JP2017194546A - Electronic equipment, and control method and control program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment capable of reducing complexity in user's operation and achieving listening learning efficiently, and to provide a control method and a control program of the electronic equipment.SOLUTION: Electronic equipment includes: a display part for displaying text; a voice output part for successively outputting voice corresponding to the text; an input part for receiving user's operation; and a control part for controlling display in the display part and voice outputted from the voice output part. The control part outputs voice of a word at a second position at a second speed differing from a first speed when receiving operation for selecting the second position in front of the first position in the text via the input part when voice of the word in the first position in the text is being outputted at the first speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an electronic device having a text-to-speech function, a control method thereof, and a control program.

  Conventionally, some electronic devices having a dictionary function have a function of outputting pronunciation sounds. With this voice output function, pronunciation voice data such as words and example sentences retrieved from the dictionary and selectively displayed can be reproduced and learned with eyes and ears. For example, the following techniques for improving learning efficiency using an audio output function synchronized with text have been proposed.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-85727 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electronic device having a dictionary function. In this electronic device, when an example sentence on the display screen is touched, playback of pronunciation speech starts with a word including the touched character as a starting point, and a display surrounding the pronounced character string and pronunciation for each word Background coloring display according to the number of times is performed. When the number of pronunciations of the word in the example sentence reaches a predetermined number, the corresponding word is registered as word book data.

JP 2010-85727 A

  In an electronic device having a voice output function synchronized with text as described above, for example, when listening to a relatively long English sentence, when there is a word that cannot be heard in a sentence, There is a need to listen to sentences.

  According to Patent Literature 1, it is disclosed that the reading speed is changed in accordance with the speed of the drag operation on the character string in which the pronunciation sound is reproduced. However, the drag operation is a cumbersome operation during listening learning. Further, it does not teach or suggest any technique for allowing a user to listen again to a sentence including a word that cannot be heard.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a control program capable of reducing listening complexity of a user's operation and efficiently performing listening learning. Is to provide.

  An electronic device according to an embodiment includes a display unit for displaying text, an audio output unit for sequentially outputting audio corresponding to the text, an input unit for receiving an operation from a user, and display on the display unit And a control unit that controls the audio output from the audio output unit. The control unit is configured to select a second position before the first position in the text via the input unit when the word at the first position in the text is output by voice at the first speed. Is received, the word at the second position is output by voice at a second speed different from the first speed.

  According to another embodiment, a method for controlling an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display unit for displaying text and an audio output unit for sequentially outputting audio corresponding to the text. The control method includes a step of accepting an operation of selecting a second position before the first position in the text when the word at the first position in the text is being output at a first speed. A step of outputting the word at the second position at a second speed different from the first speed when the operation is accepted by the step.

  Furthermore, according to another embodiment, a control program to be executed by a computer of an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display unit for displaying text and an audio output unit for sequentially outputting audio corresponding to the text. The control program receives an operation of selecting a second position before the first position in the text when the word at the first position in the text is being output to the computer at a first speed. And when the said operation is received by the step to receive, the step which carries out the audio | voice output of the word of a 2nd position at the 2nd speed different from a 1st speed is performed.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the user's operation and perform listening learning efficiently.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the text display screen in the 1st situation according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the text display screen in the 2nd aspect after the 1st aspect according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the text display screen in the 3rd situation according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the display method (the 1) of the explanatory information of the word according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the display method (the 2) of the explanatory information of the word according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the display method (the 3) of the explanatory information of the word according to Embodiment 2. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the electronic device is a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited to this. The electronic device may include, for example, an electronic dictionary, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a digital camera, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a game machine, and the like.

[Embodiment 1]
<Overview>
First, an outline of the text-to-speech function in the electronic device according to the first embodiment will be described.

  For example, when the user reads English text (data) stored in the internal memory of the electronic device, the English text is displayed on the display. The user reproduces the English text sequentially from the first sentence for listening learning. Then, when there is an unknown word or a word or sentence that the user has not heard in a certain sentence being reproduced, there is a case where it is desired to immediately reproduce the sentence again.

  In such a case, conventionally, it is necessary to first stop reading aloud English text, select a sentence to be reproduced, reset the reproduction speed as necessary, and execute the reading reproduction.

