JP2022163061A - Audio processing algorithm and database - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computing device and a reproduction device, further improving a trial listening experience.

SOLUTION: A method for maintaining a database of an audio processing algorithm and reproduction zone acoustic characteristics, includes: causing the reproduction device to reproduce a first audio signal in the reproduction zone; and receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the reproduction device. The audio processing algorithm determined on the basis of the second audio signal and characteristics of the reproduction device is calculated or identified in the database on the basis of the acoustic characteristics of the reproduction zone. The acoustic characteristics of the reproduction zone are determined on the basis of the second audio signal and the characteristics of the reproduction device. The audio processing algorithm is then applied by the reproduction device.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 14/481,505 filed September 9, 2014 and U.S. Application No. 14/481,514 filed September 9, 2014. and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application relates to consumer products, and more particularly to methods, systems, products, features, services, and other elements directed to media playback, as well as some aspects thereof.

In 2003, Sonos, Inc. filed one of the first patent applications, titled "Method for Synchronizing Audio Playback Across Multiple Network Devices," and in 2005 launched a media playback system. Prior to launch, digital audio access and audition options were limited in Outloud settings. The Sonos wireless HiFi system allows people to experience music from multiple sources via one or more network playback devices. Through software control applications installed on smartphones, tablets, or computers, people can play the music they want in any room equipped with a network playback device. Also, for example, using a controller, different songs can be streamed to each room with a playback device, multiple rooms can be grouped for synchronized playback, and all rooms can be synchronized. You can also listen to the same song.

Given the ever-increasing interest in digital media, there is a need to further develop consumer-accessible technologies that can further enhance the listening experience.

Features, aspects, and advantages of the technology disclosed herein may be better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary media playback system configuration that may be implemented in certain embodiments; Functional block diagram of an exemplary playback device Functional block diagram of an exemplary control device Diagram showing an exemplary controller interface FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a first method of maintaining a database of audio processing algorithms; FIG. 4 shows an exemplary portion of a first database of audio processing algorithms; FIG. 4 shows an exemplary portion of a second database of audio processing algorithms; FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a second method of maintaining a database of audio processing algorithms; FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary playback zone in which a playback device may be calibrated; FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a first method for determining audio processing algorithms based on one or more play zone characteristics; FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a second method for determining audio processing algorithms based on one or more play zone characteristics; An exemplary flow diagram for identifying an audio processing algorithm from a database of audio processing algorithms.

While the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating some exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

I. Overview When a playback device plays audio content in a playback zone, the quality of playback may depend on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. In the description herein, a playback zone may include one or more playback devices or groups of playback devices. The acoustic properties of the reproduction zone may depend on the dimensions of the reproduction zone, the type of furniture within the reproduction zone, the placement of the furniture within the reproduction zone, and the like. As such, different playback zones may have different acoustic properties. Since a given model of playback device may be used in a variety of different playback zones with different acoustic characteristics, no single audio processing algorithm will provide consistent audio playback quality by playback devices in each of the different playback zones. There is

Examples described herein relate to determining audio processing algorithms to be applied by a playback device based on acoustic characteristics of a playback zone within which the playback device resides. Application by the playback device of the determined audio processing algorithm when playing the audio content in the playback zone can cause, at least in part, the audio content rendered by the playback device in the playback zone to have predetermined audio characteristics. In some cases, the application of the audio processing algorithm is to change the audio amplification at one or more audio frequencies of the audio content. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, a database of audio processing algorithms may be maintained, and the audio processing algorithms in the database may be identified based on one or more characteristics of the play zone. The one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone may be the acoustic properties of the regeneration zone, and/or the dimensions of the regeneration zone, the flooring and/or walling of the regeneration zone, and the number and/or type of furniture in the regeneration zone. may include one or more of

Maintaining the database of audio processing algorithms may include determining at least one audio processing algorithm corresponding to one or more characteristics of the play zone and adding the determined audio processing algorithm to the database. . In some examples, the database may be stored on one or more devices or one or more other devices that maintain the database. In the description herein, unless stated otherwise, the functionality for maintaining the database may be, inter alia, one or more computing devices (i.e., servers), one or more playback devices, or one or more or may be performed by multiple controller devices. However, for the sake of simplicity, one or more devices that perform functions may be generally referred to as computing devices.

In one example, determining such an audio processing algorithm may include the computing device determining acoustic characteristics of the play zone. In some cases, a play zone may be a model room used to simulate a play zone in which a playback device can play audio content. In such cases, one or more physical characteristics of the model room (ie, dimensions, flooring and wall coverings, etc.) may be predetermined. In other cases, the playback zone may be a room in the home of the user of the playback device. In such cases, the physical characteristics of the play zone may be provided by the user or unknown.

In one example, a computing device may cause a playback device within a playback zone to play an audio signal. In some cases, the reproduced audio signal may include audio content having frequencies that substantially cover the entire frequency range renderable by the reproduction device. The playback device may then detect the audio signal using the playback device's microphone. The playback device's microphone may be the playback device's built-in microphone. In some cases, the detected audio signal may include portions corresponding to the reproduced audio signal. For example, the detected audio signal may include components of the reproduced audio signal reflected within the reproduction zone. A computing device may receive the detected audio signal from the playback device and determine an acoustic response of the playback zone based on the detected audio signal.

The computing device may then determine the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone by subtracting the acoustic characteristics of the playback device from the acoustic response of the playback zone. The acoustic properties of the playback device may be acoustic properties corresponding to a model of the playback device. In some cases, acoustic characteristics corresponding to a model of a reproduction device may be determined based on detected audio signals reproduced by a representative reproduction device of the model in an anechoic room.

The computing device may then determine corresponding audio processing algorithms based on the determined acoustic characteristics of the play zone and predetermined audio characteristics. Predetermined audio characteristics may include a particular frequency equalization that is considered good sounding. A corresponding audio processing algorithm is determined, and application of the corresponding audio processing algorithm by the playback device when playing back the audio content in the playback zone will affect, at least to some extent, the audio content rendered by the playback device in the playback zone. It may have audio characteristics. For example, if the acoustic characteristics of the play zone are such that certain audio frequencies are attenuated more than others, a corresponding audio processing algorithm may include increased amplification of certain audio frequencies. Other examples are also possible.

The association between the determined audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the play zone may then be stored as an entry in a database. In some cases, an association between audio processing algorithms and one or more other characteristics of the playback zone may additionally or alternatively be stored in the database. For example, if the play zone is of particular dimensions, the association of audio processing algorithms with particular room dimensions may be stored in the database. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, a database may be accessed by a computing device to identify audio processing algorithms for a playback device to apply to a playback zone. In one example, the computing device that accesses the database to identify the audio processing algorithms may be the same computing device that maintains the database, as described above. In another example, the computing devices may be different computing devices.

In some cases, accessing the database to identify audio processing algorithms for the playback device to apply to the playback zone may be part of calibrating the playback device. Calibration of such a playback device may be initiated by the playback device itself, by a server communicating with the playback device, or by a controller device. In some cases, calibration may be initiated because the playback device is new and calibration is part of the initial setup of the playback device. In other cases, playback devices may be relocated within the same playback zone or from one playback zone to another. In further cases, calibration may be initiated by a user of the playback device, such as through a controller device.

In one example, the calibration of the playback device is such that the computing device provides the user of the playback device with the approximate dimensions of the playback zone, flooring or wall coverings, amount of furniture, etc., among other possibilities. It may include prompting to indicate one or more characteristics. The computing device can prompt the user through a user interface on the controller device. Based on one or more characteristics of the playback zone provided by the user, audio processing algorithms corresponding to one or more characteristics of the playback zone may be identified in the database, and thus the playback device may may apply the specified audio processing algorithm when playing the audio content in .

In another example, calibrating a playback device may include determining acoustic properties of the playback zone and identifying corresponding audio processing algorithms based on the acoustic properties of the playback zone. Determining the acoustic properties of the play zone may be similar to that described above. For example, a playback device within the playback zone in which the playback device is calibrated may detect the second audio signal using the playback device's microphone after playing the first audio signal. The second audio signal may then be based on determining the acoustic properties of the playback zone. Based on the determined acoustic characteristics, a corresponding audio processing algorithm may be identified in the database so that the playback device applies the identified audio processing algorithm when playing audio content in the playback zone. may As described above, the application of corresponding audio processing algorithms by a playback device when playing back audio content in a playback zone causes the audio content rendered by the playback device in the playback zone to have, at least to some extent, predetermined audio characteristics. be able to.

Although the above discussion of calibrating playback devices generally includes a database of audio processing algorithms, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a computing device can determine audio processing algorithms for a playback zone without accessing the database. will understand. For example, instead of identifying corresponding audio processing algorithms in a database, the computing device relates the acoustic characteristics of the play zone (from detected audio signals) to the maintenance and generation of audio processing algorithm entries for the database. The audio processing algorithm can be determined by calculating the audio processing algorithm based on predetermined audio characteristics similar to those described above. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, the playback device to be calibrated may be one of a plurality of playback devices configured to synchronously play back audio content in the playback zone. In such cases, the determination of the acoustic properties of the reproduction zone may also include audio signals reproduced by other reproduction devices within the reproduction zone. In one example, while determining the audio processing algorithms, each of the multiple playback devices in the playback zone can simultaneously play an audio signal, and the audio signal detected by the playback device's microphone is received by the playback device. Portions of the audio signal played by other playback devices within the playback zone may be included along with the portion corresponding to the played audio signal. Based on the detected audio signal, the acoustic response of the playback zone can be determined, and the playback zone including other playback devices by removing the acoustic characteristics of the calibrated playback device from the acoustic response of the playback zone. can determine the acoustic properties of Audio processing algorithms can then be calculated or identified in the database based on the acoustic properties of the playback zone and applied by the playback device.

Alternatively, two or more playback devices in a plurality of playback devices within a playback zone can each have their own built-in microphones and can each be individually calibrated according to the above description. In one example, the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone may be determined based on sets of audio signals detected by respective microphones of two or more playback devices, and the audio processing algorithms corresponding to the acoustic characteristics are: It may be specified for each of one or more playback devices. Other examples are also possible.

As noted above, the present disclosure involves determining audio processing algorithms to be applied by a playback device based on acoustic characteristics of a particular playback zone containing the playback device. In one aspect, a computing device is provided. A computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functionality includes causing a playback device within the playback zone to play the first audio signal, and receiving data from the playback device indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. The second audio signal includes portions corresponding to the first audio signal. The function further includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device, and transmitting data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the playback device.

In another aspect, a computing device is provided. A computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The function comprises causing a first playback device to play a first audio signal in the play zone, causing a second playback device to play a second audio signal in the play zone, and a microphone of the first playback device. receiving from the first playback device data indicative of the third audio signal detected by the. The third audio signal includes (i) a portion corresponding to the first audio signal and (ii) a portion corresponding to the second audio signal reproduced by the second reproduction device. The function also determines an audio processing algorithm based on the third audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the first playback device, and transmits data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the first playback device. Including.

In another aspect, a playback device is provided. The playback device includes a processor, a microphone, and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions. The function includes detecting a second audio signal with a microphone while playing the first audio signal in the play zone. The second audio signal includes portions corresponding to the first audio signal. The functionality also includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device, and applying the determined audio processing algorithm to the media item when playing the media item in the playback zone. to the audio data corresponding to the

In another aspect, a computing device is provided. A computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The functionality includes causing a playback device within the playback zone to play a first audio signal and receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. The second audio signal includes portions corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device. The functionality also includes: determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device; determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone; Storing in a database the association with the acoustic properties of the play zone.

In another aspect, a computing device is provided. A computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions. The function comprises causing a playback device within the playback zone to play a first audio signal, and (i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of the playback zone and (ii) the audio signal detected by the playback device's microphone. and receiving data indicative of a second audio signal. The second audio signal includes portions corresponding to the audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device. The facility also includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device, and combining the determined audio processing algorithm with at least one of the one or more characteristics of the playback zone. Including storing the association in a database.

In another aspect, a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions. This functionality includes maintaining a database of (i) multiple audio processing algorithms and (ii) multiple play zone characteristics. Each audio processing algorithm of the plurality of audio processing algorithms corresponds to at least one play zone characteristic of the plurality of play zone characteristics. The facility also receives data indicative of one or more characteristics of the playback zone, identifies in the database an audio processing algorithm based on the data, and transmits data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm. including.

Although some examples described herein refer to functions performed by arbitrary entities such as "users" and/or other entities, it should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only. be. The claims should not be construed as requiring such exemplary subjective acts unless explicitly required by the claims themselves. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosure includes multiple other embodiments.

II. Example Operating Environment FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration of a media playback system 100 that can be implemented or implemented with one or more embodiments disclosed herein. As shown, media playback system 100 is associated with an exemplary home environment having multiple rooms and spaces, eg, master bedroom, office, dining room, and living room. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the media playback system 100 includes playback devices 102-124, control devices 126 and 128, and a wired or wireless network router .

