JP2013239965A - Terminal device, sound output control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal device which is capable of suppressing unnecessary current consumption by providing a sound to a user at a proper sound volume.SOLUTION: The terminal device includes: a plurality of speakers 16a-16c for outputting sounds; a plurality of proximity sensors 17a-17c which are provided at the speakers respectively, measure distances from the speakers to an arrangement object arranged so as to face the speakers, and output measurement values; and a CPU 10 which acquires the measurement values from the respective proximity sensors 17a-17c and adjusts the sound volumes of the speakers 16a-16c on the basis of the acquired measurement values.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device provided with a speaker.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ear receiver and speakerphone that output sound, a distance detection unit that detects a distance between the ear receiver and a speaker, and a volume of the ear receiver and speakerphone based on the distance detected by the distance detection unit. There is disclosed a mobile phone having a control unit that adjusts.

  The distance detection unit includes a distance sensor, and supplies distance information based on the output of the distance sensor to the control unit. The distance sensor is provided at the center of the operation surface on which a plurality of operation keys are arranged.

  The control unit determines whether or not the caller is near the mobile phone based on the distance information from the distance detection unit. When the caller is near the mobile phone, the control unit sets the volume of the ear receiver and the speakerphone to initial values. When the caller is not near the mobile phone, the control unit increases the volume of the ear receiver or outputs sound from the speakerphone.

  According to the above mobile phone, the volume of the ear receiver and the output to the speakerphone are automatically switched according to the distance between the caller and the mobile phone. Since the volume adjustment or switching operation by the caller is unnecessary, it is convenient.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-221806 (paragraphs 0010-0012)

  In a terminal device including a plurality of speakers, an arrangement object such as a finger or a surrounding object may block some speakers depending on the usage situation. For example, when the user holds the terminal device by hand, the finger covers some of the speakers. In addition, when a terminal device is installed, surrounding objects block some speakers. In this way, when the arrangement object such as a finger or a surrounding object blocks the speaker, when the sound is output from the speaker, the arrangement object blocks the sound from the speaker, so that it is difficult for the user to hear the sound. Further, in the state where an arrangement such as a finger completely covers the speaker and the sound from the speaker cannot be heard, outputting sound from the speaker causes unnecessary current consumption.

  Also in the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1, for example, sound is output from the speakerphone in a state where an arrangement object such as a finger blocks the speakerphone, the same problem as described above occurs.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device, a sound output control method, and a program capable of solving the above problems, providing sound to a user at an appropriate volume, and suppressing unnecessary current consumption. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention,
A plurality of speakers that output sound;
A plurality of distance measuring units provided for each speaker, each of which measures a distance from the speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker, and outputs the measured value;
There is provided a terminal device comprising: a control unit that acquires the measurement value from each of the plurality of distance measurement units and adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the acquired measurement value.

According to another aspect of the invention,
For each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, measure the distance from the speaker to an arrangement arranged to face the speaker,
A sound output control method is provided that adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measured value of the distance.

According to another aspect of the invention,
The distance from a plurality of distance measuring units provided corresponding to each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, each of which measures a distance from the corresponding speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker. To get the measured value of
There is provided a program that causes a computer to execute a procedure of adjusting the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measurement values acquired from each of the plurality of distance measurement units.

  According to the present invention, unnecessary current consumption can be suppressed, and the user can surely hear the sound even in a state where the arrangement obstructs the sound from the speaker.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the speaker and proximity sensor of the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the volume adjustment process performed with the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the volume adjustment process performed with the terminal device which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device which is the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the speaker and proximity sensor of a terminal device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the volume adjustment process performed with the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device which is other embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the terminal device includes a CPU (Central processing unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a work memory 12, a communication unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, speakers 16a to 16c, and a proximity sensor 17a. ˜17c, each of which is connected to the bus 18.

  The ROM 11 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 10 and fixed data necessary for control using these programs. The work memory 12 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores data necessary for the CPU 10 to execute the program. The detection values of the proximity sensors 17a to 17c and data for controlling the outputs of the speakers 16a to 16c are also stored in the work memory 12.

