Patent Abstract:
A mobile information terminal that changes various settings associated with reproduction of a moving image content based on a type of the content so as to reduce power consumption. The mobile information terminal starts a television in response to operation by a user, and receives a moving image content of a selected broadcast program, and EPG data. When a power saving mode is ON, the type of the program is judged according to the EPG data. Subsequently, a default frame rate is changed to a value that has been preset for the program type. Hence, the mobile information terminal reproduces the program at a suitable frame rate. Such a change may be made to settings other than the frame rate.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a mobile information terminal, and more particularly to a mobile information terminal that reproduces moving image contents. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Recently, mobile information terminals such as mobile phones that are equipped with a broadcast receiving function have been prevalent. Such a mobile information terminal enables a received television program to be reproduced by displaying moving images of the program on a screen and by outputting sound of the program to a speaker. 
         [0003]    To reproduce a television program on a mobile phone, electricity is supplied from a battery provided inside the mobile phone. When a frame rate, a speed of frames produced per second to display moving images, of the program is high, the program of clearer pictures and smoother motion is displayed on a screen of the mobile phone. However, the higher the frame rate is, the larger a data volume that is processed per second is, which requires a larger amount of power consumption of the mobile phone. 
         [0004]    An image quality of a conventional mobile phone and the like is predetermined; moving images are displayed at one fixed frame rate. In view of lowering power consumption rather than improving the image quality, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device whose frame rate at which pictures are displayed is selectable by a user. 
       PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-271671 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
     Problems the Invention is Attempting to Solve 
       [0005]    The mobile terminal device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is able to lower power consumption and thus extend viewing time through the frame rate adjustment by the user. 
         [0006]    However, a user needs to make a judgment whether to alter a frame rate to display moving images, which is troublesome operation for the user. 
         [0007]    The present invention is made in view of the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile information terminal that modifies various settings associated with reproduction such as a frame rate so as to reduce power consumption without troubling a user. 
       Means for Solving the Problems 
       [0008]    In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a mobile information terminal that reproduces a moving image content including a type judgment unit operable to judge a type of the moving image content, and a reproduction unit operable to select, according to the type judged by the type judgment unit, one reproducing mode out of a plurality of reproducing modes each associated with reproduction that results in a different level of power consumption, and to reproduce the moving image content in the selected reproducing mode. 
       Technical Advantages of the Invention 
       [0009]    With the above configuration, the mobile information terminal of the present invention enables a moving image content to be reproduced in a reproducing mode that is in accordance with a type of the moving image content. For example, a user makes different display settings in advance for different types of programs according to user&#39;s preferences in order that less power may be consumed for reproducing a program with the user&#39;s preset operation than would otherwise be consumed. As a result, the power consumption can be reduced without bothering the user to adjust the settings while the user is viewing. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the reproduction unit includes a display unit operable to display the moving image content, and the plurality of reproducing modes relate to a plurality of different frame rates for displaying the moving image content on the display unit. 
         [0011]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables the reproduction unit to convert a frame rate for displaying a moving image content according to a type of the content judged by the type judgment unit. Therefore, a user does not need to adjust the frame rate to reduce battery power consumption every time when executing reproduction of a moving image content. For example, for a moving image content with little motion and a low image quality priority, settings may be made to select a low frame rate. As a result, a user is saved a step of adjusting the frame rate, and yet power consumption of the mobile information terminal is reduced. 
         [0012]    When the reproducing modes relate to frame rates, reproducing a moving image content in the selected reproducing mode means that the frame rate, a number of frames to be displayed per second, of the moving image content is altered to a value that corresponds to the type of the content Thus, the content is reproduced at the altered frame rate. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the reproduction unit includes a backlight, and the plurality of reproducing modes relate to a plurality of different luminance levels of the backlight for displaying the moving image content. 