Further descriptions regarding the different components of the exemplary media playback system 100 and how the different components work to provide a user with a media experience are provided in the sections below. Although the description herein generally refers to media playback system 100, the techniques described herein are not limited to application in the home environment shown in FIG. For example, the techniques described herein can be used in environments where multi-zone audio is desired, such as commercial environments such as restaurants, malls, or airports, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses or cars. It is useful in environments such as vehicles, ships or boards, airplanes.

a. Exemplary Playback Device FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary playback device 200 that may make up one or more of the playback devices 102-124 of the media playback system 100 of FIG. Playback device 200 may include processor 202 , software component 204 , memory 206 , audio processing component 208 , audio amplifier 210 , speaker 212 , microphone 220 , and network interface 214 . Network interface 214 includes wireless interface 216 and wired interface 218 . In some cases, playback device 200 does not include speakers 212, but may include a speaker interface for connecting playback device 200 to external speakers. In other cases, playback device 200 may not include speakers 212 or audio amplifier 210, but may include an audio interface for connecting playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or audiovisual receiver.

In one example, processor 202 may be a clocked computer component configured to process input data based on instructions stored in memory 206 . Memory 206 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by processor 202 . For example, memory 206 may be data storage capable of loading one or more of software components 204 executable by processor 202 to perform certain functions. In some examples, functionality may include playback device 200 reading audio data from an audio source or another playback device. In another example, functionality may include playback device 200 transmitting audio data to another device or playback device on a network. In yet another example, functionality may include pairing playback device 200 with one or more playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.

Certain functions include playback device 200 synchronizing playback of audio content with one or more other playback devices. While synchronizing playback, the listener is preferably unaware of any delay between playback of audio content by playback device 200 and playback by one or more other playback devices. U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395, entitled "System and Method for Synchronizing Operation Between Multiple Independently Clocked Digital Data Processing Devices," is incorporated herein by reference and describes audio reproduction between playback devices. We provide a more detailed example where synchronizing is mentioned.

Additionally, memory 206 may be configured to store data. The data may be, for example, a playback device 200, such as a playback device 200 included as part of one or more zones and/or zone groups, an audio source accessible by the playback device 200, or a playback device 200 (or other playback device). associated with a play queue, which can be associated with a device). The data may be periodically updated and stored as one or more state variables indicating the state of playback device 200 . The memory 206 may also contain data associated with the state of other devices in the media system, and occasional sharing between devices allows one or more devices to have more or less recent data associated with the system. may have. Other embodiments are possible.

Audio processing components 208 include, among others, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), audio processing components, audio enhancement components, and digital signal processors (DSPs). good too. In some embodiments, one or more of audio processing components 208 may be subcomponents of processor 202 . In some embodiments, audio content may be processed and/or intentionally altered by audio processing component 208 to generate an audio signal. The generated audio signal is sent to audio amplifier 210 where it is amplified and played through speaker 212 . In particular, audio amplifier 210 may include devices configured to amplify audio signals to a level capable of driving one or more speakers 212 . Speaker 212 may comprise a complete speaker system including a separate transducer (eg, “driver”) or a housing enclosing one or more drivers. Certain drivers included in speaker 212 may include, for example, a subwoofer (eg, for low frequencies), a mid-range driver (eg, for mid frequencies), and/or a tweeter (eg, for high frequencies). In some cases, each transducer of one or more speakers 212 may be driven by a corresponding individual audio amplifier of audio amplifier 210 . In addition to generating analog signals for playback on playback device 200, audio processing component 208 processes audio content and transmits the audio content for playback to one or more other playback devices.

Audio content to be processed and/or played by playback device 200 is received from an external source, such as an audio line-in input connection (eg, an autodetecting 3.5 mm audio line-in connection) or network interface 214 . may

Microphone 220 may include an audio sensor configured to convert detected sounds into electrical signals. The electrical signal may be processed by audio processing component 208 and/or processor 202 . Microphone 220 may be placed in one or more orientations at one or more locations on playback device 200 . Microphone 220 may be configured to detect sounds within one or more frequency ranges. In some cases, one or more microphones 220 may be configured to detect sounds within the frequency range of audio that playback device 200 is capable of or rendering. In other cases, one or more microphones 220 may be configured to detect sounds within the human audible frequency range. Other examples are also possible.

Network interface 214 may be configured to allow data flow between playback device 200 and one or more other devices over a data network. In this way, the playback device 200 can communicate with one or more other playback devices in communication with the playback device, network devices in a local area network, or audio content sources on a wide area network, such as the Internet, for example, from a data network. may be configured to receive audio content via the In one example, audio content and other signals transmitted and received by playback device 200 may be transmitted in the form of digital packets that include an Internet Protocol (IP)-based source address and an IP-based destination address. In such cases, network interface 214 parses the digital packet data so that data intended for playback device 200 can be properly received and processed by playback device 200 .

As shown, network interface 214 may include wireless interface 216 and wired interface 218 . Wireless interface 216 provides network interface functionality for playback device 200 and supports communication protocols (e.g., wireless standards IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, 4G Mobile other devices (e.g., other playback devices, speakers, receivers, network devices, control devices) in the data network associated with playback device 200, based on any wireless standard (including communication standards, etc.). may communicate wirelessly with Wired interface 218 may provide network interface functionality for playback device 200 to communicate via wired connections with other devices based on communication protocols (eg, IEEE 802.3). Although the network interface 214 shown in FIG. 2 includes both a wireless interface 216 and a wired interface 218, the network interface 214 may include only a wireless interface or only a wired interface in some embodiments. good.

In one example, playback device 200 and another playback device may be paired to play two separate audio components of the audio content. For example, playback device 200 may be configured to play left channel audio components, while other playback devices may be configured to play right channel audio components. This can create or enhance the stereo effect of the audio content. Paired playback devices (also referred to as "combined playback devices") may also play audio content in sync with other playback devices.

In another example, playback device 200 may be acoustically integrated with one or more other playback devices to form a single integrated playback device (integrated playback device). Integrated playback devices may be configured to process and reproduce sound differently than non-integrated or paired playback devices. This is because the integrated playback device can add speakers to play audio content. For example, if the playback device 200 is designed to play audio content in the low frequency range (e.g., a subwoofer), the playback device 200 may be a playback device designed to play audio content in the full frequency range. May be integrated with the device. In this case, the full frequency range playback device, when integrated with the low frequency playback device 200, may be configured to play only the mid-high frequency components of the audio content. The low frequency range playback device 200, on the other hand, plays back the low frequency components of the audio content. Further, an integrated playback device may be paired with a single playback device or even other integrated playback devices.

By way of example, Sonos, Inc. currently has a list of playback options including "PLAY:1", "PLAY:3", "PLAY:5", "PLAYBAR", "CONNECT:AMP", "CONNECT", and "SUB". We sell devices. Any other past, present, and/or future playback devices may additionally or alternatively be implemented and used with the example playback devices disclosed herein. Further, it is understood that the playback device is not limited to the specific examples shown in FIG. 2 or the Sonos products provided. For example, the playback device may include wired or wireless headphones. In another example, the playback device may include or interact with a docking station for a personal mobile media playback device. In yet another example, the playback device may be integrated with another device or component, such as a television, lighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

b. Exemplary Play Zone Configurations Returning to media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, an environment has one or more play zones, each play zone containing one or more playback devices. The media playback system 100 is formed of one or more playback zones, and one or more zones may be added or deleted later to form the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. Each zone may be given a name based on a different room or space, eg, office, bathroom, master bedroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and/or balcony. In some cases, a single playback zone may include multiple rooms or spaces. In other cases, a single room or space may contain multiple regeneration zones.

As shown in FIG. 1, the balcony, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, office, and bedroom zones each have one playback device, while the living room and master bedroom zones each have multiple playback devices. have The living room zone may include playback devices 104, 106, 108, and 110 as separate playback devices, as one or more combined playback devices, or as one or more integrated playback devices, or any of these. Any combination may be configured to play audio content synchronously. Similarly, in the case of the master bedroom, playback devices 122 and 124 may be configured to play audio content synchronously as separate playback devices, as a combined playback device, or as an integrated playback device. .

In one example, one or more play zones in the environment of FIG. 1 are each playing different audio content. For example, a user can listen to hip hop music played by playback device 102 while grilling in the balcony zone. Meanwhile, another user may listen to classical music played by playback device 114 while preparing a meal in the kitchen zone. In another example, a play zone may play the same audio content synchronously with another play zone. For example, if the user is in the office zone, the office zone playback device 118 may play the same music that is playing on the balcony playback device 102 . In such a case, playback devices 102 and 118 are playing rock music in synchronism so that the user can seamlessly (or at least) experience audio content played out-loud as they move between different playback zones. You can enjoy it almost seamlessly). Synchronization between playback zones may be performed in a manner similar to synchronization between playback devices as described in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 8,234,395.

As noted above, the zone configuration of media playback system 100 may change dynamically, and in some embodiments, media playback system 100 supports multiple configurations. For example, if a user physically moves one or more playback devices into or out of a zone, media playback system 100 may be reconfigured to accommodate the change. For example, if a user physically moves playback device 102 from a balcony zone to an office zone, office zone may include both playback device 118 and playback device 102 . If desired, via control devices such as control devices 126 and 128, playback devices 102 may be paired or grouped into office zones and/or renamed. On the other hand, if one or more playback devices are moved to an area in the Home environment that has not yet established a playback zone, a new playback zone may be created in that area.

Further, different playback zones of media playback system 100 may be dynamically combined into zone groups or divided into separate playback zones. For example, the dining room zone and kitchen zone 114 may be combined into a group of zones for a dinner party so that playback devices 112 and 114 may play audio content in sync. On the other hand, if one user wants to watch TV while another user wants to listen to music in the living room space, the living room zone will be the TV zone containing playback device 104 and the listening zone containing playback devices 106, 108 and 110. and may be divided into

c. Exemplary Control Device FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary control device 300 that constitutes one or both of control devices 126 and 128 of media playback system 100 . As shown, control device 300 may include processor 302 , memory 304 , network interface 306 , user interface 308 , and microphone 310 . In one example, control device 300 may be a dedicated control device for media playback system 100 . In another example, the control device 300 is a network device, such as an iPhone®, iPad®, or any other smart phone, tablet or network device (such as , a PC or a network computer such as a Mac (registered trademark)).

Processor 302 may be configured to perform functions related to enabling user access, control, and configuration of media playback system 100 . Memory 304 may be configured to store instructions executable by processor 302 to perform their functions. Memory 304 may also be configured to store media playback system controller application software and other data associated with media playback system 100 and users.

Microphone 310 may include an audio sensor configured to convert detected sounds into electrical signals. The electrical signal may be processed by processor 302 . In some cases, if the control device 300 is a device that can also be used as a means for voice communication or voice recording, the one or more microphones 310 may be microphones that facilitate those functions. good. For example, one or more microphones 310 may be configured to detect sounds within the human-producible frequency range and/or the human-audible frequency range. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, the network interface 306 is an industry standard (e.g., infrared, wireless, wired standards such as IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.15, etc.). wireless standard, 4G communication standard, etc.). Network interface 306 may provide a means for control device 300 to communicate with other devices within media playback system 100 . In some examples, data and information (eg, state variables) may be communicated between control device 300 and other devices via network interface 306 . For example, the configuration of playback zones and zone groups in media playback system 100 may be received by control device 300 from a playback device or another network device, or may be received by control device 300 from another network interface 306 . It may be sent to a playback device or a network device. In some cases, the other network device may be another control device.

Playback device control commands, such as volume control and audio playback controls, may be communicated from control device 300 to playback devices via network interface 306 . As described above, changes in the configuration of the media playback system 100 can be made by the user using the control device 300 . Configuration changes include adding one or more playback devices to a zone, removing one or more playback devices from a zone, adding one or more zones to a zone group, one or more zones from the zone group, forming a combined player or combined player, splitting from the combined player or combined player to one or more playback devices, and the like. As such, the control device 300 may be referred to as a controller, and the control device 300 may be a dedicated controller with media playback system controller application software installed, or a network device.

User interface 308 of control device 300 may be configured to allow user access and control of media playback system 100 by providing a controller interface, such as controller interface 400 shown in FIG. . Controller interface 400 includes playback control area 410 , playback zone area 420 , playback status area 430 , playback queue area 440 , and audio content source area 450 . The illustrated user interface 400 is merely one example of a user interface provided with a network device (and/or control devices 126 and 128 of FIG. 1), such as control device 300 of FIG. It is accessed to control a media playback system such as system 100 . Alternatively, various formats, styles, and interactive sequences may be implemented to interface other users to one or more network devices to provide similar control access to the media playback system.

The playback control area 410 may include selectable icons (eg, by touch or using a cursor). This icon indicates whether the playback device within the selected play zone or zone group is play or stop, fast forward, rewind, skip next, skip back, shuffle mode on/off, repeat mode on/off, cross Turns fade mode on/off. Playback control area 410 may include other selectable icons. Other selectable icons may change other settings such as equalization settings, playback volume, and the like.

Play zone area 420 may include a representation of the play zones within media playback system 100 . In some embodiments, a graphical representation of play zones may be selectable. Play zones within the media playback system can be managed or configured by moving additional selectable icons. For example, other management or configuration may be performed, such as creating combined zones, creating zone groups, splitting zone groups, and renaming zone groups.

For example, as shown, a "group" icon may be provided in each of the graphical representations of the play zones. A "group" icon within the graphical representation of a zone may be selectable to provide an option to select one or more zones within the media playback system to group with a zone. Once grouped, a zone and the playback devices within the grouped zones are configured to play the audio content in sync with the playback devices within the zone. Similarly, a "group" icon may be provided within the graphical representation of the zone group. In this case, the "group" icon can be selected to provide an option to deselect one or more zones within the zonegroup to remove one or more zones within the zonegroup from the zonegroup. There may be. Other interactions for grouping and ungrouping zones are possible and may be implemented via a user interface such as user interface 400 . The display of play zones in play zone area 420 may be dynamically updated as the play zone or zone group configuration is changed.

Play status area 430 provides a graphical representation of the audio content currently being played, previously played, or scheduled to play next within the selected play zone or group of zones. may contain. Selectable play zones or play groups may be visually distinguished on the user interface, for example, within play zone area 420 and/or play status area 430 . The graphical display includes track title, artist name, album name, album year, track length, and other relevant information useful to the user when controlling the media playback system via user interface 400. good too.

Play queue area 440 may include a graphical representation of the audio content in the play queue associated with the selected play zone or zone group. In some embodiments, each play zone or zone group may be associated with a play queue containing information corresponding to zero or more audio items to be played by the play zone or play group. For example, each audio item in the playback queue may contain a user identifier (URI), user URL (URL), or other identifier usable by playback devices within a playback zone or zone group. You can These allow audio items to be located and/or retrieved from local or network audio content sources and played by a playback device.

In one example, a playlist may be added to the play queue. In this case, information corresponding to each audio item in the playlist may be added to the play queue. In another example, the audio items in the play queue may be saved as a playlist. In yet another example, when a playback device continues to play streaming audio content, e.g., an Internet radio that plays continuously unless stopped, rather than an audio item that has a play time that does not play continuously, The play queue may be empty, or "unused" but filled. In another embodiment, the play queue may contain Internet radio and/or other streaming audio content items, and be "unused" when a play zone or zone group is playing those items. can be done. Other examples are possible.

When a play zone or zone group is "grouped" or "ungrouped," the play queue associated with the affected play zone or zone group may be cleared or reassociated. may For example, if a first play zone containing a first play cue is grouped with a second play zone containing a second play cue, the formed zone group may have an associated play cue. . The associated play queue is initially empty, contains the audio items of the first play queue (e.g. when a second play zone is added to the first play zone), or contains audio items of the first play queue (e.g. If a zone is added to the second play zone, it may include audio items from the second play cue, or it may combine audio items from both the first and second play queues. Subsequently, if the formed zone group is ungrouped, the ungrouped first play zone may be re-associated with the previous first play queue, or may be associated with an empty new play queue. Alternatively, the zonegroup may be associated with a new play queue containing audio items from the play queue that was associated with the zonegroup before it was ungrouped. Similarly, the ungrouped secondary play zone may be reassociated with the previous secondary play queue, may be associated with an empty new play queue, or may be associated with a new play queue that is empty, or may be ungrouped before the zone group is ungrouped. may be associated with a new play queue containing audio items from the play queue that were previously associated with the zone group.

Returning to user interface 400 of FIG. 4, the graphical representation of the audio content in play queue area 440 displays the track title, artist name, track length, and other pertinent information associated with the audio content in the play queue. may contain. In one example, the graphical representation of the audio content can be moved by selecting additional selectable icons. This allows the playback queue and/or the audio content displayed in the playback queue to be managed and/or manipulated. For example, the displayed audio content may be removed from the playback queue, moved to a different position in the playback queue, played immediately, or played after the currently playing audio content. may be selected, or other actions may be performed. A playback queue associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in the memory of one or more playback devices within the playback zone or zone group, the memory of playback devices not in the playback zone or zone group, and/or other designations. may be stored in the memory of the device.

Audio content source area 450 may include a graphical representation of selectable audio content sources. In this audio content source, audio content may be retrieved and played by a selected play zone or zone group. A discussion of audio content sources can be found in the sections below.

d. Exemplary Audio Content Sources As previously illustrated, one or more playback devices within a zone or zone group may select audio content for playback (e.g., based on the audio content's corresponding URI or URL). available audio content sources. In some examples, audio content may be retrieved directly by a playback device from a corresponding audio content source (eg, a line-in connection). In another example, audio content may be provided to playback devices on a network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

Exemplary audio content sources may include the memory of one or more playback devices within a media playback system. Media playback systems include, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, a local music library on one or more network devices (e.g., a control device, a network-enabled personal computer, or a network-attached storage (NAS), etc.); Streaming audio services that provide audio content over the Internet (e.g., the cloud), or audio sources connected to media playback systems via line-in connections of playback devices or network devices, or other possible systems. may

In some embodiments, audio content sources may be periodically added to or removed from a media playback system, such as media playback system 100 of FIG. In one example, audio items may be indexed whenever one or more audio content sources are added, removed, or updated. Indexing audio items may include scanning for identifiable audio items in all folders/directories shared on the network. Here, the network is accessible by playback devices within the media playback system. Indexing audio items may also include creating or updating an audio content database containing metadata (e.g., title, artist, album, track length, etc.) and other relevant information. good. Other relevant information may include, for example, a URI or URL for locating each identifiable audio item. Other examples for managing and maintaining audio content sources are possible.

The above descriptions of playback devices, control devices, playback zone configurations, and media content sources provide only some exemplary operating environments in which the functions and methods described below can be implemented. The invention is applicable to other operating environments and configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, and network devices not expressly described herein, and may implement its features and methods. Are suitable.

III. Maintaining a Database of Signal Processing Algorithms As noted above, some examples described herein relate to maintaining a database of audio processing algorithms. In some cases, maintaining the database may also include creating and/or updating audio processing algorithm entries for the database. Each of the audio processing algorithms in the database can correspond to one or more characteristics of the playback zone. In some examples, one or more properties of the play zone may include acoustic properties of the play zone. The following description generally relates to determining audio processing algorithms that are stored as entries in a database. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that similar functions may be performed to update existing entries in the database. A database can be accessed to identify the audio processing algorithms that a playback device will apply when playing audio content in a particular playback zone.

a. Exemplary Database of Audio Processing Algorithms and Corresponding Acoustic Properties of Play Zones FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method 500 for maintaining a database of audio processing algorithms and play zone acoustic properties. As noted above, maintaining the database of audio processing algorithms may include determining the audio processing algorithms stored in the database. The method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, and one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method that may be performed. In one example, method 500 may be performed by a computing device in communication with a media playback system, such as media playback system 100 . In another example, some or all of the functions of method 500 are alternatively performed by one or more servers, such as one or more servers, one or more playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. It may be executed by multiple other computing devices.

Method 500 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as constituted by one or more of blocks 502-510. Although each block is shown in sequence, these blocks may be performed in parallel and/or in an order other than the order presented herein. Also, fewer blocks, more blocks may be divided, and/or removed depending on the desired implementation. Further, the flowcharts illustrate examples of possible functionality and operations of the present embodiments with respect to method 500 as well as other processes and methods disclosed herein. In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code that stores one or more instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a particular logical function or step in the process to be performed. . The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable recording medium such as storage devices including, for example, disks or hard drives.

Computer-readable recording media include computer-readable media that store data for short periods of time, such as non-transitory computer-readable recording media, such as register memory, processor cache, and random access memory (RAM). It's okay. Computer-readable media are non-transitory media capable of long-term storage, such as read-only memory (ROM), optical discs, magnetic discs, compact disc-read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. It may also include secondary or permanent storage. A computer-readable medium may be any other volatile or non-volatile storage system. A computer-readable medium, for example, may be considered a computer-readable recording medium or a tangible storage device. Also, in method 500 and other processes and methods disclosed herein, each block may represent a circuit that is hardwired to perform some logical function in the process.

As shown in FIG. 5, a method 500 causes a computing device to cause a playback device within a playback zone to play a first audio signal (block 502) and a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. receiving data indicative of the signal (block 504); determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and characteristics of the playback device (block 506); audio processing based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone; An algorithm is determined (block 508) and an association between the audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the play zone is stored in a database (block 510).

As noted above, a database may be accessed to identify the audio processing algorithms to be applied by the playback device when playing audio content in the playback zone. Thus, in one example, method 500 is performed for a variety of different playback zones to build a database of audio processing algorithms corresponding to a variety of different playback environments.

The method 500 includes causing a playback device within a playback zone to play a first audio signal at block 502 . The playback device may be a playback device similar to playback device 200 shown in FIG. In some cases, the computing device may cause the playback device to play the first audio signal by sending a command to play the first audio signal. In other cases, the computing device may provide the playback device with the first audio signal to be played.

In one example, the first audio signal may be used to determine the acoustic response of the play zone. As such, the first audio signal may be a test or measurement signal representative of audio content that may be played by a playback device during normal use by a user. Accordingly, the first audio signal may include audio content having frequencies that substantially cover the renderable frequency range of the playback device or the human audible frequency range.

In one example, the playback zone may be a playback zone that represents one of multiple playback environments in which the playback device may play audio content during normal use by a user. Referring to FIG. 1, a play zone can represent any one of different rooms and zone groups in media playback system 100 . For example, a play zone may represent a dining room.

In one example, the playback zone may be a model playback zone constructed to simulate a listening environment in which a playback device can play audio content. In one example, the play zone may be one of multiple play zones constructed to simulate multiple play environments. Multiple play zones may be constructed for the purpose of creating a database of such audio processing algorithms. In such cases, certain characteristics of the regeneration zone may be predetermined and/or known. For example, the dimensions of the playback zone, the flooring or walling of the playback zone (or other features that may affect the audio reflection properties of the playback zone), the furniture within the playback zone, among other possibilities. The number, or size and type of furniture within the regeneration zone may be predetermined and/or known characteristics of the regeneration zone.

In other cases, the playback zone may be a room in the home of the user of the playback device. For example, as part of building the database, a user of a playback device, such as a customer and/or tester, is asked to use the user's playback device to perform the functions of method 500 to build the database. Sometimes. In some cases, the specific characteristics of the user play zone may be unknown. In some other cases, some or all of the specific characteristics of the user play zone may be provided by the user. The database created by performing the functions of method 500 may include entries based on simulated play zones and/or user play zones.

Block 502 includes a computing device that causes a playback device to play the first audio signal. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the playback of the first audio signal by the playback device need not necessarily be caused or initiated by the computing device. For example, the controller device may send a command to the playback device to cause the playback device to play the first audio signal. In another example, the playback device may play the first audio signal without receiving commands from the computing device or controller. Other examples are also possible.

Method 500 includes, at block 504, receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device. As noted above, the playback device may be a playback device similar to playback device 200 shown in FIG. As such, the microphone may be microphone 220 . In one example, a computing device may receive data from a playback device. In another example, a computing device may receive data via other playback devices, controller devices, or other servers.

When the playback device is playing the first audio signal, or shortly thereafter, a microphone of the playback device may detect the second audio signal. The second audio signal may include a detectable audio signal present within the play zone. For example, the second audio signal may include portions corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device.

In one example, the computing device may receive data indicative of the detected second audio signal from the playback device as a media stream when the microphone detects the second audio signal. In another example, the computing device may receive data indicative of the second audio signal from the playback device upon completion of detection of the first audio signal by the playback device's microphone. In either case, the playback device processes the detected second audio signal (via an audio processing component, such as audio processing component 208 of playback device 200) to generate data indicative of the second audio signal. may be generated and transmitted to the computing device. In some examples, generating data indicative of the second audio signal may include converting the second audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. Other examples are also possible.

The method 500 includes determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device at block 506 . As mentioned above, the second audio signal may include portions corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device in the reproduction zone.

The characteristics of the playback device may include one or more of the acoustic characteristics of the playback device, playback device specifications (ie, number of transducers, frequency range, amplifier wattage, etc.), and playback device model. In some cases, the acoustic characteristics of a playback device and/or playback device specifications may be associated with a model of the playback device. For example, particular models of playback devices may have substantially identical specifications and acoustic characteristics. In some examples, a database of models of playback devices, acoustic properties of models of playback devices, and/or specifications of models of playback devices may be maintained on the computing device or other device in communication with the computing device.

In one example, an acoustic response from a playback device playing a first audio signal within a playback zone can be represented by a relationship between the first audio signal and the second audio signal. Mathematically, the first audio signal is f(t), the second audio signal is s(t), and the acoustic response of a reproduction device reproducing the first audio signal within the reproduction zone is h In the case of _r (t), the following formula (1) is obtained.

そのため、再生デバイスのマイクロホンによって検出される第２のオーディオ信号ｓ（ｔ）及び再生デバイスによって再生された第１の信号ｆ（ｔ）が与えられると、ｈ_ｒ（ｔ）を計算することができる。

So, given the second audio signal s(t) detected by the microphone of the reproduction device and the first signal f(t) reproduced by the reproduction device, h _r (t) can be calculated .

In some cases, since the first audio signal f(t) is played by a playback device, the acoustic response h _r (t) is independent of (i) the acoustic properties of the playback device and (ii) the playback device It may also include the acoustic properties of the play zone. Mathematically, this relationship can be expressed as equation (2) below.

