Portable terminal, control method, and program

Abstract

To enable a user to recognize that an answer to a question can be displayed even when the user looks aside from a display section.SOLUTION: A control section 11 of a portable terminal 1 causes a display section 14 to display a question and an answer to the question in order. The control section 11 determines whether a user visually recognizes the display section 14 at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after the question is displayed, and uses a notification method based on a determination result to cause notification of notification information indicating that the answer to the question can be displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there have been many learning terminals that alternately display a problem and its answer on a display unit to let a user learn. In such a learning terminal, after displaying a problem, in many cases, a specification is such that an answer can be displayed by the user performing some operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of a specification in which an answer is displayed according to a user's operation after a problem is displayed, the user may display the answer immediately without deeply considering the problem. Therefore, the degree of understanding of the problem decreases, and as a result, the learning efficiency decreases.

[0005] Therefore, after displaying a problem, a specification may be considered in which the above operation is made impossible for a predetermined time so that the answer is not displayed immediately. However, even if it is displayed on the display unit that the answer can be displayed after the elapse of the predetermined time, if the user looks away from the display unit of the learning terminal, there is a possibility that the user cannot recognize that the answer can be displayed.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable a user to recognize that an answer to a problem can be displayed even when the user has looked away from the display unit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a display unit; a control unit configured to sequentially display a problem and an answer to the problem on the display unit; and is provided with: the control unit is configured to: determine whether the user is viewing the display unit at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after the problem is displayed, and notify notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed by a notification method based on the determination result.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, even when the user looks away from the display unit, it becomes possible to recognize that the answer to the problem can be displayed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0011] [Configuration of Mobile Terminal] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mobile terminal 1 in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 1 has a wristwatch type (watch type) appearance, and roughly includes a device main body 101 provided with a display unit 14 for presenting predetermined information to the user, and a belt unit 102 for attaching the device main body 101 to the user's wrist by winding it around the user's wrist. A learning application 121 is installed in the mobile terminal 1, and the user can learn using the mobile terminal 1.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a sensor unit 15, a clock unit 16, a communication unit 17, an audio output unit 18, and a vibrator 19, and each unit is connected via a bus 20.

[0013] The control unit 11 is configured to include at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and is a computer that controls each unit of the mobile terminal 1. Specifically, the CPU of the control unit 11 reads out a program specified from the system program and various applications (application programs) stored in the storage unit 12 and expands it in the RAM, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded program.

[0014] The storage unit 12 is configured by a non-volatile semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 12 stores the system program and various application programs of the mobile terminal 1, and data necessary for program execution. The storage unit 12 is not limited to being built into the mobile terminal 1, and may include an external recording medium that is detachable from the mobile terminal 1.

[0015] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores the learning application 121. The learning target (subject, field, etc.) provided by the learning application 121 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, a case where the learning application 121 provides an English vocabulary learning function will be described as an example. In addition, the storage unit 12 stores in association information of a plurality of English words (word identification code, English word, pronunciation symbol, meaning (Japanese), voice data, etc.) used as questions in the learning application 121.

[0016] The operation unit 13 is composed of a push button switch, a touch panel provided superimposed on the display unit 14, etc. The operation unit 13 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the push button switch by the user and an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the touch panel to the control unit 11.

[0017] The display unit 14 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), and performs display based on the control operation of the control unit 11. In FIG. 1, the display unit 14 is illustrated as substantially circular, but the shape of the display unit 14 is not limited to this.

[0018] The sensor unit 15 is configured to include a three-axis acceleration sensor, a three-axis gyro sensor, etc., acquires measurement data such as acceleration and angular velocity, and outputs it to the control unit 11.

[0019] The clock unit 16 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency division circuit, a clock circuit, etc., clocks the current date and time, and outputs the clocked result to the control unit 11.

[0020] The communication unit 17 performs communication control for communicating with an external device.

[0021] The voice output unit 18 outputs voice, notification sound, etc. according to the control operation of the control unit 11. The vibrator 19 generates vibration according to the control operation of the control unit 11.

[0022] [Operation of the mobile terminal] Next, the operation of the mobile terminal 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of learning processing executed by the cooperation of the control unit 11 and the learning application 121 during the startup of the learning application 121. Hereinafter, the learning processing will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0023] In the learning process, first, the control unit 11 determines whether the learning start time has arrived (step S1). For example, in the learning application 121, the learning start time is preset every hour, every 30 minutes, or when a predetermined time arrives. The control unit 11 determines whether the learning start time has arrived based on the timekeeping information of the timekeeping unit 16.