  Note that the memory of the terminal device is not limited to the ROM 11 and the work memory 12 described above, and the same memory may be configured to use both the ROM 11 and the work memory 12. For example, the ROM 11 and the work memory 12 may be configured by a single flash memory. In this case, the flash memory includes an area (or block) corresponding to the ROM 11 and an area (or block) corresponding to the work memory 12.

  The communication unit 13 performs wireless communication with the base station. The communication unit 13 is connected to an external terminal device through a mobile communication network or a public telephone network so as to be able to communicate with each other. Thereby, data communication, a voice call, etc. can be performed.

  The communication unit 13 can also be connected to a network represented by the Internet, and can download necessary programs and data from an external device such as a server via this network.

  Furthermore, the communication unit 13 may have an inter-device communication function that transmits and receives data to and from other terminal devices. The inter-device communication function is, for example, wireless communication means represented by Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, it is also possible to use communication means using infrared communication as inter-device communication means.

  The operation unit 14 is input means such as a plurality of operation buttons and a touch panel, and supplies a signal corresponding to the input operation to the CPU 10.

  The display unit 15 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electrofluorescence).

  The speakers 16a to 16c output sound and the like, and are provided on different surfaces of the housing 1 as shown in FIG.

  The speaker 16a is provided on the surface of the housing 1 on which the screen 15a is provided. When the user holds the housing 1 by hand and puts it on the ear (holding posture during a call), the speaker 16a just hits the user's ear.

  The speaker 16b is provided on a surface (side surface of the casing 1) adjacent to the surface on which the screen 15a is provided. The speaker 16c is provided on the surface (back surface) opposite to the surface on which the screen 15a is provided.

  The proximity sensors 17a to 17c are distance measuring units that measure the distance to the arrangement, and are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the speakers 16a to 16c.

  The proximity sensor 17a is provided in the vicinity of the speaker 16a, measures the distance to an object arranged to face the speaker 16a at regular time intervals, and outputs distance information indicating the measured value. Here, the measured value is the distance from the proximity sensor 17a to the object to be arranged, but since the proximity sensor 17a is arranged close to the speaker 16a, the measured value is regarded as the distance from the speaker 16a to the object to be arranged. I can do it.

  The proximity sensor 17b is provided in the vicinity of the speaker 16b, measures the distance to an object disposed so as to face the speaker 16b at regular time intervals, and outputs distance information indicating the measured value. For the same reason as described above for the proximity sensor 17a, the measurement value of the proximity sensor 17b can also be regarded as the distance from the speaker 16b to the arrangement.

  The proximity sensor 17c is provided in the vicinity of the speaker 16c, measures the distance to an object arranged to face the speaker 16c at regular time intervals, and outputs distance information indicating the measured value. For the same reason as described above for the proximity sensor 17a, the measurement value of the proximity sensor 17c can also be regarded as the distance from the speaker 16c to the arrangement.

  The proximity sensors 17a to 17c may be any sensors as long as the distance to the arrangement can be measured. For example, a reflection photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like can be used as the proximity sensors 17a to 17c.

  When using a reflective photoelectric sensor, it is desirable to use near infrared light which is invisible light. In this case, in order to reduce the influence of disturbance light, it is possible to use a light that has been subjected to a predetermined modulation as the sensor light and detect a component of the light having a predetermined modulation.

  When an ultrasonic sensor is used, an ultrasonic wave is emitted and a reflected wave from the measurement target is detected. The distance to the measurement object can be calculated based on the time required from when the ultrasonic wave is emitted until the reflected wave is received.

  The output signals of the proximity sensors 17a to 17c may be analog signals or digital signals. When the output signal is an analog signal, the output signal may be converted into a digital signal using an A / D converter.

  In addition, arrangement | positioning of the speakers 16a-16c and proximity sensor 17a-17c is not limited to the arrangement | positioning shown in FIG. 2, Other arrangement | positioning may be sufficient. The number of speakers 16a to 16c and proximity sensors 17a to 17c is not limited to three, but may be two or more.

