Mobile apparatus

After mount judging unit (110) transits from a state wherein it decides that earphone (200) is not mounted in an ear to a state wherein it decides that earphone (200) is mounted in the ear, if operating unit (120) accepts a preset unlocking operation, then valid/invalid setter (130) makes a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted by operating unit (120). Valid/invalid setter (130) will keep the setting until mount judging unit (110) decides that earphone (200) is not mounted in the ear. If valid/invalid setter (130) makes the validating setting, controller (140) controls mobile device (100) depending on operations accepted by operating unit (120).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/070249 filed Sep. 6, 2011, claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-234606, filed Oct. 19, 2010, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile device, an operation control method, and a program for controlling the mobile device to judge whether or not an operation made from outside of the mobile device is valid.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, some mobile devices incorporate a function referred to as “security lock function”. The “security lock function” is a function to automatically set a mobile device to a mode for rejecting inputting operations from button keys and a touch panel on the mobile device, i.e., a mode for invalidating inputting operations (keeping the mobile device locked), if the mobile device has not been operated for a given period of time. The security lock function has been developed for protecting many items of private information stored in recent mobile devices from third parties.

A mobile device with the security lock function is set to a locked state if it has not been operated for a certain period of time even when the user (other than the third parties) is using the mobile device.

For example, while the user is listening to music on the mobile device, the mobile device is set to a locked state when a certain period of time elapses. In order for the user to validate an inputting operation to fast-forward the content or change the sound volume subsequently, the user needs to make an operation to unlock the mobile device, which is a rather troublesome task.

There has been developed a technology for solving the above problem (see Patent Literature 1, for example). According to the technology, if the user wants to listen to music using a terminal device and a unit device (e.g., a headset with a near-range wireless communication capability), then while music data are being sent from the terminal device to the unit device, the terminal device is set to an unlocked state. When the terminal device and the unit device have not been connected continuously for a certain period of time, or when music data have not been sent from the terminal device to the unit device for a certain period of time, the terminal device is set to a locked state.

PATENT LITERATURE

According to the technology disclosed in Patent Citation 1, if the unit device is loaned to a third party while music data are being sent from the terminal device to the unit device, then the terminal device may not be locked, possibly allowing information stored in the terminal device to be leaked. For example, while the user is listening to music with the mobile device that is connected to an earphone, if the user loans the earphone to a third party with music being played, then the terminal device is not locked, and information stored in the terminal device may be leaked.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device, an operation control method, and a program which will solve the above problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mobile device connectable to an earphone to be mounted in an ear, comprising:

a mount judging unit for judging whether or not the earphone is mounted in an ear;

an operating unit for accepting an operation from outside of the mobile device;

a valid/invalid setter for making a setting to confirm whether the operation accepted by the operating unit is valid or invalid; and

a controller for controlling the mobile device depending on operations accepted by the operating unit while the valid/invalid setter is making a setting for validating operations;

wherein after mount judging unit transitions from a state wherein it decides that the earphone is not mounted in the ear to a state wherein it decides that the earphone is mounted in the ear, if the operating unit accepts a preset unlocking operation, then the valid/invalid setter makes a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted by the operating unit, and will keep the setting until the mount judging unit decides that the earphone is not mounted in the ear.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an operation control method for controlling a mobile device connectable to an earphone to be mounted in an ear to judge whether an operation made from outside of the mobile device is valid or invalid, comprising:

judging whether or not the earphone is mounted in an ear;

accepting an operation from outside of the mobile device;

making a setting to confirm whether the accepted operation is valid or invalid;

controlling the mobile device depending on the accepted operation while a setting is made for validating the operation;

after a transition is made from a state wherein it is decided that the earphone is not mounted in the ear to a state wherein it is decided that the earphone is mounted in the ear, if a preset unlocking operation is accepted, making a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted; and

keeping the setting after the setting for validating operations is made until it is decided that the earphone is not mounted in the ear.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a program for enabling a mobile device connectable to an earphone to be mounted in an ear to carry out:

judging whether or not the earphone is mounted in an ear;

accepting an operation from outside of the mobile device;

making a setting to confirm whether the accepted operation is valid or invalid;

controlling the mobile device depending on the accepted operation while a setting is made for validating the operation;

after a transition is made from a state wherein it is decided that the earphone is not mounted in the ear to a state wherein it is decided that the earphone is mounted in the ear, if a preset unlocking operation is accepted, making a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted; and

keeping the setting after the setting for validating operations is made until it is decided that the earphone is not mounted in the ear.

According to the present invention, as described above, a security lock function can be set on the mobile device depending on the manner in which the user uses the mobile device.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a mobile device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2is a flowchart of an operation control method according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3is a diagram showing a mobile device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4is a flowchart of an operation control method according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a diagram showing a mobile device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, mobile device100according to the first exemplary embodiment is connected to earphone200to be mounted in the ear of a user. Mobile device100includes mount judging unit110, operating unit120, valid/invalid setter130, and controller140.FIG. 1shows only those components which are relevant to the present invention among the components of mobile device100that includes earphone200.

Mobile device100may comprise a mobile audio player for playing back sounds of recorded music or the like, a mobile terminal having a function to play back sounds of music or the like.

Mount judging unit110, which is disposed in earphone200, judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of a user. Mount judging unit110may make a judgment using a temperature sensor or a contact sensor having a touch sensor function or the like. If a temperature sensor is used, for example, then when mount judging unit110detects a temperature equal to or higher than a preset threshold value, mount judging unit110may decide that earphone200is mounted in the ear. If a contact sensor is used, for example, then when mount judging unit110detects a contact, mount judging unit110may decide that earphone200is mounted in the ear. Mount judging unit110indicates the judgment result to valid/invalid setter130.

Operating unit120accepts an operation made from outside of mobile device100by the user who operates mobile device100. Operating unit120may comprise input buttons on mobile device100, input switches, or an input means using a touch panel function. The user can use operating unit120to adjust the sound volume, and display, select, start playing back, stop playing back, fast-forward, and wind pieces of music. Operating unit120indicates the content of accepted operations to controller140.

Valid/invalid setter130makes a setting as to whether an operation accepted by operating unit120is valid or invalid. Specifically, after mount judging unit110transitions from a state wherein it decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear to a state wherein it decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear, if operating unit120accepts a preset unlocking operation, then valid/invalid setter130makes a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted by operating unit120. Thereafter, valid/invalid setter130will keep the setting (for validating operations) until mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear while valid/invalid setter130is keeping the validating setting, then valid/invalid setter130will make a setting for invalidating operations that will subsequently be accepted by operating unit120. Since subsequent operations will be invalidated, mobile device100is locked for security.

Valid/invalid setter130indicates a validating or invalidating setting to controller140.

Controller140has a security lock function. If controller140is notified of a validating setting from valid/invalid setter130, then it controls mobile device100according to operations accepted by operating unit120. If controller140is notified of an invalidating setting from valid/invalid setter130, then it ignores (invalidates) operations accepted by operating unit120.

“Unlocking operation” referred to above is an operation for making a setting for validating operations accepted by operating unit120, and can be accepted regardless of a validating or invalidating setting made by valid/invalid setter130. Although not described, the same holds true for a “locking operation” which is an operation for making a setting to lock mobile device100against operations, i.e., a setting for invalidating operations.

An operation control method according to the first exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1will be described below.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of the operation control method according to the first exemplary embodiment which is illustrated inFIG. 1.

In step1, mount judging unit110judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user, then valid/invalid setter130judges whether or not mobile device100is presently in a locked state, i.e., whether operations accepted by operating unit120are valid or invalid, in step2.

If valid/invalid setter130decides that mobile device100is presently in a locked state, then valid/invalid setter130judges whether an unlocking operation is accepted by operating unit120or not in step3. Valid/invalid setter130may judge whether or not an unlocking operation is accepted within a preset period.

If valid/invalid setter130decides that an unlocking operation is not accepted by operating unit120, then the processing of step1is carried out.

If valid/invalid setter130decides that an unlocking operation is accepted by operating unit120, then valid/invalid setter130unlocks mobile device100in step4, thereby validating operations subsequently accepted by operating unit120.

Thereafter, in step5, mount judging unit110judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user. If valid/invalid setter130decides that mobile device100is not presently in a locked state in step2, then the processing of step S5is also carried out.

As long as mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user, valid/invalid setter130keeps mobile device100in the unlocked state. During this time, operations accepted by operating unit120are valid.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear of the user in step5, or specifically if mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is removed from the ear of the user, then valid/invalid setter130locks mobile device100. In other words, operations accepted by operating unit120are invalidated by valid/invalid setter130.

FIG. 3is a diagram showing a mobile device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, mobile device101according to the second exemplary embodiment is connected to earphone200to be mounted in the ear of the user. Mobile device101includes mount judging unit110, operating unit120, valid/invalid setter131, controller140, and timer150.FIG. 3shows only those components which are relevant to the present invention among the components of mobile device101that includes earphone200.

Mobile device101may comprise a mobile audio player for playing back sounds of recorded music or the like, a mobile terminal having a function to play back sounds of music or the like.

Mount judging unit110, operating unit120, and controller140are identical to those shown inFIG. 1.

