Function restriction management system, mobile device, computer program, and method for managing function restrictions on a mobile device

Abstract

To easily set functional restrictions on a mobile terminal according to a restricted function area when entering the restricted function area, and when exiting from the restricted function area, easily cancel the function restrictions on the mobile terminal set when entering the restricted function area.SOLUTION: A functional restriction management system 1 includes a mobile terminal 2, a first RFID tag 3a that stores setting information indicating functional restrictions to be set on the mobile terminal 2, and a second RFID tag 3b that stores cancellation information indicating functional restrictions to be canceled on the mobile terminal 2. When reading the setting information from the first RFID tag 3a, functional restriction management means 200 included in the mobile terminal 2 performs processing of setting the functional restrictions indicated by the setting information in the mobile terminal 2, and when reading the cancellation information from the second RFID tag 3b, the functional restriction management means performs processing of cancelling the functional restrictions on the mobile terminal 2 indicated by the cancellation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a technology for setting function restrictions on a mobile terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Mobile terminals that can be used for a variety of applications have various functions. However, depending on the area where the mobile terminal is used, function restrictions may be imposed on the mobile terminal. For example, in an area where photography is prohibited, such as in a museum, the use of the camera function of the mobile terminal is prohibited. Also, inside an airplane, all or part of the wireless communication function of the mobile terminal is prohibited.

[0003] In a function-restricted area where function restrictions are imposed on the mobile terminal, posters, voices, etc. are used to convey to visitors that function restrictions are set on the mobile terminal. However, since there are people who do not know how to set function restrictions on the mobile terminal, there is a need for a mechanism that can easily set function restrictions on the mobile terminal.

[0004] As an invention related to function restrictions of a mobile terminal, an invention that prohibits the execution of a predetermined function indicated by a signal when receiving a signal for setting function restrictions from another device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Also, an invention that enables the user to easily set function restrictions by themselves is disclosed in Patent Document 2. Furthermore, an invention that prevents unauthorized photography using a wireless tag attached to an object to be photographed is disclosed in Patent Document 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is necessary that users can easily set function restrictions on their mobile devices according to the restricted area they are entering, and it is also necessary that they can easily remove the function restrictions set on their mobile devices when leaving or entering a restricted area.

[0007] Therefore, this invention provides a system that allows users to easily set function restrictions on their mobile devices when entering a restricted area where such restrictions are in place, and further allows them to easily remove the function restrictions set on their mobile devices when leaving the restricted area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, comprises a mobile terminal equipped with means for wireless communication with an RFID tag, and a first RFID tag that stores setting information indicating function limitations to be set on the mobile terminal. A first smart poster to which a sticker is attached, and which has an image printed on it indicating entry into a restricted area and an image indicating the location where the mobile device should be brought close. And a second RFID tag that stores deactivation information indicating the function restriction to be deactivated by the aforementioned mobile device. A second smart poster is attached to which a picture indicating the exit from the restricted area and a picture indicating the location where the mobile device should be brought close are printed, It is a functional restriction management system consisting of at least the following. In the first invention, the mobile terminal is By bringing it closer to the first smart poster, When the configuration information is read from the first RFID tag, the configuration information by The specified functional limitations are set on the mobile device. fixed Perform the following process: By bringing it closer to the second smart poster, When the deactivation information is read from the second RFID tag, the deactivation information by The system includes a function restriction management means that performs a process to remove the function restrictions of the indicated mobile terminal. In the first invention, information indicating the functions of the mobile terminal to be set to be prohibited from use, such as the camera function, can be used in the setting information, and information indicating the function restriction mode to be disabled on the mobile terminal can be used in the release information. In this case, when the function restriction management means reads the setting information from the first RFID tag, it executes a process to disable the functions of the mobile terminal indicated by the setting information, and when it reads the release information indicating the functions of the mobile terminal to be unprohibited from the second RFID tag, it executes a process to enable the functions of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information. Furthermore, in the first invention, information indicating a function restriction mode that the mobile terminal has in advance, such as in-flight mode, can be used for the setting information and the deactivation information, respectively. In this case, when the function restriction management means reads the setting information from the first RFID tag, it executes a process to enable the function restriction mode indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal, and when it reads the deactivation information indicating the function restriction mode from the second RFID tag, it executes a process to disable the function restriction mode indicated by the deactivation information.

[0009] The second invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a mobile terminal that constitutes the function restriction management system according to the first invention. Furthermore, the third invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a computer program that operates the processor of the mobile terminal as a function restriction management means provided by the mobile terminal that constitutes the function restriction management system according to the first invention.

[0010] The fourth invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a first RFID tag that stores setting information indicating function limitations to be set on the mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal equipped with means for wireless communication with an RFID tag. When the mobile device is brought close to the first smart poster, which has a sticker attached to it and is printed with an image indicating entry into a restricted area and an image indicating where to bring the mobile device close, Step a: Read the configuration information from the first RFID tag. and The mobile terminal reads the configuration information from the first RFID tag. by Step b: Set the indicated functional restrictions on the mobile device. and The mobile terminal stores deactivation information indicating the function restriction to be deactivated by the mobile terminal. When the mobile device is brought close to a second smart poster on which a sticker is attached and which has a picture indicating the exit from the restricted area and a picture indicating the area to bring the mobile device close to,Step c: Read the deactivation information from the second RFID tag. and The mobile terminal reads the unlock information from the second RFID tag. by Step d: Remove the functional restrictions of the indicated mobile device. and This is a method for managing the functional restrictions of a mobile device, characterized by including the following: In the fourth invention, information indicating a function of the mobile terminal to be set to be disabled, such as a camera function, can be used in the setting information, and information indicating a function restriction mode to be disabled on the mobile terminal can be used in the release information. In this case, in step a, when the mobile terminal reads the setting information indicating a function of the mobile terminal to be set to be disabled from the first RFID tag, in step b, it disables the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the setting information. In step c, when the mobile terminal reads the release information indicating a function of the mobile terminal to be released from the second RFID tag, in step d, it enables the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information. Furthermore, in the fourth invention, information indicating a function restriction mode that the mobile terminal has in advance, such as in-flight mode, can be used in the setting information and the deactivation information, respectively. In this case, in step a, when the mobile terminal reads the setting information indicating a function restriction mode that the mobile terminal has in advance from the first RFID tag, in step b, the mobile terminal enables the function restriction mode indicated by the setting information. In step c, when the mobile terminal reads the deactivation information indicating the function restriction mode from the second RFID tag, in step d, the mobile terminal disables the function restriction mode indicated by the deactivation information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the present application, when entering a function restriction area where function restrictions of a mobile terminal are required, by simply bringing the mobile terminal close to the first RFID tag storing the setting information, function restrictions corresponding to the function restriction area can be set for the mobile terminal. Further, when exiting the function restriction area, by simply bringing the mobile terminal close to the second RFID tag storing the release information, the function restrictions set for the mobile terminal when entering the function restriction area can be released.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] A diagram for explaining the configuration of the function restriction management system. [Figure 2] A diagram for explaining the RFID tag. [Figure 3] A diagram for explaining the first smart poster. [Figure 4] A diagram for explaining the second smart poster. [Figure 5] A diagram for explaining the mobile terminal. [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining the operation of the mobile terminal.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present application will be described. The embodiments according to the present application are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments to be described hereinafter. Further, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are schematic diagrams drawn for facilitating the understanding of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the function restriction management system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the RFID tag 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the first smart poster 4a. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the second smart poster 4b. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the mobile terminal 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the mobile terminal 2.

[0015] The function restriction management system 1 according to the present invention is a system devised with the aim of easily setting function restrictions on the mobile terminal 2 according to the function restriction area 5 that the owner 6 of the mobile terminal 2 enters, and further, easily releasing the function restrictions set on the mobile terminal 2 when the owner 6 leaves the function restriction area 5 and when entering the function restriction area 5.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the function restriction management system 1 according to the present invention comprises at least a mobile terminal 2 equipped with means for reading information from an RFID tag 3, a first RFID tag 3a displayed at the entrance of a function restriction area 5 where predetermined function restrictions are set, and a second RFID tag 3b displayed at the exit of the function restriction area 5.

[0017] In this application, the RFID tag 3 is a medium compatible with NFC (Near Field Communication). As shown in Figure 2, the RFID tag 3 comprises an IC chip 31 and an antenna coil 30 connected thereto. The IC chip 31 of the RFID tag 3 stores information related to the functional restrictions of the mobile terminal 2. The first RFID tag 3a, which is an RFID tag 3 displayed at the entrance of the functional restriction area 5, stores setting information indicating the functional restrictions to be set on the mobile terminal 2. The second RFID tag 3b, which is an RFID tag 3 displayed at the exit of the functional restriction area 5, stores deactivation information indicating the functional restrictions to be deactivated by the mobile terminal 2.

[0018] Information indicating the functions of the mobile terminal 2 that are prohibited from use in the restricted function area 5 can be used as setting information to be stored in the first RFID tag 3a. The functions of the mobile terminal 2 are functions provided by the OS 21 or functions provided by applications. Functions provided by the OS 21 include mobile communication functions, camera functions, and short-range wireless communication functions. Functions provided by applications include telephone functions. In addition, if the mobile terminal 2 has a restricted function mode (for example, airplane mode set when boarding an airplane), information indicating the restricted function mode can be used as setting information to be stored in the first RFID tag 3a.

[0019] The deactivation information will be information that deactivates the function restriction indicated by the setting information stored in the first RFID tag 3a. If the setting information uses information indicating the function of the mobile terminal 2 that is prohibited from use in the function restriction area 5, the deactivation information stored in the second RFID tag 3b will use information indicating the function restriction related to the function of the mobile terminal 2 that is prohibited from use in the function restriction area 5. Also, if the setting information uses information indicating the function restriction mode, the information indicating this function restriction mode will be used as the deactivation information.

[0020] In the embodiment of the present invention, a smart poster 4 is used to display the RFID tag 3. The smart poster 4 is a medium on which an RFID tag 3 is attached to a paper poster. In Figure 1, a first smart poster 4a with a first RFID tag 3a attached is displayed at the entrance of the restricted area 5 using a poster stand. Also, a second smart poster 4b with a second RFID tag 3b attached is displayed at the exit of the restricted area 5 using a poster stand.

[0021] As illustrated in Figure 3, the first smart poster 4a to which the first RFID tag 3a is attached has the following printed on it: image 4a1 indicating entry into the restricted area 5 (the no-photography area in Figure 3), image 4a2 indicating the area to bring the mobile device 2 close, and image 4a3 explaining how to use the first smart poster 4a. In Figure 3, the first RFID tag 3a is attached to the back of image 4a2 indicating the area to bring the mobile device 2 close.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 4, the second smart poster 4b to which the second RFID tag 3b is attached has printed images: 4b1 indicating that the user should leave the restricted area 5 (the no-photography area in Figure 4), 4b2 indicating the area where the mobile device 2 should be brought close, and 4b3 explaining how to use the second smart poster 4b. In Figure 4, the second RFID tag 3b is attached to the back of the image 4b2 indicating the area where the mobile device 2 should be brought close.

[0023] Smart Poster 4 often uses a format called NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) as the data format. In this case, for example, the ID element of the NDEF record can store information indicating that it is configuration information or deactivation information. Also, the PAYLOAD element of the NDEF record can store the main body of the configuration information or the main body of the deactivation information.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 5, the mobile terminal 2 comprises a mobile communication module 22, a short-range wireless communication module 23, a camera module 24, a location detection module 25, and an NFC module 26 as modules. A module refers to an electronic component that integrates the necessary elements according to its function. Naturally, the mobile terminal 2 also includes hardware necessary for it to function, such as a processor and memory, which are not shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 2 includes an OS 21 and a service application 20 (hereinafter abbreviated as "Service App 20") as computer programs that operate the processor.

[0025] The mobile communication module 22 of the mobile terminal 2 is an electronic component that integrates the elements necessary for mobile communication functions. The short-range wireless communication module 23 is an electronic component that integrates the elements necessary for short-range wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. The camera module 24 is an electronic component that integrates the elements necessary for camera functions, such as a lens, image sensor, and camera processor. The position detection module 25 is an electronic component that integrates the elements necessary for position detection functions, such as the elements necessary for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The NFC module 26 is an electronic component that integrates the elements necessary for NFC. Although the NFC standard allows the NFC module 26 to function as a contactless IC card, in this application, the NFC module 26 functions as a reader / writer that reads information from the RFID tag 3 in order to function as a means of wireless communication with the RFID tag 3.

[0026] The OS21 installed on mobile terminal 2 is a computer program that controls the operation of mobile terminal 2. The OS21 installed on mobile terminal 2 provides an API210 (Application Programming Interface) to applications running on the OS21 for controlling modules implemented on mobile terminal 2.