         [0014]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables the reproduction unit to modify the luminance level of the backlight according to the moving image content type judged by the type judgment unit. Thus, for a moving image content that does not require a high image quality, a low luminance level is set so that power consumption of the backlight is reduced without troubling a user to control luminance while the user is viewing the content. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the reproduction unit further includes a sound output unit operable to output sound of the moving image content, the plurality of reproducing modes relate to a plurality of different sound levels for outputting the sound of the moving image content, and according to the type judged by the type judgment unit, the reproduction unit selects a frame rate out of the plurality of frame rates and a sound level out of the plurality of sound levels, and reproduces the moving image content at the selected frame rate and sound level. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the reproduction unit further includes a sound output unit operable to output sound of the moving image content, the plurality of reproducing modes relate to a plurality of different sound levels for outputting the sound of the moving image content, and according to the type judged by the type judgment unit, the reproduction unit selects one luminance level out of the plurality of luminance levels and one sound level out of the plurality of sound levels, and reproduces the moving image content at the selected luminance level and sound level. 
         [0017]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables the reproduction unit to modify the sound level of a moving image content according to a type of the content, as in the case of modification of the frame rate and/or the backlight luminance level. For example, a low sound level is suitable for displaying a moving image content such as a weather report that a user may comprehend more easily through moving images than sound. The preset low sound level ensures reduction of power consumption on playback without bothering the user to control the sound level every time to view the content. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the moving image content is a broadcast program composed of digital broadcasting data, and the type judgment unit judges a type of the broadcast program according to an acquired electronic program guide. 
         [0019]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables a type of the program to be judged based on an acquired electronic program guide when the electronic program guide shows the program type, since the mobile information terminal acquires digital broadcasting program data and an electronic program guide. Accordingly, for example, a frame rate of a program with less image quality priority such as a news program may be preset lower than that with a higher image quality priority such as a TV drama. The program with a lower image quality priority is automatically displayed at the preset low frame rate without troubling a user to be mindful of a program type, and thus power consumption is reduced. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal, wherein the moving image content includes one of stereo sound data and monaural sound data, a type of a broadcast program composed of the moving image content is determined depending on which one of the stereo sound data and the monaural sound data is included, and the type judgment unit judges the type of the broadcast program by distinguishing the stereo sound data from the monaural sound data. 
         [0021]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables the type judgment unit to distinguish stereo sound data from monaural sound data of a moving image content. For instance, images of commercial messages, most of which are composed of monaural sound data, may be displayed at a lower frame rate than regular programs mostly composed of stereo sound data. The abovementioned method is effective on the assumption that general users would regard an image quality of commercial messages as less important than regular programs. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the present invention provides the mobile information terminal further including a battery, and a battery power judgment unit operable to judge whether a battery level is equal to a threshold value or below, and wherein only if the battery power judgment unit judges that the battery level is equal to the threshold value or below, the reproduction unit selects one reproducing mode out of the plurality of reproducing modes according to the type judged by the type judgment unit, and reproduces the moving image content in the selected reproducing mode. 
         [0023]    With the above configuration, the present invention enables the battery power judgment unit to judge whether the battery level of the mobile information terminal is equal to the threshold vale or smaller. Thus, only when the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller, the reproducing mode is modified depending on a type of the moving image content. In a case that the reproducing mode relates to a frame rate, for example, when using the mobile information terminal whose default frame rate is set high, a user can view high-quality images until the battery level gets equal to the threshold value or smaller. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0024]      FIG. 1A  is a functional block diagram of a mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1B  is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2A  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a function setting table of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2B  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a frame rate table of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2C  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a luminance level table of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2D  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a sound level table of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention, 
           [0030]      FIG. 2E  shows the configuration and the exemplary data contents of setting information of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing an operation flow of frame rate conversion by the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing an operation flow of frame rate conversion by the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an operation flow of setting-information modification by the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is an external view of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiments 1, 2 and 3 of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0036]      10  mobile phone 
         [0037]      11  display screen 
         [0038]      12  manual operation button unit 
         [0039]      100  broadcasting reception unit 
         [0040]      110  antenna 
         [0041]      200 ,  201  control unit 
         [0042]      210 ,  2100  display control unit 
         [0043]      211  frame rate conversion unit 
         [0044]      212  luminance level modification unit 
         [0045]      220  type judgment unit 
         [0046]      230  battery power judgment unit 
         [0047]      240  sound output control unit 
         [0048]      300  display unit 
         [0049]      310  backlight 
         [0050]      400  operation unit 
         [0051]      500  speaker 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiment 1  
       [0052]    Following is a description of a mobile phone in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is an external view of the mobile phone in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the mobile phone  10  includes a display screen  11 , and a manual operation button unit  12  such as a numeric key pad. The mobile phone  10  further includes a battery, a tuner for receiving digital broadcasting, and an antenna all of which are embedded therein. To display moving images of a received digital broadcasting program on the display screen  11 , the mobile phone  10  converts a frame rate according to a type of the program. Accordingly the images of the program are presented on the display screen  11  at the converted frame rate. 
