Volume interactions for connected playback devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9379683-B2
Application number	US-201514634365-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2015
Priority date	Aug 1, 2012
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for volume interactions for connected playback devices. In one example, a playback device applies a state variable update associated with a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device receives data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices. The playback device determines that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device. Based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, the playback device adjusts the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

First claim

We claim:

1. A playback device comprising:
a network interface; and
a processor configured to execute instructions for:
applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;
receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;
determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and
based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

2. The playback device of claim 1 , the processor further configured to execute instructions for:
receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;
determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and
based on the determination that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

3. The playback device of claim 2 , wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

4. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

5. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

6. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying the state variable associated with the playback device in the plurality of playback devices comprises:
determining that the state variable update is valid; and
applying the state variable update based on determining that the state variable update is valid.

7. The playback device of claim 6 , wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:
identifying a source of the state variable update; and
determining that state variable updates from the identified source are valid.

8. The playback device of claim 6 , wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:
sending a request for an indication of qualification to update a state variable;
receiving an indication of qualification to update the state variable; and
determining the validity of the state variable update based on the indication of qualification to update the state variable.

9. A playback device comprising:
a network interface; and
a processor configured to execute instructions for:
applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;
receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices; and
determining that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and
based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

10. The playback device of claim 9 , wherein the level within the volume limitation for the playback device is the maximum volume level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

11. The playback device of claim 9 , the processor further configured to execute instructions for:
receiving data indicating another group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;
determining that applying the another group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device; and
based on the determination that applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment.

12. The playback device of claim 9 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more play modes of the playback device associated with the limited volume range.

13. The playback device of claim 9 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more time frames associated with the limited volume range.

14. The playback device of claim 9 , wherein applying the state variable update associated with the playback device in the plurality of playback devices further comprises:
determining that the state variable update is valid; and
applying the state variable update based on determining that the state variable update is valid.

15. The playback device of claim 14 , wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:
identifying a source of the state variable update; and
determining that state variable updates from the identified source are valid.

16. The playback device of claim 14 , wherein determining that the state variable update is valid further comprises:
sending a request for an indication of qualification to update a state variable;
receiving an indication of qualification to update the state variable; and
determining the validity of the state variable update based on the indication of qualification to update the state variable.

17. A playback device comprising:
a network interface; and
a processor configured to execute instructions for:
applying a state variable update associated with the playback device in a plurality of playback devices, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;
receiving, via the network interface, data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices;
determining whether applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in a playback volume of the playback device exceeding a volume limitation of the playback device; and
if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would not result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device according to the group volume adjustment, and
if applying the group volume adjustment to the playback device would result in the playback volume of the playback device exceeding the volume limitation of the playback device, adjusting the playback volume of the playback device to a level within the volume limitation for the playback device.

18. The playback device of c

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Marino Frank
• Apodaca Eduardo Ahumada
• Lambourne Robert Andrew

Classifications

• H04R2227/005

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

• H04R3/12

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

• H03G11/00

  Limiting amplitude; Limiting rate of change of amplitude · CPC title

• H03G3/10

  having semiconductor devices · CPC title

• H03G3/20 Primary

  Automatic control ({H03G3/005 takes precedence;} combined with volume compression or expansion H03G7/00) · CPC title