JP2010288183A - Portable device, program and content playback method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable device that detects entering/leaving of a predetermined place, without fail, and limiting the sound volume, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The portable device with a playback means 22 for playing back predetermined content, includes detection means 21, 31-33 each detecting the action of a user carrying the device attending on entering a predetermined place and an action, accompanying leaving the predetermined place and a control means 34 for imposing a predetermined limit on the playback of contents performed by the playback means, according to the detection of the entering and exiting action by the detection means; and when the entering action is detected by the detection means, the predetermined limit is performed by the control means, and when the leaving action is detected, the limit is canceled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile device having a content playback function, a program for causing a computer to function as the mobile device, and a content playback method in the mobile device.

  Generally, when listening to audio content on a mobile terminal, listening at a high volume in a public place is annoying to other people, so the volume needs to be lowered. Also, for the same reason, it is necessary to set the volume of the ring tone for telephone calls and e-mails to be lowered. Conventionally, such adjustment and setting of volume have been performed manually. Also, as in the conventional examples of FIGS. 7 to 9, the portable terminal is known that automatically controls the volume in a public place.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable terminal according to a conventional example (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As shown in the figure, the portable terminal determines the position of the portable terminal based on the radio wave receiving device 71 that receives radio waves from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite and the radio waves received thereby. When the position determined by the position determining unit 72 corresponds to a public place, the sound output from the tuner 73 is controlled by the volume control unit 74 and then the sound output device. 75 is output.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable player according to a conventional example (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this portable player, a large-capacity storage unit 81 is provided with a database in which public transport timetable information is associated with user behavior patterns, and a voice from the output unit 83 is controlled by the control unit 82 based on this database. The output is controlled. This technology is intended to control the audio output so that the volume is optimal for the user of the portable player, but this technology does not cause trouble to other people in public transportation. It can also be applied to a technique for controlling the volume.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional voice control device (see, for example, Patent Document 3). This voice control device controls the volume in a vehicle such as a public transportation system, detects a traveling noise generated when the vehicle travels by a microphone 91, and an audio source 92 based on the detection result. The level of the same band component as the frequency band in the audio signal from is reduced. This technology can also be applied to a technology for automatically controlling the volume in public transportation.

JP 2006-254012 A JP 2008-309816 A JP 2007-110481 A

  However, according to the prior art of FIG. 7 described above, in public transportation where the volume control is most necessary, in many cases there is a roof and it is impossible to receive radio waves from GPS satellites. In many cases, the control by is impossible. Further, since a large amount of power is consumed for the process of determining the position by GPS, this technique is not suitable for a portable terminal that operates on a battery.

  Although the conventional technique of FIG. 8 is effective for such a problem, the user's behavior pattern is not necessarily constant. Therefore, according to the technique of FIG. 8, control of audio output functions in an unintended place. There is a possibility that. Furthermore, even when there is a delay in public transportation operations or a change in the timetable, it is not possible to apply the user's behavior pattern so far, and voice output may be controlled in an unintended location. .

  Further, according to the prior art of FIG. 9, since the volume control is performed only when the vehicle is boarded, the problem due to the technology of FIG. 8 is solved, but there are many in order to detect and process the running noise. Consume power. Therefore, the technique of FIG. 9 is not suitable for a portable terminal that operates on a battery.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of reliably detecting entry / exit to a predetermined place and restricting the volume or the like in view of the problems of the prior art.

  In order to achieve this object, the portable device according to the first aspect of the present invention is accompanied by reproduction means for reproducing predetermined content, operation accompanying entry to a predetermined location by a user carrying the device, and exit from the location. It is characterized by comprising detection means for detecting an operation and control means for giving a predetermined restriction on the reproduction of the content by the reproduction means in response to the detection of the entrance / exit operation by the detection means.

  The portable device according to a second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the predetermined restriction is a restriction on a sound volume when content is reproduced by the reproduction means.

  The portable device according to a third invention is the portable device according to the second invention, wherein the control means restricts the volume when the detection means detects the entrance operation, and when the exit action is detected, It is characterized by canceling the volume restriction.

