Terminal device, method for controlling the terminal device, and control program for the terminal device

Abstract

Switch the loan worker function on and off appropriately. [Solution] The terminal device comprises a communication unit capable of communicating with other devices, a position detection unit that detects the position of the device itself, a storage unit that stores as an effective area an area in which a lone worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device for a predetermined time is enabled, an area determination unit that determines whether the position of the device itself is within the effective area, an other device determination unit that determines whether the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship to the device is greater than or equal to a threshold based on a communication signal received from the other device, and a function control unit that turns on the lone worker function when it is determined that the position of the device itself is within the effective area and that the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship to the device is less than or equal to a threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a control method for the terminal device, and a control program for the terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] Some business radios used by police, fire departments, etc. have a lone worker function that determines that an abnormal situation may have occurred to the user if the user does not operate the radio for a predetermined time, and generates an alarm sound or notifies the administrator (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The on / off switching of the lone worker function is generally performed by manual operation of the user. Therefore, if the user forgets to turn on the function, the lone worker function does not operate. Also, if the user does not turn off the function in a place where the lone worker function is not needed, the lone worker function will operate.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a terminal device, a control method for the terminal device, and a control program for the terminal device that can appropriately switch on / off the lone worker function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The terminal device according to the present invention comprises: a communication unit capable of communicating with other devices; a position detection unit for detecting the position of the device itself; a storage unit for storing an area as an effective area in which a lone worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device itself for a predetermined period of time is enabled; an area determination unit for determining whether the position of the device itself is within the effective area; an other device determination unit for determining whether the number of other devices is within a range that has a predetermined positional relationship to the device itself, based on a communication signal received from the other devices, is greater than or equal to a threshold; and a function control unit for turning on the lone worker function when it is determined that the position of the device itself is within the effective area and that the number of other devices is not greater than or equal to the threshold within a range that has a predetermined positional relationship to the device itself.

[0007] A control method for a terminal device according to the present invention includes the steps of: communicating with another device; detecting the location of the device itself; determining whether the location of the device itself is within an effective area for enabling a loan worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device for a predetermined period of time; determining whether the number of the other devices is greater than or equal to the threshold value within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself, based on a communication signal received from the other device; and turning on the loan worker function when it is determined that the location of the device itself is within the effective area and that the number of the other devices is less than or equal to the threshold value within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself.

[0008] The control program for the terminal device according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the following processes: a process for communicating with other devices; a process for detecting the location of the device itself; a process for determining whether the location of the device itself is within an effective area that enables a loan worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device itself for a predetermined period of time; a process for determining whether the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship to the device itself is greater than or equal to the threshold, based on a communication signal received from the other devices; and a process for turning on the loan worker function when it is determined that the location of the device itself is within the effective area and that the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship to the device itself is less than or equal to the threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to appropriately switch the loan worker function on and off. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a communication system SYS using a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a table. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a terminal device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation in step S108. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the terminal device. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation in step S112. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a terminal device of a different form. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows another example of a table for threshold values ​​of other devices that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the terminal device, control method for the terminal device, and control program for the terminal device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a communication system SYS using a terminal device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system SYS has a plurality of terminal devices 100 and a management device 110. Each of the plurality of terminal devices 100 is equipped with a loan worker function. The loan worker function is a function that, if no operation is performed by a user on the terminal device 100 for a predetermined period of time, determines that an abnormal situation may have occurred for the user and notifies by generating an alarm sound or notifying the administrator. The loan worker function is applied, for example, to business communication equipment used by police, fire departments, etc. The management device 110 can communicate with the plurality of terminal devices 100. The management device 110 manages the plurality of terminal devices 100. The management device 110 is not required to be provided in order to realize the communication system SYS.

