In an example, a playback device includes a wireless communication interface, a processor, and a tangible non-transitory computer readable medium storing program instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the playback device to operate in a bonded group. Operating the playback device may include receiving a first audio stream including multi-channel audio content digitally encoded in a plurality of packets, each packet including a first number of symbols of each of a plurality of audio channels of the multi-channel audio content, for each packet, producing a set of interleaved packets of the multi-channel audio content, each interleaved packet of the set including a proper subset of the first number of symbols, producing a second audio stream including a plurality of the sets of interleaved packets, and broadcasting the second audio stream to a plurality of satellite playback devices in the bonded group via the wireless communication interface.
Techniques for discovering playback configurations and/or media content based on format of the are disclosed. One method involves determining an audio format of a media item available for playback by a media playback system and determining one or more characteristics of the media playback system. Based on the audio format of the media item and the one or more characteristics of the media playback system, at least one indication of a media playback system configuration that enables playback of the media item in the audio format is provided.
An example playback device is configured to (i) transmit an indication that the playback device is available for connection, (ii) receive, from a first controller device, a first request to connect to the playback device, (iii) based on the first request, connect to the first controller device, (iv) while connected to first controller device: (a) continue to transmit the indication that the playback device is available for connection, (b) receive, from a second controller device, a second request to connect to the playback device, and (c) based on the second request, connect to the second controller device, and (v) while connected to the first and second controller device: (a) continue to transmit the indication that the playback device is available for connection, (b) receive, from the first controller device, an indication of media content for playback, (c) retrieve the indicated media content, and (d) play back the indicated media content.
H04L 65/613 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for the control of the source by the destination
H04L 65/752 - Media network packet handling adapting media to network capabilities
A method comprises receiving, at a first playback device, a command that specifies that the first playback device will form part of a group that comprises a second playback device. The second playback device is capable of communicating with the first playback device using at least one communication protocol. The command identifies the second playback device and specifies a group type for the group. The method further comprises, based on the group type and the at least one communication protocol, selecting a technique for communicating with the second playback device. The method further comprises transmitting audio content to the second playback device using the selected technique. The method further comprises playing back the audio content in synchrony with playback of the audio content by the second playback device.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
There is provided a transducer assembly, comprising: a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm delimiting an aperture, and a plurality of motors for driving the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm at least one of: (i) surrounds the first diaphragm, or (ii) is arranged such that acoustic energy generated by the first diaphragm are directed through the aperture via a waveguide that is in fluid communication with the first diaphragm.
H04R 1/24 - Structural combinations of separate transducers or of parts of the same transducer and responsive respectively to two or more frequency ranges
There is provided a media playback system comprising: a first playback device, a second playback device positioned adjacent to a first wall, one or more sensors carried by at least one of the first or second playback device; one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the media playback system to: determine, via the one or more sensors, an acoustic path length of sound propagating from the first playback device that is reflected from the first wall toward the second playback device; determine, based on the acoustic path length, an adjustment for playback of second audio data via the second playback device with respect to playback of first audio data via the first playback device; play back the first audio data via the first playback device; and play back the second audio data via the second playback device according to the adjustment.
System, method, and apparatus including receiving an identification of content played by a playback system and an identification of location of the playback system. A playlist of content is associated with the location. A request is received to retrieve the playlist of content and the requested playlist of content is sent to a playback system.
H04R 3/12 - Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/2365 - Multiplexing of several video streams
H04N 21/242 - Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References]
An example of a playback device includes a wireless communication interface, at least one processor, and at least one tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the playback device to receive audio content, during a playback session, communicate, via the wireless communication interface, one or more channels of the audio content to at least one satellite playback device to coordinate synchronous rendering of the audio content by the at least one satellite playback device, during the playback session, detect a request to transfer playback of the audio content to a target playback device, determine a context of the playback session, and process the request according to the context of the playback session.
Content rules engines for playback devices are disclosed herein. A media playback system receives a first command to form a synchrony group comprising a plurality of playback devices. The system receives a second command for the synchrony group to play back first audio content. In response to the second command, the first audio content is played back via the synchrony group. The system receives (i) second audio content to be played back by one or more of the playback devices of the synchrony group and (ii) content source properties associated with an audio source of the second audio content. The system accesses a rules engine to determine playback restrictions based at least in part on the content source properties. Based at least in part on the playback restrictions, operation of one or more of the playback devices is restricted.
An example method includes collecting, with a network device positioned at a plurality of locations, information indicative of a plurality of patterns of wireless signals between the network device and a plurality of playback devices, and training a first parameterized machine learning model to produce a trained model that identifies playback device(s) proximal to the network device based on feature(s) derived from the information. The method may further include transferring the trained model to a portable playback device, collecting, with the portable playback device, data indicative of a pattern of wireless signals between the portable playback device and the plurality of playback devices, applying the trained model to feature(s) derived from the data to identify at least one playback device of the plurality of playback devices that is proximal to the portable playback device, and communicating a request from the portable playback device to the at least one playback device.
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
Example techniques described herein involve a point-of-contact (POC) playback device that operates as an intermediary between the cloud and a media playback system that includes the POC playback device. As the intermediary, when the cloud issues a command to the media playback system, the POC playback device may perform some or all processing of the command to determine how to implement that command in the media playback system. For instance, the POC playback device may determine the target devices for a command, and then cause the target devices to carry out the command. This processing by the POC playback device may simplify control of the media playback system from the perspective of third party controllers, as these controllers need not have full and/or completely up-to-date knowledge of the media playback system functionality and status, among other possible benefits.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network componentsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB'sCommunication protocolsAddressing
12.
Playback Device with Acoustic Volume Coupling Vent
A playback device includes (i) at least one first transducer, (ii) at least one second transducer, (iii) a housing, and (iv) an acoustic resistive mesh filter. The housing includes (i) a first cavity having a first volume, the first cavity housing the at least one first transducer, (ii) a second cavity having a second volume, the second cavity in fluid communication with the at least one second transducer, and (iii) a vent fluidly coupling the first cavity and the second cavity, the vent defining an aperture having an open area. The acoustic resistive mesh filter is coupled to the vent and positioned to cover the open area of the aperture and thereby resist acoustic flow through the vent.
