Signal detecting and emitting device

• US 10,114,530 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2016
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Sheen, Timothy W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanders, Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US15/081,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20160210009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless

Abstract

An example playback device includes a signal detector, a signal emitter, and a communication interface. Audio content corresponding to video content being displayed on a display device is received via the communication interface device. The audio content is played. While playing the audio content, a first signal is received via the signal detector from a control device configured to control the display device. A second signal is generated based on the first signal and the second signal is emitted via the signal emitter. The display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a signal detector adjacent to a first side of the playback device;

a signal emitter adjacent to a second side of the playback device;

a communication interface for communication with a display device;

at least one processor; and

memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising;

receiving via the communication interface with the display device, audio content corresponding to video content being displayed on the display device;

playing the audio content;

while playing the audio content, receiving, via the signal detector, a first signal from a control device configured to control the display device;

generating a second signal based on the first signal; and

emitting, via the signal emitter, the second signal such that the display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device, the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein emitting, via the signal emitter, the second signal comprises emitting, via the signal emitter, the second signal such that the display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device, the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time as a single signal.

3. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first signal indicates an audio volume command, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, modifying a playback volume of the playback device according to the audio volume command.

4. The playback device of claim 3, wherein playing the audio content comprises playing the audio content in synchrony with at least one additional playback device, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, causing the at least one additional playback device to modify a respective playback volume of the at least one additional playback device according to the audio volume command.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless connection between the display device and the playback device.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a wired connection between the display device and the playback device.

7. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising a network interface for communication over a local area network, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving second audio content via the local area network;

while playing the second audio content, receiving via the signal detector, a third signal from the control device, wherein the third signal indicates a playback command; and

in response to receiving the third signal, modifying playback of the second audio content according to the playback command.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a playback device to perform functions comprising:

receiving from a display device via a communication interface, audio content corresponding to video content being displayed on the display device;

playing the audio content;

while playing the audio content, receiving, via a signal detector of the playback device, a first signal from a control device configured to control the display device;

generating a second signal based on the first signal; and

emitting, via a signal emitter of the playback device, the second signal such that the display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device, the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein emitting, via the signal emitter, the second signal comprises emitting, via the signal emitter, the second signal such that the display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device, the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time as a single signal.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the first signal indicates an audio volume command, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, modifying a playback volume of the playback device according to the audio volume command.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein playing the audio content comprises playing the audio content in synchrony with at least one additional playback device, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, causing the at least one additional playback device to modify a respective playback volume of the at least one additional playback device according to the audio volume command.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless connection between the display device and the playback device.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the communication interface comprises a wired connection between the display device and the playback device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving second audio content via a local area network;

while playing the second audio content, receiving via the signal detector, a third signal from the control device, wherein the third signal indicates a playback command; and

in response to receiving the third signal, modifying playback of the second audio content according to the playback command.

15. A method comprising:

receiving by a playback device from a display device via a communication interface, audio content corresponding to video content being displayed on the display device;

playing the audio content;

while playing the audio content, receiving via a signal detector of the playback device, a first signal from a control device configured to control the display device;

generating by the playback device, a second signal based on the first signal; and

emitting, via a signal emitter of the playback device, the second signal such that the display device receives at a signal receiver of the display device, the first signal from the control device and the second signal at substantially the same time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first signal indicates an audio volume command, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, modifying by the playback device, a playback volume of the playback device according to the audio volume command.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein playing the audio content comprises playing the audio content in synchrony with at least one additional playback device, and wherein the functions further comprise:

in response to receiving the first signal from the control device, causing, by the playback device, the at least one additional playback device to modify a respective playback volume of the at least one additional playback device according to the audio volume command.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless connection between the display device and the playback device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the communication interface comprises a wired connection between the display device and the playback device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the audio content is first audio content, and wherein the functions further comprise:

receiving by the playback device, second audio content via a local area network;

while playing the second audio content, receiving via the signal detector, a third signal from the control device, wherein the third signal indicates a playback command; and

in response to receiving the third signal, modifying by the playback device, playback of the second audio content according to the playback command.