Playback device pairing

• US 10,448,159 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2018
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Kallai, Christopher, Ericson, Michael Darrell Andrew, Lambourne, Robert A., Reimann, Robert, Triplett, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): McCord, Paul C
• Application Number:
  US16/129,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20190014414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 700 94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/20 Automatic control H03G3/005 takes precedence; combined with volume compression or expansion H03G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3005 in amplifiers suitable for low-frequencies, e.g. audio amplifiers H03G3/32, H03G3/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 5/165 Equalizers; Volume or gain control in limited frequency bands
• 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 2420/03 Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• 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 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• 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: H04S 2400/01 Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/30 Control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/308 Electronic adaptation dependent on speaker or headphone connection

Abstract

Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker.

Claims

1. A first zone player comprising:

a network interface that is configured to provide an interconnection with at least one data network;

a plurality of speaker drivers that are configured to output audio data in the form of sound waves;

at least one processor;

a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

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

operating in a non-paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to play back each of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, and wherein while playing back the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in the non-paired mode, the first zone player does not transmit the multi-channel audio content to another zone player;

receiving, from a network device that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over a local area network (LAN) and provides a control interface, a request to enter into a multi-channel pairing with at least a second zone player that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over the LAN, wherein the first and second zone players are independently-clocked playback devices;

in response to receiving the request to enter into the multi-channel pairing, entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in a paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to (a) play back a given subset of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player and (b) enable the second zone player to play back a different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the first zone player playing back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels;

while operating in the paired mode;

receiving given multi-channel audio content from a given audio source, wherein the given multi-channel audio content comprises a plurality of audio channels;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, timing information for use in synchronizing playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, audio data representing at least the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content; and

play back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the second zone player playing back the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content.

2. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein:

while operating in the non-paired mode, the first zone player is configured to play back the multi-channel audio content individually rather than in synchrony with another zone player.

3. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content includes a left channel and a right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the left channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the right channel.

4. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein the given multi-channel audio content includes a center channel, a front-left channel, a front-right channel, a rear-left channel, and a rear-right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the center channel, the front-left channel, and the front-right channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of either the rear-left channel or the rear-right channel.

5. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein the given audio source comprises one of (a) a network-accessible audio source that is communicatively coupled to the first zone player over one or both of the LAN or a wide area network (WAN), (b) a local audio device that is directly connected to the first zone player, or (c) a local video device that is directly connected to the first zone player.

6. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein receiving the given multi-channel audio content from the given audio source comprises:

receiving audio data representing the given multi-channel audio content from the given audio source over one or both of the LAN or a wide area network (WAN).

7. The first zone player of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first zone player, while operating in the paired mode, to perform functions comprising:

separating the given multi-channel audio content into a first set of audio data representing the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content and a second set of audio data representing the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content, wherein the audio data transmitted to the second zone player comprises at least the second set of audio data.

8. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein the audio data transmitted to the second zone player comprises audio data representing all of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content.

9. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein playing back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content comprises:

processing the given multi-channel audio content to separate out the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content; and

causing the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player to output the given subset of the plurality of audio channels in the form of sound waves.

10. The first zone player of claim 1, wherein entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in the paired mode comprises:

changing an equalization of the first zone player.

11. The first zone player of claim 10, wherein changing the equalization of the first zone player comprises:

changing a channel output of at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player.

12. The first zone player of claim 10, wherein changing the equalization of the first zone player comprises:

changing an amplifier gain of one or more amplifiers connected to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player.

13. The first zone player of claim 10, wherein changing the equalization of the first zone player comprises:

changing one or more of a frequency parameter, a time delay, or a phase associated with audio data that is to be output via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player.

14. The first zone player of claim 13, wherein changing a frequency parameter associated with the audio data that is to be output by the first zone player comprises:

beginning to apply a given type of filter to the audio data.

15. The first zone player of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first zone player, while operating in the paired mode, to perform functions comprising:

measuring a time delay in transporting data from the first zone player to the second zone player; and

using the measured time delay to synchronize playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players.

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

in response to receiving the request to enter into the multi-channel pairing, identifying the given subset of the plurality of audio channels that is to be played back by the first zone player and the different subset of the plurality of audio channels that is to be played back by the second zone player.

17. The first zone player of claim 1, further comprising program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first zone player, while operating in the paired mode, to perform functions comprising:

receiving, from the network device over the LAN, a request for the multi-channel pairing to play back the given multi-channel audio content; and

in response to receiving the request for the multi-channel pairing to play back the given multi-channel audio content, requesting the given multi-channel audio content from the given audio source, wherein the given multi-channel audio content is received from the given audio source as a result of the requesting.