H04R 1/28 - Transducer mountings or enclosures designed for specific frequency responseTransducer enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
Examples described herein involve networking in a media playback system. In one aspect, an access point may prevent two or more grouped playback devices from being steered to different networks. In another aspect, an access point may operate as a sleep proxy for a playback device. In a third aspect, an example system may include a fixture configured to receive a bulb. Example bulbs include sound bulbs with one or more audio transducers and access point bulbs, among other examples.
Multichannel audio playback devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some examples, a first playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content comprising left, right and center input channels. In a first mode, the first playback device is configured to play back audio via a plurality of transducers based on the left, right, and center input channels. In a second mode, in which the first playback device is bonded to second and third playback devices, the first playback device is configured to (i) play back audio via the plurality of transducers based on at least the center input channel, (ii) cause audio to be played via the second playback device based on at least the right input channel, and (iii) cause audio to be played via the third playback device based on at least the left input channel.
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for establishing a metadata exchange channel between a media playback system and a networked microphone system, wherein the networked microphone system comprises a networked microphone device and a networked microphone server. After establishing the metadata exchange channel, the media playback system experiences a metadata exchange triggering event. In response to experiencing the metadata exchange triggering event, the media playback system provides metadata to the networked microphone system via the metadata exchange channel.
H04L 41/0668 - Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications using network fault recovery by dynamic selection of recovery network elements, e.g. replacement by the most appropriate element after failure
H04L 43/0817 - Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters by checking availability by checking functioning
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
H04L 67/561 - Adding application-functional data or data for application control, e.g. adding metadata
16.
Playback Device with Conforming Capacitive Touch Sensor Assembly
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to playback devices having a non-flat surface and comprising a flexible electronic assembly conforming to that surface. The flexible electronic assembly may include (i) a flexible substrate having a first portion and a second portion, (ii) an array of capacitive touch sensor electrodes arranged on the first portion, and (iii) a plurality of conductors that are electrically coupled to the array of capacitive touch sensor electrodes and that extend onto the second portion. The first portion may include a plurality of cutouts. Each cutout of a first subset of the plurality of cutouts may be positioned between a respective set of two or more electrodes in the array of capacitive touch sensor electrodes. Each cutout of a second subset of the plurality of cutouts may be configured to reduce a wrinkling of the first portion when conforming the first portion to the non-flat surface.
A first playback device can include a wireless network interface, an audio input interface, one or more processors, and data storage. The data storage stores instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the first playback device to determine a first radio frequency (RF) energy level associated with RF signal communications from a second playback device to the first playback device. The first playback device modifies a threshold RF energy level for holding off transmissions by the first playback device based on the first RF energy level. The first playback device receives multi-channel audio content via the audio input interface and detects an ambient RF energy level. Based on the ambient RF energy level and the threshold RF energy level, data that represents a channel of the multi-channel audio content is communicated by the first playback device to the second playback device for playback by the second playback device in synchrony with playback of one or more other channels of the multi-channel audio content by the first playback device.
Examples described herein relate to triggering voice assistant(s) on a network microphone device (NMD). An NMD is a networked computing device that typically includes an arrangement of microphones, such as a microphone array, that is configured to detect sound present in the NMD's environment. Once the voice assistant is triggered, the NMD may start recording voice input as a potential voice command. Within examples, the NMD may operate in a wakewordless mode if certain conditions are met. These conditions may involve detecting user proximity in one of multiple different ranges. For instance, an example NMD may monitor for user proximity in a first range from the playback device via at least one touch-sensitive sensor and/or user line-of-sight in a second range that is further from the playback device than the first range. When either user proximity or user line-of-sight is detected, the NMD may enables the wakewordless mode.
Systems and methods for suppressing noise and detecting voice input in a multi-channel audio signal captured by two or more network microphone devices include receiving an instruction to process one or more audio signals captured by a first network microphone device and after receiving the instruction (i) disabling at least a first microphone of a plurality of microphones of a second network microphone device, (ii) capturing a first audio signal via a second microphone of the plurality of microphones, (iii) receiving over a network interface of the second network microphone device a second audio signal captured via at least a third microphone of the first network microphone device, (iv) using estimated noise content to suppress first and second noise content in the first and second audio signals, (v) combining the suppressed first and second audio signals into a third audio signal, and (vi) determining that the third audio signal includes a voice input comprising a wake word.
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
Systems and methods for optimizing network microphone devices using noise classification are disclosed herein. In one example, individual microphones of a network microphone device (NMD) detect sound. The sound data is analyzed to detect a trigger event such as a wake word. Metadata associated with the sound data is captured in a lookback buffer of the NMD. After detecting the trigger event, the metadata is analyzed to classify noise in the sound data. Based on the classified noise, at least one performance parameter of the NMD is modified.
G10K 11/178 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
G10L 25/84 - Detection of presence or absence of voice signals for discriminating voice from noise
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
An example control device is configured to (i) operate in a classic mode of a media playback system (MPS) application in which the control device provides options for controlling the MPS, (ii) while in the classic mode, receive a request to operate in a compact mode of the MPS application, (iii) determine a context in which the control device received the request, (iv) based on the request, transition from operating in the classic mode to the compact mode, in which the control device (a) provides a subset of the options, and (b) based on the context, presents a visualization of the compact mode with a selectable option to play back media content, (v) while presenting the visualization of the compact mode, receive input indicating a selection of the selectable option, and (vi) based on the input, cause a device to play back media content based on the selection.
An example computing device is configured to determine (i) a future start time of an upcoming live media event and (ii) a uniform resource indicator (URI) at which a live media stream of the live media event will be accessible at the future start time. The computing device displays, via the graphical user interface, a notification identifying the upcoming live media event, and the computing device receives, via the graphical user interface, (i) a first selection of the displayed notification and (ii) a second selection of a plurality of playback devices of a media playback system. Based on the first and second selections, the computing device causes, at the start time of the live media event, at least one of the plurality of playback devices to access the live media stream at the URI for synchronous playback by the plurality of playback devices.
Examples described herein involve switching between two user accounts of a streaming media service. In an example implementation, a playback device stores data representing credentials for multiple user accounts including a first user account of a first streaming audio service and a second user account of the first streaming audio service. The playback device receives instructions to play first audio content from the first streaming audio service and plays back the first audio content by streaming data representing the first audio content from one or more servers of the first streaming audio service using credentials of the first user account. The playback device detects a trigger associated with the first user account of the first streaming audio service and switches from streaming data representing the first audio content using credentials of the first user account to streaming data representing the first audio content using credentials of the second user account.
