Patent Application
20190031098
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-144928, filed on Jul. 26, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The embodiment discussed herein is directed to an information output device and an information output method.
An information output device has conventionally been known that outputs a notification sound (a so-called pop-up sound) dependent on a display content, for example, in a case where a notification screen such as pop-up display is displayed on, for example, an on-vehicle navigation device. An information output device executes display of a notification screen and output of a notification sound, for example, every time a predetermined event such as an approach to a destination occurs for a vehicle (see, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-067129).
However, in a conventional technique, in a case where a lot of events occur in, for example, a movable body such as a vehicle, a user may feel a complication in a case where display of a notification screen and output of a notification sound are executed for all of such events.
An information output device according to an embodiment includes a detection unit, a display control unit, and a sound control unit. The detection unit detects an operation of a user that is executed on an input unit that is connected to a display unit. The display control unit displays, on the display unit, a notification screen that presents predetermined notification information to the user. The sound control unit outputs a notification sound that is associated with display of the notification screen that is executed by the display control unit. Furthermore, the sound control unit limits output of the notification sound for a period of time when an operation of the user is detected by the detection unit.
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information output device and an information output method as disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the present invention is not limited by such an embodiment(s).
First, an outline of an information output method according to an embodiment will be described by using
Furthermore, the navigation device N in
The notification screen 100 is a screen that presents, to a user, notification information that indicates, for example, occurrence of a predetermined event every time such an event occurs. For example, as illustrated in
In an information output method according to an embodiment, output of a notification sound 110 that is associated with the notification screen 100 is limited, as long as an operation of a user (a touch operation) is executed. For example, the notification sound 110 as described herein is information on a sound such as a sound that is provided in accordance with a content of the notification screen 100, such as “Being on periphery of destination” as illustrated in
A conventional information output method will be described herein. Conventionally, a notification sound that is associated with a notification screen is output every time the notification screen is displayed. However, a lot of events that display a notification screen occur in, for example, a movable body such as a vehicle, and hence, if such a notification sound is output for all of notification screens, a user may feel a complication.
Accordingly, in an information output method according to an embodiment, output of the notification sound 110 is limited. Specifically, in an information output method according to an embodiment, the notification sound 110 is limited for a period of time when an operation of a user that is executed on an input unit that is connected to a display unit (touch panel display 10) is detected.
In an information output method according to an embodiment, for example, in a case where the notification screen 100 is displayed within a period of time when a user executes a touch operation on a screen by his or her finger U, output of the notification sound 110 is stopped, that is, the notification sound 110 is not output, as illustrated in
That is, there is a high possibility that a user looks at a screen during an operation thereof, and hence, it is possible to recognize the notification screen 100 naturally without purposely outputting the notification sound 110. In other words, the notification sound 110 is limitatively output for only a period of time when a user does not execute an operation. Therefore, it is possible for an information output method according to an embodiment to reduce a complication for a user.
Additionally, an information output device 1 according to an embodiment does not have to stop output of the notification sound 110 and may, for example, reduce a volume of an output sound, delay output of the notification sound 110, or limit it to a minimum to be notified of, such as receipt of a phone call.
Furthermore, a display unit and an input unit are not limited to the touch panel display 10. Another example of a display unit and an input unit will be described later by using
Next, a configuration of an information output device 1 according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
In other words, each component as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The information output device 1 according to an embodiment includes a control unit 2 and a storage unit 3. The control unit 2 includes an operation acceptance unit 21, a detection unit 22, and an output control unit 23. The storage unit 3 stores output information 31.
Herein, the information output device 1 includes, for example, a computer that has a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), an input/output port, and the like, and a variety of circuits.
A CPU of a computer reads and executes, for example, a program stored in a ROM and thereby functions as the operation acceptance unit 21, the detection unit 22, and the output control unit 23 of the control unit 2.
Furthermore, it is also possible to configure at least one or all of the operation acceptance unit 21, the detection unit 22, and the output control unit 23 of the control unit 2 by hardware such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).
Furthermore, the storage unit 3 corresponds to, for example, a RAM or a HDD. It is possible for a RAM or a HDD to store the output information 31, information of a variety of programs, and the like. Additionally, the information output device 1 may acquire a program as described above or a variety of information through another computer that is connected by a wired or wireless network or a portable recording medium.
