Detecting improper position of a playback device

• US 9,367,611 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2015
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Erven, Niels, Little, Richard, Nelson, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Neyzari, Ali
• Application Number:
  US14/866,847
• Time in Patent Office: 262 Days
• Field of Search: 369/30.27, 369/2, 369/4, 369/5, 381/300, 700/94
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 position of a playback device with respect to a base is detected and an orientation of the playback device is detected. The detected position is determined not to match a reference position for the detected orientation. Responsively, an indication is provided that the playback device is improperly positioned.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

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

detecting an orientation of the playback device;

determining that the detected position does not match a reference position for the detected orientation; and

responsively, providing an indication that the playback device is improperly positioned.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the indication comprises causing the playback device to provide the indication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the indication comprises causing a graphical display of a computing device for controlling the playback device to provide the indication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the indication comprises causing the base to provide the indication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the indication comprises causing a notification indicative of the playback device being improperly positioned.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the notification comprises one or more of a visual indicator and an audio indicator.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the notification comprises a prompt to properly position the playback device with respect to the base.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, limiting a volume output of the playback device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, adjusting a frequency equalization of audio output of the playback device.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable to perform functions comprising:

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

detecting an orientation of the playback device;

determining that the detected position does not match a reference position for the detected orientation; and

responsively, providing an indication that the playback device is improperly positioned.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing the indication comprises causing the playback device to provide the indication.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing the indication comprises causing a graphical display of a computing device for controlling the playback device to provide the indication.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing the indication comprises causing the base to provide the indication.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the indication comprises one or more of a visual indicator and an audio indicator.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing the indication comprises causing a notification indicative of the playback device being improperly positioned.

17. 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;

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

detecting an orientation of the playback device;

determining that the detected position does not match a reference position for the detected orientation; and

responsively, providing an indication that the playback device is improperly positioned.

18. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, limiting operation of the playback device.

19. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, limiting a volume output of the playback device.

20. The playback device of claim 17, wherein the functions further comprise:

responsive to determining that the detected position does not match the reference position for the detected orientation, adjusting a frequency equalization of audio output of the playback device.