[0013] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a terminal device 100 according to this embodiment. The terminal device 100 comprises a communication unit 10, a position detection unit 20, an operation unit 30, an audio input unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and a control unit 60. Hereinafter, one of the multiple terminal devices 100 will be described as an example. In the following description, when describing multiple terminal devices 100, the terminal device 100 given as an example may be referred to as "the device 100A," and other terminal devices 100 different from "the device 100A" may be referred to as "other devices 100B."

[0014] The communication unit 10 communicates with other devices 100B using wireless signals.

[0015] The position detection unit 20 detects the position of the own device 100A. The position detection unit 20 has, for example, a GPS receiver that receives GPS (GNSS) signals. The position detection unit 20 receives the GPS signal and detects the position of the own device 100A. The position detection unit 20 may have a beacon receiver that receives beacon signals and detect the position of the own device 100A by receiving the beacon signals. The position detection unit 20 may be configured to include both a GPS receiver and a beacon receiver.

[0016] The operation unit 30 receives various operations from the user with respect to the terminal device 100 and outputs them to the control unit as operation signals. As the operation unit 30, for example, input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, buttons, levers, dials, and switches are used.

[0017] The voice input unit 40 picks up voices such as the voice of the user of the terminal device 100 and the sounds around the user and generates voice data. The voice input unit 40 transmits the generated voice data to the control unit 60. The voice input unit 40 is composed of, for example, a sound collection device such as a microphone.

[0018] The voice output unit 50 is a device that outputs various voice data. The voice output unit 50 may be a speaker externally connected to the control unit 60, or may be a speaker built into the housing that houses the control unit 60. The voice output unit 50 outputs voice based on the voice signal output from the control unit 60.

[0019] The control unit 60 controls the operations of the communication unit 10, the position detection unit 20, the operation unit 30, the voice input unit 40, and the voice output unit 50. The control unit 60 has a processing unit 61 and a storage unit 62.

[0020] The processing unit 61 performs various information processes. The processing unit 61 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0021] The processing unit 61 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0022] The processing unit 61 includes a region determination unit 63, an other device determination unit 64, a function control unit 65, and an output control unit 66.

[0023] The area determination unit 63 determines whether the position of the device 100A is within the effective area based on the position of the device 100A detected by the position detection unit 20 and the information of the effective area stored in the storage unit 62. The effective area is the area in which the lone worker function of the device 100A is enabled. Here, the area can be, for example, a range on the Earth's surface represented by latitude and longitude.

[0024] The other device determination unit 64 detects the positional relationship between the self-device 100A and the other device 100B based on the communication signal from the other device 100B received by the communication unit 10. The other device determination unit 64 can detect the distance between the self-device 100A and the other device 100B as the positional relationship. However, the predetermined positional relationship is not limited to distance. For example, elements other than distance may be used, such as the distance of a passable passage between the self-device 100A and the other device 100B, or the difference in altitude between the self-device 100A and the other device 100B, or these other elements may be included in addition to distance. Based on the detected positional relationship, the other device determination unit 64 determines whether the number of other devices 100B within the area that has a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0025] The function control unit 65 turns on the lone worker function when it determines that the position of its own device 100A is within the effective area and that the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with its own device 100A is not equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0026] The output control unit 66 outputs audio from the audio output unit 50 based on the signal received by the communication unit 10. The output control unit 66 also outputs alarm sounds and the like from the audio output unit 50 to notify the user. If the lone worker function is turned on and no operation is performed on the operation unit 30 or input is made to the audio input unit 40 for a certain period of time, the output control unit 66 outputs an alarm sound from the audio output unit 50.

[0027] The more specific configurations of the region determination unit 63, the other device determination unit 64, the function control unit 65, and the output control unit 66 will be described later.

[0028] The storage unit 62 stores information such as various programs and data. The storage unit 62 includes storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 62 stores the area in which the loan worker function of its own device 100A is enabled as an enabled area. The storage unit 62 stores multiple enabled areas and stores a table T in which the number of other devices 100B that serve as thresholds are set for each enabled area. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of table T. As shown in Figure 3, it shows the case where the threshold is 3 devices in enabled area A, 2 devices in enabled area B, 2 devices in enabled area C, 5 devices in enabled area D, and 4 devices in enabled area E. Note that the enabled areas A to E are each stored in association with position data indicating the location of each area. The storage unit 62 may also store information on disabled areas in which the loan worker function is disabled.

[0029] The storage unit 62 stores a control program for a terminal device that causes a computer to execute, for example, a process for communicating with another device 100B, a process for detecting the position of the own device 100A, a process for determining whether the position of the own device 100A is within an effective area that enables a loan worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the own device 100A for a predetermined period of time, a process for determining whether the number of other devices 100B is greater than or equal to a threshold within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A based on a communication signal received from the other device 100B, and a process for turning on the loan worker function when it is determined that the position of the own device 100A is within an effective area and that the number of other devices 100B is less than or equal to a threshold within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A.

[0030] In the control unit 60, the processor in the processing unit 61 reads various programs and loads them into memory, thereby executing information processing corresponding to the functions of each of the above-mentioned units. Examples of various programs include programs received by the communication unit 10, programs stored in the storage unit 62, and programs recorded on an external recording medium. The control unit 60 functions as an information processing device (computer) that executes various information processing. Note that other information processing devices different from the control unit 60 may execute various programs, or the control unit 60 and other information processing devices may cooperate to execute various programs.

[0031] Next, the operation of the terminal device 100 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 100. As shown in Figure 4, in the terminal device 100 (self-device 100A), the communication unit 10 communicates with the other device 100B (step S101). The position detection unit 20 detects the position of self-device 100A (step S102). The function control unit 65 initially sets the lone worker function to the OFF state as the initial state of self-device 100A.

[0032] The area determination unit 63 determines whether the device 100A is located within the effective area based on the detection result of the position detection unit 20 and the information of the effective area stored in the storage unit 62 (step S103). If it is determined that the device 100A is not located within the effective area (No. in step S103), the process in step S103 is repeated.

[0033] If it is determined that the device 100A is within the effective area (Yes in step S103), the function control unit 65 determines whether an operation input to the operation unit 30 was made within a first predetermined time (step S104). The first predetermined time is the elapsed time since it was determined in step S103 that the device 100A is within the effective area. The first predetermined time can be set to, for example, about 10 minutes. However, the first predetermined time is not limited to 10 minutes and may be set to a time shorter or longer than 10 minutes.

[0034] If it is determined that there is an operation input to the operation unit 30 within the first predetermined time (No in step S104), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no operation input to the operation unit 30 within the first predetermined time (Yes in step S104), the output control unit 66 causes the voice output unit 50 to output a notification sound (step S105). This notification sound is an audio message to prompt the user to input an operation, and can be, for example, a predetermined sound.

[0035] After the notification sound is output, the function control unit 65 determines whether or not an operation input to the operation unit 30 was made within the second predetermined time (step S106). The second predetermined time is the elapsed time since the notification sound was output in step S105. The second predetermined time can be set to, for example, about 1 minute. However, the second predetermined time is not limited to 1 minute and may be set to a time shorter than 1 minute or a time longer than 1 minute. Furthermore, the second predetermined time may be shorter than the first predetermined time, the same as the first predetermined time, or longer than the first predetermined time.

[0036] If it is determined that there is an operation input within the second predetermined time (No in step S106), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no operation input within the second predetermined time (Yes in step S106), the other device determination unit 64 determines whether the number of other devices 100B that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the self device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold (step S107). In this embodiment, a predetermined positional relationship could be, for example, that the distance from the self device 100A is less than or equal to a predetermined distance.

[0037] If it is determined that the number of other devices 100B in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold (No in step S107), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of other devices 100B in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is less than or equal to a threshold (Yes in step S107), the function control unit 65 turns on the lone worker function of the self-device 100A (step S108).

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation in step S108. In the example shown in Figure 5, the predetermined positional relationship is that the distance from the self-device 100A is less than or equal to a predetermined distance D. As shown in Figure 5, the self-device 100A is located in the effective area A. In addition, four other devices 100B are located around the self-device 100A.

