Portable communication terminal control system, portable communication terminal and recording medium

A portable communication terminal control system includes a plurality of first portable communication terminals and a second portable communication terminal. A first processor in the first portable communication terminal performs a first portable communication terminal side determination process which determines whether communication connection is in an established state between a first portable communication terminal and the second portable communication terminal. The first processor performs a transmission control process in which, in response to determination that the communication connection with the other first portable communication terminal is in the established state and that the communication connection with the second portable communication terminal is in the established state, a release signal is transmitted to the second portable communication terminal. The second portable communication terminal includes a second processor which, in response to receiving the release signal, shifts the second portable communication terminal to the released state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-055922, filed on Mar. 25, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technological Field

The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal control system, a portable communication terminal, and a recording medium.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, for the purpose of preventing unauthorized use of a terminal device by a third party, for example, a system for unlocking a terminal device only when connection by short-range wireless communication with a portable terminal owned by a user is possible has been disclosed (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 6211574 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-102682).

However, in the systems disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6211574 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-102682, when a terminal device is used in a security service or the like in which work (for example, cash transportation) is always performed in a pair of two, if the operator who owns the portable terminal approaches the terminal device alone, the use of the terminal device becomes possible even if the two are not always together, and it is not possible to always perform the work in a pair of two.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the above problems, the portable communication terminal control system according to the present invention includes, a plurality of first portable communication terminals including a specific first portable communication terminal, a second portable communication terminal which shifts between either one of the following states, a limited state in which execution of a predetermined function is limited and a released state in which the limited state is released, wherein, the specific first portable communication terminal includes a first processor configured to execute the following processes, a first portable communication terminal side determination process which determines whether communication connection is in an established state in which short-range wireless communication is established between a first portable communication terminal other than the specific first portable communication terminal and the second portable communication terminal, and a transmission control process in which, in response to determination by the first portable communication terminal side determination process that the communication connection with the other first portable communication terminal is in the established state and that the communication connection with the second portable communication terminal is also in the established state, a release signal to shift the second portable communication terminal to the released state is transmitted to the second portable communication terminal, and the second portable communication terminal includes a second processor which is configured to execute a control process in which, in response to receiving the release signal from the specific first portable communication terminal, the second portable communication terminal is shifted to the released state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

<Configuration of Portable Communication Terminal Control System100>

FIGS.1and2are diagrams showing a configuration of a portable communication terminal control system100of the present embodiment.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the portable communication terminal control system100includes two first portable communication terminals10A and10B and a second portable communication terminal20.

The first portable communication terminals10A and10B and the second portable communication terminal20perform short-range wireless communication by BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy). Specifically, one first portable communication terminal10A (specific first portable communication terminal, portable communication terminal) is used as a central (base) and the other first portable communication terminal10B and second portable communication terminal20are used as a peripheral (slave) for short-distance wireless communication.

The first portable communication terminals10A and10B are, for example, smart watches respectively worn by Mr. A and Mr. B who carry out cash transportation or the like in a pair of two in security service. In the portable communication terminal control system100of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first portable communication terminal10A (first smart watch) is worn by Mr. A (one user), and the first portable communication terminal10B (second smart watch) is worn by Mr. B.

The second portable communication terminal20is a tablet-type terminal such as a handheld terminal or a smartphone, and is a terminal device used when Mr. A and Mr. B perform the work such as transporting money in a pair of two. In the portable communication terminal control system100of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second portable communication terminal20is carried by Mr. A. The second portable communication terminal20is installed with application programs (application program1and application program2(to be described later)) used when carrying out works such as cash transport as described above. This application program cannot be executed when Mr. A and Mr. B are not together, that is, when the first portable communication terminal10A worn by Mr. A and the first portable communication terminal10B worn by Mr. B do not exist in a range in which short-range wireless communication by BLE can be performed.

<Configuration of the First Portable Communication Terminal>

Next, the first portable communication terminals10A and10B will be described with reference toFIG.3.

Here, except that the first portable communication terminal10A functions as the central in the short-range wireless communication by BLE, and the first portable communication terminal10B functions as the peripheral, the configuration and the operation of the first portable communication terminals10A and10B are substantially the same, and therefore, the first portable communication terminal10A will be exemplified as a representative.

FIG.3is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the first portable communication terminal10A.

As shown inFIG.3, the first portable communication terminal10A includes a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit)11, a random access memory (Random Access Memory)12, a storage13, an operation unit14, a display15, a communication unit16, a clock17, and the like, and each unit is connected via a bus18.

The CPU (first portable communication terminal side discrimination means (discrimination means), transmission control means)11is a processor for controlling each unit of the first portable communication terminal10A. The CPU11reads out a program stored in the storage13, deploys the program on a RAM12, and executes the program to perform various arithmetic processes. The CPU11(first processor) executes a first portable communication terminal side discrimination process (discrimination process), a transmission control process, and a display control process.

The RAM12provides the CPU11with working memory space and stores temporary data. The RAM12may include non-volatile memories.

The storage13stores programs executed by the CPU11and various data such as setting data. The program is stored in the storage13in the form of a computer-readable program code. As the storage unit13, a storage device which does not require a power source to hold data is used, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory.

The setting data stored in the storage13includes identification data for identifying and specifying the first portable communication terminal10B and the second portable communication terminal20as objects with which the communication unit16performs the short-range wireless communication by BLE.

The operation unit14includes a push-button switch, a touch sensor provided on the display15, and the like, and receives a user-input operation, converts the operation content into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the CPU11.

The display15includes LCDs or the like, and displays screens in accordance with display control signals from the CPU11. On the display screen of the display15, the touch sensor is provided. The display15thus functions as a touch panel type operation display.

The communication unit16is a communication module including an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like, and performs wireless data communication with the communication unit16of the first portable communication terminal10B and the communication unit26of the second portable communication terminal20in accordance with a communication standard related to short-range wireless communication by BLE.

The clock17is configured to include, for example, a timer, a clock circuit, and the like, and measures the current time to acquire time information.

<Configuration of Second Portable Communication Terminal>

FIG.4is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the second portable communication terminal20.

As shown inFIG.4, the second portable communication terminal20includes a CPU21, a RAM22, a storage23, an operation unit24, a display25, a communication unit26, and the like, and the respective units are connected via a bus27.

The CPU (control means, second portable communication terminal side determination means)21is a processor for controlling each unit of the second portable communication terminal20. The CPU21reads a program stored in the storage23, which includes the above-described application program and the like, deploys the program in the RAM22, and executes the program to perform various arithmetic processes. The CPU21(second processor) executes a control process and a second portable communication terminal side discrimination process.

The RAM22provides the CPU21with working memory space and stores temporary data. The RAM22may include non-volatile memories.

The storage23stores programs executed by the CPU21and various data such as setting data. The program is stored in the storage23in the form of a computer-readable program code. As the storage23, for example, an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, or the like is used.

The setting data stored in the storage23includes identification data for identifying and specifying the first portable communication terminal10A as an object with which the communication unit26performs the short-range wireless communication by using BLE.

The operation unit24is configured to include a push-button switch, a touch sensor provided on the display25, and the like, and receives a user-input operation, converts the operation content into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the CPU21.

The display25includes LCDs, CRTs, and the like, and displays screens in accordance with display control signals from the CPU21. On the display screen of the display25, the touch sensor is provided. The display25thus functions as a touch panel type operation display.

The communication unit26is a communication module including an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like, and performs wireless data communication with the communication unit16of the first portable communication terminal10A in accordance with a communication standard related to short-range wireless communication by BLE.

<Summary of Operation of Portable Communication Terminal Control System>

Next, the operation of the portable communication terminal control system100will be described by referring toFIGS.5to9C.

FIG.5is a flowchart showing the status control process of the first portable communication terminal10A which functions as the central in the short-range wireless by BLE.

As shown inFIG.5, first, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B in the short-range wireless by the BLE is shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S1). That is, in step S1, it is determined whether or not Mr. A and Mr. B have shifted from the separated state to the close state.

In step S1, when it is determined that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S1; YES), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20in the short-range wireless by BLE is already established (step S2).

In step S2, when it is determined that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20is already established (step S2; YES), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A transmits a first release signal for releasing the execution restriction of all the application programs of the second portable communication terminal20to the second portable communication terminal20via the communication unit16(step S3). That is, the CPU11executes a first portable communication terminal side discrimination process (discrimination process) and a transmit control process. Then, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S2that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20is not the established state, that is, the communication connection state is the disconnected state (step S2; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S1that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B has not shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S1; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B is already established (step S4).

In step S4, when it is determined that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B is already established (step S4; YES), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S5).

When it is determined in step S5that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S5; YES), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A transmits a first release signal to the second portable communication terminal20via the communication unit16(step S3). Then, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S5that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has not shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S5; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S4that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B is not the established state, that is, the disconnected state (step S4; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S6).

In step S6, when it is determined that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S6; YES), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A transmits a second release signal for releasing the limits on executing some application programs of the second portable communication terminal20to the second portable communication terminal20via the communication unit16(step S7). Then, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S6that the communication connection state with the second portable communication terminal20has not shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S6; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S1and repeats the subsequent processes.

FIG.6is a flowchart showing the display update process of the first portable communication terminal10A.FIG.7Ais a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display15of each terminal when the first portable communication terminal10A and the first portable communication terminal10B are shifted to the established state, andFIG.7Bis a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display15of each terminal when the first portable communication terminal10A and the first portable communication terminal10B are shifted to the disconnected state.

Note that this display update process is also performed in the first portable communication terminal10B functioning as a peripheral in the short-distance wireless by BLE, and therefore, the display update process of the first portable communication terminal10A will be described as a representative example.

As shown inFIG.6, first, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B in the short-range wireless by the BLE is shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S11). That is, in step S11, it is determined whether or not Mr. A and Mr. B have shifted from the separated state to the together state.

In step S11, when it is determined that the communication connection state between the first portable communication terminal10B has shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S11; YES), as shown inFIG.7A, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A displays on the display15of the first portable communication terminal10A that the state shifted to the established state (e.g., character information of “connected to BBBB terminal”) (step S12). That is, the CPU11executes the display control process. Further, at this time, in the first portable communication terminal10B also, the display showing that the shift to the established state (e.g., character information of “connected to AAAA terminal”) is made is displayed on the display15of the first portable communication terminal10B. Here, “AAAA” displayed on the display15of the terminals is a name for identifying the first portable communication terminal10A, and “BBBB” is a name (identification information) for identifying the first portable communication terminal10B. At this time, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A may notify that the first portable communication terminal10A has shifted to the established state by operating the vibration motors (not shown) included in the first portable communication terminal10A.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B has not shifted from the disconnected state to the established state (step S11; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A skips step S12and advances the process to step S13.

Next, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B in the short-range wireless by BLE has shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S13). That is, in step S13, a determination is made as to whether or not Mr. A and Mr. B have shifted from a state in which they are together to a state in which they are separated from each other.

In step S13, when it is determined that the communication connection state between the first portable communication terminal10B has shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S13; YES), as shown inFIG.7B, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A displays on the display15of the first portable communication terminal10A that the process shifted to the disconnected state (e.g., character information of “disconnected from BBBB terminal”) (step S14). At this time, also in the first portable communication terminal10B, a message showing that the state is shifted to the disconnected state (for example, the character information “disconnected from AAAA terminal” is displayed on the display15of the first portable communication terminal10B. Then, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S11, and repeats the subsequent processes. At this time, the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A may notify that the first portable communication terminal10A has shifted to the disconnected state by operating the vibration motors (not shown) included in the first portable communication terminal10A.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10B has not shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S13; NO), the CPU11of the first portable communication terminal10A returns the process to step S11and repeats the subsequent processes.

