Collaborative report system, portable communication device, and collaborative report method in portable communication device

Abstract

To provide a collaborative report system capable of making a report by reflecting an actuating situation of an external apparatus in line with a situation, a portable communication device, and a collaborative report method in a portable communication device.SOLUTION: A collaborative report system (1a) has at least one or more external apparatuses (2) connected to a portable communication device (100) so that the external apparatuses can communicate with the portable communication device. When receiving a condition signal representing a condition of each of the external apparatuses from the external apparatuses, the portable report device references report control information, in which report destinations are associated with report requirements defined using the conditions of the external apparatuses, to decide based on the received condition signal whether the defined report requirement is satisfied. When deciding that the report requirement is satisfied, the portable report device makes a report to the report destination associated with the report requirement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a linked reporting system using a portable communication device (portable reporting device), a portable communication device, and a linked reporting method in a portable communication device, and more particularly to a linked reporting system, a portable communication device, and a linked reporting method in a portable communication device that issues a report from the portable reporting device depending on the operating status of an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a portable terminal that includes "an impact unit that is retractable and protruding from one side of a case body that houses the main body of the portable terminal and that amplifies electrical energy supplied from a power supply unit provided in the case body to generate a high current; an operation unit that activates the impact unit in an emergency; a multimedia unit that collects audio or video of the situation when the impact unit is activated by the operation unit; and a communication unit that transmits the current location of the portable terminal along with the audio or video collected in the multimedia unit to a specific organization when the impact unit is activated (abstract excerpt)." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-92658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to Patent Document 1, the self-defense device can transmit its current location, audio, and video to a specific organization depending on its operating status, so it can automatically report when it faces danger, providing peace of mind. However, the destination to report to and the situation in which the user wants to report vary depending on the situation the user is in, so there is a demand for the ability to freely set these. This point is not taken into consideration in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a linked reporting system, a portable communication device, and a linked reporting method for a portable communication device that can report while reflecting the operating status of external devices appropriate to the situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the configuration described in the claims. As an example, the present invention is a linked reporting system configured by communicatively connecting at least one external device to a mobile reporting device, the mobile reporting device including a first processor, a non-volatile memory, a first communicator that communicates with the external device, and a reporting device that reports to a predetermined reporting destination, each of the external devices having a second communicator that communicates with the mobile reporting device, the non-volatile memory storing reporting control information that associates reporting destinations with reporting conditions defined using the states of the external devices, the first processor, upon receiving from the external device a status signal indicating the state of the external device, refers to the reporting control information and determines based on the status signal whether the reporting condition is satisfied, and if it determines that the reporting condition is satisfied, executes control on the reporting device to send a report to the reporting destination associated with the reporting condition. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a linked reporting system, a portable communication device, and a linked reporting method for a portable communication device, which can report the operating status of an external device that is appropriate for the situation. Note that other objects, configurations, and effects will become clear from the description of the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a linked reporting system according to a first embodiment [Figure 2] Smartphone hardware configuration diagram [Figure 3] Self-defense equipment hardware configuration diagram [Figure 4] Functional block diagram of the notification control app installed on a smartphone [Figure 5] Functional block diagram of the lock app installed on the self-defense equipment [Figure 6] A sequence diagram showing the control flow of the linked reporting system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a control flow of a linked reporting system according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Schematic configuration diagram of a linked reporting system according to a second embodiment [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control table stored in a smartphone in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the process for setting up a link with an external device on a smartphone [Figure 11] Figure showing an example of the setup assistance screen [Figure 12] Figure showing an example of the setup assistance screen DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment The first embodiment is a linked reporting system in which a mobile reporting device and an external device are connected one-to-one, and the mobile reporting device reports to a predetermined reporting destination depending on the status of the external device. The "external device" here refers to a device other than the mobile reporting device. Another feature of this embodiment is that the mobile reporting device has the function of restricting and releasing the operation of the external device.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a linked reporting system 1a according to the first embodiment.

[0012] The linked reporting system 1a according to the first embodiment uses a self-defense tool 2 having an electric shock function as an external device, and is configured by connecting the self-defense tool 2 by wire to a smartphone 100 as a mobile reporting device. A report from the smartphone 100 to a specific destination, for example, the police, is used as a condition for releasing the operational restrictions on the self-defense tool 2.

[0013] The hardware used as the mobile reporting device is not limited to the smartphone 100, as long as it is a mobile terminal device that has a function of determining whether a reporting condition is satisfied and of issuing a report when the reporting condition is satisfied (hereinafter referred to as the "linked reporting function"). For example, a portable electronic book or a portable music player with a communication function can also be used as a mobile reporting device by installing application software that can execute the linked reporting function on the portable electronic book or portable music player.

