Control device, terminal device, cradle, notification system, control method, and storage medium

An aspect of the present invention efficiently detects a person in an area surrounding a terminal device. A control section (10) includes: a person detecting section (13) configured to search for and detect a person in an area surrounding a smartphone (1, 3, or 4) with use of image capture data in a case where a target event has occurred in the smartphone; and a command preparing section (15) configured to transmit a rotation instruction to a charging station (2) in a case where a search for the person is to be commenced, the rotation instruction being for repeatedly rotating the charging station while gradually increasing an angle of rotation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to, for example, a control device which controls a terminal device mounted to a rotatable cradle.

BACKGROUND ART

A terminal device such as a mobile phone typically uses audio and images to notify a user of a message requiring notification, such as a received call or email. Recently, techniques have been developed for providing notification of a message via a method other than audio and images. For example, there are techniques in which a cradle to which a mobile terminal is mounted carries out an operation in accordance with a type of target event that has occurred on the mobile terminal.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Regardless of the method used to provide notification of a message, it is important that the notification be provided effectively, with the terminal device facing toward a person in the vicinity of the terminal device. In order to achieve this, it is efficacious to discern, for example, (i) whether or not a person is in the vicinity of the terminal device and (ii) the direction of the person. Various techniques related to searching for and detecting a person have been developed conventionally. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a cradle device which attempts to detect a person in the vicinity of the cradle device while rotating. In a case where the cradle device has detected a person, the cradle device transmits an alert and captures an image.

However, in a case where a terminal device is to detect a person for the purpose of providing some sort of notification, it is even more important that the detection of the person be carried out efficiently. This is because many notifications from the terminal device, such as notification of an incoming phone call, are limited in terms of timing.

An aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problem. An object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide, for example, a control device which makes it possible to efficiently detect a person in an area surrounding a terminal device.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, a control device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a control device which controls a terminal device mounted to a cradle, including: an information acquiring section configured to acquire, in a case where a specific event has occurred in the terminal device, information indicating a state of an area within a predetermined range centered on a direction which the terminal device is facing; a person detecting section configured to search for and detect a person in an area surrounding the terminal device with use of the information; and an instruction transmitting section configured to transmit a first rotation instruction to the cradle in a case where the person detecting section is to commence a search, the first rotation instruction being for rotating the cradle repeatedly while gradually increasing an angle of rotation.

In order to solve the above problem, a method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a method of control for a control device which controls a terminal device mounted to a cradle, the method including the steps of: (a) acquiring, in a case where a specific event has occurred in the terminal device, information indicating a state of an area within a predetermined range centered on a direction which the terminal device is facing; (b) searching for and detecting a person in an area surrounding the terminal device with use of the information; and (c) transmitting a first rotation instruction to the cradle in a case where a search is to be commenced in the step (b), the first rotation instruction being for rotating the cradle repeatedly while gradually increasing an angle of rotation.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An aspect of the present invention makes it possible to efficiently detect a person in an area surrounding a terminal device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following description will discuss Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure in detail. A notification system in accordance with Embodiment 1 includes a terminal device, a control device which controls the terminal device, and a charging station to which the terminal device can be mounted. With reference toFIG. 2, the following description will discuss example external appearances of the terminal device and the charging station.

Overview of Notification System

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a smartphone1and a charging station2which are included in a notification system500in accordance with Embodiment 1. (a) ofFIG. 2illustrates the smartphone1and the charging station2in a state where the smartphone1has been mounted to the charging station2.

The smartphone1is a terminal device which provides notifications to a person in the vicinity of the smartphone1. These notifications are described in detail later, but as one example, the smartphone1uses audio from a speaker to notify a person in the vicinity of the smartphone1of a notification-requiring event which has occurred in the smartphone1or which has been received from another device. The smartphone1may be, for example, a terminal device such as a mobile phone or a tablet PC. The smartphone1includes the control device (control section10; described later) which controls various functions of the smartphone1, such as the above-described audio notifications.

The charging station2is a cradle to which the smartphone1can be mounted. Note that it is not essential for the charging station2to have a charging function. The charging station2is capable of rotating while the smartphone1is mounted to the charging station2. More specifically, the charging station2includes a steadying section210and a housing200. The charging station2may include a cable220for connection to a power source.

The steadying section210is a base portion of the charging station2which steadies the charging station2when the charging station2is placed on, for example, a floor or a desk. The housing200is a portion in which the smartphone1is to be seated. The shape of the housing200is not particularly limited, but is preferably a shape which can reliably hold the smartphone1during rotation. In a state where the housing200holds the smartphone1, the housing200can be rotated by motive force from a motor (motor120, operation section; described later) which is provided inside the housing200. A direction in which the housing200rotates is not particularly limited. The following descriptions assume an example in which the housing200rotates left and right around an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a surface on which the steadying section210is placed.

(b) ofFIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of the charging station2in a state where the smartphone1is not mounted to the charging station2. The housing200includes a connector100for connection with the smartphone1. The charging station2receives various instructions (commands) from the smartphone1via the connector100and operates in accordance with the commands. This will be described in detail later.

Configuration of Main Parts

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of main parts of the smartphone1and the charging station2. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the smartphone1includes a communication section20, a camera30, the control section (control device)10, memory40, a speaker (output section)50, a connector60, and a battery70.

The communication section20carries out communication between the smartphone1and other devices by sending and receiving information. The communication section20transmits to the control section10information received from other devices. As one example, when an incoming call is received from another smartphone, the communication section20notifies the control section10that the incoming call is being received. As another example, when an email is received from another smartphone1, the communication section20notifies the control section10that the email has been received. The camera30is an input device for obtaining information indicating a state of an area surrounding the smartphone1.

The camera30captures still images or moving images of the area surrounding the smartphone1. The camera30carries out image capture at a predetermined time interval and transmits image capture data to an information acquiring section12of the control section10. The camera30is preferably provided so as to face a direction which is the same as at least one of a direction which a display screen of the smartphone1faces and a direction which the speaker of the smartphone1faces. This makes it possible for the camera30to obtain image capture data indicating a state of an area within a predetermined range centered on the direction which the smartphone1is facing (i.e., within a range for which the camera30is capable of image capture).

The control section10carries out overall control of the smartphone1. The control section10includes a target event monitoring section11, the information acquiring section12, a person detecting section (speech direction identifying section)13, an output control section14, and a command preparing section (instruction transmitting section)15.

The target event monitoring section11monitors occurrence and ending of target events. The word “target event” refers to a specific event which has been specified in advance, in the smartphone1, as being an event which a user should be notified of. Examples of target events include placing and receiving a phone call, sending and receiving an email, commencement and termination (completion) of charging of the smartphone1, and notifications from various applications that have been downloaded to the smartphone1.

Once the target event monitoring section11has detected the occurrence of a target event, the target event monitoring section11notifies the information acquiring section12that the target event has occurred and notifies the output control section14of the type of target event that has occurred. Once the target event monitoring section11detects that a target event has ended, the target event monitoring section11notifies the information acquiring section12and the output control section14that the target event has ended.

Note that the target event monitoring section11may constantly monitor the occurrence of target events while the smartphone1is powered on. Alternatively, the target event monitoring section11may skip monitoring the occurrence of target events in a case where the smartphone1is set to a mode in which notification via audio and images is forbidden, such as a silent mode or an power-saving mode.

The information acquiring section12acquires the image capture data. Once the target event monitoring section11notifies the information acquiring section12that a target event has occurred, the information acquiring section12acquires the image capture data from the camera30at a predetermined time interval. Whenever the information acquiring section12acquires the image capture data, the information acquiring section12transmits the image capture data to the person detecting section13. This enables the person detecting section13(described later) to search for a person at substantially the same time as (i) image capture by the camera30and (ii) image capture data acquisition by the information acquiring section12. Once the target event monitoring section11notifies the information acquiring section12that the target event has ended, the information acquiring section12in turn notifies the person detecting section13that the target event has ended.

The information acquiring section12may control turning on and off the camera30. For example, the information acquiring section12may turn on the camera30in a case where the target event monitoring section11has notified the information acquiring section12that a target event has occurred. The information acquiring section12may turn off the camera30in a case where the target event monitoring section11has notified the information acquiring section12that a target event has ended. The information acquiring section12may also turn off the camera30in a case where the person detecting section13has detected a person. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in power consumption by the smartphone1which increase would otherwise be caused by the camera30operating when image capture data is unnecessary (that is, when the below-described search for a person is not being carried out).

The person detecting section13searches for and detects a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1with use of the image capture data. Specifically, the person detecting section13analyzes the image capture data obtained from the information acquiring section12so as to search for a person in that image capture data. In a case where a person is in the image capture data, the person detecting section13detects that person as a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1. A method of analyzing the image capture data is not particularly limited. As one example, it is possible to identify whether or not a person is in the image capture data by using pattern matching to determine whether or not at least a portion of the image capture data matches a pattern image of a person which pattern image is stored in the memory40.

In a case where the person detecting section13is to commence a search for a person (analysis of the image capture data), the person detecting section13notifies the command preparing section15of such. In a case where the person detecting section13has detected a person, the person detecting section13notifies the information acquiring section12and the command preparing section15of such. In a case where the information acquiring section12has notified the person detecting section13that a target event has ended, the person detecting section13ends the search for the person and notifies the command preparing section15that the search has ended.

In the case of a configuration where commencement of search for a person or the detection of a person serves as trigger for the output control section14(described later) to commence audio output, the person detecting section13also notifies the output control section14of the commencement of search for a person or the detection of a person.

The output control section14controls the speaker50to output audio in accordance with the type of target event which the target event monitoring section11provided notification of. The output control section14also controls the speaker50to stop audio output in a case where the target event monitoring section11has notified the output control section14that the target event has ended.

The timing of audio output controlled by the output control section14may be set as appropriate. For example, the output control section14may control audio output to start as soon as the output control section14has received a notification from the target event monitoring section11. As an alternative example, the output control section14may control audio output to start in a case where (i) the output control section14has received a notification from the target event monitoring section11and (ii) the person detecting section13has commenced a search for a person. As another alternative example, the output control section14may control audio output to start in a case where (i) the output control section14has received a notification from the target event monitoring section11and (ii) the person detecting section13has detected a person.

The command preparing section15prepares an instruction (command) for the charging station2and transmits the instruction to the charging station2. In a case where the person detecting section13has notified the command preparing section15that the person detecting section13is to commence a search for a person, the command preparing section15prepares a rotation instruction (first rotation instruction), which is an instruction for causing the housing200of the charging station2to rotate. The command preparing section15then transmits the rotation instruction to the charging station2via the connector60. In a case where the person detecting section13has notified the command preparing section15that the person detecting section13has detected a person, the command preparing section15prepares a subtle rotation instruction (second rotation instruction), which is an instruction for causing the housing200of the charging station2to make a subtle rotation. The command preparing section15then transmits the subtle rotation instruction to the charging station2via the connector60.

