US-12625791-B2 - Adjusting a playback device

US12625791B2US 12625791 B2US12625791 B2US 12625791B2US-12625791-B2

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide methods and systems for managing a sound profile. An example playback device includes a network interface and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable by the processor. When executed by the processor, the instructions are to configure the playback device to receive, via the network interface over a local area network (LAN) from a controller device, an instruction. The example playback device is to obtain, based on the instruction, via the network interface from a location outside of the LAN, data comprising a sound profile. The example playback device is to update one or more parameters at the playback device based on the sound profile. The example playback device is to play back an audio signal according to the sound profile.

Inventors

Christopher Kallai
Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson

Assignees

SONOS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20231221

Claims (20)

1 . A playback device comprising: one or more processors; one or more communications interfaces; and tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to: receive a first sound profile separate from an audio content file, wherein the first sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a first type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a first networked device operating outside of a first local area network on which the playback device is operating, wherein the first sound profile comprises a first set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the first type of audio content; receive a second sound profile separate from an audio content file, wherein the second sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a second type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a second networked device operating outside of the first local area network on which the playback device is operating, wherein the second sound profile comprises a second set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the second type of audio content; play the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and play the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.
2 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein: the first set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the first sound profile comprises at least one of a band, frequency, equalizer, or gain; and the second set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the second sound profile comprises at least one of a band, frequency, equalizer, or gain.
3 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein: the first set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the first sound profile comprises at least one of a quality factor, delay, phase, limiter, softclip, or release; and the second set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the second sound profile comprises at least one of a quality factor, delay, phase, limiter, softclip, or release.
4 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media further comprises program instructions that are executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to save both the first sound profile and the second sound profile in the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media.
5 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions further comprise instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to adjust one or both of the first sound profile or the second sound profile based on one or more commands received from a controller device separate from the playback device and operating on the first local area network.
6 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first networked device or the second networked device comprises another playback device configured to operate on a second local area network that is separate from the first local area network.
7 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first networked device or the second networked device comprises one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, or a smart phone.
8 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the first sound profile is received via the one or more communications interfaces from the first networked device via the Internet.
9 . The playback device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions comprise program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is further configured to: via the one or more communications interfaces, transmit at least one of the first sound profile or the second sound profile to a second playback device operating on the first local area network; and wherein the program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to play the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile comprise program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to play the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and wherein the program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to play the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile comprise program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the playback device is configured to play the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.
10 . Tangible, non-transitory computer readable media comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving a first sound profile separate from an audio content file via one or more communications interfaces of the playback device, wherein the first sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a first type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a first networked device operating outside of a first local area network on which the playback device is operating, wherein the first sound profile comprises a first set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the first type of audio content; receiving a second sound profile separate from an audio content file via the one or more communications interfaces of the playback device, wherein the second sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a second type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a second networked device operating outside of the first local area network on which the playback device is operating, wherein the second sound profile comprises a second set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the second type of audio content; playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.
11 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein: the first set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the first sound profile comprises at least one of a band, frequency, equalizer, or gain; and the second set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the second sound profile comprises at least one of a band, frequency, equalizer, or gain.
12 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein: the first set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the first sound profile comprises at least one of a quality factor, delay, phase, limiter, softclip, or release; and the second set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the second sound profile comprises at least one of a quality factor, delay, phase, limiter, softclip, or release.
13 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein the functions further comprise: saving both the first sound profile and the second sound profile at the playback device.
14 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein the functions further comprise: adjusting one or both of the first sound profile or the second sound profile based on one or more commands received from a controller device separate from the playback device and operating on the first local area network.
15 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first networked device or the second networked device comprises another playback device configured to operate on a second local area network that is separate from the first local area network.
