JP2004179961A - Portable terminal and incoming call control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress disturbances to people around to a minimum by instantaneously stopping or attenuating ringer tones, when an incoming call is received by a portable terminal that is put inside user's bag, pocket or the like. <P>SOLUTION: After detecting the incoming call to perform behavior for informing the call, detection signals from a shock detection section 1 are monitored. Then, when shocks are detected, a setting table 3 is referred to, performing a switching behavior, when the shocks are detected. Thereby, the ringer tone is stopped or attenuated to be switched immediately. Further, it is also possible that a vibrator function is used based on the setting table 3. Thereafter, if there is no response after a certain time interval, the ringer tone is reset to be raised so as to urge the user's response, if the user fails to respond. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone that outputs a ringtone in response to an incoming call and a method for controlling the incoming call.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when an incoming call is received by a mobile phone, for example, a ringtone is output by a preset incoming melody, and the incoming call is transmitted to the user.
The ringing tone continues to sound until the user responds appropriately by operating a key such as a receiving key, and in some cases, it may cause discomfort to surrounding people. In particular, when a mobile phone is placed in the back of a bag, pocket, or the like, even if the user wants to respond immediately, it takes time to take out the mobile phone, which often causes annoyance to the surroundings.
It is also possible to switch the incoming call setting from ringtone to vibrator.However, when a mobile phone is placed in the back of a bag or pocket, the user does not notice the incoming call and can make an effective incoming call notification. There is no problem.
[0003]
In order to solve such a problem, there has been conventionally known a method in which the volume of a ring tone or the like is variably set.
For example, a usage environment is detected from an external signal and the volume of the ringtone is variably controlled in accordance with the detection state (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2), or a ringtone that is louder by a preset number of times is output. Then, a device that reduces the volume (for example, see Patent Document 3) has been proposed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-223767 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-339761 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-5-122144
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method of controlling the volume according to the usage environment as described above, although the volume can be controlled according to the usage environment, the ring tone is not generated until the user picks up the mobile phone from the bag or pocket and responds. Keeping ringing is the same, resulting in discomfort to people around.
Even with a method of outputting a ring tone that is louder by a preset number of times, a loud ring tone is generated for the set number of times, so that it takes time for the user to take out the mobile phone from a bag, a pocket, or the like, and an immediate response cannot be made. In this case, it also results in discomfort to the surrounding people.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to immediately stop or attenuate a ringtone when a user places a mobile phone or the like in a bag, pocket, or the like, thereby preventing annoying surroundings. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that can be minimized and a method for controlling incoming calls thereof.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an impact detecting means for detecting an externally applied impact, a ring tone output means for outputting a ring tone at the time of an incoming call, and the impact detecting means for outputting a ring tone by the ring tone output means. Control means for switching the output condition of the ring tone by the ring tone output means when an impact is detected by the means.
[0008]
The present invention also provides an impact detection step of detecting an external impact, a ringtone output step of outputting a ringtone at the time of an incoming call, and an impact detected by the impact detection step while the ringtone is being output by the ringtone output step. And a control step of switching the output condition of the ring tone in the ring tone output step.
[0009]
According to the portable terminal and the incoming call control method of the present invention, when an external impact is detected during the output of the incoming call sound, the output condition of the incoming call is switched. If there is an incoming call in the state where it is put in, etc., by tapping a bag or pocket etc. before taking out the mobile terminal and giving an impact, the ringtone can be stopped immediately or attenuated, After that, the portable terminal can be taken out of the bag, pocket, or the like to respond.
Therefore, even when it takes time to respond to the portable terminal, it is possible to quickly switch the ringtone, minimize the inconvenience to the surroundings, and improve the convenience of the portable terminal.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a portable terminal and an incoming call control method according to the present invention will be described.
In the embodiment of the present invention, after a ringtone is output at the time of an incoming call with a mobile phone, when a physical impact from the outside is detected, the ringtone is turned off or the volume is reduced, so that the user can use a bag or the like. Even if it takes time to take out the mobile phone in a pocket or the like, it is possible to immediately stop or attenuate the ring tone from the outside, to reduce disturbance to surroundings, and to improve convenience.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the mobile phone of the present example has an impact detection unit 1, a control unit 2, a setting table 3, a ringtone generation unit 4, a vibrator generation unit 5, a timer unit 6, a keyboard 7, and a display unit 8. It is configured.
The shock detection unit 1 is a vibration sensor that detects an external shock, and sends a detection signal to the control unit 2 when a certain level of shock is detected.
The control unit 2 performs the entire control of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, in particular, in the case where an incoming call is detected and a ring tone is sounded, the control unit 2 sets according to the detection signal from the shock detection unit 1. Referring to Table 3, the switching control of the ringtone is performed based on the setting contents.
[0012]
The setting table 3 is a table for setting each operating condition at the time of an incoming call. For example, a user can perform a setting operation using the keyboard 7 and the display unit 8.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the setting contents of the setting table 3 in this example.