Details of the terms “rotation” and “subtle rotation” are as follows. In Embodiment 1, “rotation” refers to causing the housing200of the charging station2to freely rotate within the range of possible rotation angle of the housing200. As described above, the command preparing section15transmits a rotation instruction in a case where a search for a person is to be commenced. As such, the command preparing section15may, for example, transmit to the charging station2a rotation instruction which causes the housing200to rotate through the widest possible angle of rotation, such that the camera30can capture images throughout the widest possible range.

In contrast, the term “subtle rotation” at least indicates rotation in a mode of rotation which mode differs from that of the above “rotation”. For example, the command preparing section15may transmit to the charging station2a subtle rotation instruction which is for causing the housing200to rotate through an angle of rotation which is (i) smaller than the angle of rotation instructed by the rotation instruction and (ii) measured with respect to the direction that the housing200faces when the person detecting section13detects the person. Controlling the charging station2to make a subtle rotation allows the smartphone1to more easily make a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1aware of a notification.

Furthermore, when the person detecting section13has detected a person, the command preparing section15may transmit a stop instruction that instructs the charging station2to stop the rotation which is being carried out in accordance with the rotation instruction. Because it is not essential for the charging station2to rotate after a person has been detected, transmitting the stop instruction makes it possible to prevent the charging station2from rotating unnecessarily. The direction that the housing200of the charging station2faces when the housing200stops after the command preparing section15has transmitted the stop instruction and may be considered to be the direction that housing200faces when the person detecting section13detects the person. Furthermore, the command preparing section15may transmit a subtle rotation instruction for causing the housing200to repeatedly rotate left and right through a predetermined angle of rotation which is measured with respect to the direction that the housing200faced when it was stopped.

Controlling the charging station2to make a subtle rotation in this way enables the smartphone1to control the charging station2to repeatedly rotate through an angle of rotation measured with respect to a direction of the person. This makes it possible to cause the smartphone1to, for example, appear as if the smartphone1is moving in a manner similar to shaking one's head while facing the person. This allows the smartphone1to more easily make a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1aware of a notification. Note that the command preparing section15prepares the stop instruction and transmits the stop instruction to the charging station2also in a case where the person detecting section13has notified the command preparing section15that the search for the person is to be ended.

The memory40stores various types of data used in the smartphone1. The memory40may store, for example, a pattern image of a person which the person detecting section uses for pattern matching, audio data for output controlled by the output control section14, and templates for commands to be prepared by the command preparing section15. The speaker50is an output device which outputs audio in response to control by the output control section14.

The connector60is an interface for an electrical connection between the smartphone1and the charging station2. The battery70is a power source of the smartphone1. The connector60sends to the battery70power obtained from the charging station2, so that the battery70is charged. Note that a method of connecting the connector60and the connector100of the charging station2(described later) is not particularly limited. The respective physical shapes of the connector60and the connector100are not particularly limited. Each of these connectors can be embodied in the form of, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) terminal.

Configuration of Main Parts of the Charging Station2

As illustrated in the drawings, the charging station2includes the connector100, a microcomputer (instruction receiving section)110, and the motor (operation section)120. The charging station2can be connected to, for example, a home electrical outlet or a power source (not illustrated) such as a battery via the cable220.

The connector100is an interface for an electrical connection between the charging station2and the smartphone1. In a case where the charging station2is connected to a power source, the connector100sends, via the connector60of the smartphone1to the battery70, power obtained from the power source by the charging station2, so that the battery70is charged.

The microcomputer110carries out overall control of the charging station2. The microcomputer110receives commands from the smartphone1via the connector100. The microcomputer110controls operations of the motor120in accordance with received commands. Specifically, in a case where the microcomputer110has received the rotation instruction from the smartphone1, the microcomputer110controls the motor120in a manner so as to rotate the housing200. In a case where the microcomputer110has received the subtle rotation instruction from the smartphone1, the microcomputer110controls the motor120in a manner so that the housing200makes a subtle rotation.

The motor120is a motor for rotating the housing200. The motor120operates or stops in accordance with control from the microcomputer110so as to rotate or stop the housing200.

Target Event Notification

Each of (a) to (c) ofFIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example operation of the smartphone1and the charging station2in a case where the smartphone1receives an incoming communication. In a case where an incoming communication is being received from, for example, another smartphone1, the communication section20notifies the control section10of the incoming communication. The target event monitoring section11of the control section10then notifies the information acquiring section12that a target event has occurred and notifies the output control section14of the type of the target event (i.e., receipt of incoming communication). Upon receiving the notification, the output control section14controls the speaker50to output a ringtone. Thereafter, the output control section14causes the ringtone to be outputted until the receipt of the incoming communication has ended (until the output control section14received notification from the target event monitoring section11that the receipt of the incoming communication has ended) ((a) ofFIG. 3).

Once the information acquiring section12receives from the target event monitoring section11the notification that the target event has occurred, the information acquiring section12turns on the camera30, acquires image capture data, and transmits the image capture data to the person detecting section13. Upon obtaining the image capture data, the person detecting section13notifies the command preparing section15that a search for a person is to be started. In response to the notification, the command preparing section15transmits a rotation instruction to the microcomputer110of the charging station2. Upon receiving the rotation instruction, the microcomputer110of the charging station2starts up the motor120in accordance with the instruction. This causes the housing200of the charging station2to commence rotating in accordance with the rotation instruction ((a) ofFIG. 3).