Valid/invalid setter131makes a setting to confirm whether an operation accepted by operating unit120is valid or invalid. Specifically, after mount judging unit110transitions from a state wherein it decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear to a state wherein it decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear, if operating unit120accepts a preset unlocking operation, then valid/invalid setter131makes a setting for validating operations which will subsequently be accepted by operating unit120. Thereafter, if mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear, valid/invalid setter131will keep the setting (for validating operations) until a preset period elapses based on the decision of mount judging unit110. Stated otherwise, after the state wherein mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear has subsequently continued for a preset period while valid/invalid setter131is keeping the validating setting, valid/invalid setter131makes a setting for invalidating operations accepted by operating unit120. The “preset period” is a period set in timer150, and measured using timer150.

Valid/invalid setter131indicates a validating or invalidating setting to controller140.

Timer150measures the preset (predetermined) period. Details of the operation of timer150will be described later.

“Unlocking operation” and “locking operation” are the same as those according to the first exemplary embodiment.

An operation control method according to the second exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 3will be described below.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of the operation control method according to the second exemplary embodiment which is illustrated inFIG. 3.

In step11, mount judging unit110judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of a user.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear of a user, then valid/invalid setter131judges whether or not mobile device101is presently in a locked state, i.e., whether operations accepted by operating unit120are valid or invalid, in step12.

If valid/invalid setter131decides that mobile device100is presently in a locked state, then valid/invalid setter131judges whether or not an unlocking operation is accepted by operating unit120in step13. Valid/invalid setter130may judge whether or not an unlocking operation is accepted within a preset period. Timer150may be used to measure the preset period.

If valid/invalid setter131decides that an unlocking operation is not accepted by operating unit120, then the processing of step11is carried out.

If valid/invalid setter131decides that an unlocking operation is accepted by operating unit120, then valid/invalid setter131unlocks mobile device101in step14, thereby validating operations subsequently accepted by operating unit120.

Thereafter, in step15, mount judging unit110judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user. If valid/invalid setter131decides that mobile device101is not presently in a locked state in step12, then the processing of step S15is also carried out.

As long as mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user, valid/invalid setter131keeps mobile device100in the unlocked state. During this time, operations accepted by operating unit120are valid.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear of the user in step15, or specifically if mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is removed from the ear of the user, then timer150is activated in step16.

After timer150is activated and until the period set in timer150elapses, mount judging unit110judges whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user in step17.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is mounted in the ear of the user until the period set in timer150elapses, then the processing of step15is carried out.

If mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear of the user until the period set in timer150elapses, then valid/invalid setter131places mobile device100in a locked state in step18. In other words, valid/invalid setter131invalidates operations accepted by operating unit120.

Consequently, in view of the possibility that earphone200might have been removed from the ear, valid/invalid setter131locks mobile device100if the state wherein mount judging unit110decides that earphone200is not mounted in the ear has continued for the preset period.

In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the mobile device is locked or unlocked depending on whether or not earphone200is mounted in the ear. However, the mobile device may be locked or unlocked depending on whether or not mobile device100is connected to earphone200, i.e., whether or not earphone200is inserted in mobile device100. Specifically, if mobile device100is unlocked while earphone200is inserted in mobile device100, then mobile device100may remain continuously unlocked as long as earphone200is inserted in mobile device100, and if earphone200is pulled out of mobile device100, then mobile device100may be locked.

As described above, the present invention offers the following advantages:

According to the first advantage, if the mobile device is unlocked while the earphone is mounted in the ear, the mobile device is not locked until the earphone is removed. The unlocking action of the user is thus eliminated, making it easy for the user to operate the mobile device.

According to the second advantage, when the earphone is removed, the mobile device is automatically locked without being noticed by the user.

Therefore, a security lock function can be set on the mobile device depending on the manner in which the user uses the mobile device.

The processing details performed by the components of mobile device100,101may be carried out by logic circuits that are fabricated to meet certain purposes. Alternatively, a computer program (hereinafter referred to as “program”) descriptive of the processing details as a processing sequence may be recorded in a recording medium that can be read by mobile device100,101, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read and executed by mobile device100,101. The recording medium that can be read by mobile device100,101may comprise a removable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetooptical disk, a DVD, a CD, or the like, or a memory such as a ROM, a RAM, or the like, or a HDD that is incorporated in mobile device100,101. The program recorded in the recording medium is read by a CPU (not shown) included in mobile device100,101, and run by the CPU to perform the same processes as described above. The CPU operates as a computer for executing the program that is read from the recording medium.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art may be made to the configurations and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-234606 filed on Oct. 19, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.