ここで、ｈ_ｐ（ｔ）は、再生デバイスの音響特性であり、ｈ_ｒｏｏｍ（ｔ）は、再生デバイスとは独立した再生ゾーンの音響特性である。そのため、再生デバイスとは独立した再生ゾーンの音響特性は、再生ゾーンの音響応答から再生デバイスによって再生された第１のオーディオ信号へと再生デバイスの音響特性を除去することによって決定されうる。換言すれば、下記式（３）になる。

where h _p (t) is the acoustic property of the playback device and h _room (t) is the acoustic property of the playback zone independent of the playback device. As such, the acoustic properties of the playback zone independent of the playback device can be determined by subtracting the acoustic properties of the playback device from the acoustic response of the playback zone into the first audio signal played by the playback device. In other words, the following formula (3) is obtained.

In one example, the acoustic properties h _p (t) of a playback device can be determined by placing the playback device or a representative playback device of the same model in an anechoic room, having the playback device play back the measured signal in the anechoic room, playing It can be determined by detecting the response signal with the device's microphone. The measured signal reproduced by the reproduction device in the anechoic chamber may resemble the first audio signal f(t) described above. For example, the measurement signal may contain audio content having frequencies that substantially cover the renderable frequency range of the playback device or the human audible frequency range.

The acoustic properties h _p (t) of the reproduction device can represent the relationship between the reproduced measurement signal and the detected response signal. For example, if the measurement signal has a first signal magnitude at a particular frequency and the detected response signal has a second signal magnitude at that particular frequency that is different from the first signal magnitude. , the acoustic properties h _p (t) of the reproduction device can indicate the amplification or attenuation of the signal at a particular frequency.

Mathematically, if the measured signal is x(t), the detected response signal is y(t), and the acoustic properties of the playback device in the anechoic chamber are h _p (t), then equation (4 )become.

したがって、ｈ_ｐ（ｔ）は、測定信号ｘ（ｔ）及び検出された応答信号ｙ（ｔ）に基づいて計算されうる。上述したように、ｈ_ｐ（ｔ）は、無響室において使用されたものと同一のモデルの再生デバイスについての代表的な音響特性であってもよい。

Therefore, h _p (t) can be calculated based on the measured signal x(t) and the detected response signal y(t). As noted above, h _p (t) may be a representative acoustic property for the same model of playback device as used in the anechoic chamber.

In one example, as described above, the reference acoustic properties h _P (t) may be stored in association with the playback device model and/or playback device specifications. In one example, h _P (t) may be stored on the computing device. In another example, h _p (t) may be stored on the playback device and other playback devices of the same model. In further cases, the inverse of h _p (t), denoted as h _p ⁻¹ (t), may be stored instead of h _p (t).

Thus, referring back to block 506, the acoustic properties of the playback zone h _room (t) are the first audio signal f(t), the second audio signal s(t), and the acoustic properties of the playback device h _p (t). In one example, the inverse of the acoustic properties of the playback device, h _p ⁻¹ (t), can be applied to equation (2). In other words, the following formula (5) is obtained.

where I(t) is the impulse signal. Also, the acoustic characteristic h _room (t) of the playback zone time can be simplified as shown in Equation (6) below.

The method 500 includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the play zone and the predetermined audio signal at block 506 . In one example, an audio processing algorithm is determined, and application by a playback device of the determined audio processing algorithm when playing the first audio signal in the playback zone results in audio characteristics substantially identical to the predetermined audio characteristics. or at least to some extent have predetermined audio characteristics.

In one example, the predetermined audio characteristic may be audio frequency equalization, which is considered good sounding. In some cases, the predetermined audio characteristics may include substantially uniform equalization across the renderable frequency range of the playback device. In other cases, the predetermined audio characteristics may include equalization that is considered pleasing to a typical listener. In a further case, the predetermined audio characteristics may include frequency responses deemed suitable for a particular music genre.

In either case, the computing device can determine audio processing algorithms based on acoustic characteristics and predetermined audio characteristics. In one example, the acoustic properties of the playback zone are such that certain audio frequencies are attenuated more than others, and the predetermined audio properties are such that the equalization is such that certain audio frequencies are attenuated the least. If included, the corresponding audio processing algorithms may include enhanced amplification at specific audio frequencies.

If the predetermined audio characteristic is represented by a predetermined audio signal z(t) and the audio processing algorithm is represented by p(t), the given audio signal z(t), the audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the reproduction zone h _room (t) can be mathematically described as in equation (7) below.

Therefore, the audio processing algorithm p(t) can be mathematically described as Equation (8) below.

In some cases, determining the audio processing algorithm may include determining one or more parameters for the audio processing algorithm (ie, coefficients for p(t)). For example, an audio processing algorithm may include specific signal amplification gains at specific corresponding frequencies of the audio signal. As such, parameters indicative of a particular signal amplification and/or a particular corresponding frequency of the audio signal may be specified to determine the audio processing algorithm p(t).

The method 500 includes storing in a database, at block 510, an association between the audio processing algorithm and the acoustic characteristics of the play zone. As such, an entry containing the acoustic properties h _room (t) of the play zone determined in blocks 504 and 506 and the corresponding audio processing algorithm p(t) may be added to the database. In one example, the database may be stored in local memory storage of the computing device. In another example, if the database is stored on another device, the computing device may transmit the audio processing algorithms and acoustic characteristics of the play zone to the other device for storage in the database. . Other examples are also possible.

As described above, the playback zone in which the audio processing algorithms have been determined can be a model playback zone used to simulate a listening environment in which the playback device can play back audio content, or the user's room of the playback device. There may be. In some cases, the database is based on detected audio signals played within the user's room of the playback device, with entries generated based on detected audio signals played within the model playback zone. May contain generated entries.

FIG. 6A shows an exemplary portion of a database 600 of audio processing algorithms in which the audio processing algorithms p(t) determined in the above description are stored. As shown, a portion of database 600 may include multiple entries 602-608. Entry 602 may include a play zone acoustic characteristic h _room ⁻¹ (t)−1. The acoustic properties h _room ⁻¹ (t)−1 are mathematical representations of the acoustic properties of the playback zone, as calculated based on the audio signal detected by the playback device and the properties of the playback device as described above. may Corresponding to acoustic property h _room ^-1 (t)-1 in entry 602 is the audio processing algorithm determined based on acoustic property h _room ^-1 (t)-1 and the predetermined audio property, as described above. may be coefficients w ₁ , x ₁ , y ₁ and z ₁ for .

As further shown, entry 604 of database 600 may include play zone acoustic characteristic h _room ⁻¹ (t)−2 and processing algorithm coefficients w ₂ , x ₂ , y ₂ and z ₂ . Entry 606 of database 600 may include play zone acoustic characteristic h _room ⁻¹ (t)−3 and processing algorithm coefficients w ₃ , x ₃ , y ₃ and z ₃ . Entry 608 of database 600 may include play zone acoustic characteristic h _room ⁻¹ (t)−4 and processing algorithm coefficients w ₄ , x ₄ , y ₄ and z ₄ .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that database 600 is merely one example of a database that may be created and maintained by performing the functions of method 500 . In one example, the play zone acoustic properties may be stored in different forms or mathematical states (ie, inverted versus non-inverted functions). In another example, audio processing algorithms may be stored as functions and/or equalization functions. Other examples are also possible.

In one example, some of the functions described above are performed multiple times for the same playback device in the same playback zone to determine the acoustic properties h _room (t) of the playback zone and the corresponding processing algorithm p(t). sell. For example, by executing blocks 502-506 multiple times, multiple acoustic characteristics of the playback zone can be determined. A composite (ie, average) acoustic property of the play zone may be determined from the plurality of acoustic properties, and a corresponding processing algorithm p(t) may be determined based on the composite acoustic property of the play zone. The association between the corresponding processing algorithm p(t) and the acoustic properties h _room (t) or h _room ⁻¹ (t) of the playback zone may then be stored in a database. In some cases, the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device within the reproduction zone may be substantially the same audio signal in each iteration of the function. In some other cases, the first audio signal played by the playback device in the playback zone may be a different audio signal for some or each iteration of the function. Other examples are also possible.

The method 500 (or some variation of method 500) described above may also be performed to create other entries in the database. For example, given that the playback device is the first playback device, the playback zone is the first playback zone, and the audio processing algorithm is the first audio processing algorithm, method 500 may additionally or alternatively Specifically, it can be performed using a second playback device in a second playback zone. In one example, the second reproduction device can reproduce a fourth audio signal in the second reproduction zone, and the microphone of the second reproduction device can reproduce the fourth audio signal reproduced by the second reproduction device. A fifth audio signal can be detected that includes a portion of the audio signal. The computing device can then receive data indicative of the fifth audio signal and determine acoustic characteristics of the second playback zone based on the fifth audio signal and characteristics of the second playback device. .

The computing device can determine a second audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic properties of the second play zone. Application by the second playback device of the determined second audio processing algorithm when playing back the fourth audio signal in the playback zone now produces a sixth audio signal. The sixth audio signal has substantially the same audio characteristics as the predetermined audio characteristics represented by the predetermined audio signal z(t) shown in equations (7) and (8). The computing device can then store in a database an association between the second audio processing algorithm and the acoustic characteristics of the second play zone.

Although many play zones may be similar in size, materials of construction, and/or type and arrangement of furniture, it is unlikely that two play zones will have exactly the same play zone acoustic characteristics. As such, storing individual entries for each unique play zone acoustic characteristic and their respective corresponding audio processing algorithms may require an unrealistic amount of memory storage, so rather than a similar or substantial Entries for virtually identical play zone acoustic characteristics should be combined.

In some cases, the acoustic characteristics of the two playback zones may be similar when the two playback zones are substantially similar rooms. In other cases, a computing device may perform method 500 for the same playback device multiple times in the same playback zone, as suggested above. In further cases, a computing device may perform method 500 for different playback devices in the same playback zone. In still other cases, a computing device may perform method 500 for playback devices in the same playback zone but at other locations within the playback zone. Other examples are also possible.

In either case, in the process of generating the play zone acoustic properties and corresponding audio processing algorithm entries, the computing device determines that the two play zones have substantially identical play zone acoustic properties. good too. The computing device may then, in response, determine a third audio processing algorithm based on the first audio processing algorithm and the second audio processing algorithm. For example, the computing device may determine the third audio processing algorithm by averaging the parameters of the first and second audio processing algorithms.

The computing device may then store in a database an association of the third audio processing algorithm with substantially the same acoustic characteristics. In one example, the database entry for the third audio processing algorithm may have corresponding acoustic properties determined based on an average of two substantially identical acoustic properties. In some cases, as suggested above, the database may have only one entry for substantially identical acoustic characteristics for the purpose of saving storage memory. As such, the entries for the acoustic characteristics of the first and second playback zones may be discarded in favor of the entry for the third audio processing algorithm. Other examples are also possible.

Although the above description generally refers to method 500 as being performed by a computing device, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functionality of method 500 can alternatively be performed by one or more It will be appreciated that it may also be performed by one or more other devices such as a server, one or more playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. In other words, one or more of blocks 502-510 may be performed by a computing device, while one or more of other blocks 502-510 may be performed by one or more may be performed by any other computing device.

In one example, as described above, playing the first audio signal by the playback device at block 502 may be performed by the playback device without any external command. Alternatively, the playback device may play the first audio signal in response to commands from the controller device and/or other playback devices. In another example, blocks 502-506 may be performed by one or more playback devices or one or more controller devices, and a computing device may perform blocks 508 and 510. In yet another example, blocks 502-508 may be performed by one or more playback devices or one or more controller devices, and the computing device functions to store the audio processing algorithms at block 510. You can just run it. Other examples are also possible.

b. Exemplary Database of Audio Processing Algorithms and Corresponding One or More Properties of Play Zones As indicated above, a play zone may have one or more play zone properties. The one or more play zone properties may include acoustic properties of the play zone, as described above. Also, the one or more characteristics of the play zone may include (a) the dimensions of the play zone, (b) the audio reflection properties of the play zone, (c) the intended use of the play zone, and (d) the number of pieces of furniture in the play zone. , (e) the size of the furniture in the regeneration zone, and (f) the type of furniture in the regeneration zone. In some cases, the audio reflection properties of the playback zone may be related to the flooring and/or walling of the playback zone.

In some examples, an association between the determined audio processing algorithm, such as p(t) described above, and one or more additional characteristics of the playback zone may be stored in a database. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method 700 of maintaining a database of one or more characteristics of audio processing algorithms and play zones. The method 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be implemented within an operating environment including, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, and one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method that may be performed. In one example, method 700 may be performed by a computing device in communication with a media playback system, such as media playback system 100 . Alternatively, in another example, some or all of the functionality of method 700 is performed by one or more servers, such as one or more servers, one or more playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. or by multiple other computing devices.

Method 700 may include one or more operations, functions or actions as indicated by one or more of blocks 702-708. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, these blocks may be executed in parallel and/or in a different order than described herein. Also, various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based on the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 700 comprises the steps of causing a playback device within a playback zone to play a first audio signal (block 702); (i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of the playback zone; ii) receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of a playback device (block 704); determining an audio processing algorithm based on the characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device (block 706); ), storing in a database an association between the determined audio processing algorithm and at least one of the one or more characteristics of the playback zone (block 708).

