(12) United States Patent
`Bayley
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US0069094 71B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,909,471 B2
`Jun.21,2005
`
`(54) AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael W. Bayley, San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Lawrenceville,
`GA(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 73 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/308,577
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 3, 2002
`
`( 65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0107442 A1 Jun. 3, 2004
`
`Int. Cl? .................................................. H04N 5/60
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 348/738; 381!104; 725/151
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 348/738, 726,
`348/737, 632; 381/1, 104, 109, 107; 725/151;
`H04N 5!60
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,536,798 A * 8/1985 Reid et a!. .................. 348/737
`5,027,687 A * 7/1991 Iwamatsu .................... 84/600
`5,428,404 A * 6/1995 Ingram et a!.
`.............. 348/726
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Michael H. Lee
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Systems and method for controlling audio volume are pro(cid:173)
`vided. One method for controlling audio volume includes
`receiving a user input requesting a first volume-type that is
`associated with a first audible volume level, and responsive
`to receiving the user input, modifying an audio signal to
`achieve the first audible volume level.
`
`21 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun.21,2005
`Jun. 21, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`Sheet 1 0f 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.21,2005
`Jun. 21, 2005
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.21,2005
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun.21,2005
`Jun. 21, 2005
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`

`1
`AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL
`
`US 6,909,471 B2
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates in general to audio, and more 5
`particularly to audio volume control.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
`
`2
`FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating remote control
`keys that, as a whole, represent an alternative embodiment
`to the remote control keys illustrated in FIG. 4A.
`FIG. 5 depicts a screen that may be presented to a user in
`response to a request for a volume-type.
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for adjusting
`volume levels according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for adjusting
`10 volume levels according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for adjusting
`volume levels according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram depicting an output
`system according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram depicting selected
`modules of the TV depicted in FIG. 1, according to one
`20 embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting
`example of a General Settings screen, according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting
`example of a General Settings screen that may be used to
`modify default volume level settings, according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`15
`
`Cable television systems are now capable of providing
`many services in addition to analog broadcast video. In
`implementing enhanced programming, the home communi(cid:173)
`cation terminal ("HCT"), otherwise known as the set-top
`box, has become an important computing device for access(cid:173)
`ing various video services. In addition to supporting tradi(cid:173)
`tional analog broadcast video functionality, digital HCTs (or
`"DHCTs") now also support an increasing number of two(cid:173)
`way digital services such as video-on-demand.
`A DHCT is typically connected to a communications
`network (e.g., a cable or satellite television network) and
`includes hardware and software necessary to provide various
`services and functionality. Preferably, some of the software
`executed by a DHCT is downloaded and/or updated via the
`communications network. Each DHCT also typically
`includes a processor, communication components and 25
`memory, and is connected to a television or other display
`device. While many conventional DHCTs are stand-alone
`devices that are externally connected to a television, a
`DHCT and/or its functionality may be integrated into a
`television or other device, as will be appreciated by those of 30
`ordinary skill in the art.
`ADHCT is typically configured to output a user-requested
`television service (e.g., a television channel) to a television.
`As a user navigates from one television service to another,
`the audio volume level that is output by the television may
`change even though the volume setting (which may be on a
`scale of, for example, 0-63) remains unchanged. This non(cid:173)
`requested change in volume level is undesirable as it can
`result in a user having to adjust the volume setting in order
`to maintain a desirable volume level after the user is 40
`presented with another television service. Therefore, there
`exists a need for systems and methods for addressing this
`and/or other problems associated with providing audio vol(cid:173)
`ume levels.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`In one embodiment of the invention, a digital home
`communication terminal (DHCT) receives user input
`requesting a volume-type, and in response to receiving the
`user input, modifies an audio signal in order to help achieve
`35 a volume level associated with the requested volume-type.
`This and other embodiments are described in more detail
`below in reference to the accompanying figures.
`FIGS. 1-10 provide examples of system and methods of
`the present invention: FIG. 1 provides an example of a
`system in which an embodiment of the present invention
`may be implemented; examples of system components that
`may be used to help implement volume control are illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIGS. 2-4 and 9-10; examples of user interface
`screens that may be presented during a volume control
`45 process are illustrated in FIGS. 5, 11, and 12; and examples
`of methods for implementing volume control are illustrated
`in the flow charts of FIGS. 6-8. Note, however, that the
`invention may be embodied in many different forms and
`should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
`forth herein. Furthermore, all examples given herein are
`intended to be non-limiting, and are provided in order to
`help clarify the description of the invention.
`Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a block
`diagram depicting a non-limiting example of a subscriber
`television system (STS) 100 in accordance with one embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention. In this example, the STS 100 includes
`a headend 110 and a DHCT 200 that are coupled via a
`communication network (CN) 130. The CN 130 may be, for
`example, a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, a satellite
`60 communications network, a public switched telephone net(cid:173)
`work (PSTN), or the Internet, among others. The DHCT 200
`is typically situated at a customer premises 120, and may be
`a stand-alone unit or integrated into another device such as,
`for example, a television (TV) 140. The customer premises
`65 120 may be a user's residence or place of business.
`The DHCT 200 receives signals (video, audio and/or
`other data) from the headend 110 through the CN 130. The
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention can be better understood with reference to
`the following drawings. The components in the drawings are
`not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being
`placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present 50
`invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals desig(cid:173)
`nate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a non-limiting
`example of a subscriber television system in accordance
`with one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating selected
`components of a DHCT according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting
`example of a remote control device that may be used to
`provide user input to the DHCT and/or to the TV illustrated
`in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating remote control
`keys that may be used to control the audio volume level for
`television services that are presented by the television illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 1.
`
`55
`
`

`

`US 6,909,471 B2
`
`3
`DHCT 200 may also use the CN 130 to provide upstream
`messages to the headend 110. A remote control device 150
`may be used to provide user input to the DHCT 200. The
`remote control device 150 preferably provides user input via
`infra-red (IR) signals. However, the remote control device 5
`150 may alternatively provide user input via other types of
`signals, such as, for example, wireless radio frequency (RF)
`signals. Other input devices (e.g., a keyboard or a mouse)
`may additionally or alternatively be used to provide user
`input.
`The headend 110 may include one or more server devices
`(not shown) for providing video, audio, and other data to the
`DHCT 200 via the CN 130. The headend 110 and the DHCT
`200 cooperate to provide a user with television services via
`the TV 140. The television services may include, for
`example, broadcast television services, video-on-demand
`(VOD) services, and/or pay-per-view (PPV) services,
`among others. Each television service typically corresponds
`to a television station (e.g., CNN) and is identified by a
`television channel number (e.g., channel 46).
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating selected
`components of a DHCT 200 according to one embodiment
`of the invention, among others. The DHCT 200 includes a
`local interface 210 that is used to transfer data among DHCT
`200 components. The local interface 210 may include, for
`example, one or more buses or other wired and/or wireless
`connections. As shown in FIG. 2, the DHCT 200 includes at
`least one processor 224 and memory system 230, among
`other components.
`The processor 224 is a hardware device for executing
`software, particularly that stored in memory system 230.
`The processor 224 can be a custom-made or a commercially
`available processor for executing software instructions.
`When the DHCT is in operation, the processor 224 is
`configured to execute software stored within the memory
`system 230, to communicate data to and from the memory
`system 230, and to generally control operations of the
`DHCT 200 pursuant to the software.
`The memory system 230 may include any one or com(cid:173)
`bination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access
`memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM
`(SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), magnetic RAM
`(MRAM), etc.) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., read
`only memory (ROM), hard drive, tape, compact disk ROM 45
`(CD-ROM), etc.). Moreover, the memory system 230 may
`incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types
`of storage media. Note that the memory system 230 can have
`a distributed architecture, where various memory compo(cid:173)
`nents are situated remotely from one another, but can be 50
`accessed by the processor 224.
`Software residing in memory system 230 may include one
`or more separate programs, each of which comprises execut(cid:173)
`able instructions for implementing logical functions. In the
`example of FIG. 2, the software in the memory system 230 55
`includes an operating system (OS) 231, a navigator appli(cid:173)
`cation 235, a driver 232, and a volume control application
`233. The volume control application 233 may be imple(cid:173)
`mented as a discrete application, or may be part of another
`application, such as, for example, the navigator application 60
`235 or the OS 231. Other software applications may be
`included in memory system 230 but are omitted from FIG.
`2 to simplify the illustration of the DHCT 200.
`The OS 231 controls the execution of other software and
`provides management and control services including, for
`example, scheduling, input-output control, file and data
`management, memory management, and communication
`
`4
`control, among others. The navigator 235 is used to route
`user input commands to respective software applications
`that have registered with the navigator 235 to receive the
`commands. The volume control parameters database stores
`volume control settings that are used to determine the
`volume levels corresponding to respective volume-types.
`The volume control application 233 is responsible for pro(cid:173)
`viding a volume level corresponding to a volume-type that
`is requested by a user. The volume control application 233
`10 provides a volume level by communicating with a driver
`232. The driver 232 controls the operation of a volume
`control module (not shown in FIG. 2) that may be located,
`for example, in the signal processing system 220 or in the
`output system 228. The driver 232 may operate based on
`15 instructions provided by the volume control application 233.
`The tuner system 225 includes, in one implementation, an
`out-of-band tuner for receiving out-of-band signals that were
`modulated using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), and
`an in-band quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)/analog
`20 tuner for receiving analog and digital television services.
`The signal processing system 220 may be capable of
`demodulating, demultiplexing, and decoding signals that are
`tuned to by the tuner system 225. Although shown as one
`module, the signal processing system 220 may comprise
`25 multiple modules that are located in different parts of the
`DHCT 200.
`The DHCT 200 also includes an IR receiver 226 which
`detects IR signals that encode remote control commands
`requesting television services or DHCT functionality.
`Remote control commands that are detected by the IR
`receiver 226 may be forwarded to the navigator application
`235, which routes the commands to respective software
`applications.
`The output system 228 is used to perform analog-to-
`digital conversion on television service data that are to be
`output to the TV 140-1. The output system 228 may provide
`the TV 140-1 with signals that are in, for example, NTSC
`(National Television Standard Committee) format. In an
`alternative embodiment, if the TV 140-1 is a digital televi(cid:173)
`sion (e.g., an HDTV), then the output system 228 may
`include an MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) encoder
`for encoding television service data in an MPEG-2 format.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a non-limiting
`example of a remote control device 300 that may be used to
`provide user input to the DHCT 200 and/or to the TV 140
`(FIG. 1). Note that the remote control device 300 is merely
`illustrative and is not intended to imply any limitations of the
`scope of the present invention. The remote control device
`300 may use an LED (light-emitting diode (not shown)) to
`generate patterns of IR pulses corresponding to respective
`remote control keys.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the remote control device 300
`includes a TV power key 301, a channel up/down key 302,
`a mute key 303, number keys 304, arrow keys 311-314, a
`select key 315, and video control keys 305, among others.
`The TV power key 301 may be used for turning on the TV
`140 (FIG. 1). The channel up/down key 302 may be used to
`request an incrementally higher or lower numbered televi(cid:173)
`sion channel than the currently displayed television channel.
`The video control keys 305 may be used to control the
`functionality of a video cassette recorder (VCR) or provide
`trick-mode functionality in connection with a video-on(cid:173)
`demand (VOD) presentation. The arrow keys 311-314 may
`65 be used to scroll through on-screen options and/or to high(cid:173)
`light a desired option. The select key 315 may be used to
`select a highlighted on-screen option. The mute key 303 may
`
`40
`
`30
`
`35
`
`

`

`US 6,909,471 B2
`
`6
`volume setting of "10" (e.g., on a scale of 0-63), then
`activating key 403 may first result in the provision of a
`slightly louder volume level that corresponds to a volume
`setting of "11," and re-activating (or continuing to activate)
`5 key 403 may then result in an even louder volume level that
`corresponds to a volume setting of "12," and so forth.
`
`A user may activate a volume-type selection key 401 or
`402 and/or a gradual-volume-modification key 403 or 404 in
`10 order to achieve a desired volume level (e.g., as determined
`by a user's auditory perception). Once a desired volume
`level is achieved, then the save key 405 may be pressed in
`order to associate the user-selected volume level with the
`user-selected volume-type.
`
`20
`
`After a user-selected volume level is associated with a
`certain volume-type, then the user-selected volume level
`may be presented to a user in response to a subsequent
`request for such volume-type. For example, if a user(cid:173)
`selected volume level corresponding to a volume setting of
`"15" is associated with a low volume-type, then such
`volume level (15) may be provided to a user in response to
`a subsequent request for a low volume-type. Furthermore,
`after a user-selected volume level is associated with a certain
`volume-type, then a user may request a default volume level
`25 associated with such volume type by first requesting the
`volume type (e.g., via key 401 or key 402), and by then
`activating the default key 409. A default volume level may
`be a volume level that was capable of being presented to a
`user prior to the association of a user-selected volume level
`30 with a certain volume-type, in response to a selection of such
`volume-type. Furthermore, a default volume level may be a
`level that is set by a television service provider and/or by a
`DHCT user. After a volume-type and a default volume level
`are selected, then the default volume level may be desig-
`35 nated as corresponding to the requested volume type by
`activating the save key 405. Once a default volume level is
`designated as corresponding to a certain volume-type, then
`a subsequent request for such volume-type may result in the
`provision of the default volume level.
