Multi-zone media system and method for providing multi-zone media

• US 9,894,451 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2017
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sound United, LLC (Masimo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sound United, LLC (Masimo Corporation)
• Inventors: Starobin, Bradley M., Lyons, Matthew, Lumsden, Stuart W., DiTullo, Michael, O'Connor, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLDER, REGINA NEAL
• Application Number:
  US15/445,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20170171678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• 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 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

Abstract

A multi-zone media system and method for providing multi-zone media. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly presents media content (e.g., audio content) to a user as the user moves throughout a premises.

Claims

1. A system for presenting audio content, the system comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

play audio content at a first loudspeaker;

receive a user input at a second loudspeaker; and

based, at least in part, on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, at least;

play the audio content at the second loudspeaker; and

modify presentation of the audio content at the first loudspeaker,

wherein the at least one module is operable to, based at least in part on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, stop presentation of the audio content at a third loudspeaker that is associated with a third audio zone different from a first audio zone associated with the first loudspeaker and different from a second audio zone associated with the second loudspeaker.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to, based at least in part on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, establish a multicast communication link with a central controller.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to modify presentation of the audio content at the first loudspeaker by, at least in part, operating to stop presentation of the audio content at the first loudspeaker after a predetermined time period has passed without another user input at the first loudspeaker.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to play the audio content at the second loudspeaker by, at least in part, operating to identify a volume associated with a particular user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one module is operable to play the audio content at the second loudspeaker by, at least in part, operating to identify audio characteristics associated with a user profile.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one module is operable to select the user profile based at least in part on the received user input.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one module is operable to select the user profile based at least in part on a user electronic signature.

8. A system for presenting audio content, the system comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

play audio content at a first loudspeaker;

receive a user input at a second loudspeaker; and

based, at least in part, on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, at least;

communicate at least one message from the second loudspeaker to a source of the audio content requesting that audio content be communicated to the second loudspeaker, wherein the source of the audio content is remote from the second loudspeaker; and

play the audio content at the second loudspeaker.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the received user input is a touch input.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine whether to play the same audio content at the second loudspeaker that is being played at the first loudspeaker, or whether to play audio content at the second loudspeaker that is different from the audio content that is being played at the first loudspeaker.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one message comprises a message regarding establishing a multicast connection with the second loudspeaker.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one module is operable to, based at least in part on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, modify presentation of the audio content at the first loudspeaker after waiting a predetermined delay time.

13. A system for presenting audio content, the system comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

play audio content at a first loudspeaker;

receive a user input at a touch sensor associated with a second loudspeaker; and

based, at least in part, on the received user input at the second loudspeaker, play the audio content at the second loudspeaker,

wherein the at least one module is operable to determine whether to play the same audio content at the second loudspeaker that is being played at the first loudspeaker, or whether to play audio content at the second loudspeaker that is different from the audio content that is being played at the first loudspeaker.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensor comprises an electronic touch sensor that comprises no moving parts.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensor comprises a piezo material that is mechanically integrated with an enclosure of the second loudspeaker.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensor is integrated with a device having a primary purpose that is unrelated to media presentation and/or user tracking.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensor is integrated with a switch plate.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensor is integrated with a door and/or door frame.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one module is operable to process the received user input to identify a user command.