FIG.8is a flowchart showing a state shift process of the second portable communication terminal20functioning as a peripheral in the short-range wireless by BLE.FIG.9Ais a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display25of the second portable communication terminal20when the state shifts to the first released state,FIG.9Bis a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display25of the second portable communication terminal20when the state shifts to the second released state, andFIG.9Cis a diagram showing an example of a display mode on the display25of the second portable communication terminal20when the state shifts to the locked state.

As shown inFIG.8, first, the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A in the short-range wireless by the BLE is in the established state (step S21).

When it is determined in step S21that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A is the established state (step S21; YES), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20determines whether or not the first release signal has been received from the first portable communication terminal10A via the communication unit26(step S22).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A is not in the established state, that is, the communication connection state is in the disconnected state (step S21; NO), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20returns the process to step S21, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S22that the first release signal has been received from the first portable communication terminal10A (step S22; YES), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20shifts the terminal to the first released state in which the limits on the execution of all of the application programs of the terminal have been released (step S23). As shown inFIG.9A, when the state is shifted to the first released state, the display25of the second portable communication terminal20displays in an operable state the activation buttons B1, B2, B3, B4, . . . for starting each application program. Here, among these application programs, the application program (application)1and the application program (application)2are programs that handle highly confidential information (e.g., financial information, personal information, etc.), and are programs that are required to be executed in a state where Mr. A and Mr. B are together (security is required). In the first released state, the application program1and the application program2can be executed.

Then, the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20returns the process to S21, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S22that the first release signal has not been received from the first portable communication terminal10A (step S22; NO), the CPU of the second portable communication terminal20determines whether or not the second release signal has been received from the first portable communication terminal10A via the communication unit26(step S24).

When it is determined in step S24that the second release signal has been received from the first portable communication terminal10A (step S24; YES), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20shifts the state of the terminal to the second released state (step S25). That is, the CPU21executes the control process and the second portable communication terminal side determination process. As shown inFIG.9B, when the state shifts to the second released state, in the display25of the second portable communication terminal20, the start buttons B1and B2for starting the application program1and the application program2among the application programs are displayed in a state that can not be operated. That is, in the second released state, it is possible to execute only application programs other than the application program1and the application program2, that is, only programs that are not required to be executed in a state in which Mr. A and Mr. B are together.

Then, the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20returns the process to step S21, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S24that the second release signal has not been received from the first portable communication terminal10A (step S24; NO), the CPU of the second portable communication terminal20determines whether or not the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A has shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S26).

In step S26, when it is determined that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A has shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S26; YES), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20shifts the state of the terminal to a locked state (step S27). As shown inFIG.9C, when the process shifts to the locked state, the display25of the second portable communication terminal20displays information indicating that the state is the locked state (e.g., character information of “terminal locked”), and the terminal is in a state in which it is impossible to perform an operation to start each application program. In the locked state, only reception of incoming calls and calling to specific contacts are allowed.

Then, the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20returns the process to S21, and repeats the subsequent processes.

When it is determined in step S26that the communication connection state with the first portable communication terminal10A has not shifted from the established state to the disconnected state (step S26; NO), the CPU21of the second portable communication terminal20returns the process to step S21, and repeats the subsequent processes.

As described above, the portable communication terminal control system100of the present embodiment includes, a plurality of first portable communication terminals10A and10B including a specific first portable communication terminal10A, and a second portable communication terminal20which is shifted to either a limited state in which there is limitation in executing the application program (predetermined function) or a released state in which the limited state is released, the specific first portable communication terminal10A determines whether the communication connection by short range wireless communication between each of the other first portable communication terminal10B and the second portable communication terminal20is in the established state, and when it is determined that the communication connection with the other first portable communication terminal10B is in the established state and that the communication connection with the second portable communication terminal20is also in the established state, the release signal for shifting the second portable communication terminal20to the released state is transmitted to the second portable communication terminal20, and when the second portable communication terminal20receives the release signal from the specific first portable communication terminal10A, the second portable communication terminal20is shifted from the limited state to the released state.