[0014] The smartphone 100 has a display 102, an in-camera 111, and a microphone 121 on the front of the housing.

[0015] The self-defense tool 2 has a display 205 on the front of the housing, and a power button 230 and a pulse button 231 for receiving an operation to output a high-voltage pulse on the side. In Fig. 1a, the self-defense tool 2 is shown as a separate unit connected by wire to the smartphone 100, but it may also be in the shape of a smartphone cover as in Patent Document 1.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the smartphone 100. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The smartphone 100 includes a processor 101 (corresponding to a first processor) including a CPU or MPU, a display 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a nonvolatile memory 105, a touch panel 107 (corresponding to an operation member) stacked on the display 102, an in-camera 111, an out-camera 112, a microphone 121, a speaker 122, operation buttons 130 (corresponding to an operation member), a wireless LAN communicator 141 (e.g., a communicator conforming to the Wifi (registered trademark) standard), a close-proximity wireless communication device 142 (e.g., a communicator conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard), a telephone network communicator 143 (e.g., a communicator conforming to the LTE, 4G, or 5G standard, corresponding to a "message"), a vibrator 150, a group of sensors 160, a timer 170, and a connector 180, which are connected to one another via a bus 106. The connector 180 may be, for example, a connector conforming to various USB standards and is used when connecting the self-defense tool 2 via a wired connection. In this embodiment, the smartphone 100 and the self-defense tool 2 are connected by wire via the connector 180 and the connector 280 (see FIG. 3), and therefore the external interfaces such as the connector 180 and the connector 280 correspond to the first communication device and the second communication device, respectively.

[0018] The sensor group 160 includes a GPS sensor 161 (corresponding to a position sensor), a gyro sensor 162, a geomagnetic sensor 163, an acceleration sensor 164, an illuminance sensor 165, a proximity sensor 166, a distance sensor 167, and a line-of-sight detection sensor 168.

[0019] The operation buttons 130 include a power button and a volume button provided on the side of the housing 108 .

[0020] Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the self-defense tool 2. Note that Fig. 3 illustrates the back side of the smartphone 100.

[0021] The self-defense tool 2 houses a control device 200, a battery 251, and a high-voltage pulse generator 252 inside a housing. In response to pressing of the pulse button 231, the control device 200 outputs a pulse generation signal to the high-voltage pulse generator 252. The battery 251 supplies power to both the control device 200 and the high-voltage pulse generator 252.

[0022] The control device 200 includes a processor 201 (corresponding to a second processor), a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a display 205, and a connector 280, which are connected to one another via a bus 202. The control device 200 may also be connected to a power button 230, a pulse button 231, a wireless communication device 241, and a wired communication device 242.

[0023] 4 is a functional block diagram of the notification control app 300 installed in the smartphone 100. The notification control app 300 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 105 of the smartphone 100, loaded into the RAM 104, and executed by the processor 101. The notification control app 300 also edits and reads out a notification control table 500 in the setting storage unit 302, which is an area of ​​the nonvolatile memory 105.

[0024] The notification control application 300 has the functions of a biometric authentication unit 301, a notification control unit 303, a linkage cancellation unit 304, and a setting guide unit 305. The notification control unit 303 includes a condition monitoring unit 3031 and a notification execution unit 3032.

[0025] 5 is a functional block diagram of the usage lock application 400 installed in the self-defense tool 2. The usage lock application 400 is stored in the ROM 203 of the self-defense tool 2, loaded into the RAM 204, and executed by the processor 201. The usage lock application 400 also writes to and reads from a storage area for an authentication correct flag 402 and a storage area for a connection confirmation flag 403, both of which are areas in the RAM 204.

[0026] The usage lock application 400 includes a lock control unit 401 and a cooperation monitoring unit 404 .

[0027] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of control in the linked reporting system 1a according to the first embodiment.

[0028] When the power button 230 of the self-defense tool 2 is turned on or the pulse button 231 is pressed (S101), the usage lock app 400 of the self-defense tool 2 is started up, and the control device 200 sends an app start-up signal (corresponding to a type of status signal) to the smartphone 100 to start up the notification control app 300 (S102).

[0029] When the smartphone 100 receives the application activation signal, the notification control application 300 stored in the smartphone 100 is activated (S103). This establishes a communication connection between the self-defense tool 2 and the smartphone 100, completing the linked connection.

