JP2002345042A - Portable information terminal and output control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically switch an output device in conformity with conditions surrounding a user. SOLUTION: Corresponding to a keyboard 102 or microphone 103 used by the user, a peripheral condition decision part 105 decides the peripheral conditions on which the user is placed. In response to the decision result of the peripheral condition decision part 105, an output switching part 111 alternatively selects a speaker 113 or receiver 114. Thus, even without performing operation such as mode switching by the user, the output device matched to the peripheral conditions is automatically selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone, a PHS
(Personal Handy Phone System), PDA (Personal
Digital Assistance) and an output control method of the portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable information terminals such as portable telephones, PHSs and PDAs are capable of transmitting and receiving information regardless of location and time. ing. Also, in these devices, input / output devices are not limited to displays such as microphones, keyboards, liquid crystals, etc., but various methods such as input by voice recognition and output by voice synthesis are considered. In addition to being an effective input / output means when the user cannot have a terminal, various outputs can be expected by changing the timbre of the voice.

[0003] However, when a person is on a train or in a public place such as a movie theater, or receives a telephone call during a professional time such as a meeting, voice input / output causes trouble for the surroundings. There's a problem. To solve such a problem, the conventional portable information terminal is provided with a mode called a "manner mode", and by setting this mode, an incoming call is notified by vibrating the main body instead of voice output. Like that.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-228382 discloses that a base station sends an incoming call notification system signal to a terminal according to a service area where a portable information terminal on the receiving side is present, thereby automatically setting the incoming call notification system. Is disclosed.

[0005]

However, among the above-mentioned conventional portable information terminals, in the former, the "manner mode" is manually set.
There is a possibility of forgetting to make the setting or forgetting to cancel it, and even if it is unintentional, it will output a ringtone in a public place or an important matter without noticing the incoming call There is a problem that misses.

In the latter, the former problem can be solved in that the output method is automatically switched. However, it is possible to specify a service area in a base station in a wide range. There is a problem that it is difficult for the base station to determine whether there is a vehicle or a train.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a portable information terminal and a portable information terminal capable of automatically selecting an optimum output device according to a surrounding situation where a user is placed when receiving information from a communication partner. An object of the present invention is to provide an output control method for an information terminal.

[0008]

A portable information terminal according to the present invention comprises a plurality of input means for inputting commands and data by voice or manual operation, and a plurality of input means for outputting information from a communication destination in different output forms. Output means, and selection means for selectively selecting one of the plurality of output means according to the type of the input means used by the user when receiving information from a communication destination, the one corresponding to the surrounding situation of the user. Is adopted.

According to this configuration, the surrounding situation where the user is placed is determined according to the input means (input device such as a keyboard and a microphone) used by the user when receiving information from the communication partner, and according to the determination result. Select the optimal output means (output devices such as speakers and receivers). Therefore, the output device that matches the user's surroundings is automatically selected without the user having to perform the operation of selecting the optimum output device according to the situation where the user is placed. Regardless, there is no possibility that a ringtone is output in a public place or an important business is missed without noticing the incoming call.

Further, in the portable information terminal of the present invention, in the portable information terminal described above, the surrounding condition judging means includes an output means according to the type of input means used by the user when the information arrives and the type of information from the communication destination. Make a selection.

According to this configuration, it is possible to select an output device according to the type of information from the communication destination and the surrounding situation where the user is located.

Further, the portable information terminal of the present invention has a microphone and a keyboard for inputting commands and data,
A speaker and a receiver for outputting voice information from the communication destination, and selecting the speaker when the user uses the microphone when receiving the information from the communication destination, and selecting the speaker when the user uses the keyboard. And selecting means for selecting the receiver.

According to this configuration, according to the keyboard or microphone used by the user when receiving information from the communication partner,
The surrounding situation where the user is placed is determined, and a speaker or a receiver is selectively selected according to the determination result. Therefore, the user does not perform an operation of selectively selecting the speaker or the receiver according to the situation where the user is placed,
Since a device suitable for the surroundings of the user is automatically selected, it is possible to perform a hands-free call even in a situation where the user cannot hold the terminal, such as during driving.

Further, the portable information terminal of the present invention has a microphone and a keyboard for inputting commands and data,
A speaker for outputting voice information from a communication destination, and a display for displaying information from the communication destination,
A voice synthesizing unit that voice-synthesizes information from the communication destination and outputs a voice signal to the speaker; and when the information from the communication destination is an e-mail and the user uses the keyboard when the mail arrives. And selecting means for selecting only the display and selecting the voice synthesizing means when the user uses the microphone and the e-mail has a voice output instruction.

According to this configuration, the surrounding situation where the user is placed is determined according to the microphone or keyboard used by the user when receiving information from the communication partner, and a speaker or a display is selected according to the determination result. To choose. Therefore, the user can automatically select an output device suitable for the user's surroundings without performing an operation of selectively selecting an optimum output device according to the situation where the user is located. If the user does not want to output a sound in the middle or the like, the display can be performed even if the e-mail has a voice output instruction.