Disclosed herein are example techniques to provide contextual information corresponding to a voice command. An example implementation may involve receiving voice data indicating a voice command, receiving contextual information indicating a characteristic of the voice command, and determining a device operation corresponding to the voice command. Determining the device operation corresponding to the voice command may include identifying, among multiple zones of a media playback system, a zone that corresponds to the characteristic of the voice command, and determining that the voice command corresponds to one or more particular devices that are associated with the identified zone. The example implementation may further involve causing the one or more particular devices to perform the device operation.
H05B 47/165 - Controlling the light source following a pre-assigned programmed sequenceLogic control [LC]
G01S 5/18 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, while a playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the playback device and at least one first playback device, the playback device applies a first audio setting. The embodiment also includes the playback device joining a second zone group that includes the playback device and at least one second playback device. The embodiment further includes the playback device applying a second audio setting based on an audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
G06F 16/683 - Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually using metadata automatically derived from the content
H03G 3/30 - Automatic control in amplifiers having semiconductor devices
H03G 5/00 - Tone control or bandwidth control in amplifiers
Example techniques may involve tuning a music discovery dial. An implementation may include displaying, on the touch-sensitive circular graphical display, a circular graphical user interface including multiple wedge-shaped selectable regions arranged around the circumference of the circular graphical user interface, each wedge-shaped selectable region corresponding to a respective streaming audio channel. The implementation may include detecting a touch input in a circular motion to the touch-sensitive circular graphical display and causing a paired playback device to play back an audio content snippet corresponding to each selectable regions that the touch input enters. The implementation may further include switching the playback device from playing back a given pre-cached audio content snippet to playing back the full audio track from one or more servers of a streaming audio service.
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
H04L 12/22 - Arrangements for preventing the taking of data from a data transmission channel without authorisation
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network componentsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB'sCommunication protocolsAddressing
Techniques for shaping sound based on a speaker orientation are disclosed. In an embodiment, an audio data stream is obtained by a zone player having one or more speaker drivers, an orientation of the zone player is determined, and sound is reproduced by the zone player based on the orientation. The sound may be further shaped based on other states of the zone player in addition to orientation. The overall sound may be shaped from one zone player or from a collection of zone players.
H01Q 3/24 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
H04B 7/08 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
H04R 3/04 - Circuits for transducers for correcting frequency response
H04R 3/12 - Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
Embodiments disclosed herein include playback devices configured to operate in one or more playback configurations including configurations individual playback devices play back one or more corresponding channels of multichannel audio content. An audio parameter can be determined based on a distance between playback devices. In some examples, the audio parameter comprises a filter such as a low frequency filter that varies based on at least the distance between the playback devices. After the audio parameter is determined, the playback devices can play back audio content according to the determined audio parameter.
A headphone playback device comprises a first earcup comprising a first transducer and a second earcup comprising a second transducer. A headband spans between the first earcup and the second earcup. A connecting member connects the headband to the first earcup. The connecting member comprises a yoke structure extending from the headband and extending into the first earcup through a first portal. The yoke structure attaches internally to the first earcup at a first location on a first side of the first earcup and at a second location on a second side of the first earcup. A biasing member physically interfaces with the yoke structure and the first earcup. The biasing member is physically configured to bias the yoke structure away from a perimeter of the first portal.
Example techniques involve identification of device groups. In an example implementation, a mobile device displays, via a control application, a synchrony group control including controls to select playback devices for a synchrony group. The mobile device receives input data representing a command to create a new synchrony group, the input data including input data representing selection of two or more playback devices for a new synchrony group. In response, the mobile device forms the synchrony group by receiving input data indicating a particular group identification for the new synchrony group, determining that the particular group identification is unique among other synchrony groups, and sending data representing instructions to the playback devices to form the new synchrony group with the particular group identification. In response to forming the new synchrony group, the mobile device updates an interface for the media playback system to indicate the new synchrony group.
A control device is configured to (i) define configuration data corresponding to a zone scene of a media playback system, the configuration data including an identification of at least a first zone player and a second zone player, (ii) cause a remote computing device to (a) receive the configuration data via a wide area network and (b) store the configuration data, (iii) while the first zone player and a third zone player are playing back first audio content in synchrony, display a selectable indication that, when selected, causes the zone scene to be invoked, and (iv) in response to receiving an input indicative of a selection of the selectable indication, cause the remote computing device to invoke the zone scene at the media playback system such that the first zone player and the second zone player play back second audio content in synchrony without the third zone player.
In one aspect, a network microphone device includes a plurality of microphones and is configured to detect sound via the one or more microphones. The network microphone device may capture sound data based on the detected sound in a first buffer, and capture metadata associated with the detected sound in a second buffer. The network microphone device may classify one or more noises in the detected sound and cause the network microphone device to perform an action based on the classification of the respective one or more noises.
In one aspect, a first playback device is configured to (i) receive a set of voice signals, (ii) process the set of voice signals using a first set of audio processing algorithms, (iii) identify, from the set of voice signals, at least two voice signals that are to be further processed, (iv) determine that the first playback device does not have a threshold amount of computational power available, (v) receive an indication of an available amount of computational power of a second playback device, (vi) send the at least two voice signals to the second playback device, (vii) cause the second playback device to process the at least two voice signals using a second set of audio processing algorithms, (viii) receive, from the second playback device, the processed at least two voice signals, and (ix) combine the processed at least two voice signals into a combined voice signal.
G10L 21/0264 - Noise filtering characterised by the type of parameter measurement, e.g. correlation techniques, zero crossing techniques or predictive techniques
Systems and methods for authenticating a passive speaker include (i) activating, by a playback device configured to drive the passive speaker, a passive speaker identification circuit of the passive speaker by providing an identification signal to an input terminal of the passive speaker, wherein the passive speaker is a particular type of passive speaker having particular acoustic characteristics; (ii) while the passive speaker identification circuit is active, measuring, by the playback device, an electrical current of the identification signal; (iii) determining, based on the measured electrical current of the identification signal, an impedance modulation of the passive speaker; (iv) determining, by the playback device, the particular type of the passive speaker based on the impedance modulation of the passive speaker; and (v) applying, by the playback device, a calibration to the playback device based on the determined particular type of the passive speaker.