       &lt;Configuration&gt; 
       [0055]      FIG. 1A  is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0056]    The mobile phone  10  includes an antenna  110 , a broadcasting reception unit  100 , a control unit  200 , a display unit  300 , and an operation unit  400 . 
         [0057]    The antenna  110  receives broadcasting signals from television stations in response to operation by a user. 
         [0058]    The broadcasting reception unit  100  receives digital broadcasting signals via the antenna  110 . From the digital broadcasting signals, the broadcasting reception unit  100  extracts broadcasting data on a channel selected by the user, and then demodulates the data and conducts error correction on the demodulated data. The broadcasting reception unit  100  classifies the demodulated data into MPEG-2 moving image data and sound data. The digital broadcasting signals include moving image data and electronic program guide (EPG) data. 
         [0059]    The control unit  200 , which is realized by a processor or memory (ROM and RAM), controls each unit of the mobile phone  10 . The control unit  200  includes a display control unit  210 , and a type judgment unit  220 . 
         [0060]    The display control unit  210  includes a frame rate conversion unit  211 . The display control unit  210  decodes the MPEG-2 moving image data and outputs the decoded data to the display unit  300  at a frame rate stored in memory. A frame rate means a number of frames displayed per second; 30 fps indicates 30 frames outputted per second. 
         [0061]    For example, to display moving image data whose original frame rate is 30 fps at a frame rate of 15 fps, the display control unit  210  selects one out of every two successive frames of 30 frames, and sequentially outputs the selected frames of the moving image data to the display unit  300 . 
         [0062]    The frame rate conversion unit  211  converts data of a frame rate in memory based on a judgment result of the type judgment unit  220  and on a frame rate table that is described later in this embodiment. 
         [0063]    The type judgment unit  220  judges the program type of the moving image data according to the EPG data received by the broadcasting reception unit  100 . 
         [0064]    The display unit  300 , which is realized by a liquid crystal display and the like, displays images of the moving image data in response to a control signal from the display control unit  210 . 
         [0065]    The operation unit  400  transmits a signal that corresponds to the user operation of a button in the manual operation button unit  12 . 
       &lt;Data&gt; 
       [0066]      FIG. 2  are tables showing table data stored in memory of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0067]      FIG. 2A  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a function setting table  20  of the mobile phone The function setting table  20  associates a function  21  with a status  22 . The function  21  shows executable functions of the mobile phone  10 . The status  22 , which has been set by a user in advance, shows whether to execute each of the functions. 
         [0068]    When the function table  20  shows that a saving mode is ON, a frame rate is converted on displaying a moving image. 
         [0069]      FIG. 2B  shows configurations and exemplary data contents of a frame rate table  30  of the mobile phone  10 . 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the frame rate table  30  associates a type  31  with a frame rate  32 , and is prestored in memory. A frame rate is set for each type of programs received at the mobile phone  10 . 
