JP2006157082A - Mobile communication terminal and tone volume control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication terminal for improving the operability when a tone volume is varied as to a plurality of different application programs. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile communication terminal is configured with: a tone volume individual setting storage section 17 for storing the strength of a tone output designated by each of a plurality of different application programs in response to an operation entry of a user as tone volume individual setting information in a rewritable way; a tone volume global setting storage section 18 for storing rewritably a tone volume control coefficient globally designated to each application program by the operation entry of the user; a tone volume individual control section 16 for individually controlling the strength of the tone output on the basis of the tone volume individual setting information; a tone volume global control section 19 for globally controlling the level of tone output as to all the application programs on the basis of the strength of the tone output obtained from the tone volume individual setting information and the tone volume control coefficient; and a tone volume control mode selection section 15 that allows the user to select an individual mode or a global mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a volume adjustment method, and more particularly, to an improvement of a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone capable of adjusting the intensity of sound output for each of a plurality of different application programs by a user operation input.

  In recent years, in addition to the function to output a ring tone when a call is received or when an e-mail is received, a function that outputs a notification sound when a mail is sent or when a key is operated or when the terminal is opened or closed in the case of a foldable terminal. Mobile phones equipped with a function of outputting an alarm sound at a specified time have become widespread. As a mobile communication terminal that performs voice output for each application program as described above, a mobile phone capable of adjusting the intensity of voice output for each of a plurality of different application programs by a user's operation input has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

In the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, the intensity of the audio output designated based on the operation input by the user is stored for each of a plurality of different application programs, and the volume can be varied according to the application program.
JP 2003-152826 A

  In general, in the conventional mobile phone as described above, when changing the volume of all application programs, it is necessary to specify the intensity of sound output while switching the display screen for each application program. For this reason, there has been a problem that the operability when changing the volume of a plurality of different application programs is not good.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile communication terminal with improved operability when changing the volume of a plurality of different application programs. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal that can collectively reduce the volume of a plurality of different application programs as needed.

  The mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes a volume individual setting storage means for storing rewritable intensity of sound output specified for each of two or more different application programs based on an operation input by the user as volume individual setting information, Volume adjustment coefficient storage means for storing rewritable volume adjustment coefficients collectively for each application program based on an operation input, and the intensity of audio output individually based on the volume individual setting information for each application program Volume individual adjustment means for performing adjustment, and volume volume for collectively adjusting the sound output intensity for all application programs based on the sound output intensity for each application program obtained from the sound volume individual setting information and the sound volume adjustment coefficient Adjusting means and the above sound Individual mode individual adjustment means performs intensity adjustment of the audio output, or composed of a volume adjustment mode selecting means for selecting one of the batch modes the volume batch control means performs intensity adjustment of sound output to the user.

  With such a configuration, the sound output intensity is adjusted according to the mode selected and specified by the user, so that the user can select and specify the batch mode, and the sound output intensity can be collectively selected for a plurality of different application programs. Can be changed. At that time, since the intensity of the audio output for each application program is automatically obtained from the volume adjustment coefficient specified based on the operation input by the user, the operability when changing the volume for a plurality of different application programs is improved. be able to.

  In addition to the above configuration, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is configured such that the volume batch adjustment means lowers the volume from the volume set individually when the batch mode is selected and designated by the user. That is, when the collective mode is selected and designated, audio output is performed with the volume lower than the volume individually set by the user. As a result, the user can collectively reduce the volume of a plurality of different application programs as necessary.

  In addition to the above configuration, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention further includes flag information storage means for storing flag information that is activated based on a user operation input in a rewritable manner for each application program, and the volume collective adjustment When the batch mode is selected and specified by the user, the means is configured to lower the volume of the application program in which the flag information is validated than the individually set volume. That is, if the batch mode is selected and specified, the sound output is performed with the volume lower than the volume individually set by the user for the application program in which the flag information is validated. Therefore, the user can designate an application program whose volume is to be changed collectively by enabling flag information for a desired application program.

  The volume adjustment method according to the present invention includes a volume individual setting storage step for storing the intensity of audio output designated for each of two or more different application programs based on an operation input by the user as rewritable individual setting information, Volume adjustment coefficient storage step for storing rewritable volume adjustment coefficients collectively for each application program based on the operation input, and the intensity of the audio output individually based on the volume individual setting information for each application program Volume individual adjustment step for performing adjustment, and sound volume adjustment for collectively adjusting the sound output intensity for all application programs based on the sound output intensity for each application program obtained from the sound volume individual setting information and the sound volume adjustment coefficient Adjustment -Up and individual mode intensity adjustment of the audio output are performed separately, or consists volume adjustment mode selection step of selecting a user any of the batch mode in which the intensity adjustment of the audio output is performed collectively.

