Notification control system, notification control method, electronic device, and information terminal

Abstract

To improve the convenience of a notification function for notifying notification information.SOLUTION: When receiving the notice information, the CPU11 of the wearable terminal 10 transmits, to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17, inquiry information for determining whether music (predetermined content) is active on the smartphone 20. When receiving the inquiry information from the wearable terminal 10, the CPU21 of the smartphone 20 transmits determination result information indicating whether the music is active to the wearable terminal 10 via the communication unit 27. The CPU11 of the wearable terminal 10 determines a method of notifying the notice information based on the determination result information received from the smartphone 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification control system, a notification control method, an electronic device, and an information terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an exercise device (learning support device) that outputs learning content while a user is exercising has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). This exercise device is capable of notifying a communication terminal whether the user's brain is in a state suitable for learning while using the device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-90880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a user of the communication terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1 owns multiple terminals and is playing some content (music, video, etc.) on a terminal other than the communication terminal in question, there is a risk that the user will not notice the notification from the exercise equipment.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to improve the convenience of a notification function for notifying notification information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the notification control system of the present invention is a notification control system having an electronic device having a first communication unit and a first control unit, and an external device having a second communication unit and a second control unit, wherein the first control unit of the electronic device, when acquiring notification information, transmits inquiry information to the external device via the first communication unit for determining whether a specified content is in an active state on the external device, and the second control unit of the external device, when receiving the inquiry information from the electronic device, transmits determination result information indicating whether the specified content is in an active state to the electronic device via the second communication unit, and the first control unit of the electronic device determines a notification method for the notification information based on the determination result information received from the external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the notification function for notifying notification information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a notification control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the wearable terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the smartphone. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a notification control system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a notification operation of the notification control system. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a notification control system. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of a notification control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a notification control system 1 includes a wearable device 10 and a smartphone 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the wearable device (electronic device) 10 is a wristband-type wearable device worn by a user U. Specifically, the wearable device 10 is a wristband-type wearable device for learning English vocabulary and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the smartphone (information terminal (external device)) 20 is a terminal carried by the user U. The wearable device 10 and the smartphone 20 communicate with each other via short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE). Specifically, short-range wireless communication is performed with the smartphone 20 acting as a central (parent device) and the wearable device 10 acting as a peripheral (child device).

[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, the wearable terminal 10 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a storage unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, a sound output unit 16, a communication unit 17, and a timing unit 18, and each unit is connected via a bus 19.

[0011] The CPU (first control unit, transmission control means, acquisition means, determination means) 11 is a processor that reads and executes a program 131 stored in the storage unit 13 and performs various arithmetic processing to control the operation of each unit of the wearable terminal 10. Although a single CPU 11 is shown in FIG. 2, this is not limiting. Two or more processors such as CPUs may be provided, and the processing performed by the CPU 11 of this embodiment may be shared and executed by these two or more processors. The RAM 12 provides a working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

[0012] The storage unit 13 stores various data, as well as a program 131 and a learning application 132 executed by the CPU 11. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of computer-readable program code. The learning application 132 is an application that can display a learning subject (e.g., English words) on the display unit 15 to allow the user U to study. The learning application 132 can notify the user U to start studying at a time preset by the user U's operation or when a predetermined condition is met. This notification is made, for example, by outputting a voice message from the sound output unit 16. Note that the notification may also be made by displaying a predetermined message on the display unit 15. The data stored in the storage unit 13 includes learning data 133 (e.g., an English word list) related to the learning subject used in the learning application 132.