         [0071]    Note that the frame rate in this embodiment is set as follows. For a type of a program with little motion and a low image quality priority such as a news program, a low frame rate is set. For another type of a program with a high image quality priority such as a TV drama, the maximum frame rate of the mobile phone  10  is set. 
         [0072]    When the power saving mode is ON in the function setting table  20 , the frame rate table  30  is read by the frame rate conversion unit  211 . 
       &lt;Operation&gt; 
       [0073]    Following is a description of operation of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0074]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing an operation flow of frame rate conversion by the mobile phone  10 . 
         [0075]    Note that, in this embodiment, the maximum frame rate of the mobile phone  10  is 30 fps, which is explained as a default frame rate. 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  200  starts a television, responding to operation of the manual operation button unit  12  by a user (Step S 11 ). The broadcasting reception unit  100  receives, via the antenna  110 , broadcasting signals from a selected television station. 
         [0077]    Subsequently, the broadcasting reception unit  100  acquires moving image data and EPG data by demodulating the broadcasting signals. The broadcasting reception unit  100  transmits the moving image data to the display control unit  210 , and the EPG data to the type judgment unit  220  (Step S 12 ).  The type judgment unit  220 , which receives the EPG data in Step S 12 , reads the function setting table  20  from memory to judge whether the power saving mode is ON (Step S 13 ). 
         [0078]    In Step S 13 , when the type judgment unit  220  judges that the power saving mode is ON (Step S 13 :Y), the type judgment unit  220  judges a program type of the moving image data based on the EPG data, and transmits the judgment result to the frame rate conversion unit  211  (Step S 14 ). 
         [0079]    In Step S 15 , when the frame rate conversion unit  211  judges, based on the judgment result and the frame rate table  30 , that the program type shown in the judgment result requires display at the maximum frame rate (Step S 15 :Y), the frame rate conversion unit  211  converts the frame rate stored in memory to 30 fps (Step S 16 ). Subsequently, referring to the frame rate in memory, the display control unit  210  outputs the demodulated moving image data to the display unit  300  at 30 fps. 
         [0080]    In Step S 13 , when the type judgment unit  220  judges that the power saving mode is not ON, the type judgment unit  220  transmits a signal indicating the judgment result to the frame rate conversion unit  211 . The frame rate conversion unit  211  performs Step S 16 . 
         [0081]    In Step S 15 , when the frame rate conversion unit  211  judges that the type of the program does not require display at the maximum frame rate (Step S 15 :N), the frame rate conversion unit  211  converts the frame rate in memory to 15 fps (Step S 17 ). Subsequently, referring to the frame rate in memory, the display control unit  210  outputs the demodulated moving image data to the display unit  300  at 15 fps. 
       &lt;Example of Operation&gt; 
       [0082]    Following is a description based on the above operation flow of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0083]    Note that, in this description, the frame rate of the mobile phone  10  is set to 30 fps, and a user selects a news program of a certain television station. 
         [0084]    The broadcasting reception unit  100  receives broadcasting signals in response to user operation of the manual operation button unit  12  (Step S 11 ). The broadcasting reception unit  100  extracts broadcasting data that corresponds to a news program transmitted on a selected channel from the signals, and demodulates the data, thereby acquiring moving image data and EPG data. The broadcasting reception unit  100  then transmits these acquired data to the display control unit  210  and the type judgment unit  220  (Step S 12 ). 
         [0085]    Subsequently, the type judgment unit  220  reads the function setting table  20 . Judging the power saving mode is ON, the type judgment unit  220  judges that a program type is a news program based on the EPG data. The type judgment unit  220  transmits the judgment result showing the type to the frame rate Conversion unit  221  (Step S 13 :Y, Step S 14 ). 
         [0086]    Upon receiving the judgment result, the frame rate conversion unit  221  reads the frame rate table  30  from memory, and converts the frame rate stored in memory from 30 fps to 15 fps (Step S 17 ). The display control unit  210  outputs the moving image data of the news program to the display unit  300  at 15 fps. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0087]    In Embodiment 1, the frame rate is converted according to the status of the power saving mode in the function setting table  20  of the mobile phone  10 . In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, however, a frame rate is converted according to a battery level of the mobile phone  10 . 