As shown in the figure, the setting table 3 of this example includes items of “initial ringtone code”, “initial ringtone volume”, “ringtone switching mode”, “vibrator selection”, “vibrator intensity”, and “vibrator switching mode”. Is to be registered.
The “initial ringtone code” is an item for setting the type of ringtone output after an incoming call, and the “initial ringtone volume” is an item for setting the volume of a ringtone output after an incoming call.
The “ringtone switching mode” is an item for setting whether to stop or attenuate the ringtone being output when an impact is detected while the ringtone is being output after an incoming call. For example, to stop the ringtone, “0” is set, and to attenuate the ringtone, a numerical value indicating the attenuation rate (%) is set.
[0013]
“Vibrator selection” is an item for setting whether or not to use a vibrator, and “vibrator intensity” is an item for setting the intensity of the vibrator. The “vibrator switching mode” is an item for setting a mode for switching a vibrator operation when an impact is detected when the vibrator is operated after an incoming call.
For example, when non-output is selected in “initial ringtone code” and a setting using a vibrator is performed in “select vibrator”, a setting is made to perform a call receiving operation using the vibrator from the beginning.
Also, if you select a ringtone with "Initial ringtone code" and set "Vibrator selection" to not use a vibrator, only the ringtone is output at the time of an incoming call, but after "Shock detection" in "Vibrator switching mode" When the activation is set, the vibrator is activated after the impact is detected. It is also possible to set such that the operation (strength etc.) of the vibrator is changed after the impact is detected.
[0014]
The contents of the setting table 3 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2 and may have various configurations, and may be appropriately designed according to the specifications of the mobile phone.
For example, the function of the timer unit 6 can be set so that the operation after the impact detection is returned to the original initial state. For example, if the ringing tone is stopped or attenuated after one impact is detected, but there is no response operation after a predetermined time has elapsed, the ringing tone is returned to the initial state again, and Call attention.
It is also possible to set such that the operation after the impact detection can be selected according to the intensity and the number of impacts. For example, since a male and a female give different impacts, it is possible to set the intensity level of the impact for switching the ringtone accordingly. In addition, it is not possible to reliably determine whether or not the user has recognized an incoming call with an impact that merely shakes a bag, pocket, or the like. Therefore, only when a shock wave of a predetermined level or more is detected, the ringtone is switched. It is possible to
Alternatively, if the user taps twice, it is determined that the signal is a signal that recognizes the incoming call, and the ring tone is switched at that time, so that the ring tone is output until the user is urged to answer the incoming call. It is possible.
Such setting can be performed by displaying a setting screen on the display unit 8 and inputting necessary items in order from the keyboard 7 while watching the guidance so that the user can select and set a desired function. I do.
[0015]
The ring tone generator 4 generates and outputs a ring tone corresponding to the setting contents of the setting table 3 based on the control of the controller 2, and the vibrator generator 5 generates the ring tone based on the control of the controller 2. A vibration corresponding to the setting contents of the setting table 3 is generated.
The timer unit 6 is used for various types of time measurement. For example, when the time is set in the setting table 3 as described above, the timer unit 6 is used for controlling the time.
The keyboard 7 is used for various key inputs, and the key inputs include an input operation to the setting table 3 described above.
The display unit 8 performs various displays, and the display includes a display for input operation to the setting table 3 described above.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 2 at the time of an incoming call in the mobile phone as described above. Hereinafter, a specific operation example in the present example will be described using this flowchart.
First, in the standby state, the control unit 2 monitors an incoming call (step S1). When an incoming call is received, the control unit 2 refers to the setting table 3 and receives an incoming call based on the contents of the incoming call operation set therein. The operation is performed (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the ring tone is set to sound, the control unit 2 instructs the ring tone generation unit 4 to output a ring tone of a predetermined volume, and the ring tone is output from the ring tone generation unit 4. .
Next, the control unit 2 monitors a response from the user and monitors a detection signal from the impact detection unit 1 (steps S3 and S4).
Here, if there is a response from the user within the predetermined time in step S3, the incoming call operation is ended and the process proceeds to the call operation (step S5).
[0017]
When an impact is detected in step S4, the control unit 2 refers to the setting table 3 and performs a switching operation at the time of impact detection (step S6). Here, it is assumed that the ring tone is set to stop, the control unit 2 instructs the ring tone generation unit 4 to stop the ring tone, and the ring tone from the ring tone generation unit 4 stops.
Thereafter, the control unit 2 monitors the response of the user again (step S7), and if there is a response within a predetermined time, terminates the incoming call operation and shifts to a call operation process (step S5).
If there is no response within the predetermined time, the control unit 2 refers to the setting table 3 and executes a time-out process (step S8). Here, it is assumed that the setting is such that the ringtone is output again, the ringtone generation unit 4 is instructed to output the ringtone again, and the processing after step S2 is repeated.
If there is no response or impact detection within the predetermined time in steps S3 and S4 (step S9), a comment indicating that the user is absent is sent to the transmitting side, and the processing shifts to processing such as communication termination processing or answering machine (step S9). S10). Note that the subsequent operation is not directly related to the present invention, and thus the description is omitted.
