JP5784288B2 - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device including a touch sensor.

  Many communication devices having display screens such as mobile phones and smartphones notify the user of incoming calls and mails by ringtone or vibration when receiving a call or receiving a mail, and for example, the name (name) of the caller And sender information (phone number, mail address), etc. are displayed on the display screen. Then, the user of the communication device recognizes the incoming call or mail reception by the ringtone or vibration, picks up the communication device, and visually checks the display screen to recognize the transmission source.

  On the other hand, most communication devices have a so-called vibration mode in which an incoming call is notified by vibration. For the vibration mode, the user can arbitrarily set a plurality of vibration patterns. The user can also associate each vibration pattern with one specific telephone number registered in advance in the communication device, or with a group of telephone numbers.

  As such a communication device, for example, a memory unit that stores a vibration pattern is provided, and a vibration pattern is selectively switched based on a result of collating a received caller telephone number with a pre-registered telephone number, A device that identifies a caller by vibrating with a vibration pattern is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to the portable terminal described in Patent Document 1, the user can specify the caller even when the screen cannot be confirmed, for example, during a meeting.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-307631

  However, communication device users do not always know the relationship between all vibration patterns set in their communication devices and the caller telephone number, and various vibration patterns It is not always possible to distinguish them. For this reason, there is a concern that it is difficult to reliably specify the caller based on only the vibration pattern without checking the screen.

  Therefore, the objective of this invention made | formed in view of this point is providing the communication apparatus which can notify the information regarding a transmission origin to a user, when it is in the state which cannot confirm a screen.

Communication equipment according to the present invention to achieve the above object,
A communication unit for communicating with other communication devices;
A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of identification information including source information for each other communication device that performs communication via the communication unit;
A touch sensor for detecting contact by a contact object;
A vibrating section for vibrating the communication device;
While detecting a contact pattern based on contact by the contact object detected by the touch sensor,
A control unit that controls the vibration unit to vibrate the communication device when an incoming call is detected via the communication unit;
The controller is
The identification information for each of the other communication devices stored in the storage unit is associated with any one of the various contact patterns that can be detected by the control unit,
Detecting an incoming call via the communication unit, when that controls the vibration unit to vibrate in a predetermined vibration mode of the communication device during the call, corresponding to the source information of the detected incoming call Upon detection of contact patterns associated with the identification information of the other communication device that is characterized in that to control the vibration unit to stop or change the vibrating mode.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication apparatus which can notify the information regarding a transmission origin to a user by vibration can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mounting structure of each function part which comprises the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the communication device shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state on a touchscreen at the time of operation of the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the communication device illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the state on a touchscreen at the time of operation of the communication apparatus shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication device 10 includes a control unit 11, a touch panel 12, a communication unit 13, a vibration unit 14, and a storage unit 15. In the present embodiment, the communication device 10 will be described as a mobile phone.

  The control unit 11 controls and manages the entire communication device 10 including each functional block of the communication device 10. The touch panel 12 includes an input unit 16 and a display unit 17. The touch panel 12 is configured by arranging an input unit 16 for receiving a user input so as to be superimposed on the front surface of the display unit 17.

  The display unit 17 of the touch panel 12 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL display. In addition to performing display corresponding to each application, the display unit 17 draws and displays a user interface including various keys and buttons for receiving user operation input to the input unit 16 in a predetermined display area. . Hereinafter, in order to accept the user's operation input to the input unit 16 of the touch panel 12 as described above, images such as various keys and buttons displayed on the display unit 17 so that the user can visually recognize them are referred to as “input objects”. . The display unit 17 is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel.

  The input unit 16 of the touch panel 12 constitutes a touch sensor, and the touch sensor is a sensor that detects that a contact object such as a user's finger or a stylus pen touches the touch sensor (contact). This touch sensor is constituted by a known system such as a resistive film system, a capacitance system, and an optical system. The touch sensor can detect not only the contact by the contact object but also the position of the contact. Note that it is not essential for the touch object to physically touch the touch sensor when the touch sensor detects the touch. For example, when the touch sensor is an optical type, the touch sensor detects a position where infrared rays on the touch sensor are blocked by the contact object, and thus it is not necessary for the contact object to contact the touch sensor.

  The communication unit 13 is for communicating with other communication devices, and the control unit 11 transmits / receives signals to / from other communication devices via the communication unit 13 to send / receive calls and send / receive mails. Process.

  The vibration unit 14 vibrates the communication device 10 and is configured using, for example, a vibration motor or a vibration element. In addition, as the vibration part 14, you may make it vibrate a communication apparatus by vibrating a touch sensor using a piezoelectric element etc., for example. The vibration unit 14 can present various vibrations (tactile sensations) to a contact object such as a user's finger that is in contact with the touch panel 12 by vibrating in a plurality of vibration patterns.

