JP2012109769A - Sound emission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sound emission device for automatically adjusting sound volume so as to emit the sound.SOLUTION: A sound emission device includes: sound volume measurement parts 122 respectively arranged with respect to multiple sound output destinations 121 so as to measure the sound volume output from the corresponding output destinations 121; and a sound volume setting part 150 for setting the sound volume measured by the sound volume measurement parts 122 as the specified values of the sound volume to be output from the output destinations 121 being measurement objects.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sound emitting device. In particular, the present invention relates to a sound emitting device that automatically adjusts the sound volume to emit sound.

  In recent years, for example, portable information terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and handhelds are widely used. Among portable information terminals, for example, there are products that allow video viewing in addition to voice calls, as represented by mobile phones. The video viewing includes, for example, viewing of a TV program distributed via a communication network, a call while watching the other party's video, and reproduction of moving image data stored in the terminal.

  For example, when a user is watching a video on a portable information terminal and there is an incoming call from the outside and a voice call is started in response to the call, the voice accompanying the video playback becomes noise and disturbs the conversation. do. Therefore, the user makes a voice call after reducing the volume of video playback or interrupting video playback.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, a portable information terminal including a portable information terminal main body and an external device connected to the portable information terminal main body via radio, and having a plurality of audio output systems that can be used simultaneously. There is known a technique for adjusting the audio output (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, adjustment information is registered for each predetermined internal use state managed in the terminal. In this technique, each registered adjustment information is stored in the storage unit. In this technique, a change in the internal use state managed inside the terminal is detected. In this technique, the internal use state after the change is acquired based on the detected change in the internal use state. In this technique, it is determined whether or not the acquired internal use state is a predetermined internal use state. In this technique, when it is determined that the state is the predetermined internal use state, the adjustment information corresponding to the predetermined internal use state is read from the storage unit. In this technique, the audio outputs of the plurality of audio output systems are individually adjusted based on the read adjustment information.

JP 2005-277999 A

  By the way, a portable information terminal often includes an earphone terminal together with a speaker as sound output means. In addition, the sensible volume of sound output from the speaker is different from the sensible volume of sound connected from the earphone connected to the earphone terminal. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the volume to be output cannot be adjusted according to such an output destination. For this reason, the output sound may have a loud volume against the user's will, which may adversely affect the user's hearing.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a sound emitting device that automatically adjusts the sound volume and emits sound, provided for each of a plurality of output destinations of sound, A volume measuring unit that measures the volume output from the corresponding output destination, and a volume setting unit that sets the volume measured by the volume measuring unit as a prescribed value of the volume output from the output destination to be measured.

  In addition, as described above, the summary of the invention does not enumerate all necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present invention, since the sound volume is set when the sound is output from the output destination based on the output sound volume, from any output destination, the user's The sound of the intended volume can be output.

It is a figure which shows an example of the mobile telephone 100 which concerns on one Embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow of the mobile phone 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the operation flow of the mobile phone 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the mobile telephone 100 which concerns on one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and are combinations of features described in the embodiments. Not all are essential to the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment. The mobile phone 100 has a function of automatically adjusting the sound volume and emitting sound. The mobile phone 100 may be an example of the “sound emitting device” in the present invention.

  The mobile phone 100 includes an audio reproduction unit 110, an audio output unit 120, an output destination identification unit 130, an adjustment input reception unit 140, a volume setting unit 150, a volume data storage unit 160, and a volume control unit 170.

  The audio reproducing unit 110 reproduces the sound of the content designated to be reproduced by the user's operation at the designated volume. Specifically, when the sound reproducing unit 110 receives data indicating the volume from the volume control unit 170, the sound of the content designated to be played by the user's operation is indicated by the data received from the volume control unit 170. Play at volume.

  The audio output unit 120 includes a speaker 121a, an earphone terminal 121b, and a plurality of volume measuring units 122a and b (hereinafter collectively referred to as a volume measuring unit 122). The speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b may be an example of “output destination” in the present invention.

  The speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b output the sound of the content reproduced by the volume reproduction unit 110.

  The sound volume measurement unit 122 is provided for each of the speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b. Then, the volume measuring unit 122a measures the volume output from the speaker 121a. The sound volume measuring unit 122b measures the sound volume output from the earphone connected to the earphone terminal 121b. Specifically, when measuring the volume output from speaker 121a, volume measuring unit 122a sends data indicating the volume to volume setting unit 150. Similarly, when the volume measuring unit 122b measures the volume output from the earphone connected to the earphone terminal 121b, the volume measuring unit 122b sends data indicating the volume to the volume setting unit 150.

