Unitary electronic speaker device for receiving digital audio data and rendering the digital audio data

• US 10,067,739 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Golden IP LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Qureshey, Safi, Sheppard, Daniel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elahee, Md S
• Application Number:
  US15/073,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20160196101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 381 2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• 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: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/00 Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/82 the transmission system being the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 : for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 : Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/146 : Markers for unambiguous identification of a particular session, e.g. session cookie or URL-encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 : for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0006 : where voice calls cross both networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 : Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 : Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 : Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 : Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

An unitary electronic speaker device and method for rendering digital audio data are provided. A list comprising an ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating a plurality of audio items stored on at least one other device. is received in an embodiment. In one embodiment, the unitary electronic speaker device does not have any storage space other than the memory, and uses the hard disk embodied in at least one other device to supply the digital audio data. The audio data is received and rendered at the unitary electronic speaker device in according to the sequence defined by the list. Any number of the unitary electronic speaker devices may be connected in a network with the at least one other device. In one embodiment a plurality of unitary electronic speaker devices are connected through a LAN using Ethernet.

Claims

1. A unitary electronic speaker device comprising:

a speaker housing;

a communication interface attached to the speaker housing and operable to communicatively couple the unitary electronic speaker device over a network to at least one other device;

first and second memories located within the speaker housing, wherein the first memory is a first random access memory and the second memory is a flash memory;

at least one processor located within the speaker housing and associated with the first and second memories and the communication interface, the at least one processor operable to;

receive, from the at least one other device, digital audio data indicated in a playlist over the network, wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the digital audio data; and

render the digital audio data received over the network from the at least one other device;

a speaker attached to the speaker housing;

an amplifier located within the speaker housing and coupling the at least one processor and the speaker and operable to;

amplify an analog audio signal derived from the digital audio data; and

a physical input control attached to the speaker housing and operable to;

receive volume control input information; and

effect a sound level at which the amplified analog audio signal is rendered according to the volume control input information;

wherein the speaker housing does not include a display for displaying the digital audio data to a user of the unitary electronic speaker device.

2. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein the unitary electronic speaker device comprises two processors, wherein a first processor of the two processors is a general purpose processor and, a second processor of the two processors is an audio digital signal processor.

3. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 further comprising:

a digital-to-analog converter coupling the at least one processor and the amplifier; and

where in rendering the digital audio data the at least one processor is further operable to;

decode compressed digital audio data comprising the digital audio data into corresponding uncompressed digital audio data; and

provide the uncompressed digital audio data to the digital-to-analog converter to effect rendering the corresponding analog audio signal through the amplifier to the speaker.

4. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein the unitary electronic speaker device does not have any storage space other than the first and second memories.

5. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein the unitary electronic speaker device has no disk for data storage space.

6. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein the communication interface is an Ethernet interface.

7. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein the communication interface is an interface to a radio frequency link.

8. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein:

the speaker comprises a plurality of speakers;

the amplifier comprises a plurality of amplifiers; and

wherein the unitary electronic speaker device further comprises a plurality of digital-to-analog convertors coupled to the at least one processor to effect rendering corresponding analog audio signals through respective amplifiers of the plurality of amplifiers to respective speakers of the plurality of speakers.

9. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein to receive the digital audio data the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive a list comprising an ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating a plurality of audio items stored on the at least one other device, the list defining a sequence for rendering the plurality of audio items;

receive, from the at least one other device, ones of the plurality of audio items indicated by the list; and

render, according to the sequence defined by the list, the ones of the plurality of audio items received from the second device.

10. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein to receive the audio items the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive a command from a remote control device to begin rendering; and

in

response to receiving the command, initiate rendering the audio items.

11. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of audio items are indicated by URL.

12. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of audio items are indicated by audio item title.

13. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of audio items are not stored locally on the unitary electronic speaker device.

14. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein to render the ones of the plurality of audio the at least one processor is operable to:

receive a command reflecting that the list indicating the plurality of audio items should be played in a shuffled sequence; and

render, according to the shuffled sequence, the ones of the plurality of audio items received from the second device.

15. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein the unitary electronic speaker is a component of a system that further comprises:

the at least one other device, each comprising;

a second communication interface operable to;

communicatively couple the at least one other device and the unitary electronic speaker device; and

a processor connected to a memory of the at least one other device and the second communication interface, the processor of the at least one other device operable to;

receive user input indicating the list comprising the ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating the plurality of audio items;

based on the user input, select the list; and

send the selected list to the unitary electronic speaker device.

16. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 9 wherein to receive the list comprising the ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating the plurality of audio items the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive the list from the at least one other device.

17. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein the at least one other device is a home personal computer and the network is a LAN.

18. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 17 wherein to receive ones of the plurality of audio items the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive one of streams of the audio items and downloads of the audio items.

19. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein to receive the list from the at least one other device the at least one processor is further operable to:

scan at least one of the first and second memories of the unitary electronic speaker device for audio items indicated by the list to incorporate into the list.

20. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein the at least one other device is a server device and the network is the Internet.

21. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein to receive ones of the plurality of audio items the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive one of streams of the audio items and downloads of the audio items.

22. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein to receive the list from the at least one other device the at least one processor is further operable to:

receive from the at least one other device, alarm information, the alarm information reflecting a time at which the unitary electronic speaker device is to initiate rendering of the list;

detect a triggering of the alarm; and

initiate the rendering of the list.

23. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 22 wherein the alarm information identifies a recurring alarm.

24. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein the at least one processor is further operable to:

provide the list to another unitary electronic speaker device; and

provide ones of the audio items indicated by the list to the other unitary electronic speaker device.

25. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 16 wherein the at least one processor is further operable to:

provide the list to a plurality of other unitary electronic speaker devices; and

provide ones of the audio items indicated by the list to ones of the plurality of other unitary electronic speaker devices.

26. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein to receive the digital audio data, the at least one processor is operable to:

receive, over the network from the at least one other device, mp3 encoded digital audio; and

render the mp3 encoded digital audio received over the network from the at least one other device.

27. The unitary electronic speaker device of claim 1 wherein to receive the digital audio data, the at least one other processor is operable to:

receive, over the network from the at least one other device, an internet radio stream; and

render the internet radio stream received over the network from the at least one other device.

28. A method of operating a unitary electronic speaker device having a communication interface, a speaker and a physical input control attached to a speaker housing and at least one processor, a random access memory and a flash memory located within the speaker housing, the method comprising:

receiving a playlist comprising an ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating a sequence for playing a plurality of audio items stored on at least one other device;

receiving, from the at least one other device in communication with the unitary electronic speaker device via the communication interface, ones of the plurality of audio items indicated by the list;

amplifying an analog audio signal derived from the ones of the plurality of audio items;

rendering, according to the sequence defined by the list, the audio items received from the at least one other device and indicated by the list via the speaker;

receiving volume control input information; and

effecting a sound level at which the audio items are rendered according to the volume control input information;

wherein the speaker housing does not include a display for displaying the audio items to a user of the unitary electronic speaker device.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program, executable by a unitary electronic speaker device having a communication interface, a speaker and a physical input control attached to a speaker housing and at least one processor, a random access memory and a flash memory located within the speaker housing, the computer program comprising executable instructions for:

receiving a playlist comprising an ordered sequence of audio item indicators indicating a sequence for playing a plurality of audio items stored on at least one other device;

receiving, from the at least one other device in communication with the unitary electronic speaker device via the communication interface, ones of the plurality of audio items indicated by the list;

amplifying an analog audio signal derived from the ones of the plurality of audio items;

rendering, according to the sequence defined by the list, the audio items received from the at least one other device and indicated by the list via the speaker;

receiving volume control input information; and

effecting a sound level at which the audio items are rendered according to the volume control input information;

wherein the speaker housing does not include a display for displaying the audio items to a user of the unitary electronic speaker device.

30. A unitary electronic speaker device comprising:

a speaker housing;

an Ethernet communication interface attached to the speaker housing and operable to communicatively couple the unitary electronic speaker device over a network to at least one other device;

a random access memory located within the speaker housing;

a flash memory located within the speaker housing;

a general purpose processor located within the speaker housing and associated with the random access memory, the flash memory, and the Ethernet communication interface, the general purpose processor operable to;

receive, from the at least one other device, digital audio data indicated in a playlist over the network, wherein the playlist defines a sequence for playing the digital audio data; and

render the digital audio data received over the network from the at least one other device;

a physical input control attached to the speaker housing and operable to;

receive volume control input information; and

effect a sound level at which the digital audio data is rendered according to the volume control input information;

an audio digital signal processor located within the speaker housing and associated with the general purpose processor and operable to modify digital audio signals comprising the digital audio data;

a digital-to-analog converter located within the speaker housing and operable to receive the digital audio signals from the audio digital signal processor and convert the digital audio signals into corresponding analog audio signals; and

an amplifier located within the speaker housing and coupling the digital-to-analog converter to a speaker attached to the speaker housing and operable to;

receive analog audio signals from the digital-to-analog converter; and

provide an amplified analog audio signal to the speaker for rendering; and

wherein the unitary electronic speaker device has no disk for data storage space;

wherein the speaker housing does not include a display for displaying

the digital audio data to a user of the unitary electronic speaker device.