       &lt;Configuration&gt; 
       [0088]    Following is a description of a mobile phone in accordance with Embodiment 2. 
         [0089]      FIG. 1B  is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Functional units in Embodiment 2 that are different from those in Embodiment 1 are described as follows. 
         [0090]    Note that the mobile phone used in Embodiment 2 is basically identical with the mobile phone  10  in Embodiment  1 . The functional units in Embodiment 2 which are identical with those in Embodiment 1 bear the identical reference numerals with Embodiment 1. 
         [0091]    A battery power judgment unit  230  detects a battery level in the mobile phone  10 , and judges whether the battery level is equal to a predetermined threshold value or smaller. The threshold value of the battery level is stored in memory such as ROM. For instance, 50% of the maximum battery power is set as the threshold value. 
         [0092]    When receiving a signal showing the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller from the battery power judgment unit  230 , the type judgment unit  220  judges a type of a program composed of received moving image data according to EPG data. 
       &lt;Operation&gt; 
       [0093]    Following is a description of operation of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 2. 
         [0094]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing an operation flow of frame rate conversion by the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 2. 
         [0095]    Similarly to Embodiment 1, the broadcasting reception unit  100  starts a television according to a user&#39;s selection of a television station, and thereby receiving broadcasting signals (Step S 21 ), and acquires moving image data and EPG data (Step S 22 ). 
         [0096]    The battery power judgment unit  230  detects the battery level, reads the threshold value in memory such as ROM, and judges whether the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller (Step S 23 ). 
         [0097]    When the battery power judgment unit  230  judges the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller (Step S 23 :Y), and that the power saving mode is ON(Step S 24 :Y), the battery power judgment unit  230  transmits a signal showing the judgment result to the type judgment unit  220 . As in the case of Embodiment 1, the type judgment unit  220  judges the program type according to the EPG data (Step S 25 ). 
         [0098]    When the battery power judgment unit  230  judges that the battery level is larger than the threshold value (Step S 23 :N), the display control unit  210  outputs the moving image data to the display unit  300  at the default frame rate of 30 fps. 
         [0099]    A description of processing after Step S 25  is omitted, as the processing is identical with that of Embodiment 1. 
       Embodiment 3  
       [0100]    Embodiments 1 and 2 are descriptions of frame rate change according to a program type. However, the change is not limited to a frame rate. A luminance level of a backlight or a sound level of a speaker may be changed according to a program type. 
         [0101]    Following is a description of such a change in the luminance level or sound level. 
         [0102]    A mobile information terminal in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention is basically identical with the abovementioned mobile phone  10 . Only functional units that differ from those in Embodiments 1 and 2 are described below. 
       &lt;Configuration&gt; 
       [0103]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3. 
         [0104]    In addition to the identical functional units with those in Embodiment 2, the mobile phone  10  has following features. The mobile phone  10  includes a backlight  310 , and a speaker  500 . A control unit  2010  includes a sound output control unit  240 , and a display control unit  2100  includes a luminance level modification unit  212 . 
         [0105]    The backlight  310  irradiates the display unit  300  that is realized by a liquid crystal display in response to an instruction from the luminance level modification unit  212  that is expounded later in this embodiment. 
         [0106]    The speaker  500  outputs sound received by the broadcasting reception unit  100  at a sound level determined by the sound output control unit  240  that is described later. 
         [0107]    The luminance level modification unit  212  modifies a luminance level that has been preset for a program type judged by the type judgment unit  221 . Accordingly, the backlight  310  irradiates the display unit  300  at the luminance level. 
         [0108]    The sound output control unit  240  converts digital sound data received at the broadcasting reception unit  100  to an analogue signal, and outputs the analogue signal to the speaker  500  at a sound level predetermined for the program type judged by the type judgment unit  221 . 