[0013] The operation unit 14 includes push button switches, a touch sensor provided on the display unit 15, and the like. It accepts input operations from the user U, converts the operation content into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the CPU 11. The display unit 15 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays the screen in accordance with a display control signal from the CPU 11. The display screen of the display unit 15 is also provided with the touch sensor, functioning as a touch panel-type operation and display means. The sound output unit 16 includes a DA converter, an amplifier, a speaker, and the like. When outputting sound, the sound output unit 16 converts sound data into analog audio data and outputs it from the speaker. The communication unit (first communication unit) 17 is a communication module including an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, and the like, and performs wireless data communication with the communication unit 27 of the smartphone 20 in accordance with a communication standard related to short-range wireless communication (BLE). The timekeeping unit 18 includes, for example, a timer, a timekeeping circuit, and the like, and keeps track of the current time and acquires time information.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the smartphone 20 is configured to include a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a memory unit 23, an operation unit 24, a display unit 25, a sound output unit 26, and a communication unit 27, and each unit is connected via a bus 28.

[0015] The CPU (second control unit, control means, first acquisition means, transmission control means, second acquisition means) 21 is a processor that reads and executes a program 231 stored in the storage unit 23 and performs various arithmetic processing to control the operation of each unit of the smartphone 20. Note that while a single CPU 21 is illustrated in FIG. 3, this is not limiting. Two or more processors such as CPUs may be provided, and the processing executed by the CPU 21 of this embodiment may be shared and executed by these two or more processors. The RAM 22 provides a working memory space for the CPU 21 and stores temporary data. The storage unit 23 stores the program 231 and a music playback app 232 executed by the CPU 21, as well as various data. The program 231 is stored in the storage unit 23 in the form of computer-readable program code. The music playback app (content playback means) 232 is an app for playing music (music pieces) registered in a music file DB 233 (described later). This music playback app 232 is capable of playing multiple pieces of music (music pieces) continuously. The music playback application 232 may be an application that can play desired music by streaming playback, for example. The data stored in the storage unit 23 includes a music file DB 233 for registering music to be played by the music playback application 232.

[0016] The operation unit 24 is configured with push button switches, a touch sensor provided on the display unit 25, etc., and receives input operations from the user U, converts the operation content into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the CPU 21. The display unit 25 is configured with an LCD or the like, and displays the screen in accordance with a display control signal from the CPU 21. The display unit 25 also has the above-mentioned touch sensor provided on its display screen, functioning as a touch panel type operation display means. The sound output unit 26 is configured with a DA converter, an amplifier, a speaker, etc. When outputting sound, the sound output unit 26 converts sound data into analog audio data and outputs it from the speaker. The communication unit (second communication unit) 27 is a communication module including an antenna, a modulation / demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc., and performs wireless data communication with the communication unit 17 of the wearable device 10 in accordance with a communication standard related to short-range wireless communication using BLE.

[0017] Next, the notification operation of the notification control system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, if music is being played by the music playback app 232 of the smartphone 20, there is a risk that the user U will not notice a notification urging the user to start studying using the learning app 132 even if the notification is sent to the wearable device 10. Therefore, the notification control system 1 of this embodiment performs the notification operation described below to solve the above problem. Here, in describing the notification operation of the notification control system 1, it is assumed that the wearable device 10 and the smartphone 20 are communicatively connected to each other via BLE. It is also assumed that the notification operation of the notification control system 1 described below is started when a predetermined time has come to start studying using the learning app 132.

[0018] 5, first, the CPU 11 of the wearable device 10 acquires notification information related to a notification prompting the user to start learning using the learning application 132 (step S1). Here, the notification information is stored in, for example, the storage unit 13, and the CPU 11 acquires the notification information from the storage unit 13. Then, when the CPU 11 acquires the notification information, it transmits inquiry information to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 to determine whether music is being played (active state) using the music playback application 232 of the smartphone 20 (step S2).

[0019] Next, when the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives the inquiry information from the wearable device 10, it determines whether music is being played by the music playback app 232 (step S3). Then, the CPU 21 transmits determination result information (answer information) that is the result of the determination process of step S3 to the wearable device 10 via the communication unit 27 (step S4). Specifically, if it is determined in step S3 that music is being played by the music playback app 232, the CPU 21 transmits determination result information indicating that music is being played to the wearable device 10 via the communication unit 27. Here, in this case, the CPU 21 acquires information regarding the end time of the music (song) being played by the music playback app 232 from the music playback app 232 and transmits it to the wearable device 10 via the communication unit 27. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S3 that music is not being played by the music playback app 232, the CPU 21 transmits determination result information indicating that music is not being played to the wearable device 10 via the communication unit 27. In this case, the CPU 21 ends the notification operation on the smartphone 20 side.

[0020] Next, when the CPU 11 of the wearable device 10 receives the above-mentioned determination result information from the smartphone 20, it determines whether the smartphone 20 is playing music using the music playback app 232 based on the determination result information (step S5). If it is determined in step S5 that the smartphone 20 is not playing music using the music playback app 232 (step S5; NO), the CPU 11 causes the sound output unit 16 to output a sound related to the start of learning (e.g., "It's time to start learning English vocabulary") as shown in FIG. 6 (step S6). In other words, in step S6, the CPU 11 can be said to have determined the notification method for the above-mentioned notification information based on the determination result information received from the smartphone 20. In this case, the CPU 11 terminates the notification operation on the wearable device 10 side. Note that data related to the sound is assumed to be included in the above-mentioned notification information. In step S6, the CPU 11 may cause the display unit 15 to display a message related to the start of learning (e.g., "It's time to start learning English vocabulary") together with the sound output.

[0021] Furthermore, in step S5, if it is determined that the smartphone 20 is currently playing music using the music playback application 232 (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 transmits the notification information acquired in step S1 to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S7). That is, in step S7, the CPU 11 determines the method of notifying the notification information based on the determination result information received from the smartphone 20. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the end time of the music (song) being played has arrived, based on information related to the end time of the music (song) being played received from the smartphone 20 (step S8).

[0022] If it is determined in step S8 that the end time of the music (song) being played has not yet arrived (step S8; NO), CPU 11 repeats the determination process of step S8 until the end time of the music (song) being played arrives. Then, if it is determined in step S8 that the end time of the music (song) being played arrives (step S8; YES), CPU 11 causes sound output unit 16 to output a sound notifying the start of learning (e.g., "It's time to start learning English vocabulary!") as shown in Fig. 6 (step S9). In addition to outputting the sound, in step S9, CPU 11 may also cause display unit 15 to display a message notifying the start of learning (e.g., "It's time to start learning English vocabulary!").

[0023] Furthermore, when the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives the notification information from the wearable device 10, it determines whether the music (song) being played by the music playback app 232 has finished (step S10). If it is determined in step S10 that the music (song) being played by the music playback app 232 has not finished (step S10; NO), the CPU 21 repeats the determination process of step S10 until the music (song) being played finishes. Then, if it is determined in step S10 that the music (song) being played by the music playback app 232 has finished (step S10; YES), the CPU 21 interrupts (pauses) the music playback by the music playback app 232, as shown in FIG. 7, and causes the sound output unit 26 to output a sound related to the start of learning (for example, "It's time to start learning English words") (step S11). Here, in step S11, the music playback in the music playback app 232 is interrupted (paused) not only when there is music (music) scheduled to be played after the music (song) currently being played, but also when there is no music scheduled to be played after the music currently being played, i.e., even when the music currently being played is the last music to be played (music playback may be interrupted when notification information is received even before the music ends). Note that in step S11, the CPU 11 may cause the display unit 25 to display a message notifying the start of learning (for example, "It's time to start learning English vocabulary") along with the audio output.

[0024] Next, the CPU 11 of the wearable device 10 determines whether or not the learning using the learning application 132 has been completed (step S12). The learning using the learning application 132 is progressed by the user performing a predetermined operation (such as a flick operation) using the operation unit 14. Specifically, when the user performs a predetermined operation using the operation unit 14, one English word to be learned is displayed on the display unit 15. When the user performs a predetermined operation using the operation unit 14 again, the meaning of the English word and the like are displayed on the display unit 15. When the above series of operations have been performed for a predetermined number of English words (for example, 10), the learning using the learning application 132 is completed.

