Volume interactions for connected playback devices

• US 9,455,679 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• 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 S
• Application Number:
  US14/808,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20150333719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 431 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 the playback device. The playback device may be one of a plurality of playback devices, and the state variable update may indicate a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device renders audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices. The playback device receives input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device and adjusts a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

Claims

1. 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;

applying a state variable update associated with the playback device, wherein the playback device is a one of a plurality of playback devices, and wherein the state variable update indicates a limited volume range associated with the playback device;

rendering audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;

receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and

adjusting a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

3. The playback device of claim 1, wherein applying a state variable update associated with the playback device comprises:

determining a validity of the state variable update; and

applying the state variable update based on the validity of the state variable update.

4. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices, transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating a playback volume of the playback device.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from a controller device.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating the adjusted playback volume of the playback device.

8. The playback device of claim 7, wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, and wherein the message further indicates the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.

9. A method comprising:

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

rendering, by the playback device, audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;

receiving, by the playback device, input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and

adjusting, by the playback device, a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein applying a state variable update associated with the playback device comprises:

determining, by the playback device, a validity of the state variable update; and

applying, by the playback device, the state variable update based on the validity of the state variable update.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

prior to receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices, transmitting, by the playback device to a controller device, a message indicating a playback volume of the playback device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises:

receiving, by the playback device, the input data from a controller device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises:

receiving, by the playback device, the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, further comprising:

transmitting, by the playback device to a controller device, a message indicating (i) the adjusted playback volume of the playback device and (ii) that the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to perform functions 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;

rendering audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;

receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and

adjusting a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from a controller device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, and wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating (i) the adjusted playback volume of the playback device and (ii) that the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.