  The output destination identifying unit 130 identifies the output destination selected by the user from the speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b based on the state of the speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b. Specifically, when the output destination identifying unit 130 identifies the output destination selected by the user from the speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b based on the state of the speaker 121a and the earphone terminal 121b, the output destination identifying unit 130 is selected. Data indicating the output destination is sent to the volume control unit 170. For example, when the earphone is connected to the earphone terminal, the output destination identifying unit 130 identifies the output destination selected by the user as the earphone terminal 121b. On the other hand, when the earphone is not connected to the earphone terminal, the output destination identifying unit 130 identifies the output destination selected by the user as the speaker 121a.

  The adjustment input receiving unit 140 receives an input of volume adjustment by the user. Specifically, when the adjustment input receiving unit 140 receives an input of volume adjustment by the user, the adjustment input receiving unit 140 transmits data indicating that to the volume setting unit 150.

  The volume setting unit 150 sets the volume measured by the volume measuring unit 122 as a specified value of the volume output from the output destination to be measured. Specifically, the volume setting unit 150 uses the volume measured by the volume measurement unit 122 as the specified value of the volume output from the measurement target output destination, and uses the specified volume value stored in the volume data storage unit 160. Set to the data shown. More specifically, the volume setting unit 150 uses the volume measured by the volume measurement unit 122 as a specified value of the volume output from the output destination of the measurement target for the sound of the content type output at the time of measurement. This is set to data indicating the prescribed value of the volume stored in the data storage unit 160. More specifically, the volume setting unit 150 outputs the volume measured by the volume measuring unit 122 from the output destination of the measurement target when the adjustment input receiving unit 140 receives an input of volume adjustment by the user. Set as the default value.

  The volume data storage unit 160 stores data indicating each output destination in association with data indicating a predetermined value of the volume when a sound is output from the output destination. More specifically, the volume data storage unit 160 includes data indicating each output destination, data indicating the type of sound content, and a prescribed value for the volume when outputting the sound of the content type from the output destination. Are stored in association with each other.

  When an operation for outputting sound from the output destination identified by the output destination identification unit 130 is performed, the volume control unit 170 starts from the output destination based on the data stored in the volume data storage unit 160. The volume is controlled so that the volume should be output. Specifically, the volume control unit 170, when an operation for outputting sound from the output destination identified by the output destination identification unit 130 is performed, according to the type of sound content to be output, Based on the data stored in the data storage unit 160, the sound volume is controlled so that the sound of the content type is to be output from the output destination.

  As described above, in the present invention, since the sound volume is set based on the user's ear, the sound can be heard with a constant sound volume regardless of the output destination or the content.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation flow of the mobile phone 100. First, the output destination identifying unit 130 identifies the type or name of the output destination as the type of the output destination (S101), and passes the output destination type to the volume control unit 170. For example, when the output destination is not connected to the earphone terminal 121b, the output destination is determined to be the speaker 121a.

  Then, the volume control unit 170 passes the volume set initially or by user for each output destination to the audio playback unit 110 (S102).

  For example, when an event occurs that causes the device to sound regardless of a direct user operation, such as when an incoming call or an alarm / timer set time is reached, the sound reproduction unit 110 performs sound at the volume set in step S102. And the sound is output from the sound output unit 120 (S103).

  On the other hand, in the case of selecting reproduction of audio content such as a song, starting a call, or sounding sound by a user operation, the audio reproduction unit 110 performs initial setting or user setting for each output destination and for each audio type or content. The sound is reproduced at the set volume, and the sound is output from the sound output unit 120 (S103).

  As described below, during the audio output, the volume setting of the condition combining the current output destination and the audio type is changed. During audio output, the user raises or lowers the volume to an appropriate level by the adjustment input receiving unit 140 via a knob, button, screen, or the like of the device. Next, the user performs a sound volume setting determination operation via the device menu or the like (S104: Yes). At that time, the volume measuring unit 122 measures the volume output to the built-in or externally connected speaker 121a or the earphone terminal 121b (S105) and passes it to the volume setting unit 150. The volume setting unit 150 overwrites and saves the volume information (S106).

  When the determination operation of the volume setting is not performed (S104: No), it is regarded as the volume adjustment only during the current reproduction, the volume information is discarded when the reproduction of the content being output is finished, and the volume level is set to the volume data storage unit 160. Return to the value held in.

  Although the configuration of the embodiment has been described in detail above, the processing in step S101 is associated with the terminal state and the output destination type and is identified when the terminal is connected, and is well known to those skilled in the art. Since it is not directly related to, the detailed configuration is omitted.

  Further, the process of step S105 by the volume measuring unit 122 measures the volume at a part close to the user, such as a part to be inserted into the ear of the earphone terminal 121b, and its configuration is not directly related to the present invention. Detailed configuration is omitted.

  As described above, the present invention has the following effects. The first effect is to set the volume based on the volume that is actually ringing at the user's ear, and to switch the volume for each output destination and content, thereby eliminating variations in volume due to differences in output destination and content. .