  Moreover, one arrangement object may be arrange | positioned so that two or more speakers of several speakers may be opposed, and an arrangement object which is different for every speaker may be arrange | positioned.

  CPU10 is a control part which controls operation | movement of the whole terminal device, Comprising: The sound volume of speakers 16a-16c is adjusted based on the distance information from proximity sensor 17a-17c.

  FIG. 3 shows a procedure of the volume adjustment process. Hereinafter, the volume adjustment processing will be described with reference to FIGS. The volume adjustment processing is performed for each of the speakers 16a to 16c. In the following, for simplification of description, the speakers 16a to 16c are simply referred to as the speaker 16, and the proximity sensors 17a to 17c are simply referred to as the proximity sensor. It is described as 17.

  CPU10 acquires the measured value of distance from the proximity sensor 17 (step S10), and determines whether the speaker 16 is closely_contact | adhered with an arrangement | positioning object based on a measured value (step S11). For example, the CPU 10 determines that the arrangement object is in close contact with the speaker 16 when the measured value is 0 (or substantially 0).

  When the determination result in step S11 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 subsequently determines whether or not the speaker 16 is a specific speaker (step S12).

  Here, the specific speaker is a speaker that hits the user's ear when the user holds the housing 1 with his hand and puts it on the ear (holding posture during a call). The arrangement shown in FIG. Then, the speaker 16a is a specific speaker. The ROM 11 stores information indicating the correspondence between the speakers 16a to 16c and the proximity sensors 17a to 17c, and information indicating that the speaker 16a is a specific speaker, and the CPU 10 based on the information, The speakers 16a to 16c are managed.

  If the determination result in step S12 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 subsequently sets the volume of the speaker 16 (ie, the speaker 16a) to a predetermined volume (step S13). Here, the predetermined sound volume is an optimal sound volume when talking with the speaker 16 a on the ear, and this information is also stored in the ROM 11.

  If the determination result in step S12 is “No”, the CPU 10 subsequently sets the volume of the speaker 16 (the speaker in close contact with the arrangement of the speakers 16b and 16c) to 0 (step S14). .

  If the determination result in step S11 is “No”, the CPU 10 compares the previous measurement value with the current measurement value to determine whether or not the distance has changed (step S15).

  When the determination result of step S15 is “No”, the CPU 10 maintains the volume of the speaker 16 at the previous volume (step S16).

  When the determination result of step S15 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 subsequently determines whether or not the measurement value is equal to or less than a threshold value (step S17).

  If the determination result in step S17 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 subsequently sets the volume of the speaker 16 to be smaller than the standard volume (default) by the amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold ( Step S18).

  If the determination result in step S17 is “No”, the CPU 10 then sets a volume higher than the standard volume (default) by an amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold as the volume of the speaker 16 ( Step S19).

  The standard volume may be set individually for each of the speakers 16a to 16c, or may be set commonly for the speakers 16a to 16c. Standard volume information is also stored in the ROM 11. Also, information (first table) indicating the relationship between the difference between the measured value and the threshold and the amount of decrease from the standard volume, or information indicating the relationship between the difference between the measured value and the threshold and the amount of increase from the standard volume ( The second table is also stored in the ROM 11. When the standard volume is individually set for the speakers 16a to 16c, the first and second tables are created for each speaker.

  The first table has a characteristic that the standard sound volume is obtained when the measured value matches the threshold value, and the sound volume decreases as the measured value becomes smaller than the threshold value. The second table has a characteristic that the standard sound volume is obtained when the measured value matches the threshold value, and the sound volume increases as the measured value becomes larger than the threshold value. These first and second tables may be composed of one table.

  When executing any one of steps S13, S14, S18, and S19, the CPU 10 executes the processing from step S10 again.

  According to the above-described volume adjustment process, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  When the user holds the casing 1 with his hand, if the finger or the like closes at least one of the speakers 16b and 16c, the CPU 10 stops the output of the speaker closed with the finger (the volume is set to 0). ). Thereby, unnecessary current consumption in the speaker closed with a finger can be suppressed.