[0027] The service App 20 installed on the mobile terminal 2 is a computer program that runs on the OS 21 implemented on the mobile terminal 2. When the service App 20 installed on the mobile terminal 2 is activated, it functions as a function restriction management means 200 that controls the functional restrictions of the mobile terminal 2 based on the information read from the RFID tag 3. If the information read from the RFID tag 3 is setting information, the function restriction management means 200 performs a process to set the functional restrictions indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal 2. If the information read from the RFID tag 3 is deactivation information, the function restriction management means 200 performs a process to deactivate the functional restrictions indicated by the deactivation information.

[0028] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the function restriction management means 200 provided in the mobile terminal 2. Note that the explanation of Figure 6 also serves as an explanation of the function restriction management method for the mobile terminal 2 according to the present invention.

[0029] After the service app 20 on the mobile terminal 2 is launched, when a predetermined operation (for example, selecting a function restriction menu) is performed on the service app 20, the function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2 is activated (step S1), and the function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2 performs an operation to detect the RFID tag 3 using the NFC module 26 (step S2). A command called a polling command is used to detect the RFID tag 3. The function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2 detects the RFID tag 3 that is in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 2 by receiving a response to the polling command.

[0030] When an RFID tag 3 is detected in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 2, the function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2 uses the NFC module 26 to read information from the detected RFID tag 3 (step S3), and branches the processing according to the information read from the RFID tag 3 (step S4).

[0031] The function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2, if the information read from the RFID tag 3 is configuration information, that is, if the detected RFID tag 3 is the first RFID tag 3a, executes a process to set function restrictions on the mobile terminal 2 according to the configuration information read from the RFID tag 3 (step S5), and returns to step S2 included in the procedure in Figure 6.

[0032] If the configuration information indicates a function of the mobile terminal 2 that is prohibited from being used in the area entered by the owner 6 of the mobile terminal 2, the function restriction management means 200 uses the API 210 to perform a process to disable the function of the mobile terminal 2 indicated by the configuration information. If the configuration information indicates a function restriction mode, the function restriction management means 200 uses the API 210 to perform a process to enable the function restriction mode indicated by the configuration information on the mobile terminal 2.

[0033] The function restriction management means 200 of the mobile terminal 2, if the information read from the RFID tag 3 in step S3 of the procedure in Figure 6 is deactivation information, that is, if the detected RFID tag 3 is the second RFID tag 3b, executes a process to deactivate the function restriction set on the mobile terminal 2 according to the deactivation information read from the RFID tag 3 (step S6), and returns to step S2 of the procedure in Figure 6. Note that the procedure illustrated in Figure 6 ends when the service App 20 is terminated.

[0034] If the deactivation information indicates that the function of mobile terminal 2 that is prohibited from being used in the function-restricted area 5 entered by the owner 6 of mobile terminal 2 is to be deactivated, the function restriction management means 200 uses the API 210 to execute a process to enable the function of mobile terminal 2 indicated by the deactivation information. If the deactivation information indicates that the function restriction mode is to be deactivated, the function restriction management means 200 uses the API 210 to execute a process to deactivate the function restriction mode indicated by the deactivation information.

[0035] Next, we will describe an example of applying the Function Restriction Management System 1 of the present invention to the prevention of unauthorized photography. When applying the Function Restriction Management System 1 of the present invention to the prevention of unauthorized photography, the Function Restriction Area 5 will be an area where photography is prohibited, such as a museum. Since tickets are often required to enter areas where photography is prohibited, it is preferable to apply the Service App 20 of the present invention to the application that manages tickets.

[0036] When the function restriction management system 1 according to the present invention is applied to prevent unauthorized photography, the function restricted on the mobile terminal 2 is the camera function. In this case, the first RFID tag 3a stores setting information indicating that the use of the camera function is prohibited, and the second RFID tag 3b stores deactivation information indicating that the prohibition on the use of the camera function is lifted.

[0037] When the function restriction management system 1 according to the present invention is applied to the prevention of unauthorized photography, the function restriction management means 200 reads the setting information in step S3 of Figure 6 and then executes a process to disable the camera function of the mobile terminal 2 in step S5 of Figure 6. Disabling the camera function of the mobile terminal 2 means logically removing the camera module 24 from the OS 21. Furthermore, when the function restriction management means 200 reads the release information in step S3 of Figure 6, it executes a process to enable the camera function of the mobile terminal 2 in step S5 of Figure 6. Enabling the camera function of the mobile terminal 2 means logically connecting the camera module 24 and the OS 21.