  The storage unit 15 stores transmission source information (telephone number, mail address), name (name) of the transmission source, group information, and the like as identification information for each other communication device that performs communication via the communication unit 13. doing. Here, the group information as identification information is information indicating to which group other communication devices that communicate via the communication unit 13 belong. The user can create a group having an arbitrary attribute, select another communication device belonging to the group, and set group information for each communication device.

  For example, the user creates group 1 (group information 1) having the attribute “company” as group information, selects a communication device belonging to the group 1, and indicates that each selected communication device belongs to group 1. Associate group information indicating. Similarly, the user creates a group 2 (group information 2) having a “family” attribute and a group 3 (group information 3) having a “friend” attribute for the communication device 10, and each of the groups 2 and 3 Group information is associated with each communication device belonging to. In the following description, it is assumed that at least two groups are created. However, group creation is arbitrary, and only one group may be set, or four or more groups may be set.

  Further, the storage unit 15 stores various applications and various input information, and also functions as a work memory. In particular, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 15 temporarily stores the sender information when receiving the sender information (phone number or mail address) by incoming call. Note that one or more communication devices belong to one group.

  The control unit 11 has a built-in storage unit (not shown), and when receiving a call or mail reception (mail reception), stores the caller information (phone number or mail address) of the incoming call in the built-in storage unit. . Moreover, the control part 11 detects a contact pattern based on the contact by the contact thing detected by a touch sensor. The contact pattern is, for example, the number of contact points of the contact object with respect to the touch sensor. Further, when detecting an incoming call via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 controls the vibration unit 14 to vibrate the communication device 10. When the control unit 11 detects an incoming call (call), the control unit 11 continues to vibrate the communication device 10 until the user performs an operation on the communication device 10 to respond to the incoming call (call). The vibration unit 14 is controlled.

  In addition, the control unit 11 includes, in the control unit, identification information (group information) for each other communication device (associated with each other communication device) that performs communication via the communication unit 13 stored in the storage unit 15. 11 associates any one of the various contact patterns that can be detected. Here, if the control unit 11 is capable of separately detecting the one-point contact, the two-point contact, and the three-point contact by the contact object with respect to the touch sensor, the control unit 11 has a one-point contact as a contact pattern, Two-point contact and three-point contact can be detected. Then, for the group information 1, the group information 2, and the group information 3 as identification information, for example, the control unit 11 has a one-point contact as the contact pattern for the group information 1, and a two-point contact as the contact pattern for the group information 2. Three-point contact is associated with the group information 3 as a contact pattern.

  In addition, when detecting an incoming call via the communication unit 13, the control unit 11 controls the vibration mode of the vibration unit 14 to be the first vibration mode. Here, the vibration mode includes not only a mode in which the vibration unit 14 is vibrated in various manners but also a mode in which the vibration unit 14 is not vibrated at all. Then, when the control unit 11 controls the vibration unit 14 to vibrate the communication device 10 in the first vibration mode, the identification information of the other communication device corresponding to the detected incoming call source information When the contact pattern associated with is detected, the vibration unit 14 is controlled to change the vibration mode of the communication device 10 to a second vibration mode different from the first vibration mode. For example, the control unit 11 collates the transmission source information stored in the internal storage unit upon detecting an incoming call and the transmission source information stored in the storage unit 15 to specify the transmission source (other communication device). To do. Then, the group information associated with the identified communication terminal is recognized, and when a touch pattern associated with the recognized group information is detected by the touch sensor, the vibration mode of the communication device 10 is changed to the second vibration mode. To do. In the second vibration mode, the control unit 11 may vibrate the vibration unit 14 in a pattern different from that in the first vibration mode, or may stop the vibration of the vibration unit 14.

  Further, when detecting an incoming call via the communication 16, the control unit 11 controls the storage unit 15 to store this incoming call information. For example, when the user does not respond to the incoming call despite the incoming call (call), the control unit 11 stores in the storage unit 15 that there is an unanswered incoming call. Further, when receiving (incoming) mail, the control unit 11 stores in the storage unit 15 that there is unconfirmed (new arrival) mail. Here, the incoming call information is, for example, information indicating that there is an unanswered incoming call or an unconfirmed mail. In addition, when the control unit 11 detects the contact pattern associated with the identification of another communication terminal corresponding to the incoming call source information in a state where the incoming call information is stored in the storage unit 15, the control unit 11 vibrates the communication device 10. The vibration unit 14 is controlled so that As a result, the communication device 10 can provide the user with an opportunity to check the communication device belonging to which group by the vibration. An example of the operation of the control unit 11 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the second example of operation with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mounting structure of the vibration unit 14 including the touch panel 12, the load detection unit 13, and the piezoelectric element of the communication device 10 illustrated in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the communication device 10. Here, the user's finger is in contact with the touch panel 12. The input unit 16 (touch sensor) of the touch panel 12 is held on the display unit 17 via an insulator 18 made of an elastic member. The vibration unit 14 is disposed in contact with, for example, the input unit 16 so that vibration (tactile sensation) can be transmitted to the input unit 16.

