Information terminal, control method, control program, information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information terminal, a control method, a control program, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of switching functions.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 1 including one or more first user terminals 3 and second user terminals 4 which are connected to a server 2 via a network 5, each second user terminal includes: two or more pieces of hardware; a reception unit that receives software or a setting parameter; a storage unit that stores software or a setting parameter; a control unit that controls at least one or more of the two or more pieces of hardware on the basis of the software or setting parameter stored in the storage unit; and a changing unit that changes the software or setting parameter stored in the storage unit to the software or setting parameter received by the reception unit and makes the changed software or setting parameter available for use, wherein the control unit makes at least one or more functions of the two or more pieces of hardware available or unavailable for use according to the software or setting parameter made available for use by the changing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information terminal, a control method, a control program, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that are capable of switching functions to be used. [Background technology]

[0002] When children reach a certain age, for example, when they enter elementary school and start acting alone more often, parents begin to worry about their children's behavior, such as whether they will arrive safely at school or cram school without getting into any accidents, or whether they will return home. To address the above-mentioned issues, services are being offered that allow users to check their children's location information using the GPS function built into portable information terminals such as smartphones (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Re-tabled issue 2020 / 202449 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Currently, there are systems that can exchange not only location information but also voice data. However, conventional information processing systems still have room for improvement in terms of convenience in terms of switching between using only location information, only voice data, or both.

[0005] The present invention provides Appropriately set charges for switching features The purpose is to [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The claimed invention provides: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the function Appropriately set the charge amount for switching can. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server (information processing device) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of timing for changing a billing amount in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a first user terminal (first terminal) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a first user terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a second user terminal (second terminal) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a second user terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of timing for changing a billing amount in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an information processing system according to each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The information processing system 1 according to each embodiment is a so-called monitoring system. The second user terminal 4 carried by the person being watched (e.g., a child) is uploaded to a server 2 at predetermined intervals, such as every 1.5 minutes, to determine the location of the second user terminal 4. The determined location is then notified from the server 2 to a first user terminal 3 carried or used by a person being watched (e.g., a family member such as a parent or grandparent). In addition, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 are equipped with a microphone and a speaker, and are configured to be able to send and receive audio messages (hereinafter also referred to as audio messages) to each other. In the following description, the person being watched is also referred to as a first user. In addition, the person being watched is also referred to as a second user. In the following description, software includes various types of software, such as firmware, application software, and operation software.

[0010] [First embodiment] As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a server 2 and one or more first user terminals 3 and second user terminals 4 connected to the server 2 via a network 5. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 is configured to include one each of the server 2, the first user terminal 3, and the second user terminal 4, but the number of servers 2, the first user terminals 3, and the second user terminals 4 included in the information processing system 1 is arbitrary. Note that the network 5 is also connected to servers (not shown) of the Japan Meteorological Agency and local governments, and is configured to enable the server 2 to receive emergency alerts and the like from the Japan Meteorological Agency and local governments.

[0011] (Server 2) 2 and 3 are configuration diagrams of the server 2. Fig. 2 shows the main hardware configuration of the server 2, and the server 2 includes a communication IF 200A, a storage device 200B, a CPU 200C, etc. Although not shown in Fig. 2, the server 2 may also include an input device (for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.) and a display device (CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc.).

[0012] The communication IF 200A is an interface for communicating with other devices (for example, the first user terminal 3, the second user terminal 4, a server (not shown) of the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government, etc.).

[0013] The storage device 200B is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (solid state drive (SSD)). Various data and information processing programs are stored in the storage device 200B. Note that some or all of the various data stored in the storage device 200B may be stored in an external storage device such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or an external HDD, or in a storage device of another information processing device connected via the network 5. In this case, the server 2 refers to or acquires data stored in the external storage device or the storage device of the other information processing device, and stores the data in the external storage device or the storage device of the other information processing device.

[0014] The storage device 200B stores account information of the first user terminal 3, such as the identification number, name, and contact information (email address, telephone number) of the first user terminal 3, the identification number of the second user terminal 4 owned by the second user (e.g., one's child), the current contract plan for using the services of the information processing system 1 (e.g., a GPS plan, a GPS & talk plan (a GPS plan with a talk function added) described below), and a contract plan change history. The storage device 200B also stores account information of the second user terminal 4, such as the identification number, name, and identification number of the first user terminal 4 owned by the first user (e.g., a family member such as the second user's parent or grandparent). The storage device 200B also stores logs including data transmitted and received by the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4, in association with the accounts. Furthermore, the storage device 200B stores two or more pieces of software or setting parameters for switching the functions of the second user terminal 4. In the first embodiment, software or setting parameters corresponding to two or more contract plans (for example, a GPS plan and a GPS & Talk plan, which will be described later) that exist for using the services of the information processing system 1 are stored in the storage device 200B, and the software or setting parameters are downloaded to the second user terminal 4 according to the contract plan and made available, so that the functions available on the second user terminal 4 are switched according to the plan. For example, in the case of the GPS plan, software or setting parameters that enable the use of the GPS sensor of the second user terminal 4 are downloaded to the second user terminal 4 and made available, and in the case of the GPS & Talk plan, software or setting parameters that enable the use of the microphone and speaker in addition to the GPS sensor of the second user terminal 4 are downloaded to the second user terminal 4 and made available. The GPS plan is a contract plan that uses the GPS sensor 400H included in the second user terminal 4, and allows the location of the second user terminal 4 to be known. The GPS & Talk plan is a contract plan that allows the second user terminal 4 to exchange voice data with the first user terminal 3 using the microphone 400F and speaker 400G in addition to using the GPS sensor 400H that the second user terminal 4 has. The contract plan change history may be stored in the storage device 300B of the first user terminal 3 or the storage device 400B of the second user terminal 4.

