JP2006287557A - Mobile phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile phone with a crime-prevention buzzer function capable of being used more safely than prior arts. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile phone 100 is provided with an infrared ray sensor 121 and a photo sensor 122 located in a sensor section 107, the infrared ray sensor 121 senses an infrared ray and the photo sensor 122 senses light. The infrared ray sensor 121 and the photo sensor 122 are located at prescribed positions, and when the infrared ray sensor 121 detects the infrared ray and the photo sensor 122 senses no light, a control section 120 discriminates that a user resides in the vicinity and executes the crime-prevention function while decreasing the sound volume of the buzzer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile phone, and more particularly to a mobile phone having a security buzzer function.

In recent years, interest in crime prevention tools familiar to people has increased. Security tools are an indispensable product for everyday life for those who are worried that they may be attacked by thieves and want to have a sense of security by having some self-defense measures. One example is a mobile phone with a security buzzer function, which informs the surroundings of a critical situation by making a sound, thereby requesting rescue from the surrounding people (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-184021 A

  By the way, since this security buzzer function is used in an emergency, it is not useful if a complicated operation is required to activate the function. For example, if you can execute a function after opening a menu screen and reaching a deep hierarchy, there are many operation procedures, so it may take too much time to activate the function and it may not be used in time when it is important. Absent. Therefore, it is desirable to simplify the operation for activating the function. For example, the crime prevention buzzer function can be activated by an extremely simple operation such as pulling a string to switch on or pressing a predetermined button several times. It is necessary to.

  Moreover, since the security buzzer function conveys personal danger to the surroundings by making a sound, even if the buzzer sounds with a sound that cannot be heard by the surroundings, the function as a security buzzer is not exhibited. For this reason, crime prevention buzzers usually sound at a loud volume of 100 decibels or more, and even when they are in a hustle and bustle, the buzzer sounds to the fullest even if they are in a hustle and bustle. be able to.

  However, since it is necessary to sound a loud buzzer sound with a simple operation, the crime prevention buzzer function may be harmful to the user of the mobile phone in some cases. For example, in a situation where the user is using a mobile phone near the ear, such as during a call, if the user accidentally performs a security buzzer function, the user suddenly closes the ear without the user's intention. Since a loud buzzer sounds, the buzzer may damage your ears and cause a hearing loss. The security buzzer function should be a function to protect the user's body, but the situation that causes harm to the user by that function is not accepted at all, and some measures are necessary to prevent accidents etc. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile phone having a security buzzer function that can be used more safely for a user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the mobile phone of the present invention is a mobile phone having a security buzzer function for sounding for security purposes, and outputs a signal when the distance between the user's device and the user is within a predetermined distance. A distance sensor; determining means for determining a sound volume based on whether or not a signal is output by the distance sensor; and a control means for controlling the crime prevention buzzer function to be executed at the determined sound volume.

  Thereby, since the sound volume at the time of executing the security buzzer function can be determined based on the output value of the distance sensor, the sound volume at the time of executing the function can be adjusted according to the distance from the user. As a result, the volume is reduced in situations where it is not desirable to perform the security buzzer function at a loud volume when the mobile phone is in close contact with the ear, for example, when the function is mistakenly performed during a call. In situations where the mobile phone is far away from the mobile phone, the volume can be increased to prevent unexpectedly high-volume buzzer sounds from being heard. Users can use a mobile phone with a security buzzer function more safely than before. can do.

  The distance sensor is an infrared sensor that outputs a signal according to whether infrared rays emitted from a heat source within a predetermined distance are detected, and the mobile phone further detects light having a predetermined illuminance or higher. A photosensor that outputs a signal according to whether or not the determination is made, and when the infrared sensor detects an infrared ray and the photosensor does not detect light with a predetermined illuminance or higher, the sound volume is adjusted. The determination may be made to lower.

  Thereby, for example, when only the infrared sensor is used, when there is a user outside the detection range of the sensor, there is a possibility that the distance measurement with the user may fail, but by using a plurality of sensors, While measuring the distance to the user with the infrared sensor, the mobile phone is in close contact with the user when the photo sensor is not detecting light, and the mobile phone is in close contact with the user when the photo sensor is detecting light. By determining that ambient light is detected instead, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the mobile phone is near the user as compared to the case of using one sensor.

