Low-latency audio networking

• US 9,529,906 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2015
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Gossain, Hrishikesh, Peters, Jeffrey M., Millington, Nicholas A. J., Beckhardt, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhang, Leshui
• Application Number:
  US14/674,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20150205805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 381 1- 4, 381/6, 381/7, 381/12, 381/14, 381/16, 381/17, 381/22, 381/23, 381/61, 381/314, 381/315, 381/77, 381/80, 381/81, 381/82, 381/85, 381/334, 381/97, 381/98, 381/123, 700/94, 455/3.03, 455/3.06, 455/198.1, 455/104, 455/63.3, 455/154.1, 455/180.1, 455/188.1, 455/191.1, 455/266, 455/275, 455/452.1, 379/101.01, 379/269, 370/329, 370/332, 370/336
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/024 Positioning of loudspeaker enclosures for spatial sound reproduction
• 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 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• 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 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Claims

1. A first playback device comprising:

a processor; and

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

receiving audio information;

determining whether the received audio information is low latency audio;

based on the determination that the received audio information is low latency audio, (i) selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum;

(ii) transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum and (iii) transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the second playback device; and

based on the determination that the received audio information is not low latency audio, (i) selecting a third frequency channel of the second spectrum; and

(ii) transmitting to the second playback device via the third frequency channel of the second spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the second playback device.

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

playing, by the first playback device, the audio information in synchrony with the playback of the audio information by the second playback device.

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

based on the determination that the received audio information is not low latency audio, transmitting to a third playback device via the third frequency channel of the second spectrum, the audio information to be played by the third playback device in synchrony with the playback of the audio information by the second playback device.

4. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the control information further indicates a communication interface of the first playback device from which the audio information is transmitted, and wherein transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device further comprises:

using the indicated communication interface to transmit the audio information to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum.

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

prior to transmitting the audio information to the second playback device, receiving from the second playback device, data indicating that the control information was received by the second playback device.

6. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein transmitting the control information to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum comprises transmitting the control information to the second playback device according to a first type of network topology, and wherein transmitting the audio information to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum comprises transmitting the audio information to the second playback according to a second type of network topology.

7. The first playback device of claim 1, further comprising:

based on the determination that the received audio information is low latency audio and after transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum the audio information to be played by the second playback device, determining that the first frequency channel is unsuitable for transmitting the received audio information; and

based on the determination that the first frequency channel is unsuitable for transmitting the received audio information, (i) selecting the third frequency channel of the second spectrum; and

(ii) transmitting to the second playback device via the third frequency channel of the second spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

8. A first playback device comprising:

a processor; and

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

determining whether received audio information is low latency audio;

responsive to determining that the received audio information is low latency audio, (i) transmitting to a second playback device via a first frequency channel of a first spectrum, control information identifying a second frequency channel of a second spectrum; and

(ii) transmitting to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the second playback device; and

responsive to determining that the received audio information is not low latency audio, transmitting to the second playback device via a third frequency channel of the first spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the second playback device.

9. The first playback device of claim 8, wherein the functions further comprise:

transmitting to a third playback device via the third frequency channel of the first spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the third playback device.

10. The first playback device of claim 8, further comprising:

detecting a loss of communication between the first playback device and the second playback device.

11. The first playback device of claim 8, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to transmitting to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum the received audio information, receiving from the second playback device data indicating that the control information was received by the second playback device.

12. The first playback device of claim 8, wherein transmitting the received audio information to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum comprises transmitting the received audio information to the second playback device according to a first type of network topology, and wherein transmitting the received audio information to the second playback device via the third frequency channel of the first spectrum comprises transmitting the received audio information to the second playback according to a second type of network topology.

13. The first playback device of claim 8, wherein the control information further indicates a communication interface of the first playback device from which the received audio information is transmitted, and wherein transmitting to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum, the received audio information to be played by the second playback device further comprises:

using the indicated communication interface to transmit the received audio information to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum.

14. A first playback device comprising:

a processor; and

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

receiving from a second playback device via a first frequency channel of a first spectrum, first audio information to be played, wherein the second playback device transmits the first audio information to the first playback device via the first frequency channel based on the determination that the first audio information is low latency audio;

responsive to receiving the first audio information via the first frequency channel, playing the first audio information in synchrony with playback of the first audio information by the second playback device;

receiving from the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information indicating a third frequency channel of the first spectrum;

subsequently, receiving from the second playback device via the third frequency channel, second audio information to be played, wherein the second playback device transmits the second audio information to the first playback device via the third channel based on the determination that the second audio information is low latency audio;

responsive to receiving the second audio information via the third frequency channel, playing the second audio information in synchrony with playback of the second audio information by the second playback device;

receiving from the second playback device via a fourth frequency channel of the second spectrum, the second audio information to be played, wherein the second playback device transmits the second audio information to the first playback device via the fourth frequency channel based on the determination that the second audio information is not low latency audio; and

responsive to receiving the second audio information via the fourth frequency channel, playing the second audio information.

15. The first playback device of claim 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the second audio information, enabling a communication interface of the first playback device to receive the second audio information via the third frequency channel of the first spectrum.

16. The first playback device of claim 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to receiving the second audio information, transmitting to the second playback device via the second frequency channel of the second spectrum, data indicating receipt of the control information.

17. The first playback device of claim 14, wherein receiving the first audio information from the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum comprises receiving the first audio information from the second playback device according to a first type of network topology, and wherein receiving the second audio information from the second playback device via the fourth frequency channel of the second spectrum comprises receiving the second audio information from the second playback according to a second type of network topology.

18. The first playback device of claim 14, wherein the functions further comprise:

detecting a loss of communication with the second playback device; and

establishing communication with at least a third playback device via the fourth frequency channel of the second spectrum.