Because the smartphone1is mounted to the housing200, once the housing200begins rotating, the image capture angle of the camera30also changes in along with the rotation. For example, in a case where the housing200rotates 180°, the camera30continuously captures images (or a video) of the vicinity of the smartphone1through approximately 180°. The camera30constantly transmits resulting image capture data to the person detecting section13. This enables the person detecting section13to detect a person in the vicinity of the smartphone1(for example, a user x inFIG. 3) from image capture data of differing ranges ((b) ofFIG. 3).

Once the person detecting section13has detected the user x, the command preparing section15prepares a subtle rotation instruction and transmits the subtle rotation instruction to the charging station2. The microcomputer110of the charging station2causes the housing200to make a subtle rotation in accordance with the instruction. For example, the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate through an angle which is (i) smaller than that of the rotations of (a) to (b) ofFIG. 3and (ii) measured with respect to a direction which the housing200was facing when the person detecting section13detected a person (in other words, the direction the housing200was facing when the subtle rotation instruction was received) ((c) ofFIG. 3).

This makes it possible to provide notification of the occurrence of a target event (i.e., receipt of an incoming communication) by use of audio from the speaker50, while the smartphone1is searching for a person. As such, the smartphone1makes it possible to more easily make a person (user x) in the area surrounding the smartphone1aware of a notification.

Each of (a) to (c) ofFIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example operation of the smartphone1and the charging station2in a case where the smartphone1(or an application downloaded to the smartphone1) is to carry out a notification regarding charging. Note that the following description omits explanation of operations of the smartphone1and the charging station2that are similar to those carried out in (a) to (c) ofFIG. 3.

The example illustrated in (a) to (c) ofFIG. 4differs from the example illustrated in (a) to (c) ofFIG. 3in terms of the timing of audio output controlled by the output control section14. In the example ofFIG. 4, once the output control section14receives notification of commencement of charging from the target event monitoring section11, the output control section14carries out control to output audio indicating the commencement of charging ((a) ofFIG. 4). Thereafter, the control section10carries out a search for a person ((b) ofFIG. 4) in the same manner as in (b) ofFIG. 3. Note that in the case of (b) ofFIG. 4, it is not necessary for the output control section14to cause the audio to be outputted while the search for the person is being carried out.

Once the person detecting section13has detected the user x, the person detecting section13notifies the output control section14that the user x has been detected. The output control section14then controls the speaker50to output audio indicating the current amount of power which has been charged (in other words, the remaining power level of the battery) ((c) ofFIG. 4). At this time, a subtle rotation instruction from the command preparing section15causes the charging station2to make a subtle rotation. As such, it is possible for the output control section14to carry out control so that audio is outputted along with the subtle rotation.

In this case, the smartphone1provides notification of the occurrence of a target event via audio from the speaker50when a person has been detected. This enables the smartphone1to reliably notify a person (user x) in the area surrounding the smartphone1of a target event that has occurred.

Note that the command preparing section15may transmit a stop instruction to the charging station2concurrently with audio output from the speaker50, and then, after the audio output has ended, once again transmit a subtle rotation instruction. In other words, the control section10may provide notification to the user by causing the subtle rotation of the charging station2and audio output from the speaker50of the smartphone1to be carried out in an alternating manner.

Process Flow

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process carried out by the smartphone1and the charging station2for rotating the charging station2. The process ofFIG. 5is carried out in a case where a target event occurs in the smartphone1.

Once a target event occurs in the smartphone1, the target event monitoring section11of the control section10detects the occurrence of the target event and notifies the information acquiring section12and the output control section14. Upon receiving the notification, the information acquiring section12turns on the camera30and acquires image capture data (S100, information acquiring step). The person detecting section13commences a search for a person at substantially the same time the camera30is turned on (S101, person searching step). Once the person detecting section13commences the search for a person, the command preparing section15prepares a rotation instruction and transmits the rotation instruction to the charging station2(S102, instruction transmitting step). Once the microcomputer110of the charging station2receives the rotation instruction (S104), the microcomputer110controls the motor120to operate in accordance with the instruction so that the housing200commences rotating (S106). Thereafter, the microcomputer110continues to control the motor120in accordance with the rotation instruction until the microcomputer110receives a further instruction from the command preparing section15.

The person detecting section13searches for and detects a person by acquiring and analyzing image capture data indicating the vicinity of the smartphone1(S108). In a case where the person detecting section13fails to detect a person from the acquired image capture data (“NO” in S108), the person detecting section13waits to receive the next image capture data from the information acquiring section12. In a case where the person detecting section13has detected a person from the acquired image capture data (“YES” in S108), the person detecting section13notifies the information acquiring section12and the command preparing section15that a person has been detected. Upon receiving the notification, the information acquiring section12turns off the camera30(S110).

Once the command preparing section15receives the notification that the person detecting section13has detected a person, the command preparing section15prepares a subtle rotation instruction and transmits the subtle rotation instruction to the charging station2(S112). Once the microcomputer110of the charging station2receives the subtle rotation instruction (S114), the microcomputer110control the motor120to operate in accordance with the instruction so that the housing200makes a subtle rotation (S116). Thereafter, the microcomputer110continues to control the motor120in accordance with the subtle rotation instruction until the microcomputer110receives a further instruction from the command preparing section15.

Thereafter, the control section10waits until the target event monitoring section11detects that the target event has ended (i.e., waits while the result is “NO” in S118). Once the target event monitoring section11detects that the target event has ended (“YES” in S118), the output control section14controls the speaker50to stop outputting audio. Furthermore, the command preparing section15prepares a stop instruction and transmits the stop instruction to the charging station2(S120). The microcomputer110of the charging station2receives the stop instruction (S122) and stops the motor120in accordance with the instruction so that the housing200stops rotating (S124).

