Audio device volume manager using measured volume perceived at a first audio device to control volume generation by a second audio device

Abstract

An audio volume control method employs an audio system that includes a first audio device and a second audio device. A communications link connects the first and second audio devices together so that each may communicate with the other. The audio system includes an audio volume manager that varies the audio output level of the second audio device as a function of the perceived loudness of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device.

1 . A method of controlling audio volume, comprising:
 receiving, by an audio volume manager, audio volume information of a first audio device that indicates a current audio volume of a second audio device as perceived at the first audio device; and   changing, by the audio volume manager, audio volume generated by the second audio device as a function of the current perceived audio volume of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by an audio volume manager, status information that indicates when the first audio device and the second audio device are simultaneously in use; and   switching, by the audio volume manager, from a monitoring mode to a control mode in response to the status information indicating that the first audio device and the second audio device are simultaneously in use.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio volume manager stores a predetermined volume level at which the audio volume manager instructs the second audio device to maintain but not exceed at the first audio device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changing step further comprises increasing the audio volume generated by the second audio device as the current perceived volume of the second audio device as perceived by the first audio device decreases. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio volume manager is situated within one of the first audio device, the second audio device and a controller that is external to both the first and second audio devices. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the audio volume manager, a user selectable threshold audio volume level setting that activates the audio volume manager to control the audio volume of the second audio device when the current perceived volume of the—second audio device as perceived by the first audio device reaches this user selectable threshold audio volume level.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 switching, by the audio volume manager, from the control mode to the monitoring mode when the status information indicates that the first audio device and the second audio device are not currently simultaneously in use.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 repeating the receiving status information step, the receiving audio volume information step and the changing audio volume generated step at predetermined time intervals.