Low-latency audio networking

• US 9,877,124 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• 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:
  US15/343,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20170078812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 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, 381314, 381315, 381 77, 381 80, 381 81, 381 82, 381 85, 381334, 381 97, 381 98, 381123, 700 94, 455 303, 455 306, 4551981, 455104, 455 633, 4551541, 4551801, 4551881, 4551911, 455266, 455275, 4554521, 37910101, 379269, 370329, 370332, 370336
• 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 network interface;

a line-in interface;

one or more processors; and

tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising;

receiving via one of the network interface and line-in interface, audio information to be played by at least a second playback device;

if the audio information is received via the line-in interface, (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

if the audio information is received via the network interface, (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 audio information is received via the network interface, and wherein the functions further comprise:

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

3. The first playback device of claim 1, wherein the audio information is a first audio component of audio content received via the line-in interface, wherein the audio content further comprises a second audio component, and wherein the functions further comprise:

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

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

prior to 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, receiving from the second playback device, a message indicating that the control information identifying the first frequency channel of the first spectrum was received by the second playback device.

5. The first playback device of claim 4, 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.

6. The first playback device of claim 5, wherein the line-in interface comprises an optical line-in interface.

7. The first playback device of claim 6, wherein the first spectrum comprises a 5 GHz spectrum, and wherein the second spectrum comprises a 2.4 GHz spectrum.

8. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first playback device, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:

receiving via one of the network interface and line-in interface, audio information to be played by at least a second playback device;

if the audio information is received via the line-in interface, (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

if the audio information is received via the network interface, (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.

9. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the audio information is received via the network interface, and wherein the functions further comprise:

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

10. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the audio information is a first audio component of audio content received via the line-in interface, wherein the audio content further comprises a second audio component, and wherein the functions further comprise:

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

11. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the functions further comprise:

prior to 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, receiving from the second playback device, a message indicating that the control information identifying the first frequency channel of the first spectrum was received by the second playback device.

12. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, 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.

13. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the line-in interface comprises an optical line-in interface.

14. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the first spectrum comprises a 5 GHz spectrum, and wherein the second spectrum comprises a 2.4 GHz spectrum.

15. A method comprising:

receiving by a first playback device via one of the network interface and line-in interface, audio information to be played by at least a second playback device;

if the audio information is received via the line-in interface, (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

if the audio information is received via the network interface, (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.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the audio information is received via the network interface, and wherein the method further comprises:

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

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the audio information is a first audio component of audio content received via the line-in interface, wherein the audio content further comprises a second audio component, and wherein the method further comprises:

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

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

prior to 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, receiving from the second playback device, a message indicating that the control information identifying the first frequency channel of the first spectrum was received by the second playback device.

19. The method of claim 15, 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.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the line-in interface comprises an optical line-in interface.