Generative media content (e.g., generative audio) can be dynamically generated based on various inputs, which can include blockchain data. A playback device accesses blockchain data stored via a distributed ledger and generates media content based at least in part on the blockchain data. The playback device can access a library of pre-existing media segments and arrange a selection of pre-existing media segments from the library for playback according to a generative media content model and based at least in part on the blockchain data. The generated media content can then be played back via the playback device.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/835 - Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
There is provided a playback device comprising at least one audio transducer and an asymmetrical microphone array comprising at least four microphones. A network microphone device is also provided, comprising an asymmetrical microphone array comprising at least four microphones. The asymmetrical microphone arrays may include a first set of two or more microphones, wherein the microphones of the first set are separated by a first spacing and a second set of two or more microphones, wherein the microphones of the second set are separated by a second spacing that is smaller than the first spacing.
Examples described herein involve edge data caching in a media playback system. A media play back system may include playback devices that controllable using a controller, such as a control application installed on a mobile device via network messaging (e.g., via a LAN). Yet further, cloud servers may provide platform services that support the playback devices and the controllers of the media playback system. In example systems, edge computing resources of the players are leveraged to offload storage and processing that would otherwise be performed in the cloud (i.e., by the platform servers). For instance, within a media playback system, one or more players may cache data hosted by the platform servers (e.g., state information), thereby allowing some requests from clients such as the controllers and other players to be handled locally rather than by the platform servers in the cloud.
Embodiments disclosed herein include playback devices with multiple antennas and antenna switching capabilities employed to determine relative locations of other playback devices based on ultra-wideband (UWB) signals transmitted between the devices. In some embodiments, the determination is based on an estimation of angle of arrival of UWB signals received from another playback device. In some embodiments, the determination is based on an estimation of range between antennas of the devices, for example derived from time of flight measurements of the UWB signals received from another playback device. In some embodiments, trilateration techniques are used to determine the relative locations from the estimated ranges. The relative locations are used to assist with installation and setup of the devices in a given environment. After determination of the relative locations, a playback configuration mode can be set for the playback devices to include playback of one or more channels of multi-channel audio content.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04N 21/4227 - Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
In one aspect, a playback device is configured to (i) receive a first stream of audio data representing audio content from a computing system, (ii) detect an indication that a source of the audio content is to switch from the computing system to a user device; (iii) after detecting the indication, establish a point-to-point wireless link with the user device over which to receive a second stream of audio data; (iv) receive the second stream of audio data representing the audio content; (v) determine a future time at which to transition from playing back the audio content using the first stream of audio data to playing back the audio content using the second stream of audio data; and (vi) at the future time, transition from playing back the audio content using the first stream of audio data to playing back the audio content using the second stream of audio data.
Disclosed herein are computing devices, including playback devices, that are configured to facilitate re-joining of playback and other devices to a bonded zone based on the specific context relating to how the playback and other devices previously left the bonded zone. The computing devices may determine that playback devices that had been previously bonded in the bonded zone are now capable of communicating with each other again. The computing devices may proceed to identify how and/or why the playback devices previously left the bonded zone. Based on how and/or why the playback devices previously left the bonded zone, the computing devices may determine whether one or more of the playback devices should re-join the bonded zone. For playback devices to be re-joined to the bonded zone, the computing devices may determine audio content to be played back by one or more playback devices of the bonded zone.
Examples described herein relate to music discovery. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves (a) receiving by a computing device an indication of a search tool from among a plurality of search tools, where each search tool of the plurality of search tools is associated with at least one respective media service, (b) receiving by the computing device an indication of a media characteristic, where the computing device receives the media characteristic via the indicated search tool, (c) selecting by the computing device one or more of the at least one respective media service that maintains media associate with the indicated media characteristic, and (d) sending by the computing device an indication of the selected one or more of the at least one respective media service.
G06F 16/40 - Information retrievalDatabase structures thereforFile system structures therefor of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data
G06F 16/48 - Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
G06F 16/60 - Information retrievalDatabase structures thereforFile system structures therefor of audio data
Distributed media content history and preferences can be stored and maintained by media playback systems including one or more blockchain-capable playback devices. Content record sets, such as content experience record sets and content network record sets, can be stored via distributed ledgers and updated at least in part based on media consumption events performed or detected by playback devices, service providers, or other participants. Such distributed data can also be accessed to facilitate playback of media content for particular users, devices, households, or environments.
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
G06F 16/435 - Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
G06Q 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/835 - Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
Example techniques relate to lock screen media controls. While a mobile device is in the locked state, an example implementation involves selecting one or more playback devices from among the multiple playback devices connected to a local area network, displaying a lock screen control for the one or more selected playback devices, the lock screen control including: a playback status control displaying metadata of a particular audio track playing back on the one or more selected playback devices and one or more transport controls to control playback by the one or more selected playback devices. The example implementation also involves receiving input data representing a command to adjust playback volume on one or more selected playback devices and sending, via a wireless network interface of the mobile device, instructions to cause the one or more selected playback devices to adjust playback volume according to the command.
G06F 3/04847 - Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
A reconfigurable support for a playback device includes (i) a first side configured for magnetic engagement with a recessed ledge of a recess formed in a bottom surface of a housing, the recess comprising a perimeter, and the recessed ledge extending about at least a portion of the perimeter of the recess, and (ii) a second side opposite the first side, configured for magnetic engagement with the recessed ledge and having an edge surrounding a resilient protrusion that extends outward from a plane of the edge. When the reconfigurable support is positioned within the recess in a first configuration, the first edge is magnetically engaged with the recessed ledge and the resilient protrusion extends outward from the bottom surface of the housing; however, in a second configuration the second edge is magnetically engaged with the recessed ledge and the resilient protrusion is contained within the recess.
Example techniques disclosed herein relate to location-based playlists. In an example implementation, a system receives, from a mobile device, first GPS data indicating that the mobile device is located at a first physical location, wherein an application on the mobile device is registered with a particular user account of the cloud service. The system determines that the first physical location represented in the first GPS data corresponds to a location of a first business associated with one or more first playback devices within the cloud service. The one or more first playback devices are playing back first audio tracks. As each first audio track is at least partially played back, the system adds the respective first audio track to a location-based playlist associated with the particular user account of the cloud service. The computing system causes the mobile device to display an indication of the location-based playlist.
