Capacitive proximity sensor configuration including a speaker grille

• US 9,122,451 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Calatayud, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorsey, Renee
• Application Number:
  US14/041,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20150091691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/02 manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03 Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94036 Multiple detection, i.e. where different switching signals are generated after operation of the user is detected at different time instants at different locations during the actuation movement by two or more sensors of the same or different kinds
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/023 : Screens for loudspeakers
• 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 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: H05B 47/11 : by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Embodiments of a capacitive sensor configuration for proximity detection by a playback device are provided. The playback device may include a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, and a speaker grille on a surface of the playback device oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor includes a first metal electrode coupled to the speaker grille such that the capacitive proximity sensor may be further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction that is substantially at the relative angle to the first direction. The playback device may be configured to determine based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor includes a first metal electrode;

a speaker grille on a surface of the playback device oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the speaker grille is coupled to the first metal electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially at the relative angle to the first direction;

a processor; and

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

determining based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a first ground plane, and wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

determining that the playback device is to begin playing audio content;

causing the first electrode of capacitive proximity sensor to become decoupled from the speaker grille such that the capacitive proximity sensor has a second ground plane.

3. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the speaker grille comprises a metal speaker grille.

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

determining an ambient light level based on a detection by the light sensor of ambient light of a control area for an playback device; and

adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor.

5. The playback device of claim 4, wherein instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the capacitive proximity sensor further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:

adjusting a gain level of the capacitive proximity sensor.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the relative angle between the first direction and the second direction is substantially 90 degrees.

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

causing a control area of the playback device to be illuminated in response to determining the physical approach of an entity towards the playback device.

8. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) antenna ground plane oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a first ground plane, and wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a second ground plane when the RF antenna ground plane is coupled to a second metal electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor.

9. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising:

an infrared (IR) sensor configured to further detect physical movement in the first direction, wherein instructions for determining a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction further comprises instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising;

determining the physical approach of an entity towards the playback device based on the detection of the physical movement in the first direction by both the IR proximity sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor.

10. A method comprising:

determining an ambient light level based on a detection by a light sensor of ambient light of a control area for a playback device;

adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is configured to detect a physical movement in a first direction, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is coupled to a speaker grille on a surface of the playback device oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the speaker grille is coupled to the first metal electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially at the relative angle to the first direction

determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction; and

responsively causing the control area of the playback device to be illuminated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a first ground plane, the method further comprising:

determining that the playback device is to begin play audio content;

causing the first electrode of capacitive proximity sensor to become decoupled from the speaker grille such that the capacitive proximity sensor has a second ground plane.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the speaker grille comprises a metal speaker grille.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the relative angle between the first direction and the second direction is substantially 90 degrees.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein adjusting the sensitivity of the capacitive proximity sensor further comprises:

adjusting a gain level of the capacitive proximity sensor.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a processor to cause a computing device to perform functions comprising:

determining an ambient light level based on a detection by a light sensor of ambient light of a control area for a playback device;

adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is configured to detect a physical movement in a first direction, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor is coupled to a speaker grille on a surface of the playback device oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, wherein the speaker grille is coupled to the first metal electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor such that the capacitive proximity sensor is further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially at the relative angle to the first direction determining, based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction; and

responsively causing the control area of the playback device to be illuminated.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium claim 15, wherein instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the capacitive proximity sensor further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

adjusting a gain level of the capacitive proximity sensor.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

causing a control area of the playback device to be illuminated in response to determining the physical approach of an entity towards the playback device.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium claim 15, wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has the first ground plane, wherein a radio frequency (RF) antenna ground plane is oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor, and wherein the capacitive proximity sensor has a second ground plane when the RF antenna ground plane is coupled to a second metal electrode of the capacitive proximity sensor.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

adjusting, based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of an infrared (IR) proximity sensor, wherein the IR proximity sensor is configured to further detect physical movement in the first direction.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions for determining a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

determining the physical approach of an entity towards the playback device based on the detection of the physical movement in the first direction by both the IR proximity sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor.