Operation using positioning information

• US 9,778,901 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2016
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• 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:
  US15/341,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20170068509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 335 Days
• Field of Search: 369 3027, 369 2, 700 94, 381103
• 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

A playback device may operate based on detected position and/or orientation information. In one embodiment, a control device determines position and/or orientation of a playback device with respect to a base. The control device compares the determined position to a reference position. If the determined position corresponds to the reference position, the control device allows operation of the playback device. If the determined position does not correspond to the reference position, the control device limits operation of the playback device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at the control device, signals indicative of a detected position of a playback device with respect to a base;

comparing the detected position to a reference position;

if the detected position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification at the control device 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.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing a visual cue to a user via a graphical user interface on the control device prompting the user to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback device includes a magnet sensor configured to detect the position of the playback device with respect to the base, and wherein receiving, at the control device, the signals indicative of the detected position of the base with respect to the playback device comprises wirelessly receiving the signals from the magnet sensor.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a control device to perform operations comprising:

receiving signals indicative of a detected position of a playback device with respect to a base;

comparing the detected position to a reference position;

if the detected position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions further include instructions that cause the control device to perform operations comprising:

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions further include instructions that cause the control device to perform operations comprising:

generating a graphical user interface on a display of the control device; and

providing a visual cue to a user via the graphical user interface prompting the user to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

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

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

14. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein receiving signals indicative of the detected position of the playback device with respect to the base comprises receiving signals from a magnet sensor on the playback device configured to detect the position of the base with respect to the playback device.

15. A control device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the control device to perform operations comprising;

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

comparing the detected position to a reference position;

if the detected position corresponds to the reference position, allowing operation of the playback device; and

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, limiting operation of the playback device.

16. The control device of claim 15, wherein the instructions further include instructions that cause the control device to perform operations comprising:

if the detected position does not correspond to the reference position, generating a notification regarding an incorrect position.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein the notification comprises at least one of a message, a visual indicator, and an audible indicator.

18. The control device of claim 16, wherein the instructions further include instructions that cause the control device to perform operations comprising:

generating a graphical user interface on a display of the control device; and

providing a visual cue to a user via the graphical user interface prompting the user to correct positioning of the playback device with respect to the base.

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

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