[0024] If it is determined that the learning start time has not arrived (step S1; NO), the control unit 11 repeats the process of step S1.

[0025] If it is determined that the learning start time has arrived (step S1; YES), the control unit 11 notifies the start of learning (step S2). For example, the control unit 11 notifies the start of learning by causing the display unit 14 to display notification information prompting the start of learning, outputting a predetermined notification sound by the audio output unit 18, or generating vibration by the vibrator 19.

[0026] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined operation for instructing the start of learning has been performed by the operation unit 13 (step S3). Examples of the predetermined operation for instructing the start of learning include pressing a predetermined operation button of the operation unit 13, swiping or tapping on the screen of the display unit 14, and the like. If it is determined that the predetermined operation for instructing the start of learning has not been performed (step S3; NO), the control unit 11 repeats the process of step S3.

[0027] When it is determined that a predetermined operation for instructing the start of learning has been performed (step S3; YES), the control unit 11 causes the problem screen 141 to be displayed on the display unit 14 (step S4). The problem screen 141 is a screen on which a problem, for example, an English word, is displayed (see FIG. 4). Next, the control unit 11 causes a display indicating that it is the Thinking Time to be displayed on the problem screen 141 displayed on the display unit 14 (step S5).

[0028] Here, the Thinking Time is the time for the user to think about the answer. If the answer can be displayed immediately in response to the user's operation after the problem is displayed, the user will display the answer immediately without thinking deeply about the problem. Then, the degree of understanding of the problem will decrease, and as a result, the learning efficiency will decrease. Therefore, in the mobile terminal 1, a Thinking Time of a predetermined time is provided after the problem is displayed. During the Thinking Time, the control unit 11 does not accept the user operation for instructing the display of the answer and does not display the answer. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from unconsciously viewing the answer without thinking about the problem and improve the learning effect.

[0029] The Thinking Time may be a fixed time (for example, 5 seconds), or may be predetermined for each problem (for example, depending on the difficulty level or length of the problem). For example, for each of a plurality of English words used as problems, the time of the Thinking Time predetermined for that English word is associated and stored in the storage unit 12, and the control unit 11 may use the time associated with the presented English word as the Thinking Time.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display transition of the display unit 14 during learning. As shown in FIG. 4, first, a problem screen 141 on which the English word of the problem and "Think!" indicating that it is the Thinking Time are displayed is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0031] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the Thinking Time has elapsed based on the timekeeping information of the timekeeping unit 16 (step S6). If it is determined that the Thinking Time has not elapsed (step S6; NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S5 and continues to display the indication indicating that it is the Thinking Time.

[0032] If it is determined that the Thinking Time has elapsed (step S6; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the user is viewing the display unit 14 (step S7).

[0033] Here, if the user tries to keep looking at the screen of the display unit 14 throughout the learning process, the user has to keep the arm raised so that the screen of the display unit 14 faces upward, and the arm will get tired. Therefore, it is assumed that after seeing the problem, the user lowers the arm during the Thinking Time until the answer can be displayed, that is, the user looks away from the screen of the display unit 14 and thinks about the answer. In addition, the learning using the mobile terminal 1 is often used, for example, during movement by train or bus. Therefore, for example, when getting on or off a train or bus or moving to another seat, there may be cases where the user has to look away from the screen of the display unit 14. However, when the Thinking Time ends and the answer can be displayed while the user is looking away from the screen of the display unit 14, simply displaying that fact on the display unit 14 or turning off the indication indicating that it is during the Thinking Time will not allow the user to recognize that the answer can be displayed, and learning cannot proceed efficiently. Therefore, the control unit 11 determines whether the user is viewing the display unit 14, and notifies the notification information indicating that the answer can be displayed by a notification method based on the determination result.

[0034] In step S7, the control unit 11 determines whether the user is viewing the display unit 14 based on the output value of the sensor unit 15. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether the device body 101 (display unit 14) of the mobile terminal 1 is substantially horizontal based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor of the sensor unit 15. If it is determined that it is substantially horizontal, it is determined that the user is viewing the display unit 14. If it is determined that the device body 101 (display unit 14) of the mobile terminal 1 is not substantially horizontal, the control unit 11 determines that the user is not viewing the display unit 14. Note that the sensor unit 15 may include an inclination sensor that generates an electrical output when the object to be measured is inclined to detect the inclination, and it may also be used to determine whether the device body 101 (display unit 14) of the mobile terminal 1 is substantially horizontal. In addition, a camera is provided on the display unit 14 side of the mobile terminal 1. When image recognition is performed on the image captured by the camera and the user's face can be recognized, it may be determined that the user is viewing the display unit 14.

[0035] When it is determined that the user is viewing the display unit 14 (step S7; YES), the control unit 11 hides the display indicating that it is the Thinking Time and displays notification information indicating that the answer can be displayed on the problem screen 141 of the display unit 14 (step S8). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 hides "Think!" indicating that it is the Thinking Time and displays "Translation display available", which is notification information indicating that the answer can be displayed, on the problem screen 141 of the display unit 14.

[0036] When it is determined that the user is not viewing the display unit 14 (step S7; NO), the control unit 11 hides the display indicating that it is the Thinking Time and notifies that the answer can be displayed by at least one of vibration or sound (step S9). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 causes the "Think!" indicating that it is the Thinking Time to be hidden, and causes the audio output unit 18 to output a predetermined notification sound or causes the vibrator 19 to generate vibration, thereby notifying that the answer can be displayed. It may also be configured to notify that the answer can be displayed by both the notification sound and the vibration. Further, the notification information may also be displayed on the display unit 14 accordingly. As described above, when it is determined that the user is not viewing the display unit 14, the control unit 11 causes the audio output unit 18 or the vibrator 19 to output a notification sound or vibration indicating that the answer can be displayed. Therefore, even when the user looks away from the display unit 14, the user can recognize that the answer to the question has become displayable, and learning can proceed efficiently.

[0037] After notifying the notification information indicating that the answer can be displayed, the control unit 11 determines whether an arm raising operation has been detected or a user operation for instructing answer display (for example, a swipe or tap on the question screen 141) has been performed (step S10). The control unit 11 determines whether an arm raising operation has been detected based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor of the sensor unit 15. When the sensor unit 15 includes an inclination sensor, it may also be determined whether an arm raising operation has been detected based on the output value of the inclination sensor.

[0038] When it is determined that neither the arm raising operation nor the user operation for instructing answer display has been performed (step S10; NO), the control unit 11 repeats the process of step S10. When it is determined that an arm raising operation has been detected or a user operation for instructing answer display has been performed (step S10; YES), the control unit 11 causes the answer screen 142 on which the answer to the question is displayed to be displayed on the display unit 14 (step S11).

[0039] Here, when the user is lowering their arm to think about the answer without looking at the display unit 14, an operation of raising the arm is performed to confirm the answer. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the sensor unit 15 detects an arm raising operation, the control unit 11 automatically causes the answer screen 142 to be displayed on the display unit 14. As a result, after the user performs the operation of raising the arm, the user can confirm the answer without further performing an operation to instruct the display of the answer, improving convenience.

[0040] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether an operation (for example, a swipe or a tap) instructing the end of answer display has been performed by the user (step S12). If it is determined that the operation instructing the end of answer display has not been performed (step S12; NO), the control unit 11 repeats the process of step S12.

[0041] If it is determined that the operation instructing the end of answer display has been performed (step S12; YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the issuance of the preset number of questions has ended (step S13). If it is determined that the issuance of the preset number of questions has not ended (step S13; NO), the control unit 11 shifts the question target to the next question (step S14) and returns to step S4. That is, for the next question, the processes of steps S4 to S12 are executed.

[0042] If it is determined that the issuance of the preset number of questions has ended (step S13; YES), the control unit 11 returns to step S1. The control unit 11 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1 to S14 while the learning application 121 is activated.

[0043] In this way, even when the user looks away from the display unit 14 of the mobile terminal 1, the user can recognize that the answer to the question can be displayed, and learning can proceed efficiently. Also, since it is not necessary for the user to keep raising the arm and continue to look at the screen, the burden on the user can be reduced. That is, even when learning for a long time, as long as the user can recognize the content of the question, the user can lower the arm while thinking about the answer to the question, and then raise the arm at the timing when the answer can be displayed. Therefore, the user can continue learning while preventing the arm from getting tired.

