JP2010258701A - Communication terminal and method of regulating volume level - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal that easily and automatically regulates the volume level of a voice during a speech communication in accordance with user's intention. <P>SOLUTION: The communication terminal 10 includes a voice output unit 13 which outputs a voice based upon the speech communication with another communication terminal A, a pressure measurement unit 15 which measures pressure F to the voice output unit 13, a determination unit 17 which determines whether the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and a control unit 12 which increases the volume level of the voice outputted by the voice output unit 13 when the determination unit 17 determines that the pressure F is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold A. Thus, the pressure F applied to the voice output unit 13 is measured to determine whether the pressure F is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold A, and consequently when the volume level during the speech communication is smaller than preferable volume, a natural action in which the user M puts the ear etc., closer to the voice output unit 13 to press it can be easily detected, thereby automatically increasing the volume level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal for adjusting a volume level during a call and a method for adjusting a volume level.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a means for adjusting a reception volume when making a call on a mobile phone or the like, a technique for manually increasing or decreasing the volume by a key operation of the mobile phone and setting it to an optimal volume is widely known (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Further, as another means for adjusting the reception volume, a technique is known in which the distance between the mobile phone and the user is measured and the volume is automatically increased or decreased according to the measured distance (for example, Patent Document 2). reference).

JP-A-8-340228 JP 2007-221744 A

  By the way, when actually making a call with a mobile phone, the optimum volume for the user for each call depends on multiple factors such as the volume of the other party's voice, the surrounding environment during the call, and the type of mobile phone. Sometimes it was different. For this reason, even if a call is started at the reception volume that should have been set to the optimum volume, the volume level is not always suitable, and the content of the call is difficult to hear, or conversely, the other party's voice is too loud. In some cases, the user was forced to talk at an unfavorable volume. In such a case, the user is willing to adjust the volume level immediately after the call starts, but cannot perform key operations while looking at the screen or keys of the mobile phone because the call is in progress. For this reason, it has not been possible to easily adjust to a preferable volume level. On the other hand, in the volume adjustment technique described in Patent Document 2, although the volume can be automatically increased or decreased according to the distance, the user during a call wants to increase or decrease the volume. This is not a technique for adjusting the volume by discriminating the intention of the person, so it was difficult to use it for volume adjustment in such a case.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal that can easily and automatically adjust the volume level of voice during a call according to the intention of the user, and a method for adjusting the volume level.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a communication terminal according to the present invention includes an audio output unit that outputs audio based on a call with another communication terminal, and a predetermined range centered on the audio output unit or the audio output unit. A pressure measuring unit that measures a pressure on a member positioned; a determination unit that determines whether or not a pressure measured by the pressure measuring unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; and a case in which the pressure is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value by the determination unit Control means for increasing the volume level of the sound output by the sound output means.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the volume level adjusting method according to the present invention is a method for adjusting the volume level of a communication terminal provided with audio output means for outputting audio based on a call with another communication terminal. And a pressure measurement step for measuring pressure on the voice output means or a member located within a predetermined range centering on the voice output means, and determining whether or not the pressure measured by the pressure measurement step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a control step of increasing the volume level of the sound output by the sound output means when the pressure is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value by the determination step.

  According to this communication terminal or volume level adjustment method, when the volume level during a call is lower than the preferred volume, the user presses the ear close to the voice output means or the like to make it easier to hear the other party's voice. Such natural movement is detected by measuring the pressure applied to the sound output means and determining whether or not the pressure is a predetermined value or more. When such a natural movement is detected, it is estimated that the volume level during a call is lower than the preferred volume for the user, and control is performed to increase the volume level during a call. In this way, the volume level during a call is a preferred volume with a simple configuration that focuses on the natural movement of the user when the volume level is lower than the preferred volume and measures the pressure applied to the audio output means or the like. Since the user's intention, such as whether or not there is, is estimated and the volume level is adjusted, the volume level of the voice during a call can be easily and automatically adjusted according to the user's intention.

  Further, it further comprises distance measuring means for periodically measuring the distance to the user, and the judging means judges whether or not the current distance measured by the distance measuring means is larger than the immediately preceding distance measured immediately before. Preferably, the control means decreases the volume level of the sound output by the sound output means when the determination means determines that the current distance is greater than the immediately preceding distance. In this case, by determining a change in the distance between the user and the communication terminal, a natural movement in which the user keeps his / her ear away from the audio output means or the like when the volume level during a call is higher than a preferable volume. I try to detect it. When such a natural movement is detected, it is estimated that the volume level during the call is higher than the preferred volume for the user, and control is performed to reduce the volume level during the call. In this way, focusing on the natural movement of the user when the volume level is higher than the preferred volume, the volume level during a call is a preferred volume with a simple configuration such as determining the distance change between the user and the communication terminal. Since the volume level is adjusted by further estimating the user's intention, such as whether or not there is, it is possible to easily and automatically adjust the volume level of the voice during a call according to the user's intention It becomes.

  In addition, it further comprises a storage unit for storing measurement data of each distance periodically measured by the distance measuring means, the determining means determines whether or not the current distance measured by the distance measuring means is zero, When the control means determines that the current distance is zero, the control means preferably starts measuring the pressure by the pressure measuring means and erases the measurement data stored in the storage unit. In this case, since past measurement data used for volume adjustment can be appropriately deleted, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the storage unit, and a simple configuration can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, the volume level of voice during a call can be easily and automatically adjusted according to the user's intention.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the communication terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the communication terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the measuring method of the distance between a communication terminal and a user. It is a figure which shows typically the measuring method of the pressure applied to a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the measurement data stored in a storage part, (a) is a figure which shows distance data, (b) is a figure which shows pressure data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of adjusting a volume level. It is a figure which shows typically another measuring method of the pressure applied to a communication terminal.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, if possible, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the configuration of the communication terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The communication terminal 10 is a terminal used by the user M, and is, for example, a mobile phone or a PHS. The communication terminal 10 is connected to a plurality of communication terminals A via a communication network NW and can perform a voice call with each other. Although only one communication terminal A is shown in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation, the communication terminal 10 can be connected to a plurality of communication terminals A not shown. Functionally, the communication terminal 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12 (control unit), an audio output unit 13 (audio output unit), a distance measurement unit 14 (distance measurement unit), and a pressure measurement unit 15 (pressure measurement unit). ), A storage unit 16 (storage unit), and a determination unit 17 (determination unit).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal 10 physically includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, an input device 10d, an output device 10e, a communication device 10f, and a recording device 10g, which are connected to a bus 10h. Has been. The CPU 10a loads and executes predetermined computer software (including a computer program for executing processing performed by the communication terminal 10 shown in FIG. 6) stored in a built-in memory such as the ROM 10c or the recording device 10g into the RAM 10b. Thus, the communication terminal 10 is comprehensively controlled.

  The input device 10d is a data input device that includes a keyboard, an infrared sensor that measures the distance to the object, a pressure sensor that measures the pressure applied to the mobile communication terminal 10, and the input data to the CPU 10a. Output. The output device 10e is a display device such as an LCD or a sound output device such as a speaker. The output device 10e displays image data or the like input from the CPU 10a on the LCD, converts the input sound data or the like, and outputs a sound. The communication device 10f has an interface for performing a call or communication with the communication terminal A or the like via the communication network NW or the like. The recording device 10g stores the computer software executable by the CPU 10a. The communication unit 10 to the determination unit 17 illustrated in FIG. 1 are realized by causing the CPU 10a to execute the above-described computer software stored in the ROM 10c, the recording device 10g, and the like to operate each component of the communication terminal 10 illustrated in FIG. It is a function. In particular, the CPU 10a uses the communication unit 10 to the determination unit 17 to execute processing performed by the communication terminal 10 illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 11 is a part for performing a call or communication with another communication terminal A via the communication network NW. When a call is started with another communication terminal A, the communication unit 11 receives voice data via the communication network NW. The communication unit 11 outputs the received audio data to the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 is a part that controls the volume level when the audio data received from the communication unit 11 is converted into audio. The control unit 12 sets the volume level selected and input by the user of the communication terminal 10 by operating a keyboard or the like as an initial value. For example, when the volume level is 5 levels (level 1 to level 5), in this embodiment, level 3 is selected and set as an initial value. Although details will be described later, the control unit 12 performs control to increase or decrease the volume level set as the initial value in accordance with the determination result in the determination unit 17 after the start of the call. The control unit 12 outputs a volume level signal regarding the volume level of the set initial value and the increase / decrease of the volume level relative to the initial value to the audio output unit 13 together with the audio data. Further, the control unit 12 outputs a signal indicating the start or end of the call to the determination unit 17.

