. 1) installed in the restricted area and notifying that the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area. ).

[Operation] In the mobile terminal use restriction system according to the present invention, the first use restriction notification device installed outside the restricted area is a first use restriction signal for notifying that the mobile terminal has approached the restricted area. Is always sent. The second use restriction notification device installed inside the restricted area always sends a second use restriction signal indicating that the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area. The mobile terminal manages the usage restriction state and identifies whether it is inside or outside the restricted area.

The use restriction state is "normal state", "receiving the first use restriction signal", "receiving the second use restriction signal".
Consists of "restricted use". The exchange manages the usage restriction status as subscriber information, and identifies whether the mobile terminal is under usage restriction. The use restriction state includes a "normal state" and a "restricted use" state. When the mobile terminal in the “normal state” approaches the restricted area, the first use restriction signal is received and the state becomes “receiving the first use restriction signal”. Thereafter, when the mobile terminal enters the restricted area, the mobile terminal receives the second use restriction signal, and the state becomes “receiving the second use restriction signal”. When the second use restriction signal is continuously received for a certain period of time or more, the mobile terminal becomes "use restricted" and the use restriction function is activated.

That is, in the mobile terminal use restriction system of the present invention, whether or not the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area can be automatically identified by receiving the use restriction signal. Therefore, the user does not need to be conscious of restricting the use of the mobile terminal. The exchange also manages the use restriction state of the mobile terminal so that an incoming call to the mobile terminal whose use is restricted can be identified. For this reason, it is possible to receive an incoming call even during use restriction.

[0016]

[Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Description of Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mobile terminal use restriction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the mobile terminal use restriction system according to the embodiment of the present invention transmits a use restriction signal (OUT) 11 in a specific direction, and transmits a use restriction signal (IN) 21 in a specific direction. Usage restriction notification device 2 and usage restriction signal (OUT) 11
A PHS terminal 3 having a function of restricting transmission of the PHS terminal 3 by receiving a use restriction signal (IN) 21; and an exchange 4 for restricting an incoming call to the corresponding PHS terminal 3. In the present embodiment, a plurality of use restriction notifying devices 2 can be installed so that the use restriction signal (IN) 21 can be transmitted to the whole within the restricted area.

In detail, the use restriction notifying device 1 is installed outside the entrance area of the restricted area 5,
The PHS terminal 3 is notified that the PHS terminal 3 is approaching the restricted area 5 by constantly transmitting the use restriction signal (OUT) 11. The use restriction notifying device 2 is installed inside the restricted area 5 and constantly notifies the PHS terminal 3 that the PHS terminal 3 is present in the restricted area 5 by transmitting a use restriction signal (IN) 21. If necessary, a plurality of use restriction notification devices 2 are installed in the restricted area 5 so that the use restriction signal (IN) 21 can be received anywhere in the restricted area 5.

The PHS terminal 3 transmits a usage restriction signal (O) transmitted from the usage restriction notifying device 1 or 2 to a specific direction.
(UT) 11 and an antenna 3a capable of receiving the use restriction signal (IN) 21. The use restriction state is managed, and the use restriction state shifts from "normal state" to "use restriction". It identifies that it has entered the restricted area 5. The usage restriction function does not operate during migration. Within the restricted area 5, the PHS terminal 3 restricts its own transmission and turns off the ringtone. When the power of the PHS terminal 3 is turned on, after the initial setting of the location registration and the like, the use restriction signal (OUT) or the use restriction signal (IN) is monitored, and depending on which signal is received or whether neither is received. It identifies whether it is in the normal area 6 or the restricted area 5.

In the exchange 4, if the PHS terminal 3 is in the restricted area 5
The incoming call is identified, and the incoming call to the corresponding PHS terminal 3 is restricted. When voice data arrives at the corresponding PHS terminal 3, the exchange 4 receives the message, converts the received message data into characters, and transmits the characters. When character data arrives at the corresponding PHS terminal 3, the message data is transmitted as it is.