  In the portable device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the volume limit is to prevent a volume setting value at the time of content playback by the playback means from exceeding a predetermined upper limit value. It is characterized by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the portable device according to the first aspect, wherein the predetermined restriction is to prevent the reproduction by the reproduction means.

  The portable device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the portable device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the entrance operation and the exit operation to the predetermined place need to pass in order to use public transportation. It is characterized by the operation of passing through the gate in the direction of the inside of the gate and the operation of passing through the gate necessary to pass through the public transportation to the outside of the gate.

  A program according to a sixth invention causes a computer to function as a detection unit and a control unit in the portable device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions.

  A content playback method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a content playback method in a portable device provided with a playback means for playing back predetermined content, the operation accompanying the entrance to the predetermined location by the user carrying the device and the location A detection step for detecting an operation associated with leaving the vehicle, and a control step for giving a predetermined restriction on the reproduction of the content by the reproduction unit in response to the detection of the entry / exit operation by the detection unit. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect entry / exit to a predetermined place and control the volume and the like.

It is a figure which shows a mode that the portable terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is used. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the payment log | history after entrance and leaving from a public transport. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the entrance / exit determination part of the portable terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the volume control part of the portable terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the reproduction | regeneration control part of the portable terminal which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal which concerns on a prior art example. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable player according to a conventional example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice control apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

  In recent years, in one mobile terminal, there is a terminal having an electronic payment function and an electronic ticket gate function in addition to a function of reproducing content such as music and moving images. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. In the figure, 1 is a portable terminal carried by a user, and 2 is a reader / writer of an automatic ticket gate provided at a ticket gate of public transportation. Examples of the portable terminal 1 include a cellular phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance; portable information terminal), and a PMP (Portable Media Player). As shown in the figure, when the user holds the portable terminal 1 over the reader / writer 2, the portable terminal 1 communicates with the reader / writer 2 to perform settlement processing related to entrance / exit. When the payment process is completed, a gate (not shown) of the automatic ticket gate opens, and the user can enter or leave public transportation. Public transportation includes trains, buses, and subways.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 1. As shown in the figure, the portable terminal 1 includes a microcomputer 30 that controls each unit, a communication device 21 for the microcomputer 30 to communicate with the reader / writer 2, an audio output device 22 that outputs an audio signal, and an audio output device 22. Is provided with a headphone terminal 23 for outputting the audio signal to the headphones. The communication device 21 is configured using, for example, a mobile FeliCa (registered trademark) chip developed by Sony Corporation. The audio output device 22 has a function of storing and playing back a content file and outputting an audio signal. The content file corresponds to a content file with audio such as music content or video content. The gain of the audio signal output from the audio output device 22 can be adjusted by changing the volume setting value using the volume up / down key, touch panel operation, or the like.

  The microcomputer 30 stores an electronic payment unit 31 that performs a payment process based on a communication result with the reader / writer 2, a history storage unit 32 that stores a result of the payment process by the electronic payment unit 31 as a payment history, and a history storage unit 32. The entrance / exit determination unit 33 outputs a determination signal J indicating the determination result, and outputs a volume control signal C based on the determination signal J. Thus, a volume control unit 34 that controls the volume setting value in the audio output device 22 is configured.

  The communication device 21, the electronic payment unit 31, and the history storage unit 32 constitute an existing electronic payment system using a non-contact type IC card such as a mobile Suica (registered trademark) application. The electronic payment unit 31 performs a payment process based on the result of communication with the reader / writer 2 by the communication device 21, thereby opening the gate of the automatic ticket gate and allowing the user to enter or leave public transportation. At this time, the result of the payment process in the electronic payment unit 31 is stored in the history storage unit 32 as a payment history. The settlement history includes an entrance history and an exit history. In the case of entry, the station name, date, and time of the station that has entered are stored as an entry history. In the case of exit, the station name, date, and time of the exited station are stored as an exit history.

