Consumer appliance having both explanatory comment and extra-linguistic signalization upon actuation thereof and reversible stepping between those two

A consumer appliance having both explanatory comment and extra-linguistic signalization upon actuation thereof and reversible stepping between those two. An electronics-controlled consumer appliance has various hardwared actuator elements for through actuation thereof driving the appliance from a present state to an associated respective destination state. It also has audio output for under control of selected present state-actuation combinations outputting a specific audio specifier. By way of improvement the specifier comes in a two-tier organization: in an upper tier it outputs an explanatory audio comment and in a lower tier it outputs an extra-linguistic audio signalization. Furthermore, the device allows for selectively and reversibly stepping between said two tiers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to an electronics-controlled consumer appliance 
device comprising a plurality of hardwared actuator elements for through 
respective actuation of such actuator element driving said appliance 
device from a present state to a destination state associated to a present 
state-actuation combination of said present state and said actuation, and 
also comprising audio output means for under control of each subset 
element of at least a subset of all possible present state-actuation 
combinations outputting an audio specifier with respect to such subset 
element combination. A consumer appliance device is a device for rendering 
certain services to a generally non-expert user and includes, but is not 
limited to a device for audio and/or video entertainment, a game computer, 
a device for cleaning dishes, laundry, cars, flooring and other property, 
an environmental control device for the home, a motor car, and various 
others. In a somewhat more limited sense it is an arrangement of one or 
more localized articles that alone or in combination provide some service 
to the general user. Present day devices incorporate an increasing amount 
of control features that come with a likewise increasing amount of control 
actuators that are actuated by hand, foot, voice, remote control and other 
mechanisms. In consequence, the number of present state-actuation 
combinations also has grown enormously. It has been found that as a 
consequence a user who is inexperienced with the device in question will 
make many actuation errors and often will not go into acquiring the 
knowledge of all relevant functionality features of the device. It has 
been proposed to supplement the actual actuation with particular 
explanation, in particular so, when the appliance device is intended for 
audio and/or video entertainment, because the associated audio and/or 
video output channels are inherent to the device. Now, if the explanation 
is on a video screen, it tends to be overlooked or unintelligible. If by 
speech, this tends to become in time an annoying disturbance. 
Nevertheless, it appears that some feedback to the user is advantageous, 
which would render inappropriate the terminating of the signalization for 
all future. 
SUMMARY TO THE INVENTION 
In consequence, amongst other things, it is an object of the present 
invention to provide the device according to the preamble with an 
appropriate amount of feedback that allows for in dependence of an actual 
situation choosing between an explanatory comment and a distinct, but not 
overly specific audio signalization. Thereto, according to one of its 
aspects, the invention is characterized in that said audio output means 
with respect to at least one such subset element combination have a 
two-tier operability, for in an upper tier outputting an explanatory audio 
comment and in a lower tier outputring an extra-linguistic audio 
signalization, said device furthermore having a changeover mechanism for 
selectively and reversibly stepping between said two tiers. Thus, the 
stepping is not definitive, but can be reversed. In particular, an 
inexperienced user could need explicit feedback, whereas an expert user 
would only need a rather unspecific signal, such as a "beep" or "bom" 
percussion sound. Various such sounds are discussed hereinafter. 
Advantageously, said audio output means have said two-tier operability 
exclusively with respect to an inconsequential present state-actuation 
combination. Especially upon an erroneous actuation, the novice would need 
some guidance, for example while trying in a shop. During everyday usage, 
the long explanation could be felt as dreary. In that case, the device 
could be operated with the extra-linguistic audio signalization. 
Nevertheless, in such cases where uncertainty still exists, the user would 
experience the explanatory audio comment both as quite natural and as an 
explicit source of useful infomarion. 
Advantageously, said changeover mechanism in at least one direction of said 
stepping is operative automatically. The device itself, according to some 
appropriate strategy, would `know` when the explicit comment would no 
longer be useful, or, on the other hand should be reinstalled. 
Alternatively, said changeover mechanism in at least one direction of said 
stepping is activated through an explicit user actuation. An example for 
reinstatement of the explicit comment would be by a `help` button. The two 
ways of changeover can be combined in various ways. One direction could be 
automatic and the other manually, or one or both directions could have 
both the automatic and the manually activated changeover side-by-side. 
Advantageously, an appliance device and having a standard audio output 
functionality mode, and furthermore having temporal windowing means for 
under control of said explanatory comment outputting temporally 
down-controlling an actual audio volume of said standard audio in favour 
of said explanatory comment. For example, during listening to a radio 
broadcast, this would render the explanatory audio comment better 
understandable. The profile of the windowing may be various, as explained 
hereinafter. 
Various further advantageous aspects of the invention are recited in 
dependent Claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Various aspects of a consumer appliance whereto the invention may be added, 
but not the present invention itself, have been described in previous 
Patent Application EP 92202150.6 corresponding U.S. Ser. No. 08/089,959, 
(PHN 14.124=Speacop I), now abandoned, herein incorporated by reference. 
The earlier work related to the mapping of certain keys of any subaltern 
module to the principal module of a multi-module device. This allowed to 
diminish the overall number of actuator elements in that the subaltern 
modules now had very few of those, sometimes only a single one. In that 
case, the explanation of the key functionality was visual, which had its 
weaknesses as explained supra. Hereinafter, the more general term 
"actuator" is used, which would encompass push-buttons and other keys such 
as toggles, but also rotary buttons, sliders, soft keys on a touch screen 
and likewise, such actuators when located on a remote control device. Now, 
the present invention, although useful with such mapped-multimodule 
device, can likewise be applied with a multimodule device without the 
above mapping, or even with a one-module device: even in such environment 
that from an ergonomical point of view is less sophisticated, the present 
invention eases the burden of a user. For improved assessment, first a 
part of the earlier disclosure is imported herein. 
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device wherein the invention may be 
embodied, and FIG. 2 a front view of a consumer audio apparatus, both 
taken from the referenced disclosure. The arrangement of FIG. 1 in 
particular comprising superior module 20, and further modules 44, 46, 48. 
The modules are interconnected by a control network 56, that may be a 
serial single channel bus which supports a multi-master organization. 
However, the invention does not particularly relate to the functionality 
of the interconnection network. The superior module has been provided with 
various control actuators or buttons 22 through 36, inclusive of 
activating button 22, a display field 38, a central control unit 40, and a 
user functionality unit 42. The other modules each have a single 
activating button 50, 52, 54. Their control units nor their user 
functionality units have been shown. Actuation of the respective 
activating buttons 22, 50-54 is detected by the local control module, and 
an activation message is subsequently sent over network 56: this 
terminates the active state of any other module. If the superior module 20 
is activated, buttons 24 through 36 are assigned particular functions. The 
function may be accessed by pressing the button in question. Each button 
has its functionality shown by a display indication. This may be a lighted 
icon on the button in question, or just a sign, pictogram or letter, 
printed on the button or near it. Accessing may change the nature of the 
display, such by increase of the light strength, changing the display 
colour, by blinking, or otherwise. A different way of display is by means 
of a software controlled display element on display 38. The accessed 
functionality is signalled to control unit 40, which thereupon drives the 
user functionality unit 42 to the appropriate operation. If now a 
different module such as 44 is activated by pressing button 50, module 20 
is rendered inactive. This does not apply to the actual user functionality 
that may be maintained or not, as the case may be. For example, adjustment 
of a preferred broadcast frequency may be maintained. However, if the 
superior module is the amplifier, the sound may be made less loud if 
subsequently a recorder is activated. Now, however, various notional 
actuator functionalities of module 44 are mapped on respective ones of the 
buttons or actuators 24 through 36, and even, if required, on button 22. 
The mapping pattern is predetermined with respect to module 44, and fixed. 
Each of the buttons that now has a function with respect to module 44, 
which need not necessarily pertain to all buttons 24 through 36, may now 
have an indication of the latter functionality. This may take various 
forms. A very simple one is that the original icon is maintained. For 
example, if the superior module is a tape deck module, the mapping thereon 
of the control buttons for a CD-player would mean that various actuators, 
although the destination of a mapping operation, would now have actuation 
functions that would closely correspond to their original ones. However, 
various ones of the buttons may have such different functionality that 
also the name of the function is changed. In particular, this is realized 
in that a new or modified explicator indication occurs on display element 
38 as a display item. This may again be an icon, or one or more words 
explaining or symbolizing the function to be activated by the button in 
question. If the display is verbal, the content thereof may be controlled 
by origin module 44. This means that the superior module may, but need 
not, know expressly the function to be effected by the actuation of a 
particular button. It is just required that the origin module of the 
mapping gets back a message over the network 56 as to what it should do 
according to the effected actuation of one of the buttons on the superior 
module. Again the indication the display may have an accessory element or 
property, such as colour, shape, blinking, for drawing attention. Upon the 
effected actuation, both the explicatory indication itself and also any 
accessory element or property may be amended. For brevity, the exact user 
functionality, the distribution thereof over the various modules, and the 
cooperation of the modules on a user functionality level have not been 
described. For simplicity, all buttons have been shown identical, but this 
is not a restriction. There may be toggle buttons, toggle switches, rotary 
buttons, sliders and various others. Also, they may have different sizes, 
shapes, colours, textures and such features that would make them more or 
less prominent in accordance with the intended use. Their actuatability 
functionality may be unchanged through the cross-module mapping, or be 
modified. For example, buttons may change from a toggling on-off control 
to an one-out-of-n activation, wherein n may have higher values, such that 
actuating a particular button would render inactive the other n-1, in the 
same way that only one of the modules is active at any one time. As shown, 
all modules can be mapped on the single superior module, but various other 
configurations are feasible. Certain modules may not be mappable, and 
there may be two or even more superior modules, wherein any non-superior 
module is mappable on a particular one of the superior modules. 
Now, the description of the overall functionality of FIG. 1 is not 
particular to the present invention. The user functionality unit 42 and 
the central control unit communicate via line 41. The buttons 22-26 
communicate with control unit 40, and with display field 38 and associated 
control along dotted lines collectively indicated by 37. The various 
functionalities in the respective modules communicate along 
interconnections not shown, inasfar as necessary for the overall 
functioning of the device. In particular cases control and function may 
both be communicated over network 56. 
FIG. 2 is a front view of a device according to the invention; the 
functionality is that of a stereo tower. By itself, the functionality of 
the modules is conventional. The top module is a Compact Disc player that 
as indicated features has only a tray "disc" and a control button for 
loading and unloading. The next lower module is a double tape deck with a 
left tape and a right tape. Each tape has a rewind control button and a 
load/unload button. Furthermore there is a central reset counter button, a 
"dolby" selection button, a "side" selection button that allows to select 
between "forward" and "backward" side in an auto-reverse organization, and 
a "record" button for the right hand tape. Various buttons have a 
companion light indicator (dot or stroke) to indicate an active or 
inactive state. The "side" button has two strokes that indicate "forward" 
or "reverse" respectively. 
The superior module has a row of buttons that activate one of the modules: 
from left to right, the CD player, the tape deck left tape, the tape deck 
right tape, the tuner itself, an auxiliary signal source that can be 
connected to a rear plug not shown, and an additional phono input. All of 
these have an indicator light showing which of the modules had been 
selected. Furthermore, there is an ON/OFF button to control the overall 
activity of the device. At right there is a large rotary button 60, for 
example to control tuner frequency, three small rotary buttons 62, to 
control balance, treble, and loudness, respectively, and a single button 
64 that controls cycling through three broadcast band regions that are 
indicated through three small LEDs respectively, a ten digit numerical 
pad, and three selective buttons that in particular relate to the tuner 
function proper: program, delete, and auto preset. These buttons select 
the associated respective functions of the tuner. Selection thereof may 
influence the display on display element 66 in that appropriate parameters 
of these three functionalities are displayed, but here, the mapping is 
inside a single functionality module. Finally, there is a set 68 of six 
buttons that are the destinations of the cross-module mapping. In the 
present situation, the CD player is the active module and is actually 
playing: CD SPEELT. The actually active actuatability pattern is displayed 
by big display field 66. As shown, this first signals actual operational 
state: the CD is playing. Next to this signalization, the display signals 
which track is playing and the time duration since the start of the track. 
The same is shown once more by a graphical quasi representation in the 
shape of a small square that steps along the digits that indicate tracks 1 
to 10. Furthermore, each of the buttons that is presently activatable has 
a one or two-word indication as shown, in addition to a standard 
functionality icon that has been shown on the hardware button. In 
sequence, the six functionalities are from left to right: previous tune, 
fast backward, stop, play, fast forward, and next tune. In the situation 
shown, only one of the six mappable buttons is active, as shown by a 
square around the associated DISPLAY indication of the button in question. 
This is no limitation inasmuch as two or more of functionalities could be 
active coexistently. 
