Patent ID: 7522192
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A portable terminal apparatus comprising: a camera which senses an image; audio output means for outputting a notification sound; determination means for determining whether it is bright or dark around said portable terminal apparatus, at a predetermined time interval on the basis of a video signal from said camera, a determination of brightness around said portable terminal apparatus being made if a calculated luminance level is greater than a first specified value, and a determination of darkness around said portable terminal apparatus being made if a calculated luminance level is less than or equal to said first specified value, said first specified value being used at least when said determination means makes a determination of brightness after an immediately prior determination of brightness or makes a determination of darkness after an immediately prior determination of darkness; and control means for initially setting an output volume of said audio output means to a predetermined small volume if said determination of brightness is made or a predetermined large volume if said determination of darkness is made and then incrementally controlling to produce a step increase in said output volume of said audio output means by a predetermined value if said determination of darkness is made or a step decrease in said output volume of said audio output means by a predetermined value if said determination of brightness is made.