An output control method for a portable information terminal according to the present invention comprises:
An output control method for a portable information terminal, comprising: a plurality of input means for inputting commands and data by voice or manual operation; and a plurality of output means for outputting information from a communication destination in different output forms. According to the type of input means used by the user when receiving information from the communication destination and the type of information from the communication destination, one of the plurality of output means is selected according to the surrounding situation of the user. I do.

According to this method, the surrounding situation where the user is placed is determined according to the input means (input device such as a keyboard and a microphone) used by the user when receiving information from the communication partner, and according to the determination result. Select the optimal output means (output devices such as speakers and receivers). Therefore, since the user himself / herself does not perform an operation of alternatively selecting an optimal output device according to the situation where the user is placed, an output device suitable for the user's surrounding situation is automatically selected. There is no possibility that a ringtone is output in a public place despite being unintentional, or an important business is missed without noticing the incoming call.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The gist of the present invention is that when information is received from a communication destination, the situation around the user is determined based on the type of input device used by the user, and the user's position is determined. This is to switch to an output device that matches the surrounding situation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a portable information terminal according to the present embodiment includes a keyboard 102, a microphone 103, and a voice recognition unit 104 for recognizing voice input from the microphone 103.
And the type of input device (keyboard 102, microphone 1
03), a surrounding situation determining unit 105 that determines the situation where the user is placed, a command processing unit 107 that performs input processing based on an instruction from the surrounding situation determining unit 105, and a call process based on an instruction from the command processing unit 107. And a voice encoding / decoding unit 1 for converting voice data into communication data or converting communication data into voice data
09, an output for selecting an appropriate output device (speaker 113, receiver 114) from the surrounding conditions determined by the surrounding condition determining unit 105 according to an instruction from the call processing unit 108, and a communication unit 110 that communicates with the partner terminal. Switching unit 111
And a speaker 113 used for hands-free calling,
And a receiver 114 used for a normal call.

The keyboard 102 and the microphone 103 constitute an input unit 101. Further, the command processing unit 10
The telephone function control unit 106 includes the communication processing unit 7, the call processing unit 108, and the voice encoding / decoding unit 109. In addition, the speaker 1
13 and the receiver 114 constitute an output unit 112. In addition, the surrounding state determination unit 105 and the output switching unit 111 constitute a selection unit.

Next, the operation of the portable information terminal having the above configuration will be described. In this case, the description will be limited to the operation when the telephone application receives a call.

First, when there is an incoming call from the terminal of the other party,
The output unit 112 notifies the user of the incoming call. When the user responds to the incoming call from the microphone 103, the voice recognition unit 104 recognizes the voice. Then, the surrounding situation determination unit 105 is notified that the voice has been recognized. When receiving the notification from the voice recognition unit 104, the surrounding situation determination unit 105 determines that the user is in a situation where the user cannot hold the terminal, such as driving, and performs a voice input operation on the incoming call. Is notified to the command processing unit 107, and the output switching unit 111 is informed that the user cannot operate the terminal, such as driving. The command processing unit 107, based on the notification from the surrounding situation determination unit 105, instructs the call processing unit 108 to determine that it is a response to the incoming call and to perform a call process.

The call processing unit 108 includes the command processing unit 10
When receiving the instruction from 7, the communication processing is started using the voice encoding / decoding unit 109 and the communication unit 110. And
When the voice of the other party is acquired, an instruction is issued to the output switching unit 111. Since the output switching unit 111 has received the notification from the surrounding situation determination unit 105 (in this case, the user is in a situation where the user cannot hold the terminal such as driving), the output switching unit 111 performs the hands-free call using the speaker 113. The output unit 112 is instructed. The output unit 112 switches the output to the speaker side according to an instruction from the output switching unit 111, and
3 outputs the voice of the other party.

On the other hand, when the user responds to the incoming call by using the keyboard 102, the surrounding condition determination unit 105
Determines that the user can use the terminal in a normal state, and notifies the output switching unit 111 of that. As a result, the output switching unit 111 instructs the output unit 112 to make a call using the receiver 114. The output unit 112 switches the output to the receiver side according to an instruction from the output switching unit 111, and outputs the voice of the other party from the receiver 114.

As described above, according to the portable information terminal of the present embodiment, the input device (keyboard 102, microphone 103) used by the user for an incoming call from the communication destination without the user switching the mode. The type of the output device (speaker 113, receiver 114) is determined according to the type of the device, that is, the output device is automatically switched according to the surrounding situation where the user is placed. Calls can be made.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In this figure, parts common to FIG. 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In this figure, the portable information terminal of the present embodiment transmits and receives e-mails in accordance with an instruction from the surrounding situation determination unit 105 and a command processing unit 202 which performs input processing in accordance with an instruction from the surrounding situation determination unit 105. Transmitting / receiving section 203, a mail storage section 204 for storing the received mail in a storage medium (semiconductor storage means, magnetic storage means, optical storage means or magneto-optical storage means) not shown, and output switching section
1 and a display 207 such as a liquid crystal display.