  The distance sensor is an infrared sensor that outputs a signal depending on whether infrared rays emitted from a heat source within a predetermined distance are detected, and the mobile phone further contacts the user's own device. A touch sensor that outputs a signal according to whether or not the determination unit is configured to reduce the volume when the infrared sensor detects infrared rays and the touch sensor detects contact with the own device. The mobile phone may further include a photosensor that outputs a signal according to whether or not light with a predetermined illuminance or higher is detected, and the determining means includes the infrared sensor And when the touch sensor detects contact with the device and the photosensor does not detect light with a predetermined illuminance or higher, the determination may be made to decrease the volume. There.

As a result, the touch sensor is placed at a location where the user touches the mobile phone in a situation where the mobile phone is likely to be in close contact with the user, such as during a call, so that the mobile phone is more mobile than the case where one sensor is used. The accuracy of determining whether or not a telephone is present near the user can be further improved.
In addition, the mobile phone includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the mobile phone is in a call, and the control unit executes the control only when the determination unit determines that the call is in progress. When it is determined that a call is not being made, the security buzzer function may be executed at a predetermined volume regardless of the determined volume.

  This makes it necessary to execute the security buzzer function at a high volume when there is a high possibility that the mobile phone is not in close contact with the user's ear, such as during a call, and to reduce the volume as during a call. In a high situation, the volume can be adjusted according to the output of the distance sensor, and there is a high possibility that the mobile phone is far from the ear without talking and the volume during function execution does not increase. It can be avoided.

Even during a call, the volume can be reduced when the mobile phone is brought close to the ear to make a call, and the volume can be increased by moving it away from the ear. In a situation where a person wants to be notified by a call, the buzzer sound can be notified to the surroundings without damaging the ear, and the security buzzer function can be executed more safely.
The infrared sensor is a surface that is perpendicular to the sound output direction of the speaker that outputs the voice of the other party during a call, and detects infrared light incident on the surface on which the speaker outputs sound. It is good also as arrange | positioning.

As a result, since the user's ear is usually in the sound output direction of the speaker that outputs the call sound during a call, the distance from the user's ear can be more accurately measured by the distance sensor.
The photo sensor is on a surface perpendicular to the sound output direction of the speaker that outputs the sound of the other party during a call, and is within 3 cm from the midpoint between the speaker and the microphone that receives the user's sound input. It is good also as arrange | positioning.

This allows the photo sensor to be placed in close contact with the user's skin when the user takes a call posture using the mobile phone so as not to detect ambient light. The buzzer volume can be adjusted by more effectively determining whether or not the distance is short.
In addition, the touch sensor may be disposed on a side surface portion of the housing of the device itself.

  Accordingly, the touch sensor can be arranged at a position where the user is likely to touch the mobile phone when the user takes a call posture using the mobile phone, and the distance between the mobile phone and the user's ear is increased. It is possible to adjust the buzzer sound volume more effectively by determining whether or not they are close.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the cellular phone 1000 includes an antenna 101, a transmission / reception unit 102, an operation unit 103, a display unit 104, a voice input unit 105, a voice output unit 106, a sensor unit 107, and a volume control. Unit 108, buzzer output unit 109, and control unit 110.

The antenna 101 is a rod antenna that can be freely inserted into and removed from the airframe, and transmits and receives communication radio waves.
The transmission / reception unit 102 is a wireless circuit that transmits / receives a wireless signal, modulates communication data output from the control unit 110, and transmits the modulated data via the antenna 101. In addition, the communication data received via the antenna 101 is demodulated and output to the control unit 110. Here, the communication data refers to voice data for a call.

The operation unit 103 includes a call start key, a call end key, a numeric keypad, etc., and receives a key input from the user and transmits a signal to the control unit 110. In addition, a switch or key for executing the security buzzer function is provided, and an operation for executing the security buzzer function by the user is accepted.
The display unit 104 is a liquid crystal panel, and receives a signal from the control unit 110 and displays characters, images, current time, and the like.

