JP2004304342A - Portable telephone, its control method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone and its control method which lessens the lousy effects of an abrupt high sound volume of the ringer on a user. <P>SOLUTION: If the portable telephone is set in a fixed ringer sound volume (S10:high, medium) and left opened (S20:YES), it produces a voice of specified contents from a receiver (S41), waits for a specified time (S42), and then produces the ringer sound in a gradually increasing volume (S43). This makes the user hear the sound for a time before reaching a harmful high sound volume, and hence the user can remove the portable telephone from the ear for this time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and more particularly, to a technique for reducing harm caused to a user by a sudden large volume of an incoming notification sound.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a mobile phone, a method called a “Ramped Ringer” for gradually increasing the incoming call notification volume over time is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The mobile phone executes this method according to an instruction from the user. In other words, if the user sets the Lamped Ringer mode, the mobile phone emits an incoming call notification sound at a gradually increasing volume when receiving an incoming call. For example, the user can use a message recording / playback function (so-called answering machine function). While confirming the recorded message by using this function, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large volume of an incoming notification sound is suddenly heard at the ear and the user feels discomfort or suffers an obstacle to the ear.
[0003]
On the other hand, if the user cancels the Lamped Ringer mode, the mobile phone emits an incoming notification sound at a predetermined constant volume, so that, for example, the mobile phone is placed away from the user or put in a bag. Also, the user can notice the incoming call notification sound at the same time as the sound starts, which is convenient.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-05-83332
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional mobile phone, there is a problem that a loud incoming call notification sound is suddenly generated when the user forgets to set the Lamped Ringer mode and receives a call while checking the answering machine message.
Forgetting to set the mode can frequently occur, especially immediately after removing the mobile phone from the bag.
[0006]
In view of the above problems, the present invention is directed to a mobile phone that reduces harm such as discomfort to the user due to the sudden high volume of the incoming call notification sound and ear damage even when the user does not set the mode. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) In order to solve the above problem, a foldable mobile phone according to the present invention is a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound when an incoming call is received, and detects whether or not the mobile phone itself is in an expanded state. And a control unit that, when it is detected that the mobile phone is in the expanded state, causes a receiver for receiving a voice to output a predetermined speech before the sound of the incoming call notification sound is generated.
(2) Further, the mobile phone of the present invention is a mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound at the time of an incoming call, and is providing a specific function that a user is supposed to use by using the mobile phone with his / her ear. Detection means for detecting whether or not, and when it is detected that the specific function is being provided, prior to the sounding of the incoming call notification sound, control means for uttering a speech of a predetermined content from a receiver for reception, and Is provided.
(3) The control method for a foldable mobile phone according to the present invention is a control method for a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received, and detects whether or not the mobile phone itself is in an expanded state. A detection step; and a control step of, when it is detected that the mobile phone is in the unfolded state, causing a speech receiver to utter a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming notification sound.
(4) The method for controlling a mobile phone according to the present invention is a method for controlling a mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound when an incoming call is received. A detecting step of detecting whether or not the function is being provided; and, if it is detected that the specific function is being provided, prior to the sounding of the incoming call notification sound, a speech of a predetermined content is received from a receiver for reception. And a control step of uttering.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Overall structure>
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the mobile phone according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 10 according to the present embodiment is of a foldable type, in which a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 are foldably connected.
[0009]
The mobile phone 10 includes, as main components related to the present invention, a receiver 13, a ringer 14, and a display unit 15 in a first housing 11, and a state detection switch 16, a vibration motor in a second housing 12. 17, an operation unit 18 and a microphone 19 are provided.
The receiver 13 is used for outputting a call voice and reproducing a recorded message. The ringer 14 generates a notification sound including an incoming notification sound. The display unit 15 is realized by a color liquid crystal panel, a DMD (digital mirror device), an organic EL panel, a PDP (plasma display panel), or the like, and displays state information indicating a current time, a remaining battery level, a radio field intensity, and the like. , The caller's telephone number, e-mail contents, and various setting contents are displayed.
[0010]
The state detection switch 16 detects whether the mobile phone 10 is in a folded state or an expanded state. The vibration motor 17 generates vibration for notification. The operation unit 18 includes ten keys, cursor keys, and the like, and is used to input telephone numbers, characters, and various settings. The microphone 19 is used for inputting a call voice or a voice command.