The above process makes it possible for the person detecting section13to search for (detect) a person with use of image capture data obtained while the smartphone1faces differing directions. Furthermore, in a case where a person has been detected, the smartphone1does the following: (i) control the charging station2to make a subtle rotation, which is a mode of rotation that differs from the rotation carried out during the search for a person; and (ii) control the speaker50to output audio. As such, the smartphone1is able to use a combination of audio and a rotation operation by the charging station2to notify a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1, i.e., a person who is presumed to be the user, that a target event has occurred. The smartphone1therefore makes it possible to more effectively provide notification of various information.

Note that in a case where the person detecting section13fails to detect a person (“NO” in S108) and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the person detecting section13may end the detection of the person and notify the command preparing section15that the detection has ended. The command preparing section15may then prepare and transmit a stop instruction (S120), and the microcomputer110of the charging station2may accordingly control the motor120to stop (S122to S124).

In a case where a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after the command preparing section15transmits the subtle rotation instruction (S112), the command preparing section15may prepare and transmit a stop instruction (S120), and the microcomputer110of the charging station2may accordingly control the motor120to stop (S122to S124).

Note that the smartphone1in accordance with Embodiment 1 may include another input device such as a sensor, in addition to or instead of the camera30. This other input device may obtain information indicating a state of the vicinity of the smartphone1and transmit the information to the information acquiring section12.

For example, the smartphone1may include a microphone in addition to or instead of the camera30. The information acquiring section12may acquire audio recording data which is created by the microphone making an audio recording of sound produced in a certain range around the smartphone1. In a case where the audio recording data (and image capture data) includes human speech, the person detecting section13may consider that a person has been detected in the area surrounding the smartphone1.

A control device in accordance with the present disclosure may receive audio input and identify a direction from which the audio emanated. Furthermore, the control device may commence rotation of a housing of a cradle from a position at which the housing faces the direction thus identified. The following description will discuss Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7. For convenience, in the embodiments described below, members similar in function to those described in Embodiment 1 will be given the same reference signs, and their description will be omitted.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts of a smartphone3and a charging station2in accordance with Embodiment 2. The smartphone3in accordance with Embodiment 2 differs from the smartphone1described in the above embodiments by including a microphone80. The microphone80is a device for making an audio recording of speech produced in a certain range in the area surrounding the smartphone3. The microphone80makes an audio recording of sound produced in the area surrounding the smartphone3and transmits audio recording data to an information acquiring section12. The microphone80may be constantly on, or may be turned on and off in accordance with instructions from a control section10.

The information acquiring section12transmits the audio recording data, obtained from the microphone80, to a person detecting section13. The person detecting section13analyzes the audio recording data received from the information acquiring section12and determines whether or not the audio recording data includes speech by a person. In a case where the audio recording data does include speech by a person, the person detecting section13further identifies a direction from which the speech was produced (for example, an angle formed by (i) the direction which the smartphone3and the charging station2are facing and (ii) the origin of the speech). The method used for analyzing the audio recording data may be a conventional method.

The person detecting section13then notifies a command preparing section15of the following: (i) information indicating the direction from which the speech was produced; and (ii) that the person detecting section13will commence a search for a person. Upon receiving these notifications, the command preparing section15prepares a rotation instruction and transmits the rotation instruction to a microcomputer110of the charging station2. The rotation instruction prepared at this time includes the information indicating the direction from which the speech was produced.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example operation of the smartphone3and the charging station2in a case where a user y who is in the area surrounding the smartphone3has spoken. In a case where the user y speaks in the vicinity of the smartphone3((a) ofFIG. 7), the microphone80makes an audio recording of the speech, and the person detecting section13identifies, from the audio recording data, a direction of the user y. The command preparing section15then transmits to the microcomputer110a rotation instruction which includes information indicating the direction thus identified. The microcomputer110then causes the housing200to commence rotating from a position at which the housing200faces the direction indicated by the rotation instruction, i.e., a direction of the user y ((b) ofFIG. 7). The operations of (c) and (d) ofFIG. 7carried out thereafter are similar to the operations of (b) and (c) ofFIG. 4.

Note that the target event monitoring section11may recognize the detection of speech by the microphone80as being an event that has occurred. For example, in a case where (i) the microphone80has made an audio recording of a question from the user such as that shown in (a) ofFIG. 7, and (ii) the control section10analyzes the audio recording and identifies an answer in response to the content of the question, the target event monitoring section11may recognize the answer as being an event that has occurred. Then, as illustrated in (d) ofFIG. 7, the output control section14may carry out control so as to output audio that is an answer to the content of speech by the user y.

A control device in accordance with the present disclosure may transmit, as a rotation instruction to a cradle, an instruction that instructs the cradle to repeatedly rotate while gradually changing the angle of rotation. The following description will discuss Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9. A control section10in accordance with Embodiment 3 differs from the control section10of Embodiment 1 in that, in the former, a command preparing section15transmits a rotation instruction for causing a housing200to rotate repeatedly while gradually increasing the angle of rotation.

The rotation instruction includes, for example, a designation of a direction of rotation (left or right, in Embodiment 3) and a designation of an angle of rotation. A microcomputer110may control a motor120so that the housing200rotates in the direction designated in the rotation instruction and through the angle designated in the rotation instruction.

For example, the rotation instruction enables rotation as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9.FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example of rotation by the housing200of the charging station2in accordance with Embodiment 3.FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a flow of a process carried out by the microcomputer110which has received the rotation instruction. Note that the rotation angles and rotation directions discussed in the following descriptions are merely examples which do not serve to limit the how the housing200rotates.