[0025] If it is determined in step S12 that the study using the study application 132 has not been completed (step S12; NO), the CPU 11 repeats the determination process of step S12 until the study using the study application 132 is completed. Then, if it is determined in step S12 that the study using the study application 132 has been completed (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 transmits resume information for resuming the interrupted music playback using the music playback application 232 to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S13). Then, the CPU 11 ends the notification operation on the wearable device 10 side.

[0026] Next, when the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives the above-mentioned resumption information from the wearable terminal 10, the CPU 21 resumes the playback of music (songs) in the music playback application 232 (step S14). Then, the CPU 21 ends the notification operation on the smartphone 20 side.

[0027] As described above, when the CPU 11 of the wearable terminal 10 acquires notification information, it transmits inquiry information for determining whether music (predetermined content) is being played on the smartphone 20 (active state) to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17. When the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives inquiry information from the wearable terminal 10, it transmits determination result information indicating whether music is being played (active state) to the wearable terminal 10 via the communication unit 27. The CPU 11 of the wearable terminal 10 determines the notification method of the notification information based on the determination result information received from the smartphone 20. Therefore, according to the notification control system 1, the notification method of the notification information is changed depending on whether music is being played on the smartphone 20 so that the user U is more likely to notice it, thereby improving the convenience of the notification function that notifies the notification information.

[0028] Furthermore, when the determination result information received from the smartphone 20 indicates that music is not being played, the CPU 11 of the wearable terminal 10 executes a notification regarding the notification information, whereas when the determination result information received from the smartphone 20 indicates that music is being played, the CPU 11 transmits the notification information to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17. When the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives the notification information from the wearable terminal 10, the CPU 21 executes the notification of the notification information after the playback of the music currently being played has finished. Therefore, according to the notification control system 1, when music is not being played on the smartphone 20, the CPU 21 executes the notification of the notification information on the wearable terminal 10, and when music is being played on the smartphone 20, the CPU 21 executes the notification of the notification information after the playback of the music currently being played on the smartphone 20 has finished. In this way, the notification of the notification information is executed in a manner that is easy for the user U to notice from a terminal that is easy for the user U to notice depending on the situation, thereby improving the convenience of the notification function that notifies the user of the notification information.

[0029] Furthermore, when the music (content) to be played is made up of multiple pieces of music, the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 can execute continuous playback of the multiple pieces of music, and when notification information is received from the wearable device 10 while the multiple pieces of music are being played continuously, the CPU 21 executes notification of the notification information at the timing when the currently played piece of music among the multiple pieces of music ends. Therefore, according to the notification control system 1, when music is being played continuously on the smartphone 20, it is possible to prevent notification of the notification information from being executed in the middle of the currently played piece of music, thereby preventing the user U from becoming dissatisfied when their listening to the piece of music is interrupted.

[0030] Furthermore, after receiving the notification information, the CPU 11 of the wearable device 10 transmits resume information to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 to resume playback of the interrupted music when the study using the study application 132 is completed. When the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives the resume information from the wearable device 10, it resumes the music playback. Therefore, the notification control system 1 controls the music playback not to resume while the study is in progress, thereby preventing the music playback from interfering with the study. In other words, an environment can be created that makes it easy to study using the notified study application 132.

[0031] Furthermore, when the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 transmits determination result information indicating that music is being played to the wearable device 10 via the communication unit 27, the CPU 21 also transmits playback end time information indicating the playback end time of the music being played. When the CPU 11 of the wearable device 10 receives the playback end time information from the smartphone 20, it executes a notification regarding the notification information at the timing of the playback end time of the music indicated in the playback end time information. Therefore, according to the notification control system 1, the notification regarding the notification information is also executed on the wearable device 10 at the timing when playback of the music being played on the smartphone 20 ends, making it easier for the user to notice the notification.