  When searching for an unknown word, it is necessary to stop reading and reproducing English text, select an unknown word, and search the dictionary. Alternatively, it is necessary to stop reading and reproducing English text, switch to the dictionary search screen, enter an unknown word, and search the dictionary. These operations are very troublesome for a user who wants to perform listening learning efficiently.

  Therefore, in the electronic device according to the present embodiment, when a text is being read and reproduced at a certain speed V, if the user selects an earlier sentence than the sentence currently being read and reproduced, Sentence reproduction is automatically started at the user's desired speed Vx. Accordingly, the user can listen again to the sentence that could not be heard without performing a complicated operation, so that efficient listening learning can be performed.

Hereinafter, the electronic device as described above and its control method will be described in detail.
<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 includes, as main components, a processor 152, a memory 154, an input device 156, a display 158, a wireless communication interface (I / F) 160, and a memory interface (I / F). F) 164, a microphone 166, a speaker 168, and a battery 170.

  The processor 152 is typically an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Multi Processing Unit). The processor 152 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the electronic device 10 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 154. The processor 152 implements each process (step) of the electronic device 10 to be described later by executing the program. In this embodiment, the processor 152 performs display control of the display 158 and audio control output from the speaker 168.

  The memory 154 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, or the like. The memory 154 stores programs executed by the processor 152, various data used by the processor 152, and the like. For example, the memory 154 stores text data displayed on the display 158, voice data output from the speaker 168, word book data, a dictionary database including a plurality of dictionary contents (English-Japanese dictionary, Japanese-English dictionary, Japanese dictionary, etc.), and the like. doing.

  The input device 156 receives an operation input from the user for the electronic device 10. Typically, the input device 156 is realized by a touch panel, and receives an operation input with a stylus pen, a finger, or the like. The touch panel is provided on a display 158 having a function as a display unit, and is, for example, a capacitance type. The touch panel detects a touch operation on the touch panel by an external object every predetermined time, and inputs touch coordinates to the processor 152. However, the input device 156 may include a button or the like.

  The wireless communication interface 160 connects to a wireless communication network via the communication antenna 162 and transmits and receives signals for wireless communication. Thereby, the electronic device 10 can communicate with other communication devices via a mobile communication network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution).

  The memory interface 164 reads data from the external storage medium 165. The processor 152 reads data from the memory 154 and stores the data in the external storage medium 165 via the memory interface 164. The storage medium 165 includes a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, and the like. A medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner can be mentioned.

  The microphone 166 receives an audio input to the electronic device 10 and gives an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the processor 152. The speaker 168 functions as an audio output unit that converts the audio signal supplied from the processor 152 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the electronic device 10. The battery 170 is a chargeable / dischargeable power storage element, and typically includes a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery.

<Operation example>
Next, an operation example of the electronic device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a text display screen in the first aspect according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a text display screen in a second aspect after the first aspect according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, when the user reads English text data stored in memory 154 of electronic device 10 as an English sentence for listening learning, screen 500 is displayed on display 158. The screen 500 includes a text display area 502 and English text 504 displayed in the display area 502. The English text 504 is a sentence composed of a plurality of sentences.

  When the user performs an operation to start reading and reproducing the English text 504, the reading and playback are started at the (playback) speed V1 in order from the first sentence 506 (shaded portion) of the English text 504. Typically, the speed V1 is a speed set as a standard speed by the user in advance. In the present embodiment, the sentence being read and reproduced is highlighted (for example, shaded). The highlighting may be a change in display color, bold, underline display, or the like.

  Next, referring to FIG. 2 (b), reading-out reproduction proceeds from the state shown in FIG. 2 (a), and the user reads the sentence 508 (shaded part) with the stylus pen 300 from the sentence 508 during reading-out reproduction. It is assumed that the previous sentence (specifically, the word “resolution”) is touched.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, on the screen 500, the reading and reproduction of the previous sentence 510 (shaded portion) is started at the speed V2. Typically, the speed V2 is a speed slower than the speed V1. This is because the part touched with the stylus pen 300 is a sentence before the sentence being read and read (see FIG. 2B). This means that the reproduction speed is too fast to hear a word or the like. This is because it is assumed.