The command processing section 202 and the transmission / reception section 20
3 and the mail storage unit 204 constitute the mail function control unit 201. The speaker 113 and the display 207 constitute an output unit 206. In addition, the surrounding state determination unit 105 and the output switching unit 111 constitute a selection unit.

Next, the operation of the portable communication terminal having the above configuration will be described. In this case, the description will be limited to the operation when the mail application receives a call.

First, when an incoming call is received from a mail distribution server (not shown), the output unit 206 notifies the user of the incoming call. When the user responds to the incoming call from the keyboard 102, the surrounding situation determining unit 105 determines that the situation in which the user is placed is in a situation where no sound should be output, and indicates that an input operation for the incoming call has been performed. Command processing unit 20
2 and inform the output switching unit 111 that the user is in a situation where sound should not be emitted.

Upon receiving the notification that the input operation for the incoming call has been performed, the command processing unit 202 determines that the input is a response to the incoming call, acquires the mail content from the mail storage unit 204, and outputs the mail. Send to 111. The output switching unit 111 receives the notification from the surrounding situation determination unit 105 (in this case, it is in a situation where the user cannot make a sound). Instruct the user to display the mail contents. Upon receiving the mail display instruction and the mail content, the output unit 206 displays it on the display 207.

On the other hand, in response to an incoming call, the user
When a response is received from the user 3, the surrounding situation determination unit 105 determines that the situation where the user is placed is a situation where the user cannot hold the terminal, such as driving, and notifies the output switching unit 111 of that. As a result, the output switching unit 111 inputs the mail data to the speech synthesis unit 205. The voice synthesis unit 205 performs voice synthesis based on the input mail data, and outputs a voice signal. This audio signal is output to the output unit 20
6 is input. When the audio signal is input, the output unit 206 switches the output to the speaker side,
The contents of the mail are output as voice.

As described above, according to the portable information terminal of the present embodiment, the input device (keyboard 102, microphone 103) used by the user for an incoming call from the communication destination can be received without the user switching the mode. The type of the output device (speaker 113, display 207) is determined according to the type, that is, the output device is automatically switched according to the surrounding situation of the user. You can check.

In the first embodiment, a telephone is described, and in the second embodiment, a mail application is described. However, other applications such as a browser and a schedule may be used.

In the first embodiment, only the keyboard 102, the microphone 103, the speaker 113, and the receiver 114 are specified as the input / output devices. In the second embodiment, only the keyboard 102, the microphone 103, the speaker 113, and the display 207 are specified. However, other input / output devices such as a touch panel and a vibrator may of course be used.

Further, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined.

In the first and second embodiments, only the portable information terminal has been described. However, the mobile information terminal may be provided in the mobile communication system.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The surrounding situation where the user is placed is determined from the type of input means used by the user for incoming calls from the communication destination, and the output means is selected according to the situation. Even if the operation is not performed, the effect is obtained that the information from the communication destination can be automatically output by the output means suitable for the surrounding situation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable information terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Input Unit 102 Keyboard 103 Microphone 104 Voice Recognition Unit 105 Ambient Condition Judgment Unit 106 Telephone Function Control Unit 107, 202 Command Processing Unit 108 Call Processing Unit 109 Voice Encoding / Decoding Unit 110 Communication Unit 111 Output Switching Unit 112, 206 Output Unit 113 Speaker 114 Receiver 201 Mail Function Control Unit 203 Transmission / Reception Unit 204 Mail Storage Unit 205 Voice Synthesis Unit 207 Display

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input means for inputting commands and data by voice or manual operation, and a plurality of output means for outputting information from a communication destination in different output forms, respectively.
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of output means according to the type of the input means used by the user when receiving information from a communication destination, the one corresponding to the surrounding situation of the user. A portable information terminal characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the surrounding condition judging means performs an alternative selection of the output means according to the type of the input means used by the user when the information arrives and the type of the information from the communication destination. The portable information terminal described. 3. A microphone and a keyboard for inputting commands and data, a speaker and a receiver for outputting information from a communication destination by voice, and a user using the microphone when receiving information from the communication destination. Selecting means for selecting the speaker in such a case and selecting the receiver when the user uses the keyboard. 4. A microphone and a keyboard for inputting commands and data, a speaker for outputting voice information from a communication destination, a display for displaying information from the communication destination, A voice synthesizing means for voice synthesizing information from the speaker and outputting a voice signal to the speaker; and a display when the information from the communication destination is an electronic mail and the user uses the keyboard when the mail is received. And selecting means for selecting the voice synthesis means when there is a voice output instruction in the e-mail when the user uses the microphone and the user uses the microphone. 5. An output control of a portable information terminal comprising a plurality of input means for inputting commands and data by voice or manual operation, and a plurality of output means for outputting information from a communication destination in different output forms. A method comprising, according to a type of input means used by a user when receiving information from a communication destination and a type of information from the communication destination, a plurality of output means suitable for a surrounding situation of a user. An output control method for a portable information terminal, wherein the output is selectively selected.