  When the user holds the casing 1 with his hand and puts the speaker 16a on his / her ear, the CPU 10 sets the volume of the speaker 16a to an optimum volume for listening to the voice during reception. As a result, the user can make a call at an appropriate volume.

  Further, the CPU 10 decreases the volume of the speakers 16 a to 16 c as the face approaches the casing 1, and conversely increases the volume of the speakers 16 a to 16 c as the face moves away from the casing 1. As a result, the user can listen to the voice or the like at an optimum volume regardless of the distance from the housing 1.

  The above-described configuration and operation of the terminal device according to the present embodiment are examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, in the volume adjustment process shown in FIG. 3, in step S13, the CPU 10 may set the volume of a specific speaker (that is, the speaker 16a) to a predetermined volume and stop the output of other speakers. .

  In step S17, the CPU 10 compares the current measurement value with the previous measurement value to determine whether the object is approaching or far from the speaker. If the volume is reduced by a certain amount and the user is far away, the volume may be increased by a certain amount in step S19. In this case, at the time of the first determination, a default value (for example, the above-described standard volume) may be used as the previous measurement value.

(Second Embodiment)
The terminal device of the present embodiment also has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, but the first is that the volume of the speaker is increased as the arrangement approaches the speaker, and the volume of the speaker is decreased as the arrangement moves away from the speaker. It differs from that of the embodiment. The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 shows a procedure of volume adjustment processing performed in the terminal device of this embodiment. Steps S20 to S27 are the same as steps S10 to S17 shown in FIG.

  When the determination result of step S27 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 sets a volume higher than the standard volume (default) for the speaker 16 by an amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold (step S28). .

  If the determination result in step S27 is “No”, the CPU 10 sets a volume lower than the standard volume (default) for the speaker 16 by an amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold (step S29). .

  In step S28 described above, information (third table) indicating the relationship between the difference between the measured value and the threshold value and the increase amount from the standard volume, the difference between the measured value and the threshold value, and the decrease amount from the standard volume. Information (fourth table) indicating the relationship is used. These third and fourth tables are also stored in the ROM 11.

  The third table has a characteristic that the standard volume is obtained when the measured value coincides with the threshold value, the measured value is smaller than the threshold value, and the volume increases as the difference increases. The fourth table has a characteristic that the standard sound volume is obtained when the measured value matches the threshold value, the measured value is larger than the threshold value, and the sound volume decreases as the difference increases. These third and fourth tables may be composed of one table.

  Also in the terminal device of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the user holds the housing 1 with his hand, when the finger or the like blocks at least one of the speakers 16b and 16c, the CPU 10 Stop the output of the speaker closed with your finger (set the volume to 0). Thereby, unnecessary current consumption in the speaker closed with a finger can be suppressed.

  Further, when the arrangement object is close to at least one of the speakers 16a to 16c and the arrangement object blocks the sound from the speaker, the CPU 10 increases the volume of the speaker. By increasing the volume of the speaker, the user can surely hear the sound or the like even when the arrangement object blocks the sound from the speaker.

  The above-described configuration and operation of the terminal device according to the present embodiment are examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, in the volume adjustment process shown in FIG. 4, in step S23, the CPU 10 may set the volume of a specific speaker (ie, the speaker 16a) to a predetermined volume and stop the output of other speakers. .

  In step S27, the CPU 10 compares the current measurement value and the previous measurement value to determine whether the object is approaching or far away from the speaker. If the volume is increased by a certain amount and the user is far away, the volume may be decreased by a certain amount in step S29. In this case, at the time of the first determination, a default value (for example, the above-described standard volume) may be used as the previous measurement value.

(Third embodiment)
The terminal device according to the third embodiment is the predetermined message that prompts the user to move the object away from the speaker when the object is close to the speaker in the first or second embodiment. Is displayed. Except for the process of displaying a predetermined message, the process is the same as that of the first or second embodiment.

  When the terminal device of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, in step S14, in the volume adjustment process shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 10 sets the volume of the speaker 16 to 0 and a predetermined message. Is displayed on the display unit 15.

