Acoustic signatures

• US 10,051,397 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2014
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Reimann, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanders, Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US14/558,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20150086041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/181 Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 5/165 Equalizers; Volume or gain control in limited frequency bands
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/007 : for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00

Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. In some embodiments, a playback device includes an audio processing component configured to receive an audio input signal, receive an acoustic signature signal, generate an audio output signal based on the audio input signal and the acoustic signature signal, and output the generated audio output signal. In some embodiments, the acoustic signature identifies at least one of the playback device or a group of playback devices. Some embodiments additionally include the playback device amplifying the generated audio output signal with one or more amplifiers, and playing the generated audio output signal via one or more speakers.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

an audio stage comprising a digital signal processor (DSP);

a network interface;

one or more speakers;

a processor; and

a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by the playback device, wherein the instructions, when executed by the playback device, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising;

receiving, by the processor from the network interface, an audio input signal to be played back by the playback device;

receiving, by the processor, a first acoustic signature signal and a second acoustic signature signal, wherein the first acoustic signature signal identifies the playback device, and wherein the second acoustic signature signal identifies one or more operational parameters of the playback device in a particular media playback system, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise an indication that the playback device is connected via a wireless network connection to a particular wireless local area network;

generating, by the DSP, an audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by the one or more speakers, the generated audio output signal.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in the particular media playback system.

3. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured to operate in a pair with one or more additional playback devices in the particular media playback system.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured to operate in a zone group with one or more additional playback devices in the particular media playback system.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving, via the network interface from a control device of the particular media playback system, an instruction to change the one or more operational parameters;

in response to receiving the instruction;

changing the one or more operational parameters and generating, by the processor, a modified audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by the one or more speakers, the generated modified audio output signal.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises the playback device and an additional playback device, and wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting, by the processor and to the additional playback device via the network interface, the audio output signal for playback by the additional playback device in synchrony with the playback device.

18. The playback device of claim 2, wherein the particular zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a room name, and wherein the indication that the playback device is configured as part of the particular zone of the plurality of zones comprises an indication of the room name.

7. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform a method comprising:

receiving, from a network interface, an audio input signal to be played back by the playback device;

receiving a first acoustic signature signal and a second acoustic signature signal, wherein the first acoustic signature signal identifies the playback device, and wherein the second acoustic signature signal identifies one or more operational parameters of the playback device in a particular media playback system, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise an indication that the playback device is connected via a wireless network connection to a particular wireless local area network;

generating, by a digital signal processor (DSP), an audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by one or more speakers of the playback device, the generated audio output signal.

8. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in the particular media playback system.

9. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured to operate in a zone group with one or more additional playback devices in the particular media playback system.

10. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the playback device performing the method further comprises:

receiving, via the network interface from a control device of the particular media playback system, an instruction to change the one or more operational parameters;

in response to receiving the instruction;

changing the one or more operational parameters and generating, by the one or more processors, a modified audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by the one or more speakers, the generated modified audio output signal.

11. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 7, wherein the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises the playback device and an additional playback device, and wherein the playback device performing the method further comprises:

transmitting, by the one or more processors and to the additional playback device via the network interface, the audio output signal for playback by the additional playback device in synchrony with the playback device.

19. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the particular zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a room name, and wherein the indication that the playback device is configured as part of the particular zone of the plurality of zones comprises an indication of the room name.

12. A method comprising:

receiving, from a network interface of a playback device, an audio input signal to be played back the playback device;

receiving a first acoustic signature signal and a second acoustic signature signal, wherein the first acoustic signature signal identifies the playback device, and wherein the second acoustic signature signal identifies one or more operational parameters of the playback device in a particular media playback system, wherein the one or more operational parameters comprise an indication that the playback device is connected via a wireless network connection to a particular wireless local area network;

generating, by a digital signal processor (DSP), an audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by one or more speakers of the playback device, the generated audio output signal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in the particular media playback system.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured to operate in a zone group with one or more additional playback devices in the particular media playback system.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more operational parameters further comprise an indication that the playback device is configured to operate in pair with one or more additional playback devices in the particular media playback system.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving, via the network interface from a control device of the particular media playback system, an instruction to change the one or more operational parameters;

in response to receiving the instruction;

changing the one or more operational parameters and generating a modified audio output signal comprising (i) the audio input signal received from the network interface, (ii) the first acoustic signature signal, and (iii) the second acoustic signature signal; and

outputting, by the one or more speakers, the generated modified audio output signal.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the playback device is configured as part of a particular zone of a plurality of zones in a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises the playback device and an additional playback device, and wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting, to the additional playback device via the network interface, the audio output signal for playback by the additional playback device in synchrony with the playback device.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the particular zone of the plurality of zones is associated with a room name, and wherein the indication that the playback device is configured as part of the particular zone of the plurality of zones comprises an indication of the room name.