  According to the mobile communication terminal and the volume adjustment method of the present invention, the intensity of the audio output is adjusted according to the mode selected and designated by the user, so that the user can select and designate the collective mode so that a plurality of different application programs can be selected. The intensity of audio output can be changed at once. At that time, since the intensity of the audio output for each application program is automatically obtained from the volume adjustment coefficient specified based on the operation input by the user, the operability when changing the volume for a plurality of different application programs is improved. be able to.

  In particular, when the batch mode is selected and specified, audio output is performed with the volume lower than the volume individually set by the user, so that the user can adjust the volume for a plurality of different application programs as needed. Can be lowered.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a mobile phone 1 capable of adjusting the volume for each application program is shown. The mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment is a portable small foldable communication terminal, and stores the intensity of audio output designated based on an operation input by a user for each of two or more different application programs. The volume is varied according to the application program.

  The mobile phone 1 includes a main control unit 2, a wireless communication unit 3, a display control unit 4, an operation control unit 5, a terminal state monitoring unit 6, a schedule management unit 7, a call control unit 8, a voice output control unit 9, and an application program. The storage unit 11 is included.

  The wireless communication unit 3 performs high-frequency signal transmission / reception processing, and communication data such as voice signals and electronic mail is transmitted / received via the antenna 3a. The display control unit 4 performs control related to screen display in an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 4a. For example, a standby screen is displayed, and various menu screens, input screens, incoming call screens, and email browsing screens are displayed.

  The operation control unit 5 performs input control based on operations of various operation keys. As operation keys, numeric keys, on-hook keys, off-hook keys, direction keys, determination keys, and the like are arranged on the operation panel.

  The terminal state monitoring unit 6 monitors the opening / closing state of the mobile phone 1 and performs an operation of detecting the opening / closing of the terminal. Here, the mobile phone 1 includes a display housing having an LCD 4a, an operation housing having an operation panel, and a connecting portion that foldably connects the housings, and is capable of transitioning between a closed state and an open state. ing. The closed state is a terminal state in which both the housings are folded with the LCD 4a and the operation panel facing each other, and the open state is a terminal state in which both the housings are expanded with the LCD 4a and the operation panel directed in the same direction. The terminal state monitoring unit 6 detects such a change in the terminal state. Thereby, various control according to a terminal state can be performed. For example, control is performed to output a notification sound by changing the type of sound according to a change in the terminal state when the user performs a terminal expansion operation or a folding operation.

  The schedule management unit 7 has a timer and performs control to output an alarm sound at a time designated by the user. The call control unit 8 performs control related to input / output of audio signals, and outputs a received sound to the receiver 8 a and outputs a transmitted sound from the microphone 8 b to the wireless communication unit 3.

  The application program storage unit 11 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and stores a function program and a control program for realizing various functions as an application program. For example, a control program related to transmission / reception of communication data is stored in advance, and control is performed to output a ring tone when a call is received or an e-mail is received. In addition, a function program that outputs a notification sound at the time of mail transmission, key operation, and terminal open / close operation is stored. In addition, a function program that outputs an alarm sound at a specified time is stored.

  The sound output control unit 9 performs control related to sound output for each application program. That is, the audio output control unit 9 drives the speaker 10 based on a running application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) and adjusts the intensity of audio output. The audio output control unit 9 causes the user to select one of two different volume adjustment modes, and adjusts the intensity of the audio output according to the mode selected and designated by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the main part of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, and is a volume adjustment mode selection unit 15, a volume individual adjustment unit 16, a volume individual setting storage unit 17, a volume adjustment coefficient storage unit 18, and a volume batch. An audio output control unit 9 comprising an adjustment unit 19 is shown. The volume adjustment mode described above includes an individual mode and a batch mode. In the individual mode, the sound output intensity adjustment based on the individual volume setting information is performed by the individual volume adjustment unit 16. This individual volume setting information is the intensity of the audio output specified for each of two or more different applications based on the operation input by the user, and is stored in the individual volume setting storage unit 17 so as to be rewritable.

  That is, the individual sound volume adjustment unit 16 individually adjusts the sound output intensity based on the individual sound volume setting information for each application.

  In the collective mode, the sound output intensity adjustment based on the collective volume setting information is performed by the collective volume adjusting unit 19. This volume collective setting information is the intensity of audio output for each application obtained from the individual volume setting information and the volume adjustment coefficient.

  The volume adjustment coefficient is a volume parameter for sound output intensity adjustment that is collectively specified for each application based on an operation input by the user, and is rewritably stored in the volume adjustment coefficient storage unit 18.

  That is, the volume batch adjustment unit 19 collectively adjusts the sound output intensity for all applications based on the volume batch setting information for each application. The volume adjustment mode selection unit 15 causes the user to select either the individual mode or the batch mode, and operates the volume individual adjustment unit 16 and the volume batch adjustment unit 19 according to the mode selected and designated by the user.