[0032] The description in the above embodiment is merely an example of the notification control system, notification control method, electronic device, and external device according to the present invention, and is not limited to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the predetermined content played on smartphone 20, which corresponds to the external device according to the present invention, is described as music, but it may also be a video, a computer game, an e-book, or the like. If the predetermined content played on smartphone 20 is a video, when notifying the user to start learning, sound output unit 26 outputs sound related to the notification of the start of learning, and display unit 25 displays a message related to the notification of the start of learning. If the predetermined content played on smartphone 20 is a computer game, when notifying the user to start learning, display unit 25 displays a message related to the notification of the start of learning, and when sound related to the computer game is also being played, sound output unit 26 outputs sound related to the notification of the start of learning. If the predetermined content played on smartphone 20 is an e-book, when notifying the user to start learning, display unit 25 displays a message related to the notification of the start of learning. Here, if the predetermined content played on the smartphone 20 is a video, a computer game, or an e-book in addition to music, in the notification operation of the notification control system 1 described above (see FIG. 5 ), when the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 receives inquiry information from the wearable device 10, it determines whether music, a video, a computer game, or an e-book is being played. If music, a video, a computer game, or an e-book is being played, the CPU 21 of the smartphone 20 notifies the user of the start of study in a notification format appropriate for the type of content. For example, if a video is being played, as described above, the sound output unit 26 outputs a sound notifying the user of the start of study, and the display unit 25 displays a message notifying the user of the start of study.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the external device according to the present invention has been described as being a smartphone 20, but it may be any terminal that the user U can carry together with the wearable terminal 10, such as a notebook PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet terminal.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the determination result information received from the smartphone 20 indicates that music is being played, the CPU 11 of the wearable terminal 10 transmits notification information to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17. That is, in such a case, the notification information is sent by the smartphone 20, but the notification information may also be sent by the wearable terminal 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in step S5 of the notification operation of the notification control system 1 (see Figure 5), if it is identified that the smartphone 20 is playing music using the music playback app 232 (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 transmits the notification information acquired in step S1 to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S7). However, for example, when transmitting inquiry information to the smartphone 20 in step S2, the notification information may also be transmitted.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if it is determined in step S12 of the notification operation (see FIG. 5) of the notification control system 1 that learning using the learning application 132 has been completed (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 transmits resumption information to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 17 (step S13). However, the resumption information may be transmitted to the smartphone 20 at the timing when a specific operation is performed by the operation unit 14, such as double-tapping the touch panel. In other words, the resumption information may be transmitted to the smartphone 20 even before learning using the learning application 132 has been completed.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when notification of notification information is executed on the smartphone 20, even if music is being played by the music playback app 232, the playback of the music may be interrupted to execute notification of the notification information. Specifically, if the playback time of the music being played is a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) or more, the playback may be interrupted between the first and second verses of the music to execute notification of the notification information. Furthermore, for example, when notification of notification information is executed while a video (predetermined content) is being played on the smartphone 20, if chapters are set in the video, the notification of the notification information may be executed at the timing when the chapter changes.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the state in which music is being played by the music playback app 232 of the smartphone 20 has been described as the active state, but for example, the state in which the music playback app 232 is running regardless of whether music is being played or not may also be considered to be the active state. Therefore, as described above, if the predetermined content includes videos, computer games, e-books, etc., the state in which an app for playing these contents (such as a video viewing app for videos) is running may also be considered to be the active state.

[0039] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configurations and detailed operations of the components of the wearable terminal 10 and the smartphone 20 of the above-described embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Notification control system, 10 Wearable device, 11 CPU, 132 Learning app, 16 Sound output unit, 17 Communication unit, 20 Smartphone, 21 CPU, 232 Music playback app, 26 Sound output unit, 27 Communication unit

Claims

1. A notification control system having an electronic device including a first communication unit and a first control unit, and an external device including a second communication unit and a second control unit, When the first control unit of the electronic device acquires the notification information, the first control unit transmits inquiry information to the external device via the first communication unit, the inquiry information being used to determine whether a predetermined content is in an active state in the external device; the second control unit of the external device, when receiving the inquiry information from the electronic device, transmits determination result information indicating whether the predetermined content is in an active state to the electronic device via the second communication unit; a first control unit of the electronic device that determines a notification method of the notification information based on the determination result information received from the external device; A notification control system characterized by:

2. the first control unit of the electronic device executes a notification regarding the notification information when the determination result information received from the external device indicates that the predetermined content is not in an active state. The notification control system according to claim 1 .