The user puts the mobile phone 10 in an expanded state during a call operation, a message recording / playback operation, a voice command input operation, and an e-mail operation, and puts the mobile phone 10 in a folded state when waiting for an incoming call. In particular, in a call operation, a message recording / reproduction operation, and a voice command input operation, it is assumed that the user uses the expanded mobile phone with his / her ear.
<Functional configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mobile phone 10.
[0011]
The mobile phone 10 includes a receiver 13, a ringer 14, a display unit 15, a state detection switch 16, a vibration motor 17, an operation unit 18, a microphone 19, an antenna 20, a transmission / reception unit 21, a modulation / demodulation unit 22, an audio processing unit 23, and a control unit 30. Consists of
Functional blocks corresponding to each component shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 and description thereof is omitted.
[0012]
Each function block operates as follows for a call.
The received radio wave received by the antenna 20 is amplified by the transmission / reception unit 21 and is demodulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 22 into an audio signal. The audio signal is subjected to predetermined processing in the audio processing unit 23, and then subjected to electro-acoustic conversion in the receiver 13 and output as audio.
On the other hand, the audio of the user that has been subjected to the acoustic-electric conversion by the microphone 19 is subjected to predetermined processing by the audio processing unit 23, and then is converted to a modulation signal by the modem 22. The modulated signal is transmitted from the antenna 20 via the transmission / reception unit 21.
[0013]
The mobile phone 10 has an answering machine function inside.
With respect to the answering machine function, each function block operates as follows.
If the user does not respond to the incoming call, the mobile phone 10 responds to the incoming call according to the settings. In this case, the control unit 30 records the audio signal demodulated by the modem unit 22 in the RAM 33. The audio signal recorded in the RAM 33 is read out by the audio processing unit 23 in response to a user operation later, and is subjected to electro-acoustic conversion by the receiver 13 and output as audio.
[0014]
This answering machine function is provided internally, and the mobile phone 10 can receive an incoming call while playing a recorded message.
The control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and the like. The CPU 31 executes a program stored in the ROM 32, and Controls the overall operation of. The RAM 33 holds work data in executing the program. In addition, by being backed up by a battery, various setting information and an answering machine message are permanently held until a change or deletion operation is received from the user.
<Incoming call notification volume selection>
The mobile phone 10 has a function of generating an incoming notification sound at a volume selected by the user.
[0015]
FIG. 3A is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 15 when the user selects the volume. The contents of the selection made by the user on this screen are recorded in the RAM 33.
“1 large”, “2 medium”, and “3 small” select a temporally constant volume corresponding to each.
“4 ramp-up” selects a volume that gradually increases from a low volume to a high volume within a predetermined time.
<Incoming notification control processing>
An incoming call notification control process performed by the control unit 30 according to the above-described incoming call notification volume selection will be described. This process is executed at the time of an incoming call unless the sound of the incoming call notification sound is prohibited (that is, unless the notification using only the vibration motor or light emission is specified).
[0016]
The incoming call here is not limited to the incoming call. This means all incoming calls that trigger an incoming notification sound, such as incoming mails and incoming faxes.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the incoming call notification control process.
The control unit 30 causes the display unit 15 to display incoming call related information related to the incoming call (S05). Here, the incoming call related information is the caller's telephone number notified at the time of the incoming call, or the caller's name stored by the user in advance in the telephone in association with the telephone number, or the sender address of the mail, the subject, And so on.
[0017]
The control unit 30 refers to the RAM 33 and identifies the selection content of the incoming call notification volume. If the selected content is "4 ramp-up" (S10: ramp-up), the ringer 14 emits an incoming notification sound at a volume that gradually increases from a small volume to a large volume within a predetermined time (S11).
If the selected content is "3 small" (S10: small), the ringer 14 sounds an incoming notification sound at a volume according to the selected content (step S21).
[0018]
If the selection is one of "1 large" or "2 medium" (S10: large, medium), the detection result of the state detection switch 16 is referred to. If the mobile phone is not in the unfolded state (S20: NO), the ringer 14 emits an incoming notification sound at a volume according to the selected content (step S21).
If the mobile phone is in the deployed state (S30: YES), the control unit 30 causes the receiver 13 to utter a predetermined content of speech (S41).
[0019]
This speech may include, for example, an instruction to take your ear off the receiver, "Keep the phone (receiver) away from your ear," a notification that the ring alert will be coming soon, "A ringtone will come soon," Notifications such as "Call received", "FAX received", and information related to the incoming call "Call from Mr. XX", "Mail arrived from Mr. XX" Present in human voice.
[0020]
If the contents of the answering machine are being reproduced, the speech is produced by interrupting the reproduction of the contents of the answering machine.
After uttering the speech, the system waits for a predetermined time (step S42), and causes the ringer 14 to emit an incoming notification sound at a volume that gradually increases from a low volume to the selected incoming notification volume within a predetermined time (step S43). .
[0021]
In the case of an incoming call, the incoming call notification sound is sounded continuously until the user answers the telephone, the answering machine is started, or the caller finishes the call. In the case of, after the sound is generated for a predetermined period, the operation is automatically stopped.
<Summary>
As described above, even when the large, medium, or low constant volume is selected for the incoming call notification volume, the mobile phone 10 is in the unfolded state, prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound, A speech having a predetermined content such as an instruction to take off the ear from the receiver is uttered from the receiver. A user who uses the mobile phone with the receiver placed against the ear in the unfolded state can hear the speech and move the mobile phone away from the ear before the arrival of the incoming call notification sound.
[0022]
The content of this speech does not necessarily need to be limited to the instruction to take the ear away from the receiver, and as described above, the notification that the incoming call notification sound is coming soon, the notification that there is an incoming call, and the connection related to the incoming call. Information may be used. Regardless of the content, the user can be alerted and notified that sounding of the incoming call notification sound will start soon. In particular, by reading out the information related to the incoming call, the user can know the presence of the incoming call and the information at once, which is very convenient.
[0023]
In addition, since the mobile phone 10 emits the incoming call notification sound at a gradually increasing volume, even if the user misses a speech, the user is not suddenly exposed to the high-volume incoming call notification sound, thus ensuring safety. it can.
In addition, if there is an incoming call, the mobile phone 10 displays the incoming-call-related information on the display unit 15. Information such as names can be obtained.
<Other modifications>
Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following cases are also included in the present invention.
(1) The present invention may be a computer program for realizing a method including the steps described in the embodiment using a computer system, or may be a digital signal representing the program.
[0024]
Further, the present invention may be a computer-readable recording medium on which the program or the digital signal is recorded, such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD, an MO, a DVD, and a semiconductor memory.
Further, the present invention may be the computer program or the digital signal transmitted via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, or the like.
[0025]
Further, the program or the digital signal may be recorded on the recording medium and transferred, or may be transferred via the network or the like, and may be implemented in another independent computer system.
(2) In the embodiment, a foldable mobile phone has been described as an example, and it has been described that when the mobile phone is detected to be in an expanded state, a speech having a predetermined content is uttered prior to an incoming call notification sound.
[0026]
Alternatively, while the mobile phone is providing a specific function that is assumed to be used by the user by placing the mobile phone on the ear, a predetermined speech may be uttered prior to the incoming call notification sound.
A function that involves voice presentation to the user and / or voice acquisition from the user, or both, corresponds to such a specific function, and specific examples include an answering machine function (message recording / playback function) and a voice command recognition function. Conceivable.
[0027]
For this reason, while performing the process for providing the specific function, the control unit 30 holds information identifying that the specific function is being provided in the RAM 33. By referring to this information at the time of the incoming call, it is detected whether or not the specific function is being provided. If the specific function is being provided, a speech having a predetermined content is uttered prior to the incoming call notification sound.
In the incoming call notification control process in this case, step S20 is changed as compared with the process shown in FIG.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the changed incoming call notification control process. In step S30 provided instead of step S20, the control unit 30 refers to the information recorded in the RAM 33 and determines whether a message recording / playback function or a voice command recognition function is being provided at that time. Is detected. If it is detected that they are being provided, the same speech as described above is uttered by executing step S41 and subsequent steps.
[0029]
This configuration does not require the mobile phone to be a foldable type in order to detect the necessity of speech utterance control, so that the configuration can be more widely applied as compared with the example of the embodiment.
(3) The present invention does not limit the communication method of the mobile phone. For example, the present invention may be applied to a mobile phone using any of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), PHS (Personal Handyphone System), or PDC (Personal Digital Cellular telecommunication system).
(4) In the embodiment, when the selected volume is “3 small”, the ringer 14 emits the ringing tone at a low volume without referring to the detection result of the state detection switch 16. When the selected volume is "3 low", speech may be uttered according to the detection result of the state detection switch 16, as in the case of "1 high" or "2 medium". Further, in the modified example in which whether or not the specific function described in the above item (2) is being provided is considered, even when the selected volume is “3 small”, “1 large” or “2 medium” is selected. As in the case, the speech may be uttered depending on whether or not the specific function is being provided.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
(1) A foldable mobile phone according to the present invention is a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received, and a detecting unit that detects whether or not the mobile phone is in an expanded state, and is in an expanded state. Control means for uttering a speech of a predetermined content from a receiver for reception prior to the sounding of the incoming call notification sound, wherein the incoming call is an incoming call, an incoming mail, or a fax. May be an incoming call.
[0031]
According to this configuration, as long as the mobile phone is in the unfolded state, a speech of a predetermined content is uttered prior to the sounding of the ringing notification sound, so that the user who hears the speech starts generating the ringing notification sound. Grace time is given.
It is assumed that the user uses the mobile phone in the unfolded state by putting it on his / her ear, but the user can keep the mobile phone away from the ear during the grace period.
[0032]
Further, the foldable mobile phone may include a ringer for generating the incoming call notification sound and a receiver for receiving the same in the same housing.
The fact that the ringer and the receiver are in the same housing means that they are in close proximity, in which case the sudden loud sound emitted by the ringer is particularly harmful to the user putting the receiver on his ear. The improvement effect is also great.
[0033]
Further, the control means includes (A) an instruction to take off the ear from the receiver, (B) a notification that an incoming call notification sound will be sounded soon, (C) a notification that there is an incoming call, and (D) an incoming call. May be uttered containing at least one of the information related to.
According to this configuration, regardless of the content, the user can be alerted and notified that sounding of the incoming call notification sound will start soon. In particular, by reading out the information related to the incoming call, the user can know the presence of the incoming call and the information at once, which is very convenient.
[0034]
Further, the foldable mobile phone may sound the incoming call notification sound while gradually increasing its volume.
According to this configuration, even if the user misses the speech, safety can be guaranteed without being suddenly exposed to a large volume alert sound.
In addition, the foldable mobile phone may further include a display unit that displays information related to the incoming call.
[0035]
According to this configuration, the user who has heard the speech can obtain information such as the name of the caller by taking a glance at the display means while keeping the mobile phone away from the ear.
(2) The mobile phone of the present invention is a mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound at the time of an incoming call, and is providing a specific function that is expected to be used by the user by putting the mobile phone on his / her ear. Detecting means for detecting whether the specific function is being provided, and control means for uttering a speech of a predetermined content from a receiver for receiving, prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound, .
[0036]
The incoming call may be an incoming call, an incoming mail, or an incoming fax.
In addition, the specific function may be a function that involves voice presentation to the user or voice acquisition from the user, or both, and the specific function includes a message recording / playback function and a voice command recognition function. It may be included.
[0037]
According to this configuration, as long as the mobile phone is providing such processing, a speech of a predetermined content is uttered prior to the sounding of the ringing notification sound, and the user who hears the speech receives the mobile phone. Grace time to keep the person away from the ears.
Further, the control means includes (A) an instruction to take off the ear from the receiver, (B) a notification that an incoming call notification sound will be sounded soon, (C) a notification that there is an incoming call, and (D) an incoming call. May be uttered containing at least one of the information related to.
[0038]
According to this configuration, regardless of the content, the user can be alerted and notified that sounding of the incoming call notification sound will start soon. In particular, by reading out the information related to the incoming call, the user can know the presence of the incoming call and the information at once, which is very convenient.
Further, the foldable mobile phone may sound the incoming call notification sound while gradually increasing its volume.
[0039]
According to this configuration, even if the user misses the speech, safety can be guaranteed without being suddenly exposed to a large volume alert sound.
In addition, the foldable mobile phone may further include a display unit that displays information related to the incoming call.
According to this configuration, the user who has heard the speech can obtain information such as the name of the caller by taking a glance at the display means while keeping the mobile phone away from the ear.
(3) The control method of the present invention is a control method for a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound at the time of an incoming call, and includes a detecting step of detecting whether or not the mobile phone itself is in an expanded state, and an expanded state. And a control step of causing the receiving receiver to utter a speech having a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound.
[0040]
Further, the control method of the present invention is a control method of a mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound at the time of an incoming call, and is providing a specific function that a user is supposed to use by using the mobile phone with his / her ear. A detection step of detecting whether or not the specific function is being provided, and a control step of, when it is detected that the specific notification function is being provided, uttering a speech of a predetermined content from a receiver for reception prior to the sounding of the incoming notification sound. including.