The voice input unit 105 is a microphone, converts voice input by the user into a voice signal, and outputs the voice signal to the control unit 110.
The audio output unit 106 is a speaker, receives an audio signal from the control unit 110, and outputs a call voice or the like.
The sensor unit 107 includes an infrared sensor 121 and a photo sensor 122, detects infrared rays using the sensor, and transmits a predetermined signal to the control unit 110.

The infrared sensor 121 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, for example, and detects infrared rays having a wavelength of 8 to 14 μm. A viewing angle capable of detecting infrared rays is adjusted by the Fresnel lens, and when infrared rays are detected, a signal is transmitted to the control unit 110.
When the photo sensor 122 detects light, the photo sensor 122 performs linear output proportional to the brightness. When the output value exceeds a predetermined value, that is, when light having a brightness higher than a predetermined illuminance is detected, the photo sensor 122 transmits a signal to the control unit 110. To do.

The volume control unit 108 is an integrated circuit that adjusts the volume, and adjusts the volume of the buzzer when the crime prevention buzzer function is executed in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 110.
The buzzer output unit 109 is a speaker, can output a sound with a predetermined frequency, and sounds a buzzer sound with a predetermined frequency according to the volume adjusted by the volume adjustment unit 108. The buzzer sound can be produced at a maximum volume of about 130 decibels, for example.

  The control unit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The control unit 110 receives an execution operation of the security buzzer function by the user via the operation unit 103, and the sensor unit 107. The process of determining the volume of the buzzer based on the signal output from the terminal, the process of controlling the volume control unit 108 and the buzzer output unit 109 to sound the buzzer sound at the determined volume, the control of the communication process during a call, etc. Do.

<Sensor position and performance>
Next, the position where the infrared sensor 121 and the photo sensor 122 are arranged and the performance of the sensor will be described.
2A and 2B are diagrams showing the position of the sensor. FIG. 2A is a front view of the mobile phone, and FIG. 2B is a side view. As shown in the figure, the infrared sensor 121 and the photo sensor 122 are arranged at predetermined positions of the mobile phone.

As the infrared sensor 121, for example, a light receiving electrode having a shape of 1.3 mm × 1.0 mm is used. As shown in FIG. 5A, the infrared sensor 121 is on the same surface of the mobile phone housing in which the audio output unit 106 is disposed. The voice output unit 106 is disposed within a predetermined distance. For example, it is arranged at a position within 1 cm from the audio output unit 106.
The infrared detection range is set to a distance of 15 cm and a detection angle of 70 degrees horizontal and 70 degrees vertical by adjusting the Fresnel lens.

  The photosensor 122 uses, for example, a light receiving unit having a size of 2.0 mm × 2.1 mm, and is arranged on the same plane as the audio output unit 106 as shown in FIG. In the figure, they are arranged on the same plane as the audio output unit 106 so as to be located within a predetermined distance from an intermediate position between the audio output unit 106 and the audio input unit 105. For example, it is arranged at a position within 3 cm from the middle position.

The photosensor 122 transmits a signal to the control unit 110 when it detects brightness of a predetermined illuminance or higher. Here, the predetermined illuminance or higher is set to 50 lux or higher, for example.
<Operation>
Hereinafter, an operation of the mobile phone 1000 having the above-described configuration will be described.
When the security buzzer function is executed by the user, the control unit 110 determines the volume of the buzzer based on signals sequentially output from the sensor unit 107, and increases the buzzer sound when executing the security buzzer function according to the determined volume. To lower or lower. For example, the buzzer sounds at 130 decibels when the volume is high, and at 40 decibels when the volume is low. The security buzzer function is executed via the operation unit 103, for example, by an operation of pressing a predetermined key a plurality of times within a predetermined time.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the control unit 110 adjusts the volume of the buzzer sound when the security buzzer function is executed.
When the security buzzer function is executed by the user via the operation unit 103, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the user is in a call (S31). Whether or not a call is in progress can be determined by whether the control unit 110 is performing a calling process or a calling process.

If the user is not talking (S31: N), the buzzer volume is increased to execute the security buzzer function (S34). If the user is talking (S31: Y), the signal received from the sensor unit 107 is displayed. Based on this, it is determined whether or not to increase the volume of the buzzer sound, and volume adjustment processing for determining whether or not to enable a volume flag indicating whether or not to increase the volume is performed (S32).
The volume flag is held as a 1-bit value, for example. The volume flag is enabled when the volume is increased, the volume flag is “1”, and the volume flag is disabled when the volume is decreased. Stored in RAM as “0”.

When determining the volume flag in step S32, control unit 110 determines whether or not the volume flag is valid (S33). If the volume flag is valid (S33: Y), the buzzer volume is increased and the security buzzer function is executed (S34). If the volume flag is invalid (S33: N), the buzzer volume is decreased. A security buzzer function is executed (S35).
Until the crime prevention buzzer function is turned off by the user's operation (S36: N), the buzzer sound is sounded and the buzzer volume is adjusted according to the sensor output (S32, S34, S35).

When the security buzzer function is turned off (S36: Y), the control unit 110 ends the process of adjusting the volume of the buzzer sound.
<Volume adjustment processing>
Here, the volume adjustment processing in step S32 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the control unit 110 determines the buzzer volume based on a signal from the sensor.

  The control unit 110 determines whether or not a signal is transmitted from the infrared sensor (S41). If the signal is not transmitted (S41: N), the control unit 110 enables the volume flag (S43). If a signal is sent from the infrared sensor (S41: Y), it is determined whether or not a signal is sent from the photo sensor (S42). If a signal is sent from the photosensor (S42: Y), the volume flag is validated (S43), and if no signal is sent (S42: N), the volume flag is invalidated (S44).

In this way, the control unit 110 increases or decreases the volume of the buzzer when executing the security buzzer function based on the signal sent from the sensor.
<Embodiment 2>
Next, the mobile phone according to the second embodiment will be described while focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

<Configuration>
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the configuration of the sensor unit 107 is an infrared sensor 121 and a touch sensor 123, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
The touch sensor 123 included in the sensor unit 107 is, for example, a touch pad or a pressure-sensitive sensor, detects contact with the sensor, and transmits a signal to the control unit 110.

<Sensor position and performance>
Next, the position where the touch sensor 123 is arranged and the performance of the sensor will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the touch sensor 123 is arranged on the side of the casing when the surface on which the audio output unit 106 is located is the front of the casing of the mobile phone. In the figure, the voice input unit 105 is disposed on the side surface of the casing.

The touch sensor 123 is, for example, a pressure-sensitive sensor that detects 0.2 mm pressure bonding to the film when the user touches the film on the sensor surface, and transmits a signal to the control unit 110 when contact is detected.
<Operation>
Hereinafter, an operation of the mobile phone 1100 having the above-described configuration will be described.

The control unit 110 adjusts the volume of the buzzer sound according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 as described in the first embodiment, but the other processes other than the volume adjustment process in step S32 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Since there is, explanation is omitted.
<Volume adjustment processing>
The volume adjustment process in step S32 in the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the control unit 110 determines the volume of the buzzer based on a signal from the sensor.
The control unit 110 determines whether or not a signal is transmitted from the infrared sensor (S61). If not (S61: N), the control unit 110 enables the volume flag (S63). If a signal is transmitted from the infrared sensor (S61: Y), it is determined whether a signal is transmitted from the touch sensor (S62). If no signal is sent from the touch sensor (S62: N), the volume flag is validated (S63), and if a signal is sent (S62: Y), the volume flag is invalidated (S64).
<Supplement>
As described above, the embodiments of the invention have been described, but it is needless to say that the mobile phone according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.
(1) In the above embodiment, the combination of sensors mounted on a mobile phone has been described as an infrared sensor and a photo sensor, or an infrared sensor and a touch sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Three may be used and arbitrary combinations may be used.

Here, when three sensors are used, for example, the infrared sensor detects infrared rays and transmits a signal to the control unit 110, and the photosensor does not detect light with a predetermined illuminance or higher and the signal is not sent to the control unit 110. In addition, only when the touch sensor detects a contact and transmits a signal to the control unit 110, the volume flag is disabled to adjust the volume of the buzzer according to the signal sent from the sensor. it can.
(2) In the above embodiment, the position of each sensor is set to the position shown in FIG. 2. However, if the user can effectively detect that the user is close to the mobile phone, the position of the above form is used. Not exclusively.
(3) In the above embodiment, the volume of the buzzer is reduced only during a call (S31). However, the above condition is not necessarily essential, and the buzzer is set according to the output signal of the sensor even during a call. It is good also as adjusting the sound volume.
(4) In the above embodiment, a buzzer sound is generated from the buzzer output unit 109. However, a buzzer sound may be generated from the speaker of the audio output unit 106. Further, the speaker of the buzzer output unit 109 may be shared with the speaker of the audio output unit 106.
(5) In the above embodiment, the volume is adjusted and the buzzer is sounded at the adjusted volume. However, the volume may be switched instantaneously in the process of decreasing or increasing the volume. The volume may be gradually switched within a predetermined time.

