JP2007019766A - Portable terminal device, wireless communication unit, transmission control method, and transmission control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED To reduce power consumption while maintaining security.
A mobile terminal device 100 detects a power level of a signal transmitted from a key unit 200, and when the power level of a received signal is larger than a reference value, the key unit is set by a difference between the reference value and the power level. Control to lower the transmission power of the authentication signal returned to 200 is performed. Moreover, the key unit 200 detects the power level of the signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and controls the transmission timing of the signal transmitted to the mobile terminal device based on the power of the received signal.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from a wireless communication unit, a wireless communication unit, a transmission control method, and a transmission control program.

  Conventionally, use restriction functions have been added to mobile phones as a measure for preventing unauthorized use by persons other than the owner due to theft or the like. In general, the use restriction function enables a call by releasing the use restriction by an ID by the owner, that is, a personal identification number. The use restriction by the personal identification number and the cancellation thereof require an operation with the keyboard, and the restriction and the release operation are required every time a call is made. If the use is not restricted after a call, if the mobile phone is stolen, there is a risk that an unlimited number of calls may be made or personal information may be viewed.

Patent Document 1 discloses that when a device such as a mobile phone leaves the owner or the user due to misplacement or theft, the device itself becomes unusable, and the use restriction of the device warns that the device has been separated by a certain distance or more. An apparatus is disclosed.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a use restriction method for restricting use of a mobile terminal device using wireless authentication communication.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when a mobile terminal device 10 such as a mobile phone is separated from the user 1 and away from the authentication distance, the mobile terminal device 10 is disabled and a wireless communication unit (hereinafter referred to as a key) possessed by the user 1 is disabled. (Called unit) 20 sounds a misplacement alarm. Specifically, in a system that performs wireless authentication by receiving a wireless signal between the key unit 20 and the use restriction releasing unit in the mobile terminal device 10, each unit detects that the reception level is below a certain value. Then, the use restriction release unit stops sending the use restriction release signal, thereby restricting the use of the mobile terminal device 10, and the key unit 20 issues an alarm signal. Thereby, misplacement and theft can be prevented.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram for realizing the method of restricting the use of the mobile terminal device of FIG.

  In FIG. 12, the mobile terminal device 10 such as a mobile phone / PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System), PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook PC, MP3 player, HDD player, etc., and the mobile terminal device 10 communicate with each other (polling). ), A key unit 20 that automatically locks the mobile terminal device 10 and sounds an alarm when the distance is more than a certain distance, and includes wireless authentication units 11 and 21 for performing wireless authentication with each other. The key unit 20 is driven by a battery 22.

  The wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 and the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 perform authentication using wireless communication. The wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 and the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 perform authentication at all times by grasping that they have a previously associated ID and are paired with each other by wireless communication.

  FIG. 13 is a control sequence diagram illustrating an operation of wireless authentication between the mobile terminal device 10 and the key unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the key unit 20 periodically transmits a search signal. The mobile terminal device 10 that has received the search signal collates the ID of the key unit 20 included in the search signal with the ID of the self (mobile terminal device 10), and responds if the ID is a combination registered in advance. Returns a signal. The key unit 20 also collates the ID of the mobile terminal device included in the response signal with the ID of the self (key unit 20). After confirming each other, the data (authentication signal 1) obtained by encrypting the random number is sent from the key unit 20, and the mobile terminal device 10 sends the data (authentication signal 1 ′) obtained by decrypting the data. Do.

