Techniques for customizing control of volume level in device playback
First Claim
1. A method of controlling playback volume on an audio output device wherein user input requesting a volume change, referred to as a volume change request, is converted to a volume change control, the method comprising, in response to a volume change request:
- if the elapsed time since playback started is less than a predetermined interval, using a first mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control;
otherwise, for at least some elapsed times greater than the predetermined interval, using a second mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control, wherein the first mapping is different from the second mapping for at least some volume levels; and
using the volume change control to modify the playback volume.
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Abstract
User interface signals representing volume change requests are converted to volume control signals using a mapping. The mapping is overridden (modified) within a given time interval after starting (which includes resuming) playback. During this interval, the mapping for volume decreases is modified so that the resulting volume decreases are accelerated relative to those that would be generated by the default mapping. This allows the user to quickly reduce the volume of the device when begins playing very loud music. The mapping for volume increases can be modified during this interval.
135 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of controlling playback volume on an audio output device wherein user input requesting a volume change, referred to as a volume change request, is converted to a volume change control, the method comprising, in response to a volume change request:
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if the elapsed time since playback started is less than a predetermined interval, using a first mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control; otherwise, for at least some elapsed times greater than the predetermined interval, using a second mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control, wherein the first mapping is different from the second mapping for at least some volume levels; and using the volume change control to modify the playback volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling playback volume on an audio output device wherein volume changes are effected in response to user input requesting a volume change, referred to as a volume change request, the method comprising:
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at the start of playback, establishing a first volume control state characterized by a first mapping of volume change requests to volume change controls; at a time after the start of playback, establishing a second volume control state characterized by a second mapping of volume change requests to volume change controls, wherein the first mapping is different from the second mapping for at least some volume levels; and in response to a volume change request, changing the volume in accordance with the current volume control state. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling playback volume on an audio output device wherein the response to user input requesting a volume change, referred to as a volume change request, is defined by respective values of a set of one or more parameters, the method comprising:
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at the start of playback, establishing a first volume control state characterized by a first set of parameter values that define a response to a volume change request; after a given elapsed time after the start of playback, establishing a second volume control state characterized by a second set of parameter values, wherein the second set of parameter values define a different response to a volume change request than the response defined by the first set of parameter values; and in response to a volume change request, changing the volume in accordance with the current volume control state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An audio output device comprising:
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a user interface element operable by a user to provide signals representing volume change requests; a level change engine, responsive to volume change requests, for converting a volume change request to a volume change control signal, said level change engine configured to; use a first mapping to convert a volume change request to a volume change control signal if the volume change request is received within a predetermined interval since playback started;
orotherwise, use a second mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control signal, wherein said first mapping is different from said second mapping for at least some volume levels; and a playback engine, responsive to input media signals and to said volume change control signal, for providing audio signals representing the input media signals at a playback volume derived from said volume change control signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A portable device comprising:
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a storage medium; a processor coupled to said storage medium; a user interface element operable by a user to provide signals representing volume change requests; computer code stored in said storage medium wherein said computer code, when retrieved from said storage medium and executed by said processor; uses a first mapping to convert a volume change request to a volume change control signal if the volume change request is received within a predetermined interval since playback started;
orotherwise, uses a second mapping to convert the volume change request to a volume change control signal, wherein said first mapping is different from said second mapping for at least some volume levels; and a playback engine, responsive to input media signals and to said volume change control signal, for providing audio signals representing the input media signals at a playback volume derived from said volume change control signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions, which when executed by a computer system in a portable device cause the computer system to execute a method of controlling playback volume on an audio output device wherein the response to user input requesting a volume change, referred to as a volume change request, is defined by respective values of a set of one or more parameters, the method comprising:
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at the start of playback, establishing a first volume control state characterized by a first set of parameter values that define a response to a volume change request; after a given elapsed time after the start of playback, establishing a second volume control state characterized by a second set of parameter values, wherein the second set of parameter values define a different response to a volume change request than the response defined by the first set of parameter values; in response to a volume change request, changing the volume in accordance with the current volume control state. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification