Low-latency audio networking

• US 10,425,753 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2018
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Gossain, Hrishikesh, Peters, Jeffrey M., Millington, Nicholas A. J., Beckhardt, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhang, Leshui
• Application Number:
  US15/876,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20180352353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 381 1- 4, 381 6, 381 7, 381 12, 381 14, 381 16, 381 17, 381 22, 381 23, 381 61, 381314, 381315, 381 77, 381 80, 381 81, 381 82, 381 85, 381334, 381 97, 381 98, 381123, 455 303, 455 306, 4551981, 455104, 37910101, 379269
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• 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 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• 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: H04R 2205/024 Positioning of loudspeaker enclosures for spatial sound reproduction
• 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 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Claims

1. A first playback device comprising:

a network interface;

at least one processor;

a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising;

selecting a first channel of a first frequency spectrum for use in transmitting audio information to one or more other playback devices;

detecting the presence of a second playback device configured to receive audio information from the first playback device;

in response to detecting the presence of the second playback device, transmitting, via the network interface, first control information to the second playback device via a second channel of a second frequency spectrum that differs from the first frequency spectrum;

transmitting, via the network interface, a probe to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum;

determining that the probe has been received by the second playback device;

in response to determining that the probe has been received by the second playback device, transmitting, via the network interface, at least a first portion of given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device;

while transmitting at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, determining that a quality of transmission of the first portion of the given audio information from the first playback device to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum has degraded below a threshold;

selecting a third channel of the first frequency spectrum that differs from the first channel;

transmitting, via the network interface, second control information to the second playback device via the second channel of the second frequency spectrum, wherein the second control information comprises information that identifies the third channel of the first frequency spectrum; and

switching from transmitting, via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum to transmitting, via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the third channel of the first frequency spectrum.

2. The first playback device of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:

playback a second portion of the given audio information.

3. The first playback device of claim 2, further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:

transmitting, via the network interface, a third portion of the given audio information to a third playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum,

wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device and the third portion of the given audio information is to be played by the third playback device, and

wherein the second playback device and the third playback device are in a star network with the first playback device.

4. The first playback device of claim 2, wherein playback of the second portion of the given audio information comprises playback of the second portion of the given audio information in synchrony with the second playback device playing back the first portion of the given audio information.

5. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the first control information comprises information that identifies at least one of (i) the first playback device and (ii) the first channel of the first frequency spectrum.

6. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises an identification of the first playback device.

7. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the given audio information comprises audio information received from at least one of a home theater source, a third playback device, a local network source, or an Internet source.

8. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein detecting the presence of a second playback device configured to receive audio information from the first playback device comprises:

receiving, via the network interface, an indication that the second playback device is configured to receive audio information from the first playback device.

9. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the first frequency spectrum is a 5 GHz spectrum and the second frequency spectrum is a 2.4 GHz spectrum.

10. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises:

a first spectrum interface that is configured to facilitate communication in the first frequency spectrum; and

a second spectrum interface that is configured to facilitate communication in the second frequency spectrum.

11. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the first playback device is a sound bar and the second playback device is a subwoofer.

12. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein determining that the quality of transmission of the first portion of the given audio information from the first playback device to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum has degraded below the threshold comprises:

determining that a latency associated with the transmission of the first portion of the given audio information from the first playback device to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum is greater than a threshold latency.

13. A method comprising:

selecting, by a first playback device, a first channel of a first frequency spectrum for transmitting audio information to one or more other playback devices;

detecting, by the first playback device, the presence of a second playback device configured to receive audio information from the first playback device;

in response to detecting the presence of the second playback device, transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, first control information to the second playback device via a second channel of a second frequency spectrum that differs from the first frequency spectrum;

transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, a probe to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum;

determining, by the first playback device, that the probe has been received by the second playback device;

in response to determining that the probe has been received by the second playback device, transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, at least a first portion of given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device;

while transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, determining, by the first playback device, that a quality of transmission of the first portion of the given audio information from the first playback device to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum has degraded below a threshold;

selecting, by the first playback device, a third channel of the first frequency spectrum that differs from the first channel;

transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, second control information to the second playback device via the second channel of the second frequency spectrum, wherein the second control information comprises information that identifies the third channel of the first frequency spectrum; and

switching from transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum to transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the third channel of the first frequency spectrum.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

playing back, by the first playback device, a second portion of the given audio information.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting, by the first playback device via the network interface, a third portion of the given audio information to a third playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum,

wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device and the third portion of the given audio information is to be played by the third playback device, and

wherein the second playback device and the third playback device are in a star network with the first playback device.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a first playback device to perform functions comprising:

selecting a first channel of a first frequency spectrum for use in transmitting audio information to one or more other playback devices;

detecting the presence of a second playback device configured to receive audio information from the first playback device;

in response to detecting the presence of the second playback device, transmitting, via a network interface, first control information to the second playback device via a second channel of a second frequency spectrum that differs from the first frequency spectrum;

transmitting, via the network interface, a probe to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum;

determining that the probe has been received by the second playback device;

in response to determining that the probe has been received by the second playback device, transmitting, via the network interface, at least a first portion of given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device;

while transmitting at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum, determining that a quality of transmission of the first portion of the given audio information from the first playback device to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum has degraded below a threshold;

selecting a third channel of the first frequency spectrum that differs from the first channel;

transmitting, via the network interface, second control information to the second playback device via the second channel of the second frequency spectrum, wherein the second control information comprises information that identifies the third channel of the first frequency spectrum; and

switching from transmitting, via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum to transmitting, via the network interface, at least the first portion of the given audio information to the second playback device via the third channel of the first frequency spectrum.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:

playback a second portion of the given audio information; and

transmitting, via the network interface, a third portion of the given audio information to a third playback device via the first channel of the first frequency spectrum,

wherein the first portion of the given audio information is to be played by the second playback device, the second portion of the given audio information is to be played by the first playback device, and the third portion of the given audio information is configured to be played by the third playback device, and

wherein the second playback device and the third playback device are in a star network with the first playback device.