First, the microcomputer110causes a smartphone1or smartphone3to rotate 45° toward the right, around an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a surface on which the cradle is placed ((a) ofFIG. 8and S200ofFIG. 9). Thereafter, the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate 90° in the opposite direction, i.e., toward the left ((b) ofFIG. 8and S202ofFIG. 9). In other words, the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate through a predetermined angle (45°) both to the left and to the right, the predetermined angle being measured with respect to a position of the housing200at commencement of rotation (a position of the housing200at commencement of search).

In a case where the microcomputer110does not receive a stop instruction during these rotations (that is, in a case where the person detecting section13fails to detect a person), the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate to the left through a maximum angle possible (that is, rotate to a left end) ((c) ofFIG. 8and S204ofFIG. 9).

In a case where the microcomputer110does not receive a stop instruction during the rotation illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 8and S204ofFIG. 9, the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate to the right through a maximum angle possible (that is, rotate to a right end). In other words, the microcomputer110causes the housing200to rotate from the left end to the right end ((d) ofFIG. 8and S206ofFIG. 9).

Note that the microcomputer110may increase the speed of rotation of the housing200in places where the range of rotation is redundant. This makes it possible for the camera30of the smartphone1or the smartphone3to more quickly capture images of a wide range. It is therefore possible for the person detecting section13to more quickly detect a person. Furthermore, the command preparing section15may transmit to the charging station2a single rotation instruction which includes all instructions for the series of rotation operations illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9. Alternatively, the command preparing section15may divide these instructions, for example, in accordance with each step ofFIG. 9.

In a case where there is a person in the image capture range of the camera30, image capture data will include that person. Because the direction which the smartphone1faces changes along with rotation of the charging station2, the image capture range of the camera30also changes along with the rotation. In this way, the person detecting section13searches for and detects a person from image capture data which changes in accordance with the direction which the smartphone1faces. In a case where a direction of a person is not far off from the direction which the charging station2faces at commencement of rotation, controlling the charging station2to repeatedly rotate while gradually increasing the angle of rotation makes it possible to more quickly detect the person, as compared to a configuration in which, for example, the charging station2begins by rotating through a maximum angle possible. In other words, the smartphone1makes it possible to efficiently detect a person in the area surrounding the smartphone1.

Typically, the charging station2will often be placed on, for example, a floor or a desk. As such, it can be presumed that a person is located in a position which, in terms of a vertical direction, is not far off as viewed from the charging station2and the smartphone1(that is, a position at which the person can be detected without the need for rotation in the vertical direction). In the above-described process, the person detecting section13searches for a person while the direction that the smartphone1faces is shifted left and right. The process therefore makes it possible to detect the person more efficiently.

In a case where a direction of a person is not far off from the direction which the charging station2faces at commencement of rotation, the above process makes it possible for the person detecting section13to more quickly detect the person, as compared to a configuration in which the charging station2begins by rotating through a maximum angle possible. Furthermore, after the charging station2has been rotated over a span of 90° in the left and right directions, the charging station2is then controlled to rotate through the maximum angle possible (180°), so that the search is performed thoroughly. This makes it possible to detect a person even in a case where the direction of the person is far off from the direction which the charging station2faces at commencement of rotation.

A terminal device in accordance with the present disclosure may include a proximity sensor. A control device in accordance with the present disclosure may be configured such that, in a case where the proximity sensor has detected that a user has come into proximity, the control device transmits to a cradle a stop instruction for stopping rotation of the cradle. The following description will discuss Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure with reference toFIGS. 10 to 12.

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main parts of a smartphone4and a charging station2in accordance with Embodiment 4. The smartphone4in accordance with Embodiment 4 differs from the smartphone1and3of the foregoing embodiments in that the former includes a touch panel90as an example of a proximity sensor. Upon detecting a touch input which a user has carried out on a detection surface, the touch panel90transmits, to a control section10, information indicating the input.

In a case where the control section10has received, from the touch panel90, the information indicating the input, the control section10determines that a person has come into proximity to the smartphone4. Furthermore, in a case where the control section10has determined that a person has come into proximity at a point in time that is (i) after a command preparing section15has transmitted a rotation instruction or a subtle rotation instruction and (ii) before the command preparing section15has transmitted a stop instruction, the command preparing section15prepares and transmits a stop instruction. In a case where the command preparing section15has transmitted the stop instruction while a person detecting section13is carrying out a search for a person, the person detecting section13stops the search.

Each of (a) to (c) ofFIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example operation of the smartphone4and a charging station2in a case where a user z has touched the smartphone4while the charging station2is rotating or making a subtle rotation. In a case where while the charging station2is rotating or making a subtle rotation ((a) ofFIG. 11) the user z touches the touch panel90((b) ofFIG. 11), the touch panel90transmits, to the control section10, information indicating the touch input. Once the control section10has received the information indicating the touch input, the command preparing section15prepares a stop instruction and transmits the stop instruction to the charging station2. A microcomputer110then stops the rotation or subtle rotation of the housing200in accordance with the stop instruction ((c) ofFIG. 11). Note that in a case where the control section10has received the information indicating the touch input, an output control section14may control a speaker50to stop audio output. Furthermore, in a case where the control section10has received the information, the command preparing section15may prepare and transmit, instead of the stop instruction, an instruction (speed reduction instruction) for causing the housing200to rotate at a speed which is slower than a rotation speed specified in the rotation instruction. The microcomputer110may then reduce the rotation speed of the housing200in accordance with the instruction.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating a flow of another example process carried out by the smartphone4and the charging station2for rotating the charging station2. The flowchart ofFIG. 12differs from the flowchart ofFIG. 5described for Embodiment 1 in that the former includes steps S308and S320. Note that steps other than S308and S320are similar to those in the flowchart ofFIG. 5, and thus a description of such is omitted here. Steps S300to S306correspond to steps S100to S106. Steps S310to S318correspond to steps S108to S116. Steps S322to S328correspond to steps S118to S124.

