Network Addressible Loudspeaker and Audio Play

• US 20120269361A1
• Filed: 07/02/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Plantronics, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bhow, Gunjan D., Hart, John H.
• Application Number:
  US13/540,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20120269361A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• 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 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems for network addressable loudspeakers and audio play are presented. One or more network addressable loudspeakers are registered at a server. An end user selects a network addressable loudspeaker to output audio, and an audio file is streamed from an audio source to the selected network addressable loudspeaker.

Claims

1. A system for audio play comprising:

a server;

a network addressable loudspeaker comprising;

an audio output transducer;

a network interface;

a processor;

a computer readable memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the network addressable loudspeaker to register with the server, receive an audio signal via the network interface, and output the audio signal through the audio output transducer;

an audio source storing one or more audio files; and

a control device operable to communicate with the server and select the network addressable loudspeaker from a plurality of network addressable loudspeakers to receive a streaming audio file from the audio source.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio source, the control device, and the network addressable loudspeaker are decoupled from one another and distributed at different network addresses within a communications network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network addressable loudspeaker are decoupled from both the audio source and the control device at a different network address within a communications network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control device is a mobile phone, portable computer, or desktop PC.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio source is located on the control device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio source is a website.

7. A network addressable loudspeaker comprising:

a network interface;

an amplifier;

an audio output transducer;

a processor;

a computer readable memory storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the network addressable loudspeaker to be registerable with a remote server, receive an audio signal via the network interface, and output the audio signal through the audio output transducer; and

a housing enclosure, the housing enclosure including an access port for the audio output transducer, wherein the amplifier, the processor, and the computer readable memory are disposed within the housing enclosure.

8. The network addressable loudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the network interface comprises a wireless transceiver.

9. The network addressable loudspeaker of claim 8, wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a Bluetooth or 802.11 transceiver.

10. The network addressable loudspeaker of claim 7, further comprising an electronic identifier used for addressing the network addressable loudspeaker on a network.

11. The network addressable loudspeaker of claim 7, wherein the electronic identifier used for addressing the network addressable loudspeaker on a network is a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

12. A system for audio play comprising:

a first network addressable speaker; and

a second network addressable speaker, wherein an audio is output or selectable to be output at the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker responsive to a proximity of an electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a wireless device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless device is a headset, a mobile phone, or a key FOB.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is selected automatically based on the proximity to the electronic device.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the proximity of the electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is determined utilizing a wireless link.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the proximity of the electronic device to the first network addressable speaker or the second network addressable speaker is determined utilizing a received signal strength indication.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a wearable device.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first network addressable speaker has a first Internet Protocol address and the second network addressable speaker has a second Internet Protocol address.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the audio is received from a remote device having a network address different from a first network addressable speaker network address and a second network addressable speaker network address.