  At the same time as the above-mentioned reading and reproduction are started, a display area 512 for displaying word explanation information is superimposed on the display area 502 on the screen 500. Specifically, in the display area 512, explanation information of the word currently being read and reproduced is displayed. This indicates that the word “current” in the sentence 510 is being read out and reproduced in the state of FIG. The description information includes headwords, translations, meaning contents, examples, etc. included in the dictionary content built in the electronic device 10. In the example of FIG. 3A, the display area 512 is superimposed and displayed on the lower side of the screen 500, but may be configured to be superimposed and displayed on the right or left side of the screen 500. The display area 512 may be configured to be displayed on a dedicated screen instead of being superimposed on the display area 502.

  Next, reading-out reproduction proceeds from the state of FIG. 3A, and explanation information corresponding to the word “digital” is displayed in the display area 512 during reading-out reproduction of the word “digital” in the sentence 510 ( (Refer FIG.3 (b)).

  Here, when the sentence 152 is being read and reproduced, the processor 152 stops the reading and reproduction when a touch operation on the display area 512 is received. That is, the processor 152 also stops switching the description information of the display area 512. Alternatively, when receiving a touch operation on the display area 512, the processor 152 may be configured to stop reading and read the word explanation information displayed in the display area 512. Thereby, the user can confirm the meaning and pronunciation of the word more carefully.

  When the processor 152 receives a touch operation on a location other than the display area 512 (for example, the display area 502), the processor 152 resumes the read-out reproduction. Note that the electronic device 10 may resume the read-out reproduction by accepting a selection operation to a resume button (not shown) for resuming the read-out reproduction.

  When all of the reading of the sentence 510 is finished, the reading of the sentence 508 is started again at the speed V1 (see FIG. 3C). At this time, the word information display area 512 is automatically deleted.

  As described above, electronic device 10 (processor 152) according to the present embodiment has an input device when an arbitrary sentence (for example, sentence 508) in English text 504 is voice-output (read and reproduced) at speed V1. When an operation for selecting a sentence 510 prior to the sentence 508 is received via 156 (see FIG. 2B), the sentence 510 is read and reproduced at a speed V2 slower than the speed V1 (FIG. 3A). reference). When the sentence 510 is read and reproduced at the speed V2, the processor 152 displays the explanation information of the words included in the sentence 510 so as to synchronize with the reading and reproduction (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

  When the processor 152 determines that the reading and reproduction of the sentence 510 at the speed V2 has ended, the processor 152 automatically returns the reproduction speed from the speed V2 to the speed V1 and starts reading and reproducing the sentence 508 (FIG. 3 (c)). )reference). Note that the electronic device 10 may be configured to return to the speed V1 based on a predetermined operation from the user, instead of automatically returning from the speed V2 to the speed V1. The operation may be, for example, a button selection operation for returning to the speed V1, a touch operation on a blank portion of the screen 500 (a portion where no character or the like is displayed), or the like.

  Next, when the reading of the sentence 510 is being performed at the speed V2 on the screen 500 (see FIG. 3A), if the sentence 510 being read out is touched, the electronic device 10 is It operates as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a text display screen in the third aspect according to the first embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the user uses stylus pen 300 on screen 500 when sentence 510 is read and reproduced at speed V2 (more specifically, word “current” is read and reproduced). Touch the word “resolution” in the sentence 510. Then, referring to FIG. 4B, reading reproduction of sentence 510 is stopped on screen 500, and explanatory information of word “resolution” is displayed in display area 512.

  In other words, when the processor 152 receives an operation for selecting a word in the sentence 510 while the sentence 510 is being read and played at the speed V2, the processor 152 stops the reading and reading and displays the explanation information of the selected word. Display. Then, the processor 152 resumes the read-out reproduction when a touch operation to a part other than the display area 512 is accepted or when a selection operation to a resume button (not shown) or the like is accepted.

  According to the electronic device 10 that operates as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the user simply selects (touches) a sentence that he / she wants to hear again and listens to the sentence again at a preset desired speed. Can do. At this time, since the explanation information of the word included in the sentence is displayed in synchronization with the reading-out reproduction, it is possible to confirm the meaning of the word with the eyes at the same time that the pronunciation is heard with the ear. Furthermore, by selecting the display area of the word explanation information, the read-out reproduction can be temporarily stopped to check the word in more detail. Therefore, the learning efficiency of listening can be improved.