  While the portable terminal device 10 and the key unit 20 are mutually authenticated, the portable terminal device 10 can be operated without any problem. When the authentication is not normally performed, the operation of the mobile terminal device 10 is restricted, and the key unit 20 issues an alarm.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a combination of the mobile terminal device 10 and the key unit 20. The key unit 20 is schematically shown in the shape of a key (key). As shown in FIG. 14A, the mobile terminal device 10 can be applied to a PDA shown in FIG. 14B, a notebook PC shown in FIG.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-88499

  However, since such a conventional mobile terminal device that performs wireless authentication is configured to always perform an authentication operation between the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit, power consumption is increased by constantly repeating transmission and reception of wireless signals. Increase. For example, the wireless authentication unit 11 of the mobile terminal device 10 and the wireless authentication unit 21 of the key unit 20 shown in FIG. 12 are configured by a communication module that performs bidirectional wireless communication with low power consumption using a weak wireless frequency band. . Nevertheless, an increase in power consumption is inevitable by always performing the authentication operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal device, a wireless communication unit, a transmission control method, and a transmission control program capable of reducing power consumption while maintaining security. To do.

  The portable terminal device of the present invention includes a wireless authentication unit that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a wireless communication unit, and a signal level detection unit that detects a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit. And an output power setting means for setting an output power of a signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit based on the detected signal level, and a control means for performing a control to send a signal with the set output power. .

  A portable terminal device according to the present invention includes: a wireless authentication unit that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a wireless communication unit; a control signal generation unit that generates a control signal for controlling the wireless communication unit; And a control unit that performs control for adding the control signal to an authentication signal transmitted to the wireless communication unit and transmitting the control signal.

  The wireless communication unit of the present invention includes a wireless authentication unit that performs wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a mobile terminal device, and a signal level detection unit that detects a reception level of a signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device. A configuration comprising: an authentication timing setting means for setting a timing of wireless authentication with the portable terminal device based on the detected signal level; and a control means for performing a control for transmitting a signal according to the set authentication timing. take.

  The transmission control method of the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a wireless communication unit, a step of generating a control signal for controlling the wireless communication unit, and the generated control signal as the control signal. Adding to the authentication signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit and transmitting the authentication signal.

  The transmission control method of the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a mobile terminal device, a step of detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device, and the detected signal A step of setting a wireless authentication timing with the portable terminal device based on a level; and a step of transmitting a signal at the set authentication timing.

  From another viewpoint, the present invention includes a step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless communication unit, a step of detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit, and a detection A program for causing a computer to execute a step of setting an output power of a signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit based on the signal level and a step of transmitting a signal based on the set output power.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption while maintaining security.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal device using an authentication control method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This embodiment is an example in which a mobile phone is applied to a mobile terminal device.

  In FIG. 1, 100 is a mobile phone (mobile terminal device) that performs wireless authentication, and 200 is a key unit (wireless communication unit) that performs bidirectional wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 100 for authentication.

  The mobile phone (mobile terminal device) 100 includes a wireless authentication unit 110 that performs wireless authentication with the key unit 200 and outputs a use restriction signal when authentication is not established, and a wireless communication / data processing unit 142 having an antenna 141.

  The wireless authentication unit 110 includes an antenna 111 for performing wireless communication with the key unit 200, a transmission / reception unit 112 that transmits / receives an ID, an authentication ID storage unit 113 that stores an ID for authentication, a stored ID and a received ID collation The wireless authentication control unit 114 is configured to perform.

  The transmission / reception unit 112 includes a transmission unit 124 and a reception unit 134. The transmission unit 124 includes a modulation unit 121 that modulates data, an amplification unit 122 that amplifies the modulation signal, and a power control unit 123 that controls the power of the transmission signal. The reception unit 134 includes a demodulation unit 131 that demodulates the reception signal, an amplification unit 132 that amplifies the reception signal, and a power measurement unit 133 that measures the power of the reception signal.

  The power control unit 123 controls the power of the transmission signal. In particular, the difference between the reference value and the measured value from the power measuring unit 133 is taken, and the amplifying unit 122 is controlled so as to lower the output power by this difference.

  The wireless communication / data processing unit 142 is a carrier communication unit and a data processing unit of the mobile terminal device 100. Since this embodiment is an example in which the mobile terminal device 100 is applied to a mobile phone, the communication function of the mobile phone body is shown, but the mobile terminal device 100 is a PDA, notebook PC, MP3 player, HDD player. In this case, this part becomes a main body function part of these portable devices. The main body function can be used by receiving the use restriction release signal from the wireless authentication unit 110, and when the use restriction release signal is not received or when the use restriction signal is received, use of a part or all of the main body function is restricted.