[0030] The lock control unit 401 of the usage lock application 400 transitions the high-voltage pulse generator 252 to a temporary on state (S104). In the temporary on state, when the pulse button 231 is pressed, the high-voltage pulse generator 252 outputs a pulse with an output lower than the maximum output of the high-voltage pulse generator 252. This operation mode is called a low-output mode. The output time of the pulse that can be output in the low-output mode is limited to a predetermined time. In the temporary on state, pressing the pulse button 231 emits a pulse generation sound and light, but the impact power of the pulse on the human body is reduced.

[0031] After receiving the application activation signal, the biometric authentication unit 301 of the smartphone 100 performs biometric authentication to perform authentication processing to determine whether the user matches a predetermined registered user of the self-defense tool 2 (S105). If the authentication is successful (S106), the smartphone 100 transmits an authentication success signal to the self-defense tool 2 (S107).

[0032] The self-defense tool 2 receives the authentication success signal and turns on the authentication success flag 402, i.e., changes the value from "0" to "1" (S108). The authentication success flag 402 being on is one of the conditions for transitioning to the normal on state.

[0033] Thereafter, the smartphone 100 repeatedly executes the biometric authentication process for a predetermined period of time and repeatedly transmits an authentication success signal to the self-defense tool 2 (S109). Meanwhile, the self-defense tool 2 measures the time that has elapsed since it received the authentication success signal, and if it does not receive the next authentication success signal within the predetermined time, it turns off the authentication success flag 402, i.e., it changes the value from "1" to "0" (S110).

[0034] After the self-defense tool 2 is temporarily turned on in step S104, if the pulse button 231 is pressed again (S111), the cooperation monitoring unit 404 sends a pulse-on signal (corresponding to a status signal) to the smartphone 100 each time the pulse button 231 is pressed (S112).

[0035] The condition monitoring unit 3031 of the smartphone 100 counts a predetermined number of pulse-on signals or the cumulative time of pulse-on signals (S113). When the number of pulse-on signals or the cumulative time equals or exceeds a predetermined notification threshold, the notification execution unit 3032 determines that the notification condition is met and forwards a police report, such as a call to emergency services, or audio collected by turning on the microphone 121 (S114). The notification threshold may be set to one pulse-on signal and the cumulative time may be set as a "don't care" setting, so that a report is initiated with a single pulse-on signal. Setting the threshold to multiple signals can suppress reporting when the situation improves due to the threatening use of a temporary on-state signal, or suppress more careful operation of the full function. The forwarding of audio collected by the microphone 121 is one form of reporting the surrounding environment obtained by collecting information about the surrounding environment of the smartphone 100 (in other words, "transmitting information representing the surrounding environment"). The information representing the surrounding environment may be, in addition to sound, an image captured by either or both of the in-camera 111 and the out-camera 112, or location information measured by the GPS 160.

[0036] When the smartphone 100 is connected to the police and receives a call response confirmation such as "This is 110. Is it an accident? Is it a crime?" (S115), the call execution unit 3032 transmits a connection confirmation signal to the self-defense tool 2 (S116).

[0037] When the self-defense tool 2 receives the connection confirmation signal, the lock control unit 401 turns on the connection confirmation flag 403 (S117). As a result, both the authentication correct flag 402 and the connection confirmation flag 403 are turned on, and the lock control unit 401 transitions from the temporary on state to the normal on state (S118). When transitioning from the temporary on state to the normal on state, the high-voltage pulse generator 252 generates a high-voltage pulse in response to pressing down the pulse button 231. The output of the high-voltage pulse at this time is greater than in the low output mode, and it is possible to output up to the maximum value of the pulse that can be output by the high-voltage pulse generator 252. This operating mode is called the normal output mode.

[0038] When a call response from the police is received in step S115, either the in-camera 111 or the out-camera 112 is activated to start recording video (S119). If connected to the police's web system, the video is transferred to the web system. Sound input from the microphone may also be recorded and transferred to the web system. Position information calculated by the GPS 161 or the like may also be configured to be transferred to the web system at regular intervals or when a certain distance has been traveled. The operating status of the high-voltage pulse generator 252 may also be collected and transferred periodically.

[0039] When the link between the self-defense tool 2 and the smartphone 100 is forcibly terminated (S120), the link monitoring unit 404 sends a forced termination signal to the smartphone 100 (S121). Linkage is forcibly terminated not in the normal termination state that is executed when biometric authentication by the smartphone 100 is successful, but when a termination operation is performed on the self-defense tool 2 side. This means that the self-defense tool 2 falls into a state where linkage is impossible, for example, when the power button 230 of the self-defense tool 2 is turned off, the connection with the smartphone 100 is turned off, or the self-defense tool 2 is destroyed.