In addition, the PHS terminal is used in the same manner as a mobile phone without interruption in communication from a small area to a wide area of an area cell, while performing a normal handover, and is used not only for voice communication but also for image communication and data communication. Some PHS terminals are possible and also have a function as a pager.

In the embodiment of the present invention, each of the use restriction notifying devices 1 and 2 notifies the approach to the restricted area 5 outside the entrance of the restricted area 5 where the use of the PHS terminal 3 is to be restricted. The limit signal (OUT) 11 is
The PHS terminal 3 transmits a use restriction signal (IN) 21 informing the fact that the PHS terminal 3 exists in the restricted area 5 through a directional antenna (not shown).
Is configured to automatically recognize the necessity of the use restriction and perform the transmission restriction by receiving the signals 11 and 21. In addition, the exchange 4 recognizes the PHS terminal whose use is being restricted, so that the incoming call to the PHS terminal is restricted.

The exchange 4 usually controls a plurality of base stations, and the base station is provided with a directional antenna to provide a restricted area, or to set a restricted area in a narrow area only in a train car or a concert hall. It is possible to specify and set the area approaching the restricted area,
The exchange 4 can specify and set the base station by the exchange 4 and notify the PHS terminal.

(2) Description of Operation Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 2, when the PHS terminal 3 in the “normal state” approaches the boundary of the restricted area 5, the PHS terminal 3 receives the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 from the use restriction notifying device 1 and “receives OUT signal”. Become. Thereafter, when entering the restricted area 5, the use restriction signal (IN) from the use restriction notification device 2
21 is received and "IN signal is being received". When the usage restriction signal (IN) 21 is received continuously for a predetermined time or more, PH
The S terminal 3 becomes “under use restriction”, restricts its own transmission, and cuts off the ringtone. Further, a use restriction notification 31 is transmitted to notify the exchange 4 that the use restriction has started.
If the use restriction signal (IN) 21 has not been received after a certain period of time during “OUT signal reception”, the use restriction state returns to the “normal state” and the use restriction function does not operate.

In FIG. 3, when the PHS terminal 3 “under use restriction” exits the restricted area 5, the PHS terminal 3 receives the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 from the use restriction notification device 1 and becomes “receiving OUT signal”. . At this point, a use restriction release notice 32 is transmitted to notify the exchange 4 that the use restriction has been completed, and the PHS terminal 3 can normally communicate. After that, the usage restriction signal (OUT) 1 is continued for a certain time or more.
Upon receiving 1, the PHS terminal 3 enters the “normal state”.
If the usage restriction signal (OUT) 11 has not been received for a certain period of time while “OUT signal is being received”, the usage restriction state becomes “IN signal is being received”, and the usage restriction state is changed until the usage restriction is entered again. Perform processing.

In FIG. 4, when the PHS terminal 3 is in the “use restriction” state, if there is an incoming voice data 33 to the PHS terminal 3, the exchange 4 accepts the message and converts the accepted message data into characters. And send. In addition, incoming character data 3 to the PHS terminal 3
If there is 4, the received data is transmitted as it is.

In FIG. 5, when the power of the PHS terminal 3 is turned on in the normal area 6, after the initial setting such as location registration is completed,
It monitors whether or not the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is received.
If the use restriction signal (IN) 21 has not been received after a certain period of time, the PHS terminal 3 itself is regarded as being in the normal area 6 and the use restriction state is set to “normal state”.
, An inquiry request 35 is made for the old usage restriction state. When the old use restricted state is the “normal state”, the communication is performed normally as it is. When the old use restriction state is “usage restriction”, the exchange 4 is notified of the use restriction release.

In FIG. 6, when the power of the PHS terminal 3 is turned on in the restricted area 5, after initial setting such as location registration is completed,
It monitors whether or not the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is received.
If the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is received within a certain period of time, the PHS terminal 3 considers itself to be in the restriction area 5 and sets the use restriction state to “receiving the IN signal”, and the processing until the use restriction is uniformly entered I do.