  Further, although the volume is adjusted in two stages, that is, whether the volume flag is valid or invalid, the volume flag may be in any number of stages, and the volume may be adjusted according to the stage. For example, the sound may be sounded in four stages of 40 decibels, 60 decibels, 80 decibels, and 130 decibels, and the stage may be changed every time the volume flag is determined to be valid or invalid in step S33.

  In addition, when the volume flag becomes valid from invalid, the buzzer sound is first sounded at the sound output unit 106 so as not to hurt the user's ear, for example, about 40 decibels, and the buzzer sound is heard from the user. It is good also as calling attention and then sounding a buzzer sound with a predetermined volume.

  The present invention can be applied to a mobile phone having a crime prevention function.

3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the position of a sensor. It is a flowchart which shows the process in which the control part 110 adjusts the volume of a buzzer sound at the time of a crime prevention buzzer function execution. It is a flowchart which shows the process in which the control part 110 judges the volume of a buzzer based on the signal from a sensor. 6 is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the control unit 110 of the mobile phone according to Embodiment 2 determines the volume of a buzzer based on a signal from a sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Antenna 102 Transmission / reception part 103 Operation part 104 Display part 105 Audio | voice input part 106 Audio | voice output part 107 Sensor part 108 Volume control part 109 Buzzer output part 110 Control part 121 Infrared sensor 122 Photo sensor 123 Touch sensor

Claims (8)

A mobile phone equipped with a security buzzer function for sounding for security purposes,
A distance sensor that outputs a signal when the distance between the user's own device and the user is within a predetermined distance;
Determining means for determining a volume based on whether a signal is output by the distance sensor;
And a control means for controlling to execute the security buzzer function at the determined volume. The distance sensor is
An infrared sensor that outputs a signal depending on whether infrared rays emitted from a heat source within a predetermined distance are detected,
The mobile phone further includes:
A photo sensor that outputs a signal according to whether light of a predetermined illuminance or higher is detected,
The determining means includes
The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein when the infrared sensor detects infrared rays and the photosensor does not detect light with a predetermined illuminance or higher, the determination is performed so as to decrease the volume. The distance sensor is
An infrared sensor that outputs a signal depending on whether infrared rays emitted from a heat source within a predetermined distance are detected,
The mobile phone further includes:
A touch sensor that outputs a signal according to whether or not the user has touched the device,
The determining means includes
The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein when the infrared sensor detects an infrared ray and the touch sensor detects a contact with the mobile phone, the determination is performed so as to decrease the volume. The mobile phone further includes a photosensor that outputs a signal according to whether light having a predetermined illuminance or higher is detected,
The determining means includes
The infrared sensor detects infrared rays, the touch sensor detects contact with the device, and when the photo sensor does not detect light with a predetermined illuminance or higher, the determination is performed to reduce the volume. The mobile phone according to claim 3. The mobile phone is
It has a judging means for judging whether or not the machine is busy,
The control means includes
The control is executed only when it is determined by the determination means that the call is in progress, and when it is determined that the call is not in progress, the security buzzer function is executed at a predetermined volume regardless of the determined volume. The mobile phone according to claim 1. The infrared sensor is a surface that is perpendicular to the sound output direction of a speaker that outputs the voice of the other party during a call, and detects infrared light incident on a surface on the side where the speaker outputs sound. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the mobile phone is arranged. The photo sensor is on a surface perpendicular to the sound output direction of the speaker that outputs the voice of the other party during a call, and is disposed within 3 cm from the midpoint between the speaker and the microphone that receives the user's sound input. The mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein the mobile phone is a mobile phone. 5. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the touch sensor is disposed on a side surface of a casing of the device itself.

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