[0041]
If the foldable mobile phone and the mobile phone are controlled by these methods, the same effects as described above can be obtained.
(4) The program of the present invention is a computer-executable program for controlling a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received, and a detecting step of detecting whether or not the mobile phone is in an expanded state. And a control step of causing the receiver for receiving speech to give a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound when it is detected that it is in the expanded state.
[0042]
Further, the program of the present invention is a computer-executable program for controlling a mobile phone that emits an incoming call notification sound at the time of an incoming call, and a specific function that a user is supposed to use with the mobile phone put on his / her ear. A detection step of detecting whether or not the specific function is being provided, and, if it is detected that the specific function is being provided, prior to the sounding of the incoming call notification sound, a speech of a predetermined content is received from the receiver for reception. And causing the computer to execute the uttering control step.
[0043]
A foldable mobile phone and a mobile phone controlled by a computer that executes these programs exhibit the same effects as described above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a structure of a mobile phone according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile phone.
FIG. 3 is an example of an incoming call notification sound volume selection screen.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an incoming call notification control process.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the incoming call notification control process.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mobile telephone 11 1st housing | casing 12 2nd housing | casing 13 Receiver 14 Ringer 15 Display part 16 State detection switch 17 Vibration motor 18 Operation part 19 Microphone 20 Antenna 21 Transmission / reception part 22 Modulation / demodulation part 23 Audio processing part 30 Control part 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM

Claims (17)

A foldable mobile phone that emits a ringtone when an incoming call is received,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not itself is in an expanded state;
A folding mobile phone comprising: control means for, when it is detected that the mobile phone is in the unfolded state, uttering a speech of a predetermined content from a receiver for receiving a sound prior to the generation of the incoming notification sound. The control means,
(A) an instruction to remove the ear from the receiver,
(B) an announcement that the incoming call alert will be sounded shortly;
2. The folding method according to claim 1, wherein the speech including at least one of (C) an announcement of an incoming call and (D) information relating to the present incoming call is produced. Mobile phone. The foldable portable telephone according to claim 1, wherein the incoming call is an incoming call, an incoming mail, or an incoming fax. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the foldable mobile phone emits the incoming notification sound while gradually increasing its volume. The foldable mobile phone further comprises:
The folding portable telephone according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays information related to the incoming call. The foldable mobile phone,
The foldable portable telephone according to claim 1, wherein a ringer that emits the incoming call notification sound and the receiver are provided in the same housing. A mobile phone that emits a ringtone when an incoming call is received,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the user is providing a specific function that is assumed to be used by placing the mobile phone against the ear;
A mobile phone, comprising: a control unit that, when it is detected that the specific function is being provided, causes a receiving receiver to emit a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the specific function is a function that involves presenting a voice to a user, acquiring a voice from the user, or both. 9. The mobile phone according to claim 8, wherein the specific functions include a message recording / reproducing function and a voice command recognition function. The control means,
(A) an instruction to remove the ear from the receiver,
(B) an announcement that the incoming call alert will be sounded shortly;
8. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein (C) an announcement that there is an incoming call, and (D) the speech containing at least one of information related to the incoming call is produced. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the incoming call is an incoming call, an incoming mail, or an incoming fax. The mobile phone according to claim 7, wherein the mobile phone emits the incoming notification sound while gradually increasing its volume. The mobile phone further comprises:
The mobile phone according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit that displays information related to the incoming call. A method for controlling a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received,
A detecting step of detecting whether or not the device itself is in an expanded state;
A control step of, when it is detected that the mobile phone is in the unfolded state, causing a speech receiver to utter a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound. A method of controlling a mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received,
A detection step of detecting whether or not the user is providing a specific function that is assumed to be used by placing the mobile phone on the ear;
And a control step of, if it is detected that the specific function is being provided, causing a receiver for speech to emit a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound. A computer-executable program for controlling a foldable mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when an incoming call is received,
A detecting step of detecting whether or not the device itself is in an expanded state;
And a control step of causing a receiver for receiving speech to emit a speech of a predetermined content prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound when it is detected that the incoming call notification sound is in the expanded state. A computer-executable program for controlling a mobile phone that emits an incoming notification sound when receiving an incoming call,
A detection step of detecting whether or not the user is providing a specific function that is assumed to be used by placing the mobile phone on the ear;
And when the specific function is detected to be provided, the computer performs a control step of producing a speech of a predetermined content from a receiving receiver prior to the generation of the incoming call notification sound. program.

Images