Now, the present invention provides audio specifiers realized as either 
explanatory comments or extra-linguistic signalization as a help for the 
user, in particular the inexperienced user. In consequence, the visual 
signalization described to some extent can be omitted or be made more 
compact. This, of course, could allow for a smaller and/or quieter front 
of the device, which could render controlling easier and/or make the 
device's visual features more agreeable. 
FIG. 3 is an elementary diagram of a three-state device. All states and 
controls have been shown as circles and arrows, respectively. For brevity, 
no attention is paid to actual functionality. The actuation may be a set 
of push buttons. Now, the control is as follows. Upon actuation 100 the 
device goes "on" in state 102. Actuation 104 drives it from present state 
102 to destination state 106. Actuation 108 drives it from present state 
106 to destination state 110. Actuation 112 drives it from present state 
110 to destination state 102. Actuation 114 drives it from present state 
110 to "off". All other combinations of present state and actuation have 
no effect whatsoever. 
For example, if the device is in state 106, actuations 104, 112, 114 do not 
change present state. This simple state diagram has three categories of 
state. First, there is a state or pseudo-state with no exit directions: 
the rest state, wherein no audio specifier is given, or even can be given. 
Second, there are states wherein only a single actuation is useful: in 
these, the explanation can give a complete directive. Third, there is one 
state (110) wherein two or more actuations would have a useful result. In 
those states, the explanation may be of various types: it may signal an 
error, it may give a complete directive, it may point to a location in the 
manual, it may only specify the most probable way to proceed, or it may 
give any combination of the above. In FIG. 4, a simple solution is given. 
FIG. 4 shows a control flow chart highlighting the invention. The situation 
is the same as in FIG. 3. First, in block 120, the system is initialized, 
such as by closing the mains switch, which may cause the loading of a 
program, parameters, etcetera. Next, in each respective state, the system 
enters a waiting loop to detect any subsequently occurring actuation. For 
clarity, the waiting loops have not been shown explicitly. Upon such 
detection, in block 122 the nature of the actuation is detected: if 100, 
the system goes to state 102 (and in block 124 the necessary actions for 
this state are executed). If any other actuation, the system goes to block 
138 for generating an audio specifier, which at first is an explanatory 
comment that the user should effect actuation 100 instead. Subsequently, 
the waiting loop is entered again. The combination of blocks 122, 124, and 
138, is repeated for states 102 (blocks 126, 128, 142) and 106 (blocks 
130, 132, 144). In block 132, state 110 is reached. In block 134 actuation 
114 is detected. If yes, the system exits to block 146 and terminates its 
activity. Resumption thereof needs a new initialization as in block 120. 
If no, in block 136 actuation 112 is detected. If yes, the system goes to 
block 140. If no, the audio specifier of block 148 indicates that 
actuation 112 should be given. Block 140 controls the representation of 
the audio specifier. As explained earlier, especially with respect to 
state 110 various types of audio specification could be given. 
As regards the changeover between the explanatory comment and the 
extra-linguistic signalization, various policies can be useful. A simple 
solution is that passage of block 140 always changes all specifiers to the 
extra-linguistic signalization, such as a beep. At initialization, the 
full explanatory comment is reinstated. A second solution is that block 
140 measures a particular time, and the transition to the extra-linguistic 
signalization is effected only after that time. A third solution is by 
logging: correct execution of any actuation is counted, and any actuation 
that reaches its associated count is thereafter only specified by beep 
upon activation of an erroneous actuation. A fourth solution is that the 
user may set to or reset from beep only, either for all actuations 
collectively, or for respective subsets of present state-actuation 
combinations, or even selectively for each present state-actuation 
separately. This control could, for example, be by a toggle, such as at 
the rear side of the device. Various other solutions and combinations of 
the above are feasible. 
Hereinafter, an exemplary realization of the various explanatory comments 
and extra-linguistic signalizations is given as follows. For the apparatus 
according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a set of seventeen messages listed. For the 
development of the embodiment of the present invention, each actuation 
could cause any of three signalizations, and in particular a relatively 
long visual message (v), a speech message (s), and a non-speech message 
(n) in combination with a relatively short visual message. This relatively 
short visual message has also been shown during the speech message, but 
has not bene shown in the table as such. All visual messages have been 
listed in capital letters. In general, message 1 is a feed-forward message 
during Power-on, messages 2-5 are source selection messages, messages 6-10 
are tuner messages, messages 11, 12 are recording messages, messages 13-16 
are `mode error` messages and 17 is the general error message. 