[0015] The CPU 200C controls the server 2 according to the first embodiment, and includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown).

[0016] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of server 2. As shown in Fig. 3, server 2 includes functions such as a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, a storage device control unit 203, a determining unit 204, a recommending unit 205, a plan changing unit 206 (a contract plan information changing unit), and a billing amount changing unit 207. The functions shown in Fig. 3 are realized by CPU 200C executing an information processing program stored in storage device 200B.

[0017] The receiving unit 201 receives data transmitted from the first user terminal 3, the second user terminal 4, etc., such as voice data, location information, instructions to change software or setting parameters, etc. The receiving unit 201 also receives, for example, emergency alerts from the Japan Meteorological Agency or local governments.

[0018] The transmitting unit 202 transmits data received from the first user terminal 3, such as voice data and change instructions, to the second user terminal 4. The transmitting unit 202 also transmits data received from the second user terminal 4, such as location information and voice data, to the first user terminal 3. The transmitting unit 202 also transmits software or setting parameters that enable the use of two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4 to the second user terminal 4, based on the instruction received from the first user terminal 3. The transmitting unit 202 also transmits software or setting parameters that enable the use of two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4 (software or setting parameters that enable the use of a GPS sensor, microphone, and speaker of the second user terminal 4) to the second user terminal 4, based on the determination result of the determining unit 204.

[0019] The storage device control unit 203 stores data (for example, location information or voice data) transmitted and received by the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 in the storage device 200B in association with the identification number of the account or user terminal that transmitted and received the data. The storage device control unit 203 also stores the download history (change history) of the software or setting parameters of the second user terminal 4 in association with the user terminal identification number of the second user terminal 4 in the storage device 200B.

[0020] The determination unit 204 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, when an emergency alert from the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government is received. When an emergency alert from the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government is received, the determination unit 204 determines whether the current location of the second user terminal 4 is within the range covered by the emergency alert. If the current location is within the range covered by the emergency alert, the transmission unit 202 transmits software or setting parameters corresponding to the GPS & Talk Plan (software or setting parameters that enable the GPS sensor, microphone, and speaker of the second user terminal 4 to be used) to the second user terminal 4. Note that, in addition to the emergency alert from the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government, other predetermined conditions may include, for example, when a specific condition related to time is satisfied, when a specific condition related to location is satisfied, or when specific conditions are satisfied from both of these perspectives.

[0021] The recommendation unit 205 recommends changes to software or setting parameters for each second user terminal 4 in accordance with the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware stored in the storage device 200B.

[0022] The plan change unit 206 (contract plan information change unit) changes the contract plan of the contractor of the second user terminal 4 (the first user of the first user terminal 3 corresponding to the second user terminal 4) in accordance with changes to the software or setting parameters of the second user terminal 4.

[0023] The billing amount changing unit 207 changes the billing amount to be charged to the first user in accordance with the change in the contract plan made by the plan changing unit 206. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the timing of changing the billing amount by the billing amount changing unit 207 in the first embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the billing amount for the GPS plan (black band in Fig. 4) for a predetermined period (for example, the minimum unit of billing (one week, one month, etc.)) is 400 yen, and the billing amount for the GPS & Talk plan (white band in Fig. 4) is 500 yen. 4, when a contract plan change occurs during a predetermined period, the charge amount change unit 207 compares the charge amounts (e.g., monthly charge amounts) of the contract plan before and after the change, and if the charge amount of the changed contract plan is higher than the charge amount of the contract plan before the change (e.g., if the contract plan before the change was the GPS plan and the contract plan after the change is the GPS & Talk plan), the charge amount change unit 207 sets the charge amount for the predetermined period (e.g., one month) including the time of the change to the charge amount of the changed contract plan. On the other hand, if the charge amount of the contract plan before the change is higher than the charge amount of the changed contract plan (e.g., if the contract plan before the change was the GPS & Talk plan and the contract plan after the change is the GPS plan), the charge amount change unit 207 leaves the charge amount for the predetermined period including the time of the change as the charge amount of the contract plan before the change, and sets the charge amount of the contract plan before the change at the arrival of or after the next predetermined period. The timing of changing the billing amount shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and is not necessarily limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0024] (First user terminal 3) The first user terminal 3 is a terminal owned by the first user, such as a smartphone with application software installed. The first user can send and receive voice messages with a second user (e.g., their child) by using the first user terminal 3 to send and receive voice data to and from a registered second user terminal 4. Figure 5 shows the main hardware configuration of the first user terminal 3, which includes a communication IF 300A, a storage device 300B, an input device 300C, a display device 300D, a CPU 300E, a microphone 300F, and a speaker 300G.