  In step S18, the CPU 10 sets a volume smaller than the standard volume (default) by an amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold as the volume of the speaker 16, and displays a predetermined message on the display unit 15. .

  When the terminal device of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, in step S24, in the volume adjustment process shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 10 sets the volume of the speaker 16 to 0 and a predetermined message. Is displayed on the display unit 15.

  In step S28, the CPU 10 sets a volume larger than the standard volume (default) by the amount corresponding to the difference between the measured value and the threshold as the volume of the speaker 16, and causes the display unit 15 to display a predetermined message. .

  According to the terminal device of the present embodiment, when the arrangement object is close to the speaker, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a predetermined message that prompts the user to move the arrangement object away from the speaker. The user can recognize that the object is close to the speaker by checking the displayed message.

  For example, it is difficult for the user to check whether or not the speaker 16c provided on the back surface of the housing 1 is covered with an arrangement object such as a finger while viewing the screen 15a. In the present embodiment, when an arrangement object such as a finger approaches the speaker 16c, a predetermined message is displayed on the screen 15a of the display unit 15. Therefore, the user can confirm the displayed message so that the arrangement object is displayed. Can be recognized as being close to the speaker 16c.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The terminal device of the present embodiment includes a proximity sensor 19 that is another distance measuring unit in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The configuration other than the proximity sensor 19 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  The proximity sensor 19 is for detecting a state (receiving posture) in which the user holds the casing 1 with his hand and puts the speaker 16 a on his / her ear, and is provided at a specific part of the casing 1. Here, the specific portion is a portion where contact with the finger is difficult to occur when the housing 1 is held by hand.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the proximity sensor 19 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the screen 15a on the surface of the housing 1 on which the screen 15a is provided. Usually, when holding the housing 1 by hand, the fingers are located near the center of both ends of the housing 1. Therefore, by disposing the proximity sensor 19 as shown in FIG. 6, when the housing 1 is held by hand, the contact of the finger with the proximity sensor 19 can be suppressed.

  When the speaker 16 a is put on the ear, the cheek is close to the proximity sensor 19 and the ear is close to the proximity sensor 19. In this state, the measured values of the proximity sensors 17a and 19 are both values (values equal to or less than the threshold value) indicating that the object is in close contact with or in close proximity.

  On the other hand, when the housing 1 is held by hand but not in contact with the ear, the measured value of the proximity sensor 19 is larger than the threshold value, but the measured value of the proximity sensor 17a is at the position of the finger. Accordingly, the value is equal to or less than the threshold value or greater than the threshold value.

  Based on the relationship between the measured values of the proximity sensor 17a and the proximity sensor 19, the CPU 10 can detect a state (receiving posture) where the speaker 16a is placed on the ear. Here, the threshold information is stored in the ROM 11.

  FIG. 7 shows a procedure of the volume adjustment process of the terminal device according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the volume adjustment processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Steps S30, S31, and S35 to S39 are the same as steps S10, S11, and S15 to S19 shown in FIG.

  When the determination result of step S31 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the voice receiving posture is set based on the relationship between the measured values of the proximity sensor 17a and the proximity sensor 19 (step S32).

  When the determination result in step S32 is “Yes”, the CPU 10 sets the speaker 16a to a predetermined volume, and sets the volume of the other speakers 16b and 16c to 0 (step S33).

  When the determination result in step S32 is “No”, the CPU 10 sets the volume of the speaker in close contact with the arrangement among the speakers 16a to 16c to 0 (step S34).

  According to the terminal device of this embodiment, in addition to the effect similar to 1st Embodiment, there exist the following effects.

  The CPU 10 distinguishes between a first state in which an arrangement object such as a finger blocks the speaker 16a and a second state in which an ear blocks the speaker 16a, and when in the first state, the speaker 16a is stopped, In the second state, the speaker 16a is set to a predetermined volume, and the other speakers 16b and 16c are stopped. By stopping the speaker 16a in the first state, unnecessary current consumption can be suppressed. In the second state, unnecessary current consumption can be suppressed by stopping the other speakers 16b and 16c, and by setting the speaker 16a to a predetermined volume, the sound or the like can be reduced to an appropriate volume. Can be provided to the user.