[0040] When the cooperation cancellation unit 304 of the smartphone 100 receives the forced termination signal, it transitions the smartphone 100 to a virtual power-off mode (S122). The "virtual power-off mode" refers to a state in which the smartphone 100 continues to call the police, but audio output, vibration output, and display output from the smartphone 100 are stopped, and although at first glance the smartphone 100 appears to be non-functional, the input function, call function, and communication function, such as the outer camera 112, inner camera 111, and microphone 121, are actually kept on. The processing from steps S120 to S122 is performed only when a forced termination signal is transmitted or received.

[0041] When a normal termination operation is performed on the smartphone 100 (S123), for example when the end button displayed on the display 102 is tapped, the biometric authentication unit 301 executes biometric authentication processing (S124). If the biometric authentication is successful (S125), the linkage cancellation unit 304 sends a normal termination signal to the self-defense tool 2 (S126). When the linkage monitoring unit 404 of the self-defense tool 2 receives the normal termination signal, it turns off both the authentication success flag 402 and the connection confirmation flag 403, and turns off the main power of the self-defense tool 2 (S127).

[0042] According to this embodiment, the operating state of the self-defense tool 2 is divided into a low output mode (temporary on state) and a normal output mode (normal on state) depending on whether or not there is a limit on the pulse output, and use in the normal output mode is prohibited unless there is a connection to the police via a mobile communication device. This makes it possible to prevent misuse of the self-defense tool 2. Because the police must be notified in order for the self-defense tool 2, which includes a pulse generator that applies shock to the human body, to function, it becomes impossible to use the self-defense tool 2 for purposes other than self-defense.

[0043] On the other hand, the self-defense tool 2 is temporarily turned on by biometric authentication alone, and does not require a police call, so a low-power operation check can be performed without calling the police. Also, an emergency call will not be made even if the pulse button 231 is pressed once by mistake, so false alerts to the police can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, even if the self-defense tool 2 is stolen by another person, the biometric authentication process repeated at predetermined intervals by the mobile reporting device will fail, thereby prohibiting the use of the self-defense tool 2 by another person.

[0045] Furthermore, if the connection between the self-defense tool 2 and the mobile reporting device is forcibly terminated, the mobile reporting device can transition to a virtual power-off mode, thereby maintaining the police reporting connection without revealing to others that the police reporting connection is still active. This prevents others from disconnecting the police reporting connection.

[0046] In the above embodiment, a stun gun using the high-voltage pulse generator 252 is used as the self-defense tool 2, but a tear gas spray may also be used as another example of the self-defense tool 2. In that case, a component for controlling the pressing of the tear gas spray button may be attached to the spray can, and the spray may be configured so that only a small amount is permitted to be sprayed in a temporary on state, and the state is normally on when the lock is released from the portable reporting device, and spraying occurs in conjunction with the pressing of the spray button.

[0047] <Modification of the first embodiment> This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which a biometric authentication process is requested from the self-defense tool 2 to the portable reporting device. Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the control flow of the linked reporting system 1b according to the modification of the first embodiment. Only the process different from Fig. 6 will be described below.

[0048] When the notification control app of the smartphone 100 is started (S103), the smartphone 100 executes biometric authentication processing (S201). If the biometric authentication is successful (S202), the smartphone 100 notifies the self-defense tool 2 of an authentication success signal indicating that the authentication result was successful (S203).

[0049] When the self-defense tool 2 receives the authentication success signal, it turns on the authentication success flag 402 (S204) and transitions to a temporary on state (S205).

[0050] In the temporary on state, when the pulse button 231 is pressed (S206), a pulse is generated. The self-defense tool 2 transmits a pulse on signal to the smartphone 100 (S207).

[0051] Based on the pulse-on signal, the smartphone 100 counts a predetermined number of pulse-ons or a predetermined cumulative time of pulse-ons (S208), and if it determines that the reporting conditions have been met, it makes a police report (S209). The smartphone 100 checks the connection for the police report, and if it confirms that there has been a response to the report (S210), it transmits a connection confirmation signal to the self-defense tool 2 (S211). The "connection confirmation signal" is an instruction to release the function suppression that is premised on reporting in response to the execution of the report. When the self-defense tool 2, which is an external device, receives this connection confirmation signal from the smartphone 100, it releases the function suppression that is premised on reporting.

[0052] When the self-defense tool 2 receives the connection confirmation signal, it turns on the connection confirmation flag (S212). This causes a transition from the temporary on state to the normal on state (S213). In the normal on state, when the pulse button 231 is pressed, the high-voltage pulse generator 252 generates a high-voltage pulse.

[0053] Thereafter, biometric authentication and connection status confirmation are periodically requested (S214). When the valid time of the biometric authentication signal (biometric authentication request period) has elapsed, the authentication success flag 402 is turned off. Similarly, when the valid time of the connection confirmation signal (connection status confirmation period) has elapsed, the connection confirmation flag 403 is turned off, and the linked connection is disconnected.

