US-20260126950-A1 - Control Device and Methods of Operating a Control Device

US20260126950A1US 20260126950 A1US20260126950 A1US 20260126950A1US-20260126950-A1

Abstract

A method for a control device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring the control device to control a first networked device and while controlling the first networked device and while operating in a first mode, receiving, via the control device, first input data, the first input data indicative of a command to control an illumination device of the first networked device. After receiving the first input data, the method comprises controlling the illumination device of the first networked device. While controlling the first networked device and while operating in a second mode, the method comprises receiving, via the control device, second input data, the second input data indicative of a command to control a playback device of the first networked device. After receiving the second input data, the method comprises controlling the playback device of the first networked device.

Inventors

Alexia Delhoume
Sara Lincoln
Brian Roberts

Assignees

SONOS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251003

Claims (20)

1 . A control device comprising: at least one processor; a network interface; an input interface; at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium; and program instructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: determine a location of the control device relative to a first network device that comprises an illumination device; determine a location of the control device relative to a second network device that comprises a playback device; operate as a control device of a network device system that includes the first and second network devices; while operating as the control device of the networked device system: determine whether the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within a threshold proximity of the control device; determine whether the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device; receive, via the input interface, first input data indicative of a command to control illumination via the networked device system; when the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination; receive, via the input interface, second input data indicative of a command to control media playback via the networked device system; and when the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the playback device to play back media content in accordance with the command to control media playback.
2 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises a remote controller, and wherein the input interface comprises one or more of a button, a knob, a dial, a touch sensitive surface, a touchscreen, or combinations thereof.
3 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the control device comprises one of a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a television.
4 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device comprises a first illumination device, wherein the networked device system comprises a third network device that comprises a second illumination device, the control device further comprising program instructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: determine a location of the control device relative to the third network device; and while operating as the control device of the networked device system: determine whether the location of the control device relative to the third network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device; and when the location of the control device relative to the third network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the second illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination.
5 . The control device of claim 4 , further comprising program instructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to, while operating as the control device of the networked device system: when each of (i) the location of the control device relative to the first network device and (ii) the location of the control device relative to the third network device fall within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the first and second illumination devices to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination; and when (i) the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device and the (ii) the location of the control device relative to the third network device distance does not fall within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the first illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination.
6 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination device comprises a first illumination device, wherein the first network device further comprises a first playback device, wherein the second network device further comprises a second illumination device, wherein the playback device comprises a second playback device, the control device further comprising program instructions stored on the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to, while operating as the control device of the networked device system: when the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the controller, cause the first playback device to play back the media content in accordance with the command to control media playback; and when the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the second illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination.
7 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the input interface comprises a microphone, and wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device between the control device and the second network device that comprises at least one playback device comprises program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: receive, via the microphone, an acoustic signal that is output by the second networked device; and based on the acoustic signal, determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device.
8 . The control device of claim 7 , wherein the acoustic signal comprises an ultrasonic audio tone.
9 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the first network device comprises program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: receive, via the network interface, a first signal from the first network device, the first signal having a first signal strength; compare the first signal strength with a signal strength threshold; and based on the comparison of the first signal strength with the signal strength threshold, determine the location of the control device relative to the first network device, and wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device comprises program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: receive, via the network interface, a second signal from the first network device, the second signal having a second signal strength; compare the second signal strength with the signal strength threshold; and based on the comparison of the second signal strength with the signal strength threshold, determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device.
10 . The control device of claim 9 , wherein the first signal strength comprises a first Received Signal Strength Indication (“RSSI”), wherein the second signal strength comprises a second RSSI, and wherein the signal strength threshold comprises an RSSI threshold.
11 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the first network device comprises program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: receive a beacon signal from the first network device; and based on identifying information for the first network device that is contained in the beacon signal from the first network device, determine the location of the control device relative to the first network device.
12 . The control device of claim 11 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device e comprises program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the control device to: based on identifying information for the second network device that is contained in the beacon signal from the first network device, determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device.
13 . The control device of claim 12 , wherein the identifying information for the second network device comprises information indicating that the second network device is part of a networked zone with the first network device.
14 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a control device to: determine a location of the control device relative to a first network device that comprises an illumination device; determine a location of the control device relative to a second network device that comprises a playback device; operate as a control device of a network device system that includes the first and second network devices; while operating as the control device of the networked device system: determine whether the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within a threshold proximity of the control device; determine whether the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device; receive, via an input interface, first input data indicative of a command to control illumination via the networked device system; when the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination; receive, via the input interface, second input data indicative of a command to control media playback via the networked device system; and when the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, cause the playback device to play back media content in accordance with the command to control media playback.
15 . A method carried out by a control device, the method comprising: determine a location of the control device relative to a first network device that comprises an illumination device; determining a location of the control device relative to a second network device that comprises a playback device; operating as a control device of a network device system that includes the first and second network devices; while operating as the control device of the networked device system: determining whether the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within a threshold proximity of the control device; determining whether the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device; receiving, via an input interface, first input data indicative of a command to control illumination via the networked device system; when the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, causing the illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination; receiving, via the input interface, second input data indicative of a command to control media playback via the networked device system; and when the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, causing the playback device to play back media content in accordance with the command to control media playback.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the illumination device comprises a first illumination device, wherein the networked device system comprises a third network device that comprises a second illumination device, the method further comprising: determining a location of the control device relative to the third network device; and while operating as the control device of the networked device system: determining whether the location of the control device relative to the third network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device; and when each of (i) the location of the control device relative to the first network device and (ii) the location of the control device relative to the third network device fall within the threshold proximity of the control device, causing the first and second illumination devices to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination; and when (i) the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device and the (ii) the location of the control device relative to the third network device distance does not fall within the threshold proximity of the control device, causing the first illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the illumination device comprises a first illumination device, wherein the first network device further comprises a first playback device, wherein the second network device further comprises a second illumination device, wherein the playback device comprises a second playback device, the method further comprising: while operating as the control device of the networked device system: when the location of the control device relative to the first network device falls within the threshold proximity of the controller, causing the first playback device to play back the media content in accordance with the command to control media playback; and when the location of the control device relative to the second network device falls within the threshold proximity of the control device, causing the second illumination device to illuminate in accordance with the command to control illumination.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the input interface comprises a microphone, and wherein determining the location of the control device relative to the second network device between the control device and the second network device that comprises at least one playback device comprises: receiving, via the microphone, an acoustic signal that is output by the second networked device; and based on the acoustic signal, determining the location of the control device relative to the second network device.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the acoustic signal comprises an ultrasonic audio tone.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein causing the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the first network device comprises: receiving, via the network interface, a first signal from the first network device, the first signal having a first signal strength; comparing the first signal strength with a signal strength threshold; and based on the comparison of the first signal strength with the signal strength threshold, determining the location of the control device relative to the first network device, and wherein causing the control device to determine the location of the control device relative to the second network device comprises: receiving, via the network interface, a second signal from the first network device, the second signal having a second signal strength; comparing the second signal strength with the signal strength threshold; and based on the comparison of the second signal strength with the signal strength threshold, determining the location of the control device relative to the second network device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 17/855,678, filed on Jun. 30, 2022, and titled “Control Device and Methods of Operating a Control Device,” which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 63/217,746, filed on Jul. 1, 2021, and titled “Control Device and Methods of Operating a Control Device,” the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference herein in their entireties for all purposes. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements directed to media playback or some aspect thereof. BACKGROUND Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loud setting were limited until in 2002, when SONOS, Inc. began development of a new type of playback system. Sonos then filed one of its first patent applications in 2003, entitled “Method for Synchronizing Audio Playback between Multiple Networked Devices,” and began offering its first media playback systems for sale in 2005. The Sonos Wireless Home Sound System enables people to experience music from many sources via one or more networked playback devices. Through a software control application installed on a controller (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer, voice input device), one can play what she wants in any room having a networked playback device. Media content (e.g., songs, podcasts, video sound) can be streamed to playback devices such that each room with a playback device can play back corresponding different media content. In addition, rooms can be grouped together for synchronous playback of the same media content, and/or the same media content can be heard in all rooms synchronously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technology may be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, as listed below. A person skilled in the relevant art will understand that the features shown in the drawings are for purposes of illustrations, and variations, including different and/or additional features and arrangements thereof, are possible. FIG. 1A is a partial cutaway view of an environment having a media playback system configured in accordance with aspects of the disclosed technology. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the media playback system of FIG. 1A and one or more networks. FIG. 1C is a block diagram of a playback device. FIG. 1D is a block diagram of a playback device. FIG. 1E is a block diagram of a network microphone device. FIG. 1F is a block diagram of a network microphone device. FIG. 1G is a block diagram of a playback device. FIG. 1H is a partially schematic diagram of a control device. FIGS. 1I through 1L are schematic diagrams of corresponding media playback system zones. FIG. 1M is a schematic diagram of media playback system areas. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a ceiling speaker. FIGS. 3A-3C are block diagrams of portions of a media playback system according to a examples. FIGS. 4A-4B are a block diagrams of portions of a media playback system according to examples. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a media playback system comprising three rooms. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of control device operating in a first mode. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of control device operating in a second mode. FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram of control device operating in a third mode. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments, but those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the arrangements and/or instrumentality shown in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview Embodiments described herein relate to methods for a control device (such as a remote) that is moveable throughout a media playback system environment. Further embodiments relate to system architectures of networked devices and control devices. An example media playback system may comprise one or more areas or zones, each including one or more networked devices. For example, networked devices associated with different areas or zones may be physically located in different locations, such as in the different rooms of a house. For example, a media playback system may include a living room zone, a dining room zone, a kitchen zone, a bathroom zone, a hallway zone, an office zone, and/or a bedroom zone, in which networked devices are located. A control device may control some or all of the networked devices in the playback system. In some examples, one or more networked devices comprise an illumination device (such as a light) and a playback device. In certain examples, the control device can operate in at least two modes. In a first mode, the control device is configured to control the illumination devi