(First operation example)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the communication device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first operation example shows an operation mode for providing an opportunity for the user to confirm the group to which the transmission source (other communication device for communication) belongs in the communication device 10 by vibration. Hereinafter, in this operation example, it is assumed that there is an incoming call from another communication device (source) associated with the group information 2. By the time this operation is started, the control unit 11 associates the group information 1 with the one-point contact as the contact pattern, the group information 2 with the two-point contact as the contact pattern, and the group information 3 with the three-point contact as the contact pattern. It shall be.

  First, when detecting an incoming call, the control unit 11 receives a telephone number (source information) and stores the received telephone number in the built-in storage unit. And the control part 11 controls the vibration part 14 to vibrate the communication apparatus 10 in order to notify a user that there was an incoming call (step S01). Hereinafter, in this operation, it is assumed that the vibration continues until the vibration by the vibration unit 14 is stopped.

  The control part 11 detects a contact pattern based on the contact by the contact thing detected by a touch sensor (step S02). Here, the control unit 11 detects the number of contact points of the contact object with respect to the touch sensor. For example, when the user touches the touch panel 12 with two fingers, the control unit 11 detects two contact points.

  And the control part 11 recognizes the group which the user has designated by specifying the group corresponding to the number of contact points detected in step S02 (step S03). For example, as described above, when two contact points are detected in step S02, the control unit 11 specifies group 2 (group information 2) having the attribute “family” in step S03.

  Further, the control unit 11 designates the group recognized in step S03 (step S04). Then, the designated group is compared with group information associated with another communication terminal corresponding to the telephone number received at the time of incoming call, and it is determined whether the incoming call is from the designated group (step S05). If it is determined by the verification that the incoming call is from a communication device belonging to the specified group, group 2, the control unit 11 stops driving the vibration unit 14 and changes the vibration mode (Yes in step S05). Step S06). Thus, the communication device 10 makes the user recognize that the group designation is correct by changing the vibration mode. FIG. 4B shows that the vibration of the communication device 10 is stopped during the incoming call when the user touches the touch sensor with two fingers. In addition, after stopping the vibration started in step S01, the control unit 11 controls the vibration unit 14 to vibrate with a vibration pattern different from the vibration, and also stops the vibration started in step S01. Without changing the vibration mode, the vibration unit 14 may be controlled so as to vibrate with a vibration pattern different from the vibration, and the user may recognize that the group designation is correct.

  On the other hand, when the user touches the touch panel 12 with one finger on the touch panel 12, the control unit 11 detects only one contact point in step S02. Recognize and specify group 1 with attributes. Then, in step S05, the control unit 11 determines that the incoming call is not from a caller belonging to the specified group, group 1. In this case, the control unit 11 performs control so as to continue the vibration without stopping the driving of the vibration unit 14 (No in Step S05, Step S07). FIG. 4A shows that the vibration of the communication device 10 does not stop during the incoming call even if the user makes one finger touch the touch sensor.

  Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the incoming call has ended (without a response to the incoming call by the user) (step S08). When it is determined that the incoming call has ended, the control unit 11 stops the vibration and ends the operation (Yes in step S08). On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in step S08 that the user does not respond to the incoming call, the control unit 11 returns to step S02 again and performs the operations of steps S03 to S07.

  Preferably, in the case of an incoming call, when the control unit 11 detects an input on the “receive button” that is one of the input objects displayed on the touch panel 12 in the input detection in step S02, May be started and the confirmation operation (main operation) may be terminated.

  Thus, in the first operation example, in steps S02 to S04, the control unit 11 recognizes the group designated by the user, and in step S05, the group to which the caller belongs is designated by the user. Determine if it matches the group. If the group designated by the user does not match the group to which the caller belongs, the vibration is continued in step S07, and the user is provided with an opportunity to confirm the group unless the incoming call ends.

  Thereby, the user can designate a group in order to confirm the group to which the caller belongs over a plurality of times. In this way, the communication device 10 can provide the user with an opportunity to recognize with certainty which communication device belongs to which group.