In FIG. 7, when the use-restricted state is initialized by the exchange 4 by resumption or the like, the PHS terminal 3 is notified of the resumption after the resumption processing of the exchange 4 is completed. The PHS terminal 3 that has received the notification of the restart of the exchange 4 performs the same processing as when the power is turned on.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 8, when the PHS terminal 3 in the “normal state” (step S1) receives the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 from the use restriction notification device 1, the PHS terminal becomes “receiving an OUT signal” (step S2). A timer is set (step S3), and reception monitoring of the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is performed (step S3).
4). If the PHS terminal does not receive the use restriction signal (IN) 21 until after the reception monitoring of the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is completed, the PHS terminal returns to the “normal state” and waits for the use restriction signal (OUT) 11. .

If the PHS terminal receives the use restriction signal (IN) 21 while monitoring the reception of the use restriction signal (IN) 21, the PHS terminal becomes "receiving an IN signal" (step S7), and sets the timer again (step S8). ), Usage restriction signal (IN)
21 is continuously monitored. When the use restriction signal (IN) 21 is continuously received until the reception continuation monitoring ends, the PHS terminal becomes “use restricted” (step S11), and the PHS terminal
Restriction on outgoing calls from the terminal is started (step S12). If the use restriction signal (IN) 21 has not been continuously received during the reception continuation monitoring, the PHS terminal returns to the “normal state”,
It waits for the use restriction signal (OUT) 11.

When the "restricted use" PHS terminal receives the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 from the use restriction notifying device 1, the terminal changes to "receiving an OUT signal" (step S1).
3) A timer is set (step S14), and continuation monitoring of reception of the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 is performed (step S14).
15). Usage restriction signal (OUT) until reception continuation monitoring ends
When the PH terminal continues to receive the “11”, the PH terminal returns to the “normal state” and continuously waits for the use restriction signal (OUT) 11. If the use restriction signal (OUT) 11 is not continuously received during the reception continuation monitoring, the PHS terminal becomes “receiving an IN signal” (step S7), and performs processing until the use restriction is entered again.

In FIG. 9, the P is in the "normal state" of the exchange.
When receiving the use restriction notification 31 from the HS terminal, the use restriction state of the corresponding PHS terminal managed in the exchange is set to “use restricted”, and the incoming call restriction for the corresponding PHS terminal is started. When the exchange receives the use restriction release notification 32 from the PHS terminal of "restricted use", the use restricted state of the corresponding PHS terminal managed in the exchange returns to the "normal state" and the incoming call restriction for the corresponding PHS terminal is returned. To end.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the PHS terminal 3
When the user approaches the periphery of the restricted area 5 whose use is to be restricted, a use restriction signal (OUT) 11 for notifying that the user has approached the area.
Is transmitted from the use restriction notifying device 1, and when the PHS terminal 3 enters the inside of the restricted area 5, the use restriction notifying device 2 constantly transmits a use restriction signal (IN) 21 for notifying that the PHS terminal 3 has entered the inside. . The PHS terminal 3 identifies the above-mentioned signal, and restricts the use of the PHS terminal to a restricted area 5.
When it is identified that the entry has been made, PH
The calling from the S terminal 3 is restricted so that a ring tone does not sound, and the exchange 4 is notified. Upon receiving the notification of the start of the use restriction of the PHS terminal 3, the exchange 4 restricts the incoming call for the PHS terminal. Therefore, during this use restriction, the PHS terminal 3 turns off the ring tone by itself, and the switching center also turns off the ring tone for the PHS terminal, thereby restricting the use twice. Note that the above-described use restriction processing is automatically performed, and thus does not require a user's setting operation on the PHS terminal 3.

Accordingly, by receiving the use restriction signal, it is possible to automatically identify whether or not the PHS terminal 3 has entered the restricted area 5. Becomes unnecessary. In addition, since the exchange 4 can manage the use restriction state of the PHS terminal 3 to identify the incoming call to the PHS terminal 3 whose use is restricted, the incoming call can be made even during the use restriction.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the PHS use restriction function in a specific area has been described.
The present invention can also be applied to a mobile terminal used in C) or IMT-2000, and the function in this case is the same as in the above embodiment.

Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, in the PHS usage restriction function, when an incoming call arrives at the corresponding PHS terminal, a voice message is received, converted to character data and transmitted. By registering an Internet mail address in the exchange in advance, it is also possible to convert a received message into character data and transfer it as Internet mail in the case of an incoming call to the corresponding PHS terminal. Is the same as the above embodiment.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, a signal indicating the approach to the restricted area is provided outside the entrance of the area where the use of the mobile terminal is to be restricted, and the mobile terminal is within the restricted area within the restricted area. A signal notifying the existence of the service is transmitted by a directional antenna from a use restriction notification device installed inside and outside the restricted area, and the mobile terminal automatically recognizes the necessity of the use restriction by receiving the signal. In addition, the switching is controlled so that the exchange recognizes the terminal whose use is being restricted, so that the incoming call is restricted to the corresponding terminal. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

The first effect is that it is possible to automatically identify whether or not the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area by receiving the use restriction signal. Consciousness is not required.

The second effect is that the exchange can manage the use-restricted state of the mobile terminal so that the incoming call to the mobile terminal whose use is restricted can be identified. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile terminal use restriction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a process up to the start of a use restriction according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating processing until the use restriction is released according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an incoming call during use restriction of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing processing when the power of the PHS terminal is turned on in a normal area according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing processing when the power of the PHS terminal is turned on within the restricted area according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating processing when the exchange according to the embodiment of the present invention is restarted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the PHS terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a flow of processing in the exchange according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a conventional usage restriction system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 use restriction notification device 3 PHS terminal 4 exchange 5 restricted area 6 normal area 11 use restriction signal (OUT) 21 use restriction signal (IN)

Claims (6)

[Claims] In a mobile terminal usage restriction system for providing a restricted area and restricting the use of a mobile terminal, a first usage restriction installed in a normal area and notifying that the mobile terminal has approached the restricted area. A first usage restriction notifying device that transmits a signal, and a second usage restriction notifying device that is installed in the restricted area and transmits a second usage restriction signal that notifies that the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area. And a use restriction system for a mobile terminal. 2. The mobile terminal determines whether the mobile terminal has approached the restricted area based on whether the first usage restriction signal transmitted from the first usage restriction notification device has been received. And identifying whether or not the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area based on whether or not the second use restriction signal transmitted from the second use restriction notification device has been received. 2. The mobile terminal use restriction system according to claim 1, wherein when the terminal enters the restricted area, use restriction for restricting outgoing call of the mobile terminal and turning off a ringtone is performed. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an exchange for restricting an incoming call from another mobile terminal to the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal identifies that the mobile terminal has entered the restricted area. 3. The mobile terminal use restriction system according to 2. 4. The exchange, when the mobile terminal is under the use restriction, transmits the data as it is when the incoming data type for the mobile terminal is determined to be character data, and transmits the character data when it is determined to be voice data. The mobile terminal usage restriction system according to claim 3, wherein the transmission is performed after conversion into a mobile terminal. 5. A PHS (Personal Handy-phone System)
m) or PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), IM
T-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunicati
The mobile terminal usage restriction system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the usage restriction system is applicable to mobile terminal usage restriction used in one system. 6. A use restriction method of a mobile terminal for restricting use of a mobile terminal in a restricted area, wherein, when the mobile terminal approaches the restricted area, a first use restriction signal notifying the fact is provided by a first signal. Transmitted in a specific direction from the use restriction notifying device, when the mobile terminal enters the restricted area, transmits a second use restriction signal notifying the fact in the specific direction from the second use restriction notifying device, When the mobile terminal receives the second usage restriction signal, the mobile terminal limits the use of the mobile terminal itself to limit outgoing calls and turn off a ringtone.