A non-transitory, computer readable media having stored thereon instructions executable by a processing device associated with a sound metering device, the instructions, when executed by the processing device, causing the sound metering device to perform steps, comprising: calculating a signature for a first sound captured within an environment via use of one or more microphones associated with the sound metering device; causing the calculated signature for the first sound to be stored in a data repository; responding to an input that is received by the sound metering device and that is associated with a given state of at least one controllable appliance within the environment by using the input and the calculated signature for the first sound as retrieved from the data repository to determine an event to place the at least one controllable appliance into the given state to dispatch to a controlling application adapted to cause commands for controlling corresponding functional operations of the at least one controllable appliance to be communicated to the at least one controllable appliance; dispatching the event to the controlling application whereupon the controlling application uses the dispatched event to cause one or more commands to be communicated to the at least one controllable appliance to thereby place the at least one controllable appliance into the given state; wherein the instructions cause the sound meter to calculate a signature for a second sound captured within the environment via use of the one or more microphones associated with the sound metering device, cause the calculated signature for the second sound to be stored in the data repository, and respond to the input by using the input, the calculated signature for the second sound as retrieved from the data repository, and the calculated signature for the first sound as retrieved from the data repository to determine the event to dispatch to the controlling application; wherein the first sound comprises a sound captured while an audio generating appliance within the environment is operating at a minimal volume level and the second sound comprises a further sound captured while the audio generating appliance within the environment is operating at a maximum volume level; wherein the given state of the at least one controllable appliance is a volume state; and wherein the at least one controllable appliance is an audio/visual entertainment system. calculating a signature for a first sound captured within an environment via use of one or more microphones associated with the sound metering device; causing the calculated signature for the first sound to be stored in a data repository; responding to an input that is received by the sound metering device and that is associated with a given state of at least one controllable appliance within the environment by using the input and the calculated signature for the first sound as retrieved from the data repository to determine an event to place the at least one controllable appliance into the given state to dispatch to a controlling application adapted to cause commands for controlling corresponding functional operations of the at least one controllable appliance to be communicated to the at least one controllable appliance; dispatching the event to the controlling application whereupon the controlling application uses the dispatched event to cause one or more commands to be communicated to the at least one controllable appliance to thereby place the at least one controllable appliance into the given state; wherein the instructions cause the sound meter to calculate a signature for a second sound captured within the environment via use of the one or more microphones associated with the sound metering device, cause the calculated signature for the second sound to be stored in the data repository, and respond to the input by using the input, the calculated signature for the second sound as retrieved from the data repository, and the calculated signature for the first sound as retrieved from the data repository to determine the event to dispatch to the controlling application; wherein the first sound comprises a sound captured while an audio generating appliance within the environment is operating at a minimal volume level and the second sound comprises a further sound captured while the audio generating appliance within the environment is operating at a maximum volume level; wherein the given state of the at least one controllable appliance is a volume state; and wherein the at least one controllable appliance is an audio/visual entertainment system.