Method and apparatus for multifunction audio signal controller
An audio device includes an audio output, a single controller, and a processor. The audio output is operable to output at a volume level. The controller is operable to receive a command from a user. The processor is operable to process the received command to provide one of multiple audio control functions that control the audio output. The multiple audio control functions include: a play mode, a pause mode, and a volume change mode. One of the multiple audio control functions is selected in response to comparing a pressing time of the controller with a first predetermined time period. The audio output is operable to output at a volume level during the play mode, to mute during the pause mode, and to the output volume level to be adjusted during the volume change mode.
1. An audio device comprising:
an audio output having a volume level;
a single button controller operable to receive a pressing command from a user; and
a processor operable to process the received pressing command to control the audio output by comparing a continuous pressing time of the received pressing command with a first predetermined time period;
in response to the continuous pressing time being less than the first predetermined time period, toggling the audio device between a play mode and a pause mode by using the single-button controller;
in response to the continuous pressing time being longer than the first predetermined time period, entering the audio device into a volume change mode, and
wherein the audio output is operable to: output at the volume level during the play mode, mute during the pause mode and adjust the volume level by using the single-button controller during the volume change mode.
2. The audio device of claim 1 , wherein the processor further comprises a volume control counter having a parameter n that represents the volume level, and wherein n is between 0 and a predetermined number N.
3. The audio device of claim 2 , wherein:
during the volume change mode and when n is greater than 0 and less than or equal to the predetermined number N, the volume control counter counts down by decreasing the parameter n one at a time and holds the parameter n at each value for a second predetermined time, and
during the volume change mode and when n equals 0, the volume control counter counts up by increasing the parameter n one at a time and holds the parameter n at each value for the second predetermined time.
4. The audio device of claim 3 , wherein the single button controller is operable to release in response to the volume level being desired by the user.
5. A method for providing multiple audio control functions for an audio device, the method comprising:
outputting at a volume level of the audio device;
receiving a pressing command by a single button controller from a user; and
processing the received pressing command by a processor to control the volume level by comparing a continuous pressing time of the received pressing command with a first predetermined time period,
in response to the continuous pressing time being less than the first predetermined time period, toggling the audio device between a play mode and a pause mode by using the single-button controller;
in response to the continuous pressing time being longer than the first predetermined time period, entering the audio device into a volume change mode,
wherein the audio output is operable to: output at the volume level during the play mode, mute during the pause mode, and adjust the volume level by using the single-button controller during the volume change mode.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
providing a volume control counter parameter n that represents the volume level, and wherein n is between 0 and a predetermined number N.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
during the volume change mode and when the volume control counter parameter n is greater than 0 and less than or equal to the predetermined number N, decreasing the parameter n one at a time and holding the volume control counter parameter n at each value for a second predetermined time, and
during the volume change mode and when the volume control counter parameter n is equal to 0, increasing the volume control counter parameter n one at a time and holding the volume control counter parameter n at each value for the second predetermined time.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
releasing the single button controller in response to the volume level being desired by the user.