  In the above description, the operation of the electronic device 10 in the case where the user performs a touch operation on a sentence before the sentence that is being read and reproduced in order to listen again to the sentence that has already been reproduced has been described. Here, for example, when the user wants to omit (skip) the sentence being read out, the user may touch the sentence after the sentence being reproduced.

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, electronic device 10 accepts an operation of selecting a sentence after sentence 508 (for example, a sentence including “8k is four...”) In English text 504. In the case of reading, the subsequent reading-out reproduction is started at the speed V1. That is, the electronic device 10 starts reading and reproducing the subsequent sentence without changing the reproduction speed, and does not display the word explanation information.

<Processing procedure>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment. Each step shown in FIG. 5 is realized by the processor 152 executing a program stored in the memory 154. In the following description, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that the speed V1 is “standard speed” and the speed V2 is “low speed”.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when processor 152 accepts an operation for starting reading-out reproduction that sequentially outputs (reproduces) the audio corresponding to English text 504 displayed on screen 500 via input device 156, processor 152 causes speaker 168 to be activated. Then, the reading and reproduction of the English text 504 is started at the standard speed (step S12).

  The processor 152 determines whether or not a touch operation on a sentence included in the English text 504 has been received via the input device 156 (step S14). If the touch operation has not been received (NO in step S14), the process of step S34 described later is executed. When the touch operation is accepted (YES in step S14), the processor 152 causes the sentence selected by the touch operation (hereinafter referred to as “selected sentence”) to be a sentence before the sentence currently being read and reproduced. Whether or not (step S16). For example, the processor 152 compares the position information (for example, touch coordinates) of the selected sentence on the screen 500 with the position information of the sentence that is currently being read and reproduced, and makes the determination. Note that the processor 152 may execute the determination by a known method other than the above.

  If the selected sentence is not the previous sentence (NO in step S16), processor 152 starts reading out the selected sentence at the standard speed (step S17), and executes the process of step S14. On the other hand, when the selected sentence is the previous sentence (YES in step S16), the processor 152 changes the reproduction speed from the standard speed to the low speed to start reading out the selected sentence, and at the same time read out the reproduction. The explanation information of the word included in the selected sentence is displayed on the display 158 so as to synchronize with (step S18). Specifically, the processor 152 superimposes and displays a word explanation information display area 512 on the display area 502 of the English text 504.

  The processor 152 determines whether or not a touch operation on the selected sentence being read and reproduced at low speed has been received (step S20). When a touch operation on the selected sentence is accepted (YES in step S20), processor 152 pauses the read-out reproduction of the selected sentence (step S22). Subsequently, the processor 152 determines whether or not an operation to start reading out the selected sentence has been received (step S24). If the operation is not accepted (NO in step S24), processor 152 repeats the process of step S24. On the other hand, when the operation is accepted (YES in step S24), the processor 152 starts (restarts) the read-out reproduction of the selected sentence (step S25), and executes the process of step S20.

  Returning to step S20 again, if a touch operation on the selected sentence has not been accepted (NO in step S20), processor 152 determines whether or not a touch operation on display area 512 for word explanation information has been accepted. Judgment is made (step S26).

  If the touch operation has not been received (NO in step S26), processor 152 executes a process in step S32 described later. On the other hand, when the touch operation is accepted (YES in step S26), processor 152 pauses the read-out reproduction of the selected sentence (step S28). Subsequently, the processor 152 determines whether or not an operation to start reading out the selected sentence has been received (step S30).

  If the operation has not been accepted (NO in step S30), processor 152 repeats the process in step S30. If the operation is accepted (YES in step S30), the processor 152 starts reading and reproducing the selected sentence (step S31). Subsequently, the processor 152 determines whether or not the selected sentence has been read and reproduced (whether all of the selected sentences have been read and reproduced) (step S32).

  When the read-out reproduction of the selected sentence is not completed (NO in step S32), the processor 152 executes the process of step S20. When the read-out reproduction of the selected sentence is completed (YES in step S32), the processor 152 determines whether or not the read-out reproduction of the entire sentence of the English text 504 is completed (step S34).