The method 700, at block 702, causes a computing device to play a first audio signal to a playback device within a play zone. In one example, block 702 may include the same or substantially the same functionality as that of block 502 described in connection with FIG. For example, the first audio signal may include audio content having frequencies that substantially cover the renderable frequency range of the playback device or the human audible frequency range. As such, the discussion above relating to block 502 is applicable to block 702 .

The method 700 includes, at block 704, receiving (i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of a playback zone and (ii) data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. . In some examples, block 704 may include the same or substantially the same functionality as that of block 504 described in connection with FIG. For example, the second audio signal may include portions corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device. As such, the discussion above relating to block 504 is applicable to block 704 .

In addition to what was described above with respect to block 504, block 704 includes receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone. As noted above, a playback zone may be a model playback zone used to simulate a listening environment in which a playback device can play audio content. In such cases, some of the one or more regeneration zone characteristics for the regeneration zone may be known. For example, the dimensions, floor plan, construction materials, and furniture for the regeneration zone may be known. In some cases, model play zones may be constructed for the purpose of determining audio processing algorithms for a database, where some of one or more of the play zone characteristics may be predetermined. good. In other cases, the playback zone may be the room of the user of the playback device. As noted above, such play zone properties can contribute to the acoustic properties of the play zone.

In one example, a computing device may receive data indicative of one or more play zone characteristics via a controller interface of a controller device used by a user or sound engineer. In another example, a computing device may receive data indicative of one or more characteristics of a playback zone from playback devices within the playback zone. For example, data indicative of one or more characteristics may be received along with data indicative of the second audio signal. Data indicative of one or more playback zone characteristics may be received before, during, or after playback of the first audio signal by the playback device at block 702 . Other examples are also possible.

The method 700 includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device at block 706 . In some examples, block 706 may include the same or similar functionality as described above in blocks 506 and 508 of FIG. For example, determining the audio processing algorithm may comprise determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on characteristics of the second audio signal and the playback device, and thereafter determining the audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. may include doing The characteristics of the playback device may include one or more of the acoustic characteristics of the playback device, the specification of the playback device, and the model of the playback device, as described above.

As described above, application by the playback device of the determined audio processing algorithm when playing the first audio signal within the playback zone may produce the third audio signal. The third audio signal has audio characteristics substantially identical to the predetermined audio characteristics, or at least to some extent the predetermined audio characteristics. In some cases, the predetermined audio characteristic may be the same or substantially the same as the predetermined audio characteristic represented as the predetermined audio signal p(t) described above. Other examples are also possible.

The method 800 includes storing in a database an association between the determined audio processing algorithm and at least one of the one or more characteristics of the playback zone at block 708 . In some examples, block 708 may include the same or similar functionality as described above in block 501 . However, in this case, the computing device may store in the database an association of the audio processing algorithm with at least one of the one or more properties in addition to or instead of the acoustic properties of the playback zone. .

As mentioned above, the playback zone from which the audio processing algorithms have been determined can be a model playback zone used to simulate a listening environment in which the playback device can play back audio content, or the user's room of the playback device. There may be. In some cases, the database is based on detected audio signals played within the user's room of the playback device, with entries generated based on detected audio signals played within the model playback zone. May contain generated entries.

FIG. 6B shows an exemplary portion of a database 650 of audio processing algorithms. The database 650 stores the audio processing algorithms determined in the above description and the associations between the audio processing algorithms and the reproduction zone acoustic characteristics. As shown, a portion of database 650 may include multiple entries 652 - 658 similar to entries 602 - 608 of database 600 . For example, entries 652 and 602 may have identical play zone acoustic characteristics and identical audio processing algorithm coefficients. Entries 654 and 604 may have identical play zone acoustic characteristics and identical audio processing algorithm coefficients. Entries 656 and 606 may have identical play zone acoustic characteristics and identical audio processing algorithm coefficients. Entries 658 and 608 may have identical play zone acoustic characteristics and identical audio processing algorithm coefficients.

In addition to the play zone acoustic properties, the database 650 may include zone dimension information indicating the dimensions of the play zone having the corresponding play zone acoustic properties and audio processing algorithms determined based on the corresponding play zone acoustic properties. For example, as shown, entry 652 may have zone dimensions of a ₁ ×b ₁ ×c ₁ and entry 654 may have zone dimensions of a ₂ ×b ₂ ×c ₂ . , entry 656 may have zone dimensions of a ₃ ×b ₃ ×c ₃ and entry 654 may have zone dimensions of a ₄ ×b ₄ ×c ₄ . Thus, in this example, the one or more properties stored in association with the determined audio processing algorithm include the acoustic properties of the play zone and the dimensions of the play zone. Other examples are also possible.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that database 650 is merely one example of a database that may be created and maintained by performing the functions of method 700 . In some examples, play zone acoustic properties may be stored in different forms or mathematical states (ie, inverted versus non-inverted functions). In another example, audio processing algorithms may be stored as functions and/or equalization functions. In yet another example, the database 650 may contain only zone dimensions and corresponding audio processing algorithms and not the corresponding acoustic characteristics of the playback zones. Other examples are also possible.

Similar to method 500, method 700 (or some variation of method 700) described above may also be performed to create other entries in the database. For example, given that the playback device is the first playback device, the playback zone is the first playback zone, and the audio processing algorithm is the first audio processing algorithm, method 600 may additionally or alternatively Alternatively, it may be performed using a second playback device in a second playback zone. In one example, the second reproduction device can reproduce a fourth audio signal in the second reproduction zone, and the microphone of the second reproduction device can reproduce the fourth audio signal reproduced by the second reproduction device. A fifth audio signal can be detected that includes a portion of the audio signal. The computing device then outputs (i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of the second playback zone and (ii) the fifth playback device detected by the microphone of the second playback device in the second playback zone. Data indicative of an audio signal may be received.

The computing device may then determine acoustic characteristics of the second playback zone based on the fifth audio signal and characteristics of the second playback device. The computing device may determine a second audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic properties of the second play zone. Application by the second playback device of the determined second audio processing algorithm when playing back the fourth audio signal in the playback zone now produces a sixth audio signal. The sixth audio signal has substantially the same audio characteristics as the predetermined audio characteristics represented by the predetermined audio signal z(t) shown in equations (7) and (8). The computing device may then store in the database an association between the second audio processing algorithm and at least one of the one or more characteristics of the second play zone.

Similar to that described above with respect to method 500, in the process of creating entries for the database, the computing device determines that two play zones have similar or substantially identical play zone acoustic characteristics. You may Thus, as described above, the computing device can combine (i.e., average) the play zone acoustic properties and the determined audio processing algorithm corresponding to the play zone acoustic properties, and as one entry in the database: A synthesized play zone acoustic characteristic and a synthesized audio processing algorithm may be stored. Other examples are also possible.

As with method 500, although the above description generally refers to method 700 as being performed by a computing device, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality of method 700 could alternatively be performed by a single or by one or more other computing devices, such as one or more servers, one or more playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. In other words, one or more of blocks 702-708 may be executed by a computing device, while one or more of the other blocks 702-708 may be executed by one or more may be performed by any other computing device. Other computing devices may include one or more playback devices, one or more controller devices, and/or one or more servers.

In one example, as described above, playing the first audio signal by the playback device at block 702 may be performed by the playback device without any external command. Alternatively, the playback device may play the first audio signal in response to commands from the controller device and/or other playback devices. In another example, blocks 702-706 may be performed by one or more playback devices or one or more controller devices, and a computing device may perform block 708. Other examples are also possible.

IV. CALIBRATION OF PLAYBACK DEVICES BASED ON PLAY ZONE CHARACTERISTICS As noted above, some examples described herein involve calibration of playback devices for the play zone. In some cases, calibrating a playback device may include determining the audio processing algorithms that the playback device applies when playing audio content in the playback zone.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary playback environment 800 in which playback devices can be calibrated. As shown, playback environment 800 includes computing device 802 , playback devices 804 and 806 , controller device 808 , and playback zone 810 . Playback devices 804 and 806 may be similar to playback device 200 shown in FIG. As such, playback devices 804 and 806 may each have a microphone, such as microphone 220 . In some cases, only one of playback devices 804 and 806 may have a microphone.

In one example, playback devices 804 and 806 can be part of a media playback system that synchronizes audio content, such as that shown and described above in connection with media playback system 100 of FIG. can be configured to play In some cases, playback devices 804 and 806 may be grouped together to play audio content synchronously within playback zone 810 . Referring back to FIG. 1, playback zone 810 may be any one or more of the different rooms and zone groups in media playback system 100 . For example, play zone 810 may be the master bedroom. In such cases, playback devices 804 and 806 may correspond to playback devices 122 and 124, respectively.

In one example, controller device 808 may be a device that may be used to control a media playback system. In some cases, controller device 808 may be similar to control device 300 of FIG. Although the controller device 808 of FIG. 8 is shown as being inside the regeneration zone 810, the controller device 808 may be outside the regeneration zone 810, or may be the regeneration device 804, the regeneration device 806, or the like. and/or may move in and out of playback zone 810 while communicating with other devices in the media playback system.

In one example, computing device 802 may be a server that communicates with a media playback system. Computing device 802 may be configured to maintain a database of information related to the media playback system (such as registration numbers associated with playback devices 804 and 806). Computing device 802 may also be configured to maintain a database of audio processing algorithms as described in the previous section. Other examples are also possible.

Methods 900, 1000 and 1100 provide functions that may be performed for calibration of playback devices in the playback zone, such as playback devices 804 and 806 in playback zone 810, as described below.

a. First Exemplary Method for Determining Audio Processing Algorithms Based on Detected Audio Signals FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method 900 for determining audio processing algorithms based on one or more play zone characteristics. is shown. The method 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 may be used, for example, with the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, the one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, the one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3, and the playback environment 800 of FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a method that may be implemented within an operating environment that includes a. In one example, method 900 can be performed by a computing device in communication with a media playback system. Alternatively, in another example, some or all of the functionality of method 900 includes one or more servers associated with one or more servers, one or more playback devices, and/or media playback systems. It may also be performed by one or more other computing devices, such as controller devices.

Method 900 may include one or more operations, functions or actions as indicated by one or more of blocks 902-908. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, these blocks may be executed in parallel and/or in a different order than described herein. Also, various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based on the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 9, method 900 includes the steps of causing a playback device within a playback zone to play a first audio signal (block 902), generating data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. receiving from the playback device (block 904); determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device (block 906); and providing data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the playback device. A step of transmitting (block 908) is included.

Method 900 includes causing a playback device within a playback zone to play a first audio signal at block 902 . Referring to FIG. 8, the playback device may be playback device 804 and the playback zone may be playback zone 810 . As such, the playback device may be a playback device similar to playback device 200 shown in FIG.

In one example, the computing device 802 may determine that the playback device 804 should be calibrated for the playback zone 810 and, in response, transmit the first audio signal to the playback device 804 within the playback zone 810 . may be played. In some cases, computing device 802 may determine that playback device 804 should be calibrated based on input received from the user indicating that playback device 804 should be calibrated. . In one example, input may be received from a user via controller device 808 . In other cases, computing device 802 determines that playback device 804 should be calibrated because playback device 804 is a new playback device or has newly moved to playback zone 810 . may In further cases, calibration of playback device 804 (or any other playback device in a media playback system) may be performed periodically. As such, computing device 802 may determine that playback device 804 should be calibrated based on the calibration schedule for playback device 804 . Other examples are also possible. In response to determining that playback device 804 should be calibrated, computing device 802 may then cause playback device 804 to play the first audio signal.

Block 902 includes computing device 802 causing playback device 804 to play the first audio signal, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that playback of the first audio signal by playback device 804 does not necessarily occur with computing device 802 . may or may not be initiated. For example, controller device 808 may send a command to playback device 804 to cause playback device 804 to play the first audio signal. In another example, playback device 806 may cause playback device 804 to play the first audio signal. In a further example, playback device 804 may play the first audio signal without receiving commands from computing device 802 , playback device 806 , or controller device 808 . In one example, the playback device 804 may determine that calibration should be performed based on movement of the playback device 804 or changes in the playback zone of the playback device 804, and in response, the first audio signal may be reproduced. Other examples are also possible.

As suggested, the first audio signal may be a test or measurement signal for calibrating playback device 804 for playback zone 810 . As such, the first audio signal may represent audio content that may be played by a playback device during normal use by a user. Accordingly, the first audio signal may include audio content having frequencies that substantially cover the renderable frequency range of the playback device or the human audible frequency range. In another example, the first audio signal may be a favorite or commonly played audio track of the user of the playback device.

The method 900 includes, at block 904, receiving from the playback device a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device. Continuing with the above example, the microphone of playback device 804 may be similar to microphone 220 of playback device 200, given that playback device 804 is similar to playback device 200 of FIG. In one example, computing device 802 may receive data from playback device 804 . In another example, computing device 804 may receive data via other playback devices such as playback device 806, controller devices such as controller device 808, or other computing devices such as other servers. good.

When the playback device 804 is playing the first audio signal, or shortly thereafter, the microphone of the playback device 804 can detect the second audio signal. The second audio signal may include sounds present within the play zone. For example, the second audio signal may include portions corresponding to the first audio signal played by playback device 804 .

In one example, computing device 802 may receive data indicative of the first audio signal from playback device 804 as a media stream when the microphone detects the second audio signal. In another example, computing device 802 may receive data indicative of the second audio signal from playback device 804 upon completion of detection of the second audio signal by the microphone of playback device 804 . In either case, playback device 804 processes the detected second audio signal (via an audio processing component, such as audio processing component 208 of playback device 200) to generate data indicative of the second audio signal. The data may be generated and sent to computing device 802 . In some examples, generating data indicative of the second audio signal may include converting the second audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal. Other examples are also possible.

The method 900 includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device at block 906 . In one example, the acoustic property of the playback device may be h _p (t), as described above with respect to block 506 of method 500 shown in FIG. For example, as described above, having a reference reproduction device in an anechoic chamber reproduce the measurement signal, receive data from the reference reproduction device indicative of the audio signal detected by the microphone of the reference reproduction device, and obtain the detected audio signal and the measurement. By determining the acoustic properties of the reproduction device based on the comparison with the signal, the acoustic properties of the reproduction device can be determined.

As suggested above, the reference playback device may be the same model as the playback device 804 being calibrated for the playback zone 810 . Also, similar to that described above with respect to block 506, the computing device may accordingly determine the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback device and the second audio signal. .

In one example, computing device 802 may determine audio processing algorithms based on acoustic characteristics of the play zone similar to those described above with respect to block 508 . As such, the computing device 802 may determine audio processing algorithms based on the acoustic characteristics of the play zone and predetermined audio characteristics. Here, application by playback device 804 of the determined audio processing algorithm when playing back the first audio signal within playback zone 810 produces a third audio signal. The third audio signal has audio characteristics that are substantially the same as the predetermined audio characteristics, or at least to some extent, the predetermined audio characteristics.

In another example, computing device 802 may select an audio processing algorithm from among multiple audio processing algorithms that corresponds to the acoustic characteristics of play zone 810 . For example, a computing device may access a database, such as databases 600 and 650 of FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively, and identify audio processing algorithms based on the acoustic properties of play zone 810 . For example, referring to database 600 of FIG. 6A, if the acoustic properties of play zone 810 were determined as h _room ⁻¹ (t)−3, then coefficients w ₃ , x ₃ , y ₃ and z ₃ of database entry 606 would be It is possible to specify an audio processing algorithm that has

In some cases, acoustic properties that exactly match the determined acoustic properties of play zone 810 may not be found in the database. In such cases, an audio processing algorithm may be identified that corresponds to the acoustic characteristics in the database that are most similar to the acoustic characteristics of play zone 810 . Other examples are also possible.

Method 900 includes transmitting data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to a playback device at block 908 . Continuing the above example, computing device 802 (or one or more other devices) may transmit data to playback device 804 indicating the determined audio processing algorithm. The data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm may also include commands for causing playback device 804 to apply the determined audio processing algorithm when playing audio content in playback zone 810 . In one example, applying an audio processing algorithm to the audio content may change the frequency equalization of the audio content. In another example, applying an audio processing algorithm to audio content may change the volume range of the audio content. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, a playback zone may include multiple playback devices configured to play audio content in sync. For example, as described above, playback devices 804 and 806 may be configured to play audio content synchronously in playback zone 810 . In such cases, calibration of one of the playback devices may include the other playback device.

In one example, a playback zone, such as playback zone 810, includes a first playback device, such as playback device 804, and a second playback device, such as playback device 806, configured to play audio content in synchronism. It's okay. Calibrating playback device 804, as performed in coordination with computing device 802, includes causing playback device 804 to play a first audio signal and playback device 806 to play a second audio signal. It's okay.

In some cases, computing device 802 may cause playback device 806 to play the second audio signal in synchronization with playback of the first audio signal by playback device 804 . In one example, the second audio signal is orthogonal to the first audio signal such that the components of the audio content that are synchronously played back by either of playback devices 804 and 806 can be identifiable. good too. In other cases, the computing device may cause playback device 806 to play the second audio signal after playback device 804 finishes playing the first audio signal. Other examples are also possible.

Computing device 802 may then receive from playback device 804 a third audio signal detected by the microphone of playback device 804 , similar to that described with respect to block 904 . However, in this case, the third audio signal may include both a portion corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 804 and a portion corresponding to the second audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 806. good.

Computing device 802 may then determine an audio processing algorithm based on the third audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of playback device 804 and transmit data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to playback device 804 . . The determined audio processing algorithms, similar to those described above with respect to blocks 906 and 908 , are those that playback device 804 applies when playing audio content in playback zone 810 .

In some cases, as described above, playback device 806 may have a microphone and may be calibrated similarly to those described above. As shown, the first audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 804 and the second audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 806 may be orthogonal or distinct. For example, and as discussed above, playback device 806 may play the second audio signal after playback device 804 finishes playing the first audio signal. In another example, the second audio signal may have a phase that is orthogonal to the phase of the first audio signal. In yet another example, the second audio signal may have a different and/or varying frequency range than the first audio signal. Other examples are also possible.

In either case, the distinguishable first and second audio signals allow the computing device 802 to select from the third audio signal detected by the playback device 804 the playback device for the detected third audio signal. The contribution of 804 and the contribution of playback device 806 to the detected third audio signal can be analyzed. Each audio processing algorithm can then be determined for playback device 804 and playback device 806 .

Each audio processing algorithm can be determined in a manner similar to that described above with respect to block 508 . In some cases, a first acoustic property of the play zone may be determined based on a third audio signal detected by playback device 604 and a second acoustic property of the play zone is detected by playback device 806. may be determined based on the obtained fourth audio signal. Similar to the third audio signal, the fourth audio signal has a portion corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 804 and a portion corresponding to the second audio signal reproduced by reproduction device 806. may contain.

Each audio processing algorithm for playback device 804 and playback device 806 may then be determined based on the first acoustic characteristic of the playback zone and the second acoustic characteristic of the playback zone, individually or in combination. In some cases, the combination of the first acoustic characteristic of the reproduction zone and the second acoustic characteristic of the reproduction zone is more pronounced of the reproduction zone than either the individual first or second acoustic characteristic of the reproduction zone. Comprehensive acoustic properties can be represented. Each audio processing algorithm is then transmitted to playback device 804 and playback device 806 for application when playing audio content in playback zone 810 . Other examples are also possible.

Although the above description generally refers to method 900 as being performed by computing device 802 of FIG. It will be appreciated that it may be performed by one or more other computing devices, such as one or more servers, one or more playback devices and/or one or more controller devices. . For example, the functionality of method 900 for calibrating playback device 804 for playback zone 810 may include playback device 804, playback device 806, controller device 808, or any other device not shown in FIG. 8 that communicates with playback device 804. device.

Further, in some cases, one or more of blocks 902-908 may be performed by computing device 802, while one or more other blocks of blocks 902-908 may be performed by one or more of the blocks 902-908. It may be performed by one or more other devices. For example, blocks 902 and 904 may be performed by one or more of playback device 804 , playback device 806 and playback device 808 . In other words, an adjustment device other than computing device 802 can adjust the calibration of playback device 804 for playback zone 810 .

In some cases, at block 906, the coordinating device transmits the second audio signal to the computing device 802 for the computing device 802 to process the audio based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device. Algorithm may be determined. The acoustic characteristics of the playback device may be provided to the computing device 802 by the coordinating device, or may be provided from some other device on which the playback device characteristics are stored. In some cases, the computing device 802 may perform the calculations of block 906 because the computing device 802 has more processing power than the coordinating device.

In one example, once the computing device 802 determines the audio processing algorithm, the computing device 802 sends the determined audio processing algorithm directly to the playback device 804 for application by the playback device 804 when playing audio content in the playback zone 810 . can be In another example, once the computing device 802 determines the audio processing algorithm, it may transmit the determined audio processing algorithm to the coordinating device, which performs block 908 (where the coordinating device otherwise) the determined audio processing algorithm may be transmitted to playback device 804 . Other examples are also possible.

b. A Second Exemplary Method of Determining an Audio Processing Algorithm Based on a Detected Audio Signal In some cases, as described above, calibration of playback devices in the playback zone involves computing devices such as servers or controller devices. may be coordinated and performed by In some other cases, as described above, playback device calibration may be adjusted and/or performed by the playback device being calibrated.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method 1000 for determining audio processing algorithms based on one or more playback zone characteristics, as performed by a playback device being calibrated. 10, the one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, the one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3, and the playback environment 800 of FIG. 8, for example. 1 depicts an embodiment of a method that may be implemented within an operating environment that includes a. As shown, method 800 can be performed by a playback device to be calibrated for a playback zone. In some cases, some of the functionality of method 1000 is alternatively performed by one or more servers, one or more other playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. or by multiple other computing devices.

Method 1000 may include one or more operations, functions or actions as indicated by one or more of blocks 1002-1008. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, these blocks may be executed in parallel and/or in a different order than described herein. Also, various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based on the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 10, method 1000 includes the steps of playing a first audio signal within a play zone (block 1002), detecting a second audio signal with a microphone (block 1004), Determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the signal and the playback device (block 1006); applying the determined audio processing algorithm to audio data corresponding to the media item when playing the media item (block 1008); )including.

Method 1000 includes playing a first audio signal in a play zone at block 1002 . Referring to FIG. 8, a playback device performing method 1000 while playback device 804 is within playback zone 810 may be playback device 804 . In one example, block 1002 is similar to block 902 but may be performed by calibrated playback device 804 rather than computing device 802 . Nonetheless, the discussion above relating to block 902 is applicable to block 1002, sometimes with some variation.

Method 1000 includes detecting a second audio signal with a microphone at block 1004 . The second audio signal may include portions corresponding to the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device. In some examples, block 1004 is similar to block 904 but may be performed by calibrated playback device 804 rather than computing device 802 . Nonetheless, the discussion above relating to block 904 is applicable to block 1004, sometimes with some variations.

The method 1000 includes determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device at block 1006 . In some examples, block 1006 is similar to block 906 but may be performed by calibrated playback device 804 rather than computing device 802 . Nonetheless, the discussion above relating to block 906 is applicable to block 1006, sometimes with some variations.

In some cases, the function of determining audio processing algorithms may be performed entirely by playback device 804 that is calibrated for playback zone 810, as described with respect to block 906. For example, playback device 804 may determine the acoustic properties of playback zone 610 based on the second audio signal and the acoustic properties of playback device 804 . In some cases, playback device 804 may store the acoustic characteristics of playback device 804 locally. In other cases, playback device 804 may receive acoustic characteristics of playback device 804 from other devices.

In one example, playback device 804 may then select an audio processing algorithm from among multiple audio processing algorithms that corresponds to the acoustic characteristics of playback zone 610 . For example, playback device 804 may access databases, such as databases 600 and 650 shown and described above with respect to FIGS. may be identified in the database for audio processing algorithms corresponding to .

In another example, similar to the functionality described above with respect to block 906 of method 900 and/or block 508 of method 500, playback device 804 may generate an audio signal based on acoustic characteristics of playback zone 610 and predetermined audio characteristics. A processing algorithm may be calculated. Here, application by playback device 804 of the determined audio processing algorithm when playing back the first audio signal in playback zone 810 produces a third audio signal. The third audio signal has substantially the same audio characteristics as the predetermined audio characteristics or at least some predetermined audio characteristics.

In further examples, other devices besides playback device 804 may perform some or all of the functionality of block 1006, as described in the previous section. For example, playback device 804 may be a computing device such as computing device 802, another playback device such as playback device 806, a controller device such as controller device 808, and/or some other device in communication with playback device 804. may send data indicative of the detected second audio signal to request the audio processing algorithm. In another example, the playback device 804 determines acoustic characteristics of the playback zone 810 based on the detected audio signal, and performs playback in response to a request for an audio processing algorithm based on the determined acoustic characteristics of the playback zone 810 . Data indicative of the determined acoustic properties of zone 810 may be transmitted to other devices.

In other words, in one aspect, the playback device 804 outputs audio from the other device based on the detected second audio signal and/or the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone 810 provided to the other device by the playback device 804 . The audio processing algorithm may be determined by requesting the audio processing algorithm.

If the playback device 804 provides data indicative of the detected second audio signal rather than the acoustic properties of the playback zone 810 , the playback device 804 allows other devices to determine the acoustic properties of the playback zone 810 . As such, the acoustic characteristics of playback device 804 may be transmitted along with data indicative of the detected second audio signal. In another case, a device receiving data indicative of the detected second audio signal determines, based on the data, the model of the playback device 804 transmitting the data, and the model of the playback device 804 (i.e., the playback device The acoustic properties of the playback device 804 may be determined based on the acoustic properties database). Other examples are also possible.

Playback device 804 may then receive the determined audio processing algorithm. In some cases, playback device 804 may transmit the second audio signal to other devices because the other devices have more processing power than playback device 804 . In other cases, playback device 804 and one or more other devices may perform computations and functions in parallel for efficient use of processing power. Other examples are also possible.

The method 800 includes applying the determined audio processing algorithm to audio data corresponding to the media item at block 1008 when playing the media item. In one example, the application of audio processing algorithms to the audio data of the media item by playback device 804 when playing the media item within playback zone 810 may alter the frequency equalization of the media item. In another example, application of audio processing algorithms to the audio data of the media item by the playback device 804 when playing the media item within the playback zone 810 may change the volume range of the media item. In one example, playback device 804 may store the determined audio processing algorithms in local memory storage and may apply the audio processing algorithms when playing audio content in playback zone 810 .

In some examples, playback device 804 may be calibrated for different configurations of playback device 804 . For example, playback device 804 may be calibrated for a first configuration that includes individual playback in playback zone 810 and a second configuration that includes synchronized playback with playback device 806 in playback zone 810 . In such case, a first audio processing algorithm is determined, stored and applied for a first playback configuration of the playback device and a second audio processing algorithm is determined for a second playback configuration of the playback device. determined, stored, and applied for

The playback device 804 may then determine audio processing algorithms to apply when playing audio content in the playback zone 810 based on the playback configuration of the playback device 804 at a given time. For example, when playback device 804 is playing audio content in playback zone 810 without playback device 806, playback device 804 may apply a first audio processing algorithm. On the other hand, when playback device 804 is playing audio content in playback zone 810 in sync with playback device 806, playback device 804 may apply a second audio processing algorithm. Other examples are also possible.

c. Exemplary Methods of Determining Audio Processing Algorithms Based on Play Zone Characteristics In the discussion above, the determination of audio processing algorithms is generally based on the audio signals detected by the playback devices within the play zone. It can be based on determining the acoustic properties of the playback zone. In some cases, audio processing algorithms may be specified based on other properties of the play zone in addition to or instead of the acoustic properties of the play zone.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flow diagram for providing an audio processing algorithm from a database of audio processing algorithms based on one or more characteristics of a play zone. 11, the one or more playback devices 200 of FIG. 2, the one or more control devices 300 of FIG. 3, and the playback environment 800 of FIG. 8, for example. 1 depicts an embodiment of a method that may be implemented within an operating environment that includes a. In one example, the method 1100 includes one or more playback devices, one or more controller devices, one or more servers, or one in communication with the playback device to be calibrated for the playback zone. May be executed individually or collectively by one or more computing devices.

Method 1100 may include one or more operations, functions or actions, as indicated by one or more of blocks 1102-1108. Although the blocks are shown in sequence, these blocks may be executed in parallel and/or in a different order than described herein. Also, various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based on the desired implementation.

As shown in FIG. 11, the method 1100 includes maintaining a database of (i) a plurality of audio processing algorithms and (ii) a plurality of play zone characteristics (block 1102); The steps include receiving data indicative (block 1104), identifying an audio processing algorithm in a database based on the data (block 1106), and transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm (block 1108).

The method 1100 includes maintaining a database of (i) multiple audio processing algorithms and (ii) multiple play zone characteristics at block 1102 . In one example, the database may be similar to databases 600 and 650 as shown and described above in connection with FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively. As such, each audio processing algorithm of the plurality of audio processing algorithms may correspond to one or more play zone characteristics of the plurality of play zone characteristics. Database maintenance may be as described above with respect to methods 500 and 700 of FIGS. 5 and 7, respectively. As noted above, the database may or may not be stored locally on the device that maintains the database.

Method 1100 includes receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of the play zone at block 1104 . In some examples, one or more properties of the play zone may include acoustic properties of the play zone. In another example, the one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone are the dimensions of the regeneration zone, the flooring of the regeneration zone, the walls of the regeneration zone, the intended use of the regeneration zone, the It may include the number of pieces of furniture, the size of pieces of furniture in the regeneration zone and the types of pieces of furniture in the regeneration zone.

In one example, referring back to FIG. 8, playback device 804 may be calibrated for playback zone 810 . As described above, the method 1100 may be performed individually or collectively by the playback device 804 being calibrated, the playback device 806, the controller device 808, the computing device 802, or any other device in communication with the playback device 804. good too.

In some cases, the one or more properties may include acoustic properties of the play zone 810 . In such cases, the playback device 804 within the playback zone 810 plays the first audio signal and detects by the microphone of the playback device 804 a second audio signal that includes a portion corresponding to the first audio signal. good too. In one example, the data indicative of the one or more characteristics may be data indicative of the detected second audio signal. In another example, based on the detected second audio signal and the acoustic properties of the playback device 804, the acoustic properties of the playback zone 810 may be determined in a manner similar to that previously described. The data indicative of one or more properties may then indicate acoustic properties of the playback zone. In any case, data indicative of one or more characteristics may then be received by at least one of the one or more devices performing method 1100 .

In other cases, the one or more characteristics may include regeneration zone dimensions, regeneration zone flooring, regeneration zone wall materials, and the like. In such cases, the user may be prompted to input or select one or more characteristics of play zone 810 via a controller interface provided by a controller device, such as controller device 808 . For example, the controller interface may provide a list of play zone dimensions and/or a list of furniture arrangements, among other possibilities, for the user to choose from. Data indicating one or more characteristics of the play zone 810 as provided by the user may then be received by at least one of the one or more devices performing the method 1100 .

The method 1100 includes identifying audio processing algorithms in the database based on the data at block 1106 . Referring to the case where the one or more properties include acoustic properties of play zone 810 , audio processing algorithms may be identified in the database based on the acoustic properties of play zone 810 . For example, referring to database 600 of FIG. 6A, the received data indicates acoustic characteristics of playback zone 810 that are substantially the same as h _room ⁻¹ (t)−3 or h _room ⁻¹ (t)−3. , an audio processing algorithm for database entry 606 with coefficients w3 _{, x3 , y3} and z3 may be identified. For example, the data indicative of one or more properties of the play zone may simply include data indicative of the detected second audio signal, and the acoustic properties of the play zone may be further described above prior to specifying the audio processing algorithm. can be determined as Other examples are also possible.

Referring to the case where the one or more properties include, among other properties, the dimensions of the play zone, audio processing algorithms may be identified in the database based on the dimensions of the play zone. For example, referring to database 650 of FIG. 6B, if the received data indicates the dimensions of regeneration zone 810 as a ₄ ×b ₄ ×c ₄ or substantially the same as a ₄ ×b ₄ ×c ₄ , then factor w ₄ , x ₄ , y ₄ and z ₄ , the audio processing algorithm entries of database entry 658 may be identified. Other examples are also possible.

In some cases, multiple audio processing algorithms may be identified based on one or more characteristics of the playback zone indicated in the received data. For example, even if the acoustic properties of the play zone 810 are determined as h _room ⁻¹ (t)−3, while the dimensions provided by the user for the play zone 810 are a ₄ ×b ₄ ×c ₄ good. where h _room ⁻¹ ₍ t)−3 corresponds to audio processing algorithm parameters w ₃ , x ₃ , y ₃ and z ₃ as provided in entry 656 of database 650 of FIG. b ₄ ×c ₄ corresponds to audio processing algorithm parameters w ₄ , x ₄ , y ₄ and z ₄ as provided in entry 658 .

In some examples, preference may be given to audio processing algorithms that correspond to matching or substantially matching acoustic characteristics. In another example, an audio processing algorithm average (ie, parameter average) may be calculated, and the average audio processing algorithm may be a specified audio processing algorithm. Other examples are also possible.

Method 1100 includes transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm at block 1108 . Continuing with the above example, data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm may be sent to playback device 804 that is calibrated for playback zone 810 . In some cases, data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm may be sent directly to playback device 804 . In other cases, if the calibration of the playback device 804 is adjusted by the controller device 808 and if the audio processing algorithm is specified by the computing device 802 , data indicative of the specified audio processing algorithm may be used by the controller device 808 . may be transmitted from the computing device 802 to the playback device 804 via. Other examples are also possible.

As noted above, the functionality of method 1100 may be performed by one or more of one or more servers, one or more playback devices, and/or one or more controller devices. In one example, database maintenance at block 1102 is performed by computing device 802 . Receipt of data indicative of one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone at block 1104 is performed by the controller device 808 (the data is provided to the controller device 808 by the regeneration device 804 being calibrated in the regeneration zone 810). . Block 1106 is executed by controller device 808 in communication with computing device 802 to access a database maintained by computing device 802 to identify audio signal processing. Block 1108 includes the computing device 802 sending data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to the playback device 804 either directly or via the controller device 808 .

In another example, the functionality of method 1100 may be performed entirely or substantially entirely by one device. For example, computing device 802 may maintain a database as described with respect to block 1102 .

Computing device 802 may then adjust the calibration of playback device 804 . For example, the computing device 802 may cause the playback device 804 to play a first audio signal and detect a second audio signal, receive data indicative of the detected second audio signal from the playback device 804, and play. Acoustic characteristics of playback zone 810 may be determined based on data from device 804 . In another case, the computing device 802 causes the controller device 808 to prompt the user to provide one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone 810 (i.e., dimensions, etc., as described above) so that the user of the regeneration zone 810 can may receive data indicative of characteristics provided by

The computing device may then identify an audio processing algorithm based on the received data at block 1106 and transmit data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm to playback device 804 at block 1108. . Computing device 802 may also send commands for playback device 804 to apply the specified audio processing algorithms when playing audio content within playback zone 810 . Other examples are also possible.

IV. CONCLUSION This specification discloses various example systems, methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, etc. that include, among other components, firmware and/or software executing on hardware. It is understood that such examples are illustrative only and should not be considered limiting. For example, some or all of these firmware, hardware, and/or software aspects or components may be exclusively hardware, exclusively software, exclusively firmware, or any of hardware, software, and/or firmware. It is intended that combinations may be practiced. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the only ways to implement the systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or products.

Further, the use of "embodiment" herein indicates that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one example of the invention. The appearances of the phrase in various places in this specification are not all referring to the same embodiment, nor to separate or alternative embodiments but to other embodiments. It is thus understood that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art.

