Playback using positioning information

• US 8,995,240 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Little, Richard, Erven, Niels Van, Nelson, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/338,069
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 369/30.27, 369/2, 369/4, 369/5, 707/722, 713/500, 713/503, 455/344, 455/3.02, 455/3.06, 455/11.1, 381/10, 381/11, 381/12, 381/77, 381/103, 381/391, 379/406.3, 700/94, 715/716, 370/503, 370/465, 709/213, 709/231, 709/204, 709/220
• US Class Current: 369/30.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• 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 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods to determine a position of a base with respect to a playback device and evaluating whether the position is proper or improper given an orientation of the playback device are disclosed and described herein. In one aspect, a playback device is provided. The example playback device includes a first fastener located on a first side of the playback device, a processor, and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functions include determining that a base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener and, in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of the playback device. The functions further include facilitating output of content via the playback device according to the adjusted playback setting.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a first fastener located on a first side of the playback device;

a processor; and

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

determining that a base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener;

in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of the playback device; and

facilitating output of content via the playback device according to the adjusted playback setting.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:

identifying an orientation of the playback device, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device occurs further in response to identifying the orientation of the playback device.

3. The playback device of claim 2, wherein the orientation is identified using an accelerometer.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:

determining that the playback device is mounted to a wall, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device occurs further in response to determining that the playback device is mounted to the wall.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device comprises adjusting a volume level of the playback device.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device comprises limiting a maximum volume level of the playback device.

7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device.

8. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a magnet.

9. The playback device of claim 7, wherein determining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener comprises, determining, via a magnet sensor, that the base is not coupled to the playback device.

10. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:

in response to determining that the playback device is not coupled to the base, causing an indication that the playback device is not coupled to the base to be provided.

11. The playback device of claim 10, wherein causing the indication to be provided further comprises causing the indication to be provided via at least one of the playback device, the base, and a controller of the playback device.

12. The playback device of claim 10, wherein the indication comprises a visual indication that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

13. The playback device of claim 10, wherein the indication comprises an audible indication that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

14. The playback device of claim 10, wherein the indication comprises a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

15. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener located on a second side of the playback device and a third fastener located on a third side of the playback device.

16. A computer readable storage device including instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method, the method including:

determining that a base is not coupled to a playback device via the first fastener;

in response to determining that the base is not coupled to the playback device via the first fastener, adjusting a playback setting of the playback device; and

facilitating output of content via the playback device according to the adjusted playback setting.

17. The computer readable storage device of claim 16, further comprising identifying an orientation of the playback device, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device occurs further in response to identifying the orientation of the playback device.

18. The computer readable storage device of claim 16, wherein adjusting the playback setting of the playback device comprises adjusting a volume level of the playback device.

19. The computer readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises, in response to determining that the playback device is not coupled to the base, causing at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator to be provided indicating that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

20. The computer readable storage device of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.