  When the full text reading / reproduction has not ended (NO in step S34), the processor 152 starts reading the next sentence of the selected sentence at the standard speed (step S36), and executes the process of step S14. To do. On the other hand, when the reading of the whole text has been completed (YES in step S34), processor 152 ends the process.

<Advantages>
According to the present embodiment, the user can listen to the sentence again at a desired speed by selecting the sentence that he / she wants to hear again, and can simultaneously check the explanation information of the words included in the sentence. it can. As a result, the user can hear the pronunciation with his / her ear and at the same time confirm the meaning of the word with his / her eyes, thus enabling efficient listening learning.

[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, a modified example of the display method of the explanation information of the words displayed in the display area 512 described above will be described.

(Part 1)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display method (part 1) of word explanation information according to the second embodiment. Here, in the screen 500 shown in FIG. 6A, as shown in FIG. 3A, the read-out reproduction of the sentence 510 is started sequentially at the speed V2 (low speed), and the word “resolution” in the sentence 510 is displayed. Is the screen that is reading and playing. At this time, a check box 520 is displayed in the display area 512 </ b> A of the screen 500. As shown in FIG. 6A, the user can add the word “resolution” to the known word list shown in FIG. 6B by checking the check box with the stylus pen 300.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the known word list screen 530. For example, the known word list screen 530 includes word list information 532, a delete button 534, and a cancel button 536. Referring to FIG. 6B, it can be seen that the word “resolution” is added to the word list information 532.

  As described above, the word set as a known word by the user does not display the explanation information of the word at the next read-out reproduction. Specifically, when a certain sentence is output (reproduced) at a speed V2, the processor 152 determines the remaining words other than the words set as known words among the words included in the sentence. Display descriptive information. For example, when the sentence 510 is read and reproduced at the speed V2, the processor 152 does not display explanatory information such as the words “resolution”, “a”, and “about” included in the sentence 510.

  The user can delete the word from the known word list by checking a check box provided on the left side of the word included in the word list information 532 and selecting the delete button 534. When the user selects the cancel button 536, the known word list screen 530 is terminated.

  According to the above, since the user's known words are not displayed, the user can intensively learn the words to be learned.

(Part 2)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display method (part 2) of word explanation information according to the second embodiment. Here, the screen 500 shown in FIG. 7A is a screen in which the reading and reproduction of the sentence 510 is sequentially started at the speed V2 (low speed) and the word “resolution” in the sentence 510 is read and reproduced. Here, in the display area 512 shown in FIG. 7A, only the explanation information of the part-of-speech word set on the part-of-speech setting screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of the part of speech setting screen 540. The part-of-speech setting screen 540 includes part-of-speech list information 542, an OK button 544, and a cancel button 546. Referring to FIG. 7B, it can be seen that only the nouns and adverbs of the part of speech included in the part of speech list information 542 are checked. Therefore, for example, since the word “resolution” is a noun, the explanatory information of the word is displayed in the display area 512 as shown in FIG. However, since the word “of” next to the word “resolution” is a preposition, the explanation information of the word is not displayed.

  That is, when a certain sentence (for example, sentence 510) is voice-output (read and reproduced) at a speed V2, the processor 152 sets in advance in the part-of-speech setting screen 540 among the parts of speech of each word included in the sentence. The explanation information of the word corresponding to the part of speech is displayed.

  According to the above, since only the part-of-speech words set by the user are displayed, the user can efficiently learn a word with a desired part-of-speech.

(Part 3)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a display method (part 3) of word explanation information according to the second embodiment. Here, the screen 500 shown in FIG. 8 is a screen in which the reading reproduction of the sentence 510 is started at the speed V2 (low speed) and the first word “current” in the sentence 510 is read out and reproduced. Here, on the screen 500 shown in FIG. 8, display areas 552 and 554 for displaying word explanation information are superimposed on the display area 502. Specifically, in the display area 552, explanation information of the word “current” currently being read and reproduced is displayed, and in the display area 554, explanation information of the word “digital” next to the currently reproduced word is displayed. The

  That is, when the sentence 510 is output as speech at the speed V2, the processor 152 includes the description information of the word being output in speech and the description information of the word after the word being output as included in the sentence 510. Is configured to display.