       &lt;Data&gt; 
       [0109]    In addition to the tables shown in Embodiments 1 and 2, a table stored in memory of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3 is described as follows. 
         [0110]      FIG. 2C  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a luminance level table  40  of the mobile phone  10 . 
         [0111]    The luminance level table  40  stores data associating a type  41  with a luminance level  42 . Similarly to Embodiments 1 and 2, the type  41  shows types of programs. The luminance level  42  shows luminance levels of the backlight  310  set for each program type. 
         [0112]    In Embodiment 3, a luminance level may be set to any level from Levels  5  to  1 . The higher the level is, the higher luminance is. For a news program or a weather report, in Embodiment 3, the luminance level is set lower than that of a movie or a TV drama. 
         [0113]    Note that both the frame rate table  30  and the luminance level table  40  are hereinafter collectively called a “display information table” for convenience. 
         [0114]      FIG. 2D  shows the configurations and exemplary data contents of a sound level table  50  of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3. 
         [0115]    The sound level table  50  stores data associating a type  51  with a sound level  52 . Similarly to Embodiments 1 and 2, the type  51  shows types of programs. The sound level  52  shows sound levels of sound data outputted to the speaker  500 . 
         [0116]    In Embodiment 3, a sound level may be set to any level from Levels  5  to  11  from the maximum to minimum. 
         [0117]      FIG. 2E  shows the configuration and the exemplary data content of setting information table  60  of the mobile phone  10  in accordance with Embodiment 3. 
         [0118]    The setting information table  60  stores data associating a frame rate  61 , a luminance level  62 , and a sound level  63  with one another. 
         [0119]    The frame rate  61  shows a current frame rate. The luminance level  62  shows a current luminance level of the backlight. The sound level  63  shows a current sound level of the speaker  500 . 
         [0120]    All of the frame rate, the luminance level and the sound level are set to the maximum values. Each of the values may be changed for the following reasons: a user changes one or more of the values; or the display control unit  2100  and the sound output control unit  240  change the respective values when a battery level is equal to a threshold value or smaller. 
       &lt;Operation Example&gt; 
       [0121]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an operation flow in accordance with Embodiment 3. Following is a description of an operation example with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0122]    In Embodiment 3, values of the setting information table  60  are preset as shown in  FIG. 2E . The mobile phone  10  receives a program of a weather report in response to operation by a user. When the battery level is equal to a threshold value or smaller, the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level in the setting information table  60  are changed to values set for the program type. Following describes a different processing from that in Embodiments 1 or 2. 
         [0123]    When the battery power judgment unit  230  judges the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller in Step S 33 , and that the power saving mode is ON in Step S 34  (Step S 33 :Y, and Step S 34 :Y), the battery power judgment unit  230  transmits information showing the judgment result to the type judgment unit  220  and the sound output control unit  240 . 
         [0124]    In Step S 35 , the type judgment unit  220  judges that the program type is a weather report, and transmits the judgment result to the display control unit  2100  and the sound output control unit  240 . 
         [0125]    In Step S 36 , the display control unit  2100  reads the display information table from memory. The sound output control unit  240  reads the sound level table  50  from memory. 
         [0126]    In Step S 37 , based on the display information table, the frame rate conversion unit  211  and the luminance level modification unit  212  judge that the values of the frame rate and the luminance level in the setting information table  60  are not identical with the ones set for the weather report. The sound output control unit  240  judges, based on the sound level table  50 , that the value of the sound level in the setting information table  60  is not identical with the one set for the weather report (Step S 37 :Y). 
         [0127]    In Step S 38 , the frame rate conversion unit  211  converts the frame rate from 30 fps to 15 fps. The luminance level modification unit  212  modifies the luminance level from Level  5  to  2 . 
         [0128]    The sound output control unit  240  converts the digital sound data passed from the broadcasting reception unit  100  to an analogue signal, and changes the sound level from Level  5  to  1 . 