[0054] It is preferable that the "biometric authentication request period" is set longer than the connection status check period. This requires an operation for biometric authentication on the smartphone 100 side, but it is possible to lengthen the interval between one biometric authentication and the next biometric authentication, thereby improving usability in an emergency.

[0055] The processing after receiving a report response from the police, including video recording, transition to virtual power-off mode, and normal termination processing, is the same as in the first embodiment, so a duplicated explanation will be omitted.

[0056] This embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0057] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, an external device and a mobile reporting device are linked, and when a reporting condition set individually for each external device is met, the mobile reporting device sends a report to a specific party. The number of linked external devices may be one or more.

[0058] For example, there are multiple external devices in a home, such as refrigerators, rice cookers, pots, and lighting fixtures. Few of these devices connect to the Internet themselves. With the spread of IoT technology, even if these devices connect to the Internet in the future, it will be difficult to use the devices and send notifications to specific parties in accordance with the user's intentions. Furthermore, they do not have the ability to make calls to telephone networks like 4G, 5G, or LTE.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, the reporting function of a mobile reporting device, typified by the smartphone 100, is shared with an external device.

[0060] The first embodiment corresponds to an example in which there is one external device in the second embodiment, the reporting condition is "the number of pulse-on events or a predetermined cumulative time," and the reporting destination is "police," and corresponds to one aspect of the second embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a linked reporting system 1b according to the second embodiment.

[0062] The linked reporting system 1b is configured by connecting, via wired or wireless communication, at least one external device, such as a television 2a, a surveillance camera 2b, a lighting fixture 2c, and other electronic devices installed in a home, such as a motorcycle 2d or a car 2e, mounted on a vehicle (e.g., a drive recorder, an ECU, a door, an engine, a car navigation system, etc.), to a smartphone 100 as a mobile reporting device. Examples of electronic devices are not limited to these, but may also include a refrigerator, a microwave, an induction cooker, a gas alarm, a personal computer, another smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet, and a charging device. When the smartphone 100 is connected to a home network, for example, it can check the external devices connected to the home network. When the smartphone 100 is connected to an in-vehicle network (CAN), external devices connected to the CAN appear selectable.

[0063] The smartphone 100 stores data that defines the reporting conditions and the reporting destination for each external device in advance. Then, when it determines that the reporting conditions are met based on the data received from each external device, it reports to a predetermined reporting destination, for example, a communication center 3a of the police 4a or fire department 4b, relatives 3b, or a care worker 3c.

[0064] 9 shows the notification control table 500 stored in the smartphone 100 in the second embodiment. The notification control table 500 is stored in the non-volatile memory 105 (see FIG. 2). The notification control table 500 is one form of notification control information, and the data structure is not limited to a table.

[0065] The notification control table 500 stores the status of multiple external devices, "External Device 1" and "External Device 2," which are linked to the smartphone 100, the status of "Sensor 1" mounted on External Device 1 and "Sensor 2" mounted on External Device 2, and the status relationship between External Device 1 and External Device 2, defined using AND or OR conditions, in association with the "report destination" to which the smartphone 100 will report, its "content," the timing of the report, and other details, and stores these in association with "additional information."

[0066] In the reporting control table 500, pattern 1 reports content "x" to destination "A" when "Sensor 1" is "above threshold" in "State 1" of "External Device 1" and "External Device 2" is in "State A" (the sensor output of Sensor 2 is not taken into consideration, i.e., it is not related to the sensor output of Sensor 2). In pattern 1, the reporting conditions are set by the combination of External Device 1 and External Device 2.

[0067] In pattern 2, if "External device 1" is in "Status 1," "External device 2" is in "Status B," and "Sensor 2" is "above threshold," the content "x" is reported to destination "I." In pattern 2, the reporting conditions are also set by the combination of external device 1 and external device 2.

[0068] In pattern 3, if "Sensor 1" is "above threshold" in "State 2" of "External Device 1" and "Sensor 2" is "above threshold" in "State A" of "External Device 2," the content "y" is reported to the reporting destination "U." In pattern 3, the reporting conditions are also set by the combination of External Device 1 and External Device 2.

[0069] In pattern 4, if "External device 1" is in "Status 2" and "External device 2" is in "Status C," the content "y" is reported to destination "A." In pattern 4, the reporting conditions are also set by the combination of External device 1 and External device 2.

[0070] In pattern 5, if "sensor 1" is "above threshold" regardless of the state of "external device 1" and "sensor 2" is "above threshold" regardless of the state of "external device 2," the content "x" is reported to the report destination "i." In pattern 5, the reporting conditions are also set by the combination of external device 1 and external device 2.

[0071] FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing for setting up cooperation with an external device on the smartphone 100.

[0072] The setting guide unit 305 displays a setting assistance screen on the display 102 to prompt input, and registers the input contents (S301).

[0073] 11 and 12 show examples of the setting assistance screen. In Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, an example of registration of pattern 1 in the notification control table 500 of Fig. 10 will be used for explanation.

[0074] First, the report destination and the report content are input on the report destination input screen 601. This allows editing of the report control table 500. The report destination may be a phone number, email address, or SNS account.

[0075] Next, the user is prompted to input the notification conditions on a notification condition input screen 602. For example, a list of external devices connected to the home LAN is displayed on the smartphone 100, and the user is prompted to select at least one external device to use as the notification condition from the list. In the example of Fig. 11, two external devices, external device 1 and external device 2, are selected by entering them into the check boxes.

[0076] The status of the external device 1 is input on the notification condition input screen 603, the sensor type on the notification condition input screen 604, and the sensor setting value on the notification condition input screen 605. When this is complete, the screen transitions to detailed settings for the external device 2.

[0077] The state of external device 2 is input on a notification condition input screen 606, the sensor type on a notification condition input screen 607, and the sensor setting value on a notification condition input screen 608. After that, on a notification condition input screen 609, it is input whether the conditions defined for external device 1 and external device 2 will be used as AND conditions or OR conditions.

[0078] On the additional condition input screen 610, for "report timing," select from a pull-down menu, for example, "immediately after the condition is met," "after the condition continues for N minutes," or "n minutes after the condition is met." Also, for "end timing," select from a pull-down menu, for example, "end after one report," "end after periodically reporting N times or for n minutes," "report periodically until a command to end transmission is entered," or "report periodically until the power is turned off." Also, by selecting "other settings," you can add a report destination or set the properties of the report destination (type, display name, etc.).

[0079] When the "Confirm" button on the additional condition input screen 610 is tapped, the input information is displayed on a confirmation screen 611. When the "Register" button is tapped, the information of pattern 1 is written to the notification control table 500 stored in the setting storage unit 302.

[0080] The condition monitoring unit 3031 refers to the notification control table 500 and reads out the notification conditions defined using the information on the external device status set in each pattern and information from the sensors. When an event occurs on the external device side, the condition monitoring unit 3031 receives various signals from the external device and determines whether the notification conditions are met based on the received signals (S302).

[0081] If the condition monitoring unit 3031 determines that the notification condition is met (S302: Yes), the notification execution unit 3032 notifies the notification destination and notification content associated with the notification condition (S303). At that time, the additional information of the pattern is also referenced, and the notification is made in accordance with the notification condition defined in the additional information.

[0082] On the other hand, if the condition monitoring unit 3031 determines that the notification condition is not satisfied (S302: No), the unit 3031 continues to wait until the notification condition is satisfied.

[0083] The reporting unit 3032 refers to the additional information and continues reporting until the end timing specified in the additional information is reached (S304: No), and when the end timing is reached (S304: Yes), ends the reporting (S305).

[0084] According to this embodiment, notification conditions using the state and sensor values ​​can be defined for each external device, and the notification destination and notification content can be set in association with these, so that notifications can be made that suit the user's situation.

[0085] In particular, in this embodiment, the reporting conditions can be defined by combining the states of multiple external devices. As a result, if the mobile reporting device reports based on the state of a single external device, a false report may be issued due to a malfunction of that external device. However, since the reporting conditions can be set by combining multiple external devices, false reports due to malfunctions can be reduced.

[0086] The above-described embodiments do not limit the present invention, and design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0087] For example, if the present invention is used as a linked reporting system that monitors and reports intruders in an empty home, reporting conditions may be set by appropriately combining external devices such as a motion sensor, lighting equipment, surveillance cameras, and microphone input from an AI speaker in the home.

[0088] Furthermore, when the present invention is used as a linked reporting system that detects and reports danger while driving or riding in a vehicle, the mobile reporting device is linked to an in-vehicle system or a car navigation system via Bluetooth (registered trademark).The reporting condition may be a combination of the sensor output value of the acceleration sensor and the location information of the mobile reporting device, and a report may be issued when the acceleration sensor value changes suddenly and the location information of the mobile reporting device stops changing.

[0089] Furthermore, by adding a change in location information as a reporting condition, if it is assumed that the mobile reporting device is being held in the hand and moving, the device will not report to the police, but if the person is unconscious or unable to move, the mobile reporting device will be able to report to the police.