  Note that the configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to those of the second embodiment and the third embodiment. When applied to the second embodiment, the processes in steps S38 and S39 are replaced with processes corresponding to steps S28 and S29, respectively. When applied to the third embodiment, processing for displaying a predetermined message on the display unit 15 is added in steps S34 and S38.

  The terminal devices of the first to fourth embodiments described above are examples of the present invention, and the configuration and operation thereof can be changed as appropriate within the scope that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the CPU 10 determines whether the speakers 16a to 16c have a predetermined volume balance based on the measured values of the proximity sensors 17a to 17c. The volume may be set. In this case, the volume balance of the speakers 16a to 16c at a predetermined position in each state is changed to a predetermined volume balance in a plurality of states in which the distance of the arrangement object with respect to each of the speakers 16a to 16c is variously changed. The volume balance setting information indicating the volume level of each of the speakers 16 a to 16 c is created in advance and stored in the ROM 11. The CPU 10 refers to the volume balance setting information stored in the ROM 11 and determines the volume of the speakers 16a to 16c.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when the output of a speaker in close contact with an arrangement is stopped to suppress unnecessary current consumption, the user can hear sound or the like with an optimal balance. In addition, by increasing the volume of the speaker that is close to the arrangement, even if the arrangement obstructs the sound, the user can balance the sound with an optimal balance. Can hear voices.

  In addition, any of the terminal devices of the first to fourth embodiments may be configured using a computer system in which a computer operates according to a program. The program can cause the computer to execute at least the volume adjustment process and the predetermined message display process as described above. The program may be provided using a computer-readable recording medium, for example, an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Video Disc), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, or the like. May be provided via a communication network (for example, the Internet).

(Other embodiments)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal device is provided with a plurality of speakers 100 _{1 to} 100 _n that output sound, and a distance from the speaker to an arrangement object that is arranged so as to face the speaker. A plurality of distance measuring units 101 _{1 to} 101 _n that output the measured values, and acquire measured values from each of these distance measuring units 101 _{1 to} 101 _n , and the speaker 100 based on the acquired measured values _And a control unit 102 that adjusts the volume of _{1 to} 100 _n .

The distance measuring units 101 _{1 to} 101 _n may be configured with any sensor as long as the distance to the arrangement can be measured. For example, a reflective photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or the like can be used as the sensor.

The distance measuring units 101 _{1 to} 101 _n and the control unit 102 correspond to the proximity sensors 17a to 17c and the CPU 10 in the terminal device described in any of the first to fourth embodiments.

  The present invention can be applied to a terminal device having a plurality of speakers, such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a PDA (Personal Data Assistance, Personal Digital Assistants), a game machine, a digital audio visual machine, and the like. .