  That is, since the intensity adjustment of the audio output is performed according to the mode selected and designated by the user, the volume can be changed in batch for a plurality of different applications by the user selecting and designating the collective mode. At this time, since the volume for each application is automatically obtained from the volume adjustment coefficient designated by the user, it is possible to improve the operability when changing the volume for a plurality of different applications.

  Here, it is assumed that the sound output intensity can be changed within a predetermined volume adjustment range, and this volume adjustment range is the same for all applications capable of volume adjustment. In addition, when the volume adjustment coefficient is specified within the volume adjustment range and the collective mode is selected, control for lowering the volume from the volume individually set for each application by the user is performed.

  Specifically, the volume adjustment range is set to 0 or more and 10 or less, and an integer value within this range is designated as the volume level. At “volume level = 0”, audio output is paused, and at “volume level = 10”, audio output is performed at the maximum volume.

In addition, the sound volume adjustment coefficient is specified by the user as a sound volume parameter with a value between 1 and 10. At this time, the volume level A4 as the volume setting information is a volume level A2 (0 ≦ A2 ≦ 10) designated as volume individual setting information for each application, with the maximum value of the volume level being A1 (A1 = 10). Then, the volume adjustment coefficient A3 (1 ≦ A3 ≦ 10) is obtained for each application by the following equation (1).
A4 = [(A3 / A1) × A2] (1)

  In the above equation (1), [...] Is an equation expressed using a Gaussian symbol. For example, [A] is defined as the maximum integer that does not exceed the real number A. A3 / A1 is a magnification parameter, which is 1 or less.

  Thereby, the user can collectively reduce the volume of a plurality of different applications as necessary. For example, depending on the surrounding situation, there is a case where it is desired to lower the volume from an individually set volume. In such a case, the volume can be lowered for all applications at once, which is extremely convenient. In addition, the time, labor, and power consumption required for changing the volume can be saved compared to lowering the volume individually for all applications.

  Further, since the volume level A4 set in a batch is obtained from the magnification parameter, the relative ratio in the volume level between different applications is always kept constant. Depending on the application, it may be desirable to keep the volume louder than other applications. For example, when the user places importance on schedule management, the volume of the alarm sound should be larger than the volume of the ringtone. Even in such a case, since the volume change is performed in a state where the relative ratio is kept constant, the volume change can be performed appropriately.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the details of the main part of the mobile phone of FIG. 1, and shows a state of an input screen for a volume adjustment coefficient A3 as a volume parameter. When setting the volume adjustment coefficient A3, a volume parameter input screen is displayed on the LCD 4a. This input screen includes a pictographic display area 21 and a volume level gauge display area 22.

  The pictogram display area 21 is arranged at the upper end in the input screen, and the reception status of radio waves is displayed as pictographs (pictograms). In the volume level gauge display area 22, a bar-shaped volume level gauge 23 for inputting the volume adjustment coefficient A3 is displayed. The user can input a desired volume level by moving the pointer 24 on the volume level gauge 23 using the direction keys and operating the enter key 25.

  Steps S101 to S110 in FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing an example of a volume setting operation in the mobile phone in FIG. First, the audio output control unit 9 displays a menu screen and allows the user to select either individual setting or batch setting (steps S101 and S102).

  At this time, if the batch setting is selected and designated, the audio output control unit 9 displays a volume parameter input screen and waits until the volume adjustment coefficient A3 is input by the user (step S103). Next, when the volume adjustment coefficient A3 is input, the audio output control unit 9 generates a magnification parameter (volume adjustment magnification A3 / A1), and sets the volume level A4 as volume batch setting information based on the equation (1). (Steps S104 and S105). The obtained volume level A4 is stored in the volume adjustment coefficient storage unit 18 for each application (step S106).

  On the other hand, when the individual setting is selected and designated, the audio output control unit 9 displays a function selection screen and selects a function (application) for changing the volume (step S107). Next, the audio output control unit 9 displays a volume level input screen and waits until a volume level is input by the user (step S108).

  When the volume level is input, the audio output control unit 9 stores the volume level in the individual volume setting storage unit 17 (step S109), and inquires whether or not to change the volume for other functions. An inquiry screen is displayed (step S110). At this time, if there is no other function for changing the sound volume, the sound volume setting operation is terminated, and if the sound volume is changed for other functions, the processes from step S107 to step S110 are repeated.

  According to the present embodiment, the volume can be changed in a batch for all applications by the user selecting and specifying the batch mode. At this time, since the volume level A4 for each application is automatically obtained from the volume adjustment coefficient A3 designated by the user, the operability when changing the volume for a plurality of different applications can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the volume is lowered collectively for a plurality of different applications, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the volume may be increased for a plurality of different applications at once. Specifically, it is conceivable to increase the volume for all applications at once by allowing the user to specify a numerical value of 1 or more as a magnification parameter. This is convenient because the volume can be increased all at once when the surroundings are noisy.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the volume is collectively changed for all applications capable of adjusting the volume. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the volume is collectively changed for applications for which flag information is validated.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The mobile communication terminal according to the present embodiment is different from the mobile phone 1 (Embodiment 1) of FIG. 1 in that the voice output control unit 31 includes a flag information storage unit 32.