16 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first networked device or the second networked device comprises one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, or a smart phone.
17 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein the first sound profile is received via the one or more communications interfaces from the first networked device via the Internet.
18 . The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein the functions further comprise: transmitting at least one of the first sound profile or the second sound profile via the one or more communications interfaces to a second playback device operating on the first local area network; wherein playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile comprises playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and wherein playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile comprises playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.
19 . A method performed by a first playback device, the method comprising: receiving a first sound profile separate from an audio content file via one or more communications interfaces of the first playback device, wherein the first sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a first type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a first networked device operating outside of a first local area network on which the first playback device is operating, wherein the first sound profile comprises a first set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the first type of audio content, and wherein the first set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the first sound profile comprises at least one of a band, a frequency, an equalizer, a gain, a quality factor, a delay, a phase, a limiter, a softclip, or a release; receiving a second sound profile separate from an audio content file via the one or more communications interfaces of the first playback device, wherein the second sound profile is (i) a previously created sound profile that is specific to a second type of audio content, and (ii) received via the one or more communications interfaces from a second networked device operating outside of the first local area network on which the first playback device is operating, wherein the second sound profile comprises a second set of audio playback equalization settings for use when playing the second type of audio content, and wherein the second set of audio playback equalization settings defined in the second sound profile comprises at least one of a band, a frequency, an equalizer, a gain, a quality factor, a delay, a phase, a limiter, a softclip, or a release; playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile; transmitting at least one of the first sound profile or the second sound profile via the one or more communications interfaces to a second playback device operating on the first local area network; wherein playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile comprises playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and wherein playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile comprises playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising: transmitting at least one of the first sound profile or the second sound profile via the one or more communications interfaces to a second playback device operating on the first local area network; wherein playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile comprises playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the first type of audio content according to the first sound profile; and wherein playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile comprises playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile in a synchronized manner with the second playback device playing the second type of audio content according to the second sound profile.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/822,940, titled “Adjusting a Playback Device,” filed on Aug. 29, 2022, and currently pending; U.S. application Ser. No. 17/822,940 is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/676,655, titled “Adjusting a Playback Device,” filed on Aug. 14, 2017, and issued Aug. 30, 2022, as U.S. Pat. No. 11,429,502; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/676,655 is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/552,049, titled “Adjusting a Playback Device,” filed Nov. 24, 2014, and issued on Aug. 15, 2017, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,734,243; U.S. application Ser. No. 14/552,049 is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/272,833, titled “Method and Apparatus for Adjusting a Speaker System,” filed Oct. 13, 2011, and issued Dec. 30, 2014, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,923,997; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/272,833 claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. 61/392,918, titled “Method and Apparatus for Adjusting a Loudspeaker,” filed Oct. 13, 2010. The entire contents of the Ser. Nos. 17/822,940; 15/676,655; 14/552,049; 13/272,833; and 61/392,918 applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to the area of audio devices, and more specifically related to techniques for adjusting a speaker system or loudspeaker via a network. BACKGROUND Designing and fine tuning of loudspeakers are often a laborious process. In a typical process, certain electrical components have to be repeatedly changed or adjusted to generate a new equalization or new firmware has to be upgraded on some modern products. Typically during development, a loudspeaker is placed inside a large anechoic chamber where acoustic measurements are gradually taken. After each measurement, the product is removed from the chamber and brought out to be adjusted and then setup again to be re-measured. The process often takes days or weeks until the final sound of the loudspeaker is determined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: FIG. 1 shows an example configuration in which certain embodiments may be practiced; FIG. 2A shows an example functional block diagram of a player in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. 2B shows an example of controllers that may be used to remotely control one of more players of FIG. 1; FIG. 2C shows an example internal functional block diagram of a controller in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. 3 shows an example interface in an embodiment to allow a user to graphically adjust various settings via a network; FIG. 4 shows a flowchart or process of adjusting various settings in a speaker system; and FIG. 5 shows a flowchart or process of sharing a profile between two remotely separated sound systems. Certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the provided drawings, which illustrate examples. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS The detailed description of certain embodiments is presented largely in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble the operations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These process descriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process flowcharts or diagrams representing one or more embodiments do not inherently indicate any particular order or imply any limitations. Certain embodiments provide techniques for adjusting loudspeakers (referred to herein interchangeably as speakers) via the Internet. The adjustment includes at least tuning, configuration and creation of customized equalizers (EQs). In one embodiment, a graphic interface is provided to tune a loudspeaker, and allows a user to do quick iteration on the final “sound” of the loudspeaker. In another embodiment, a set of settings can be remotely adjusted or shared with another speaker system. In an example application, when loudspeakers are placed in a listening environment, a customer home or a remote location, th