[0039] The four other devices 100B are located at distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 from their own device 100A. Distances D1 and D2 are less than or equal to a predetermined distance D. Distances D3 and D4 are greater than the predetermined distance D.

[0040] Each terminal device 100 broadcasts a communication signal containing its own unique ID information at a predetermined output at predetermined intervals. In this case, the other device determination unit 64 in the own device 100A calculates the signal strength of the communication signal received from another device 100B via the communication unit 10. If the calculated signal strength is equal to or greater than the strength corresponding to a predetermined distance D, the other device determination unit 64 determines that the other device 100B that transmitted the communication signal is located within the predetermined distance D. On the other hand, if the calculated signal strength is less than the strength corresponding to a predetermined distance D, the other device determination unit 64 determines that the other device 100B that transmitted the communication signal is not located within the predetermined distance D.

[0041] Each terminal device 100 may broadcast a signal containing its own unique ID information and location information at predetermined intervals. In this case, the device 100A may compare the location information contained in the signal from other devices 100B received via the communication unit 10 with the location information of the device 100A detected by the location detection unit 20 to calculate distances D1 to D4, and based on the calculation results, determine whether each other device 100B is within a predetermined distance D.

[0042] Based on the above determination result, the other device determination unit 64 determines whether the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined distance D is equal to or greater than a threshold. As the threshold for other devices 100B, the other device determination unit 64 can use, for example, a threshold value that has been set in advance for each effective area A based on the table T stored in the storage unit 62 described above.

[0043] As shown in Table T of Figure 3, the threshold for the number of other devices in the effective area A is 3. In the example shown in Figure 5, the other devices 100B that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A are 2 devices whose distance from the self-device 100A is less than or equal to a predetermined distance D. Therefore, the function control unit 65 determines that the number of other devices 100B (2 devices) whose distance from the self-device 100A is less than or equal to a predetermined distance D is not greater than or equal to the threshold (3 devices). In this case, the function control unit 65 turns on the loan worker function of the self-device 100A.

[0044] When the lone worker function of device 100A is turned on, the system assumes that an abnormal situation may have occurred for the user and performs the following actions: The output control unit 66 controls the communication unit 10 to transmit an emergency signal. This emergency signal can be received by other device 100B or the management device 110. The output control unit 66 also controls the audio output unit 50 to output an emergency voice message.

[0045] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of the terminal device 100. Figure 6 shows the operation after the loan worker function is turned on in step S108, that is, after the emergency signal is transmitted and the emergency voice is output. As shown in Figure 6, after step S108, the area determination unit 63 determines whether or not the device 100A is within the effective area (step S109). If it is determined that the device 100A is not within the effective area (No. in step S109), the function control unit 65 turns off the loan worker function (step S112).

[0046] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S109 that the device 100A is within the effective area (Yes in step S109), the output control unit 66 determines whether or not there has been an operation input from the user to the operation unit 30 (step S110). If it is determined that there has been an operation input from the user to the operation unit 30 (No in step S110), the function control unit 65 turns off the lone worker function (step S112).

[0047] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S110 that there is no user input to the operation unit 30 (Yes in step S110), the other device determination unit 64 determines whether the number of other devices 100B in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold (step S111). If it is determined that the number of other devices 100B in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold (No in step S111), the function control unit 65 turns off the lone worker function (step S112). Also, if it is determined that the number of other devices 100B in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A is less than or equal to a threshold (Yes in step S111), the process returns to step S109.

[0048] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the operation in step S112. The example in Figure 7 shows the case where one terminal device 100 (another device 100B) moves toward the self-device 100A from the state shown in Figure 5. As a result of this movement of the other device 100B, the distance between the other device 100B and the self-device 100A changes from D4 to D5. Distance D5 is less than or equal to a predetermined distance D. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 7, there are three other devices 100B that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device 100A, and their distance from the self-device 100A is less than or equal to the predetermined distance D. Accordingly, the function control unit 65 determines that the number of other devices 100B (3) whose distance from the self-device 100A is less than or equal to the predetermined distance D is greater than or equal to the threshold (3). In this case, the function control unit 65 turns off the loan worker function of the self-device 100A.

[0049] If the lone worker function of device 100A is turned off, the system assumes that the abnormal situation experienced by the user has been resolved and performs the following actions: The output control unit 66 controls the system to stop transmitting emergency signals from the communication unit 10. The output control unit 66 also controls the system to stop transmitting emergency audio from the audio output unit 50.

[0050] As described above, the terminal device 100 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit 10 capable of communicating with other devices 100B, a position detection unit 20 for detecting the position of the device 100A, a storage unit 62 for storing an area as an effective area in which a lone worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device 100A for a predetermined time is enabled, an area determination unit 63 for determining whether the position of the device 100A is within the effective area, an other device determination unit 64 for determining whether the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with the device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold based on a communication signal received from the other devices 100B, and a function control unit 65 that turns on the lone worker function when it is determined that the position of the device 100A is within the effective area and it is determined that the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with the device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0051] Furthermore, the control method for the terminal device 100 according to this embodiment includes the steps of: communicating with another device 100B; detecting the position of the own device 100A; determining whether the position of the own device 100A is within an effective area for enabling a loan worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the own device 100A for a predetermined period of time; determining whether the number of other devices 100B is within a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A based on a communication signal received from the other device 100B, and turning on the loan worker function if it is determined that the position of the own device 100A is within the effective area and that the number of other devices 100B is not within a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A.

[0052] Furthermore, the control program for the terminal device 100 according to this embodiment causes the computer to execute the following processes: a process for communicating with other devices 100B; a process for detecting the position of the own device 100A; a process for determining whether the position of the own device 100A is within an effective area that enables a loan worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the own device 100A for a predetermined period of time; a process for determining whether the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold, based on the communication signal received from the other devices 100B; and a process for turning on the loan worker function if it is determined that the position of the own device 100A is within the effective area and that the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with the own device 100A is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0053] With these configurations, if it is determined that the position of the device 100A is within the effective area, and that the number of other devices 100B within a predetermined positional relationship with the device 100A does not exceed a threshold, the lone worker function can be turned on, thereby appropriately switching the lone worker function on and off.

[0054] In the terminal device 100 according to this embodiment, the storage unit 62 stores multiple effective areas and stores a table T in which a threshold value is set for each effective area.

[0055] With this configuration, a threshold number for the number of other devices 100B is set for each effective area, allowing the lone worker function to be appropriately switched on and off for each effective area.

[0056] Figure 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a terminal device 200 in a different form. The terminal device 200 has a configuration that includes an environment detection unit 70 in addition to the configuration of the terminal device 100 described above. The environment detection unit 70 detects the environment around the device 200A. Examples of the environment detection unit 70 include an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance around the device 200A, and a camera that takes pictures of the area around the device 200A. The following explanation will use the case where the environment detection unit 70 is an illuminance sensor as an example.

[0057] Figure 9 shows another example of a table for threshold values ​​of other devices that are in a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself. As shown in Figure 9, Table TA has threshold values ​​set for other devices 100B for each environment surrounding the device itself. Environment 1, Environment 2, Environment 3, and Environment 4 shown in Table TA are, for example, illuminance values ​​that can be detected by an illuminance sensor, which is the environment detection unit 70.

[0058] As shown in Table TA of Figure 9, when the detection result of the environmental detection unit 70 is "Environment 1", the threshold of the other device 200B is 5. Also, when the detection result of the environmental detection unit 70 is "Environment 2", the threshold of the other device 200B is 4. Also, when the detection result of the environmental detection unit 70 is "Environment 3", the threshold of the other device 200B is 3. Also, when the detection result of the environmental detection unit 70 is "Environment 4", the threshold of the other device 200B is 2.

