Frequency sweep for a unique portable speaker listening experience

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10292000-B1
Application number	US-201816025874-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jul 2, 2018
Priority date	Jul 2, 2018
Publication date	May 14, 2019
Grant date	May 14, 2019

Abstract

A networked speaker system automatically adjusts certain audio speaker system settings based on characteristics of the surface on which the speaker is disposed as measured during an initial frequency sweep of test tones emitted from a speaker.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
at least one computer medium that is not a transitory signal and that comprises instructions executable by at least one processor to:
transmit from at least one audio speaker plural frequencies in sequence in a frequency sweep;
during the frequency sweep, record signals from at least one motion sensor adjacent the speaker; and
based at least in part on the signals from the at least one motion sensor adjacent the speaker during the frequency sweep, establish a first value of at least a first audio setting of the speaker for subsequent play of demanded audio, the demanded audio being different from the frequency sweep.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first value is dependent on characteristics of a surface on which the at least one speaker is disposed in that the characteristics of the surface are represented in the signals from the at least one motion sensor.

3. The device of claim 1 , comprising the first speaker.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio setting comprises a speaker system channel configuration.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio setting comprises a compression setting.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio setting comprises equalization (EQ).

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio setting comprises a volume.

8. The device of claim 1 , comprising the at least one motion sensor, the at least one motion sensor being arranged on a housing of the speaker.

9. The device of claim 1 , comprising the at least one motion sensor, the at least one motion sensor being arranged on the surface.

10. A method comprising:
performing a frequency sweep of tones emitted from an audio speaker over individual frequencies;
receiving first signals from a sensor representing motion of at least one surface caused by % the tones;
determining which of a reference configuration and a first configuration most nearly matches information associated with the first signals; and
altering at least one configuration parameter of the audio speaker according to which of the reference configuration and first configuration most nearly matches information associated with the first signals.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising:
providing a reference configuration for the audio speaker;
based on a relationship of the signals to the reference configuration, altering the at least one configuration parameter of the audio speaker.

12. The method of claim 10 , comprising:
storing signals as at least a first configuration;
performing a frequency sweep of tones emitted from the audio speaker over individual frequencies; and
receiving additional signals representing motion of at least one surface caused by the tones.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
storing additional signals as at least a second configuration;
performing a frequency sweep of tones emitted from the audio speaker over individual frequencies;
receiving further signals representing motion of at least one surface caused by the tones;
determining which of the reference configuration, first configuration, and second configuration most nearly matches information associated with the further signals; and
altering at least one configuration parameter of the audio speaker according to which of the reference configuration, first configuration, and second configuration most nearly matches information associated with the further signals.

14. The method of claim 10 , comprising performing the frequency sweep responsive to manipulation of a mechanical switch.

15. The method of claim 10 , comprising performing the frequency sweep responsive to manipulation of a virtual switch.

16. The method of claim 10 , comprising performing the frequency sweep responsive to a voice command.

17. The method of claim 10 , comprising performing the frequency sweep responsive to a tactile signal.

18. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one audio speaker;
at least one motion sensor; and
at least one processor programmed with instructions to:
responsive to a calibrate command, cause the audio speaker to emit a frequency sweep of tones;
receive signals from the motion sensor during frequency sweep; and
alter subsequent play of demanded audio on the audio speaker at least in part based on the signals from the motion sensor.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed with instructions to:
store information pertaining to the signals as a first configuration; and
during a subsequent frequency sweep, compare signals from the motion sensor generated during the subsequent frequency sweep to the first configuration to determine at least one speaker configuration parameter value to apply to demanded audio.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein subsequent play of demanded audio is altered by establishing volume of audio for frequencies, changing cross-over frequencies, changing compression for frequencies, changing EQ, adjusting phase response over a frequency spectrum, or any combination thereof according to the signals from the motion sensor.

Assignees

• Sony Corp

Inventors

• Milne James R
• Burgueno Allison Joi
• Carlsson Gregory Peter
• Resch Keith

Classifications

• H04R2420/07

  Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones · CPC title

• H04R29/002

  Loudspeaker arrays · CPC title

• H04S7/301 Primary

  Automatic calibration of stereophonic sound system, e.g. with test microphone · CPC title

• H04S7/303

  Tracking of listener position or orientation · CPC title

• H04R2420/03

  Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers · CPC title