H04R2227/005

Playback Expansion
20230098804 · 2023-03-30 ·

Examples described herein involve expanding playback of a media item from a first playback device to a second playback device. In one example, while a first playback device is playing a media item as part of a first zone, the first playback device identifies that a second playback device has moved to a location that is within a given physical proximity of the first playback. The first playback device determines that playback is to be expanded to the second playback device, and transmits a command to cause the second playback device to (i) join the first zone and (ii) begin to play the media item in synchrony with the first playback device.

Enabling and Disabling Microphones and Voice Assistants

An example playback device may include at least one microphone and a capacitive control disposed on a housing of the playback device. The playback device may be configured to receive information that causes the playback device to operate in a first state where the playback device is configured to (i) capture audio data via the at least one microphone and (ii) perform voice assistant wake word detection on audio data captured by the at least one microphone. While the playback device is operating in the first state, it may detect a selection of the capacitive control and based on the selection, transition to operate in a second state where the playback device is (i) configured to capture audio data via the at least one microphone and (ii) not configured to perform voice assistant wake word detection on audio data captured by the at least one microphone.

MAPPING AND CHARACTERIZING ACOUSTIC EVENTS WITHIN AN ENVIRONMENT VIA AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES
20230097522 · 2023-03-30 ·

Systems and methods for mapping noise via a plurality of playback devices within an environment are disclosed herein. In one example, a plurality of playback devices can each output audio and also detect sound within the environment to obtain respective sound data specimens. For each playback device, the respective sound data specimen can be analyzed to obtain a respective noise determination. A spatial map of the noise determinations within the environment can then be constructed. A visual representation of the spatial map can further be presented to a user. In response to the noise determinations and/or a user input, the audio output via at least one of the playback devices can be modified, for example to mask or suppress noise within one or more regions of the environment.

MANAGEMENT OF MEDIA DEVICES HAVING LIMITED CAPABILITIES

Embodiments disclosed herein include managing playback devices with limited capabilities and playback devices with advanced capabilities by way of a control device. In some embodiments, the control device may control a first playback device by way of a legacy control application including a first control interface comprising first playback controls operable to control the first playback device in performing a set of legacy playback functions. The mobile device may control a second playback device by way of a production control application including a second control interface comprising second playback controls operable to control the second playback device in performing a set of production playback functions.

ROUTINES FOR PLAYBACK DEVICES

A control device receives one or more first user inputs associating a particular playback mode with one or more playback devices and one or more user-defined acoustic parameters for particular media content that is associated with the particular playback mode. The control device associates a particular trigger condition with the particular playback mode. The particular trigger condition comprises a condition that causes the particular playback mode to be executed. The control device receives one or more second user inputs to activate a particular routine that is associated with the particular playback mode. After receiving the one or more second user inputs, the control device transmits a message that causes the one or more playback devices to play back the particular media content according to the one or more user-defined acoustic parameters.

Thermal control of audio playback devices
11496848 · 2022-11-08 · ·

To avoid damage from overheating, playback device operation can be modulated based on input from temperature sensors. An example method includes obtaining, via one or more temperature sensors carried by the playback device, temperature data. Based on the temperature data, a first temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the first temperature parameter, a gain of audio playback is decreased by a first amount. After decreasing the gain of audio playback by the first amount, a second temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the second temperature parameter, the gain of audio playback is decreased by a second amount different than the first amount.

CONCURRENT STREAMING OF CONTENT TO MULTIPLE DEVICES

The subject technology provides for concurrent streaming of media content to multiple media devices. A host device may receive, from a first accessory device, a first request for first media content, the first request corresponding to a first voice input, and receive, from a second accessory device, a second request for second media content, the second request corresponding to a second voice input to the second accessory device. The host device may store a first context record including identification information for the first accessory device and the first media content, and store, while storing the first context record, a second context record including identification information for the second accessory device and the second media content. The host device may stream the first media content to the first accessory device, and stream, to second accessory device and concurrently with the streaming of the first media content, the second media content.

PLAYBACK DEVICE CALIBRATION
20230093725 · 2023-03-23 ·

A first subwoofer may be configured to output multimedia content in synchrony with at least one other playback device and a second subwoofer. The first subwoofer may, based on a received indication of an acoustic characteristic of the at least one other playback device, determine a crossover frequency of (i) the first subwoofer and the second subwoofer and (ii) the at least one other playback device. After determining the crossover frequency, the first subwoofer may output a first tone set and a second tone set in synchrony with the second subwoofer and the at least one other playback device, and after outputting the first tone set and the second tone set, receive, from a controller device, an indication of a selected one of the first tone set or the second tone set. Based on the selected tone set, the first subwoofer may adjust a phase setting of the first subwoofer.

Providing a Multi-Channel and a Multi-Zone Audio Environment

A multi-channel and multi-zone audio environment is provided. Various inventions are disclosed that allow playback devices on one or more networks to provide an effective multi-channel and a multi-zone audio environment using timing information. According to one example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a low-latency network to provide audio along with a video display. In another example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a mesh network to provide audio in one or more zones or zone groups.

AI-BASED DJ SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DECOMPOSING, MISING AND PLAYING OF AUDIO DATA
20230089356 · 2023-03-23 ·

The present invention relates to a method for processing and playing audio data comprising the steps of receiving mixed input data and playing recombined output data. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device 10 for processing and playing audio data, preferably DJ equipment, comprising an audio input unit for receiving a mixed input signal, a recombination unit 32 and a playing unit 34 for playing recombined output data. In addition, the present invention relates to a method and a device for representing audio data, i.e. on a display.