[0059] For example, the illuminance value can be set to gradually increase from "Environment 1" to "Environment 4". In this case, the smaller the illuminance value detected by the environment detection unit 70, the higher the threshold of the other device 200B will be set. If an abnormality occurs in the user, it becomes more difficult to detect if the surrounding environment is dark. Therefore, by setting a higher threshold for the other device 200B as the illuminance value detected by the environment detection unit 70 decreases, it becomes easier to detect the user. Conversely, if the surrounding environment is bright, it is easier to detect the user, so the threshold of the other device 200B can be set lower.

[0060] Thus, the terminal device 200 further includes an environment detection unit 70 that detects the surrounding environment of the device 200A, and the threshold value may be set based on the detection result of the environment detection unit 70. With this configuration, the threshold value of the other device 200B can be set according to the surrounding environment of the device 200A detected by the environment detection unit 70.

[0061] In the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, the case in which an illuminance sensor is used as the environment detection unit 70 has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, a camera may be used as the environment detection unit 70. In this case, the surrounding field of view captured by the camera can be used as the surrounding environment. For example, if there are many obstacles such as building walls around the device 200A, the field of view will be poor due to the obstacles, which may make it difficult to find the user. In this case, it is preferable to set a high threshold for the other device 200B. On the other hand, if there are few obstacles around the device 200A, the impact of the obstacles will be small, which may make it easier to find the user. In this case, it is sufficient to set a low threshold for the other device 200B. Thus, the threshold setting for the other device 200B may be changed based on the quality of the field of view as the environment around the device 200A.

[0062] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] T,TA…Table, SYS…Communication system, 10…Communication unit, 20…Position detection unit, 30…Operation unit, 40…Voice input unit, 50…Voice output unit, 60…Control unit, 61…Processing unit, 62…Storage unit, 63…Area determination unit, 64…Other device determination unit, 65…Function control unit, 66…Output control unit, 70…Environment detection unit, 100,200…Terminal device, 100A,200A…Self-device, 100B,200B…Other device, 110…Management device

Claims

1. A communication unit capable of communicating with other devices, A position detection unit that detects the position of the device, A storage unit that stores as an active area an area in which a lone worker function that notifies when no operation is performed on the device is set up, A region determination unit that determines whether the position of the device itself is within the effective region, A device determination unit that determines whether the number of other devices is within a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself, based on a communication signal received from the other device, is greater than or equal to a threshold value. When it is determined that the position of the device itself is within the effective area, and that the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself is not greater than or equal to the threshold, the function control unit turns on the lone worker function. A terminal device equipped with the following features.

2. The storage unit stores multiple effective regions and stores a table in which the threshold value is set for each effective region. The terminal device according to claim 1.

3. The device further includes an environment detection unit that detects the surrounding environment, The threshold is set based on the detection result of the environment detection unit. The terminal device according to claim 1.

4. The steps include communicating with other devices, A step of detecting the position of the device, The steps include determining whether the location of the device is within the effective area for enabling the loan worker function, which notifies when no operation is performed on the device for a predetermined period of time, The step of determining whether the number of other devices is greater than or equal to the threshold value within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device, based on the communication signal received from the other devices, The steps include: turning on the lone worker function when it is determined that the position of the self-device is within the effective area and that the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device is not greater than or equal to the threshold; A method for controlling terminal devices, including those mentioned above.

5. The process of communicating with other devices, A process for detecting the position of the device, A process to determine whether the location of the device is within the effective area for enabling the loan worker function, which notifies when no operation is performed on the device for a predetermined period of time, A process to determine whether the number of other devices is greater than or equal to the threshold value within a range that is in a predetermined positional relationship with the self-device, based on the communication signal received from the other devices. When it is determined that the position of the device itself is within the effective area, and that the number of other devices within a predetermined positional relationship with the device itself does not exceed the threshold, the process of turning on the lone worker function is performed. A control program for a terminal device that causes a computer to execute a command.

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