  Further, in the first operation example, in step S06, not only the vibration is stopped, but also a tactile sensation due to the vibration is provided to make the user recognize that the group designation is correct. If the control unit 11 determines that it matches the group to which the caller belongs, if the user only stops the vibration, the user can generate vibration because the specified group matches the group to which the incoming communication device belongs. It cannot be specified whether the vibration has stopped because the call has stopped or because the incoming call has ended. Therefore, as in the first operation example, the control unit 11 presents a tactile sensation due to vibration for allowing the user to recognize that the group designation is correct in addition to stopping the vibration in step S06. It is possible to provide the user with an opportunity to confirm the group with certainty.

  Although the first operation example has been described on the assumption that a telephone call is received from the communication device of group 2 to the communication device 10, an operation according to this operation example is also performed when a mail is received instead of the incoming call. Can be done.

(Second operation example)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the communication device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the second operation example, the communication device 10 is an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation”) for providing an opportunity for the user to confirm the presence / absence of unanswered incoming calls, unconfirmed mails, etc. (information on incoming calls) by vibration. Mode)). By the time this operation is started, the control unit 11 associates the group information 1 with the one-point contact as the contact pattern, the group information 2 with the two-point contact as the contact pattern, and the group information 3 with the three-point contact as the contact pattern. It shall be. In this operation, since there is an incoming call from another communication device (originator) associated with the group information 2 and the user does not respond to the incoming call, this incoming (unanswered incoming call) information Is stored in the storage unit 15.

  In addition, it is assumed that the user recognizes a predetermined contact pattern for starting and ending the confirmation mode. Examples of the predetermined contact pattern include long press (contact over a predetermined time), double click (two or more contacts within a predetermined time), and the like. Hereinafter, the predetermined contact pattern for starting and ending the confirmation mode will be described as being a double click. Note that the contact pattern for starting the confirmation mode may be different from the contact pattern for ending.

  First, the control part 11 detects a contact pattern based on the contact by the contact thing detected by a touch sensor (step S11). Here, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a predetermined input (contact) (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation start input”) for starting the confirmation operation (step S12). Here, the control unit 11 detects a double click as a confirmation start input.

  When determining that there is a confirmation start input in step S12, the control unit 11 starts the operation in the confirmation mode (steps S12 and S13). In the case of an input other than the confirmation start input, a predetermined operation (return from sleep mode, number input, etc.) is performed. And the control part 11 recognizes the group which the user has designated while detecting a contact pattern based on the contact by the contact thing detected by a touch sensor (step S14). Here, for example, the control unit 11 recognizes a group designated by the user by detecting the number of contact points of the contact object with respect to the touch sensor and specifying a group corresponding to the detected number of contact points. For example, when the user is touching the touch panel 12 with two fingers, the control unit 11 detects two contact points in step S14. In step S <b> 14, the control unit 11 identifies the group 2 having the “family” attribute and recognizes that the user is in the group 2.

  And the control part 11 designates the group recognized by step 14 (step S15). Next, the designated group is checked against group information associated with another communication device (source) corresponding to the source information stored in the built-in storage unit of the control unit 11 when an incoming call is received. It is determined whether it is an incoming call (step S16). If it is determined by the collation that the incoming call is from a communication device belonging to the specified group, group 2, the control unit 11 controls the vibration unit 14 to vibrate the communication device 10 (Yes in step S16). ). FIG. 5B shows a state in which there is an incoming call (a state in which information on an unanswered incoming call is stored in the storage unit 15), and the control unit 11 is touched by the user touching the touch sensor with two fingers. Indicates that the vibration unit 14 is controlled to vibrate the communication device 10.

  On the other hand, in step S16, the control unit 11 collates and designates the group information associated with the other communication terminal corresponding to the unanswered incoming telephone number (source information) with the group designated in step S15. If it is determined that it is not from a communication device belonging to the group, the vibration unit 14 is not controlled to vibrate the communication device 10 (step S18). For example, when the user is making one finger touch the touch panel 12, in step S <b> 14, the control unit 11 checks one contact point and recognizes that the user designates the group 1. And the control part 11 designates the group 1 in step S15. As a result, in step S16, group information (group information 2) associated with another communication terminal corresponding to the unanswered telephone number (source information), and the group (group information 1) designated in step S15 To determine that the incoming call is not from the specified group. In such a case, the control part 11 transfers to step S18, and does not control the vibration part 14 so that the communication apparatus 10 may be vibrated. At this time, presenting a tactile sensation (vibration) different from the tactile sensation (vibration) presented in step S17 to provide the user with an opportunity to recognize that there is no incoming call from the specified group. You can also. FIG. 5A shows a state in which there is an incoming call (a state in which unanswered incoming call information is stored in the storage unit 15), and even if the user touches the touch sensor with one finger, the control unit 11 indicates that the vibration unit 14 is not controlled to vibrate the communication device 10.

  Then, if a group other than the group specified in step S15 is set, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S20 (step S19). And the control part 11 judges the presence or absence of an unanswered incoming call of another group, an unread mail, etc. (step S20). When the control unit 11 determines that there is an unanswered incoming call, an unread mail, or the like of another group, the control unit 11 detects a contact pattern based on contact by a contact object detected by the touch sensor (step S21).

  Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a predetermined input for ending the confirmation operation (hereinafter referred to as “confirmation end input”) (step S22). If the control unit 11 determines in step S22 that there is no confirmation end input (for example, double click), the control unit 11 recognizes the group designated by the user based on the output from the touch sensor, and proceeds to step S15. (Step S23). On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in step S22 that there is a confirmation end input, the confirmation mode is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 11 determines in step S20 that there is no unanswered incoming call, unread mail, or the like of another group, a tactile sensation (vibration) for notifying the user that the confirmation mode is ended (vibration) Hereinafter, the confirmation mode is terminated (step S24). This end tactile sensation is a tactile sensation different from the tactile sensation (vibration) presented in step S17.

  As described above, in the second operation example, the communication device 10 can be operated in the confirmation mode, so that, for example, during a conference, the screen display of the communication device 10 cannot be confirmed. Opportunities can be provided for reliably recognizing the originating group, including the presence of incoming and unconfirmed emails.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above, Many change or deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the contact pattern is associated with each group. However, the contact pattern is not limited to the group, and the contact pattern may be directly associated with the identification information (source information). Further, the communication device 10 according to the above embodiment not only provides the user with an opportunity to reliably recognize the group to which the caller belongs without visually observing the screen, but also to the caller communication device or the like. Can be configured to provide an opportunity to notify some message.

  Specifically, it is as follows. The communication device 10 further includes a load detection unit that detects a pressing load on the touch sensor. And the case where the predetermined | prescribed threshold value relevant to the pressing load which a load detection part detects is set is assumed. In this case, first, the user recognizes the group to which the incoming communication device belongs, determines that it is important, and pushes the touch panel 12. Then, the control part 11 detects the pressing load more than a predetermined threshold value, and transmits a predetermined message with respect to the communication apparatus of a transmission origin. The predetermined message may be a predetermined fixed message or a message arbitrarily created by the user. In such a communication device 10, for example, the load detection unit may have a plurality of thresholds, and the control unit 11 is configured to transmit a message when detecting a so-called “two-step push”. You can also

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the control part 11 detects the number of contact points based on the contact by the contact thing detected by a touch sensor, and specifies the group which the user has specified based on the detected number of contact points It was. At this time, the control unit 11 can also be configured to count the number of contact points if the pressing load detected by the load detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

  In addition, for example, the control unit 11 may be configured to detect a trajectory of contact with a touch object instead of the number of contact points as a contact pattern. In this case, the control unit 11 identifies the group designated by the user based on the detected contact trajectory, and collates it with the group information corresponding to the received identification information. For example, when the user draws a locus “2” with respect to the touch sensor using a contact object such as a finger or a stylus pen, the control unit 11 determines that the group designated by the user based on the locus is group 2. Is identified.

  Furthermore, for example, the control unit 11 can be configured to detect the contact time instead of the number of contact points as the contact pattern. In this case, the control unit 11 specifies a group designated by the user according to the detected contact time, and collates it with the group information corresponding to the received identification information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication apparatus 11 Control part 12 Touch panel 13 Communication part 14 Vibration part 15 Memory | storage part 16 Input part 17 Display part 18 Insulator

Claims (1)

Communication equipment,
A communication unit for communicating with other communication devices;
A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of identification information including source information for each other communication device that performs communication via the communication unit;
A touch sensor for detecting contact by a contact object;
A vibrating section for vibrating the communication device;
While detecting a contact pattern based on contact by the contact object detected by the touch sensor,
A control unit that controls the vibration unit to vibrate the communication device when an incoming call is detected via the communication unit;
The controller is
The identification information for each of the other communication devices stored in the storage unit is associated with any one of the various contact patterns that can be detected by the control unit,
Detecting an incoming call via the communication unit, when that controls the vibration unit to vibrate in a predetermined vibration mode of the communication device during the call, corresponding to the source information of the detected incoming call wherein upon detecting the contact pattern associated with the identification information of other communication devices, communication equipment, wherein the controller controls the vibration unit to stop or change the vibrating mode.

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