Frequency routing based on orientation

• US 10,256,536 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Kallai, Christopher, Ericson, Michael Darrell Andrew, Lang, Jonathan P., Wisneski, Craig, Reilly, Jonathon, Daly, Seamus, Mansfield, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Mooney, James K
• Application Number:
  US15/688,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20170358858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 5/165 Equalizers; Volume or gain control in limited frequency bands
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0834 based on external parameters, e.g. subscriber speed or location
• 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 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/302 Electronic adaptation of stereophonic sound system to listener position or orientation H04S7/301 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/303 Tracking of listener position or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for frequency routing based on orientation are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream. The example method includes determining, by the playback device, an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a network interface;

at least one processor;

a plurality of speaker drivers;

at least one orientation sensor; and

tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory including instructions stored therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising;

receiving an audio data stream via the network interface;

determining, via the at least one orientation sensor, a change in orientation of the playback device from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein the determining comprises (i) detecting for a first rotation relative to a first axis of the playback device, (ii) detecting for a second rotation relative to a second axis of the playback device, and (iii) comparing the first and second rotations to at least one value of hysteresis;

routing a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation;

routing a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies;

reproducing a stereophonic sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation; and

reproducing a monaural sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first set of frequencies is below a threshold frequency and the second set of frequencies is above the threshold frequency.

3. The playback device of claim 1, the functions further comprising:

playing back the audio data stream via the plurality of speaker drivers.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation comprises routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation and a state of the playback device.

5. The playback device of claim 4, wherein the state of the playback device is selected from a plurality of states, wherein the plurality of states comprises (i) not paired and (ii) a paired state indicative of a pairing of the playback device with an additional playback device.

6. The playback device of claim 4, the functions further comprising:

receiving, via the network interface from a network device, an indication of the state of the playback device.

7. The playback device of claim 1, the functions further comprising based on the detected first and second rotations, removing an offset introduced by at least one of vibration and playback device non-linearity.

8. A method comprising:

receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream;

determining, via at least one orientation sensor of the playback device, a change in orientation of the playback device from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein the determining comprises (i) detecting for a first rotation relative to a first axis of the playback device, (ii) detecting for a second rotation relative to a second axis of the playback device, and (iii) comparing the first and second rotations to at least one value of hysteresis;

routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation;

routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies;

reproducing a stereophonic sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation; and

reproducing a monaural sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first set of frequencies is below a threshold frequency and the second set of frequencies is above the threshold frequency.

10. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

playing back the audio data stream via the plurality of speaker drivers.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation comprises routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the playback device being in the first orientation and a state of the playback device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the state of the playback device is selected from a plurality of states, wherein the plurality of states comprises (i) not paired and (ii) a paired state indicative of pairing of the playback device with an additional playback device.

13. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:

receiving, via a network interface from a network device, an indication of the state of the playback device.

14. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising based on the detected first and second rotations, removing an offset introduced by at least one of vibration and playback device non-linearity.

15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having stored thereon that when executed cause a playback device to perform functions comprising:

receiving, by the playback device, an audio data stream;

determining, via at least one orientation sensor of the playback device, a change in orientation of the playback device from a first orientation to a second orientation, wherein the determining comprises (i) detecting for a first rotation relative to a first axis of the playback device, (ii) detecting for a second rotation relative to a second axis of the playback device, and (iii) comparing the first and second rotations to at least one value of hysteresis;

routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation;

routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies;

reproducing a stereophonic sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation; and

reproducing a monaural sound based on the audio data stream using the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is determined to be in the second orientation.

16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 15, wherein the first set of frequencies is below a threshold frequency and the second set of frequencies is above the threshold frequency.

17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 15, wherein routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers when the playback device is in the first orientation comprises routing the first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the playback device being in the first orientation and a state of the playback device.