[0025] The communication IF 300A is an interface for communicating with another device (the server 2 in the first embodiment).

[0026] The storage device 300B is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (solid state drive (SSD)). The storage device 300B stores a terminal identification number, an information processing program (application software), a message to be transmitted to the second user terminal 4 (for example, a preset message, a message input by the first user (the message input by the first user includes a voice message recorded by the first user and a character message input by the first user), a message downloaded from the server 2), and the like. Note that the storage device 300B may also store data transmitted and received between the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 (for example, location information and voice data). The terminal identification number is a number for identifying the first user terminal 3. By assigning the terminal identification number to data transmitted from the first user terminal 3, the server 2 can determine which first user terminal 3 transmitted the received data. The terminal identification number may be an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, or the like, and may be assigned to the first user terminal 3 by the server 2.

[0027] The input device 300C is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, but may be any other device or equipment that allows input. It may also be a voice input device.

[0028] The display device 300D is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like, but may be any other device or equipment (for example, a CRT: Cathode Ray Tube) as long as it is capable of displaying.

[0029] The CPU 300E controls the first user terminal 3 according to the first embodiment, and includes a ROM and a RAM (not shown).

[0030] The microphone 300F is an acoustic device that converts sound into an electrical signal. The user of the first user terminal 3 can input voice (for example, a message to be transmitted to the second user terminal 4) using the microphone 300F. The input voice is transmitted to the server 2 by the transmitting unit 302.

[0031] The speaker 300G is an acoustic device that converts an electrical signal into sound. The speaker 300G plays back, for example, audio data transmitted from the second user terminal 4 via the server 2 and stored in the storage device 300B.

[0032] 6 shows a functional block diagram of the first user terminal 3, which has functions such as a receiving unit 301, a transmitting unit 302, a storage device control unit 303, an input receiving unit 304 (receiving unit), and a display device control unit 305. The functions shown in FIG. 6 are realized by CPU 300E executing an information processing program stored in storage device 300B.

[0033] The receiving unit 301 receives data transmitted from the server 2, for example.

[0034] The transmitting unit 302 transmits data to the server 2 in response to an input operation received by the input receiving unit 304, for example.

[0035] The storage device control unit 303 controls the storage device 300B. The storage device control unit 303 may store, for example, data (e.g., location information or voice data) transmitted and received by the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 in the storage device 300B in association with the identification number of the account or user terminal that transmitted and received the data.

[0036] The input receiving unit 304 receives an input operation from the input device 300C.

[0037] The display device control unit 305 controls the display device 300D and displays a screen or the like on the display device 300D.

[0038] (Second user terminal 4) The second user terminal 4 is a terminal used by a second user of the first information processing system 1. The second user can use the second user terminal 4 to send and receive GPS location information and voice data to and from the registered first user terminal 3, thereby informing the first user (e.g., the second user's family) of the second user's location and communicating with them by voice. Fig. 7 shows the main hardware configuration of the second user terminal 4, and the second user terminal 4 includes a communication IF 400A, a storage device 400B, an input device 400C, a display device 400D (LED), a CPU 400E, a microphone 400F, a speaker 400G, a GPS sensor 400H, etc.

[0039] The communication IF 400A is an interface for communicating with other devices (the server 2 in the first embodiment).

[0040] The storage device 400B is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (solid state drive (SSD)). The storage device 400B stores a terminal identification number, an information processing program, voice data transmitted from the first user terminal 3, and the like. The storage device 400B also stores software or setting parameters downloaded from the server 2. The terminal identification number is a number for identifying the second user terminal 4. By assigning the terminal identification number to data transmitted from the second user terminal 4, the server 2 can determine which second user terminal 4 transmitted the received data. The terminal identification number may be an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, or the like, or may be assigned to the second user terminal 4 by the server 2.

[0041] The input device 400C is, for example, an input device such as a button, keyboard, or touch panel, but may be any other device or equipment that allows input. It may also be an audio input device. The second user can operate the input device 400C to input audio and transmit it to the first user terminal 3, or to play audio data transmitted from the first user terminal 3.