  Typically, the explanation information of the currently reproduced word is always displayed in the display area 552, and the explanation information of the next word is always displayed in the display area 554. Alternatively, the display of the description information may be updated in the order of the display area 552 and the display area 554. For example, when the read-out reproduction proceeds from the state of FIG. 8 and the word “digital” is currently being read-out, the explanation information of the word “full” next to the word “digital” is displayed in the display area 552. .

  Note that the word currently being reproduced may always be displayed in the display area 554, and the next word may be always displayed in the display area 552. Alternatively, three or more display areas may be prepared, and the explanation information of three or more words including the currently reproduced word may be displayed in each display area. Moreover, the structure which displays the description information of the several word containing the word currently reproduced | regenerated at one display area may be sufficient.

  According to the above, since the user can confirm a plurality of words simultaneously, word learning can be performed efficiently.

  The display methods (No. 1) to (No. 3) described in Embodiment 2 can be arbitrarily combined. Specifically, the electronic device 10 may adopt a display method that combines all of the display methods (Part 1) to (Part 3), or a display method that combines two of these. May be.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment described above, when the user simply touches the sentence immediately before the sentence 508 while reading and reproducing the sentence 508 at the speed V1 (see FIG. 2B), the previous The process in which the reading reproduction of the sentence 510 is started at the speed V2 and the word explanation information is displayed synchronously has been described. In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the above specific process is executed when the user performs a touch operation on the previous sentence more intentionally.

  Specifically, with reference to FIG. 2B, the electronic device 10 (processor 152) determines that the touched time is a reference time (for example, 1 second) as an operation of selecting a sentence before the sentence 508. When the touch operation described above is received, the process of starting reading out the previous sentence at the speed V2 and displaying the explanation information of the word so as to synchronize with the reading out (hereinafter also referred to as “specific process”). )).

  Note that when the operation for selecting the previous sentence is a touch operation for less than the reference time, the electronic device 10 starts reading the previous sentence aloud at the speed V1. That is, the electronic device 10 neither changes the playback speed nor displays the description information (does not execute the specific process).

  As another method, the electronic device 10 can set a first mode in which the specific process is not executed and a second mode in which the specific process is executed when a sentence before the currently reproduced sentence is touched. It may be configured.

  Specifically, when the electronic device 10 is set to the second mode, when the processor 152 receives an operation of selecting a sentence before the sentence 508, the processor 152 executes a specific process. On the other hand, when the electronic device 10 is set to the first mode, when the processor 152 receives an operation for selecting a sentence preceding the sentence 508, the processor 152 starts reading and reproducing the previous sentence at a speed V1. Note that the setting of the first mode and the second mode is performed, for example, by preparing a setting button or the like on a mode selection screen or the like and receiving an operation for selecting the setting button.

  According to the above, since it is necessary for the user to intentionally increase the touch time or change the mode setting in order to start the specific process, it is possible to prevent an unintended operation due to an erroneous operation of the user. .

[Other embodiments]
1) In the embodiment described above, in FIG. 4, when the electronic device 10 receives a touch operation on a word in the sentence 510 being reproduced at the speed V2, the electronic device 10 displays the explanation information of the word. Although described, it is not limited to the configuration. For example, the electronic device 10 may be configured to switch the reproduction speed when the touch operation is received. Specifically, when the electronic device 10 (processor 152) receives an operation for selecting the sentence 510 when the sentence 510 is output as a voice at the speed V2, the electronic device 10 (the processor 152) outputs the sentence 510 as a voice at the speed V3. It may be configured. For example, the speed V3 is a slower speed than the speed V2.

  Note that the processor 152 may sequentially switch the speeds V1, V2, and V3 each time an operation for selecting the sentence 510 is received. Alternatively, the processor 152 may display a setting screen for setting the playback speed when an operation for selecting the sentence 510 is received. In this case, the user can set the playback speed by selecting speed V1 (standard speed), speed V2 (low speed), speed V3 (very low speed), and the like on the setting screen. The electronic device 10 outputs the sentence 510 by voice at a reproduction speed according to the instruction from the user.

  2) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the speed V2 is a speed slower than the speed V1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the speed V2 may be a speed higher than the speed V1. In other words, when the sentence 152 in the English text 504 is output as speech at the speed V1, the processor 152 accepts an operation for selecting the sentence 510 before the sentence 508, and then the sentence at a speed V2 different from the speed V1. 510 may be output as a sound. According to the said structure, it becomes possible to respond | correspond to the user's various learning methods.

  3) In the embodiment described above, in FIG. 4, when the reading of the sentence 510 is performed at the speed V2, when the word of the sentence 510 is touched, the explanation information of the word is displayed in the display area 512. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the electronic device 10 receives a double touch operation (two consecutive touch operations within a predetermined time) on a word in the English text 504, the electronic device 10 displays the explanation information of the word in the display area 512. It may be a configuration.

  4) In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device 10 has described the configuration in which the entire sentence is highlighted (shaded display) for the sentence being reproduced until the reproduction ends, but the electronic apparatus 10 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the electronic device 10 may be configured to delete the highlighted display for the word that has been read out.

  5) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the text is in English has been described. However, by applying word separation processing to the text by a known morphological analysis or the like, it can be applied to other languages such as Japanese. .

  6) In the above-described embodiment, when the electronic device 10 receives an operation for selecting a sentence after the arbitrary sentence when an arbitrary sentence in the English text 504 is output as a voice at the speed V1. In the above description, the configuration for starting to read and read the subsequent sentence without changing the playback speed has been described. However, for example, as described in the third embodiment, when a touch operation with a long touch time or a mode setting is necessary to execute the above-described specific processing, the electronic device 10 may use the arbitrary sentence. Even when an operation for selecting a subsequent sentence is accepted, the subsequent sentence may be output by voice at a speed V2 different from the speed V1.

  Specifically, when the processor 152 receives a touch operation with a touch time longer than the reference time as an operation for selecting a sentence after the arbitrary sentence, the processor 152 outputs the sentence after the voice at a speed V2. Let Alternatively, when the processor 152 is set to the second mode and receives an operation for selecting a sentence after the arbitrary sentence, the processor 152 outputs the sentence after the voice at a speed V2.

  7) In the embodiment described above, the processor 152 performs an operation of selecting the sentence 510 before the sentence 508 via the input device 156 when the sentence 508 in the English text 504 is reproduced at the speed V1. In the case of acceptance, the configuration in which the sentence 510 is read and reproduced at the speed V2 slower than the speed V1 has been described, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, when the first word (eg, the word “total”) in the sentence 508 is being played at the speed V1, the second word (eg, the first word) before the first word is input via the input device 156. , The voice output of the second word may be started at a speed V2 slower than the speed V1.

  Specifically, the control unit (processor 152) of the electronic device 10 may be configured as shown in the following A) to H).

  A) When the word at the first position in the English text 504 (for example, the word “total”) is being output at a speed V1, the processor 152 sends the first text in the English text 504 via the input device 156. When an operation for selecting a second position (for example, the display position of the word “about” in the sentence 508) before the position (for example, the display position of the word “total” in the sentence 508) is received, the speed V1 The word at the second position (for example, the word “about”) is output as a voice at a speed V2 different from the above.

  B) When the word “about” at the second position is output by voice at the speed V2, the processor 152 displays the explanation information of the word “about” at the second position so as to be synchronized with the voice output.

  C) The processor 152 selects the second position via the input device 156, and when the touch operation for which the touched time is longer than the reference time is received, the word at the second position at the speed V2 Make “about” sound output.

  D) The processor 152 accepts an operation of selecting a word in the sentence 508 including the word “about” at the second position when the word “about” at the second position is output by voice at the speed V2. In the case, the voice output is stopped and the explanation information of the selected word is displayed.

  E) When the word “about” at the second position is output as a voice at the speed V2, the processor 152 receives the operation for selecting the second position, and the second position at the speed V1 or the speed V3. To output the word “about”.

  F) When the word “about” at the second position is output by voice at the speed V2, the processor 152 sets the word “about” as the known word among the words in the sentence 508 including the word “about” at the second position. Display explanation information of remaining words other than the set word.

  G) When the word “about” at the second position is output by voice at the speed V2, the processor 152 presets the part of speech of each word in the sentence 508 including the word “about” at the second position. The explanation information of the word corresponding to the given part of speech is displayed.