According to such a configuration, only when Mr. A wearing the first portable communication terminal10A and Mr. B wearing the first portable communication terminal10B are together with each other as a pair of two people, the application program of the second portable communication terminal20(the application program1and the application program2) can be executed. Consequently, it is possible to reliably perform the work performed by two people, Mr. A and Mr. B, as a pair.

In addition, when it is determined that the communication connection with the other first portable communication terminal10B is in the established state and the communication connection with the second portable communication terminal20is also in the established state, the first portable communication terminal10A transmits a first release signal for shifting the second portable communication terminal20to the first released state to the second portable communication terminal20, and when it is determined that the communication connection with the other first portable communication terminal10B is not in the established state and that the communication connection with the second portable communication terminal20is in the established state, transmits a second release signal for shifting the second portable communication terminal20to the second released state to the second portable communication terminal20, and when the second portable communication terminal20receives the first release signal from the first portable communication terminal10A, the second portable communication terminal20shifts the second portable communication terminal20to the first released state, and when the second portable communication terminal receives the second release signal from the first portable communication terminal10A, the second portable communication terminal20shifts the second portable communication terminal20to the second released state.

According to such a configuration, even when Mr. A wearing the first portable communication terminal10A and Mr. B wearing the first portable communication terminal10B are not together, when the communication connection between the first portable communication terminal10A and the second portable communication terminal20is in an established state, it is possible to execute application programs other than the application program1and the application program2, that is, a program which is not required to be executed in a state in which Mr. A and Mr. B are together can be executed, so that workability in the system can be enhanced.

The second portable communication terminal20determines whether or not the communication connection with the first portable communication terminal10A is in the established state, and when it is determined that the communication connection with the first portable communication terminal10A is not in the established state, shifts the second portable communication terminal20from the released state to the limited state.

This makes it possible to prevent the application program of the second portable communication terminal20from being executed when Mr. A wearing the first portable communication terminal10A leaves the place where the second portable communication terminal20is located and the communication connection between the first portable communication terminal10A and the second portable communication terminal20is disconnected.

Therefore, since it becomes possible to prevent Mr. B from executing the application program of the second portable communication terminal20alone and to prevent a third party from executing the application program, it is possible to secure that the work is performed by a pair of two people, Mr. A and Mr. B.

The description in the above embodiment is an example of the portable communication terminal control system according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto.

For example, in the above embodiment, the second portable communication terminal20has been described as being carried by Mr. A, but may be carried by Mr. B.

Further, in the above embodiment, although the description has been made on the assumption that Mr. A and Mr. B carry out the work such as the cash transport as a pair of two people, the number of members may be three or more when the work is carried out by a certain group. In this case, each member carries the first portable communication terminal. Specifically, one of these members carries a first portable communication terminal functioning as a central in the short-range wireless communication by BLE, and members other than the above member carries a first portable communication terminal functioning as a peripheral. In such case, the second portable communication terminal may be carried by any of the above-mentioned members.

In the above embodiment, the condition that the first portable communication terminal10A transmits the release signal to the second portable communication terminal20is that the communication connection state between the first portable communication terminal10A and the first portable communication terminal10B is in the established state and the communication connection state between the first portable communication terminal10A and the second portable communication terminal20is also in the established state. Alternatively, for example, the condition that the communication connection state between a third portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or the like carried by Mr. B and the first portable communication terminal10A are in the established state may be added to the above condition.

In the above embodiment, the execution of the application program stored in the storage23of the second portable communication terminal20is limited, but the use of the second portable communication terminal20itself may be limited.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the claimed invention equivalent thereto.