Moreover, although this invention can take a form like the following additional remarks 1-12, it is not limited to these forms.
[Appendix 1]
A plurality of speakers that output sound;
A plurality of distance measuring units provided for each speaker, each of which measures a distance from the speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker, and outputs the measured value;
And a control unit that acquires the measurement value from each of the plurality of distance measurement units and adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the acquired measurement value.
[Appendix 2]
The terminal device according to supplementary note 1, wherein the control unit increases the volume of each of the plurality of speakers as the distance between the speaker and the arrangement facing the speaker decreases.
[Appendix 3]
The terminal device according to supplementary note 1, wherein the control unit decreases the volume of each of the plurality of speakers as the distance between the speaker and the arrangement facing the speaker decreases.
[Appendix 4]
The control unit acquires the measurement value from a distance measurement unit provided for a specific speaker among the plurality of speakers, and the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object based on the measurement value. The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the terminal device is set to a predetermined volume when it is determined whether the specific speaker is in close contact.
[Appendix 5]
The terminal device according to appendix 4, wherein the control unit stops speakers other than the specific speaker among the plurality of speakers when the specific speaker is set to a predetermined volume.
[Appendix 6]
The control unit obtains the measurement value from a distance measurement unit provided for a speaker other than the specific speaker, and a speaker other than the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object based on the measurement value. The terminal device according to appendix 4 or 5, wherein a terminal other than the specific speaker is stopped if it is determined whether or not it is in close contact.
[Appendix 7]
A display unit for displaying information;
The terminal device according to appendix 6, wherein the control unit displays a predetermined message on the display unit when it is determined that a speaker other than the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object.
[Appendix 8]
The control unit causes the display unit to display the predetermined message when a measurement value acquired from a distance measurement unit provided for the speaker is equal to or less than a threshold value for each of the plurality of speakers. 8. The terminal device according to 7.
[Appendix 9]
Another distance measuring unit which is provided at a specific position of the housing provided with the plurality of speakers, measures a distance from the position to the arrangement object facing the specific speaker, and outputs the measured value; And further,
The control unit is based on the measurement value acquired from the distance measurement unit provided for the specific speaker among the plurality of distance measurement units and the measurement value acquired from the another distance measurement unit, The terminal device according to any one of appendices 4 to 8, which determines whether or not a specific speaker is in close contact with the object.
[Appendix 10]
The control unit adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measurement value acquired from each of the plurality of distance measurement units so that the balance of the volume levels of the plurality of speakers becomes a predetermined balance. The terminal device according to appendix 1.
[Appendix 11]
For each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, measure the distance from the speaker to an arrangement arranged to face the speaker,
A sound output control method for adjusting a volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measured value of the distance.
[Appendix 12]
The distance from a plurality of distance measuring units provided corresponding to each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, each of which measures a distance from the corresponding speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker. To get the measured value of
The program which makes a computer perform the procedure which adjusts the volume of these speakers based on the said measured value acquired from each of these distance measuring parts.

10 CPU
11 ROM
12 Work memory 13 Communication unit 14 Operation unit 15 Display units 16a to 16c Speakers 17a to 17c Proximity sensor

Claims (10)

A plurality of speakers that output sound;
A plurality of distance measuring units provided for each speaker, each of which measures a distance from the speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker, and outputs the measured value;
And a control unit that acquires the measurement value from each of the plurality of distance measurement units and adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the acquired measurement value.   The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases or decreases the volume of each of the plurality of speakers as the interval between the speaker and the object facing the speaker decreases.   The control unit acquires the measurement value from a distance measurement unit provided for a specific speaker among the plurality of speakers, and the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object based on the measurement value. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is set to a predetermined volume when it is determined that the specific speaker is in close contact.   The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit stops speakers other than the specific speaker among the plurality of speakers when the specific speaker is set to a predetermined volume.   The control unit obtains the measurement value from a distance measurement unit provided for a speaker other than the specific speaker, and a speaker other than the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object based on the measurement value. The terminal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a speaker other than the specific speaker is stopped when it is determined whether the speaker is in close contact. A display unit for displaying information;
The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit displays a predetermined message on the display unit when it is determined that a speaker other than the specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object. Another distance measuring unit which is provided at a specific position of the housing provided with the plurality of speakers, measures a distance from the position to the arrangement object facing the specific speaker, and outputs the measured value; And further,
The control unit is based on the measurement value acquired from the distance measurement unit provided for the specific speaker among the plurality of distance measurement units and the measurement value acquired from the another distance measurement unit, The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not a specific speaker is in close contact with the arrangement object.   The control unit adjusts the volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measurement value acquired from each of the plurality of distance measurement units so that the balance of the volume levels of the plurality of speakers becomes a predetermined balance. The terminal device according to claim 1. For each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, measure the distance from the speaker to an arrangement arranged to face the speaker,
A sound output control method for adjusting a volume of the plurality of speakers based on the measured value of the distance. The distance from a plurality of distance measuring units provided corresponding to each of a plurality of speakers that output sound, each of which measures a distance from the corresponding speaker to an arrangement disposed so as to face the speaker. To get the measured value of
The program which makes a computer perform the procedure which adjusts the volume of these speakers based on the said measured value acquired from each of these distance measuring parts.

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