During a period which is (i) after the command preparing section15has transmitted a rotation instruction (S302) and (ii) until the person detecting section13detects a person (“YES” in S310), in a case where the touch panel90has detected no touch (touch input) (“NO” in S308), the process carried out by the smartphone4proceeds similarly to that illustrated inFIG. 5. However, in a case where the touch panel90has detected a touch (touch input) (“YES” in S308), the command preparing section15of the control section10prepares a stop instruction and transmits the stop instruction to the charging station2(S324). The microcomputer110then stops the rotation or subtle rotation (or reduces rotation speed) of the housing200in accordance with the stop instruction (S326to S328).

During a period which is (i) after the command preparing section15has transmitted a subtle rotation instruction (S314) and (ii) until the target event monitoring section11detects that the target event has ended (S322), in a case where the touch panel90has detected no touch (touch input) (“NO” in S320), the process carried out by the smartphone4proceeds similarly to that illustrated inFIG. 5. However, in a case where the touch panel90has detected a touch (touch input) (“YES” in S320), the command preparing section15of the control section10prepares a stop instruction and transmits the stop instruction to the charging station2(S324). The microcomputer110then stops the rotation or subtle rotation (or reduces rotation speed) of the housing200in accordance with the stop instruction (S326to S328).

Note that the smartphone4may include a proximity sensor such as an infrared sensor, in addition to or instead of the touch panel90. With such a configuration, the control section10may detect a person based on information received from the proximity sensor, and in a case where a person is detected, the command preparing section15may prepare and transmit a stop instruction (or a speed reduction instruction). Furthermore, the smartphone4may include a microphone as a proximity sensor. With such a configuration, in a case where audio recording data from the microphone includes speech, the control section10may determine that a person has been detected, and the command preparing section15may prepare and transmit a stop instruction.

For example, in a case where a person suddenly removes the terminal device from the cradle, if the cradle is rotating, there may be an impact between the terminal device and the cradle, and the terminal device may be dropped. The above process, however, makes it possible to prevent such an impact and drop and makes it possible for a person to safely remove the terminal device from the cradle. Furthermore, in a case where the command preparing section15transmits a stop instruction, the charging station2is prevented from rotating unnecessarily when a person is already in proximity to the smartphone4(when the person is already aware of the notification from the smartphone4). This makes it possible to reduce power consumption by the charging station2.

While the charging station2is rotating or making a subtle rotation, the output control section14may control the speaker50to output audio which prompts a person to carry out an input operation on the touch panel90. More specifically, the output control section14may, for example, control the speaker50to output audio which prompts the user to first touch the touch panel90before removing the smartphone4from the charging station2.

This configuration makes it possible to prevent a person from grasping the charging station2or attempting to remove the smartphone4from the charging station2while the charging station2is rotating or making a subtle rotation. The configuration therefore makes it possible to prevent an impact or drop when the smartphone4is being removed from the charging station2, and makes it possible for a person to safely remove the smartphone4. The above-described prompting via audio also makes it possible to quickly make a person in the area surrounding the smartphone4aware of a notification.

Variations

The charging station2may include a speaker and an output control section. In such a case, the charging station2may receive from the command preparing section15an instruction for audio output and carry out operations similar to those of the speaker50and the output control section14of the smartphone1,3, or4.

Furthermore, instead of transmitting the rotation instruction, the subtle rotation instruction, and the stop instruction, the command preparing section15may transmit to the microcomputer110of the charging station2, for example, information indicating that a target event has occurred or ended, information indicating that detection of a person has commenced or been terminated, and information indicating that a person has been detected. The microcomputer110may then (i) determine, in accordance with the information, whether the housing200should rotate, make a subtle rotation, or stop, and (ii) control the motor120in accordance with the determination thus made.

Software Implementation Example

Control blocks of the control section10can be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) provided in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like or can be alternatively realized by software as executed by a central processing unit (CPU).

In the latter case, the control section10includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software realizing the foregoing functions; a read only memory (ROM) or a storage device (each referred to as “storage medium”) in which the program and various kinds of data are stored so as to be readable by a computer (or a CPU); and a random access memory (RAM) in which the program is loaded. An object of the present invention can be achieved by a computer (or a CPU) reading and executing the program stored in the storage medium. Examples of the storage medium encompass “a non-transitory tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, and a programmable logic circuit. The program can be made available to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) which allows the program to be transmitted. Note that the present invention can also be achieved in the form of a computer data signal in which the program is embodied via electronic transmission and which is embedded in a carrier wave.

A control device (control section10) in accordance with Aspect 1 of the present invention is a control device which controls a terminal device (smartphone1,3, or4) mounted to a cradle (charging station2), including: an information acquiring section (information acquiring section12) configured to acquire, in a case where a specific event (target event) has occurred in the terminal device, information indicating a state of an area within a predetermined range centered on a direction which the terminal device is facing; a person detecting section (person detecting section13) configured to search for and detect a person in an area surrounding the terminal device with use of the information; and an instruction transmitting section (command preparing section15) configured to transmit a first rotation instruction (rotation instruction) to the cradle in a case where the person detecting section is to commence a search, the first rotation instruction being for rotating the cradle repeatedly while gradually increasing an angle of rotation.