H04L 67/52 - Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
An example playback device is configured to: (i) determine given audio content that is to be played back by the playback device; (ii) identify at least one frequency range in the given audio content; (iii) for each identified frequency range in the given audio content, determine a respective lighting behavior that is to be produced, by a lighting device that is communicatively coupled with the playback device, during playback of the identified frequency range in the given audio content; (iv) play back the given audio content comprising the at least one identified frequency range; and (v) cause the lighting device to produce the determined lighting behavior in synchrony with playback of the identified frequency in the given audio content.
Example techniques relate to prioritizing media content requests. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving an explicit request to play back a playlist on one or more playback devices of a media playback system. The computing system causes the playback devices to play back a given audio track of the playlist. While the playback devices are playing back first tracks of the playlist, the computing system receives one or more implicit requests for second audio tracks in the playlist. While the playback devices are playing back the second audio tracks of the playlist, the computing system receives an explicit request to play back audio content on a mobile device. The computing system determines that the request to play back the audio content on the mobile device is a higher priority than the requests for second audio tracks and switches playback from the playback devices to the mobile device.
G06F 16/68 - Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming streamUpdating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
A playback device detects, with one or more onboard sensors, that the playback device is in motion. The playback device activates a command bypass mode. The command bypass mode causes the playback device to not execute commands applied to a touch-sensitive user interface integrated into the playback device. The playback device then detects, with the one or more onboard sensors, that the playback device is stationary. After detecting that it is stationary, the playback device deactivates the command bypass mode.
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
57.
PERSONALIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR MEDIA PLAYBACK SYSTEMS
Techniques for personalizing one or more settings of playback devices in a media playback system. In one example, a method includes providing collected sample values of one or more settings of one or more playback devices, and feature data associated with the sample values, to a parameterized machine learning model to train the model to predict a recommended value of the one or more settings using the sample values and the feature data, based on current feature data associated with at least one of the playback devices, applying the parameterized machine learning model to the current feature data to generate the recommended value of the one or more settings, and causing at least one of the playback devices to perform at least one playback device operation based on the recommended value.
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
G06F 16/435 - Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
G06Q 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/835 - Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
A first network microphone device (NMD) is configured to receive, from a second NMD, a first arbitration message including (i) a first measure of confidence associated with a voice input detected by the second NMD and (ii) the voice input detected by the second NMD, and receive, from a third NMD, a second arbitration message including (i) a second measure of confidence associated with the voice input as detected by the third NMD and (ii) the voice input as detected by the third NMD. The first NMD is configured to determine that the second measure of confidence is greater than the first measure of confidence and based on the determination, perform voice recognition based on the voice input as detected by the third NMD, where the voice input includes a command to control audio playback by the first, second, and/or third NMD, and after performing voice recognition, executing the command.
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02J 50/10 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
Example techniques relate to calibration interfaces that facilitate calibration of a playback device. An example implementation may involve outputting a sequence of prompts to guide calibration of a playback device during a calibration sequence comprising (i) a spatial calibration component and (ii) a spectral calibration component. Outputting the sequence of prompts includes outputting one or more first audio prompts representing a guide to perform the spatial calibration component of the calibration sequence. The spatial calibration component involves calibration of the playback device for a particular location within an environment. Outputting the sequence of prompts also includes outputting one or more first second prompts representing a guide to perform the spectral calibration component of the calibration sequence. The spectral calibration component involves calibration of the playback device for the environment.
An example implementation may involve a media playback system detecting two or more playback devices of a given type. The implementation may further involve transmitting, to a particular playback device of the detected playback devices, an instruction that causes the particular playback device to emit a given sound. The implementation may also involve receiving an identification of the particular playback device and displaying, via a graphical interface, one or more prompts to join the particular playback device into the media playback system.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
64.
PLAYBACK DEVICE CALIBRATION BASED ON REPRESENTATIVE SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS
A computing device may maintain a database of representative spectral characteristics. The computing device may also receive particular spectral data associated with a particular playback environment corresponding to the particular playback device. Based on the particular spectral data, the computing device may identify one of the representative spectral characteristics from the database that substantially matches the particular spectral data, and then identify, in the database, an audio processing algorithm based on a) the identified representative spectral characteristic and b) at least one characteristic of the particular playback device. The computing device may then transmit, to the particular playback device, data indicating the identified audio processing algorithm.
Example techniques involve suggesting an application of a streaming audio service via an application of a media playback system. An example implementation involves a mobile device displaying, via a control application of a media playback system, a library control comprising indicators representing respective media items of a particular streaming audio service. The mobile device receives, via the library control, input data indicating a selection of an indicator representing a particular media item. The mobile device sends instructions to cause a playback device to play back the particular media item. While the playback device is playing back the particular media item, the mobile device displays, via the control application, a control representing an application of the particular streaming audio service. The mobile device receives input data indicating a selection of the control representing the application of the particular streaming audio service and causes the mobile device to download the application.