  The second effect is that the output destination is automatically recognized, and the volume setting of the entire device is set to the initial setting / user setting such that the volume setting is small when the earphone terminal 121b is set and the others are increased. Even if you forget to do it, you can suppress the negative effects on hearing.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the operation flow of the mobile phone 100. When the content in the playlist is being played back (S201), if the volume of the content included in the playlist is changed by a user operation (manual) (S202: Yes), the volume setting unit 150 is operated by the user operation. The change at the same rate as the volume change is applied to all contents included in the corresponding playlist (S203).

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the volume setting for each playlist is also supported, an effect of suppressing the variation in volume for each content can be obtained.

  In addition, a sensor can be installed in the vicinity of the sound volume measuring unit 122, and information can be sent to the apparatus at the time of sound volume measurement. The configuration is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the mobile phone 100 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4, a sensor 123 such as a touch sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like is installed in a portion in contact with a human body or other object in the vicinity of the volume measuring unit 122. The sensor 123 senses whether or not it is in contact with another object such as a human body or a desk surface, or measures the distance from the object and passes it to the volume setting unit 150. The volume data storage unit 160 holds information on contact / non-contact or distance as an environmental condition for sounding. Thereby, in addition to the above-mentioned conditions for the output destination and contents, the sound volume can be adjusted by combining the environmental conditions for sounding. For example, even when the output destination and content conditions are the same, the volume level can be increased by 2 in a ringing environment where the vibration surface of the output destination speaker 121a is blocked, such as placing the device on a desk. Further, when the earphone terminal 121b is not in contact with the human body during playback, the operation of the apparatus can be set such as stopping after a few seconds or increasing / decreasing the volume.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the environment around the output destination is also added to the setting conditions, so that an effect that finer settings can be made is obtained.

  Furthermore, the volume data storage unit 160 stores the positions of the minimum volume and the maximum volume of each content that has already been reproduced. Accordingly, when changing the volume setting when the surrounding situation changes or the output destination is changed, the user can reproduce and set only the corresponding portion of the minimum or maximum volume from the setting menu.

  As described above, in this embodiment, an effect that the setting can be made with the minimum effort and time can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Cellular phone 110 Audio | voice reproduction | regeneration part 120 Audio | voice output part 121 Output destination 122 Volume measurement part 130 Output destination identification part 140 Adjustment input reception part 150 Volume setting part 160 Volume data storage part 170 Volume control part

Claims (10)

A sound emitting device that automatically adjusts the sound volume and emits sound,
A volume measuring unit that is provided for each of a plurality of output destinations of sound and measures a volume output from a corresponding output destination;
A sound emitting device comprising: a volume setting unit that sets a volume measured by the volume measuring unit as a prescribed value of a volume output from an output destination to be measured. A volume data storage unit that stores data indicating each output destination and data indicating a specified value of the volume when outputting sound from the output destination in association with each other;
The volume setting unit sets the volume measured by the volume measurement unit as data indicating a specified value of the volume stored in the volume data storage unit as a specified value of a volume output from an output destination to be measured. The sound emitting device according to claim 1. The volume data storage unit associates data indicating each output destination, data indicating the type of sound content, and data indicating a predetermined value of the volume when the sound of the content type is output from the output destination. The sound emitting device according to claim 2 for storing. The volume setting unit stores the volume measured by the volume measurement unit in the volume data storage unit as a predetermined value of the volume output from the measurement target output destination for the sound of the content type output at the time of measurement. The sound emission device according to claim 3, wherein the sound emission device is set to data indicating a specified value of the volume being set. An adjustment input receiving unit for receiving an input of volume adjustment by the user;
The volume setting unit sets the volume measured by the volume measurement unit as a specified value of the volume output from the measurement target output destination when the adjustment input receiving unit receives a volume adjustment input by a user. The sound emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The sound emission according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an output destination identifying unit that identifies an output destination selected by a user among the plurality of output destinations based on a state of the output destination. apparatus. When an operation to output sound from the output destination identified by the output destination identification unit is performed, the volume to be output from the output destination is based on the data stored in the volume data storage unit. The sound emitting device according to claim 6, further comprising a volume control unit that controls the volume as described above. When an operation for outputting sound from the output destination identified by the output destination identification unit is performed, the volume control unit stores in the volume data storage unit according to the type of sound content to be output. The sound emitting device according to claim 7, wherein the sound volume is controlled based on stored data so that the sound volume of the content type is to be output from the output destination. A contact sensor for detecting whether or not the output destination is in contact with an external object;
The volume setting unit, when the sensor detects that the output destination is in contact with an external object, the volume measured by the volume measurement unit is a specified value of the volume output from the output destination of the measurement target The sound emitting device according to claim 1, which is set as follows. A distance sensor for measuring a distance between the output destination and an external object;
The volume setting unit sets the volume measured by the volume measurement unit as a specified value of the volume output from the measurement target output destination according to the distance between the output destination measured by the distance sensor and an external object. The sound emitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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