[0042] Display device 400D is, for example, an LED. Display device 400D is controlled by control unit 406, and notifies that audio data has been received by lighting up or blinking in a set pattern or a predetermined pattern.

[0043] The CPU 400E controls the second user terminal 4 according to the first embodiment, and includes a ROM and a RAM (not shown).

[0044] The microphone 400F is an acoustic device that converts sound into an electrical signal. The user of the second user terminal 4 can input voice using the microphone 400F. The input voice is transmitted to the server 2 by the transmitting unit 402.

[0045] The speaker 400G is an acoustic device that converts an electrical signal into sound. The speaker 400G plays back, for example, audio data transmitted from the first user terminal 3 via the server 2 and stored in the storage device 400B.

[0046] The GPS sensor 400H receives signals from GPS satellites that include data such as the time data of the atomic clocks installed on the satellites and the satellite's astronomical ephemeris (orbit), and calculates the distance from the satellite based on the difference between the transmission time and reception time of the received signal to determine the current position. The GPS sensor 400H also outputs the determined current position.

[0047] 8 shows a functional block diagram of the second user terminal 4, which has functions such as a receiving unit 401, a transmitting unit 402, a storage device control unit 403, an input accepting unit 404, a changing unit 405, and a control unit 406. The functions shown in FIG. 8 are realized by the CPU 400E executing an information processing program stored in the storage device 400B.

[0048] The receiving unit 401 receives, for example, data transmitted from the server 2 (for example, software or setting parameters, audio data, etc.).

[0049] The transmitting unit 402 transmits data, such as voice data, to the server 2 in response to an input operation received by the input receiving unit 304, for example.

[0050] The storage device control unit 403 controls the storage device 400B. For example, the storage device control unit 403 controls the storage device 400B to write and read data. For example, the storage device control unit 403 stores the data received by the receiving unit 401 in the storage device 400B.

[0051] The input receiving unit 404 receives an input operation from the input device 400C. The input receiving unit 404 receives, for example, an operation to play back audio data stored in the storage device 400B.

[0052] The change unit 405 changes the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 200B to the software or setting parameters received by the receiving unit 401, and makes them usable. Here, the change unit 405 makes the software or setting parameters received by the receiving unit 401 usable by restarting the second user terminal 4 (information terminal).

[0053] The control unit 406 controls at least one of two or more pieces of hardware (for example, a GPS sensor, a microphone, a speaker, etc.) included in the second user terminal 4 based on the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B. The control unit 406 enables or disables the use of at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4, depending on the software or setting parameters enabled by the change unit 405. For example, if the contract plan is a GPS plan, the GPS sensor of the second user terminal 4 is enabled, but the microphone and speaker are disabled. Also, if the contract plan is a GPS & Talk plan, the GPS sensor, microphone, and speaker of the second user terminal 4 are all enabled. In this way, in the first embodiment, software or setting parameters according to the contract plan are downloaded, and at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 are enabled or disabled, thereby providing functions corresponding to the contract plan. Furthermore, the control unit 406 notifies that the receiving unit 401 has received the data. For example, the control unit 406 notifies that the receiving unit 401 has received the data by turning on or blinking the display device 400D (LED) or by generating a sound from a speaker.

[0054] (Information Processing) Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of information processing of the information processing system 1. Below, the information processing of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Note that the same components as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0055] (Contract plan change processing) 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a contract plan change process related to service use of the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of a contract plan change process related to service use of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] (Step S101) The first user operates the first user terminal 3 to input a change to the contract plan. The input operation from the input device 300C is received by the input receiving unit 304. The transmitting unit 302 of the first user terminal 3 transmits the input operation (change instruction) received by the input receiving unit 304 to the server 2.

[0057] (Step S102) The receiving unit 201 of the server 2 receives the change instruction transmitted from the first user terminal 3.

[0058] (Step S103) The transmitting unit 202 of the server 2 reads out the software or setting parameters corresponding to the contract plan specified in the change instruction from the storage device 200B. The transmitting unit 202 refers to the storage device 200B, identifies the identification number of the second user terminal 4 associated with the identification number assigned to the change instruction received by the receiving unit 201, and transmits the software or setting parameters read out from the storage device 200B to the identified second user terminal 4.

[0059] (Step S104) The receiving unit 401 of the second user terminal 4 receives the software or setting parameters transmitted from the server 2.

[0060] (Step S105) The change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 changes the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 200B to the software or setting parameters received by the receiving unit 401, and makes them usable. Furthermore, the control unit 406 makes at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 usable or unusable, depending on the software or setting parameters made usable by the change unit 405.

[0061] (Charge amount change processing) 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a charge amount change process for service usage in the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of a charge amount change process for service usage in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] (Step S201) The plan change unit 206 of the server 2 determines whether the software or setting parameters of the second user terminal 4 have been changed in response to the change in the contract plan. If the software or setting parameters of the second user terminal 4 have been changed in response to the change in the contract plan (YES), the server 2 executes the process of step S202. If the software or setting parameters of the second user terminal 4 have not been changed in response to the change in the contract plan (NO), the server 2 ends the process.

