Playback Based on Number of Listeners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016353224-A1
Application number	US-201615235598-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2016
Priority date	Dec 29, 2011
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus to process audio signals based on a number of listeners are disclosed. An example implementation involves a playback device processing, via an audio processing component, an audio signal for playback according to a first audio characteristic. While processing the audio signal for playback according to the first audio characteristic, the playback device detects, via a location component, a number of listeners in a listening area. The playback device determines a second audio characteristic based on the detected number of listeners in the listening area, and after determining the second audio characteristic, processes, via the audio processing component, the audio signal for playback according to the second audio characteristic.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A playback device comprising:
a location component; an audio processing component; and data storage for storing instructions that when executed cause the playback device perform functions comprising:
processing, via the audio processing component, an audio signal for playback according to a first audio characteristic;
while processing the audio signal for playback according to the first audio characteristic, detecting, via the location component, a number of listeners in a listening area; and
determining a second audio characteristic based on the detected number of listeners in the listening area; and
after determining the second audio characteristic, processing, via the audio processing component, the audio signal for playback according to the second audio characteristic.

2 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the location component comprises an image capture device.

3 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the location component comprises a microphone.

4 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the location component comprises a sensor configured to detect transmitted packets.

5 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first audio filter, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second audio filter.

6 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first volume level, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second volume level.

7 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the number of listeners in the listening area is zero.

8 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the number of listeners in the listening area is one.

9 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the number of listeners in the listening area is greater than one.

10 . The playback device of claim 1 , the functions further comprising:
sending an indication of the number of listeners in the listening area to a network device.

11 . The playback device of claim 10 , wherein the playback device is a first playback device, and wherein the network device is a second playback device.

12 . Tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform functions comprising:
processing, via an audio processing component, an audio signal for playback according to a first audio characteristic; while processing the audio signal for playback according to the first audio characteristic, detecting, via a location component, a number of listeners in a listening area; and determining a second audio characteristic based on the detected number of listeners in the listening area; and after determining the second audio characteristic, processing, via the audio processing component, the audio signal for playback according to the second audio characteristic.

13 . The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein the location component comprises one or more of: (a) an image capture device, (b) a microphone, or (c) a sensor configured to detect transmitted packets

14 . The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first audio filter, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second audio filter.

15 . The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 12 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first volume level, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second volume level.

16 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the playback device is a first playback device, the functions further comprising:
sending an indication of the number of listeners in the listening area to a second playback device.

17 . A method comprising
processing, via an audio processing component of a playback device, an audio signal for playback according to a first audio characteristic; while processing the audio signal for playback according to the first audio characteristic, detecting, via a location component of the playback device, a number of listeners in a listening area; and determining, via the playback device, a second audio characteristic based on the detected number of listeners in the listening area; and after determining the second audio characteristic, processing, via the audio processing component of the playback device, the audio signal for playback according to the second audio characteristic.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the location component comprises one or more of: (a) an image capture device, (b) a microphone, or (c) a sensor configured to detect transmitted packets

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first audio filter, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second audio filter.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first audio characteristic comprises a first volume level, and wherein the second audio characteristic comprises a second volume level.

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Reilly Jonathon
• Van Erven Niels

Classifications

• G06F3/165

  Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path · CPC title

• H04R3/04

  for correcting frequency response · CPC title

• H04R2227/005

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

• H04R29/001

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

• H04S7/303 Primary

  Tracking of listener position or orientation · CPC title