  Although not illustrated, the mobile terminal device 100 further includes an LCD display unit, an LED light emitting unit, a speaker, a vibrator, a voice synthesis output unit using a PCM codec, and the like as an external output unit.

  On the other hand, the key unit 200 includes an antenna 211 for performing wireless communication with the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100, a wireless authentication unit 212, an alarm notification unit 213, and a battery 214 that supplies power to each unit. The The wireless authentication unit 212 includes a transmission / reception unit 221 that transmits and receives an ID, an authentication ID storage unit 222 that stores an ID for performing authentication, and a wireless authentication unit control unit 223 that compares the stored ID with a received ID. Configured.

  The wireless authentication unit 212 of the key unit 200 and the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100 are configured by a communication module that performs bidirectional wireless communication with low power consumption using, for example, a weak wireless frequency band of 300 MHz band.

  Hereinafter, the transmission power control operation of the mobile terminal device configured as described above will be described.

  If the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are in an authentication state and the distance between them is reduced, the power level of the authentication signal input from the key unit 200 to the receiving unit 134 in the wireless authentication unit 110 of the mobile terminal device 100 Becomes bigger.

  The power level of the authentication signal is measured by the power measuring unit 133 and transmitted to the wireless authentication control unit 114 and the power control unit 123. The power control unit 123 compares the received power with a predetermined reference value and calculates a difference. The transmission power level of the authentication signal returned to the key unit 200 is transmitted by reducing this difference. Here, in order to clarify the function, the power control unit 123 is newly provided. However, the wireless authentication control unit 114 may have this function and may be a single control unit.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a transmission power control operation in the wireless authentication unit 110, where S denotes each step of the flow.

  First, in step S1, the reception unit 134 of the transmission / reception unit 112 receives the authentication signal from the key unit 200, and measures the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S2. Next, it is determined whether or not the level (intensity) of the signal received in step S3 is greater than a reference value. If the reception level is greater than the reference value in step S4, the level and reference value of the signal received in step S4 are determined. Measure the difference. Next, the output power corresponding to the difference measured in step S5 is set to decrease, and the process proceeds to step S6. If the reception level is less than or equal to the reference value, the process proceeds directly to step S6. In step S6, an authentication signal is transmitted with the set output power, and this flow ends.

  As described above, the mobile terminal device 100 determines the distance based on the power level of the signal received from the key unit 200, and reduces power consumption by not sending more power than necessary when the signal is close.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a specific operation of transmission power control by the received signal power between the mobile phone (mobile terminal device) 100 and the key unit (wireless communication unit) 200 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting a transmission power level at a distance between the key unit and the mobile terminal device.

  It is assumed that the key unit 200 is at point A and the mobile terminal device 100 is at point C, and wireless authentication is performed. If the power level of the signal transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 100 is a point a and the power level of the signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device 100 is a point b, the power level of each received signal is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. Are point c and point d.

  Here, if the mobile terminal device 100 moves from point C to point B, the reception power level of the mobile terminal device 100 is point e. When the distance between the key unit 200 and the mobile terminal device 100 approaches in this way, when the reception power level is sufficiently high, the mobile terminal device 100 can reduce the transmission power of the signal transmitted to the key unit 200. When the mobile terminal device 100 moves to the point B, since the reception power level is large, the mobile terminal device 100 does not need to transmit at the same power level as the transmission power level point b at the point C. As indicated by the transmission power level point f, transmission is performed with the output power lowered by the amount calculated from the difference between the reception power level and the reference level.