  The flag information storage unit 32 is a semiconductor memory that stores flag information in a rewritable manner. This flag information is a control code that is validated based on a user operation input, and is specified for each application.

  When the batch mode is selected and specified by the user, the volume batch adjustment unit 19 of the audio output control unit 31 performs control to collectively lower the volume for the applications for which flag information is enabled. Specifically, referring to the flag information, only the application for which the flag information is validated is subject to the batch volume change. Therefore, for applications for which flag information is not validated, priority is given to individual settings by the user. In other words, even when the collective mode is selected, sound output is performed for the application at the volume level as the individual volume setting information.

  Steps S201 to S205 in FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing an example of the batch change designation operation for the volume in the mobile communication terminal in FIG. First, the audio output control unit 31 displays a menu screen and causes the user to select a function (application) for enabling flag information (steps S201 and S202).

  When the user selects and designates a function, the voice output control unit 31 validates the flag information associated with the function and stores it in the flag information storage unit 32 (steps S203 and S204). Next, the audio output control unit 31 displays an inquiry screen for inquiring whether or not to enable other functions. If there is no other function to enable, the sound volume control change operation ends. (Step S205). When enabling other functions as well, the processing from step S202 to step S205 is repeated.

  According to the present embodiment, when the collective mode is selected and specified, the speaker 10 is driven at a volume lower than the volume individually set by the user for the application for which flag information is enabled. Therefore, the user can designate an application whose volume is to be changed collectively by enabling flag information for a desired application.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a mobile phone 1 capable of volume adjustment for each application is illustrated. It is the block diagram which showed the principal part detail of the mobile telephone of FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the principal part detail in the mobile telephone of FIG. 1, and the mode of the input screen of the volume adjustment coefficient A3 as a volume parameter is shown. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a volume setting operation in the mobile phone of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the principal part structure of the mobile communication terminal by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the batch change designation | designated operation | movement of the volume in the portable communication terminal of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cellular phone 2 Main control part 3 Wireless communication part 4 Display control part 5 Operation control part 6 Terminal state monitoring part 7 Schedule management part 8 Call control part 9 Audio | voice output control part 10 Speaker 11 Application program memory | storage part 15 Volume adjustment mode selection part 16 Volume individual adjustment unit 17 Volume individual setting storage unit 18 Volume batch setting storage unit 19 Volume batch adjustment unit 31 Audio output control unit 32 Flag information storage unit

Claims (4)

Volume individual setting storage means for storing the intensity of audio output designated for each of two or more different application programs based on an operation input by a user as rewritable individual setting information;
Volume adjustment coefficient storage means for storing rewritable volume adjustment coefficients that are collectively specified for each application program based on an operation input by a user;
Volume individual adjustment means for individually adjusting the intensity of audio output based on the volume individual setting information for each application program;
A volume collective adjustment unit that collectively adjusts the sound output intensity for all application programs based on the sound output intensity for each application program obtained from the sound volume individual setting information and the sound volume adjustment coefficient;
Volume adjustment mode selection means for allowing the user to select either the individual mode in which the individual sound volume adjustment means adjusts the intensity of the sound output or the collective mode in which the sound volume adjustment means adjusts the intensity of the sound output. A mobile communication terminal characterized by the above.   2. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the batch mode is selected and designated by a user, the volume batch adjustment unit lowers the volume from a volume set individually. Flag information storage means for storing flag information that is activated based on a user's operation input in a rewritable manner for each application program,
2. The volume collective adjustment unit according to claim 1, wherein when the collective mode is selected and designated by the user, the volume of the application program in which the flag information is validated is lowered from an individually set volume. Mobile communication terminals. A volume individual setting storage step for storing the intensity of the audio output specified for each of two or more different application programs based on an operation input by the user in a rewritable manner as volume individual setting information;
A volume adjustment coefficient storage step for storing rewritable volume adjustment coefficients collectively for each of the application programs based on an operation input by a user;
Volume individual adjustment step for individually adjusting the intensity of audio output based on the individual volume setting information for each application program;
A volume batch adjustment step for collectively adjusting the sound output intensity for all application programs based on the sound output intensity for each application program obtained from the volume individual setting information and the volume adjustment coefficient;
A volume adjustment mode selection step that allows the user to select either an individual mode in which the sound output intensity adjustment is performed individually or a batch mode in which the sound output intensity adjustment is performed collectively. Adjustment method.

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