Techniques for customizing control of volume level in device playback

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:

• 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.

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:

• 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.

An audio output device comprising:

• 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;
• or
• otherwise, 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.

A portable device comprising:

• 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;
• or
• otherwise, 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.