  When the key unit 200 receives a signal transmitted with the output power lowered, the power level received by the key unit 200 is point g, and it can be seen that sufficient power can be received even if the transmission power of the mobile communication terminal 100 is lowered. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the power level of the signal transmitted from the key unit 200 is detected and the power level of the received signal is larger than the reference value, only the difference between the reference value and the power level is obtained. Since the control is performed to reduce the transmission power of the authentication signal returned to the key unit 200, the output power may be reduced when the reception level is large, such as when the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 are authenticating nearby. And power consumption can be reduced. Further, since only the output level is changed, it is possible to save power while maintaining the security level. Since the wireless authentication between the mobile terminal device 100 and the key unit 200 is continuously repeated, the power saving effect due to the reduction of the output level is great even if it is small.

  Further, since there is no change in the configuration and authentication control on the key unit 200 side, it is suitable when the configuration of the key unit is not changed or cannot be changed.

  In the present embodiment, it is performed only when the reception power level is larger than the reference value. However, any method can be used as long as the output power of the signal transmitted to the key unit 200 is set based on the detected reception power level. Such an output power setting mode may be used. Further, when security is important, such as a security mode, this transmission control operation may not be performed.

(Embodiment 2)
The first embodiment is a control method for reducing output power by a difference from a predetermined power when the power of a received signal is larger than a predetermined value on the mobile terminal device side. The second embodiment is an example of controlling the timing at which an authentication signal is transmitted from the key unit to the mobile terminal device on the key unit side by the power of the received signal.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication unit using the transmission control method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of overlapping portions is omitted. Further, since the present embodiment is characterized by timing control on the key unit side, only the configuration of the key unit is shown. Since there is no change in the portable terminal device, the conventional portable terminal device can be used as it is.

  4, the key unit 300 includes an antenna 211 for performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal device, a wireless authentication unit 310, an alarm notification unit 213, and a battery 214 that supplies power to each unit. The wireless authentication unit 310 includes a transmission / reception unit 320 that transmits / receives an ID, an authentication ID storage unit 222 that stores an ID for performing authentication, and a control unit 350 that compares a stored ID with a received ID. .

  The transmission / reception unit 320 includes a transmission unit 323 and a reception unit 344. The transmission unit 323 includes a modulation unit 321 that modulates data and an amplification unit 322 that amplifies the modulation signal. The reception unit 344 demodulates the received signal. 341, an amplifying unit 342 for amplifying the received signal, and a power measuring unit 343 for measuring the power of the received signal.

  The control unit 350 includes a transmission timing control unit 351. The transmission timing control unit 351 performs transmission timing control that lengthens or restores the transmission timing of the transmission signal based on the measurement value by the power measurement unit 343.

  Hereinafter, the transmission timing control operation of the wireless communication unit configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transmission timing control operation in the wireless authentication unit 310.

  First, in step S11, the reception unit 344 of the transmission / reception unit 320 receives the authentication signal from the mobile terminal device, and measures the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S12. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the level (intensity) of the received signal is greater than the reference value. If the reception level is greater than the reference value in step S14, the transmission timing is set longer in step S14. Proceed to S15. Here, it is also possible to measure the difference between the level of the received signal and the reference value and to delay the transmission timing corresponding to the measured difference. If the reception level is less than or equal to the reference value, the process proceeds directly to step S15. In step S15, an authentication signal is transmitted at the set transmission timing, and this flow ends.

  As described above, if the mobile terminal device and the key unit 300 are in the authenticated state and the distance between the two is reduced, the power levels of the received signals of both of them increase.

  Of the areas that can be authenticated by the key unit 300, if the mobile terminal device is nearby or if it is taken away by a third party when it is in the vicinity of the boundary of the area, the authentication area should naturally be It takes time to get out. Therefore, the closer to the location, the longer the authentication timing.

  A method for controlling the authentication timing will be described below.

  The key unit 300 detects the power level of the received signal from the mobile terminal device by the power measuring unit 343. The timing of the next transmission signal is controlled by the power level of the reception signal. Specifically, the timing (cycle) is lengthened if the power level of the received signal is large, and the timing (cycle) is shortened if the power level of the received signal is small. The case where the timing is shortened includes the case where the normal timing is restored.

