Smart audio settings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9916126-B2
Application number	US-201514677541-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2015
Priority date	Jun 29, 2012
Publication date	Mar 13, 2018
Grant date	Mar 13, 2018

Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, while a playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the playback device and at least one first playback device, the playback device applies a first audio setting. The embodiment also includes the playback device joining a second zone group that includes the playback device and at least one second playback device. The embodiment further includes the playback device applying a second audio setting based on an audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.

First claim

I claim:

1. A first playback device comprising:
a processor; and
tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:
while the first playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the first playback device and at least one second playback device, applying a first audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device;
joining a second zone group, the second zone group including the first playback device and at least one third playback device; and
applying a second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device based on an audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.

2. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device comprises:
determining the audio content profile based on media content previously played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group; and
applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device based on the audio content profile for media content previously played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group.

3. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device comprises:
identifying in a database, the second audio setting based on the audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group; and
applying the identified second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device.

4. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying the first audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device comprises:
causing the first playback device and the at least one second playback device of the first zone group to apply the first audio setting.

5. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device comprises:
causing the first playback device and the at least one third playback device to apply the second audio setting.

6. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the functions further comprise:
playing audio content as part of the second zone group; and
updating the audio content profile based on the audio content being played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group.

7. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the audio content profile is a first audio content profile, and wherein the functions further comprise:
while playing audio content as part of the second zone group, receiving data indicating a command to adjust the second audio setting;
identifying a second audio content profile for the audio content; and
determining that the second audio content profile substantially matches the first audio content profile; and
storing in a database, the adjusted second audio setting in association with the first audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.

8. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the audio content profile is a first audio content profile, and wherein the functions further comprise:
while playing audio content as part of the second zone group, receiving data indicating a command to adjust the second audio setting;
identifying a second audio content profile for the audio content;
determining that the second audio content profile does not substantially match the first audio content profile; and
transmitting a message indicating that the audio content is not representative of audio content previously played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group.

9. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein joining the second zone group comprises:
receiving data indicating a command to join the second zone group; and
responsively leaving the first zone group and joining the second zone group.

10. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein joining the second zone group comprises:
receiving data indicating that a given second playback device of the first zone group has left the first zone group; and
responsively leaving the first zone group and joining the second zone group.

11. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein joining the second zone group comprises:
receiving data indicating that a fourth playback device has joined the first zone group; and
responsively, leaving the first zone group and joining the second zone group.

12. A method comprising:
while a first playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the first playback device and at least one second playback device, applying, by the first playback device, a first audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device;
joining, by the first playback device, a second zone group, the second zone group including the first playback device and at least one third playback device; and
applying to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device, by the first playback device, a second audio setting based on an audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device comprises:
determining, by the first playback device, the audio content profile based on media content previously played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group; and
applying to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device, by the first playback device, the second audio setting based on the audio content profile for media content previously played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein applying the second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device comprises:
identifying, by the first playback device in a database, the second audio setting based on the audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group; and
applying to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device, by the first playback device, the identified second audio setting.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
playing, by the first playback device, audio content as part of the second zone group; and
updating, by the first playback device, the audio content profile based on the audio content being played by the first playback device as part of the second zone group.

16. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a first playback device to perform functions comprising:
while the first playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the first playback device and at least one second playback device, applying a first audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device;
joining a second zone group, the second zone group including the first playback device and at least one third playback device; and
applying a second audio setting to at least one of the first playback device and the third playback device based on an audio content profile

Assignees

• Sonos Inc

Inventors

• Lang Jonathan P

Classifications

• G06F16/683

  using metadata automatically derived from the content · CPC title

• H03G5/005 Primary

  of digital signals · CPC title

• G06F3/165 Primary

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

• H03G5/165

  Equalizers; Volume or gain control in limited frequency bands · CPC title

• H03G3/3089

  Control of digital or coded signals · CPC title