Volume interactions for connected playback devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9455679-B2
Application number	US-201514808923-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2015
Priority date	Aug 1, 2012
Publication date	Sep 27, 2016
Grant date	Sep 27, 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 the playback device. The playback device may be one of a plurality of playback devices, and the state variable update may indicate a limited volume range associated with the playback device. The playback device renders audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices. The playback device receives input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device and adjusts a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

First claim

We claim:

1. A playback device comprising:
a processor; and
memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions comprising:
applying a state variable update associated with the playback device, wherein the playback device is a one of a plurality of playback devices, and wherein the state variable update indicates a limited volume range associated with the playback device;
rendering audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;
receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and
adjusting a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

2. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

3. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying a state variable update associated with the playback device comprises:
determining a validity of the state variable update; and
applying the state variable update based on the validity of the state variable update.

4. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise:
prior to receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices, transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating a playback volume of the playback device.

5. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from a controller device.

6. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

7. The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise: transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating the adjusted playback volume of the playback device.

8. The playback device of claim 7 , wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, and wherein the message further indicates the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.

9. A method comprising:
applying, by a playback device in a plurality of playback devices, a state variable update associated with the playback device, the state variable update indicating a limited volume range associated with the playback device;
rendering, by the playback device, audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;
receiving, by the playback device, input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and
adjusting, by the playback device, a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein applying a state variable update associated with the playback device comprises:
determining, by the playback device, a validity of the state variable update; and
applying, by the playback device, the state variable update based on the validity of the state variable update.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
prior to receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices, transmitting, by the playback device to a controller device, a message indicating a playback volume of the playback device.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises:
receiving, by the playback device, the input data from a controller device.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises:
receiving, by the playback device, the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, further comprising:
transmitting, by the playback device to a controller device, a message indicating (i) the adjusted playback volume of the playback device and (ii) that the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to perform functions comprising:
applying 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;
rendering audio content in synchrony with other playback devices in the plurality of playback devices;
receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback device; and
adjusting a playback volume of the playback device based on the group volume adjustment and the limited volume range.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the state variable update further indicates one or more of (i) a playback device play mode associated with the limited volume range, and (ii) a time frame associated with the limited volume range.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from a controller device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein receiving input data indicating a group volume adjustment for the plurality of playback devices comprises receiving the input data from another playback device in the plurality of playback devices.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the group volume adjustment indicates a volume level beyond the limited volume range, and wherein the functions further comprise:
transmitting to a controller device, a message indicating (i) the adjusted playback volume of the playback device and (ii) that the playback volume of the playback device was not adjusted according to the group volume adjustment.

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

• H03G11/00

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

• H03G3/3005 Primary

  in amplifiers suitable for low-frequencies, e.g. audio amplifiers (H03G3/32, H03G3/34 take precedence) · 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