______________________________________ 
1 (during power on, for a period of four seconds) 
v: "THE SAME CONTROLS FOR CD, TAPE AND 
TURNER" 
s/n: -- 
______________________________________ 
Here, the audio specifier is omitted, the visual display signalling the 
above-discussed mapping feature of almost all actuators on the principal 
module. Furthermore, the configuration is limited to tuner-double tape 
deck-CD-player. Other possible inputs to the device are unconnected, such 
as a mechanical record player. 
______________________________________ 
2 (tape 1 pressed) 
s: "for playing, press on start" 
v: "TAPE 1 PLAYING, SELECT START" 
n: "TAPE 1 STOPPED" (`tom` sound) 
______________________________________ 
Here the device signals that tape 1 has only play functionality, whereas 
recording is automatically steered to tape 2 after selection of an 
applicable source. 
______________________________________ 
3 (tape 2 pressed) 
s: "for recording, select source and press record" 
v: "TAPE 2 RECORDING, SELECT CD/TUNER AND 
RECORD" 
n: "TAPE 2 STOPPED" (`tom` sound) 
______________________________________ 
Here, the above automatic function is explained, and the user is suggested 
to go on. 
______________________________________ 
4 (phono pressed) 
s: "this source is not connected" 
v: "PICK-UP, IS NOT CONNECTED" 
n: "PICK-UP" (`tom` sound) 
5 (aux pressed) 
s: "this source is not connected" 
v: "AUX, IS NOT CONNECTED" 
n: "AUX" (`tom` sound) 
______________________________________ 
As stated before, these two sources have not been provided in the 
arrangement according to FIG. 2. If applicable, the device could be 
self-detecting as to the presence or absence of these respective sources. 
Note that the -tom- sound has been chosen for the category of present 
state-actuation combinations that relate to selection of a source for 
playing and/or recording. All extra-linguistic signaiizations have been 
chosen from a broad category that resembles various percussion elements. 
______________________________________ 
6 (invalid number key pressed, and source is tuner and not in 
program mode) 
s: "for programming a tuner preset, first press program" 
v: "TO PROGRAM TUNER PRESET, PRESS 
PROGRAM" 
n: -- (`marimba` sound) 
7 (program is pressed, and source is tuner) 
s: "give a preset number and frequency" 
v: "TO PROGRAM TUNER PRESET GIVE NUMBER 
AND FREQ" 
n: -- (`marimba` sound) 
______________________________________ 
Generally, the -marimba- sound applies to situations wherein the 
ten-key-digit pad has been actuated or must be actuated for correctly 
proceeding. 
______________________________________ 
8 (button, other than key number or Forward or Backward, is 
pressed in tuner program mode) 
s: "give preference number and frequency" 
v: "GIVE NUMBER AND FREQUENCY" 
n: -- (corresponding to situation) 
______________________________________ 
Here, the extra-linguistic signalization is either a -tom- (if the source 
must be chosen) or a -marimba- (if a numerical entry must be made). 
______________________________________ 
9 (Auto preset pressed, and source is not tuner) 
s: "with this button you may program automatically presets in 
the tuner" 
v: "THIS BUTTON FOR AUTOM TUNER PRESET 
PROG" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
______________________________________ 
Generally, the-cymbal- sound is used to signal an error by the user. 
______________________________________ 
10 (Auto Preset briefly pressed, and source is tuner) 
s: "if you want to automatically program transmitters, press 
this button longer" 
v: "HOLD BUTTON TO INSTALL TUNER PRESET" 
n: "HOLD" (`marimba` sound) 
11 (Record pressed, and source is tape 2) 
s: "to allow recording, first choose a source" 
v: "RECORD, FIRST SELECT SOURCE" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
______________________________________ 
As explained earlier, the apparatus first needs a source specified and then 
always records on tape 2. 
______________________________________ 
12 (Record briefly pressed, and source is not tape 2) 
s: "if you want to record, hold this button pressed longer" 
v: "HOLD BUTTON TO RECORD" 
n: "HOLD" (`marimba` sound) 
13 (Waveband pressed, and source is not tuner) 
s: "this button applies to the tuner" 
v: "THIS BUTTON RELATES TO THE TUNER" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
14 (Delete, Program, or number key is pressed, and source is not 
CD or tuner) 
s: "this button is not for the tapedeck" 
v: :THIS BUTTON DOES NOT RELATE TO 
TAPEDECK" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
15 (Side pressed, and source is not tape 1 nor tape 2) 
s: "with this button you select the other tape side" 
v: "THIS BUTTON SELECTS OTHER TAPE SIDE" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
16 (Dolby or reset counter is pressed, and source is not tape 1 or 
tape 2) 
s: "this button relates to the tapedeck` 
v: "THIS BUTTON RELATES TO THE TAPEDECK" 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
______________________________________ 
The well-known Dolby-feature reduces noise during tape playback. The button 
is a set-reset toggle. 
The -reset- button resets the tape length counter for accurate measurement 
of actual tape positions. 
______________________________________ 
17 (general `button is disabled` condition) 
s: "this button cannot be used now" 
v: (display unchanged) 
n: -- (`cymbal` sound) 
______________________________________ 
In a first embodiment of the invention, the above user interface has been 
simulated on a large television screen, wherein the face generally 
corresponded to that of FIG. 2. Furthermore, actual user functionality, 
such as tuning, recording, playing, etcetera also was simulated. The users 
generally reacted very positive to the provisions according to the present 
invention. 
FIG. 5 explains various aspects of the temporal windowing. In FIG. 5A the 
axis 80 indicates the time, wherein arrow 96 shows the approximate 
duration of one second. Trace 82 shows diagrammatically the output volume 
of an audio user signal. This may relate to the play volume of a CD 
record, a broadcast radio program, synthetic speech in a CD interactive or 
other. For simplicity, the volume is presumed to be uniform. Trace 
88-86-92 likewise indicates the audio volume of the explanatory comment 
that is output upon a particular actuation by a user. Also here, the 
volume is supposed to be uniform which is only a very rough approximation. 
Speech loudness may vary by several dB during a sentence, even if the 
pauses are ignored. Music loudness (of the standard audio output) may have 
still greater volume variation. Now, during the explanation, the user 
output signal is attenuated as shown by dip 90-84-94. Various parameters 
may be optimized, such as: 
the onset of the comment versus the lowering of the user output volume (the 
latter may be later by a fraction of a second), 
the steepness of edges 88-92 and the corresponding steepness of the edges 
90-94 (they need not be equal), 
the audio volume of the comment (it may have a standard volume or the 
volume may be related to actual user output volume, the latter generally 
being preferred: it is assumed that the user output volume were already 
adapted to the user's preference, such as dictated by background noise, or 
distance between speakers and audience), 
the amount of lowering the user output volume (it may be a uniform dB value 
or it may have a more complicated relation), 
the amount may depend on the character of the actual user output (speech 
versus nonspeech, wherein non-speech could give smaller attenuation), 
the amount may depend on the character of the explanation, such as 
depending on its length, on the critical or non-critical character of the 
right actuation to be made, or a possible critical character of the actual 
situation of the device). Various other factors may come into play. 
Likewise, in FIG. 5B the axis 80 indicates the time. Trace 82 has the same 
significance as in FIG. 5B. Trace 98 shows diagrammatically the output 
volume of the extra-linguistic signalization that is output upon a 
particular actuation by a user. The volume is supposed to have rather 
sharp peak, but other shapes could apply, especially in such cases where 
the signalization mimics some kind of musical instrument, such as a 
marimba. In the example, the normal user audio output continues 
independently of signalization 98, the latter temporarily having a higher 
output volume. In other cases this would not even be necessary; if 
required, the standard audio 82, just as in FIG. 5A, could have a dip as 
well. Various ones of the factors discussed with respect to the earlier 
Figure could apply here as well. 
FIGURE LABELS 
FIG. 1 
20: superior module; 44, 46, 48: other modules; 22-36: control actuators; 
38: display field; 40: central control unit; 42: functionality unit; 50, 
52, 54: activating buttons. 
FIG. 2 
60: frequency button; 62: balance, treble & loudness buttons; 64: waveband 
selector. 
FIG. 3 
102, 106, 110: states; 100, 104, 108, 112, 114: actuations. 
FIG. 4 
120: initialize; 122: actuation 1007; 124: execute actions of state 102; 
138: give audio specifier; 126: actuation 104? 128: execute actions of 
state 106; 142: give audio specifier; 130: actuation 108? 132: execute 
actions of state 110; 144: give audio specifier; 134: actuation 114? 146: 
terminate activity; 136: actuation 112? 148: give audio specifier; 140: 
control representation of audio specifier(s).