  The audio output unit 13 is a part that outputs audio based on a call with another communication terminal A. The audio output unit 13 includes a speaker 13a (see FIG. 3). When audio data and a volume level signal from another communication terminal A are input from the control unit 12, the audio is output at a volume level indicated by the volume level signal. Data is converted into voice and output from the speaker 13a. As a result, the user M can hear the voice from the other communication terminal A. The voice output unit 13 increases the volume level of the output voice by one level (for example, from level 3) when the input volume level signal indicates an instruction content to increase the volume level in use after the call starts. Level 4). On the other hand, when the input volume level signal indicates an instruction content for decreasing the volume level in use, the audio output unit 13 decreases the volume level of the output audio by one level (for example, from level 3 to level 2). ).

The distance measuring unit 14 is a part that periodically measures the distance H to the user M. As shown in FIG. 3, the distance measuring unit 14 includes a distance sensor 14 a provided adjacent to a speaker 13 a that constitutes a part of the audio output unit 13. With such an arrangement, the distance measuring unit 14 periodically measures the distance H between the ear (or head) of the user M who is talking and the speaker 13a using the distance sensor 14a. The distance H measured periodically is expressed as a distance H _n , a distance H _{n + 1} . When the call is started, the distance measuring unit 14 acquires an instruction signal indicating the start of the distance measurement from the determining unit 17 and starts periodic measurement of the distance H. The distance measurement unit 14 outputs the measurement data of the distance H measured periodically to the storage unit 16 via the determination unit 17. On the other hand, when the call ends, the distance measurement unit 14 acquires an instruction signal indicating the end of the distance measurement from the determination unit 17 and ends the measurement of the distance H.

  The pressure measurement unit 15 is a part that measures the pressure applied to the audio output unit 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure measuring unit 15 includes a pressure sensor 15 a that is adjacent to a speaker 13 a that constitutes a part of the audio output unit 13 and that is integrally provided on the back surface thereof. Since the pressure sensor 15a is provided integrally with the speaker 13a, the pressure measurement unit 15 measures the pressure F when the user M who is talking makes contact with the speaker 13a so as to press his ear or the like. Can do. When the distance H measured by the distance measurement unit 14 is zero (that is, when the ear of the user M is in contact with the speaker 13a), the pressure measurement unit 15 acquires an instruction signal indicating the start of pressure measurement from the determination unit 17. Then, the pressure on the audio output unit 13 is measured. The pressure measurement unit 15 outputs measurement data of the measured pressure F to the storage unit 16 via the determination unit 17.

  The storage unit 16 is a part that stores measurement data of the distance H measured by the distance measurement unit 14 and the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15 (see FIG. 6). In response to the request signal from the determination unit 17, the storage unit 16 outputs the stored measurement data of the distance H and the pressure F to the determination unit 17.

The determination unit 17 is a part that determines the change in the distance H measured by the distance measurement unit 14 and the magnitude of the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15. When a signal indicating the start of a call is input from the control unit 12, the determination unit 17 outputs an instruction signal indicating the start of distance measurement to the distance measurement unit 14 as described above. The determination unit 17 calls the measurement data of the distance H measured according to the instruction signal and stored in the storage unit 16, and the current distance Hn _{+ 1} measured by the distance measurement unit 14 is measured immediately before the current distance Hn _{+ 1.} It determines greater or not than H _n. If the current distance H _{n + 1} is larger than the immediately preceding distance H _n measured immediately before, the determining unit 17 outputs a determination signal to that effect to the control unit 12.

  Further, when the measurement data of the distance H stored in the storage unit 16 indicates zero, the determination unit 17 outputs an instruction signal indicating the start of pressure measurement to the pressure measurement unit 15 as described above. To do. The determination unit 17 calls the measurement data of the pressure F measured according to the instruction signal and stored in the storage unit 16 to determine whether or not the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15 is a predetermined value or more. . When the measured pressure F is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the determination unit 17 outputs a determination signal to that effect to the control unit 12.

