Volume interactions for connected playback devices

• US 9,379,683 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Marino, Frank, Apodaca, Eduardo Ahumada, Lambourne, Robert Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US14/634,365
• Publication Number:
  US 20150180435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 381/107, 381/102, 381/103, 381/104, 381/98, 381/120, 381/56, 381/58
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 11/00 Limiting amplitude; Limiting rate of change of amplitude ; Clipping in general
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/10 having semiconductor devices
• 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: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for volume interactions for connected playback devices. In one example, a playback device applies a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device receives data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices. The playback device determines that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device. Based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, the playback device adjusts the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

Claims

1. A playback device comprising:

a network interface; and

a processor configured to execute instructions for;

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

2. The playback device of claim 1, the processor further configured to execute instructions for:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

3. The playback device of claim 2, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein applying the state variable associated with the playback device in the plurality of playback devices comprises:

determining that the state variable update is valid; and

applying the state variable update based on determining that the state variable update is valid.

7. The playback device of claim 6, wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:

identifying a source of the state variable update; and

determining that state variable updates from the identified source are valid.

8. The playback device of claim 6, wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:

sending a request for an indication of qualification to update a state variable;

receiving an indication of qualification to update the state variable; and

determining the validity of the state variable update based on the indication of qualification to update the state variable.

9. A playback device comprising:

a network interface; and

a processor configured to execute instructions for;

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices; and

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

10. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

11. The playback device of claim 9, the processor further configured to execute instructions for:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

12. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

13. The playback device of claim 9, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

14. The playback device of claim 9, wherein applying the state variable update associated with the playback device in the plurality of playback devices further comprises:

determining that the state variable update is valid; and

applying the state variable update based on determining that the state variable update is valid.

15. The playback device of claim 14, wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:

identifying a source of the state variable update; and

determining that state variable updates from the identified source are valid.

16. The playback device of claim 14, wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:

sending a request for an indication of qualification to update a state variable;

receiving an indication of qualification to update the state variable; and

determining the validity of the state variable update based on the indication of qualification to update the state variable.

17. A playback device comprising:

a network interface; and

a processor configured to execute instructions for;

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining whether applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment, and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

18. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the level within is the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

19. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

20. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

21. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform a method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

22. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 21, the method further comprising:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

23. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 22, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

24. A method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface of the playback device, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

27. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform a method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface of the playback device, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices; and

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

28. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 27, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

29. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 27, the method further comprising:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

30. A method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface of the playback device, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices; and

determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and

based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

33. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform a method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining whether applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment, and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

34. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 33, wherein the level within is the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

35. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 33, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

36. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 33, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

37. A method comprising:

applying a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

receiving, via a network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;

determining whether applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment, and

if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the level within is the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.