  Thereby, when the portable terminal device and the key unit 300 are close to each other, the transmission timing becomes longer and the power consumption can be reduced.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the specific operation | movement of transmission timing control by the received signal power of a portable terminal device and the key unit 300 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission timing setting operation.

  FIG. 6 shows the mobile terminal device and the key unit 300 in the wireless communicable area. Now, when the key unit 300 is at point A, the wireless communicable area is within the circle in the figure.

  If the distance that the mobile terminal device can move during the next wireless authentication is represented by an arrow, the wireless authentication will not be interrupted for the mobile terminal device at point B, but the wireless mobile terminal device at point C will be out of the area. There is a risk of moving to. In other words, it can be seen that if the authentication unit is close to the key unit 300, there is no problem even if the authentication interval is somewhat long, so that it is possible to reduce the power consumption by changing the authentication interval depending on the distance.

  Thus, when the mobile terminal device and the key unit are close to each other, the power consumption can be reduced by increasing the transmission timing of the signal transmitted from the key unit to the mobile terminal device.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the power level of the signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device is detected, and the transmission timing of the signal transmitted to the mobile terminal device is controlled based on the power of the received signal. Therefore, when the reception level is high, such as when the mobile terminal device and the key unit 300 are authenticating in the vicinity, the authentication signal transmission / reception can be extended in the time axis direction by increasing the authentication period (interval). And power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, since there is no change in the configuration and authentication control on the mobile terminal device side, it is suitable for use when the configuration of the mobile terminal device is not changed or cannot be changed.

  In the present embodiment, it is performed only when the reception power level is larger than a predetermined value, but any timing setting mode can be used as long as the timing of a signal to be transmitted is set based on the detected reception power level. But you can. For example, timing having periodicity such as intermittent operation may be used.

  Further, when security is important, such as a security mode, this transmission control operation may not be performed.

(Embodiment 3)
When trying to combine the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment and the wireless communication unit according to the second embodiment, the mobile terminal device performs transmission power control as described in the first embodiment. The detection of the power level alone cannot determine whether the power level of the received signal has decreased due to transmission power control or whether the power level of the received signal has decreased due to the increase in distance.

  Therefore, the third embodiment combines the first and second embodiments by adopting a configuration in which when the mobile terminal device performs transmission power control, the information is added to the authentication signal and transmitted as a control signal. Enable.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing configurations of a mobile terminal device and a radio communication unit that use the transmission control method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of overlapping portions is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, in the mobile phone (mobile terminal device) 400, the transmission unit 421 of the transmission / reception unit 420 of the wireless authentication unit 410 includes a control signal generation unit 422.

  The control signal generation unit 422 generates a control signal related to transmission power control. This control signal is, for example, a check code indicating whether or not transmission power control is performed and an output power amount when transmission power control is performed (specifically, a reduction amount [dB] of transmission power). The check code can be omitted. The generated control signal related to transmission power control is added to the authentication signal and transmitted to the key unit 300.

  The configuration of the key unit 300 is the same as that of the second embodiment (FIG. 4) except that the control unit 350 detects the control signal added to the authentication signal and performs transmission timing control.

  FIG. 8 is a control sequence diagram illustrating the wireless authentication operation of the mobile terminal device 400 and the key unit 300.

  As shown in FIG. 8, after confirming the ID collation between the mobile terminal device 400 and the key unit 300, data (authentication signal 1) obtained by encrypting a random number is sent from the key unit 300, and the mobile terminal device 400 combines it. Data (authentication signal 1 ′) and a control signal related to transmission power control are sent. The control signal added to the authentication signal 1 'is an output power amount when transmission power control is performed. The key unit 300 performs authentication based on the received authentication signal 1 'and detects a control signal added to the authentication signal 1' to perform transmission timing control. By executing transmission timing control on the key unit 300 side, the authentication signal 2 to be sent next to the portable terminal device 400 is transmitted with a transmission period delayed in time. In the conventional control sequence shown in FIG. 13, authentication signals 1, 2,... Are periodically transmitted from the key unit to the wireless terminal device. On the other hand, in the second and third embodiments, the timing for transmitting the authentication signal is controlled by the power of the signal received by the key unit 300. Both can be reduced by 400.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a transmission power control operation in the wireless authentication unit 410. Steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. 2 are given the same step numbers.

