Playback device configuration according to distortion threshold

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10051399-B2
Application number	US-201715681640-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2017
Priority date	Mar 17, 2014
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

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.

First claim

We claim:

1. A playback device comprising:
one or more processors; and
tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:
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;
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 in the given system and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then
(i) changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to an updated playback configuration of the playback device; and
(ii) causing the playback device to play audio content according to the updated playback configuration; and

if it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is not greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then
(i) foregoing changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device; and
(ii) causing the playback device to continue to play audio content according to the existing playback configuration.

2. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises causing a speaker of the playback device to be deactivated.

3. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises causing a speaker of the playback device to play a component of the audio content.

4. The playback device of claim 3 , wherein the component of the audio content comprises a specific frequency range.

5. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises changing a volume level of a given speaker of the playback device.

6. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises adjusting one or more frequency components of the audio content.

7. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined frequency response for the playback device comprises an ideal frequency response for the playback device.

8. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined frequency response for the playback device comprises a measured frequency response for the playback device.

9. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distortion threshold comprises a particular predetermined percentage value.

10. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined distortion threshold comprises a particular absolute difference value.

11. Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a playback device, cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:
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;
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 in the given system and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then
(i) changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to an updated playback configuration of the playback device; and
(ii) causing the playback device to play audio content according to the updated playback configuration; and

if it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is not greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then
(i) foregoing changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device; and
(ii) causing the playback device to continue to play audio content according to the existing playback configuration.

12. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises causing a speaker of the playback device to be deactivated.

13. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises causing a speaker of the playback device to play a component of the audio content.

14. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 13 , wherein the component of the audio content comprises a specific frequency range.

15. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises changing a volume level of a given speaker of the playback device.

16. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to the updated playback configuration of the playback device comprises adjusting one or more frequency components of the audio content.

17. The tangible transitory, computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined frequency response for the playback device comprises a measured frequency response for the playback device.

18. A method comprising:
causing a 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;
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 in the given system and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then
(i) changing the existing playback configuration of the playback device to an updated playback configuration of the playback device; and
(ii) causing the playback device to play audio content according to the updated playback configuration; and

if it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and the predetermined frequency respo

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Oishi Tetsuro
• Bush William H

Classifications

• H04R3/12

  for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers {(specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} · CPC title

• H04R1/323

  for loudspeakers (H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence) · CPC title

• H04R29/001

  for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04R27/00

  Public address systems (circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; {monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007}; amplifiers H03F) · CPC title

• H04R2227/005

  Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use · CPC title