[0063] (Step S202) The plan changing unit 206 of the server 2 changes the contract plan. Specifically, the plan changing unit 206 changes the current contract plan stored in the storage device 200B. In addition, the storage device control unit 203 stores the contract plan change history in the storage device 200B.

[0064] (Step S203) The billing amount change unit 207 of the server 2 compares the billing amount (e.g., monthly billing amount) of the contract plan before the change with the billing amount of the contract plan after the change, and determines whether the billing amount of the contract plan after the change is higher than the billing amount of the contract plan before the change. If the billing amount of the contract plan after the change is higher than the billing amount of the contract plan before the change (YES), the server 2 executes the process of step S204. If the billing amount of the contract plan after the change is not higher than the billing amount of the contract plan before the change (NO), the server 2 executes the process of step S205.

[0065] (Step S204) The charge amount changing unit 207 of the server 2 changes the charge amount for a predetermined period (for example, one month) including the time of change to the charge amount of the changed contract plan.

[0066] (Step S205) The billing amount change unit 207 of the server 2 keeps the billing amount for a specified period including the time of change as the billing amount of the contract plan before the change, and changes it to the billing amount of the contract plan before the change at or after the arrival of the next specified period.

[0067] (Emergency change processing) 11 is a flowchart showing an example of emergency change processing in the information processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of emergency change processing in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] (Step S301) The determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines whether the receiving unit 201 has received, for example, an emergency alert from the Japan Meteorological Agency or a local government. If an emergency alert or the like has been received (YES), the server 2 executes the process of step S302. If an emergency alert or the like has not been received (NO), the server 2 ends the process.

[0069] (Step S302) The determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines whether the current location of the second user terminal 4 is within the range covered by the emergency alert. If it is within the range covered by the emergency alert (YES), the server 2 executes the process of step S303. If it is not within the range covered by the emergency alert (NO), the server 2 ends the process.

[0070] (Step S303) The transmitting unit 202 of the server 2 transmits software or setting parameters for use in an emergency, in this case software or setting parameters for the GPS & Talk Plan (software or setting parameters that enable the GPS sensor, microphone, and speaker of the second user terminal 4 to be used), to the second user terminal 4 whose current location is within the range covered by the emergency alert. At this time, it is also possible to transmit, by voice data or the like, to the second user terminal 4 and the corresponding first user terminal 3, a message that the use of the GPS & Talk Plan has been temporarily released due to the emergency alert.

[0071] (Step S304) The receiving unit 401 of the second user terminal 4 receives the software or setting parameters transmitted from the server 2.

[0072] (Step S305) The change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 changes the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 200B to the software or setting parameters received by the receiving unit 401, and makes them usable. Furthermore, the control unit 406 makes at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 usable or unusable, depending on the software or setting parameters made usable by the change unit 405.

[0073] In addition, the determination unit 204 of the server 2 may be configured to determine whether a predetermined period (e.g., one week or one month) has passed since the software or setting parameters corresponding to the GPS & Talk plan was sent, or whether the emergency alert has been canceled, and if it is determined that the predetermined period has passed or the emergency alert has been canceled, the transmission unit 202 may be configured to send software or setting parameters (software or setting parameters that enable the GPS sensor of the second user terminal 4 to be used) corresponding to the GPS plan, which is the contract plan before the change, to the second user terminal 4, making it usable, and changing the second user terminal 4 to be compatible with the GPS plan.

[0074] Also, in the explanation of Figure 11, the determination unit 204 of the server 2 determines whether the current location of the second user terminal 4 is within the range covered by the emergency alert, but it may also be configured to obtain location information from the first user terminal 3 (for example, the first user terminal 3 may be equipped with a GPS sensor), and the determination unit 204 determines whether the current location of the first user terminal 3 or the second user terminal 4 is within the range covered by the emergency alert, and if the current location of the first user terminal 3 or the second user terminal 4 is within the range covered by the emergency alert, the transmission unit 202 of the server 2 transmits software or setting parameters suitable for emergencies, in this case software or setting parameters suitable for the GPS & Talk Plan (software or setting parameters that enable the GPS sensor, microphone, and speaker of the second user terminal 4 to be used), to the second user terminal 4 associated with the identification number of the first user terminal 3 whose current location is within the range covered by the emergency alert, or to the second user terminal 4 whose current location is within the range covered by the emergency alert.