`
`Associating a user-selected volume level with a user(cid:173)
`selected volume-type may be achieved by storing and/or
`modifying one or more volume control parameters in a
`database 234 (FIG. 2). A volume control parameter may be
`any data entry that enables the DHCT 200 to provide (via the
`TV 140) a certain volume level. A volume control parameter
`may or may not have any meaning outside the context of the
`DHCT 200's internal operations. Volume control parameters
`that may have meaning outside the context of the DHCT's
`50 internal operations may include, for example, television
`volume settings (e.g., on a scale of 0--63). Other volume
`control parameters that may be associated with respective
`volume levels including for example, audio signal amplifi(cid:173)
`cation or attenuation levels required to achieve certain
`55 volume levels. The following tables illustrate non-limiting
`examples, among others, of volume control parameters that
`may be stored in database 234.
`
`5
`be used to mute the audio volume associated with a televi(cid:173)
`sion presentation.
`The remote control device 300 also includes other volume
`control keys 400 that can be used to manipulate the volume
`of a television service, as described in more detail below.
`Note that the remote control device 300 may alternatively
`include fewer, different, and/or additional keys than illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating remote control
`keys 400 that may be used to control the audio volume level
`for television services that are output by the DHCT 200 and
`presented by the television 140 (FIG. 1). The remote control
`keys 400 may be configured to provide user input to the
`DHCT 200 and/or to the television 140 depending on a
`desired implementation. The keys 400 may be included on 15
`the exterior of a remote control device 150 (FIG. 1) that is
`used to provide user input commands to the DHCT 200. The
`keys 400 include volume-type-selection keys 401 & 402,
`gradual-volume-modification keys 403 & 404, a default key
`409, and a save key 405.
`The volume-type selection keys 401 and 402 may be used
`to select a volume-type. In a preferred embodiment, one of
`three volume-types may be selected. The volume-types may
`be, for example, "low," "normal," and "loud." Other names
`or labels may alternatively be used to identify the volume(cid:173)
`types including, for example, among others, "low,"
`"medium," and "high." Furthermore, fewer or additional
`volume types may be available. As a non-limiting example,
`the available volume types may be "very low," "low,"
`"normal," "loud," and "very loud."
`The volume-type selection key 401 may be used to select
`a louder volume-type, if available, than a currently provided
`volume-type. The volume-type selection key 402, on the
`other hand, may be used to select a quieter volume-type, if
`available, than a currently provided volume-type. For
`example, if the current volume-type is "low," then activating
`key 401 may first result in the provision of a volume level
`corresponding to a "normal" volume-type that is substan(cid:173)
`tially louder than the "low" volume-type, and re-activating 40
`key 401 may result in the provision of a volume level
`corresponding to a "loud" volume-type that is substantially
`louder than the "normal" volume-type. A volume level may
`be considered to be substantially louder if, for example, it
`corresponds to volume setting that is at least 5 points higher 45
`on a scale of 0-63.
`Note that a television presentation that is presented at a
`certain volume level will typically include audio data that is
`played at varying sound intensity levels. As a non-limiting
`example, when a certain television presentation is played at
`a certain volume level, a scene depicting a verbal conver(cid:173)
`sation may include audio data that is played at 60 decibels
`(dB), whereas a scene depicting explosions may include
`audio data that is played at 90 dB. In the context of sound,
`decibels are defined in terms of power per unit surface area
`on a scale from the threshold of human hearing, 0 dB,
`upward towards the threshold of pain, about 120-140 dB. A
`first volume level may be considered to be louder than a
`second volume level if, for a given television presentation,
`in accordance with one example, among others, the average 60
`sound intensity level that results from presenting the tele(cid:173)
`vision presentation at the first volume level is higher than the
`average sound intensity level that results from presenting the
`same television presentation at the second volume level.
`The gradual-volume-modification keys 403 and 404 may
`be used to gradually modify a current volume level. For
`example, if the current volume level corresponds to a
`
`TABLE 1
`
`Volume Settings Used as Volume Control Parameters
`
`Volume-
`type
`
`Low
`Normal
`
`Volume
`Setting (Scale
`of 0-63)
`
`10
`25
`
`65
`
`

`

`US 6,909,471 B2
`
`7
`
`TABLE 1-continued
`
`Volume Settings Used as Volume Control Parameters
`
`Volume(cid:173)
`type
`
`Loud
`
`Volume
`Setting (Scale
`of 0-63)
`
`40
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Audio Signal Amplification Levels
`Used as Volume Control Parameters
`
`Volume-
`type
`
`Low
`Normal
`Loud
`
`Audio Signal
`Amplification
`Level
`
`lOx
`20x
`30x
`
`In one embodiment, a user-selected volume level may be
`associated with a user-selected volume-type on a per(cid:173)
`channel basis. For example, a volume-type "low" may be
`associated with a volume setting of "10" in connection with
`a first television channel, but may be associated with a
`volume setting of "12" in connection with a second televi(cid:173)
`sion channel. The following tables illustrate non-limiting
`examples, among others, of volume control parameters (that
`may be stored in database 234) corresponding to respective
`volume-types and television channels.
`
`TABLE 3
`
`Volume Settings for Respective Channels and Volume Tvoes
`
`Volume-
`type
`
`Low
`Normal
`Loud
`
`Volume
`Setting For
`Channel 2
`
`Volume
`Setting For
`Channel 4
`
`Volume
`Setting For
`Channel 5
`
`10
`25
`40
`
`10
`26
`41
`
`9
`25
`39
`
`TABLE 4
`
`Amplification Levels for Respective Channels and Volume Types
`
`Volume-
`type
`
`Low
`Normal
`Loud
`
`Audio Signal
`Amplification
`Level
`For Channel 2
`
`Audio Signal
`Amplification
`Level
`For Channel 4
`
`Audio Signal
`Amplification
`Level
`For Channel 5
`
`lOx
`20x
`30x
`
`llx
`21x
`30x
`
`lOx
`20x
`29x
`
`When a user-selected volume level is associated with a
`user-selected volume-type on a per-channel basis, then
`selecting a certain volume-type may, in one implementation,
`result in a corresponding volume level that is automatically
`adjusted in response to a subsequent change in television
`channels. The volume level may be adjusted based on, for
`example, a volume control parameter corresponding to the
`newly presented television channel and to the selected
`volume-type.
`In yet another embodiment, a user-selected volume level
`may be associated with a user-selected volume-type and a
`
`15
`
`20
`
`8
`user-selected service. The user selected service may include,
`for example, a sequence of broadcast television presenta(cid:173)
`tions that are provided by a certain television station. Non(cid:173)
`limiting examples of television services include, a CNN
`5 service (e.g., Headline News), an American Broadcasting
`Company (ABC) service, and a British Broadcasting Cor(cid:173)
`poration (BBC) service (e.g., BBC One), among others. In
`this manner, even if a channel map associating television
`services with channel numbers is altered, a user-selected
`10 volume level may continue to be associated with a user(cid:173)
`selected service.
`FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating remote control
`keys 410 that, as a whole, represent an alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment to the remote control keys 400 (FIG. 4A). The keys
`410, which may part of the remote control device 150 (FIG.
`1), include volume-type-selection keys 406-408, gradual(cid:173)
`volume-modification keys 403 and 404, a default key 409,
`and a save key 405.
`The volume-type selection keys 406, 407, and 408 may be
`used to select a respective volume-type; activating key 406
`may be used to request a "loud" volume-type, activating key
`407 may be used to request a "normal" volume-type and
`activating key 408 may be used to request a "low" volume(cid:173)
`type. In response to a request for a volume-type, the DHCT
`25 200 may output an audio signal that has a volume level that
`is associated with the selected volume-type.
`The gradual-volume-modification keys 403 and 404 may
`be used in the same general manner as discussed above in
`30 relation to FIG. 4A. A user may activate a volume-type
`selection key 406, 407, or 408 and/or a gradual-volume(cid:173)
`modification key 403 or 404 in order to achieve a desired
`volume level. Once a desired volume level is achieved, then
`associating the user-selected volume level with the user-
`35 selected volume-type may be achieved by, for example: (a)
`activating the save key 405 after both the volume level and
`volume-type have been specified or (b) activating
`(consecutively or concurrently) the save key 405 and a
`volume-type selection key 406, 407, 408 after the volume
`level has been specified.
`FIG. 5 depicts a screen 500 that may be presented to a user
`in response