[0044] As described above, the control unit 11 of the mobile terminal 1 causes the display unit 14 to display the question and the answer to the question in order. The control unit 11 determines whether the user is viewing the display unit 14 at the timing when a predetermined Thinking Time has elapsed after the question is displayed, and notifies the notification information indicating that the answer to the question can be displayed by a notification method based on the determination result. For example, when the control unit 11 determines that the user is viewing the display unit 14, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 14 to display the notification information indicating that the answer to the question can be displayed. When the control unit 11 determines that the user is not viewing the display unit 14, the control unit 11 notifies the notification information indicating that the answer to the question can be displayed by a notification method including at least one of vibration or sound. Therefore, even when the user looks away from the display unit 14, it is possible to surely inform the user that the answer to the question can be displayed. The user can recognize that the answer to the question can be displayed even when looking away from the display unit 14, and learning can proceed efficiently.

[0045] For example, when the thinking time is a time predetermined for each problem, since the length of the thinking time varies depending on the problem, it is impossible to predict the timing at which an answer can be displayed. Even in such a case, in the mobile terminal 1, the notification method of the notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed is switched according to whether or not the user is viewing the display unit 14. Therefore, even if the user has looked away from the display unit 14, the user can recognize that the answer to the problem can be displayed.

[0046] Further, after notifying the notification information, when a predetermined user operation is detected or when a predetermined operation of the user is detected based on the output value from the sensor unit 15, the control unit 11 causes the answer to the problem to be displayed on the display unit 14. Therefore, when the user performs a predetermined operation, for example, raises an arm, it is possible to display the answer without performing a predetermined user operation, improving convenience.

[0047] Note that the description content in the above embodiment is a preferred example of the embodiment of the present invention and is not limited thereto.

[0048] For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the problem to be presented is an English word and the answer is its translation has been described as an example. However, the problem to be presented and the answer are not limited to this. For example, it may be any field of any subject, such as an era name and historical events that occurred in that era name, Chinese characters and their readings, simple calculation problems, etc.

[0049] Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the mobile terminal 1 is a wristwatch-type terminal has been described as an example. However, it is not particularly limited to a wristwatch-type terminal as long as it is something carried by the user. For example, the mobile terminal 1 may be a smartphone, a tablet, or the like.

[0050] Also, for example, in the above description, an example of using a semiconductor memory, an HDD, etc. as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention has been disclosed, but it is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, portable recording media such as CD-ROMs can be applied. Also, a carrier wave is applied as a medium for providing the data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0051] As described above, embodiments and modifications of the mobile terminal, control method, and program of the present invention have been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, etc., and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 Mobile terminal 11 Control unit 12 Storage unit 121 Learning application 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit 15 Sensor unit 16 Timing unit 17 Communication unit 18 Audio output unit 19 Vibrator 20 Bus

Claims

1. A display unit, A control unit that sequentially causes the display unit to display a problem and an answer to the problem, A mobile terminal comprising: The control unit: At a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the problem was displayed, determines whether the user is viewing the display unit, and notifies notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed by a notification method based on the determination result. A mobile terminal.

2. The predetermined time is a fixed time or a time predetermined for each problem. The mobile terminal according to claim 1.

3. When the control unit determines that the user is viewing the display unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed. The mobile terminal according to claim 1.

4. When the control unit determines that the user is not viewing the display unit, the control unit notifies the notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed by a notification method including at least one of vibration or sound. The mobile terminal according to claim 1.

5. Comprising a sensor including at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or an inclination sensor, After notifying the notification information, when a predetermined user operation is detected or when a predetermined action of the user is detected based on an output value from the sensor, the control unit causes the display unit to display the answer to the problem. The mobile terminal according to claim 1.

6. Comprising a sensor including at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or an inclination sensor, The control unit determines whether the user is viewing the display unit based on an output value from the sensor. The mobile terminal according to claim 1.

7. A display unit, A control unit that sequentially causes the display unit to display a problem and an answer to the problem, A control method in a mobile terminal comprising: The control unit: At a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the problem was displayed, determines whether the user is viewing the display unit, and notifies notification information indicating that the answer to the problem can be displayed by a notification method based on the determination result. A control method.

8. Causing a computer of a mobile terminal including a display unit to function as a control unit that sequentially causes the display unit to display a problem and an answer to the problem, The control unit: ​ At the timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after the problem is displayed, it is determined whether the user is viewing the display unit, and notification information indicating that an answer to the problem can be displayed is notified by a notification method based on the determination result. Program.

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