       &lt;Supplementary Explanation&gt; 
       [0129]    Hereinbefore, the mobile information terminal in accordance with Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention is described. However, the present invention is never limited to the mobile phone shown in the abovementioned embodiments, and may also be applied in embodiments shown as below. 
         [0130]    (1) Embodiments 1, 2, and 3 describe cases in which the frame rate, the luminance level and/or the sound level are modified according to the type of the digital broadcasting program received at the mobile phone  10 . However, the modification may also be made according to a judgment result of whether a broadcast content is a commercial message. 
         [0131]    Following is an example of a case in which the mobile phone  10  receives an analog broadcasting program. 
         [0132]    The type judgment unit  220  judges whether a type of a sound signal received from a user-selected station is stereo or monaural, and determines that a section of a broadcast content corresponding to the stereo signal is a commercial message. The type judgment unit  220  transmits a signal that indicates whether the sound signal type corresponding to moving images of the broadcast content is stereo or monaural to the frame rate conversion unit  211 . 
         [0133]    A table showing a frame rate, a luminance level, and a sound level set for each of the stereo and monaural signals is stored in memory and such. 
         [0134]    Upon receiving the signal indicating the sound type, the frame rate conversion unit  211 , the luminance level modification unit  212 , and the sound output control unit  240  read the table to specify the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level that are in accordance with the sound signal type. As a result, the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level are changed to the specified values in memory. 
         [0135]    Note that the judgment as to whether a moving image content of digital broadcasting data is a commercial message may be made based on sound information that indicates whether the sound signal is stereo or monaural. The sound information is described by a component descriptor included in an Event Information Table (EIT) of EPG data. 
         [0136]    (2) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the descriptions are made with use of the mobile phone. However, a mobile information terminal such as a Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) that receives television broadcast may replace the mobile phone. 
         [0137]    (3) The embodiments describes a case in which the frame rate is set at either of two levels of 30 fps and 15 fps, and each of the luminance level and the sound level is set at one of five levels. However, the number of the levels of the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level are not limited to those described in the embodiments. As long as setting levels may be altered, the setting may have any number of levels. 
         [0138]    (4) A program that enables a processor of a mobile phone to execute frame rate conversion may be circulated and distributed with a recording medium the program recorded thereon or via a telecommunication line and such. Examples of such a recording medium include an IC card, a hard disk, an optical disc, a flexible disc, a ROM and the like. The circulated and distributed program is made available by storing the program in memory that can be read with the processor. It is when the process or executes the program that the functions of the mobile phone shown in the embodiments are realized. 
         [0139]    (5) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the type of the program is judged according to the EPG data. However, when broadcasting data of a program is attached with information indicating the program requires a high image quality such as a movie or a TV drama, a type of the program may be judged according to the attached information. For example, a program with no such information may be displayed at a lowered frame rate. 
         [0140]    (6) Embodiment 3 describes the following case; it is when the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller that current setting values of the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level may be modified to the values that have been preset for the program type. However, it is applicable to modify setting values in multiple steps. For example when the luminance level changes from Level  5  to  3 , a step-by-step change may be made such as from Level  5  to  4  to  3 . Such a change enables a television program to be reproduced without causing user discomfort such as a sudden decrease in luminance of the backlight and/or in a sound volume of the speaker. 
         [0141]    (7) Embodiments 1 and 2 describe a case where the frame rate is modified according to the program type. Embodiment 3 describes a case in which all of the setting values of the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level are modified. However, only one or two of the setting values may be modified. 
         [0142]    (8) Embodiment 3 describes a case in which all the setting values of the frame rate, the luminance level, and the sound level are modified when the battery level is equal to the threshold value or smaller. However, threshold values of the battery level, for example, may be set at a plural number, and the luminance level, the frame rate, and the sound level may be modified in sequence according to the threshold values. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0143]    The mobile information terminal in accordance with the present invention is applicable to a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone that is able to reproduce moving image contents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8