[0018]
In the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The incoming call volume can be changed without directly touching a mobile phone in a bag or pocket. For this reason, the ring tone can be quickly changed, and the influence of the ring tone on the surrounding people can be reduced.
(2) By interlocking with the vibrator function, even if the ring tone is muted, the state of the incoming call can be conveyed to the user of the mobile phone by vibration, and not only the ring tone can be changed, but also the incoming state can be continuously changed by the vibrator function. To the mobile phone user.
(3) A timer function is activated according to a preset time, and after changing the ringtone, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the state of the original ringtone is restored, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to answer the call.
[0019]
In the above, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to various mobile terminals having a ringtone output function.
Further, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications can be made to, for example, the ringing tone and the content of the vibrator switching operation.
Further, the above-described processing is executed by a program that controls a computer such as an MPU that performs an incoming call processing of the mobile terminal, and such a program is also included in the present invention.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the portable terminal and the incoming call control method of the present invention, when an external impact is detected during the output of the incoming call sound, the output condition of the incoming call is switched. Even if it takes time, the ringtone can be quickly switched to minimize the inconvenience to the surroundings, which has the effect of improving the convenience of the portable terminal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting contents of a setting table in the mobile phone shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control unit in the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 at the time of an incoming call.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Impact detection part, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Setting table, 4 ... Ringtone generation part, 5 ... Vibrator generation part, 6 ... Timer part, 7 ... Keyboard, 8 ... Display part .

Claims (17)

Shock detection means for detecting an external shock;
Ringtone output means for outputting a ringtone upon receiving a call;
Control means for switching the output condition of the ringtone by the ringtone output means, when an impact is detected by the shock detection means while the ringtone is output by the ringtone output means,
A mobile terminal comprising: 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the output condition of the ring tone by the ring tone output unit based on a setting content of a setting table in which an operation condition at the time of an incoming call is set. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the shock detection unit detects an impact while the ring tone output unit is outputting the ring tone, the control unit stops the ring tone by the ring tone output unit. Mobile terminal. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit attenuates the ringtone by the ringtone output unit when an impact is detected by the shock detection unit while the ringtone is output by the ringtone output unit. Mobile terminal. 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, further comprising vibrator means for generating a vibration upon receiving an incoming call. 6. The portable terminal according to claim 5, wherein the control unit switches the vibration by the vibrator unit when an impact is detected by the shock detection unit during the vibration by the vibrator unit. The control means, when an impact is detected by the impact detection means while the ring tone is being output by the ring tone output means, determines the intensity and the number of impacts, and outputs the ring tone according to the determination result. 2. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the output condition of the ring tone by the means is switched. The control means detects a shock by the shock detection means while outputting the ring tone by the ring tone output means, and switches the output condition of the ring tone by the ring tone output means. 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein when no response is received, the output condition is returned to the original ring tone output condition. An impact detection step for detecting an external impact;
A ringtone output step for outputting a ringtone upon receiving a call;
A control step of switching an output condition of the ringtone by the ringtone output step when an impact is detected by the shock detection step while the ringtone is output by the ringtone output step;
An incoming call control method for a portable terminal, comprising: 10. The incoming call control method for a portable terminal according to claim 9, wherein the control step switches an output condition of the ring tone in the ring tone output step based on a setting content of a setting table in which an operation condition for an incoming call is set. . The method according to claim 9, wherein the control step stops the ringtone in the ringtone output step when an impact is detected in the shock detection step while the ringtone is output in the ringtone output step. Mobile terminal incoming call control method. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the control step attenuates the ringtone in the ringtone output step when an impact is detected in the shock detection step while the ringtone is output in the ringtone output step. Mobile terminal incoming call control method. 10. The incoming call control method for a portable terminal according to claim 9, further comprising a vibrator step for generating a vibration upon receiving an incoming call. 14. The incoming call control method for a portable terminal according to claim 13, wherein the control step switches the vibration by the vibrator step when an impact is detected by the shock detection step during the vibration by the vibrator step. The control step, when an impact is detected by the impact detection step while outputting the ring tone in the ring tone output step, determines the intensity and number of impacts, and outputs the ring tone in accordance with the determination result. 10. The incoming call control method for a portable terminal according to claim 9, wherein the output condition of the incoming call sound is switched by the step. The control step includes detecting a shock by the shock detection step while outputting the ringtone in the ringtone output step, switching the output condition of the ringtone in the ringtone output step, and after a predetermined time elapses, the user 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein when no response is received, the output condition is returned to the original ring tone output condition. A program that controls a computer that controls an incoming call operation of a mobile terminal,
An impact detection step for detecting an external impact;
A ringtone output step for outputting a ringtone upon receiving a call;
A control step of switching an output condition of the ringtone by the ringtone output step when an impact is detected by the shock detection step while the ringtone is output by the ringtone output step;
A program characterized by having:

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