  First, in step S1, the reception unit 134 of the transmission / reception unit 420 receives the authentication signal from the key unit 300, and measures the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S2. Next, it is determined whether or not the level (intensity) of the signal received in step S3 is greater than a reference value. If the reception level is greater than the reference value in step S3, the level and reference value of the signal received in step S4 are determined. Measure the difference. Next, the output power corresponding to the difference measured in step S5 is set to decrease, and in step S21, the control signal generator 422 generates a control signal having a power-down amount, and the process proceeds to step S22. If the reception level is equal to or lower than the reference value in step S3, the process proceeds to step S22 as it is. In step S22, an authentication signal and a control signal are transmitted with the set output power, and this flow ends. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when sufficient reception power is measured, the authentication signal and the control signal are transmitted with the output power lowered.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the transmission timing control operation, which is executed by the control unit 350 of the key unit 300. Steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 5 are given the same step numbers.

  First, in step S11, the reception unit 344 of the transmission / reception unit 320 receives the authentication signal from the mobile terminal device, and measures the reception power of the authentication signal received in step S12. Next, in step S31, it is determined whether or not a control signal is added to the authentication signal. When the control signal is added to the authentication signal, the received power is based on the power-down amount added to the control signal in step S32. Is corrected, and the signal power that the key unit 300 should originally receive is calculated.

  Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the level (intensity) of the received signal after correction is greater than the reference value. If the reception level is greater than the reference value in step S14, the transmission timing is set longer in step S14. The process proceeds to step S15. Here, it is also possible to measure the difference between the level of the received signal and the reference value and to delay the transmission timing corresponding to the measured difference. If the reception level is less than or equal to the reference value, the process proceeds directly to step S15. In step S15, an authentication signal is transmitted at the set transmission timing, and this flow ends.

  As described above, when the mobile terminal device 400 performs transmission power control, the information is added as a control signal to the authentication signal and transmitted to the key unit 300, and the control unit 350 of the key unit 300 controls the control added to the authentication signal. Since the transmission timing control is performed by detecting the signal, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be combined, and the power consumption can be further reduced for both the portable terminal device 400 and the key unit 300. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the control signal added to the authentication signal has been described as a signal that conveys the presence / absence of output power control and the amount of output power. However, any information can be used as long as the control signal controls the key unit. It may be a message. For example, in the second embodiment, the timing control is independently performed on the key unit side, but instead, a signal instructing the key unit to change the authentication cycle is transmitted as a control signal from the mobile terminal device. Is also possible.

  The above description is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as a mobile terminal device has been described. However, the mobile terminal is not limited to a mobile phone, and a portable information terminal such as a PDA, a personal computer or a combined device thereof, and a portable device such as an MP3 player or an HDD player. Applicable to equipment.

  Further, the transmission control operation examples in FIGS. 3 and 6 are examples, and any setting examples may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the names of the mobile terminal device, the wireless communication unit, and the transmission control method are used. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and it may be a mobile phone, a device use restriction device, a wireless authentication method, or the like. Of course it is good.