[0075] As described above, the second user terminal 4 includes two or more pieces of hardware (for example, microphone 400F, speaker 400G, GPS sensor 400H, etc.), a receiving unit 401 that receives software or setting parameters, a storage device 400B (storage unit) that stores the software or setting parameters, a control unit 406 that controls at least one of the two or more pieces of hardware based on the software or setting parameters stored in storage device 400B, and a changing unit 405 that changes the software or setting parameters stored in storage device 400B to the software or setting parameters received by receiving unit 401 and makes them usable. Then, the control unit 406 makes at least one function of the two or more pieces of hardware usable or unusable, depending on the software or setting parameters made usable by the changing unit 405. In this way, by downloading software or setting parameters to the second user terminal 4 and making it available for use, the second user terminal 4 can be made compatible with the contract plan, which is highly convenient.

[0076] Furthermore, the change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 makes the software or setting parameters available by restarting the second user terminal 4 (information terminal). In this way, the second user terminal 4 is automatically restarted, thereby making it possible to use the software or setting parameters, which is highly convenient.

[0077] [Modification 1 of the First Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, changes in contract plan are accommodated by downloading software or setting parameters from the server 2 to the second user terminal 4 and switching the software or setting parameters, but it is also possible to store two or more pieces of software or setting parameters for switching the functions of the second user terminal 4 in the storage device 400B of the second user terminal 4, and change any one or more of the two or more pieces of software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B in response to changes in the contract plan to make them usable.

[0078] In this case, when the receiving unit 201 of the server 2 receives a change instruction sent from the first user terminal 3, the transmitting unit 202 refers to the storage device 200B, identifies the identification number of the second user terminal 4 associated with the identification number assigned to the change instruction received by the receiving unit 201, and transmits the change instruction received by the receiving unit 201 to the identified second user terminal 4.

[0079] When the receiving unit 401 of the second user terminal 4 receives an instruction to change software or setting parameters sent from the server 2, the changing unit 405 changes any one or more software or setting parameters specified in the change instruction out of two or more software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B based on the change instruction received by the receiving unit 401, and makes them usable.

[0080] The second user terminal 4 includes two or more pieces of hardware (for example, a microphone 400F, a speaker 400G, a GPS sensor 400H, etc.), a receiving unit 401 that receives an instruction to change software or setting parameters, a storage device 400B (storage unit) that stores two or more pieces of software or setting parameters, a control unit 406 that controls at least one of the two or more pieces of hardware based on the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B, and a change unit 405 that changes and makes available any one or more pieces of software or setting parameters among the two or more pieces of software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B based on the change instruction received by the receiving unit 401. The control unit 406 then enables or disables at least one or more functions of the two or more pieces of hardware depending on the software or setting parameters that the change unit has enabled. In this way, by switching between two or more pieces of software or setting parameters stored in the memory device 400B of the second user terminal 4, the second user terminal 4 can be made compatible with the contract plan, which is very convenient.

[0081] [Modification 2 of the First Embodiment] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment and variant example 1, the control unit 406 of the second user terminal 4 may be configured to restrict the use of at least one or more functions (rather than making them usable or unusable) of two or more pieces of hardware that the second user terminal 4 has, depending on the software or setting parameters that the change unit 405 has made usable.

[0082] The second user terminal 4 includes two or more pieces of hardware (for example, a microphone 400F, a speaker 400G, a GPS sensor 400H, etc.), a receiving unit 401 that receives software or setting parameters, a storage device 400B (storage unit) that stores the software or setting parameters, a control unit 406 that controls at least one of the two or more pieces of hardware based on the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B, and a changing unit 405 that changes the software or setting parameters stored in the storage device 400B to the software or setting parameters received by the receiving unit 401 and makes the software or setting parameters usable. The control unit 406 then restricts the use of at least one or more functions of the two or more pieces of hardware according to the software or setting parameters made usable by the changing unit 405. In this way, by restricting the use of at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware depending on the software or setting parameters made available by the change unit 405, the second user terminal 4 can be made compatible with the contract plan, which is highly convenient.

[0083] [Modification 3 of the First Embodiment] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment and modifications 1 and 2, the change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 may be configured to change software or setting parameters in accordance with the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4. For example, when software or setting parameters corresponding to the GPS & talk plan are set, if the GPS sensor 400H of the two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4 is frequently used but the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G are rarely used, the change unit 405 changes to software or setting parameters corresponding to the GPS plan. Note that instead of the change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 (automatically) changing the software or setting parameters, the second user terminal 4 may be configured to include a recommendation unit that recommends to the first user a change to the software or setting parameters in accordance with the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4. In this case, when the receiving unit 401 receives a change instruction transmitted from the first user terminal 3 of the first user in accordance with the recommendation, the change unit 405 changes the software or setting parameters in accordance with the usage history of the two or more pieces of hardware.

[0084] The server 2 may be configured to include an instruction unit that instructs the second user terminal 4 to change software or setting parameters in accordance with the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4, and the change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 changes the software or setting parameters when the receiving unit 401 receives an instruction transmitted from the server 2. The recommendation unit may also be included in the server 2.