In a case where a person is in the predetermined range, the presence of the person will be expressed in some manner in the information indicating the state. For example, in a case where the information is image capture data from a camera, if the person is in the predetermined range (that is, the image capture range of the camera), the person will be in the image capture data. Because the direction which the terminal device faces changes along with rotation of the cradle, the predetermined range also changes along with the rotation.

The person detecting section searches for and detects a person with use of such information, which information indicates the state of the range which range changes in accordance with the direction that the terminal device faces. In a case where a direction of a person is not far off from the direction which the cradle faces at commencement of rotation, controlling the cradle to repeatedly rotate while gradually increasing the angle of rotation makes it possible to more quickly detect the person, as compared to a configuration in which, for example, the cradle begins by rotating through a maximum angle possible. In other words, the control device makes it possible to efficiently detect a person in the area surrounding the terminal device.

In Aspect 2 of the present invention, the control device in accordance with Aspect 1 may be configured such that the first rotation instruction includes an instruction which instructs the cradle to rotate left and right around an axis which is substantially perpendicular to a surface on which the cradle is placed, in a manner such that the cradle rotates both left and right through a predetermined angle of rotation which is measured with respect to a direction which the cradle faces at commencement of the search.

Typically, the cradle will often be placed on, for example, a floor or a desk. As such, it can be presumed that a person is located in a position which, in terms of a vertical direction, is not far off as viewed from the cradle and the terminal device (that is, a position at which the person can be detected without the need for rotation in the vertical direction). With the above configuration, the control device searches for a person while the direction that the terminal device faces is shifted left and right. This makes it possible to detect the person more efficiently.

In Aspect 3 of the present invention, the control device in accordance with Aspect 2 may be configured such that the first rotation instruction includes an instruction which instructs the cradle to rotate left and right through a largest possible angle of rotation after the cradle has rotated both left and right through the predetermined angle of rotation.

In a case where a direction of a person is not far off from the direction which the cradle faces at commencement of rotation, the above configuration makes it possible for the person detecting section to more quickly detect the person, as compared to a configuration in which the cradle begins by rotating through a maximum angle possible. Furthermore, after the cradle has been rotated through the predetermined angle, the cradle is then controlled to rotate through the maximum angle possible, so that the search for the person is performed thoroughly. This makes it possible to detect a person even in a case where the direction of the person is far off from the direction which the cradle faces at commencement of rotation.

In Aspect 4 of the present invention, the control device in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 through 3 may be configured to further include: a speech direction identifying section (control section10) configured to identify a direction from which speech detected by the terminal device was produced, the first rotation instruction including an instruction which instructs the cradle to commence rotation from a position at which the cradle faces the direction identified by the speech direction identifying section.

The above configuration makes it possible for the cradle to commence rotation from a position at which the cradle faces a direction from which speech was produced, i.e., a direction which is likely to be the direction of the person. The control device therefore makes it possible to efficiently detect a person in the area surrounding the terminal device.

In Aspect 5 of the present invention, the control device in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 through 4 may be configured such that the instruction transmitting section is configured to transmit, in a case where the person detecting section has detected the person, a stop instruction for stopping rotation of the cradle as instructed by the first rotation instruction.

With the above configuration, the control device is able to stop rotation of the cradle in a state where the terminal device faces the direction of the detected person. Furthermore, because it is not essential for the cradle to rotate after a person has been detected, transmitting the stop instruction makes it possible to prevent the cradle from rotating unnecessarily.

A terminal device (smartphone1,3, or4) in accordance with Aspect 6 of the present invention includes the control device in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 through 5. The above configuration brings about effects similar to those of the control device of Aspect 1.

A cradle (charging station2) in accordance with Aspect 7 of the present invention includes: an instruction receiving section (microcomputer110) configured to receive instructions from the control device (control section10) of any one of Aspects 1 through 5; and an operation section (motor120) configured to cause a housing (housing200) of the cradle to rotate in accordance with instructions received by the instruction receiving section, in a state where the terminal device is mounted to the housing. The above configuration brings about effects similar to those of the control device of Aspect 1.

A notification system (notification system500) in accordance with Aspect 8 of the present invention includes: the control device (control section10) in accordance with any one of Aspects 1 through 5; the terminal device (smartphone1,3, or4) in accordance with Aspect 6; and the cradle (charging station2) in accordance with Aspect 7. The above configuration brings about effects similar to those of the control device of Aspect 1.

A method in accordance with Aspect 9 of the present invention is a method of control for a control device (control section10) which controls a terminal device (smartphone1,3, or4) mounted to a cradle (charging station2), the method including the steps of: (a) acquiring, in a case where a specific event (target event) has occurred in the terminal device, information indicating a state of an area within a predetermined range centered on a direction which the terminal device is facing (S100); (b) searching for and detecting a person in an area surrounding the terminal device with use of the information (S101); and (c) transmitting a first rotation instruction (rotation instruction) to the cradle in a case where a search is to be commenced in the step (b), the first rotation instruction being for rotating the cradle repeatedly while gradually increasing an angle of rotation (S102). The above method brings about effects similar to those of the control device of Aspect 1.

A control device in accordance with each aspect of the present invention can be realized by a computer. The computer is operated based on (i) a control program for causing the computer to realize the control device by causing the computer to operate as each section (software element) included in the control device and (ii) a computer-readable storage medium in which the control program is stored. Such a control program and a computer-readable storage medium are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments. Further, it is possible to form a new technical feature by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

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