As described above, the control unit 12 to which various determination signals are input from the determination unit 17 immediately before the determination signal input from the determination unit 17 is measured immediately before the current distance H _{n + 1} measured by the distance measurement unit 14 is measured. when showing a greater than the distance H _n (i.e., if the current distance H _{n + 1} is determined to be larger than the immediately preceding distance H _n by the determination unit 17), the estimates that the other party's voice is too large, the audio output A volume level signal for reducing the volume level of the sound output from the unit 13 by one step is generated, and the generated volume level signal is output to the audio output unit 13. In addition, the control unit 12 indicates that the determination signal input from the determination unit 17 indicates that the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (that is, the determination unit 17 sets the pressure F to a predetermined value). If it is determined that the voice volume of the other party is low, it is estimated that the other party's voice is small and difficult to hear, and a volume level signal is generated that increases the volume level of the voice output by the voice output unit 13 by one step. The sound volume level signal is output to the audio output unit 13.

The control unit 12, if the current distance H _n by the determination unit 17 is determined to be zero, as described above, but generate an indication signal indicating the start of a pressure measurement by the pressure measurement section 15, generates and At the same time, it performs processing to erase the measurement data stored in the storage unit 16 a distance H _n (see FIG. 6 (a)). Since the measurement of the distance H is continuously performed during a call, it is not necessary to increase the capacity of the storage unit 16 by appropriately deleting the measurement data of the past distance H in this way, and the measurement is simple. It can be configured.

  Next, a volume adjustment method in the communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control part 12 determines whether the telephone call was started between the communication terminal 10 and the other communication terminal A (step S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the call has started, the process proceeds to step S2 to determine whether or not the call is in progress. If it is determined in step S2 that the call is in progress, the distance measuring unit 14 measures and records the distance H between the subject M and the communication terminal 10 (step S3).

Subsequently, when the measurement and recording of the distance H is executed in step S3, whether or not the current distance H _{n + 1} measured by the distance measuring unit 14 is greater than the immediately preceding distance H _n measured immediately before by the determination unit 17. Is determined (step S4). If the immediately preceding distance H _n has not yet been measured (i.e., if the first measurement), the process returns to step S2 via step S5, and repeats the same measuring process. Thereby, the second distance measurement is executed.

If it is determined in step S4 that the current distance H _{n + 1} measured by the distance measuring unit 14 is larger than the immediately preceding distance H _n measured immediately before, the volume level during the current call is not suitable. Since it is assumed that the other party's voice is too loud, the control unit 12 performs control to decrease the volume level by one step (step S6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the current distance H _{n + 1} measured by the distance measuring unit 14 is less than or equal to the immediately preceding distance H _n measured immediately before, the current distance H _{n + 1} is zero (play). It is determined whether or not (including a margin) (step S5). If it is determined in step S5 that the current distance Hn _{+ 1} is not zero, the process returns to step S2 and the same processing steps S2 to S4 are repeated. If it is determined in step S5 that the current distance H _{n + 1} is zero, the pressure measurement unit 15 measures and records the pressure F (step S7).

  Subsequently, when the measurement and recording of the pressure F are executed in step S7, the determination unit 17 determines whether or not the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold A (step). S8). If the pressure F measured by the pressure measuring unit 15 is smaller than the predetermined threshold A in step S8, the process returns to step S2 without changing the volume level, and the measurement of the distance H is continued. On the other hand, if the pressure F measured by the pressure measurement unit 15 is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold A in step S8, the volume level during the current call is not suitable, for example, it is difficult to hear the content of the call. Therefore, the control unit 12 performs control to increase the volume level by one level (step S9).

  After performing control by increasing the volume level by one step, the process returns to step S7, and the pressure F is measured and recorded again. If the measured pressure F is equal to or higher than the threshold A again (step S8), it is again performed. Then, control is performed to increase the volume level by one level (step S9). Steps S8 and S9 are repeated until the pressure F becomes smaller than the threshold value A. When the pressure F becomes smaller than the threshold value A, the process returns to step S2 and the above-described processing is continued until the call ends. If it is determined in step S2 that the call has ended, the processing described above is ended. Note that the volume level changed in the above-described processing is processed so as to return to the initial volume level at the same time as the end of the call.

