US-20260129394-A1 - HEIGHT AUDIO ADJUSTMENT BASED ON LISTENING ENVIRONMENT CHARACTERISTICS

US20260129394A1US 20260129394 A1US20260129394 A1US 20260129394A1US-20260129394-A1

Abstract

An example media playback system includes an upward-firing transducer and a horizontal-firing transducer in a playback device and a microphone that is horizontally spaced apart from the upward-firing transducer. The media playback system is configured to output a first audio signal from the upward-firing transducer and a second audio signal from the horizontal-firing transducer, receive a reflection of the first audio signal from a ceiling of a listening environment at the microphone, receive the second audio signal at the microphone, determine a distance between the playback device and the microphone based on the second audio signal, and determine a ceiling characteristic based on the reflection of the first audio signal and the distance between the playback device and the microphone.

Inventors

Daniel Jones
Adib Mehrabi
Paul Peace
Briet Louise Brown

Assignees

SONOS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251229

Claims (20)

1 . A method comprising: outputting, via a first transducer in a first playback device in a listening environment, a first signal, wherein the first transducer is an upward-firing transducer; outputting, via a second transducer in a second playback device in the listening environment, a second signal; determining, based on a first microphone signal corresponding to a received reflection of the first signal received via one or more microphones of a network device, a ceiling characteristic of a ceiling of the listening environment; determining, based on a second microphone signal corresponding to receiving the second signal by the one or more microphones, a first distance between the second playback device and the network device; and adjusting a distribution of audio output between the first transducer and the second transducer based on (i) the ceiling characteristic and (ii) the first distance.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when the determined ceiling characteristic indicates that the first transducer is at an unsuitable position within the listening environment, adjusting the distribution of audio output by adjusting a first audio output parameter of the first transducer.
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising determining that the ceiling characteristic indicates that the first transducer is at an unsuitable position within the listening environment when it is determined that the first transducer is at least one of: directed toward a boundary of the listening environment other than the ceiling; or less than a predetermined distance from at least a portion of the ceiling.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises, based on determining that the first transducer is at the unsuitable position, adjusting a second audio output parameter of the second transducer.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises, based on determining that the first transducer is at the unsuitable position, at least one of: disabling the first transducer; reducing an audio output volume of the first transducer; or adjusting a directivity of the audio output from the first transducer.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises at least one of: disabling the first transducer; reducing an audio output volume of the first transducer; or adjusting a directivity of the audio output from the first transducer.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises at least one of: outputting at least a portion of audio content intended for the first transducer via the second transducer; increasing an audio output volume of the second transducer; or outputting an audio signal for cancelling at least part of the audio output of the first transducer.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second transducer is an upward-firing transducer, wherein adjusting the distribution of audio content comprises, when it is determined, based on the ceiling characteristic, that a first path between the first transducer and a typical listener position via the ceiling is shorter than a second path between the second transducer and the typical listener position via the ceiling, adjusting the distribution of audio output such that the audio output of the first transducer includes higher frequencies than the audio output from the second transducer.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second transducer is a horizontal-firing transducer and wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises, when received audio output data comprises vertical audio content and horizontal audio content: outputting, from the second transducer: horizontal audio content of received audio output data comprising vertical and horizontal audio content, and at least a portion of the vertical audio content.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second transducer is a horizontal-firing transducer and wherein adjuring the distribution of audio output comprises, when received audio output data comprises first audio content for reproduction from a perceived position in front of a listener and second audio content for reproduction from a perceived position behind the listener: outputting, from the second transducer, at least a portion of the first audio content; and outputting, from the first transducer, at least a portion of the second audio content, based on the ceiling characteristic.
11 . The method of one of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the distribution of audio output comprises, when the second transducer has an output including frequencies below 200 Hz, at least one of: outputting, from the first transducer, at least one audio signal to counteract a listening environment mode with the ceiling when the second transducer is operational; or adjusting the output of the second transducer to attenuate one or more frequencies to counteract a listening environment mode with the ceiling.
12 . One or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a media playback system, cause the media playback system to: output, via a first transducer in a first playback device in a listening environment, a first signal, wherein the first transducer is an upward-firing transducer; output, via a second transducer in a second playback device in the listening environment, a second signal; determine, based on a first microphone signal corresponding to a received reflection of the first signal received via one or more microphones of a network device, a ceiling characteristic of a ceiling of the listening environment; determine, based on a second microphone signal corresponding to a receiving the second signal via the one or more microphones, a first distance between the second playback device and the network device; and adjust a distribution of audio output between the first transducer and the second transducer based on (i) the ceiling characteristic and (ii) the first distance.