[0090] At the same time, location information, audio information, camera information, and temperature information (fire) may be transmitted continuously until the end timing.

[0091] Furthermore, the in-car system or car navigation system can be linked to a mobile alarm device using Bluetooth (registered trademark), and if a loud impact sound similar to a knock on a door or window is detected, the device can notify the police. At that time, location information, video footage captured by a camera, and audio information can be continuously transmitted. This can support safety in situations where the driver is alone and unable to report an emergency.

[0092] The present invention may also be used as a linked reporting system that detects and reports safety, crime prevention, and dangerous situations while out and notifies them. In this case, pre-registered user voice characteristics (voiceprints) are stored as information used for biometric authentication, and specific keywords, such as "help me," "it hurts," and "aaah," are set as reporting conditions. After linkage begins, microphone 121 starts collecting sound and outputs voice information to biometric authentication unit 301 and condition monitoring unit 3031.

[0093] The biometric authentication unit 301 performs frequency analysis of the voice information, determines whether it matches the voice characteristics of the registered user, and determines that authentication has been successful if it matches.

[0094] The condition monitoring unit 3031 converts the voice information into text data and performs language analysis on the text data. It then determines whether the text data matches a pre-registered keyword. If it matches, the reporting unit 3032 reports it.

[0095] Furthermore, the smartphone 100 may be configured to allow an additional condition to be added to the list of destinations to report: "Search for acquaintances registered in the address book." The report execution unit 3032 may compare the location information detected by the GPS sensor 161 with the addresses of acquaintances registered in the address book (address data), and report to the acquaintance with the closest address among those registered in the address book, in addition to the destinations always registered as destinations to report, regardless of the current location. In this way, by dynamically selecting the destination to report according to the current location, help can be called for more quickly.

[0096] Alternatively, the user may report using only a keyword for reporting that has been registered in advance. In this case, the report destination may be dynamically selected from an address book, as in the above case.

[0097] Furthermore, when the touch panel 107 detects that the display 102 of the smartphone 100 is being touched, a combination of the touch detection and the voice detection of a specific keyword may be set as a notification condition. This can prevent erroneous transmission.

[0098] Furthermore, a function for setting reporting conditions by the smartphone 100 alone without linking with an external device may be added. For example, in order to assist in preventing the smartphone 100 from being lost, the smartphone 100 may be notified of its location information to a specific party, such as a web email address or SNS account used by the user, before the smartphone 100 is turned off, for example, by sensing the internal battery status and before being shut down. In this case, instead of or in addition to the location information, images captured by the in-camera 111 and out-camera 112 of the smartphone 100 and audio information collected by the microphone 121 immediately before being shut down may be added.

[0099] Furthermore, for the purpose of preventing damage, a report may be issued when the ambient temperature or humidity of the smartphone 100 becomes higher than a set value. This makes it possible to report damage to the smartphone 100 or danger to the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1a, 1b: Collaborative reporting system 2a: Television 2b: Surveillance camera 2c: Lighting equipment 2d: Bike 2e: Automobiles 3: Pattern 3a: Communications Center 3b:Relatives 3c: Care worker 4: Pattern 4a :Police 4b: Firefighting 5: Pattern 100: Smartphone 101: Processor 102: Display 103:ROM 104: RAM 105: Non-volatile memory 106: Bus 107: Touch panel 108: Housing 111: In-camera 112: Outer camera 121:Mike 122: Speaker 130: Operation button 141:Wireless LAN communication device 142: Near Field Communication Device 143:Telephone network communication device 150: Vibrator 160: Sensor group 161: GPS sensor 162: Gyro sensor 163: Geomagnetic sensor 164: Acceleration sensor 165: Illuminance sensor 166: Proximity sensor 167: Distance sensor 168: Line of sight detection sensor 170: Timer 180: Connector 200: Control device 201: Processor 202: Bus 203:ROM 204:RAM 205: Display 230: Power button 231: Pulse button 241: Radio communication device 242: Wired communication device 251: Battery 252: High voltage pulse generator 280: Connector 300: Reporting control app 301: Biometric authentication department 302: Setting memory section 303: Report control unit 3031: Condition Monitoring Unit 3032: Reporting Department 304: Unlinking section 305: Setting Guide 400: Lock app in use 401: Lock control section 402: Authentication successful flag 403: Connection confirmation flag 404: Collaboration Monitoring Department 500: Notification control table 601: Report destination input screen 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609: Report destination input screen 610: Additional condition input screen 611: Confirmation screen