  According to the present embodiment, when the volume level during a call is higher than the preferred volume, a natural movement such that the user M keeps his ear away from the audio output unit 13 is a distance between the user M and the communication terminal 10. The change in H is detected by the determination unit 17 so as to detect it. If such a natural movement is detected, it is estimated that the volume level during the call for the user M is higher than the preferred volume, and the control unit 12 performs control to reduce the volume level during the call. Is going. In this way, the volume level during a call is determined with a simple configuration such as determining the distance change between the user M and the communication terminal 10 by focusing on the natural movement of the user M when the volume level is higher than the preferred volume. Since the volume level is adjusted by estimating the intention of the user M such as whether or not the volume is preferable, the volume level of the voice during a call can be easily and automatically adjusted according to the user's intention. It becomes possible.

  Further, when the volume level during a call is lower than the preferred volume, a natural movement that the user M presses the sound output unit 13 close to the ear or the like is measured, and the pressure F applied to the sound output unit 13 is measured. The pressure F is detected by determining whether or not the pressure F is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold A. When such a natural movement is detected, it is estimated that the volume level during a call is lower than the preferred volume for the user, and control is performed to increase the volume level during a call. Thus, the volume level during a call with a simple configuration in which the user M's natural movement when the volume level is lower than the preferred volume is measured and the pressure applied to the audio output unit 13 is measured is preferable. Since the volume level is adjusted by estimating the intention of the user M such as whether or not the user is, it is possible to easily and automatically adjust the volume level of the voice during the call according to the intention of the user M. It becomes.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was concretely demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the pressure measuring unit 15 measures the pressure directly applied to the audio output unit 13, but when the user M who is talking is in contact with the speaker 13a so as to press his ear or the like What is necessary is just to be able to measure the pressure F. As such a pressure measuring unit 15, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a pressure sensor 15b provided integrally on the back surface of the touch panel T provided below the speaker 13a, or FIG. ), The torque sensor 15c may be provided in the hinge portion of the foldable mobile phone. In short, the pressure applied to the member located within a predetermined range centered on the audio output portion 13 is directly or indirectly. As long as it can be measured automatically. The term “within a predetermined range” used here is a range corresponding to the size of the ear of the user M, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the increase / decrease in volume level is adjusted by measuring the distance H between the user M and the communication terminal 10, and the pressure F with respect to the communication terminal 10, and determining these combinedly. However, only the pressure F with respect to the communication terminal 10 is measured without measuring the distance H, and when it is determined that the pressure F is equal to or higher than the threshold A, the volume level of the sound output by the sound output unit 13 is increased. You may do it.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Communication terminal, 11 ... Communication part, 12 ... Control part, 13 ... Audio | voice output part, 13a ... Speaker, 14 ... Distance measurement part, 14a ... Distance sensor, 15 ... Pressure measurement part, 15a ... Pressure sensor, 16 ... Storage Part, 17 ... determination part, A ... other communication terminal, M ... user, NW ... communication network.

Claims (4)

Voice output means for outputting voice based on a call with another communication terminal;
Pressure measuring means for measuring pressure on a member located within a predetermined range centered on the sound output means or the sound output means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the pressure measured by the pressure measuring means is a predetermined value or more;
Control means for increasing the volume level of the sound output by the sound output means when the determination means determines that the pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined value;
Communication terminal equipped with. A distance measuring means for periodically measuring the distance to the user;
The determining means determines whether or not the current distance measured by the distance measuring means is larger than the immediately preceding distance measured immediately before,
The said control means reduces the volume level of the audio | voice output from the said audio | voice output means, when it determines with the said present distance being larger than the said last distance by the said determination means. Communication terminal. A storage unit for storing measurement data of each distance periodically measured by the distance measuring means;
The determination means determines whether or not the current distance measured by the distance measurement means is zero,
When the determination means determines that the current distance is zero, the control means starts measurement of the pressure by the pressure measurement means and erases the measurement data stored in the storage unit. The communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein: A method for adjusting the volume level of a communication terminal comprising a voice output means for outputting voice based on a call with another communication terminal,
A pressure measuring step for measuring pressure on a member located within a predetermined range centered on the voice output means or the voice output means;
A determination step of determining whether the pressure measured by the pressure measurement step is a predetermined value or more;
And a control step of increasing the volume level of the sound output by the sound output means when it is determined by the determination step that the pressure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

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