The following examples describe additional or alternative aspects of the disclosure. A device in any of the following examples can be an element of any of the devices described herein or any configuration of a device described herein.
(Feature 1)
A computing device comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions,
Said function is
causing a playback device within the playback zone to play the first audio signal;
receiving data from the playback device indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device, wherein the second audio signal includes a portion corresponding to the first audio signal;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device; and transmitting data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the playback device;
A computing device having a
(Feature 2)
third audio having audio characteristics substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics by applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the playback device when playing the first audio signal within the playback zone; A computing device of any preceding character from which a signal is generated.
(Feature 3)
Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device; and a plurality of audio processing algorithms corresponding to the determined acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. to choose from
A computing device of any preceding feature, including
(Feature 4)
Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the playback device; and calculating the audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone and predetermined audio characteristics. to do
A computing device of any preceding feature, including
(Feature 5)
The computing device of any preceding feature, wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises determining one or more parameters for the audio processing algorithm.
(Feature 6)
The function further includes:
causing a reference reproduction device in the anechoic chamber to reproduce the measured signal;
receiving data from the reference reproduction device indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone of the reference reproduction device, wherein the detected audio signal corresponds to a measured signal reproduced in the anechoic chamber; and determining an acoustic characteristic of the playback device based on a comparison of the detected audio signal and the measured signal;
A computing device of any preceding feature, having
(Feature 7)
A computing device comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the computing device to perform functions,
Said function is
causing a first playback device to play a first audio signal in a playback zone;
causing a second playback device to play a second audio signal in the playback zone;
receiving data from the first playback device indicative of a third audio signal detected by a microphone of the first playback device, wherein the third audio signal is (i) the first audio signal; a portion corresponding to an audio signal; and (ii) a portion corresponding to said second audio signal reproduced by a second reproduction device;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the third audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the first playback device; and transmitting data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the first playback device;
A computing device having a
(Feature 8)
applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the first reproduction device when reproducing the first audio signal in the reproduction zone, thereby generating a fourth audio characteristic having substantially the same audio characteristics as predetermined audio characteristics; 8. The computing device of feature 7, wherein the audio signal of feature 7 is generated.
(Feature 9)
Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the third audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the first playback device; and a plurality of audio processing algorithms corresponding to the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. The computing device of feature 7 or feature 8, comprising selecting from:
(Feature 10)
causing a second reproduction device to reproduce a second audio signal includes reproducing the second audio signal to the second reproduction device in synchronization with reproduction of the first audio signal by the first reproduction device; 10. The computing device of any of features 7-9, including playing the
(Feature 11)
causing the second reproduction device to reproduce the second audio signal includes reproducing the second audio signal to the second reproduction device after the reproduction of the first audio signal by the first reproduction device is completed; 11. The computing device of any of features 7-10, including playing.
(Feature 12)
12. The computing device of any of features 7-11, wherein the first audio signal is orthogonal to the second audio signal.
(Feature 13)
13. The computing device of any of features 7-12, wherein the first playback device and the second playback device are included in a zone group of playback devices configured to play audio content synchronously.
(Feature 14)
1. A playback device comprising a processor, a microphone, and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause the playback device to perform functions,
Said function is
playing the first audio signal within a play zone;
detecting a second audio signal with the microphone, wherein the second audio signal includes a portion corresponding to the first audio signal;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device;
applying the determined audio processing algorithm to audio data corresponding to the media item when playing the media item within the play zone;
A playback device.
(Feature 15)
generating a third audio signal having audio characteristics substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics by applying the determined audio processing algorithm when reproducing the first audio signal within the reproduction zone; , the computing device of feature 14.
(Feature 16)
Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining one or more characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the playback device; and providing an audio processing algorithm corresponding to the one or more characteristics of the playback zone. choosing from multiple audio processing algorithms;
16. The computing device of feature 14 or feature 15, comprising:
(Feature 17)
Determining the audio processing algorithm includes:
(i) transmitting the second audio signal and (ii) transmission data indicative of characteristics of the playback device to a computing device; and receiving data indicative of the audio processing algorithm from the computing device;
17. The computing device of any of features 14-16, comprising:
(Feature 18)
18. The computing device of any of features 14-17, wherein the functionality further includes storing the determined audio processing algorithm in the memory.
(Feature 19)
19. The computing device of any of features 14-18, wherein applying the audio processing algorithm to the audio data includes modifying frequency equalization of the media item.
(Feature 20)
20. The computing device of any of features 14-19, wherein applying the audio processing algorithm to the audio data includes modifying a volume range of the media item.
(Feature 21)
a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause a computing device to perform functions;
A computing device comprising
Said function is
causing a playback device within the playback zone to play the first audio signal;
receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the reproduction device, wherein the second audio signal corresponds to a portion of the first audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device; including,
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and characteristics of the playback device;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic properties of the play zone; and storing in a database an association between the audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the play zone;
A computing device having a
(Feature 22)
third audio having audio characteristics substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics by applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the playback device when playing the first audio signal within the playback zone; A computing device of any preceding character from which a signal is generated.
(Feature 23)
wherein the playback device is a first playback device;
wherein the regeneration zone is a first regeneration zone;
wherein the audio processing algorithm is a first audio processing algorithm,
Said function further comprises:
causing a second playback device in a second playback zone to play a fourth audio signal;
receiving data indicative of a fifth audio signal detected by a microphone of the second reproduction device, wherein the fifth audio signal is the fourth audio signal reproduced by the second reproduction device; including the portion corresponding to the audio signal,
determining acoustic characteristics of the second playback zone based on the fifth audio signal and characteristics of the second playback device;
determining a second audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic properties of the second play zone; and storing in a database an association between the second audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the second play zone. thing,
A computing device of any preceding feature, having
(Feature 24)
substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics by applying the first determined audio processing algorithm by the first reproduction device when reproducing the first audio signal within a first reproduction zone; a third audio signal is generated having audio characteristics of
applying the second determined audio processing algorithm by the second playback device when playing back the fourth audio signal in the second playback zone, substantially a sixth audio signal having the same audio characteristics at
The computing device of Feature 3.
(Feature 25)
Said function further comprises:
determining that the acoustic properties of the second playback zone are substantially the same as the acoustic properties of the first playback zone;
In response, determining a third audio processing algorithm based on said first audio processing algorithm and said second audio processing algorithm; and said third audio processing algorithm and said first play zone. storing in a database the association with the acoustic properties of
The computing device of feature 3, comprising:
(Feature 26)
26. The computing device of any of features 21-25, wherein determining the audio processing algorithm includes determining one or more parameters for the audio processing algorithm.
(Feature 27)
Said function further comprises:
receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of the play zone; and storing in a database an association between one or more characteristics of the play zone and the second audio processing algorithm;
The computing device of any of features 21-26, having a
(Feature 28)
The one or more characteristics of the reproduction zone are: (a) dimensions of the reproduction zone; (b) audio reflection properties of the reproduction zone; (c) intended use of the reproduction zone; 28. The computing device of feature 27, comprising one or more of the number, (e) the size of the furniture in the reproduction zone, and (f) the type of furniture in the reproduction zone.
(Feature 29)
a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause a computing device to perform functions;
A computing device comprising
Said function is
causing a playback device within the playback zone to play the first audio signal;
(i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of the playback zone and (ii) data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone of the playback device, wherein the second audio. the signal includes a portion corresponding to the audio signal reproduced by the reproduction device;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and characteristics of the playback device; and associating the determined audio processing algorithm with at least one of one or more characteristics of the playback zone. to be stored in a database,
A computing device comprising:
(Feature 30)
Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and characteristics of the playback device; and determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. A third audio signal having audio characteristics substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics is generated by applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the reproduction device when reproducing the second audio signal within the zone. to be generated,
29. The computing device of feature 29.
(Feature 31)
wherein the playback device is a first playback device;
wherein the regeneration zone is a first regeneration zone;
wherein the audio processing algorithm is a first audio processing algorithm,
Said function further comprises:
causing a second playback device in a second playback zone to play a third audio signal;
(i) data indicative of one or more characteristics of said second playback zone; and (ii) data indicative of a fourth audio signal detected by a microphone of a second playback device within said second playback zone. wherein said fourth audio signal comprises a portion corresponding to said third audio signal reproduced by said reproduction device;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on characteristics of the fourth audio signal and the second playback device; and determining one or more characteristics of the second audio processing algorithm and the second playback zone. storing in a database an association with at least one of
The computing device of feature 29 or feature 30, comprising:
(Feature 32)
Determining the second audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the fourth audio signal and characteristics of the playback device; and determining an audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic characteristics of the playback zone; applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the second reproduction device when reproducing the third audio signal within a reproduction zone, thereby obtaining a fifth audio characteristic having substantially the same audio characteristics as predetermined audio characteristics; so that an audio signal of
29. The computing device of feature 29.
(Feature 33)
Said function further comprises:
determining that the acoustic properties of the second playback zone are substantially the same as the acoustic properties of the first playback zone;
In response, determining a third audio processing algorithm based on said first audio processing algorithm and said second audio processing algorithm; and said third audio processing algorithm and said first play zone. storing in a database an association with at least one of the one or more properties of
The computing device of feature 32, comprising:
(Feature 34)
The one or more characteristics of the reproduction zone are: (a) dimensions of the reproduction zone; (b) audio reflection properties of the reproduction zone; (c) intended use of the reproduction zone; (e) the size of the furniture in the reproduction zone; (f) the type of furniture in the reproduction zone; and (g) the acoustic characteristics of the reproduction zone. any computing device.
(Feature 35)
a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to cause a playback device to perform functions;
A computing device comprising
Said function is
(i) maintaining a database of a plurality of audio processing algorithms and (ii) a plurality of play zone characteristics, wherein each audio processing algorithm of said plurality of audio processing algorithms comprises: corresponding to at least one play zone characteristic of
receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone;
identifying an audio processing algorithm in the database based on the data; and transmitting data indicative of the identified audio processing algorithm;
A computing device having a
(Feature 36)
36. The computing device of Feature 35, wherein the data is further indicative of audio signals detected by microphones of playback devices within the playback zone.
(Feature 37)
Identifying the audio processing algorithm in the database further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the detected audio signal and characteristics of the playback device; and identifying an audio processing algorithm in the database based on the determined acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. thing,
The computing device of feature 36, comprising:
(Feature 38)
The plurality of play zone characteristics include: (a) dimensions of the play zone, (b) audio reflection properties of the play zone, (c) intended use of the play zone, (d) number of furniture in the play zone, (e) 36. The computing device of Feature 35, comprising one or more of:) size of furniture in a play zone; (f) type of furniture in a play zone; and (g) acoustic characteristics of the play zone.
(Feature 39)
36. The computing device of feature 35, wherein data indicative of one or more characteristics of the play zone is received from a controller device.
(Feature 40)
36. The computing device of feature 35, wherein data indicative of one or more characteristics of the play zone is received from a play device within the play zone.

This specification is presented broadly in terms of exemplary environments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processes, and other symbolic representations that describe the operations of data processing devices that are directly or indirectly connected to networks. is similar to These processing descriptions and representations are commonly used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A number of specific details are provided for understanding this disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without the specific specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the above-described embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to merely cover implementations in software and/or firmware, one or more of the elements in at least one example may be referred to herein as software and/or firmware. tangible, non-transitory storage media, such as memories, DVDs, CDs, Blu-rays, etc.

Claims (20)

causing a playback device (200) in the playback zone to play the first audio signal;
receiving data indicative of a second audio signal detected by a microphone (220) of the playback device, wherein the second audio signal includes a portion corresponding to the first audio signal;
determine an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device; and transmit data indicative of the determined audio processing algorithm to the playback device (200), and/or storing in a database an association between audio processing algorithms and acoustic properties of the play zone;
A computing device (300). applying the determined audio processing algorithm by the playback device (200) when playing back the first audio signal within the playback zone to have audio characteristics substantially identical to predetermined audio characteristics; 2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein a third audio signal is generated. Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
determining acoustic characteristics of the playback zone based on the second audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the playback device (200); and determining an audio processing algorithm based on the determined acoustic characteristics of the playback zone. to do
3. A computing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a . Determining the audio processing algorithm based on the determined acoustic characteristics of the playback zone comprises:
selecting from a plurality of audio processing algorithms an audio processing algorithm corresponding to the determined acoustic properties of the play zone; or calculating the audio processing algorithm based on acoustic properties of the play zone and predetermined audio properties. ,
4. The computing device of claim 3, comprising: 5. A computing device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein determining the audio processing algorithm comprises determining one or more parameters for the audio processing algorithm. causing the reference reproduction device (200) in the anechoic chamber to reproduce the measurement signal;
receiving data from the reference reproduction device (200) indicative of an audio signal detected by a microphone (220) of the reference reproduction device (220), wherein the detected audio signal is reproduced in the anechoic chamber; a portion corresponding to the measured signal obtained by
determining an acoustic characteristic of the playback device (200) based on a comparison of the detected audio signal and the measured signal;
A computing device according to any one of claims 1-5. moreover,
causing a second playback device (200) to play a fourth audio signal within the playback zone prior to receiving data indicative of the second audio signal;
wherein said second audio signal further comprises a portion corresponding to said fourth audio signal reproduced by a second reproduction device (200);
A computing device according to any one of claims 1-6. The reproduction of the fourth audio signal by the second reproduction device (200) is synchronized with the reproduction of the first audio signal by the first reproduction device (200), or the first reproduction device 8. The computing device of claim 7, caused to occur after (200) finishes playing the first audio signal. 9. A computing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first audio signal is orthogonal to said third audio signal. from claim 7, wherein the first playback device (200) and the second playback device (200) are included in a zone group of playback devices (200) configured to play audio content synchronously; 10. A computing device according to any one of claims 9. Determining the audio processing algorithm further comprises:
receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone;
storing in a database an association between one or more characteristics of the play zone and the audio processing algorithm;
11. A computing device according to any one of claims 1-2 and 5-10, comprising a. wherein the playback device is a first playback device;
wherein the regeneration zone is a first regeneration zone;
wherein the audio processing algorithm is a first audio processing algorithm,
Said function further comprises:
causing a second playback device in a second playback zone to play a fourth audio signal;
receiving data indicative of a fifth audio signal detected by a microphone of the second reproduction device, wherein the fifth audio signal is the fourth audio signal reproduced by the second reproduction device; including the portion corresponding to the audio signal,
determining acoustic characteristics of the second playback zone based on the fifth audio signal and characteristics of the second playback device;
determining a second audio processing algorithm based on the acoustic properties of the second playback zone;
storing in a database an association of the second audio processing algorithm and the acoustic properties of the second playback zone;
A computing device according to any one of claims 1-6 and 9-11, comprising a. Said function further comprises:
determining that the acoustic properties of the second playback zone are substantially the same as the acoustic properties of the first playback zone;
responsively, determining a third audio processing algorithm based on the first audio processing algorithm and the second audio processing algorithm;
storing in a database an association between the third audio processing algorithm and the acoustic characteristics of the first play zone;
13. The computing device of claim 12, comprising: 14. Any one of claims 11-13, wherein data indicative of one or more characteristics of the regeneration zone is received from one of a controller device and a regeneration device within the regeneration zone. computing device. The one or more characteristics of the reproduction zone are: (a) dimensions of the reproduction zone; (b) audio reflection characteristics of the reproduction zone; (c) intended use of the reproduction zone; 15. Any of claims 1-14, including one or more of the number of pieces of furniture, (e) size of pieces of furniture in the regeneration zone, and (f) types of pieces of furniture in the regeneration zone. 2. The computing device of clause 1. A playback device (200) in a playback zone, comprising:
a microphone (220), and a processor (202),
has
The processor (202)
playing the first audio signal;
detecting by the microphone (220) a second audio signal comprising a portion corresponding to the first audio signal;
determining an audio processing algorithm based on the second audio signal and the acoustic characteristics of the playback device (200);
applying the determined audio processing algorithm to audio data corresponding to the media item when playing the media item within the play zone;
playback device. Determining the audio processing algorithm includes:
moreover,
determining one or more characteristics of the reproduction zone based on the second audio signal and acoustic characteristics of the reproduction device (200); and audio corresponding to the one or more characteristics of the reproduction zone. selecting a processing algorithm from a plurality of audio processing algorithms;
17. The playback device of claim 16, comprising: Determining the audio processing algorithm includes:
(i) transmitting the second audio signal and (ii) transmission data indicative of characteristics of the playback device (200) to a computing device (300); and transmitting data indicative of the audio processing algorithm to the computing device. (300) receiving from
17. The playback device of claim 16, comprising: moreover,
19. A playback device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising a memory (206) configured to store the determined audio processing algorithm. Applying the audio processing algorithm to the audio data comprises:
20. A playback device as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, comprising changing at least one of frequency equalization of the media item and volume range of the media item.

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