  H) When the word “about” at the second position is output by voice at the speed V2, the processor 152 explains the explanation information of the word “about” at the second position and the position after the second position. The explanation information of the word (for example, the word “is”) is displayed.

  In the above A) to H), the configuration in which the word at the first position (for example, the word “total”) and the word at the second position (for example, the word “about”) are included in the same sentence 508 has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the word at the first position and the word at the second position are included in different sentences may be used. For example, the word at the first position may be “total” in the sentence 508, the word at the second position may be “imagine” in the sentence 506, and the like.

  8) It is also possible to provide a program that causes a computer to function and execute control as described in the above flowchart. Such a program is recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card as a program product. It can also be provided. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program may be a program module that is provided as a part of an operating system (OS) of a computer and that calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

  Further, the program according to the present embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. A program incorporated in such another program can also be included in the program according to the present embodiment.

  9) The configuration exemplified as the above-described embodiment is an example of the configuration of the present invention, and can be combined with another known technique, and a part thereof is omitted without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is also possible to change and configure it. In the above-described embodiment, the processing and configuration described in the other embodiments and the processing and configuration described in the modification may be appropriately adopted and implemented.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  10 electronic equipment, 152 processor, 154 memory, 156 input device, 158 display, 160 wireless communication interface, 162 communication antenna, 164 memory interface, 165 storage medium, 166 microphone, 168 speaker, 170 battery, 300 stylus pen, 500 screen, 502, 512, 512A, 552, 554 display area, 504 English text, 506, 508, 510 sentences, 520 check box, 530 known word list screen, 532 word list information, 534 delete button, 536, 546 cancel button, 540 part of speech Setting screen, 542 Part-of-speech list information, 544 OK button.

Claims (11)

A display for displaying text;
An audio output unit for sequentially outputting audio corresponding to the text;
An input unit for receiving an operation from the user;
A control unit that controls display on the display unit and controls audio output from the audio output unit;
When the word at the first position in the text is output by voice at the first speed, the control unit is configured to output a second word before the first position in the text via the input unit. An electronic device that, when receiving an operation of selecting a position, causes the word at the second position to be output by voice at a second speed different from the first speed.   The said control part displays the explanatory information of the word of the said 2nd position so that it may synchronize with the said audio | voice output, when the word of the said 2nd position is audio | voice-outputted at the said 2nd speed. 1. The electronic device according to 1.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second speed is slower than the first speed. The input unit can accept a touch operation from a user;
The control unit receives the second operation at the second speed when receiving a touch operation with a touched time longer than a reference time as an operation for selecting the second position via the input unit. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the word at the position is output as a voice.   When the control unit receives an operation of selecting a word in a sentence including the word at the second position when the word at the second position is output by voice at the second speed, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein output is stopped and explanatory information of the selected word is displayed.   When the control unit receives an operation of selecting the second position when the word at the second position is output by voice at the second speed, the control unit receives the first speed or the third speed. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the word at the second position is output by voice at a speed.   The control unit is set as a known word among the words in the sentence including the word at the second position when the word at the second position is output by voice at the second speed. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the explanation information of the remaining words other than the word is displayed.   When the word at the second position is output by voice at the second speed, the control unit sets the part of speech of each word in the sentence including the word at the second position to a predetermined part of speech. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the explanation information of the corresponding word is displayed.   When the word at the second position is output by voice at the second speed, the control unit includes the explanation information of the word at the second position and the word at the position after the second position. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the explanation information is displayed. A control method for an electronic device comprising a display unit for displaying text and an audio output unit for sequentially outputting audio corresponding to the text,
Accepting an operation of selecting a second position before the first position in the text when the word at the first position in the text is being output at a first speed;
When the operation is accepted in the accepting step, the electronic device control method includes a step of outputting the word at the second position by voice at a second speed different from the first speed. A control program to be executed by a computer of an electronic device including a display unit for displaying text and a voice output unit for sequentially outputting voice corresponding to the text,
The control program is stored in the computer.
Accepting an operation of selecting a second position before the first position in the text when the word at the first position in the text is being output at a first speed;
When the said operation is received by the said receiving step, the control program of an electronic device which performs the step which carries out the audio | voice output of the word of the said 2nd position at the 2nd speed different from the said 1st speed.

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