Claims

1. A linked reporting system configured by communicatively connecting at least one external device to a mobile reporting device, the mobile reporting device includes a first processor, a nonvolatile memory, a first communication device that communicates with the external device, and a reporting device that reports to a predetermined reporting destination, each of the external devices includes a second communicator that communicates with the mobile reporting device; the nonvolatile memory stores notification control information that associates notification conditions defined using the state of the external device with notification destinations; The first processor When a status signal indicating a status of the external device is received from the external device, the notification control information is referenced, and it is determined based on the status signal whether the notification condition is satisfied; When it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, the control unit executes control for causing the notification device to notify a notification destination associated with the notification condition. A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

2. The linked reporting system according to claim 1, the first processor executes control on the communicator to make the notification, and then notifies the notification destination of information representing the surrounding environment of the mobile notification device collected by the mobile notification device; A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

3. The linked reporting system according to claim 2, The information representing the surrounding environment includes any one of video, sound, and location information. A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

4. The linked reporting system according to claim 2, The external device operates in a state in which functions of the external device are suppressed before the mobile reporting device executes the report, and releases the suppression of functions that are premised on the report in response to the execution of the report. A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

5. The linked reporting system according to claim 1, The external device is a self-defense tool, The self-defense tool is configured to include a second processor, a high-voltage pulse generator, and a pulse button that accepts an operation to output a high-voltage pulse; the notification control information includes the notification condition defined using the operation of the pulse button, The second processor outputs the status signal indicating that the pulse button has been operated to the mobile reporting device. A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

6. The linked reporting system according to claim 5, The self-defense tool has an operation mode including a low output mode in which the output from the high-voltage pulse generator is limited, and a normal output mode in which the limit is released, When the self-defense device is activated, the second processor sets the operation mode of the high-voltage pulse generator to the low-output mode; The first processor execute a biometric authentication process for the user of the self-defense tool, and if the biometric authentication process is successful, transmit an authentication success signal to the self-defense tool indicating that the biometric authentication process has been successful; When a message response is received from the destination, a connection confirmation signal is transmitted to the self-defense tool indicating that a connection with the destination has been confirmed; The second processor switching the operation mode of the high-voltage pulse generator from the low output mode to the normal output mode when the authentication success signal and the connection confirmation signal are received; A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

7. The linked reporting system according to claim 6, The mobile notification device includes a display and a speaker, The first processor When an operation to terminate the communication connection with the self-defense tool is received, the biometric authentication process is executed, and when the biometric authentication is successful, a normal termination signal is transmitted to the self-defense tool; when receiving a forced termination signal from the second processor indicating that the communication connection with the mobile reporting device cannot be maintained, stopping the display on the display and the audio output from the speaker while maintaining the communication connection between the mobile reporting device and the reporting destination; A collaborative reporting system characterized by:

8. A portable communication device that can be connected to at least one external device for communication, The system includes a first processor, a nonvolatile memory, a first communication device that communicates with the external device, and a notification device that notifies a predetermined notification destination, the nonvolatile memory stores notification control information that associates notification conditions defined using the state of the external device with notification destinations; The first processor When a status signal indicating a status of the external device is received from the external device, the notification control information is referenced, and it is determined based on the status signal whether the notification condition is satisfied; When it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, the control unit executes control for causing the notification device to notify a notification destination associated with the notification condition. A portable communication device characterized by:

9. 9. The portable communication device according to claim 8, the first processor executes control on the communicator to make the notification, and then notifies the notification destination of information representing the surrounding environment of the portable communication device collected by the portable communication device; A portable communication device characterized by:

10. 10. The portable communication device of claim 9, The information representing the surrounding environment includes any one of video, sound, and location information. A portable communication device characterized by:

11. 10. The portable communication device of claim 9, the first processor transmits to the external device an instruction to release function suppression on the assumption that the notification will be made in response to the execution of the notification; A portable communication device characterized by:

12. 9. The portable communication device according to claim 8, Further comprising a position sensor; the non-volatile memory stores address data including at least one contact; When the first processor determines that the notification condition is satisfied, it acquires location information from the location sensor, searches the address data for a contact of a person who is at a location closest to the location information, and executes control to notify the searched contact. A portable communication device characterized by:

13. 9. The portable communication device according to claim 8, when the first processor receives an editing operation of the reporting condition and the reporting destination of the reporting control information, it updates the reporting control information stored in the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the editing operation. A portable communication device characterized by:

14. A linked reporting method in a portable communication device that can be communicatively connected to at least one external device, receiving a status signal from the external device, the status signal indicating a status of the external device; a step of referring to notification control information that associates notification destinations with notification conditions defined using the status of the external device, and determining whether the notification conditions are satisfied based on the status signal; and when it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, sending a notification to a notification destination associated with the notification condition. A linked reporting method in a portable communication device.

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