3. the first control unit of the electronic device transmits the notification information to the external device via the first communication unit when the determination result information received from the external device indicates that the predetermined content is in an active state; the second control unit of the external device, when receiving the notification information from the electronic device, executes notification of the notification information after the active state ends. The notification control system according to claim 1 .

4. the first control unit of the electronic device, when the determination result information received from the external device is determination result information indicating that the predetermined content is in an active state, suspends the active state and executes notification regarding the notification information; The notification control system according to claim 1 .

5. The second control unit of the external device When the predetermined content is made up of a plurality of contents, continuous playback of the plurality of contents can be executed; When the notification information is received from the electronic device during continuous reproduction of the plurality of contents, the continuous reproduction is interrupted at a timing when a currently reproduced content among the plurality of contents ends, and the notification information is notified. The notification control system according to claim 3 .

6. the notification information is information for prompting a user to execute a predetermined process in the electronic device, the first control unit of the electronic device, after acquiring the notification information, when the execution of the predetermined process is completed, transmits resume information for resuming the interrupted continuous playback of the predetermined content to the external device via the first communication unit; the second control unit of the external device resumes continuous playback of the predetermined content when the resumption information is received from the electronic device. The notification control system according to claim 5 .

7. When transmitting determination result information indicating that the predetermined content is in an active state to the electronic device via the second communication unit, the second control unit of the external device further transmits playback end time information indicating a playback end time of the predetermined content when the predetermined content is being played back; when receiving the playback end time information from the external device, the first control unit of the electronic device executes a notification regarding the notification information at a timing of a playback end time of the predetermined content indicated in the playback end time information. The notification control system according to claim 3 .

8. the predetermined content is made up of a plurality of types of content, when receiving the notification information from the electronic device, the second control unit of the external device notifies the notification information in a notification mode according to the type of content that was in the active state after the active state ends. The notification control system according to claim 3 .

9. A notification control method executed by a notification control system having an electronic device including a first communication unit and a first control unit, and an external device including a second communication unit and a second control unit, a step in which, when the first control unit of the electronic device acquires notification information, the first control unit transmits inquiry information to the external device via the first communication unit, the inquiry information being used to determine whether a predetermined content is in an active state in the external device; a step in which, when the second control unit of the external device receives the inquiry information from the electronic device, the second control unit transmits determination result information indicating whether the predetermined content is in an active state to the electronic device via the second communication unit; a step in which a first control unit of the electronic device determines a notification method of the notification information based on the determination result information received from the external device; A notification control method comprising:

10. An electronic device capable of communicating with a predetermined external device, a transmission control means for transmitting, when notification information is acquired, inquiry information for determining whether a predetermined content is in an active state in the external device to the external device via a communication unit; an acquisition means for acquiring response information to the inquiry information transmitted from the external device when the inquiry information is acquired by the external device; a determination means for determining a notification method of the notification information based on the response information acquired by the acquisition means; An electronic device comprising:

11. An information terminal capable of communicating with a predetermined electronic device, a content playback means for playing back predetermined content; a control means capable of controlling the content playback means; a first acquisition means for acquiring inquiry information transmitted from the electronic device when predetermined notification information is acquired in the electronic device, the inquiry information being used to determine whether the predetermined content is in an active state in the information terminal; a transmission control means for transmitting, if the predetermined content is in an active state when the inquiry information is acquired by the first acquisition means, response information indicating that the predetermined content is in an active state to the electronic device via a communication unit; a second acquiring means for acquiring the notification information transmitted from the electronic device when the answer information is acquired in the electronic device; Equipped with The control means When the notification information is acquired by the second acquisition means, the notification information is notified after the active state ends. An information terminal characterized by:

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