[0038] In this way, the owner 6 who possesses the mobile device 2 can disable or enable the camera function of the mobile device 2 simply by bringing the mobile device 2 close to the smart poster 4 posted in an area where photography is prohibited.

[0039] Furthermore, in the function restriction management system 1 according to this application, the functions of the mobile terminal 2 that are subject to function restriction are not limited to the camera module 24. For example, in the function restriction management system 1 according to this application, functions corresponding to the modules shown in Figure 5, excluding the NFC module 26, can be subject to function restriction. In addition, functions provided by applications, such as telephone functions, can also be subject to function restriction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Function Restriction Management System 2 Mobile devices 200 Function restriction management means 3 RFID tags 3a First RFID tag 3b Second RFID tag

Claims

1. A mobile terminal equipped with means for wireless communication with RFID tags, A first RFID tag is attached to the mobile device, storing setting information indicating the function restrictions to be set on the mobile device, and a first smart poster is printed with an image indicating entry into a function restriction area and an image indicating the area where the mobile device should be brought close. A second RFID tag is attached to the second smart poster, which stores information indicating the release of the function restrictions to be unlocked by the mobile device, and which has a picture printed on it indicating the exit from the function restriction area and a picture indicating the area where the mobile device should be brought close. It consists of at least the following: The mobile terminal is equipped with a function restriction management means that, when brought close to the first smart poster, reads the setting information from the first RFID tag and performs a process to set the function restrictions indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal, and when brought close to the second smart poster, reads the deactivation information from the second RFID tag and performs a process to deactivate the function restrictions on the mobile terminal indicated by the deactivation information. A function restriction management system characterized by the following:

2. The setting information stored in the first RFID tag is information indicating the function of the mobile terminal to be set to "disabled," and the release information stored in the second RFID tag is information indicating the function of the mobile terminal to release the "disabled" status. The function restriction management means executes a process to disable the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the setting information as a process to set the function restriction indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal, and executes a process to enable the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information as a process to release the function restriction of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information. The function restriction management system as described in claim 1.

3. The setting information stored in the first RFID tag is information indicating a function restriction mode to be enabled on the mobile terminal, and the deactivation information stored in the second RFID tag is information indicating a function restriction mode to be disabled on the mobile terminal. The function restriction management means performs the following as a process to set the function restriction indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal: it performs the process to enable the function restriction mode indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal, and as a process to release the function restriction on the mobile terminal indicated by the release information: it performs the process to disable the function restriction mode indicated by the release information. The function restriction management system as described in claim 1.

4. A mobile terminal comprising a function restriction management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A computer program that operates the processor of a mobile terminal as a function restriction management means provided in a mobile terminal comprising a function restriction management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Step a: A mobile terminal equipped with means for wireless communication with an RFID tag is brought close to a first smart poster on which a first RFID tag storing setting information indicating function restrictions to be set on the mobile terminal is attached, and which has an image indicating entry into a function restriction area and an image indicating a place to bring the mobile terminal close to printed on it, thereby reading the setting information from the first RFID tag. Step b, the mobile terminal sets the function restrictions indicated by the setting information read from the first RFID tag on the mobile terminal, Step c is when the mobile terminal is brought close to a second smart poster to which a second RFID tag storing deactivation information indicating the function restriction to be deactivated by the mobile terminal is attached, and which has an image indicating exit from the function restriction area and an image indicating the area to bring the mobile terminal close to printed on it, thereby reading the deactivation information from the second RFID tag, Step d of the mobile terminal releasing the functional restrictions of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information read from the second RFID tag, A method for managing restrictions on mobile device functions, characterized by including the following:

7. In step a, the mobile terminal reads the setting information indicating the function of the mobile terminal to be disabled from the first RFID tag, and in step b, the mobile terminal disables the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the setting information. In step c, the mobile terminal reads the release information from the second RFID tag indicating the function of the mobile terminal that will lift the usage ban, and in step d, enables the function of the mobile terminal indicated by the release information. The method for managing the restriction of functions of a mobile terminal as described in item 6.

8. In step a, the mobile terminal reads the setting information indicating a pre-existing function restriction mode from the first RFID tag, and in step b, enables the function restriction mode indicated by the setting information on the mobile terminal. In step c, the mobile terminal reads the release information indicating the function restriction mode from the second RFID tag, and in step d, it disables the function restriction mode indicated by the release information. The method for managing the restriction of functions of a mobile terminal as described in item 6.

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