G06F 16/60 - Information retrievalDatabase structures thereforFile system structures therefor of audio data
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/04842 - Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
G06F 3/04847 - Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04L 65/613 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for the control of the source by the destination
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Computer software; audio speakers; wireless indoor and outdoor speakers; mid-range speakers; surround sound speakers; audio amplifiers; tweeters; digital media receivers and audio receivers; computer hardware; wireless network repeaters; wireless network extenders; wireless computer peripherals; wireless digital media systems comprised of audio-visual hardware, wireless network hardware and audio-visual control hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media; digital media system hardware and components thereof, namely, audio-visual hardware, wireless network hardware and audio-visual control hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media; digital media network controllers, repeaters, and components thereof; computer hardware for use in extending wireless digital media systems and networks; computer hardware and software for use in connecting and operating wireless digital media systems, components, sound equipment and digital media networks; computer hardware and software for wireless digital content delivery and transmission; computer hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media, data, music and audio files; wireless devices for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media, data, music and audio files; computer hardware and software for organizing, manipulating, transmitting, and reviewing digital media, data, music and audio files; wireless devices for organizing, manipulating, transmitting, and reviewing digital media, data, music and audio files; digital media distribution systems comprised of audio-visual hardware, wireless network hardware and audio-visual control hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media; digital media systems comprised of audio-visual hardware, wireless network hardware, microphones and audio-visual control hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media; digital media hubs; digital media receivers; home theater systems comprised of audio-visual hardware, wireless network hardware and audio-visual control hardware and software for transmitting, delivering, receiving, reproducing, processing and streaming digital media; surround sound systems; stereos for personal, residential or commercial use; computer peripherals; computer hardware and software that enables internet users to develop individual playlists that create personalized audio feeds, designate favorite audio content, make recommendations, and share audio content; computer hardware and software that enables internet users to search for audio content and data across multiple platforms; computer hardware and software for creating and sharing playlists and song lists; computer hardware and software for reviewing and recommending songs, albums, artists, playlists and song lists; computer hardware and software for tracking and sharing favorite songs, albums, and artists; computer hardware and software for searching databases featuring audio and multimedia files; digital audio streaming devices; parts and fittings for the aforementioned goods; speaker microphones; voice-activated, voice-controlled, and touch-activated speakers; voice command and recognition software; speech to text conversion software; voice-enabled software applications; wireless communication software for voice, audio and data transmission; computer software for accessing, browsing and searching online databases, audio, and multimedia content, music and multimedia services, and music libraries; computer software for connecting, operating, integrating, controlling, and managing networked consumer electronic devices, speakers, digital media and audio systems and their components; personal assistant software; power cables; connection cables; audio component cables and connectors; computer network interface devices and computer network cables; batteries and battery chargers; mounts and mounting brackets for audio speakers, sound bars and digital audio streaming devices; brackets and stands adapted for audio speakers, sound bars, digital audio streaming devices, digital media streaming devices, computer hardware and computer peripherals.
In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving audio content comprising left input channel signals and right input channel signals, and generating first and second input signals from the left and right input channel signals. The first input signal is based on a sum of the left and right input channel signals, and the second input signal is based on a difference of the left and right input channel signals. An array transfer function is applied to the first and second input signals to produced audio output signals, which can be provided to a plurality of audio transducers on one or more playback devices.
H04S 7/00 - Indicating arrangementsControl arrangements, e.g. balance control
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
H04R 3/12 - Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
H04R 5/02 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
H04S 3/00 - Systems employing more than two channels, e.g. quadraphonic
Disclosed herein are example techniques for multimedia experience based on biometric data. An example implementation may involve receiving first biometric data representing one or more first biological characteristics of an individual. After receiving the first biometric data, the example implementation may involve correlating the one or more first biological characteristics of the individual with a listening state of the individual. The example implementation may further involve receiving second biometric data representing one or more second biological characteristics of the individual. After receiving the second biometric data, the example implementation may involve determining that the one or more second biological characteristics corresponds to the one or more first biological characteristics. Based on the determination, the example implementation may involve initiating a playback setting corresponding to the listening state of the individual that was correlated with the one or more first biological characteristics of the individual.
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06V 40/70 - Multimodal biometrics, e.g. combining information from different biometric modalities
H04L 51/52 - User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail for supporting social networking services
In one aspect, a first playback device is configured to: (i) play back first audio content in synchrony with a second playback device, (ii) receive, via a network interface, a message indicating second audio content to be output by the first playback device, and (iii) in response to receiving the message indicating the second audio content: (a) cease playing back the first audio content in synchrony with the second playback device; (b) play back the second audio content while the second playback device plays back the first audio content; and (c) after playing back the second audio content, resume playing back the first audio content in synchrony with the second playback device.
An example media playback system includes an upward-firing transducer and a horizontal-firing transducer in a playback device and a microphone that is horizontally spaced apart from the upward-firing transducer. The media playback system is configured to output a first audio signal from the upward-firing transducer and a second audio signal from the horizontal-firing transducer, receive a reflection of the first audio signal from a ceiling of a listening environment at the microphone, receive the second audio signal at the microphone, determine a distance between the playback device and the microphone based on the second audio signal, and determine a ceiling characteristic based on the reflection of the first audio signal and the distance between the playback device and the microphone.
Example techniques involve outputting multiple audio channels using a multiple driver playback device. An example playback device receives a first and second channel of audio content. The playback device plays back play back the first channel via a first group of audio transducers such that the first group of audio transducers form, via superposition, a first response lobe having a maximum in a first direction. Further, the playback device plays back the second channel via a second group of audio transducers such that the second group of audio transducers form, via superposition, a second response lobe having a maximum in a second direction that is separated by an angle of at least 45° from the first direction.
H04S 5/00 - Pseudo-stereo systems, e.g. in which additional channel signals are derived from monophonic signals by means of phase shifting, time delay or reverberation
H04R 1/32 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only
H04R 3/12 - Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
H04R 5/02 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
H04S 3/02 - Systems employing more than two channels, e.g. quadraphonic of the matrix type, i.e. in which input signals are combined algebraically, e.g. after having been phase shifted with respect to each other
H04S 7/00 - Indicating arrangementsControl arrangements, e.g. balance control
Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.
Based on a credential, an access level of a playback queue for a first control interface and a first subset and second subset of media items in the playback queue may be determined. Media items in the playback queue that were added via a second control interface may be included in the first subset. Media items that were added via a control interface different from the second control interface may be included in a second subset. Information may be provided which identifies the first subset of the media items in the playback queue and the second subset of the media items in the playback queue.
Techniques described herein may involve modification of playback based on the proximity of a user to a playback device. An example technique involves a device determining that a listener is within a given proximity of a first playback device and based on determining that the listener is within the given proximity of the first playback device, causing the first playback device to begin playback of first media and causing a second playback device to modify playback of second media.
G06F 3/04847 - Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
G05B 19/05 - Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
G06F 3/04842 - Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
H04L 41/0893 - Assignment of logical groups to network elements
H04N 21/2368 - Multiplexing of audio and video streams
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/432 - Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04R 3/12 - Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
An example involves detecting, during a time period by a receiving device, an audio signal comprising a superposition of a plurality of audio signals transmitted by a plurality of respective playback devices. The example further comprises determining a time-frequency representation of the audio signal and obtaining data associating playback devices with respective reference audio signals, each reference audio signal having a predefined time-frequency representation. The example further comprises, based on the time-frequency representation of the audio signal and the data, determining that the audio signal comprises a superposition of a first audio signal transmitted by a first playback device and a second audio signal transmitted by a second playback device.