[0085] The change unit 405 of the second user terminal 4 changes software or setting parameters according to the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware (for example, the microphone 400F, the speaker 400G, the GPS sensor 400H, etc.). In this way, the software or setting parameters are changed according to the usage history. For example, if the GPS sensor 400H is frequently used among the two or more pieces of hardware that the second user terminal 4 has, but the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G are hardly used, the change unit 405 can change the software or setting parameters to those that correspond to the GPS plan, which is highly convenient.

[0086] As described above, the configuration may include a recommendation unit that recommends changes to software or setting parameters based on the usage history of two or more pieces of hardware. In this case, the first user can confirm or decide whether to change the contract plan, which is highly convenient.

[0087] [Second embodiment] Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which changes in the contract plan are accommodated by changing the processing routine of software running on the second user terminal 4. In this case, for example, the server 2 may transmit an instruction to change the processing routine of the software in response to a change in the contract plan, and when the receiving unit 401 of the second user terminal 4 receives the instruction to change the processing routine, the changing unit 405 may change the processing routine of the software stored in the storage device 400B based on the change instruction received by the receiving unit 401, and the control unit 406 may enable or disable at least one or more functions of two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 in accordance with the processing routine of the software changed by the changing unit 405.

[0088] [Modification 1 of the second embodiment] In addition, in the above second embodiment, the control unit 406 of the second user terminal 4 may be configured to restrict the use of at least one or more functions (rather than making them usable or unusable) of two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4, depending on the processing routine of the software changed by the change unit 405.

[0089] [Third embodiment] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments and their modifications, changes in the contract plan are accommodated by making the hardware included in the second user terminal 4 available or unavailable, or by restricting its use, but the server 2 may be configured to accommodate changes in the contract plan by restricting the transmission and reception of information (for example, location information or voice data) related to two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 in response to a change in the contract plan. In this case, the server 2 may be provided with a restriction unit that restricts the transmission and reception of information related to hardware other than the available hardware or the unavailable hardware among the two or more pieces of hardware included in the second user terminal 4 in response to a change in the contract plan (an instruction to change the software or setting parameters).

[0090] [Fourth embodiment] In the first embodiment, an example of the timing of changing the billing amount when the cost (billing amount) of the contract plan is paid in advance (see FIG. 4) has been described. In this fourth embodiment, an example of the timing of changing the billing amount when the cost (billing amount) of the contract plan is paid in advance will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of timing at which the billing amount change unit 207 changes the billing amount in the fourth embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 12, the charge for the GPS plan (black band in Figure 12) for a specified period (for example, the period that is the smallest unit of charging, such as one week or one month) is 400 yen, and the charge for the GPS & Talk plan (white band in Figure 12) is 500 yen. As shown in Fig. 12, in the case of prepayment, if the contract plan is changed during a predetermined period, the billing amount change unit 207 compares the billing amounts (for example, monthly billing amounts) of the contract plan before and after the change, and if the billing amount of the changed contract plan is higher than the billing amount of the contract plan before the change (for example, if the contract plan before the change was the GPS plan and the contract plan after the change is the GPS & Talk plan), it charges the amount that is short between the time the contract plan was changed and the start of the next predetermined period (100 yen in the example of Fig. 12). Note that even if the contract plan is changed multiple times thereafter until the start of the next predetermined period, the billing amount of 100 yen will not be refunded, and no new charges will be made. On the other hand, if the charge amount for the contract plan before the change is higher than the charge amount for the contract plan after the change (for example, if the plan before the change was the GPS & Talk plan and the plan after the change is the GPS plan), the charge amount change unit 207 will not charge from the time the contract plan is changed until the start of the next specified period. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, if you pay the charge amount corresponding to the GPS & Talk Plan in advance, you will not be charged any additional fees no matter how many times you change your contract plan during the specified period for which you paid in advance. Also, if you change your contract plan to the GPS & Talk Plan during the specified period and pay the remaining amount (100 yen in the example of Figure 12), you will not be charged any additional fees no matter how many times you change your contract plan thereafter during the specified period. The timing of changing the billing amount shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and is not necessarily limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0091] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and variations thereof merely illustrate specific examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its gist or main features. For example, while the above-described contract plans include only the GPS plan and the GPS & Talk plan, a "talk-only plan" may be added as a contract plan, which allows voice data to be exchanged with the first user terminal 3 using the microphone 400F and speaker 400G without using the GPS sensor 400H provided on the second user terminal 4. Furthermore, the second user terminal 4 may be configured to include a detection unit that detects a hardware failure or a software or setting parameter malfunction in the second user terminal 4, and to switch the contract plan when a hardware failure or a software or setting parameter malfunction is detected. For example, if it is detected that the GPS sensor 400H of the second user terminal 4 is unavailable due to a malfunction of the GPS sensor 400H or a malfunction of the software or setting parameters, the contract plan may be switched to the "talk-only plan," and if it is detected that the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G of the second user terminal 4 are unavailable due to a malfunction of the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G of the second user terminal 4 or a malfunction of the software or setting parameters, the contract plan may be switched to the "GPS plan." Note that the contract plan may also be switched to the "GPS plan" if it is detected that the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G of the first user terminal 3 are unavailable due to a malfunction of the microphone 400F and the speaker 400G of the first user terminal 3 or a malfunction of the software or setting parameters.Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a form has been shown in which the sending and receiving of information regarding hardware other than the hardware that is enabled for use or the hardware that is disabled for use among two or more pieces of hardware provided in the second user terminal 4 is restricted in response to an instruction to change the software or setting parameters, but similar control may also be performed in response to an instruction to change the firmware (software) built into the hardware instead of an instruction to change the software or setting parameters. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] It can be applied to devices with two or more pieces of hardware. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1: Information processing system 2: Server (information processing device) 3: First user terminal (first terminal) 4: Second user terminal (second terminal) 5: Network 200A: Communication IF 200B: Storage device 200C: CPU 201: Receiving unit 202: Transmission unit 203: Storage device control unit 204: Judgment section 205: Recommendation section 206: Plan Change Department 207: Charge amount change section 300A: Communication IF 300B: Storage device 300C: Input device 300D:Display device 300E: CPU 300F: Microphone 300G: Speaker 301: Receiving unit 302: Sending department 303: Storage device control unit 304: Input reception section 305: Display device control unit 400A: Communication IF 400B: Storage device 400C: Input device 400D:Display device 400E: CPU 400F: Microphone 400G: Speaker 400H: GPS sensor 401: Receiver 402: Sending department 403: Storage device control unit 404: Input acceptance section 405: Changes 406: Control unit

Claims

1. A server having a billing amount setting means for setting a billing amount according to a contract plan, The contract plan is: a first plan that acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over and is capable of exchanging voice messages with the device of the person being watched over, and is associated with a first charge amount; a second plan associated with a second charge amount that is cheaper than the first charge amount, which acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over but does not allow exchange of voice messages with the device of the person being watched over; the charge amount setting means, in response to a change from the first plan to the second plan in the middle of a certain unit period, keeps the charge amount to the watcher in the certain unit period as the first charge amount, and changes the charge amount to the watcher in a unit period next to the certain unit period to the second charge amount; The charge amount setting means The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the unit period before the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, The server sets the second charge amount to the amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the next unit period after the certain unit period.

2. The server according to claim 1 , further comprising: a location information receiving means for receiving the location information.

3. 3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the person being watched is a child, and the person watching over is the child's guardian.

4. The server according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plan change instruction receiving means for receiving a plan change instruction from the terminal of the watcher.

5. The server of claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice message comprises a preset message.

6. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voice message includes a message input into the terminal of the watcher.

7. a means for receiving the location information regardless of whether the contract plan is the first plan or the second plan; The server according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a means for sending and receiving the voice message when the contract plan is the second plan, but not sending and receiving the voice message when the contract plan is the first plan.

8. A server as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the contract plans are only two: the first plan and the second plan.

9. A billing amount setting program that causes a server to function as a billing amount setting unit that sets a billing amount according to a contract plan, The contract plan is: a first plan that acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over and is capable of exchanging voice messages with the device of the person being watched over, and is associated with a first charge amount; a second plan associated with a second charge amount that is cheaper than the first charge amount, which acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over but does not allow exchange of voice messages with the device of the person being watched over; the charge amount setting means, in response to a change from the first plan to the second plan in the middle of a certain unit period, keeps the charge amount to the watcher in the certain unit period as the first charge amount, and changes the charge amount to the watcher in a unit period next to the certain unit period to the second charge amount; The charge amount setting means The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the unit period before the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, A charge amount setting program that sets the second charge amount to the charge amount to the watcher corresponding to the end of the next unit period after the certain unit period.

10. A billing amount setting method including a step in which a server sets a billing amount according to a contract plan, The contract plan is: a first plan that acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over and is capable of exchanging voice messages with the device of the person being watched over, and is associated with a first charge amount; a second plan associated with a second charge amount that is cheaper than the first charge amount, which acquires location information of a device carried by the person being watched over but does not allow exchange of voice messages with the device of the person being watched over; In response to a change from the first plan to the second plan in the middle of a certain unit period, the server keeps the amount charged to the watcher in the certain unit period as the first amount charged, and changes the amount charged to the watcher in a unit period next to the certain unit period to the second amount charged, The server The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the unit period before the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, The amount charged to the watcher corresponding to the end of the certain unit period is set as the first amount charged, A billing amount setting method in which the second billing amount is set to the amount billed to the watcher corresponding to the end of the next unit period after the certain unit period.

Images