Operation using positioning information

• US 9,213,762 B1
• Filed: 02/13/2015
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Erven, Niels Van, Little, Richard, Nelson, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/622,496
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 369/30.27, 369/2, 369/4, 369/5, 381/103, 381/300, 381/304, 700/94
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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, apparatus, articles of manufacture, 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 method is provided. The example method includes determining a position of a playback device with respect to a base. The example method also includes determining an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes comparing the determined position to a reference position for the determined orientation. The example method further includes, if the determined position corresponds to the reference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation of the playback device, and, if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position for the determined orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a position of a playback device with respect to a base;

determining an orientation of the playback device;

comparing the determined position to a reference position for the determined orientation;

if the determined position corresponds to the reference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position for the determined orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the determined position does not match the reference position for the determined orientation, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator indicating that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein limiting operation further comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein limiting operation further comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the position comprises determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of the base with respect to the playback device.

8. 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 a position of a playback device with respect to a base;

determining an orientation of the playback device;

comparing the determined position to a reference position for the determined orientation;

if the determined position corresponds to the reference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position for the determined orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

9. The computer readable storage device of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further executable to cause the processor to implement:

if the determined position does not match the reference position for the determined orientation, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.

10. The computer readable storage device of claim 9, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator indicating that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

11. The computer readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further executable to cause the processor to implement:

providing a prompt to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

12. The computer readable storage device of claim 8, wherein limiting operation further comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device.

13. The computer readable storage device of claim 8, wherein limiting operation further comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device.

14. The computer readable storage device of claim 8, wherein determining the position comprises determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of the base with respect to the playback device.

15. A playback device comprising:

a processor; and

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

determining a position of the playback device with respect to a base;

determining an orientation of the playback device;

comparing the determined position to a reference position for the determined orientation;

if the determined position corresponds to the reference position for the determined orientation, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the determined position does not correspond to the reference position for the determined orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

16. The playback device of claim 15, further comprising, if the determined position does not match the reference position for the determined orientation, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.

17. The playback device of claim 16, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator indicating that the playback device is not properly positioned with respect to the base.

18. The playback device of claim 15, wherein limiting operation further comprises limiting volume of output from the playback device.

19. The playback device of claim 15, wherein limiting operation further comprises adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device.

20. The playback device of claim 15, wherein determining the position comprises determining, via a magnet sensor, a position of the base with respect to the playback device.