G01S 7/539 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group using analysis of echo signal for target characterisationTarget signatureTarget cross-section
G10L 19/008 - Multichannel audio signal coding or decoding using interchannel correlation to reduce redundancy, e.g. joint-stereo, intensity-coding or matrixing
An example technique includes a computing system storing media item identifiers of curated media items associated with one or more service providers. A media curating service aggregates the media item identifiers of curated media items. The example technique further involves receiving, from a media playback system, a first message comprising a service provider access identifier. The service provider access identifier is based on a user account of the media playback system registered to at least one service provider. Based on receiving the first message, the computing system determines media item identifiers of curated media items that are associated with the at least one service provider with which the user account of the media playback system is registered and causes the media playback system to play back the curated media items based on the determined media item identifiers of the curated media items.
Embodiments disclosed herein include playback devices with multiple radios, antennas, filters, and switching circuits employed to enable switching of radios between multiple wireless networks. The switching is based on parameters of the wireless networks and on capabilities of other satellite playback devices communicating over the wireless networks. In some embodiments, the wireless networks are WIFI networks operating over one or more of a 2.4 GHz WIFI band, a lower frequency region of a 5 GHz WIFI band, a higher frequency region of the 5 GHz WIFI band, and a 6 GHz WIFI band. In some embodiments, the radios are switched between wireless networks in response to a change of frequency of a WIFI Access Point and/or a lost connection to a satellite playback device.
Examples involve a control device using a social networking service to facilitate registration of a streaming media service with a media playback system. An example implementation receives (i) data indicating login credentials for a given account of a social networking service, and (ii) input data to configure streaming media services with a media playback system. Based on receiving the input data to configure the media playback system, the implementation queries the social networking service for streaming media services associated with the given account, and in response to the query, receives data indicating a first streaming media service associated with the given account. The implementation configures the media playback system to playback audio content from the first streaming media service that is associated with the given account and causes the media playback system to playback audio content from the first streaming media service.
G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
Some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods for managing zones of a multi-zone media playback system include displaying a plurality of zone icons in a first zone group display region, receiving a first drag and drop input that selects the second zone icon and drags the second zone icon from inside the first zone group display region to outside the first zone group display region, and after the first drag and drop input, (i) causing one or more zone players identified by the second zone icon to be disassociated with the first zone group, (ii) displaying the second zone icon outside the first zone group display region; and (iii) displaying a second status icon representative of a second playback status of the one or more zone players identified by the second zone icon.
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
G06F 3/04842 - Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
G06F 3/04847 - Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Headphones; earphones; earbuds; headsets; wireless
headphones; wireless earphones; wireless earbuds; wireless
headsets; headphones, earphones, earbuds, headsets for use
with wireless speakers; voice-activated, voice-controlled,
and touch-activated headphones, earphones, earbuds, and
headsets; noise cancelling headphones; noise cancelling
earphones; noise cancelling earbuds; ear cushions for
headphones, earbuds and headsets; ear pads for headphones,
earbuds and headsets; ear tips for headphones; power cables,
conversion cables, audio cables, adapter cables and
extension cables for headphones, earphones, earbuds, and
headsets; cases and protective cases for headphones,
earphones, earbuds, and headsets; lanyards for headphones,
earphones, earbuds, and headsets; microphones for
headphones, earphones, earbuds, and headsets; replacement
parts for the aforementioned goods.
82.
PASSIVE RADIATOR AND A PLAYBACK DEVICE INCLUDING THE PASSIVE RADIATOR
There is provided a passive radiator, comprising a frame, a diaphragm attached to the frame by a surround such that the diaphragm can move relative to the frame, and a suspension system comprising at least one flat spring that couples the diaphragm and the frame. There is also provided a playback device comprising a passive radiator, the passive radiator comprising a frame, a diaphragm attached to the frame by a surround such that the diaphragm can move relative to the frame, and a suspension system comprising at least one flat spring that couples the diaphragm and the frame.
H04R 1/28 - Transducer mountings or enclosures designed for specific frequency responseTransducer enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
H04R 7/20 - Securing diaphragm or cone resiliently to support by flexible material, springs, cords, or strands
Example techniques involve selection of playback devices within a media playback system for outputting a media stream based on user input. An example implementation involves a controller causing a plurality of first representations of at least some of a plurality of playback devices to be displayed on a first portion of a display. The controller causes a plurality of second representations of at least some of one or more groups playback devices to be displayed on a second portion of the display, each group having at least two associated playback devices of the plurality of playback devices. The controller receives an input indicative of a particular group of the one or more groups and adjusts a selected status of the particular group. The controller also determines which playback devices are associated with the particular group, and adjusts a selected status of the playback devices that associated with the particular group.
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/04847 - Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
84.
Interfaces and techniques for audio content access and playback
A controller device is configured to (1) transmit, to a first remote computing device associated with a first music service, a request for a session token that is to be used for identifying an audio playback system with the first music service, (2) receive a first token for authenticating communications from the audio playback system to the first music service, (3) receive first user input indicating a query, (4) transmit a request comprising the first token to the first remote computing device to perform a search in accordance with the query, (5) present indications of music content provided by the first music service, (6) receive second user input indicating selection of given music content provided by the first music service, and (6) based on the second user input and a respective identifier for the given music content, cause at least one playback device to play back the given music content.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
Examples provided herein involve a playback history for media items played by playback zones of a media playback system. An example implementation involves a mobile device querying, via a network interface, a database hosted by one or more servers for a particular portion of a playback history stored in the database, the particular portion of the playback history corresponding to media items played by the media playback system during the particular time period. The mobile device displays graphical representations of the particular media items played during the particular time period by the media playback system. The mobile device may receive input data selecting one or more particular media items played during the particular time period by the media playback system and add the selected one or more particular media items to a queue.
H04L 67/1095 - Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
H04L 67/1097 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04N 21/432 - Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
An audio transducer includes a membrane and a voice coil operably coupled to the membrane, wherein the voice coil is configured to move axially within a first excursion range. An amplifier is electrically connected to the voice coil. A sensor coil radially separated from the voice coil is arranged to at least partially overlap the voice coil as the voice coil moves within the first excursion range. In operation, the amplifier provides a first signal to the voice coil, which induces a second signal that can be read from the sensor coil. A parameter indicative of the amount of axial overlap between the voice coil and the sensor coil can be obtained by comparing the first signal and the second signal. Based on this parameter, the position of a transducer component (e.g., the membrane) can be determined.
A first playback device is configured to (i) receive an instruction to share a playback device between a first group of playback devices including the first playback device and a second group of playback devices including a second playback device, (ii) receive a command to play back media content, (iii) determine that the shared playback device is currently configured for synchronous playback in the second group of playback devices, (iv) transmit a request to the second playback device for an indication of whether the shared playback device is available, (v) if the shared playback device is available (a) transmit a command to the shared playback device to join the first group of playback devices, and (b) play back the media content in synchrony with the shared playback device, and (v) if the shared playback device is unavailable, play back the media content without synchronizing with the shared playback device.
In one aspect, a networked microphone device is configured to (i) receive sound data, (ii) determine, via the wake-word engine, that a first portion of the sound data is representative of a wake word, (iii) determine that a second networked microphone device was added to a media playback system, (iv) transmit the first portion of the sound data to a second networked microphone device, (v) begin determining a command to be performed by the first networked microphone device, (vi) receive an indication of whether the first portion of the sound data is representative of the wake word, and (vii) output a response indicative of whether the first portion of the sound data is representative of the wake word.
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
An example computing device establishes a first network connection to a playback device that supports a first communication protocol for sending audio content for playback to the playback device, and detects user input associated with a modification to the playback. While the computing device and the playback device are connected to a common data network that supports a second communication protocol, the computing device transmits, via the common data network using the second communication protocol, a command to modify media playback based on the user input. While the computing device or playback device are not connected to the common data network that supports the second communication protocol, the computing device (i) establishes a second network connection to the playback device that supports a third communication protocol, and (ii) transmits, via the second network connection using the third communication protocol, a command to modify media playback based on the user input.
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
Certain embodiments provide methods and systems for managing a sound profile. An example playback device includes a network interface and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable by the processor. When executed by the processor, the instructions are to configure the playback device to receive, via the network interface over a local area network (LAN) from a controller device, an instruction. The example playback device is to obtain, based on the instruction, via the network interface from a location outside of the LAN, data comprising a sound profile. The example playback device is to update one or more parameters at the playback device based on the sound profile. The example playback device is to play back an audio signal according to the sound profile.
A system that facilitates sharing of multimedia content includes a user interface, network circuitry; and one or more processors. The processors perform operations that include displaying, via the user interface, a list of one or more media playback devices available to be added to a social networking group. A selection of first and second media playback devices to be associated with a particular social networking group is received via the user interface. The first media playback device is associated with a first playback queue that specifies a first set of media items associated with first media content that can be streamed from a first streaming service to the first media playback device. An indication to the social networking system that specifies the selection of the first and second media playback devices to be associated with the group is communicated via the network circuitry. In response, the social networking system communicates second media content items associated with the first media content items to a second playback queue associated with the second media playback device. The second playback items facilitate streaming of second media content associated with the first media content from a second streaming service to the second media playback device.
G06F 16/68 - Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
H04L 51/52 - User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail for supporting social networking services
Flexible communication architectures and techniques for media playback systems. An example wireless communication interface includes a radio IC including a first radio and a second radio, each configured to support wireless communications in a plurality of frequency ranges, and RF front-end circuitry coupled to the radio IC and configured to selectively couple each of the first and second radios to a respective antenna terminal to establish a first transceiver chain for a first operating frequency range between the first radio and a first antenna terminal and a second transceiver chain for a second operating frequency range between the second radio and a second antenna terminal, wherein the first and second operating frequency ranges are non-overlapping. In some examples, the plurality of frequency ranges comprises non-overlapping first and second portions of a 5 GHz band, and a 6 GHz band, all in 802.11-based protocols.
H04B 1/00 - Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
H04B 1/401 - Circuits for selecting or indicating operating mode
H04W 72/02 - Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
H04W 12/00 - Security arrangementsAuthenticationProtecting privacy or anonymity
Example techniques relate to cloud queue tombstones. An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving instructions to remove a particular media item from a playback queue. Based on the instructions, the computing system removes the particular media item from the playback queue and adds, to the playback queue, a tombstone indicator indicating that the particular media item has been removed from the playback queue. The computing system receives, from the media playback system, a request for a window of one or more media items from the playback queue. Based on the request, the computing system sends, to the media playback system, data representing a particular window of media items from the playback queue, wherein the particular window includes the tombstone indicator. The computing system detects a given tombstone removal trigger from among multiple tombstone removal triggers and based on the detecting, removes the tombstone indicator from the playback queue.
H04L 67/10 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
G06F 16/27 - Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database systemDistributed database system architectures therefor
H04N 21/218 - Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/242 - Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References]
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
A method of playing back audio content with improved immersiveness can include receiving, at a playback device, audio input including surround audio content. The playback device can include at least one forward-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a forward axis of the playback device and toward an intended listening location, and at least one side-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a side axis that is horizontally angled with respect to the forward axis. The method includes playing back at least a first portion of the surround audio content via the side-firing transducer(s) such that the first portion of the surround audio propagates along the side axis to be reflected towards the listening location. A second portion of the surround audio content is played back via the forward-firing transducer(s) such that the second portion of the surround audio propagates along the forward axis towards the listening location.
Constructions and methods to dissipate heat in speakers are discussed. A speaker unit can include a housing defining an internal volume, a duct coupling the internal volume to an outside of the housing, a first audio driver having a first membrane coupled to the internal volume, and a second audio driver having a second membrane coupled to the internal volume. The second membrane is configured to oscillate in opposition to the first audio driver, and is spaced apart from the first audio driver. At least a portion of an internal opening of the duct is positioned between the first membrane and the second membrane.
Systems and methods for managing concurrent voice assistants are disclosed. An example method includes associating a first play back device with a first voice assistant service (VAS). A command is received to form a synchrony group for synchronous audio playback, the group including the first playback device and a second playback device. The method includes obtaining a determination that the second playback device is associated with a second VAS different from the first VAS. A rules engine is accessed to determine concurrency restrictions. Based on the restrictions: (i) the first playback device is disassociated from the first VAS, (ii) the second playback device is disassociated with the second VAS, or (iii) the formation of the synchrony group is precluded.