  Further, the types, numbers, connection methods, and the like of each circuit unit, for example, a wireless authentication unit, which constitute the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  Further, the mobile terminal device and the authentication control method described above are also realized by a program for causing the mobile terminal device and the authentication control method to function. This program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The mobile terminal device, the wireless communication unit, and the transmission control method according to the present invention are useful for mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones that perform wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit, and for use in authentication control systems. is there. Further, it can be incorporated into a portable device such as a cellular phone as a transmission control program.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the transmission power control operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure explaining the setting method of the transmission power level in the distance of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 1, and a radio | wireless communication unit. The block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the transmission timing control operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication unit which concerns on the said Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the setting operation of the transmission timing of the radio | wireless communication unit which concerns on the said Embodiment 2. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal device which uses the transmission control method which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, and a radio | wireless communication unit. Control sequence diagram showing wireless authentication operation of portable terminal device and wireless communication unit according to Embodiment 3 above The flowchart which shows the transmission power control operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on the said Embodiment 3. FIG. The flowchart which shows the transmission timing control operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication unit which concerns on the said Embodiment 3. FIG. The figure explaining the use restriction method which places a use restriction on a portable terminal device using wireless authentication communication The block diagram which implement | achieves the usage restriction method of the portable terminal device of FIG. Control sequence diagram showing operation of wireless authentication The figure which shows the combination of a portable terminal device and a wireless communication unit

Explanation of symbols

100,400 Mobile phone (mobile terminal device)
110, 212, 310, 410 Wireless authentication unit 111, 141, 211 Antenna 112, 320, 420 Transmission / reception unit 113, 222 Authentication ID storage unit 114 Wireless authentication control unit 124, 323, 421 Transmission unit 134 Reception unit 121, 321, 344 Modulating unit 122, 132, 322, 342 Amplifying unit 123 Power control unit 131, 341 Demodulating unit 133, 343 Power measuring unit 142 Wireless communication / data processing unit 213 Alarm notification unit 214 Battery 223 Wireless authentication unit control unit 350 Control unit 351 Transmission timing controller 422 Control signal generator

Claims (14)

Wireless authentication means for performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Signal level detection means for detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit;
An output power setting means for setting an output power of a signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit based on the detected signal level;
A mobile terminal device comprising: control means for performing control to send a signal with the set output power. Wireless authentication means for performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Control signal generating means for generating a control signal for controlling the wireless communication unit;
And a control means for performing control for adding the generated control signal to an authentication signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit and transmitting the control signal.   The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the output power setting means calculates a difference between the detected signal level and a predetermined reference value, and sets the output power by reducing the power amount corresponding to the difference.   The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the control signal is a signal indicating presence / absence of control execution for controlling output power of a transmission signal and / or an amount of output power set by the output power control.   The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the control signal is a signal for instructing a change in a period of wireless authentication with the wireless communication unit. Wireless authentication means for performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the mobile terminal device;
Signal level detection means for detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the portable terminal device;
Authentication timing setting means for setting the timing of wireless authentication with the portable terminal device based on the detected signal level;
A wireless communication unit comprising: control means for performing control to send a signal at a set authentication timing.   The wireless communication unit according to claim 6, wherein the wireless authentication timing is a cycle of the wireless authentication.   The wireless communication unit according to claim 6, wherein the authentication timing setting unit lengthens the authentication cycle when the detected signal level increases. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit;
Setting an output power of a signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit based on the detected signal level;
A transmission control method comprising: sending a signal with a set output power. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the wireless communication unit;
Generating a control signal for controlling the wireless communication unit;
A step of adding the generated control signal to an authentication signal to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit and sending it. Performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the mobile terminal device; and
Detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the mobile terminal device;
Setting wireless authentication timing with the mobile terminal device based on the detected signal level;
A transmission control method comprising: transmitting a signal at a set authentication timing.   A step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from the wireless communication unit; a step of detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the wireless communication unit; and the wireless communication unit based on the detected signal level A program for causing a computer to execute the step of setting the output power of a signal to be transmitted to the computer and the step of transmitting a signal with the set output power.   A step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a wireless communication unit, a step of generating a control signal for controlling the wireless communication unit, and an authentication signal for transmitting the generated control signal to the wireless communication unit A program for causing a computer to execute the step of adding and sending. A step of performing wireless authentication by transmitting / receiving a wireless signal to / from a portable terminal device, a step of detecting a reception level of a signal transmitted from the portable terminal device, and the portable terminal device based on the detected signal level A program for causing a computer to execute a step of setting a wireless authentication timing between and a step of sending a signal at the set authentication timing.

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