  FIG. 3A shows an example of a settlement history after entering public transport. As shown in the figure, the settlement history includes an entrance history and an exit history, and the entrance history and the exit history are sequentially recorded every time the entrance / exit is repeated. The latest admission history is “Admission: Yokohama 2009/1/11 16:48”. The admission history indicates that the user entered Yokohama Station at 16:48 on January 11, 2009. Also, the exit history corresponding to the entrance history has not been recorded yet. This means that after the entry history is recorded, the entry has not yet been exited and is in an entrance state.

  FIG. 3B shows an example of a settlement history after leaving the public transportation facility. “Exit: Kawasaki 2009/1/11 17:10” is recorded as the latest exit history corresponding to the latest entrance history “Admission: Yokohama 2009/1/11 16:48”. This means that at Kawasaki Station, it was left at 17:10 on January 11, 2009, and it was left as it was.

  Based on such a settlement history, the entrance / exit determination unit 33 outputs a determination signal J indicating whether the entrance / exit state is present. When the determination signal J indicates that it is in the entrance state, the volume control unit 34 restricts the maximum volume setting value to the predetermined upper limit value Vmax as the volume control signal C to the audio output device 22. The limit signal Cn instructing is sent. When the determination result J indicates that it is an exit state, a release signal Cf indicating that the restriction is released is sent as the volume control signal C. While following the control by the volume control signal C, the audio output device 22 has a function of performing reproduction based on the stored content file and outputting a reproduction signal from the headphone terminal 23.

  In this configuration, when the user of the portable terminal 1 uses a train, when the portable terminal 1 is held over the reader / writer 2 and enters a public transportation station as shown in FIG. 2 communicates with each other and outputs a communication result T to the microcomputer 30. In the microcomputer 30, the electronic settlement unit 31 performs settlement processing based on the communication result T. Based on the result of the payment process, the history storage unit 32 additionally stores a new payment history. At that time, the station name, date, and time of the station that has entered are stored as the latest entrance history constituting the settlement history. Further, based on the settlement history stored in the history storage unit 32, the entrance / exit determination unit 33 sends a determination signal J indicating that the vehicle is in an entrance state to the public transportation system to the volume control unit 34. Based on this determination signal J, the volume control unit 34 outputs a limit signal Cn to the audio output device 22.

  In response to this, the audio output device 22 shifts to a volume restriction mode in which the volume setting value for the output audio signal is restricted so as not to exceed a predetermined value. That is, when the sound output device 22 shifts to the volume limit mode, if the volume setting value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value Vmax, the sound output device 22 forcibly changes the volume setting value to the upper limit value Vmax. If the upper limit value Vmax is not exceeded, the volume setting value is maintained. After the transition to the volume limit mode, until the volume limit mode is canceled, if the user tries to set a volume value that exceeds the upper limit value Vmax, the volume setting value is forcibly set to the upper limit value Vmax. Fix it. Thus, in the volume limit mode, the user can set an arbitrary volume value by operating the volume knob or the like if the upper limit value Vmax or less, but sets a volume value exceeding the upper limit value Vmax. It is not possible.

  Thereafter, when the user gets off the train and holds the portable terminal 1 over the reader / writer 2 and passes through the automatic ticket gate at the disembarking station and exits from the public transportation station, the communication device 21 similarly. Communicates with the reader / writer 2, and the electronic settlement unit 31 performs a settlement process related to the exit. Based on the result of the payment process, the history storage unit 32 stores the payment history. At that time, the station name, date, and time of the exited station are stored as the latest exit history constituting the settlement history. If it is determined that the exit state is entered based on the settlement history in which the exit history is recorded, the entrance / exit determination unit 33 sends a determination signal J indicating the exit state to the volume control unit 34. In response to this, the sound volume control unit 34 sends a release signal Cf to the sound output device 22. In response to this, the audio output device 22 cancels the volume restriction mode. As a result, the user can change the volume setting value in the audio output device 22 to a value exceeding the limit value Vmax. That is, it is possible to listen to the content using headphones with the volume setting value exceeding the limit value Vmax.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in the entrance / exit determination unit 33 described above. This processing is performed by the microcomputer 30 according to a predetermined program, and is started in response to the new entry history or exit history being stored in the history storage unit 32. When the process is started, the microcomputer 30 first searches the latest entrance history in the settlement history in step 41. Next, in step 42, it is determined whether there is an exit history after the latest entrance history. As a result, if it is determined that there is no exit history, it is determined in step 43 that it is in the entrance state, and in step 45, a determination signal J indicating that it is in the entrance state is output. Thereby, the process of FIG. 4 is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 42 that there is an exit history after the latest entrance history, it is determined in step 44 that it is in an exit state, and in step 45, a determination signal J indicating that it is in an exit state is output. To do. Thereby, the process of FIG. 4 is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the volume control unit 34 described above. This process is a process for controlling on / off of the volume restriction mode in the audio output device 22 in accordance with the determination signal J from the entrance / exit determination unit 33 as described above, and is performed by the microcomputer 30 according to a predetermined program. .

  When the process is started, first, in step 51, it is monitored whether or not the determination signal J is output by the process of FIG. If the determination signal J is output, it is determined in step 52 whether the determination signal J indicates an entrance state or an exit state. If it is determined that the entry state is indicated, it is determined in step 53 whether the audio output device 22 is in the volume limit mode. If it is determined that the volume limit mode is not set, in step 54, the limit signal Cn is sent as the volume control signal C to shift the audio output device 22 to the volume limit mode, and the process of FIG. . If it is determined that the volume restriction mode is set, the processing in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 52 that the determination signal J indicates an exit state, in step 55, the audio output device 22 determines whether or not it is in the volume limit mode. If it is determined that the volume restriction mode is set, in step 56, a release signal Cf is sent as the volume control signal C to release the volume restriction mode in the audio output device 22, and the processing in FIG. If it is determined that the volume restriction mode is not set, the processing of FIG.

  The audio output device 22 shifts to the volume limit mode when the limit signal Cn is applied by the processing of FIG. 5, and cancels the volume limit mode when the release signal Cf is applied.

  According to the present embodiment, the entrance / exit state to public transport is determined based on the settlement history, and when it is in the entrance state, the maximum volume setting value that can be changed by the user is limited to Vmax. Therefore, the volume setting value is automatically limited even in environments where GPS signals cannot be received when using public transportation where the upper limit of the volume setting value is most required. can do.

  Further, the communication device 21, the electronic payment unit 31, and the history storage unit 32 that constitute the electronic payment system related to entrance / exit of public transportation usually operate only when passing through the automatic ticket gate, and the history Since the volume restriction mode is turned on / off with reference to the settlement history of the storage unit 32, it is necessary to receive radio waves from GPS satellites or detect vehicle running noise. Compared to the volume control technology, the process for determining entry / exit is simpler and consumes less power. Therefore, it is sufficient that the battery has a relatively small capacity, and there is no possibility that the preferable portability as a portable terminal is impaired.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the playback control unit of the mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the portable terminal of FIG. 2, the reproduction control unit that performs the process of FIG. 6 is provided instead of the volume control unit 34 in the portable terminal of FIG. 2, and the audio output device 22 is based on a control signal from the reproduction control unit. Then, a transition is made to a playback restriction mode in which content playback is not performed, and the mode is canceled. About a point other than this, it has the structure similar to the case of the portable terminal of FIG. 2, and performs the same effect | action.

  That is, when the processing in FIG. 6 is started, the reproduction control unit monitors whether or not the determination signal J is output in step 61 as in step 51 in FIG. In step 62, it is determined whether the determination signal J indicates an entry state or an exit state. If it is determined that the entry state is indicated, it is determined in step 63 whether or not the audio output device 22 is in the reproduction restriction mode. If it is determined that the playback restriction mode is not set, in step 64, the restriction signal Cn is sent to shift the audio output device 22 to the playback restriction mode, and the process of FIG. If it is determined that the playback restriction mode is set, the processing in FIG. 6 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 62 that the determination signal J indicates an exit state, in step 65, the audio output device 22 determines whether or not it is in the playback restriction mode. If it is determined that the playback restriction mode is set, in step 66, a release signal Cf is sent to release the playback restriction mode in the audio output device 22, and the processing of FIG. If it is determined that the playback restriction mode is not set, the processing in FIG.

  The audio output device 22 shifts to the reproduction restriction mode when the restriction signal Cn is applied by the processing of FIG. 6, and cancels the reproduction restriction mode when the release signal Cf is applied. The audio output device 22 stops the reproduction when the content is being reproduced when shifting to the reproduction restriction mode. Further, in the reproduction restriction mode, reproduction is not performed even if a reproduction instruction is given by the user.

  According to the present embodiment, the entry / exit state to the public transportation system is determined based on the settlement history, and the content reproduction is stopped during the entry. Therefore, it is most necessary to restrict the content reproduction. Even when the user is in an environment where GPS radio waves cannot be received when using public transportation, the reproduction of content can be automatically restricted. Further, as in the case of the portable terminal in FIG. 2 described above, the preferred portability as a portable terminal is not impaired.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented. For example, in the above description, as an example of restricting the volume (sound volume), an example is shown in which the volume setting value is restricted so as not to exceed the upper limit value Vmax in the volume restriction mode. However, instead of this, an average level is obtained for each predetermined period for the audio signal output from the audio output device 22, and when the average level exceeds a predetermined value, the volume setting value is decreased by a predetermined value, The volume setting value may be variably controlled.

  Further, in the above description, as an entrance / exit operation to be detected, in the automatic ticket gate to public transport, the operation of passing the portable terminal while holding the portable terminal over the reader / writer is not limited, An entrance / exit operation in an in-facility entrance / exit system using a mobile phone may be set as a detection target. As the entrance / exit system in the facility, an electronic ticket system using a portable terminal, an entrance / exit management system, and the like are applicable. Facilities include concert halls, libraries, government offices, companies, and educational facilities. For example, when performing an entrance / exit operation to a facility or a lecture hall of an educational institution, the entrance / exit operation is detected by non-contact communication using a mobile terminal, and if the entrance is entered, the content recorded on the mobile terminal is reproduced. May not be able to be performed. In addition, even when entering and leaving a public facility with an electronic ticket using a mobile terminal, the entrance / exit operation is similarly detected so that the content recorded on the mobile terminal cannot be reproduced, You may make it restrict | limit the volume setting value at the time of reproduction | regeneration.

  Further, in the above description, content stored in a portable terminal is targeted as content to be played back, but the content is not limited to this and may be distributed via a network or wired / wireless broadcast.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Portable terminal, 2: Reader / writer, 21: Communication apparatus, 22: Audio | voice output part, 23: Headphone terminal, 31: Electronic payment part, 32: History memory | storage part, 33: Entrance / exit determination part, 34: Volume control part .

Claims (8)

Playback means for playing back predetermined content;
Detecting means for detecting an operation associated with entry to a predetermined place by a user carrying the apparatus and an operation associated with leaving the place;
A portable device comprising: a control unit that applies a predetermined restriction on content reproduction by the reproduction unit in response to detection of an entrance / exit operation by the detection unit.   The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined limit is a volume limit when the content is played by the playback unit.   3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein when the entrance operation is detected by the detection unit, the volume control is performed, and when the exit operation is detected, the control unit releases the volume control. The portable device described.   4. The portable device according to claim 2, wherein the volume limit is to prevent a volume setting value at the time of content playback by the playback unit from exceeding a predetermined upper limit value.   The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined restriction is to prevent the reproduction unit from reproducing the content.   The entrance operation and the exit operation to the predetermined place are an operation to pass through a gate that needs to pass in order to use public transportation, and to end use of the public transportation. The portable device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portable device is an operation of passing a gate that needs to pass in an outward direction of the gate.   A program for causing a computer to function as a detection unit and a control unit in the portable device according to claim 1. A content reproduction method in a portable device provided with reproduction means for reproducing predetermined content,
A detection step of detecting an operation associated with entry to a predetermined location by a user carrying the device and an operation associated with leaving the location;
A content reproduction method comprising: a control step of providing a predetermined restriction on reproduction of content by the reproduction unit in response to detection of an entrance / exit operation by the detection unit.

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