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

after entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player, sending, to the network device over the LAN, a message indicating that the multi-channel pairing has been created.

19. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising software that, when executed, causes a first zone player to perform functions comprising:

operating in a non-paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to play back each of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via a plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, and wherein while playing back the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in the non-paired mode, the first zone player does not transmit the multi-channel audio content to another zone player;

receiving, from a network device that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over a local area network (LAN) and provides a control interface, a request to enter into a multi-channel pairing with at least a second zone player that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over the LAN, wherein the first and second zone players are independently-clocked playback devices;

in response to receiving the request to enter into the multi-channel pairing, entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in a paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to (a) play back a given subset of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player and (b) enable the second zone player to play back a different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the first zone player playing back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels;

while operating in the paired mode;

receiving given multi-channel audio content from a given audio source, wherein the given multi-channel audio content comprises a plurality of audio channels;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, timing information for use in synchronizing playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, audio data representing at least the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content; and

play back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the second zone player playing back the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content.

20. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content includes a left channel and a right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the left channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the right channel.

21. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the given multi-channel audio content includes a center channel, a front-left channel, a front-right channel, a rear-left channel, and a rear-right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the center channel, the front-left channel, and the front-right channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of either the rear-left channel or the rear-right channel.

22. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the functions further comprise, while operating in the paired mode:

separating the given multi-channel audio content into a first set of audio data representing the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content and a second set of audio data representing the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content, wherein the audio data transmitted to the second zone player comprises at least the second set of audio data.

23. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein the functions further comprise, while operating in the paired mode:

measuring a time delay in transporting data from the first zone player to the second zone player; and

using the measured time delay to synchronize playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players.

24. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19, wherein entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in the paired mode comprises changing an equalization of the first zone player, wherein changing the equalization of the first zone player comprises one or more of (i) changing a channel output of at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, (ii) changing an amplifier gain of one or more amplifiers connected to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, or (iii) changing one or more of a frequency parameter, a time delay, or a phase associated with audio data that is to be output via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player.

25. A method carried out by a first zone player, the method comprising:

operating in a non-paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to play back each of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via a plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, and wherein while playing back the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in the non-paired mode, the first zone player does not transmit the multi-channel audio content to another zone player;

receiving, from a network device that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over a local area network (LAN) and provides a control interface, a request to enter into a multi-channel pairing with at least a second zone player that is communicatively coupled with the first zone player over the LAN, wherein the first and second zone players are independently-clocked playback devices;

in response to receiving the request to enter into the multi-channel pairing, entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in a paired mode in which the first zone player is configured to (a) play back a given subset of a plurality of audio channels included in multi-channel audio content via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player and (b) enable the second zone player to play back a different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the first zone player playing back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels;

while operating in the paired mode;

receiving given multi-channel audio content from a given audio source, wherein the given multi-channel audio content comprises a plurality of audio channels;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, timing information for use in synchronizing playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players;

transmitting, to the second zone player over the LAN, audio data representing at least the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content; and

play back the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content in synchrony with the second zone player playing back the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content includes a left channel and a right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the left channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the right channel.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the given multi-channel audio content includes a center channel, a front-left channel, a front-right channel, a rear-left channel, and a rear-right channel, wherein the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of the center channel, the front-left channel, and the front-right channel, and wherein the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content consists of either the rear-left channel or the rear-right channel.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising, while operating in the paired mode:

separating the given multi-channel audio content into a first set of audio data representing the given subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content and a second set of audio data representing the different subset of the plurality of audio channels included in the given multi-channel audio content, wherein the audio data transmitted to the second zone player comprises at least the second set of audio data.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising, while operating in the paired mode:

measuring a time delay in transporting data from the first zone player to the second zone player; and

using the measured time delay to synchronize playback of the given multi-channel audio content between the first and second zone players.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein entering into the multi-channel pairing with the second zone player and beginning to operate in the paired mode comprises changing an equalization of the first zone player, wherein changing the equalization of the first zone player comprises one or more of (i) changing a channel output of at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, (ii) changing an amplifier gain of one or more amplifiers connected to at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player, or (iii) changing one or more of a frequency parameter, a time delay, or a phase associated with audio data that is to be output via the plurality of speaker drivers of the first zone player.