13 . The computer readable media of claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output by at least one of: disabling the first transducer; reducing an audio output volume of the first transducer; or adjusting a directivity of the audio output from the first transducer.
14 . The computer readable media of claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output by at least one of: outputting at least a portion of audio content intended for the first transducer via the second transducer; increasing an audio output volume of the second transducer; or outputting an audio signal for cancelling at least part of the audio output of the first transducer.
15 . The computer readable media of claim 12 , wherein the second transducer is an upward-firing transducer and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output such that the audio output of the first transducer includes higher frequencies than the audio output from the second transducer when it is determined, based on the ceiling characteristic, that a first path between the first transducer and a typical listener position via the ceiling is shorter than a second path between the second transducer and the typical listener position via the ceiling.
16 . The computer readable media of claim 12 , wherein the second transducer is a horizontal-firing transducer and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output by outputting, from the second transducer, horizontal audio content and at least a portion of vertical audio content of received audio output data comprising vertical and horizontal audio content, when received audio output data comprises vertical audio content and horizontal audio content.
17 . A media playback system including a first playback device, a second playback device, and a network device in a listening environment, the media playback system comprising: a first transducer in the first playback device, wherein the first transducer is an upward-firing transducer; a second transducer in the second playback device; one or more microphones in the network device; and one or more processors configured to cause the media playback system to: output, via a first transducer in a first playback device in a listening environment, a first signal, wherein the first transducer is an upward-firing transducer; output, via a second transducer in a second playback device in the listening environment, a second signal; determine, based on a first microphone signal corresponding to a received reflection of the first signal received via one or more microphones of a network device, a ceiling characteristic of a ceiling of the listening environment; determine, based on a second microphone signal corresponding to receiving the second signal by the one or more microphones, a first distance between the second playback device and the network device; and adjust a distribution of audio output between the first transducer and the second transducer based on (i) the ceiling characteristic and (ii) the first distance.
18 . The media playback system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output by at least one of: disabling the first transducer; reducing an audio output volume of the first transducer; or adjusting a directivity of the audio output from the first transducer.
19 . The media playback system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output by at least one of: outputting at least a portion of audio content intended for the first transducer via the second transducer; increasing an audio output volume of the second transducer; or outputting an audio signal for cancelling at least part of the audio output of the first transducer.
20 . The media playback system of claim 17 , wherein the second transducer is an upward-firing transducer, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the media playback system to adjust the distribution of audio output such that the audio output of the first transducer includes higher frequencies than the audio output from the second transducer when it is determined, based on the ceiling characteristic, that a first path between the first transducer and a typical listener position via the ceiling is shorter than a second path between the second transducer and the typical listener position via the ceiling.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2024/037012, filed Jul. 8, 2024, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/512,838, filed Jul. 10, 2023, and to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/512,843, filed Jul. 10, 2023, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 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, examples, 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 examples of the present 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. FIG. 2A is a front isometric view of a playback device configured in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 2B is a front isometric view of the playback device of FIG. 3A without a grille. FIG. 2C is an exploded view of the playback device of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a playback device configured in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 3B is a transparent view of the playback device of FIG. 3A illustrating individual transducers. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are diagrams showing an example playback device configuration in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example media playback system in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for determining a ceiling characteristic in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example media playback system in accordance with examples of the present technology. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for adjusting audio output parameter(s) based on a ceiling characteristic in accordance with examples of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview Three-dimensional (3D) and other immersive spatial audio rendering formats may include one or more channels that represent sound intended to be perceived by a listener as originating from above their listening position. These channels may be referred to as vertical or height audio channels or components. Height audio channels, along with lateral audio channels, (e.g., those that the listener perceives as arriving from the left, right, front or behind), form part of an audio output reproduced by a media playback system including one or more playback devices. As part of such multichannel audio playback, height audio channels enable a greater variety in the type of soundscape that can be delivered, and provide an even more immersive experience to a listener. Examples of 3D audio formats include DOLBY ATMOS, MPEG-H, and DTS: X formats. Such 3D or other immersive audio formats may be used with music or video content. Traditionally, immersive audio, such as surround sound and 3D audio formats, has been reserved for movie theaters and high-specification home theater s