Systems and methods for authenticating and calibrating passive speakers with a graphical user interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025193621-A1
Application number	US-202418940324-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 7, 2024
Priority date	Feb 12, 2019
Publication date	Jun 12, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting and configuring passive speakers within a playback system using a graphical user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of for detecting and configuration passive speakers in a playback system using a mobile device includes deriving speaker identification data concerning one or more passive speakers connected to an audio device in a playback system based upon at least an electrical signal sent to and returned from the one or more passive speakers, where the electrical signal is sent by the audio device including an audio stage comprising one or more amplifiers, and where the speaker identification data comprises information identifying a type of speaker, and displaying a graphical user interface screen on a mobile device based upon the identified type of speaker, where the displayed information and selectable options are dependent upon the identified type of speaker.

First claim

1 . A playback device comprising:
at least one amplifier; a set of output terminals connected to the at least one amplifier; a network interface; at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
perform a speaker detection, wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to perform the speaker detection comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
output one or more identification signals via the set of output terminals; and
receive speaker identification signals via the set of output terminals;

determine that the speaker identification signals indicate that (i) a first speaker of a first type and (ii) a second speaker of a second type are connected to the set of output terminals;
determine an incompatibility between the first type of the first passive speaker and the second type of the second passive speaker;
disable a room correction calibration for the set of output terminals based on the determined incompatibility, wherein the room correction calibration is enabled for the set of output terminals when compatible passive speakers are connected to the set of output terminals; and
cause, via the network interface, a mobile device to display, within a graphical user interface, an indication that the room correction calibration is disabled.

2 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
perform an additional speaker detection, wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to perform the additional speaker detection comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
output one or more additional identification signals via the set of output terminals; and
receive additional speaker identification signals via the set of output terminals;
determine that the additional speaker identification signals indicate that at least one speaker of an unknown type is connected to the output terminals; disable the room correction calibration for the set of output terminals based on connection of the at least one speaker of the unknown type to the set of output terminals; and cause, via the network interface, a mobile device to display, within a graphical user interface an indication that compatible speakers were not detected during the additional speaker detection.

3 . The playback device of claim 2 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
cause, via the network interface, the mobile device to display, within the graphical user interface, a selectable control that is selectable to perform the additional speaker detection.

4 . The playback device of claim 2 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to determine that the additional speaker identification signals indicate that at least one speaker of the unknown type is connected to the output terminals comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
determine that the additional speaker identification signals do not match speaker identification signals of known types.

5 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
disable a first playback configuration for the set of output terminals based on the determined incompatibility, wherein, in the first playback configuration, the set of output terminals are configured to output one or more first audio channels in synchrony with output of one or more second audio channels by one or more additional playback devices, and wherein one or more second playback configurations for the for the set of output terminals remain enabled when the first playback configuration is disabled.

6 . The playback device of claim 5 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
cause, via the network interface, a mobile device to display, within the graphical user interface, an indication that the first playback configuration is disabled.

7 . The playback device of claim 5 , wherein, in the first playback configuration, the multiple passive speakers are configured to output one or more first surround audio channels in synchrony with output of one or more front audio channels by one or more additional playback devices.

8 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to determine the incompatibility between the first type of the first passive speaker and the second type of the second passive speaker comprise program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
determine that the first passive speaker is a first model that is incompatible with a second model of the second passive speaker.

9 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that the playback device is configured to:
cause, via the network interface, a mobile device to display, within the graphical user interface, a selectable control that is selectable to display, within the graphical user interface, additional information on the incompatibility between the first type of the first passive speaker and the second type of the second passive speaker.

10 . At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that are executable by the at least one processor such that a mobile device is configured to:
cause, via a network interface, a playback device to perform a speaker detection, wherein performing the speaker detection comprises: outputting one or more identification signals via a set of output terminals connected to at least one amplifier of a playback device and receiving speaker identification signals via the set of output terminals; receive, via the network interface, data indicating that (i) a first speaker of a first type and (ii) a second speaker of a second type are connected to the set of output terminals; determine an incompatibility between the first type of the first passive speaker and the second type of the second passive speaker; disable a room correction calibration for the set of output terminals based on the determined incompatibility, wherein the room correction calibration is enabled for the set of output terminals when compatible passive speakers are connected to the set of output terminals; and display, within a graphical user interface, an indication that the room correction calibration is disabled.

11 . The at least one non-transitory computer-read

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Vautrin Jodi
• Mcdevitt Jennifer
• Valente Daniel

Classifications

• H04S2400/01

  Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved · CPC title

• H04R2420/07

  Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones · CPC title

• H04R5/04

  Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} · CPC title

• H04R5/02

  Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers · CPC title

• H04R3/04 Primary

  for correcting frequency response · CPC title