The output information 31 is information that includes information on a notification screen 100 and a notification sound 110 or information on a priority of notification information. Additionally, a priority of notification information will be described later, along with
The control unit 2 detects whether or not a user executes an operation on the input unit 10a, and executes control as to whether or not the notification sound 110 is output in accordance with display of the notification screen 100 that presents predetermined notification information to a user, based on a result of such detection.
The operation acceptance unit 21 accepts an operation of a user on the input unit 10a and outputs operation information on such an operation to the detection unit 22 and the output control unit 23. For example, the operation acceptance unit 21 outputs, as operation information, information of a touch position on the touch panel display 10.
The detection unit 22 detects, and outputs to the output control unit 23, an operation of a user that is executed on the input unit 10a, based on operation information of the operation acceptance unit 21. For example, the detection unit 22 also measures, and outputs to the output control unit 23, an elapsed time after a touch operation is executed. Furthermore, the detection unit 22 detects an operation of a user on a second screen that is different from a first screen, where such a matter will be described later.
The output control unit 23 includes a display control unit 23a and a sound control unit 23b, and executes display control of the notification screen 100 and output control of the notification sound 110.
The display control unit 23a displays, on the display unit 10b, the notification screen 100 that presents predetermined notification information to a user. For the notification screen 100, there is provided, for example, notification of receipt of a phone call, notification of a route to a destination that is set by a non-illustrated navigation device (for example, notification that indicates a periphery of a destination, enlarged display when approaching a fork such as an intersection, or the like), notification of Point Of Interest (POI) information, notification of data acquisition from an external device, or the like.
The sound control unit 23b executes output control of the notification sound 110 that is associated with display of the notification screen 100 that is executed by the display control unit 23a. For example, the sound control unit 23b limits output of the notification sound 110 for a period of time when an operation of a user is detected by the detection unit 22.
Specifically, the sound control unit 23b limits output of the notification sound 110 in a case where the notification screen 100 that indicates a result that is based on an operation of a user is displayed by the display control unit 23a. For example, a user executes a series of operations for setting a destination, so that such a destination is set.
In such a case, the display control unit 23a first displays the notification screen 100 for completion of setting that is a result of an operation such as, for example, “XXXXX is set as destination”. Herein, the sound control unit 23b does not output the notification sound 110 in accordance with the notification screen 100 of “XXXXX is set as destination”.
This is because the notification screen 100 for completion of setting, such as “XXXXX is set as destination” is displayed immediately after a user executes an operation, and hence, is considered to be naturally viewed by a user. Therefore, output of the notification sound 110 is limited for the notification screen 100 that is displayed as a result of an operation of a user, so that it is possible to reduce a complication for a user.
Additionally, a period of time when an operation of a user is detected by the detection unit 22 does not have to be limited to a case where an operation of a user is detected continuously, and may be, for example, a case where an operation of a user is detected intermittently. For example, in a case where a period of time after a previous operation of a user is detected and before a next operation of the user is detected is a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second) or less, an operation of the user may be regarded as being continuous.
Furthermore, the sound control unit 23b may output the notification sound 110 in a case where it takes some time to display the notification screen 100 that indicates a result of an operation of a user. Such a matter will be described by using
Usually, in a case where information is caused to transfer from an external recording medium or the like and an amount of data is large, it takes some time to complete data transfer, so that the display control unit 23a displays, as a notification screen 100, a busy message such as “Loading . . . ” as illustrated in
Then, the sound control unit 23b determines whether the notification sound 110 is allowed to be output depending on a waiting time after an operation of a user and before the notification screen 100 that indicates a result of such an operation is displayed. Specifically, in a case where data transfer is completed, the display control unit 23a first displays the notification screen 100 that indicates completion of a process, such as “Completed” as illustrated in a lower part of
Then, as illustrated in
On the other hand, the sound control unit 23b removes limitation of the notification sound 110, that is, outputs the notification sound 110, in a case where a waiting time after “Loading . . . ” is displayed and before “Completed” is displayed is a predetermined period of time or greater.
That is, the sound control unit 23b determines that a user still looks at a screen and limits the notification sound 110, for example, in a case where a waiting time is less than 4 seconds, or determines that a user takes his or her eyes away from a screen and outputs the notification sound 110 in a case where a waiting time is 4 seconds or greater. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a complication for a user and it is possible to recognize the notification screen 100 such as completion of a process reliably even in a case where a user takes his or her eyes away from a screen.
Furthermore, the sound control unit 23b stops output of the notification sound 110, so that it is possible to prevent a user from getting used to the notification sound 110, and hence, it is possible to cause a user to recognize the notification sound 110 effectively.
Additionally, although output control of the notification screen 100 and the notification sound 110 in a case of data transfer is explained in
Additionally, although a case where a screen for data transfer still continues to be displayed during a waiting time is explained in
In such a case, the sound control unit 23b removes limitation of a notification sound 110 for a notification screen 100 that indicates a result of an operation of a user in a case where switching from a first screen to a second screen is executed within a waiting time before the notification screen 100 is displayed on the first screen. That is, the sound control unit 23b outputs the notification sound 110 that indicates a result on a previous screen (a first screen) even in a case where a user is executing an operation on a second screen.
For example, in
That is, the sound control unit 23b outputs the notification sound 110 in a case where a user switches to a screen 130 for “Radio” while the notification screen 100 of “Loading . . . ” that indicates data transfer is displayed, even in a case where a waiting time is less than a predetermined period of time (for example, 4 seconds).
Herein, the display control unit 23a displays, on a second screen, “Loading . . . ” that is the notification screen 100 on a first screen, and displays the notification screen 100 of “Completed” in a case where a process is completed. Additionally, in a case where the notification screen 100 is displayed on a second screen, a display size for a first screen is reduced to some extent to execute display thereof.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent a second screen from being hidden. Additionally, only the notification sound 110 may be output without displaying the notification screen 100 (both “Loading . . . ” and “Completed”) on a second screen.
Thus, after switching from a first screen to a second screen is executed, the notification sound 110 is output for a result of a process on the first screen, so that it is possible for a user to recognize a process on the first screen again, even in a case of forgetting thereof.
Additionally, the notification sound 110 with limitation that is removed by the sound control unit 23b is just only the notification sound 110 that is caused by a result of an operation of a user on a previous screen (a first screen). In other words, a user also continues an operation after switching to a second screen is executed, and a limitation that is executed by the sound control unit 23b is applied to the notification sound 110 for a second screen that is irrelevant to the notification sound 110 for a first screen.
Furthermore,
Furthermore, although the sound control unit 23b limits output of the notification sound 110 as long as a user executes an operation, limitation of the notification sound 110 may be removed for an important matter for such a user. Such a matter will be described by using
As illustrated in
That is, the sound control unit 23b treats receipt of a phone call as notification information that has to be recognized by a user, that is, provides it as notification information with a priority that is a predetermined value or greater, and outputs the notification sound 110. Additionally, for example, a priority may preliminarily be set by a user or may arbitrarily be set depending on a type of notification information.
Thus, the notification sound 110 is output for notification information with a high priority regardless of an operation of a user, so that it is possible to recognize important information for a user reliably.
Additionally, although the sound control unit 23b in
Specifically, in a case where the notification screen 100 is displayed that indicates notification information with a priority that is a predetermined value or greater (for example, receipt of a phone call) for a period of time when an operation of a user is detected by the detection unit 22, the sound control unit 23b does not immediately output the notification sound 110 but outputs the notification sound 110 after a predetermined period of time.
That is, there is a high possibility that a user notices receipt of a phone call during an operation thereof, so that the notification sound 110 is not output, whereas the notification sound 110 is output in a case where a user does not execute any operation for a response to such a receipt for a certain period of time. Thereby, it is possible to recognize important information for a user reliably and it is possible to reduce a complication for such a user.
Next, a process of the sound control unit 23b in a positional relationship between the input unit 10a and the display unit 10b in a vehicle C will be described by using
Additionally,
Furthermore, the display unit 10b will be described by providing a center display 101, a head-up display 102, and a meter display 103 of the navigation device N as examples.
Additionally, each display unit 10b is connected to a plurality of input units 10a. For example, the center display 101 is connected to each of the physical button 111, the steering switch 112, and the touch pad 113.
In such a case, the sound control unit 23b determines presence or absence of limitation of the notification sound 110 based on a positional relationship between the display unit 10b and the input unit 10a. Specifically, the sound control unit 23b removes limitation of the notification sound 110 in a case where an operation of a user on the input unit 10a that is arranged away from the display unit 10b by a predetermined distance or greater, among the plurality of input units 10a, is detected.
For example, the sound control unit 23b outputs the notification sound 110, that is, removes limitation of the notification sound 110, in a case where an operation of a user is executed on the center display 101 through the steering switch 112 or the touch pad 113. On the other hand, the sound control unit 23b removes limitation of the notification sound 110, in a case where an operation of a user is executed on the center display 101 through the physical button 111.
That is, in a case where an operation is executed through the input unit 10a at a position distant from the display unit 10b to some extent, there is a comparatively low possibility that a user looks at a screen, and hence, the notification sound 110 is output, so that it is possible for a user to recognize the notification screen 100 reliably.
Furthermore, the sound control unit 23b may limit output of the notification sound 110, for example, in a case where an operation of a user is executed on the head-up display 102 or the meter display 103 through the steering switch 112.
That is, there is a high possibility that a driver that is a user brings the head-up display 102 or the meter display 103 into view naturally in order to execute driving, and hence, it is possible to recognize the notification screen 100 even in a case where the sound control unit 23b does not output the notification sound 110. That is, it is possible to reduce a complication for a user. Thus, output control of the notification sound 110 is executed based on a positional relationship between the display unit 10b and the input unit 10a, so that it is possible to reduce a complication for a user.
Next, processing steps of an output control process that is executed by the information output device 1 according to an embodiment will be described by using
As illustrated in
Then, in a case where the display control unit 23a determines that the notification screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 10b (step S101, Yes), the detection unit 22 determines whether or not an operation of a user that is executed on the input unit 10a that is connected to the display unit 10b is detected (that is, whether or not an operation is being executed) (step S102).
Then, in a case where an operation of a user is detected by the detection unit 22 (step S102, Yes), the sound control unit 23b determines whether or not a priority of notification information in the notification screen 100 is a predetermined value or greater (step S103).
Then, in a case where a priority of notification information is less than a predetermined value (step S103, No), the sound control unit 23b limits output of the notification sound 110 for a period of time when a user executes an operation (step S104), and ends such a process.
On the other hand, in a case where the display control unit 23a determines that the notification screen 100 is not displayed on the display unit 10b at step S101 (step S101, No), such a process is ended.
Furthermore, in a case where an operation of a user is not detected by the detection unit 22, that is, an operation is not being executed, at step S102 (step S102, No), the sound control unit 23b determines whether or not a waiting time before the notification screen 100 is displayed is less than a predetermined period of time (step S105).
In a case where a waiting time before the notification screen 100 is displayed is less than a predetermined period of time (step S105, Yes), the sound control unit 23b determines whether or not switching from a first screen to a second screen is executed by an operation of a user (step S106).
In a case where switching from a first screen to a second screen is not executed by an operation of a user (step S106, No), the sound control unit 23b transfers such a process to step S104.
On the other hand, in a case where a waiting time before the notification screen 100 is displayed is a predetermined period of time or greater at step S105 (step S105, No), the sound control unit 23b removes limitation of the notification sound 110, that is, outputs the notification sound 110 (step S107), and ends such a process.
Furthermore, in a case where a priority of notification information is a predetermined value or greater at step S103 (step S103, Yes), the sound control unit 23b transfers such a process to step S107.
Furthermore, in a case where switching from a first screen to a second screen is executed by an operation of a user at step S106 (step S106, Yes), the sound control unit 23b transfers such a process to step S107.
As described above, the information output device 1 according to an embodiment includes the detection unit 22, the display control unit 23a, and the sound control unit 23b. The detection unit 22 detects an operation of a user that is executed on the input unit 10a that is connected to the display unit 10b. The display control unit 23a displays, on the display unit 10b, the notification screen 100 that presents predetermined notification information to a user. The sound control unit 23b outputs the notification sound 110 that is associated with display of the notification screen 100 that is executed by the display control unit 23a. Furthermore, the sound control unit 23b limits output of the notification sound 110 for a period of time when an operation of a user is detected by the detection unit 22. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a complication for a user.
Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-144928 | Jul 2017 | JP | national |
